<p>For a century, Western water forecasts have leaned on a simple idea: more mountain snow means more water in rivers in the spring. But where you measure that snow matters as much as how much you measure.</p>



<p>A new analysis of more than two decades of data across 390 snow-fed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planning-for-an-uncertain-future-in-the-colorado-river-basin/">river basins</a> in 11 Western states shows that placing new instruments at strategically chosen “hotspots” consistently delivers better water supply forecasts than trying to blanket an entire basin with broad surveys.</p>



<p>In those basins, adding hotspot sites improved forecast skill by about 11–14 percent on average. By comparison, doing comprehensive basin-wide snow mapping nudged forecasts up by only about 4 percent on average. </p>



<p>The takeaway is surprisingly straightforward: measuring snow in the right places can help far more than measuring snow everywhere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-snow-matters-most">Where snow matters most</h2>



<p>Hotspots are small areas within a watershed where snow conditions punch above their weight in predicting how much water will actually reach streams months later. </p>



<p>Think of ridgelines, aspects, or elevations where snow tends to persist or melt in patterns that strongly control downstream flow.</p>



<p>Because most existing ground stations sample a tiny fraction of a basin, there’s room to improve forecasts by adding just a few stations - if they’re placed where the snow signal matters most for runoff.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-putting-snow-sites-to-the-test">Putting snow sites to the test</h2>



<p>Researchers sifted through more than 20 years of snow estimates and streamflow records, comparing two expansion strategies for monitoring: adding targeted hotspot gauges, or rely on basin-wide mapping (from aircraft or satellites) to capture total snow volume. </p>



<p>They tested both approaches against the current network of ground stations that operational forecasters use today. </p>



<p>The team treated streamflow forecasting the way a water manager would, asking how much each strategy improved the year-to-year predictive power for seasonal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-global-greening-could-drain-earths-water-supply/">water supply</a>.</p>



<p>Because different basins respond differently, they repeated the analysis for hundreds of watersheds, from the Cascades and Sierra Nevada to the Rockies and the Great Basin. </p>



<p>Across that breadth of climates and terrains, the pattern held - focused hotspot measurements typically outperformed broad coverage.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-airborne-snow-measuring-has-tradeoffs">Airborne snow measuring has tradeoffs</h2>



<p>Basin-wide surveys are undeniably powerful. Airborne campaigns can directly estimate a basin’s total snow volume, and satellites help paint the big picture over vast, remote areas. The catch is cost and cadence.</p>



<p>Airborne surveys are expensive and can’t fly everywhere all the time. Satellite products are improving quickly but still struggle with forests, clouds, and complex terrain, and they need ground truth to keep forecasts anchored in reality.</p>



<p>By contrast, a handful of well-placed ground sensors can run all season, in all weather, at a fraction of the price. </p>



<p>The new study shows those stations can deliver similar - and often better - forecast gains precisely because they target the parts of a basin that control when and how snowmelt becomes streamflow.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snowmelt-and-a-warming-west">Snowmelt and a warming West</h2>



<p>On average, about half of the water in Western U.S. streams comes from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alpine-spring-begins-earlier-speeding-up-plant-growth/">snowmelt</a>. Cities plan reservoir releases and farmers schedule irrigation based on spring forecasts issued months ahead of peak demand.</p>



<p>But warming winters are shrinking mountain snowpacks and making melt timing jumpier, which raises the stakes for every improvement in prediction.</p>



<p>With budgets tightening, the findings offer a practical roadmap: expand monitoring, yes - but do it surgically. In many basins, adding a few instruments at hotspot locations will deliver more value than trying to map the whole watershed every time snow falls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-water-managers-can-do-now"><a></a>What water managers can do now</h2>



<p>One of the most useful outcomes of the study is a framework for identifying where new measurements will help the most. </p>



<p>Rather than guessing, agencies can now screen a basin to find untapped areas whose snow signals are especially predictive of downstream flow and focus new stations there.</p>



<p>The same framework highlights where basin-wide mapping will add value - for example, in large, highly variable basins where total snow volume swings widely from year to year.</p>



<p>In short, there isn’t a single “best” strategy for every watershed. But there is a smarter sequence: start by asking where a new measurement would most improve the forecast, then pick the tool - a ground station, an aircraft flight, or satellite data - that fits the need and the budget.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-as-snowlines-shift">Adapting as snowlines shift</h2>



<p>Hotspot monitoring isn’t a magic wand. Some basins still benefit from periodic aerial surveys to capture the full snow picture, especially after major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-soil-moisture-can-predict-severe-storms/">storms</a> or in places with complex rain-snow transitions.</p>



<p>Satellites remain essential for regional situational awareness. As climate change pushes snowlines higher, the locations of the most informative hotspots may shift, requiring the network to adapt.</p>



<p>The encouraging news is that the ingredients for better forecasts already exist: decades of streamflow records, a century of snow-station data, rapidly improving remote sensing, and now a tested way to combine them so that each new measurement counts.</p>



<p>The study also shows that many forecasters are closer than they might think to an optimally balanced network - one that blends a few carefully placed new stations with occasional basin-wide snapshots to keep tabs on the big swings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-what-matters-most">Measuring what matters most</h2>



<p>Snowmelt will remain the West’s water engine, even as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/">climate change</a> makes it less predictable. This work suggests a practical, budget-savvy way to squeeze more certainty out of the same mountains: measure the snow where it matters most.</p>



<p>When every acre-foot counts, a handful of well-chosen hotspots can do more for tomorrow’s water plan than trying to see everything everywhere all at once.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02660-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications: Earth and Environment</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Measuring snow in the right places can greatly improve water forecasts

For a century, Western water forecasts have leaned on a simple idea: more mountain snow means more water in rivers in the spring. But where you measure that snow matters as much as how much you measure. A new analysis of more than two decades of data across 390 snow-fed river basins in 11 Western states shows that placing new instruments at strategically chosen “hotspots” consistently delivers better water supply forecasts than trying to blanket an entire basin with broad surveys. In those basins, adding hotspot sites...

<p>For many, watching sports is more than just a pastime -- it's a source of joy and relaxation that extends beyond the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/watching-live-sporting-events-increases-wellbeing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thrill of the game</a>. </p>



<p>Recent research reveals that the act of watching sports not only entertains but also fosters a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sports-fan-or-fanatic-study-reveals-the-brain-activity-behind-fanaticism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sense of community</a> and belonging. </p>



<p>This can significantly boost an individual's well-being and, by extension, benefit society at large. Additionally, this includes enhancements to health and productivity and even reductions in crime rates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-between-watching-sports-and-well-being">Link between watching sports and well-being</h2>



<p>Despite these widely acknowledged benefits, the evidence linking sports viewing to well-being remains largely anecdotal. Moreover, scientific data has not robustly supported it.</p>



<p>To address this gap, Associate Professor Shintaro Sato from Waseda University's <a href="https://www.waseda.jp/fsps/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Faculty of Sport Sciences</a> initiated a pioneering study. He collaborated with Assistant Professor Keita Kinoshita from <a href="https://www.ntu.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanyang Technological University</a> and Dr. Kento Nakagawa from Waseda University's <a href="https://www.waseda.jp/fhum/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Faculty of Human Sciences</a>.</p>



<p>Their research, published on March 22, 2024, in the <em>Sports Management Review</em>, aimed to clarify this relationship through a comprehensive approach.</p>



<p>"A significant challenge in well-being research is the subjective nature of measurement procedures, which can lead to biased findings. Therefore, our studies focused on both subjective and objective measures of well-being," explains Professor Sato. </p>



<p>By integrating secondary data analysis, self-reports, and neuroimaging measures, the team sought to explore the connection between sports viewing and well-being. Their focus was on understanding how these activities affect the general population.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-joy-of-the-game">Joy of the game</h2>



<p>The research consisted of three key studies. Firstly, the team analyzed large-scale data concerning 20,000 Japanese residents, confirming a correlation between regular sports viewing and increased well-being. </p>



<p>However, this study's scope was limited in providing deeper insights into why and how watching sports <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-who-play-team-sports-have-fewer-mental-health-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impacts well-being</a>.</p>



<p>In the second study, an online survey involving 208 participants examined whether the type of sport viewed affected well-being. Participants watched various sports videos, and their well-being was assessed before and after. </p>



<p>The results indicated that popular sports like baseball had a more substantial effect on enhancing well-being. In contrast, less popular sports such as golf had a lesser impact.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-sports-and-the-mind-body-connection">Watching sports and the mind-body connection</h2>



<p>The most groundbreaking part of their research was the third study, which used neuroimaging techniques to observe changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/contact-sports-impact-young-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain activi</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/contact-sports-impact-young-brains/">ty</a> after participants watched sports clips. </p>



<p>Using multimodal MRI scans, the study revealed that watching sports activated the brain's reward circuits. These circuits are linked to feelings of happiness and pleasure.</p>



<p>Moreover, structural image analysis showed that frequent sports viewers had greater gray matter volume in areas associated with these reward circuits. This suggests that regular viewing could lead to long-term changes in brain structures.</p>



<p>"Both subjective and objective measures of well-being were found to be positively influenced by engaging in sports viewing. By inducing structural changes in the brain's reward system over time, it fosters long-term benefits for individuals," Professor Sato explained. </p>



<p>"For those seeking to enhance their overall well-being, regularly watching sports, particularly popular ones such as baseball or soccer, can serve as an effective remedy," Sato concluded.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-sports-management-and-public-health">Implications for sports management and public health</h2>



<p>This study highlights the personal advantages of watching sports and significantly enriches the academic field of sports management. </p>



<p>Traditionally, sports management literature has concentrated on the behaviors and demographics of specific sports fans. </p>



<p>However, Sato and his team extended their focus to the general population, examining how sports viewing affects a broader audience's mental and social well-being.</p>



<p>By establishing a clear link between regular sports viewing and enhanced well-being, the research proposes that sports can be more than just entertainment; they can play a crucial role in improving public health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-sports-as-public-policy">Watching sports as public policy</h2>



<p>The findings suggest that encouraging the public to engage more with sports broadcasting could be a strategic move for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health policymakers</a>. This approach could leverage the widespread appeal and accessibility of sports to address public health objectives effectively.</p>



<p>Such implications are pivotal for sports management professionals and public health policymakers alike. For sports managers, understanding the broader impact of sports viewing can guide marketing and engagement strategies to attract a wider audience. </p>



<p>For public health officials, promoting sports viewing could be integrated into programs aiming to boost community health and cohesion, suggesting a novel area for policy development and community engagement initiatives.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14413523.2024.2329831" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sport Management Review</a></em>.</p>



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Watching sports has a very positive impact on mental and physical health

For many, watching sports is more than just a pastime...

<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-advice-leave-bats-alone-if-we-want-to-prevent-future-pandemics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bats</a> may be mysterious creatures of the night, but they're also amazing natural pest controllers with some impressive appetites. This is the conclusion of a new study focusing on bats living on the beautiful island of Madeira, Portugal. </p>



<p>The study highlights just how awesome these flying mammals are, and the amazing benefits they quietly provide us.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-secret-menu-of-island-bats">The secret menu of island bats</h2>



<p>Scientists took a close look – a really close look – at what <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-diets-offer-clues-on-how-to-protect-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bats</a> on Madeira are eating. They wanted to understand the role these amazing creatures play on the island. To do this, they analyzed the DNA of one very specific bat "byproduct" – droppings.</p>



<p>The study examined the dietary habits of three <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-feast-on-migrating-insects-in-the-pyrenees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bat</a> species inhabiting the island of Madeira: the Madeira Pipistrelle, the Madeira Lesser Noctule, and the Grey Long-eared Bat. </p>



<p>Through detailed analysis, researchers discovered a remarkable variety in the bats' diets, revealing a broad spectrum of prey that includes several types of insects.</p>



<p>Each bat species showed a preference for different insect groups, enriching our understanding of their ecological roles. For instance, the Madeira Pipistrelle was found to primarily consume moths and flies, which are abundant at night. </p>



<p>The Madeira Lesser Noctule, on the other hand, favored a diet rich in beetles and spiders, indicating its role in managing populations of these particular pests. </p>



<p>The Grey Long-eared Bat displayed the most diverse diet, feeding on an assortment of insects from butterflies to moths, showcasing its adaptability to available food sources.</p>



<p>This diversity is significant as it underscores the bats' ability to target a wide range of agricultural and forestry pests, thereby naturally controlling these populations. </p>



<p>The presence of such varied diets among the bats also highlights the complexity of their roles within the ecosystem, where they help maintain the balance of insect species and contribute to the overall health of their habitat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bats-and-pests">Bats and pests</h2>



<p>The most significant finding? A whopping 40% of the insects the bats ate were agricultural or forest pests. These are bugs that seriously damage crops or trees, and that's where bats come in as farmers' silent partners.</p>



<p>For example, bananas are extremely important to the economy of Madeira. The banana moth poses a significant risk to this crop, directly impacting the livelihood of farmers on the island. Fortunately, bats are natural predators of the banana moth, helping to control populations of this destructive insect.</p>



<p>Bats don't just protect bananas; they target other serious agricultural pests as well. One such pest is the turnip moth, known for causing widespread damage to vegetables and cereal crops. Another problem insect consumed by bats is the golden twin-spot moth, which significantly damages crops grown in greenhouses.</p>



<p>In addition to controlling agricultural pests, bats even help protect human health. The study found they consume <em>Psychoda albipennis</em>. This insect is a parasite that can cause myiasis, a condition with unpleasant symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea. </p>



<p>By eating this and other pests, bats provide an essential service to both farmers and the broader community.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bats-and-their-smart-detection">Bats and their smart detection</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-bats-navigate-noisy-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bats</a> are incredibly difficult to study in the wild. Their echolocation abilities give them a type of sonar that allows them to expertly navigate their environment. This means they can easily detect and avoid obstacles like the nets researchers traditionally use to capture them for study.</p>



<p>However, the scientists studying bats in Madeira didn't give up. They carefully observed the bats' behavior and discovered a key moment of vulnerability: bats need to drink water. </p>



<p>By focusing on water sources and waiting patiently, the researchers were able to safely and temporarily capture bats for their research. This dedication allowed them to obtain the important information they needed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bat-friendly-farming-to-control-pests">Bat-friendly farming to control pests</h2>



<p>Farming is crucial for providing food, but it can sometimes lead to habitat loss or conflict with wildlife. This study offers an exciting alternative approach. Its findings indicate that a mutually beneficial relationship can exist between farmers and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-secrets-how-bat-teeth-adapted-to-their-diverse-diets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bats</a>.</p>



<p>By strategically placing bat boxes, farmers provide shelter for bats, attracting them to the area. This benefits bats by giving them safe places to roost. At the same time, farmers gain a powerful natural ally in pest control, as bats consume large quantities of insects that damage crops.</p>



<p>This study demonstrates that this concept is not just theoretical. Researchers actively installed bat boxes in protected areas near farms and observed positive results. Endangered Madeiran Pipistrelles were found using the boxes, showing that this strategy can promote bat populations while also benefiting the agricultural community.</p>



<p>"An increasing number of farmers are using bat boxes to attract insectivorous bats to their fields. During our study, we experimented by placing some in the protected area where we were working, and to our excitement, some of these are now inhabited by the vulnerable Madeiran Pipistrelles. This suggests that deploying simple artificial bat roosts might lead to win-win outcomes for both conservation and local farmers," explained study co-author <a href="https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/people/ricardo-rocha">Associate Professor Ricardo Rocha</a> from the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-perceptions">Changing Perceptions</h2>



<p>Bats tend to get a bad reputation, often seen as spooky or creepy. However, studies like this illuminate their true nature. Turns out, while many of us are sleeping, bats are out there, doing their part to keep ecosystems (and farms) healthy. </p>



<p>They're a hidden force for good, and maybe a source of inspiration for pest control solutions that work with nature rather than against it. This study gives us a glimpse into the world of Madeira's insect-munching bats, but the fact is, bats all over the planet provide similar services in their own ecosystems. </p>



<p>The study is published in the <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae033" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Mammalogy</a></em>.</p>



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Bats assist farmers by consuming harmful pests

Bats may be mysterious creatures of the night, but they're...

<p>The elegant white stork, known for its long legs and large wings, offers one of the most spectacular views of animal migration. These birds, which travel from Europe to Africa each autumn and return in the spring, form visible flocks that herald the change of seasons. </p>



<p>A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.mpg.de/987894/animal-behavior" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior</a> in Konstanz, Germany, has shed light on why these storks migrate in such groups: they seem to actively choose to fly together. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storks-prefer-routes-frequented-by-their-peers">Storks prefer routes frequented by their peers</h2>



<p>By tracking 158 storks, the experts found the first concrete evidence of this social behavior during migration, revealing that storks prefer routes frequented by their peers, especially when they are young.</p>



<p>“It’s exciting to see the first clues that storks are actually choosing to fly with others,” said lead author Hester Brønnvik, a doctoral student at Max Planck. “But as they gain migration experience, they also gain the independence to ignore social influences.”</p>



<p>“We can all see that storks fly in flocks, but this observation alone never told us whether or not storks are choosing the routes they take in order to migrate with others,” she added. “It could be that storks are selecting their routes based on other criteria - like good winds or a particular destination - that happen to put them in the same place.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stork-motivation-for-migration-route-selection-nbsp">Stork motivation for migration route selection&nbsp;</h2>



<p>To explore the storks' motivations for route selection, the team utilized a decade’s worth of precise GPS tracking data from storks in southern Germany. This data covered the full migratory journeys of these birds, from inexperienced juveniles to seasoned adults.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We could see the complete <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildebeest-suffer-genetically-from-blocked-migration-routes/">migrations</a> that these storks took every year for their entire lives, from a three-month-old juvenile on its first migration to a highly experienced nine-year old taking one of its last flights,” Brønnvik explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-dynamics-of-stork-migration-nbsp">Social dynamics of stork migration&nbsp;</h2>



<p>To better understand the social dynamics characterizing the 158 storks during their migrations, the experts used data from an extended sample of 400 storks. This larger dataset helped them estimate the probable locations of flocks within the migration landscape. </p>



<p>“This doesn’t tell us definitively whether storks flew with others,” Brønnvik said. “Rather, it gives us a probability, telling us whether a stork’s route would likely put it in the path of other storks.” </p>



<p>With these estimates, the researchers then employed a statistical model to analyze the chosen migration paths of the storks compared to alternative routes that were also available but not taken. This approach allowed the team to infer the reasons behind the storks' route selections, shedding light on their migratory behavior. “The model basically asked them why they chose the route that they did,” Brønnvik explained.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-older-storks-are-more-willing-to-fly-solo">Older storks are more willing to fly solo</h2>



<p>The analysis revealed that storks of all ages preferred <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/storks-are-attracted-to-the-smell-of-freshly-mowed-grass/">routes</a> with higher concentrations of other storks, though older, more experienced birds showed a decreased preference for such routes, indicating a greater willingness to fly solo if the conditions were favorable.</p>



<p>According to senior author Andrea Flack, the leader of the Collective Migration group at Max Planck, younger storks might rely more on the flock for survival strategies, such as locating thermals - updrafts essential for flight - or finding food during stops.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Following others could help you find these essential resources faster,” she said. However, as storks become more experienced, they rely less on this group information, potentially allowing them to better time their migrations for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-snowstorms-impact-breeding-success-of-petrels/">breeding</a> and other individual needs.</p>



<p>These findings&nbsp; provide insight into the decision-making processes of migrating storks while highlighting the significance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-use-collective-behavior-to-reduce-energy-costs/">collective behavior</a> in these decisions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Ultimately, we want to know how the decisions of migrating storks are affected by those around them. Our study provides the first clue of just how important the collective is to those decisions,” Flack concluded.</p>



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



<p>Storks are quite fascinating birds, known not only for their distinctive appearance but also for their interesting behaviors and roles in various cultures.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-migration-patterns-nbsp">Migration patterns&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Many stork species are migratory, with some species, like the white stork, known for their impressive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dads-lead-young-birds-on-their-first-migration/">migratory journeys</a>. They travel thousands of miles between Europe and Africa, crossing the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-symbolism-and-folklore">Symbolism and folklore</h3>



<p>Storks are famous in folklore, particularly in European cultures, where they are often associated with delivering babies. This myth possibly stems from their habit of nesting on rooftops and in chimneys, making them a close presence in human lives.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diet-and-hunting">Diet and hunting</h3>



<p>Storks have a varied diet that includes insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and even other birds. They are excellent hunters, using their long beaks to snatch up prey.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nesting-habits">Nesting habits</h3>



<p>Storks are known for building large nests, which they often use for many years. Some nests have been continuously inhabited by successive stork generations for over a century. These nests can be massive, sometimes as large as a small car.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communication">Communication</h3>



<p>Unlike many birds, storks are mostly silent since they lack the typical vocal organs to produce songs. Instead, they communicate through bill-clattering, which involves rapidly snapping their bills to make a loud noise that can be heard over long distances.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-longevity-and-fidelity">Longevity and fidelity</h3>



<p>Storks can live for 20 to 30 years in the wild. They are also known for their strong pair bonds; many species of storks mate for life, returning to the same partner and nest each breeding season.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-success">Conservation success</h3>



<p>The white stork, in particular, has been a conservation success story in many parts of Europe, where populations have rebounded thanks to efforts to preserve their habitats and reduce hunting.</p>



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



<p>Storks are equipped with long legs and necks, which help them wade through shallow waters while looking for food. Their legs have adaptations that allow them to shut off blood flow to prevent heat loss while standing in cold water.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.052" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Current Biology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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



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Younger storks choose migration routes that are social hotspots

The elegant white stork, known for its long legs and...

<p>We all know that when it comes to life on Earth, green is where it's at. Plants, with their chlorophyll, form the basis of most ecosystems. But what if, in our grand search for life beyond Earth, we've been looking for the wrong colors? Scientists at Cornell University have a fascinating new theory – what if many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-finds-17-exoplanets-that-have-oceans-and-possibly-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alien worlds</a> harbor purple bacteria?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-alien-hunting-using-purple-bacteria">New alien hunting using purple bacteria</h2>



<p>When we imagine a planet orbiting another star that could potentially support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-life-on-europa-co2-discovery-by-webb-increases-the-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life</a>, our minds naturally jump to what we know best – Earth. We picture swirling blue oceans, vast green forests, and even continents with recognizable shapes. </p>



<p>It's a comforting image, a familiar template for what life-bearing planets might look like out there in the cosmos. However, this Earth-centric view might be limiting our search for extraterrestrial life. </p>



<p>The research from <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a> suggests that a significant portion of planets capable of supporting life might not resemble our blue and green home at all. Instead, they could be dominated by a surprising organism: purple bacteria.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-purple-photosynthesis-and-alien-life">Purple photosynthesis and alien life</h2>



<p>Purple bacteria are a fascinating group of organisms with some key differences from the plant life we're familiar with. </p>



<p>Unlike plants, which use visible light and chlorophyll for photosynthesis, purple bacteria utilize a different type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-algae-genes-chlorophyll-boost-crop-yields-land-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chlorophyll</a> that absorbs infrared light, a type of light invisible to the human eye. </p>



<p>This allows them to capture energy for food production in environments where sunlight might be limited or have a different wavelength spectrum.</p>



<p>Another unique feature of purple bacteria is that they don't produce oxygen as a byproduct of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>. This sets them apart from plants and some other bacteria on Earth. </p>



<p>Interestingly, these bacteria might have been the dominant photosynthetic lifeforms on our own planet before green plants took center stage.</p>



<p>Finally, purple bacteria seem particularly well-suited for colonizing planets orbiting cool red dwarf stars. These stars, which are the most common type in our galaxy, emit a significant amount of infrared radiation. This makes them ideal candidates for harboring planets where purple bacteria could thrive.</p>



<p>"'Purple bacteria can thrive under a wide range of conditions, making it one of the primary contenders for life that could dominate a variety of worlds,'" explains Lígia Fonseca Coelho, postdoctoral associate at the <a href="https://carlsaganinstitute.cornell.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carl Sagan Institute</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bio-signature-of-purple-bacteria-and-aliens">Bio-signature of purple bacteria and aliens</h2>



<p>So how do you actually spot a 'pale purple dot' tucked away in distant solar systems? Coelho and her team have been busy creating models of what these purple-dominant planets would look like. </p>



<p>They're simulating different climates, cloud levels – just to see how these purple bacteria would 'color' the light reflected from the alien planet.</p>



<p>The ultimate goal is to create what scientists call a 'biosignature'. It's like a cosmic fingerprint of life. If our next-generation telescopes catch that telltale purple fingerprint, it's game on! It means we'd have to carefully study the potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-identified-85-new-exoplanets-that-could-harbor-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alien</a> world to see if this purple haze is due to life, or maybe colorful minerals.</p>



<p>"'We need to create a database for signs of life to make sure our telescopes don’t miss life if it happens not to look exactly like what we encounter around us every day,'" says co-author Lisa Kaltenegger, director of the <a href="https://carlsaganinstitute.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carl Sagan Institute</a> and professor of astronomy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cosmos-is-colorful">The cosmos is colorful</h2>



<p>The potential discovery of purple bacteria on an alien exoplanet has significant implications beyond finding just one unique microbe. It raises the fascinating possibility that life may be able to exist in a wider range of conditions than we previously imagined.</p>



<p>"Detecting a “pale purple dot” in another solar system would trigger intensive observations of the planet to try to rule out other color sources, such as colorful minerals," said Kaltenegger. If life can exist in the form of these sturdy, independent purple bacteria, it could be surprisingly common throughout the universe.</p>



<p>Should the existence of purple bacteria be confirmed, it could fundamentally alter our understanding of how common life might be throughout the universe. </p>



<p>These adaptable organisms could potentially thrive in diverse environments that we wouldn't typically consider hospitable to life, expanding the possibilities of what constitutes a potentially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-earth-discovered-in-the-habitable-zone-of-its-star/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable planet</a>. </p>



<p>This finding would suggest that life in various forms might be far more common in the cosmos than we currently think.</p>



<p>"If purple bacteria are thriving on the surface of a frozen Earth, an ocean world, a snowball Earth or a modern Earth orbiting a cooler star...we now have the tools to search for them," explained Coelho.</p>



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



<p>The search for extraterrestrial life has traditionally focused on planets that resemble Earth, with an expectation of familiar signs of life like green vegetation. </p>



<p>However, this new research into purple bacteria and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extremophiles-and-the-quest-for-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alien</a> life broadens our search parameters substantially. It highlights the vastness of the universe and the possibility that life could exist in ways and places we never imagined.</p>



<p>By introducing a wider array of potential colors for life, scientists are acknowledging that the familiar shades associated with life on Earth might represent only a tiny fraction of the possibilities. </p>



<p>Life on other planets could manifest in entirely unexpected forms and colors, adapted to thrive in environments that seem utterly hostile to us. </p>



<p>This reminder of our limited Earth-centric perspective encourages scientists to embrace a broader approach when searching for the tell-tale signs of life outside our solar system.</p>



<p>"'We are just opening our eyes to these fascinating worlds around us. Purple bacteria can survive and thrive under such a variety of conditions that it is easy to imagine that on many different worlds, purple may just be the new green,'" says Kaltenegger.</p>



<p>The study is published in <em><a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/530/2/1363/7645230" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society</a></em>.</p>



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Finding alien life may require looking for the color purple instead of green

We all know that when it comes to life on...

<p>International Bat Appreciation Day, observed annually on April 17th, shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked benefits that bats contribute to our ecosystem. This occasion aligns with the mission of <a href="https://www.batcon.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bat Conservation International</a> (BCI) to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-diets-offer-clues-on-how-to-protect-them/">protect these nocturnal mammals</a> through awareness, conservation, and research.</p>



<p>"Each year on April 17th, International Bat Appreciation Day reminds us of the roles bats play in our daily lives. April is also the best time of the year to observe bats, as they are now beginning to emerge from hibernation," noted BCI.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vital-ecological-role-of-bats">The vital ecological role of bats</h2>



<p>Bats play an indispensable role in maintaining healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-protect-young-trees-from-insect-damage/">ecosystems</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pest-control">Pest control</h3>



<p>They are nature’s pest control, with a single bat consuming up to 1,000 mosquitoes in just one hour.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their appetite for insects not only makes outdoor activities more enjoyable but also reduces the need for chemical pesticides, which can have harmful environmental effects.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Beyond pest control, bats are crucial pollinators and seed dispersers. Over 1,400 species of bats contribute to the pollination of flowers and dissemination of seeds, which helps to regenerate forests and maintain plant diversity.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-agave-and-bats-face-a-sustainability-crisis-in-mexico/">agave plant</a>, which is used to make tequila, relies heavily on bats for pollination.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-management-nbsp">Carbon management&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Their ecological contributions extend to carbon management as well. Bats help in carbon sequestration and storage, a critical function in the age of accelerating climate change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is particularly significant as bats often feed on fruits that have adapted to nocturnal pollinators, ensuring the reproduction of these plant species.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interactions-in-nature">Interactions in nature</h3>



<p>Bats exhibit fascinating interactions with other wildlife, contributing to dynamic ecosystems where multiple animal species are interdependent.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their unique relationships with other creatures, including birds and various mammals, create intricate ecological narratives that are vital for biodiversity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-facing-bat-populations">Challenges facing bat populations</h2>



<p>Despite their importance, bats face numerous threats from human activities. Deforestation, mining, and irresponsible tourism significantly impact their habitats and survival. These activities not only destroy their breeding spaces but also reduce the availability of food, threatening bat populations worldwide.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Between 2014 and 2018, BCI identified 35 critically endangered bat species, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive conservation strategies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interesting-facts-about-bats">Interesting facts about bats</h2>



<p>Bats are the only mammals naturally capable of sustained flight. Their wings are actually modified arms and fingers, covered in a thin, stretchy membrane.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Unlike birds, bats are not passive fliers; their flight involves quick, agile movements that consume a great deal of energy.</p>



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



<p>Another intriguing aspect of bats is their echolocation ability. Bats emit high-frequency sounds that bounce off objects and return as echoes, which the bats use to navigate and hunt in the dark. This makes them expert hunters, capable of catching insects even in complete darkness.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-lives-nbsp">Social lives&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Socially, bats can be quite complex animals. They often live in large colonies and exhibit behaviors that indicate sophisticated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-have-brains-that-synchronize-when-they-socialize/">social structures</a>. Some species even show altruistic behaviors, like sharing food and helping sick or injured bats.</p>



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



<p>Some species can live for over 30 years, which is exceptional for animals of their size. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hibernation-may-be-key-to-extraordinary-longevity-in-bats/">longevity</a>, combined with their unique biology and behaviors, continues to make them subjects of intense scientific interest and study.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-international-bat-appreciation-day-a-call-to-action">International Bat Appreciation Day: A call to action</h3>



<p>Established by BCI, International Bat Appreciation Day is more than a celebration - it's a call to action. This day is dedicated to learning about the crucial roles bats play in nature and reaffirming our commitment to their preservation amid growing environmental challenges.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-get-involved">How to get involved</h3>



<p>On International Bat Appreciation Day (and every day), we can contribute to the broader mission of protecting these essential creatures for future generations. Here are some ways the you can get involved:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-educational-events">Educational events</h3>



<p>Participate in or organize educational seminars and events that focus on the importance of bats in ecosystems. These events can be held at schools, parks, or online.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bat-watches">Bat watches</h3>



<p>Join a bat-watching tour. These are often organized by wildlife groups and are a fantastic way to see bats in their natural habitat.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-build-bat-houses">Build bat houses</h3>



<p>Bats often struggle with finding safe habitats, so building a bat house can provide them a secure place to roost. Many conservation groups offer plans and instructions for building bat houses.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-citizen-science-projects">Citizen science projects</h3>



<p>Participate in bat conservation projects where you can help scientists by reporting bat sightings or monitoring bat populations in your area.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advocacy">Advocacy</h3>



<p>Spread awareness about the threats bats face, such as habitat destruction, pesticides, and climate change. Use social media or community groups to educate others.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-support-bat-conservation-organizations">Support bat conservation organizations</h3>



<p>Donate to or volunteer with organizations dedicated to bat conservation. These groups work on the ground to protect bat populations and habitats.</p>



<p>.</p>



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International Bat Appreciation Day: The crucial role of bats in nature

International Bat Appreciation Day, observed annually on April 17th, shines...

<p>Forget puppy love — in the world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-tits-have-more-mating-success-when-males-perform-a-variety-of-songs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blue tits</a>, it's the older, experienced males who win the game of extra-marital affairs. A new study sheds light on why young male blue tits struggle with mating outside of their primary partnerships.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extra-pair-paternity-and-blue-tits-mating">Extra-pair paternity and blue tits mating</h2>



<p>Many bird species engage in what scientists call "extra-pair paternity." It refers to a situation where a female bird mates with a male other than her primary social partner. The offspring resulting from this extra mating will have a different biological father than the male who is helping to raise them.</p>



<p>Younger male <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-feeders-monopolized-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> often struggle to achieve extra-pair paternity. It's uncertain if their limited success stems from an inability to attract mates due to inexperience and lack of skill. Alternatively, their challenges could be related to competing against older, more seasoned males.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blue-tits-mating-pattern">Blue tits mating pattern</h2>



<p>To find out, researchers at the <a href="https://www.bi.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence</a> in Germany spent 15 years observing a wild population of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-tit-migration-driven-by-the-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blue tits</a>. </p>



<p>Researchers carefully studied blue tits over many years to understand the mating patterns. In a controlled intervention, they removed the majority of older males from the population. </p>



<p>This allowed scientists to directly observe if young males had more success fathering extra-pair offspring in the absence of competition from their elders.</p>



<p>The removal of older males led to a significant increase in the reproductive success of younger males. This indicates that competition with older, more experienced birds is one of the primary reasons young males struggle with extra-pair paternity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-older-blue-tits-mating-success">Older blue tits mating success</h2>



<p>So, what gives the older <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-sense-smell/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> their edge? Scientists have a few theories:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theory-1">Theory 1</h3>



<p>Older males could be stronger and better at fighting than their younger counterparts. This physical advantage helps them chase away rivals and secure access to females interested in mating outside their main partnerships.</p>



<p>Years of experience might have made them savvier fighters, able to use better strategies in territorial disputes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theory-2">Theory 2</h3>



<p>Adult males may dedicate more time and energy specifically to seeking additional mating opportunities than younger males. They might have developed better strategies over time to find and successfully court potential extra-pair mates, leading to a higher chance of reproductive success.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theory-3">Theory 3</h3>



<p>Females could find older males more attractive because their age implies they have survived longer and possess good survival skills. These 'good genes' would be desirable to pass on to offspring.</p>



<p>Perhaps older males are better at courtship displays like singing or have other characteristics that females find attractive</p>



<p>Importantly, it's likely that these theories don't work in isolation. A combination of superior fighting abilities, greater effort, and attractiveness could all contribute to the older male's advantage.</p>



<p>The authors add, “Our study indicates that the generally observed low extra-pair siring success of first-year males is due to competition with older males. This age effect is thus mediated by the social environment, at least in the blue tit.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-extra-pair-paternity">More about extra-pair paternity</h2>



<p>As discussed, extra-pair paternity is a fascinating phenomenon in the avian world, where birds, despite forming social bonds or pairings, engage in mating outside these primary relationships. </p>



<p>This behavior is not unique to blue tits mating patterns; it is widespread across many bird species, each with its own strategies and implications for reproductive success.</p>



<p>In the bird kingdom, extra-pair paternity can influence genetic diversity and the evolutionary fitness of populations. Birds like warblers, swallows, and even the iconic sparrows have been observed engaging in extra-pair paternity. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Factors influencing extra-pair paternity</h3>



<p>Several factors can drive the prevalence and success of EPP among birds:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Genetic benefits:</strong> Females might mate with multiple males to enhance the genetic quality of their offspring. This can include seeking males with superior physical traits or those who might contribute new genetic material to the population.</li>



<li><strong>Resource acquisition:</strong> In some cases, females engage in EPP to gain access to better territories or more resources provided by multiple males.</li>



<li><strong>Mate quality:</strong> EPP can also be a strategy for compensating for a socially paired male that might be suboptimal due to age, health, or genetic compatibility.</li>



<li><strong>Social structure:</strong> The social organization of a species can greatly influence EPP. Species with high densities or communal nesting areas may see higher rates of EPP due to increased opportunities for mating.</li>
</ul>



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



<p>This research on blue tits not only sheds light on their mating strategies but also casts a broader question on avian behavior: Does the adage "older and wiser" universally apply when it comes to mating success across different bird species? </p>



<p>While this study highlights age as a significant factor in mating prowess among blue tits, it opens the door to examining whether older birds generally have a mating advantage in other species as well.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the study prompts us to consider other potential influences that could affect a bird’s success in mating beyond just age. Factors like physical health, environmental conditions, and even the density of the population could play crucial roles. </p>



<p>Understanding these dynamics more comprehensively will likely fuel further research, aiming to uncover the intricate layers of mating behavior in the avian world. </p>



<p>This could lead to a deeper understanding of evolutionary strategies and social structures among birds, providing insights that could extend even beyond ornithology.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002584" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Biology</a></em>.</p>



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When it comes to cheating, older birds have a mating advantage

Forget puppy love — in the world of blue tits,...

<p>We tend to think of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-impacts-are-evolving-due-to-climate-change-but-in-what-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> as being caused by hot weather and drought. And for good reason – those weather conditions make plants tinder-dry. But a new study from the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> is flipping that idea on its head. Turns out, the biggest culprit in mega wildfires might be something utterly invisible: carbon dioxide (CO2).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-co2-and-wildfires">CO2 and wildfires</h2>



<p>You already know that CO2 is a greenhouse gas, trapping heat and contributing to climate change. But here's the twist: CO2 is also a key ingredient in photosynthesis. Plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create sugars, which fuel their growth. </p>



<p>With the massive increase of CO2 in our atmosphere from burning fossil fuels, we've essentially been putting plants on a supercharged fertilizer program. This has led to a surge in the growth of trees, shrubs, and grasses – a phenomenon scientists sometimes refer to as "global greening."</p>



<p>Now, here's the concerning part: all that extra vegetation becomes fuel for potential fires, especially during hot and dry conditions. And it's not just the sheer amount of vegetation; the types of plants that thrive in higher CO2 environments can often be more flammable. </p>



<p>This means that in many areas, we have a dangerous combination: more plants overall, plus plants that are naturally prone to burning. "It's not because it's hotter that things are burning, it's because there's more fuel, in the form of plants," said James Gomez, the lead researcher on the study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfires-raging-out-of-season">Wildfires raging out of season</h2>



<p>The researchers didn't just theorize this – they put their ideas to the test using rigorous computer simulations. These simulations allowed them to isolate the influence of rising CO2 levels on vegetation and fire activity, separate from other factors that contribute to climate change. </p>



<p>One key lesson that emerged is that the usual "fire season" might be getting irrelevant. Of course, wildfires still thrive under hot, dry, and windy conditions – those factors make it easier for flames to spread rapidly. </p>



<p>However, the simulations highlight that the sheer amount of available fuel, thanks to CO2-boosted plant growth, is now the primary driver behind the terrifying scale of megafires.</p>



<p>James Gomez pointed to the massive wildfire in Texas this past February, which scorched over one million acres, as a stark example of this new reality. </p>



<p>Traditionally, wildfires of that size would be unexpected outside of the peak summer fire season. This event demonstrates that we've entered uncharted territory where devastating wildfires can erupt at almost any time of the year if the right combination of fuel and weather conditions exist.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduce-co2-and-its-impact-on-wildfires">Reduce CO2 and its impact on wildfires</h2>



<p>The big takeaway of this study is sobering. It underscores that while smart fire management techniques, such as prescribed burns to carefully reduce flammable vegetation, are still absolutely crucial, they're essentially a band-aid solution on a much larger problem. </p>



<p>The researchers make their stance unmistakably clear: the best way to decrease <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-underestimated-threat-to-public-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> is to mitigate our carbon dioxide emissions. We need more emission control now.</p>



<p>This requires a fundamental shift away from our reliance on fossil fuels and investment in cleaner, sustainable energy sources on a global scale. The time for half-measures and gradual change is over. </p>



<p>Delaying decisive action will only further exacerbate the wildfire crisis, leading to more destruction, displacement, and potential loss of life. The science is clear – we need bold and urgent emission control measures now.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-leading-to-wildfires-beyond-co2">Factors leading to wildfires beyond CO2</h2>



<p>Some additional concepts explored in the study include:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-don-t-underestimate-drying">Don't underestimate drying</h3>



<p>While rising CO2 levels are driving increased plant growth and fuel load, it's important to acknowledge that hotter temperatures still play a significant role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/low-intensity-fires-reduce-the-risk-of-catastrophic-wildfires-by-60-percent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a>. </p>



<p>Increased heat from climate change dries out existing vegetation, making it significantly more flammable. This underscores the interconnectedness of climate factors, even when one might have a more dominant influence than others.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-aren-t-all-created-equal">Plants aren't all created equal</h3>



<p>The impact of CO2 on vegetation isn't uniform. Some plant species exhibit a stronger growth response to higher CO2 concentrations than others. </p>



<p>The scientists carefully considered these variations across different plant types when designing and running their models, ensuring a more realistic portrayal of wildfire behavior and CO2 amount.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-this-isn-t-a-pass-for-inaction">This isn't a pass for inaction</h3>



<p>The study's laser-focus on how changing CO2 levels impact <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-ash-fertilizes-the-ocean-and-boosts-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> is designed for scientific precision, isolating that particular variable. However, it's crucial to remember that climate change is a complex issue driven by a multitude of factors, including other greenhouse gases and human activities such as land-use changes. </p>



<p>This study in no way suggests we ignore these other contributors; rather, it highlights the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions alongside other climate mitigation strategies.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01228-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a></em>.</p>



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



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Increased CO2 is making wildfires more frequent by making plants grow faster

We tend to think of wildfires as being caused by...

<p>Coral reefs around the globe are currently suffering through a significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deepest-known-coral-reef-bleaching-discovered-alarming-scientists/">bleaching</a> event, a consequence of unprecedented ocean heat levels driven by the climate crisis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to a joint statement by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a>) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (<a href="https://icriforum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICRI</a>), over half of the world's coral reef areas are affected. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-coral-bleaching">Unprecedented coral bleaching</h2>



<p>With extensive bleaching impacting at least 53 countries across various oceans, this event could mark the most severe coral bleaching event in recorded history.</p>



<p>“It is likely that this event will surpass the previous peak of 56.1% soon,” said Derek Manzello, the coordinator for <a href="https://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch program</a>. “The percentage of reef areas experiencing bleaching-level heat stress has been increasing by roughly 1% per week.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bleaching-deprives-corals-of-their-energy-source">Bleaching deprives corals of their energy source</h2>



<p>Coral bleaching occurs when corals, stressed by elevated water temperatures, expel the symbiotic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/algae-support-corals/">algae</a> living within their tissues. These algae not only give corals their vibrant colors but also transfer a large part of their energy through photosynthesis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Without the algae, the corals lose their coloration, turning stark white, while being deprived of an essential energy source, leading to weakened health and potentially mass mortality if conditions do not improve.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-world-s-fourth-bleaching-event">World's fourth bleaching event</h2>



<p>This event is the world's fourth documented global bleaching event, following previous occurrences in 1998, 2010, and from 2014-2017. </p>



<p>Over the past year, regions experiencing significant bleaching include vast areas such as Florida, the wider Caribbean, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, the South Pacific, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, Indonesia, and the Indian Ocean, encompassing locations like the east coast of Africa and the Seychelles.</p>



<p>Researchers at the Center for Island Research and Environmental Observatory (<a href="https://www.criobe.pf/en/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CRIOBE</a>) are diligently studying coral ecosystems to develop strategies for resilience. </p>



<p>Under the guidance of PhD student Laetitia Hédouin, these teams are identifying and genetically analyzing corals that exhibit resistance to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/corals-can-be-trained-to-endure-heat-stress/">thermal stress</a>. </p>



<p>These corals are then grown in coral nurseries to study their resilience capabilities in comparison to other colonies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-ocean-heat">Record ocean heat</h2>



<p>Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a renowned climate scientist specializing in coral reefs at the <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Queensland</a>, had predicted this mass bleaching event months in advance. </p>



<p>“We knew sea temperatures were increasing rapidly, but not at this speed. The worrying issue is that we don’t know how long this massive temperature change is likely to last,” said Professor Hoegh-Guldberg.</p>



<p>Recent records have shown that the last 12 months have been the warmest in recorded history, with ocean temperatures reaching new highs. </p>



<p>Data from the European Commission’s <a href="https://climate.copernicus.eu/">Copernicus Climate Change Service</a> confirmed record-high global sea surface temperatures for February and March. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-bleaching-alert-maps">Coral bleaching alert maps</h2>



<p>In response to the escalating threat, scientists at NOAA's Coral Reef Watch program have introduced three new alert levels on their coral bleaching alert maps to better monitor and assess the scale of underwater warming.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-arrival-of-la-nina-nbsp">The arrival of La Niña&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Looking forward, the potential arrival of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/australian-bushfires-triggered-rare-multi-year-la-nina/">La Niña</a> between June and August could offer some relief. This cooler climate phase might help reduce ocean temperatures, providing a respite for the beleaguered reefs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, Manzello warned that, despite potential cooling, past La Niña years have still experienced bleaching events. </p>



<p>He voiced specific concerns for the reefs around Florida and the Caribbean as the summer approaches, highlighting the vulnerability of these areas to even slight increases in seasonal warming.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-australia-s-great-barrier-reef">Australia’s Great Barrier Reef</h2>



<p>The dire situation of coral reefs is further highlighted by extensive bleaching on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Following aerial and underwater surveys, a mass bleaching event was officially confirmed by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (<a href="https://www.aims.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AIMS</a>) and the <a href="https://www.detsi.qld.gov.au/great-barrier-reef" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-is-the-primary-threat-to-coral-reefs">Climate change is the primary threat to coral reefs</h2>



<p>“The increasing frequency and extremity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heat-waves-are-persisting-in-the-u-s-even-in-winter/">marine heatwaves</a> driven by climate change, is testing the tolerance levels of coral reefs,” said Selina Stead, the CEO of AIMS.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Climate change is the biggest threat to coral reefs worldwide and this global confirmation illustrates just how extensive its impact has been across the last 12 months.That is why it is critical the world works to reduce carbon emissions. It is also important to ensure coral reefs are well managed at local and regional levels.”</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.unep.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN Environment Program</a> has issued a stark warning: without significant reductions in emissions, the planet is on track to experience nearly 3 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels within this century. This escalation in temperature poses a dire threat to global ecosystems, particularly coral reefs.</p>



<p>Scientists have projected that with a 2-degree Celsius increase in global temperatures - a threshold that could be reached by 2050 - about 99% of coral reefs worldwide are expected to perish. </p>



<p>The loss of these reefs would be catastrophic, not only for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-biodiversity-could-shift-rapidly-due-to-climate-change/">marine biodiversity</a> but also for human communities. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-reefs-are-in-critical-condition-nbsp">Coral reefs are in critical condition&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Coral reefs are crucial habitats for marine life, while also providing essential services to people. They buffer coastal areas against flooding from storms and rising sea levels and are fundamental to the livelihoods and food security of approximately a billion people around the world.</p>



<p>David Ritter, CEO of <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org.au/">Greenpeace Australia</a>, emphasized the critical condition of these marine ecosystems, arguing that reefs are confronting an “existential danger.” </p>



<p>He pointedly blamed “the main culprits fueling global warming: fossil fuel companies, and the governments who prop up this industry.”</p>



<p>“We are running out of runway to avoid irreversible climate disaster and must act quickly to ensure an immediate end to new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-current-fossil-fuel-plans-will-shatter-1-5c-climate-goal/">fossil fuels</a>,” he concluded.</p>



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



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

The world's largest coral bleaching event is now underway

Coral reefs around the globe are currently suffering through a...

<p><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/">English Heritage</a> has recently announced a pioneering project to investigate the relationship between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-analysis-reveals-that-stonehenge-was-a-solar-calendar/">Stonehenge</a> and the Moon during this year's “major lunar standstill,” a rare celestial event that happens only about every 18.6 years. </p>



<p>This initiative involves collaboration with experts from the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a>, <a href="https://le.ac.uk/">University of Leicester</a>, and <a href="https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/">Bournemouth University</a>, along with the <a href="https://ras.ac.uk/">Royal Astronomical Society</a> (RAS).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-observational-periods-nbsp">Crucial observational periods&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The project focuses on examining how the ancient stones align with the moonrise and moonset during this significant period.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The major lunar standstill sees the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lunar-anthropocene-how-humans-have-impacted-the-moon/">Moon</a> reach its northernmost and southernmost extremes along the horizon, which may have been crucial observational periods for those who built Stonehenge, potentially influencing its design and purpose.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-link-between-the-moon-and-stonehenge-nbsp">Fascinating link between the Moon and Stonehenge&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Stonehenge's architectural connection to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aztecs-kept-accurate-time-using-the-sun-and-the-mountains/">Sun</a> is well known, but its link with the Moon is less well understood. The four Station Stones align with the Moon's extreme positions, and researchers have debated for years whether this was deliberate, and - if so - how this was achieved and what might have been its purpose,” said Clive Ruggles, an astronomer and archaeologist at Leicester.</p>



<p>"We're excited to be working with a brilliant team of archaeoastronomers to explore the fascinating link between Stonehenge and the major lunar standstill. Rarer even than once in a blue-moon, this opportunity allows us to delve deeper into the monument's ancient mysteries and its relationship with celestial phenomena,” said Jennifer Wexler, English Heritage historian for Stonehenge.</p>



<p>“We’ll be inviting the public to join us through a series of events this year as we take one more small step towards unraveling the secrets of Stonehenge.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engaging-with-the-public-nbsp">Engaging with the public&nbsp;</h2>



<p>To make the research accessible, English Heritage plans to livestream the southernmost moonrise at Stonehenge and will host a series of events including talks, a pop-up planetarium, stargazing, storytelling sessions, and a new exhibition display throughout the standstill season.</p>



<p>Moreover, the project will also include cross-continental observations in partnership with Erica Ellingson, professor of Astrophysics at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a>, and the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service</a>. These will focus on reciprocal events that explore lunar alignments at both Stonehenge and Chimney Rock, Colorado, a Chacoan ancient settlement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-moon-s-extremes-is-not-straightforward">Tracking the Moon's extremes is not straightforward</h2>



<p>According to Amanda Chadburn, a visiting fellow at Bournemouth, observing this connection in 2024 and 2025 is essential since, unlike in the case of the Sun, tracking the Moon's extremes is not straightforward and requires specific timing and weather conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We want to understand something of what it was like to experience these extreme moonrises and sets and to witness their visual effects on the stones (for example, patterns of light and shadow), and consider modern influences like traffic and trees, and to document all of this through photography for future study,” she explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-moon-s-alignment-with-stonehenge-nbsp">Exploring the Moon's alignment with Stonehenge&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Fabio Silva, an expert in archeological modeling at Bournemouth, highlighted the educational value of this project: “Bournemouth University lecturers and students will document moonrises and sets at key moments in the year when the Moon will be in alignment with the Station Stones.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This will happen at different times of day and night around the year, with the Moon being at the right place in different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shark-attacks-linked-to-phases-of-the-moon/">phases</a> each month. Hence, some will be more dramatic (such as a full Moon or crescent Moon) than others. The team will capture these phenomena, aiming to explore the complex relationship between the landscape, stones, and the Moon over the course of the standstill 'season.'”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dramatic-views-of-the-moon">Dramatic views of the Moon</h2>



<p>“Night and day, the Moon is a universally loved feature of the sky, and something all of us are drawn to look at. The major standstill offers even more dramatic views of our celestial neighbor when it rises and sets, and will be an astronomy highlight of 2024,” noted Robert Massey, the deputy executive director and press officer at the Royal Astronomical Society.</p>



<p>“The RAS is delighted to be supporting events at Stonehenge to mark and investigate this relatively rare event.”&nbsp;</p>



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



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Stonehenge has a mysterious connection with the Moon

English Heritage has recently announced a pioneering project to investigate...

<p>Scientists at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> (UCR) has recently developed a revolutionary RNA-based strategy for a universal vaccine capable of combating any virus strain effectively and safely - even in infants and the immunocompromised. This innovative approach could transform how vaccines are developed and administered across the globe.</p>



<p>Traditionally, vaccines are designed to anticipate the most prevalent strains of viruses like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-influenza-virus-hack-our-cells/">influenza</a> and COVID-19, which requires yearly updates and reformulations. However, this new RNA-based vaccine eliminates the need for multiple versions by targeting a common component of the viral genome across all strains.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broadly-applicable-vaccine">Broadly applicable vaccine</h2>



<p>“What I want to emphasize about this vaccine strategy is that it is broad,” said Rong Hai, a virologist at UCR. “It is broadly applicable to any number of viruses, broadly effective against any variant of a virus, and safe for a broad spectrum of people. This could be the universal vaccine that we have been looking for.”</p>



<p>Unlike traditional vaccines that often contain a dead or weakened virus to trigger an immune response, this novel vaccine utilizes a live, modified virus. The significant difference, however, is that it does not depend on the usual immune system response involving T-cells and “memory” B-cells.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-silencing-rna-molecules">Silencing RNA molecules</h2>



<p>Instead, the vaccine employs small, silencing RNA molecules, making it suitable for use in individuals with compromised or underdeveloped <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/babies-immune-systems-have-hidden-and-surprising-strength/">immune systems</a>, such as babies or those with immunocompromising conditions.</p>



<p>“A host - a person, a mouse, anyone infected - will produce small interfering RNAs as an immune response to viral infection. These RNAi then knock down the virus,” said lead author Shouwei Ding, a professor of microbiology at UCR. “If we make a mutant virus that cannot produce the protein to suppress our RNAi, we can weaken the virus. It can replicate to some level, but then loses the battle to the host RNAi response. A virus weakened in this way can be used as a vaccine for boosting our RNAi immune system.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-vaccine-protection-nbsp">Powerful vaccine protection&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers tested this new strategy using a mouse virus called Nodamura on mutant mice lacking T and B cells. Remarkably, with just one vaccine injection, these mice were protected from a lethal dose of the virus for at least 90 days, equivalent to approximately nine human years per mouse day according to some studies.</p>



<p>This approach has recently received a US patent, paving the way for broader application, including in newborns, who are typically vulnerable due to the insufficient availability of suitable vaccines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-targeting-viruses-with-similar-functions">Targeting viruses with similar functions</h2>



<p>The team is now looking to extend this strategy to develop a flu vaccine that could be administered to infants, providing them protection independent of maternal antibodies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“There are several well-known human pathogens; dengue, SARS, COVID. They all have similar viral functions. This should be applicable to these viruses in an easy transfer of knowledge,” Ding explained.</p>



<p>Moreover, the vaccine's potential delivery via a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasal-vaccine-shows-potential-to-stop-covid-19-before-it-starts/">nasal</a> spray could address common aversions to needles, offering a more palatable alternative for many. “Respiratory infections move through the nose, so a spray might be an easier delivery system,” Hai said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strong-defense-against-viral-mutations-nbsp">Strong defense against viral mutations&nbsp;</h2>



<p>One of the most compelling aspects of this RNAi vaccine technology is its robust defense against viral mutations. “Viruses may mutate in regions not targeted by traditional vaccines. However, we are targeting their whole genome with thousands of small RNAs. They cannot escape this,” Hai added.</p>



<p>Therefore, this study - published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2321170121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a><em> </em>-<em> </em>holds the promise of a universal vaccine strategy, a “cut and paste” solution adaptable to myriad viruses, potentially revolutionizing preventive healthcare on a global scale.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-quest-for-a-universal-vaccine-nbsp">The quest for a universal vaccine&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The realization of a universal vaccine would represent a significant breakthrough in infectious disease prevention, potentially transforming our approach to handling viral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-can-we-learn-from-previous-bird-flu-outbreaks/">outbreaks</a> and reducing the global burden of diseases.</p>



<p>A universal vaccine would provide broad protection against multiple strains of a particular pathogen, such as the influenza virus or the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Here's a closer look at what this involves for two major pathogens:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-influenza">Influenza</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-influenza-virus-hack-our-cells/">Influenza viruses</a> are known for their rapid mutation rates, which necessitate the annual reformulation of flu vaccines. A universal flu vaccine would ideally protect against all types (or at least most types) of influenza viruses, dramatically reducing the impact of seasonal flu epidemics and the threat of potential pandemics.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Research in this area focuses on identifying parts of the virus that are least susceptible to mutation, such as the stem of the hemagglutinin protein, which could serve as targets for a broadly protective vaccine.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coronavirus-sars-cov-2">Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)</h3>



<p>With the emergence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-vaccines-linked-to-neurological-blood-and-heart-related-issues/">COVID-19</a> and its global impact, there has been an accelerated interest in developing a universal coronavirus vaccine.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This vaccine would aim to protect against not only the existing SARS-CoV-2 variants but also potential future coronaviruses that could cross over from animals to humans. Researchers are exploring multiple strategies, including targeting conserved regions of the virus’s spike protein that are less likely to mutate.</p>



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



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

Universal vaccine may be effective against any variant of any virus

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) has recently...

<p>Visual perception is deeply linked to the act of blinking. So<strong>,</strong> have you ever wondered why we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blinking-stability-vision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blink</a> so much? While it may seem minor, blinking significantly affects our waking hours by impacting our vision.</p>



<p>Humans spend 3 to 8 percent of their time awake with their eyes closed. More than just moisturizing the eyes, blinking plays a critical role in how we see the world.</p>



<p>This connection was the focus of a pivotal study by researchers from the <a href="https://www.rochester.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rochester</a>. Their findings, published in the <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em>, reveal that blinking is crucial for processing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visual-masking-your-brain-can-see-things-without-your-knowledge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visual information</a>, highlighting its essential role in our visual experiences.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-impact-of-blinking-on-vision">Surprising impact of blinking on vision</h2>



<p>The study team, led by Michele Rucci, a professor in the <a href="https://www.sas.rochester.edu/bcs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences</a>, investigated the effects of blinking on visual perception. </p>



<p>"By modulating the visual input to the retina, blinks effectively reformat visual information, yielding luminance signals that differ drastically from those normally experienced when we look at a point in the scene," explains Rucci. </p>



<p>As a result, this modulation allows our brains to receive and interpret visual stimuli in a uniquely beneficial way.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insights-into-blinking">New insights into blinking</h2>



<p>Rucci and his team used eye-tracking technologies and computer models to study how blinking affects <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-linked-to-vision-impairment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our vision</a>.</p>



<p>Consequently<strong>,</strong> their findings challenge the traditional view that blinking only serves to moisten the eyes. Instead, they found that blinking crucially enhances our perception of larger, gradual changes in our environment.</p>



<p>This occurs because the rapid motion of the eyelid during a blink alters the patterns of light reaching the retina. This creates a unique visual signal that aids in processing the overall 'big picture' of what we see.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blinking-as-a-beneficial-vision-disruptor">Blinking as a beneficial vision disruptor</h2>



<p>The notion that blinking might disrupt visual continuity is a common assumption. However, the research findings suggest otherwise.</p>



<p>"We show that human observers benefit from blink transients as predicted from the information conveyed by these transients," says Bin Yang, a graduate student in Rucci's lab and the first author of the paper. </p>



<p>This suggests that blinks actually improve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-carrots-and-colorful-veggies-really-can-improve-your-eyesight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visual processing</a> by providing critical information that compensates for any loss in stimulus exposure during the blink.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vision-a-sensory-process-aided-by-movement">Vision: a sensory process aided by movement</h2>



<p>The implications of Rucci's research extend beyond blinking. They contribute to a broader understanding of how vision operates similarly to other senses, such as smell and touch. In these senses, body movements assist in interpreting spatial information.</p>



<p>Thus, this challenges the previously held belief that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-delays-visual-inputs-by-15-seconds-to-keep-us-stable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vision</a> was fundamentally different because spatial information is explicitly available in the image on the retina.</p>



<p>"Our results suggest that this view is incomplete and that vision resembles other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visual-perception-speed-varies-greatly-among-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory</a> modalities more than commonly assumed," Rucci adds. This new perspective underscores the dynamic interaction between sensory input and motor activities in shaping how we perceive the world.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-embracing-the-blink">Embracing the blink</h2>



<p>In summary, the act of blinking, which may seem like a vulnerability in our visual system, is actually a beneficial process that enhances our ability to perceive and process visual information. </p>



<p>By reformatting visual input and providing the brain with information about the overall scene, blinking plays a crucial role in our visual perception. </p>



<p>This research challenges the common assumption that vision is fundamentally different from other senses and highlights the importance of understanding the complex interplay between sensory input and motor activity in human perception.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><em><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2310291121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a></em></em>.</p>



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Blinking plays a crucial role in vision and human perception

Visual perception is deeply linked to the act of blinking....

<p>Recent research reveals a concerning escalation in the simultaneous occurrence of heatwaves and extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-levels-ocean-heat-and-emissions-hit-record-highs-last-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level rises</a> along coastlines worldwide. This phenomenon, known as Concurrent Heat Wave and Extreme Sea Level (CHWESL) events, has experienced a significant uptick in frequency between 1998 and 2017. </p>



<p>This increase is highly notable when compared to the preceding two decades. A recent study detailed in <em>Communications Earth &amp; Environment</em> highlights this alarming trend and includes projections that suggest an even more drastic increase under future high emissions scenarios.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-tide-and-temperature">Tracking the tide and temperature</h2>



<p>Shuo Wang and Mo Zhou conducted the research, focusing on CHWESL events from 1979 through 2017. They also projected future occurrences from 2025 to 2049, using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s high emissions pathway, the SSP5-8.5 scenario.</p>



<p>Their analysis shows that CHWESL events have already affected roughly 88% of the world’s coastlines during the study period.</p>



<p>Additionally, about 39% of these coastlines have experienced a noticeable increase in the frequency and duration of these events over the last two decades. Tropical regions have suffered most from this escalation.</p>



<p>The researchers found a strong correlation between the intensity of heatwaves and the increased likelihood of concurrent sea level rises. </p>



<p>Specifically, a 1% increase in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heat-waves-are-persisting-in-the-u-s-even-in-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat wave intensity</a> leads to a 2% increase in the likelihood of a CHWESL event occurring.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-escalating-chwesl-events-and-their-impacts">Escalating CHWESL events and their impacts</h2>



<p>Looking ahead, the study forecasts that global coastal areas might endure, on average, 38 days of CHWESL conditions each year. This projection covers the period between 2025 and 2049.</p>



<p>Consequently, this represents a staggering increase of 31 days compared to the historical period of 1989–2013.</p>



<p>Such a surge in CHWESL events poses severe risks. The intensified <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/once-in-a-century-heatwave-may-soon-happen-every-other-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a> directly impacts human health, and heightened sea levels compound these effects.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strengthening-resilience-against-climatic-threats">Strengthening resilience against climatic threats</h2>



<p>"The significant rise in both the occurrence and intensity of these events, especially in tropical areas, calls for an urgent need to develop robust risk mitigation strategies," explained Shuo Wang. </p>



<p>"Countries, particularly those with low to middle incomes in these regions, are likely to face <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frequent-heatwaves-have-become-the-norm-in-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">severe challenges</a> in coping with these dual threats," he adds.</p>



<p>Mo Zhou further emphasized the importance of preparedness. He stated, "It is crucial that we prioritize and refine our strategies for dealing with these events. Developing comprehensive risk mitigation plans is imperative for enhancing resilience against future CHWESL occurrences."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-collaboration-to-combat-chwesl-events">Global collaboration to combat CHWESL events</h2>



<p>The findings from Wang and Zhou’s study serve as a crucial call to action for policymakers, researchers, and community leaders globally.</p>



<p>Furthermore, as the planet warms and sea levels rise, experts project that the frequency and severity of CHWESL events will increase. </p>



<p>This trend underscores the urgent need for proactive approaches in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ignoring-climate-change-will-lead-to-ultra-extreme-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> adaptation and disaster preparedness.</p>



<p>Consequently, the intersection of intensifying heatwaves and rising sea levels presents a formidable challenge to coastal communities worldwide.</p>



<p>Therefore, addressing this dual hazard requires a concerted effort to integrate scientific research with effective policy and community engagement. </p>



<p>Such collaboration ensures that all nations, especially the most vulnerable, are equipped to manage and mitigate the risks of future CHWESL events.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01274-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a></em>.</p>



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



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CHWESL events: When sea levels rise in response to heatwaves

Recent research reveals a concerning escalation in the simultaneous occurrence...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p id="block-eff5dea3-a9bb-40b5-a923-e5a9978bc0e2">Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVywlgRJXsc
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some children read facial expressions when making food choices.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-people-s-reactions-influence-children-s-eating-habits">Other people's reactions influence children's eating habits</h2>



<p>Many children are finicky eaters, but research explains how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-learned-why-so-many-kids-dislike-vegetables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watching others eat and social modeling</a> influence the eating habits of children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Study Methodology Demonstrates Social Learning Impact</h2>



<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.aston.ac.uk/hls/school-of-psychology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston University School of Psychology</a> have published findings in Frontiers in Psychology that illuminate the neurobiological foundations of food preference development through observational learning. The investigation employed controlled video stimuli featuring adults consuming raw broccoli while displaying systematically varied facial expressions to measure participant responses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Asymmetrical Response Patterns Identified</h2>



<p>The research, conducted with 204 female participants, revealed a pronounced asymmetry in social modeling effects. Negative facial expressions during vegetable consumption significantly diminished observer food preference ratings, while positive expressions failed to produce corresponding increases in vegetable appeal. This finding challenges conventional assumptions about the bidirectional nature of social influence in dietary behavior formation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evolutionary Psychology Framework Applied</h2>



<p>Dr. Katie Edwards and her research team propose that these results reflect adaptive mechanisms developed through evolutionary processes. The heightened sensitivity to disgust expressions likely functions as a protective system, enabling individuals to identify potentially harmful foods through social cues without direct risk exposure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clinical and Educational Implications</h2>



<p>These findings carry substantial implications for pediatric nutrition interventions and family meal dynamics. The research suggests that parental expressions of distaste during vegetable consumption may inadvertently reinforce children's existing food aversions through unconscious social transmission pathways.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Future Research Directions</h2>



<p>The study establishes a foundation for expanded investigation into real-time social modeling effects and cross-demographic applicability. Researchers emphasize the necessity for longitudinal studies examining actual consumption behaviors rather than preference ratings alone, particularly within family contexts where social learning occurs most frequently.</p>



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



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



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;</p>



<p>'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."</p>



<p>"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.</p>



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



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



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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