<p>Astronomers have caught a nearby stellar duo in a dramatic act. A super-dense white dwarf star is siphoning material from its larger companion at a pace never seen before.</p>



<p>The system, known as V Sagittae (V Sge), sits about 10,000 light-years away and orbits so tightly that the two stars whirl around each other every 12.3 hours. </p>



<p>As the white dwarf feeds, the pair blazes far brighter than similar systems - a century-old mystery that a new study says it has finally cracked.</p>



<p>Led by Pasi Hakala from the <a href="https://www.utu.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Turku</a> in Finland, the team used the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile to probe V Sge’s extreme behavior. The results point to a runaway case of “stellar cannibalism.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-white-dwarf-in-a-feeding-frenzy">White dwarf in a feeding frenzy</h2>



<p>White dwarfs are the ultra-compact embers left behind when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-forming-disks-surrounding-stars-often-last-much-longer-than-expected/">sun-like stars</a> exhaust their fuel. On their own, they glow faintly. Paired with a close companion, they can become voracious, as gravity from the white dwarf pulls gas - mostly hydrogen - off the neighboring star.</p>



<p>As that gas piles up, it heats to extraordinary temperatures and ignites thermonuclear burning on the dwarf’s surface. </p>



<p>The study concludes that V Sge’s famous overbrightness comes from this very process operating at ferocious rates. It turns the white dwarf’s outer layers into a sustained, nuclear-powered beacon.</p>



<p>The V Sge system has baffled astronomers since its discovery in 1902 because it outshines its peers so dramatically. The study argues the system is in a “feeding frenzy,” with mass transfer exceeding what the white dwarf can absorb.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-luminous-halo-signals-instability">Luminous halo signals instability </h2>



<p>One of the team’s most striking finds is a broad ring of gas - a luminous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breathtaking-photo-shows-an-ice-halo-forming-around-the-sun/">halo</a> encircling both stars. That ring appears to be the overflow. </p>



<p>The system rips material from the companion that the white dwarf can’t accrete and flings it outward to form a circumbinary shroud.</p>



<p>The sheer energy released in the process, the researchers say, is also jostling the system, contributing to the erratic, “wild” motion seen in monitoring data.</p>



<p>That halo isn’t just window dressing. It’s a clue that V Sge is being pushed toward instability. When the inflow of fuel momentarily overwhelms the white dwarf’s ability to burn it steadily, pressure can build until the surface layers detonate in a thermonuclear flash.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-rare-outburst-on-the-horizon">A rare outburst on the horizon</h2>



<p>The team warns that V Sge is primed for a classic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-coronae-borealis-nova-explosion-nearby-star-light-up-earths-skies/">nova</a> - a powerful, but non-destructive outburst triggered when accumulated hydrogen ignites on the white dwarf’s surface. </p>



<p>If that happens in the coming years, the system could brighten enough to be visible to the naked eye. It would be a rare treat for skywatchers.</p>



<p>Farther down the line, the endgame could be even more spectacular. As the stars spiral inward and the white dwarf gains mass, they may collide or reach a catastrophic limit.</p>



<p>In that scenario, V Sge would explode as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernovae-explosions-seem-to-have-altered-earths-climate-in-the-past-and-could-do-so-again-at-any-time/">supernova</a> - an event so luminous it would be visible even in daylight. That fate isn’t guaranteed, and it may be centuries away. But the current feeding rate and the presence of the gas ring suggest this binary is on a dangerous trajectory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-star-system-in-real-time">A star system in real time</h2>



<p>For decades, astronomers struggled to explain why V Sge was the brightest system of its kind. </p>



<p>By tying its glare to sustained thermonuclear burning driven by extreme mass transfer - and by revealing the telltale, system-wide gas ring - the new study provides a coherent picture of how this oddball works.</p>



<p>It also offers a living laboratory where scientists can study how close binaries evolve and how novae trigger. It may even explain how some white dwarfs cross the threshold into supernovae.</p>



<p>Most of the time, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-star-redefines-our-understanding-of-stellar-evolution/">stellar evolution</a> plays out slowly, across eons. V Sagittae is a rare exception: a nearby, rapidly changing system writing its next chapter in real time. Keep an eye on the southern sky. The next burst from this hungry white dwarf could be bright enough for all of us to see.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <em><a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.22637" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society</a></em>. </p>



<p>Image Credit: University of Southampton</p>



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White dwarf star devours its companion in record feeding frenzy

Astronomers have caught a nearby stellar duo in a dramatic act. A super-dense white dwarf star is siphoning material from its larger companion at a pace never seen before. The system, known as V Sagittae (V Sge), sits about 10,000 light-years away and orbits so tightly that the two stars whirl around each other every 12.3 hours. As the white dwarf feeds, the pair blazes far brighter than similar systems - a century-old mystery that a new study says it has finally cracked. Led by Pasi Hakala...

<p>Attention is a powerful tool of communication, guiding our interactions and shaping our understanding of the world around us. More specifically, the little demonstrative words that direct attention – like "this" and "that" - are universal tools across all languages, serving as crucial linguistic elements that help us navigate and interpret our surroundings.</p>



<p>These words are known as demonstratives, and their use varies significantly from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/native-language-is-specially-stored-in-the-brain-for-easy-access/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language</a> to language, reflecting cultural and cognitive differences in how attention is directed and perceived.</p>



<p>English and Hebrew, for example, have two demonstratives, while Spanish and Japanese employ a more complex three-word system, offering nuanced ways to indicate proximity and focus.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-language-to-attention">Linking language to attention</h2>



<p>Demonstratives are not merely words; they are social guides, playing a crucial role in our interactions and communication. </p>



<p>These words help listeners to focus on specific references and establish "joint attention," an element that the researchers describe as a capacity that underpins shared experiences and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/students-learn-better-when-their-brain-waves-are-in-sync/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mutual understanding</a>.</p>



<p>It is this perceived interdependence between language and social cognition that makes demonstratives a fascinating and rich subject of study, offering insights into the intricate ways in which we connect with others and perceive our environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connection-to-social-cognition">Connection to social cognition </h2>



<p>“The reason why we were interested in demonstratives is because of their connection to social cognition: demonstratives are used to direct the listener’s attention to a referent and establish joint attention. Engaging in joint attention is a uniquely human capacity that links language to social cognition in communication," noted study co-author Paula Rubio-Fernández from the Max Planck Institute.</p>



<p>"Because demonstratives are universal, emerged early in language evolution and are acquired early in child development, they offer an ideal test case for the interdependence between these two fundamentally human capacities."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-demonstratives-for-attention">Demonstratives for attention</h2>



<p>Opinions differ on whether the use of demonstratives to direct a listener's attention is inherently part of the word's meaning (semantics) or if it arises from broader principles of social cognition (pragmatics) that govern how we interact and communicate. </p>



<p>To uncover the truth, researchers from several universities, including the noted <a href="https://www.mpg.de/institutes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute</a>, conducted an in-depth study using computational modeling and a series of experiments. </p>



<p>The experiments involved participants who spoke ten different languages from eight distinct language groups, allowing for a diverse examination of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/similar-patterns-music-language-found-across-all-cultures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">linguistic patterns</a>.</p>



<p>In the study, participants took on the role of a "speaker" in an online task. They observed pictures of a "listener" and were asked to choose a demonstrative from their native language to request an object.</p>



<p>The setup varied: the listener was either already looking at the intended object or at one of four other objects, creating different scenarios to test how demonstratives are used to direct attention and establish communication.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-the-spatial-meaning-of-demonstratives">Beyond the spatial meaning of demonstratives </h2>



<p>The findings of the research offer a deeper understanding of how demonstratives function. Participants were found to be sensitive not just to the physical location of the target object but also to the listener's attention and gaze.</p>



<p>This sensitivity highlighted the dynamic nature of demonstratives, as their meaning indeed varied both within and across languages. </p>



<p>For instance, the "near" demonstrative could refer to an object "close to me," but it could also be used to emphasize joint attention (we are both looking at) or to subtly steer the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-gestures-we-see-can-change-what-we-hear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">listener's attention</a> towards the speaker, depending on the context and the speaker's intention.</p>



<p>In languages with a three-word system, the medial word often specifically indicated joint attention, providing a unique linguistic mechanism for speakers to establish a shared focus and enhance mutual understanding in communication.</p>



<p>"Our work sheds light on the interface between social cognition and language," said Rubio-Fernández. "We show that representations of interlocutor attention are embedded into one of the most basic word classes that appear across all languages: demonstratives."</p>



<p>"Our work also shows through Bayesian computational modeling that this form of attention manipulation cannot be explained via pragmatic reasoning external to the linguistic system, suggesting that mentalistic representations are embedded in a universal component of language."</p>



<p>The research truly underlines the powerful role that language - even the simplest of words - plays in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-bonding-can-positively-shape-the-success-of-a-group/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social interaction</a> and cognition.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2402068121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a></em>.</p>



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Words like 'this' and 'that' direct attention across languages

Attention is a powerful tool of communication, guiding our interactions...

<p>Recent research unveiled the presence of naturally occurring few-layer graphene flakes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underground-cave-found-moon-mare-tranquillitatis-could-shelter-astronauts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moon</a> soil. For those who aren't familiar, graphene is a uniquely organized, layered structure of carbon atoms.</p>



<p>The study was led by a stellar group of researchers, featuring Professors Meng Zou and Wei Zhang, senior engineer Xiujuan Li from <a href="https://www.jlu.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jilin University</a>, and Wencai Ren from the <a href="https://english.cas.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a>’ Institute of Metal Research. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-graphene-in-moon-soil">Graphene in Moon soil</h2>



<p>The scientists' journey begins with a 2.9 x 1.6 mm, olive-shaped speck of lunar soil, brought back by the Chang'e 5 mission in 2020. This minuscule piece was scrutinized and analyzed for a singular purpose - the hunt for Graphene.</p>



<p>Graphene, as we know, is a fascinating substance that comprises carbon atoms arrayed in a thin, layered structure. Imagine a sheet of honeycomb, but swap the beeswax for carbon, and shrink it a million times. </p>



<p>This distinctive arrangement gifts graphene with unique properties, making it a superstar in the fields of optics, electrics, and mechanics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connecting-the-dots">Connecting the dots</h2>



<p>When we think about the cosmos, we often picture vast expanses of nothingness. But did you know that nearly 1.9% of all interstellar carbon is thought to exist as graphene? </p>



<p>The shape and properties of these graphene structures are a direct result of their formation process, painting a unique trail in the cosmos.</p>



<p>Using a specialized spectrometer, our team discovered a particular iron compound in a carbon-rich section of the lunar sample. This compound, they suggest, is intimately linked with the formation of graphene.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-graphene-layers-in-moon-soil">Graphene layers in Moon soil</h2>



<p>In a plot twist worthy of a best-seller, the researchers uncovered "flakes" of carbon within the sample that comprised two to seven staggered layers of graphene. But how did these graphene structures end up on the moon?</p>



<p>The researchers propose an intriguing genesis for the lunar graphene: volcanic activity in the moon's early existence. </p>



<p>Couple this with solar winds, which whip up lunar soil and iron-laden minerals, and we have a recipe for graphene creation.</p>



<p>In addition, the high-pressure, high-temperature environments formed by meteorite impacts could have also contributed to the formation of these graphene layers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-graphene-discovery-on-moon">Implications of graphene discovery on Moon</h2>



<p>The discovery of graphene in lunar soil presents a paradigm shift in our understanding of the Moon’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grow-plants-on-moon-by-2026-nasa-artemis-iii-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geological history</a> and its potential for future exploration. </p>



<p>Graphene’s remarkable properties -- such as exceptional conductivity and strength -- could have profound implications for the development of lunar technologies.</p>



<p>Researchers are contemplating how this material could be harnessed for constructing lightweight, durable structures on the Moon, or even in the design of advanced electronics that could operate in extreme lunar conditions. </p>



<p>The fusion of lunar geology and innovative materials science opens the avenues for more sustainable living conditions for future astronauts and, potentially, a base for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-samples-from-mars-could-reveal-fascinating-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">further exploration</a> of the solar system.</p>



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



<p>Looking ahead, the implications of these discoveries extend beyond a singular appreciation of lunar materials. </p>



<p>As our cosmic capabilities expand, researchers advocate for further missions targeting carbon-rich areas on the Moon and other celestial bodies.</p>



<p>By understanding how materials like graphene form in various cosmic environments, we not only enrich our scientific knowledge but also lay the groundwork for potential interplanetary resource utilization. </p>



<p>The ability to create useful technologies from local materials may shift the paradigm from Earth dependency to a more self-sustaining model in space exploration, ultimately bringing humanity one step closer to establishing a lasting presence beyond our home planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-era-for-graphene-on-moon">New era for graphene on Moon</h2>



<p>The discovery of natural graphene formation on the moon could mark a significant leap in our understanding of this miraculous material. </p>



<p>In particular, the mineral-catalyzed formation process could guide the development of cost-effective synthesis methods of high-quality graphene.</p>



<p>“The mineral-catalyzed formation of natural graphene sheds light on the development of low-cost scalable synthesis techniques of high-quality graphene,” the paper said. </p>



<p>“Therefore, a new lunar exploration program may be promoted, and some forthcoming breakthroughs can be expected.”</p>



<p>So, what's next on the horizon? Will this discovery spark a new era for graphene research and lunar exploration? </p>



<p>Only time will tell. Until then, let's revel in the beauty of this cosmic revelation: the dance of chemistry and physics, producing miracles in the form of graphene in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-moon-soil-lunar-regolith-space-debris-into-building-materials/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lunar soil</a>.</p>



<p>As we ponder the implications of this discovery, it's clear that the mysteries of the universe continue to unfold, paving the way for future exploration and innovation.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/nsr/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nsr/nwae211/7695326" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>National Science Review</em></a>.</p>



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Graphene, the new 'wonder material' in Earth technology, found in moon soil

Recent research unveiled the presence of naturally occurring few-layer graphene...

<p>Picture this: you're settled in for movie night, a bag of your favorite salty snack in one hand and a tub of creamy, flavorful dip in the other. </p>



<p>It's the perfect combo, right? But, before you dip that chip, a novel study urges you to reconsider.</p>



<p>Officially unveiled in the November issue of Food Quality and Preference, an intriguing study delved into American snacking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-sleep-leads-to-unhealthy-snacking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habits</a>, specifically how the addition of dip impacts our calorie intake.</p>



<p>The research was conducted at the Sensory Evaluation Center, part of the College of Agricultural Sciences at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State University</a>, which combines expertise in food science and sensory evaluation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dipping-into-the-study">Dipping into the study</h2>



<p>Madeline Harper, a recent Penn State graduate with a master’s degree in food science, led the study. Overall, 46 adult participants were assessed during two visits to the center.</p>



<p>The individuals were served 70 grams of ranch-flavored chips, with or without about a third of a cup of ranch dip, and invited to eat as much as they pleased. What the researchers discovered might make you ditch the dip altogether.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-salty-snack-seduction">The salty snack seduction</h2>



<p>The study documented that when dip was introduced to the snack equation, people consumed significantly more calories – 77% more to be precise. </p>



<p>The participants chowed down on the same amount of chips, but the addition of the dip led to a sneakily increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-caloric-restriction-help-you-live-longer-its-complicated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">caloric intake</a>.</p>



<p>John Hayes is the director of the Penn State Sensory Evaluation Center and a professor of food science.</p>



<p>“The most striking findings of our study is that people didn't eat fewer chips when dip was available - they ate the same amount of chips, plus the dip," said Professor Hayes.</p>



<p>"This lack of compensation means that adding dip to chips can substantially increase overall energy intake without people realizing it.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-bite-bigger-problem">Bigger bite, bigger problem</h2>



<p>Harper suggests that the inclusion of the dip leads to a larger bite, thus allowing participants to eat more without necessarily increasing the rate at which they ate. </p>



<p>In each eating session, participants consumed an average of 345 calories with the chip-dip combo, as opposed to 195 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-who-are-obese-have-a-harder-time-burning-calories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calories</a> with the chips alone.</p>



<p>Despite being a significant source of energy in our diets, snacking remains understudied, particularly when it comes to how extras like dips influence our intake. The study at Penn State marks a crucial step towards understanding this behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paving-the-way-forward">Paving the way forward</h2>



<p>“This research opens up new avenues for exploring how the physical properties of foods can influence our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-behavior-is-influenced-by-the-unconscious-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eating behaviors</a> and ultimately, our energy intake,” Hayes noted. “If we can slow people down, we can influence energy consumption without giving up the pleasure from food.”</p>



<p>Supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the research represents a crucial step in tackling issues of overeating and obesity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternative-dips-with-fewer-calories">Alternative dips with fewer calories</h2>



<p>As we navigate the world of snacking, it's essential to find healthier alternatives that can still satisfy our cravings without leading to excessive calorie consumption. </p>



<p>Instead of traditional creamy dips, consider exploring options that offer flavor and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/minimally-processed-foods-cost-more-offer-no-extra-nutrition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrition</a> without the added calories.</p>



<p>One popular choice is salsa, which is often lower in calories and packed with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Not only does salsa add a zesty kick to your snacks, but it also provides vitamins and minerals that contribute to your overall health. </p>



<p>Another great option is hummus, made from chickpeas, tahini, and spices. It is rich in protein and fiber, which can help you feel fuller for longer while still enjoying the dip experience.</p>



<p>Additionally, you might want to experiment with yogurt-based dips, such as tzatziki or herbed Greek yogurt, which can be a lighter alternative to traditional dips. These options are not only delicious but can also be rich in probiotics, promoting gut health.</p>



<p>Lastly, consider portion control. Instead of serving the dip directly from the container, try pre-portioning smaller amounts into individual bowls. This way, you can enjoy the flavor without the temptation to go back for seconds or thirds.</p>



<p>By making simple changes to how you dip, you can enjoy your favorite snacks while being mindful of your caloric intake. Balancing enjoyment with health can lead to a more satisfying and guilt-free snacking experience.</p>



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Dips can more than double the calories of your favorite snack

Picture this: you're settled in for movie night, a bag...

<p>Current climate policies carry a significant risk of triggering critical Earth system tipping points, even if global temperatures are later reduced to below 1.5°C after a temporary overshoot. A new study published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49863-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a> suggests that these risks can be mitigated if temperature increases are quickly reversed.</p>



<p>Human-induced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-abruptly-push-species-over-their-tipping-points/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> can destabilize large-scale Earth system components, known as tipping elements, such as ice sheets, ocean circulation patterns, and key global biospheres.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interconnected-climate-tipping-points-nbsp">Interconnected climate tipping points&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Researchers from the <a href="https://iiasa.ac.at/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis</a> (IIASA) and the <a href="https://www.pik-potsdam.de/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research</a> (PIK) examined the risks posed to four interconnected core climate tipping elements under current mitigation efforts and future emission scenarios.</p>



<p>The study focused on the potential destabilization of the Greenland Ice Sheet, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-amazon-rainforest-is-approaching-widespread-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Rainforest</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These elements are crucial for maintaining the stability of the Earth's climate system. Global warming can induce sudden changes in these systems, leading to irreversible outcomes.</p>



<p>The analysis emphasizes the critical importance of adhering to the climate targets set by the Paris Agreement and highlights the long-term consequences of our climate actions today.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-tipping-points-in-the-coming-centuries-nbsp">Climate tipping points in the coming centuries&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Our results show that to effectively limit tipping risks over the coming centuries and beyond, we must achieve and maintain net-zero greenhouse gas emissions,” explained co-lead author Tessa Möller, a researcher with the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program and at PIK.</p>



<p>“Following current policies this century would commit us to a high tipping risk of 45% by 2300, even if temperatures are brought back to below 1.5°C after a period of overshoot.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study revealed that substantial tipping risks could materialize by 2300 under various future emission scenarios. If global temperatures do not return to below 1.5°C by 2100, despite achieving net-zero greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/countries-net-zero-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a>, there is up to a 24% chance that at least one of the key tipping elements will reach a critical threshold. This risk increases significantly with every tenth of a degree of warming above 1.5°C.</p>



<p>“We see an increase in tipping risk with every tenth of a degree of overshoot above 1.5°C. If we were to also surpass 2°C of global warming, tipping risks would escalate even more rapidly,” said co-lead author Annika Ernest Högner, a scientist at PIK.</p>



<p>“This is very concerning as scenarios that follow currently implemented climate policies are estimated to result in about 2.6°C global warming by the end of this century.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-reversal-of-warming">Rapid reversal of warming</h2>



<p>The study stresses that only a rapid reversal of warming after any overshoot can effectively limit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-tipping-points-report-shows-humanity-on-a-disastrous-trajectory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tipping risks</a>. This necessitates achieving at least net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our study underscores that this global mitigation objective, enshrined in Article 4 of the Paris Agreement, is vital for planetary stability,” said Carl Schleussner, leader of the IIASA Integrated Climate Impacts Research Group and one of the study's authors</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interactions-between-climate-tipping-elements-nbsp">Interactions between climate tipping elements&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers noted that current advanced models used to study Earth systems may not fully capture the complex behaviors, feedback loops, and interactions between tipping elements.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To address these limitations, the team employed a simplified Earth system model using four connected mathematical equations to represent these tipping elements. This approach allowed them to include future stabilizing interactions, such as the cooling effect of a weakened <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-could-collapse-the-atlantic-circulation-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AMOC</a> on the Northern Hemisphere.</p>



<p>“This analysis of tipping point risks adds further support to the conclusion that we are underestimating risks, and need to now recognize that the legally binding objective in the Paris Agreement of holding global warming to well below 2°C, in reality, means limiting global warming to 1.5°C,” concluded PIK Director and study co-author Johan Rockström.</p>



<p>“Due to insufficient emission reductions, we run an ever-increasing risk of a period of overshooting this temperature limit, which we need to minimize at all costs to reduce dire impacts to people across the world.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study's findings highlight the urgent need for global action to limit global warming and prevent critical tipping points in the Earth's climate system. </p>



<p>The potential irreversible changes underscore the importance of immediate and sustained efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adhere to international climate agreements.</p>



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



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

Can we still prevent critical climate tipping points?

Current climate policies carry a significant risk of triggering critical...

<p>Have you ever wondered about the science behind your breakfast sausage or that slice of bacon you relish with your morning coffee? Did you ever imagine that what's on your breakfast plate could potentially wield an influence over your brain health? Well, new research suggests that eating processed red meat increases dementia risk by 14 percent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-meat-and-dementia">Red meat and dementia</h2>



<p>It's not an alien concept that our diet has <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/which-dietary-changes-are-best-for-cancer-prevention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">implications for our health</a>. But can switching your bacon and sausages for alternatives like nuts, beans, or tofu help decrease your risk of dementia? An intriguing study proposes this very hypothesis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This research, conducted by Yuhan Li, a diligent research assistant at the renowned <a href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brigham and Women’s Hospital</a> in Boston, Massachusetts, scrutinizes the impact of processed red meat on our neurological health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-processed-red-meat">Impact of processed red meat</h2>



<p>Li began research to study how eating processed red meat affects the risk of developing dementia.</p>



<p>The study reached out to over 130,000 health professionals from all over the United States, gathering their insights and experiences. Individual health and dietary habits were tracked and analyzed over an impressive 43 years, providing valuable perspectives on wellness.</p>



<p>This longitudinal study involved participants filling out questionnaires every few years. They shared details about their dietary habits. A key focus was their consumption of processed red meat. This included items like bacon, hot dogs, sausages, and salami.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-we-go-nuts-over-meat">Could we go nuts over meat?</h2>



<p>Out of all the participants, over 11,000 cases of dementia surfaced during the study's follow-up period. The results indicated that consuming two servings of processed red meat saw a 14% hike in dementia risk compared to eating about three servings each month.</p>



<p>The study suggests that by replacing one daily serving of processed red meat with a serving of nuts, beans, or tofu, we could potentially trim the risk of dementia by as much as 20 percent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dementia-risk-from-red-meat">Dementia risk from red meat</h2>



<p>Li's research also threw light on cognitive abilities. Over 17,000 participants underwent assessments gauging their language, executive function, and processing prowess. These assessments also evaluated their verbal memory - basically, their ability to recall and understand words and sentences.</p>



<p>The outcomes were eye-opening. Those who made the switch from processed red meat to a serving of nuts, beans, or tofu were found to have sharper memory and thinking skills. In contrast, those who consumed more processed red meat exhibited poorer cognitive skills and a higher risk of dementia.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-red-meat-dementia-riddle">Unraveling the red meat-dementia riddle</h2>



<p>These findings, while compelling, raise an important question - does processed red meat directly contribute to dementia, or is it a lifestyle question? Could it be that those who steer clear of such meat tend to have healthier habits in general?</p>



<p>"Research into diet and the risk of dementia is a major focus. In particular, the effect of eating processed red meat on our health has been a hot topic," said Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s Society</a>.</p>



<p>“In this study more people who ate processed red meat went on to develop dementia and had worse memory and thinking skills.</p>



<p>“It’s important to remember that this doesn’t mean that eating processed red meat is directly related to developing dementia. It may be that people who avoid processed red meat are generally more health conscious and avoid other unhealthy habits that increase dementia risk.</p>



<p>“The diseases that cause dementia are very complex, and it is unlikely that one food group would make a significant difference. Instead, we know that what is good for the heart is good for the head, and recommend everyone to eat a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-diets-offer-health-benefits-and-lower-carbon-footprint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy balanced diet</a>.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



<p>While the study spanned an extensive 43 years, it's not without its limitations. Researchers only evaluated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diseases-linked-to-processed-meat-could-easily-be-prevented/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a> every two to four years. Considering the significant time gap, diets could have swerved substantially in between assessments, potentially tilting the findings.</p>



<p>This concern is echoed by experts like Dr Hilda Mulrooney, reader in nutrition and health at the London Metropolitan University, and Dr Sebastian Walsh, a doctoral fellow at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They underline the need to understand other factors that were considered while evaluating this apparent red meat-dementia relationship. Their input could paint us a more holistic picture.</p>



<p>Is it time to rethink our eating habits? Possibly. As the adage goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Each small stride towards improved lifestyle choices is a win for mental health. So, let's take a moment to reflect - what's on your plate today?</p>



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



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

Reduce your risk of dementia by cutting out this type of meat

Have you ever wondered about the science behind your breakfast...

<p>Tropical glaciers have shrunk to their smallest size in over 11,700 years, according to researchers at <a href="https://www.bc.edu/">Boston College</a>. </p>



<p>These results, derived from rocks newly exposed after being covered by prehistoric ice, indicate that the tropics have warmed beyond levels last seen in the early Holocene epoch.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-melting-of-tropical-glaciers">Unexpected melting of tropical glaciers  </h2>



<p>Scientists have long predicted that tropical glaciers would melt as temperatures rise in regions near the Earth's equator. However, the analysis of rock samples near four glaciers in the Andes Mountains shows that this retreat has occurred much faster than expected, crossing a significant climatological threshold.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We have pretty strong evidence that these glaciers are smaller now than they have been any time in the past 11,000 years," said co-author Jeremy Shakun, an associate professor of earth and environmental sciences at Boston College.</p>



<p>"Given that modern glacier retreat is mostly due to rising temperatures - as opposed to less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-loss-increases-snowfall-over-west-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snowfall</a>, or changes in cloud cover - our findings suggest the tropics have already warmed outside their Holocene range and into the Anthropocene."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-glaciers-a-sign-of-the-times">Tropical glaciers: A sign of the times</h2>



<p>This shift means that glaciers, traditionally classified within the Holocene interglacial period - an epoch characterized by the development of human civilization - may now be better categorized within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/welcome-to-humanitys-new-era-the-anthropocene/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anthropocene</a>, an era defined by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems.</p>



<p>The implications of this study are stark, suggesting that many of the world's glaciers are likely retreating much faster than previously predicted, possibly by decades. </p>



<p>“This is the first large region of the planet where we have strong evidence that glaciers have crossed this important benchmark - it is a ‘canary in the coalmine’ for glaciers everywhere,” Shakun warned.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-vs-natural-fluctuations-nbsp">Climate change vs. natural fluctuations&nbsp;</h2>



<p>While it is known that glaciers have been retreating worldwide over the past century, it has been unclear how this retreat compares to natural fluctuations over the last several millennia. To address this, the research team set out to determine the current size of tropical glaciers compared to their size over the past 11,000 years.</p>



<p>An international team of scientists traveled to Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia to analyze the chemistry of bedrock recently exposed by retreating glaciers in the tropical Andes. They measured concentrations of two rare isotopes - beryllium-10 and carbon-14 - which accumulate in bedrock surfaces when exposed to cosmic radiation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“By measuring the concentrations of these isotopes in the recently exposed bedrock we can determine how much time in the past the bedrock was exposed, which tells us how often the glaciers were smaller than today - kind of like how a sunburn can tell you how long someone was out in the sun,” Shakun explained.</p>



<p>“We found essentially no beryllium-10 or radiocarbon-14 in any of the 18 bedrock samples we measured in front of four tropical glaciers,” said lead author Andrew Gorin, now a PhD student at UC Berkeley. “That tells us there was never any significant prior exposure to cosmic radiation since these glaciers formed during the last ice age.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-largest-tropical-ice-mass-nbsp">Largest tropical ice mass&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The results of this investigation are supported by research conducted twenty years ago at the Quelccaya Ice Cap in Peru, the largest tropical ice mass in the world. There, researchers discovered rooted plant remains melting out of the ice margin, dated to be 5,000 years old.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings indicated that Quelccaya had remained larger than its current size for millennia, as the plants would have decayed if previously exposed.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Shakun noted that while these findings suggested modern ice retreat was abnormally large, it had not yet reached an alarming level compared to the entire Holocene.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-a-broad-range-of-glaciers">Studying a broad range of glaciers</h2>



<p>The team aimed to study a broader range of glaciers to conclusively determine if any had ever been smaller than today.</p>



<p>Shakun and his colleagues have applied this technique to glaciers along the entire American Cordillera, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. They published their North American results last year and plan to release findings from southern South America soon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Once we do that, then these studies can all be put together into a global perspective on the current state of glacier retreat,” Shakun said.</p>



<p>This research underscores the urgency of addressing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-is-increasingly-unpredictable-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, as the rapid retreat of tropical glaciers highlights the profound impact of rising temperatures. The evidence points to a need for global action to mitigate these effects and preserve vital ecosystems.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg7546" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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



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

Tropical glaciers offer a glimpse of our harsh climate reality

Tropical glaciers have shrunk to their smallest size in over...

<p>For decades, physicists have been captivated by the prospect of spaceships traveling faster than light by compressing four-dimensional spacetime -- a concept commonly referred to as "warp drive."</p>



<p>Yes, you heard it right -- those super-speed spaceships that effortlessly dart across galaxies in popular sci-fi culture. While it originates from the realm of fantasy, this idea is also rooted in the robust theories of Einstein's general relativity.</p>



<p>A recent study published in the <em>Open Journal of Astrophysics</em> explores this intriguing possibility by simulating the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gravitational-waves-dark-matter-big-bang-breakthrough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravitational waves</a> that a malfunctioning warp drive could emit -- a warp drive being used by an extraterrestrial spacecraft somewhere in the universe.</p>



<p>How might such insights reshape our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it? This research invites us to ponder the exciting implications of advanced propulsion methods for future space exploration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warp-drives-spacetime-and-gravity">Warp drives, spacetime, and gravity</h2>



<p>So, what exactly is a warp drive? The concept suggests that a spaceship could travel faster than the speed of light by bending or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/matter-spacetime-gravitational-waves-fabric-of-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"warping" spacetime</a> itself.</p>



<p>This idea, while captivating, raises some eyebrows -- after all, isn't that impossible? On paper, yes, because achieving such a feat would require 'exotic matter' with negative energy density and the ability to precisely control a warp bubble without causing catastrophic consequences.</p>



<p>However, recent research has begun to explore a different avenue. It investigates the implications of a warp drive "containment failure."</p>



<p>To put it simply, it’s like asking, "What if the spaceship's warp drive malfunctions mid-flight?" This line of inquiry opens up a host of intriguing questions about the stability of the warp bubble and what might happen if the delicate balance of spacetime is disrupted.</p>



<p>Would the ship be thrown into an unpredictable trajectory, or could it perhaps create a new form of propulsion?</p>



<p>These questions challenge our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/einstein-telescope-will-revolutionize-cosmic-observations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding of physics</a> while igniting the imagination about the future of space travel and the potentials -- and pitfalls -- of advanced technology.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gravitational-waves-from-warp-drives">Gravitational waves from warp drives</h2>



<p>Introducing the scientists steering this journey, Dr. Katy Clough from Queen Mary University of London and Prof. Dr. Tim Dietrich from the University of Potsdam.</p>



<p>When asked about the concept of warp drives, Dr. Clough noted, “Although warp drives remain purely theoretical, they are well-defined within <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radical-new-theory-finally-unites-gravity-spacetime-and-the-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Einstein’s theory of General Relativity</a>. This allows us to use numerical simulations to explore their potential impact on spacetime through gravitational waves.”</p>



<p>The study's findings are remarkable. When a warp drive collapses, it generates a distinct burst of gravitational waves -- those intriguing ripples in spacetime emerge when our hypothetical warp drive collapses.</p>



<p>Unlike the chirps from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-might-be-driving-force-behind-black-hole-mergers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">merging black holes</a> or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neutron-star-collisions-push-the-limits-of-extreme-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neutron stars</a>, this signal would be a short, high-frequency burst, distinctly different from currently recognizable signals.</p>



<p>However, there’s a critical point to consider: our current detectors may not be sensitive enough to capture these elusive waves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-gravitational-wave-detection">Future of gravitational wave detection</h2>



<p>Thankfully, all hope is not lost. The technology to develop detectors that can capture these high-frequency waves is indeed available.</p>



<p>By harnessing this technology, we may be able to detect evidence of warp drive technology at use out in the universe without the necessity of constructing one ourselves.</p>



<p>What implications could this have for our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curvature-propulsion-warp-drive-krasnikov-tube-future-intergalactic-space-travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advanced propulsion systems</a> and their potential applications in space exploration?</p>



<p>Prof. Tim Dietrich points out the importance of these simulations for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astrophysicist-says-hes-cracked-the-equation-for-time-travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic processes</a>.</p>



<p>“The study helps us model negative energy spacetimes and potentially understand the evolution of our universe or the processes at the center of black holes," Dietrich explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warp-drives-gravitational-waves-and-first-contact">Warp drives, gravitational waves, and first contact</h2>



<p>While practical warp drive technology is not around the corner for humans here on Earth, these findings give us a unique perspective into the theoretical physics of warp drives and gravitational waves.</p>



<p>The scientists now aim to study the changes in gravitational wave signals with different warp drive models.</p>



<p>Moreover, these findings could potentially help us understand the evolution of the universe and the enigmatic black holes.</p>



<p>In summary, while we're still years away from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-engineer-creates-propellantless-propulsion-system-defies-laws-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zipping through galaxies</a> at the speed of light, this study offers some fascinating insights into the realm of warp drives.</p>



<p>The way forward might be filled with challenges and uncertainties, but every step we take brings us closer to understanding the mysteries of the universe.</p>



<p>So, keep your eyes on the stars as we continue to explore the world of warp drives and gravitational waves. Who knows? One day, we might just make science fiction a reality!</p>



<p>The full study was published in the <a href="https://astro.theoj.org/article/121868-what-no-one-has-seen-before-gravitational-waveforms-from-warp-drive-collapse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Journal of Astrophysics</a>.</p>



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



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

Detecting warp drives from extraterrestrial spacecraft using gravitational waves

For decades, physicists have been captivated by the prospect of...

<p>The advent of blood testing in diagnosing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medical-breakthrough-new-vaccine-may-prevent-alzheimers-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer's disease</a> has led to a paradigm shift in the medical world. </p>



<p>This innovation opens up new possibilities for timely detection and offers hope for the early application of treatments - a critical factor considering the emergence of new Alzheimer's therapies that could change the disease's trajectory.</p>



<p>Although the potential of blood tests is undoubtedly promising, it raises an essential question regarding their reliability. </p>



<p>Which of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-tool-better-predicting-alzheimers-disease-than-current-tests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tests</a> accurately detect Alzheimer's? The answer was shrouded in mystery as there had not been a head-to-head comparison of the tests.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-battle-of-the-alzheimer-s-blood-tests">Battle of the Alzheimer's blood tests</h2>



<p>Grappling with this challenge, a team of experts led by Dr. Suzanne Schindler at <a href="https://medicine.wustl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University School of Medicine</a> in St. Louis took on the vital task of comparing the accuracy of commercially available blood tests.</p>



<p>The research efforts were centered around six blood tests, four of which are currently clinically available.</p>



<p>The goal? To determine which tests were best at identifying the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease - the presence of characteristic amyloid plaques in the brain.</p>



<p>The results, unveiled at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, revealed that some of the tests have the potential to replace conventional and invasive procedures such as spinal taps and brain scans in many patients.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deciphering-the-diagnostic-dilemma">Deciphering the diagnostic dilemma</h2>



<p>“Some of the blood tests are accurate, and some are not, and doctors don't know which tests to use,” noted Dr. Schindler.</p>



<p>However, this head-to-head comparison has now provided medical practitioners with more trustworthy information, equipping them to provide accurate diagnoses to their patients.</p>



<p>The significance of an early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease cannot be understated, especially with the advent of new treatment options. </p>



<p>The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed two new drugs that slow the disease's progression. However, these drugs are only effective for individuals with very mild to mild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-why-some-brains-resist-alzheimers-disease-symptoms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symptoms</a>.</p>



<p>To prescribe these treatments, doctors must be certain of the presence of amyloid buildup in the patient's brain, which is a condition that these blood tests can identify.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-quest-for-the-ideal-biomarker">The quest for the ideal biomarker</h2>



<p>The six blood tests under study were developed by diverse groups. The teams behind these tests are from ALZpath, C2N Diagnostics, Fujirebio Diagnostics, Janssen, Quanterix, and Roche Diagnostics.</p>



<p>Interestingly, C2N Diagnostics is a startup supported by Washington University. Each of these tests measured the blood levels of one or more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-disease-earliest-biomarker-protein-psd-95-identified/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biomarkers</a> linked to Alzheimer's disease.</p>



<p>Across these tests were five distinct biomarkers assessed using different techniques. However, one biomarker, phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217), surpassed the others in accurately identifying signs of Alzheimer's disease.</p>



<p>“Some people thought that we might need to measure multiple biomarkers to capture the different features of Alzheimer's disease. That's not what we found. P-tau217 alone can do it all," said Dr. Kellen Petersen, an instructor in neurology at the School of Medicine.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-top-performing-tests">The top performing tests</h2>



<p>Of the tests studied, those incorporating measures of p-tau217 displayed remarkable accuracy. </p>



<p>The highest-ranking tests were C2N Diagnostics’ PrecivityAD2 and Fujirebio’s Lumipulse. In their analysis, the scientists concluded that for a blood test to be used without additional testing, it should be as accurate as FDA-approved cerebrospinal fluid tests, which are approximately 90% sensitive and specific.</p>



<p>The significant findings of this elaborate comparison study act as guiding light in the pursuit of the ideal diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's disease - suggesting the game-changing potential of blood tests in detecting and managing this challenging illness.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-alzheimer-s-diagnosis-and-treatment">The future of Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment</h2>



<p>As we stand on the brink of this new era in Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the implications extend far beyond mere testing. </p>



<p>Advancements in blood testing could pave the way for more personalized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pomegranates-may-be-key-in-preventing-and-treating-alzheimers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treatment</a> plans tailored to individual patients' needs, enhancing the efficacy of emerging therapies. </p>



<p>Additionally, as the accuracy of these blood tests improves, they may facilitate wider access to early diagnosis, particularly in underserved populations who may not have the opportunity for traditional diagnostic methods.</p>



<p>Moreover, ongoing research into additional biomarkers holds the promise of unveiling more comprehensive insights into Alzheimer’s disease, potentially leading to breakthrough treatments. </p>



<p>Collaborations between academic institutions, biotech companies, and healthcare providers will be crucial in driving this innovation forward, ensuring that the benefits of these advancements reach those who need them most. </p>



<p>The future looks promising, and it is our collective responsibility to harness these developments to improve Alzheimer's care and research.</p>



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



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

Blood tests offer new hope in detecting Alzheimer's

The advent of blood testing in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease has...

<p>A surprising fact most people aren't aware of is the silent, deadly menace that is air pollution. It's an unseen danger that affects us all, yet does not gain the attention it deserves. </p>



<p>Despite the significant impact it has on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-research-proves-that-air-pollution-causes-heart-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human health</a>, the general public is not as informed about air pollution as we would hope.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deadly-reality-of-air-pollution">Deadly reality of air pollution</h2>



<p>Air pollution is quite literally a matter of life and death. It's not just an environmental issue - it's a dire health crisis. Indeed, studies list it as one of the top three causes of premature mortality.</p>



<p>The effects of air pollution are so profound that it shaves off about three years from global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-expectancy-drop-men-in-the-u-s-die-six-years-before-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life expectancy</a>, particularly impacting urban communities where it tends to be the worst.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-s-global-toll">Air pollution's global toll</h2>



<p>The grim situation is that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels-kills-5-million-people-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollution kills</a> between seven to nine million people worldwide each year, with 200,000 of these deaths occurring in the United States alone. </p>



<p>This toxic pollution doesn't respect state lines - it drifts freely across borders, causing harm wherever it flows.</p>



<p>As we learned from the team at the <a href="https://www.nd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Notre Dame</a>, this interstate pollution issue has been further complicated by a recent Supreme Court decision to halt a crucial federal rule aimed at reducing emissions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-good-neighbor-plan">The Good Neighbor Plan </h2>



<p>The halted plan, known as the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "Good Neighbor Plan," was part of the Clean Air Act. </p>



<p>The legislation would require "upwind" states - states where industrial and power plant emissions originate and then drift to other states due to wind patterns - to implement plans to reduce ground-level ozone and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nitrous-oxide-emissions-have-increased-at-an-unprecedented-rate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen oxide emissions</a>.</p>



<p>However, this initiative was challenged by three states - Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia - along with several large industrial companies and trade organizations. This led to a standoff at the Supreme Court and the subsequent disruption of the Good Neighbor Plan.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-for-downwind-states">Challenges for downwind states</h2>



<p>The truth is, the so-called "downwind" states are left bearing a disproportionate burden. These are states that receive significant pollution from the upwind states, and their struggles for clean air have been examined in depth by researchers.</p>



<p>One of the tools available for these downwind states is Section 126 of the Clean Air Act, which allows them to appeal to the EPA directly to regulate sources of interstate air pollution.</p>



<p>But the study found that despite 13 petitions filed through Section 126 by downwind states between 2000 and 2022, the system has been ineffective. </p>



<p>The states face lengthy response times, infrequent acceptance of their petitions, and the demand to deliver proof of failed improvement plans - a level of insider information that these downwind states are unlikely to have access to.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-political-boundaries">Beyond political boundaries</h2>



<p>So, where does this leave us? As things stand, the burden of proof in court falls on the downwind states. </p>



<p>The current system fails to address the reality that pollution may disproportionally affect a downwind state, without it having the power to do something about it. </p>



<p>It's a drawback of a system that fails to reflect the actual dispersion of pollution, as it is currently based on political boundaries, not physical ones.</p>



<p>Our understanding and management of air pollution need a radical re-evaluation. We need to move toward air quality assessments based on actual pollution dispersion boundaries rather than political ones, which would ensure that pollution isn't simply exported to neighboring states through energy production and industry.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-air-quality-management">Rethinking air quality management</h2>



<p>The team at the University of Notre Dame believes that the focus should be on creating new regulatory boundaries that group together areas experiencing similar air quality conditions. </p>



<p>The researchers are currently working on a companion study outlining proposals for such a redefined <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-tempo-mission-will-revolutionize-air-quality-monitoring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air quality</a> management system.</p>



<p>In the meantime, the status quo remains dangerous. The Supreme Court's decision has left the EPA and affected states without a timely solution to the growing air pollution problem, exposing the shortcomings of our current regulatory system in protecting human health and the environment.</p>



<p>Ultimately, what we need is a system that prioritizes human health and protects the rights of those who are most affected by air pollution - the downwind states.</p>



<p>The fight for clean air and healthier communities continues, and it's one we cannot afford to lose.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00267-024-02002-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Management</a></em>.</p>



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



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States downwind of pollution bear a disproportionate burden

A surprising fact most people aren't aware of is the...

<p>A recent study led by the Smithsonian proposes a unique plan to preserve Earth's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> by cryogenically storing biological materials on the moon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The moon's permanently shadowed craters are cold enough to maintain these materials without electricity or liquid nitrogen.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research, published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biae058/7715645" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>BioScience</em></a>, involves multiple Smithsonian institutions and outlines a comprehensive plan for a lunar biorepository.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lunar-biorepository-nbsp">The lunar biorepository&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The idea is inspired by the <a href="https://www.croptrust.org/work/svalbard-global-seed-vault/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Seed Vault</a> in Svalbard, Norway, which serves as a backup for global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/enormous-loss-of-crop-diversity-found-in-recent-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crop diversity</a>. However, the lunar biorepository would store animal cells, which require much colder temperatures than seeds for preservation.</p>



<p>The research team, including members from the <a href="https://nationalzoo.si.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute</a> (NZCBI), Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, suggests that the moon's environment offers a unique solution to the challenges of cryopreservation on Earth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Initially, a lunar biorepository would target the most at-risk species on Earth today, but our ultimate goal would be to cryopreserve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most species on Earth</a>,” said Mary Hagedorn, a research cryobiologist at NZCBI and lead author of the paper. </p>



<p>The team's vision includes a public entity that would involve international cooperation and governance, akin to the structure of the Svalbard Global Seed Bank.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-storage-on-the-moon">Biodiversity storage on the moon</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/man-in-the-moon-craters-are-200-million-years-older-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moon</a>'s polar craters, which never receive sunlight, maintain temperatures as low as -410°F (-246°C). These conditions are perfect for cryogenic storage without the need for additional cooling resources.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study emphasizes that this passive cooling method could mitigate risks associated with the potential failure of electrical systems, which is a concern for Earth-based repositories.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Samples could be stored in lunar caves or structures with thick walls made of moon rocks to protect them from space radiation, which can damage DNA.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cryopreservation-of-skin-cells">Cryopreservation of skin cells</h2>



<p>As a proof of concept, the team successfully cryopreserved skin samples from a reef fish known as the starry goby. The choice of fibroblasts - skin cells - over other cells like sperm or eggs is due to the ease of preservation and collection.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Fibroblasts can be harvested from an animal's skin, making them more accessible for a wide range of species. For animals without skin, such as certain invertebrates, the researchers propose using other biological materials, like larvae or reproductive cells.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-research-nbsp">Expanding the research&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The next phase of the project involves rigorous testing on Earth and aboard the International Space Station to simulate the lunar environment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These tests aim to determine the best packaging methods for protecting the samples from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/magnetic-field-solar-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radiation</a> and microgravity during transport and storage on the moon. The team is actively seeking collaborators and funding to expand their research and develop practical solutions for the biorepository.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conserving-earth-s-biodiversity-on-the-moon">Conserving Earth's biodiversity on the moon</h2>



<p>The proposal is not merely a contingency plan for catastrophic events on Earth but also has potential implications for future space exploration. “We aren’t saying what if the Earth fails - if the Earth is biologically destroyed this biorepository won’t matter,” Hagedon said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This is meant to help offset natural disasters and, potentially, to augment space travel. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-life-has-inhabited-earth-since-the-very-first-cell-scientists-found-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Life</a> is precious and, as far as we know, rare in the universe. This biorepository provides another, parallel approach to conserving Earth’s precious biodiversity.”</p>



<p>The researchers' vision for a lunar biorepository offers a novel and potentially revolutionary method for preserving Earth's biodiversity.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-cooperation-is-needed">Global cooperation is needed </h2>



<p>By leveraging the unique environmental conditions of the moon, they aim to create a fail-safe repository that could protect countless species from extinction due to natural disasters or other threats.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The initiative calls for global cooperation and further research to make this ambitious project a reality.</p>



<p>“Realizing a lunar biorepository will require collaboration by a broad array of nations, cultural groups, agencies, and international stakeholders to develop acceptable sample holding, governance, and long-term plans,” said the researchers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Protecting Earth's life must be a top priority in the rush on the Moon sites for industries and many types of science.”</p>



<p>According to the experts, the next steps include expanding our partnership base, especially to include laboratories and agencies who work in space research.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team also plans to extract and cryopreserve fibroblast cells from the fins of fishes and test their packaging under space-like conditions on Earth.</p>



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



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Proverbial "Noah's Ark" built on the moon will preserve Earth's biodiversity

A recent study led by the Smithsonian proposes a unique...

<p>With the 2024 Summer Olympics gracing our television screens, the spectacle of endurance is front and center. This tenacity is epitomized by the ultimate test of fitness and sheer determination: the marathon.</p>



<p>While sprinters often steal the spotlight, it's the long-distance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flexible-foot-arch-makes-humans-better-runners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">runners</a> who truly exemplify the remarkable capacity of humans for endurance running.</p>



<p>Despite not being able to outrun a cheetah in a sprint, humans can outlast most creatures over long distances, especially in scorching weather conditions.</p>



<p>This is primarily due to our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neurons-in-the-spinal-cord-coordinate-walking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">locomotor</a> muscles, which are predominantly composed of fatigue-resistant, slow-twitch fibers. </p>



<p>Coupled with our unique ability to produce sweat, allowing us to efficiently dissipate heat, the image of humans as exceptional endurance runners becomes clear.</p>



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



<p>In the mid-1980s, biologist David Carrier put forth the endurance-pursuit hypothesis. This theory suggests that humans acquired our exceptional endurance running traits in order to chase down and exhaust large game animals through persistence hunting.</p>



<p>This idea was later expanded upon by scientists Dennis Bramble and Daniel Lieberman, who speculated that such traits first appeared in our Homo genus ancestors around two million years ago and were crucial in the development of the human form.</p>



<p>However, like any good scientific hypothesis, the endurance-pursuit theory is not without its detractors. Professor Bruce Winterhalder, previously of the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Davis</a> Department of Anthropology, voiced two major concerns.</p>



<p>First, running requires more energy than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-can-drastically-improve-your-health-without-thousands-of-daily-steps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking</a>, which raises the question of whether it's an efficient hunting strategy based on a cost-benefit analysis. Second, there's a dearth of examples of modern hunter-gatherer populations using endurance-pursuit tactics. </p>



<p>This scarcity of evidence led some to question the importance of these strategies in our Paleolithic ancestors' hunting practices.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secrets-of-historical-hunts">Secrets of historical hunts</h2>



<p>In a recent study - a collaboration between Winterhalder and paleoanthropologist Eugène Morin of <a href="https://www.trentu.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trent University</a> - the team utilized mathematical modeling and a multi-year ethnohistoric investigation to bolster the legitimacy of Carrier's hypothesis.</p>



<p>The digital age proved to be of great assistance, as the wide availability of digitized historical accounts and the power of analytical software helped uncover valuable instances of endurance pursuits throughout history. </p>



<p>By screening these resources, Winterhalder and Morin unearthed 391 accounts of hunts from 1527 through the early 20th century that exhibit endurance pursuit tactics, originating from 272 locations globally.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breaking-down-the-hunt">Breaking down the hunt</h2>



<p>Upon analyzing these historical hunts, a common pattern surfaced. After spotting their prey, hunters would begin their pursuit. However, the prey would rapidly outdistance the hunters, pause to recover, and then resume <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-running-speed-is-optimized-for-efficient-energy-use/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">running</a>.</p>



<p>This cycle would repeat until the prey was completely exhausted and finally overtaken by the hunters. The tactics, however, varied considerably.</p>



<p>The accounts revealed that hunts often involved a level of cooperation and teamwork, suggesting a social aspect to endurance hunting. </p>



<p>Winterhalder and Morin believe that this might have afforded males the opportunity to flaunt their athletic prowess, thereby increasing their social standing or chances of securing a mate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-women-and-the-endurance-puzzle">Women and the endurance puzzle</h2>



<p>Winterhalder and Morin are not solely focused on male endurance runners. Their future research will delve into the role of women in these pursuits. </p>



<p>While the existing data points to female participation in endurance pursuits only 3-4% of the time, this doesn't necessarily imply that females were not proficient runners.</p>



<p>Winterhalder mentioned instances of festivals, feasts, and ritual events featuring running contests, which typically included women, men, and children. </p>



<p>This even extends to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-women-were-not-just-gatherers-they-were-hunters-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunting</a>, where recent research shows that early women were also active participants.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-efficiency-of-endurance-hunting">Efficiency of endurance hunting </h2>



<p>Through mathematical modeling, Winterhalder and Morin were able to determine the efficiency of endurance hunting in various conditions. </p>



<p>They discovered that in contexts like high heat or when the prey was hindered by environmental factors such as snow, endurance pursuits could yield equal or superior results compared with other foraging methods.</p>



<p>As Winterhalder emphasizes, our ability to run long distances with stamina is unusual in the animal kingdom. Perhaps this explains the euphoric "runner’s high" we often experience. </p>



<p>Ultimately, the research provides compelling evidence supporting the unique human ability for endurance running.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-01876-x">Nature Human Behaviour</a></em>.</p>



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Humans are natural born endurance runners

With the 2024 Summer Olympics gracing our television screens, the...

Coral,Bleaching,Under,Water,Okinawa,japan

<p>A team of international marine biologists has provided unprecedented insights into coral bleaching responses to stress using cutting-edge imaging technology. </p>



<p>Their study, published on July 31 in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0303779" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>PLoS ONE</em></a><em>,</em> details the survival rates of coral colonies following multiple bleaching events around the island of Maui.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patterns-of-coral-growth-during-bleaching">Patterns of coral growth during bleaching</h2>



<p>The research, led by <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Oceanography's Smith Lab</a>, involved tracking 1,832 coral colonies using a time series of 3D coral reef models from Maui, collected between 2014 and 2021. </p>



<p>This seven-year dataset offered a detailed annual view of the reefs, allowing the team to observe patterns of coral growth and survival through significant bleaching events in 2015 and 2019.</p>



<p>The study aimed to differentiate between natural selection, where only the hardiest corals survive, and acclimatization, where individual corals develop increased heat tolerance over time due to repeated exposure to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/corals-can-be-trained-to-endure-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat stress</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-corals-are-more-resilient-nbsp">Some corals are more resilient&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Despite some corals bleaching and dying, others showed promising resilience, surviving both bleaching events without showing significant changes in growth over time. This resilience offers new hope for coral conservation and restoration strategies.</p>



<p>“This is one of the first studies to use this type of time series to look at multiple coral bleaching events and how the processes of acclimatization and selection play out,” said lead author Orion McCarthy, a recent graduate of Scripps Oceanography who conducted the research as a PhD student.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We found that older corals, which are more likely to have survived multiple bleaching events, could be a good source of outplants for coral restoration.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-corals-are-increasingly-threatened-nbsp">Corals are increasingly threatened&nbsp;</h2>



<p>As ocean temperatures rise due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-study-provides-answers-to-how-coral-reefs-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, coral reefs are increasingly threatened by bleaching events. These events occur when corals, stressed by prolonged warming, expel the symbiotic algae living within their tissues.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This expulsion causes the corals to turn white, or “bleach,” as they lose their primary source of food. If the elevated water temperatures persist, the affected corals may die.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, some corals can survive low- to moderate-strength <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/60-percent-global-coral-reefs-face-bleaching-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bleaching</a> events, reshaping the reef's composition and its future responses to similar stressors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-responses-varied-across-bleaching-events">Coral responses varied across bleaching events</h2>



<p>In this study, the two measured bleaching events were of moderate strength, characterized by a sustained increase in sea-surface temperatures of more than one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) over several months.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Despite experiencing similar thermal stress in both 2015 and 2019, coral responses varied. Some corals bleached and died after the first event, others did not bleach at all, some bleached during both events but survived, and others only bleached the first time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Interestingly, resilient corals were often found adjacent to more sensitive ones, despite being the same species and facing identical environmental conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acclimatization-capabilities-of-some-coral-species">Acclimatization capabilities of some coral species</h2>



<p>The research highlighted the acclimatization capabilities of certain coral species, particularly <em>Porites lobata</em>, which showed resilience to bleaching. Conversely, Pocillopora corals exhibited the lowest levels of survivorship.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Based on our observations, we recommend that restoration practitioners in Hawaii should focus on colonies of Porites and Montipora with a proven track-record of growth and survival,” advised McCarthy, who now works as a science lead for <a href="https://www.sustainablesurf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sustainable Surf</a>, a nonprofit focused on marine ecosystem restoration.</p>



<p>The team credited the innovative use of 3D imaging technology for their ability to detect and analyze acclimatization and selection processes. </p>



<p>The technology enabled detailed tracking of coral colonies that traditional in-water surveys would have missed. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comprehensive-3d-representation-of-reefs">Comprehensive 3D representation of reefs</h2>



<p>The 3D time series project, initiated by Scripps Oceanography marine biologist Jennifer Smith and her former PhD student Emily Kelly, employs photogrammetry to create detailed models of coral reefs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This technique involves capturing thousands of overlapping underwater images, which are then stitched together using advanced software to produce a comprehensive 3D representation of the reefs.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/coral-bleaching_3D-model_timelapse_credit-Smith-Lab_1s.webp" alt="Researchers use a timeseries of coral reef 3D models to study coral bleaching in Maui. Credit: Smith Lab, 100 Island Challenge" class="wp-image-1940457"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Researchers use a timeseries of coral reef 3D models to study coral bleaching in Maui. Credit: Smith Lab, 100 Island Challenge</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>For the past decade, Smith and her team have used this technology to monitor fixed sites off Maui, as part of the <a href="https://100islandchallenge.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">100 Island Challenge</a> - a global initiative aimed at documenting coral reef changes over time using large-area imagery.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-coral-response-to-bleaching-nbsp">Watching coral response to bleaching&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“This approach has revolutionized our ability to study long-term changes in coral reef communities at very fine scales,” said Smith, a professor of marine biology at Scripps Oceanography.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We can literally watch these systems change in 3D; we can watch corals grow and shrink and visualize how they respond to global stressors. We can use the knowledge gained from using this approach for education and outreach and our results can help to inform management and conservation action.”</p>



<p>McCarthy likened the study of coral responses to bleaching events to examining human health outcomes after successive pandemic-like events.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By observing individual responses during a single event - such as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-death-toll-of-covid-19-pandemic-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 pandemic</a> - researchers can identify traits associated with better or worse outcomes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A subsequent event provides further data on survivors' resilience, similar to how researchers study coral responses to successive bleaching events.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-foundation-for-coral-conservation-nbsp">Valuable foundation for coral conservation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study underscores the importance of addressing climate change, the primary driver of ocean warming and coral bleaching. Severe bleaching events pose a significant threat to coral reefs, potentially leading to widespread mortality.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Coral reefs are dynamic and bleaching isn't necessarily going to kill every coral - at least not in the short term - so there is still cause for hope for these reefs and a need for active conservation,” said McCarthy.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Tools like 3D modeling are allowing us to get a more specific understanding of which corals are living and which ones aren't, and we can use that information to help guide coral restoration efforts.”</p>



<p>Overall, this research represents a significant advancement in understanding coral resilience and provides a valuable foundation for developing effective coral conservation and restoration strategies in the face of climate change.</p>



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



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Coral response to bleaching captured in unprecedented detail 

A team of international marine biologists has provided unprecedented insights...

<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>



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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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>



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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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<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

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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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