<p>Think about sipping a sugar-free drink that still tastes sweet. Many of us have puzzled over this illusion. Now scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden reveal how our brains transform smell into taste.</p>



<p>The research, published in <em>Nature Communications</em>, shows that the brain encodes certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-dna-may-explain-why-you-love-or-hate-certain-smells/">aromas</a> as if they were flavors themselves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-flavor-and-smell-form">How flavor and smell form</h2>



<p>Flavor is more than taste. It comes from a combination of gustatory signals and retronasal odors, those aromas drifting from the mouth to the nose. </p>



<p>The insula, known as the taste cortex, was found to integrate these signals earlier than expected. This means the brain does not wait for higher regions to combine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-your-brain-decides-what-smells-good-or-bad/">taste</a> and smell but merges them immediately into one experience.</p>



<p>Study lead author Putu Agus Khorisantono is a researcher in the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at <a href="https://ki.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karolinska Institutet</a>. </p>



<p>“We saw that the taste cortex reacts to taste-associated aromas as if they were real tastes,” explained Khorisantono. "The finding provides a possible explanation for why we sometimes experience taste from smell alone, for example in flavored waters." </p>



<p>"This underscores how strongly odors and tastes work together to make food pleasurable, potentially inducing craving and encouraging overeating of certain foods.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-brain-links-flavor-and-smell">How the brain links flavor and smell</h2>



<p>The researchers tested 25 adults. First, participants learned to identify sweet and savory flavors through combinations of taste and smell. </p>



<p>Later, inside a scanner, they received either tasteless odors or odorless tastes. Algorithms trained on brain responses to actual tastes were then tested on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radio-waves-can-boost-our-sense-of-smell-without-contact/">odors</a> alone. The surprising outcome was that odours mimicked the brain’s taste responses.</p>



<p>The study revealed that sweet or savory odors activated the same neural patterns as the corresponding tastes.</p>



<p>This overlap was strongest in the ventral anterior insula, a region connected to olfactory areas. Importantly, the researchers ruled out simple pleasure ratings as the cause. Instead, the brain genuinely encoded odors in a way that matched taste perception.</p>



<p>“This shows that the brain does not process taste and smell separately, but rather creates a joint representation of the flavor experience in the taste cortex,” said senior researcher Janina Seubert. </p>



<p>“This mechanism may be relevant for how our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-sense-of-smell-and-different-odors-can-influence-how-we-see-colors/">taste</a> preferences and eating habits are formed and influenced.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-flavor-and-smell-matter">Why flavor and smell matter</h2>



<p>The findings highlight the insula as a hub for flavor integration. They also reveal that taste representations can drift over time. Neural patterns of taste identity were less stable across days, echoing results seen in rodent studies. </p>



<p>This suggests that our flavor experiences are dynamic, adapting with exposure, context, and internal states such as hunger, mood, or attention. </p>



<p>A flavor that feels vivid and distinct one day may blur or even shift the next, depending on what the brain has recently learned or anticipated.</p>



<p>This fluid quality points to a system designed not for rigid coding but for flexibility, helping us adjust to changing diets, environments, and cultural influences on taste.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flavor-identity-and-reward-value">Flavor identity and reward value</h2>



<p>The study also observed cross-modal decoding in other regions, such as the orbitofrontal cortex, which is known to encode the value of food. </p>



<p>The researchers propose that the insula forms a shared flavor identity, while the orbitofrontal cortex evaluates its reward value. This dual process could explain why certain odors make foods irresistible and shape long-term eating habits.</p>



<p>The team now wants to test external smells, or orthonasal odors. These are the scents we encounter before eating, like walking past bread or pastries.</p>



<p>“We want to find out whether the activation pattern in the brain’s taste cortex changes from salty to sweet when we walk from the cheese aisle to the pastries in the supermarket,” said Khorisantono. “If so, this could have a significant impact on the foods we choose to consume.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-flavor-and-smell-affect-health">How flavor and smell affect health</h2>



<p>This research reframes flavor as a deeply integrated brain process. Smell and taste are not separate streams but overlapping codes that can trick the brain into tasting without tasting.</p>



<p>Beyond solving everyday mysteries like sweet-tasting flavored water, the work raises questions about cravings, overeating, and how our diets are shaped by environments filled with powerful aromas. </p>



<p>The research also suggests that everyday exposure to food-related smells in supermarkets, restaurants, offices, and even advertising spaces may influence us more than we realize.</p>



<p>These aromas may prime the brain to expect certain tastes, creating a loop where scent alone can nudge us toward food choices we might not otherwise make. </p>



<p>Over time, this subtle influence could shape eating habits, nutritional patterns, and even health outcomes, revealing how deeply our sensory world directs behavior long before conscious decisions take place.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63803-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.</em></p>



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How smell tricks the brain into tasting flavors

Think about sipping a sugar-free drink that still tastes sweet. Many of us have puzzled over this illusion. Now scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden reveal how our brains transform smell into taste. The research, published in Nature Communications, shows that the brain encodes certain aromas as if they were flavors themselves. How flavor and smell form Flavor is more than taste. It comes from a combination of gustatory signals and retronasal odors, those aromas drifting from the mouth to the nose. The insula, known as the...

<p>Researchers have discovered that our bodies remain attuned to the external environment even as we sleep, reacting positively to relaxing words spoken to the brain during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/while-in-deep-sleep-humans-can-subconsciously-respond-to-verbal-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep stages</a> of slumber.</p>



<p>This revelation was unveiled in a fascinating study conducted by the GIGA - Center of Research Cyclotron (<a href="https://www.gigacrc.uliege.be/cms/c_4212477/en/gigacrc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GIGA-CRC</a>) at the University of Liège, in collaboration with the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. </p>



<p>Their study challenges the long-held belief that sleep disconnects us from our surroundings, highlighting the intricate ways in which sensory information can influence the quality of our rest.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-listening-to-relaxing-words-while-sleeping">Listening to relaxing words while sleeping</h2>



<p>The research focused on the interaction between the brain and the heart during <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>, specifically investigating how our heartbeat responds to auditory stimuli. </p>



<p>The study found that hearing relaxing words while sleeping can slow down cardiac activity, indicating a state of deeper, more restful sleep compared to when neutral words are heard. </p>



<p>This fascinating discovery provides insight into the complex brain-heart interactions that occur during sleep and opens up new avenues for enhancing <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">sleep</a> quality through auditory stimuli.</p>



<p>Leading the research was Matthieu Koroma, a postdoctoral researcher with the Fund for Scientific Research (<a href="https://www.frs-fnrs.be/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FNRS</a>). Working alongside was Christina Schmidt and Athena Demertzi, both FNRS Research Associates at the GIGA Cyclotron Research Center at ULiège. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-symphony-of-sleep-the-brain-heart-connection">Symphony of sleep: The brain-heart connection</h2>



<p>Previously, this team had established that relaxing words can extend the duration of deep <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> and improve sleep quality by analyzing brain activity through electroencephalograms. </p>



<p>This earlier work laid the groundwork for the current study, which sought to explore how the heart's response to these words during sleep could further influence sleep quality.</p>



<p>By analyzing cardiac activity through electrocardiograms, the team was able to confirm their hypothesis that the heart indeed slows down following the presentation of relaxing words, but not in response to neutral or control words. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-relaxing-words-during-sleep">Power of relaxing words during sleep</h2>



<p>This finding underscores the potential of using meaningful words to positively affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consistent-sleep-slows-down-aging-at-a-cellular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>, demonstrating that our brains and bodies are capable of processing and responding to sensory information in a way that promotes relaxation during sleep.</p>



<p>The study also compared markers of cardiac and brain activity to better understand the interplay between auditory information and sleep modulation. </p>



<p>This comparison sheds light on the essential role that bodily reactions play in our comprehension of sleep, beyond what brain data alone can reveal. </p>



<p>As Dr. Schmidt notes, most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sleep-stimulation-can-improve-cardiac-function-overnight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> research has traditionally focused on the brain, often overlooking the significance of bodily activity. </p>



<p>This research, however, emphasizes the interconnectedness of the brain and body, even in states where communication seems limited, such as during sleep.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-body-and-mind-unseen-ties-that-bind">Bridging body and mind: Unseen ties that bind</h2>



<p>Dr. Demertzi elaborates on the importance of considering both brain and body information for a comprehensive understanding of our reactions to the environment, suggesting that this holistic approach can enhance our knowledge of how sensory information modulates <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-need-more-sleep-in-the-winter-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> functions.</p>



<p>"We nevertheless hypothesize that the brain and the body are connected even when we cannot fully communicate, including sleep. Both brain and body information need then to be taken into account for a full understanding of how we think and react to our environment", explains Dr. Demertzi.</p>



<p>In the spirit of Open Science, the researchers have made their methodology publicly available, encouraging other scientists to explore the heart's role in various sleep functions. </p>



<p>Dr. Koroma expresses hope that the tools and findings from this study will inspire further research into how the body, particularly the heart, interacts with sensory information during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-age-could-predict-health-and-lifespan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>.</p>



<p>This pioneering work adds a new dimension to our understanding of sleep opens new doors for innovative approaches to improving sleep quality. </p>



<p>Future research could explore how the body's responses to sounds affect emotional processing of memories during sleep, offering new perspectives on the role of the body in sleep and cognition.</p>



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



<p>In summary, this fascinating study from the University of Liège and FNRS, fundamentally shifts our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-users-seem-to-sleep-better-than-most-other-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> by revealing that our bodies, contrary to prior beliefs, remain in tune with external sensory stimuli during sleep. </p>



<p>This research highlights how the subtle influence of relaxing words can significantly slow cardiac activity, leading to deeper, more restorative sleep. </p>



<p>By bridging the gap between brain and heart responses, the study opens up new avenues for enhancing sleep quality through auditory stimulation. </p>



<p>As we continue to unravel the complex interactions between our environment and our sleep states, this paves new roads for innovative sleep improvement strategies, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to sleep science that considers both the mind and the body.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the <em><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsr.14160" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Sleep Research</a></em>.</p>



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Whispered dreams: How relaxing words tune our heartbeat to sleep

Researchers have discovered that our bodies remain attuned to the...

<p>Imagine a world without pharmacies, where expecting mothers have to find the nutrients they need scattered across the landscape. This is the reality for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-can-now-read-the-emotions-and-signs-of-well-being-in-wild-animals/">wild animals</a> like muskoxen, which rely on knowledge of their environment to find the essential minerals crucial for healthy pregnancies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A recent study by researchers at <a href="https://international.au.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a> reveals how these iconic creatures utilize the chemical makeup of the Arctic to thrive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muskoxen-and-their-significance-nbsp">Muskoxen and their significance&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Muskoxen, with their thick fur and impressive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/temperature-tolerance-has-co-evolved-with-sexual-selection/">horns</a>, are well-known residents of the harsh Arctic environment. They've been around for thousands of years and are perfectly suited to the extreme cold.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These animals play two important roles in the Arctic. First, they consume plants, which helps control the types of plants that grow there and creates <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrinking-koala-habitats-face-an-escalating-threat-of-bushfires/">habitats</a> for other animals. Moreover, they are important to the cultures of Indigenous people in the Arctic, who use them for food, clothing, and other purposes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Unfortunately, muskoxen face several challenges. Climate change is making it harder for them to find food and water. To help muskoxen survive, scientists are studying how things like the minerals in the soil affect their ability to reproduce. This information can be used to create better strategies for protecting these iconic animals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trace-elements-in-the-arctic">Trace elements in the Arctic</h2>



<p>The researchers measured the levels of different elements, both helpful and harmful, in the plants that muskoxen eat. They then compared this information to how well muskoxen reproduced in various areas. This allowed the experts to identify which elements had the biggest impact.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Usually researchers look at the quality of the plants that the animals forage on. They measure major components of the plants such as nitrogen. But we dig a little deeper," explained senior researcher Floris M. van Beest from the Aarhus Department of Ecoscience.</p>



<p>"We look at trace elements such as copper and selenium in the plants, but also if they are present in the ground beneath the plants."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-essential-elements-for-muskoxen">Essential elements for muskoxen</h2>



<p>The results showed that certain elements found in plants are essential for healthy muskoxen populations in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-arctic-dipole-the-atmospheric-pattern-shaping-our-future-climate/">Arctic</a>. These elements, like nitrogen, copper, selenium, and molybdenum, play important roles in the animals' bodies.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nitrogen">Nitrogen</h3>



<p>Nitrogen is needed to build proteins, which are used for muscle development, hormone production, and fighting off disease. If there isn't enough nitrogen in the plants muskoxen eat, they won't be able to grow and reproduce healthily.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-copper-and-muskoxen">Copper and muskoxen</h3>



<p>Copper helps muskoxen produce energy, use iron, and protect their cells from damage. If muskoxen don't get enough copper, they may have problems reproducing, growing, and fighting off illness.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-selenium">Selenium</h3>



<p>Selenium protects muskoxen cells from damage and helps their thyroid glands work properly, which is important for growth and reproduction.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-molybdenum">Molybdenum</h3>



<p>Molybdenum helps muskoxen use nitrogen and build certain important molecules. While it's not usually a problem, having the right amount of molybdenum in the environment ensures muskoxen have access to the nutrients they need.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muskoxen-and-non-essential-elements">Muskoxen and non-essential elements</h2>



<p>The researchers also examined the potential harm caused by non-essential elements like arsenic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tomatoes-appear-to-be-unaffected-by-lead-contaminated-soil/">lead</a>. These elements, although naturally occurring, can also be released into the environment by human activities like mining and industry.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While not crucial for life, non-essential elements can be poisonous in high amounts. For muskoxen, exposure to high levels of these elements in their environment can lead to various health problems, including difficulty reproducing, slower growth, and fewer calves surviving.</p>



<p>"In some areas we found arsenic and lead and we know that it can reduce the reproductive success of the muskoxen. However, we did not find a causal effect here. Normally it would cause the reproductive organs to collapse, but there are still muskoxen present, so somehow they found a way to survive," said Beest.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduced-access-to-food">Reduced access to food</h2>



<p>It is important to note that the measured levels were unlikely to directly harm the muskoxen's reproductive organs. Instead, the observed effects may be caused by other factors, such as limited access to food due to heavy snow.</p>



<p>During winter, deep snow can make it harder for muskoxen to find food, forcing them to search in areas with less desirable food sources, which might have higher concentrations of arsenic and lead.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This increased exposure to these contaminants can harm the health and reproduction of muskoxen, leading to fewer calves being born and surviving.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-variation-of-muskoxen-over-time">Variation of muskoxen over time</h2>



<p>The experts found that muskoxen don't use the same areas every year, and their choices seem to depend on what's available and what the environment is like that year.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, muskoxen don't seem to use all the available nutrients equally, suggesting they have preferences or needs for specific ones.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings suggest that understanding how muskoxen choose their habitat is more complex than just looking at where nutrients are. Factors such as snow cover, plants, and competition with other animals likely also play a role.</p>



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



<p>The research shows how the environment's chemical makeup can affect the health of wild animal populations. It reminds us that keeping these environments healthy requires considering both living things and the chemicals present.</p>



<p>The study also suggests that climate change might affect the balance of chemicals in the environment, which could harm wildlife. Understanding this connection is important for predicting and reducing the negative effects of climate change on various animal species.</p>



<p>Policies and land management practices should consider the chemicals present in animal habitats. Protecting areas with essential nutrients and limiting exposure to harmful ones could be crucial for protecting wildlife.</p>



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



<p>This research paves the way for more studies on how the chemical makeup of environments, or "geochemical landscapes," might affect the health of various wild animals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings suggest that this could be important not just for the specific species studied, but also for many different animals living in different types of environments.</p>



<p>“Not every animal needs the same amount of elements. But you can use the approach in other areas," said Dr. Beest. "Now we know a little more about how these elements are spread through the ecosystem and how they affect the animals. Next step would be to use the same approach to map out other areas in Europe."</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166567" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science of the Total Environment</em></a>.</p>



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Minerals in the ground affect reproductive success in muskoxen

Imagine a world without pharmacies, where expecting mothers have to...

<p>Deep in the desert, where water is rare and plants fight to stay alive, a tiny moss called Syntrichia ruralis holds on. Unlike other plants, this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/takakia-has-lived-on-earth-400-million-years-but-it-may-not-survive-climate-change/">moss</a> can survive without water for a long time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Syntrichia ruralis dries up completely, but when it rains again, it comes back to life. This amazing ability to survive tough conditions made scientists from <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a> curious to learn about it.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drying-without-dying">Drying without dying</h2>



<p>Plants, especially mosses and some other species, have a remarkable ability to withstand extreme dryness, almost losing all of their water content. This doesn't kill them, but puts them in a kind of dormant state where they barely function.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When water becomes available again, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/">plants</a> wake up and start growing and functioning normally as if nothing ever happened. This ability, called "drying without dying," is not just a quirk but a crucial survival strategy that allows some plants to live in very dry places where water is scarce and unpredictable.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-special-proteins">Two special proteins</h2>



<p>The researchers discovered two crucial sets of genes in the moss Syntrichia ruralis that enable it to adapt to weather dry spells. These genes code for proteins that play a vital role in the moss's survival during dehydration.</p>



<p>LEA proteins, found in many plants, act as cellular protectors against drying. They function by stabilizing essential cellular components like proteins, membranes, and even DNA. This ensures these elements remain operational even when water is limited.</p>



<p>The other group, ELIP proteins, are typically associated with response to bright light. However, in S. ruralis, they offer an additional layer of protection during dry periods. These proteins shield the delicate machinery of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/">photosynthesis</a> from damage caused by excessive light, especially under water scarcity conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transcription-factor">Transcription factor</h2>



<p>Joining the moss's defense team in this drought survival strategy is a protein aptly named R2R3 MYB transcription factor. This protein acts like the master conductor, controlling the genes vital for the moss's resilience against dehydration.</p>



<p>Similar to protein supervisors, transcription factors dictate which "instructions" are followed in the cell. They do this by attaching to specific regions of the moss's DNA, essentially turning "on" or "off" the production of proteins encoded by those genes. By orchestrating a response to the stress of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-drought-crisis-un-warns-of-unprecedented-emergency/">drought</a>, the proteins allow S. ruralis to adapt.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-novel-discovery-nbsp">A novel discovery&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experts discovered a protein named MYB55 in the moss. This protein plays a crucial role in how the moss manages stress, particularly during dry periods. MYB55 acts as a regulator, similar to a brake, on other genes that become active when the moss experiences dryness. This helps the moss maintain a balanced response, effectively dealing with the dry conditions without causing harm to itself.</p>



<p>MYB55 has a fine-tuning mechanism, preventing the moss from overreacting to drought. This ensures the moss doesn't waste energy or damage its cells by attempting an overly aggressive response. Moreover, it helps the moss avoid overreaction to stress. In plants, an excessive stress response can be detrimental, and MYB55 helps ensure the defensive mechanisms are proportionate to the level of stress encountered.</p>



<p>According to Cornell University’s postdoctoral researcher Xiaodan Zhang, the discovery of MYB55 "provides insights into the evolution of plant stress responses and how certain key genes have been preserved and repurposed throughout evolutionary time."</p>



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



<p>Understanding how mosses cope with drought could help us develop crops with similar tolerance, improving food security and sustainability, especially in regions facing increasing drought due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-increased-premature-birth-risk-by-60/">climate change</a>. While the idea of learning from mosses for hardier crops might raise eyebrows,&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dr. Melvin Oliver is a retired USDA researcher and current adjunct professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia who has studied these mosses for 40 years.</p>



<p>"I'd take this dried up little piece of moss and put it in their hand and then squirt a bit of water on it, and thirty seconds later you've got this bright little green plant that's perfectly alive… It's basically, how do plants survive drying?" said Dr. Oliver.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the research also aids in developing strategies to adapt to climate change. It emphasizes the importance of biological research in mitigating the impact of environmental changes.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19620" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>New Phytologist</em></a>.</p>



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Drying without dying: Desert moss holds the key to drought tolerance

Deep in the desert, where water is rare and plants...

<p>Researchers from Australia and the United States have developed a new technique that significantly enhances the efficiency of altering the DNA in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-form-memories-and-pass-them-on-to-future-generations/">bacteria</a>, crucial for producing essential medicines like insulin. This method, utilizing high-frequency radio waves, presents a much gentler alternative to the traditional industry practices of employing harsh chemicals or high temperatures for DNA insertion, resulting in a higher survival rate of the modified cells.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancement-in-genetic-engineering">Advancement in genetic engineering</h2>



<p>Conducted by <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RMIT University</a> in partnership with other Australian institutions and <a href="https://wavecyte.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WaveCyte Biotechnologies</a> in the US, the study leveraged 18 gigahertz <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-radio-waves-disrupt-the-magnetic-compass-of-migratory-birds/">radio waves</a> to temporarily "open the gates" in E. coli bacterial cell walls, enabling the introduction of genetic material without harming the cells.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The successful incorporation of DNA into the cells and their continued healthy functioning post-modification marks a significant advancement in genetic engineering.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacterial-cell-permeability">Bacterial cell permeability</h2>



<p>This method's potential was further highlighted by the collaboration with the <a href="https://www.uow.edu.au/acebr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian Center for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research</a>, which had previously shown how high-frequency electromagnetic energy could increase bacterial cell permeability temporarily.</p>



<p>“Our novel, cost-effective method is shown to be highly efficient, but also gentler on the cells as no harsh chemicals or high temperatures are used in this process,” said lead author Elena Ivanova, an expert in nanobiotechnology at RMIT, emphasizing the technique's superiority in terms of both efficiency and gentleness compared to existing methods.</p>



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



<p>The research's implications extend beyond the immediate benefits of a more effective DNA insertion technique, hinting at potential applications in a wide range of drug delivery systems, microbiome therapeutics, and synthetic biology.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With RMIT applying for intellectual property protection in collaboration with WaveCyte Biotechnologies, and the continued commitment to advancing this technology, this discovery holds promise for significantly impacting the fields of cell and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revolutionary-gene-therapy-shows-promise-in-treating-autism/">gene therapy</a>.</p>



<p>“This gentle and highly efficient method holds immense promise for enhancing the affordability and accessibility of critical therapies,” said WaveCyte CEO Steve Wanjara. “We continue to actively work towards translating these findings into tangible applications, focusing on optimizing the technique for mammalian cells. This research has the potential to positively impact millions of lives across the globe, and we are dedicated to making it a reality.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-life-saving-treatments-nbsp">New life-saving treatments&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Reflecting on the development of this application, first author Tharushi Perera from RMIT and <a href="https://www.swinburne.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swinburne University of Technology</a> noted the satisfaction in uncovering beneficial uses of high-frequency electromagnetic energy, countering common misconceptions and opening doors to new life-saving treatments.</p>



<p>“People hear electromagnetic energy and 5G and think it’s bad – possibly due to misinformation or lack of understanding – but, as we have shown here, there are actually beneficial applications. My hope is that this can open the door to new life-saving treatments in the long run and look forward to seeing its development,” she concluded.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-frequency-electromagnetic-energy">High-frequency electromagnetic energy</h2>



<p>High-frequency electromagnetic energy encompasses a broad range of electromagnetic waves, including those on the upper end of the electromagnetic spectrum such as X-rays and gamma rays, as well as higher-frequency ultraviolet (UV) light, microwaves, and radio waves. This form of energy is characterized by its high frequency and, correspondingly, short wavelength.</p>



<p>At the core of high-frequency electromagnetic energy is its ability to carry more energy compared to lower-frequency electromagnetic waves, like those used in radio or television broadcasting.&nbsp;This is because the energy of an electromagnetic wave is directly proportional to its frequency. The higher the frequency, the more energy the wave carries.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-x-rays-nbsp">X-rays&nbsp;</h3>



<p>One of the most notable properties of high-frequency electromagnetic energy is its interaction with matter. For example, X-rays can penetrate soft tissue but are absorbed by denser materials like bone, making them invaluable in medical imaging.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uv-light">UV light</h3>



<p>Similarly, ultraviolet light has enough energy to cause chemical reactions, which is both good and bad. It is used in processes like sterilization and photolithography for making electronic circuits, but it can also cause <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapes-help-protect-skin-from-uv-damage/">skin damage</a> and increase the risk of skin cancer.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microwaves">Microwaves</h3>



<p>Microwaves, which are on the lower end of the high-frequency spectrum, have the ability to cause water molecules in food to vibrate, producing heat and making them useful in microwave ovens.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radio-waves-nbsp">Radio waves&nbsp;</h3>



<p>On the communication front, high-frequency radio waves, including those used in cellular networks and satellite communications, have the advantage of carrying large amounts of data over long distances, although their propagation characteristics can be affected by obstacles and the atmosphere.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-various-uses">Various uses</h3>



<p>The application of high-frequency electromagnetic energy spans across various fields, from medical diagnostics and treatment to telecommunications, manufacturing, and research.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-risks">Health risks</h3>



<p>Despite its numerous benefits, the use of high-frequency electromagnetic waves must be carefully managed due to potential health risks associated with exposure to certain types of this energy, highlighting the importance of understanding both its capabilities and limitations.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03464" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nano Letters</em></a>.</p>



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Radio waves can alter bacteria to create life-saving medicines

Researchers from Australia and the United States have developed a...

Vegan,Protein,Source,Top,View.

<p>A popular food guide has undergone a revolutionary change, moving away from traditional food groups, including meat and dairy, to emphasize the significance of plant-based proteins in your diet and how they impact your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-carbon-footprint-urban-farms-and-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> footprint. </p>



<p>This shift indicates a new direction in nutritional advice, highlighting a growing awareness of the health and environmental impacts of our food choices. </p>



<p>However, the broader effects of transitioning from animal to plant proteins in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-dietary-changes-could-offset-carbon-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human diets</a> remain a topic of exploration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-diet-impacts-your-carbon-footprint">How diet impacts your carbon footprint</h2>



<p>Recent research conducted by <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a>, in partnership with the <a href="https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine</a>, sheds light on this issue, providing clear evidence that replacing animal proteins with plant-based alternatives can lead to increased life expectancy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. </p>



<p>This study, and the major shift in <a href="https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canada's Food Guide</a>, underscores that the benefits derived from such dietary changes depend on the specific animal proteins being substituted.</p>



<p>Published in <em>Nature Food</em>, the research utilized data from a national nutrition survey to assess the dietary habits of Canadians. </p>



<p>It focused on the outcomes of replacing 25% and 50% of red and processed meat or dairy with plant proteins such as nuts, seeds, legumes, tofu, and fortified soy beverages. </p>



<p>These replacements were evaluated based on their impact on nutrition, health, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-seafood-has-one-sixth-the-carbon-footprint-of-red-meat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-based-diets-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions">Plant-based diets and greenhouse gas emissions</h2>



<p>The study reveals that red and processed meat, along with dairy, are significant contributors to Earth's diet-related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-co2-emissions-expected-to-reach-a-new-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a>. </p>



<p>A striking finding is that by substituting half of the red and processed meat consumption with plant-based proteins, an individual's carbon footprint from their diet could decrease by 25%. </p>



<p>Dairy substitutions, however, resulted in a lesser impact, showing reductions of up to 5%.</p>



<p>Olivia Auclair, the study's lead author and a recent PhD graduate from <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/animal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill's Department of Animal Science</a>, explains: </p>



<p>"We show that co-benefits for human and planetary health do not necessarily require wholesale changes to diets, such as adopting restrictive dietary patterns or excluding certain food groups altogether but can be achieved by making simple partial substitutions of red and processed meat, in particular, with plant protein foods."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lowering-your-carbon-footprint-can-extend-your-life">Lowering your carbon footprint can extend your life</h2>



<p>The research also highlights the health implications of such dietary shifts. High consumption of animal products is linked to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. </p>



<p>The study estimates that replacing half of the red and processed meat in one's diet with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-are-proven-better-for-human-and-environmental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant protein</a> foods could extend life expectancy by nearly nine months, primarily due to a lower risk of chronic diseases. </p>



<p>Men, in particular, could see greater benefits in terms of life expectancy compared to women. However, replacing dairy with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/increasing-plant-based-food-production-would-have-extremely-positive-impact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant proteins</a> showed smaller increases in life expectancy and posed a potential risk of calcium inadequacy, increasing by up to 14%.</p>



<p>Senior author Sergio Burgos, Associate Professor at McGill's Department of Animal Science, expresses his hope that the study's findings will guide consumers towards healthier and more sustainable food choices and inform future food policies in Canada.</p>



<p>“I hope our findings will help consumers make healthier and more sustainable food choices and inform future food policy in Canada,” says Burgos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-towards-a-sustainable-dietary-future">Towards a sustainable dietary future</h2>



<p>As the pursuit of sustainable and health-conscious diets gains momentum, this study offers valuable insights, empowering individuals to make choices that are beneficial for both their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-significantly-reduce-diabetes-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> and the environment. </p>



<p>Patricia Eustachio Colombo is the co-author and Honorary Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine. He emphasizes, “Increasing the consumption of plant-based foods alongside reductions in red and processed meat would have considerable benefits for health and the environment and would involve relatively small changes in diets for most people.”</p>



<p>In summary, the shift towards plant-based proteins, as evidenced by the latest research from McGill University and the London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine, presents a promising path for enhancing both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-foods-are-great-for-weight-loss-regardless-of-the-type/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human health</a> and environmental sustainability. </p>



<p>By adopting simple dietary substitutions, particularly replacing red and processed meats with plant-based alternatives, people can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and extend their lifespan. </p>



<p>This study underscores the minimal changes required for substantial benefits in several areas, while serving as a pivotal guide for informed, healthier, and more sustainable food choices. </p>



<p>This research initiative marks a critical step forward in our collective journey towards a more resilient and eco-conscious society.</p>



<p>This study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-024-00925-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Food</a></em>.</p>



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Small changes in diet can greatly reduce your carbon footprint

A popular food guide has undergone a revolutionary change, moving...

<p>Astronomers have detected <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-discovery-earths-building-blocks-contained-water/">water</a> vapor within a disc surrounding a young star, a region believed to be ripe for planet formation. This finding underscores water's crucial role in both the genesis of life on Earth and the process of planet formation. </p>



<p>This significant advancement in our understanding of planetary formation environments was enabled by the <a href="https://www.almaobservatory.org/en/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array</a> (ALMA), a project in which the <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Southern Observatory</a> (ESO) participates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-astonishing-discovery-nbsp">Astonishing discovery&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Stefano Facchini, an astronomer at the <a href="https://www.unimi.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Milan</a>, Italy, who led the research expressed his astonishment: “I had never imagined that we could capture an image of oceans of water vapor in the same region where a planet is likely forming.” </p>



<p>The study uncovered a volume of water at least triple that of Earth’s oceans within the inner disc of HL Tauri, a young star resembling our Sun, situated 450 light-years away in the constellation Taurus.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brand-new-insights">Brand new insights</h2>



<p>“It is truly remarkable that we can not only detect but also capture detailed images and spatially resolve water vapor at a distance of 450 light-years from us,” added co-author Leonardo Testi, an astronomer at the <a href="https://www.unibo.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bologna</a>, Italy. </p>



<p>The ALMA's "spatially resolved" observations have provided insights into how water is distributed across different areas of the disc.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Taking part in such an important discovery in the iconic HL Tauri disc was beyond what I had ever expected for my first research experience in astronomy,” said co-author Mathieu Vander Donckt, a master student at the University of Liège.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-vapor-and-planet-formation-nbsp">Water vapor and planet formation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experts found a considerable concentration of water in a section of the HL Tauri disc where a gap, potentially carved by a forming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-planet-discovered-with-an-ocean-not-far-from-earth/">planet</a>, exists.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our recent images reveal a substantial quantity of water vapor at a range of distances from the star that include a gap where a planet could potentially be forming at the present time,” Facchini said. This finding indicates the potential impact of water vapor on the chemical makeup of emerging planets within these gaps.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-observations-nbsp">Revolutionary observations&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Capturing water observations from a ground-based telescope poses a challenge due to the interference caused by Earth's atmospheric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-water-vapor-become-a-reliable-source-of-fresh-water/">water vapor</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>ALMA, situated in Chile's high-altitude Atacama Desert, was designed in such a dry environment to overcome this obstacle, as noted by Wouter Vlemmings, a professor at <a href="https://www.chalmers.se/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chalmers University of Technology</a> in Sweden.</p>



<p>Elizabeth Humphreys, an astronomer at ESO and study participant, shared her excitement: “It is truly exciting to directly witness, in a picture, water molecules being released from icy dust particles.”&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The presence of water, which aids in the agglomeration of dust grains into larger bodies, is believed to play a pivotal role in planet formation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our results show how the presence of water may influence the development of a planetary system, just like it did some 4.5 billion years ago in our own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-six-planet-star-system-moves-in-strange-perfect-synchrony/">Solar System</a>,” Facchini explained.</p>



<p>With ongoing upgrades to ALMA and the upcoming operation of <a href="https://elt.eso.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope</a> (ELT), our understanding of planet formation and water's role therein is set to deepen. The <a href="https://elt.eso.org/instrument/METIS/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph</a> (METIS) will particularly enhance our view of the inner regions of planet-forming discs, shedding light on the birthplaces of Earth-like planets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-planet-formation-nbsp">More about planet formation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Planet formation is a complex and intriguing process that unfolds over millions to billions of years within the swirling disks of dust and gas surrounding young stars. This process is often referred to as the protoplanetary disk phase and is fundamental to understanding how planets, including those in our own solar system, come to exist.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-the-stage">Setting the stage</h3>



<p>The journey begins when a cloud of interstellar gas and dust collapses under its own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radical-new-theory-finally-unites-gravity-spacetime-and-the-quantum-realm/">gravity</a>, often triggered by external forces such as the shock waves from nearby supernovae.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As the cloud collapses, it begins to spin, flattening into a spinning disk with the new star at its center. This disk is rich in materials, including water ice, silicates, and organic compounds, setting the stage for planet formation.</p>



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



<p>Within this disk, dust particles collide and stick together, forming larger clumps in a process known as accretion. Over time, these clumps grow into kilometer-sized planetesimals, the building blocks of planets.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Through a combination of further accretion and gravitational interactions, these planetesimals can grow into protoplanets.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fate-of-the-protoplanets-nbsp">Fate of the protoplanets&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The fate of these protoplanets depends on their location within the disk. Closer to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-earth-discovered-in-the-habitable-zone-of-its-star/">star</a>, where it is hotter, only metal and rock can condense, leading to the formation of terrestrial planets like Earth and Mars.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Farther from the star, where it is cooler, ices can also condense, allowing for the formation of gas giants and ice giants. These larger planets can then attract surrounding gas to form thick atmospheres.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gravitational-interactions-nbsp">Gravitational interactions&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Throughout this process, gravitational interactions among protoplanets and with the disk itself can lead to migration, where planets change their orbits. This can result in a dynamic and sometimes chaotic evolution of the planetary system.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mature-system">Mature system</h3>



<p>Eventually, the gas in the disk is either accreted onto the star, blown away by the star's radiation, or locked up in planets, leaving behind a mature planetary system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The leftover planetesimals that did not become part of planets may remain as asteroids, comets, and other small solar system bodies, acting as remnants of the system's formation process.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02207-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Astronomy</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<p>Image Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/S. Facchini et al.</p>



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Oceans of water vapor may be involved in planet formation

Astronomers have detected water vapor within a disc surrounding a...

<p>A team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a> (CU Boulder) has found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/after-centuries-of-speculation-heres-what-really-causes-the-munchies/">cannabis</a> products rich in CBD, a non-intoxicating compound, are more effective at alleviating anxiety compared to those dominated by THC (the psychoactive component of marijuana), without the associated side effects.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This study, involving 300 participants, is the first randomized trial to explore the impact of legal, commercially available cannabis on anxiety symptoms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-relief-from-anxiety-with-cbd">Relief from anxiety with CBD</h2>



<p>The investigation is timely, as anxiety disorders affect one in five U.S. adults, making it the nation's most prevalent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/">mental illness</a>. Due to this, anti-anxiety medication prescriptions have seen an uptick.</p>



<p>"We need more data before we can say conclusively that there are long-term, beneficial effects, but the short-term effects were very clear: CBD was associated with tension and anxiety relief with limited harm," said senior author Cinnamon Bidwell, an associate professor in both the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and the Institute of Cognitive Science at CU Boulder.</p>



<p>Many adults cite <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anxiety-logical-decisions/">anxiety</a> as a primary reason for using cannabis, seeking relief for this condition as well as sleep and pain issues. However, research on cannabis's effectiveness for anxiety has yielded mixed results.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some studies point out that high-frequency use or potent THC products may exacerbate anxiety over time. Conversely, evidence suggests that incorporating CBD into THC-heavy products could mitigate some adverse effects, such as the immediate impairment and paranoia.</p>



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



<p>To dissect the distinct short-term and long-term impacts of CBD and THC - the two main active ingredients in cannabis - the researchers enlisted 300 individuals with anxiety, including 42 non-cannabis users and 258 who had previously used it.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Participants were assigned one of three <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/infectious-pathogen-has-spread-to-90-percent-of-cannabis-farms-in-california/">cannabis</a> products: THC-dominant (24% THC, 1% CBD), CBD-dominant (1% THC, 24% CBD), or a balanced mix (12% CBD, 12% THC).</p>



<p>Due to federal restrictions on cannabis in educational settings, the participants procured their assigned products from specified dispensaries for off-campus use. Throughout the four-week study, usage frequency averaged three times weekly, with researchers assessing participants before and after cannabis consumption in their homes using a mobile lab.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-substantial-improvements-nbsp">Substantial improvements&nbsp;</h2>



<p>All groups reported reduced anxiety by the study's conclusion, but the CBD-dominant group showed the most substantial improvements.</p>



<p>Although those in the CBD-dominant group did not feel impaired, they did feel less tense immediately after smoking. Moreover, they were less likely to experience paranoia immediately after use than those in the two other cannabis groups.</p>



<p>“Our findings suggest that THC did not increase anxiety long-term and that CBD-dominant forms of cannabis were associated with acute tension reduction that may translate to longer-term reductions in anxiety symptoms,” said study co-author Gregory Giordano, a professional research assistant at the CU Center for Health and Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promising-news-about-anxiety-and-cbd">Promising news about anxiety and CBD</h2>



<p>Bidwell highlighted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabidiol-marijuana-treat-addiction/">CBD</a>'s anti-inflammatory properties as a potential explanation for its anxiety-reducing effects, contrasting it with THC's immediate mood-altering capabilities. </p>



<p>Despite the availability of prescription anxiety treatments, concerns over side effects and dependency persist, along with risks associated with early and frequent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thc-o-acetate-is-not-a-psychedelic-cannabinoid-according-to-scientists/">THC</a> use.</p>



<p>"Our study suggests that CBD products may be able to relieve anxiety in the moment for adults who use them, and possibly longer-term, in a way that is meaningful and doesn’t necessarily produce the same risks or harms of THC or prescription medications," Bidwell concluded. "We need more data before we can make conclusive recommendations, but this is promising news."</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/can.2023.0187" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research</em></a>.</p>



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CBD relieves anxiety without the risks that come with THC

A team of scientists led by the University of Colorado...

Concept,Of,A,Futuristic,3d,Illustration,Of,A,China,Base

<p>Seismologists have long harnessed the Earth's underbelly's secrets through seismic waves using fiber optic cables, a technique now eyed for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moon-is-shrinking-moonquakes-potential-problems-for-astronauts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon's mysteries</a>. </p>



<p>The question at the core of a recent study by Wenbo Wu and colleagues from the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute</a> isn't just theoretical -- it's a stepping stone towards unveiling the enigmatic layers of our celestial neighbor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lunar-seismology-with-fiber-optic-cables">Lunar seismology with fiber optic cables</h2>



<p>Wu and his team have proposed an audacious plan: deploying a fiber optic seismic network on the moon's surface. This isn't a mere flight of fancy.</p>



<p>The groundwork is laid on the Apollo missions' legacy, which, between 1969 and 1976, installed four <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/9-measuring-chaos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seismometers</a> on the Moon. </p>



<p>These instruments captured thousands of seismic activities, revealing both the shallow and profound <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/1895670/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moonquakes</a> and meteorite impacts. </p>



<p>However, the Apollo data left unanswered questions, notably the scarcity of moonquakes detected on the Moon's far side and the detection of quakes deep below the surface, at depths where, on Earth, materials behave differently due to heat and pressure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distributed-acoustic-sensing-das-on-the-moon">Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) on the Moon</h2>



<p>Enter Distributed Acoustic Sensing (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_acoustic_sensing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DAS</a>), the proposed technology for this lunar endeavor. DAS doesn't just observe seismic activity. It redefines observation. </p>



<p>Utilizing the minor imperfections in a long fiber optic cable laid under the moon's regolith, DAS will transform these flaws into a <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/moon_fiber-optic-cables_credit-Wu_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dense array of seismic sensors</a>. </p>



<p>A single cable, as Wu highlights, could offer thousands of individual sensors, a density unachievable with traditional methods. </p>



<p>This technology is adept at capturing and analyzing the seismic waves disturbed by lunar quakes, offering a granular view of the Moon's internal machinations.</p>



<p>One significant hurdle in lunar seismology is the Moon's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronauts-will-melt-lunar-dust-to-build-roads-on-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regolith</a>, a porous and fractured rubble blanket that scatters the initial seismic waves of a moonquake.</p>



<p>This scattering muddies the waters, obscuring the waves that follow, which could provide insights into the Moon's deeper secrets. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sifting-through-cosmic-chatter">Sifting through cosmic chatter</h2>



<p>Wu's team addresses this challenge head-on with array stacking, a signal processing technique that filters the noise, revealing the deep signals hidden within.</p>



<p>Their method's efficacy was proven through artificial seismograms derived from Apollo mission data, successfully identifying the ScS seismic wave phase. </p>



<p>This shear wave, crucial for understanding the Moon's inner structure, travels from the quake's origin to the core and back, a journey unveiled through Wu's innovative approach.</p>



<p>The implications of Wu and colleagues' research extend beyond academic curiosity. Before any physical deployment on the Moon, the team emphasizes the necessity of robust numerical simulations to predict the data's potential yield and applications. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-infinite-potential-of-fiber-optic-cables-on-the-moon">Infinite potential of fiber optic cables on the moon</h2>



<p>This preparatory step ensures that, if realized, a fiber optic seismic network on the moon could operate for years, if not decades, with proper power and maintenance provisions.</p>



<p>Moreover, the possibility of integrating this seismic network with other lunar initiatives, such as a proposed radio telescope on the Moon's far side, could economize and amplify the scientific outcomes. </p>



<p>Wu envisions a collaborative approach to lunar exploration, where combining projects could not only reduce costs but also maximize scientific returns.</p>



<p>In summary, the intriguing research by Wenbo Wu and his team heralds a new era in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lunar-anthropocene-how-humans-have-impacted-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lunar exploration</a>, promising to unlock the mysteries of the Moon's deep core structure through the innovative application of Distributed Acoustic Sensing technology. </p>



<p>By leveraging the dense array of sensors provided by a single fiber optic cable, this approach addresses the lingering questions left by the Apollo missions while planning for future seismic networks on the Moon. </p>



<p>With the potential to operate for decades and the capability to integrate with other lunar initiatives, this fiber seismic network stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge beyond our Earthly confines.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/ssa/srl/article-abstract/doi/10.1785/0220230067/635638/Fiber-Seismic-Network-on-the-Moon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seismological Research Letters</a></em>.</p>



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Scientists want to put fiber optic cables on the moon

Seismologists have long harnessed the Earth's underbelly's secrets through seismic...

<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indoor-plants-can-quickly-remove-dangerous-toxins-from-air/">Plants</a> are surprisingly adaptable. They can adjust to various challenging environments, including areas with high levels of salt and warm temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This has been a mystery to scientists for a long time, but a recent study from <a href="https://www.wur.nl/en/wageningen-university.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wageningen University</a> has revealed some of the remarkable ways that plants change their root structure to survive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lateral-roots">Lateral roots</h2>



<p>Plants rely heavily on their side roots, or lateral roots, to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-leaves-send-signals-to-their-roots-on-dry-days-telling-them-to-keep-digging-deeper-for-water/">roots</a> branch out, expanding the reach of the root system and allowing the plant to access resources from different areas and depths.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This flexibility is crucial for plants to adapt to changing conditions in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-erosion-rates-have-exploded-in-the-midwestern-us/">soil</a>, such as changes in water availability or nutrient levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-salinity">High salinity</h2>



<p>The researchers examined how plants adapt their root systems in salty soil. They focused on a gene called LBD16 and how it gets activated without the usual plant hormone, auxin.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Plants need lateral roots to absorb water and nutrients. The hormone that regulates the growth of lateral roots is called auxin. Salt hampers the plant's ability to recognize the signals this hormone emits, causing the development of lateral roots to fall short. And fewer lateral roots means the plant's general health suffers," explained study co-author Dr. Christa Testerink.</p>



<p>The team used a small <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-that-90-of-flowering-plant-species-rely-on-animal-pollinators/">flowering plant</a> called Arabidopsis thaliana for the study. They altered the plant's genes to see how the changes affected the roots in salty conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-plants-manage-stress">How plants manage stress</h2>



<p>The researchers found that LBD16 plays a vital role in the growth of side roots. This is especially important when the plant is facing high levels of salt in its environment. LBD16 helps the plant adjust the way its roots grow, allowing it to take in water and nutrients more effectively under these stressful conditions.</p>



<p>Interestingly, under high salinity, LBD16 activates through a different pathway that does not involve auxin. This shows that plants have alternative ways to manage stress, independent of the usual hormone signaling methods.</p>



<p>The experts found a molecule called ZAT6 that plays a crucial role in how plants respond to salt stress, independent of the usual method involving auxin. ZAT6 acts like a switch, turning on the gene LBD16. This, in turn, triggers changes in the plant's cell walls, allowing roots to continue growing even in salty conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growth-under-stress">Growth under stress</h2>



<p>In a related study, the researchers also explored how warm temperatures and slightly limited water availability (mild water stress) cause roots of Arabidopsis thaliana to grow longer. They conducted experiments where they grew plants under different combinations of water and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-global-temperature-exceeded-2c-for-the-first-time/">temperature</a> conditions to see how root growth changed.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts specifically looked at how certain genes and proteins, called SnRK2.2, SnRK2.3, and COP1, affect a molecule called HY5 in root cells, and how this impacts the stability of HY5.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-response-nbsp">Stress response&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The findings revealed that Arabidopsis thaliana grows longer roots under warm conditions with slightly limited water availability. The scientists discovered that SnRK2s and COP1 are involved in how plants respond to these conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>SnRK2s are important for a stress response pathway, while COP1 helps regulate the stability of another molecule called HY5. Interestingly, COP1 and SnRK2s have opposite effects on HY5 stability, depending on the presence of mild water stress.</p>



<p>When it's warm and slightly dry, COP1 levels decrease, allowing HY5 to remain stable. This stable HY5 is then crucial for the extra root growth observed under these conditions. The study suggests that the combination of warm temperature and mild water stress works together to reduce COP1, leading to HY5 stabilization and ultimately promoting root elongation.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>"This protein (LBD16) takes over auxin's role as regulator. This discovery provides a critical basis for further studies into similar local molecular networks in lateral roots that help plants function in stressful situations. Not just under saline conditions but also in times of drought or heat. This could help plant breeders to alter the plants' root growth to create more resilient varieties," said Dr. Testerink.</p>



<p>Ultimately, the research has the potential to address <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carolina-azolla-plant-could-help-reduce-global-food-insecurity/">global food security</a> concerns by creating crops that can grow in difficult conditions, such as salty, dry, or hot soil. This is especially important as climate change, rising sea levels, and land degradation pose increasing threats to our food supply.</p>



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



<p>The team is working with other organizations in the field of agriculture to find practical solutions to the challenges that climate change poses to farming.</p>



<p>"We uncovered several molecular factors that play a role. But, in order to predict how plants handle this combination of stress factors, a more extensive study is required. In the first five years of the CropXR project, we will focus on Arabidopsis," said Dr. Testerink.</p>



<p>"During the next five years, we will apply the knowledge gained to food crops. We hope this will enable us to develop practicable solutions in collaboration with partners in the field."</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koad317" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Plant Cell</em></a>.</p>



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Plants change their roots to survive harsh conditions 

Plants are surprisingly adaptable. They can adjust to various challenging...

<p>Daylight saving time (DST) sparks both excitement and annoyance when the clocks change each spring. However, beyond the simple inconvenience, a bigger question exists: does it affect our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-health-benefits-of-weight-loss-persist-for-years/">heart health</a>?&nbsp;</p>



<p>A new study by the <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mayo Clinic</a> tackles this debate head-on, aiming to provide clear and definitive answers about the true impact of daylight saving time on our well-being.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-daylight-saving-time">Benefits of daylight saving time</h2>



<p>Daylight saving time was first created with the goal of saving energy. By shifting clocks forward in the summer, there would be more daylight in the evenings. This, in theory, would mean people wouldn't need to turn on lights as early, leading to less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/auroras-have-a-surprising-link-to-electricity-consumption/">electricity use</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Beyond just saving energy, DST aimed to better align human activity with the natural light cycle, allowing people to take advantage of daylight hours for activities.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Over the years, the reasons for DST have expanded to include arguments that it allows for more leisure time in the evenings and even helps boost economic activity.</p>



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



<p>The researchers studied the health records of 36 million Americans to see if switching to and from daylight saving time impacted their heart health.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts checked how often individuals experienced heart issues like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-attacks-young-women/">heart attacks</a> and strokes in the days following the spring "spring forward" and fall "fall back" time changes. They then compared these occurrences to other periods throughout the year to identify any significant differences.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spring-transition">Spring transition</h2>



<p>The study found a minor increase in heart problems after the spring time change when clocks "spring forward." This increase is noteworthy because it suggests a possible, though very minor, effect of the time change on heart health.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the researchers emphasized that the rise in events is so small that it's unlikely to have any noticeable impact on most people's health. While there might be a measurable effect, it's not a cause for major concern and shouldn't lead to significant changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-flu-emerges-as-a-public-health-risk/">public health</a> policies regarding daylight saving time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autumn-transition">Autumn transition</h2>



<p>The number of heart problems did not increase significantly during the fall when daylight saving time ends and people "fall back" an hour. This suggests that the extra hour of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-do-we-sleep-study-reveals-new-clues-behind-this-mystery/">sleep</a> gained in the fall might balance out any negative effects caused by the time change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In other words, switching back to standard time in the autumn doesn't seem to have a noticeable negative impact on heart health, unlike the small increase seen in the spring when time jumps forward.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"We looked at five years across the U.S., and what we found is that it’s unlikely that there is a clinically meaningful difference in cardiovascular health due to daylight saving time," noted study lead author Dr. Benjamin Satterfield.</p>



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



<p>Since the health effects seem small, the discussion might now focus on whether the benefits of daylight saving time, like saving energy and boosting the economy, outweigh the disruptions it causes to our natural sleep patterns and daily routines.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"When decisions are made about whether to abolish daylight saving time, there is no need to take concerns regarding heart health into account," noted study senior author Bernard J. Gersh.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2023.12.006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality &amp; Outcomes</em>.</a></p>



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Daylight saving time has little influence on heart health

Daylight saving time (DST) sparks both excitement and annoyance when...

Woman,With,Bowl,Of,Potato,Chips,Watching,Tv,On,Sofa

<p>In a world where sitting has become the norm for many, emerging research underscores the significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-causes-of-sedentary-behavior-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health risks</a> associated with prolonged sedentary behavior. </p>



<p>Drawing on decades of observations, author Dan Buettner suggested that longevity is linked to regular movement, a theory now supported by a comprehensive study published in the <em>Journal of the American Heart Association</em>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-dangers-of-a-sedentary-lifestyle">Hidden dangers of a sedentary lifestyle</h2>



<p>This study found that older women who sat for more than <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/sedentary-behavior-graph_credit-UC-San-Diego-Health-Sciences_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">11.7 hours daily faced a 30% increased risk of death</a>, a statistic that held true regardless of their exercise routines.</p>



<p>Steve Nguyen, Ph.D., M.P.H., a postdoctoral fellow at the <a href="https://www.ucsd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a>, delved into this topic by analyzing data from 6,489 women aged 63 to 99.</p>



<p>These participants, part of the Women’s Health Initiative, were tracked over eight years for mortality outcomes. </p>



<p>Nguyen's innovative approach utilized a machine-learned algorithm, CHAP, to distinguish between sitting and standing periods accurately, shedding light on the dire consequences of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-physical-activity-reverses-the-damage-of-sedentary-behavior-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extended sitting</a>.</p>



<p>“Sedentary behavior is defined as any waking behavior involving sitting or reclining with low energy expenditure,” explains Nguyen. </p>



<p>“Previous techniques for calculating sedentary behavior used cut points that identified low or absent movement. The CHAP algorithm was developed using machine-learning, a type of artificial intelligence, that enhanced its ability to accurately distinguish between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sedentary-behavior-cardiovascular-trouble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">standing and sitting</a>.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-finds-health-patterns-in-sitting-behavior">AI finds health patterns in sitting behavior</h2>



<p>The traditional methods for measuring this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sedentary-behavior-linked-to-higher-risk-of-cancer-mortality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a> often missed nuanced differences between sitting and standing. </p>



<p>However, the CHAP algorithm's use of artificial intelligence has enabled a more precise analysis of sitting times and patterns.</p>



<p>The health implications of sedentary lifestyles are stark. As Andrea LaCroix, Ph.D., M.P.H., points out, sitting diminishes muscle contractions, blood flow, and glucose metabolism, leading to a cascade of negative effects on the body. </p>



<p>“When you're sitting, the blood flow throughout your body slows down, decreasing glucose uptake. Your muscles aren't contracting as much, so anything that requires oxygen consumption to move the muscles diminishes, and your pulse rate is low,” LaCroix states. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-paradox-why-sitting-still-impacts-health">Exercise paradox: Why sitting still impacts health</h2>



<p>Contrary to popular belief, these effects aren't mitigated by exercise if one continues to sit for prolonged periods. LaCroix advises against long sitting durations, suggesting that even brief periods of standing or moving can mitigate risks.</p>



<p>"The risk escalates with more than 11 hours of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dangerous-sedentary-older/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sitting per day</a>, particularly when sitting stretches exceed 30 minutes," she recommends. </p>



<p>Encouragingly, LaCroix suggests achievable adjustments like standing once an hour or every 20 minutes as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/active-aging-physical-activity-has-a-direct-impact-on-life-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beneficial interventions</a>.</p>



<p>“For example, sitting more than 30 minutes at a time is associated with higher risk than sitting only 10 minutes at a time," says LaCroix. </p>



<p>"Most people aren't going to get up six times an hour, but maybe people could get up once an hour, or every 20 minutes or so. They don't have to go anywhere, they can just stand for a little while.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sedentary-behavior-and-cognitive-health">Sedentary behavior and cognitive health</h2>



<p>Nguyen, however, introduces a nuanced perspective on sedentary activities, especially those involving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sedentary-behavior-is-not-always-bad-for-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive engagement</a>, such as learning a new language. </p>



<p>The impact of such activities on overall health, particularly cognitive health and the potential for conditions like dementia, remains complex and underexplored.</p>



<p>With a grant from the <a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute of General Medical Sciences</a>, Nguyen is set to further investigate the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cognitive health outcomes. This research could offer crucial insights into balancing sedentary activities with physical movement for overall well-being.</p>



<p>LaCroix acknowledges the cultural challenges in addressing sedentary behavior, given the allure of screen-based entertainment and social media. </p>



<p>“We've created this world in which it's so fascinating to sit and do things. You can be engrossed by TV or scroll on your Instagram for hours," explains LaCroix. </p>



<p>"But sitting all the time isn't the way we were meant to be as humans, and we could reverse all of that culturally just by not being so attracted to all the things that we do while sitting.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-embracing-movement-towards-a-healthier-future">Embracing movement: Towards a healthier future</h2>



<p>In summary, the mounting evidence underscores the critical importance of reevaluating our sedentary lifestyles and making concerted efforts to incorporate more movement into our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ten-hours-of-sitting-amplifies-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">daily routines</a>. </p>



<p>This study illuminates the significant health risks associated with prolonged sitting while offering practical advice for breaking the cycle of inactivity. </p>



<p>By understanding the detrimental effects of sedentary behavior on our health and adopting simple strategies to stand and move regularly, we empower ourselves to lead healthier, longer lives. </p>



<p>Embracing regular physical activity, even in small increments, can dramatically improve our overall well-being, signaling a necessary shift towards more active and vibrant lifestyles.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the <em><a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.031156" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the American Heart Association</a></em>.</p>



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Sitting for hours without breaks greatly diminishes overall health

In a world where sitting has become the norm for...

<p>Recent advancements from <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flinders University</a> have initiated a significant reevaluation of the operational mechanisms behind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/running-is-just-as-effective-as-drugs-for-treating-depression/">antidepressants</a> and other emotion-regulating drugs, highlighting the intricate communication between the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/appetite-control-intermittent-fasting-alters-gut-brain-communication/">gut and the brain</a>.</p>



<p>The research introduces a notable shift in understanding the gut-brain axis, a complex network facilitating bidirectional neural interactions between the gastrointestinal system and the brain's emotional and cognitive centers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The gut-brain axis consists of a complex bidirectional neural communication pathway between the brain and the gut, which links emotional and cognitive centers of the brain,” said lead author Nick Spencer, a professor at the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vagal-sensory-nerves">Vagal sensory nerves</h2>



<p>The study emphasizes the role of vagal sensory nerves, which transmit signals from the gut to the brain, influencing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/">mental health</a> and well-being.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The mechanisms by which vagal sensory nerve endings in the gut wall are activated has been a major mystery but remains of great interest to medical science and potential treatments for mental health and wellbeing,” Spencer explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-process-of-diffusion-nbsp">Process of diffusion&nbsp;</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-dance-of-dopamine-and-serotonin-influences-social-behavior/">Serotonin</a> is predominantly synthesized in the gut's enteroendocrine cells (EECs) and plays a pivotal role in mental health. The research challenges prior assumptions about the direct synaptic communication between EECs and vagal sensory endings, proposing instead a diffusion process.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It had once been proposed that EECs make physical synaptic connections with the sensory nerve endings of the vagus and use fast neurotransmitters to activate vagal sensory endings,” said Spencer.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“However, the results of our new research uncover that any substances (including serotonin) released from EEC cells must communicate via a process of diffusion to the sensory nerve endings of the vagus nerve that lie in the colon (large intestine).”</p>



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



<p>“We found that the distances between individual EECs that contain serotonin and vagal afferent nerve endings were too far apart to occur via a mechanism that involved synaptic communication and fast neurotransmission, as was previously thought,” Spencer added.</p>



<p>This finding has broad implications for the development of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/willow-bark-may-contain-life-saving-antiviral-medications/">medications</a> targeting the gut-brain axis, offering new insights into treating anxiety, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), conditions linked to serotonin.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synaptic-transmission-ruled-out">Synaptic transmission ruled out</h2>



<p>The methodology involved anterograde neuronal tracing from the vagus nerve to the gut, uncovering the significant distances between serotonin-containing EECs and vagal nerve endings, which preclude synaptic transmission.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The mean distances between vagal nerve endings and the nearest serotonin containing EECs were hundreds of times greater than known distances that underlie synaptic transmission in vertebrates. This rules out any possible mechanism of fast synaptic transmission,” Spencer explained.</p>



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



<p>The study marks a pivotal step in redefining our grasp of gut-brain communication, potentially guiding future pharmaceutical research and the holistic management of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/using-apps-to-practice-mindfulness-improves-mental-health-of-children/">mental health</a> and gastrointestinal disorders.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our understanding of how the gut communicates with the brain, via sensory nerves has been substantially improved based on the findings of this study, and we look forward to exploring this topic further,” Spencer concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00441-024-03879-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cell and Tissue Research</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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How does gut-brain communication affect emotional well-being?

Recent advancements from Flinders University have initiated a significant reevaluation...

<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>



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

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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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

<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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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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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