<p>After nearly four decades of stubbornly clinging to life, one of the largest icebergs ever recorded is entering its final act. A23a - the trillion-ton "megaberg," which once sprawled over an area more than twice the size of Greater London - has drifted into the warmer waters of the South Atlantic and has begun to disintegrate rapidly.</p>



<p>In recent weeks, satellite images show vast slabs calving away - some measuring hundreds of square miles - while a blizzard of smaller bergy bits spreads around it, posing hazards to ships as the giant wastes away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iceberg-freed-after-30-years">Iceberg freed after 30 years</h2>



<p>A23a’s story stretches back to 1986, when it calved from Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf and promptly ran aground in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-is-sea-ice-loss-affecting-biodiversity-in-the-weddell-sea/">Weddell Sea</a>, pinned to the seafloor for more than 30 years.</p>



<p>Freed at last in 2020, it joined “iceberg alley,” the conveyor belt of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-circumpolar-current-speed-increasing-rising-sea-levels/">Antarctic Circumpolar Current</a> that sweeps big bergs toward the South Atlantic.</p>



<p>By early 2025, it had loomed into view near South Georgia, raising fears it could block the island’s penguins and seals from their feeding grounds. The berg briefly grounded on shallow banks, then worked loose in late May and accelerated north.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-seas-speed-its-demise">Warming seas speed its demise</h2>



<p>Heat and waves are now doing what gravity and time could not. According to an analysis of Copernicus satellite data, megaberg A23a is down to roughly 683 square miles, with a maximum width of about 37 miles - less than half its size at the start of the year. </p>



<p>Its drift speed has jumped too, at times topping 12 miles per day as it rides stronger currents and increasingly rough seas.</p>



<p>“It’s breaking up fairly dramatically,” said Andrew Meijers, a physical oceanographer at the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a> (BAS). “I’d say it’s very much on its way out - it’s basically rotting underneath." </p>



<p>"The water is way too warm for it to maintain. It’s constantly melting…It won’t be really identifiable within a few weeks.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-made-megaberg-a23a-so-unusual">What made megaberg A23a so unusual</h2>



<p>Iceberg calving is part of the normal life cycle of polar ice, and giant bergs are not unprecedented. But A23a’s persistence and path are striking.</p>



<p>“Most icebergs don’t make it this far,” Meijers said. “This one’s really big, so it has lasted longer and traveled farther than others.”</p>



<p>When BAS researchers sailed alongside it in late 2023 aboard the RRS <em>Sir David Attenborough</em>, the experience was otherworldly.</p>



<p>“It looked like a towering wall emerging from the ocean, stretching from horizon to horizon,” Meijers said. “Some portions were quite pitted and undercut by the action of waves and melt.”</p>



<p>That undercutting is the giveaway. As the berg moves into warmer, saltier water and meets heavier swell, melting hollows its base while cracks propagate through the plate-like ice. Running aground - whether at South Georgia or now on patches of the continental shelf - adds extra stress that hastens the breakup.</p>



<p>“Large bergs have made it a long way north before - one got within 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of Perth, Australia -  but they all inevitably break up and melt quickly afterward,” Meijers said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-danger-and-opportunity-collide">Danger and opportunity collide</h2>



<p>Icebergs of this size can reshape local ecosystems as they pass. They can temporarily block straightforward routes from island rookeries to offshore feeding grounds, forcing adult <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/penguins-are-threatened-by-mercury-contamination/">penguins</a> and seals to detour and burn energy while chicks and pups wait ashore.</p>



<p>“Potentially, it could interrupt their pathway to feeding sites and force the adults to expend more energy to travel around it,” Meijers said of the South Georgia colonies, which is why the grounding in March drew concern. The berg’s drift around the island reduced that immediate risk.</p>



<p>There may also be benefits. As megabergs like A23a melt, they stir stratified waters and leak micronutrients such as iron into the sunlit surface layer - fertilizer for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/">phytoplankton blooms</a> that can feed krill and fish, and ultimately seabirds and mammals.</p>



<p>BAS researchers sampled waters around A23a in December 2023 to gauge its biogeochemical “footprint.” They paired these results with past deployments of robotic ocean gliders around similar bergs. </p>



<p>Together, the data show how iceberg-borne nutrients and upwelling can boost productivity and even enhance carbon sequestration as organic matter sinks to depth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iceberg-s-collapse-tracked-by-satellites">Iceberg's collapse tracked by satellites</h2>



<p>A23a’s decay has unfolded in near-real time thanks to daily satellite imagery, which captures both its changing outline and the swarms of fragments it sheds.</p>



<p>“It is easily observed from space, and daily visual-spectrum satellite snapshots make it easy to track its progress,” Meijers said. </p>



<p>Ocean current maps - also derived from satellites - help project its likely path, though the precise route always depends on winds, waves, and where the berg next snags the seafloor.</p>



<p>For shipping, vigilance is everything. A single monster is easy to avoid; a broken field of smaller floes is not. “As it breaks up over time, the smaller bergs are much harder to track,” Meijers said. Fishing operators may temporarily write off entire regions until the ice debris disperses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-icebergs-in-a-warming-world">Icebergs in a warming world</h2>



<p>Scientists are careful to distinguish between calving - a natural release valve for ice shelves - and the broader, climate-driven changes transforming Antarctica.</p>



<p>“Icebergs, including megabergs like this one, are a completely normal part of the lifecycle of the Antarctic (and Greenland) ice sheets,” Meijers said. But the context has shifted.</p>



<p>“Observations show that the ice shelves have lost around 6,000 giga (billion) tons of their mass since the year 2000.” </p>



<p>It is a loss “roughly matched by an increase in straight-up melt of the ice shelves” and aligned with measured mass loss from grounded Antarctic ice.</p>



<p>That matters for global sea level - because thinning shelves buttress <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-are-reshaping-landscapes-and-national-borders-around-the-world/">glaciers</a> less effectively - and for ocean circulation, as freshwater input alters density and flow. Scientists are especially concerned about potential “tipping points” in West Antarctica, where retreat could become self-sustaining.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-days-of-a-giant">Final days of a giant</h2>



<p>No one can say exactly how A23a’s last weeks will play out, only that the megaberg's direction is one-way. Grounding events, wave attacks, and heat from above and below guarantee a cascade of fractures until the berg is a memory and a field of bergy bits.</p>



<p>“Now it’s grounded, it is even more likely to break up due to the increased stresses,” Meijers noted earlier; whether or not it’s currently snagged, the outcome is the same.</p>



<p>For scientists, though, this isn’t just spectacle. It’s a chance to watch, measure, and model how a true giant interacts with the Southern Ocean - how it fertilizes, how it freshens, how it fragments - and to fold those insights into a bigger picture of a warming world.</p>



<p>As Meijers put it, icebergs provide interesting natural laboratories for studying ocean physics, chemistry, and ecosystems. A23a’s long journey is nearly over. The lessons it leaves behind won’t melt away.</p>



<p>Image Credit: MODAPS at NASA/GSFC</p>



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Antarctica’s megaberg faces its final days in the South Atlantic

After nearly four decades of stubbornly clinging to life, one of the largest icebergs ever recorded is entering its final act. A23a - the trillion-ton "megaberg," which once sprawled over an area more than twice the size of Greater London - has drifted into the warmer waters of the South Atlantic and has begun to disintegrate rapidly. In recent weeks, satellite images show vast slabs calving away - some measuring hundreds of square miles - while a blizzard of smaller bergy bits spreads around it, posing hazards...

<p>Archaeologists opened a 2,600-year-old Etruscan tomb near San Giuliano, Italy, and found it had remained intact. The chamber survived untouched through centuries of looting that emptied many nearby graves.</p>



<p>Inside lay four people on carved stone beds, surrounded by more than 100 grave goods like pottery, weapons, bronze ornaments, and delicate silver hair spools. </p>



<p>The site sits about 43 miles (70 kilometers) northwest of Rome in the ancient necropolis of San Giuliano.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-etruscan-tomb-matters">Why this Etruscan tomb matters</h2>



<p>The excavation was directed by Davide Zori, associate professor at <a href="https://www.baylor.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baylor University</a>, working with the San Giuliano Archaeological Research Project (<a href="https://www.sgarp.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SGARP</a>) and Italian heritage partners. </p>



<p>His team used modern methods to document every layer and object before anything was moved.</p>



<p>Most tombs in the area were looted long ago, so this sealed chamber preserves context that is normally lost. Context lets scientists connect items to the people who used them and the exact places they rested.</p>



<p>Cataloging has already identified at least 74 ceramic vessels, almost all intact. Textile traces still clung to a bronze fibula, which is rare and useful for studying ancient fabrics.</p>



<p>“This completely sealed burial chamber represents a rare find for Etruscan archaeology. In the internal hilly region of central Italy, where the SGARP team works, a preserved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mass-grave-vienna-discovery-tells-the-story-of-a-forgotten-defeat-by-the-roman-empire/">chamber</a> tomb of this age has never before been excavated with modern archaeological techniques,” said Zori.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-etruscans-left-in-the-tomb">What the Etruscans left in the tomb</h2>



<p>The Etruscans shaped central Italy before the Roman Republic and passed on ideas that later became part of Roman culture. Their cities traded widely, and their art and religious practices influenced neighbors near and far.</p>



<p>House-like tombs carved into volcanic rock are a hallmark of Etruscan funerary <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359799677_Connections_in_Death_Etruscan_Tomb_Architecture_c_800-400_bc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">architecture</a> at sites such as Caere. Many tomb interiors echo domestic spaces with carved beds, benches, and decorated walls.</p>



<p>Graves often held ceramics for food and drink, personal ornaments, weapons, and tools. These items help researchers infer social roles, diet, and networks of exchange.</p>



<p>San Giuliano is well known for the variety of tomb types carved into its cliffs. That range is <a href="https://www.parchilazio.it/marturanum-schede-194-necropoli_di_s_giuliano" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">documented</a> by the regional park.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-san-giuliano-fits-into-history">Where San Giuliano fits into history</h2>



<p>San Giuliano sits within Marturanum Park, a landscape with layers of human activity from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. The plateau overlooks ravines that sheltered roads, farms, and burial grounds.</p>



<p>Scholars with SGARP have studied how this area changed from an Etruscan urban center to a medieval stronghold. Their multi-year fieldwork is summarized in a 2018 <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/from-etruscan-urban-centre-to-medieval-fortified-village-san-giuliano-archaeological-research-project/4822C8FC7248063D7B2F4143EC771388" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>.</p>



<p>Etruscan communities thrived for centuries before Rome expanded. By the first century B.C., Etruria was absorbed into the Roman state, which reshaped local institutions and daily life.</p>



<p>Archaeologists value San Giuliano because its tombs and settlement remains show both continuity and change across that long timeline. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/egyptian-pharaohs-long-lost-tomb-located-after-3500-years/">Finds</a> from sealed contexts add reliable points to that historical map.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-scientists-will-study-the-tomb">How scientists will study the tomb</h2>



<p>Researchers recorded the chamber using careful photography, mapping, and notes, before removing any objects. This approach preserves relationships among artifacts and bones for later analysis.</p>



<p>The team will study the skeletons for age, sex, health, and signs of stress or disease. Analysts can also sample teeth and bones for isotopic signatures to investigate <a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=isotopes">diet</a> and mobility across a lifetime.</p>



<p>Objects will undergo material and residue studies to see how people used them and where they came from. The layout on the stone beds may reveal roles within the group and the order of the burials.</p>



<p>“The SGARP team has completed the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/archaeologists-find-a-luxurious-4000-year-old-tomb-for-a-teenager-with-gold-jewelry-and-mysterious-seals/">excavation</a> of the tomb, but the study and analysis of the archaeological data yielded by this incredible discovery is just beginning,” said Zori. Work in the lab will build on the field data to test new questions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-students-and-community-at-the-center">Students and community at the center</h2>



<p>Undergraduate and graduate students helped with every step, from preparing the trench to cleaning ceramics in the lab. Field schools like this train the next generation while adding real data to scholarship.</p>



<p>Local residents visited the lab to see the vases and other items as they were cataloged. That kind of open door work builds trust and protects sites by making the science visible.</p>



<p>Partnerships with museums and officials help ensure that conservation comes first. Collaboration also streamlines permits and security so teams can focus on research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-as-research-unfolds">What to watch as research unfolds</h2>



<p>Bioarchaeologists will test whether the four individuals were related by family. Genetic and dental evidence can point to kinship and migration patterns.</p>



<p>Ceramics and metals will be compared with known workshops to map trade routes. Differences in style or clay recipes may show ties across central Italy and beyond.</p>



<p>Weapon types and personal ornaments can speak to identity and status. Small details like wear marks and repairs add stories of daily use.</p>



<p>All of this is possible because the chamber stayed sealed. A complete context makes each result stronger and easier to interpret.</p>



<p>Photo credits: <a href="https://art.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/person/jerolyn-e-morrison-phd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jerolyn Morrinson</a>.</p>



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Scientists opened a tomb sealed for 2,600 years and found more than 100 intact artifacts

Archaeologists opened a 2,600-year-old Etruscan tomb near San Giuliano, Italy,...

<p>For millennia, the ocean has fed, protected, and inspired us. Yet a new forecast from UC Santa Barbara’s National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) shows our cumulative footprint is accelerating toward a dangerous threshold.</p>



<p>The research is stark: virtually every stretch of ocean is on track to experience higher pressure. The tropics and poles will see the fastest changes, with coastlines bearing the worst of it.</p>



<p>“Our cumulative impact on the oceans, which is already substantial, is going to double by 2050,” said marine ecologist Ben Halpern, who led the study. “It’s sobering, and it’s unexpected. Not because impacts will be increasing - that is not surprising - but because they will be increasing so much, so fast.”</p>



<p>The team’s analysis blends the many forces now bearing down on marine ecosystems - from ocean warming and acidification to fisheries biomass loss, nutrient pollution, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-did-sea-levels-rise-after-the-last-ice-age-alarming-new-clues-revealed/">sea level rise</a> - into a single global forecast.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasting-future-ocean-impacts">Forecasting future ocean impacts</h2>



<p>Halpern and colleagues helped launch this field nearly two decades ago. Their landmark 2008 map, which combined 17 global datasets, showed no part of the ocean untouched by human influence. </p>



<p>Researchers also discovered that 41 percent of marine waters were already heavily impacted. That work answered “where we are.” The new study answers “where we’re headed” and extends that synthesis into the future to reveal the pace and pattern of change.</p>



<p>Two forces loom largest in the projections: rising temperatures and the depletion of fish biomass. Warmer waters reorganize food webs, shift species ranges, and fuel marine heatwaves; depleted stocks reduce ecological resilience, making communities less able to absorb other stressors.</p>



<p>Together, they drive a large share of the projected increase in cumulative impact. The researchers argue, the high level of future pressures may exceed the capacity of ecosystems to cope with environmental change. This could have knock-on consequences for people.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hotspots-of-ocean-stress">Hotspots of ocean stress</h2>



<p>The model highlights particular urgency at the climatic margins. Tropical seas will see rapidly increasing rates of impact, compounding vulnerabilities for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-corals-could-help-reefs-survive-a-warming-world/">coral reefs</a>, mangroves, and the communities that depend on them.</p>



<p>At the other end of the spectrum, polar regions - already warming faster than the global average - will absorb even more pressure. This threatens food webs that anchor iconic wildlife and Indigenous livelihoods.</p>



<p>Coastal zones emerge as the most at-risk places of all. That may sound predictable - most human uses of the ocean cluster near shore - but it is a worrisome result nonetheless. </p>



<p>Coasts are exactly where people derive the most value from the sea: fisheries, tourism, recreation, storm protection, and cultural identity.rism, recreation, storm protection, and cultural identity.</p>



<p>Projections show that many nations with high dependence on ocean resources will face substantial increases in cumulative impacts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-management-offers-hope">Management offers hope</h2>



<p>The future is not fixed. Because warming and biomass loss account for so much of the projected pressure, policies that curb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2023-climate-change-report-record-high-temperatures-greenhouse-gases-sea-level-rise/">greenhouse gas emissions</a> and strengthen fisheries management can make a meaningful difference.</p>



<p>Better harvest rules, rebuilding plans, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-device-reduces-shark-bycatch-by-electrifying-the-bait/">bycatch</a> reduction, and protected areas can help fish populations recover, which in turn bolsters ecosystem resilience. On the climate front, faster mitigation reduces the heat the ocean must absorb - and the biological stress that follows.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NCEAS</a> team also points to triage: prioritizing management where it will defend the most vulnerable and valuable habitats.</p>



<p>Salt marshes and mangroves, for example, buffer coasts from storms, store carbon, and nurture fisheries. Safeguarding and restoring them can reduce multiple risks at once.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oceans-shaped-by-choices">Oceans shaped by choices</h2>



<p>“Being able to look into the future is a super powerful planning tool,” Halpern said. The point of a forecast is not to declare defeat but to buy time and sharpen choices.</p>



<p>With an estimate of how and where cumulative pressures will climb, governments, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-improve-well-being-in-coastal-communities/">coastal communities</a>, and industries can plan infrastructure, fisheries, conservation, and climate adaptation with far better odds of success.</p>



<p>The message is clear: the ocean’s vastness is no longer a shield. The pressures we have placed on it are compounding and converging, and without decisive action, they will double within a generation.</p>



<p>“We can still alter that future; this paper is a warning, not a prescription,” Halpern said. The choice now is whether to treat it that way - and act while there is still time to change the curve.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adv2906" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a></em>. </p>



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Human impacts will overwhelm our oceans by the mid-century

For millennia, the ocean has fed, protected, and inspired us....

<p>Plants cannot move to chase comfort, yet they still need to choose the right season to reproduce. A new study explains how a small plant uses blue light and cool air together to decide when to flower.</p>



<p>A research team led by Adam Seluzicki from the <a href="https://www.salk.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salk Institute for Biological Studies</a> mapped a genetic switch that listens for both signals at once. </p>



<p>The study shows how one pathway senses blue light and another senses low temperature, and how they meet to control the transition to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowering-plants-appeared-two-million-years-earlier-than-we-thought/">flowering</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-do-plants-start-flowering">When do plants start flowering?</h2>



<p><em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> uses a blue light sensor called PHOT2 and a helper protein named NPH3 to read light signals. When the air is cool, a temperature responsive gene switch called CAMTA2 turns on another gene called <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0176161716302024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EHB1</a>.</p>



<p>The EHB1 gene then connects with NPH3, which brings the light and temperature signals together. The plant starts flowering only when both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-tracks-changes-in-seasonal-flower-cycles-and-migration-patterns-from-the-air/">conditions</a> are met - blue light is present and the air is cool.</p>



<p>“Here we show that signals from the PHOTOTROPIN2 (PHOT2) blue photoreceptor combine with low temperature information to control flowering,” wrote Seluzicki.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-timing-of-plant-flowering">The timing of plant flowering </h2>



<p>Seasonal timing depends on multiple cues, not a single trigger. A recent <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pce.15678?af=R" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> outlines how plants sense temperature through changes in cell membranes, protein activity, and chromatin.</p>



<p>Day length, light color, and light intensity also shape <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-new-window-into-the-early-evolution-of-flowering-plants/">flowering</a>. These signals run through several networks at once, which is why combining them gives a more reliable readout than using either one alone.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blue-light-pathway">Blue light pathway</h3>



<p>Plant <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8630751/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photoreceptors</a> are proteins that detect wavelengths and pass along messages. The blue light sensor PHOT2, located at the cell membrane, helps direct growth and movement.</p>



<p>NPH3 works after the PHOT proteins and helps control how their signals are used. In the system described in the new research, NPH3 acts like the main hub. It changes its response depending on what the temperature pathway is doing.</p>



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



<p>When it is cool, the gene switch CAMTA2 becomes active. It turns on the gene EHB1, which then slows down NPH3 at the right moment.</p>



<p>Other studies on NPH3 show that its behavior depends on where it is in the cell and how it is modified. These details explain why EHB1’s link with NPH3 can change the balance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seasonal-timing-can-change-quickly-over-short-distances/">signals</a> that decide when the plant flowers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revelations-about-plant-flowering">Revelations about plant flowering</h2>



<p>When the days were long and the air was cool, plants without PHOT2 grew more leaves before making flowers compared to normal plants. At warmer temperatures, this delay disappeared, showing that PHOT2 matters most in cooler conditions.</p>



<p>Previous studies found that PHOT2 and other phototropins help plants adjust to daily cold at sunrise. This supports the idea that blue light sensors play an important role in how plants respond to low temperatures. </p>



<p>These results together make the connection between PHOT2, CAMTA2, NPH3, and EHB1 more convincing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-plant-system-functions">How the plant system functions</h2>



<p>PHOT2 picks up blue light and passes the signal to NPH3. When it is cold, CAMTA2 turns on EHB1, and EHB1 connects with NPH3 to help control flowering.</p>



<p>In warm conditions, CAMTA2 does not activate EHB1 the same way, so the system works differently. In that state, flowering is not delayed, which explains why the effect only shows up in cooler weather.</p>



<p>Arabidopsis uses a signal called FT, also known as <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5654465/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">florigen</a>, to send the message from the leaves to the shoot, where flowers develop. FT levels go up when day length and light quality favor flowering, and this signal also takes temperature into account.</p>



<p>Other blue light sensors besides PHOT proteins also affect flowering time. One called <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6670086/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FKF1</a> works with the plant’s internal clock and a protein named CONSTANS to boost FT under the right day length. This shows that several blue light pathways feed into the same flowering signal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-sets-this-research-apart">What sets this research apart</h2>



<p>Most past studies linked flowering to sensors called cryptochromes, phytochromes, or to the FT pathway. </p>



<p>This new research shows that PHOT2, a sensor usually known for guiding growth, moving chloroplasts, and opening stomata, also plays a role in flowering when it is cool.</p>



<p>In addition, the study shows how temperature signals through CAMTA2 and EHB1 connect directly to NPH3, the hub of the light pathway. This direct link explains why flowering is affected only when both light and temperature signals are present.</p>



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



<p>Climate change is altering seasonal light patterns and nighttime temperatures in many places. A system that only triggers when both signals line up can help prevent plants from flowering too early in unpredictable springs.</p>



<p>The Salk team’s results highlight genes that plant breeders could adjust to control flowering in cooler conditions. </p>



<p>Small changes in PHOT2, CAMTA2, NPH3, or EHB1 could help time flowering to match better conditions for pollination and seed production.</p>



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



<p>Future work can map where, within a leaf, this module is most active. Tissue specific data would show how the signal flows into FT production and transport.</p>



<p>It will also be important to test crop species. If a similar module exists in brassicas or cereals, targeted edits could help stabilize yields when cold snaps interrupt the start of the growing season.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62194-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



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Plant flowering is triggered by blue light and cool air

Plants cannot move to chase comfort, yet they still need...

<p>For years, underground storage of carbon dioxide looked like a clever climate trick. Capture the gas, lock it in rock layers, and keep burning fossil fuels while claiming progress. The idea seemed safe because early estimates suggested nearly limitless space.</p>



<p>That illusion has collapsed. New research shows the planet’s usable storage capacity is far smaller than imagined. Instead of centuries of security, this cushion could run out within 200 years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-drops-sharply">Carbon storage drops sharply</h2>



<p>Industry once placed global capacity at around 14,000 gigatonnes. A closer look, however, strips away risky regions - earthquake zones, fragile <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/construction-materials-could-store-carbon-in-homes-and-buildings-helping-the-climate/">ecosystems</a>, and crowded cities. What remains is only about 1,460 gigatonnes.</p>



<p>This tenfold drop changes everything. What once seemed endless is now a resource with strict boundaries, one that must be managed carefully. Every choice about how it is used carries long-term consequences. </p>



<p>If reserved for short-term fixes, the world risks burning through it quickly. If protected for carbon removal, it could become a critical lifeline for stabilizing temperatures far into the future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-hidden-beneath-the-surface">Risks hidden beneath the surface</h2>



<p>Underground storage carries hazards. Injecting carbon can stir up seismic activity, reactivate faults, or open escape paths. Leaks into aquifers could acidify water and release toxic metals. </p>



<p>Offshore storage avoids some human risks but adds cost and geopolitical disputes. Public pushback also limits expansion, with some governments blocking projects altogether.</p>



<p>Opposition often stems from fears of leaks, distrust of industry promises, and concerns that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/">storage</a> will be used to justify continued fossil fuel use. </p>



<p>These challenges mean underground storage cannot expand smoothly or universally; every project faces technical, political, and social barriers that slow progress and shrink real-world potential.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-s-uncertain-future">Carbon storage’s uncertain future</h2>



<p>Climate plans already assume storage will be vital to reach net zero. But if it mainly serves fossil fuel plants, reserves could vanish by 2200 - and every decade of delay accelerates that timeline. </p>



<p>Deep emission cuts now ease future pressure, while procrastination forces heavier reliance on shrinking storage space. One promising strategy is to prioritize underground capacity for carbon removal rather than fossil fuel capture. </p>



<p>Direct air capture and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/abandoned-farmland-can-be-used-for-climate-change-mitigation/">bioenergy</a> with carbon storage could actively draw carbon out of the atmosphere, offering a cooling effect. </p>



<p>If the full capacity were dedicated to this role, global temperatures could fall by as much as 0.7 °C (1.3 °F), though in practice the impact may be closer to 0.4 °C (0.7 °F) because the climate system doesn’t respond perfectly symmetrically to removal and emission.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reserves-unevenly-spread-worldwide">Reserves unevenly spread worldwide</h2>



<p>Storage is not shared fairly across the globe. The United States, Russia, and Australia hold large, stable reserves. Europe and India lose far more under stricter risk rules.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, some nations in Africa and South America have vast potential but little historic responsibility for emissions. That imbalance raises thorny questions of justice - who gets to use the storage, and on what terms. </p>



<p>Should wealthy nations pay for access to reserves in countries that contributed less to the crisis? Or should those with the largest reserves prioritize their own development needs first? These questions highlight deep inequalities that will shape future climate negotiations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storage-can-only-buy-time">Storage can only buy time</h2>



<p>Some experts argue the true potential is larger, pointing to decades of safe use in oil and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-natural-hydrogen-deposit-discovery-is-worth-a-staggering-184-billion/">gas reservoirs</a>. They note that many depleted fields have held fluids securely for millions of years and could continue to hold injected carbon just as reliably. </p>



<p>Supporters of this view see existing infrastructure and technical expertise as proof that storage can operate at much greater scale than the conservative estimates suggest.</p>



<p>Even so, most researchers caution against treating underground storage as a limitless solution. It was never designed to be the final answer to climate change. </p>



<p>At best, it should function as a bridge - a temporary measure that buys time while renewables expand, low-carbon industries mature, and societies shift away from fossil fuels.</p>



<p>In that sense, storage is less a cure and more a stabilizer, easing the transition without promising permanence. Its real value lies in supporting broader change, not replacing it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-future-depends-on-choices">Carbon future depends on choices</h2>



<p>The message is clear: underground storage is limited, risky, and unevenly distributed. It can help, but only if used strategically. </p>



<p>That means prioritizing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/states-taking-action-on-their-own-can-cut-half-of-u-s-emissions/">emission cuts</a>, expanding clean energy, and reserving storage for removing carbon already in the air.</p>



<p>Treating it as infinite would squander one of the few tools that could still reverse warming, leaving future generations with fewer options, higher risks, and a far narrower path to a stable climate.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09423-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



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Underground carbon storage could run out much sooner than we thought

For years, underground storage of carbon dioxide looked like a...

<p>Americans hear the same advice again and again - eat better and move more. Yet obesity keeps climbing. Almost 40 percent of adults live with it today. Healthcare costs soar past $170 billion each year.</p>



<p>Related diseases, including certain cancers, are rising too. If the answer were only diet and exercise, the trend would have reversed by now.</p>



<p>Scientists at <a href="https://www.uclahealth.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA Health</a> argue that something else is driving the epidemic. They point to stress, inequality, and life circumstances that change how the gut and brain work. </p>



<p>These forces don’t just influence choices. They shape cravings, motivation, and biology itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obesity-tied-to-social-pressures">Obesity tied to social pressures</h2>



<p>The new review, published in <em>Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology</em>, shows how social conditions affect obesity. Researchers call these conditions social determinants of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-childhood-obesity-rate-is-expected-to-soar-by-2050/">health</a>. </p>



<p>These includes income, education, neighborhood safety, healthcare access, childhood adversity, discrimination, and isolation.</p>



<p>Think of them as the backdrop of daily life, where cheap food options dominate, streets feel unsafe, health care is hard to reach, and stress never fades. </p>



<p>Each of these pressures pushes the body toward weight gain, shaping how people eat, how much they move, and how they cope.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-microbes-influence-brain-cravings">Gut microbes influence brain cravings</h2>



<p>The body has a messenger system linking the gut to the brain. Microbes in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-is-linked-more-to-food-than-fitness/">gut</a> release signals. The brain responds with hormones and chemical shifts. Together, they steer appetite and cravings.</p>



<p>Dr. Arpana Church, who co-directs the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, describes this loop as central. </p>



<p>“Our findings reveal that tackling obesity requires more than focusing on individual choices - it demands recognizing the powerful role that social and environmental forces play in shaping gut health, behavior and long-term health outcomes," said Dr. Church.</p>



<p>"Reversing the escalating obesity epidemic in America demands a dual approach - personalized, equitable care for individuals and bold, systemic policy reforms that address the root causes."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-fuels-obesity-patterns">Stress fuels obesity patterns</h2>



<p>Financial stress shapes food choices. Families on tight budgets often buy processed meals because fresh produce costs more. </p>



<p>Food insecurity makes obesity more common in both adults and children. Stress hormones then reinforce those eating patterns.</p>



<p>Neighborhoods also matter. Poorer areas often lack grocery stores, safe spaces, or healthcare. Violence and crime raise daily stress, pushing people toward food for comfort. Structural racism deepens the problem by concentrating disadvantage in certain communities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loneliness-changes-brain-responses">Loneliness changes brain responses</h2>



<p>Isolation adds another layer. People without strong social ties process <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fat-soaking-microbeads-could-be-the-next-weight-loss-breakthrough/">food</a> cues differently. The brain becomes more sensitive to rewards, and food looks more tempting. </p>



<p>At the same time, the gut microbiome loses diversity. Inflammation rises and cravings grow stronger.</p>



<p>“Research shows that social determinants of health - such as access to nutritious food, safe spaces for physical activity, access to resources such as education, grocery stores, and quality health care - are powerful drivers of obesity risk, underscoring the need to address the conditions in which people live, work and grow,” said Dr. Church.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-rewires-the-brain-and-body">Stress rewires the brain and body</h2>



<p>Stress, poor diet, and discrimination don’t just change behavior - they rewire systems. Brain scans show less gray matter in areas that control motivation and self-control.</p>



<p>Chronic inflammation lowers dopamine, reducing satisfaction from normal rewards. Harmful bacteria flourish in the gut, weakening metabolism and insulin response.</p>



<p>Racism-related stress leaves its mark too. Repeated exposure alters <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-over-matter-brain-boosting-diet-could-enhance-focus-in-children/">brain</a> networks that handle emotions and decision-making. </p>



<p>It also shifts gut chemistry, promoting inflammation. These biological changes make food an easy, almost automatic coping tool.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-childhood-stress-sets-obesity-patterns">Childhood stress sets obesity patterns</h2>



<p>The review shows that these effects start young. Stress during pregnancy changes fetal development. Children may inherit altered metabolic responses before they’re born. </p>



<p>After birth, breastfeeding, antibiotics, and early diet shape the microbiome further. Breastfeeding can lower obesity risk in adolescents, especially in disadvantaged families. </p>



<p>Still, ongoing stress and poor diet often outweigh those protections. By the time children reach school age, the patterns are set.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-resources-reduce-risk">Community resources reduce risk</h2>



<p>Dr. Church emphasized that policy shifts are vital. Health care must expand. Schools need <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-foods-can-be-staged-to-look-more-appealing/">healthier meals</a>, and neighborhoods need grocery stores and safe parks. But individuals can still act within limits.</p>



<p>Choosing affordable nutritious food, keeping social connections, and practicing stress relief can all help. Walking outside, journaling, and gratitude exercises are simple tools. </p>



<p>"At the same time, healthcare providers have a vital role to play, not only by screening for current social determinants of health, but also by recognizing how these factors accumulate and evolve over time, which is rarely accounted for in today’s clinical practice," said Dr. Church.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mindfulness-and-therapy-show-promise">Mindfulness and therapy show promise</h2>



<p>Clinics are trying new strategies. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tai-chi-reduces-inflammatory-risks-in-cancer-survivors/">Cognitive behavioral therapy</a> helps people change eating habits. Mindfulness reduces stress-driven overeating. </p>



<p>Researchers are also testing probiotics and even fecal microbiota transplants to restore gut health.</p>



<p>“By understanding these influences and tailoring treatment plans to account for biological and psychosocial challenges, providers can offer more personalized plans that improve outcomes, empowers individuals to take control over their health,” noted Dr. Church.</p>



<p>The message is clear: obesity is not only about food or exercise. It reflects stress, inequality, and biology shaped by the world outside. Until those pressures shift, the numbers won’t change.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1542356525007323" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology</a>.</em></p>



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New study claims obesity is driven by these two factors, not just diet and exercise, upending current beliefs

Americans hear the same advice again and again - eat...

<p>Grains feed billions every day. Yet people still argue about which ones deserve a spot on the plate. Whole grains often get praise. Refined grains often get the blame. The truth, as a new study shows, is more complicated.</p>



<p>Researchers looked at more than 14,000 Americans and tracked what they ate. They used national survey data collected between 2017 and 2023, combining diet records with health markers such as weight, waist size, and insulin levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analyzing-different-grains">Analyzing different grains</h2>



<p>The team came from the <a href="https://www.washington.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a> and a French nutrition group. They used national survey data collected between 2017 and 2023. They combined diet records with health markers such as weight, waist size, and insulin levels. </p>



<p>The study also considered cost - an issue that often keeps families from choosing healthier foods. By linking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-diet-may-protect-cognitive-health/">nutrition scores</a> with affordability, the researchers could see not only which foods improved health but also which ones people could realistically buy.</p>



<p>This practical lens matters, because guidance that ignores price often fails in everyday life, leaving healthier choices out of reach for many households.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoring-nutrients-in-grains">Scoring nutrients in grains</h2>



<p>The researchers built scoring systems. One focused on whole grain content, fiber, and added sugar. Another measured nine nutrients we need - such as protein, folate, and magnesium - against three we should limit: sugar, sodium, and saturated fat.</p>



<p>Foods that performed well were tagged as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-food-nutrition-labels-may-be-based-on-50-year-old-data/">healthy</a> grains, while those lacking balance fell short. </p>



<p>This dual approach gave a sharper view, showing not just which grains are wholesome, but also why certain fortified foods deserve recognition alongside traditional whole grain options.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grains-with-strong-nutrients">Grains with strong nutrients</h2>



<p>Cooked grains did well. So did cooked cereals and fortified grains in breads. Some ready-to-eat cereals also scored high, but only when sugar stayed low. </p>



<p>Sweet bakery goods, snack bars, and quick breads landed at the bottom. They offered calories but almost no nutrients, highlighting how certain popular items fill stomachs without delivering meaningful health benefits.</p>



<p>The contrast between fortified choices and sugar-heavy products shows why nutrient density, not just grain type, makes the real difference in improving diets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-patterns-matter">Eating patterns matter</h2>



<p>The study showed who eats these grains. Women and older adults ate more of them. Mexican Americans included them often too. Non-Hispanic Black participants ate the least.</p>



<p>Income made a difference: higher income groups leaned toward healthier grain choices. Regional differences also appeared, with some communities relying more on fortified breads and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childrens-cereals-now-contain-more-sugar-and-fat-than-ever/">cereals</a>. </p>



<p>Still, even the best groups ate less than one-third of their grains from nutrient-dense foods, showing plenty of room for improvement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-grains-better-nutrition">More grains, better nutrition</h2>



<p>Those who ate more healthy grains had better overall diets. They consumed more fruits and vegetables. They cut down on added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. </p>



<p>They also got more protein, calcium, potassium, and iron. These benefits grew stronger the more healthy grains people ate.</p>



<p>The gains extended to health outcomes. Adults eating nutrient-rich grains were less likely to have higher body weight. Their insulin levels were lower, indicating stronger metabolic health. Their cholesterol levels also improved in some cases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthy-grains-don-t-cost-more">Healthy grains don’t cost more</h2>



<p>Nutritious foods often cost more, but that assumption did not hold here. Healthy grains were not more expensive than less nutritious ones. In some cases, fortified cereals and breads even cost less per gram or per calorie.</p>



<p>“Healthy grains are a critical component of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-break-down-the-best-heart-healthy-diets/">healthy diets</a>," said Dr. Adam Drewnowski, Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Washington.</p>



<p>“Our evaluation took whole grain content into account, along with fiber, vitamins and minerals. By delivering key nutrients such as fiber, iron, B vitamins and folate, grain foods can make a meaningful contribution to healthier eating patterns among all population groups.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutrients-matter-more-than-labels">Nutrients matter more than labels</h2>



<p>This study shows that grain choices are not black and white. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/that-whole-wheat-bread-youve-been-eating-is-often-a-trap-its-not-what-you-think-it-is/">Whole grains</a> matter, but fortified refined grains can also help. What counts is nutrient density. That shift in perspective makes it easier for people to build healthier diets without higher costs or strict rules.</p>



<p>Grains will remain central to our diets. Choosing nutrient-dense ones - whether whole or fortified - can improve health without draining wallets. Balance matters more than rigid categories, and the study makes that clear. </p>



<p>Eating patterns shaped by variety and affordability work better long term. Rather than avoiding entire grain types, people can focus on smarter selections, building meals that deliver taste, nutrition, and practicality without unnecessary restrictions.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/16/2674" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nutrients</em></a>.</p>



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Some refined grains are surprisingly nutritious

Grains feed billions every day. Yet people still argue about...

<p>Many babies in the United States are missing helpful gut bacteria that digest breast milk and help train the immune system. In a new study, researchers analyzed the microbiome of 412 infants and found that about 25 percent had no detectable <em>Bifidobacterium</em>, with <em>B. infantis</em> present in only 8 percent.</p>



<p>Roughly 76 percent had low or undetectable levels of <em>Bifidobacterium</em> overall, and that babies with low levels were at least three times as likely to develop allergies, eczema, and asthma by age 2. </p>



<p>That early window matters because the immune system is learning how to respond to the world during the first months after birth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-babies-and-bifidobacterium">Babies and <em>Bifidobacterium</em></h2>



<p>The study team includes <a href="https://communities.springernature.com/users/stephanie-culler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephanie Culler</a> of <a href="https://www.persephonebiosciences.com/company/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Persephone</a> Biosciences, a San Diego based biotechnology company. </p>



<p>Her group partnered with academic scientists to examine infants across 48 states using metagenomics and metabolomics.</p>



<p>In some infants born by C-section, breastfeeding did not restore <em>Bifidobacterium</em> and other bacteria stepped into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/innovative-sensor-uncovers-hidden-antibiotics-residues-in-milk-and-honey/">milk</a> sugar niche instead. </p>



<p>That shift mattered because it changed the chemical environment and allowed opportunistic species to grow.</p>



<p>Antibiotics during the first two years were associated with a 3.3 fold higher risk of allergic conditions compared with no antibiotics in that period. </p>



<p>The authors also observed more genes linked to antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors in infants with low <em>Bifidobacterium</em>.</p>



<p>“Nondetectable levels of the most fundamental family type of bacteria for the infant was really surprising to us,” said Culler.</p>



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



<p>Early arriving infant <em>Bifidobacteria</em> can block potentially harmful bacteria from taking hold, as supported by a 2024 <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-024-01804-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paper</a>. Priority effects, the idea that first settlers shape the community that follows, appear to apply in the newborn gut.</p>



<p>These bacteria are uniquely equipped to use human milk <em>oligosaccharides </em>(<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/human-milk-oligosaccharide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HMOs</a>), the complex sugars in breast milk. </p>



<p>When <em>Bifidobacterium</em> thrives, it turns those sugars into products like acetate and lactate, lowering gut pH and discouraging pathogens.</p>



<p>This group also helps produce vitamins and other metabolites that support immune signaling. Those chemical cues guide the developing immune system and help it react appropriately to foods and environmental exposures.</p>



<p>Low <em>Bifidobacterium</em> changes the balance of metabolites and leaves more open space for organisms that are better at resisting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/typhoid-fever-developing-resistance-immunity-to-almost-all-available-antibiotics/">antibiotics</a>. </p>



<p>That altered chemistry aligns with the higher load of antimicrobial resistance and virulence related genes described in the cohort.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birth-feeding-and-antibiotics">Birth, feeding, and antibiotics</h2>



<p>Birth mode affected which microbes showed up first. Vaginal delivery often tracked with higher <em>Bifidobacterium</em> when paired with breastfeeding, while some C-section infants showed low levels even if they were breastfed.</p>



<p>Feeding mattered because milk sugars select for particular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-helps-bacteria-resist-antibiotics-in-your-gut/">bacteria</a>. In infants without <em>Bifidobacterium</em>, organisms that can partially use those sugars sat in the same niche and limited later colonization by the usual infant strains.</p>



<p>Antibiotics can be life saving, yet they also disrupt early colonizers that depend on timing to establish. </p>



<p>When those helpful species are cleared or delayed, others can gain a foothold and steer the microbiome down a different path.</p>



<p>Lifestyle patterns may influence exposure too. Industrial food processing and widespread antibacterial products reduce everyday contact with <em>Bifidobacterium</em> and related microbes in families and communities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signals-in-the-data-by-age-2">Signals in the data by age 2</h2>



<p>The researchers grouped infant microbiomes into community types and compared later health. Two community patterns without strong <em>Bifidobacterium</em> signals were linked to higher odds of allergic conditions by age 2.</p>



<p>The protective effect seemed strongest when certain species dominated early. Communities enriched in <em>B. breve</em> were tied to lower risk, highlighting that not all members of this genus act identically in the infant gut.</p>



<p>This analysis does not prove cause and effect in every case. It does show that missing cornerstone <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-microbes-have-an-unexpected-link-to-anxiety/">microbes</a> in early life tracks with a higher load of risk factors and measurable changes in metabolism.</p>



<p>The cohort will be followed for seven years, which will help clarify which early life patterns persist. Longer follow up can also show how often microbiomes recover on their own and when they do not.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bifidobacterium-and-infant-health"><em>Bifidobacterium</em> and infant health</h2>



<p>Interest in probiotics for babies is high, yet not all contexts are the same. In 2023, the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-raises-concerns-about-probiotic-products-sold-use-hospitalized-preterm-infants" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA</a> issued a safety advisory warning against probiotic products given to hospitalized preterm infants after a death from probiotic associated sepsis.</p>



<p>That advisory focuses on preterm infants in hospital settings and on unapproved products marketed with disease claims. It does not address healthy term infants in the community, where evidence is still being built one study at a time.</p>



<p>The new findings point to a simple takeaway for early life research. Timing, species identity, and the milk sugar niche work together to support a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-cells-have-a-fascinating-and-unexpected-communication-system/">microbial</a> community that trains the immune system rather than confusing it.</p>



<p>This work also suggests that protecting early life microbial exposures can be part of a broader public health conversation. Nutrition, delivery practices, and careful antibiotic stewardship are all pieces of the same puzzle.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-08274-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Communications Biology</em></a>.</p>



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Without these crucial microbes, babies are more likely to suffer long-term health issues

Many babies in the United States are missing helpful gut...

<p>Every parent delights in a baby’s babbling, those streams of sounds that fill the air. To the untrained ear, it may seem like sweet but meaningless noise. In reality, these exchanges shape the foundation of human language. </p>



<p>When parents respond to babbling, babies begin linking their vocal efforts with feedback, gradually refining the sounds that will form words.</p>



<p>This style of learning, however, sets humans apart in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marmosets-call-each-other-by-names-with-distinct-vocalizations/">animal</a> world. Few creatures, aside from certain songbirds, rely on this feedback-based learning to acquire communication skills. The puzzle deepens when we consider our primate relatives. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-babbling-path-to-language-learning">A babbling path to language learning</h2>



<p>Chimpanzees and macaques can produce their species’ calls with minimal guidance. So why do humans, and intriguingly, a tiny monkey called the marmoset, share this unusual developmental path, relying so heavily on feedback and interaction during infancy? </p>



<p>This surprising overlap suggests that unique pressures in their environments may have shaped similar strategies, raising fresh questions about how evolution repeatedly crafts pathways to complex communication.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-babbling-marmoset-monkeys">Babbling marmoset monkeys</h2>



<p>In Brazil’s dense forests, marmosets keep in touch using high-pitched calls. <a href="https://www.princeton.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Princeton</a> neuroscientist Asif Ghazanfar first noticed that infant marmosets babble like human babies, experimenting with sounds before mastering adult calls.</p>



<p>As adults responded to these vocal attempts, the young <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monkeys-use-names-for-each-other-in-their-communication-systems/">monkeys</a> learned faster. “That was a pretty big ‘aha!’ moment,” Ghazanfar said. The discovery, reported in 2015 and 2017, was among the earliest evidence of vocal learning in a primate outside humans.</p>



<p>Yet humans and marmosets diverged evolutionarily some 40 million years ago. Even chimpanzees, our closest cousins, require little tutoring to develop their species-specific sounds. </p>



<p>“So that kind of presents a puzzle,” Ghazanfar said. Researchers have since searched for answers hidden in early development.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brains-growing-fast">Brains growing fast</h2>



<p>A recent study led by Princeton Ph.D. student Renata Biazzi examined brain growth across humans, marmosets, chimpanzees, and macaques. </p>



<p>The team analyzed developmental data from conception through adolescence. The results showed that both human and marmoset brains grow at a remarkable pace right after birth.</p>



<p>This timing matters. For chimpanzees and macaques, most neural growth occurs before birth, limiting postnatal influence. But for marmosets and humans, the brain expands rapidly during infancy, when social interaction is intense. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-environment-and-learning">Social environment and learning</h2>



<p>Marmoset mothers, like human parents, do not raise infants alone. Babies experience constant responses from multiple caregivers. “They are a handful,” Ghazanfar said.</p>



<p>Because their brains are still developing, that means that the social environment an infant is born into has a tremendous influence on learning, noted Ghazanfar. </p>



<p>With modeling, the researchers showed how this blend of fast brain growth and caregiver interaction fuels vocal skill development.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feedback-driven-learning-in-songbirds">Feedback-driven learning in songbirds </h2>



<p>Interestingly, similar feedback-based learning also appears in certain bird species. Songbirds like zebra finches and cowbirds mimic adult calls while refining their own songs. </p>



<p>Just as baby marmosets depend on adult responses, young birds adjust their notes based on social cues.</p>



<p>The parallel suggests that feedback-driven learning may evolve in species where communication plays a central role in survival and bonding, influencing not only group cohesion but also mate selection and territorial defense. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-development-of-complex-communication">Development of complex communication </h2>



<p>In many cases, birds that master songs more effectively enjoy greater success in attracting mates and maintaining social standing within flocks. </p>



<p>This pattern hints that vocal learning shaped by feedback is not an isolated curiosity, but a broader strategy favored by evolution whenever social life and communication are tightly interwoven.</p>



<p>This cross-<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monkeys-love-watching-videos-of-fights-and-friends-just-like-humans/">species</a> echo raises a bigger question: did such strategies emerge independently, or do they reveal deeper evolutionary patterns guiding the development of complex communication across distant branches of life?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-language-through-babbling">Learning language through babbling</h2>



<p>The next question is whether marmoset adults use distinct sounds when addressing infants. </p>



<p>Humans instinctively shift into “baby talk,” exaggerating pitch and rhythm. If marmosets do something similar, scientists may gain new insights into how children progress from babbling to speaking fluently.</p>



<p>This does not suggest other primates cannot adapt their calls later. But the special window of infancy may be key. “We're only talking about vocal learning during infancy,” Ghazanfar said. “This is the period when their brains are especially malleable.”</p>



<p>By studying marmosets, researchers can better understand why humans developed this rare learning style and how our earliest vocalizations connect to one of humanity’s most defining abilities: language. </p>



<p>The findings highlight how fragile and powerful the link between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-primate-day-listening-to-the-voices-of-the-wild/">biology</a> and environment can be, and why understanding these connections may shed light on how communication first shaped human culture.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421095122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.</em></p>



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Babbling brains: How human babies and marmosets learn to talk

Every parent delights in a baby’s babbling, those streams of...

<p>The habits built in childhood often echo into adult life. A growing body of research suggests that strength, cardiovascular fitness, and disease risks later in life may stem from behaviors established as early as age 11. </p>



<p>A recent <a href="https://www.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a> study, combined with findings from a longitudinal cohort of Finnish adolescents, demonstrates how movement patterns and physical activity shape lifelong health outcomes.</p>



<p>Study co-author Sami Yli-Piipari is an associate professor in the <a href="http://Mary Frances Early College of Education https://share.google/gN06M5D3wxu2BXnLQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mary Frances Early College of Education</a> at the University of Georgia.</p>



<p>“Not only is this polarization happening, but it continues,” said Professor Yli-Piipari. "As you grow up, you tend to stay in the same group of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-reduces-depression-and-anxiety-in-children-and-teens-with-mental-health-issues/">habits</a>, meaning that if you are not active and you have a little problem with your weight, that will likely remain as you age.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-childhood-fitness-habits">Childhood fitness habits</h2>



<p>Both studies highlight that children and adolescents tend to fall into distinct fitness categories. The researchers identified clusters based on motor competence, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, activity levels, and body composition. </p>



<p>These categories ranged from very low fitness with higher body mass to groups excelling in all areas with healthy weight. Nearly half of participants in both studies fell into the less healthy clusters. </p>



<p>The Finnish research showed that about 25 percent of adolescents belonged to the poorest health profile, marked by low motor competence, weak cardiovascular and muscular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/family-dogs-boost-physical-activity-levels-among-children/">fitness</a>, low activity, and unhealthy body composition. Girls were more often represented in these higher-risk categories.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fitness-patterns-that-persist">Fitness patterns that persist</h2>



<p>The troubling finding is that these categories remain remarkably stable. Children tracked over several years tended to stay within their profile. </p>



<p>“These profiles are quite stable, which is something that we have to take action on,” Yli-Piipari explained. “We have to make sure that when children are young, they have positive support for activities that improve their health. It is difficult to become more active or to stay active.”</p>



<p>The Finnish cohort confirmed this pattern, showing that risk profiles barely shifted across four years of follow-up. </p>



<p>Even among those starting with the healthiest indicators, about one-fifth moved toward lower fitness categories, suggesting that without support, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-sleep-times-linked-to-enhanced-activity-during-the-day/">activity</a> levels decline with age.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-for-health">Consequences for health</h2>



<p>The persistence of poor fitness and unhealthy weight during adolescence has far-reaching implications. Both studies connect these movement profiles with cardiovascular disease risks and obesity. </p>



<p>Poor motor competence is not just linked with lower activity but can predict adult weight issues or obesity. Cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide, often traces its roots back to these early patterns.</p>



<p>“There are so many cardiovascular risk factors that are genetic or biological, but obviously health is also a big part of it. Cardiovascular diseases are, in the long run, life-threatening diseases, so cardiovascular health is so important,” Yli-Piipari said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-strong-fitness-habits">Building strong fitness habits</h2>



<p>The research highlights the importance of introducing supportive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cardiorespiratory-fitness-cuts-early-death-risks-by-53-percent/">environments</a> at home, in schools, and in communities. Children need consistent encouragement and opportunities to be active. Positive role models can guide them toward healthier lifelong routines.</p>



<p>“Where can you learn those skills about your health? That’s school, physical education and clubs," said Professor Yli-Piipari.</p>



<p>"We want to encourage parents to engage and take their kids to these kinds of activities - not even for them to be great athletes but to learn different kinds of skills and habits.”</p>



<p>Finnish researchers echo this view, recommending early screening, targeted interventions, and consistent encouragement. Improving motor competence through skill-learning opportunities can increase confidence, motivation, and long-term engagement in physical activity. </p>



<p>Maintaining positive habits requires ongoing support, as unhealthy patterns are unlikely to change without intentional action.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-never-too-late-to-be-active">Never too late to be active</h2>



<p>For adults, change may be more challenging but remains possible. “It’s never too late to start being active,” said Yli-Piipari. “If you find something that you like to do, you can totally change your behaviors and reduce your cardiovascular disease risks.”</p>



<p>The broader message from both studies is clear: children and adolescents need guidance to establish healthy routines, and adults can still benefit from new habits. </p>



<p>Movement patterns are not only about physical performance in youth but also about long-term resilience against life-threatening disease. Early interventions can shape confidence and motivation, making activity a natural part of daily life.</p>



<p>Without such efforts, unhealthy childhood fitness profiles tend to persist, raising future health risks. </p>



<p>Encouraging sports, outdoor play, and simple activities like walking can strengthen childhood fitness and reinforce positive behaviors. Over time, these small choices create a foundation for stronger hearts, healthier bodies, and longer lives.</p>



<p>The study is published in the&nbsp;<em><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-025-06269-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Journal of Pediatrics</a></em>.</p>



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Childhood fitness habits shape lifelong health outcomes

The habits built in childhood often echo into adult life....

<p>Before there were dinosaurs, before trees covered the land, fish were already hard at work shaping Earth’s future. They did this with a single powerful innovation: jaws.</p>



<p>Jaws weren’t just for biting. Fish used them for all sorts of tasks - cracking shells, digging into the seafloor, defending themselves, and even carrying their young.</p>



<p>This one tool gave early vertebrates - including our distant ancestors - a huge advantage. But not all fish jaws evolved the same way.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-twist-in-fish-jaw-evolution">Surprising twist in fish jaw evolution</h2>



<p>Roughly 400 million years ago, fish ruled the seas. Two big groups stood out: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coelacanth-ngamugawi-wirngarri-new-species-living-fossil-fish-survived-over-400-million-years/">lobe-finned fishes</a> and ray-finned fishes. </p>



<p>Lobe-finned fishes had fleshy, muscular fins that helped them move in different ways. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/319-million-year-old-fish-holds-clues-about-brain-evolution/">Ray-finned fishes</a> had lighter, more flexible fins supported by thin spines.</p>



<p>Today, ray-finned fishes dominate the oceans, rivers, and lakes. They include about 33,000 species - from goldfish to tuna. </p>



<p>Lobe-finned fishes, on the other hand, are nearly extinct. Only eight species are known to exist today, including the coelacanth and the lungfish. But a new study from the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a> flips the story.</p>



<p>The research shows that between 359 and 423 million years ago, lobe-finned fishes were the ones leading the evolutionary race. </p>



<p>Their jaws were changing fast, adapting in all sorts of new ways. Meanwhile, the ray-finned fishes were evolving far more slowly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-answers-in-ancient-jaw-bones">Finding answers in ancient jaw bones</h2>



<p>The researchers used CT scans to create 3D models of 86 fossilized fish jaws from the Silurian and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/at-least-two-of-earths-mass-extinctions-caused-by-massive-supernova-explosions/">Devonian Periods</a> - dating back to around 443 million years ago. That’s older than the first forests.</p>



<p>The team digitally mapped these jaws to study both their shape and how they worked. To measure the strength of a fish's bite, they calculated something called mechanical advantage.</p>



<p>Emily Troyer is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan and lead author of the study. She explained that essentially, the higher the mechanical advantage of the jaw, the stronger the bite force.</p>



<p>The results showed something no one expected. "This is a really striking result, primarily because <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lungfish-genome-discovery-explains-how-fish-first-walked-onto-land/">lungfish</a> and coelacanths today are represented by only eight living species, with not much jaw diversity going on," Troyer said. </p>



<p>"However, if we look back in time 400 or so million years, we see this striking inversion. During the Devonian, we have a lot more species and a lot more innovation within their jaws." </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dipterus-fish_whole-skeleton_credit-Troyer-UMichigan_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dipterus-fish_whole-skeleton_credit-Troyer-UMichigan_1s.webp" alt="Whole skeleton of Dipterus, an extinct lungfish from the middle Devonian period. Specimen (UMMP 16140) from the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology. Credit: E.M. Troyer/UMichigan" class="wp-image-1984595"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Whole skeleton of Dipterus, an extinct lungfish from the middle Devonian period. Specimen (UMMP 16140) from the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology. Click image to enlarge. Credit: E.M. Troyer/UMichigan</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lungfish-jaws-lead-the-way">Lungfish jaws lead the way</h2>



<p>Lungfish jaws, in particular, went through a major shift during the Devonian Period. Their jaws became larger, thicker, and packed with powerful muscles. This likely helped them crush hard-shelled prey, like early clams and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-crustaceans-have-what-it-takes-to-survive-climate-change/">crustaceans</a>.</p>



<p>"With their really hefty jaws, they were able to eat really hard food," Troyer said. "We think these new feeding strategies might be causing jaws to need to be shaped like this, and that some of these major innovations are associated with their ecosystems during this time."</p>



<p>Rafael Rivero-Vega, co-first author of the study and a recent doctoral graduate, scanned nearly every complete lobe-finned fish jaw fossil available. </p>



<p>He mapped out their key features to study something called adaptive radiation. That’s when animals quickly evolve into many different forms because their environment pushes them to adapt.</p>



<p>Rivero-Vega saw clear patterns. "Some fishes were diversifying their jaws rapidly in shape and size, only later to stay essentially unchanged once they filled a specialized niche," he said. </p>



<p>"Others had similar characteristics but a wider variety of shapes and sizes, and yet others had similar form but wouldn't change until after they had already transitioned onto land."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fish-jaw-innovation-changed-the-future">Fish jaw innovation changed the future</h2>



<p>This research shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-can-be-predicted-pangenome-genetic-history/">evolution</a> doesn’t follow a straight line. Just because a group is successful now doesn’t mean it always was. </p>



<p>Lobe-finned fishes once led the way in jaw innovation, helping set the stage for major changes in vertebrate life - including the eventual rise of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.</p>



<p>"When you're looking at evolution, you can learn so much from looking at the past," Troyer said. "Without the fossil record, we would have no idea of this inverted role reversal."</p>



<p>The study also highlights the importance of old bones. Even though only a few lobe-finned fishes are still around, their ancient fossils tell a story that would otherwise have been be lost.</p>



<p>"It's a great example of how innovations in shape, form, and function can be explored by different fish groups at their own pace, as long as they experience the appropriate evolutionary pressures," said Rivero-Vega. </p>



<p>"All of this happened hundreds of millions of years before the dinosaurs. Fishes are awesome."</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982225010395" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a></em>.</p>



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How ancient fish jaws built the path to modern land animals

Before there were dinosaurs, before trees covered the land, fish...

<p>Less than a month since launch, a powerful new weather satellite is already at work. As it silently orbits around Earth, it is sending back data that may actually make a difference in the way we know weather and can predict it.</p>



<p>Launched on August 13, the satellite is named <a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/MetOp_Second_Generation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MetOp-SG-A1</a>. It’s the first of a new generation of weather satellites developed in Europe. </p>



<p>Although it’s yet to enter operational mode, it’s already returning early data from two of its most sophisticated instruments.</p>



<p>This is an important milestone in what will be a 20-year mission to assist forecasters in being ahead of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/once-in-a-thousand-years-extreme-storms-are-becoming-much-more-frequent/">storms</a>, and monitoring long-term changes in the climate.</p>



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



<p>It’s no secret that the weather has been getting more extreme. Bigger storms. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-heat-waves-in-europe-can-be-predicted-by-melting-sea-ice/">Heat waves</a>. Unpredictable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-is-increasingly-unpredictable-due-to-climate-change/">rainfall</a>. As these events become more common, the need for accurate, timely forecasts is critical - not just for convenience, but for safety and long-term planning.</p>



<p>MetOp-SG-A1 is part of the MetOp Second Generation (MetOp-SG) mission. The idea is to keep high-quality weather data flowing for decades while also improving how detailed and reliable that data is. </p>



<p>The new satellites circle the Earth from pole to pole, scanning the entire planet in strips. That polar orbit gives them a global view, and includes remote areas where weather observations are hard to get.</p>



<p>The mission was built through years of teamwork. The <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> (ESA) handled the satellite’s design and development. </p>



<p>Eumetsat, the European organization in charge of meteorological satellites, took on the launch and now oversees operations.</p>



<p>The two agencies are working together to turn the satellite’s raw data into information that weather services can use around the world.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-signs-from-space">First signs from space</h2>



<p>Though it’s only been in space for three weeks, MetOp-SG-A1’s Microwave Sounder (MWS) and Radio Occultation (RO) instruments are already up and running. These are two of the satellite’s most important tools.</p>



<p>The MWS pulls in data on temperature and humidity from different layers of the atmosphere. It replaces older instruments from the first generation of MetOp satellites, rolling them into a single unit with better resolution and more capabilities. </p>



<p>Instead of the 48-mile resolution of older models, the new version weather satellite can zoom in at about 12 miles (19 kilometers). That kind of detail helps spot smaller <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-the-oceans-hidden-influence-on-global-weather-patterns/">weather patterns</a> and track them more precisely.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weather-viewed-from-space">Weather viewed from space </h2>



<p>One early image from August 24, captured by Channel 17 of the MWS, showed detailed cloud formations over the oceans. </p>



<p>A swirl of red over the North Atlantic highlighted what was left of <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/hurricane-erin-explodes-into-first-category-5-storm-of-2025/">Hurricane Erin</a> - a deep, convective cloud system. </p>



<p>Another image from Channel 2 gave a wide view of summer surface temperatures across Europe and nearby oceans.</p>



<p>The MWS uses 24 different channels in total. Each one picks up a different piece of the temperature and humidity puzzle. Together, they give forecasters a vertical snapshot of the atmosphere, layer by layer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-data-fewer-gaps">More data, fewer gaps</h2>



<p>The RO instrument uses a different technique to scan the atmosphere. It tracks how signals from GPS and other navigation satellites bend as they pass through the Earth’s atmosphere. This bending reveals how temperature and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humidity-increases-urban-heat-stress/">humidity</a> vary by altitude.</p>



<p>The new version of this tool is a serious upgrade. It doesn’t just use GPS anymore - it also pulls in signals from Europe’s Galileo and China’s <a href="https://novatel.com/an-introduction-to-gnss/gnss-constellations/beidou" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BeiDou</a> systems. </p>



<p>That triple-constellation approach allows the instrument to take more than 1,600 measurements per day, three times more than before. </p>



<p>And importantly, it fills in data gaps over the oceans, where it’s usually harder to collect detailed information.</p>



<p>From August 20 to 26, the instrument collected data over the Southern Pacific, showing how its readings lined up with forecast models. </p>



<p>The results show promise, especially in places where previous forecasts had limited real-world data on which to rely.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-the-satellite">What’s next for the satellite</h2>



<p>This early data looks promising, but it’s not ready for public or operational use just yet. The weather satellite is still going through a long commissioning process to make sure everything is working exactly as it should. That includes testing, calibrating, and fine-tuning each instrument to ensure accuracy. </p>



<p>This phase will take several more months. Still, the early results are giving scientists and engineers confidence.</p>



<p>“Receiving these first data so quickly is a thrilling achievement for Eumetsat, particularly considering the technological sophistication of Metop-SG-A1 and its payload,” said Phil Evans, Eumetsat Director-General.</p>



<p>“In collaboration with ESA and our European industry partners, Eumetsat teams are working intensely to render all the satellite’s instruments operational, and the fact that data is already flowing seamlessly from the MWS and the RO shows that we are firmly on the right track to having powerful, validated products ready for our user community in the planned timeframe.”</p>



<p>Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes thanked all the teams who contributed to the mission. </p>



<p>She stressed that this is a major undertaking involving six satellites flying in successive pairs and delivering critical data for at least the next 20 years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-chapter-in-weather-observation">New chapter in weather observation</h2>



<p>MetOp-SG-A1 is just the beginning. Five more satellites will follow over the coming decades, flying in pairs to provide continuous coverage. </p>



<p>Each pair will include an A-type and a B-type satellite, each with its own set of instruments to collect complementary data.</p>



<p>The mission is designed to deliver data that helps not just with day-to-day forecasts, but also with longer-term climate models. </p>



<p>The more complete and accurate the data, the better scientists can track changes in Earth’s systems and prepare for what’s ahead.</p>



<p>For now, MetOp-SG-A1 is off to a solid start. Its instruments are awake, its data streams are flowing, and a new chapter in weather observation has officially begun.</p>



<p>Information for this article was obtained from a <a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/MetOp_Second_Generation/New_MetOp_Second_Generation_weather_satellite_returns_first_data" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release</a> by ESA.</p>



<p>Image showing MetOp-SG-A1 Microwave Sounder data on temperature and humidity. </p>



<p>Image credit: <a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/MetOp_Second_Generation/New_MetOp_Second_Generation_weather_satellite_returns_first_data" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a></p>



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New weather satellite delivers early data just weeks after launch

Less than a month since launch, a powerful new weather...

<p>A new milky-blue pool opened at Yellowstone's Norris Geyser Basin. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) geologists traced its formation to a window from late December 2024 to early February 2025, using satellite images and field evidence gathered in April.</p>



<p>Michael Poland, a <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">USGS</a> geophysicist and Scientist in Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, helped document the discovery. </p>



<p>His team described a 13-foot-wide pool, one foot below the rim, with water near 109<strong>°</strong>F and a ring of ejected rocks coated in fine gray mud. </p>



<p>The walls show a thin coating that marks an earlier, higher water level. Nearby rocks up to one foot across point to brief bursts strong enough to toss debris a short distance. </p>



<p>Silica-rich water scatters light, creating a pale-blue hue typical of hot water that dissolves and carries minerals upward.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steam-bursts-not-eruptions">Steam bursts, not eruptions</h2>



<p>A<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/five-new-hydrothermal-vents-discovered-in-the-pacific-ocean/"> hydrothermal</a> explosion happens when hot water flashes to steam near the surface and pressure breaks rock. It is not the same as a volcanic eruption, and it does not signal fresh magma movement.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Events span a wide range, from small pits a few feet across to craters bigger than an acre. Those on the scale of the 1989 Porkchop event tend to occur every several years, according to an analysis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yellowstone holds thousands of hydrothermal features, so occasional small blasts fit the system's normal rhythm. They still pose hazards in thermal basins - which is why boardwalks and closures exist.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-yellowstone-from-all-angles">Watching Yellowstone from all angles</h2>



<p>Scientists used high resolution satellites to pin down timing, spotting a depression by January 6, 2025 and a water filled pit by February 13, 2025. Those images complement notes from the April 10, 2025 maintenance trip.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Norris basin now has a dedicated monitoring station. It tracks low frequency <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/albatrosses-use-infrasound-for-long-distance-navigation-study-reveals/">infrasound</a>, weather, ground deformation, and small quakes to catch short lived activity.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>During the formation window, the array recorded weak acoustic signals from the direction of the pool on December 25, 2024, January 15, 2025, and February 11, 2025. </p>



<p>Seismic instruments did not show matching signals, which points away from one big blast.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pool-carved-by-pressure-releases">Pool carved by pressure releases</h2>



<p>"Clearly, the new thermal feature did not form in a single major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tonga-eruption-had-the-energy-of-five-nuclear-explosions/">explosive event</a>. Rather, it appears to have developed through multiple small events that created a pit later filled with silica-rich water," said Poland.</p>



<p>That pattern fits the lack of a strong explosion signal on the infrasound system during that time. It also matches the modest scatter of rocks and the skim of fine mud around the rim.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The simplest view is a sequence of shallow pressure releases that carved the pool, then eased. Satellite and acoustic clues line up with those short bursts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-back-at-porkchop">Looking back at Porkchop</h2>



<p>Porkchop Geyser is one of the more dramatic features in Yellowstone National Park’s Norris Geyser Basin. </p>



<p>For many years, it wasn’t really a geyser at all - it was a hot spring that boiled steadily, shooting a narrow jet of water and steam almost like a pressure cooker with the lid cracked open.</p>



<p>What made Porkchop unusual was that it ran almost continuously, unlike most geysers that erupt in bursts and then rest. </p>



<p>Scientists think the narrow vent of the geyser created high pressure, forcing water to spout out in a steady stream that sometimes reached 20 feet high.</p>



<p>In 1989, Porkchop Geyser in the same basin exploded and left behind a debris apron and a new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-killing-asteroid-left-behind-chicxulub-crater-that-helped-life-recover/">crater</a>. That well recorded case shows what a larger blast looks like when a vent chokes and pressure spikes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The new Tree Island pool is smaller and gentler, showing up as a modest change rather than a dramatic scar. It adds one more data point to a record that ranges from quiet simmering to rare violent bursts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-for-yellowstone">Significance for Yellowstone</h2>



<p>Norris Geyser Basin ranks among the hottest and most changeable parts of the park. It sits within the Yellowstone Caldera, where hot fluids and gas move through fractured rock at shallow depths.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Features like this remind us that thermal basins are active geologic neighborhoods, not static attractions. They call for caution and patience from anyone on the boardwalks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Teams will keep watching temperature logs, infrasound traces, and aerial imagery through the seasons. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alpine-spring-begins-earlier-speeding-up-plant-growth/">Spring snowmelt</a> and summer heat can shift fluid flow, so the pool may change as its plumbing evolves.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>If activity ramps up, instruments will catch it and managers can adjust access to keep people safe. If little changes, the pool will settle into the busy mosaic of Norris, a new face in a familiar crowd.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/another-new-hole-ground-norris-geyser-basin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>USGS Caldera Chronicles</em></a>.</p>



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What geologists discovered in Yellowstone is as beautiful as it is disturbing

A new milky-blue pool opened at Yellowstone's Norris Geyser Basin....

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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
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<p>Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. </p>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



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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?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" 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 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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