<p>A new study reports microbial DNA preserved inside woolly and steppe mammoth remains that are older than one million years. The team shows that some bacteria were living with these animals while they were alive, not just invading after death.</p>



<p>Researchers analyzed DNA from 483 specimens and sequenced 440 of them for the first time. From a steppe mammoth that lived about 1.1 million years ago, they even pieced together parts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-buried-for-millions-of-years-may-guide-search-for-alien-life/">bacterial</a> genomes that once infected or inhabited the animal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-microbes-in-mammoths">Ancient microbes in mammoths</h2>



<p>The work was led by Benjamin Guinet, a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Palaeogenetics in Stockholm (<a href="https://palaeogenetics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CPG</a>). The Centre is a collaboration between Stockholm University and the Swedish Museum of Natural History (<a href="https://www.nrm.se/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NRM</a>).</p>



<p>"Our results push the study of microbial DNA back beyond a million years, opening up new possibilities to explore how host-associated microbes evolved in parallel with their hosts," said Guinet. </p>



<p>The project involved an international team of experts working across multiple collections and labs.</p>



<p>The researchers used strict lab protocols, computational filters, and DNA damage checks to separate life stage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-found-alive-sealed-inside-rock-after-2-billion-years/">microbes</a> from postmortem contaminants. That approach helped them focus on organisms that were likely part of the mammoth’s own internal community.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-mammoth-dna">Inside mammoth DNA</h2>



<p>The scientists kept finding the same six types of bacteria in mammoth remains from different times and places, including close relatives of <em>Actinobacillus</em>, <em>Pasteurella</em>, <em>Streptococcus</em>, and <em>Erysipelothrix</em>. </p>



<p>This pattern suggests that these microbes had a long history with mammoths, sticking with them through environmental changes and population shifts.</p>



<p>The scientists distinguished host-associated microbes, meaning those living in or on a host while it was alive, from environmental bacteria that entered after burial. </p>



<p>They used metagenomics, a method that reads all DNA in a sample at once, then identified ancient damage patterns to authenticate the oldest material.</p>



<p>From the 1.1 million year steppe mammoth, the team reconstructed partial genomes of <em>Erysipelothrix</em> that likely came from an infection during life. This is the oldest authenticated host-associated microbial DNA ever reported, and it extends the range for studying ancient host <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-aquificales-discovered-in-hot-springs-breathe-oxygen-and-sulfur-at-same-time/">microbe</a> interactions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-ancient-microbes-matter">Why ancient microbes matter</h2>



<p>This result builds on earlier work that recovered genome scale data from mammoth teeth more than one million years old, demonstrating that DNA can survive when conditions are right. </p>



<p>The previous <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03224-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> established methods and expectations for data quality at this extreme age.</p>



<p>Ancient DNA is fragile and breaks into tiny pieces, and chemical changes accumulate over time. By tracking these signatures, scientists can tell ancient sequences from modern contamination and avoid false signals.</p>



<p>"As microbes evolve fast, obtaining reliable DNA data across more than a million years was like following a trail that kept rewriting itself," said study senior author Tom van der Valk.</p>



<p>"Our findings show that ancient remains can preserve biological insights far beyond the host genome, offering us perspectives on how microbes influenced adaptation, disease, and extinction in Pleistocene ecosystems."</p>



<p>The Pleistocene was a period from about 2.6 million years ago to 11,700 years ago that included repeated ice ages.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-linked-to-mammoth-health">Microbes linked to mammoth health</h2>



<p>One bacterium in the dataset is closely related to a <em>Pasteurella</em> species implicated in lethal outbreaks among African elephants. That connection is supported by a 2023 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37880229/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paper</a> that identified a Pasteurella relative as the likely cause of fatal septicemia in elephants in Zimbabwe.</p>



<p>The new study reports several putative <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2646308/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">virulence factors</a>, which are gene features tied to disease-causing ability, in some clades. The authors are careful about cause and effect because ancient DNA is incomplete and infections leave mixed traces.</p>



<p><em>Erysipelothrix</em> is also known to sicken Arctic wildlife today, including muskoxen during unusual mortality events. That pattern has been documented in a Canadian Veterinary <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4431149/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal</a> that found <em>Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae</em> associated with widespread deaths in the Canadian Arctic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mammoth-survival-and-microbes">Mammoth survival and microbes</h2>



<p>Microbes that stayed with mammoths for hundreds of thousands of years hint at stable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breathing-without-oxygen-how-ancient-microbes-powered-early-life/">relationships</a> shaped by diet, climate, and social behavior. The persistence of these lineages across far flung regions points to deep coevolution.</p>



<p>The last woolly mammoths survived on Wrangel Island until about 4,000 years ago, long after mainland populations vanished. Genetic work on that relict group links their late survival to small population size and accumulating harmful mutations.</p>



<p>"This work opens a new chapter in understanding the biology of extinct species. Not only can we study the genomes of mammoths themselves, but we can now begin to explore the microbial communities that lived inside them," said Love Dalén, professor of evolutionary genomics at the CPG. </p>



<p>Ultimately, the data help connect health, ecology, and extinction risks in a single picture.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-this-research-can-go-next">Where this research can go next</h2>



<p>Reconstructing ancient microbiomes can help set baselines for living elephant microbiomes. That matters because health, diet, and stress are all reflected in the microbiome, the community of microbes that live in and on an organism.</p>



<p>Ancient pathogen signals can also clarify whether outbreaks played a role in population declines. Learning which bacteria carried disease associated genes in the past could inform surveillance and treatment strategies for modern elephants.</p>



<p>Finally, the same tools can be applied to other Ice Age species to test whether long-lived microbial partners were the rule rather than the exception. Careful sampling, clean labs, and independent checks will keep new claims on firm ground.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(25)00917-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cell</em></a>.</p>



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Million year-old mammoth microbes reveal new clues about disease

A new study reports microbial DNA preserved inside woolly and steppe mammoth remains that are older than one million years. The team shows that some bacteria were living with these animals while they were alive, not just invading after death. Researchers analyzed DNA from 483 specimens and sequenced 440 of them for the first time. From a steppe mammoth that lived about 1.1 million years ago, they even pieced together parts of bacterial genomes that once infected or inhabited the animal. Ancient microbes in mammoths The work...

<p>We've all been there.&nbsp;You're standing at a crossroads,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-cells-communicate-to-support-decision-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pondering</a> the "what ifs" of life.&nbsp;Should you take that new job offer? Move to a different city?&nbsp;Break up with your significant other?&nbsp;While the future remains uncertain,&nbsp;our brains have a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-waves-move-in-opposite-ways-to-make-memories-and-to-remember/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fascinating way</a> of simulating possible outcomes and planning accordingly.</p>



<p>A remarkable study&nbsp;has unveiled the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-ever-3d-map-of-human-brain-created-by-harvard-and-google/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neural pattern</a> that takes place during planning.&nbsp;Researchers have found that the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus,&nbsp;two key brain regions,&nbsp;collaborate to create mental simulations of potential actions,&nbsp;allowing us to make informed decisions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prefrontal-cortex-and-hippocampus">Prefrontal cortex and hippocampus</h2>



<p>The prefrontal cortex,&nbsp;located at the front of the brain,&nbsp;plays a crucial role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychological-poverty-greatly-impacts-decision-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planning and decision-making</a>.&nbsp;It acts as a mental simulator,&nbsp;allowing us to envision different scenarios and their potential outcomes.&nbsp;However,&nbsp;this simulation process relies on information from another brain region:&nbsp;the hippocampus.</p>



<p>The hippocampus,&nbsp;nestled deep within the brain's temporal lobe,&nbsp;is responsible for memory formation and storage.&nbsp;It creates a mental representation of our experiences,&nbsp;forming a cognitive map of the world around us.&nbsp;This map includes information about spatial relationships,&nbsp;objects,&nbsp;and events.</p>



<p>When the prefrontal cortex engages in planning,&nbsp;it accesses this cognitive map stored in the hippocampus.&nbsp;It uses this information to construct detailed mental simulations of potential actions and their consequences.&nbsp;By drawing on our past experiences and knowledge,&nbsp;the prefrontal cortex can evaluate different options and make informed decisions about how to proceed.</p>



<p>"The prefrontal cortex acts as a 'simulator,' mentally testing out possible actions using a cognitive map stored in the hippocampus," explained Marcelo Mattar, assistant professor at <a href="https://nyu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a> and co-author of the study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-computational-model-of-brain-s-planning">Computational model of brain's planning</h2>



<p>To better understand the brain's planning process,&nbsp;the research team developed a computational model that could <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-triggers-unique-prediction-zones-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predict brain activity</a> during decision-making.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The model,&nbsp;a recurrent neural network (RNN),&nbsp;learned patterns from incoming information,&nbsp;much like how our brains adapt and learn over time.</p>



<p>This innovative model took into account "imagined actions," the mental simulations we create when considering different choices.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It's like a chess player envisioning several moves ahead before settling on the best one.&nbsp;By simulating potential futures,&nbsp;we can quickly adjust to new environments,&nbsp;such as finding an alternate route when our usual path is blocked.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-of-rats-and-humans-while-planning">Brain of rats and humans while planning</h2>



<p>To validate their computational model,&nbsp;the research team conducted experiments involving both humans and rats.&nbsp;Human participants were tasked with navigating a virtual maze on a computer screen,&nbsp;while their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-brain-focus-with-so-many-distractions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain activity</a> was monitored using neuroimaging techniques.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers specifically focused on recording neural activity during the moments when participants paused to plan their next move within the maze.</p>



<p>In a parallel experiment, rats were placed in a physical maze that mirrored the design of the virtual maze used for humans.Neural recordings were taken from the rats' brains as they navigated through the maze, allowing the researchers to compare the neural patterns observed in both species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-brain-activity">Surprising brain activity </h2>



<p>The results of these experiments were noteworthy.&nbsp;In humans,&nbsp;there was a clear correlation between the time spent deliberating over the next move in the maze and the intensity of neural activity observed in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This suggests that these brain regions are actively engaged in the planning process,&nbsp;with increased activity reflecting a greater degree of mental simulation and decision-making.</p>



<p>Furthermore,&nbsp;the neural activity patterns recorded in the rats closely resembled those predicted by the computational model.&nbsp;This alignment between real-world observations and model predictions provides strong evidence for the validity of the model and its ability to accurately capture the neural mechanisms underlying planning behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications">Study implications</h2>



<p>This study has far-reaching implications for understanding the neural underpinnings of planning - a crucial aspect of human and animal intelligence. </p>



<p>"This research sheds light on the neural and cognitive mechanisms of planning - a core component of both human and animal intelligence. A deeper understanding of these brain mechanisms could ultimately improve the treatment of disorders affecting decision-making abilities," said Mattar.</p>



<p>By unraveling the intricate pattern between the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus,&nbsp;scientists are one step closer to unlocking the mysteries of the brain's planning prowess.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This knowledge could pave the way for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/talking-speed-indicator-brain-health-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new therapies</a> for individuals struggling with decision-making difficulties,&nbsp;potentially improving their quality of life.</p>



<p>To sum it up,&nbsp;the next time you find yourself lost in thought,&nbsp;contemplating the endless possibilities of the future, remember that your brain is hard at work,&nbsp;simulating those scenarios to guide you toward the best decision.&nbsp;It's like having a personal fortune-teller inside your head,&nbsp;helping you navigate life's uncertainties.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-024-01675-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Neuroscience</a></em>.</p>



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Our brain has a 'simulator' that imagines scenarios while planning

We've all been there.&nbsp;You're standing at a crossroads,&nbsp;pondering the "what...

<p>Recent research into infant learning suggests that while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/five-scientifically-proven-steps-for-thriving-infant-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human infants</a> are perceived as significantly more helpless than their animal counterparts, this period of vulnerability is actually a critical time for cognitive development, akin to the initial training phases of sophisticated artificial intelligence systems like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-outperforms-humans-in-creativity-tests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ChatGPT</a>.</p>



<p>This phase allows infants to absorb and process vast amounts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visual-perception-speed-varies-greatly-among-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory information</a>, laying the groundwork for advanced cognitive abilities later in life.</p>



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



<p>Infant learning begins right from birth. During this period, babies start recognizing faces, sounds, and patterns. This early learning is crucial for cognitive development.</p>



<p>Newborns spend a lot of time observing and interacting with their environment. They track moving objects with their eyes, respond to familiar voices, and start to understand basic cause and effect. For example, when they cry, they learn that a caregiver will come to comfort them.</p>



<p>Mothers and other caregivers play a vital role in this learning process. They provide stimulation through talking, singing, and making eye contact. They also offer physical comfort, which helps babies feel secure and ready to explore their world. </p>



<p>Simple activities like reading stories, playing peek-a-boo, and encouraging reaching and grasping help stimulate an infant's brain, laying the foundation for future learning and development.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-infant-learning-beyond-helplessness">Rethinking infant learning: Beyond helplessness</h2>



<p>Historically, the apparent helplessness of human babies was attributed to the physical constraints of childbirth and the resultant immaturity of the brain. </p>



<p>This traditional view suggested that the size of human heads necessitates an earlier birth, leading to an extended period of developmental vulnerability that can last up to a year. </p>



<p>However, a groundbreaking study challenges this long-held belief with new insights into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/talking-to-babies-in-parentese-boosts-their-language-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infant brain</a>, revealing a crucial phase of infant learning that has been overlooked.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-from-brain-imaging">Insights from brain imaging</h2>



<p>Led by a team of neuroscientists and AI researchers, the study utilized advanced neuroimaging techniques to explore the state of the infant brain shortly after birth. </p>



<p>The research team included Professor Rhodri Cusack, who specializes in the development of the infant brain and mind using neuroimaging; Professor Christine Charvet from <a href="https://www.auburn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Auburn University</a>, who compares brain development across species; and Dr. Marc'Aurelio Ranzato, a senior AI researcher at DeepMind, enhancing the study with a deep understanding of AI learning patterns.</p>



<p>Contrary to previous beliefs that infant brain systems are underdeveloped and inactive, the findings reveal that these systems are already processing a wealth of sensory information. </p>



<p>This suggests that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-ever-3d-map-of-human-brain-created-by-harvard-and-google/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human brain</a> is more mature at birth than commonly thought, especially when compared with other species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-like-a-machine">Learning like a machine</h2>



<p>The research draws an intriguing parallel between infant learning and modern machine learning techniques. </p>



<p>In artificial intelligence, models like those used in self-driving cars or generative AI initially undergo a pre-training phase, where they learn to recognize patterns in vast amounts of data without a specific task. </p>



<p>Similarly, infants seem to use their early vulnerability as a phase to "pre-train" their brains, developing foundational cognitive models that will support more complex tasks later in life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ai-connection">The AI connection</h2>



<p>"We propose that human infants use the ‘helpless’ period to learn powerful foundation models, which later underpin cognition with high performance and rapid generalization. This process is akin to the development of generative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psifi-wearable-ai-device-interprets-emotions-people-nearby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI technologies</a>," explained Professor Cusack, a leading cognitive neuroscientist.</p>



<p>Such insights not only enhance our understanding of human development but may also guide the next wave of AI innovations.</p>



<p>The study underscores a potential symbiotic relationship between developmental neuroscience and artificial intelligence. </p>



<p>By studying how infants learn during their early years, scientists may unlock new methodologies for improving AI models, making them more efficient and less resource-intensive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-infant-learning-and-future-cognitive-technologies">Infant learning and future cognitive technologies</h2>



<p>This research marks a significant shift in our understanding of human infancy and its implications for both neuroscience and artificial intelligence. </p>



<p>As we continue to decode the complexities of the infant brain, the findings may not only revolutionize our approach to early childhood development but also inspire advancements in AI, making the technology more adept and efficient. </p>



<p>The future of both human and artificial cognition may well depend on the insights gathered during these critical early stages of infant learning.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/fulltext/S1364-6613(24)00114-1?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1364661324001141%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trends in Cognitive Sciences</a></em>.</p>



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Infant learning mirrors ChatGPT's training

Recent research into infant learning suggests that while human infants...

<p>Floating solar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-increase-the-value-of-solar-panels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">panels</a>, or floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems, are not just an innovative technology but a potential powerhouse that could meet the total electricity demands of some countries, according to a recent study.</p>



<p>Researchers from <a href="https://www.bangor.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bangor University</a>, <a href="https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lancaster University</a>, and the <a href="https://www.ceh.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Centre for Ecology &amp; Hydrology</a> embarked on a global evaluation to determine the capabilities of these low-carbon solar arrays.</p>



<p>The team analyzed climate data across nearly 68,000 lakes and reservoirs worldwide, focusing on those within 10 kilometers of population centers, outside protected areas, and free from extreme drought or freeze conditions.</p>



<p>The researchers found that even by covering just 10% of these water bodies' surfaces, FPV systems could generate approximately 1302 terawatt hours annually - enough to quadruple the United Kingdom's yearly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-electricity-europe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electricity usage</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-floating-solar-panels">What are floating solar panels?</h2>



<p>Floating solar panels are solar power installations mounted on buoyant platforms that float on the surface of water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. </p>



<p>Unlike traditional land-based solar panels, FPV systems utilize the underused surface of water bodies, which can be particularly beneficial in regions where land is scarce or expensive.</p>



<p>These panels function similarly to conventional solar panels, converting sunlight into electricity. However, the unique aspect of FPVs is their placement on water. This positioning offers several advantages. </p>



<p>The cooling effect of the water helps increase the efficiency of the solar panels, as solar cells operate more efficiently at lower temperatures. Additionally, placing panels on water bodies reduces the need for land, freeing up valuable space for agriculture or other purposes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-of-floating-solar-panels">Advantages of floating solar panels</h2>



<p>One significant benefit of FPV systems is their dual utility: generating power while conserving land for other purposes. </p>



<p>Additionally, the cooling effect of water increases the efficiency of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-increase-the-value-of-solar-panels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar panels</a> compared to their land-based counterparts.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/which-is-better-planting-forests-or-building-solar-farms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental benefits</a> also accompany this technology. By covering the surface of lakes, FPVs can reduce water evaporation and decrease the likelihood of algal blooms by blocking sunlight and restricting nutrient mixing.</p>



<p>However, the overarching environmental impact remains under review, with researchers calling for more comprehensive studies to ensure these systems do not disrupt aquatic ecosystems adversely.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-solution-with-local-benefits">A global solution with local benefits</h2>



<p>Dr. Iestyn Woolway, the study's lead author, emphasized the clear benefits in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvesting-electricity-with-nature-inspired-techniques/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy generation</a> that FPV offers.</p>



<p>"We still don’t know exactly how floating panels might affect the ecosystem within a natural lake, in different conditions and locations. But the potential gain in energy generation from FPV is clear, so we need to put that research in place so this technology can be safely adopted," he stated.</p>



<p>In terms of practical application, the study revealed that nations such as Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia, and Rwanda could fully satisfy their electricity needs through FPV. </p>



<p>Other countries like Bolivia and Tonga could nearly meet their demand, with FPV potentially supplying 87% and 92% of their needs, respectively. </p>



<p>In total, many nations, particularly those in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and Central Asia, could source between 40% to 70% of their annual electricity from floating solar panels. </p>



<p>Even in less sunny locales like Finland and Denmark, FPVs could contribute to 17% and 7% of the electricity demands, respectively.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategic-deployment-of-floating-solar-panels">Strategic deployment of floating solar panels</h2>



<p>Professor Alona Armstrong, co-author of the study, highlighted the strategic importance of FPV deployment. "Our work shows there is much potential for FPV around the world. But deployments need to be strategic, considering the consequences for energy security, nature, and society, as well as Net Zero objectives," she explained.</p>



<p>Currently, the UK has a modest footprint in the FPV market, with the largest installation being a 6.3MW floating solar farm near London. </p>



<p>Despite this, the potential for expansion is significant, provided future installations are guided by thoughtful consideration of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/renewable-energy-is-the-latest-threat-to-bird-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental</a> and societal impacts.</p>



<p>Floating solar technology presents a promising frontier in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-utilities-may-be-100-percent-renewable-energy-by-2060/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewable energy</a>. By leveraging underutilized water bodies, countries have the opportunity to significantly boost their renewable energy output while addressing environmental concerns. </p>



<p>The continued research and strategic deployment of the innovative FPVs could play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable, low-carbon future.</p>



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Floating solar panels could power entire countries

Floating solar panels, or floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems, are not...

<p>Bacterial disease poses an increasing threat to the Mediterranean's iconic crops - grapevines, olive trees, and almond trees - as global temperatures continue to rise.</p>



<p>The deadly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-largest-bacterium-discovered-in-the-caribbean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacterium</a> known as Xylella fastidiosa, responsible for this devastation, obstructs the plants' ducts and tissues, severely hampering their ability to thrive.</p>



<p>Historically confined to specific regions, this pathogen is poised to expand its territory due to the escalating effects of climate change.</p>



<p>Recent research conducted by the <a href="https://ifisc.uib-csic.es/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Cross-disciplinary Physics and Complex Systems</a> (IFISC) has shed light on this alarming trend.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacterial-disease-in-a-changing-environment">Bacterial disease in a changing environment </h2>



<p>"Pierce’s disease (PD) is a vector-borne disease caused by the bacteria <em>Xylella fastidiosa</em>, which affects grapevines in the Americas," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"Currently, vineyards in continental Europe, the world’s largest producer of quality wine, have not yet been affected by Pierce's disease. However, climate change may alter this situation." </p>



<p>The study reveals that a temperature increase exceeding three degrees Celsius could critically escalate the risk of this bacterium's establishment in areas previously considered safe, particularly impacting wine-producing regions.</p>



<p>This significant finding highlights a potential turning point in the management and spread of the disease, which is currently prevalent in coastal Mediterranean areas but could extend further north across Europe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-as-a-catalyst-for-plant-disease">Climate as a catalyst for plant disease </h2>



<p>The relationship between climate and the occurrence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-technology-can-detect-plant-diseases-from-above/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant diseases</a> is intricate, with favorable temperatures playing a crucial role in triggering epidemic outbreaks.</p>



<p>Manuel Matías, a leading scientist in this field, emphasized that climate change is a central driver in the global distribution and intensity of plant-based bacterial diseases.</p>



<p>The research team has outlined how continuous temperature increases at intervals of 1.5, 2, 3, and 4 degrees Celsius could influence the spread of Xylella fastidiosa, with each scenario showing a pattern of heightened disease risk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-and-ecological-impact">Economic and ecological impact</h2>



<p>Since its first detection in Europe just over a decade ago, Xylella fastidiosa has caused substantial economic and ecological damage. </p>



<p>Originally seen as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/potato-threatening-pathogens-discovered-in-pennsylvania/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pathogen</a> restricted to the American continent, the bacterial disease has wreaked havoc in European regions, notably in Italy's Apulia region, where it has affected 21 million olive trees.</p>



<p>In Mallorca, 80% of almond trees have been impacted, demonstrating the severe consequences of its rapid spread.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predictive-analysis-and-risk-management">Predictive analysis and risk management</h2>



<p>The researchers have developed a comprehensive model to forecast the disease's potential spread under various warming scenarios. </p>



<p>The findings indicate that countries like Portugal and Greece could face significantly increased risks of infection, with projected temperature rises pushing the risk up to 47% and 63%, respectively.</p>



<p>Interestingly, in Spain, the second-largest wine producer globally, the risk levels might remain relatively unchanged despite the warming. </p>



<p>This predictive approach is invaluable for European agricultural policy, as it aids in strategizing better surveillance and mitigation efforts against the bacterial disease. </p>



<p>By quantifying the risk at different spatial scales - from country-wide assessments to specific wine appellations - the researchers provide crucial data that can help refine prevention strategies and manage resources more effectively.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-battle-against-plant-bacterial-disease">The battle against plant bacterial disease</h2>



<p>The experts acknowledged the limitations posed by varying microclimates within wine-growing regions, which can complicate predictions.</p>



<p>"Modeling disease epidemics is a complex task, as they are emergent phenomena resulting from non-linear interactions between disease components," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"In addition, many of the processes involved in disease development also exhibit non-linear responses to changes in environmental variables."</p>



<p>However, the interdisciplinary nature of the research, combining epidemiological insights with climatic models, offers a robust framework for understanding and potentially controlling the spread of this bacterial disease.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risk-of-pierce-s-disease-in-continental-vineyards">Risk of Pierce’s disease in continental vineyards </h2>



<p>"Because Pierce’s disease has only affected vineyards on the island of Mallorca, little attention has been paid to the risk of it reaching continental vineyards. Our risk model indicates why this possibility was very low until the mid-90s, except for the Mediterranean islands," noted the study authors. </p>



<p>"In this work, we clearly show that with increasing temperatures PD will become a serious threat to important wine-growing areas in southern Europe that were not previously at risk."</p>



<p>As Europe grapples with the challenges posed by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-imposes-financial-burden-on-global-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, this research offers a glimpse into the future risks to viticulture.</p>



<p>By leveraging cutting-edge climatic data and innovative modeling techniques, scientists are paving the way for more informed decisions that could safeguard the future of agriculture in the region. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-59947-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a></em>.</p>



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Bacterial disease that 'devours' olive trees is thriving in a warmer climate

Bacterial disease poses an increasing threat to the Mediterranean's iconic...

<p>Amid the looming threats of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-altering-the-calls-and-voices-of-frogs-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, even species that seem ubiquitous - like the tiny tropical puddle frogs of Central Africa's rainforests - face significant risks.</p>



<p>Scientific studies have consistently shown that protecting genetic diversity is essential for the survival of species as they navigate environmental upheavals.</p>



<p>Through meticulous DNA analysis of puddle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-tiniest-fanged-frogs-lay-their-eggs-on-leaves-and-guard-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frogs</a>, researchers have discovered that regions with high environmental variability tend to support greater genetic diversity.</p>



<p>This genetic richness is crucial, as it might be the key to enabling these frogs to evolve and survive in changing climates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-keys-to-climate-adaptation">Genetic keys to climate adaptation</h2>



<p>The research was led by Dr. Courtney Miller from the <a href="https://www.uno.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of New Orleans</a> and Dr. Geraud Tasse Taboue from the <a href="https://www.ubuea.cm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Buea</a>.</p>



<p>"Generally, the more genomic variation within a population, the more capable it is of adapting to environmental changes, such as those brought by future climate scenarios," explained Dr. Miller.</p>



<p>"Our goal was to pinpoint what drives genomic variation and predict how populations might cope with future climatic shifts," said Dr. Tasse Taboue.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-evolutionary-adaptability">Understanding evolutionary adaptability</h2>



<p>The reality of the climate crisis is that it could transform our planet swiftly and drastically. Species like the puddle frogs will need to either find new suitable habitats or adapt through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wood-frogs-achieved-significant-biological-evolution-25-years-salt-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a> or behavioral changes. Genetic diversity enhances a species' ability to evolve successfully under such pressures.</p>



<p>The research was focused on the Gulf of Guinea and the Congo Basin - areas which are predicted to be severely impacted by climate changes and recognized as biodiversity hotspots.</p>



<p>Factors like geographical distances, physical barriers, environmental variability, and historical changes in landscape connectivity during the Pleistocene era all contribute to the genetic segregation and uniqueness of species populations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-responses-to-environmental-changes">Genetic responses to environmental changes</h2>



<p>The team's method involved sampling 191 frogs from various locations and habitats, extracting their DNA, and identifying different genetic variants. </p>



<p>The experts analyzed how environmental factors such as temperature and rainfall variability relate to the frogs' habitats and how these might shift due to climate change.</p>



<p>This comprehensive approach helped the researchers understand both current and historical influences on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-with-higher-genetic-variation-are-much-more-adaptable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic variation</a>.</p>



<p>The results of the analysis indicated that genetic diversity in puddle frogs was not only a product of geographical separation but was also closely linked to environmental conditions, particularly seasonal precipitation patterns.</p>



<p>"Variation in precipitation is the primary environmental driver of genomic variation for this frog species," noted Dr. Miller.</p>



<p>"Regions like the Cameroonian highlands and the forest-savanna boundaries in south-central Cameroon, stretching across the equator to the interiors of Gabon, are crucial as they likely enable frogs to keep pace with future climate changes."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-of-puddle-frogs">Conservation of puddle frogs</h2>



<p>However, certain areas - such as southwest Gabon - were identified where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eu-responsible-for-extinction-of-frog-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frog populations</a> lack sufficient genetic variation, potentially limiting their ability to adapt to sudden environmental changes.</p>



<p>While the research has provided valuable insights into the genomic makeup of puddle frogs, it has its limitations.</p>



<p>"We weren't able to pinpoint variants under selection, which could have offered more insights into their adaptive potential," said Dr. Tasse Taboue.</p>



<p>"Nonetheless, conservation efforts might focus on preserving areas rich in genomic variation, assuming these areas harbor individuals more likely to endure given environmental changes."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-puddle-frogs-in-a-changing-climate">Puddle frogs in a changing climate</h2>



<p>The study underscores the importance of maintaining genetic variation as a buffer against the unpredictable shifts of the climate crisis.</p>



<p>The insights gained from the research may help to guide targeted conservation efforts aimed at sustaining biodiversity in some of the planet's most vulnerable regions.</p>



<p>As we continue to witness the unfolding impacts of climate change, such research becomes ever more critical in shaping our strategies to protect the natural world.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-puddle-frogs">More about puddle frogs</h2>



<p>Puddle frogs, scientifically known as Occidozyga, are a genus of frogs commonly found in Southeast Asia.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They are named after their preference for living in puddles and other small, temporary bodies of water. These environments are ideal for puddle frogs due to their typically shallow depth, which helps in temperature regulation and provides protection from predators.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Puddle frogs have unique adaptations to these habitats; for instance, they often have flattened bodies that enable them to stay submerged in shallow water without being easily spotted.</p>



<p>These frogs are small to medium in size and have a varied diet, primarily feeding on insects and other small aquatic or semi-aquatic creatures.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproduction-nbsp">Reproduction&nbsp;</h3>



<p>They are known for their explosive breeding habits, taking advantage of the sudden availability of temporary pools formed by heavy rains.&nbsp;</p>



<p>During breeding season, males call to attract females, and the eggs are laid in the water, where they develop rapidly to complete their lifecycle before the puddles dry up.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-role-nbsp">Ecological role&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Puddle frogs play a crucial role in their ecosystems, not only as predators of insects but also as prey for a variety of larger animals. They are also indicators of environmental health, with their presence and population sizes helping gauge the condition of their habitats.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1366248/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Conservation Science</a></em>.</p>



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Puddle frogs have a secret weapon against climate change

Amid the looming threats of climate change, even species that...

<p>NASA scientists have created a cutting-edge quantum technology tool in hopes it will help them find "water worlds" that may be hiding in plain sight in our own solar system.</p>



<p>One of the most intriguing aspects of our cosmic neighborhood is the presence of water in various forms, from the sun's water vapor to the ice of distant planets and moons. </p>



<p>But it's not just the existence of water that fascinates scientists; it's also the potential for liquid water to harbor life beyond Earth.</p>



<p>Dr. Hannes Kraus, a researcher at NASA's <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a>, explains, "Novel quantum sensors not only enable new science, but also offer the chance to downscale former flagship-class instrumentation to a size and cost allowing flagship-class science on CubeSat-class platforms."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-liquid-water-and-the-search-for-life">Liquid water and the search for life</h2>



<p>While water in all its forms is fascinating, it's liquid water that holds the key to the possibility of extraterrestrial life. </p>



<p>Astrobiologists have long followed the mantra "Follow the Water" in their search for life beyond Earth. </p>



<p>This quest has led them to focus on the icy moons of gas and ice giants in our solar system, such as Jupiter's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-evidence-jupiter-moon-europa-deep-ocean-shifting-icy-shell/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa</a> and Saturn's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-sparking-energy-source-found-on-saturns-moon-enceladus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enceladus</a>.</p>



<p>These moons are believed to harbor vast subsurface oceans beneath their thick ice crusts, making them compelling targets for future missions. </p>



<p>However, penetrating these icy shells with conventional remote-sensing instruments like cameras and radar is a daunting challenge. </p>



<p>Until we can send landers or rovers capable of drilling or melting through the ice, scientists must rely on other techniques to detect these hidden water bodies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subsurface-oceans-are-hard-to-find">Subsurface oceans are hard to find</h2>



<p>One promising method for detecting subsurface oceans is magnetometry. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-citys-unique-magnetic-signature-can-reveal-its-state-of-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Magnetic fields</a> have the unique ability to penetrate solid material, providing valuable insights into the interior of planet-sized bodies. </p>



<p>Briny water, rich in dissolved salts, is an excellent conductor of electricity. As a result, a saltwater ocean can function as a planet-sized electric circuit.</p>



<p>When exposed to the strong rotating magnetic field of its parent planet, this "circuit" can generate an electric current that disturbs and modifies the surrounding magnetic field. </p>



<p>These disturbances can be observed by spacecraft equipped with magnetometers, offering evidence for the presence of liquid water beneath the surface.</p>



<p>The effectiveness of this technique was demonstrated by NASA's <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/galileo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Galileo mission</a>, which detected a distortion in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-jupiters-magnetosphere-will-help-us-predict-space-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter's magnetic field</a> near Europa, further supporting the hypothesis of a subsurface ocean on this icy moon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-water-with-quantum-magnetometers-0">Tracing water with quantum magnetometers</h2>



<p>Solid-state quantum magnetometers represent a groundbreaking advancement in the field of magnetometry. </p>



<p>These instruments offer competitive sensitivities while boasting smaller size, lower weight, and reduced power requirements compared to traditional magnetometers. </p>



<p>Additionally, solid-state quantum magnetometers possess unique quantum advantages, such as self-calibration through spin-nuclear quantum interaction, which allows them to compensate for drifts over time. </p>



<p>This capability is particularly crucial for long-duration missions to the outer reaches of our solar system.</p>



<p>Other quantum benefits include radiation resilience and the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, making these magnetometers well-suited for the harsh conditions of space exploration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atomic-rainbows-probed-at-the-quantum-level">Atomic rainbows probed at the quantum level</h2>



<p>At the heart of solid-state quantum magnetometers are color centers -- defects in the crystal lattice of semiconductors like diamond and silicon carbide. </p>



<p>These color centers, which give crystals their distinctive hues, can be probed at the quantum level using modulated light. </p>



<p>By exploiting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/transmitting-quantum-information-using-electron-spin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum spin properties</a> of these color centers, scientists can create highly sensitive magnetometers.</p>



<p>As the color centers are exposed to varying magnetic fields, their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-discovery-is-a-revolutionary-step-forward/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum spin</a> properties change, which can be read electrically and/or optically. </p>



<p>This allows researchers to detect the presence of water by analyzing the magnetic field properties around a planetary body.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-magnetometers-can-find-hidden-water">Quantum magnetometers can find hidden water</h2>



<p>Research teams at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are currently developing two high-tech magnetometers designed to measure spin properties from space. </p>



<p>The SiCMAG (Silicon Carbide Magnetometer), led by Dr. Corey J. Cochrane, is an elegantly simple instrument that reads spin properties electrically. </p>



<p>Meanwhile, the OPuS-MAGNM (optically pumped solid state quantum magnetometer), led by Dr. Hannes Kraus, aims to achieve even higher sensitivities by incorporating optics.</p>



<p>In the OPuS-MAGNM, the quantum system is pumped with green (diamond) or deep red (silicon carbide) laser light, and the system's response is read with a light detector. </p>



<p>This optically pumped approach promises to push the boundaries of magnetometry sensitivity even further.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-life-and-quantum-magnetometers">Water, life, and quantum magnetometers</h2>



<p>In summary, as we continue to explore the vast expanse of our solar system, the search for water and the potential for life beyond Earth remains a driving force behind our efforts. </p>



<p>With the development of cutting-edge technologies like solid-state quantum magnetometers, we are better equipped than ever to unravel the mysteries of our cosmic neighborhood.</p>



<p>By following the water and harnessing the power of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/impossibility-paradox-calculating-incalculable-quantum-realm-particles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum physics</a>, we may one day discover that we are not alone in the universe. </p>



<p>The future of space exploration is bright, and the secrets of our solar system's water are waiting to be unlocked.</p>



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Discovering habitable ‘water worlds’ using quantum technology

NASA scientists have created a cutting-edge quantum technology tool in...

<p>Exploring the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-building-space-station-called-gateway-will-orbit-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon</a> with lunar rovers presents unique challenges, not least of which are its severe temperature fluctuations, ranging from blistering highs of 127°C (260°F) during the day to frigid lows of -173°C (-280°F) at night.</p>



<p>These conditions have long posed a significant barrier to the longevity and reliability of these crucial vehicles for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-new-lunar-fss-mission-will-explore-moon-far-side-moonquakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface exploration</a>.</p>



<p>This daunting environment requires advanced technology to ensure these vehicles can withstand the harsh lunar climate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-switch-technology">Heat-switch technology</h2>



<p>A recent advancement has emerged from a collaborative effort involving a team from <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya University</a> and the <a href="https://global.jaxa.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency</a>.</p>



<p>Together, the experts have developed a heat-switch device specifically designed to increase the operational lifespan of lunar rovers. This innovation marks a significant stride toward more sustainable lunar exploration.</p>



<p>"Heat-switch technology that can switch between daytime heat dissipation and nighttime insulation is essential for long-term lunar exploration," explained lead researcher Masahito Nishikawara.</p>



<p>He described how the lunar rover operates in the daytime, with its electronics generating heat that must be dissipated, given the vacuum of space. Conversely, the nighttime demands insulation to protect the electronics from the extreme cold.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overcoming-traditional-limitations">Overcoming traditional limitations</h2>



<p>Traditional thermal management in lunar rovers and other space vehicles has relied on either heaters or passive valves that work with loop heat pipes for insulation during the cold lunar nights.</p>



<p>However, these methods are not without their drawbacks. Heaters consume a considerable amount of energy, while passive valves can alter fluid flow dynamics, potentially reducing the efficiency of heat transfer.</p>



<p>The new device presents a solution that strikes a balance between these extremes. It features lower power consumption than heaters and a reduced pressure drop compared to passive valves, effectively retaining heat at night while maintaining efficient cooling during the day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-device-works">How the device works</h2>



<p>The core of the innovation lies in the integration of a loop heat pipe (LHP) with an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pump. </p>



<p>In daytime conditions, the EHD pump remains inactive, allowing the LHP to function normally by utilizing capillary forces to facilitate an energy-efficient cycle of heat absorption and release. </p>



<p>The LHP uses a refrigerant that transitions between vapor and liquid states; when heated, the liquid vaporizes in the evaporator, releasing heat through the radiator. It then condenses back into a liquid to repeat the cycle.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/lunar-rover_heat-switch-device_credit-Shinichiro-Kinoshita_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/lunar-rover_heat-switch-device_credit-Shinichiro-Kinoshita_1s.jpg" alt="Heat switch tech will help lunar rovers. Credit: Shinichiro Kinoshita" class="wp-image-1936078"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Heat switch tech will help lunar rovers. Credit: Shinichiro Kinoshita</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>At night, the scenario changes as the EHD pump activates, applying pressure that halts the refrigerant's movement, thus insulating the electronics with minimal electrical usage. </p>



<p>The research team's meticulous approach included optimizing the EHD pump’s electrode shape and rigorously testing the device design and performance, culminating in a demonstration that effectively halted LHP operation with minimal power consumption.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uses-beyond-lunar-rovers">Uses beyond lunar rovers</h2>



<p>This technology does more than enhance rover survival in extreme temperatures; it also reduces energy expenditure, which is vital in the resource-limited lunar environment.</p>



<p>Nishikawara sees this as a foundational step for future lunar missions. "It lays the foundation for potential integration into future lunar missions, contributing to the realization of sustained lunar exploration efforts," states Nishikawara.</p>



<p>Moreover, the implications of this technology extend beyond lunar rovers. Potential applications in broader spacecraft thermal management could significantly improve heat transfer efficiency and resolve operational challenges, potentially revolutionizing space exploration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-lunar-rovers">Advancing lunar rovers</h2>



<p>The development of this heat-switch device represents a critical milestone in the advancement of technology for long-term lunar missions and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragonfly-space-mission-saturn-moon-titan-gets-greenlight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space exploration endeavors</a>.</p>



<p>With such innovations, lunar rovers and other spacecraft are set to be far better equipped to operate in the extreme conditions of space, paving the way for more ambitious exploration missions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-lunar-rovers-are-important">Why lunar rovers are important</h2>



<p>Lunar rovers play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the Moon and, by extension, the broader universe. </p>



<p>These robotic explorers enable detailed surface analysis that would be impossible for astronauts alone. They conduct scientific experiments, gather samples, and transmit data back to Earth, providing invaluable insights into the Moon's composition, geology, and history.</p>



<p>One of the significant achievements of lunar rovers is their contribution to mapping the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/china-has-launched-a-spacecraft-to-the-far-side-of-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lunar surface</a>. This detailed mapping helps identify potential sites for future human missions and the construction of lunar bases. </p>



<p>Such bases could serve as a launchpad for deeper space exploration, including missions to Mars and beyond. Lunar rovers also test new technologies in a harsh environment, proving grounds for innovations that could be used in other space missions. </p>



<p>Their success demonstrates the feasibility of long-term robotic exploration, which is essential for missions to more distant celestial bodies where human presence might be limited or impossible.</p>



<p>Furthermore, studying the Moon's surface can reveal information about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-rocks-may-unlock-secrets-of-the-moons-magnetic-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early solar system</a>. The Moon's lack of atmosphere preserves ancient geological features that Earth’s dynamic environment has erased, making it a time capsule for scientific discovery.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359431124010962?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applied Thermal Engineering</a></em>.</p>



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



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

Lunar rovers have new technology to survive extreme Moon temperatures

Exploring the Moon with lunar rovers presents unique challenges, not...

<p>All domestic horses, from sleek racetrack champions to sturdy draft breeds, trace <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-horse-protection-day-respecting-the-needs-and-rights-of-horses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">their lineage</a> back to the western Russian steppes in the third millennium BCE.</p>



<p>Despite their common ancestry, the timeline and process through which horses were domesticated and integrated into human societies have long been subjects of academic debate. </p>



<p>Recent breakthroughs in genetic research have shed light on these historical mysteries, revealing that the widespread use of domestic horses began around 4,200 years ago. </p>



<p>This pivotal moment significantly enhanced communication and trade across Eurasia, fostering an era of unprecedented cultural exchanges.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-genetic-footprint-of-domestic-horses">Tracing the genetic footprint of domestic horses</h2>



<p>The research was led by Ludovic Orlando, director of the <a href="https://cagt.cnrs.fr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centre of Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse</a>. The study involved 133 researchers from 113 institutions worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the field of genetic archaeology.</p>



<p>By analyzing a vast array of horse archaeological remains across the Eurasian continent, the team employed radiocarbon dating alongside ancient DNA sequencing. </p>



<p>This approach enabled them to construct a detailed genetic timeline that clarifies the evolutionary adaptations coinciding with the advent of equestrianism.</p>



<p>Pablo Librado, the study's first author from the <a href="https://www.ibe.upf-csic.es/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institut de Biologia Evolutiva</a> of Barcelona, reflected on the evolution of this research field.</p>



<p>"A decade ago, we only had access to a handful of ancient genomes. Today, we've analyzed several hundreds, allowing us to resolve longstanding debates about the role of horseback riding in massive human migrations from the steppes approximately 5,000 years ago," noted Librado.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-pillars-of-horse-domestication">Three pillars of horse domestication</h2>



<p>The researchers focused on three key indicators of early horse husbandry. They first traced the expansion of domestic horse progenitors beyond their initial domestication zone.</p>



<p>Next, they mapped out horse demography throughout the third millennium BCE to pinpoint the earliest signs of systematic breeding and large-scale production. </p>



<p>Lastly, they identified significant shifts in horse reproductive lifespans, suggesting early breeders' deliberate efforts to manipulate animal reproduction.</p>



<p>These combined findings align around 4,200 years ago, suggesting that it was only then that domestic horses were bred in numbers large enough to meet the growing demand across the continent. </p>



<p>This era marks the true beginning of horse-based mobility, which remained the fastest mode of terrestrial transportation until the 20th century.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-insights-and-historical-impacts">Genetic insights and historical impacts</h2>



<p>The study also addressed the genetic changes in Europeans during the first half of the third millennium BCE, a period marked by significant human migrations from the steppes, likely by proto-Indo-European language speakers. </p>



<p>The researchers found that changes in the domestic horse genetic map occurred much later, allowing them to dismiss horseback riding as a primary driver of these human migrations, despite the common linguistic roots related to horses.</p>



<p>Orlando highlighted the breakthrough in understanding horse breeding scales. "For years, I wondered how such a substantial number of horses could suddenly be bred from a relatively small area to meet global demands by the second millennium BCE. We discovered that breeders significantly reduced the time between generations, essentially doubling their production rate," he explained.</p>



<p>The team's innovative method for measuring generational times offers a new perspective in archaeozoology. It calculates the number of mutations and DNA crossovers in genomes to establish a direct timeline of generational changes.</p>



<p>This methodology not only sheds light on horse breeding but also provides insights into the generational intervals of other domestic species and even our hunter-gatherer ancestors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-domestic-horse-history">Complexity of domestic horse history</h2>



<p>Further complicating the history of horse domestication are findings from Botai, a Central Asian site known for its evidence of horse milking, harnessing, and corralling. </p>



<p>The study revealed unusually short generational intervals in a distinct horse lineage at Botai, supporting theories that settled human groups there domesticated horses for consistent access to resources like meat and milk. </p>



<p>Unlike their counterparts, these Botai horses did not contribute to the genetic pool that expanded across Eurasia.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-milestones-in-horse-domestication">Milestones in horse domestication</h2>



<p>The research concludes that there were likely two distinct phases of horse domestication. The initial phase, around 5,500 years ago, aimed to stabilize declining horse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/42000-horse-liquid-blood-urine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a> for sustenance in Central Asia. </p>



<p>The more transformative second phase, around 4,200 years ago, introduced fast mobility on a scale that had never been seen before, profoundly influencing the course of human history.</p>



<p>This study not only illuminates the complex genetic history of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-wild-species-find-forbidden-love-domestic-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">domestic</a> horses but also enhances our understanding of human-animal relationships and their impact on societal developments across millennia.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07597-5">Nature</a></em>.</p>



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Discovery reveals when and where horses were first tamed for domestic use

All domestic horses, from sleek racetrack champions to sturdy draft...

<p>Important scientific discoveries often come from the most unassuming sources. Such is the case with a modest, 6-centimeter-wide fossil of bone and teeth discovered on a Texas beach that belonged to a prehistoric large cat.  </p>



<p>Initially, this fossil might not catch the eye, looking more like a nondescript, lumpy rock than a window into the past. However, its ordinary appearance belies its significant contribution to our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-highlight-dinosaur-diversity-in-prehistoric-patagonia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric life</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-s-hidden-secrets">Fossil's hidden secrets</h2>



<p>John Moretti, a doctoral student leading the research at The University of Texas at Austin's <a href="https://www.jsg.utexas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jackson School of Geosciences</a>, found the fossil to be more intriguing upon closer inspection. He compared it to a geode - unremarkable on the outside but holding valuable secrets within.</p>



<p>An X-ray conducted at the university's Computed Tomography Lab revealed an unerupted hidden canine tooth nestled within the jawbone, a critical clue to identifying the fossil's origins.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-clues-in-a-saber-tooth">Valuable clues in a saber tooth</h2>



<p>This particular fossil was determined to be from a Homotherium, a genus of large cats that roamed the Earth for millions of years.</p>



<p>The presence of the unerupted tooth, indicative of a juvenile not yet fully matured, was crucial. This stage of development meant the tooth was protected from damage, unlike fully erupted teeth which could have been broken off and lost.</p>



<p>"Had that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smilodon-fatalis-young-saber-toothed-cats-had-double-fangs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">saber tooth</a> been fully erupted and in its adult form, it would have just snapped right off," Moretti explained. "It wouldn’t have been there, and we wouldn’t have had it to use as evidence."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-from-the-cat-fossil">Insights from the cat fossil</h2>



<p>Homotherium was not only a large cat but also robust, resembling a jaguar in size, with an elongated face and a distinctive sloping back that ended in a bobtail. These cats had serrated canine teeth covered by large gum flaps, similar to those seen in domestic dogs today.</p>



<p>The discovery of this particular large cat fossil on the now-submerged continental shelf connecting Texas and Florida provides new insights into the region's past ecology.</p>



<p>This area, which is believed to have been a Neotropical corridor during the Late Pleistocene, likely facilitated the movement of various animals including capybaras and giant armadillos from Mexico through Texas to Florida.</p>



<p>The presence of big carnivores like Homotherium would have played a significant role in controlling prey populations and shaping the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-biodiversity-crisis-more-than-a-third-of-species-are-threatened/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> of the region.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connecting-past-and-present">Connecting past and present</h2>



<p>The cat fossil's journey from discovery to scientific revelation spans over six decades. Initially found by Russell Long, a professor at <a href="https://www.lamar.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lamar University</a>, it was later donated by U.S. Representative Brian Babin, a former student of Long's and a trained dentist.</p>



<p>Babin's unique background in paleontology and dentistry enabled him to recognize the true nature of the fossil.</p>



<p>"Without question, my professional knowledge and what I’ve learned as a dentist helped me in that regard," Babin noted, highlighting the interdisciplinary contributions that often aid in such discoveries.</p>



<p>The research is part of a broader study on McFaddin Beach fossils initiated in 2018, involving multiple co-authors and institutions. This collaborative effort underscores the collective endeavor of science to piece together the complex puzzle of our planet's ancient history.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lost-group-of-large-cats">Lost group of large cats</h2>



<p>Homotherium, commonly called the "scimitar-toothed cat," is an extinct genus of large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-new-species-of-sabertooth-cat-discovered-in-south-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">saber-toothed cats</a> that lived during the Pleistocene epoch. These formidable predators roamed across multiple continents, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, for over 5 million years.</p>



<p>Unlike their famous relatives, the Smilodon (saber-toothed tiger), Homotherium had shorter, serrated canine teeth and a more robust, muscular build. Their teeth were adapted for slicing through flesh, indicating they were highly efficient predators.</p>



<p>The large cat's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/declawing-large-cats-is-a-cruel-practice-with-shocking-impacts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical features</a> included an elongated face, a sloping back, and elongated limbs, suggesting they were built for endurance running.</p>



<p>These adaptations likely made the cats successful pack hunters, capable of chasing down large prey such as mammoths, rhinoceroses, and other large herbivores. Their presence in diverse environments, from open plains to coastal regions, demonstrates their adaptability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extinction-of-homotherium">Extinction of Homotherium </h2>



<p>The extinction of Homotherium around 10,000 years ago coincides with significant climate changes, human expansion, and the extinction of many large prey species. </p>



<p>These factors likely contributed to their decline. Despite their extinction, the large cat's fossils continue to provide valuable insights into prehistoric ecosystems and predator-prey dynamics.</p>



<p>As more findings like this come to light, they enrich our understanding of the natural world and its former inhabitants. Each piece of bone or tooth, no matter how small or unappealing, could be the key to unlocking secrets of the Earth's vast, untold past.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.25461" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Anatomical Record</a></em>.</p>



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"Ugly" fossil find reveals secrets of large prehistoric cats

Important scientific discoveries often come from the most unassuming sources....

Science,And,Research,Of,The,Universe,,Spiral,Galaxy,And,Physical

<p>For centuries, scientists have grappled with the fundamental forces that govern our universe, chief among them being gravity, and more recently, dark matter. </p>



<p>Gravity is the invisible force that attracts objects with mass towards each other, playing a crucial role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-glitch-in-gravity-expands-the-theory-of-general-relativity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shaping the cosmos</a>, from the formation of galaxies to the orbits of planets. </p>



<p>However, as our understanding of the universe has expanded, so too have the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visible-matter-dark-matter-evolved-together-big-bang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mysteries surrounding it</a>.</p>



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



<p>One of the most perplexing of these mysteries is the concept of dark matter, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-does-not-exist-universe-27-billion-years-old-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hypothetical form of matter</a> that is believed to make up a significant portion of the universe's total mass. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microscopic-primordial-black-holes-may-explain-all-dark-matter-in-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unlike ordinary matter</a>, which we can see and interact with directly, dark matter does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible to telescopes and other detecting instruments. </p>



<p>Dark matter's existence, first suggested by Dutch astronomer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Oort" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jan Oort</a> in 1932, is inferred solely from the gravitational effects it exerts on visible matter, such as the rotation curves of galaxies and the motion of galaxies within clusters. This leads scientists to question the very nature of gravity itself. </p>



<p>These observations suggest that there is far more matter present in the universe than can be accounted for by visible matter alone. </p>



<p>Despite decades of research, the exact nature of dark matter remains one of the greatest mysteries in modern physics, with scientists exploring various theories, such as weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) and axions, to explain its properties and behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ever-present-force-of-gravity">Ever-present force of gravity</h2>



<p>Gravity is one of the four fundamental forces of nature, alongside <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-magnetic-fields-leave-marks-on-nuclear-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electromagnetism</a>, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force. It is the force that attracts objects with mass towards each other, and it plays a crucial role in shaping the universe at all scales.</p>



<p>At the Earth's surface, gravity pulls objects towards the center of the planet, giving them weight and keeping them grounded. </p>



<p>On a larger scale, gravity governs the orbits of planets around the sun, the motion of stars within galaxies, and the formation and evolution of galaxies and galaxy clusters.</p>



<p>According to Albert Einstein's <a href="https://cfa.harvard.edu/research/science-field/einsteins-theory-gravitation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theory of general relativit</a>y, gravity arises from the curvature of space-time caused by the presence of mass and energy. The more massive an object is, the greater its gravitational influence on other objects. </p>



<p>Despite its ubiquity and importance, gravity remains one of the least understood forces in physics, with ongoing research seeking to reconcile it with the principles of quantum mechanics and to explain phenomena such as dark matter and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-is-ripping-the-universe-apart-but-we-arent-sure-how/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark energy</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeing-gravity-and-dark-matter-in-a-new-light">Seeing gravity and dark matter in a new light</h2>



<p>Taking a fresh perspective, a recent study by <a href="https://www.uah.edu/science/departments/physics/faculty-staff/dr-richard-lieu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Richard Lieu</a> at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (<a href="https://www.uah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UAH</a>) hopes to solve the puzzle by adding a new twist to this age-old problem. </p>



<p>Published in the <em>Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society</em>, Lieu's paper demonstrates, for the first time, how gravity can exist without mass. </p>



<p>This radical and thought-provoking research provides an alternative theory that could potentially mitigate the need for dark matter.</p>



<p>"My own inspiration came from my pursuit for another solution to the gravitational field equations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radical-new-theory-finally-unites-gravity-spacetime-and-the-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">general relativity</a>," says Lieu, a distinguished professor of physics and astronomy at UAH. </p>



<p>"This initiative is in turn driven by my frustration with the status quo, namely the notion of dark matter's existence despite the lack of any direct evidence for a whole century."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topological-defects-may-hold-the-key">Topological defects may hold the key</h2>



<p>Lieu contends that the "excess" gravity necessary to bind a galaxy or cluster together could be due to concentric sets of shell-like topological defects in structures commonly found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/echo-of-gravitational-waves-heard-for-the-first-time-finally-confirming-their-existence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">throughout the cosmos</a>. </p>



<p>These defects were most likely created during the early universe when a cosmological phase transition occurred, a physical process where the overall state of matter changes together across the entire universe.</p>



<p>"It is unclear presently what precise form of phase transition in the universe could give rise to topological defects of this sort," Lieu says. </p>



<p>"Topological effects are very compact regions of space with a very high density of matter, usually in the form of linear structures known as cosmic strings, although 2D structures such as spherical shells are also possible."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massless-gravity-effect-resembles-dark-matter">Massless gravity effect resembles dark matter</h2>



<p>The shells proposed in Lieu's paper consist of a thin inner layer of positive mass and a thin outer layer of negative mass. </p>



<p>While the total mass of both layers is exactly zero, a star lying on this shell experiences a large gravitational force pulling it towards the center of the shell.</p>



<p>As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gravitys-grasp-antimatter-behaves-like-regular-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravitational force</a> fundamentally involves the warping of space-time itself, it enables all objects to interact with each other, whether they have mass or not. </p>



<p>Massless photons, for example, have been confirmed to experience gravitational effects from astronomical objects.</p>



<p>"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-telescope-finds-a-second-lensed-supernova-in-a-distant-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gravitational bending of light</a> by a set of concentric singular shells comprising a galaxy or cluster is due to a ray of light being deflected slightly inwards -- that is, towards the center of the large-scale structure, or the set of shells -- as it passes through one shell," Lieu notes. </p>



<p>He explains that as light traverses through multiple shells, the cumulative effect results in a measurable deflection that closely resembles the gravitational influence typically attributed to the presence of a significant amount of dark matter, akin to the observed velocities of stellar orbits within galaxies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-massless-shells-in-galaxy-formation">Role of massless shells in galaxy formation</h2>



<p>The deflection of light and stellar orbital velocities are the only means by which one gauges the strength of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gravity-measured-in-the-quantum-realm-for-the-first-time-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravitational field</a> in a large-scale structure, be it a galaxy or a cluster of galaxies. </p>



<p>Lieu's paper contends that the shells it posits are massless, suggesting that there may be no need to perpetuate the seemingly endless search for dark matter.</p>



<p>Questions for future research will likely focus on how a galaxy or cluster is formed by the alignment of these shells, as well as how the evolution of the structures takes place.</p>



<p>"Of course, the availability of a second solution, even if it is highly suggestive, is not by itself sufficient to discredit the dark matter hypothesis -- it could be an interesting mathematical exercise at best," Lieu concludes. </p>



<p>Lieu emphasizes that his research does not aim to address the issue of structure formation in the universe, and acknowledges that there are still open questions regarding the initial state of the shells and how to definitively confirm or refute their existence through targeted observations. </p>



<p>Despite these limitations, Lieu asserts that his work represents the first demonstration of the possibility of gravity existing without mass.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-matter-vs-massless-gravity-let-the-games-begin">Dark matter vs. Massless gravity: Let the games begin</h2>



<p>In summary, Dr. Richard Lieu's fascinating research challenges the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/existence-of-dark-matter-confirmed-by-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">century-old notion</a> of dark matter and offers a revolutionary perspective on the nature of gravity. </p>



<p>By demonstrating how gravity can exist without mass through the concept of massless shells, Lieu's work opens up new avenues for understanding the universe and its fundamental forces. </p>



<p>While further investigation is necessary to confirm or refute the existence of these massless shells, this study represents a significant leap forward in our comprehension of the cosmos. </p>



<p>As the scientific community continues to explore the implications of Lieu's findings, we may be on the cusp of a new era in astrophysics, one that reshapes our understanding of the mysterious force that binds galaxies and clusters together.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/531/1/1630/7673084?login=true" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society</a>.</em></p>



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New theory: Gravity can exist without mass, so dark matter does not exist

For centuries, scientists have grappled with the fundamental forces that...

<p>The familiar patterns of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-disrupting-the-seasonal-flow-of-rivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">streamflow</a> across the Northern Hemisphere are changing due to a decline in snowfall, raising the risk of summer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-drought-crisis-un-warns-of-unprecedented-emergency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">droughts</a>.</p>



<p>Regions like North America's Rocky Mountains, the European Alps, and northern Europe, traditionally covered with snow, are experiencing premature thaws. This shift, driven by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-will-produce-droughts-that-persist-for-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>, disrupts the expected flow of rivers during the summer.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, in areas accustomed to less snowfall, the onset of seasonal streams is delayed, with warm-season rains starting later in the year and becoming a predominant source of river flow.</p>



<p>Additionally, winter precipitation has decreased, compounding the summer drought risk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-changing-streamflows">Implications of changing streamflows</h2>



<p>The research highlights a growing risk of summer droughts. Such conditions are likely to impact several critical areas: water and food security, ecosystem health, and hydropower generation.</p>



<p>Dr. Ross Woods from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/engineering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol’s Faculty of Engineering</a> emphasized the broader implications of these findings.</p>



<p>"The way water is distributed through the year is shifting, and this has profound implications not only for ecosystems but also for how we manage food security and respond to natural hazards," explained Dr. Woods.</p>



<p>In some regions, where snowfall significantly contributes to the water cycle, it has been observed that precipitation in a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flash-droughts-are-increasing-around-the-world-due-to-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming climate</a> is less likely to fall as snow. The resulting changes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-driven-climate-change-is-to-blame-for-sharp-snowpack-declines-since-1980/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snowpacks</a> and the timing of river flows generated by meltwater are noteworthy.</p>



<p>"Initially, there were varied reports about these changes; some regions reported earlier peaks while others saw little to no shift or even later occurrences in the year," said Dr. Woods.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-thousands-of-river-basins">Studying thousands of river basins</h2>



<p>The researchers conducted an extensive analysis of climate and river flow data from more than 3,000 river basins in the Northern hemisphere, spanning from 1950 to 2020.</p>



<p>The team assessed changes in the proportion of precipitation falling as snow, the seasonal variations, and the timing of both precipitation and river flow, comparing these elements across two distinct ten-year periods - one with the highest snowfall fraction and the other with the lowest.</p>



<p>"The increased variability from year to year in how water flows through these rivers suggests we're facing more uncertainty moving forward. This makes planning and managing water resources a significant challenge," noted Dr. Woods.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-streamflow-to-combat-summer-drought">Understanding streamflow to combat summer drought</h2>



<p>As the climate continues to warm, the peaks of seasonal streamflows tend to diminish, leading to a more even distribution of river flow throughout the year. The reduction in seasonal variation is primarily due to a decrease in streamflow during the warm seasons, while cold-season flows remain comparatively stable.</p>



<p>"The interannual variability in timing and seasonal shifts during periods of declining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-fresh-snowfall-causes-greenland-to-melt-faster/">snowfall</a> underscores the need for future water management plans to accommodate greater variability," said Dr. Woods.</p>



<p>The research team is now set to delve deeper into the reasons behind consistent reductions in precipitation during the colder seasons of warmer winters, aiming to refine their understanding and improve predictive capabilities for future climate scenarios.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impacts-of-summer-droughts">Potential impacts of summer droughts</h2>



<p>Summer droughts have far-reaching impacts beyond the scope of current research, affecting various sectors and ecosystems. </p>



<p>One critical area is agriculture. Prolonged droughts can severely reduce crop yields, leading to food shortages and increased prices. This threatens food security, especially in regions heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture.</p>



<p>The energy sector also feels the effects. Many hydropower plants rely on consistent river flow to generate electricity. Reduced water availability during droughts can limit power production, leading to energy shortages and increased reliance on fossil fuels, which exacerbates climate change.</p>



<p>Ecosystems and biodiversity face significant threats as well. Aquatic habitats suffer when river levels drop, impacting fish and other wildlife. Terrestrial ecosystems, particularly forests, are more prone to wildfires during dry conditions, leading to habitat loss and decreased biodiversity.</p>



<p>Public health can also deteriorate due to water scarcity, as limited water supplies may lead to inadequate sanitation and hygiene. This increases the risk of waterborne diseases. Additionally, the stress on water resources can lead to conflicts over water usage among communities, regions, or even nations.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <em><a href="http://10.1038/s41586-024-07299-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



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Growing risk of summer droughts linked to changes in river flow

The familiar patterns of streamflow across the Northern Hemisphere are...

<p>Scientists have recently developed a remarkable equation that accurately describes the flapping frequencies of various flying and diving creatures, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-have-adapted-to-human-activities-for-thousands-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>, insects, bats, and whales.</p>



<p>This discovery spans species with vastly different sizes, wing shapes, and evolutionary backgrounds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-universal-equation-of-flapping-frequencies">Universal equation of flapping frequencies</h2>



<p>Flying is a complex feat of nature that has evolved independently across multiple animal groups. To optimize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-flight-is-powered-by-an-extraordinary-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flight</a>, the frequency of wing flaps is ideally aligned with the wing’s natural resonance frequency.</p>



<p>Historically, creating a universal mathematical model for such a diverse range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-silent-flight-of-owls-is-one-of-natures-great-mysteries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flying abilities</a> has been challenging.</p>



<p>In a new study, Jens Højgaard Jensen and his team at <a href="https://ruc.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roskilde University</a> in Denmark used dimensional analysis to craft an equation that captures the essence of flapping flight.</p>



<p>This formula not only accounts for the flapping frequencies of birds, insects, and bats but also includes the fin movements of diving animals like penguins and whales.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-validating-the-universal-flapping-equation">Validating the universal flapping equation</h2>



<p>The researchers validated their model by comparing its predictions with existing data on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazing-fact-insect-wings-flap-faster-than-their-brain-speed-can-command/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wingbeat</a> frequencies of a variety of species, from bees and dragonflies to bats and hummingbirds.</p>



<p>Their findings reveal a consistent proportionality between the wing or fin-beat frequency and the square root of the animal's body mass divided by its wing area.</p>



<p>This universal equation of flapping frequencies holds true even when extending the research to fin strokes of diving creatures, including penguins and several whale species like the humpback and northern bottlenose.</p>



<p>The model's predictions closely align with observed data across these diverse forms of life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-a-universal-flapping-equation">Implications of a universal flapping equation </h2>



<p>The study reveals a surprisingly consistent relationship between body mass, wing area, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-makes-the-gentoo-penguin-the-worlds-fastest-swimming-bird/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flapping</a> frequency, which persists despite significant physical differences among species.</p>



<p>This constancy is remarkable, especially considering the varied evolutionary histories and body structures of these animals.</p>



<p>Moreover, the researchers estimated that Quetzalcoatlus northropi, an extinct pterosaur and the largest known flying animal, would have flapped its massive 10 meter-square wings at a frequency of about 0.7 hertz. </p>



<p>This insight into extinct species' movements is a testament to the robustness of the equation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-future-research">Challenges and future research</h2>



<p>Despite these successes, the study faced limitations, particularly in gathering comprehensive data for swimming animals. The team often had to integrate data from multiple sources or estimate certain parameters.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the flapping equation may not apply to extremely small creatures, as the physics of fluid dynamics changes at very small scales. This finding has potential implications for the development of flying nanobots.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-simple-yet-effective-model">A simple yet effective model</h2>



<p>The simplicity and effectiveness of this universal equation of flapping frequencies have surprised even the physicists behind the study.</p>



<p>"Differing almost a factor of 10,000 in wing/fin-beat frequency, data for 414 animals from the blue whale to mosquitoes fall on the same line," the authors noted. </p>



<p>Their findings underscore the predictive power of their model across an impressively broad range of species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-principles-of-flapping-frequencies">Exploring the principles of flapping frequencies</h2>



<p>This research not only deepens our understanding of the equations of physical dynamics governing the flapping frequencies in both flight and diving but also highlights the interconnectedness of life forms on Earth.</p>



<p>By revealing consistent patterns across such diverse species, the study invites us to look at wildlife from a new perspective, emphasizing the universal principles that govern natural movement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-body-mass-and-wing-area">Significance of body mass and wing area</h2>



<p>In understanding how animals <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-flying-insects-fight-the-wind-to-reach-food-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fly</a> or swim, body mass and wing area play crucial roles in determining the efficiency and style of movement. These factors influence the energy expenditure and aerodynamic properties of the animal. </p>



<p>Larger animals typically have more muscle mass, which enables them to generate greater thrust. However, they also need larger wings or fins to support their weight during flight or swimming.</p>



<p>Wing area is vital because it affects the lift generated during flight. A larger wing area allows for greater lift, which is especially important for heavier animals. Conversely, smaller animals with less body mass can afford smaller wings, as their weight requires less lift to remain airborne.</p>



<p>The frequency of wing flaps or fin strokes also ties into these factors. Larger animals, like whales and large birds, tend to have slower, more powerful strokes. In contrast, smaller creatures like insects and small birds flap their wings much more rapidly. This difference in frequency helps maintain the necessary balance of lift and thrust needed for their respective sizes and weights.</p>



<p>In addition to body mass and wing area, other factors such as wing shape, muscle power, and flight style (gliding vs. flapping) also significantly affect how animals move through air or water. For instance, birds with long, narrow wings are optimized for gliding, whereas those with shorter, broader wings excel in flapping flight.</p>



<p>Understanding these relationships helps in various fields, from designing efficient aircraft to developing bio-inspired robotic systems. Researchers continue to explore these dynamics to uncover more about the fascinating mechanics of animal locomotion.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0303834" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a></em>.</p>



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Universal equation predicts the flapping frequency of birds, insects, and even whales

Scientists have recently developed a remarkable equation that accurately describes...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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>



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<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

[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>



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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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>



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



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

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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