<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,...

<p>Coral reefs are vital underwater ecosystems teeming with life. Yet, climate change and human actions threaten their very existence. This is cause for alarm as coral reefs provide a haven for countless <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-organisms-may-adapt-to-climate-change-but-with-hidden-costs/">marine creatures</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Not all hope is lost. Scientists recently discovered a surprising power of coral reefs: amazing regenerative abilities. With a little assistance, restored coral reefs can bounce back in just four years, becoming vibrant once again.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restoring-reefs-with-coral-transplants">Restoring reefs with coral transplants</h2>



<p>The study focused on the <a href="https://www.buildingcoral.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars Coral Reef Restoration Programme</a>, one of the world's largest reef restoration projects. The program restored coral reefs in two Indonesian islands. </p>



<p>The restoration method involved structures called "reef stars" – hexagonal metal frames filled with sand. Each frame provides a home for 10-15 pieces of coral collected from nearby healthy reefs. These coral fragments come from several different types of branching coral naturally found in the area.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-careful-maintenance-nbsp">Careful maintenance&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The restoration process involves placing these reef stars in large groups across a designated area. But simply placing them isn't enough. To ensure the coral thrives, the frames are brushed regularly to remove algae, and any dead coral pieces are replaced.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This careful maintenance is especially important in the first few months after the coral is transplanted, giving it the best chance to grow and establish itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbonate-budget-of-restored-coral-reefs">Carbonate budget of restored coral reefs</h2>



<p>Scientists studied how well restored coral reefs were doing by looking at their "carbonate budget." This refers to the balance between how much calcium carbonate the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recent-coral-recovery-in-the-great-barrier-reef-has-paused/">reef</a> is making and how much it's losing. </p>



<p>Calcium carbonate is a building block for corals, and a healthy reef will be making more of it than it's losing.</p>



<p>“Corals constantly add calcium carbonate to the reef framework while some fishes and sea urchins erode it away, so calculating the overall carbonate budget basically tells you if the reef as a whole is growing or shrinking,” noted study lead author Dr. Ines Lange from the University of Exeter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Four years after the restoration efforts began, the reefs were doing much better. They had more coral, were more complex, and were building calcium carbonate at a similar rate to healthy reefs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We found that restored coral reefs can grow at the same speed as healthy coral reefs just four years after coral transplantation. This means that they provide lots of habitat for marine life and efficiently protect the adjacent island from wave energy and erosion,” said Dr. Lange.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restoration-challenges">Restoration challenges</h2>



<p>Coral restoration projects often use fast-growing branching corals because they help reefs recover quickly. However, these corals are also more likely to die from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deepest-known-coral-reef-bleaching-discovered-alarming-scientists/">bleaching</a> caused by rising water temperatures. This could make the restored reefs weaker in the long run.</p>



<p>While branching corals create good homes for fish and other sea creatures, researchers worry that relying on them too much might be risky. They recommend using a wider variety of coral types during restoration, similar to what's found on healthy reefs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This mix would include massive, encrusting, and plating corals, which are all better at surviving bleaching events.</p>



<p>The researchers also express that there's no single perfect way to restore reefs. The best approach will depend on the specific location, the types of coral available, and how well the surrounding environment is protected.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-coral-reef-restoration">Future of coral reef restoration</h2>



<p>The study has demonstrated that actively restoring reefs by transplanting coral can significantly improve their health.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This is a really encouraging discovery. If we can maintain climate conditions that allow for coral survival, it’s possible to restore even very damaged reefs back to healthy, functional systems within relatively short periods of time,” noted Dr. Tim Lamont of Lancaster University.</p>



<p>The study is a wake-up call. We can revive our coral reefs, but we must act swiftly. By implementing a multi-pronged approach of restoration, environmental protection, and climate change action, we can ensure the future of these underwater wonders.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.009" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Current Biology</em></a>.</p>



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Restored coral reefs can bounce back in just four years

Coral reefs are vital underwater ecosystems teeming with life. Yet,...

<p>Deep in the rainforest, monkeys are known for their lively social interactions. But a new study reveals a worrying trend: when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-threatens-the-future-of-8-in-10-lizards/">deforestation</a> disrupts their habitat, monkeys are forced to change their social behaviors in order to survive.</p>



<p>"One trend we're seeing with primates worldwide is that when their forests are cut down, they're either able to adapt in some way, or their population declines," explained Dr. Laura Bolt, a primatologist at the <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto Mississauga</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monkey-behavior-changes">Monkey behavior changes</h2>



<p>One might wonder, why focus on monkey social behavior? Much like humans, monkeys are social creatures and their interactions are important for survival, learning, and social structures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Since changes in their environment may impact these interactions, the researchers studied how monkeys adapt to living near forest edges caused by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-primates-human-activities/">human activities</a>.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The study took place in Costa Rica at La Suerte Biological Research Station. Scientists observed three monkey species – spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and howler monkeys – from 2017 to 2023.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team documented the monkeys’ <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monkeys-practice-social-distancing-when-they-have-an-infection/">social behaviors</a>, such as grooming, playing, and communication, both deep inside the forest and near the edges. The aim was to see if the monkeys behaved differently in the natural forest interior compared to the disturbed edge zones.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spider-monkey-behavior-changes-nbsp">Spider monkey behavior changes&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Spider monkeys played and groomed each other less often in the edge areas compared to the deeper parts of the forest. This difference suggests the monkeys might not feel as safe or comfortable socializing on the edges.</p>



<p>The researchers speculate that the monkeys are saving energy in these harsher edge areas. This could be because there's less food or because there are more dangers around, like predators or people.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The forest edge is closer to humans, so it might not be as good of a habitat as the inner <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monkeys-tropical-forests-life/">forest</a>. There is likely less food and fewer big trees for the monkeys to swing through and hide in.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spider-monkeys-prefer-the-inner-forest-nbsp">Spider monkeys prefer the inner forest&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Another thought is that spider monkeys just prefer the thicker, inner parts of the forest for socializing. They might feel safer moving around high up in the tree canopy, away from the trouble and dangers at the forest edge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The canopy is like a 3D maze of branches that the monkeys can swing through easily. It also has fruit trees, making it a great place to hang out with friends and share food.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavior-changes-in-capuchins-nbsp">Behavior changes in capuchins&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experts found that white-faced capuchin monkeys engaged in behavior that wouldn't draw attention to themselves. These monkeys fought and vocalized less often while living along the forest edge.</p>



<p>Capuchins eat a variety of foods, so they might be able to find more to eat at the forest edge, which could affect how they interact with each other. Also, being quieter and less aggressive might help them avoid predators in these open areas.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"If they're in an area with smaller trees, where it's easier for predators to see them, they're especially vulnerable," said Dr. Bolt. "It makes sense that the capuchins would try to avoid getting eaten, essentially."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-howler-monkey-behavior-remained-the-same">Howler monkey behavior remained the same</h2>



<p>Unlike the other monkeys, howler monkeys behaved the same way in both the center of the forest and at the edges.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This could mean that howler monkeys are very adaptable and can handle these changes well. Or, it might be that they can't adjust their behavior very easily to new situations.</p>



<p>Howler monkeys mostly eat leaves, which are easy to find even in disturbed areas. This flexible diet might be why they act the same way regardless of their surroundings.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-concern-for-howler-monkeys-nbsp">Long-term concern for howler monkeys&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study suggests that howler monkeys might do well in damaged forests without changing how they interact with each other. Unfortunately, this stability could also mean they have trouble adapting to environments that change quickly or become badly damaged.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"This could be a concern long-term for howler monkeys. They might be only capable of living one way and then they persist until suddenly, they die out because they're not able to cope," said Dr. Bolt.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monkey-social-behavior-and-conservation">Monkey social behavior and conservation</h2>



<p>Dr. Bolt's research helps us understand how well monkeys can cope with change. This knowledge allows us to pinpoint which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-driving-tree-dwelling-primates-to-the-ground/">primates</a> are most at risk from fragmented forests and how changes in their natural behavior might affect their survival.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Understanding how species behave is a way of better understanding them, and better understanding how to conserve them," said Dr. Bolt.</p>



<p>The study is published in the<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23610" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> <em>American Journal of Primatology</em></a>. </p>



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Deforestation changes social behavior in monkeys

Deep in the rainforest, monkeys are known for their lively...

<p>New research from the <a href="https://www.imp.med.uni-muenchen.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">​​Institute of Medical Psychology</a> sheds light on how good quality sleep can strengthen your body's immune system. </p>



<p>The scientists examined how sleep affects the movement of immune cells called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-cells-could-be-used-to-slow-down-or-even-reverse-aging/">T-cells</a>. They studied healthy adults, tracking their sleep and taking blood samples at different times. This allowed the experts to compare T-cell movement after a good night's sleep versus no sleep.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team also investigated whether hormones influenced by sleep, such as growth hormone and prolactin, had any impact on T-cell movement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-t-cells-help-the-immune-system">T-cells help the immune system</h2>



<p>T-cells are a type of white blood cell that fights infection. They can't stay in one place all the time; they need to move around the body to find and fight problems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The movement of the cells is not random. Special chemicals called chemokines act like signals, guiding T-cells to specific areas. These areas are often lymph nodes, which are the centers for immune response. Here, T-cells can interact with other immune cells and learn to recognize threats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-t-cell-movement-nbsp">T-cell movement&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Moving around involves several steps. First, T-cells sense the chemokine signals. This tells them where to go.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The T-cells then change shape and stick to the walls of blood vessels and tissues. This allows them to crawl towards the signal. Finally, they leave the bloodstream and enter the tissues where they're needed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-constantly-searching-for-infection">Constantly searching for infection</h2>



<p>The ability of T-cells to move is vital for the immune system to work properly. By traveling throughout the body, T-cells can constantly search for infection. If they find a threat, they can start an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extra-weight-impairs-the-bodys-immune-response-to-covid-19/">immune response</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In simpler terms, T-cell movement is like sending out scouts to different parts of the body. These scouts (T-cells) follow signals (chemokines) to find important locations (lymph nodes) where they can learn about enemies (infections) and fight back to protect the body.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-selective-influence-on-t-cell-migration">Selective influence on T-cell migration</h2>



<p>“Our results show that sleep promotes the migratory potential of various T-cell subpopulations,” said Professor Luciana Besedovsky.&nbsp;</p>



<p>During sleep, the T-cells become more adept at navigating towards special chemokines called CCL19. These CCL19 efficiently direct the T-cells to lymph nodes. Notably, the experts found that sleep specifically targets this CCL19-directed movement, not enhancing responses to other inflammatory signals.</p>



<p>This suggests that sleep isn't simply giving the immune system a general boost. Instead, sleep appears to act as a fine-tuning mechanism. This targeted approach allows the body to mount a more strategic and organized defense against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-covid-19-deaths-were-caused-by-secondary-infections/">infections</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hormone-production-during-sleep">Hormone production during sleep</h2>



<p>When we sleep, our bodies release several hormones that help us stay healthy and grow. Two of these hormones, growth hormone and prolactin, are produced in much larger amounts during deep sleep.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers found that presence of these hormones further increased the movement of T-cells towards CCL19.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growth-hormone">Growth hormone</h3>



<p>Growth hormone, needed for building and fixing tissues, increases significantly during deep sleep. This hormone is produced by the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls sleep itself.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If we don't get enough sleep, our body might not make enough growth hormone, which can hinder growth in children and overall health in adults.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Prolactin is another hormone connected to sleep. This one reaches its highest levels during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-need-more-sleep-in-the-winter-season/">REM sleep</a>, the stage when we dream.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Prolactin is involved in functions like metabolism, immunity, and brain development. Just like growth hormone, prolactin production is linked to sleep cycles, so poor sleep can affect the amount of prolactin our body makes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-for-a-stronger-immune-system-nbsp">Sleep for a stronger immune system&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research suggests that sleep is important for a strong immune system. Sleep controls the levels of hormones which in turn affects how well the body fights infections. This is especially important for <a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=vaccines&amp;start=0">vaccines</a>, which need the body to create T-cells.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our results also have potential clinical implications. Thus, growth hormone and prolactin could be considered as new adjuvants to promote immune responses following vaccination, especially in aged people, who typically display reduced levels of these hormones during sleep,” explained Dr Besedovsky.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2024.02.021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Brain, Behavior, and Immunity</em></a>.</p>



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Sleep may be the best strategy to boost your immune system

New research from the ​​Institute of Medical Psychology sheds light...

Exhausted,Millennial,Male,Hold,Head,With,Hand,Sitting,At,Office

<p>In the fast-paced rhythm of modern life, sleep often takes a back seat, especially with the demands of parenting, careers, and daily stresses. Yet, the significance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-debt-new-parents-lose-two-months-of-sleep-in-a-babys-first-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adequate sleep</a> cannot be overstated, recently linked to chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes. </p>



<p>A disturbing study conducted by researchers at <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a>, Sweden, and published in <em>JAMA Network Open</em>, sheds light on the critical relationship between sleep duration and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, emphasizing that a healthy diet alone may not be sufficient to mitigate this risk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-sleep-and-in-preventing-diabetes">Importance of sleep and in preventing diabetes</h2>



<p>Christian Benedict is an Associate Professor and a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-color-has-no-impact-on-our-internal-clocks-or-sleep-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> researcher at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences at Uppsala University who led the study. He candidly shares his perspective on the importance of sleep.</p>



<p>"I generally recommend prioritizing sleep, although I understand it’s not always possible, especially as a parent of four teenagers," Benedict said.</p>



<p>The study delves into the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-do-we-sleep-study-reveals-new-clues-behind-this-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> deprivation on the body's ability to process sugar, a key factor in type 2 diabetes. This condition impedes insulin absorption, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and potentially causing severe damage to nerves and blood vessels over time. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-short-sleep-directly-linked-to-type-2-diabetes">Short sleep directly linked to type 2 diabetes</h2>



<p>With over 462 million people affected globally, as reported in 2020, the urgency to address this escalating public health issue is palpable.</p>



<p>Diana Noga, a fellow sleep researcher at Uppsala University, highlights the novelty of their findings. “Previous research has shown that repeated short daily rest increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-significantly-reduce-diabetes-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy dietary habits</a> such as regularly eating fruit and vegetables can reduce the risk," Noga explained. </p>



<p>"However, it has remained unclear whether people who <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/while-in-deep-sleep-humans-can-subconsciously-respond-to-verbal-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> too little can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by eating healthily," she concluded.</p>



<p>This uncertainty led the research team to investigate further using data from the UK Biobank, one of the largest population databases worldwide.</p>



<p>Analyzing the health and lifestyle responses from nearly half a million UK participants over a decade, the researchers uncovered a compelling association: individuals who <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consistent-sleep-slows-down-aging-at-a-cellular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">slept</a> between three to five hours nightly faced a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-quality-vs-dietary-habits">Sleep quality vs. dietary habits</h2>



<p>Interestingly, while a healthy diet correlated with a lower risk of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poor-nutrition-leads-to-poor-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disease</a>, those who maintained good eating habits but slept less than six hours were still at an increased risk.</p>



<p>"Our results are the first to question whether a healthy diet can compensate for lack of sleep in terms of the risk of type 2 diabetes," Benedict explained further. "They should not cause concern, but instead be seen as a reminder that sleep plays an important role in health." </p>



<p>He also notes that the impact of sleep deprivation can vary widely among individuals, influenced by genetics and each person's unique sleep needs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-priortizing-healthy-habits-and-sleep-regimens">Priortizing healthy habits and sleep regimens</h2>



<p>In summary, this important study by Uppsala University unequivocally demonstrates the critical link between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insufficient-sleep-increases-diabetes-risk-in-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep deprivation</a> and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, challenging the notion that a healthy diet alone can offset the negative effects of insufficient sleep. </p>



<p>This research underscores the importance of prioritizing adequate sleep as an essential component of a holistic approach to health and diabetes prevention. By acknowledging the varied impacts of sleep deprivation on individuals, the team also highlights the need for personalized health strategies that consider both genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors. </p>



<p>Ultimately, this study serves as a compelling reminder of the indispensable role sleep plays in maintaining overall health and wellbeing, urging individuals to reevaluate and elevate the priority they give sleep in their daily lives.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2815684" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a></em>.</p>



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



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

Sleeping less than 5 hours a day significantly raises diabetes risk

In the fast-paced rhythm of modern life, sleep often takes...

<p>Researchers have achieved a pivotal breakthrough in understanding the process of aerosol formation in Earth's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-atmosphere-is-expanding-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lower atmosphere</a>, offering insights into air quality, climate, and health impacts. </p>



<p>Specifically focusing on the troposphere, which contains 85% of our atmosphere, this research addresses the crucial formation and effects of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). Published in <em>Nature Geosciences</em>, their study exposes key mechanisms of SOA formation, substantially enhancing our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-ancient-breath-study-links-atmospheric-oxygen-and-mantle-chemistry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric chemistry</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-secondary-organic-aerosols-soas">Impact of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs)</h2>



<p>The focus of their study, Criegee intermediates, are compounds suspected to be at the heart of SOA formation through a process known as oligomerization. Until now, the direct chemical signatures of this process had not been identified in real-world conditions. </p>



<p>The team's field measurements in the Amazon rainforest -- a critical region for SOA study -- provided undeniable evidence of reactions consistent with a specific Criegee intermediate compound, shedding light on the complex chemistry at play in our atmosphere.</p>



<p>Carl Percival from NASA’s <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> emphasized the significance of their findings, stating, “First, we discovered that CI chemistry may play a bigger role in altering the composition of the troposphere than current atmospheric models account for -- probably by an order of magnitude.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-the-secrets-of-aerosol-formation">Unlocking the secrets of aerosol formation</h2>



<p>Rebecca L. Caravan, an assistant chemist at <a href="https://www.anl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Argonne</a> and the paper's first author, highlighted the direct correlation between their field observations, laboratory characterizations, and theoretical determinations.</p>



<p>“This discovery is extremely significant because we were able to make direct connections between what we actually saw in the field, what we anticipated was happening with oligomerization of CIs and what we were able to characterize in the lab and determine theoretically,” explained Caravan.</p>



<p>This integrated approach not only allowed for a deeper understanding of CI reactions but also showcased the collaborative effort across laboratories to push the boundaries of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-uncover-new-way-that-earth-cleans-its-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric science</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advanced-methodologies-and-findings">Advanced methodologies and findings</h2>



<p>Craig A. Taatjes, a combustion chemist at Sandia, elaborated on the comprehensive methods employed in their research. From advanced field measurements to cutting-edge theoretical kinetics, the team utilized an array of tools to dissect the complex reactions of Criegee intermediates. </p>



<p>"We used the most advanced theoretical kinetics to predict reactions we can’t measure directly. And we took advantage of the most advanced global chemistry modeling to assess the effects we would expect oligomerization to have in the troposphere based on those kinetics,” Taatjes elaborated.</p>



<p>This multifaceted strategy yielded critical insights, notably that the impact of CI chemistry on the troposphere's composition might be significantly underestimated by current models.</p>



<p>Despite the remarkable progress, the findings also suggest that our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/african-dust-and-sea-spray-may-help-tackle-atmospheric-methane/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tropospheric chemistry</a> remains incomplete. The observed oligomerization signatures in the field far exceeded those predicted by updated models, hinting at either a more substantial role for CI chemistry or the presence of other unidentified chemical mechanisms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-much-more-to-learn-about-atmospheric-aerosol-formation">Much more to learn about atmospheric aerosol formation</h2>



<p>“We still have a lot of work to do to fully define the role of CI reactions in the troposphere,” concluded Caravan. “But these findings significantly expand our understanding of one potentially significant pathway for SOA formation in the most important layer of the earth’s atmosphere.”</p>



<p>In summary, this research marks a significant milestone in our understanding of atmospheric chemistry, particularly in the study of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) formation and the pivotal role of Criegee intermediates (CIs) in their formation. </p>



<p>By employing advanced detection methods and comprehensive field studies in the Amazon rainforest, the team has not only uncovered evidence that challenges and surpasses current atmospheric models but also set a new course for future research. </p>



<p>Their findings underscore the complexity of the troposphere's chemistry and highlight the urgent need for further exploration to fully grasp the impact of these processes on our planet's climate, air quality, and human health.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-023-01361-6">Nature Geoscience</a></em>.</p>



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



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Aerosol formation in Earth's atmosphere is a complicated process

Researchers have achieved a pivotal breakthrough in understanding the process...

<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyoto University</a> have made a significant advance in reproductive biology. They've crafted a unique screening system that deeply explores sperm cell development and health. This method could eventually transform male contraception and tackle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bulls-are-helping-solve-the-mysteries-of-male-infertility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infertility</a> challenges.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-molecular-insights-into-sperm-health">Molecular insights into sperm health</h2>



<p>Professor Jun Suzuki's team at the <a href="https://www.icems.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS)</a> used a powerful technique called CRISPR to directly alter genes within testicular cells of living animals. This is a major step forward because previously such research relied on studying cells in labs, not within an organism.</p>



<p>The team developed a very efficient method called "Revival Screening" to deliver these gene-altering tools directly into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-testicles-created-in-a-lab-will-eventually-produce-sperm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testicular</a> cells. This allowed them to see exactly how each gene affected sperm function. They specifically looked at individual sperms that weren't developing properly for fertilization. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-rd3-gene-in-sperm-health">Impact of Rd3 gene in sperm health</h2>



<p>Rd3, also known as Retinal Degeneration 3, is a gene that was initially identified for its role in relation to vision. However, the researchers found that it also plays an important role in sperm health. </p>



<p>The study showed that Rd3 is particularly active in round sperm cells, which are essential precursors to mature, functional sperm. It successfully demonstrated that Rd3 plays a significant role in maintaining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-diet-improves-sperm-quality-and-fertility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sperm quality</a> by regulating oxidative stress, a condition linked to cellular damage.</p>



<p>To further understand how Rd3 regulates sperm health the research team developed a sophisticated computer tool called "Hub-Explorer." This tool helped them shed light on the specific ways Rd3 functions within <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/men-infected-with-even-mild-covid-cases-experience-long-term-decline-in-semen-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sperm</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/men-infected-with-even-mild-covid-cases-experience-long-term-decline-in-semen-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-exploring-sperm-health">Implications of exploring sperm health</h2>



<p>“While women have many available birth control options, choices for men remain limited,” says Noguchi, a first author of this paper. “This new screening method holds promise by aiding the discovery of key molecules, potentially leading to new birth control options and infertility therapies for men.”</p>



<p>Professor Suzuki also remarked on the broader potential of their findings. “These discoveries not only advance our understanding of sperm cell development but also demonstrate the potential to uncover mysteries in different biological processes,” adds Professor Suzuki. “The method can also be applied to other tissues, potentially expediting the development of drugs for a wide range of diseases.”&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>While the research on exploring sperm health is promising, the team acknowledges a decrease in the number of targeted cells. This highlights the need for further development to improve the method's effectiveness. </p>



<p>They're actively exploring alternative approaches to enhance its impact. Ultimately, the goal is to broaden its applicability across various biological processes and diseases.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666979X24000375?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Genomics</a></em></em>.</p>



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



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

Novel gene editing tool analyzes sperm health in animals

Researchers at Kyoto University have made a significant advance in...

<p>Birds in the modern world don't have teeth. However, in the past, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chinese-fossil-provides-a-new-glimpse-into-early-bird-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">they did</a>. This begs the question: when did toothless birds evolve, and how? A recent study published in <em>Cretaceous Research</em> introduces <em>Imparavis attenboroughi</em>, the first bird of its kind to evolve toothless-ness. </p>



<p>Also known as “Attenborough’s strange bird.” This incredibly important <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Attenboroughs-strange-bird_Imparavis-attenboroughi_credit_Ville-Sinkkonen_1big.webp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil bird discovery</a> was named in tribute to Sir David Attenborough, marking a pivotal moment in avian evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-enigma-of-toothless-birds">Evolutionary enigma of toothless birds</h2>



<p>Birds today are known for their beak diversity, adapted to an array of diets and habitats, yet none possess teeth. This wasn't always the case, as their early ancestors sported beaks brimming with teeth. </p>



<p><em>Imparavis attenboroughi</em> stands out as a fascinating anomaly, being the first known species to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mountains-influence-bird-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolve</a> toothlessness, a trait that predates previous estimates by nearly 50 million years.</p>



<p>Sir David Attenborough, reflecting on this homage. “It is a great honour to have one’s name attached to a fossil, particularly one as spectacular and important as this. It seems the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-known-bird-footprints-discovered-in-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">history of birds</a> is more complex than we knew,” says Attenborough. </p>



<p>His response underscores the intricate tapestry of life that continues to unravel through paleontological research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enantiornithines-and-the-tree-of-life">Enantiornithines and the tree of Life</h2>



<p><em>Imparavis attenboroughi</em> belonged to the enantiornithines, a group once flourishing across <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-birds-switched-from-dinosaur-diets-to-eating-leaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric skies</a>, yet mysteriously extinct by the end of the Cretaceous period. These "opposite birds," so-called for their unique shoulder anatomy, represent a diverse lineage that provides insights into the evolutionary journey from dinosaurs to the birds we see today. </p>



<p>Alex Clark, a Ph.D. student at the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a> and the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Field Museum</a>, and the paper’s corresponding author, captures the imagination with a vivid depiction of encountering these creatures in ancient China.</p>



<p>“Enantiornithines are very weird. Most of them had teeth and still had clawed digits. If you were to go back in time 120 million years in northeastern China and walk around, you might have seen something that looked like a robin or a cardinal, but then it would open its mouth, and it would be filled with teeth, and it would raise its wing, and you would realize that it had little fingers,” explained Clark.</p>



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



<p>The revelation that <em>Imparavis</em> was toothless offers a fresh perspective on the adaptive strategies of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-birds-brains-evolved-to-enable-them-to-fly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient birds</a>. Clark elaborates on the implications of this discovery, noting the earlier onset of edentulism in enantiornithines than previously thought. </p>



<p>“Scientists previously thought that the first record of toothlessness in this group was about 72 million years ago, in the late Cretaceous. This little guy, <em>Imparavis</em>, pushes that back by about 48 to 50 million years. So toothlessness, or edentulism, evolved much earlier in this group than we thought,” says Clark.</p>



<p>This adaptation may have influenced dietary habits, foraging behaviors, and perhaps even flight dynamics.</p>



<p>Jingmai O’Connor, Clark’s advisor and a co-author of the study, initially drawn to the fossil's unique forelimb structure, spearheaded the research that confirmed the specimen as a new species. This collaborative effort, involving international researchers, underscores the importance of global scientific partnerships.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-toothlessness-tells-us-about-ancient-bird-life">What toothlessness tells us about ancient bird life</h2>



<p>Beyond its historical significance, the study of <em>Imparavis attenboroughi</em> and its relatives has contemporary relevance. O’Connor emphasizes the critical insights these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/modern-bird-feathers-contain-traces-of-dinosaur-feathers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient birds</a> provide into the current biodiversity crisis, echoing Attenborough’s message on the urgency of addressing human-induced mass extinction. </p>



<p>“I think what drew me to the specimen wasn’t its lack of teeth -- it was its forelimbs,” says O’Connor. “It had a giant bicipital crest -- a bony process jutting out at the top of the upper arm bone, where muscles attach. I’d seen crests like that in Late Cretaceous birds, but not in the Early Cretaceous like this one. That’s when I first suspected it might be a new species.”</p>



<p>Understanding the factors that led to the survival of some species while others perished can inform conservation strategies in our present context.</p>



<p>“I like to think of these guys kind of acting like modern robins. They can perch in trees just fine, but for the most part, you see them foraging on the ground, hopping around and walking,” says Clark.</p>



<p>“It seems like most enantiornithines were pretty arboreal, but the differences in the forelimb structure of <em>Imparavis</em> suggests that even though it's still probably lived in the trees, it maybe ventured down to the ground to feed, and that might mean it had a unique diet compared to other enantiornithines, which also might explain why it lost its teeth,” says O’Connor.</p>



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



<p>Clark and O’Connor’s work not only contributes to our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-prehistoric-bird-had-a-tongue-as-long-as-its-head/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">avian evolution</a> but also celebrates the influential role of Sir David Attenborough in inspiring generations of scientists. Their research serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of preserving our planet’s biodiversity for future generations.</p>



<p>In summary, the discovery of <em>Imparavis attenboroughi</em> marks a significant leap in our understanding of avian evolution, revealing the early emergence of toothless birds and providing insights into the rich tapestry of life that existed millions of years ago. </p>



<p>This research, celebrating Sir David Attenborough's legacy, deepens our comprehension of the intricate evolutionary paths that led to the birds we observe today while underscoring the importance of paleontology in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. </p>



<p>By examining the past, we unlock valuable lessons on survival, adaptation, and biodiversity, offering a beacon of hope and a call to action to conserve the delicate balance of life on our planet for future generations.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195667124000405?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cretaceous Research</a></em>.</p>



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



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Attenborough’s 'strange bird' was the first known species of toothless birds

Birds in the modern world don't have teeth. However, in...

<p>Ever wondered how you can juggle a million thoughts in your head and still remember your childhood vacation? It turns out, your brain uses a special kind of wave to sort through it all.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A new study from <a href="https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/home-eng" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia Engineering</a> sheds light on brain waves, revealing a fascinating two-way street for memory creation and retrieval.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-waves-and-their-functioning">Brain waves and their functioning</h2>



<p>Our brains are made up of billions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-courage-controllable-brain/">nerve cells</a> called neurons that talk to each other using electrical signals. These chats create patterns of activity that we call brain waves. The kind of brain wave depends on how fast these signals are firing.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There are five main types of brain waves: delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma. Delta waves are the slowest and happen during deep sleep.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Theta waves are a bit faster and are linked to light sleep, relaxation, and dreaming. Alpha waves are present when we're relaxed and calm, especially if our eyes are closed.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Beta waves are fast and indicate that we're actively thinking, focused, or alert. Gamma waves are the fastest and are involved in things like learning and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-monkeys-are-much-smarter-than-we-thought-they-were/">problem-solving</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brain waves are important because they can tell us a lot about what's going on in our brains. If the patterns are different from usual, it could be a sign of a cognitive imbalance.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-of-brain-s-traveling-waves">Discovery of brain’s traveling waves</h2>



<p>Scientists studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-memory-how-we-remember-traumatic-events/">memory</a> recruited people with epilepsy who had special electrodes implanted in their brains. This allowed the researchers to directly measure brain activity as the participants memorized and recalled words or letters.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts focused on a specific type of brain wave called a "traveling wave" and tracked how it moved across the brain's surface. The interesting finding was that these waves traveled in one direction when a memory was created and in the other direction when it was recalled.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“These findings shed light on the mechanisms that underlie memory processing. More broadly, they help us better understand how the brain supports a wide range of behaviors that involve precisely coordinated interactions between brain regions,” said study co-author Uma R. Mohan, a postdoctoral researcher at the <a href="https://www.nih.gov/">National Institutes of Health</a> (NIH).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-regions-working-together">Brain regions working together</h2>



<p>When we form new memories, brain waves flow from the back to the front of the brain. This could be how the brain puts together and stores new experiences. This direction might help different brain regions work together to process and remember information.</p>



<p>On the other hand, when we remember something, the brain waves move in the opposite direction, from front to back. This might help activate stored information and bring it to our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-behavior-is-influenced-by-the-unconscious-mind/">conscious mind</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The process could be like replaying the connections between brain cells that were formed when the memory was first created, allowing us to retrieve the memory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-pattern-nbsp">Understanding the pattern&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Our brains form memories in steps. When we learn something new, like a recipe, different parts of the brain work together.&nbsp;</p>



<p>One area figures out the words we read (reading comprehension), another creates a picture of the finished dish (visual imagery), and another remembers the steps involved (procedural memory).&nbsp;</p>



<p>As we focus on memorizing the recipe, a wave of brain activity travels from the back, where we process visuals and spatial information, to the front, where memories are solidified. This direction of movement, from back to front, helps encode the information into a usable memory.</p>



<p>Recalling a memory works the other way around. To cook that dish from memory, a wave of brain activity travels in the opposite direction – from the front of the brain, where the memory is stored, back to the visual and procedural areas that were first involved in learning. This reverse movement, from front to back, helps retrieve the stored recipe.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brains-traveling-waves-in-healthcare">Brains traveling waves in healthcare</h2>



<p>This research has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, especially for memory-related conditions. “We think the work may lead to new approaches for interfacing with the brain. By measuring the direction that a person’s brain waves move, we may be able to predict their behavior,” explained lead researcher Professor Joshua Jacobs.</p>



<p>In the future, doctors might be able to predict memory problems or certain behaviors by studying brain wave patterns. This could lead to earlier diagnosis and possibly even treatments that slow down or lessen memory decline symptoms.</p>



<p>The possibilities get even more exciting. Scientists might be able to directly influence brain waves to improve memory or treat memory problems entirely. Imagine a treatment that adjusts brain wave activity to fix imbalances that cause memory issues.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This type of treatment could be life-changing for millions who suffer from memory loss, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dolphins-may-also-suffer-from-alzheimers-disease/">Alzheimer's</a>, and other brain disorders. It could give them back more independence and improve their quality of life.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nathumbehav/"><em>Nature Human Behaviour</em></a>.</p>



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



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Brain waves move in opposite directions to make memories and to remember

Ever wondered how you can juggle a million thoughts in...

<p>Sitting all day is a well-known health villain. Hence, researchers from the University of Sydney's <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/charles-perkins-centre/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charles Perkins Centre</a> have discovered a secret weapon in the fight for better health: walking.</p>



<p>Yes, that simple act of putting one foot in front of the other can dramatically improve your health, regardless of your sitting time. This study invites us to ditch the "all or nothing" mentality and embrace walking as a powerful tool.</p>



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



<p>The team analyzed data from over 70,000 individuals to investigate whether daily steps could offset the health risks of sedentary behavior.</p>



<p>The experts used wearable devices to track the number of steps each person took daily and analyzed how this number correlated with the likelihood of developing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-b-paradox-supplement-linked-to-heart-disease-risk/">heart disease</a> or dying. Additionally, they examined how much time participants spent sitting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walking-benefits-for-overall-health">Walking benefits for overall health</h2>



<p>The study confirmed that walking is a straightforward and attainable method for most people to considerably improve their health. Even taking as few as 2,200 steps daily can contribute to better overall <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-increased-well-being-during-the-pandemic/">well-being</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>All of the participants experienced significant improvements in their health when they increased their daily step count.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-optimal-daily-step-count">Optimal daily step count</h2>



<p>Experts found that people who walk between 9,000 and 10,500 steps each day are more likely to live longer. This amount of walking appears to be the ideal amount to get the most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seaside-strolls-boost-the-electrical-functionality-of-the-brain/">health benefits</a> without needing to do more strenuous exercise.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, this goal is achievable for most people because it doesn't require a significant amount of extra time or effort.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combating-the-health-risks-of-sitting-with-walking">Combating the health risks of sitting with walking</h2>



<p>Spending a lot of time sitting, like at work or while relaxing, can increase your risk of heart disease and early death. But the good news is that simply walking more each day can significantly lower this risk, even if you don't sit less.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research confirms that taking around 9,000 to 10,000 steps per day is linked to a 39% lower risk of death and a 21% lower risk of heart disease. This is an easy way to improve your health because it doesn't require major changes to your daily routine.</p>



<p>“This is by no means a get out of jail card for people who are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-physical-activity-reverses-the-damage-of-sedentary-behavior-in-children/">sedentary</a> for excessive periods of time, however, it does hold an important public health message that all movement matters and that people can and should try to offset the health consequences of unavoidable sedentary time by upping their daily step count,” said study lead author Dr. Matthew Ahmadi.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tips-to-increase-your-step-count">Tips to increase your step count</h2>



<p>Increasing your daily steps is a simple way to improve your health. Here are some tips to help you do that:</p>



<ul>
<li>Start your day with a walk: Take a walk in the morning to enjoy the peace and quiet and feel energized for the day.</li>



<li>Walk and talk: Take phone calls while walking, whether it's with a friend or for work.</li>



<li>Set reminders to move: Use your phone or watch to remind yourself to stand up and walk around every hour, especially if you sit at a desk all day.</li>



<li>Take the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climbing-stairs-can-slash-your-heart-disease-risk-by-20-percent/">stairs</a>: Choose the stairs over the elevator whenever possible. This small change can add many steps to your day.</li>



<li>Park further away: When you drive, park further away from the entrance to get some extra steps.</li>



<li>Have walking meetings: Suggest walking meetings with your colleagues to get some steps in while you talk about work.</li>



<li>Go for a walk during your lunch break: This is a great way to clear your head and get some steps.</li>



<li>Take an evening walk: Go for a walk after dinner to help with digestion and spend time with family or relax on your own.</li>



<li>Use a pedometer or fitness tracker: Track your daily steps to stay motivated and reach your goals. Many phones have step-tracking apps, or you can use a fitness tracker.</li>



<li>Make it fun: Listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks while you walk, or walk with a friend or family member to make the time go by faster.</li>
</ul>



<p>“Step count is a tangible and easily understood measure of physical activity that can help people in the community, and indeed health professionals, accurately monitor physical activity," said study senior author Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis.</p>



<p>"We hope this evidence will inform the first generation of device-based physical activity and sedentary behavior guidelines, which should include key recommendations on daily stepping."</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-107221" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>British Journal of Sports Medicine</em></a>.</p>



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Walking can counteract the health risks of sitting

Sitting all day is a well-known health villain. Hence, researchers...

<p>Ever feel like you just can't shake off that lingering fatigue even after recovering from COVID? You're not alone. Millions of people experience long COVID, a frustrating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-covid-linked-to-alcohol-sensitivity-and-debilitating-hangovers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">collection of symptoms</a> that persist long after the initial infection. Now, research from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> suggests a surprising culprit: low iron levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sources-of-iron">Sources of iron</h2>



<p>Iron is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in the production of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Iron is also important for growth, development, normal cellular functioning, and synthesis of some hormones and connective tissue.</p>



<p>We get iron from certain plant and animal foods, such as red meat and poultry. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-foods-are-great-for-weight-loss-regardless-of-the-type/">Plant-based sources</a> contain non-heme iron, which is not absorbed as efficiently as the heme iron found in animal products. </p>



<p>However, you can enhance the absorption of non-heme iron by consuming it with vitamin C or with animal proteins. COVID can disrupt how the body manages iron, causing either iron deficiency or abnormal iron storage. This can make the infection worse and affect recovery.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-characteristics-of-long-covid">Characteristics of long COVID </h2>



<p>The researchers closely studied a group of 214 people for one year after they first experienced symptoms of COVID-19.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts analyzed various aspects of the participants' health, including how much inflammation they had, how much iron was in their blood, how genes related to iron management were working, and how well red blood cells were being produced.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By comparing this information, the researchers were able to identify a specific set of characteristics of long-term COVID-19.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inflammation-and-anemia">Inflammation and anemia</h2>



<p>Many people involved in the study continued to have inflammation and signs of anemia, a condition where the body has fewer red blood cells, for up to a year.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Anemia can make people feel tired and weak because the body's tissues do not get enough oxygen. This is a frequent complaint among people with long COVID. </p>



<p>The ongoing inflammation suggests that the body's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-immune-system-has-a-proactive-response-to-covid-variants/">immune system</a> is still active even though the initial infection is gone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covid-and-abnormal-iron-levels-nbsp">COVID and abnormal iron levels&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study revealed that individuals with long COVID had abnormal iron levels, suggesting an imbalance in how their bodies handle iron. </p>



<p>Additionally, the researchers identified changes in genes that control iron management, indicating that COVID-19 might disrupt these regulatory mechanisms. </p>



<p>This link implies that problems with iron management might play a role in how long COVID develops and how severe the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cause-of-fatigue-in-long-covid-patients-has-finally-been-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symptoms</a> become. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-low-iron-and-covid-recovery">Low iron and COVID recovery</h2>



<p>The study showed signs of a process called "stress erythropoiesis" in people with long COVID. This is when the body tries to quickly make more red blood cells in response to stress or inflammation, like an infection. The study suggests this process might not work properly in some people after a COVID-19 infection.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"If this goes on for a long time, there is less iron for red blood cells, so oxygen is transported less efficiently, affecting metabolism and energy production, and for white blood cells, which need iron to work properly," said study co-author Hal Drakesmith from the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>. "The protective mechanism ends up becoming a problem."</p>



<p>The researchers noted that there could be a role for iron <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-d-supplements-may-help-ease-chronic-depression/">supplementation</a> during the acute phase of COVID-19 infection, as well as a role as potential treatment for long COVID.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-symptoms-of-long-covid">Symptoms of long COVID</h2>



<p>The condition can cause a variety of health problems that last for months. Many people with long COVID experience extreme tiredness, even after they rest. They may also have trouble concentrating, remembering things, and focusing, which is sometimes called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/post-covid-brain-changes-detected-by-advanced-mri-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain fog</a>. </p>



<p>Other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-covid-has-an-impact-on-womens-sexual-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">common symptoms</a> include shortness of breath, chest pain, and difficulty doing activities that were easy before, like walking or climbing stairs. Individuals with long COVID may experience heart problems like heart palpitations, chest pain, or a fast heart rate. It can also cause ongoing pain and aches in muscles and joints.</p>



<p>Some people lose their sense of taste or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-treatment-restores-sense-of-smell-in-long-covid-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smell</a>, and these senses may not come back completely. Others have trouble <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/paxlovid-helps-fight-covid-but-it-does-not-prevent-long-covid-symptoms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleeping</a>, either because they have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or their sleep is not refreshing. They may also experience mood swings, anxiety, or depression. In addition, digestive problems like nausea, diarrhea, stomach aches, or loss of appetite may also persist.</p>



<p>Another symptom of long COVID is post-exertional malaise, which means that a person's symptoms get worse after they do physical or mental activities. All of these problems can make it difficult for people to participate in daily activities.</p>



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



<p>If you're experiencing long COVID, here are some steps you can take to improve your overall well-being:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-talk-to-your-doctor">Talk to your doctor</h3>



<p>It's important to get a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-americans-are-suffering-from-long-covid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complete evaluation</a> from a healthcare professional to rule out other possible conditions and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-manage-your-symptoms">Manage your symptoms</h3>



<p>This may involve using medication for pain relief, breathing exercises to improve lung function, or other therapies depending on your specific symptoms.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consider-physical-and-cognitive-rehabilitation">Consider physical and cognitive rehabilitation</h3>



<p>Physical therapy and graded exercise programs can help manage fatigue and improve physical function, while cognitive rehabilitation techniques can address brain fog and other cognitive issues.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prioritize-a-balanced-diet">Prioritize a balanced diet</h3>



<p>Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help manage your symptoms and support your overall health. In some cases, your doctor may recommend supplements to address any nutritional deficiencies.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seek-mental-health-support">Seek mental health support</h3>



<p>Don't hesitate to seek help if you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges associated with long COVID. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be very helpful.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pace-yourself-and-manage-your-energy">Pace yourself and manage your energy</h3>



<p>Learn to listen to your body and pace your activities to avoid pushing yourself too hard and experiencing worsening symptoms. Balance rest and activity to manage your energy levels effectively.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-patient-and-adaptable">Be patient and adaptable</h3>



<p>Long COVID can be unpredictable, and your symptoms may fluctuate over time. It's important to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed in collaboration with your doctor.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay-informed">Stay informed</h3>



<p>Research on long COVID is ongoing, and new treatment options may become available in the future. Stay informed about the latest developments through reliable sources.</p>



<p>Remember, long COVID affects everyone differently. The key is to find a personalized approach that helps you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-024-01754-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Immunology</em></a>.</p>



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Cause of long COVID has finally been identified

Ever feel like you just can't shake off that lingering...

<p>Ever wonder why your grandma sends you texts filled with hearts and flowers, but never a sassy "eyeroll" emoji?  It turns out, there's more to the story than just a generational disconnect. A recent study from the <a href="https://www.uottawa.ca/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Ottawa</a> reveals that while many older adults understand emojis, they lack the confidence to use them. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lower-emoji-use-among-older-adults">Lower emoji use among older adults</h2>



<p>The study investigated how age affects adults' use of emojis. The researchers studied 240 adults, aged 18 to 80, to see how often they used emojis, how many different emojis they used, and how well they understood them.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We found that older users are less likely to use emojis, use fewer emojis, and feel less comfortable in their ability to interpret emojis,” said study lead author Professor Isabelle Boutet.</p>



<p>However, most older adults still grasped the general meaning of emojis, both the basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visual-art-evokes-many-feelings-and-emotions/">emotions</a> like happiness or sadness and the context-dependent use of emojis, such as understanding that a wink can indicate sarcasm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprise-the-most-confusing-emoji">Surprise! The most confusing emoji</h2>



<p>Older adults had difficulty understanding certain emojis, especially the "surprise" and "happy" ones. These emojis use subtle facial expressions that may be unfamiliar to older adults who didn't grow up using emojis as a common form of communication.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This suggests a difference between generations in how emojis are interpreted, which is important to consider when using emojis to communicate with people of different ages.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ease-of-emoji-use">Ease of emoji use</h2>



<p>Whether someone decides to use new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teens-should-use-entertainment-related-technology-in-moderation/">technology</a> often depends on how easy they find it to learn and use. Research suggests that older adults might find emojis more challenging to use than younger people.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This isn't just about understanding the meaning of an emoji, but also about finding and choosing the right one when sending messages. For older adults, emojis might seem less user-friendly, making them less enthusiastic or confident in using them compared to younger users.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physical-challenges">Physical challenges</h2>



<p>As we age, it's natural for our eyesight and hand dexterity to decline. This can make it difficult for older adults to see and interact with the small icons on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-smartphone-can-determine-your-level-of-intoxication/">smartphone</a> screens, including emojis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Imagine trying to find a tiny smiley face or heart from a sea of other small symbols – it can be challenging if your vision isn't as sharp or if your fingers don't move as precisely as they used to.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Because of this, selecting emojis, which are often chosen from extensive menus on smartphones, can be a daunting task for many older individuals. Consequently, these physical challenges can discourage older adults from using emojis, even if they understand and appreciate the value emojis add to digital conversations.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-emoji-use-among-older-adults">Encouraging emoji use among older adults</h2>



<p>“This pattern of results leads us to conclude that older users have the motivation and ability to utilize emojis, but they lack the confidence and general technology expertise needed to adapt to this mode of communication,” said Dr. Boutet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To bridge this gap, two solutions can be implemented. First, simplifying emoji menus can significantly improve accessibility. This could involve using clear and easily understandable emojis, featuring larger icons, and designing user-friendly navigation for those less comfortable with digital platforms.</p>



<p>Second, offering training programs specifically designed for older adults can equip them with the necessary knowledge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These programs, potentially hosted by community centers, could focus on the basics of emoji <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/while-in-deep-sleep-humans-can-subconsciously-respond-to-verbal-communication/">communication</a>, including choosing appropriate emojis for different contexts and navigating emoji menus on their devices.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-benefits-of-emoji-use">Potential benefits of emoji use</h2>



<p>Emojis are more than just fun additions to messages; they act as a helpful tool to express emotions, subtle meanings, and expressions that can be easily missed in messages with only text. This is especially important nowadays, as digital communication is becoming increasingly common.</p>



<p>For older adults, learning to use emojis effectively can significantly improve their social interactions and overall <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-gut-brain-communication-affect-emotional-well-being/">well-being</a>.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Emojis can help older adults express their emotions more clearly and accurately in digital conversations, making these interactions more personal and meaningful. This is particularly helpful for those who find it difficult to type long messages or struggle to convey their tone and emotions through text alone.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduced-isolation">Reduced isolation</h3>



<p>By being able to participate more fully in digital communication, older adults can feel more connected to their loved ones and communities. This sense of connection is crucial for mental health and can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are common concerns as people age.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stronger-connections-across-generations">Stronger connections across generations</h3>



<p>Emojis are like a universal language that people of all ages understand. By learning to use them effectively, older adults can connect better with younger generations, like their grandchildren, and bridge the gap between different ages and technological experiences.</p>



<p>Next time you see your grandmother hesitant to use an emoji, remember, she might just need a little help navigating the exciting world of digital expression.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100379" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Computers in Human Behavior Reports</em></a>.</p>



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Older adults often understand emojis, but hesitate to use them

Ever wonder why your grandma sends you texts filled with...

<p>The field of aerodynamics, crucial for the development of planes, cars, and ships, is witnessing a transformative phase thanks to deep learning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-could-help-save-mangrove-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tools</a>. These advancements have made vehicles more fuel-efficient and structurally sophisticated.</p>



<p>A groundbreaking computational model, leveraging neural network architecture, is setting new benchmarks in the reproduction of airflow dynamics, offering precise predictions with notable savings in time, cost, and energy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simplifying-aerodynamics-with-deep-learning">Simplifying aerodynamics with deep learning</h2>



<p>Developed by researchers from the <a href="https://www.kth.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KTH Royal Institute of Technology</a>, in collaboration with experts from the U.S. and Spain, and published in <em>Nature Communications</em>, this deep learning model stands out for its accuracy in predicting aerodynamic drag while minimizing computational expenses. </p>



<p>Its simplicity, derived from data from more complex simulations, embodies the essence of a reduced order model (ROM). This approach maintains critical features of complex models while discarding trivial details, aiming to streamline computational processes without sacrificing precision.</p>



<p>Ricardo Vinuesa, the leading researcher and an associate professor of fluid mechanics at KTH, emphasized the importance of efficiency in design engineering. </p>



<p>"The ability to run numerous scenarios at a low computational cost is crucial," he stated. This model, according to Vinuesa, allows for accurate predictions across a wide range of scenarios, thus enhancing the engineering design process.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neural-networks-leading-the-charge">Neural networks leading the charge</h2>



<p>What sets this deep learning aerodynamics <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-learning-can-help-track-changes-in-forest-cover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">model</a> apart is its utilization of neural networks, transcending the traditional linear computational methods that have long been the norm in engineering predictions. </p>



<p>Neural networks, inspired by the human brain's functioning, offer a dynamic way to learn and map complex relationships between inputs and outputs. This is particularly advantageous in the challenging task of modeling air friction near the surfaces of vehicles like airplane wings or train engines.</p>



<p>"We can now predict changes in the airflow around an airplane wing more accurately," Vinuesa noted. "This allows for better control over the flow to reduce drag, and subsequently, to enhance the aerodynamic design of the wing." </p>



<p>The model boasts an ability to retain over 90% of the original physics involved in flow predictions with significantly less computational complexity compared to traditional linear models.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-learning-and-precise-aerodynamics-design">Deep learning and precise aerodynamics design</h2>



<p>Vinuesa pointed out that linear models, such as proper-orthogonal decomposition (POD) and dynamic-mode decomposition (DMD), offer a simplistic representation of predictions. In contrast, the neural network-based model captures the complexities of reality far more accurately. </p>



<p>"Reality is more complicated than straight lines and planes. Our model, by moving beyond these linear constraints, achieves better predictions," he explained.</p>



<p>The implications of reducing aerodynamic drag are profound, not just for the efficiency of vehicles but also for the environment. </p>



<p>"Aerodynamic control could potentially reduce drag by 20, 30, or even 50 percent," Vinuesa asserted. Such reductions could significantly impact global emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future and helping mitigate climate change.</p>



<p>The environmental and economic benefits of this deep learning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-can-more-accurately-predict-ocean-currents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">technology</a> are vast, marking a significant step forward in the pursuit of greener and more efficient transportation solutions through aerodynamics. By integrating deep learning into aerodynamic engineering, researchers are refining the design and efficiency of vehicles and contributing to a more sustainable world.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanics-behind-deep-learning">Mechanics behind deep learning</h2>



<p>At its core, deep learning relies on neural networks, which are inspired by the structure and function of the human brain. These networks consist of layers of nodes, or "neurons," each designed to perform specific tasks. Data passes through these layers, with each one extracting and refining features, enabling the system to make increasingly sophisticated decisions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-data-and-computation">Power of data and computation</h3>



<p>The effectiveness of deep learning is directly tied to the availability of vast amounts of data and significant computational power. By feeding these neural networks <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-may-help-with-earlier-tsunami-detection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large datasets</a>, we equip them to recognize patterns and nuances that would be imperceptible to human analysts or traditional computing methods. </p>



<p>The evolution of hardware and cloud computing resources has played a crucial role in the feasibility and success of deep learning applications. A perfect example of deep learning in action is the <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap app</a>, which uses an extensive deep learning image recognition model.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transforming-industries-and-everyday-life">Transforming industries and everyday life</h3>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionizing-vision-and-language">Revolutionizing Vision and Language</h4>



<p>Deep learning has been instrumental in advancing computer vision and natural language processing (NLP), allowing machines to interpret images, videos, and human language with remarkable accuracy. This technology powers the facial recognition systems in smartphones, the voice assistants in our homes, and the language translation services we rely on to bridge communication gaps across the globe.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovating-healthcare">Innovating Healthcare</h4>



<p>In healthcare, deep learning algorithms analyze medical images, helping doctors diagnose diseases earlier and with greater precision. These models also predict patient outcomes, tailor treatments to individual needs, and unlock new insights from vast repositories of medical data, heralding a new age of personalized medicine.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-automation-and-robotics">Enhancing Automation and Robotics</h4>



<p>Deep learning drives the autonomy in robotics and vehicles, enabling self-driving cars to navigate complex environments and robots to perform intricate tasks alongside humans. This leap in capability promises to reshape logistics, manufacturing, and urban mobility, making them safer, more efficient, and less reliant on human intervention.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-challenges-and-ethical-considerations">Navigating challenges and ethical considerations</h3>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-bias-and-transparency">Addressing Bias and Transparency</h4>



<p>Despite its immense potential, deep learning faces challenges such as data bias and the opacity of decision-making processes. Efforts are underway to create more transparent and explainable AI systems that uphold ethical standards and mitigate unintended consequences, ensuring that these technologies benefit society as a whole.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-work-and-society">The Future of Work and Society</h4>



<p>As deep learning continues to evolve, it raises important questions about the future of work, privacy, and the role of humans in an increasingly automated world. Proactively addressing these concerns is crucial to harnessing the benefits of deep learning while safeguarding individual rights and societal values.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-towards-a-smarter-tomorrow-with-ai">Moving towards a smarter tomorrow with AI</h3>



<p>In summary, dep learning stands at the forefront of a technological revolution, offering unparalleled opportunities to enhance human capabilities and improve quality of life. </p>



<p>As we continue to explore the depths of this powerful tool, the collaboration between AI researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers will be vital in steering its development toward positive and equitable outcomes. </p>



<p>The journey of deep learning is far from complete, but its impact on the world is undeniable, promising a future where technology and human ingenuity converge to solve some of our most pressing challenges.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45578-4">Nature Communications</a></em>.</p>



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Revolutionizing aerodynamics and emissions with new AI deep learning tool

The field of aerodynamics, crucial for the development of planes,...

<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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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>



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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>



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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