For years, bacteria dominated gut health research. Now, the gut virome is gaining attention as a major player in health and disease. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-think-they-found-two-key-bacteria-that-cause-multiple-sclerosis/">bacteria</a>, make up around 90% of the gut virome.



Though small in biomass, they outnumber bacteria by up to tenfold. These tiny viruses shape microbial communities, influence immunity, and affect gut health.



A landmark review published recently in Precision Clinical Medicine reveals how the gut virome links to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/about/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IBD</a>), <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colonoscopy-vs-stool-tests-doctors-found-out-which-is-better-at-detecting-cancer/">colorectal cancer</a>, and Clostridium difficile infection (<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15548-c-diff-infection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDI</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-s-virome-changes-across-life-stages">Gut's virome changes across life stages</h2>



The gut virome changes constantly throughout life. Infants show high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-that-eat-forever-chemicals-discovered-in-contaminated-soil/">diversity</a> in gut bacteriophages (also called phages), which is shaped by birth method, diet, and antibiotic exposure.



As individuals grow, diet and hormones refine the virome. In adults, phages and bacteria form a stable, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-021-00536-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">balanced community</a>.



However, aging shifts this balance. Older adults show more lysogenic phages, which integrate into bacterial genomes and potentially alter metabolism and immune interactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diet-and-environment-shape-the-virome">Diet and environment shape the virome</h2>



Diet greatly <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9455721/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influences</a> the virome. High-fiber diets support beneficial phages by encouraging helpful bacteria. Western diets, rich in fat and sugar, promote harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-bacteria-breathe-by-creating-electricity/">phages</a>.



Urbanization reduces exposure to natural viruses. Studies show that rural diets which are rich in fiber boost gut virome diversity.



Host genetics and immunity also play roles. Genetic variants can affect viral detection and clearance. Immune defenses, like <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/interferons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interferons</a> and <a href="https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/receptors-molecules/immunoglobulin-iga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IgA</a>, keep the virome balanced.



However, immune dysfunction can trigger viral imbalances, worsening conditions like HIV and gut inflammation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viruses-and-bacteria-interacting">Viruses and bacteria interacting</h2>



Viruses, including phages, along with bacteria and fungi form a complex and dynamic ecosystem in the gut. The components interact in positive and negative ways, thus affecting host metabolism, immune regulation and resistance to disease. 



The gut virome plays a crucial regulatory role in these intricate interactions. Phages interact with bacteria through lytic, lysogenic, and budding cycles, which regulate bacterial populations and gene flow. 



In a form of microbial arms race, the bacteria defend against phages using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crispr-used-to-remove-extra-chromosomes-in-down-syndrome-and-restore-cell-function/">CRISPR systems</a> and the phages evolve escape mechanisms.



Some phages even boost bacterial metabolism and biofilm formation, affecting disease risk. For instance, phages can transfer genes that enhance bacterial survival in acidic conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virome-s-influence-on-immunity">Virome’s influence on immunity</h2>



The virome affects gut immunity deeply. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-bacteria-get-hungry-they-turn-on-each-other/">Phages</a> can anchor to gut mucus and form a protective barrier. They also shape our own <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459471/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">T and B cell</a> activity and regulate macrophages. In addition, viruses that infect eukaryotic cells affect immune pathways and maintain gut balance.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/virome_microbiome_human-gut_graphic_credit-PCM_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/virome_microbiome_human-gut_graphic_credit-PCM_1s.webp" alt="This infographic illustrates four major therapeutic approaches—fecal microbial transplantation (FMT), phage therapy, dietary interventions, and probiotics/prebiotics—that aim to restore gut health by modulating the microbiome and virome. Each strategy offers unique methods, benefits, and challenges in managing gastrointestinal disorders such as IBD, CRC, and CDI, highlighting the growing potential of virome-informed precision medicine. Credit: Precision Clinical Medicine" class="wp-image-1976450"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This infographic illustrates four major therapeutic approaches—fecal microbial transplantation (FMT), phage therapy, dietary interventions, and probiotics/prebiotics—that aim to restore gut health by modulating the microbiome and virome. Each strategy offers unique methods, benefits, and challenges in managing gastrointestinal disorders such as IBD, CRC, and CDI, highlighting the growing potential of virome-informed precision medicine. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Precision Clinical Medicine</figcaption></figure>



However, infections and antibiotics can disrupt this harmony and lead to inflammation. Phages can trigger TLR9 pathways, causing excessive immune responses such as those linked to IBD.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virome-s-role-in-disease">Virome’s role in disease</h2>



Imbalances in the gut virome have been linked to several gut diseases. In IBD, specific phages become abundant and worsen inflammation.



Certain groups of phages (such as Caudovirales) amplify immune responses, while norovirus and rotavirus can damage the gut lining. Viral imbalances are also common in IBS and CDI.



In colorectal cancer, phages and eukaryotic viruses like HPV and JC virus (polyomavirus) appear more often. They may promote tumor growth by altering bacterial communities and gene expression.



Studies suggest that some phages directly influence cancer risk by promoting biofilms and transferring harmful genes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virus-based-treatments">Virus-based treatments</h2>



Several therapies now explore the virome’s potential to treat certain diseases or conditions. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) restores gut balance and reduces inflammation in IBD and CDI.



FMT works not only by shifting bacteria but also by transferring beneficial phages. Studies show that donor phages often align quickly with recipients and promote recovery.



Phage therapy, which uses viruses to kill specific bacteria, is another approach that is gaining traction. It can reduce harmful microbes while preserving beneficial ones.



Researchers have created phage cocktails that target specific gut pathogens like E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and this approach has had promising results in animal models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diet-as-a-tool-to-reshape-the-virome">Diet as a tool to reshape the virome</h2>



Dietary strategies also reshape the virome. High-fiber diets boost beneficial phages and support bacterial diversity.



Whey protein has shown potential in managing Crohn’s disease by improving phage-bacteria interactions.



Other interventions, such as exclusive enteral nutrition and low-FODMAP diets, also show benefits in gut diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-probiotics-prebiotics-and-phages">Probiotics, prebiotics, and phages</h2>



Probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria, while prebiotics feed them. Combining them, known as symbiotics, shows promise for restoring and maintaining gut health.



Recent research suggests that adding phages can enhance these effects. Phage-based products, such as PreforPro, have already shown benefits in clinical trials.



These products can reduce populations of harmful bacteria and improve probiotic performance, thereby creating a more stable gut environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-gut-viruses-to-detect-diseases-early">Using gut viruses to detect diseases early</h2>



The gut virome is now being studied as a diagnostic tool. Viral patterns are more stable than bacterial ones, making them reliable biomarkers.



Distinct virome signatures can predict IBD and colorectal cancer. Machine learning models already use virome data to detect these diseases early.



Virome profiling may also track treatment responses, such as FMT success in IBD and CDI.



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



Despite the excitement over potential new treatments, many hurdles remain. Current methods struggle to capture the full virome due to technical limits.



Many phages are still unculturable, and their roles remain unclear. Researchers are working to improve viral databases and develop targeted therapies. Once these gaps close, virome-based therapies could change how we treat gut diseases.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pcm/article/8/2/pbaf010/8152264" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Precision Clinical Medicine</a>.



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Move over microbiome, it's time for the human gut's "virome" to shine

For years, bacteria dominated gut health research. Now, the gut virome is gaining attention as a major player in health and disease. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria, make up around 90% of the gut virome. Though small in biomass, they outnumber bacteria by up to tenfold. These tiny viruses shape microbial communities, influence immunity, and affect gut health. A landmark review published recently in Precision Clinical Medicine reveals how the gut virome links to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer, and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)....

Women can attain the same, if not greater, health benefits from exercise as men, but with considerably less effort. This is the conclusion of a new study published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.12.019">Journal of the American College of Cardiology</a> (JACC).



The research sheds light on the efficiency of women's bodies in responding to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-exercise-reduces-the-risk-of-premature-death/">exercise</a>. It also offers a new perspective on fitness and gender-specific health guidelines.



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



The researchers analyzed data from 412,413 adults collected through the National Health Interview Survey database, spanning from 1997 to 2019.&nbsp;



With a participant pool that was 55% female, the experts sought to understand how different genders experience the effects of exercise. The study was focused on parameters such as frequency, duration, intensity, and type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/physical-activity-can-protect-mental-health-in-pre-teen-years/">physical activity</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-women-get-more-out-of-each-minute-of-exercise-nbsp">Women get more out of each minute of exercise&nbsp;</h2>



Study co-lead author Dr. Martha Gulati is an expert in the Department of Cardiology at the Cedars-Sinai <a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/programs/heart.html">Smidt Heart Institute</a>.



“Women have historically and statistically lagged behind men in engaging in meaningful exercise,” said Dr. Gulati. “The beauty of this study is learning that women can get more out of each minute of moderate to vigorous activity than men do. It’s an incentivizing notion that we hope women will take to heart.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mortality-risk">Mortality risk</h2>



The study's findings are particularly compelling in the context of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/every-year-of-education-reduces-mortality-risk/">mortality risk</a> and physical activity.



"For all adults engaging in any regular physical activity, compared to being inactive, mortality risk was expectedly lower," said study senior author Dr. Susan Cheng. “Intriguingly, though, mortality risk was reduced by 24% in women and 15% in men."



The discrepancy in mortality risk underscores the enhanced benefit that women receive from physical activity. This revelation that could potentially revolutionize public health recommendations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maximum-survival-benefit-nbsp">Maximum survival benefit&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers found that men required approximately five hours per week of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity, such as brisk walking or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cycling-could-dramatically-cut-carbon-emissions/">cycling</a>, to reach maximal survival benefit. By contrast, women achieved the same benefit with just under 2 ½ hours per week.&nbsp;



For muscle-strengthening activities, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weight-lifting-strengthens-the-bodys-nervous-system/">weight lifting</a> or core exercises, men peaked at three sessions per week. Meanwhile, women gained comparable benefits from roughly one session per week.



According to Dr. Cheng, women had even greater gains if they engaged in more than 2 ½ hours per week of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-nbsp">Broader implications&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers noted that their findings help to translate a longstanding recognition of sex-specific physiology seen in the exercise lab to a now-expanded view of sex differences in outcomes.



Dr. Gulati said there is power in recommendations based on the study’s findings. “Men get a maximal survival benefit when performing 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week, whereas women get the same benefit from 140 minutes per week. Nonetheless, women continue to get further benefit for up to 300 minutes a week.”



Dr. Christine M. Albert emphasized that concrete, novel studies like this don’t happen often. “I am hopeful that this pioneering research will motivate women who are not currently engaged in regular physical activity to understand that they are in a position to gain tremendous benefit for each increment of regular exercise they are able to invest in their longer-term health."



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Women achieve greater benefits from exercise with less effort

Women can attain the same, if not greater, health benefits...

Climate change is making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-rivers-always-recover-from-floods/">floods</a> worse and more common around the world. Professor Lindsey McEwen, Director of the Centre for Water, Communities and Resilience at the <a href="https://www.uwe.ac.uk/">University of the West of England</a>, warns that extreme floods will happen more frequently and become more damaging. This means that people need to change how they prepare for and deal with flood risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-floods">Consequences of floods</h2>



Multiple scientists agree that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/">climate change</a> will cause more frequent and intense floods.&nbsp; This prediction, based on extensive research and modeling, considers the impact of rising <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-struggling-to-maintain-oxygen-as-temperatures-rise/">temperatures</a>, changing precipitation patterns, and other climate-related factors.



The consequences of flooding are far-reaching, impacting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cigarette-butts-leak-thousands-of-deadly-toxins-into-the-environment/">environment</a>, economy, and society. Floods destroy habitats, pollute water sources, damage infrastructures, disrupt businesses, and force people from their homes. These problems are all connected, making it hard to solve them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerable-communities">Vulnerable communities</h2>



Floods do not affect everyone equally and this means that not every community can prepare for flood risks the same way. Some have easier access to information, like flood warnings, or have more people who can get organized and work together. They might also have tools to help stop floods. 



This isn't fair, and it makes it harder for some communities to protect themselves during floods. Without the right knowledge, power to act, and resources, it's much harder to keep people safe from floods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-europe-s-rising-tide">Europe's rising tide</h2>



Europe provides a stark example of flood consequences. Experts predict yearly flood costs to jump from $5.724 billion USD to $43.2 billion USD by 2050. This significant increase stems from several factors, including the growing value of assets in flood-prone areas, the higher frequency and severity of floods, and potential delays in implementing effective flood resilience measures.



Beyond economic losses, the human cost is also staggering. The number of people affected by floods in Europe alone is expected to jump from 200,000 to over 500,000 by 2050.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-centric-flood-management">Community-centric flood management</h2>



For over 20 years, Professor McEwen has focused on floods and worked with communities facing them. She stresses that these communities are essential to handling flood risks and minimizing disaster damage.



Building walls and other traditional solutions funded by the government are important, but they're not enough. Even with these measures in place, there's still a chance of flooding (called "residual risk"). This makes community involvement critical.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misconception-about-government-responsibility">Misconception about government responsibility</h3>



Not everyone trusts communities to help with flood protection, thinking it lets the government off the hook. But that's not true.



Both communities and governments have important roles to play, and working together leads to better flood plans. When everyone joins forces, we can make our communities more resilient to floods.



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



Climate change demands a shift in how we approach flood protection. While traditional methods like dams and levees serve a purpose, they alone cannot withstand the rising tide.&nbsp;



“Investing in large infrastructure projects as the sole flood management solution simply hasn’t reduced ecological, financial and even sentimental losses,” explained McEwen. “Investment in defen­sive infrastructure alone, with its costs and design limits, can only be part of the solution.”



She suggests we must build resilience, and that goes beyond physical structures. “Flood risk management is all about how we shift the focus away from reactive responses to preparation and resilience at the household and community level. Much of that residual risk management needs to happen at a local level, but people might not have the necessary information, skills or resources to do this.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-flood-resilient-communities">Building flood-resilient communities</h2>



“A key question is how to increase community participation and agency when there is expectation of a key role of the state still pervades. There is a wider perceived disconnect between citizens and water in the developed world,” said McEwen.



Communities need comprehensive plans, early warning systems, and robust education programs to prepare for floods. Engaging local knowledge and understanding vulnerabilities through collaborative efforts are key.



Wealth disparities can worsen flood impacts. We must identify vulnerable populations, ensure equal access to resources and planning, and develop solutions that consider diverse needs and capabilities.



Strong social networks, empowered leadership, and collective action are vital. Communities working together, sharing information, and taking responsibility for preparedness can face floods head-on.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change-nbsp">More about the flood risks of climate change&nbsp;</h2>



Climate change significantly increases the risk of flooding in various parts of the world. As the Earth's atmosphere warms due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases, weather patterns become more extreme and unpredictable. 



This warming causes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-pose-great-threat-to-biodiversity-in-mountain-ranges/">glaciers</a> and ice caps to melt, contributing to a rise in sea levels, which in turn increases the likelihood of coastal flooding.



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



Additionally, a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to more intense and frequent rainstorms. Heavy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-rainfall-will-wreak-havoc-on-mountain-ranges-as-warming-climate-turns-snow-to-rain/">rainfall</a> can overwhelm drainage systems and natural waterways, causing flash floods and river floods.&nbsp;



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



Urban areas, often with impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt, face heightened flood risks. These materials prevent water from being absorbed into the ground, exacerbating runoff and flooding.&nbsp;



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



Climate change also influences the severity and frequency of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-causes-the-rapid-intensification-of-hurricanes/">hurricanes</a> and cyclones. These storms bring heavy rains and storm surges, further increasing flood risks.&nbsp;



Professor Lindsey McEwen has elaborated more on flood management in her book <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Flood-Risk-and-Community-Resilience-An-Interdisciplinary-Approach/McEwen/p/book/9781138954472" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flood Risk and Community Resilience</a>.



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Can we outrun the flood risks of climate change?

Climate change is making floods worse and more common around...

Annoyed,Young,Woman,Waiting,In,Line,At,Restaurant

In a world characterized by instant gratification, waiting emerges as a universally dreaded experience. Yet, it's an inevitable part of our daily lives, whether we're stuck in traffic or eagerly anticipating the results of an election. 



<a href="https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-directory/annabelle-roberts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annabelle Roberts</a>, an assistant marketing professor at <a href="https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas McCombs</a>, delves into this common human experience through her insightful research. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-closer-look-decision-making-and-waiting">Closer look: Decision-making and waiting</h2>



Roberts' studies, detailed in two new papers, shed light on the intricate dance of patience and impatience, revealing the significant role of closure in managing our waiting experiences.



Her work also offers lessons on what marketers can do to make waiting less annoying. She says, “Everyone has had this experience of getting overly frustrated while they’re waiting.”



Roberts' research centers on the impact of the desire for closure on our patience levels. In one study, she collaborates with Alex Imas and Ayelet Fishbach from the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a> to explore how this need influences our decisions, particularly when faced with the option of receiving a reward now versus later. 



Their findings illustrate a counterintuitive truth. People often prefer to exert more effort or pay more upfront to achieve closure sooner. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted</h2>



In a series of studies carried out both online and in laboratory settings, participants faced choices that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traffic-pollution-impairs-brain-network-connectivity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tested their patience</a>: either to undertake more work immediately or to defer the effort for a lesser workload later, with the outcome remaining constant. 



The studies found that participants leaned towards options that granted them closure more swiftly, manifesting a willingness to either pay a premium or exert additional effort. 



Specifically, they opted to pay an extra dollar if it meant they could settle payments promptly and eliminate the pending task from their mental checklist.



Similarly, the option to complete 15% more work upfront for identical compensation was more appealing if it enabled them to conclude the task sooner. 



Furthermore, faced with the desire to clear their minds before a vacation, participants chose to work an extra hour without pay to finalize a report, over the option of completing it for pay upon their return.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impatience-paradox-when-waiting-becomes-too-much">Impatience paradox: When waiting becomes too much</h2>



This phenomenon highlights a deeper aspect of impatience -- it's not merely about the eagerness to obtain a reward but also about the relief that comes from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/switching-lines-wait-shorter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">completing goals</a>. 



"The need for goal closure helps explain the counterintuitive preference for working more sooner or paying more sooner," Roberts explains. "It’s also about crossing goals off their list, not having the goal hanging over them."



Roberts' insights hold valuable lessons for both management and marketing. Understanding that the desire for closure can motivate people to avoid procrastination, managers can devise strategies to enhance team motivation effectively. 



Moreover, the research provides a critique of marketing promotions like "buy now, pay later" deals, suggesting that consumers might reject these offers to avoid the looming stress of future payments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-trajectory-of-waiting">Emotional trajectory of waiting</h2>



Roberts' second paper, in collaboration with Fishbach, delves into the emotional journey of waiting. Their research reveals that the distress associated with waiting intensifies as the end approaches. 



“This paper was about people's feelings, their experiences while they wait,” Roberts says. “When you expect the wait to be ending soon, you become more impatient closer to that expectation.”



This was observed in <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/patience-is-a-virtue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">real-life scenarios</a>, such as the anticipation for the COVID-19 vaccine or the arrival of a bus, where individuals reported increasing levels of impatience as they neared the moment of fulfillment. 



This trend was also evident during the 2020 presidential election, with supporters of both candidates experiencing heightened impatience as the vote counting progressed.



“Even for those who expected their candidate wasn’t going to win, they just wanted to get this over with,” Roberts says. “This nicely demonstrates the desire for closure and how it plays out in the experience of waiting.”



Roberts suggests practical applications of her findings for businesses, especially in managing customer expectations around waiting times. 



She advises that companies prepare customers for longer waits to mitigate impatience and communicate any delays early in the waiting period, allowing customers to adjust their expectations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-focus-beyond-immediate-gratification">Future focus: Beyond immediate gratification</h2>



As Roberts continues her research, she aims to identify interventions that can help individuals manage their waiting experiences more effectively. 



"I want my research to help people manage their waiting experiences," she states, emphasizing the importance of developing strategies that enable people to make better decisions, such as saving for the future, by enhancing their patience.



In summary, Dr. Annabelle Roberts' pioneering research analyzes the psychological underpinnings of impatience, offering valuable insights into how the need for closure drives decision-making and emotional responses during periods of waiting. 



By dissecting the motivations behind our desire to expedite tasks and the intensifying distress as waits draw to a close, Roberts enhances our understanding of human behavior and provides practical guidance for individuals and businesses alike. 



Her work emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and the potential for targeted interventions to foster patience, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of our decisions and our overall experience of waiting in everyday life.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fpspa0000367" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Personality and Social Psychology</a>.



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Why humans hate to wait and what our impatience says about us

In a world characterized by instant gratification, waiting emerges as...

Wetlands, the most extensive natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-seas-release-more-methane-from-wetlands-than-expected/">methane</a> sources on Earth, are contributing significantly to atmospheric warming, with methane being around 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide.&nbsp;



A study led by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-seas-release-more-methane-from-wetlands-than-expected/">Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory</a> (Berkeley Lab) has revealed a concerning trend. Methane emissions from the Boreal-Arctic wetlands have surged by approximately nine percent since 2002. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accelerated-warming-rates-nbsp">Accelerated warming rates&nbsp;</h2>



This rise is particularly alarming given the accelerated warming rates in Boreal and Arctic ecosystems, which are currently warming at nearly four times the global average.



The study was led by Qing Zhu, a Berkeley Lab research scientist, along with postdoctoral researcher Kunxiaojia Yuan. Their work leverages advanced monitoring techniques to quantify the uptick in emissions over the last two decades.&nbsp;



“Boreal and Arctic environments are carbon-rich and vulnerable to warming. Rising temperatures increase microbial activity and vegetation growth, which are associated with methane emissions. By understanding how natural methane sources are evolving, we can better track greenhouse gasses critical for projecting future climate change scenarios,” Zhu explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methane-s-impact-on-global-warming">Methane's impact on global warming</h2>



The study underscores methane's significant impact on atmospheric warming, despite its shorter atmospheric lifespan compared to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-news-plants-are-absorbing-more-human-produced-co2-than-expected/">carbon dioxide</a>.&nbsp;



According to the researchers, higher temperatures not only boost the activity of methane-producing microbes in saturated soils but also expand their habitat as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/time-traveling-pathogens-from-melting-permafrost-pose-great-risk-to-the-earth/">permafrost</a> thaws and precipitation patterns shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-results">Alarming results</h2>



Employing a combination of traditional gas trapping and eddy covariance towers, the Berkeley Lab team analyzed over 307 years' worth of methane emissions data from Arctic-Boreal wetlands.&nbsp;



Their findings indicate an average annual release of 20 teragrams of methane since 2002, equating to the mass of roughly 55 Empire State Buildings, with a notable nine percent increase in emissions during this period.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-new-insights">Critical new insights</h2>



The study also identifies two "hotspot" regions with significantly higher emissions, emphasizing the importance of focused mitigation efforts in these areas.&nbsp;



The analysis further reveals temperature and plant productivity as key drivers of methane emissions, with warmer conditions and more productive vegetation leading to increased microbial activity and, consequently, higher methane release.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-nbsp">Broader implications&nbsp;</h2>



The year 2016, marked as the warmest in the high-latitudes since 1950, also recorded the highest methane emissions, underscoring the direct correlation between temperature elevations and methane release.



However, according to Zhu, since “methane has a relatively short lifetime in the atmosphere, its reduction and removal can be achieved relatively quickly.”&nbsp;



The research provides a scientific baseline for comprehending wetlands' role in global climate dynamics and addressing climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wetland-methane-emissions">Wetland methane emissions</h2>



Wetland methane emissions significantly contribute to the global methane budget, playing a critical role in atmospheric chemistry and climate change.&nbsp;



Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is released from wetlands primarily through the metabolic activities of microorganisms. In these waterlogged environments, organic matter decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), leading to the production of methane by methanogenic archaea.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contributing-factors-nbsp">Contributing factors&nbsp;</h3>



The rate of methane emissions from wetlands depends on several factors, including temperature and water saturation levels.



Warmer temperatures and higher levels of water saturation typically enhance methane production, as they provide ideal conditions for methanogens.&nbsp;



The type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vegetation-impacts-energy-movement-in-the-arctic/">vegetation</a> present in wetlands also influences methane emissions, as different plant species contribute varying amounts of organic material for decomposition.



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



Human activities, such as land use changes and water management practices, can alter wetland conditions and thus affect methane emissions.&nbsp;



Drainage, agriculture, and the construction of dams can reduce wetland areas and their capacity to emit methane. Conversely, restoration of wetlands and creation of artificial wetlands can increase methane emissions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-wetlands">Benefits of wetlands</h3>



Globally, wetlands represent the largest natural source of methane emissions to the atmosphere. Despite their contribution to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-plans-to-eliminate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-power-plants-by-2040/">greenhouse gas emissions</a>, wetlands also provide critical ecosystem services, including biodiversity conservation. 



Balancing the ecological benefits of wetlands with their role in methane emissions is a key challenge in climate change mitigation and environmental management.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-01933-3">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Wetland methane emissions have surged at high latitudes

Wetlands, the most extensive natural methane sources on Earth, are...

Within the realm of plants known for their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/masters-of-deception-orchids-use-trickery-to-get-what-they-need/">deceptive pollination</a> strategies, a team from <a href="https://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kobe University</a> has discovered a species that transforms its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowers-blooming-92-days-earlier-due-to-climate-change/">flowers</a> into a nurturing space rather than a fatal trap. 



This finding challenges the traditional dichotomy of mutualism and parasitism, illuminating the intricate evolution of plant-pollinator relationships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fatal-trap">A fatal trap</h2>



Most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/">plants</a> engage animals for pollination by offering them rewards. However, the Arisaema genus stands out for its unique approach, trapping pollinators to ensure <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weevils-the-unknown-and-underappreciated-pollination-heroes/">pollination</a> at a fatal cost.&nbsp;



“It is famous as the only plant that achieves pollination at the expense of the pollinator's life,” said Kobe University biologist Suetsugu Kenji. The plant entices fungus gnats with its musky scent, only to trap them inescapably within its female flowers.



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



Driven by a commitment to expand the boundaries of pollination biology, Suetsugu and his team delved into the genus Arisaema. The goal was to uncover more complex interactions.&nbsp;



The research focused on the species A. thunbergii, commonly known as Asian jack-in-the-pulpit. The team investigated the fate of both male and female flowers and the insects ensnared by them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-and-escape">Survival and escape</h2>



The study revealed that the primary pollinator, the fungus gnat Leia ishitanii, uses the flowers as a breeding ground. The larvae feed on the decaying floral matter and eventually emerge as adults.&nbsp;



Intriguingly, some gnats were observed escaping from flowers unharmed, suggesting a possibility of survival and escape from the floral trap.



“This finding adds a new dimension to our knowledge of plant-insect interactions," Suetsugu remarked, highlighting the continuous potential for discovery within well-explored fields.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-nursery-pollination-mutualism">Evolution of nursery pollination mutualism</h2>



Suetsugu argued that the relationship between A. thunbergii and its pollinators might not fully align with typical nursery mutualism. Trapped gnats lose future reproductive opportunities, yet some level of mutual benefit exists, unseen in other Arisaema species.



Thus, this interaction may represent a transitional phase in the evolution of nursery pollination mutualism, suggesting a shift from deceptive to mutualistic relationships.&nbsp;



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



According to Suetsugu, further examination of the Arisaema genus may reveal more examples of such complex interactions, underscoring the importance of revisiting and refining models of pollination biology to encompass a broader spectrum of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urbanization-alters-the-dynamics-of-plant-pollinator-networks/">plant-pollinator dynamics</a>.



Through this research, the scientists not only challenge established notions in pollination biology but also contribute to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the ongoing dance between plants and their pollinators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Plant-pollinator relationships</h2>



Plant-pollinator relationships form the cornerstone of ecosystems and biodiversity, acting as essential mechanisms for the reproduction of many flowering plants. In these relationships, pollinators such as bees, butterflies, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-years-fireworks-send-millions-of-birds-on-erratic-flights/">birds</a>, and bats visit flowers to feed on their nectar and pollen.&nbsp;



During their visits, pollinators inadvertently transfer pollen from the male parts of one flower (the anthers) to the female parts of another (the stigma), facilitating cross-pollination. This process is crucial for the production of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chia-seeds-have-great-potential-to-improve-human-health/">seeds</a> and fruits, ensuring the continuation of plant species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Attracting pollinators</h3>



Flowering plants have evolved a variety of strategies to attract their specific pollinators. For instance, they exhibit brightly colored petals and produce alluring scents to draw in bees and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monarch-butterflies-with-more-white-spots-are-more-likely-to-survive-their-migration-journey/">butterflies</a>. Some plants, like the night-blooming jasmine, release their fragrance at night to attract nocturnal pollinators such as moths and bats.&nbsp;



Others have developed shapes and structures that cater to the feeding habits of their pollinators, ensuring an effective transfer of pollen. For example, tubular flowers are perfectly shaped for hummingbirds. Their long beaks can reach the nectar at the base, while simultaneously coming into contact with the pollen.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mutual benefits&nbsp;</h3>



The benefits of plant-pollinator relationships are mutual. While plants receive pollination, essential for their reproductive success, pollinators gain access to vital food resources. Nectar provides them with energy in the form of sugars, and pollen offers proteins and fats, crucial for their diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Growing threats</h2>



However, threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, pollution, and climate change endanger the survival of both plants and their pollinators. The decline in pollinator populations poses a significant risk to global food security.&nbsp;



Conservation efforts are therefore critical to protect these relationships, ensuring the sustainability of natural ecosystems and agricultural systems alike.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/PPP3.10494" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants, People, Planet</a>.



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New twist in the evolution of plant-pollinator relationships

Within the realm of plants known for their deceptive pollination...

A recent study highlights a concerning link between sleep deprivation and increased cardiovascular risks among middle-aged women. Conducted by researchers at the <a href="https://www.pitt.edu/">University of Pittsburgh</a>, the investigation followed nearly 3,000 women aged 42 to 52 over a span of 16 years.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-severe-cardiovascular-risks">Severe cardiovascular risks</h2>



Through annual surveys, the study meticulously tracked the participants' sleep patterns. This data included average nightly sleep duration and experiences of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/energy-drinks-linked-to-insomnia-among-college-students/">insomnia</a>. The team also tracked the health status of the participants to monitor the onset of diseases.



The analysis unveiled a stark finding: women who consistently slept fewer than five hours per night were at a risk up to 75 percent higher of encountering severe cardiovascular issues such as strokes, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-people-die-from-heart-attacks-during-the-holidays/">heart attacks</a>, heart failure, and coronary artery disease.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-of-a-direct-link">Evidence of a direct link</h2>



Notably, the correlation persisted even after adjusting for other risk factors like BMI and pre-existing health conditions. This suggests that there is a direct link between short sleep duration and cardiovascular health.



The researchers propose that insufficient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-counteracts-negative-effects-of-sleep-deprivation/">sleep</a> might escalate blood pressure levels and foster insulin resistance, both of which can lead to vascular damage. Another concern is an increased obesity risk due to disrupted regulation of hunger caused by lack of sleep.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-for-optimal-health">Sleep for optimal health</h2>



With the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/index.htm">Center for Disease Control and Prevention</a> (CDC) advising seven to nine hours of sleep per night for optimal health, it's alarming that up to one-third of adults in the U.S. regularly fall short of this recommendation.&nbsp;



This issue is particularly prevalent among middle-aged women, half of whom reportedly do not achieve the suggested seven hours of sleep, placing them at heightened risk for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-mortality-risk-escalated-by-climate-change/">heart disease</a>, especially as estrogen levels decline post-menopause, affecting blood vessel flexibility and heart blood flow.



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



The study, featured in the American Heart Association's journal <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.066491">Circulation</a>, utilized data from the extensive <a href="https://www.swanstudy.org/">Study of Women's Health Across the Nation</a> (SWAN), which has been observing thousands of women for over 22 years. Throughout this period, 200 cardiovascular events were recorded, including 23 fatalities.



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



The research, while groundbreaking, acknowledges certain limitations, such as reliance on self-reported sleep and insomnia data without the verification of medical devices. Additionally, factors like sleep timing, regularity, and quality were not evaluated.



Further research and intervention strategies are urgently needed in order to mitigate the risks associated with inadequate sleep and safeguard the heart health of women, particularly since cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women in the U.S.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-risks-of-sleep-deprivation-nbsp">Additional risks of sleep deprivation&nbsp;</h2>



Sleep deprivation significantly impacts health, leading to a range of short-term and long-term consequences.&nbsp;



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



In the short term, sleep deprivation reduces alertness, concentration, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. This makes daily tasks more challenging and increases the risk of accidents. Lack of sleep also affects mood, leading to irritability, problems with relationships, and increased stress.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-effects-nbsp">Long-term effects&nbsp;</h3>



Over time, chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to serious health issues. It weakens the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections.&nbsp;



It disrupts metabolic health, increasing the risk of weight gain, obesity, type 2 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-eating-sea-cucumbers-can-prevent-diabetes/">diabetes</a>, and cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. Sleep deprivation also affects hormone production, impacting growth and stress hormones, which can further exacerbate health problems.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-disorders-nbsp">Mental health disorders&nbsp;</h3>



Additionally, prolonged sleep deprivation is linked to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. It can also lead to impaired <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-learning-how-the-brain-stores-new-information/">memory</a> and decreased ability to learn new information, as sleep plays a critical role in memory consolidation.



By disrupting the body's natural processes and increasing stress and inflammation, sleep deprivation poses a significant threat to overall health and well-being. Prioritizing adequate sleep is essential for maintaining health and preventing these adverse effects.



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Sleep deprivation increases the risk of stroke by 70 percent

A recent study highlights a concerning link between sleep deprivation...

Desert locusts, recognized by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization as the most destructive migratory pest in the world, have been identified as a growing threat due to climate change. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-insect-decline-what-are-the-causes-and-consequences/">insects</a> are capable of traveling in swarms of millions and devastating crops across vast regions.&nbsp;



The experts report that outbreaks of desert locusts could increase in frequency and severity due to erratic weather patterns fueled by global warming.&nbsp;



In particular, the researchers found that extreme weather events such as increased rainfall and extreme wind conditions may lead to bigger and worse desert locust outbreaks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasingly-difficult-outbreaks-nbsp">Increasingly difficult outbreaks&nbsp;</h2>



Desert locusts are found in dry areas of northern and eastern Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. They thrive in conditions where extreme rainfall follows prolonged periods of aridity. These conditions create ideal breeding grounds for these pests.



A square-kilometer swarm contains 80 million locusts. In a single day, this swarm can wipe out enough food crops to feed 35,000 people. The study authors said these outbreaks will be increasingly hard to prevent and control in a warming climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-hotspots-for-desert-locusts">Major hotspots for desert locusts</h2>



With an analysis of incidents from 1985 to 2020, the study underscores a significant correlation between climate change and locust outbreaks. Notably, the researchers identified ten countries, including Kenya, Morocco, Niger, Yemen, and Pakistan, as major hotspots among 48 affected nations.&nbsp;



The research brings to light the worst outbreak in 25 years, which struck East Africa in 2019 and 2020. The outbreak caused unprecedented agricultural damage and threatened the livelihoods of millions by impacting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-infections-are-threatening-global-food-security/">food security</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favorable-conditions-for-outbreaks-nbsp">Favorable conditions for outbreaks&nbsp;</h2>



Professor Xiaogang He at the <a href="https://nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National University of Singapore</a>, who led the research, said more extreme weather events will add unpredictability to locust outbreaks.&nbsp;



The researchers linked the magnitude of desert locust outbreaks to specific weather and land conditions, such as air <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-global-temperature-exceeded-2c-for-the-first-time/">temperature</a>, precipitation, soil moisture, and wind patterns. The study also highlights the role of El Niño in exacerbating the conditions favorable for locust outbreaks.



Douglas Tallamy is a professor of Entomology at the University of Delaware who was not part of the research. He noted that erratic weather and rainfall trigger spurts in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vegetation-impacts-energy-movement-in-the-arctic/">vegetation</a> and therefore fuels enormous population growth in locusts. "As such variability increases, it is logical to predict that locust outbreaks will increase as well," said Tallamy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-impacts-and-food-security-nbsp">Economic impacts and food security&nbsp;</h2>



The financial implications of locust outbreaks are staggering, with past events costing hundreds of millions in response efforts and causing billions in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/laser-scarecrows-could-revolutionize-crop-protection/">crop damage</a>. This study highlights the urgent need for action against climate change. The research also underscores the urgent need for adaptive strategies to combat the threat of desert locust outbreaks.&nbsp;



As the habitats of these pests expand and the frequency of extreme weather events rises, the global community faces a critical challenge in safeguarding food production systems against the looming threat of increased locust activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-desert-locust-swarms">Broader implications of desert locust swarms</h2>



Countries affected by desert locust outbreaks are already grappling with climate-driven extremes like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flash-droughts-are-becoming-the-new-normal/">droughts</a>, floods and heat waves, and the potential escalation of locust risks in these regions could exacerbate existing challenges, said Professor He. "Failure to address these risks could further strain food production systems and escalate the severity of global food insecurity."



He hopes the study will help countries understand the climate impacts on locusts, particularly in the context of food security. He also urges for better regional and continental cooperation to respond quickly and build early warning systems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adj1164" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Extreme weather dramatically increases the threat of desert locust swarms

Desert locusts, recognized by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization...

3d,Of,Human,Hand,Holding,The,Light,Blood,Dna,Cell

Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), part of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, have introduced a major advancement in the field of biological age research.



The experts have developed a new type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-is-epigenetics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">epigenetic</a> clock using machine learning to predict biological age from DNA structure with enhanced precision. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-genetic-differences-nbsp">Identifying genetic differences&nbsp;</h2>



This innovative model, detailed in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-023-00557-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Aging</a>, is capable of identifying genetic differences that either decelerate or accelerate the aging process, offering a clearer understanding of aging mechanisms and the effectiveness of anti-aging interventions.



“Previous clocks considered the relationship between methylation patterns and features we know are correlated with aging, but they don’t tell us which factors cause one’s body to age faster or slower. We have created the first clock to distinguish between cause and effect,” said senior author Vadim Gladyshev, an expert in genetics at <a href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BWH</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shift-in-biological-age-research">Shift in biological age research </h2>



This development marks a pivotal shift in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epigenetic-passed-future-generations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging research</a>, allowing scientists to not only predict biological age but also to discern the changes in DNA methylation that either propel or counteract aging.



The study leverages a vast genetic dataset to perform an epigenome-wide Mendelian Randomization on 20,509 CpG sites related to eight aging traits. 



Kejun (Albert) Ying, the study's first author, helped with the creation of three models - CausAge, DamAge, and AdaptAge - to analyze and interpret these relationships. 



These models were meticulously trained using blood samples from the "Generation Scotland Cohort," comprising individuals aged 18 to 93 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biomarkers-that-directly-influence-aging">Biomarkers that directly influence aging</h2>



The research team successfully mapped human CpG sites causative of biological aging, facilitating the identification of biomarkers directly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifes-essential-8-may-slow-biological-aging-by-six-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influencing aging</a> and the assessment of various anti-aging strategies. 



The findings underscore the complex interplay between genetic inheritance and lifestyle factors in determining the rate of aging among individuals.



Further validation of these epigenetic clocks was conducted using data from the Framingham Heart Study and the Normative Aging Study, revealing correlations between DamAge and adverse health outcomes and AdaptAge with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-induced-increases-in-biological-age-can-be-reversed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increased longevity</a>. 



The clocks also demonstrated their utility in evaluating the rejuvenation potential of reprogrammed stem cells, with DamAge scores indicating a reduction in age-related damage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-biological-age">Broader implications of biological age</h2>



By applying these clocks to biological samples from patients with chronic conditions and lifestyle-induced damage, the researchers were able to differentiate between conditions exacerbating age-related damage and those associated with protective adaptations.



"Aging is a complex process, and we still do not know what interventions against it actually work," said Gladyshev. "Our findings present a step forward for aging research, allowing us to more accurately quantify biological age and evaluate the ability of novel aging interventions to increase longevity."&nbsp;



This breakthrough in aging research paves the way for more nuanced understanding and treatment of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consistent-sleep-slows-down-aging-at-a-cellular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging process</a>, promising a future where interventions can be tailored to not just slow down aging but potentially reverse its effects.



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



As discussed above, biological aging, also known as senescence, is the gradual decline in physiological function and integrity that organisms experience as they get older. This process involves changes at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels.



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



At the molecular level, aging is characterized by the accumulation of damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, caused by factors such as environmental stresses and normal metabolic processes. This damage can lead to mutations, disruptions in cellular function, and the loss of cellular integrity.&nbsp;



Telomere shortening, which occurs each time a cell divides, also plays a significant role. Telomeres are protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division, eventually leading to cellular senescence or apoptosis (programmed cell death) when they become too short.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-age-at-the-cellular-level">Biological age at the cellular level</h3>



Cellular aging is marked by a decrease in the cell's ability to divide (replicative senescence), an increase in the number of senescent cells that resist apoptosis, and a decline in the efficiency of cellular repair mechanisms.&nbsp;



Senescent cells can negatively affect neighboring cells and tissue function through the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors and other molecules, a phenomenon known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).



At the systemic level, aging affects the function of various organs and tissues, leading to a gradual decline in physiological capacity and an increased risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. The immune system also undergoes changes, becoming less effective at fighting infections and more prone to autoimmune responses.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theories-about-biological-age">Theories about biological age</h3>



Theories of aging are diverse and include the free radical theory, which posits that accumulated damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a critical role, and the mitochondrial theory, which focuses on the decline in mitochondrial function as a key driver of aging. 



Additionally, the role of genetic factors in aging is evident from the observation that lifespan and aging rates vary significantly among species and even among individuals of the same species, suggesting that genetics, along with lifestyle and environmental factors, influence the aging process.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-into-biological-age">Future research into biological age</h3>



Despite the challenges posed by aging, research in the field of gerontology and biogerontology is actively exploring interventions that could delay the aging process, improve health span, and extend lifespan.&nbsp;



These include dietary interventions, such as caloric restriction, and pharmacological approaches targeting aging pathways, such as those involving sirtuins, mTOR, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).



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Epigenetic "DNA clocks" predict biological age more accurately

Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), part of the...

The global battle against COVID-19 has unveiled many mysteries about how the virus affects the human body, including its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-death-toll-of-covid-19-pandemic-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact on the brain</a>. 



Early in the pandemic, the direct infection of the brain by SARS-CoV-2 was considered a potential cause for the neurological symptoms observed in patients. 



But now, research conducted by <a href="https://www.charite.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin </a> has provided evidence that points in another direction. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-interactions-nbsp">Complex interactions&nbsp;</h2>



The detailed study offers insight into the complex interaction between the virus, the immune system, and brain function, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms that lead to neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients.



One of the most perplexing aspects of COVID-19 infection has been the range of neurological symptoms that patients experience, including headaches, memory problems, and fatigue, which can persist long after the acute phase of the infection has passed. 



Initially, researchers theorized that these symptoms could be due to the virus directly infecting the brain.



“We took that as our hypothesis at the start, too. But so far, there has been no clear evidence that the coronavirus can persist in the brain, let alone proliferate,” explained Dr. Helena Radbruch, head of the Chronic Neuroinflammation working group at the Department of Neuropathology at Charité.&nbsp;



“For that, we would have needed to find evidence of intact virus particles in the brain, for example. Instead, the indications that the coronavirus could infect the brain come from indirect testing methods, so they aren’t entirely conclusive.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-covid-and-inflammation">Studying COVID and inflammation </h2>



This lack of clarity led the Charité team to explore alternative explanations for the neurological impacts of COVID-19.&nbsp;



The study involved detailed molecular biology and anatomical analyses of brain tissue from 21 individuals who succumbed to severe coronavirus infections in hospital settings, typically in an ICU.&nbsp;



The analyses were compared against those of nine patients who died of other causes after ICU treatment. 



While the team did find coronavirus genetic material in the brain in some cases, they discovered no neurons infected by SARS-CoV-2. 



This led to the conclusion that while the virus can be carried into the brain by immune cells, it does not infect brain cells directly.



“We assume that immune cells absorbed the virus in the body and then traveled to the brain. They’re still carrying the virus, but it doesn’t infect cells of the brain. So coronavirus has invaded other cells in the body, but not the brain itself," explained Radbruch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-insights">Critical insights</h2>



The research suggests that neurological symptoms may arise as a side effect from the body's powerful immune response to the virus. 



Notably, the study found significant changes in molecular processes within some brain cells of those infected with COVID-19. 



These changes included an increased activation of the interferon signaling pathway, a common response to viral infections, indicating that some neurons react to inflammation elsewhere in the body.



“Some neurons evidently react to the inflammation in the rest of the body,” said Professor Christian Conrad, head of the Intelligent Imaging working group at the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH).



“This molecular reaction could be a good explanation for the neurological symptoms we see in COVID-19 patients. For example, neurotransmitters emitted by these cells in the brainstem could cause fatigue. That’s because the brainstem is home to groups of cells that control drive, motivation, and mood.”



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



According to the researchers, the reactive nerve cells were found primarily in what are known as the nuclei of the vagus nerve. These cells are located in the brainstem and extend to organs such as the lungs, intestine, and heart.&nbsp;



“In simplified terms, our interpretation of our data is that the vagus nerve ‘senses’ the inflammatory response in different organs of the body and reacts to it in the brainstem – without there being any actual infection of brain tissue,” explained Radbruch. “Through this mechanism, the inflammation does spread from the body to the brain in a way, which can disrupt brain function.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-covid-inflammation">Broader implications of COVID inflammation</h2>



The study not only challenges the initial hypothesis that COVID-19's neurological symptoms are due to direct brain infection but also opens new avenues for understanding how inflammation in the body can impact brain function.&nbsp;



The researchers observed that the neurons' reaction to inflammation is temporary, with molecular changes normalizing after the acute infection phase. 



However, they speculate that chronic inflammation could underlie the persistent neurological symptoms seen in some long COVID patients, a theory they plan to investigate further.



“We think it’s possible that if the inflammation becomes chronic, that could be what causes the neurological symptoms often observed in long COVID in some people,” said Conrad.&nbsp;



Going forward, the team is planning to study the molecular signatures in the cerebral fluid of long COVID patients.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41593-024-01573-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Neuroscience</a>. 



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COVID harms the brain through inflammation, not infection

The global battle against COVID-19 has unveiled many mysteries about...

Rivers are complex and crucial parts of our planet. From playful otters to towering salmon, countless creatures call rivers home, relying on their ever-flowing waters for survival.&nbsp;



But what happens when powerful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flash-floods-are-set-to-become-much-more-common-in-the-u-s/">floods</a> disrupt this delicate balance? Scientists from the <a href="https://www.unr.edu/">University of Nevada, Renohas</a> created a model in their lab to answer this question.&nbsp;



The results challenge our previous ideas about how well rivers can recover from floods and other disturbances. The research provides a new perspective on the delicate balance of life in these flowing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atmospheric-dust-plays-surprisingly-crucial-role-in-stabilizing-ocean-ecosystems/">ecosystems</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-resilience-of-the-river-ecosystem-nbsp">The resilience of the river ecosystem&nbsp;</h2>



After floods, the rising water in a river might seem insignificant, but beneath the surface, a battle for survival is waged. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/">Plants</a> and algae, known as autotrophic biomass, face the flood's fury. How quickly they recover after the flood subsides determines the resilience of the entire river ecosystem.



The researchers set out to gain a better understanding of the resilience of the river ecosystem. They developed a clever method using underwater sensors that monitor oxygen levels of 143 rivers.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-window-into-post-flood-recovery-nbsp">A window into post-flood recovery&nbsp;</h2>



This data, fed into their specially designed latent biomass time series (LB-TS) model, revealed a hidden treasure: the daily growth rate of the vital biomass. This model acted as a window into their post-flood recovery, a real-time glimpse into their fight for survival.



"Previously, you would have to go to a river and scrub rocks to measure the algae, and do that several times for an extended period of time in order to estimate changes in biomass growth and loss," said study lead author Joanna R. Blaszczak. "This is very time consuming, so the data have been extremely limited relative to how extensive our sensor networks are."



"The dissolved oxygen sensors show the peak during the day, and the low during the night, and from those patterns, you can estimate how much new algae and other biomass grew that day."



"With the sensors measuring data continuously in hundreds of rivers for years now, we can get a much bigger, clearer picture. The data is there, and we can use it to model the size of flood needed to disturb the biomass in a river, as well as the rate at which a river recovers from flood disturbances, which can help us manage rivers more effectively."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recovering-from-disruptions">Recovering from disruptions</h2>



Traditionally, scientists believed rivers could handle natural floods pretty well. But the research shows rivers might be more sensitive to changes in water flow than we realized.



Different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hypoxia-is-a-serious-problem-in-rivers-worldwide/">rivers</a> recover from disruptions like floods at different speeds. Some bounce back quickly (2 days), while others take longer (14 days).



Normally, we judge a river's flood resistance based on how often it can handle major floods without damage. But it turns out, even smaller changes in water flow can hurt how much life the river supports.&nbsp;



This means our current ways of managing rivers might not be enough. If they're truly more sensitive than we thought, we need to change our approach. This could involve using less water, fixing floodplains, and making plans that better consider the specific needs of each river.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-river-width-and-dams">River width and dams</h2>



Wider rivers bounce back faster from floods than narrow ones, especially if they don't have dams upstream. This study shows that both a river's size and human impacts affect how well it recovers from floods.



Wider rivers spread flood waters out more, which makes the water flow slower and gentler. This gentler flow causes less damage to the plants and animals living in the river, so they can recover more quickly.&nbsp;



Dams, on the other hand, mess up the natural flow of water, sand, and nutrients in the river, making it harder for the ecosystem to bounce back after a flood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-contributing-factors">Additional contributing factors</h2>



Rivers deal with many factors- light, water, plants, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-animals-will-suffer-as-the-rainforest-turns-into-savanna/">animals</a> all play crucial roles. Sunlight acts like fuel for the river ecosystem, powering the growth of plants and algae. Water flow acts like a delivery service, bringing nutrients, shaping the riverbed, and controlling the pace of everything happening.



When a flood disrupts this balance, changes in sunlight and water flow can affect the ecosystem's "food production" (how much organic matter is generated) and its structure (how different organisms are arranged).



Animals like fish and insects play a role in recovering from the disturbance. They eat algae, preventing it from taking over completely, but they can also overeat and slow down the growth of new plants.



Talking about plants, floods can mix things up by moving them around, favoring certain species over others. Initially, fast-growing types might dominate, but as things settle down, a more diverse group usually arrives. This shift in plant life affects everything from nutrient movement to animal habitats.



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



Healthy rivers are vital for clean water, diverse plant and animal life, and strong communities. This study helps us understand how floods affect rivers, which is crucial for protecting their health.



The study focuses on "thresholds": points where floods become harmful to the river ecosystem. Knowing these thresholds is key to managing and protecting rivers effectively. By identifying them, we can take action beforehand, like adjusting dam releases or reinforcing riverbanks, to prevent major damage.



This knowledge is even more important with climate change increasing the number and intensity of floods. We need strong conservation strategies to protect rivers in the face of these challenges.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14269">Ecology Letters</a>. The river analysis is published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.230706512" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Can rivers always recover from floods?

Rivers are complex and crucial parts of our planet. From...

In the ever-evolving world of science, a new field known as imageomics is making significant strides, poised to unveil profound insights into the intricacies of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-inspires-solutions-for-a-sustainable-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life on Earth</a>. 



<a href="https://tdai.osu.edu/people/berger-wolf.1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tanya Berger-Wolf</a>, a pioneering force behind imageomics and the faculty director of the Translational Data Analytics Institute at The Ohio State University, recently shared compelling updates on this discipline's progress and potential. 



During her presentation at the annual meeting of the <a href="https://meetings.aaas.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Association for the Advancement of Science</a> on February 17, 2024, Berger-Wolf encapsulated the essence and aspirations of imageomics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-imageomics-the-birth-of-a-new-science">Imageomics: The birth of a new science</h2>



Imageomics stands at the intersection of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-invent-robot-that-can-swim-under-sand-like-sea-turtle-hatchlings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biology and technology</a>, harnessing the power of machine learning to extract biological insights from images. 



This includes photographs from a variety of sources such as camera traps, satellites, drones, and even the vacation snapshots taken by tourists. 



These images, capturing moments from the lives of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-aquatic-mammals-keep-their-fur-clean-underwater/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> like zebras and whales, are more than mere memories. They are data points ripe for analysis.



The discipline, while in its infancy, has already shown promise in bridging gaps that once seemed insurmountable. 



"Imageomics is coming of age and is ready for its first major discoveries," Berger-Wolf remarked, highlighting the institute's founding in 2021 with support from the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a>. 



The goal is ambitious yet clear: to decode the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-sweaters-use-synthetic-fibers-mimicking-polar-bear-fur/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biological language</a> of organisms through imagery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deciphering-nature-s-code">Deciphering nature's code</h2>



A pivotal focus of imageomics lies in understanding the relationship between phenotypes -- the traits of animals visible in images -- and genotypes, the DNA sequences responsible for these traits. 



Berger-Wolf's enthusiasm is palpable as she discusses the threshold of discovery. 



“We are on the cusp of understanding the direct connections of observable phenotype to genotype,” she said. “We couldn’t do this without imageomics. It is pushing forward both artificial intelligence and biological science.”



This exploration extends beyond mere academic curiosity. Imageomics is a tool that propels both artificial intelligence and biological science forward, offering new methodologies to study <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hummingbirds-adjust-their-wings-to-fly-through-very-tiny-spaces/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural phenomena</a>. 



A fascinating example is the study of butterfly mimicry. Certain butterfly species evolve appearances similar to those of other species to evade predators, a phenomenon challenging for humans and predators alike to discern. 



Through machine learning, researchers can identify subtle differences in color or other traits that distinguish these species -- an achievement <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cuttlefish-camouflage-is-much-more-complex-and-mind-boggling-than-initially-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beyond human capabilities</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-observation-a-call-to-action">Beyond observation: A call to action</h2>



The implications of imageomics extend far beyond academic achievement. It is a conduit for generating new scientific hypotheses, enabling researchers to manipulate images of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monarch-butterflies-with-more-white-spots-are-more-likely-to-survive-their-migration-journey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">butterflies</a>, for instance, to test which variations might fool predators in real-world scenarios. 



This innovative approach marks a departure from traditional uses of AI, moving towards creating testable, novel scientific hypotheses.



But the vision for imageomics is broader still. As researchers delve deeper, connecting the dots between appearance and genetics, the potential to uncover new realms of knowledge grows. 



Berger-Wolf is optimistic about the future: "There’s a lot we are going to be learning in the next few years that will push imageomics forward into new areas that we can only imagine now."



A key aspiration of this burgeoning field is to leverage its findings for conservation efforts. The insights gleaned from imageomics could play a crucial role in protecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-the-future-of-the-endangered-species-act/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endangered species</a> and preserving their habitats. 



As Berger-Wolf succinctly puts it, "There’s a lot of good that will come from imageomics in the coming years."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-imageomics-and-the-future-of-life-on-earth">Imageomics and the future of life on Earth</h2>



In summary, imageomics emerges as a transformative force in scientific research, promising to unlock new dimensions of understanding about life on Earth. 



Through the pioneering efforts of researchers like Tanya Berger-Wolf and the innovative use of machine learning to analyze biological data from images, this nascent field stands on the brink of major breakthroughs. 



From deciphering the genetic underpinnings of observable traits in animals to generating actionable insights for conservation, imageomics embodies the future of interdisciplinary science. 



It enhances our comprehension of biodiversity and provides an outline for safeguarding the natural world for future generations, illustrating the profound impact of integrating technology with biological research.



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Imageomics: AI and biology merge to help us understand life on Earth

In the ever-evolving world of science, a new field known...

Engineers from the University of Pennsylvania have introduced a novel computer chip that could redefine the landscape of artificial intelligence (<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lawless-superintelligence-zero-evidence-ai-control-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a>) development. 



This innovative silicon-photonic (SiPh) chip leverages light waves to perform complex mathematical computations, a critical process in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-has-learned-that-fingerprints-are-not-unique-shattering-a-long-held-belief/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">training AI</a>, with unprecedented speed and efficiency. 



This development not only promises to drastically boost computer processing speeds but also significantly reduce energy consumption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-light-and-silicon">Bridging light and silicon</h2>



The genesis of this chip lies at the intersection of <a href="https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/penn-scientist-nader-engheta-wins-benjamin-franklin-medal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benjamin Franklin Medal Laureate</a> and H. Nedwill Ramsey <a href="https://engheta.seas.upenn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Nader Engheta</a>'s trailblazing research on nano-material manipulation and the SiPh platform's capacity to use silicon for mass chip production. 



Silicon, a widely available and affordable element, has been a staple in manufacturing computer chips. This collaboration marks the first time these two pioneering fields have converged to exploit light -- the fastest communication medium -- for computational purposes.



This approach aims to transcend the limitations of contemporary chips, which, despite decades of technological advancements, still operate under principles dating back to the 1960s. 



The integration of light and matter opens new avenues for surpassing the current capabilities of computer chips, heralding a new era in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-environmental-cost-of-ai-what-are-we-willing-to-give-up-for-computing-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">computing technology</a>.



The collaborative effort showcases the synergy between Engheta's team and that of Firooz Aflatouni, Associate Professor in Electrical and Systems Engineering. 



Aflatouni, known for his work on nanoscale silicon devices, emphasized the strategic partnership, stating, "We decided to join forces," to harness their combined expertise in advancing this technology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionizing-neural-networks">Revolutionizing neural networks</h2>



Central to their innovation is the chip's ability to perform vector-matrix multiplication, a fundamental operation in neural network development. 



Neural networks underpin the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/using-ai-to-decode-the-legacy-of-the-roman-empire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI tools</a> that are increasingly integral to various sectors. By ingeniously adjusting the thickness of the silicon in targeted areas -- a method described by Engheta as varying the silicon to as thin as 150 nanometers -- this design manipulates light's propagation. 



These modifications allow light to scatter in precise patterns, enabling the chip to execute calculations at the speed of light without the need for additional materials.



Aflatouni highlighted the chip's readiness for commercial applications, a direct outcome of the design's compatibility with existing manufacturing processes. 



This adaptability is particularly relevant for graphics processing units (GPUs), which have seen a surge in demand due to the AI development boom. 



"They can adopt the Silicon Photonics platform as an add-on," Aflatouni explained, suggesting a significant potential to expedite <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-decipher-every-possible-facial-expression-outperforming-therapists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI training</a> and classification processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-computer-chip-and-the-unhackable-future">AI computer chip and the unhackable future</h2>



Beyond its impressive speed and energy efficiency, the chip offers substantial privacy benefits. The capacity for simultaneous computations eliminates the need for storing sensitive data in a computer's working memory. 



This feature, as Aflatouni points out, could make future computers virtually impervious to hacking: "No one can hack into a non-existing memory to access your information."



The development of the SiPh chip by Engheta, Aflatouni, and their teams represents a significant leap forward in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-invent-computer-that-operates-just-like-the-human-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">computing technology</a>. 



By harnessing the power of light for computational purposes, they are paving the way for a new generation of AI development, characterized by unparalleled speed, efficiency, and security. 



This fascinating innovation holds promise for enhancing the capabilities of existing technologies while exploring new realms of artificial intelligence, potentially transforming our approach to data processing and machine learning.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-024-01394-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Photonics</a>.



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New computer chip enables AI computing at the speed of light

Engineers from the University of Pennsylvania have introduced a novel...

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. 



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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. 



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).



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



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.



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.



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>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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.



"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.



"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."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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Today's Video of the Day 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.



"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.



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.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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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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Today’s Video of the Day 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;



"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.



"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."



"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."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day 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;



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;



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.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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;



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;



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. 



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.



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. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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Today’s Video of the Day 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.



“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. 



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.



“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;



“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.”



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



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.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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Today’s Video of the Day 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?



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;



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;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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Today’s Video of the Day 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;



'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)."



"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.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes why experts are studying zebrafish to gain a better understanding of how the immune system responds to injury. Zebrafish have the ability to repair and regenerate organs.



“Organ regeneration offers an exciting opportunity for studying the immune system and to inquire why some species can regenerate organs like the heart or missing limbs while others like humans cannot,” explained Dr. Tatjana Piotrowski.



Zebrafish sensory organ hair cells are an ideal system to investigate the pathways and cell types involved in regeneration since they are easily destroyed with antibiotics and begin regenerating within five hours. This enabled the researchers to identify the exact timing and genetic programs for each anti-inflammatory macrophage activation state.&nbsp;



“Our hypothesis is that human macrophages do not receive the proper chemical activation 'cocktail' to instruct pro-regenerative processes,” said Dr. Nicolas Denans. “Identifying the molecular recipe of macrophage activation in zebrafish may one day enable us to design regenerative immunotherapies in humans.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The new evidence is a valuable resource for comparative studies on the genetic programs involved in macrophage-mediated repair and regeneration. In other words, different types of injuries may induce different kinds of inflammatory responses. We want to decipher whether this 'language' is universal or if there are a variety of dialects."



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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How the immune system responds to injury

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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