<p>In Uganda’s Kibale National Park, scientists have spent years doing the slow, unglamorous work of catching tiny wasps. The payoff is big: a clearer map of “dark biodiversity” - the vast share of species that are poorly known or not yet described - and practical clues for how to protect it before it disappears.</p>



<p>Most of Earth’s species have never been formally documented, making them easy to overlook in conservation plans. Biologists call these overlooked lineages “dark taxa.” They are especially abundant in tropical forests, where species, habitats, and ecological roles remain thinly studied.</p>



<p>The Biodiversity Unit at the <a href="https://www.utu.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Turku</a> has made a specialty of unveiling this hidden diversity, describing new species each year, and building tools to slow global biodiversity loss.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-living-lab-for-biodiversity">A living lab for biodiversity</h2>



<p>Kibale National Park offers a mosaic of habitats. These include tracts of largely undisturbed forest, areas recovering from past logging, and nearby farmland. That patchwork allowed researchers to ask a simple but powerful question: where, exactly, is the unknown diversity concentrated?</p>



<p>The team focused on ichneumonid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-parasitic-wasps-quietly-crossed-oceans-now-thriving-in-u-s-oak-trees/">wasps</a> - one of the most diverse animal groups on the planet - and, within it, the subfamily Pimplinae.</p>



<p>These wasps don’t just buzz around flowers. They regulate other species by parasitizing the immature stages of insects and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-with-spiders-brain-suggests-arachnids-originated-in-the-sea/">spiders</a>, linking them tightly to the health of entire food webs.</p>



<p>“Ichneumonids are a very poorly known taxon in Africa - we estimate that over half of the species we found are new to science,” said doctoral researcher Emil Österman. </p>



<p>With so little baseline knowledge for tropical ichneumonids, the team used long-term, standardized sampling to see how Pimplinae diversity is distributed across Kibale’s different habitats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wasps-link-species-and-ecosystems">Wasps link species and ecosystems</h2>



<p>Because parasitoid wasps sit high in food webs, they are sensitive to disruptions below them. If the insects and spiders they rely on decline, parasitoids tend to follow. </p>



<p>That sensitivity makes Pimplinae useful indicators: shifts in their richness and abundance often mirror broader changes in biodiversity. The new work confirms what many ecologists have suspected but struggled to quantify in tropical Africa. </p>



<p>“Many of our finds weren't unexpected, but we didn't have data based on long-term collecting in the field," said Tapani Hopkins, a researcher with the Biodiversity Unit. </p>



<p>"Now we can tell in greater detail how many more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-owl-species-discovered-in-africa/">species</a> there are in natural forest, and to what extent disturbed or logged tropical forest can harbor species.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farmland-cannot-match-forest-life">Farmland cannot match forest life</h2>



<p>The headline result is encouraging for conservation: intact forest in Kibale harbors especially rich Pimplinae communities. Secondary forest that is regrowing after logging also supports far more species than adjacent farmland.</p>



<p>In other words, protecting remaining forest is essential, and letting disturbed forest recover pays real biodiversity dividends.</p>



<p>“Our results clearly show that African forest, including forest that is recovering from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainforests-replanted-seedlings-after-logging-do-not-recover-well/">logging</a>, maintains a species-rich Pimplinae fauna compared to, say, nearby farmland," Österman said. "Species-rich habitats can be considered especially valuable in conserving unknown dark biodiversity.” </p>



<p>That matters for policy and on-the-ground management. If you want to safeguard the most unknown species, prioritize forests - and don’t write off recovering stands. They’re already doing important work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-forests-store-hidden-diversity">Global forests store hidden diversity</h2>



<p>The team also asked a bigger biogeographic question: how does African tropical diversity stack up against the New World? </p>



<p>Drawing on their parallel long-term collections in western Amazonia and Brazil’s coastal forests, the researchers found hints that South American rainforests may host even higher Pimplinae richness than Africa. However, African forests still harbor a rich fauna.</p>



<p>“Conserving dark taxa effectively requires a detailed knowledge of how biodiversity is distributed, both locally and at a global scale,” said Professor Ilari E. Sääksjärvi, who leads the Biodiversity Unit.</p>



<p>The comparison underscores a simple lesson: tropical forests on multiple continents are irreplaceable reservoirs of poorly known life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-biodiversity-loss-accelerates">Forest biodiversity loss accelerates</h2>



<p>Parasitoid wasps are only one window into dark biodiversity. But they tell a familiar story: clearing or simplifying forests causes losses to ripple upward. Protecting or allowing forests to recover lets complex communities rebound - including species we haven’t named yet.</p>



<p>The Kibale study shows <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-leaks-conservation-efforts-may-shift-harm-elsewhere/">conservation</a> can succeed despite limited taxonomy: protect habitats that concentrate hidden diversity. It also highlights the value of patient, long-term fieldwork in places where biodiversity is vanishing fastest.</p>



<p>“We will continue our field studies at different tropical forest sites, because that is where biodiversity is disappearing especially quickly. It is a fight against time. When a rainforest is destroyed, we lose countless species which we know nothing about,” Sääksjärvi concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/icad.70017" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Insect Conservation and Diversity</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Wasps shine a light on 'dark biodiversity' in rainforests

In Uganda’s Kibale National Park, scientists have spent years doing the slow, unglamorous work of catching tiny wasps. The payoff is big: a clearer map of “dark biodiversity” - the vast share of species that are poorly known or not yet described - and practical clues for how to protect it before it disappears. Most of Earth’s species have never been formally documented, making them easy to overlook in conservation plans. Biologists call these overlooked lineages “dark taxa.” They are especially abundant in tropical forests, where species,...

Colon,Cancer,,Bacterias,,Viruses,In,Sick,Unhealthy,Intestine.,3d,Illustration

<p>Colon cancer remains a formidable challenge in the realm of public health, with its detection and early intervention being crucial for effective treatment. Thankfully, medical science is making breakthroughs in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seven-major-risk-factors-predict-colorectal-cancer-in-men/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">both areas</a>.</p>



<p>Scientists revealed today that a new blood test demonstrates an 83% success rate in identifying colon cancer among individuals of average risk who show no symptoms. This level of accuracy is on par with the existing at-home stool tests, marking a significant stride toward more accessible and convenient cancer screening methods.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-detection-the-blood-test-breakthrough">Early detection: The blood test breakthrough</h2>



<p>Developed and tested within the scope of the <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04136002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECLIPSE study</a> -- a comprehensive clinical trial led by Guardant Health involving nearly 8,000 participants aged 45 to 84 -- the Shield blood test compares favorably to the colonoscopy, the current pinnacle of colorectal cancer screening. </p>



<p>The test operates by detecting signals of colorectal cancer through circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) present in the blood, a method also employed in liquid biopsies for monitoring cancer recurrence.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.fredhutch.org/en/faculty-lab-directory/grady-william.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. William M. Grady, MD</a>, a leading gastroenterologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the corresponding author of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings. </p>



<p>"The results of the study are a promising step toward developing more convenient tools to detect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seven-major-risk-factors-predict-colorectal-cancer-in-men/">colorectal cancer</a> early while it is more easily treated," Dr. Grady stated. "The test, which has an accuracy rate for colon cancer detection similar to stool tests used for early detection of cancer, could offer an alternative for patients who may otherwise decline current screening options," he explained further.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-screening-for-colon-cancer">Importance of screening for colon cancer</h2>



<p>However, the test showed varying sensitivity, with its detection capabilities being stronger for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-gut-microbiome-protects-us-from-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colorectal cancers</a>, including those at early stages, and less so for advanced precancerous lesions. </p>



<p>Despite this, Dr. Grady reaffirms the test's utility, especially given its similar sensitivity to that of stool-based tests and its potential role in complementing the more accurate, yet invasive, colonoscopy screenings.</p>



<p>Highlighting the broader implications of this innovation, Dr. Grady addressed the underutilization of existing screening tests, with only 50% to 60% of eligible individuals partaking in them. </p>



<p>"Getting people to be screened for cancer works best when we offer them screening options and then let them choose what works best for them," he remarked, underscoring the importance of increasing screening accessibility and options.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-battling-the-silent-predator">Battling the silent predator</h2>



<p>The urgency of improving colorectal cancer screening rates is underscored by its status as the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., with an estimated 53,010 fatalities expected in 2024. This, according to the <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Cancer Society</a>.</p>



<p>Alarmingly, while older adults have seen a decline in mortality rates, there has been a consistent annual increase in cases among individuals under 55 since the mid-2000s. </p>



<p>Current guidelines recommend that average-risk individuals begin regular screening at age 45, a recommendation that becomes increasingly pertinent as the incidence among younger populations continues to rise.</p>



<p>Dr. Grady also highlighted the particular significance of this advancement for younger demographics. “We continue to see younger people getting colorectal cancer and it’s now the third most common cancer for people under the age of 50,” Grady concluded.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accuracy-availability-and-the-future">Accuracy, availability and the future</h2>



<p>The availability of a blood-based test could facilitate more widespread screening during routine doctor visits, potentially increasing the rate of early detection and successful treatment outcomes.</p>



<p>In summary, the development of a blood test for colorectal cancer screening marks a significant leap forward in the battle against a disease that claims thousands of lives annually. </p>



<p>By offering an 83% success rate in detecting colon cancers among asymptomatic, average-risk individuals, this innovative approach promises to enhance early detection rates, improve patient outcomes, and offer a convenient alternative to traditional screening methods. </p>



<p>As the medical community and patients alike embrace these advancements, the future of cancer screening looks brighter, paving the way for more lives saved and a decrease in cancer-related mortality. With ongoing research and widespread implementation, this blood test stands to revolutionize how we approach <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-reduce-colon-cancer-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colorectal cancer</a> prevention and care.</p>



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



<p>As discussed above, colon cancer poses a significant risk to individuals worldwide, quickly becoming one of the most prominent cancer diagnoses in the world. </p>



<p>By delving into its causes, symptoms, and the paramount importance of early detection, we can empower ourselves with the knowledge to combat this silent threat effectively.</p>



<p>This deadly disease originates in the large intestine or colon, which is the final part of the digestive tract. Typically starting as small, benign clumps of cells called polyps, colon cancer develops when these polyps undergo mutations in their DNA, growing and evolving into malignant tumors over time. </p>



<p>Factors increasing the risk of colon cancer include age, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-fat-diets-linked-to-unexpected-health-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high-fat diet</a>, a history of polyps, inflammatory intestinal conditions, and genetics.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warning-signs-and-early-detection">Warning signs and early detection</h3>



<p>Early stages of colon cancer seldom manifest with symptoms, making its early detection challenging yet crucial. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, persistent abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. Noticing these warning signs early can be a lifesaver, urging immediate medical consultation.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-encourage-cancer-to-spread-around-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early detection</a> of colon cancer significantly enhances treatment success rates. Screening methods like colonoscopies allow doctors to identify and remove polyps before they transform into cancer. </p>



<p>The introduction of non-invasive tests, such as the promising blood test for colorectal cancer, provides additional, accessible options for early detection, aiming to increase screening uptake among the eligible population.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ending-colon-cancer-with-preventive-measures">Ending colon cancer with preventive measures</h3>



<p>Preventive measures can markedly reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. Maintaining a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-daily-dose-of-almonds-can-boost-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy diet</a> rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, regular exercise, moderating alcohol consumption, avoiding tobacco, and adhering to recommended screening schedules are effective strategies in preventing colon cancer. Moreover, understanding and managing personal risk factors play a crucial role in prevention.</p>



<p>In the fight against colon cancer, knowledge, vigilance, and proactive prevention are our best defenses. With advances in screening techniques and a growing awareness of the importance of early detection, we have the tools to challenge and ultimately reduce the impact of this disease. </p>



<p>By making informed lifestyle choices and participating in regular screenings, individuals can take significant steps toward safeguarding their health against colon cancer, moving closer to a future where this disease no longer poses a major health threat.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the <em><a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2304714" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New England Journal of Medicine</a></em>.</p>



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



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Colon cancer screening will be much easier with accurate new blood test

Colon cancer remains a formidable challenge in the realm of...

<p>In a new study by the <a href="https://pharmacy.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences</a> at UC San Diego, researchers have unveiled a vast number of previously unknown bile acids. </p>



<p>These discoveries shed light on the intricate communication between our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-gut-microbiome-protects-us-from-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut microbiome</a> and the rest of our body, offering unprecedented insights into human health and disease management.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-our-biochemical-vocabulary">Expanding our biochemical vocabulary</h2>



<p>Senior author Pieter Dorrestein, Ph.D., compared the findings to going from basic language understanding to the complexity of Shakespeare's works. The analogy highlights a significant leap in decoding biochemical signals from our gut microbiome across our bodies.</p>



<p>Lee Hagey, Ph.D., a co-author and bile acids expert, described the research as a "molecular Rosetta stone." It reveals how microbes' biochemical language affects distant organs, showing their significant impact on our overall health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-multifaceted-role-of-bile-acids">The multifaceted role of bile acids</h2>



<p>Bile acids, produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder, are crucial for digestion. They undergo transformation by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beer-may-be-better-for-your-gut-than-probiotics/">gut microbes</a> into secondary bile acids, which are more easily absorbed by the body. </p>



<p>The study reveals bile acids' numerous roles beyond digestion, suggesting their use in treating various diseases. They regulate the immune system and are pivotal in metabolic processes like lipid and glucose management.</p>



<p>Ipsita Mohanty, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher and co-author, expressed her amazement at the rapid increase in bile acids identified, from merely a few hundred to several thousand. This significant growth in our understanding suggests that bile acids have numerous functions beyond aiding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-humans-have-shockingly-different-digestive-systems/">digestion</a>.</p>



<p>Consequently, these insights open up possibilities for using bile acids in treating a diverse spectrum of illnesses, demonstrating their extensive potential in medical science.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bile-acids-and-disease-treatment">Bile acids and disease treatment</h2>



<p>Helena Mannochio-Russo, Ph.D., also a postdoctoral researcher in the Dorrestein lab, highlighted the wide-ranging impact of bile acids, enhanced through their symbiotic relationship with the microbiome. This effect spans well beyond mere digestion, indicating that bile acids may contribute significantly to therapies for various diseases. </p>



<p>Indeed, many of these potential treatments are now being investigated using bile acid-based therapies that have received FDA approval, showcasing their versatile applications in medicine.</p>



<p>The discovery leveraged unique resources at UC San Diego, notably the Collaborative Microbial Metabolite Center (CMMC). Under Dorrestein's leadership, the CMMC stands as a trailblazing initiative aimed at centralizing data on microbial metabolites.</p>



<p>This effort has been instrumental in advancing our knowledge of their effects on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-bacteria-have-very-clever-ways-of-supporting-human-health/">human health</a> and the environment. It highlights the critical roles that collaboration and computing power play in driving forward the frontiers of modern scientific research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-the-textbook-on-human-metabolism">Rewriting the textbook on human metabolism</h2>



<p>With the development of a novel tool that pairs microbes with their metabolites, the research team has innovatively prepared the groundwork for further investigations. Specifically, they aim to delve into the roles of newly identified bile acids and various other critical biomolecules.</p>



<p>This initiative has sparked considerable excitement within the scientific community. Professor Dorrestein, a leading figure in the project, expressed his optimism regarding the upcoming phases. He emphasized the potential this tool holds for propelling rapid progress in comprehending human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-before-breakfast-has-a-negative-impact-on-metabolism/">metabolism</a>.</p>



<p>Additionally, Professor Dorrestein pointed out the significant implications for improving the treatment of various diseases. Through this breakthrough, the team anticipates a transformative impact on medical science, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries.</p>



<p>The research not only marks a significant leap in our understanding of the gut microbiome's language but also opens new avenues for therapeutic interventions. It signifies a shift in the paradigm of disease treatment, moving us closer to a future where the mysteries of human metabolism are fully unveiled.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(24)00185-5?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867424001855%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Reports</a></em>.</p>



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



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Language of the gut: The unknown potential bile acids

In a new study by the Skaggs School of Pharmacy...

Cheetah,Acinonyx,Jubatus,,Adult,Running,Through,Savannah

<p>In the vast expanse of the animal kingdom, a curious pattern exists where traits like strength and brain size generally increase with an animal's size, yet the peak running speeds are often found in medium-sized creatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To uncover the reason behind this anomaly, an international research team, including members from <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a> (ICL), <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a>, <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://www.usc.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of the Sunshine Coast</a> (USC), embarked on a study to investigate how muscle capabilities limit the top speeds of land animals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-running-speeds-have-two-distinct-limits">Running speeds have two distinct limits</h2>



<p>“The fastest animals are neither large elephants nor tiny ants, but intermediately sized, like cheetahs,” said lead author David Labonte, an expert in bioengineering at ICL. “Why does running speed break with the regular patterns that govern most other aspects of animal anatomy and performance?”</p>



<p>The investigations reveal that maximum running speed isn't constrained by a single factor but by two distinct limits related to muscle function: the speed of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cat-purring-remains-a-mystery-that-we-dont-fully-understand/">muscle contraction</a> and the extent of muscle shortening during a contraction. An animal's maximum <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-animals-travel-slowly-because-they-get-too-hot/">speed</a> is capped by the first limit it encounters, which varies according to its size.</p>



<p>“Animals about the size of a cheetah exist in a physical sweet spot at around 50 kg, where these two limits coincide. These animals are consequently the fastest, reaching speeds of up to 65 miles per hour,” explained co-author Christofer Clemente, a researcher at both Queensland and USC.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-size-and-running-speed">Animal size and running speed </h2>



<p>The study introduces two theoretical limits: the 'kinetic energy capacity limit' for smaller animals, which are limited by the speed at which their muscles can contract, and the 'work capacity limit' for larger animals, constrained by the degree to which their muscles can contract.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“For large animals like rhinos or elephants, running might feel like lifting an enormous weight, because their muscles are relatively weaker and gravity demands a larger cost,” said co-author Peter Bishop, a postdoctoral fellow in organismic and evolutionary biology at Harvard.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physical-principles-governing-muscle-evolution">Physical principles governing muscle evolution</h2>



<p>The team's model, tested against data from over 400 species ranging vastly in size, accurately predicted the variation in maximum running speeds across the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-disturbances-are-globally-restructuring-animal-movement/">animal kingdom</a>, highlighting the underlying physical principles governing muscle evolution.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This insight could potentially guide the development of robots that emulate the athleticism of nature's finest runners.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limb-muscle-mass-and-body-weight">Limb muscle mass and body weight</h2>



<p>Furthermore, the model sheds light on differences between animal groups, suggesting, for example, that reptiles' smaller limb muscle mass, relative to body weight, may explain why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/past-climate-change-drove-the-rapid-evolution-of-reptiles/">larger reptiles</a> tend to be smaller and slower than large mammals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“One possible explanation for this may be that limb muscle is a smaller percentage of reptiles’ bodies, by weight, meaning that they hit the work limit at a smaller body weight, and thus have to remain small to move quickly,” said study co-author Taylor Dick, a senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at Queensland.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muscle-physiology-of-massive-animals">Muscle physiology of massive animals</h2>



<p>The findings also suggest that the largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/behavior-of-land-mammals-changed-dramatically-during-covid-19-lockdowns/">land mammals</a> alive today, like the African elephant, are well below the theoretical weight limit beyond which land animals would be immobile.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This casts doubt on the muscular anatomy of extinct giants such as the Patagotitan, which likely exceeded 40 tons, and prompts further investigation into their unique physiological adaptations.</p>



<p>“Our study raises lots of interesting questions about the muscle physiology of both extinct animals and those that are alive today, including human athletes. Physical constraints affect swimming and flying animals as much as running animals – and unlocking these limits is next on our agenda,” Labonte concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46269-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



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What determines the maximum running speed of animals?

In the vast expanse of the animal kingdom, a curious...

<p>Giraffes have long been admired for their beauty and stateliness. However, scientists have recently discovered a surprising fact about these animals: they may not be just one <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darwins-finches-reveal-how-one-species-becomes-many/">species</a>. </p>



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> found evidence suggesting there may actually be four distinct giraffe species across Africa. This completely changes our understanding of giraffes. Recognizing four giraffe species would mean developing separate plans to protect each one.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-four-giraffe-species">Four giraffe species</h2>



<p>Previously, all the giraffes were recognized as one species - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/its-world-giraffe-day-celebrate-the-worlds-tallest-animal-on-the-earths-longest-day/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giraffa camelopardalis</a>. The research provided strong genetic evidence that all the giraffes are distinct enough to be classified as separate species.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northern-giraffe-giraffa-camelopardalis">Northern Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)</h3>



<p>All Northern Giraffes have lighter colored spots. They are divided into three subspecies, each found in different geographical locations:</p>



<ul>
<li>Nubian giraffe: Found in Ethiopia and South Sudan.</li>



<li>West African giraffe: Located in Niger.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-precarious-state-of-kordofan-giraffes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kordofan giraffe</a>: Inhabits Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, and possibly Sudan.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reticulated-giraffe-giraffa-reticulata">Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffa reticulata)</h3>



<p>This species is also called the Somali giraffe, is known for its unique brown spots with clear white borders that look like a net. They live in northern Kenya, southern Ethiopia, and Somalia.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-masai-giraffe-giraffa-tippelskirchi">Masai Giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi)</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/masai-giraffes-are-nearing-critically-endangered-status/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Masai</a> is the biggest and darkest colored of all, with patches shaped like stars that go all the way down to their hooves. You'll find them in central and southern Kenya and throughout Tanzania. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-southern-giraffe-giraffa-giraffa">Southern Giraffe (Giraffa giraffa)</h3>



<p>Southern Giraffes have round or blotched spots, which are more uneven and less defined than the Reticulated Giraffe's spots. They are classified further into two subspecies:</p>



<ul>
<li>South African giraffe: Inhabits northern South Africa, southern Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, and southwestern Mozambique.</li>



<li>Angolan giraffe: Found in northern Namibia, southern Botswana, southwestern Zambia, and western Zimbabwe.</li>
</ul>



<p>All of the groups are connected and some even mix, like the reticulated giraffe which has genes from both the northern and southern giraffe ancestors. The researchers were surprised by this interconnectedness. </p>



<p>"When we started getting results from our analyses of gene flow between different giraffe lineages, we had to check twice," recalled Laura D. Bertola, a postdoc at the Department of Biology and one of the authors on the study. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-giraffe-species">Redefining giraffe species</h2>



<p>This widespread mixing between giraffe groups throws a wrench into how we define a species. Traditionally, scientists thought extensive gene sharing only happened within a single species. But the giraffes' story flips that idea on its head. </p>



<p>It suggests that the amount of genetic difference might not be the clear-cut way to identify new species as we once believed. "Our findings touch on a very delicate matter in biology, namely that we do not have a universally agreed species concept." said Rasmus Heller, one of the senior authors. </p>



<p>Instead of trying to pinpoint the exact number of giraffe species, the study aims to highlight the fluidity of gene flow among giraffes, which remains possible under the right conditions.</p>



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



<p>This discovery is a game-changer for giraffe species conservation. Traditionally, we've focused on protecting different species entirely. But this study emphasizes the need to consider the genetic variation within a species as well. Each giraffe lineage, regardless of its specific taxonomic classification, boasts a unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-low-genetic-diversity/">genetic makeup</a> that deserves protection.</p>



<p>"Giraffes are such endlessly fascinating animals, and this study confirms just how much genetic variation there is even on small geographical scales," noted Yoshan Moodley, a co-author of the study from the University of Venda in South Africa. </p>



<p>The findings from the University of Copenhagen are part of a broader effort under the African Wildlife Genomics research framework, associated with the African BioGenome Project. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.051" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.</p>



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Study reveals four unique giraffe species across Africa

Giraffes have long been admired for their beauty and stateliness....

<p>Many people sacrifice sleep in our fast-paced world, filled with late-night screen time and unfinished tasks. A new study by Professor Soomi Lee from <a href="https://hhd.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State's College of Health and Human Development</a> explores the connection between sleep patterns and long-term health. </p>



<p>The research sheds light on how our sleep patterns, both good and bad, affect our well-being in the long run.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-types-of-sleep-patterns">Types of sleep patterns</h2>



<p>Lee and her team studied the sleep patterns of 3,700 adults over ten years. The researchers identified four main sleep styles:</p>



<ul>
<li>Good sleepers<strong>:</strong>&nbsp;Get enough sleep, feel well-rested during the night, and have high energy levels throughout the day.</li>



<li>Weekend catch-up sleepers<strong>:</strong>&nbsp;Don't get enough sleep during the week but make up for it by sleeping longer on weekends, indicating irregular sleep patterns.</li>



<li>Insomnia sleepers:&nbsp;Have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, leading to tired days and a constant struggle for restful sleep.</li>



<li>Nappers: Sleep well at night but also take naps during the day.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-health-and-sleep-patterns">Long term health and sleep patterns</h2>



<p>The study found that more than half of the participants had either insomnia or napped frequently. The participants are linked to a higher risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. There are several key ways sleep affects our health:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-repair-and-restoration">Repair and restoration</h3>



<p>While we sleep, our body repairs and restores itself. This includes healing and repair of the heart and blood vessels, which is essential for preventing heart disease. If we don't get enough sleep, these processes are disrupted, potentially leading to cardiovascular problems.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metabolic-health">Metabolic health</h3>



<p>Sleep affects how our body regulates blood sugar which influence our risk of diabetes. When sleep is insufficient or disrupted, it can affect how our body processes sugar, leading to insulin resistance.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hormonal-balance">Hormonal balance</h3>



<p>Sleep helps regulate hormones that control appetite, stress, and growth. If our sleep patterns are disrupted, it can lead to hormonal imbalances. This can contribute to weight gain, increased stress levels, and other factors that make us develop chronic conditions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-function">Immune function</h3>



<p>Getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system. During sleep, our body produces proteins called cytokines that help us fight infection, inflammation, and stress. If we have insomnia or fragmented sleep, our immune system can weaken, making us more susceptible to infections and diseases.</p>



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



<p>Sleep has a significant impact on our mental well-being. It helps regulate our mood and is linked to the risk of depression. People with insomnia and poor sleep quality often experience symptoms of depression. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-patterns-over-the-decade">Sleep patterns over the decade</h2>



<p>Unfortunately, once people get used to sleeping a certain way, it's hard to change. The experts found that people's sleep patterns were surprisingly stable over ten years. Especially for people with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-half-of-night-shift-workers-have-a-sleep-disorder/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insomnia</a> or who napped a lot, changing their sleep habits was very difficult. </p>



<p>“These results may suggest that it is very difficult to change our sleep habits because sleep health is embedded into our overall lifestyle. It may also suggest that people still don’t know about the importance of their sleep and about sleep health behaviors,” Lee said. </p>



<p>“We need to make more efforts to educate the public about good sleep health. There are sleep hygiene behaviors that people could do to improve their sleep, such as not using cell phones in bed, exercising regularly and avoiding caffeine in the late afternoon.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daily-influences-on-sleep-patterns">Daily influences on sleep patterns</h2>



<p>The study also showed a bigger connection between sleep patterns and our lives in general. They found that sleep differed depending on life stages, economic conditions, and education levels. </p>



<p>For example, older adults and people who were retired often napped during the day. On the other hand, people who were unemployed or had less education were more likely to have trouble sleeping. This implies that our sleep pattern is majorly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consistent-sleep-slows-down-aging-at-a-cellular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">affected</a> by the world around us.</p>



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



<p>The study was supported by a team of researchers from prestigious institutions and funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging. It challenges us to consider the profound impact that sleep has on our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-color-has-no-impact-on-our-internal-clocks-or-sleep-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lives</a>, health, and well-being.</p>



<p>“Sleep is an everyday behavior,” Lee noted. “Sleep is also modifiable, So, if we can improve sleep almost every day, what outcomes might we see after several months, or even several years?" </p>



<p>"Better sleeping habits can make many significant differences, from improving social relationships and work performance to promoting long-term healthy behaviors and healthy aging.”</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/abstract/9900/10_year_stability_of_an_insomnia_sleeper_phenotype.193.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Psychosomatic Medicine</a>.</p>



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



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How sleep patterns affect your health over time

Many people sacrifice sleep in our fast-paced world, filled with...

<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.tmu.ac.jp/english/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tokyo Metropolitan University</a> have made significant strides in understanding the intricate dance between land conditions and the Asian summer monsoon climate. </p>



<p>Through meticulous numerical simulations, the team has shed light on the impact of land conditions on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-influences-us-weather-patterns-ai-machine-learning/">weather patterns</a>. Specifically, variations on the Tibetan plateau, alongside constant maritime conditions, have been shown to distinctly affect these patterns. </p>



<p>The findings highlight the importance of land-atmosphere interactions, which vary significantly from year to year. They also reveal a surprisingly low dependency on maritime phenomena like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-event-may-push-earth-towards-its-hottest-year-ever/">El Niño</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-dynamics-of-asian-monsoons">Complex dynamics of Asian monsoons</h2>



<p>The Asian monsoon system is crucial for billions of people, affecting vast regions of Asia and its adjacent oceans. The temperature contrast between the vast Eurasian landmass and the surrounding seas primarily drives this phenomenon.</p>



<p>Researchers understand that both land and sea significantly impact this system, but have found dissecting the individual effects of each to be a considerable challenge. </p>



<p>Notably, the team highlights the shorter duration of the "memory effect" on land, which contrasts with longer-lasting oceanic influences, yet remains critical for seasonal forecasting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interaction-between-the-atmosphere-and-land">Interaction between the atmosphere and land</h2>



<p>Led by Dr. Hiroshi G. Takahashi, the researchers delved into advanced climate models to analyze weather patterns across different years. </p>



<p>By comparing simulations with identical maritime conditions but varied land scenarios over the Tibetan plateau, they explored how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-global-temperature-exceeded-2c-for-the-first-time/">air temperature</a> and snow cover differences affect weather variability. </p>



<p>The innovative approach resulted in the "L-A coupling strength index." This index measures the interaction between land conditions and the atmosphere and its impact on the Asian monsoon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-and-implications">Key findings and implications</h2>



<p>The study revealed that the Tibetan plateau's land conditions' impact on the monsoon climate fluctuates significantly each year. Interestingly, the influence of sea surface temperatures often eclipses that of land-atmosphere coupling, depending on the year. </p>



<p>The researchers observed a correlation with a weaker Walker circulation, a key precursor to summer monsoons. Additionally, they discovered that El Niño had a negligible impact on L-A coupling.</p>



<p>Moreover, winter and early spring snow cover on the plateau appeared to have little effect on monsoon severity, suggesting a land-specific memory effect lasting about a month.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-towards-better-monsoon-forecasting">Towards better monsoon forecasting</h2>



<p>The research opens up new avenues for dramatically improving seasonal forecasts in the Asian monsoon region. By enhancing our understanding of the role of land conditions, we can potentially make more accurate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bridging-the-gap-the-quest-for-accurate-weather-forecasts/">predictions</a>. This would be a boon for the billions affected by monsoons annually. </p>



<p>As the team continues to unravel the complexities of the monsoon climate, the promise of refined forecasts brings hope for better preparedness and resilience against the whims of nature.</p>



<p>The work by Tokyo Metropolitan University highlights the crucial need for sophisticated land condition modeling to improve Asian monsoon climate predictions. With ongoing research, the expectation for better forecasting grows, providing optimism for the many who depend on monsoon rains.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00382-023-07077-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate Dynamics</a></em>.</p>



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

How land conditions affect the Asian monsoon climate

Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have made significant strides in...

<p>A recent analysis presents a compelling case for the benefits of leisure time physical activity in stroke prevention. </p>



<p>The study shines a light on an encouraging fact. Even activities falling below the current recommended guidelines can offer protective benefits against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-americans-are-at-risk-of-a-stroke-from-intense-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stroke</a>. This revelation stands independent of age or sex.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intense-physical-activity-is-not-always-better">Intense physical activity is not always better</h2>



<p>The prevailing wisdom has long supported the idea that moderate to high levels of physical activity during leisure time significantly decrease stroke risk. However, questions remained about the protective value of lower levels of activity. </p>



<p>It was also unclear whether factors like age and gender influenced these benefits. The new study seeks to provide clarity on these points.</p>



<p>Current international guidelines suggest adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. Alternatively, they can opt for 75 minutes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-boosts-health-and-lifespan-regardless-of-intensity/">vigorous-intensity</a> activity. </p>



<p>This recommendation aims to mitigate cardiovascular disease risks, including stroke. Unfortunately, achieving these benchmarks is a common struggle among adults.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stroke-risk-reduced-by-29-percent">Stroke risk reduced by 29 percent </h2>



<p>To explore the potential benefits of less intensive exercise, the researchers analyzed 15 studies encompassing 752,050 adults who were monitored over an average span of 10.5 years. The studies varied in their categorization of leisure time physical activity, ranging from none to intense levels.</p>



<p>The analysis revealed that, compared to a lack of activity, engaging in the highest "ideal" level of leisure time physical activity reduced stroke risk by 29%. </p>



<p>Intriguingly, even "below target" levels of activity associated with an 18% reduction in risk. This trend remained consistent across studies, even those that examined up to five different levels of activity intensity. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minimal-amounts-of-physical-activity-count">Minimal amounts of physical activity count</h2>



<p>A moderate level of physical activity was found to reduce stroke risk by 27% to 29%. This reduction occurred irrespective of the participants' sex and age.</p>



<p>Despite facing challenges such as the diverse definitions of activity levels across studies and the subjective nature of physical activity assessment, the researchers' conclusions are robust. Leisure time physical activity, even in minimal amounts, could significantly contribute to stroke prevention over the long term.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-movement-matters">Movement matters</h2>



<p>The authors advocate for a broad encouragement of physical activity. “According to our results, all levels of [leisure time physical activity] can be beneficial for stroke prevention, including levels currently regarded as low or insufficient. People should be encouraged to be physically active even at the lowest levels," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>This statement underscores the study's critical message: even small amounts of physical activity can have significant long-term health benefits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More about leisure time physical activity&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Leisure time physical activity refers to any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-exercise-reduces-the-risk-of-premature-death/">exercise</a> or movement that is done during free time, as opposed to physical activity that may be part of one's job or daily chores.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This type of activity is particularly important because it's chosen freely, making it more likely to be enjoyable and sustained over time.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Range of activities&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Leisure time physical activity encompasses a wide range of activities from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-can-counteract-the-health-risks-of-sitting/">walking</a>, swimming, and cycling to playing sports, dancing, and practicing yoga.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The beauty of leisure time physical activity lies in its flexibility and diversity, allowing individuals to select activities that best fit their interests, physical capabilities, and lifestyle.</p>



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



<p>Engaging in leisure time physical activity offers numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, better mood and mental well-being, weight management, increased muscle and bone strength, and enhanced flexibility and balance.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For many, it also provides a valuable opportunity for social interaction and outdoor exposure, further enhancing its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-may-improve-mental-health-more-than-medication/">mental health benefits</a>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rewarding exercise&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The key to reaping these benefits is consistency and finding activities that are enjoyable. This ensures that exercise feels less like a chore and more like a rewarding, integral part of daily life.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Whether it's a structured exercise program, team sports, or simply a daily walk in the park, incorporating physical activity into leisure time can significantly contribute to overall health and quality of life.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The full study is published in the journal <a href="https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/early/2024/01/18/jnnp-2023-332457" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery &amp; Psychiatry</em></a>.</p>



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Leisure time physical activity is a powerful tool to prevent stroke

A recent analysis presents a compelling case for the benefits...

Science,,Chemistry,,Biology,,Medicine,And,People,Concept,-,Close,Up

<p>Researchers have identified blood-based markers that provide insight into the rate at which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-delays-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">individuals age</a>, offering a novel approach to predict biological age. </p>



<p>This discovery from the <a href="https://www.pitt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pittsburgh</a> enhances our understanding of the aging process and introduces potential avenues for interventions aimed at extending the period of life spent in good health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tale-of-two-ages-biological-vs-chronological">Tale of two ages: Biological vs. chronological</h2>



<p>At the heart of this research is the notion that age encompasses more than the years since birth. Aditi Gurkar, Ph.D., assistant professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and a senior author of the study, illustrates this concept with a vivid comparison. </p>



<p>"Consider two individuals, both aged 65. One is active, biking to work and enjoying skiing, while the other struggles with climbing a single flight of stairs. They share the same <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-cells-could-be-used-to-slow-down-or-even-reverse-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronological age</a> but differ significantly in their biological ages." Gurkar's research seeks to unravel the mystery behind these divergent aging pathways.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-tells-the-story-metabolomics-and-the-aging-process">Blood tells the story: Metabolomics and the aging process</h2>



<p>The study involved comparing two groups of older adults: those who <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">age healthily</a> and those who age rapidly. The distinction was made based on the participants' ability to complete walking challenges, a reliable measure of overall health. </p>



<p>Remarkably, the rapid agers, despite being younger, exhibited signs of accelerated biological aging compared to their healthier counterparts.</p>



<p>The research team utilized metabolomics to analyze the participants' blood samples, focusing on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anti-aging-molecule-extends-lifespan-by-improving-cellular-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolites</a> -- dynamic molecules that reflect our current health state and can be influenced by lifestyle choices, diet, and environment. </p>



<p>This approach revealed distinct differences in the metabolomes of healthy and rapid agers, pointing to specific metabolites associated with biological aging.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ham-index-a-new-yardstick-for-biological-age">HAM index: A new yardstick for biological age</h2>



<p>Gurkar and her team developed the Healthy Aging Metabolic (HAM) Index from 25 identified metabolites. This index outperformed traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intermittent-fasting-may-be-the-secret-to-slowing-down-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging metrics</a> in distinguishing between the two groups of agers. </p>



<p>Validation in a separate cohort from Wisconsin confirmed the HAM Index's efficacy, demonstrating its potential as a universal biomarker for biological aging.</p>



<p>Further analysis using artificial intelligence identified key metabolites likely influencing aging trajectories. Future research will explore these metabolites and the pathways producing them, seeking interventions to slow the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consistent-sleep-slows-down-aging-at-a-cellular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging process</a>. </p>



<p>Gurkar is also looking into assessing the metabolome in younger individuals to potentially predict aging-related diseases early on.</p>



<p>Gurkar envisions a future where medicine proactively addresses aging, "Imagine a blood test that informs a 35-year-old they have the biological age of someone a decade older, prompting early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-protein-linked-to-healthier-aging-and-lower-risk-of-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifestyle adjustments</a> to reverse this trend.</p>



<p>The future of medicine lies in early detection and personalized interventions to delay disease and enhance the quality of life."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-age-redefined-new-path-to-healthy-living">Biological age redefined: New path to healthy living</h2>



<p>In summary, this pioneering research presents new revelations in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-aging-discovered-in-plant-leaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">science of aging</a>, offering a promising future where personalized health interventions extend our years of vitality. </p>



<p>By uncovering blood-based markers that reveal the secrets behind the varying rates at which we age, this study challenges our understanding of biological age and sets a foundation for predictive health measures. </p>



<p>With the development of the Healthy Aging Metabolic (HAM) Index and the potential for a predictive blood test, Aditi Gurkar and her team pave the way for a proactive approach in medicine. </p>



<p>This approach focuses on early detection and tailored lifestyle adjustments, promising a shift towards a future where aging is not merely a number but a modifiable aspect of our health journey.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acel.14104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aging Cell</a></em>.</p>



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True biological age is hidden in several newly-identified blood markers

Researchers have identified blood-based markers that provide insight into the...

<p>In an intriguing blend of celestial chemistry and the quest for understanding the origins of potentially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-expands-the-habitable-zone-where-we-may-find-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable worlds</a>, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (<a href="https://webbtelescope.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>) has made a significant discovery of complex organic molecules surrounding two young protostars, IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385.</p>



<p>Utilizing the Mid-Infrared Instrument (<a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/content/observatory/instruments/miri.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIRI</a>) on the JWST, an international team of astronomers has detected a variety of icy compounds, including complex organic molecules such as ethanol (commonly found in alcohol) and possibly acetic acid (a component of vinegar). </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/protostar-IRAS-23385_complex-organic-molecules_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This discovery</a> builds upon previous findings of diverse ices within a cold, dark molecular cloud, marking an important step forward in our understanding of cosmic chemistry.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-organic-molecules-in-the-cosmos">Complex organic molecules in the cosmos</h2>



<p>The presence of complex organic molecules (COMs) in solid ice, as observed in this study, suggests they originate from the sublimation of ices -- transitioning directly from a solid state to gas without becoming liquid. </p>



<p>The detection of these COMs in ice is particularly exciting for astronomers, as it hints at a deeper understanding of how even larger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-discovery-about-earths-formation-raises-probability-of-finding-life-on-other-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molecules</a> in space are formed.</p>



<p>One of the intriguing aspects of this research is the potential transportation of these COMs to planets during later stages of protostellar evolution. Ices containing COMs are believed to be more easily transported from molecular clouds to planet-forming disks than their warm, gaseous counterparts. </p>



<p>This means they could be incorporated into comets and asteroids, which may eventually collide with forming planets, delivering the essential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-create-hundreds-of-recipes-for-alien-life-in-new-chemical-cookbook/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ingredients for life</a>.</p>



<p>In addition to complex molecules, the science team also identified simpler substances such as formic acid (responsible for the burning sensation of an ant sting), methane, formaldehyde, and sulfur dioxide. The latter, a sulfur-containing compound, is thought to have played a crucial role in driving metabolic reactions on early Earth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-journey-from-ices-to-planets">Journey from ices to planets</h2>



<p>Particularly noteworthy is the low-mass protostar IRAS 2A, which may mirror the early stages of our own solar system. The chemicals found around IRAS 2A suggest that similar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-bennu-hints-at-the-possibility-of-life-on-an-ancient-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compounds</a> were present during the initial development of our solar system and may have been delivered to early Earth.</p>



<p>“All of these molecules can become part of comets and asteroids and eventually new planetary systems when the icy material is transported inward to the planet-forming disk as the protostellar system evolves,” said Ewine van Dishoeck of <a href="https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leiden University</a>, one of the coordinators of the science program. “We look forward to following this astrochemical trail step-by-step with more Webb data in the coming years.”</p>



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



<p>In summary, NASA's Webb Telescope has discovered the presence of complex organic molecules in the icy surrounds of young protostars, much like a cosmic recipe for life. </p>



<p>Through the meticulous work of an international team of astronomers and the pioneering capabilities of the Webb telescope, we now stand on the cusp of understanding how the ingredients for habitable worlds are scattered across the universe. </p>



<p>This important research deepens our knowledge of the chemical processes that predate planetary formation and holds the promise of uncovering the astrochemical pathways that lead to the birth of life-bearing planets. </p>



<p>As we continue to trace these cosmic breadcrumbs from icy comets to emerging planets, the legacy of discoveries like those around IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385 propels us forward in our quest to unravel the mysteries of our origins and the potential for life beyond Earth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-complex-organic-molecules-coms">More about complex organic molecules (COMs)</h2>



<p>As discussed above, complex organic molecules, often referred to as macromolecules, play a pivotal role in the structure and function of living organisms. These molecules are large, typically consisting of thousands of atoms, and are composed primarily of carbon atoms bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur and phosphorus.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-types-of-complex-organic-molecules">Types of complex organic molecules</h3>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proteins">Proteins</h4>



<p>Proteins are fundamental to the structure and function of all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-compound-suggests-that-life-beyond-earth-could-be-common/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">living cells</a>. They are made up of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, folding into specific three-dimensional shapes essential for their function. Proteins serve various roles, including acting as enzymes to catalyze biochemical reactions, as structural components of cells and tissues, and as antibodies in the immune response.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nucleic-acids">Nucleic Acids</h4>



<p>Nucleic acids, comprising DNA and RNA, store and transmit genetic information within a cell. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains the instructions for building and maintaining an organism, while RNA (ribonucleic acid) plays a critical role in translating these instructions into proteins. The structure of nucleic acids is a long chain of nucleotides, which include a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbohydrates">Carbohydrates</h4>



<p>Carbohydrates are a primary source of energy for most organisms. They are composed of sugar molecules (monosaccharides) bonded together in chains (polysaccharides). Carbohydrates serve various functions, including energy storage (starch in plants, glycogen in animals), structural support (cellulose in plant cell walls), and cell recognition processes on the surface of cells.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lipids">Lipids</h4>



<p>Lipids are a diverse group of molecules that are insoluble in water due to their non-polar nature. They include fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids. Lipids play critical roles in energy storage, forming cell membranes, and serving as signaling molecules. Fats and oils are triglycerides, composed of glycerol bonded to three fatty acids, and are a major energy reserve in many organisms.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-functions-and-significance">Functions and significance</h3>



<p>Complex organic molecules are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-at-the-heart-of-the-milky-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">essential for life</a> as we know it. They provide the structural components of cells, mediate biochemical reactions, store and transmit genetic information, and supply the energy necessary for survival. </p>



<p>Understanding these molecules is fundamental to biology, medicine, and many other fields, as it allows us to comprehend the mechanisms of life, disease, and evolution.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-in-the-cosmos">Discovery in the cosmos</h3>



<p>The discovery of COMs in space is a testament to the advancements in astronomical technology and techniques. Telescopes like NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and observatories such as ALMA have detected these molecules in the gas and dust clouds that surround new stars, known as protostellar disks. </p>



<p>These environments, rich in a variety of organic compounds, provide the perfect laboratory for studying the chemical pathways that lead from simple to complex organic molecules. </p>



<p>The identification of COMs in these regions suggests that the conditions for life's chemistry are not unique to Earth but can be found throughout the galaxy.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-coms-in-planetary-formation">Role of COMs in planetary formation</h3>



<p>The presence of COMs in protostellar environments is a key piece of the puzzle in understanding planetary formation. As stars form from collapsing clouds of gas and dust, the materials that orbit the young star gradually coalesce to form planets. </p>



<p>The COMs within these disks can become incorporated into comets, asteroids, and the planets themselves. When these bodies collide with or are captured by planets, they deliver their cargo of complex molecules, potentially seeding the planet with the ingredients necessary for life.</p>



<p>In summary, complex organic molecules are the cornerstone of biological systems, enabling the diverse forms of life on Earth. Their study sheds light on the basic principles of life but also has practical applications in healthcare, biotechnology, and environmental science. </p>



<p>As research advances, our understanding of these molecules continues to deepen, opening new avenues for scientific discovery and technological innovation.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.aanda.org/component/article?access=doi&amp;doi=10.1051/0004-6361/202348427" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</a></em>.</p>



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Complex organic molecules discovered surrounding newborn star

In an intriguing blend of celestial chemistry and the quest...

<p>In a quest to deepen our understanding of how our emotions are influenced by our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-perception-we-see-the-world-based-on-what-we-expect-to-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory perception</a>, a landmark study sheds light on the complex relationship between how we feel and how we perceive the world around us. </p>



<p>Whether it's the panic incited by a scream, the unease of a shadow, or the delight brought by vibrant landscapes and lively music, our reactions are deeply rooted in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-sense-of-smell-can-change-the-colors-we-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory experiences</a>. But do these reactions rely on specific senses, or is there a more abstract mechanism at work within our brains?</p>



<p>Published in <em>Science Advances</em>, this pioneering research was spearheaded by Italian neuroscientists from the <a href="https://www.imtlucca.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca</a>, in collaboration with the <a href="https://en.unito.it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Turin</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-processing-emotions-with-sensory-perception">Processing emotions with sensory perception</h2>



<p>The team embarked on an exploration to determine whether our brains use sensory-specific or abstract codes to forge emotional experiences.</p>



<p>"Emotion and perception are deeply intertwined, yet understanding how the brain encapsulates emotional experiences has been a longstanding puzzle," says Giada Lettieri, the study's lead author and a psychology researcher at the IMT School. </p>



<p>She adds, "Our study offers critical insights into how the brain organizes and interprets emotional information across various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-hidden-way-that-humans-feel-and-sense-touch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory modalities</a>, influenced by past sensory experiences."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-emotional-experiences">Decoding emotional experiences</h2>



<p>To dissect these mechanisms, the research involved showing the movie <em>101 Dalmatians</em> to 50 volunteers, including individuals with typical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-story-behind-our-sense-of-smell-is-coming-into-focus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory abilities</a>, as well as those who are congenitally blind or deaf. </p>



<p>This diverse group allowed the scientists to track brain activity through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as participants processed the film's plot, either by listening to its audio play or watching a silent version.</p>



<p>Further enriching this study, 124 additional participants were asked to watch the movie outside the scanner and record their emotional reactions, aiming to correlate these with the neural responses of people experiencing sensory deprivation.</p>



<p>Luca Cecchetti, the study's senior author, emphasizes the value of including individuals with sensory deprivation, saying, "It enables us to untangle the sensory contributions to the neural underpinnings of emotions."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abstract-codes-emotions-without-perception">Abstract codes: Emotions without perception</h2>



<p>The findings are revolutionary. Emotions are represented in the brain beyond sensory experiences and modalities. The study identified a distributed network within the brain, spanning sensory, prefrontal, and temporal areas, that collectively encodes emotions. </p>



<p>Remarkably, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex plays a pivotal role, housing an abstract representation of emotions that transcends specific sensory experiences or modalities.</p>



<p>This abstract coding suggests that our emotional responses are not merely reactions to external stimuli but are instead generated by a brain wired to create emotional significance, independent of sensory input. </p>



<p>This discovery underscores the resilience and adaptability of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-experiences-alter-time-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human brain</a>, particularly in individuals with sensory deprivation.</p>



<p>Lettieri underscores the broader implications of this research. "In a society that often overlooks the sensory-deprived, it's crucial to explore how mental faculties and their neural representations develop and refine without sensory input. This advances our understanding of emotion and the brain," she concluded.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-and-further-study">Implications and further study</h2>



<p>In summary, this study dramatically enhances our understanding of the human brain's capacity to process emotions independently of sensory perception. </p>



<p>By demonstrating that emotions can be abstractly coded within the brain, the research challenges previous assumptions about the direct reliance of emotional experiences on sensory perception. </p>



<p>This revelation broadens our grasp of emotional and perceptual interplay while emphasizing the adaptability and resilience of the human brain, especially in individuals with sensory deprivation. </p>



<p>As we continue to explore the depths of human emotion and perception, this study serves as a crucial stepping stone towards more inclusive and comprehensive models of brain function, promising to impact both scientific research and societal perceptions of sensory impairments.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adk6840" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>.</p>



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Fascinating interplay between emotions and our sensory perception

In a quest to deepen our understanding of how our...

Young,Man,Tries,To,Break,The,Alarm,Clock,With,Hammer

<p>Have you ever hit snooze ten times, muttering about waking up on the "wrong side of the bed"? Turns out, that grumpy feeling might not be just your imagination. A new study by the <a href="https://umich.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a> and <a href="https://www.dartmouth-health.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dartmouth Health</a> explains the connection behind our mood and sleep timing. </p>



<p>Sleep-deprived medical interns, notorious for their grueling schedules, offered a goldmine of data for this two-year study. The researchers combed through Fitbit data from over 2,500 of these interns to reveal their mood pattern.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mood-swings-and-sleep">Mood swings and sleep</h2>



<p>Here's the surprising finding: everyone's mood naturally dips in the early morning hours, around 5 am. Interestingly, this low point happens regardless of how much sleep you get. It is your body's built-in grump phase. </p>



<p>However, sleep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-deprivation-impairs-the-brain-potentially-causing-neurological-disorders/">deprivation</a> makes this natural dip even worse. So, if you pull an all-nighter, that 5 am low point feels even lower.</p>



<p>"Mood naturally cycles with lowest point in the morning and highest in the evening independent of sleep deprivation," explained Benjamin Shapiro, lead author of the study and psychiatrist at Dartmouth Health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-patterns-affecting-mood">Sleep patterns affecting mood</h2>



<p>The study revealed a connection between our internal body clock, called the circadian rhythm, and our moods. This internal clock runs on a 24-hour cycle and manages essential bodily functions.</p>



<p>The study suggests that our feelings of happiness, sadness, and irritability are not random, but instead follow a predictable pattern throughout the day and night. </p>



<p>"We discovered that mood follows a rhythm connected to the body's internal clock, and the clock's influence increases as someone stays awake longer," explained Danny Forger, a senior author of the study.</p>



<p>Disruptions to our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-circadian-disturbances-trigger-mental-health-disorders/">circadian rhythm</a>, caused by shift work, jet lag, or irregular sleep, can significantly impact our mood. The mismatch between our internal clock and the external environment throws off the natural rhythm of mood-regulating processes.</p>



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



<p>What sets this study apart is its application to real-life settings, moving beyond the controlled environments of traditional laboratory studies. "The field of psychiatry has known that sleep and circadian rhythm play an important role in mental health," said Shapiro.</p>



<p>"However, these findings have only been shown in small samples and in artificial laboratory settings." This research extends those insights to a broader, more diverse population, highlighting the everyday relevance of sleep on our mental health.</p>



<p>An exciting takeaway from the study is the potential for wearable technology, like Fitbits, to revolutionize the monitoring and treatment of mood disorders. </p>



<p>"Rather than requiring invasive blood draws or temperature monitoring, we are able to obtain similar data from an everyday Fitbit," Shapiro noted.</p>



<p>This opens new avenues for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poor-sleep-quality-is-associated-with-mental-illness/">mental health</a> clinicians to incorporate circadian rhythm metrics into their practices, making mental health care more accessible and integrated into our daily lives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-care">Mental health care</h2>



<p>The study not only sheds light on why we might feel particularly gloomy in the mornings but also heralds a new era in mental health care. By leveraging the technology we wear every day, we're on the brink of better understanding and managing our mood cycles. </p>



<p>So, the next time you wake up feeling like you've picked a fight with the sunrise, remember: it's not just you, it's science. And thanks to the diligent work of researchers, we're getting closer to turning every side of the bed into the right one.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://e0000439. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000439" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Digital Health</a>.</p>



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Link between sleep and mood explains the "wrong side of the bed"

Have you ever hit snooze ten times, muttering about waking...

<p>In the vast, cold expanse just beyond Neptune lies a ring of icy rocks that could unravel the mysteries of the solar system's outer reaches. The binary duo known as Mors-Somnus, <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mors-Somnus_binary-asteroids_UCF_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two icy asteroids</a> bound by gravity, has recently been pinpointed as originating within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eris-and-makemake-icy-dwarf-planets-in-our-own-solar-system-may-support-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kuiper Belt</a>. </p>



<p>This discovery offers a unique window into the formation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/neptune_blue_voyager2_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune</a> and other trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), marking a significant breakthrough in our understanding of the solar system's dynamics.</p>



<p>The study, led by the University of Central Florida (<a href="https://www.ucf.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCF</a>), is part of the James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST) "Discovering the Surface Compositions of Trans-Neptunian Objects" (<a href="https://www.stsci.edu/jwst/phase2-public/2418.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DiSCo-TNOs</a>) program. This program aims to delve into the compositions and histories of these distant, icy bodies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mors-somnus-key-to-the-past">Mors-Somnus: Key to the past</h2>



<p>By leveraging the JWST's wide spectral capabilities, they were able to compare Mors-Somnus with half a dozen TNOs suspected to be closely related. </p>



<p>This comparison revealed that Mors-Somnus shares much with its "cold classical" neighbors -- objects that have remained largely untouched by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/three-new-moons-discovered-around-neptune-and-uranus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune</a>'s migration.</p>



<p>This insight is particularly compelling as it suggests that binary objects like Mors-Somnus, along with other nearby TNOs, could serve as indicators for tracing Neptune's path to its current orbit. </p>



<p>Binaries that are separated by distance, such as Mors-Somnus, typically do not survive unless they are in regions like the Kuiper Belt, where they are protected by gravity and shielded by other icy bodies. </p>



<p>Their survival indicates a slow journey to their present location, further underlining the unique stability and history of the Kuiper Belt.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-composition-of-trans-neptunian-objects-tnos">Composition of Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs)</h2>



<p>The study found spectroscopic similarities between Mors and Somnus and other cold classical TNOs, indicating a shared compositional origin beyond 30 astronomical units. </p>



<p>This aligns with previous hypotheses about the formation region of these TNOs and opens up new avenues for understanding the processes that shaped our solar system.</p>



<p>With data from nearly 60 TNOs beginning to emerge from the DiSCo-TNOs studies, the research team anticipates more discoveries that will deepen our knowledge of the solar system's outer realms. </p>



<p>De Souza Feliciano expressed excitement at the unfolding connections between dynamic groups of TNOs and their compositional behavior, highlighting the wealth of information these bodies hold about the solar system's origins.</p>



<p>“As we started to analyze the Mors and Somnus spectra, more data were arriving, and the connection between the dynamic groups and compositional behavior was natural,” de Souza Feliciano says.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-to-insight-journey-of-disco-tnos">Discovery to insight: Journey of DiSCo-TNOs</h2>



<p>Pinilla-Alonso, who envisioned the DiSCo-TNOs program, emphasizes the transformative power of the JWST in studying the composition and formation processes of these distant objects with unprecedented clarity. </p>



<p>“For the first time, we can not only resolve images of systems with multiple components like the Hubble Space Telescope, but we can also study their composition with a level of detail that only Webb can provide,” Pinilla-Alonso says. “We can now investigate the formation process of these binaries like never before.”</p>



<p>She praises de Souza Feliciano's leadership in this research and sees the <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a> era as a golden opportunity for the next generation of scientists to lead groundbreaking projects.</p>



<p>“I am proud to have played a role in providing the necessary data and support to (Ana) Carol(olina), a brilliant UCF postdoctoral researcher who has been the true leader of this work,” Pinilla-Alonso says. “With the Webb telescope set to last for decades, this is an amazing opportunity for the next generation of researchers to step up and lead their science projects," she concluded.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neptune-s-migration-insights-from-mors-somnus-0">Neptune's migration: Insights from Mors-Somnus</h2>



<p>In summary, the study of Mors-Somnus has opened new doors to understanding the intricate dynamics of our solar system's outer reaches, particularly the formation and migration patterns of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neptune-like-exoplanets-atmospheres-interesting-earth-size-neighbors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune</a> and other trans-Neptunian objects. </p>



<p>Through the unparalleled capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers at the University of Central Florida have charted the compositional similarities within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-earth-like-planet-may-be-hiding-just-beyond-neptune/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kuiper Belt</a> and laid the groundwork for future explorations into the cosmic origins of our planetary neighborhood. </p>



<p>This pioneering work underscores the importance of continuous exploration and innovation, promising to unravel more secrets of the cosmos and further our quest for knowledge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-neptune-and-mors-somnus">More about Neptune and Mors-Somnus</h2>



<p>As discussed above, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-dark-spot-on-neptune-detected-from-earth-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune</a> stands as the eighth and most distant planet in our solar system, a testament to the enduring quest for knowledge that drives humanity's exploration of the cosmos. </p>



<p>Discovered in 1846, Neptune was the first planet located through mathematical predictions rather than empirical observation, showcasing the power of intellect and mathematics in unveiling the mysteries of our universe.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atmosphere-and-climate">Atmosphere and climate</h3>



<p>Neptune's existence came to light thanks to the irregularities observed in Uranus's orbit, suggesting the presence of another, unseen planet exerting gravitational force. </p>



<p>The combined efforts of mathematicians Urbain Le Verrier and John Couch Adams led to its discovery, marking a monumental achievement in the field of astronomy and solidifying the role of predictive mathematics in celestial discoveries.</p>



<p>Neptune's striking blue appearance, caused by methane in its atmosphere, belies a turbulent and dynamic climate. Among the solar system's giants, Neptune experiences some of the most violent weather patterns. Winds reach speeds of up to 2,100 kilometers per hour (about 1,300 miles per hour). </p>



<p>This planet is also home to massive storms, such as the Great Dark Spot, observed by Voyager 2 in 1989, showcasing the dynamic and ever-changing nature of this distant world.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moons-rings-and-solar-system-dynamics">Moons, rings, and solar system dynamics</h3>



<p>Despite its distance from the Sun, Neptune boasts a fascinating collection of moons and a complex ring system. Triton, Neptune's largest moon, is particularly intriguing due to its retrograde orbit and geologic activity, including geysers believed to spew nitrogen ice. The planet's ring system, though faint, is a captivating feature that adds to the allure of Neptune as a celestial body worth studying.</p>



<p>Neptune plays a crucial role in the outer solar system's dynamics, influencing the region known as the Kuiper Belt -- a vast collection of icy bodies and the source of short-period comets, including Mors-Somnus. Neptune's gravitational influence shapes the orbits of these objects, affecting their distribution and interaction within the solar system.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neptune-mors-somnus-and-future-exploration">Neptune, Mors-Somnus, and future exploration</h3>



<p>The exploration of Neptune represents a frontier in space science, with future missions poised to unlock more secrets of this distant giant. </p>



<p>Advances in technology and space travel promise to bring us closer to understanding Neptune's composition, atmosphere, and potential for hosting moons with subsurface oceans. </p>



<p>As we continue to gaze outward, Neptune serves as a reminder of the vast, unexplored expanses lying at the edges of our solar system and the potential discoveries that await us.</p>



<p>In summary, Neptune, with its mysterious blue hue and dynamic atmosphere, stands as a beacon in our quest to understand the universe. Through the lenses of powerful telescopes and future space missions, we continue to unravel the secrets of this distant planet, expanding our knowledge and fueling our curiosity about the cosmos.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2024/01/aa48222-23/aa48222-23.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy and Astrophysics</a></em>.</p>



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



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Mors-Somnus provides clues to Neptune’s evolution

In the vast, cold expanse just beyond Neptune lies a...

<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=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-threat-in-urban-air"><strong>Invisible threat in urban air</strong></h2>



<p>City dwellers face an unseen danger with every breath. New findings from Emory University researchers suggest that fine particulate matter from <a href="http://earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vehicle emissions may significantly elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease</a>. The study examined brain tissue samples from 224 individuals who had confirmed diagnoses and volunteered their brains for scientific research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-connections-emerge"><strong>Disturbing connections emerge</strong></h2>



<p>Scientists analyzed neuritic plaques — protein clusters that characterize Alzheimer's — while mapping each participant's exposure to PM2.5 particles based on residential location and surrounding traffic density. The correlation proved more alarming than anticipated. Individuals experiencing higher pollution exposure showed nearly double the likelihood of elevated plaque accumulation in brain tissue.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-matters"><strong>Timing matters</strong></h2>



<p>The research team discovered that pollution exposure during the final year before death demonstrated the strongest association with brain changes. This timeline suggests relatively rapid impacts from environmental toxins on neural health. The connection remained robust even after accounting for various demographic and health factors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-vulnerability-patterns"><strong>Genetic vulnerability patterns</strong></h2>



<p>Perhaps most concerning, people lacking the APOE gene—which naturally predisposes individuals to Alzheimer's — exhibited more than twice the susceptibility to pollution-related brain damage. Study author Dr. Anke Huels noted this indicates environmental elements like air contamination could trigger the disease in cases where hereditary factors don't explain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-implications"><strong>Public health implications</strong></h2>



<p>These findings, published in <em><a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a></em>, underscore the critical importance of air quality regulations in urban planning. The research suggests that implementing stricter emission controls and promoting alternative transportation could serve as powerful tools in Alzheimer's prevention.</p>



<p>As cities worldwide grapple with growing traffic congestion and aging populations, this study highlights an urgent need for comprehensive approaches to environmental health that protect both our lungs and our minds.</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic...

<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=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



<p>Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



<p>The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



<p>At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.</p>



<p>"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.</p>



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



<p>The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.</p>



<p>The research, published in <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.</p>



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<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=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-earth-became-a-frozen-wasteland">When Earth became a frozen wasteland</h2>



<p>Imagine Earth as a giant snowball, frozen solid from the North Pole to the equator. This wasn't the plot of a science fiction movie – it was our planet's reality 700 million years ago during an extreme ice age that has puzzled scientists for decades.</p>



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



<p>Australian researchers from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> have finally cracked one of geology's greatest mysteries: what caused the Sturtian glaciation and why it persisted for an unprecedented 57 million years. This period occurred long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when no complex plants or multicellular animals existed.</p>



<p>Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz, the study's lead author, describes a world completely unlike today's climate. "Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over," she explained. "The planet was blanketed in ice from poles to equator, and temperatures plunged."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-combination-of-climate-factors">The combination of climate factors</h2>



<p>The research team discovered that this massive freeze resulted from a "double whammy" of geological events. First, plate tectonic activity reduced volcanic carbon dioxide emissions to historically low levels. Volcanic activity typically releases CO2 into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect that keeps Earth warm.</p>



<p>Simultaneously, weathering of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada actively absorbed atmospheric CO2, further reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. When atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dropped below 200 parts per million – less than half of today's levels – glaciation engulfed the entire planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-climate-implications">Modern climate implications</h2>



<p>Published in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a></em>, this research provides crucial insights into Earth's climate system. While geological climate changes occur over millions of years, the study emphasizes that human-induced climate change is happening at a pace ten times faster than previously observed natural changes, highlighting the urgent need to understand our planet's delicate climate balance.</p>



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY 57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists....

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[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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