<p>Inside our bodies, countless decisions play out silently at the cellular level. Some cells divide, some die, and others are forced out when they no longer serve their purpose. </p>



<p>A study from <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King’s College London</a> and the <a href="https://www.crick.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Francis Crick Institute</a> reveals that epithelial cells use electricity to spot weak neighbors and remove them. This breakthrough offers fresh insight into how diseases like cancer and stroke arise when energy balance within cells is disturbed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cells-renew-constantly">Cells renew constantly</h2>



<p>Epithelial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hemifusome-newly-discovered-organelle-inside-human-cells-with-immense-potential/">cells</a> form the barrier that lines organs, renewing rapidly to stay protective. Their balance depends on extrusion, the process of ejecting damaged or excess cells. This keeps tissues tightly packed and efficient. </p>



<p>If extrusion falters, cell numbers become chaotic, creating openings for disease. Without this constant regulation, unhealthy cells may linger, disrupt organ integrity, and interfere with critical signaling pathways. </p>



<p>Over time, these disturbances can weaken the protective barrier, encourage unchecked growth, and increase vulnerability to conditions such as cancer, chronic inflammation, or infections that compromise overall tissue health and resilience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electricity-targets-weak-cells">Electricity targets weak cells</h2>



<p>Earlier work showed that overcrowding forces some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-first-cells-life-form-on-earth-scientists-think-they-finally-figured-it-out/">cells</a> to be squeezed out mechanically. The latest discovery goes further. It shows that extrusion is not random but targets energy-poor cells. Crowding pushes sodium into cells through specialized ion channels, altering their electrical signals. </p>



<p>Healthy cells restore balance, but weak ones cannot, triggering shrinkage and eventual extrusion. This reveals a precise surveillance system where tissues actively monitor cellular energy, ensuring only the strongest cells remain. </p>



<p>Such control preserves organ stability, while defects in this mechanism may promote disease progression and unchecked cellular growth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cells-sense-crowding-with-electricity">Cells sense crowding with electricity</h2>



<p>The researchers noticed a striking prelude to extrusion: cells briefly shrank before being expelled. This stage, termed homeostatic early shrinkage, reflects water leaving the cell. </p>



<p>Roughly 70 percent of extruding cells undergo this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cells-vomit-waste-to-speed-up-healing-in-our-body/">shrinkage</a>. It is not caused by contractile forces but by ion channels regulating water movement. Key players include the potassium channels Kv1.1 and Kv1.2, and the chloride channel SWELL1.</p>



<p>The study revealed that an epithelial sodium channel, ENaC, senses crowding. It acts as a tension detector, letting sodium rush in when cells press against one another.</p>



<p>If a cell has enough ATP, it pumps sodium back out and stabilizes. If not, depolarization occurs, potassium and chloride exit, water follows, and the cell shrinks, crossing the threshold that triggers extrusion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-low-energy-as-a-trigger">Low energy as a trigger</h2>



<p>Time-lapse experiments revealed that cells destined for extrusion show falling ATP levels before they depolarize and shrink. When ATP levels were artificially lowered, extrusion increased. </p>



<p>This shows energy deficiency directly selects <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-space-changes-our-cells-insights-from-the-iss/">cells</a> for removal. In essence, epithelial tissue runs a built-in fitness test: cells unable to maintain their electrical balance are expelled.</p>



<p>"We see this sodium channel acting as a sensor, exposing cells with the least amount of energy and targeting those cells for death," noted study lead author Dr. Saranne Mitchell. </p>



<p>"This mechanism gives epithelia a constant surveillance system to rapidly detect weak cells and remove them. It's like an electrical quality-control check, keeping tissues robust and functional."</p>



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



<p>The study highlights how epithelial tissues are not passive layers but dynamic communities constantly testing their members. By identifying weaker cells early, they can preserve strength and protect organ function.</p>



<p>"By revealing that cells with low energy are targeted for extrusion, our work also adds a new layer into how metabolism can impact many diseases," said Professor Jody Rosenblatt.</p>



<p>"This new insight could suggest how overconsumption, through eating more and consuming more calories, might override this 'low energy trigger' for extrusion and prevent the elimination of defective cells, allowing them to accumulate into cancers." </p>



<p>"It might also reveal how energy deprivation following a stroke, caused by impacted blood supply, could lead to excess extrusion and organ damage."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cells-use-electricity-effectively">Cells use electricity effectively</h2>



<p>This model highlights energy sufficiency as a deciding factor in cell survival. Much like how mitochondria regulate apoptosis, epithelial extrusion uses energy balance as a checkpoint. </p>



<p>The findings also connect to conditions like cystic fibrosis and cancer, where ion channel malfunctions are common. By linking ion flow, energy, and crowding, this study reframes how tissues maintain integrity.</p>



<p>The discovery paints epithelia as more than static barriers. They are dynamic, electrically sensitive tissues constantly probing their members for weakness. </p>



<p>Cells that cannot meet the energy demands are removed for the greater good of the tissue. Even the faintest electrical flicker within these cellular communities can tip the balance between health and disease.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09514-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: CC0 Public Domain</p>



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Body tissues use electricity to expel weak cells

Inside our bodies, countless decisions play out silently at the cellular level. Some cells divide, some die, and others are forced out when they no longer serve their purpose. A study from King’s College London and the Francis Crick Institute reveals that epithelial cells use electricity to spot weak neighbors and remove them. This breakthrough offers fresh insight into how diseases like cancer and stroke arise when energy balance within cells is disturbed. Cells renew constantly Epithelial cells form the barrier that lines organs, renewing rapidly to...

Marijuana,Leaf,In,Front,Of,Nicely,Displayed,Stacks,Of,Delicious

<p>Researchers at Washington State University have uncovered a key mechanism in the brain that promotes appetite, commonly known as "the munchies," specifically when activated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-users-seem-to-sleep-better-than-most-other-people/">cannabis</a>. </p>



<p>This significant discovery advances our understanding of how cannabis triggers hunger, often referred to as "the munchies." The research also opens new avenues for developing treatments for various appetite disorders.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-and-the-munchies">Cannabis and the "munchies"</h2>



<p>The munchies typically refers to a sudden increase in appetite or craving for food, often experienced after using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-users-may-learn-to-understand-the-emotions-of-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a>. </p>



<p>This phenomenon is quite common among cannabis users and is often characterized by a desire for  high-calorie snack foods.</p>



<p>Cannabis is known to activate certain receptors in the brain that increase hunger, making food seem more appealing, both in terms of taste and smell. </p>



<p>The <a href="https://wsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State</a> team has discovered new details of how cannabis affects the brain to stimulate appetite.</p>



<p>"The appetite promoting effects of cannabis sativa have been recognized for centuries, however, surprisingly, the biological mechanisms that underlie this process have remained largely unknown," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In a controlled set of animal studies, mice were exposed to vaporized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-potency-linked-to-dramatic-rise-in-psychiatric-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> sativa. The researchers used calcium imaging technology, similar to a brain MRI, to observe the response of brain cells. </p>



<p>Calcium imaging has been previously used to study brain reactions to food, but never in the context of cannabis exposure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned</h2>



<p>The scans revealed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-impairment-is-difficult-to-determine-using-police-field-sobriety-tests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> activated brain cells in the hypothalamus when the mice anticipated and consumed food. These cells were not activated in mice that were not exposed to cannabis.</p>



<p>“When the mice are given cannabis, neurons come on that typically are not active,” said study co-author Professor Jon Davis. “There is something important happening in the hypothalamus after vapor cannabis.”</p>



<p>The cells that were activated in the hypothalamus of the exposed mice are controlled by the cannabinoid-1 receptor. </p>



<p>This receptor is a well-known target of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-of-americans-have-tried-cannabis-and-nearly-a-fifth-use-it-regularly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> and influences the activity of "feeding" cells in the hypothalamus called agouti-related protein neurons.</p>



<p>Utilizing a chemogenetic technique, which functions like a molecular light switch, the researchers were able to focus on these neurons in animals exposed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-poses-health-risks-due-to-contaminants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a>. </p>



<p>Intriguingly, when the neurons were deactivated, cannabis ceased to promote appetite.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marijuana-munchies-and-future-implications">Marijuana, munchies, and future implications</h2>



<p>This discovery has significant implications for treating appetite disorders, such as those experienced by cancer patients, individuals with anorexia, and potentially those with obesity. </p>



<p>By understanding the specific brain mechanisms activated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-cannabis-users-no-longer-need-conventional-sleep-aids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a>, more refined and targeted therapies can be developed.</p>



<p>The study builds on earlier work from Davis' lab, which was pioneering in using vaporized cannabis plant matter for animal studies (as opposed to injected THC). This approach is closer to how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-may-be-a-highly-effective-treatment-for-cancer-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> is used by humans. </p>



<p>Previous research from the lab identified genetic changes in the hypothalamus in response to cannabis use. </p>



<p>Based on their latest results, the experts conclude that the munchies are triggered by the activation of neurons in this brain region. </p>



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



<p>As mentioned above, Ccannabis has garnered significant attention for its potential to stimulate appetite in cancer patients, an aspect crucial in their overall health management. </p>



<p>This benefit primarily stems from certain compounds in cannabis, notably THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. This interaction can trigger an increase in hunger, commonly known as "the munchies," a familiar phenomenon among cannabis users.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-patients-cannabis-and-the-munchies">Cancer patients, cannabis and the munchies</h3>



<p>For cancer patients, this effect can be particularly beneficial. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy often lead to severe side effects, including nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. </p>



<p>By stimulating appetite, cannabis can help patients maintain a healthier weight and improve nutrient intake. This aspect of cannabis use is not just about alleviating hunger but also about enhancing the patient's overall sense of well-being and quality of life.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-alleviates-chemotherapy-side-effects">Cannabis alleviates chemotherapy side effects</h3>



<p>Furthermore, cannabis can also play a role in reducing nausea and vomiting, common side effects of chemotherapy. By alleviating these symptoms, cannabis not only encourages patients to eat but also helps them retain their food, ensuring better absorption of nutrients.</p>



<p>It's important to note that while cannabis can be beneficial for stimulating appetite in cancer patients, its use should always be under the guidance of a healthcare professional. </p>



<p>Different strains of cannabis and various forms of consumption (smoking, edibles, oils, etc.) can have varying effects, and what works for one patient might not be suitable for another.</p>



<p>In summary, cannabis offers a promising avenue for addressing appetite loss in cancer patients. Its ability to stimulate hunger and reduce nausea can play a critical role in improving their nutritional status and overall quality of life. However, its use should be carefully managed and tailored to individual patient needs.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50112-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Scientific Reports</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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



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After centuries of speculation, here's why cannabis causes "the munchies"

Researchers at Washington State University have uncovered a key mechanism...

Smiling,Cow,Grazing,On,A,Green,Meadow,At,Sunny,Day

<p>Cows, often seen as simple farm animals, are giving us valuable information every time they moo, burp, and chew. Farmers would love to decipher these sounds and be able to "talk" to their cows, so scientists are using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-20-minute-conversation-with-a-humpback-whale-named-twain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI algorithms</a> to help them.</p>



<p>This seemingly mundane behavior is a treasure trove of insights into their health and welfare, and researchers at Virginia Tech's <a href="https://www.cals.vt.edu/">College of Agriculture and Life Sciences</a> are on a mission to decode it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-cow-vocalizations">Importance of cow vocalizations</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.apsc.vt.edu/OurPeople/Faculty/james-chen.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. James Chen</a>, an animal data sciences researcher and assistant professor at the <a href="https://sas.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Animal Sciences</a>, has embarked on an innovative project with a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's <a href="https://www.nifa.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute of Food and Agriculture</a>. </p>



<p>His goal? To develop a groundbreaking acoustic, data-driven AI tool that promises to revolutionize the way we understand and improve animal welfare in precision livestock farming while also addressing environmental concerns like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greener-cattle-seeking-ways-to-inhibit-methane-production-in-cows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane emissions</a>.</p>



<p>“Vocalization is a major way cows express their emotions," explains Dr. Chen. "It's about time we truly listen and understand what they’re telling us.” </p>



<p>This approach offers a more continuous and individualized monitoring method than traditional observation techniques, such as video surveillance. </p>



<p>“The assessment of animal welfare has become a central discussion in society and is a controversial issue simply because the lack of objective tools leads to biased interpretations,” Dr. Chen said. </p>



<p>By focusing on sound data, subtle changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/free-ranging-dairy-cows-have-a-much-healthier-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cows' health and emotions</a>, even those as minor as breathing alterations, can be detected.</p>



<p>“By matching audio data with biological and visual cues, we can be more objective in our approach to analyzing their behavior,” Dr. Chen explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-ai-system-that-can-talk-to-cows">An AI system that can "talk" to cows</h2>



<p>Dr. Chen, alongside his co-investigator, <a href="https://ext.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Cooperative Extension</a> dairy scientist and Associate Professor <a href="https://www.dasc.vt.edu/people/faculty/ferreira.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gonzalo Ferreira</a>, is gearing up to collect and analyze a wealth of audio data from cows, calves, and beef cattle. </p>



<p>Utilizing advanced machine learning techniques, they aim to catalog thousands of acoustic data points to interpret cow vocalizations, including mooing, chewing, and burping, for signs of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dietary-changes-improve-milk-production-in-heat-stressed-cows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress or illness</a>.</p>



<p>Ferreira draws a parallel with understanding a baby's cries, stating, "As a father, I can often tell if my child is crying from hunger or just seeking attention. Our research question is similar: Can we use audio data to interpret animals’ needs?"</p>



<p>Their research delves into cow "talk" by identifying specific vocal patterns that indicate cows’ distress. By analyzing the frequency, amplitude, and duration of cow vocalizations and correlating this with saliva cortisol samples, the researchers hope to classify the level of stress experienced by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cattle-farming-expansion-could-expose-more-than-a-billion-cows-to-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cows</a> and eventually decode their unique "language."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-cow-language-with-machine-learning">Decoding cow language with machine learning</h2>



<p>Dr. Chen is also developing a computational pipeline that integrates acoustic data management with pre-trained machine-learning models. </p>



<p>The result will be an interactive visualization of animal sounds, accessible through an open-source, web-based application. </p>



<p>This tool will not only be a boon for scientists and producers but also for the general public, offering a way to transform cow vocalizations into information that can be easily understood and used.</p>



<p>In the practical aspect of their study, the researchers plan to place small recording devices on cows' halters or collars to capture their vocalizations. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cows_talk_AI_deciphering-moos-burps_2m_Gonzalo-Ferreira-1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A photo</a> provided by Dr. Ferreira illustrates this process, showing a dairy cow fitted with a halter equipped with a tiny recorder.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focusing-on-cows-burps">Focusing on cows' burps</h2>



<p>An additional intriguing aspect of their research is the focus on cows' burps, which are known to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellites-detect-methane-emission-from-cow-burps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">release methane</a>, a potent greenhouse gas. </p>



<p>By analyzing audio data and comparing it with DNA samples, the team aims to identify whether certain cows burp less due to genetic variants. </p>



<p>They also plan to examine the impact of rumen modifiers, food additives that reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmentally-friendly-semen-will-produce-cattle-that-burp-less-methane/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane production</a>, as a potential solution for environmental conservation.</p>



<p>“Measuring methane emissions from cattle requires very expensive equipment, which would be prohibitive to farmers,” Ferreira said. </p>



<p>“If burping sounds are indeed related to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeding-cattle-seaweed-could-reduce-methane-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane emissions</a>, then we might have the potential for selecting low methane-emitting animals at the commercial farm level in an affordable manner.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creating-an-open-source-cow-talk-database">Creating an open-source "cow talk" database</h2>



<p>Their ultimate goal is ambitious but clear. They want to create a public dataset that can inform policy and regulations. This would, in turn, enhance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dairy-cattles-welfare-is-worse-than-that-of-beef-cattle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal welfare</a> and aide environmental conservation on a larger scale.</p>



<p>“Our eventual goal is to use this model on a larger scale,” Chen said. “We hope to build a public data set that can help inform policy and regulations.”</p>



<p>This pioneering research stands at the intersection of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-poses-a-multi-faceted-threat-to-animal-welfare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal welfare</a> and environmental sustainability, demonstrating how understanding the basic communications of farm animals can lead to significant advancements in both fields. </p>



<p>As the project progresses, it's expected that the insights gained will not only enhance the lives of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dietary-changes-improve-milk-production-in-heat-stressed-cows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cows</a> and other animals, but also offer practical solutions to farmers and policymakers, bridging the gap between the agricultural sector and sustainable practices.</p>



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



<p>The collaboration between Dr. Chen and Dr. Ferreira exemplifies the potential of interdisciplinary research, combining expertise in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gene-editing-technology-used-to-produce-disease-resistant-calf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal sciences</a>, data analysis, and environmental studies. </p>



<p>Dr. Chen sums up their mission with enthusiasm. “Anyone can directly plug in and use our model to run their own experiment,” he said. “This allows people to transform cows’ vocalizations into interpretable information that humans can recognize.”</p>



<p>Their work is a testament to the innovative spirit at Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and highlights the crucial role of academic research in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time.</p>



<p>In summary, as we move forward in this era of technological advancements, projects like this remind us of the importance of listening to and understanding the natural world around us. </p>



<p>By tuning into the 'language' of cows, we are not only improving their welfare but also taking a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.</p>



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Farmers want to "talk" to their cows, so AI is helping them interpret 'moos' and burps

Cows, often seen as simple farm animals, are giving us...

<p>Over two decades since Dolly the sheep's groundbreaking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cloning-reverse-extinction/">cloning</a>, scientists have achieved a significant milestone by successfully cloning a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), a species closely related to humans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This feat was accomplished by experts at the <a href="https://english.ucas.ac.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> in Beijing, who used somatic cells from a rhesus monkey to create a genetically identical copy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cloning-technology-nbsp">Cloning technology&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The clone, which has been healthy for more than two years since its birth, marks a significant advancement in cloning technology, particularly in a species so closely related to humans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The cloning process employed somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), a technique that involves transferring the DNA of a somatic cell, such as a skin cell, into an egg cell whose nucleus has been removed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-low-success-rate">Low success rate</h2>



<p>Dr. Qiang Sun and his team, the same group that cloned the crab-eating macaque monkeys in 2017, led this latest effort. The SCNT technique reprograms the genetic material in the nucleus, allowing the egg to divide and form a cloned embryo, supported by a healthy placenta.</p>



<p>However, the cloning efficiency for most mammal species remains extremely low, with high mortality rates both during gestation and shortly after birth. The team's success came with only one surviving cloned animal out of 113 initial embryos, a success rate of less than one percent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-difficulty-of-cloning">Difficulty of cloning</h2>



<p>Dr. Lluís Montoliu, an expert at the <a href="http://www.cnb.csic.es/index.php/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Center for Biotechnology</a> in Spain, not involved in the new cloning project, highlights the difficulty of such experiments. </p>



<p>"Both the cloning of crab-eating macaques and Rhesus monkeys demonstrate two things: first, it is possible to clone primates, and second, it is extremely difficult to succeed with these experiments, with such low efficiencies, once again ruling out human cloning," he said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ethical-concerns">Ethical concerns</h2>



<p>While the cloning of various mammals has been achieved since Dolly's birth in 1996, the cloning of primates like monkeys and potentially humans raises significant ethical concerns. Dr. Montoliu emphasizes that human cloning is "extraordinarily difficult and ethically unjustifiable," deeming it unnecessary and debatable.</p>



<p>The experiment, which could not have been conducted in Europe due to EU legislation on animal experimentation, raises questions about the ethical implications of cloning primates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The EU legislation prohibits the use of non-human primates in experiments unless it's for investigating serious diseases affecting humans or the primate species itself, criteria not met in this experiment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Despite these concerns, the research offers valuable insights into the possibilities and limitations of cloning technology in closely human-related species.</p>



<p>The findings are published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-43985-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



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Chinese scientists clone a rhesus monkey for the first time

Over two decades since Dolly the sheep's groundbreaking cloning, scientists...

<p>Exercise is associated with improved cognitive performance, and a new study from the <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Portsmouth</a> has found that dopamine plays a central role in this relationship. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-does-love-look-like-in-the-brain-a-rush-of-dopamine/">Dopamine</a> is a neurotransmitter and hormone that is commonly associated with feelings of pleasure and motivation. It is known to increase when you work out, and the research suggests that this surge of dopamine enhances brain function.</p>



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



<p>The researchers discovered that dopamine not only increases during exercise but is also crucial for quicker reaction times.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts noted that this discovery opens up new possibilities for treating cognitive health issues, as dopamine significantly impacts conditions like Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, ADHD, addiction, and depression.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faster-reaction-time-nbsp">Faster reaction time&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team utilized advanced brain imaging techniques, specifically a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, to measure dopamine release in the brain.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Remarkably, participants showed increased dopamine release while cycling in a lying position inside the PET scanner, correlating with improved reaction times.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boosting-brain-function-nbsp">Boosting brain function&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Dr. Joe Costello, from the University’s School of Sport, Health &amp; Exercise Science (SHES), emphasized the novelty of this research in humans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"We know cardiovascular exercise improves cognitive performance, but the exact mechanisms behind this process have not been rigorously investigated in humans until now," said Dr. Costello.</p>



<p>“Using novel brain imaging techniques, we were able to examine the role dopamine plays in boosting brain function during exercise, and the results are really promising. Our current study suggests the hormone is an important neuromodulator for improved reaction time."</p>



<p>“These findings support growing evidence that exercise prescription is a viable therapy for a host of health conditions across the lifespan.”</p>



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



<p>The research comprised three experiments with 52 male participants. The first involved cognitive tasks performed at rest and during cycling, allowing the team to track dopamine movement in the brain.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The second experiment tested cognitive performance improvement through forced muscle movement via electrical stimulation. The third combined voluntary and involuntary exercise methods.</p>



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



<p>The results showed cognitive performance enhancements only in experiments involving voluntary exercise. Soichi Ando, associate professor in the Health &amp; Sports Science Laboratory at the University of Electro-Communications in Japan, explained the significance of the study.</p>



<p>“We wanted to remove voluntary muscle movement for part of the study, to see if the process in which acute exercise improves cognitive performance is present during manufactured exercise. But our results indicate that the exercise has to be from the central signals of the brain, and not just the muscle itself," explained Professor Ando.</p>



<p>“This suggests that when we tell our central command to move our body during a workout, that’s the process which helps the dopamine release in the brain.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improved-cognitive-function-nbsp">Improved cognitive function&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Previous studies by the team explored the connection between oxygen levels, cognitive performance, and exercise. They found no significant change in reaction times under low oxygen levels (hypoxia), reinforcing the theory that brain-regulating hormones like dopamine are the key drivers of improved brain function during exercise.</p>



<p>“These latest findings support our previous theory that cognitive performance during exercise is affected by changes to brain regulating hormones, including dopamine," said Dr. Costello.</p>



<p>“There could also be a number of other psychophysiological factors including cerebral blood flow, arousal and motivation that play a part.”</p>



<p>According to the researchers, further studies are urgently needed to fully understand how dopamine release is linked to cognitive performance following exercise.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1113/JP285173" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Journal of Physiology</em></a>.</p>



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Dopamine enhances brain function and reaction times during exercise

Exercise is associated with improved cognitive performance, and a new...

<p>A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2023-000253"><em>BMJ Public Health</em></a> has raised serious concerns about the potential risks of irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus among video gamers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study emphasizes that sound levels in video games often approach or exceed safe limits, highlighting an urgent need for increased public health efforts to raise awareness about these risks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extensive-analysis-nbsp">Extensive analysis&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The comprehensive review involved an extensive analysis of various research and grey literature, including 14 peer-reviewed studies from nine countries.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These studies ranged from cohort observations to those focusing on specific devices and gaming environments, and involved 53,833 individuals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-findings-nbsp">Alarming findings&nbsp;</h2>



<p>One alarming finding was the reported sound levels, which varied significantly depending on the gaming medium. For example, sound levels from mobile devices were found to be around 43.2 decibels (dB), whereas those in gaming centers reached a staggering 80-89 dB.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In addition, impulse sounds during gameplay were reported to reach levels as high as 119 dB, far exceeding the permissible exposure limits set for children and adults.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safe-noise-levels">Safe noise levels</h2>



<p>The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with the World Health Organization, has established a time–intensity trade-off to determine safe levels of noise exposure.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to this guideline, the permissible noise exposure level is 80 dB for 40 hours per week for adults, with the exposure time halving with every 3 dB increase in noise level. For children, the safe level is defined as 75 dB for the same duration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hearing-related-issues">Hearing-related issues</h2>



<p>The review also highlighted the prevalence of video gaming among young people, with studies reporting a range from 20% to 68%. Notably, two South Korean studies indicated that around 60% of young people frequented gaming centers.</p>



<p>Five studies specifically evaluated the link between gaming and hearing-related issues. Two of these found a significant association between gaming center use by school pupils and increased odds of severe tinnitus and high-frequency sound hearing loss. Another large observational study linked video gaming with increased self-reported hearing loss severity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-excessive-sound-exposure-nbsp">Excessive sound exposure&nbsp;</h2>



<p>One study that measured sound levels from video games through headphones attached to gaming consoles found that the average sound levels for various games were dangerously close to the maximum permissible sound exposure levels.</p>



<p>An additional 16 peer-reviewed articles and 14 grey literature sources identified gaming as a potential source of excessive sound exposure. One grey literature study focusing on gamers’ preferred listening levels concluded that gaming headphones often reach unsafe levels, potentially leading to sound-induced hearing loss.</p>



<p>The review also examined gender differences in gaming behaviors, revealing that boys tend to play video games more frequently, for longer periods, and at higher sound intensity levels than girls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed-nbsp">Further research is needed&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Despite the compelling evidence presented, the researchers acknowledge certain limitations in their study, such as the scarcity of recent data objectively measuring sound levels in video games and gaming centers. They emphasized the need for further research to address key gaps in the existing evidence.</p>



<p>“Although the data provided in this review are limited, they suggest that some gamers, particularly those who play frequently, and at or above the average sound levels described by papers included in this review, probably exceed permissible sound exposure limits, and are thus engaging in unsafe listening practices, which could put them at risk for developing permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus,” wrote the study authors.</p>



<p>“The findings suggest that there may be a need to prioritize interventions, such as initiatives focused on education and awareness of the potential risks of gaming, that can help promote safe listening among gamers."</p>



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Video gamers may be at risk of irreversible hearing loss 

A new study published in the journal BMJ Public Health...

<p>A study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and the Swedish Museum of Natural History has uncovered that Pacific Coast <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-farms-could-help-clean-up-coastal-nitrogen-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kelp</a> forests have much older origins than previously thought. </p>



<p>The study reveals that these underwater forests existed more than 32 million years ago, predating the emergence of the modern marine ecosystem that currently inhabits them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-food-source">Ancient food source</h2>



<p>Cindy Looy, a paleobotanist and professor of integrative biology at <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Berkeley</a>, and Steffen Kiel, a senior curator at the <a href="https://www.nrm.se/en/16.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish Museum of Natural History</a>, spearheaded the research. </p>



<p>The team found that the kelp forests provided a primary food source for an ancient mammal called a desmostylian, a relative of today's sea cows and elephants.</p>



<p>Initially, it was believed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-forests-are-losing-their-capacity-to-trap-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kelp</a> forests emerged around 14 million years ago, aligning with the appearance of modern marine animals. </p>



<p>However, as Looy explains, "Now, we show the kelps were there, it's just that all the organisms that you expect to be associated with them were not." </p>



<p>This new understanding suggests a more complex evolutionary history of these ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossilized-kelp-forest-holdfasts">Fossilized kelp forest holdfasts</h2>



<p>The discovery was made possible through fossilized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restoration-of-underwater-seaweed-forests-offers-hope-for-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kelp</a> holdfasts - the root-like structures anchoring kelp to the seafloor - dated back to 32.1 million years ago. </p>



<p>These holdfasts, containing clams, barnacles, and snails, provide insight into the ancient kelp's ecosystem. </p>



<p>Prior to this, the oldest known kelp fossil was an air bladder and blade similar to today's bull kelp, dating back to 14 million years ago, held by the University of California Museum of Paleontology (<a href="https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCMP</a>).</p>



<p>"Our holdfasts provide good evidence for kelp being the food source for an enigmatic group of marine mammals, the desmostylia," Kiel said. </p>



<p>These findings challenge previous assumptions and highlight the complex evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whales-play-with-seaweed-and-roll-in-its-antibacterial-properties/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kelp</a> forests over millions of years.</p>



<p>The research team's innovative approach included the use of Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Tomographic Microscopy (SRXTM) to obtain detailed 3D X-ray scans of the fossilized holdfasts. </p>



<p>The scans revealed a diverse range of marine life, including barnacles, snails, mussels, and foraminifera, within the holdfasts, indicating a vibrant but less complex ecosystem compared to today's kelp forests.</p>



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



<p>The study also emphasizes the critical role of amateur fossil hunters in advancing scientific understanding. The fossils were initially discovered by James Goedert, an amateur collector, along the beach near Jansen Creek on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.</p>



<p>Looy and Kiel plan to continue their research to further understand the evolution of the North Pacific kelp ecosystem and its relationship with ocean-climate changes. </p>



<p>This research not only sheds light on the ancient history of these vital marine habitats but also underscores the importance of fossil records in unraveling the complexities of Earth's ecological past.</p>



<p>The study is published in the<em> </em><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2317054121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>,&nbsp;</p>



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Pacific kelp forests existed 32 million years ago

A study led by researchers at the University of California,...

Close,Up,Of,Colorful,Atomic,Particle,Background,Science,3d,Illustration

<p>Light is a fundamental aspect of our daily lives, often taken for granted. It's well-known that atoms can absorb and reemit light, now scientists have coerced two atoms into engaging in game of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-discovery-is-a-revolutionary-step-forward/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> ping pong. </p>



<p>Controlling atoms and how they emit and absorb light, as seen in <a href="https://youtu.be/W7AQDsF9k-Q" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this simulation</a>, has always been a challenge due to the random nature of light emission. </p>



<p>However, a discovery by a research team at <a href="https://www.tuwien.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TU Wien in Vienna</a>, Austria, is set to change this narrative.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harnessing-light-breakthrough-in-photon-control">Harnessing light: Breakthrough in photon control</h2>



<p>The team, led by Prof. Stefan Rotter and first author Oliver Diekmann, has theorized a method that guarantees a photon emitted by one atom is reabsorbed by another. </p>



<p>This innovative approach involves a special lens, inspired by the unique properties of the fish-eye lens developed by James Clerk Maxwell.</p>



<p>"If an atom emits a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/laser-see-around-corners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photon</a> somewhere in free space, the direction of emission is completely random. This makes it practically impossible to get another distant atom to catch this photon again," says Prof. Stefan Rotter from the Institute of Theoretical Physics at TU Wien. </p>



<p>"The photon propagates as a wave, which means that nobody can say exactly in which direction it is travelling. It is therefore pure chance whether the light particle is reabsorbed by a second atom or not."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drawing-inspiration-from-acoustics">Drawing inspiration from acoustics</h2>



<p>The team's solution draws an analogy from acoustics, specifically the phenomenon observed in whispering galleries. </p>



<p>In such galleries, people can hear each other across distances by whispering, thanks to the elliptical shape of the room focusing sound waves. </p>



<p>"In principle, something similar could be built for light waves when positioning two atoms at the focal points of an ellipse," says Oliver Diekmann, the first author of the current publication. </p>



<p>"But in practice, the two atoms would have to be positioned very precisely at these focal points."</p>



<p>Similarly, the researchers propose positioning two atoms at the focal points of an elliptical environment to control the trajectory of light.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maxwell-fish-eye-lens-and-quantum-ping-pong">Maxwell fish-eye lens and quantum ping pong</h2>



<p>However, the precision required for positioning the atoms in an elliptical setup is impractical. This is where the concept of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/quantum-ping-pong_two-atoms-playing_credit-Oliver-Diekmann_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maxwell fish-eye lens</a> comes into play. </p>



<p>This lens, with its spatially varying refractive index, bends the light rays, ensuring that photons from one atom follow a curved path to the target atom.</p>



<p>"In this way, it is possible to ensure that all rays emanating from one <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/full-chemical-complexity-of-quantum-decoherence-finally-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atom</a> reach the lens’s edge on a curved path, are subsequently reflected and then arrive at the target atom on another curved path," explains Oliver Diekmann. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-play-quantum-ping-pong">How to play quantum ping pong</h2>



<p>In this case, the effect works much more efficiently than in a simple ellipse and deviations from the ideal positions of the atoms are less harmful.</p>



<p>This method is better than the simple elliptical approach, and less sensitive to deviations in the atoms' positioning. </p>



<p>It represents a significant leap in controlling light-matter interactions, with the photon passing between atoms like in a game of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-mechanics-uncovers-hidden-patterns-in-the-stock-market/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> ping-pong, where each atom alternately plays the role of sender and receiver.</p>



<p>After absorbing the photon, the atom enters a state of higher energy and quickly reemits the photon. </p>



<p>Then, the process restarts. The two atoms exchange roles, and the receiver atom sends the photon back to the original sender atom - continuing this cycle. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-applications-and-the-future">Practical applications and the future</h2>



<p>The practical applications of this theory are vast. "Theoretically, we've demonstrated the effect, and it's feasible with today's technology," adds Prof. Rotter. </p>



<p>"In practice, using groups of atoms instead of individual ones could further enhance efficiency. This concept opens up new avenues for quantum control systems and studying strong light-matter interactions."</p>



<p>In summary, the TU Wien team's work marks a pivotal moment in photon control. </p>



<p>Their approach, blending theoretical physics and optical engineering, is a huge advancement for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computer-can-instantly-execute-a-task-that-would-normally-take-47-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum computing</a> and communication, showcasing the incredible potential of light manipulation.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.013602" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Letters</a></em>.</p>



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Quantum "ping-pong" game played by two atoms controlling photons

Light is a fundamental aspect of our daily lives, often...

<p>Life on Earth remains a subject of immense curiosity and scientific investigation across all sections of humanity. But have you ever stopped to think about the total amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/how-much-total-life-has-existed-on-Earth_Spiny-Flower-Mantis_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life that has existed</a> on Earth since the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-chemical-reaction-used-by-cooks-helped-spark-the-first-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first cells</a> appeared 3.8 billion years ago? </p>



<p>What about the total amount of life that will ever inhabit our planet, from now until Earth is consumed by the Sun?</p>



<p>A recent study led by <a href="https://earthsci.carleton.ca/people/faculty-members/dr-peter-crockford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peter Crockford</a>, Assistant Professor at <a href="https://carleton.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carleton University</a>, in collaboration with researchers from the <a href="https://www.weizmann.ac.il/pages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weizmann Institute of Science</a> and <a href="https://www.smith.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smith College</a>, dives head first into this mind-blowing topic.</p>



<p>Their work, published in <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(23)01286-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a></em>, delves into the historical and future aspects of life on our planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-primary-production">The role of "primary production"</h2>



<p>At the heart of the study is the concept of primary production, a process where organisms convert inorganic carbon, like atmospheric carbon dioxide and oceanic bicarbonate, into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-building-blocks-of-life-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organic molecules</a> essential for life. </p>



<p>This process, currently dominated by oxygenic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> involving sunlight and water, is responsible for an estimated annual uptake of 200 billion tons of carbon. </p>



<p>Understanding the historical rates of primary production is crucial, and scientists have turned to the isotopic composition of oxygen in ancient sulfate deposits for answers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-insights-and-astonishing-figures">Historical insights and astonishing figures</h2>



<p>The study compiled various estimates of ancient primary production, leading to the staggering conclusion that about 100 quintillion tons of carbon have been processed since life began. </p>



<p>This figure is a hundredfold greater than the total carbon content contained inside the Earth, highlighting the profound impact of primary producers like plants, algae, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cyanobacteria-may-shed-new-light-on-the-history-of-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyanobacteria</a>.</p>



<p>In Earth's early days, primary production was predominantly managed by organisms that didn't rely on oxygenic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-finally-decoded-the-process-of-photosynthesis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>. </p>



<p>Techniques like identifying the oldest forests and analyzing molecular fossils have helped pinpoint when different primary producers were most active.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estimating-the-total-amount-of-life-on-earth">Estimating the total amount of life on Earth</h2>



<p>Crockford's team found that land plants, despite their late emergence, have likely been the biggest contributors to Earth's primary production. </p>



<p>Cyanobacteria also stand out as significant contributors. This research is vital in understanding not just the amount of primary production but also the organisms responsible for it.</p>



<p>One fascinating aspect of the study is the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/earth_amount-of-life-existed_stony-coral_3m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimation of life</a> on Earth, both historically and presently. By correlating primary production with cell existence, the researchers approximate that around 10<sup>30</sup> (10 noninillion) cells exist today. </p>



<p>Throughout Earth's history, between 10<sup>39</sup>&nbsp;(a duodecillion) and 10<sup>40</sup> cells have likely existed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finite-nature-of-earth-s-biosphere">Finite nature of Earth’s biosphere</h2>



<p>The study also touches on the finite lifespan of Earth's biosphere, a sobering reality dictated by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sun-dies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life cycle of the sun</a>. </p>



<p>Over time, the sun's increasing brightness will push Earth's biogeochemical systems beyond their limits, leading to the demise of land plants and eventually turning Earth back into a largely lifeless planet.</p>



<p>Looking forward, Crockford and his team project that about 10<sup>40</sup> cells will inhabit Earth over its entire habitable lifetime. This projection is based on current levels of primary productivity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-as-an-exoplanet-benchmark">Earth as an exoplanet benchmark</h2>



<p>In an era where over <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-worlds-unraveling-the-mysteries-of-exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5000 exoplanets</a> have been discovered, the study also positions Earth as a benchmark for comparing life on other planets. </p>



<p>Crockford emphasizes the significance of historical events, like the advent of oxygenic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-photosynthesis-machines-invented-to-create-oxygen-in-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> and endosymbiosis, in shaping the trajectory and abundance of life on Earth. </p>



<p>These insights not only enhance our understanding of our planet but also guide the exploration of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxygen-levels-on-distant-planets-reveal-presence-of-alien-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extraterrestrial life</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next">What's next?</h2>



<p>In summary, this incredible work by Peter Crockford and his team offers a profound perspective on the scope and scale of life on Earth. </p>



<p>By quantifying the vast amounts of carbon processed since the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/earth_amount-of-life-existed_nudibranch_4m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dawn of life</a> and estimating the staggering number of cells that have existed, and will exist, the research deepens our understanding of Earth's biological history, while placing our planet in a broader cosmic context. </p>



<p>As we continue to discover and analyze exoplanets, Earth's unique evolutionary path, shaped by pivotal phenomena like oxygenic photosynthesis, serves as a vital reference point. </p>



<p>This research illuminates our planet's past and predicts its future. It also underscores the delicate balance of conditions that sustain life. </p>



<p>As we look towards the future, Crockford's work reminds us of the transient nature of life on Earth and the ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries of life in the universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beginnings-of-life-on-earth">Beginnings of life on Earth</h2>



<p>As mentioned above, the beginning of life on Earth is a story of extraordinary complexity and wonder, forged billions of years ago. </p>



<p>This narrative starts around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-chemical-reaction-used-by-cooks-helped-spark-the-first-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4.5 billion years ago</a>, when Earth itself formed from the dust and cosmic debris left over from the sun's creation. </p>



<p>Initially, the young Earth was a molten, hostile environment, unsuitable for any form of life as we know it today.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-oceans-and-the-emergence-of-life">Earth's oceans and the emergence of life</h3>



<p>As Earth cooled, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-discovery-earths-building-blocks-contained-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water vapor</a> began to condense and form oceans. It was in these primordial waters, around 3.8 to 4.1 billion years ago, that life first emerged. </p>



<p>The exact process remains one of science's great mysteries, but the prevailing theory suggests that life began with simple <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-in-asteroids-were-formed-in-cold-regions-of-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organic compounds</a>. </p>



<p>These compounds, through a series of chemical reactions possibly driven by lightning or volcanic activity, formed the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-building-blocks-of-life-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building blocks</a> of life: amino acids and nucleotides.</p>



<p>Then, a critical leap occurred. These organic molecules combined in just the right way to form the first simple, self-replicating entities. </p>



<p>These were the earliest forms of life, likely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-on-earth-may-have-been-kickstarted-by-a-stormy-and-active-sun/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RNA-like molecules</a> that could both store genetic information and catalyze chemical reactions, a precursor to modern DNA.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-and-the-rise-of-complex-life">Evolution and the rise of complex life</h3>



<p>Over countless millennia, these simple forms evolved, becoming more complex and diverse. </p>



<p>They developed the ability to harness energy from the sun through photosynthesis, which dramatically altered Earth's atmosphere and paved the way for more complex life forms. </p>



<p>The rise of oxygen in the atmosphere was a turning point, leading to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-not-as-random-as-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a> of aerobic organisms that could use oxygen for energy.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-diverse-web-of-life">The diverse web of life</h3>



<p>From these humble beginnings, life diversified into the myriad forms we see today, from bacteria to plants, insects, animals, and humans. </p>



<p>Through the process of primary production, the amount of life that has existed on Earth, and will exist in the future, is nothing short of staggering.</p>



<p>This vast web of life all traces back to those first organic compounds that formed in Earth's ancient oceans, making our planet a unique and thriving ecosystem in the vastness of space.</p>



<p>In summary, the story of life's beginning on Earth, and the total amount of life that has existed on Earth since the very first cell evolved, is a tale of chemical and biological evolution.</p>



<p>Earth's story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of life. It underscores the importance of understanding our planet's history and preserving its biodiversity for future generations.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(23)01286-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a></em>.</p>



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



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

The total amount of life that has ever existed on Earth is mind-blowing

Life on Earth remains a subject of immense curiosity and...

Geothermal,Hotsprings,In,Yellowstone,National,Park,,Usa

<p>In a recent study conducted by <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newcastle University</a>, scientists have turned to ancient hot springs as a key to unlocking the mysteries of life's origins on Earth over 3.5 billion years ago.</p>



<p>The research team, led by <a href="https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/person/661336/graham-purvis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Graham Purvis</a>, now a Postdoctoral Research Associate at <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Durham University</a>, explored the transition from inorganic materials to living systems. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fatty-acids-and-the-origin-of-life">Fatty acids and the origin of life</h2>



<p>By simulating conditions akin to mild hydrothermal vents, they mixed hydrogen, bicarbonate, and iron-rich magnetite. </p>



<p>This experiment yielded a range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-building-blocks-of-life-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organic molecules</a>, including fatty acids containing up to 18 carbon atoms.</p>



<p>These findings are pivotal in understanding how certain crucial molecules necessary for life could have formed from inorganic chemicals. </p>



<p>This understanding is vital to piecing together the complex puzzle of life's beginnings on our planet.</p>



<p>Fatty acids, long <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-in-asteroids-were-formed-in-cold-regions-of-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organic molecules</a> with both water-attracting and repelling regions, are known to naturally form cell-like compartments in water. </p>



<p>These molecules are believed to have been integral to the formation of the first cell membranes. </p>



<p>However, the source of these fatty acids during the early stages of life has remained a subject of debate. One hypothesis posits their origin in hydrothermal vents, where hot, hydrogen-rich fluids and CO2-rich seawater interacted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-organic-molecules-and-ancient-hot-springs">Organic molecules and ancient hot springs</h2>



<p>In their laboratory, the research group replicated key aspects of the chemical environment of early Earth's oceans. </p>



<p>They discovered that mixing hot hydrogen-rich fluids with carbon dioxide-rich water in the presence of early Earth's iron-based minerals led to the formation of molecules needed for the earliest cell membranes.</p>



<p>Dr. Purvis elaborated on the significance of their findings, emphasizing the importance of cellular compartments in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-life-has-inhabited-earth-since-the-very-first-cell-scientists-found-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life's inception</a>. </p>



<p>“Central to life's inception are cellular compartments, crucial for isolating internal chemistry from the external environment," Dr. Purvis explained.</p>



<p>These compartments, crucial for separating internal chemistry from the external environment, likely played a pivotal role in fostering life-sustaining reactions and energy production. </p>



<p>He suggested that the interaction of hydrogen-rich fluids from alkaline hydrothermal vents with bicarbonate-rich waters on iron-based minerals could have led to the formation of early cell membranes, potentially serving as the cradle of life.</p>



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



<p>Adding to the discussion, Principal Investigator <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nes/people/profile/jontelling.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Jon Telling</a>, Reader in Biogeochemistry at the School of Natural Environmental Sciences, highlighted the research's implications for understanding life's origins. </p>



<p>“We think that this research may provide the first step in how life originated on our planet. Research in our laboratory now continues on determining the second key step; how these organic molecules which are initially ‘stuck’ to the mineral surfaces can lift off to form spherical membrane-bounded cell-like compartments; the first potential ‘<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-clues-life-began-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protocells</a>’ that went on to form the first cellular life," Dr. Telling elucidated.</p>



<p>The team is now focusing on how these organic molecules, initially adhering to mineral surfaces, might have formed spherical membrane-bounded cell-like compartments, potentially the first 'protocells.'</p>



<p>Moreover, the research opens intriguing possibilities beyond our planet. The team speculates that similar membrane-creating reactions could be occurring under the icy surfaces of moons in our solar system, hinting at alternative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-in-asteroids-were-formed-in-cold-regions-of-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">origins of life</a> in these distant realms.</p>



<p>In summary, this research sheds light on the genesis of life on Earth while also expanding our understanding of where and how life could potentially arise elsewhere in the cosmos.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-023-01196-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a></em>.</p>



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



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

Origin of life on Earth may have been found in ancient hot springs

In a recent study conducted by Newcastle University, scientists have...

<p>A new study by Brazilian researchers has revealed startling details about the Atlantic Rainforest biome. The experts found that 82 percent of the rainforest's endemic trees, totaling over 2,000 distinct species, face varying degrees of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-quarter-of-earths-species-may-be-extinct-by-2010/">extinction</a> risk.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-assessment-nbsp">Unprecedented assessment&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The scope of the research is unprecedented. The team assessed all 4,950 tree species within the Atlantic Rainforest using the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The study revealed that 65 percent of the total species are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.</p>



<p>“The number (82% of endemic species threatened) came as a shock. We took forest availability into account for each species, whether or not it was healthy forest, for example. Not all species are able to survive in degraded fragments, so the actual situation may be even more alarming,” said study co-author Professor Renato Lima from the <a href="https://www5.usp.br/english/institutional/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of São Paulo</a> Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-approach-nbsp">Innovative approach&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research team conducted an automated conservation assessment of the tree species, incorporating over 800,000 herbarium records and 1.3 million tree counts from forest inventories.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts also analyzed data on the species' life histories, commercial uses, and habitat loss over time. The forest inventory data came from TreeCo, a repository managed by Lima.</p>



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



<p>A key finding of the study was that less than 30 percent of the endemic species have experienced a population decline in the last three generations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This threshold is critical as species with a 30 to 50 percent decline are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, the lowest level of threat. A decline above 50 percent places species in the endangered or critically endangered categories.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threatened-species-nbsp">Threatened species&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Among the threatened species, 75 percent were categorized as endangered. Notably, the brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata) is now considered critically endangered after an estimated 84 percent reduction in its population size over recent generations. </p>



<p>Other familiar species like the Paraná pine (Araucaria angustifolia), Jussara palm (Euterpe edulis), and Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) have lost over half of their populations, earning them the endangered status.</p>



<p>The study also highlights the plight of species unique to the Atlantic Rainforest, such as Brazilian sassafras (Ocotea odorifera) and Brazilian walnut (Ocotea porosa), which have experienced population declines between 53 and 89 percent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-assessments-nbsp">Future assessments&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The IUCN's categorization system, which includes criteria A (population decline), B (geographic range), C (small and declining population), and D (very small population), was fully utilized in this study.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research demonstrated that incorporating more of these criteria results in a higher number of species identified as threatened. When fewer criteria were used, as was common in previous studies, the number of threatened species was six times less.</p>



<p>The study’s methodology is set to drastically improve future assessments, with plans already underway to apply it to approximately 12,000 plant species endemic to Brazil. This research will be conducted by the National Center for Conservation of Flora at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden.</p>



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



<p>In a simulation based on data for other tropical forests, the researchers found that 30 to 35 percent of the planet’s tree species may be threatened by deforestation alone.</p>



<p>“Information of this kind is critically important to the formulation of public policies for conservation and reforestation," said Professor Lima. "The most degraded areas and threatened species can be prioritized without overlooking areas where there are forests that may not be viable in the long run if nothing is done now."</p>



<p>On a positive note, the study led to the rediscovery of five species previously thought to be extinct in the wild. However, the team also concluded that 13 species endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest may already be extinct.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abq50" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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<p>—-&nbsp;</p>



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Alarming number of tree species threatened in the Atlantic Rainforest 

A new study by Brazilian researchers has revealed startling details...

<p>The advent of AI machine learning in the realm of pharmaceutical drug synthesis marks a major shift in drug discovery and development. </p>



<p>A team of researchers at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>, in collaboration with <a href="https://www.pfizer.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pfizer</a>, have developed a transformative approach to drug research that merges automated experiments with artificial intelligence (AI). </p>



<p>This method could significantly expedite the creation of new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/illegal-drugs-can-now-be-detected-in-the-air/">drugs</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-is-changing-the-game-for-drug-companies">AI is changing the game for drug companies</h2>



<p>Historically, the process of predicting chemical reactions has been largely based on trial-and-error, leading to frequent failures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Traditional techniques involve simulating electrons and atoms in simplified models, which are not only computationally demanding but also prone to inaccuracies. </p>



<p>The Cambridge team, inspired by genomics, has taken an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-identified-anti-aging-drugs-using-ai-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI data-driven</a> route to drug synthesis and understanding chemical reactivity. Their new approach, which they have named the chemical "reactome," is a game-changer.</p>



<p>“The reactome could change the way we think about organic chemistry,” said study lead author Dr. Emma King-Smith from Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“A deeper understanding of the chemistry could enable us to make pharmaceuticals and so many other useful products much faster. But more fundamentally, the understanding we hope to generate will be beneficial to anyone who works with molecules.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-reactome">Chemical reactome</h2>



<p>The chemical reactome identifies correlations between reactants, reagents, and the reaction's performance from a dataset of over 39,000 pharmaceutically relevant reactions. </p>



<p>It also highlights gaps in existing data. The method leverages high-throughput automated experiments to generate this data.</p>



<p>“High throughput chemistry has been a game-changer, but we believed there was a way to uncover a deeper understanding of chemical reactions than what can be observed from the initial results of a high throughput experiment,” explained Dr. King-Smith.</p>



<p>“Our approach uncovers the hidden relationships between reaction components and outcomes,” said Dr Alpha Lee, who led the research. </p>



<p>“The dataset we trained the model on is massive – it will help bring the process of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-reveals-how-to-prevent-covid-19-from-ever-returning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical discovery</a> from trial-and-error to the age of big data.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-efficient-drug-design-using-ai">Efficient drug design using AI</h2>



<p>A related study, published in <em>Nature Communications</em>, showcases the team's development of an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-intelligence-proves-very-useful-to-doctors-when-diagnosing-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI machine learning</a> approach for precise molecular transformations in drug synthesis. This method enables chemists to make specific changes to the core of a molecule. </p>



<p>The technique is comparable to a last-minute design tweak, without starting from scratch. Such flexibility is crucial for efficient drug design, particularly for late-stage functionalization reactions, which are often unpredictable and challenging to control.</p>



<p>“Late-stage functionalization can yield unpredictable results and current methods of modeling, including our own expert intuition, isn't perfect. A more predictive model would give us the opportunity for better screening," said Dr. King-Smith.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-predict-human-life-events-including-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI machine learning</a> model, pre-trained on extensive spectroscopic data, is capable of predicting reaction sites and how these vary under different conditions. </p>



<p>This approach overcomes the issue of scarce data in late-stage functionalization, enabling accurate prediction of reactivity sites on diverse drug-like molecules.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-intricate-transformations-nbsp">Predicting intricate transformations&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“We pretrained the model on a large body of spectroscopic data – effectively teaching the model general chemistry – before fine-tuning it to predict these intricate transformations,” said Dr. King-Smith.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team experimentally validated the model on a diverse set of drug-like molecules and was able to accurately predict the sites of reactivity under different conditions.</p>



<p>“The application of machine learning to chemistry is often throttled by the problem that the amount of data is small compared to the vastness of chemical space,” said Dr. Lee. </p>



<p>“Our approach – designing models that learn from large datasets that are similar but not the same as the problem we are trying to solve – resolve this fundamental low-data challenge and could unlock advances beyond late stage functionalization.”  </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42145-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.&nbsp;</p>



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AI machine learning could revolutionize new drug discovery

The advent of AI machine learning in the realm of...

<p>In the quest to enhance airplane safety and performance with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computer-can-instantly-execute-a-task-that-would-normally-take-47-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum computing</a>, understanding the behavior of air over wing surfaces, known as airfoils, is crucial. </p>



<p>This is particularly true when it comes to preventing stalls, a scenario where an airplane loses the lift necessary to maintain flight. </p>



<p>Recently, a novel approach to this challenge emerged from the labs of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where researchers Xi-Jun Yuan and Zi-Qiao Chen have turned to the burgeoning field of quantum computing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fusion-of-quantum-computing-and-machine-learning">Fusion of quantum computing and machine learning</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-ping-pong-game-played-by-two-atoms-controlling-photons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum</a> computing, when fused with machine learning, has opened new vistas in various scientific domains. </p>



<p>In the realm of airplanes and aerodynamics, the quantum realm offers a more precise and efficient way to solve complex problems, especially those related to fluid dynamics. </p>



<p>The team at <a href="https://en.sjtu.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shanghai Jiao Tong University</a> has pioneered the use of a quantum support vector machine, a tool far superior to its classical counterpart.</p>



<p>In their research, the use of this quantum method resulted in a significant increase in predictive accuracy. The classification accuracy for detecting flow separation on airfoils jumped from 81.8% to 90.9%. </p>



<p>Similarly, the accuracy in determining the angle of attack -- a critical parameter in aircraft performance -- saw an improvement from 67.0% to 79.0%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-applications-beyond-airplane-design">Quantum applications beyond airplane design</h2>



<p>The implications of these findings are vast. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-discovery-is-a-revolutionary-step-forward/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum</a> computing's ability to handle large datasets with greater speed and accuracy makes it an ideal candidate for tackling complex fluid dynamics problems, such as those involved in airplane performance. </p>



<p>Beyond aircraft design, this technology has potential applications in fields like underwater navigation and target tracking.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-task-one-binary-classification">Task one: Binary classification</h3>



<p>Delving into the specifics, the researchers conducted two sets of classification tasks. The first involved a binary classification using a small dataset, aimed at detecting the presence or absence of flow separation. </p>



<p>This choice of a small dataset highlighted the challenge of achieving high accuracy in limited data scenarios. </p>



<p>The data were gathered using pressure sensors on an airfoil in a wind tunnel, under varying airspeeds and angles of attack. </p>



<p>This dataset, comprising 45 multidimensional points, was split into two parts for training and testing purposes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-task-two-complex-classification-of-angle-of-attack">Task two: Complex classification of angle of attack</h3>



<p>The second task was more intricate, focusing on classifying the angle of attack post-flow separation into four distinct categories. </p>



<p>This involved breaking down the problem into four separate binary classification problems, each determining whether the angle of attack fell into a specific class. </p>



<p>Simulation-generated data formed the basis of this dataset, which consisted of 63 multidimensional points.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-computing-airplanes-and-fluid-dynamics">Quantum computing, airplanes, and fluid dynamics</h2>



<p>The research team employed a quantum-annealing-based support vector machine for these tasks, using the D-Wave Advantage 4.1 system. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-mechanics-uncovers-hidden-patterns-in-the-stock-market/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum</a> annealing, an optimization process that leverages quantum fluctuations, proved more effective than traditional optimization algorithms. </p>



<p>It offered a higher likelihood of finding the global minimum among potential solutions, thereby enhancing accuracy.</p>



<p>In summary, this study demonstrates the superior performance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/full-chemical-complexity-of-quantum-decoherence-finally-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> annealing implementations over classical methods, while also underscoring the potential of quantum computing in transforming how we solve complex real-world problems. </p>



<p>As quantum technology continues to evolve, its applications could redefine the frontiers of various scientific and technological fields, with aerodynamics being just the beginning.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/icomputing.0057" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intelligent Computing</a></em>.</p>



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



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

Quantum computing and machine learning enhance airplane performance and safety

In the quest to enhance airplane safety and performance with...

<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>



<p>—–</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>



<p>—–</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>



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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>



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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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