<p>Rising temperatures are reshaping life in ways that go far beyond melting ice or shifting habitats. They are reaching into the most intimate biological process of all - how genes are shuffled and passed to the next generation.</p>



<p>New research shows that heat and cold can alter the genetic machinery that produces sperm and eggs in reptiles, even tilting the odds of embryos developing as one sex or the other. These subtle shifts strike at the foundation of fertility and evolutionary change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-tests-reptile-fertility">Temperature tests reptile fertility</h2>



<p>A team from the <a href="https://www.uab.cat/en/ibb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona</a> (UAB) tested the effect in a small Madagascan lizard, the Guibé’s ground gecko. The experts tracked recombination - the exchange of DNA between paired chromosomes that fuels genetic diversity.</p>



<p>To measure this, the researchers analyzed 1,169 sperm cells from 12 male geckos kept at six different temperatures for a week. The results revealed a U-shaped response: recombination events rose at both cooler (68°F) and warmer (86°F) conditions compared to a mid-range 82°F.</p>



<p>"Our findings show the presence of hyper-CO spermatocytes in individuals exposed to both high and low temperatures," said Laura González Rodelas, lead author of the study. </p>



<p>The study also noted shorter chromosome axes and more lingering double-strand breaks at the extremes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-recombination-matters">Why recombination matters</h2>



<p>Crossover events are needed for chromosomes to separate cleanly during meiosis. Too few, or too many in the wrong places, can reduce fertility or alter which gene combinations survive.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/three-new-gecko-species-discovered-after-eight-years-of-searching/">gecko</a> study found that long chromosomes soaked up most of the extra crossovers at hot and cold settings. </p>



<p>It also detected weaker crossover interference, the spacing rule that normally keeps events apart along the synaptonemal complex.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-flips-reptile-chromosomes">Heat flips reptile chromosomes</h2>



<p>Some reptiles go a step further, pairing sex chromosomes with heat and cold cues, which can cause temperature-induced sex reversal under hot incubation.</p>



<p>"This is the first report of reptile sex reversal in the wild," said geneticist Clare Holleley. Her fieldwork on the Australian central bearded dragon reported male to female sex reversal in the wild at high egg temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Understanding that switch needs high quality genomes that resolve both Z and W sex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/y-chromosome-is-disappearing-may-already-be-causing-problems-for-men/">chromosomes</a>. One study delivered a near telomere to telomere assembly from a female ZW bearded dragon.</p>



<p>Researchers created a complete, high-quality map of the bearded dragon’s genome, covering both of its sex chromosomes. </p>



<p>The team found that the genome contains about 1.75 billion DNA bases, and they were able to piece together the Z and W chromosomes in full, giving scientists a clearer view of how sex is determined in this species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-reptile-sex-genes">Mapping reptile sex genes</h2>



<p>Having a full <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genome-mapping-completed-for-dozens-of-common-animals/">genome map</a> lets researchers track genes linked to reproduction, growth, and disease. It also provides a baseline for comparing different reptiles and understanding how sex chromosomes evolve over time. </p>



<p>These insights can help identify which genes respond to environmental stress and which ones remain stable. For conservation, this kind of data can guide breeding programs and population management. </p>



<p>By knowing the genetic makeup of males and females, scientists can predict how changes in temperature might affect sex ratios in the wild, an issue that becomes more urgent as global warming accelerates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geckos-echo-plant-findings">Geckos echo plant findings</h2>



<p>A plant genetics study showed the same U-shaped recombination response in <em>Arabidopsis</em>, from a low point near 64°F to higher rates at cooler and warmer settings. </p>



<p>The pattern suggests organisms often keep recombination low in comfortable conditions, then shift upward under stress.</p>



<p>Mechanisms are still being worked out. A yeast paper connects temperature, DNA supercoiling, and weaker interference, offering one plausible route for how heat can ripple through meiotic structure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-under-climate-strain">Genetics under climate strain</h2>



<p>These changes land where evolution does its work. When environments move quickly, extra recombination can speed the shuffle of gene combinations that selection can test.</p>



<p>There is a tradeoff. If crossover placement and interference are distorted for long periods, fertility and chromosome stability could suffer in some lineages.</p>



<p>For reptiles that already face <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-marine-predators-may-suffer-massive-habitat-loss-by-2100/">habitat loss</a> and pollution, this genetic sensitivity adds a quiet risk.  Protecting reptile nesting sites from extreme heat, shading exposed sand, and buffering water temperatures can safeguard early development.</p>



<p>Captive breeding programs can monitor incubation ranges that avoid persistent sex bias. They can also track genetic health when recombination patterns drift from physiological norms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genes-maps-and-temperature">Genes, maps, and temperature</h2>



<p>The gecko result is not a vague <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-behavior-productivity-being-directly-impacted-by-climate-change/">climate</a> story. It rests on direct cell counts, such as the increase in crossover markers at 68°F and 86°F relative to 82°F.</p>



<p>The bearded dragon work is not only about embryos. It gives a map of the Z and W regions, including candidate sex genes, which anchors future tests of how temperature interacts with sequence.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1011772" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>PLOS Genetics</em></a>.</p>



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



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Extreme heat is scrambling reptile reproduction

Rising temperatures are reshaping life in ways that go far beyond melting ice or shifting habitats. They are reaching into the most intimate biological process of all - how genes are shuffled and passed to the next generation. New research shows that heat and cold can alter the genetic machinery that produces sperm and eggs in reptiles, even tilting the odds of embryos developing as one sex or the other. These subtle shifts strike at the foundation of fertility and evolutionary change. Temperature tests reptile fertility A...

<p>A new study published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/41/7/msae114/7708214" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Molecular Biology and Evolution</em></a> reveals that scientists struggle to reliably distinguish between different types of coca plants in South America despite the <a href="https://www.unodc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime</a>'s efforts to monitor coca cultivation and related deforestation for decades. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limitations-around-identification-nbsp">Limitations around identification<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Typically, identification relies on leaf shape and size, but this method does not accurately differentiate between coca varieties used for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cocaine-fingerprints-non-users/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cocaine</a> extraction, traditional purposes, and wild-growing plants.</p>



<p>“To monitor the changing landscape of coca plantations, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime collects annual data on their areas of cultivation,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“However, attempts to delineate areas in which different varieties are grown have failed due to limitations around identification.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coca-plants-and-the-rising-demand-for-cocaine-nbsp">Coca plants and the rising demand for cocaine<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Coca has been a crucial crop for Andean and Amazonian communities for at least 8,000 years and remains vital for millions of South Americans today.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Its leaves, rich in active compounds, are used for cultural rituals, medicinal treatments, nutritional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/herbal-supplements-often-contain-hidden-ingredients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supplements</a>, and as an everyday stimulant. </p>



<p>However, in recent decades, global demand for cocaine has driven intensive coca agriculture, placing it at the center of armed conflict and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-of-coca-plants-nbsp">Origins of coca plants<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Coca plants belong to the diverse genus Erythroxylum, which includes over 270 species, primarily native to the American tropics.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Two main cultivated coca species are Erythroxylum coca (Huánuco coca) and Erythroxylum novogranatense. The former is native to wet mountain forests in Peru and Bolivia, while the latter is found in the dry valleys of the Cordilleras and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Traditional use of these plants includes flavoring and stimulant additives, such as for Coca Cola.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inadequate-classification-system-nbsp">Inadequate classification system<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Researchers used statistical methods to analyze 1,163 leaf outlines from 342 digital herbarium specimens of wild and cultivated coca, finding significant overlap between species and varieties.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This overlap likely leads to field misidentifications and highlights the need for diverse plant classification sources.&nbsp;</p>



<p>An inadequate classification system can impede the identification of new varieties, crucial for both cocaine extraction and alternative uses like food supplements, fibers, or pigments.</p>



<p>“We are rethinking how to classify coca plants, both cultivated and wild, after adding new data about their leaves and genes,” said study co-author Fabio Andrés Ávila, a scientist at the New York Botanical Garden.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This is important for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/balancing-agricultural-expansion-and-biodiversity-loss-in-colombia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colombia's biodiversity</a> and for communities that use coca for traditional purposes, providing new information sources about the plants they depend on.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-relationships-between-coca-plants-nbsp">Genetic relationships between coca plants<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>In addition to leaf shape and size, the researchers explored genetic relationships between coca plants, comparing these findings with existing taxonomic classifications.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts assessed how well leaf traits matched genetic data and estimated when different coca species and varieties originated.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The results indicated that distinct coca plants began evolving long before humans arrived in South America, though the timeline for the emergence of cultivated, cocaine-yielding coca remains uncertain.</p>



<p>While leaf characteristics were found to be unreliable for identification, the study emphasizes the potential of genetic techniques for more accurate identification and monitoring of coca populations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-developing-sustainable-bioprospecting-programs">Developing sustainable bioprospecting programs</h2>



<p>“One of the primary objectives of our research is to propose a stable classification system and a comprehensive genetic database. This will enable us to confidently identify the different populations, varieties and species of cultivated coca and their wild relatives,” said Oscar Alejandro Pérez-Escobar of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, another co-author of the paper.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Such a system is crucial for developing sustainable bioprospecting programs and the coca tree holds immense potential in this regard. But first, it is essential to separate the plant’s valuable attributes from its association with the recreational drug, reshaping its perception and highlighting its positive uses.”</p>



<p>This study provides a new understanding of coca plant classification, which is essential for conservation, sustainable use, and reducing the plant’s association with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recreational-drug-use-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recreational drug use</a>, thereby highlighting its beneficial uses.</p>



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Wild coca plants are hard to distinguish from those used for cocaine

A new study published in the journal Molecular Biology and...

<p>If you've ever wondered what keeps the universe together, you are not alone. Scientists around the globe have been engrossed in one question: what on earth (or should we say, in space) is dark matter? Despite the fact that it forms the majority of galaxies, this elusive matter is invisible and wrapped in mystery. It’s like the invisible ‘glue’ that binds the universe together.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-matter-galaxy-distribution">Dark matter galaxy distribution</h2>



<p>Eduardo Vitral, lead author of the study from the Space Telescope Science Institute (<a href="https://www.stsci.edu/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">STScI</a>), explains the complexity of understanding dark matter. </p>



<p>Although computer simulations <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/theory-gravity-exists-without-mass-so-dark-matter-does-not-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predict dark matter</a> should clump up in the center of a galaxy, most observations tell a different story.</p>



<p>Instead of an accumulation in the center (a density cusp), it seems the dark matter is spread more evenly across a galaxy. This discrepancy between theory and observation creates a layer of intrigue around dark matter.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dark-matter_Draco-Dwarf-Spheroidal_hubble-space-telescope_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dark-matter_Draco-Dwarf-Spheroidal_hubble-space-telescope_1s.jpg" alt="Draco Dwarf galaxy where Hubble spotted a likely dark matter clump. Credit: Hubble/NASA" class="wp-image-1938739"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Draco Dwarf galaxy where Hubble spotted a likely dark matter clump. Credit: Hubble/NASA</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>In an attempt to add clarity to this debate, a team of astronomers decided to peek through the lens of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.</p>



<p>They meticulously observed the dynamic motions of stars within the Draco dwarf galaxy, a system located around 250,000 light-years from Earth.</p>



<p>"Our models tend to agree more with a cusp-like structure, which aligns with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-may-consist-of-particles-that-travel-faster-than-light/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmological models</a>," said Vitral.</p>



<p>"While we cannot definitively say all galaxies contain a cusp-like dark matter distribution, it's exciting to have such well measured data that surpasses anything we've had before."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-galaxies-to-understand-dark-matter">Studying galaxies to understand dark matter</h2>



<p>The astronomers employed a common approach to understanding dark matter distributions: studying the stars and their movements. </p>



<p>By observing the stars and interpreting the <a href="https://hubblesite.org/glossary/#section-8d1cc847-0fb8-4e62-a0db-4745984f4c7f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Doppler Effect</a>, they could gain valuable insights into the invisible matter's influence. </p>



<p>However, there's a limit to what one can understand from this one-dimensional source of information. This is where a new perspective came into play.</p>



<p>In addition to observing the stars' shifting away from or close to us, the astronomers took the stars’ lateral movements into account (known as 'proper motion’). </p>



<p>By blending line-of-sight velocity with proper motions, the team created an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-does-not-exist-universe-27-billion-years-old-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unprecedented analysis</a> of the stars’ 3D movements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-getting-the-most-out-of-the-data">Getting the most out of the data</h2>



<p>"Improvements in data and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/existence-of-dark-matter-confirmed-by-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improvements in modeling</a> usually go hand in hand," explained Roeland van der Marel of STScI, a co-author of the paper who initiated the study more than 10 years ago.</p>



<p>"If you don’t have very sophisticated data or only one-dimensional data, then relatively straightforward models can often fit."</p>



<p>He explained that the more dimensions and complexity of data you gather, the more complex your models need to be to truly capture all the subtleties of the data.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focusing-on-the-draco-dwarf-galaxy">Focusing on the Draco Dwarf Galaxy</h2>



<p>With its relatively small size and spheroidal shape, the Draco dwarf galaxy, a satellite of the Milky Way, became the perfect candidate for their study.</p>



<p>Dwarf galaxies have a higher proportion of dark matter content, making them ideal for such research.</p>



<p>The team meticulously measured shifting stars over an 18-year period, thus reducing uncertainties and providing precise measurements.</p>



<p>"When measuring proper motions, you note the position of a star at one epoch and then many years later measure the position of that same star. You <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neutron-stars-may-hold-the-key-to-understanding-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">measure the displacement</a> to determine how much it moved," explained Sangmo Tony Sohn of STScI, another co-author of the paper and the principal investigator of the latest observational program.</p>



<p>"For this kind of observation, the longer you wait, the better you can measure the stars shifting."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-dark-matter-studies">Future of dark matter studies</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visible-matter-dark-matter-evolved-together-big-bang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methodologies and models</a> developed for the Draco dwarf galaxy will serve as a blueprint for future studies on other galaxies. The team is already analyzing Hubble observations of the Sculptor and Ursa Minor dwarf galaxies.</p>



<p>Moreover, the upcoming NASA's <a href="https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope</a> will reveal new details of dark matter's properties among different galaxies, thanks to its ability to survey large swaths of the sky.</p>



<p>"This kind of study is a long-term investment and requires a lot of patience," reflected Vitral. "We're able to do this science because of all the planning that was done throughout the years to actually gather these data. </p>



<p>The insights this brilliant team has collected are the result of a larger group of researchers that has been working on these things for many years.</p>



<p>So, the next time you look up at the stars, remember that astronomers are tirelessly working to understand the invisible ‘glue’ that binds the cosmos together. Their patience and perseverance might just provide the answer to the riddle of the invisible universe.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the <em><a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0004-637X">Astrophysical Journal</a></em>.</p>



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Hubble discovers dark matter 'clump' in center of  another galaxy

If you've ever wondered what keeps the universe together, you...

<p>The question of whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-may-have-finally-discovered-life-on-mars/%C3%B9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a> ever supported life has fascinated scientists and the public for years. Central to this mystery is understanding the planet's past climate: was it warm and wet, like Earth, or cold and icy, which would make it less hospitable to life? </p>



<p>A new study suggests the latter, drawing parallels between Martian soils and those found in Newfoundland, Canada, a region with a cold subarctic climate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mars-climate-record-in-soil-and-rocks">Mars’ climate record in soil and rocks</h2>



<p>Published on July 7th in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01495-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications: Earth and Environment</em></a>, the study examined soils on Earth that contain materials similar to those in Mars' Gale Crater. Scientists often use soil to uncover environmental history, as the minerals present can reveal landscape evolution over time. </p>



<p>Understanding how these materials formed could answer long-standing questions about Mars’ ancient environment. The soils and rocks of Gale Crater offer a record of Mars' climate from three to four billion years ago, a period when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-vanishing-water-mystery-new-insights-curiosity-rover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> was relatively abundant on the planet and life began on Earth.</p>



<p>“Gale Crater is a paleo lakebed - there was obviously water present. But what were the environmental conditions when the water was there?” said lead author Anthony Feldman, a soil scientist and geomorphologist at the <a href="https://www.dri.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Desert Research Institute</a> in Las Vegas. </p>



<p>“We’re never going to find a direct analog to the Martian surface, because conditions are so different between Mars and Earth. But we can look at trends under terrestrial conditions and use those to try to extrapolate to Martian questions.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-x-ray-amorphous-materials-nbsp">X-ray amorphous materials<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>NASA's Curiosity Rover has been exploring Gale Crater since 2011, uncovering various soil materials known as “X-ray amorphous material.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>These materials lack the typical repeating atomic structure of minerals, making them difficult to characterize using traditional techniques like X-ray diffraction.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Curiosity Rover's findings indicated that these amorphous materials made up between 15% and 73% of the soil and rock samples in the Gale Crater.</p>



<p>“You can think of X-Ray amorphous materials like Jello,” Feldman said. “It’s this soup of different elements and chemicals that just slide past each other.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limited-chemical-information-nbsp">Limited chemical information<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>The Curiosity Rover's chemical analyses showed that these amorphous materials were rich in iron and silica but deficient in aluminum.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Beyond this limited chemical information, scientists still don't fully understand what these amorphous materials are or what their presence implies about Mars' historical environment. Investigating how these materials form and persist on Earth could help answer these questions about Mars.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soils-on-earth-with-chemical-similarities-nbsp">Soils on Earth with chemical similarities<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Feldman and his team searched for similar X-ray amorphous materials in Newfoundland's Tablelands, Northern California’s Klamath Mountains, and western Nevada.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These sites had serpentine soils expected to be chemically similar to those in the Gale Crater: rich in iron and silicon but lacking aluminum.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The varying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-changing-rainfall-patterns-impact-plants-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a>, snowfall, and temperature at these locations provided insight into the environmental conditions that produce and preserve amorphous materials.</p>



<p>Using X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy, the researchers found that the subarctic conditions in Newfoundland produced materials chemically similar to those in the Gale Crater, lacking crystalline structure. Soils from warmer climates like California and Nevada did not show these similarities.</p>



<p>“This shows that you need the water there in order to form these materials,” Feldman explained. “But it needs to be cold, near-freezing mean annual temperature conditions in order to preserve the amorphous material in the soils.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improved-understanding-of-mars-past-climate">Improved understanding of Mars' past climate</h2>



<p>Amorphous material is generally considered unstable because its atoms haven't organized into a final, crystalline form.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“There’s something going on in the kinetics - or the rate of reaction - that is slowing it down so that these materials can be preserved over geologic time scales,” Feldman explained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“What we’re suggesting is that very cold, close to freezing conditions, is one particular kinetic limiting factor that allows for these materials to form and be preserved.”</p>



<p>“This study improves our understanding of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planets-impacted-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> of Mars. The results suggest that the abundance of this material in Gale Crater is consistent with subarctic conditions, similar to what we would see in, for instance, Iceland,” he concluded.</p>



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Was Mars’ past climate supportive of life?

The question of whether Mars ever supported life has fascinated...

The,Square,With,Lawn,And,The,Modern,City,Skyline,Are

<p>Turf is often a defining feature of urban life, where limited space for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/outdoor-exercise-amplifies-physical-and-mental-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outdoor activities</a>, especially sports, is common. As cities grow, natural grass fields in public parks and sports courts are frequently replaced with artificial turf, a sturdier substitute designed to withstand continuous use.</p>



<p>However, while this solution addresses the wear-and-tear issue, it brings its own set of problems for city-dwellers and the urban environment. </p>



<p>A group of innovative scientists from the Netherlands has found a way to make artificial turf work in our favor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unveiling-artificial-turf-2-0-for-cities">Unveiling artificial turf 2.0 for cities</h2>



<p>This Dutch scientific team has developed an artificial turf system that incorporates subsurface water storage and capillary irrigation. </p>



<p>The objective? To significantly reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/november-2023-was-earths-warmest-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface temperatures</a>, making cities cooler and safer.</p>



<p>“With circular on-site water management below the field, a significant evaporative cooling effect is achieved,” stated the research's lead author, Dr Marjolein van Huijgevoort from <a href="https://www.kwrwater.nl/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KWR Water Research Institute</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-it-works-tech-beneath-the-turf">How it works: Tech beneath the turf</h2>



<p>Beneath the turf and shockpad lies a specially designed open water storage layer that revolutionizes how artificial turf interacts with its environment. </p>



<p>This water retention system, equipped with strategically placed cylinders, collects rainwater and transports it back to the surface, enabling natural evaporation. </p>



<p>This process delivers cooling effects precisely when needed, as evaporation only takes place when cooling demand exists.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/artificial-turf_water-cooled_urban-infrastructure_credit-Frontiers_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/artificial-turf_water-cooled_urban-infrastructure_credit-Frontiers_1s.jpg" alt="Water-cooled artificial turf. Credit: Permavoid" class="wp-image-1938730"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Water-cooled artificial turf. Credit: Permavoid</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Standard artificial turf can heat up to a scorching 70°C (158°F) under the sun, posing significant risks such as burns, heat-related illnesses, and even life-threatening conditions like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeling-the-heat-rising-temperatures-push-the-limits-of-the-human-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat stroke</a>. However, this innovative solution changes the game entirely.</p>



<p>By harnessing the natural cooling power of evaporation, it transforms artificial turf from a potential hazard into a safe and comfortable playing surface, even on the hottest days. </p>



<p>This advancement not only improves the safety and usability of urban sports fields but also contributes positively to the urban <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-microclimates-impact-bird-species-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microclimate</a>, making cities more livable and sustainable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-down-the-heat-with-artificial-turf">Turning down the heat with artificial turf</h2>



<p>Research conducted in Amsterdam demonstrated the efficacy of this novel concept. </p>



<p>By replacing conventional turf with the self-cooling variant, temperatures markedly decreased. </p>



<p>The team's research revealed that on a sweltering day in June 2020, the modified turf hit a surface temperature of 37°C (98.6°F) - a mere 1.7°C (3.1°F) above natural grass. </p>



<p>In contrast, temperatures of the standard artificial turf skyrocketed to 62.5°C (144.5°F).</p>



<p>Substantial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cloud-engineering-can-temporarily-cool-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature differences</a> were also observed above the turf.</p>



<p>“We found lower air temperatures 75cm above the cooled plots compared to conventional artificial turf fields, especially during the night,” notes van Huijgevoort. </p>



<p>This discovery implies the cooled plots might facilitate reducing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humidity-increases-urban-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban heat</a> island effect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-of-both-worlds">Best of both worlds</h2>



<p>This artificial turf, with its natural self-cooling capability, offers a combination of benefits. It's sturdy, maintains optimal temperatures, and promotes a safe sports environment. </p>



<p>Another advantage is its impressive rainwater storage capability, nearly on par with natural grass. This storage capacity mitigates urban flooding by reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stormwater-drainage-system-helps-keep-street-trees-hydrated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stormwater drainage</a>. The system can also be manually watered during dry periods, making it a versatile solution.</p>



<p>Although installation costs might initially be double that of a conventional artificial turf, the researchers believe that a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis could truly reveal the value of this investment.</p>



<p>More research is needed to understand the wider impacts of this cooling turf on surrounding spaces and on cities overall. However, the preliminary results are encouraging. </p>



<p>As cities grow and outdoor play areas become a necessity, this innovative turf might just be the game-changer we need, offering the benefits of subsurface water storage without the downsides of traditional artificial fields.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-environmental-benefits">Potential environmental benefits</h2>



<p>Beyond cooling effects and urban flood mitigation, this innovative artificial turf could have several additional environmental benefits. </p>



<p>By reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides associated with natural grass maintenance, this system may also help lower the urban chemical load. </p>



<p>Moreover, the use of recycled materials in constructing the water storage layer can further enhance its sustainability profile. </p>



<p>This approach aligns with global efforts to promote circular economies, where resources are reused and repurposed, minimizing waste and environmental impact. </p>



<p>As cities continue to grapple with climate change challenges, solutions like these that offer both functional and environmental advantages will be increasingly valuable.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-cities/articles/10.3389/frsc.2024.1399858/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Sustainable Cities</a></em>.</p>



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



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Artificial turf with a twist is a cool solution for hot cities

Turf is often a defining feature of urban life, where...

Dishes,Forks,Glasses,In,Compostable,Bioplastic,,Plastic,Free.,Bologna,,Italy

<p>Food waste is a significant issue when it comes to food production, where we invest huge amounts of energy, water, and capital. Yet, as per the statistics, an alarming 30-40% of it directly goes into the landfill in the United States. One can't help but wonder -- wouldn't it be remarkable if we could repurpose this waste into something more beneficial like bioplastics?</p>



<p>A group of enterprising researchers at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cals.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences</a>&nbsp;have taken on this challenge.</p>



<p>The team is leading a pioneering project. They are developing biodegradable bioplastics from food waste. This brilliant initiative gives these materials a new life. It promotes sustainability and addresses crucial issues such as plastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-win-the-battle-of-planet-vs-plastic-drastic-changes-are-needed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> and food waste.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defining-the-vision">Defining the vision</h2>



<p>“By creating cost-effective&nbsp;bioplastics&nbsp;that naturally decompose, we can reduce plastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-production-increases-create-identical-plastic-pollution-increase/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> on land and in oceans and address significant issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and economic losses associated with food waste,” shares Zhiwu "Drew" Wang, the lead researcher, sheds light on the project's vision.</p>



<p>Considering that microplastics affect nearly 88% of all marine species, as mentioned by the World Wildlife Fund, this project holds significant importance for marine life preservation.</p>



<p>Quick biodegradability of Virginia Tech's bioplastics in seawater can substantially decrease the detrimental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-inspires-solutions-for-a-sustainable-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact</a> of pollution on marine life worldwide.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harnessing-microorganisms-to-produce-bioplastics">Harnessing microorganisms to produce bioplastics</h2>



<p>The project employs a process akin to fermentation in microbreweries.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team harnesses microorganisms to convert food waste into fats, which then convert into bioplastics. </p>



<p>These bioplastics can be composted with ease, diminishing marine pollution caused by non-degradable microplastics. It's a revolutionary approach that holds promise on both national and global scales.</p>



<p>Wang hopes that these sustainable plastics will be beneficial for people, companies,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-harness-fruit-waste-to-extract-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waste management</a>&nbsp;systems, and communities globally.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaboration-and-innovation">Collaboration and innovation</h2>



<p>Working closely with experts at Virginia Tech, the team is involved in purifying polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and creating valuable bioplastic products. Undergraduate and graduate student researchers also actively participate in this project.</p>



<p>Among the various sustainability solutions, Young Kim from the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials strongly advocates for the use of&nbsp;biodegradable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodegradable-breakthrough-plastics-that-wont-make-us-sick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">material</a>.</p>



<p>He asserts, “Using bioplastic is a viable option to solve our increased plastic pollution. Our approach is to improve sustainability using biodegradable options.”</p>



<p>The popularity of home compostable packaging is on the rise. These include single-layer films for evaluating utility as actual products, replacing traditional coated paper products with PHAs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>PHAs, unlike polyethylene or polyactic acid coatings often found on single-use plastics, are fully biodegradable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creating-sustainable-alternatives">Creating sustainable alternatives</h2>



<p>Student researchers like Chloe Taylor view this project as an opportunity to pave the way for creating sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It inspired me to pursue graduate studies because traditional plastics are unsustainable. We aim to create bioplastics that are viable alternatives and can be used in everyday products without harming the environment,” she shares.</p>



<p>A $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (<a href="https://www.usda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USDA</a>) funds this applied research, making new waves in the ocean of sustainability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-food-waste-at-the-source">Addressing food waste at the source</h2>



<p>One crucial aspect of this initiative is understanding and addressing food waste at its source.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Identifying the key contributors to food waste, such as production inefficiencies, overstocking in retail, and consumer habits, allows for targeted interventions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Farmers, distributors, retailers, and consumers each play a role in the ecosystem, and through education and policy adjustments, significant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-food-waste-greater-food-security-less-environmental-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waste reductions</a>&nbsp;can be achieved.</p>



<p>By minimizing food waste before it even reaches the landfill, we can channel more raw material into bioplastic production, thus maximizing the environmental benefit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-food-waste-to-bioplastics">From food waste to bioplastics</h2>



<p>The journey from food waste to functional bioplastic products is a testament to innovative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/norways-battle-against-plastic-pollution-represents-a-global-plague/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> and cutting-edge technology.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The process begins with the collection of food waste. This is followed by microbial conversion into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Finally, it ends with the creation of a wide array of biodegradable products.</p>



<p>The versatility of these bioplastics means they can be used in packaging, agricultural films, and even household items.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This transformation mitigates plastic pollution. It also demonstrates the value of reimagining waste as a valuable resource. This approach fosters both environmental and economic sustainability.</p>



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



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Transforming food waste into biodegradable bioplastics

Food waste is a significant issue when it comes to...

<p>Auroras have inspired awe for millennia, but with modern reliance on electricity, we are only now understanding their full impact on Earth's magnetic field. </p>



<p>The same forces behind auroras also produce currents that can harm electrical infrastructure, such as pipelines. </p>



<p>Now, a study published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2024.1392697" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences</em></a> has shown that the impact angle of interplanetary shocks is crucial to the strength of these currents, offering a way to predict and protect against potential damage.</p>



<p>“Auroras and geomagnetically induced currents are caused by similar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-jupiters-magnetosphere-will-help-us-predict-space-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space weather</a> drivers,” explained lead author Denny Oliveira, a scientist at <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center</a>.</p>



<p>“The aurora is a visual warning that indicates that electric currents in space can generate these geomagnetically induced currents on the ground.”</p>



<p>“The auroral region can greatly expand during severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/severe-geomagnetic-storm-alert-issued-sun-begins-erupting-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geomagnetic storms</a>. Usually, its southernmost boundary is around latitudes of 70 degrees, but during extreme events it can go down to 40 degrees or even further, which certainly occurred during the May 2024 storm - the most severe storm in the past two decades.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-auroras-and-earth-s-magnetic-field">Auroras and Earth's magnetic field</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/auroras-southern-united-states-this-week-huge-solar-storm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Auroras</a> occur through two primary processes: particles from the sun hitting Earth’s magnetic field, or interplanetary shocks compressing the magnetic field.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These shocks also generate geomagnetically induced currents that can damage electrical infrastructure. </p>



<p>"The impact of interplanetary (IP) shocks on the Earth’s magnetosphere can greatly disturb the geomagnetic field and electric currents in the magnetosphere-ionosphere system," wrote the study authors. </p>



<p>"At high latitudes, the current systems most affected by the shocks are the auroral electrojet currents." </p>



<p>"These currents then generate ground geomagnetically induced currents that couple with and are highly detrimental to ground artificial conductors including power transmission lines, oil/gas pipelines, railways, and submarine cables." </p>



<p>Stronger shocks mean stronger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/steve-phenomenon-looks-like-an-aurora-acts-like-an-aurora-but-what-is-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">currents and auroras</a>, but frequent, less powerful shocks can also cause harm over time.</p>



<p>“Arguably, the most intense deleterious effects on power infrastructure occurred in March 1989 following a severe geomagnetic storm - the Hydro-Quebec system in Canada was shut down for nearly nine hours, leaving millions of people with no electricity,” said Oliveira.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“But weaker, more frequent events such as interplanetary shocks can pose threats to ground conductors over time. Our work shows that considerable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/steve-phenomenon-not-aurora-has-dawn-side-twin-swarm-satellites-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geoelectric currents</a> occur quite frequently after shocks, and they deserve attention.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-angle-and-timing-of-the-shocks">Angle and timing of the shocks</h2>



<p>Shocks hitting Earth head-on induce stronger geomagnetically induced currents due to greater compression of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-is-shifting-and-putting-navigation-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic field</a>. The researchers studied how these currents vary with the angle of shocks and the time of day.</p>



<p>Using data from interplanetary shocks and geomagnetically induced currents recorded from a natural gas pipeline in Mäntsälä, Finland, they calculated the shocks' properties, such as angle and speed, using interplanetary magnetic field and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-solar-wind-which-creates-beautiful-auroras-on-earth-is-now-less-mysterious/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar wind</a> data.</p>



<p>Shocks were categorized into three types: highly inclined, moderately inclined, and nearly frontal.</p>



<p>The researchers found that more frontal shocks lead to higher peaks in geomagnetically induced currents, both immediately after the shock and during subsequent substorms.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Intense peaks often occurred around magnetic midnight when the north pole was aligned between the sun and Mäntsälä, also causing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/steve-phenomenon-not-aurora-has-dawn-side-twin-swarm-satellites-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">striking auroral displays</a>.</p>



<p>“Moderate currents occur shortly after the perturbation impact when Mäntsälä is around dusk local time, whereas more intense currents occur around midnight local time,” Oliveira explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-damage-to-infrastructure">Preventing damage to infrastructure </h2>



<p>Predicting the angles of these shocks up to two hours in advance could enable preemptive measures to <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/earths-magnetic-field-origin-structure-and-impact-on-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protect electrical grids</a> and other infrastructure from the strongest shocks.</p>



<p>“One thing power infrastructure operators could do to safeguard their equipment is to manage a few specific electric circuits when a shock alert is issued,” Oliveira suggested. “This would prevent geomagnetically induced currents reducing the lifetime of the equipment.”</p>



<p>However, the study did not find a strong correlation between the shock angle and the time it takes to induce a current, likely due to the need for more data from different latitudes.</p>



<p>“Current data was collected only at a particular location, namely the Mäntsälä natural gas pipeline system,” said Oliveira. “Although Mäntsälä is at a critical location, it does not provide a worldwide picture.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“In addition, the Mäntsälä data is missing several days in the period investigated, which forced us to discard many events in our shock database. It would be nice to have worldwide power companies make their data accessible to scientists for studies.”</p>



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Auroras are a visual warning of harmful shocks to Earth’s magnetic field

Auroras have inspired awe for millennia, but with modern reliance...

<p>Can an infant barely a year old compose a symphony or craft the next great novel? Maybe not, but recent research suggests they might already be flexing their creativity in a very fascinating way.</p>



<p>In a remarkable new study from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a>, UK, and Central European University (<a href="https://www.ceu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CEU</a>) in Austria, it has been discovered that infants can merge simple concepts into intricate ideas. </p>



<p>It turns out that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visual-diets-of-infants-provide-the-building-blocks-of-human-vision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">babies</a> are not only creative thinkers before they utter their first words but this inventive brainwork could also play a critical role in language acquisition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-infant-creativity-skills">Infant creativity skills</h2>



<p>Assistant Professor at the University of Birmingham's <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/psychology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Psychology</a>, Dr. Barbara Pomiechowska, postulates that our astounding ability to combine ideas and invent new things may originate far earlier than we previously believed. </p>



<p>“Human creativity has no boundaries: it has taken us to the moon and allowed us to cure deadly diseases – but despite its importance, we don’t yet know when and how this impressive ability to combine ideas and invent new things emerges," said Dr. Pomiechowska who conducted the research during her postdoctoral fellowship at CEU.</p>



<p>"This research shows that we must go right back to the beginning of language acquisition to solve this puzzle."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-does-creativity-come-from">Where does creativity come from?</h2>



<p>The research aimed to uncover the roots of human creativity by studying infants. The scientists postulated that humans develop new thoughts and ideas by combining familiar concepts into novel structures.</p>



<p>However, how early in life these skills emerge remained an enigma. Enter our pint-sized participants.</p>



<p>Working with 60 babies all around the age of 12 months, the researchers began teaching the infants two new words to refer to quantities. </p>



<p>It’s not exactly the stuff of rocket science, but the word ‘mize’ was introduced to mean ‘one’, and ‘padu’ to mean ‘two’. </p>



<p>They then asked the babies to mix these new words with different object names, like identifying ‘padu ducks’ from a selection of pictures.</p>



<p>By using novel words for quantities, the researchers could test the babies' ability to combine concepts in the moment, rather than merely remembering combinations of words they knew from past experiences.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creativity-in-infant-minds">Creativity in infant minds</h2>



<p>Employing eye-tracking technology, researchers monitored where the cherubic learners looked. And what did they find? The babies successfully mixed the two concepts to understand what they were being probed about.</p>



<p>Dr. Agnes Kovacs, from CEU’s Department of Cognitive Science and CEU’s Cognitive Development Center, is of the opinion that this ability to blend different concepts helps babies not only decipher complex language but also learn about the physical and social world. &nbsp;</p>



<p>“For babies, this ability to combine different concepts is likely to help not only to interpret the complex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/babies-hear-far-more-speech-at-home-than-music/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language input</a>, but also to learn about different aspects of the physical and social world. For adults, it’s an ability that helps to move past everything that’s already been thought of, opening the mind towards endless possibilities,” she said.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conceptual-blending">Conceptual blending</h2>



<p>The skill of conceptual blending -- merging multiple concepts to form a new understanding -- has long been regarded as a cornerstone of adult creativity and problem-solving.</p>



<p>This study sheds light on the possibility that this sophisticated cognitive ability starts developing at a much younger age. </p>



<p>By demonstrating that infants can amalgamate concepts like quantities and objects, it suggests that the brain’s propensity for innovative thinking may be hardwired and nurtured from the earliest stages of life. </p>



<p>This revelation revises our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/five-scientifically-proven-steps-for-thriving-infant-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive development,</a> emphasizing the importance of early intellectual stimulation and the potential to foster creativity even in infancy.</p>



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



<p>Given these groundbreaking findings, the landscape of early childhood education could see transformative changes. </p>



<p>Educational strategies could be adapted to better support and enhance the natural creative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/babies-immune-systems-have-hidden-and-surprising-strength/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">abilities</a> of infants.</p>



<p>Activities that encourage conceptual blending, such as interactive storytelling or games that involve combining different objects and ideas, could play a significant role in educational curricula. </p>



<p>Implementing such practices might not only bolster early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/talking-to-babies-in-parentese-boosts-their-language-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language skills</a> but also cultivate a generation of innovative thinkers.</p>



<p>Dr. Pomiechowska and Dr. Kovacs advocate for educational programs that are mindful of these creative capabilities, aiming to provide a stimulating environment that respects and nurtures the latent creative potential within every child.</p>



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



<p>This research strides a step forward in our understanding of where and when creativity starts in infants. It paints a picture of babies not just as passive sponges soaking up the world but as active and engaged creative thinkers.</p>



<p>So, the next time you see a baby babbling away or playing with their toys, remember that within their tiny heads, creative sparks are already flying. After all, as this research suggests, it’s never too early to start thinking outside the crib.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2315149121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.</em></p>



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Infants show creativity skills even before they can talk

Can an infant barely a year old compose a symphony...

<p>A recent study has explored predicting cognitive decline rates in individuals with early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medical-breakthrough-new-vaccine-may-prevent-alzheimers-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s disease</a> and assessed the impact of newly approved drugs on this decline. </p>



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



<p>“Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with considerable variability in the rate of cognitive decline,” wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>“The disease is highly prevalent, with roughly 100 million people estimated to be in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia stages of the disease.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“From the MCI stage, it is estimated to take 4 years on average before people have progressed to dementia. New disease-modifying treatments targeting amyloid plaques slow disease progression in the MCI and mild dementia stages of AD.<sup> </sup>However, the clinical meaningfulness of these medications is debated.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-variable-rate-of-cognitive-decline">Variable rate of cognitive decline</h2>



<p>Published in the July 10, 2024, online issue of <a href="http://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Neurology®</em></a>, the research aimed to address the variability in cognitive decline, which is a pressing concern for patients and caregivers.</p>



<p>“The rate of cognitive decline varies greatly from person to person, and people are very interested in what to expect from the disease in themselves or their loved ones, so better prediction models are urgently needed,” said study author Dr. Pieter J. van der Veere of <a href="https://www.amsterdamumc.org/en/organization/amsterdam-umc.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amsterdam University Medical Center</a>, Netherlands.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-models-to-predict-cognitive-decline-nbsp">Models to predict cognitive decline&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers developed predictive models to estimate how quickly individuals' scores on cognitive tests would <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-reality-extreme-heat-worsens-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decline</a>. </p>



<p>The team validated these models with data from 961 participants, averaging 65 years old - 310 with mild cognitive impairment and 651 with mild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/certain-personality-traits-lower-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dementia</a>. All subjects had amyloid-beta plaques, an early marker of Alzheimer’s, targeted by the new drugs.</p>



<p>Cognitive test scores range from 0 to 30. Participants with mild cognitive impairment had scores drop from 26.4 to 21.0 over five years, while those with mild dementia saw scores fall from 22.4 to 7.8 in the same period.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accurate-prediction-rates">Accurate prediction rates</h2>



<p>The models accurately predicted the rate of cognitive decline, although with some degree of uncertainty. For half of those with mild cognitive impairment, actual scores differed by less than two points from predictions, and for mild dementia, by less than three points.</p>



<p>A hypothetical case showed that a person with mild cognitive impairment and a baseline score of 28 would reach moderate dementia (score of 20) in six years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, with a drug reducing decline by 30%, this stage would be delayed to 8.6 years. For mild dementia with a baseline score of 21, reaching a score of 15 would take 2.3 years, or 3.3 years with the same treatment.</p>



<p>“Patients with AD and their care partners want to know their future cognitive functioning. Our prediction models can be used to inform patients about their cognitive decline, but our results also indicate that providing a precise prognosis is challenging,” wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>“Thus clinicians need to talk about the inherent uncertainty surrounding the predictions with their patients.<sup>”</sup></p>



<p>The experts noted that visualizations of the uncertainty can form the basis for meaningful doctor-patient conversations about the predicted cognitive decline.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quality-of-life-and-daily-functioning-nbsp">Quality of life and daily functioning&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“We understand that people with cognitive problems and their care partners are most interested in answers to questions like ‘How long can I drive a car?’ or ‘How long can I keep doing my hobby?’” said Dr. Van der Veere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“In the future, we hope that models will help make predictions about these questions about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/active-aging-physical-activity-has-a-direct-impact-on-life-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality of life</a> and daily functioning.” </p>



<p>“But until then, we hope these models will help physicians translate these predicted scores into answers for people’s questions.”&nbsp;</p>



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Predicting the rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients

A recent study has explored predicting cognitive decline rates in...

<p>Australia is known for its unique and diverse wildlife, but few creatures play as crucial a role in preserving the country's ecological balance as the bettongs and potoroos of the marsupial family.</p>



<p>Marsupials are termed as "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/otters-have-the-ability-to-restore-delicate-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem engineers</a>" for the significant contribution they make to environmental health through their foraging habits.</p>



<p>What's more, their wide-ranging diet influences the survival and prosperity of various plant species. However, the declining numbers of these native marsupials and the degrading state of their ecosystems are concerning. </p>



<p>So, a group of prominent experts in the field of ecology and evolution, based at the esteemed <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flinders University</a>, have taken it upon themselves to delve deeper into this critical issue.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-diet-of-marsupials">Studying the diet of marsupials</h2>



<p>Dr. Rex Mitchell, a research associate in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University, explained that the initial goal of the study was to understand the toughness of the foods these foragers consume.</p>



<p>This input would play an essential part in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-race-against-heat-the-numbats-fight-for-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival</a> rates in conservation, newly established reserves, and even in formulating captive diets.</p>



<p>Dr. Mitchell emphasized the importance of maintaining the distinct populations and distributions of bettongs and potoroos for supporting biodiversity and healthy ecosystems in Australia.</p>



<p>In essence, understanding the hardness of potoroid diets from various habitats and comparing this with farmed foods or dietary supplements used in captivity are pivotal steps for their conservation efforts.</p>



<p>Australia's potoroid marsupials are known for their rich gastronomic preference of roots and tubers, fruit, fungi, seeds, leaves, and even tiny animals and insects.</p>



<p>This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-secrets-how-bat-teeth-adapted-to-their-diverse-diets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dietary diversity</a> leads to the dispersal of seed and fungi across the landscape and promotes plant regeneration, establishing them as pivotal contributors to the ecosystem.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comparing-nutritional-substitutes">Comparing nutritional substitutes</h2>



<p>The researchers conducted fieldwork in the New England region of NSW and the Simpson Desert in South Australia to measure the mechanical properties of food in the bettong and potoroo diets.</p>



<p>They compared these findings with commercially available alternatives to identify possible substitutes or additional food sources.</p>



<p>Dr. Mitchell detailed the fascinating behavior of potoroids like the woylie and burrowing bettong. They can crack open resilient shells of sandalwood and quandong seeds to get to the kernels inside. This impressive skill is even more astonishing considering the small size of bettongs' jaws.</p>



<p>The researchers found that dried seed shells are less tough but more stiff compared to fresh shells. As a result, it might be easier for bettongs to crack open dry shells, clarifying why they usually store the seeds to crack open later.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-marsupial-care-with-dietary-research">Enhancing marsupial care with dietary research</h2>



<p>With new knowledge gained about the mechanical properties of potoroids' food compared to farmed foods, the researchers continue to develop better captive breed regimes and feed formulations. </p>



<p>The team tested farmed foods such as commercial nuts, mushrooms, potatoes, dried and fresh fruits, alongside wild foods known to be consumed by potoroids in their natural habitats.</p>



<p>This fascinating research not only sheds light on the dietary needs of Australia's unique marsupials but also underscores the importance of maintaining their populations for a balanced and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/including-animals-carbon-cycle-models-boosts-ecosystem-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy ecosystem</a>.</p>



<p>The findings may ultimately lead to the formulation of nutritious and suitable substitutes for these ecosystem engineers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tackling-habitat-loss-and-predation">Tackling habitat loss and predation</h2>



<p>While understanding the dietary needs of marsupials is crucial, another significant aspect of their conservation involves addressing habitat loss and predation.</p>



<p>Urban expansion, agricultural development, and climate change continue to encroach on the natural habitats of bettongs and potoroos, making it increasingly difficult for these marsupials to thrive. </p>



<p>Additionally, introduced predators such as foxes and feral cats pose a severe threat to the survival of these small marsupials.</p>



<p>To combat these challenges, comprehensive strategies are required, which include habitat restoration, predator control programs, and the establishment of safe havens and wildlife corridors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restoring-ecological-balance">Restoring ecological balance</h2>



<p>Efforts are also being made to reintroduce bettongs and potoroos into protected areas where they have previously disappeared. These rewilding projects aim to restore ecological balance and enhance biodiversity by reintroducing these marsupials into their native ranges.</p>



<p>By combining dietary research with habitat management and predator control, scientists and conservationists are taking a holistic approach to ensure the long-term survival of Australia's unique animals.</p>



<p>The study serves as a reminder that the intricate balance of Australian ecosystems hinges on the survival and prosperity of bettongs and potoroos.</p>



<p>Through continued research, community engagement, and integrated conservation efforts, there is hope for a future where these marsupials can thrive.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/AM/AM24006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian Mammalogy</a></em>.</p>



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Marsupials are key to healthy ecosystems in Australia

Australia is known for its unique and diverse wildlife, but...

<p>If we thought we knew everything about the fascinating world of dinosaurs, here's something to stir up our notions. The recent discovery of a species named <em>Fona herzogae</em> tells us that dinosaurs also led a life underground in burrows.</p>



<p>This new twist in the tale comes courtesy of a newly discovered <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dinosaur_Fona-herzogae_cave-dwelling_Credit-Jorge-Gonzalez_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">burrowing relative of Thescelosaurus</a>, providing a fresh perspective on life during the mid-Cretaceous period.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fona-herzogae-the-burrowing-dinosaur"><em>Fona herzogae</em>, the burrowing dinosaur</h2>



<p>Making its home 99 million years ago in what constitutes present-day Utah, <em>Fona herzogae</em> painted a picture very different from our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/koleken-inakayali-dinosaur-arms-smaller-than-t-rex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">traditional</a> dinosaur imaginations.</p>



<p>Amid a large floodplain ecosystem with a backdrop of an inland ocean on one side, and volcanoes and mountains on the other, Fona was a plant-eating, small-bodied dinosaur that was quite distinct from its more decorated relatives.</p>



<p>Paleontologists from <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina State University</a> and the <a href="https://naturalsciences.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences</a> came across this intriguing species in the infamous Cedar Mountain Formation. </p>



<p>Haviv Avrahami, a Ph.D. student at NC State and digital technician for the Dueling Dinosaurs program at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, is the first author of the paper describing the work. </p>



<p>“The bias in the fossil record is toward bigger animals, primarily because in floodplain environments like the Mussentuchit, small bones on the surface will often scatter, rot away, or become scavenged before burial and fossilization,” Avrahami notes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underground-connection">Underground connection</h2>



<p>The uniqueness of Fona lies in its several <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-with-huge-blade-like-horns-discovered-in-montana/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anatomical features</a> that exemplify digging or burrowing qualities such as larger bicep muscles, strong muscle points on the hips and legs, fused bones along the pelvis - probably aiding in stability while digging -- and hindlimbs that are notably larger than forelimbs.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dinosaur_Fona-herzogae_cave-dwelling_young-old_Credit-Jorge-Gonzalez_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dinosaur_Fona-herzogae_cave-dwelling_young-old_Credit-Jorge-Gonzalez_1s.jpg" alt="Dinosaur species Fona herzogae, illustrated by Jorge Gonzalez" class="wp-image-1938684"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Dinosaur species Fona herzogae, illustrated by Jorge Gonzalez</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Not just anatomical inference, the frequency of Fona fossils, according to Lindsay Zanno, associate research professor at NC State and head of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, was alarmingly high for a little animal with fragile bones. </p>



<p>“Essentially, Fona did the hard work for us, by burying itself all over this area,” Zanno notes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-influence-of-fona-herzogae">Influence of <em>Fona herzogae</em></h2>



<p><em>Fona herzogae</em> not only sharpens our understanding of dinosaur <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-salamander-like-beast-gaiasia-jennyae-top-predator-before-dinosaurs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifestyles</a> but also broadens our knowledge of Cretaceous ecosystems.</p>



<p>“Fona gives us insight into the third dimension an animal can occupy by moving underground,” Avrahami adds, emphasizing the importance of its discovery in understanding the diversity of small-bodied herbivores. </p>



<p>Zanno reiterates the importance of the discovery saying that we now understand that dinosaurs ranged from tiny arboreal gliders and nocturnal hunters to sloth-like grazers, and yes, even subterranean shelters.</p>



<p>As we unravel the mysteries encompassing the captivating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/incredibly-unusual-dinosaur-unearthed-in-mississippi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world of dinosaurs</a>, this new discovery roots us more deeply into the awe-inspiring aspects of evolution, making us ponder over the untold secrets that lay buried beneath the folds of time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-adaptations-of-fona-herzogae">Evolutionary adaptations of <em>Fona herzogae</em></h2>



<p>The discovery of <em>Fona herzogae</em> challenges established notions about dinosaurian evolution, specifically their adaptability to various ecological niches. </p>



<p>Traditional perspectives often depict dinosaurs as either terrestrial, arboreal, or aquatic creatures.</p>



<p>The revelation of a burrowing dinosaur like Fona introduces a fourth dimension to this evolutionary paradigm, highlighting an impressive adaptability and versatility in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/megaraptor-species-named-fujianipus-yingliangi-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological roles</a>. </p>



<p>This underground niche occupation suggests that some dinosaurs developed complex behaviors and physical adaptations to escape predators, withstand harsh environmental conditions, or exploit subterranean food resources.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paleontological-methodology">Paleontological methodology</h2>



<p>The findings associated with <em>Fona herzogae</em> not only enrich our understanding of dinosaur biodiversity but also suggest revisions in paleontological methodologies. </p>



<p>The study underscores the importance of looking beyond the larger and more apparent fossils to discover smaller and potentially more elusive species.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dinosaur_Fona-herzogae_cave-dwelling_3d-skull_Credit-Lindsay-Zanno_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dinosaur_Fona-herzogae_cave-dwelling_3d-skull_Credit-Lindsay-Zanno_1s.jpg" alt="3D printed skull of Fona herzogae. Credit: Lindsay Zanno" class="wp-image-1938681"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>3D printed skull of Fona herzogae. Credit: Lindsay Zanno</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Advanced imaging techniques, detailed sediment analysis, and targeted excavation strategies could unearth a wealth of information about smaller-sized dinosaurs that might have previously gone unnoticed. </p>



<p>As Avrahami and Zanno's work illustrates, these approaches can uncover pivotal information about the diversity and complexity of extinct ecosystems.</p>



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



<p><em>Fona herzogae</em> sets a precedent for future research focusing on lesser-known aspects of dinosaur life. Future studies could investigate other potential burrowing dinosaurs or similar adaptive behaviors among contemporaneous species.</p>



<p>Additionally, examining the environmental factors that facilitated the existence of burrowing dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period might provide further insights into their evolution. </p>



<p>Collaborative efforts between paleontologists across various disciplines, such as geology, biology, and computer science, will be essential in piecing together these intricate details of the past.</p>



<p>As new techniques and technologies emerge, our understanding of these ancient creatures will continue to deepen, revealing the full spectrum of life during the age of dinosaurs.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<em><a href="https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.25505" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Anatomical Record</a>.</em></p>



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Some dinosaurs dug burrows and lived underground

If we thought we knew everything about the fascinating world...

<p>Deep within an Indonesian cave, a humble piece of art tells a story that dates back over 51,000 years. This remarkable painting, which depicts three human-like figures gathered around a large red pig, holds the title of the world's oldest known narrative artwork ever made by human hands.</p>



<p>Titled "A flaking image of three people around a big red pig," the painting stands testament to the dawn of human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universal-storytelling-structure-is-shaped-by-invisible-words/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storytelling</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-time-through-intricate-art">Unlocking time through intricate art</h2>



<p>Scientists from Australia's esteemed <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Griffith University</a> made the remarkable discovery.</p>



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="eCT2iJgVX1-3729535-12187" type="single"]</div>



<p>"This is the oldest evidence of storytelling," said Maxime Aubert, an archaeologist at the university. He was a member of the research team that had previously identified a 48,000-year-old hunting scene in another Indonesian cave.</p>



<p>This recent discovery, however, outdates the previous record holder by a substantial margin. "The first time we've passed the 50,000-year barrier," noted Aubert.</p>



<p>The study provides an enticing glimpse into human cognitive evolution, suggesting a highly sophisticated level of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-age-artists-carved-incredibly-detailed-animal-tracks-onto-rocks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storytelling</a> ability among early humans.</p>



<p>"Our discovery suggests that storytelling was a much older part of human history than previously thought," said archaeologist and co-author Adam Brumm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pushing-boundaries-with-laser-dating">Pushing boundaries with laser dating</h2>



<p>The dating of this ancient artwork was accomplished using a cutting-edge laser ablation technique, which involved the use of lasers and computer software to create a "map" of rock samples.</p>



<p>This innovative method proved to be more precise, efficient, and affordable than the traditional uranium series method. It also required substantially smaller rock samples.</p>



<p>The archaeological team first validated this technique on the previously discovered hunting scene. The experts determined that the painting is at least 48,000 years old, contradicting the initial estimate of 44,000 years.</p>



<p>The new laser method was then used to date the cave painting from Sulawesi Island, which resulted in a staggering age estimate of 51,200 years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pig-imagery-in-cave-painting">Pig imagery in cave painting</h2>



<p>One intriguing aspect of the ancient Indonesian artwork is the depiction of a large red pig, a motif that holds cultural and symbolic significance. </p>



<p>Pigs were not merely subjects of artistic representation but were integral to the sustenance and rituals of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-were-often-buried-with-dogs-horses-and-other-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early human</a> communities.</p>



<p>The choice of a pig in the artwork could indicate its importance in the diet or spiritual practices of the people who created it. </p>



<p>Understanding why early humans chose specific animals for their narratives can provide deeper insights into their daily lives, beliefs, and interactions with their environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-human-migration">Early human migration</h2>



<p>This groundbreaking discovery also has implications for our understanding of early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/timeline-early-humans-great-migration-reached-america-challenged-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human migration</a> patterns.</p>



<p>The presence of such sophisticated artwork in Indonesia suggests that early humans who migrated out of Africa were not only adept at survival but also carried with them a rich tradition of storytelling and artistic expression. </p>



<p>This challenges the notion that complex cognitive abilities and cultural practices developed solely in Europe or the Middle East. Instead, it highlights a more diverse and widespread emergence of human creativity across different regions. </p>



<p>Future research in other parts of the world may uncover additional pieces of this intricate puzzle, further expanding our understanding of humanity's shared <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/negev-petroglyphs-ancient-art-rock-carvings-face-erosion-fungi-lichens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heritage</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-old-mystery-of-cave-paintings">Age-old mystery of cave paintings</h2>



<p>The origins of human evolution can be traced back to Africa over 300,000 years ago. The first known images created by our ancestors are simple lines and patterns in ochre found in South Africa, dating back 100,000 years.</p>



<p>A "huge gap" follows this evidence until the Indonesian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-cave-paintings-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cave</a> paintings, dating back 50,000 years. Why such a gap? Why isn't art omnipresent throughout the timeline of human evolution?</p>



<p>While some suggest that older artworks might simply not have survived the test of time, others believe artifacts from the missing window of time are still out there, patiently awaiting discovery. </p>



<p>Previously, it was believed that narrative art first surfaced in Europe. However, the Indonesian cave art - being so much older than what's been found elsewhere, including Europe - urges us to reassess these beliefs.</p>



<p>These revelations stand as a telling testament to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-ancestors-woodworking-sophisticated-techniques/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human creativity</a> and ingenuity, reminding us that pieces of our collective past might still be out there, etched into cave walls or buried under layers of history, eagerly waiting for us to unravel their ancient mysteries.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07541-7"></a><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07541-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Griffith University/AFP</p>



<p>Video Credit: Southern Cross University </p>



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World's oldest cave painting discovered in Indonesia

Deep within an Indonesian cave, a humble piece of art...

<p>Many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caterpillars-use-their-hair-to-detect-predators-static-electricity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">caterpillars</a> exhibit specific food preferences that persist when they become butterflies. For example, monarch butterflies feed exclusively on milkweed, while Lime butterflies prefer lime leaves. </p>



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National University of Singapore</a> (NUS) are investigating the origins of these dietary preferences.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caterpillar-odor-preferences-nbsp">Caterpillar odor preferences&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A previous study by NUS researchers revealed that caterpillars develop a preference for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caterpillar-noses-can-lead-to-safer-ways-to-protect-crops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smell</a> of leaves they consume outside their typical diet within a few days and pass this preference to their offspring. </p>



<p>This adaptation can occur naturally when female butterflies lay eggs on non-typical plants. Caterpillars that feed on these new plants develop and inherit a preference for the new smell, potentially leading to host switching and the formation of new species with distinct <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-solved-when-butterflies-evolved-and-what-plants-they-used-for-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dietary preferences</a>.</p>



<p>“Since new food preferences develop in the brain of caterpillars, it was unclear how such preferences were inherited by their offspring,” said professor Antónia Monteiro, who led the research team.</p>



<p>“Offspring develop from the fusion of two cells (an egg and a sperm) produced in the gonads of each parent, which are located far from the brain. It was unclear how a smell preference was communicated to these cells,” explained lead author V. Gowri, a PhD student at NUS.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smell-preferences-across-generations-nbsp">Smell preferences across generations&nbsp;</h2>



<p>To understand this adaptive behavior, the research team conducted experiments and discovered that hemolymph, the blood of the caterpillar, which bathes both the brain and reproductive organs, contains factors that promote the inheritance of new smell preferences.</p>



<p>A caterpillar's blood can transport factors from the brain to the gonads, influencing smell preferences in the next generation. Alternatively, it could transport these factors from food to the embryo's brain if included in the sperm or egg cells.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-preferences-in-caterpillar-blood-nbsp">Food preferences in caterpillar blood&nbsp;</h2>



<p>To test if caterpillar blood contained such factors, newly hatched caterpillars were fed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-vegetation-database-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> with a new smell or a control plant. The researchers collected blood from mature caterpillars and injected it into others that had not consumed either plant type.</p>



<p>The experiment showed that caterpillars receiving blood from control-fed caterpillars maintained their usual diet. In contrast, those injected with blood from caterpillars fed with the new smell plants adapted to this dietary change. Remarkably, their offspring also inherited this new preference.</p>



<p>“This was very surprising to us, as this experiment shows that learning a preference towards a smell can occur without the need for the smell to enter the caterpillar's body via the antennae, as suggested in textbooks,” Monteiro said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanism-for-odor-learning-and-preference-nbsp">Mechanism for odor learning and preference&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The findings suggest a possible mechanism for caterpillars to switch food preferences over evolutionary time. The researchers aim to further explore this mechanism and identify specific factors inherited across generations.</p>



<p>“These results indicate that factors in the haemolymph, potentially the odor molecule itself, play an important role in odor learning and preference transmission across generations,” wrote the study authors.</p>



<p>“Furthermore, this mechanism of odor preference inheritance, mediated by the haemolymph, bypasses the peripheral odor-sensing mechanisms taking place in the antennae, mouthparts or legs, and may mediate food plant switching and diversification in Lepidoptera or more broadly across insects.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monarch-butterflies-and-milkweed-nbsp">Monarch butterflies and milkweed&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Monarch butterflies and milkweed have a fascinating and crucial relationship. Monarchs are pretty much dependent on milkweed for their survival. The female monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants because their larvae (caterpillars) eat milkweed leaves as their sole food source.</p>



<p>The connection goes beyond just a food source. Milkweed contains toxic compounds that caterpillars ingest, making them unpalatable to predators.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This toxicity is carried through to their adult butterfly stage, offering them protection throughout their life cycle. The bright orange and black wings of Monarch butterflies are a warning sign to predators: "Stay away; I taste terrible!"</p>



<p>This dependence means that milkweed is critical to the survival of monarch butterflies. Unfortunately, with the decline of milkweed due to habitat loss and herbicide use, monarch populations have been struggling.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Many people are now planting milkweed in their gardens to help support these incredible creatures. It’s a simple but impactful way to contribute to the conservation of monarchs.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2023.0595" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Biology Letters</em></a>.</p>



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



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Caterpillars inherit food preferences through their blood 

Many caterpillars exhibit specific food preferences that persist when they...

<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>



<p id="block-eff5dea3-a9bb-40b5-a923-e5a9978bc0e2">Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</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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<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from <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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