<p>Color showed up in human history long before paintbrushes, fabric, or even writing. Thousands of years before ancient Egypt, in what is now Georgia, someone picked up a stone and crushed a blue plant that couldn’t be eaten. </p>



<p>From that act, we now have one of the earliest signs of the color blue - intentionally made by human hands.</p>



<p>Researchers have just confirmed that small pebbles found in Dzudzuana Cave, about 50 miles east of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/vibrant-colors-brighten-the-black-sea/">Black Sea</a>, were used 34,000 years ago to grind the leaves of a plant that produces indigo blue dye.</p>



<p>That’s long before we thought people were doing anything that complex with color. Turns out, they weren’t just hunting animals and gathering berries - they were already experimenting with plants in ways that go beyond survival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-humans-knew-plant-power">Early humans knew plant power</h2>



<p>For a long time, scientists assumed that Paleolithic people mainly used plants as food. But this discovery tells a different story. </p>



<p>A nonedible plant called <em>Isatis tinctoria</em>, or woad, left behind a signature chemical on ancient stone tools: indigotin. That’s the same compound that gives denim jeans their famous blue color.</p>



<p>Woad isn’t the easiest plant to work with. It doesn’t just ooze blue <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-in-five-packaged-foods-in-the-u-s-contains-synthetic-dyes/">dye</a>. You have to crush its leaves and expose them to air to start a chemical reaction. Only then does the indigo color appear. </p>



<p>The process involves knowing what part of the plant to use, how to treat it, and why. That implies that early humans already recognized this plant’s special qualities - and knew exactly how to release them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-color-in-stone-tools">Unexpected color in stone tools</h2>



<p>The tools that revealed this were plain, rounded pebbles - unshaped by people. They were discovered in the 2000s, but it wasn’t until recently that archaeologists re-examined them.</p>



<p>They weren’t looking for color at first and wanted to figure out how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-tool-discovery-challenges-entire-theory-of-human-evolution/">tools</a> were used. Were they for food? Leather? Plants? But under powerful microscopes, something unexpected showed up - tiny blue traces stuck in worn-down grooves of the stones. </p>



<p>These residues even looked fibrous in some spots, and they sat alongside starch grains - proof that plant material had been ground or rubbed.</p>



<p>To figure out exactly what the blue color substance was, researchers used Raman and FTIR spectroscopy - high-tech tools that can identify chemical compounds by how they interact with light.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pores-preserved-plant-remains">Pores preserved plant remains</h2>



<p>Finding color was only part of the puzzle. The next question was: how did the residue survive all this time? That’s where things got even more interesting.</p>



<p>The stones themselves had tiny pores - small enough to trap microscopic plant remains. Using synchrotron radiation (a super-powerful X-ray beam) and micro-CT scans, scientists could look inside the stones without breaking them open. </p>



<p>And yes, those pores had exactly the kind of shape and volume needed to hold the traces that were found. </p>



<p>Once they confirmed the tools could preserve those residues, the team tried to recreate what happened in that distant era.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/blue-indigo_Paleolithic-plant-use_microfragments_PLOS-One_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/blue-indigo_Paleolithic-plant-use_microfragments_PLOS-One_1s.webp" alt="Archaeological elongated blue micro-fragments extracted from the innermost second mold plant. Credit: PLOS One (2025)" class="wp-image-1985452"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Archaeological elongated blue micro-fragments extracted from the innermost second mold plant. Click image to enlarge. Credit: PLOS One (2025)</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blue-color-on-stones-was-made-from-plants">Blue color on stones was made from plants</h2>



<p>The team ran experiments using fresh woad grown and harvested in Italy. They crushed leaves on river pebbles collected near the cave and watched what happened. </p>



<p>The same kinds of blue residues formed on the stones. Some residues stuck in pores. Others left clear wear marks. And certain samples matched what researchers found in the original tools.</p>



<p>This wasn’t a random accident. It was a repeating process. Someone in the Upper Paleolithic knew how to create and use plant-based materials - even if they left no writing or instructions behind.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-color-medicine-or-both">Color, medicine, or both?</h2>



<p>No one can say for sure why they processed this plant. It might have been for color - maybe to stain animal hides, decorate tools, or mark territory. Or maybe it was for healing. Woad has a long history as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medicinal-plant-has-great-potential-to-fight-colorectal-cancer/">medicinal plant</a>, used to treat wounds and infections.</p>



<p>Archaeologist Laura Longo of <a href="https://www.unive.it/web/en/497/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ca' Foscari University of Venice</a> noted that plants are often viewed solely as food resources.</p>



<p>“This study highlights their role in complex operations, likely involving the transformation of perishable materials for use in different phases of daily life among <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-homo-sapiens-stone-tools-preserved-volcanic-ash-grotta-di-castelcivita/">Homo sapiens</a> 34,000 years ago," said Longo.</p>



<p>“While research continues to improve the identification of elusive plant-derived residues, typically absent from conventional studies, our multi-analytical approach opens new perspectives on the technological and cultural sophistication of Upper Paleolithic populations.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-echoes-of-color-in-time">Echoes of color in time</h2>



<p>This discovery changes the way we think about our distant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-hunter-gatherer-ancestors-did-much-more-gathering-than-hunting/">ancestors</a>. They weren’t just trying to survive, they were thinking, testing, creating. </p>



<p>They were observing the natural world and determining how to use it in innovative ways - even using leaves to create lasting color.</p>



<p>We know that the motivation to build something beautiful or useful has been around for tens of thousands of years. And all it may take to validate that is a worn stone and a few spots of blue color dust.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0321262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a></em>.</p>



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



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Earliest evidence found of humans using the color blue for decoration

Color showed up in human history long before paintbrushes, fabric, or even writing. Thousands of years before ancient Egypt, in what is now Georgia, someone picked up a stone and crushed a blue plant that couldn’t be eaten. From that act, we now have one of the earliest signs of the color blue - intentionally made by human hands. Researchers have just confirmed that small pebbles found in Dzudzuana Cave, about 50 miles east of the Black Sea, were used 34,000 years ago to grind the leaves...

<p>Psychedelics have captivated both popular culture and scientific research for decades. Recently, these powerful compounds have gained attention as potential treatments for various brain disorders, including depression and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-drug-mdma-shows-promise-for-reducing-post-traumatic-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PTSD</a>.</p>



<p>Despite the growing interest, the intricate ways in which psychedelics interact with our brains have remained a mystery. To investigate, a groundbreaking method has been developed by researchers at the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>.</p>



<p>The innovative tool promises to deliver unprecedented clarity and precision in understanding how psychedelics affect the brain, opening up exciting new possibilities for treating brain disorders.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-tool-behind-the-revolution">The tool behind the revolution</h2>



<p>The innovative protein-based tool is named Ca2+-activated Split-TurboID, or CaST for short. It brings researchers a step closer to unlocking the underlying mechanisms through which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-drug-induces-feelings-of-oceanic-boundlessness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychedelic compounds</a>, like LSD, DMT, and psilocybin, stimulate the brain.</p>



<p>Christina Kim is an assistant professor of neurology at the UC Davis Center for Neuroscience and School of Medicine</p>



<p>"It’s important to think about the cellular mechanisms that these psychedelics act upon,” said Kim. "What are they? Once we know that, we can design different variants that target the same mechanism but with fewer side effects.”</p>



<p>According to the researchers, CaST rapidly tags neurons and biomolecules activated by these substances within 10 to 30 minutes, a significant improvement compared to the hours required by previous tagging methods.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capturing-a-neural-symphony">Capturing a neural symphony</h2>



<p>When put to the test, the CaST tool revealed its prowess by offering a remarkable "camera snapshot" of the effects of the psychedelic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psilocybin-deeply-enhances-meditation-insights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a> in the brains of mice. </p>



<p>Interestingly, the tool leverages changes in intracellular calcium concentrations, a universal marker of neuronal activity, to tag the cell with a minor biomolecule named biotin.</p>



<p>This pioneering approach allowed researchers to identify neurons with intensified calcium levels in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain instrumental in many disorders and a hotspot for psychedelic-rooted neuronal growth and strengthening.</p>



<p>The research team circumvented the need for immobilizing the mouse's head during the process, a common challenge with existing cellular tagging technologies. </p>



<p>“Biotin is also a great tagging substrate because there are many pre-existing commercial tools that can report whether biotin is present or not just by a simple staining and imaging method," said Professor Kim.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-potential-of-psychedelic-research">Expanding the potential of psychedelic research</h2>



<p>Looking forward, these dedicated researchers will focus on upgrading and perfecting the CaST tool further.</p>



<p>They are exploring techniques that will enable a more comprehensive, brain-wide cellular labeling procedure and are aiming to enhance the signature of individual proteins produced by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neurons-can-predict-human-speech-before-we-say-a-word/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurons</a> impacted by psychedelics.</p>



<p>“We want to examine their entire contents in terms of what proteins they express, what genes they express, and try to see what’s different in psilocybin-treated animals versus control animals or animal models of diseases,” noted Professor Kim.</p>



<p>The ultimate objective? To comprehend precisely how psychedelics enhance the cellular profiles of those with brain disorders, thereby revealing the step-by-step cellular process of their therapeutic effects.</p>



<p>The potential of CaST doesn't end with psychedelics. The tool may prove incredibly valuable in the study of other neurotherapeutic drugs and their mechanisms as well.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-psychedelics-in-mental-health">The role of psychedelics in mental health</h2>



<p>The resurgence of interest in psychedelics as promising treatments for various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-disorders-can-be-contagious-among-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health disorders</a> is gaining momentum within both the scientific community and public discourse. </p>



<p>These compounds, particularly psilocybin and LSD, have shown the potential to induce profound changes in perception, mood, and cognition. </p>



<p>Research indicates that their capacity to promote neuroplasticity - facilitating the brain's ability to reorganize itself - holds key implications for therapeutic interventions, especially for conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychedelics-and-brain-function">Psychedelics and brain function</h2>



<p>Understanding the precise manner in which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-offers-new-explanation-for-how-psychedelic-drugs-work/">psychedelics influence brain function</a> is essential for harnessing their therapeutic potential. </p>



<p>The innovations brought forth by tools such as the CaST are vital for this exploration. They allow researchers to delve deeper into the cellular and molecular dynamics at play, identifying not only the pathways psychedelics activate but also the broader implications these changes may have for emotional and cognitive processing. </p>



<p>Through collaborative efforts and continued research, we are on the cusp of a renaissance in mental health treatment, radically transforming our approach to psychological well-being.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-024-02375-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Methods</a></em>.</p>



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Visualizing the effects of psychedelics in the brain

Psychedelics have captivated both popular culture and scientific research for...

<p>In the realm of well-being supplements, fish oil has earned its place as one of the most recommended by health practitioners around the world. </p>



<p>It is a multi-billion dollar industry that has successfully made its way into the health regimens of millions.</p>



<p>As recent data presents, one out of every 13 people globally are already reaping the benefits of these popular omega-3 pills.</p>



<p>While the popularity of fish oil supplements is not new, a recent study offers a compelling reason for a whole new group to consider its value – those who are genetically predisposed to high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-can-work-as-well-as-medication-to-lower-cholesterol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cholesterol</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-genetic-connection-to-high-cholesterol">The genetic connection to high cholesterol</h2>



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.uga.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a> have delved into genetic data from more than 441,000 individuals, coming up with a score to foretell the genetic likelihood of high levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), triglycerides, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-cholesterol-may-increase-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HDL cholesterol</a> (the "good" cholesterol).</p>



<p>Yitang Sun, who graduated with a doctoral degree from the university's Department of Genetics, explained: “Recent advances in genetic studies have allowed us to predict someone’s genetic risk of high cholesterol. But the current prediction has room for improvement because it does not consider individual differences in lifestyles, such as taking fish oil supplements.”</p>



<p>Interestingly, the researchers found that subjects who reported taking fish oil supplements had lower blood lipid levels than predicted, specifically for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.</p>



<p>Kaixiong Ye, a key author of the study and an assistant professor of genetics, stated: “Our study shows that considering lifestyles will improve genetic prediction. Our findings also support that fish oil supplements may counteract the genetic predisposition to high cholesterol.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-genetic-battle-against-high-cholesterol">The genetic battle against high cholesterol</h2>



<p>High cholesterol has long been established as detrimental to health, leading to hardened arteries and heightened risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/certain-gut-bacteria-lower-cholesterol-and-the-risk-of-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart disease</a> and strokes.</p>



<p>Although a balanced diet and regular physical activity can reduce its incidence, many are still at the mercy of their genetic make-up.</p>



<p>With an estimated one in four American adults diagnosed with high cholesterol, the potential of fish oil supplements to alleviate the genetic odds is a welcome discovery. “Taking fish oil is associated with a shift toward a healthy lipid profile,” noted Ye.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hdl-cholesterol-raising-the-good-levels">HDL cholesterol: Raising the good levels</h2>



<p>In addition to reducing LDL cholesterol levels, the study also revealed the beneficial effects of the supplements on HDL cholesterol. </p>



<p>Indeed, fish oil supplements seem to raise levels of this "good" cholesterol, offering another layer of protection against the risks of high cholesterol - especially for those with a family history of the condition.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/an-omega-3-fatty-acid-known-as-dha-may-prevent-hearing-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Omega-3 fatty acids</a>, the key components of fish oil, play a significant role in promoting heart health. These essential fats have been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body, lower <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-you-want-to-lower-your-blood-pressure-simply-eat-less-salt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood pressure</a>, and improve overall cardiovascular function.</p>



<p>Research indicates that regular consumption of omega-3s can help decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke, making fish oil not just beneficial for those with genetic predispositions but for anyone looking to enhance their heart health. </p>



<p>Incorporating fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines into the diet, or taking fish oil supplements, can provide these vital nutrients.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-incorporating-fish-oil-into-your-routine">Incorporating fish oil into your routine</h2>



<p>For those who are considering the possibility of adding fish oil supplements to their health regimen, it’s essential to choose high-quality products. Look for supplements that are third-party tested for purity and potency, ensuring they are free from harmful contaminants like mercury.</p>



<p>Additionally, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially for individuals with existing health conditions or those taking medications. </p>



<p>To maximize benefits, aim to combine fish oil supplementation with a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, alongside regular physical activity. </p>



<p>This holistic approach can further enhance the protective effects against high cholesterol and improve overall well-being.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916524006051?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Clinical Nutrition</a></em>.</p>



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



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

The power of fish oil in combating high cholesterol

In the realm of well-being supplements, fish oil has earned...

<p>Elephant conservation is a crucial focus in southern Africa, but urbanization and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/for-asian-elephants-shrinking-habitats-will-increase-conflicts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat loss</a> are increasingly confining these far-ranging animals to protected areas like game reserves where they have limited movement. </p>



<p>This containment poses a significant risk: isolated populations can become genetically uniform, making elephants more susceptible to diseases and environmental changes.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephant-movement-corridors-nbsp">Elephant movement corridors<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>A recent study by researchers from the <a href="http://illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a> and the <a href="https://www.up.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pretoria</a> in South Africa offers a solution by creating and optimizing elephant movement corridors across a seven-country region. </p>



<p>The study provides a detailed map illustrating landscape connections that support elephants’ habitat needs and promote genetic diversity through enhanced gene flow among populations.</p>



<p>Lead author Alida de Flamingh, who conducted the study as part of her doctoral program in the Department of Animal Sciences at Illinois, explained the study's unique approach.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Other research groups have integrated genetic and spatial data before, but usually it’s done on a more local scale. Ours was the first to combine both types of data for southern African elephants across such a large geographic area,” said de Flamingh, now a postdoctoral researcher at the <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephants-on-the-move">Elephants on the move</h2>



<p>The scale of this study is significant because African elephants have extensive home ranges, roaming up to 11,000 square kilometers (over 2.7 million acres). They often travel long distances to avoid unsuitable habitats, making it essential to capture this vast scale in a single analysis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This was a massive effort. We went out with our partners in the Conservation Ecology Research Unit at the University of Pretoria to collect non-invasive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cracking-the-code-of-life-the-secret-language-of-dna/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> samples from elephant dung across the whole range,” de Flamingh said. “CERU also contributed data from GPS trackers on 80 collared elephants across nearly 54,000 locations.”</p>



<p>While GPS collar data shows how elephants move across the landscape, it doesn’t indicate whether such movement leads to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hybrid-ants-evolve-rapidly-to-remove-deleterious-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene</a> flow. Conversely, DNA data documents gene flow but doesn’t show the movement paths elephants took. Integrating these data sets required a landscape genetics approach. </p>



<p>“Landscape genetics adapts some ideas from electrical circuit theory to discuss how animals might move and achieve gene flow. Our approach looks at resistances or costs elephants encounter as they move along multiple pathways through the region, accounting for the possibility of losing or gaining individual paths,” explained co-author Nathan Alexander, a postdoctoral researcher at the Illinois Natural History Survey.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-crucial-elephant-routes">Identifying crucial elephant routes</h2>



<p>In this study, “costs” refer to various environmental challenges, including steep slopes, barren areas with little to no vegetation, densely populated human settlements, and regions far from water sources.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By combining these environmental factors with DNA data, the researchers could predict how elephants navigate their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-do-elephants-eat-study-shows-they-have-unique-dietary-preferences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitats</a> and identify crucial routes to maintain gene flow across protected areas.</p>



<p>“We did not find a simple linear relationship where more suitable habitats are less costly. Instead, we found a pronounced nonlinear pattern where the least suitable habitats have the biggest impact on elephant movement or distribution across the landscape,” de Flamingh said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Intermediate habitats aren't necessarily dictating their movements as much as these really, really unsuitable habitats. That’s positive, if you think about it. They're tolerant of intermediate habitats and can still move through them.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helping-elephants-avoid-unsuitable-habitats">Helping elephants avoid unsuitable habitats</h2>



<p>The researchers identified extremely unsuitable habitats like the vegetation-free Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana and densely populated human settlements.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By providing connections that avoid these areas, the study suggests, it is possible to reduce human-elephant conflict, a significant threat to elephant populations.</p>



<p>De Flamingh highlighted that the insights from this study could help governmental authorities and NGOs in southern Africa develop effective conservation strategies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Southern Africa has the largest number of elephants in all of Africa. So any conservation efforts there, especially those that avoid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-elephant-conflict-will-escalate-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human-elephant conflict</a>, would protect pretty large populations of elephants,” added senior author Al Roca, an animal sciences professor in ACES. </p>



<p>“Our partners at CERU, as well as our funders - the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the African Elephant Conservation Fund of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - are really critical in those efforts.”</p>



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



<p>The study's comprehensive approach and its combination of genetic and spatial data on a broad geographic scale represent a significant advancement in conservation biology.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By understanding and facilitating the natural movement patterns of elephants, conservationists can help ensure these majestic animals' long-term survival and genetic health, ultimately contributing to the broader efforts to maintain biodiversity and ecological balance in the region.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-024-02910-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Biodiversity and Conservation</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h--0">-----</h3>

Elephant movement is influenced by habitat suitability 

Elephant conservation is a crucial focus in southern Africa, but...

<p>Walking on the street, imagine you have found yourself at a crossroads. A well-equipped gym here, a cozy café serving lip-smacking strawberry milkshakes there. The brain's command center must make a decision, and it's not as straightforward as you would think. Which to choose: exercise or indulgence?</p>



<p>But thanks to the team of researchers from <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH Zurich</a>, we might have unraveled the mystery behind this decision-making process.</p>



<p>The prime suspect in this case: a chemical messenger named orexin. As it turns out, the neurons that produce orexin might be the key determinant as to whether we opt for a workout session or a delectable taste treat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bitter-truth-on-sedentary-lives">Bitter truth on sedentary lives</h2>



<p>Leaving the comfort of the couch for some vigorous physical activity doesn't exactly sound appealing to everyone, does it?&nbsp;</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.who.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a> crunches the numbers and the results are stark. With 80% of teenagers and 27% of adults insufficiently active, we're looking at a worrying rise in obesity rates, spanning all age brackets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-choosing-exercise">Brain choosing exercise</h2>



<p>Despite the grim statistics, some people manage to shun the ever-present temptations and get their fair share of exercise. </p>



<p>This observation fascinated Denis Burdakov, Professor of Neuroscience at ETH Zurich. His curiosity drove him to dig deeper into how our brains help us choose sweat over sweetness.</p>



<p>Enter orexin. Among the hundreds of brain-active messengers, orexin is a relatively new find. It's not as well studied as its counterparts like serotonin and dopamine, but Professor Burdakov's research is casting a new spotlight on this dark horse.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orexin-s-unusual-influence">Orexin's unusual influence</h2>



<p>Decision-making was always credited to dopamine. But it has a flaw. Our brain releases dopamine for both, indulging in food and indulging in exercise. So, why do we favor one over the other?</p>



<p>The researchers set up a clever experiment. Mice could pick from eight options, including a running wheel and a delicious strawberry milkshake. They compared the decisions made by normal mice and mice whose orexin system was either blocked by a drug or through genetic manipulation.</p>



<p>The results were startling. Mice with a functional orexin system spent double the time running and half the time savoring milkshakes compared to their counterparts. This suggests orexin has a significant influence when choosing between food and physical activity.</p>



<p>“This means that the primary role of the orexin system is not to control how much the mice move or how much they eat,” Burdakov says. “Rather, it seems central to making the decision between one and the other, when both options are available.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-s-decision-to-exercise-or-eat">Brain's decision to exercise or eat</h2>



<p>The observations of mice behavior could spill over to us humans too. This is because the brain functions involved in deciding between eating and exercising, surprisingly, are quite similar across species.</p>



<p>“It will now be a matter of verifying our results in humans," says Daria Peleg-Raibstein, group leader at ETH Zurich.</p>



<p>Understanding the role of orexin in decision-making opens up intriguing discussions regarding motivation and behavior.</p>



<p>As we navigate our daily lives filled with choices, the influence of orexin can manifest in various ways, impacting not only our physical activity levels but also our overall lifestyle choices. </p>



<p>For instance, individuals with higher orexin activity might experience greater motivation to engage in exercise, viewing it as a rewarding experience rather than a chore. </p>



<p>This paradigm shift could foster healthier habits, ultimately allowing us to harness the biochemical pathways in our brains to promote active lifestyles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-can-we-increase-orexin-activity">How can we increase orexin activity?</h2>



<p>You can increase orexin activity through several methods:</p>



<p><strong>Regular exercise</strong>: Physical activity can boost orexin production.</p>



<p><strong>Healthy diet</strong>: Eating a balanced diet with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates helps.</p>



<p><strong>Sleep hygiene</strong>: Consistent sleep patterns and good sleep quality support orexin levels.</p>



<p><strong>Stress management</strong>: Reducing stress through techniques like meditation can help.</p>



<p><strong>Exposure to light</strong>: Natural light exposure during the day regulates orexin production.</p>



<p><strong>Avoiding stimulants</strong>: Limit caffeine and other stimulants that can disrupt sleep and orexin levels.</p>



<ol></ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-targeting-the-brain-for-healthier-lifestyles">Targeting the brain for healthier lifestyles</h2>



<p>The insights gleaned from the research highlight a broader public health perspective. If orexin does indeed play a crucial role in whether individuals favor exercise over indulgence, it may pave the way for innovative interventions targeting this biochemical pathway.</p>



<p>Future therapies could aim to enhance orexin signaling, thereby potentially increasing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/metamorphosis-exercise-triggers-molecular-changes-in-major-organs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exercise motivation</a> in individuals struggling with sedentary lifestyles. </p>



<p>Coupled with educational initiatives about the importance of physical activity, such strategies could prove instrumental in combating the rising tide of obesity and associated health issues across populations, fostering a healthier society for future generations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-path-against-obesity">New path against obesity</h2>



<p>This breakthrough research opens up a new chapter in tackling the global obesity crisis and associated metabolic disorders.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“If we understand how the brain arbitrates between food consumption and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evening-workouts-are-best-for-blood-sugar-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical activity</a>, we can develop more effective strategies for addressing the global obesity epidemic and related metabolic disorders,” says Peleg-Raibstein.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Understanding how our brain mediates between food and physical activity could help devise more effective ways to promote healthy eating and regular exercise.</p>



<p>There’s still a lot under the microscope, but one thing is clear: every stride in this research gets us one step closer to deciphering the complex wiring of our brains and how it shapes our daily choices.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-024-01696-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Neuroscience</a></em>.</p>



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



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

Food or exercise? A chemical in the brain helps us decide

Walking on the street, imagine you have found yourself at...

<p>For many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-architectures-mimic-subway-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>, increased branching translates to higher fruit yields. But what drives a plant to develop more branches? </p>



<p>New research from the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, has revealed how plants degrade the hormone strigolactone, which suppresses branching, thereby becoming more “bushy.” </p>



<p>Understanding how strigolactone is regulated could have significant implications for numerous crop plants.</p>



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



<p>The study, published in the journal <em>Nature Communications</em>, delves into the mechanisms behind strigolactone regulation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Being able to manipulate strigolactone could also have implications beyond plant architecture, including on a plant’s resilience to drought and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-pandemic-looms-as-pathogens-move-from-wild-plants-to-crops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pathogens</a>,” said Nitzan Shabek, the senior author of the study and an associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Biology who specializes in biochemistry and structural biology.</p>



<p>Discovered only in 2008, strigolactone has emerged as a crucial hormone in plant research. Besides controlling branching, it fosters beneficial interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and plant roots and helps plants cope with stresses like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-drought-crisis-un-warns-of-unprecedented-emergency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a> and high salinity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-strigolactone-breakdown">Mystery of strigolactone breakdown</h2>



<p>While much is known about how plants synthesize hormones like strigolactone, the mechanisms of their breakdown remain largely unexplored.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Recent research pointed to enzymes called carboxylesterases, which are found across all life forms, including humans, as potential players in strigolactone degradation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Plants produce over 20 types of carboxylesterases, but only CXE15 and CXE20 have been speculated to link to strigolactone degradation. Shabek’s team aimed to uncover the specifics of this degradation process.</p>



<p>“Our lab is interested in mechanisms, meaning we don’t want to just know that a car can drive, we want to know how it's driving; what's going on inside the engine,” Shabek explained.</p>



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



<p>To confirm whether CXE15 and CXE20 are involved in strigolactone regulation, the researchers began by constructing 3D models of the enzymes’ molecular structure.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This project was initially led by undergraduate researcher Linyi Yan, who grew and purified the carboxylesterase proteins in the lab. According to Shabek, this student-led initiative quickly expanded into a more substantial research endeavor.</p>



<p>Postdoctoral fellow Malathy Palayam utilized x-ray crystallography and computer simulations to determine the three-dimensional atomic structure of the enzymes and conducted biochemical experiments to compare how these enzymes degrade the hormone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-enzyme-responsible-for-bushy-plants">The enzyme responsible for bushy plants</h2>



<p>The experiments revealed that CXE15 was significantly more efficient at breaking down strigolactone compared to CXE20, which binds to the hormone but fails to degrade it effectively. Their 3D models unveiled a new finding: a specific region of CXE15 allows the enzyme to alter its shape dynamically.</p>



<p>“CXE15 is a very effective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/enzyme-plant-waste-products/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enzyme</a> - it can completely destroy the strigolactone molecule in milliseconds,” Shabek said. “When we zoomed in, we realized that there is a dynamic area in the enzyme’s structure which is required for it to function in this way.”</p>



<p>By examining CXE15’s structure, Shabek and his team identified specific amino acids crucial for the enzyme’s ability to dynamically bind to strigolactone. To validate these findings, they genetically engineered a mutant version of CXE15 with an altered dynamic region.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This mutant enzyme exhibited a reduced capacity to degrade strigolactone both in vitro and when tested in <em>Nicotiana benthamiana</em> plants.</p>



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



<p>Shabek emphasized the future directions of this research: “In this study we were really interested in elucidating these enzymes’ mechanism and structure, but future studies can begin investigating how they affect plant growth and development.” He expressed interest in exploring how carboxylesterase enzymes are produced in different plant tissues, such as roots and stems.</p>



<p>Understanding the intricacies of how strigolactone is broken down opens the door to new possibilities in plant biology and agriculture. By potentially manipulating this hormone, scientists could influence plant architecture, making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-corn-crops-could-have-higher-drought-tolerance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crops</a> more productive and resilient. </p>



<p>This could lead to advances in how crops are grown, improving yields and resistance to environmental stresses, which are crucial for sustainable agriculture and food security.</p>



<p>“Taking a broader perspective, the carboxylesterase superfamily plays fundamental roles in numerous essential metabolic pathways across all kingdoms of life. We unveil a molecular architecture and intrinsic dynamics for carboxylesterases that have not been observed before, thereby adding an important layer of complexity to the mode of action of these crucial enzymes,” the authors concluded.</p>



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



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How do plants grow more branches and become bushy?

For many plants, increased branching translates to higher fruit yields....

<p>Grabbing a drink with friends during happy hour often leaves you feeling sociable, cheerful, and positive. However, drinking alone can sometimes lead to feelings of depression. Researchers now believe they understand why this happens.</p>



<p>“Social settings influence how individuals react to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-amounts-of-alcohol-have-big-impacts-on-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol</a>, yet there is no mechanistic study on how and why this occurs,” said Kyung-An Han, Ph.D., a biologist at the <a href="https://www.utep.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at El Paso</a> (UTEP) who studies alcoholism using fruit flies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-drinking-and-euphoria-nbsp">Social drinking and euphoria<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Han, along with a team of UTEP faculty and students, has made a significant advancement in understanding the neurobiological process behind social drinking and its effects on feelings of euphoria.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study, published in a recent issue of the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/adb.13420" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Addiction Biology</em></a><em>,</em> identifies the brain region stimulated by social drinking. </p>



<p>This discovery could enhance our understanding of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), a disease that affected nearly 29.5 million people last year, according to the <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-varied-brain-responses-to-drinking">Varied brain responses to drinking</h2>



<p>Interestingly, tipsy fruit flies exhibit behaviors similar to intoxicated humans. Despite their unconventional use in studying human behavior, these insects share about 75% of the genes associated with human diseases, Han explained.</p>



<p>Using fruit flies, the team aimed to demonstrate that ethanol, the alcohol in drinks, elicits different reactions in solitary versus group settings, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-helps-us-understand-ourselves-and-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dopamine</a> - a brain molecule involved in pleasure, motivation, and learning - playing a crucial role in this phenomenon.</p>



<p>The researchers exposed fruit flies, either alone or in groups, to ethanol vapor and measured their movement speed to gauge their response to ethanol.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Flies that “drank alone” showed a slight increase in movement, while those exposed to ethanol in a group setting displayed significantly higher speed and activity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-drinking-and-dopamine-response-nbsp">Social drinking and dopamine response<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Next, the team investigated dopamine's role in the flies' response to ethanol by comparing a control group with naturally regulated dopamine levels to an experimental group with increased dopamine levels.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts found that, in solitary settings, flies with both normal and elevated dopamine levels exhibited a slight increase in activity. However, in social settings, flies with increased dopamine displayed even greater hyperactivity than usual.</p>



<p>“We demonstrated that both social settings and dopamine act together for the flies’ heightened response to ethanol,” said Han, who is also the associate dean in the College of Science.</p>



<p>The researchers then focused on identifying which of the five dopamine receptors in the brain was most significant in this process. They discovered that the D1 dopamine receptor played the most crucial role in the flies' reaction to ethanol in a social setting.</p>



<p>“The human D1 receptor gene is linked to Alcohol Use Disorder and this study provides experimental validation for it. For the team, the identification of the D1 receptor is crucial as it gives researchers at UTEP and beyond a blueprint for follow up studies,” Han explained.</p>



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



<p>Dr. Paul Rafael Sabandal, a research assistant professor in biological sciences and one of the study’s corresponding authors, emphasized the importance of their findings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our work is providing scientific knowledge to support the idea that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heavy-alcohol-consumption-slows-brain-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> interprets and processes a person’s social surrounding and has that signal converge into the dopamine system that is also activated by alcohol consumption. It gives us as researchers an idea of which brain area and components may serve as the meeting point for all the signals that contribute to AUD.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-mechanisms-involved-in-social-drinking">Brain mechanisms involved in social drinking</h2>



<p>The team's next steps involve exploring the complexities of how the D1 dopamine receptor serves as the central point for signals related to ethanol, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/desire-for-social-interaction-activates-the-brain-like-a-food-craving/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social interaction</a>, and AUD.</p>



<p>“The opportunity to work on projects whose positive impact can be applied at scale is one of the reasons I became a scientist,” Han said. “It’s humbling to know that our work has the potential to help people live better lives and our team is going to continue striving toward achieving that goal.”</p>



<p>This study not only sheds light on the neurobiological mechanisms of social drinking but also opens new avenues for understanding and potentially treating alcohol use disorder.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By identifying the specific brain receptors involved, researchers can better target treatments and interventions to mitigate the effects of alcohol consumption and improve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-alone-in-america-an-escalating-public-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public health</a> outcomes.</p>



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



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h--0">-----</h3>

Why social drinking feels so different from drinking alone

Grabbing a drink with friends during happy hour often leaves...

<p>Do you ever feel more inclined towards group loyalty and conformity during certain times of the year? There's a surprising reason for that. Turns out our moral values could potentially be shifting with the seasons, and researchers at the University of British Columbia (<a href="https://www.ubc.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UBC</a>) are here to shed light on how and why that happens.</p>



<p>The study's first author, Ian Hohm, a doctoral student in UBC's department of psychology, led this fascinating exploration into the fluctuating morals of humans. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moral-values-and-seasons">Moral values and seasons</h2>



<p>"People's endorsement of moral values that promote group cohesion and conformity is stronger in the spring and fall than it is in the summer and winter," noted Hohm.</p>



<p>Understanding this seasonal ebb and flow of morality has implications for politics, law, health, and many more aspects of our lives.</p>



<p>The researchers analyzed responses from over 230,000 people in the U.S., spanning a decade. And it wasn't just confined to the American population – smaller data samples from Canada and Australia exhibited the same seasonal patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shift-in-five-key-moral-values">Shift in five key moral values</h2>



<p>The researchers investigated what are considered five central moral values. These include loyalty, authority, and purity, known as "binding values" because they encourage conformity to group norms. On the other side, care and fairness are values that focus on individual rights and welfare.</p>



<p>What the team discovered was a consistent pattern over ten years. These 'binding' values, somehow connected to political conservatism, were more pronounced in spring and fall. However, during summer and winter, they saw a drop in respondents' endorsement.</p>



<p>Interestingly, where the seasonal climate differences were more extreme, the summer decrease in endorsement of these "binding" values was noticeably more prominent. And this isn't just about geographical locations. Even within the same place, people's values can vary depending on how extreme the weather is.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anxiety-as-a-potential-driver">Anxiety as a potential driver</h2>



<p>Adding another layer to this intriguing find, the study suggested a potential link between these seasonal moral shifts and levels of anxiety. </p>



<p>Using large-scale data on seasonal anxiety provided by Dr. Brian O’Shea, a co-author of the paper and assistant professor of psychology at the <a href="https://www.nottingham.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nottingham</a>, the team found parallels worth noting.</p>



<p>"We noticed that anxiety levels peak in the spring and autumn, which coincides with the periods when people endorse binding values more strongly," said Dr. Mark Schaller, the study’s senior author and a professor of psychology at UBC. </p>



<p>This connection lays groundwork for the hypothesis that higher levels of anxiety might compel people to seek comfort in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-do-not-have-free-will-stanford-scientist-robert-sapolsky/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">group norms and traditions</a> upheld by the binding values.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-running-wide-and-deep">Implications running wide and deep</h2>



<p>The potential implications of these findings cover a vast territory. Consider elections; the seasonality of moral values could influence outcomes. The same goes for legal judgments, as those upholding 'binding' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monetary-value-ecosystems-nature-conservation-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">values</a> are generally more punitive of crime and violation of societal norms.</p>



<p>Health responses, interspersed with moral values, are also influenced. Our recent experience with COVID-19 underscores how adherence to guidelines like social distancing and vaccination aligns with people's moral compass. A seasonal understanding of these values could help design more impactful health campaigns.</p>



<p>Last but not least, these findings hint at how seasonal variations in moral values might shape our perceptions of those who differ from us or resist conforming to societal norms.</p>



<p>The research team is now poised to delve deeper into these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-humans-born-with-a-moral-compass/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">connections</a> between anxiety and moral values. The goal is to investigate how these seasonal patterns influence prejudices and legal judgments.</p>



<p>In the end, what this research unearths might be far more important than we initially thought. It doesn't just give us a novel perspective. It challenges us to be aware of our unconscious biases, question our behavior and decisions, and ultimately strive for better understanding and empathy in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/online-avatars-sway-our-morals-through-social-influence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">everyday lives</a>.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2313428121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a></em>.</p>



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



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People's moral values literally change with the season

Do you ever feel more inclined towards group loyalty and...

<p>For pet owners, a pet is not just an animal, but a part of the family. This emotional bond is deep and enduring, mixing joy, love, and sometimes pain – because, let's face it – losing a pet is heart-wrenching. We often consider our grief as humans, but what happens to the other pets like cats left behind in the household?</p>



<p>In a significant revelation, researchers from <a href="https://oakland.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oakland University</a> have shared intriguing insights into the emotional world of cats. According to studies, our feline companions show evident signs of grief after the death of another pet in the house.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-noticing-grief-in-cats">Noticing grief in cats</h2>



<p>Study lead author Brittany Greene, affiliated with Oakland University, delves into the many ways cats express their mourning.</p>



<p>We're bound to notice changes in their eating, sleeping habits, and playfulness, along with increased attention-seeking behavior. At other times, they may choose to spend time alone or hide.</p>



<p>Not so long ago, in 2022, scientists from the <a href="https://www.unimi.it/it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Milan</a> highlighted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-grieve-when-they-lose-a-canine-buddy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">similar grief-like behaviors in dogs</a>. The question until now was, "What about cats?" </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-feline-frontiers">Expanding feline frontiers</h2>



<p>"Whereas dogs, descended from pack animals, might reasonably respond more strongly to the death of a conspecific, cats under human care have adapted to live among conspecifics and their capacity to respond to the loss of a companion warrants further study," noted the researchers.</p>



<p>This study opens up a new avenue for understanding cats' capacity to respond to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heartache-from-dog-theft-is-as-intense-as-losing-a-loved-one/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">loss of a companion</a>.</p>



<p>To investigate, the researchers surveyed 412 cat owners. Their focus was on observing the immediate and long-term changes in a surviving cat after the demise of another pet. What did the results show? They confirmed the key indicators of grief in cats affected by loss.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-does-every-cat-grieve-the-same">Does every cat grieve the same?</h2>



<p>Although these behaviors are pretty telling, the intensity of grief varies from cat to cat. What's the deciding factor? </p>



<p>It boils down to the relationship the cat had with its deceased companion. The study indicates that the lengthier the shared life with the departed pet, the more attention-seeking the surviving cat becomes after the loss.</p>



<p>Interestingly, the owner's relationship with the deceased pet also influences the surviving cat's response. This revelation suggests that our fluffy mates may mirror their caregivers' sorrow.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-of-cat-grief">Ripple effects of cat grief</h2>



<p>Grief in pets extends beyond the immediate household, as the emotional dynamics can disrupt the harmony of the entire living environment.</p>



<p>Surviving pets may exhibit altered behaviors not only in response to the loss of a companion but also in response to the grief displayed by their human caregivers. </p>



<p>Thus, the emotional landscape of a home in mourning transforms, creating a ripple effect that can impact pets and human family members alike. Understanding this interconnectedness is crucial for providing the necessary support to both human and animal grieving processes, allowing for a shared pathway of healing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-grieving-pets">Supporting grieving pets</h2>



<p>In light of these insights, it becomes important to consider effective strategies to support pets through their grief. </p>



<p>Creating a stable and nurturing environment is paramount. This can include maintaining routines, introducing new forms of enrichment, or even allowing for greater companionship to counteract loneliness.</p>



<p>Patience is essential, as each pet grieves in their unique way and on their own timeline. Additionally, engaging them in favorite activities or providing comforting items, such as toys or blankets associated with the deceased companion, can offer solace.</p>



<p>By acknowledging and addressing the emotional needs of mourning pets, we can foster resilience and ensure a compassionate recovery for all members of the family.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-cat-stereotypes">Challenging cat stereotypes</h2>



<p>Cats, for the longest time, have been stereotyped as aloof and anti-social. But the new research challenges this idea. It may be time for us to redefine our understanding of our cats and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-use-nearly-300-facial-expressions-to-communicate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recognize their emotional depth</a>.</p>



<p>"The psychological experience of loss is universal throughout the animal kingdom and the bonds forged with our pets are a mirror of the care and connection we provide," noted Greene.</p>



<p>So, to all cat parents out there, it's time we paid more attention to our feline friends, especially during times of loss. </p>



<p>This discovery not only tells us that our cats are emotionally more sophisticated than we believe, but it also reminds us of the profound bonds we share with our pets. Are we ready to treat our cats with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-communication-what-is-your-pet-trying-to-tell-you/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional intelligence</a> they deserve?</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016815912400203X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applied Animal Behaviour Science</a></em>.</p>



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



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Cats mourn the loss of other pets, similar to human grief

For pet owners, a pet is not just an animal,...

<p>One might think watching Olympics on TV and munching snacks on the couch is an activity doomed to add extra pounds. </p>



<p>However, a recent study from <a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loughborough University</a> suggests that watching the Olympics can, in fact, help you lose weight. Yes, couch potatoes can actually burn up to 540 calories over a 90-minute period just by watching their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-are-natural-born-endurance-runners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">favorite sports</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-celebration">The Power of Celebration </h2>



<p>The research was led by Dr. Dale Eslinger, a sports scientist affiliated with Loughborough University. He collaborated with a team from EDF, which commissioned the research to explore the health benefits of watching sports on TV.</p>



<p>The researchers have developed a unique formula called "The Power of Celebration." According to this formula, burning calories while watching TV majorly depends on five crucial factors which include your body weight, how you watch sport, the baseline time, the celebration intensity, and the celebration time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-burning-calories-while-watching-olympics">Burning calories while watching Olympics</h2>



<p>Dr. Eslinger's research shows that if you're a football fan weighing 176lbs (80kg) and spend a 90-minute match sitting and fidgeting, reacting enthusiastically to goals or fouls, you could burn 540 calories. That's roughly equivalent to a 45-minute run.</p>



<p>The study also reveals that the type of sport you watch also makes a difference. A tennis fan watching a 3-hour match, while sitting and talking, and celebrating moderately by clapping and cheering often, can burn up to 432 calories. This equates to an hour-long swim.</p>



<p>The same goes for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/at-what-age-do-olympic-athletes-perform-their-best/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">athletics</a> fans. While sitting and reacting moderately for an hour, like jumping to their feet and pacing a quarter of the time, they can burn 162 calories. It's almost the same as going for a brisk 30-minute <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-can-counteract-the-health-risks-of-sitting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walk</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sports-with-low-reactions">Sports with low reactions</h2>



<p>And it's not just the high-adrenaline sports. An hour's worth of archery, with sitting and reacting moderately, can burn up to 106 calories. That's equivalent to a quick 15-minute cycling session.</p>



<p>"Watching sport is positively associated with well-being and vitality. By combining how we watch sport with the intensity of our celebrations, including factors like body weight and overall duration, the innovative 'Power of Celebration' formula allows sports fans to quantify their own energy expenditure while enjoying the excitement of the games," said Dr. Eslinger.</p>



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



<p>Engaging in sports viewing is not just a passive experience; it stimulates our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/watching-sports-has-a-very-positive-impact-on-mental-and-physical-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">minds and emotions</a>. The enthusiasm generated by cheering for a favorite team or player can enhance social connections, whether with family members, friends, or fellow fans across the globe.</p>



<p>This shared experience often leads to discussions, celebrations, and even debates, all of which contribute significantly to mental stimulation and emotional well-being.</p>



<p>Understanding this phenomenon offers insight into how our engagement with sports can serve as a powerful tool for fostering social bonds and enhancing interpersonal relationships, thereby enriching our lives beyond the confines of mere entertainment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-olympics-watching-strategies">Olympics watching strategies</h2>



<p>Given the enlightening findings from Dr. Eslinger's research, fans may wish to adopt "active viewing" strategies to maximize their calorie burn while enjoying their favorite sports.</p>



<p>To do this, viewers can incorporate movements during key moments of the game - standing up during goals, performing cheers or even light exercises during slower gameplay, or engaging others in celebratory dances.</p>



<p>Additionally, having viewing parties could amplify the excitement and encourage more enthusiastic reactions, thereby increasing both enjoyment and caloric expenditure. </p>



<p>By adopting these strategies, fans not only enliven their viewing experiences but also contribute to their overall physical activity levels, merging leisure with health benefits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-gaming-and-calories">Looking beyond: Gaming and calories</h2>



<p>Watching sports isn't the only passive activity that can help you lose weight. The gaming world is also making its mark.</p>



<p>A study by Stakester found that playing video games can burn a significant amount of calories. Male gamers can burn roughly 420 calories over a two-hour gaming session, while female gamers can burn up to 472 calories. Believe it, or not, that's the same as doing 1,000 sit-ups!</p>



<p>"Competition increases our heart rate, and most of us have experienced 'gaming sweat' that happens when you're searching for a last-minute goal in FIFA or in a tight spot in Warzone," noted Tom Fairey, CEO and founder of Stakester. </p>



<p>"It's no surprise that this burns calories, but we were surprised to see just how many are burned during a 2-hour session, it certainly beats doing 1,000 sit ups." </p>



<p>In conclusion, leisure activities like watching sports or playing video games are not just thrilling but may also be secretly burning calories.</p>



<p>So, next time you're enjoying the sweat and struggle of athletes on-screen, remember you might be in for a bit of a workout yourself! Now isn’t that something to cheer about?</p>



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



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Watching the Olympics can help you lose weight

One might think watching Olympics on TV and munching snacks...

<p>A disturbing new study has provided direct evidence that the center of Greenland's ice sheet, not just its edges, melted away in the recent geological past. The melt, and resulting sea-level rise, revealed a once-green <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-climate-turns-tundra-from-carbon-sink-to-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tundra</a> landscape across Greenland.</p>



<p>This discovery is particularly concerning, as it suggests the ice sheet is more vulnerable to melting than previously thought.</p>



<p>Scientists uncovered this evidence by re-examining a small section of sediment from a two-mile-deep ice core, known as GISP2, which was extracted from the center of Greenland in 1993 and stored in a Colorado facility for 30 years. The sediment contained pristine soil with willow wood, insect parts, fungi, and a poppy seed.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenland-s-ice-melted-recently">Greenland’s ice melted recently</h2>



<p>“These fossils are beautiful,” said Paul Bierman, a scientist at the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a> (UVM), who co-led the study with UVM graduate student Halley Mastro and nine other researchers. </p>



<p>“But, yes, we go from bad to worse,” he added, referring to the implications of human-caused climate change on the melting of Greenland's ice sheet.</p>



<p>The study, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2407465121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>, confirms that Greenland’s ice melted during a warm period likely within the last million years. This suggests that the ice sheet is not as stable as once thought.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If the ice at the center of Greenland melted, then the majority of the island's ice must have also melted, possibly for thousands of years - long enough for soil formation and the development of an ecosystem.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This new study confirms and extends that a lot of sea-level rise occurred at a time when causes of warming were not especially extreme,” said Richard Alley, a climate scientist at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pennsylvania State University</a> who reviewed the research, emphasizing the study's warning about the potential damages from continued climate warming.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenland-and-sea-level-rise-nbsp">Greenland and sea-level rise&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Currently, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-sea-levels-spiked-dramatically-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea levels</a> are rising more than an inch per decade, with the pace accelerating. Bierman warned that if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced, the near-total melting of Greenland’s ice sheet over the next few centuries could result in approximately 23 feet of sea level rise. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/greenland_tundra-fossils_ancient-ice-melt-revealed_UVermont_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/greenland_tundra-fossils_ancient-ice-melt-revealed_UVermont_1s.webp" alt="Willow bud scale, arctic poppy seed, fungal bodies, and rock spikemoss megaspores found in the GISP2 soil sample viewed under a microscope at the University of Vermont." class="wp-image-1940905"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Willow bud scale, arctic poppy seed, fungal bodies, and rock spikemoss megaspores found in the GISP2 soil sample viewed under a microscope at the University of Vermont.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>“Look at Boston, New York, Miami, Mumbai or pick your coastal city around the world, and add twenty plus feet of sea level,” Bierman cautioned. “It goes underwater. Don't buy a beach house.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-of-ice-sheet-instability-nbsp">Evidence of ice sheet instability&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In 2016, Joerg Schaefer and colleagues from <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a> analyzed rock from the bottom of the GISP2 core, proposing that Greenland's ice sheet could be less than 1.1 million years old and that significant ice-free periods occurred during the Pleistocene epoch.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The controversial study suggested that if the ice had melted at the GISP2 site, 90% of Greenland’s ice would have also melted. This challenged the long-held belief that Greenland's ice sheet has been a stable “fortress of ice” for millions of years.</p>



<p>Further supporting this, in 2019, Bierman and an international team re-examined another ice core extracted from Camp Century near Greenland's coast in the 1960s.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They found twigs, seeds, and insect parts, indicating that the ice had melted within the last 416,000 years, demonstrating that the ice sheet's stability had failed more recently than previously thought.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-ice-free-greenland">An ice-free Greenland</h2>



<p>These findings prompted Bierman and his colleagues to investigate the bottom of the GISP2 core further. With the support of the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. National Science Foundation</a>, they obtained a sample from the National Science Foundation Ice Core Facility in Lakewood, Colorado.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The new study confirms that during a warm period, Greenland was not only <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-ice-sheet-is-approaching-a-critical-tipping-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice-free</a> but also supported a tundra ecosystem, potentially with stunted trees. </p>



<p>“We now have direct evidence that not only was the ice gone, but that plants and insects were living there,” Bierman said. “And that's unassailable. You don't have to rely on calculations or models.”</p>



<p>The discovery of intact biological material, such as the bud scale of a young willow and the compound eye of an insect, was made by geoscientist Andrew Christ, who worked on the project during his PhD at UVM.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Halley Mastro continued the research, identifying various macrofossils, including spores from spikemoss and a seed from an Arctic poppy. “It was amazing,” Mastro said. “It lets us know that Greenland's ice melted and there was soil, because poppies don't grow on top of miles of ice.”</p>



<p>This research underscores the fragility of Greenland's ice sheet and the significant implications of climate change, highlighting the urgency of addressing global warming to prevent catastrophic sea level rise and the loss of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overtopping-threatens-the-future-of-coastal-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal habitats</a>.</p>



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



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h--0">-----</h3>

Increased risk of sea-level catastrophe confirmed by Greenland fossils

A disturbing new study has provided direct evidence that the...

<p>Solar wind, a constant stream of charged particles from the sun, bombards our Earth much like a supersonic jet facing a high-speed windstorm, relentlessly driving against our planet's protective shield.</p>



<p>These powerful solar wind streams curve around the Earth's magnetosphere, creating a bow shock that deflects and channels these energetic particles.</p>



<p>Much like how wind flows around a jet or water moves around a boat, the solar wind sculpts our magnetosphere into its characteristic wind sock form, constantly shaping and reshaping its boundaries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-solar-wind">Understanding the solar wind</h2>



<p>Zooming along at about a million miles per hour, the solar wind spreads throughout the solar system and consists of electrons, protons, and a mix of other particles. </p>



<p>These particles get so hot in the Sun's corona that they can break free from its gravitational pull and drift into space.</p>



<p>When solar wind hits Earth, it creates stunning auroras near the poles -- those beautiful natural light shows happen when solar particles interact with our planet's magnetic field. </p>



<p>But solar wind can also bring some real challenges for our technology. It can mess with satellites, cause radio blackouts, and even disrupt power grids. That’s why scientists keep a close eye on it, using spacecraft like the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/parker-solar-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parker Solar Probe</a> to study its behavior.</p>



<p>Getting a better grasp on solar wind is key to predicting space weather events. This info not only helps protect our tech but also keeps astronauts safe when they venture beyond Earth's magnetic shield. </p>



<p>As we learn more, we get better at forecasting solar storms and reducing their impact. So while solar wind might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, it's actually a real and powerful force shaping our cosmic environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-wind-dynamics">Solar wind dynamics</h2>



<p>Alterations in the solar wind demand our attention, as they can significantly impact the structure and dynamics of the magnetosphere, influencing everything from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-weather-poses-significant-risks-to-railway-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space weather</a> to satellite operations. </p>



<p>These changes provide a valuable glimpse into the behavior of other celestial bodies, such as Jupiter's moons and distant extrasolar planets, revealing the universal nature of these interactions.</p>



<p>One such event, a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME), serves as an intriguing case study of such changes, highlighting the profound effects these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/steve-phenomenon-looks-like-an-aurora-acts-like-an-aurora-but-what-is-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar phenomena</a> can have on our space environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-anomaly-of-a-cme">Tracing the anomaly of a CME</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noaa-issues-severe-geomagnetic-storm-watch-first-time-since-2005/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coronal mass ejections</a> usually travel faster than the Alfvén speed, which represents the speed at which vibrating magnetic field lines travel through magnetized plasma.</p>



<p>This speed can be affected by the surrounding plasma environment. However, an exceptional CME in 2023 changed the game. It disrupted the ordinary configuration of <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/earths-magnetic-field-origin-structure-and-impact-on-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's magnetosphere</a> for a brief period of roughly two hours.</p>



<p>Thanks to the observations derived from NASA's MMS spacecraft, we now have a significantly clearer understanding of the event.</p>



<p>"In an instance on 24 April 2023, the MMS spacecraft reported that even though the streaming speed of the solar wind was high, the Alfvén speed during the strong CME was remarkably faster," the research team noted. </p>



<p>This situation was unusual, as the solar wind typically travels faster than the Alfvén speed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temporary-disappearance">Temporary disappearance</h2>



<p>The speed anomaly triggered a peculiar event -- Earth's bow shock temporarily vanished.</p>



<p>This absence allowed the plasma and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-is-shifting-and-putting-navigation-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic field</a> from the sun to interact directly with our magnetosphere. Meanwhile, Earth's wind sock tail underwent a transformation. </p>



<p>It was replaced by structures termed as Alfvén wings, which emerged as links connecting Earth's magnetosphere to the active region of the sun. </p>



<p>Acting as a highway, this connection facilitated the transfer of plasma between the magnetosphere and the sun.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insights-and-future-research">New insights and future research</h2>



<p>This singular CME event has been a valuable opportunity for unveiling how Alfvén wings form and evolve. </p>



<p>Additionally, it has offered profound implications for the study of other magnetically active bodies in our cosmos. </p>



<p>"Our observations suggest the formation of aurorae on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jupiters-moon-ganymede-has-huge-internal-ocean-and-salty-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter's moon Ganymede</a> may also be due to Alfvén wings," the authors write, noting that future research could explore similar Alfvén wing aurorae occurring on Earth.</p>



<p>As a result, this extraordinary CME has opened up a novel latticework of possibilities in our exploration and understanding of the universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-winds-in-space-weather-forecasting">Solar winds in space weather forecasting</h2>



<p>The recent observations related to the exceptional coronal mass ejection (CME) not only advance our understanding of Earth's magnetosphere but also carry significant implications for space weather forecasting. </p>



<p>As our reliance on technology grows, especially in sectors like navigation, communication, and electrical grid management, predicting the effects of solar phenomena becomes crucial. </p>



<p>The formation of Alfvén wings, as illustrated by this CME event, highlights a new facet of magnetic interactions that can influence space weather patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-constant-dance-with-the-sun">Earth's constant dance with the Sun</h2>



<p>By comprehensively understanding how these wings behave during significant solar interactions, scientists can enhance predictive models that assess the potential impacts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/severe-geomagnetic-storm-alert-issued-sun-begins-erupting-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar storms</a> on Earth's atmosphere and technological infrastructure. </p>



<p>This knowledge could play a vital role in mitigating the adverse effects of solar events, such as satellite malfunctions or power grid failures. </p>



<p>Therefore, the intricate dance between solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere is not merely an academic curiosity; it is a frontier for practical applications that safeguard our increasingly interconnected and technologically dependent world.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://phys.org/journals/geophysical-research-letters/">Geophysical Research Lette</a><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024GL108894" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rs</a></em>.</p>



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



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Earth's magnetic field dances a never-ending waltz with the solar wind

Solar wind, a constant stream of charged particles from the...

<p>Scientists have developed a new model to gain insights into the formation of giant planets like Jupiter. </p>



<p>The model, which provides a more comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in planet formation, could significantly expand our knowledge of planetary systems. The research was led by experts at <a href="https://www.lmu.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ludwig Maximilian University</a> (LMU). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theories-on-giant-planet-formation-nbsp">Theories on giant planet formation<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>In our solar system, planets are categorized by their characteristics and positions relative to the Sun: the inner rocky planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars), followed by the asteroid belt, then the gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn), the <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">ice giants</a> (Uranus, Neptune), and finally the Kuiper belt with its comets. </p>



<p>Traditional theories posited that giant planets formed through the collision and accumulation of small, asteroid-like bodies called planetesimals, followed by the gradual accretion of gas over millions of years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, these theories fail to adequately explain the existence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-gas-planets-are-cosmic-wrecking-balls-that-wreak-havoc-in-habitable-zones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gas giants</a> far from their parent stars or the formation of Uranus and Neptune.</p>



<p>The new model developed by LMU astrophysicists, in collaboration with the ORIGINS cluster and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS), is the first to incorporate all the critical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical processes</a> that influence planet formation. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-formation-of-gas-giants">Rapid formation of gas giants</h2>



<p>According to the findings, annular perturbations in protoplanetary disks - referred to as substructures - can initiate the rapid formation of multiple gas giants.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These results align with recent observations and suggest that the formation of giant planets can occur more quickly and efficiently than previously believed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-the-stage-for-planet-formation-nbsp">Setting the stage for planet formation<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>The researchers demonstrated that millimeter-sized dust particles in the turbulent gas disk of a protoplanetary system can accumulate due to aerodynamic forces.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This initial disturbance traps the dust, preventing it from spiraling inward toward the star. As a result, a concentrated area rich in “building material” is created, setting the stage for planet formation.</p>



<p>“When a planet gets large enough to influence the gas disk, this leads to renewed dust enrichment farther out in the disk,” explained co-author Til Birnstiel, a professor of theoretical astrophysics at LMU and a member of the <a href="https://www.origins-cluster.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ORIGINS Cluster of Excellence</a>. </p>



<p>“In the process, the planet drives the dust - like a sheepdog chasing its herd - into the area outside its own orbit.” This mechanism can lead to the formation of another giant planet as the process repeats itself from the inside out.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Tommy Chi Ho Lau, the lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate at LMU, noted that this is the first time a simulation has traced the process whereby fine dust grows into giant planets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gas-giants-in-young-protoplanetary-disks-nbsp">Gas giants in young protoplanetary disks<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>In our solar system, the gas giants are located between five astronomical units (au) (Jupiter) and 30 au (Neptune) from the Sun, where one au is the distance from the Earth to the Sun, approximately 150 million kilometers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study reveals that in other planetary systems, similar perturbations could trigger planet formation at much greater distances and still occur rapidly. Observations from the ALMA radio observatory have frequently detected gas giants in young protoplanetary disks beyond 200 au from their stars.</p>



<p>Moreover, the model explains why additional planets did not form in our solar system beyond Neptune. According to the researchers, the available building material was depleted, halting further planet formation.</p>



<p>The study's results correspond with current observations of young planetary systems, which often display pronounced substructures in their disks. These substructures are critical in the process of planet formation.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giant-planets-in-our-solar-system">Giant planets in our solar system</h2>



<p>The study suggests that the formation of giant planets and gas giants is more efficient and occurs more rapidly than previously thought.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This new understanding could refine our comprehension of the origin and development of giant planets in our solar system and explain the observed diversity of planetary systems.</p>



<p>Overall, the LMU team's findings offer a more detailed and dynamic picture of how giant planets form, potentially reshaping our understanding of planetary system development and the conditions necessary for planet formation.</p>



<p>“Further code optimization is required to study the statistical effects and to model the diversity of planetary systems. And, planetary gas accretion is still an active field of research,” noted the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Further investigations specifically on gas accretion are required to model the formation time of the solar system’s giant planets.”</p>



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



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h--0">-----</h3>

How do giant planets form?

Scientists have developed a new model to gain insights into...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<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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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
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<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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p><em>Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois</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>

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



<p><em>Video Credit: ACS Reactions</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>

How does salt makes things taste better?

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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 Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;</p>



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



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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