<p>Every spring and fall, the clock shift throws off sleep and schedules. A new analysis suggests the harm doesn’t stop after a groggy Monday. Modeling light, body clocks, and health points to a simple fix. Pick one time and stick with it - ideally standard time.</p>



<p>Researchers at <a href="https://med.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Medicine</a> modeled how three policies - permanent standard time, permanent daylight saving time, and the twice-yearly switch - would shape <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colors-of-sunset-and-sunrise-reset-our-circadian-rhythms/">circadian rhythms</a> and downstream health.</p>



<p>The study was led by graduate student Lara Weed in collaboration with Dr. Jamie Zeitzer, the study's senior author.</p>



<p>“We found that staying in standard time or staying in daylight saving time is definitely better than switching twice a year,” said Dr. Zeitzer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-daylight-saving-hurts-health">Why daylight saving hurts health</h2>



<p>The team focused on circadian rhythm, the body’s nearly 24-hour clock that orchestrates sleep, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-metabolism-has-evolved-to-become-energetically-unique/">metabolism</a>, immune function, and more. This clock is adjusted by light: exposure in the morning shifts it earlier, while light in the evening delays it.</p>



<p>“When you get light in the morning, it speeds up the circadian cycle. When you get light in the evening, it slows things down,” said Dr. Zeitzer. “You generally need more morning light and less evening light to keep well synchronized to a 24-hour day.”</p>



<p>The current policy forces a biannual lurch. That jolt has been tied to spikes in heart attacks and fatal crashes right after the spring jump. The new analysis looks beyond that acute window to the year-round misalignment that comes from toggling the clock.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-standard-time-aligns-with-biology">Standard time aligns with biology</h2>



<p>Using county-level sunrise and sunset times, the researchers translated predicted light exposure under each policy into “circadian burden,” the amount the body clock must shift to stay aligned with a 24-hour day.</p>



<p>On average, people would bear the least circadian burden under permanent standard time, which prioritizes morning light. Geography within a time zone matters, as does chronotype.</p>



<p>Early birds - about 15 percent of people - actually fare best under permanent daylight saving time because a bit more evening light stretches their naturally shorter internal day closer to 24 hours. For everyone else, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/keeping-standard-time-all-year-could-greatly-improve-our-health/">standard-time</a> bias toward morning light wins out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-data-for-a-heated-debate">New data for a heated debate</h2>



<p>The debate, of course, is heated. “You have people who are passionate on both sides of this, and they have very different arguments,” noted Dr. Zeitzer.</p>



<p>Backers of permanent daylight saving time tout brighter evenings for energy, safety, and leisure, though a 1974 trial fizzled within a year as dark winter mornings drew public pushback. </p>



<p>Medical and sleep organizations have rallied behind year-round standard time on theoretical grounds.</p>



<p>“It’s based on the theory that early morning light is better for our overall health,” Dr. Zeitzer said of the endorsements. “The problem is that it’s a theory without any data. And finally, we have data.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clock-policy-shifts-disease-risk">Clock policy shifts disease risk</h2>



<p>To link misalignment to real conditions, the team connected circadian burden with county-level prevalence of stroke, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-is-driven-by-stress-and-inequality-not-just-diet-and-exercise/">obesity</a>, diabetes, depression, coronary heart disease, COPD, cancer, and arthritis.</p>



<p>The model suggests permanent standard time would trim obesity prevalence by 0.78 percent - about 2.6 million fewer people - and reduce stroke prevalence by 0.09 percent - roughly 300,000 fewer cases - each year across the United States.</p>



<p>Permanent daylight saving time would deliver smaller, but still notable, gains: a 0.51 percent drop in obesity (about 1.7 million people) and a 0.04 percent drop in stroke (around 220,000 cases). As expected, conditions with no clear circadian link, such as arthritis, did not budge in the model.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulating-how-light-shapes-health">Simulating how light shapes health</h2>



<p>The researchers assumed a fixed, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colors-of-sunset-and-sunrise-reset-our-circadian-rhythms/">circadian</a>-friendly pattern to isolate the time-policy effect: sleep from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., sunlight before and after work and on weekends, and typical indoor lighting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and after sunset.</p>



<p>That created a clean test bed for comparing policies. But real life is messier. Shift work, late-night screens, and indoor living pull people away from morning light and toward evening glow.</p>



<p>“The more light exposure you get at the wrong times, the weaker the circadian clock. All of these things that are downstream - for example, your immune system, your energy - don’t match up quite as well,” Zeitzer said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-impacts-need-broader-tests">Health impacts need broader tests</h2>



<p>Zeitzer stresses that the model almost certainly paints a best-case scenario for light hygiene. “People’s light habits are probably much worse than what we assume in the models,” Zeitzer said. “Even in California, where the weather is great, people spend less than five percent of their day outside.”</p>



<p>Weather, latitude, building design, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/51-percent-of-the-world-relies-on-car-commutes-every-day/">commute</a> patterns, and behavior could all blunt or amplify the benefits of a given policy. The study also doesn’t weigh economic, crime, or social outcomes; those need their own evidence-driven analyses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-standard-time-is-the-best-fit">Standard time is the best fit</h2>



<p>Even if lawmakers pick a time and stop switching, winter will still be dark and summer bright. Changing the policy only relabels the sun’s schedule. </p>



<p>“That’s the sun and the position of Earth,” said Dr. Zeitzer. “We can’t do anything about that.”</p>



<p>If the goal is better health, the model’s message is straightforward. Permanent standard time aligns better with human biology for most people, and any permanent choice beats the twice-yearly flip. The path forward is a policy decision, but this time, it comes with data.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2508293122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>.</p>



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Daylight saving time really does harm your health

Every spring and fall, the clock shift throws off sleep and schedules. A new analysis suggests the harm doesn’t stop after a groggy Monday. Modeling light, body clocks, and health points to a simple fix. Pick one time and stick with it - ideally standard time. Researchers at Stanford Medicine modeled how three policies - permanent standard time, permanent daylight saving time, and the twice-yearly switch - would shape circadian rhythms and downstream health. The study was led by graduate student Lara Weed in collaboration with Dr....

<p>Despite the onset of winter, the United States is still dealing with marine heat waves that could potentially harm <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/without-strong-action-global-fish-stocks-could-collapse/">fish stocks</a>, according to a report from the <a href="https://www.msc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Stewardship Council</a> (MSC). </p>



<p>Recent data from NOAA reveals that marine heatwaves are prevalent across various U.S. coasts, including the Pacific Northwest, the south Gulf of Mexico, and the Northwest Atlantic. Central America is also experiencing these heatwaves off both of its coasts.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-widespread-warming">Widespread warming</h2>



<p>NOAA’s marine heat wave forecast department predicts a 60 percent chance of these warmer conditions persisting for the next four to six months.</p>



<p>As of today, 30% of the global ocean is experiencing marine heatwaves. This is the largest combined ocean area to undergo such warming since 1991, encompassing regions like the northwest Pacific, Sea of Japan, Caribbean Sea, tropical and northern Atlantic, western Indian Ocean, and parts of the Southern Ocean in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic sectors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-challenges-nbsp">Significant challenges&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Marine heat waves, estimated to have increased by more than 50% in the past 30 years, combined with larger-scale warming caused by climate change are having a profound impact on our oceans," said Nicole Condon, the MSC’s US Program Director.</p>



<p>"As a result, the size and distribution of the world's fish populations is changing, creating significant challenges for fisheries managers. However, this also creates an opportunity to build more resilient management systems to support the future of fisheries."&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-on-fish-nbsp">Impact on fish&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The MSC noted that certain fish species, such as the black sea bass on the U.S. east coast and groundfish on the west coast, are increasingly vulnerable to climate change</p>



<p>The fish are migrating northward in search of cooler waters. This shift in fish distribution necessitates cooperative efforts across U.S. states for effective monitoring and management of shared fish stocks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-management-nbsp">Sustainable management&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The MSC is exploring various options for managing shifting fish stocks, such as the black sea bass.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Climate-smart fisheries management solutions aim to adjust fishing quotas for different states automatically as stocks migrate northwards, ensuring sustainable management across state boundaries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-warming-seas">Consequences of warming seas</h2>



<p>Warming ocean waters may impede the ability of some fish species to spawn, potentially leading to a decline in fish numbers, affecting seafood supplies and ocean ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Scientists warn of the possibility of repeating past events, citing the 2014-2016 U.S. West Coast marine heat waves that drastically reduced fish populations. Fisheries closed for more than three years to help rebuild fish stocks.  &nbsp;</p>



<p>"In the last decade, marine heatwaves have disrupted fisheries all around the world. If conditions stay hot, similar catastrophes may be on the horizon," said Dr. Christopher Free, Marine Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara.</p>



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



<p>Furthermore, a recent study indicated that the socio-economic costs of a single marine heatwave event could be substantial, with direct losses exceeding US$800 million or US$3.1 billion in indirect losses of ecosystem services for multiple years.</p>



<p>The combined impact of these ongoing marine heat waves and the overall warming of seas due to climate change poses a significant threat to major fish species in the United States.</p>



<p>This situation calls for urgent action from governments to prioritize sustainable management of fish stocks to mitigate the impacts of climate change, including heatwaves and warming waters.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-msc-fisheries-standard">MSC Fisheries standard</h2>



<p>“Policy makers must find a way to incorporate stock shift changes and climate smart solutions into long-term and robust fisheries management plans. MSC certified fisheries showcase that meaningful steps in this direction are possible," said Condon.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The MSC Fisheries standard, along with the roughly 15% of global fisheries volume currently MSC certified, helps to safeguard seafood supplies and broader ocean health. It will take all of us recognizing and planning for continued shifts to foster oceans teeming with life for future generations.”</p>



<p>The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a global nonprofit organization that works to end overfishing and set standards for sustainable fishing around the world.</p>



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Marine heat waves are persisting in the U.S., even in winter

Despite the onset of winter, the United States is still...

<p>Singing is a complex activity that involves the coordination of hundreds of muscles and requires rigorous practice.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While athletes extensively train their limb and body muscles, the training of vocal muscles, especially in humans, remains a lesser-known domain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vocal-muscle-training">Vocal muscle training</h2>



<p>Professor Coen Elemans from the <a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southern Denmark</a>, a sound production expert, pointed out a significant knowledge gap regarding the training of vocal muscles in humans. </p>



<p>“Surprisingly we know very little about the effects of exercise on these muscles and if they even react to training in humans,” said Professor Elemans. “No singer will let you come even near their precious voice box."</p>



<p>In collaboration with Professor Iris Adam and colleagues, Professor Elemans led a study which reveals that male <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/among-songbirds-complex-vocal-learners-are-superior-problem-solvers/">songbirds</a> must sing daily to maintain their vocal muscles and produce attractive songs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-necessity-of-vocal-exercise">Necessity of vocal exercise</h2>



<p>“Singing is crucial for songbirds. They sing to impress future partners, to defend their territories and to maintain social bonds,” said Professor Adam, lead author of the study.</p>



<p>“It has long been known that songbird singing is controlled by fast vocal muscles, but until now we only had very little knowledge if and how these muscles might respond to exercise, like our leg muscles do."</p>



<p>The researchers discovered that these muscles weaken significantly within days if not used, losing 50% of their strength in a week without singing.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This was very surprising," said Professor Adam. “First that these muscles reacted so strongly, but also how incredibly fast they lost performance. Indeed, it’s use it or lose it!”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discernible-differences-nbsp">Discernible differences&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research team found noticeable differences in the songs of birds before and after exercise. Although these differences might be subtle to human ears, female zebra finches could discern them.</p>



<p>"The female zebra finches in the playback experiment could directly hear the difference and 75 percent preferred the songs from the well exercised male," explained study co-author Katharina Riebel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maintaining-vocal-attractiveness-nbsp">Maintaining vocal attractiveness&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Professor Elemans suggests that this requirement for daily exercise might explain the pervasive dawn chorus of birds worldwide. The study suggests that birds may need to sing daily not just for communication or territorial reasons but to maintain vocal attractiveness.</p>



<p>“A lot of that singing seems out of context. They sing when they don’t need to,” noted Professor Adam.</p>



<p>“Our results now show that if they don’t exercise every day, their muscle performance decreases," said Professor Elemans. “On top of that, the lack of exercise is audible in their song and the females prefer song from exercised males."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reversed-muscle-training-nbsp">Reversed muscle training&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Another intriguing finding by the research team pertains to the nature of vocal muscle training in songbirds. Unlike human limb muscles that get slower but stronger with exercise, songbird vocal muscles behave in the opposite way.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This reversed training may be a unique feature for vocal muscles, that we think might be true for all vertebrates, including humans, because all vocal muscles are developmentally related," said Professor Adam.</p>



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



<p>According to Professor Elemans, these findings could revolutionize our approach to human vocal training and speech therapy. Currently, human larynx muscle training is modeled after limb muscle exercise, which may not be the most effective approach.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Songbirds may be our best allies to study the physiology of vocal muscle to further improve voice training and rehabilitation in humans," said Professor Elemans.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43592-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>. </p>



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Daily singing workout keeps male songbirds attractive

Singing is a complex activity that involves the coordination of...

Humpback,Whale,Swimming,On,A,Clear,Blue,Water

<p>A collaborative team from the SETI Institute, University of California Davis, and the Alaska Whale Foundation has made significant strides in understanding non-human intelligence. </p>



<p>Their remarkable encounter with a humpback whale, known as Twain, has shed new light on interspecies communication and its implications for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-whale-seti-project">The Whale-SETI project</h2>



<p>The Whale-SETI team has been diligently working to unravel the mysteries of humpback whale communication. This endeavor is part of a larger effort to develop intelligence filters for the search for extraterrestrial life. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whales-perform-full-body-scrubs-on-their-return-south/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humpback whales</a>, known for their complex social structures and communication methods, offer a unique opportunity to study intelligent communication in non-human species.</p>



<p>The team's encounter with Twain the humpback whale marks a significant milestone. Using an underwater speaker, the team played a recorded humpback ‘contact’ call. To their amazement, Twain approached their boat and engaged in what can only be described as a ‘conversation.’ </p>



<p>Over a 20-minute period, Twain responded to each playback call, cleverly matching the interval variations between signals, showcasing a sophisticated level of understanding and interaction.</p>



<p>The study provides a thorough description and analysis of the interaction, offering insights into the cognitive abilities of humpback whales.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-perspectives-from-the-whale-seti-team">Perspectives from the Whale-SETI team</h2>



<p>Dr. Brenda McCowan, from <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.C. Davis</a>, emphasized the uniqueness of this interaction. “We believe this is the first such communicative exchange between humans and humpback whales in the humpback 'language,’” she noted. </p>



<p>Dr. McCowan further highlighted the intelligence of these majestic creatures, mentioning their complex social systems, tool-making abilities, and extensive communication through songs and social calls.</p>



<p>Dr. Fred Sharpe of the <a href="https://www.alaskawhalefoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alaska Whale Foundation</a> echoed these sentiments. He stressed the advanced intelligence of humpback whales and their sophisticated methods of communication and social interaction. </p>



<p>“Humpback whales are extremely intelligent, have complex social systems, make tools - nets out of bubbles to catch fish -, and communicate extensively with both songs and social calls,” said Sharpe.</p>



<p>Dr. Laurance Doyle of the <a href="https://www.seti.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SETI Institute</a> drew parallels between this encounter and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. He pointed out the significance of assuming that extraterrestrials, like humpback whales, would be interested in making contact. </p>



<p>“Because of current limitations on technology, an important assumption of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is that extraterrestrials will be interested in making contact and so target human receivers. This important assumption is certainly supported by the behavior of humpback whales,” said Doyle.</p>



<p>This assumption is vital for the SETI initiative, as it guides the approach to detecting and interpreting signals from outer space.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extraterrestrial-intelligence-research">Extraterrestrial intelligence research</h2>



<p>The Whale-SETI team’s work extends beyond marine biology. By studying terrestrial, intelligent, non-human communication systems, they aim to develop sophisticated filters for any extraterrestrial signals. The team plans to apply the principles of information theory to quantify the complexity of communication, a technique that could prove invaluable in the search for intelligent life beyond Earth.</p>



<p>In summary, the interaction between the Whale-SETI team and Twain the humpback whale opens new doors in understanding non-human intelligence. It not only enhances our knowledge of humpback whales but also provides critical insights for the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence. This encounter is a testament to the untapped mysteries of communication and intelligence, both on Earth and potentially beyond.</p>



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



<p>As mentioned above, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) is a scientific endeavor that captures the imagination of people worldwide. Its mission is simple yet profound: to explore, understand, and explain the origin, nature, and prevalence of life in the universe. SETI researchers use advanced technology to listen for signals from distant galaxies, hoping to discover signs of intelligent life beyond Earth.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-history-of-seti">History of SETI</h3>



<p>SETI's journey began in the mid-20th century when the field of radio astronomy expanded our understanding of the universe. In 1960, astronomer Frank Drake initiated Project Ozma, the first experiment dedicated to searching for extraterrestrial signals. Although Project Ozma did not detect alien communications, it laid the groundwork for future SETI efforts.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-seti">Evolution of SETI</h3>



<p>Over the decades, SETI has evolved significantly. The advent of more powerful computers and sophisticated software has enhanced the ability to scan the skies more effectively. The SETI Institute, established in 1984, has been a pivotal organization in coordinating these efforts, bringing together scientists from various disciplines to collaborate on this grand quest.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seti-s-methodologies">SETI's methodologies</h3>



<p>The most common method employed by SETI is searching for radio signals. Scientists use large radio telescopes to listen for unusual signals that might indicate the presence of intelligent life. These signals are differentiated from cosmic background noise and natural astronomical phenomena.</p>



<p>In addition to radio waves, SETI researchers also explore the optical spectrum. Optical SETI involves searching for brief pulses of light that could be produced by advanced extraterrestrial civilizations. These pulses, often lasting mere fractions of a second, can be indicators of intelligent communication.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-facing-seti">Challenges facing SETI</h3>



<p>One of the greatest challenges for SETI is the sheer size of the universe. With billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars, the task of finding signals is akin to finding a needle in a cosmic haystack.</p>



<p>Despite rapid advancements in technology, SETI still faces limitations. Detecting faint signals from faraway civilizations requires incredibly sensitive equipment and the ability to distinguish these signals from Earth-based interference.</p>



<p>SETI's quest is also hampered by inconsistent funding and support. As a field that ventures into the unknown, securing continuous funding for research and technological upgrades remains a constant challenge.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-seti">Future of SETI</h3>



<p>The future of SETI is bright with the promise of new technologies. Projects like the Breakthrough Listen Initiative, funded by private donors, aim to accelerate the search using state-of-the-art equipment.</p>



<p>SETI's future also depends on global collaboration. By pooling resources and expertise, scientists from around the world can maximize the chances of detecting extraterrestrial intelligence.</p>



<p>SETI researchers also contemplate the implications of discovering extraterrestrial intelligence. This includes preparing for the societal, philosophical, and ethical considerations that such a discovery would entail.</p>



<p>In summary, SETI stands at the forefront of one of humanity's most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe? While the search is challenging and the odds uncertain, the potential discovery of extraterrestrial intelligence would be one of the most significant moments in human history, reshaping our understanding of life and our place in the cosmos. </p>



<p>Through continued dedication and innovation, SETI keeps us listening to the stars, ever hopeful for a signal from the unknown.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://peerj.com/articles/16349/">Peer J</a></em>.</p>



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"Conversation" with humpback whale gives SETI team ideas on how to talk to aliens

A collaborative team from the SETI Institute, University of California...

<p>A study conducted by Hungarian scientists sheds light on the unpredictability and potential dangers of long dormant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanoes-cover-nearly-the-entire-surface-of-venus/">volcanoes</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This research, focusing on Ciomadul, the youngest volcano in the Carpathian-Pannonian region, reveals critical insights into the triggers and nature of explosive volcanic eruptions after prolonged periods of dormancy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inactive-volcanoes">Inactive volcanoes</h2>



<p>Volcanic eruptions from seemingly inactive volcanoes have long puzzled scientists and posed significant hazards. The key question revolves around whether a volcano can erupt after tens of thousands of years of inactivity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for volcanic hazard assessment and draws attention to volcanoes that are considered dormant.</p>



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



<p>A team from <a href="https://www.elte.hu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ELTE Eötvös Loránd University</a>'s Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences and the HUN-REN-ELTE Volcanology Research Group, in collaboration with European scientists, embarked on a detailed study of Ciomadul. </p>



<p>The researchers analyzed high-resolution mineral texture and chemical composition data. The goal was to investigate the conditions under which magma evolves, the architecture of the magma reservoir, and the characteristics of crystal mush and recharge magmas that trigger eruptions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eruptive-history-nbsp">Eruptive history&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research team had previously revealed the eruptive history of Ciomadul based on radioactive decay signatures in zircon crystals.</p>



<p>Professor Szabolcs Harangi, leader of the research project, noted that there have been several long periods of dormancy in the almost million-year life of the volcano. "But even after tens of thousands, sometimes even more than 100,000 years of quiescence, volcanic eruptions started again!"&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eruption-styles">Eruption styles</h2>



<p>The most significant volcanic activity occurred in the last 160,000 years, characterized by various eruption styles.</p>



<p>Barbara Cserép, a PhD student, examined the youngest eruption products, which are marked by more dangerous, explosive eruptions compared to previous activities. Understanding the shift in eruption style is crucial for assessing volcanic hazards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-composition-of-minerals">Chemical composition of minerals</h2>



<p>The researchers analyzed the chemical composition of minerals in the pumices formed during the explosive volcanism from 56,000 to 30,000 years ago. This comprehensive analysis helped unravel the magma reservoir system's architecture and the processes leading to explosive eruptions.</p>



<p>Amphibole, a key mineral in this study, showed significant chemical composition variations, representing different magma conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some amphiboles indicated a low-temperature, highly crystalline magma reservoir, while others suggested transportation from deeper, higher-temperature recharge magmas.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>"Compared to the previous, lava dome-forming eruptive period, these fresh recharge magmas carried amphibole with a distinct composition, i.e. these magmas were slightly different, and this could play an important role in why the eruption became explosive," said Harangi.</p>



<p>The outermost rim of the crystals and the iron-titanium oxides provided insights into the magma conditions just before eruptions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Postdoctoral researcher Máté Szemerédi said the iron-titanium oxides, which equilibrate rapidly with changing magma conditions, indicated that the erupted magma was at 800-830 degrees Celsius and was oxidized.</p>



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



<p>While the Ciomadul volcano currently shows no signs of reawakening, the study confirms that the reactivation of dormant volcanoes can occur swiftly. This highlights the importance of quantitative volcano petrology studies in reconstructing subvolcanic magma reservoir structures and understanding pre-eruption signals.</p>



<p>"This research is novel in the sense that it is performed in a long-dormant volcano, and as a result, the Ciomadul volcano is receiving an increasing international attention," said Harangi.</p>



<p>The study emphasizes the need to include long-dormant volcanoes in hazard assessments, especially if there's evidence of melt-bearing magma beneath them.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00410-023-02075-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Long dormant volcanoes are capable of explosive eruptions

A study conducted by Hungarian scientists sheds light on the...

<p>Migratory <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rabies-infected-vampire-bats-may-extend-their-habitat-into-the-u-s/">bats</a> can detect and use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation during their long journeys, according to new research led by Dr. Oliver Lindecke at the <a href="https://uol.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oldenburg</a>.</p>



<p>"The Earth's magnetic field is used as a navigational cue by many animals. For mammals, however, there are few data to show that navigation ability relies on sensing the natural magnetic field," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"In night-time migrating bats, experiments demonstrating a role for the solar azimuth at sunset in the calibration of the orientation system suggest that the magnetic field is a candidate for their compass."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mysterious-journey">Mysterious journey</h2>



<p>The study was focused on the magnetic sense of the soprano pipistrelle, a species known for its extensive nocturnal migrations across Europe.</p>



<p>Despite weighing just a few grams, the soprano pipistrelle travels thousands of kilometers each year from northeastern to southwestern Europe.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The bats navigate the dark skies with astonishing accuracy and, until now, the exact mechanism behind their long-distance navigation remained a mystery.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secrets-of-bat-migration">Secrets of bat migration</h2>



<p>Dr. Lindecke, who has dedicated ten years to studying the soprano pipistrelle, points out that there has been limited research into the magnetoreception of migrating mammals, especially in comparison to birds.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Oldenburg team's experiments, particularly along the Latvian coast, have been instrumental in uncovering the bats' use of the Earth's magnetic field.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-experiments-nbsp">Unique experiments&nbsp;</h2>



<p>At the University of Latvia’s Ornithological Station in Pape, Dr. Lindecke's team observed tens of thousands of bats migrating along the Baltic Sea coast. They found that these bats recalibrate their internal orientation system at sunset, using the sunset point as a reference for their nocturnal flight paths.</p>



<p>In a novel experiment, 65 soprano pipistrelles were captured and exposed to different magnetic field conditions using a Helmholtz coil.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The first group experienced a 120-degree clockwise rotation of the horizontal magnetic component, the second group faced both a horizontal shift and a reversal of the magnetic field's inclination, and a third control group was exposed to the natural geomagnetic field.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-findings">Surprising findings</h2>



<p>When released in a field lab, the control group bats exhibited a roughly equal split between southward and northward take-off directions. However, those exposed to manipulated magnetic fields showed distinct behaviors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The group with only a horizontal shift predominantly flew north-west, while the group with both shifts showed no preferred take-off direction.</p>



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



<p>These results demonstrate one thing in particular, said Dr. Lindecke. “The bats are sensitive to both the magnetic field’s horizontal component, known as polarity, as well as its inclination at sunset – and this still influences their take-off behavior several hours later.”</p>



<p>While the exact mechanisms of the bats' magnetic compass remain unknown, this study establishes a crucial similarity with birds in their navigation methods.</p>



<p>Dr. Lindecke's research not only unravels a piece of the complex puzzle of bat migration but also opens new avenues for understanding mammalian navigation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2023.0181" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Biology Letters</em></a>.</p>



<p>image Credit: Christian Giese</p>



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Migratory bats use Earth’s magnetic field as a compass

Migratory bats can detect and use the Earth's magnetic field...

<p>Scientists have recently created a hybrid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computer-can-instantly-execute-a-task-that-would-normally-take-47-years/">computer</a> made of electronics and human brain-like tissues called "Brainoware," as part of a growing field called Biological Computing.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The new technology features a brain ‘organoid’ made of human stem cells which sit atop a circuit board that feeds the organoid information and reads its responses. </p>



<p>This biological-electronic hybrid was able to identify people by voice and make predictions about a complex math problem.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hybrid-computers">Hybrid computers</h2>



<p>The researchers claim the discovery represents a significant step toward hybrid computers, which merge man and machine to perform complex computing problems using a fraction of the power needed by conventional computers. </p>



<p>It can also support artificial intelligence by making it possible for computers to mimic the human brain.</p>



<p>The human brain is a natural computer, evolved over millions of years. </p>



<p>And even as electronic computers become more sophisticated and powerful, the brain still outshines their efficiency when it comes to power requirements, explained the team behind Brainoware. </p>



<p>“A human brain typically expends about 20 watts, whereas current AI hardware consumes about eight million watts to drive a comparative artificial neural network.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reservoir-computing-nbsp">Reservoir computing&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Brainoware is an example of what computer scientists call “reservoir computing,” where a computer feeds information into a complex network - in this case, the brain organoid - and interprets the output.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The idea behind reservoir computing is that the computers feeding information into the brain tissue and reading the output can be trained or adjusted, taking advantage of the organoid’s complexity without requiring a full map or understanding of its cell networks. </p>



<p>In other words, the organoid is a sort of "black box," and scientists don’t need to know exactly how it works in order to use it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pluripotent-stem-cells">Pluripotent stem cells</h2>



<p>The organoid is not part of a living person’s brain, but is grown from so-called pluripotent stem cells, cells that can be coaxed into forming any type of body tissue.</p>



<p>Scientists from <a href="https://bloomington.iu.edu/index.html">Indiana University Bloomington</a>, the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a>, and <a href="https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/">Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center</a> used pluripotent stem cells to grow human cortical organoids.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-brain-cells">Human brain cells</h2>



<p>After about a month of growth, the organoids contained several types of human brain cells, including neurons, neural progenitor cells that grow into various brain cells, and immune cells called astrocytes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These organoids mimic very basic aspects of the human cerebral cortex, the surface of the brain that performs essential functions including learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.</p>



<p>In a speech-recognition experiment, the Brainoware was asked to recognize different Japanese men’s voices from a collection of 240 audio clips. In the first tests, it achieved only about 51-percent accuracy. But after a couple of days of training, its performance improved to 78-percent accuracy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-functional-connectivity-nbsp">Functional connectivity&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“These results indicate that the electrical stimulation during training may trigger the unsupervised learning of Brainoware for improving computing performance by reshaping the functional connectivity of the organoid,” the authors wrote.</p>



<p>Organoids cannot ‘think,’ and they do not possess consciousness in the way that we know it, but they do have the natural ability to form new connections.</p>



<p>A major part of what makes the new computer powerful is the human brain’s ability to reorganize. Under normal circumstances, the human brain will form new connections in response to new experiences - forming memories and learning skills, which are stored in the connections between neurons. And that seems to be what is happening with Brainoware.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unsupervised-learning-nbsp">Unsupervised learning&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In another test of its problem-solving abilities, the scientists charged Brainoware with predicting a Hénon map, a chaotic type of nonlinear math equation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Just like in the speech recognition exercise, the system improved its accuracy after several training systems. When scientists blocked neural plasticity - the organoids’ ability to form new connections - no such improvement happened.</p>



<p>“The results indicated that the learning activity of Brainoware was dependent on neural plasticity,” the experts explained.</p>



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



<p>Brainoware’s development supports the idea that these brain-hybrid computer systems can solve complex problems, but further work is needed to really prove its abilities, wrote another team of researchers in an invited commentary.</p>



<p>“In the next steps of showing that brain organoids can serve as an in vitro model of learning, it will be necessary to demonstrate aspects of long-term memory, the ability to learn multiple tasks and to differentiate the unique contribution of the organoid over the connected computational systems. This will be critical to investigate the biological mechanisms that enable continual and lifelong learning,” they concluded.</p>



<p>The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41928-023-01069-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Electronics</em></a>.</p>



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"Brainoware" computer is one step closer to merging man and machine

Scientists have recently created a hybrid computer made of electronics...

<p>In the realm of greenhouse gasses, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/methane-emissions-are-higher-than-previously-estimated/">methane</a> stands out as a significant contributor due to its abundance and potent heat-trapping properties, about 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With the Arctic being the fastest warming part of the globe, understanding methane emissions becomes crucial.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Experts at <a href="https://www.brown.edu/">Brown University</a> used satellite and airborne imagery from NASA to provide new insights into methane emissions from Arctic lakes and wetlands, previously largely unmapped.</p>



<p>Contrary to earlier research estimating that these unmapped lakes contribute around 40 percent of the region’s methane emissions, the current study found that small unmapped lakes contribute only about three percent to the overall emissions.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The high-resolution imagery allowed researchers to more accurately estimate the area covered by these smaller lakes, revealing that they are more significant emitters per unit area than previously thought.</p>



<p>“What the research has shown is that these smaller lakes are the greater emitters of methane on a per-area basis, which means even though they take up a small amount of the landscape, they have a disproportionate level of emissions,” said lead author Ethan D. Kyzivat, a postdoctoral fellow at Brown.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study challenges close to 15 years of research based on older datasets with lower resolution quality, which had overestimated the number of small lakes and their cumulative methane emissions.</p>



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



<p>The focus of the study was on small lakes, roughly a tenth of a square kilometer or smaller. The research team, including Brown professor Laurence C. Smith, analyzed high-resolution airborne data and a global map of lakes in the Arctic region to produce more accurate estimates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study revealed fewer small, unmapped lakes than previously thought, leading to a significant reduction in the cumulative methane emissions attributed to them.</p>



<p>The unexpected findings also include the discovery of double-counting of lakes as wetlands, affecting methane emission estimates.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Furthermore, the study may help reconcile the longstanding discrepancy between “bottom-up” estimates, which model emissions based on Earth maps, and “top-down” estimates, which use atmospheric measurements.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The improved satellite resolution now allows for a closer examination of methane emissions, potentially unifying these two approaches.</p>



<p>The experts see this NASA-funded study as a proof of concept and plan to expand their methane modeling technique to other regions globally. “The next step is to go global,” Kyvizat concluded.</p>



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



<p>Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide on a per-molecule basis, especially over a 20-year period. It is released into the atmosphere through a variety of sources, including natural processes like wetland decomposition and geological seepage, as well as human activities such as agriculture (particularly livestock digestion and rice paddies), waste management (landfills), and the production and transport of fossil fuels like natural gas and oil.</p>



<p>Methane's significant impact on climate change is due to its ability to trap heat in the atmosphere very effectively. However, it has a shorter atmospheric lifetime than carbon dioxide, lasting about 9-12 years before breaking down. This means that reducing methane emissions can have a rapid and significant impact on mitigating global warming.</p>



<p>Efforts to reduce methane emissions include improving agricultural practices, capturing gas from landfills and livestock, fixing leaks in natural gas pipelines, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. The importance of addressing methane emissions is increasingly recognized in global climate change discussions and policy-making.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023GL104825" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Geophysical Research Letters.</em></a></p>



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Arctic lakes produce less methane than previously thought

In the realm of greenhouse gasses, methane stands out as...

<p>The Pentagon's X-37B, an unmanned drone, is gearing up for a mission that is set to launch today at 8:14 pm Eastern time. This small <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-travel-has-left-a-metal-mark-on-earths-stratosphere/">spacecraft</a> is less than 30 feet in length and under 10 feet in height. It has a pair of compact wings and a rounded, bulldog-like nose.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Often compared to a miniature space shuttle, the purpose and capabilities of X-37B remain shrouded in mystery. Is it a covert weapon, a stealth technology, or something else? These questions linger as the Pentagon maintains its silence.</p>



<p>For the first time, the X-37B will be launched on SpaceX’s powerful <a href="https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Falcon Heavy rocket</a>. This shift to a more potent launcher hints at a potential higher orbit - speculation that is supported by recent documents. However, the exact nature and purpose of its higher orbit activities remain undisclosed. SpaceX secured the $130 million contract for this launch back in 2018.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-on-space-domain-awareness">Focus on "space domain awareness"</h2>



<p>The Pentagon remains tight-lipped about the specific activities of the X-37B in its higher orbit, stating only that the mission involves "a wide range of test and experimentation objectives." These include operating in new orbital regimes and experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies.</p>



<p>The focus on "space domain awareness" hints at the X-37B's potential role in monitoring satellites and guarding against threats in space - a mission that closely aligns with the objectives of the <a href="https://www.spaceforce.mil/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Space Force</a>. </p>



<p>General Chance Saltzman, the Space Force’s chief of space operations, emphasized the increasing threats to U.S. space systems.</p>



<p>“Our space systems are threatened by a variety of growing anti satellite capabilities, and the joint force is threatened by increasingly sophisticated adversary space-based systems intended to target the joint force,” General Saltzman said in a statement to Congress earlier this year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-x-37b-s-cutting-edge-technologies">X-37B's cutting-edge technologies</h2>



<p>One thing that is known about X-37B's mission is that the vehicle will expose plant seeds to the harsh radiation environment of long-duration spaceflight in an experiment for NASA.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The X-37B, built by Boeing, has previously been used to test cutting-edge technologies like a small solar panel for transforming solar energy into microwaves, a concept that could enable space-to-Earth energy transmission. The spacecraft has also deployed small satellites, but their purposes remain undisclosed.</p>



<p>“The U.S. government is in this weird place where they brag publicly about how amazing it is and cutting edge, but will not provide any info about it,” said Brian Weeden, the director of program planning at the Secure World Foundation.</p>



<p>Weeden suggests that much of the speculation surrounding the vehicle is likely off-base, with its mystique being its most defining trait. Secure World downplays the likelihood of the X-37B being used as an orbital weapons system for attacking ground targets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-china-s-secretive-space-plane-nbsp">China's secretive space plane&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The X-37B is more likely employed for the purposes stated by the Pentagon: testing reusable space launch vehicle technologies and on-orbit testing of new sensor technologies and satellite hardware. This hasn't stopped nations like China from perceiving the X-37B as a symbol of U.S. space militarization.</p>



<p>China's own secretive reusable space plane, the Shenlong, has completed two missions, with its latest lasting 276 days in orbit. Like the X-37B, the Shenlong is shrouded in secrecy, with no publicly released photos. This apparent mimicry of the American model suggests China's interest in similar space capabilities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covert-operations-of-the-x-37b">Covert operations of the X-37B</h2>



<p>The X-37B's history spans over a decade in space, with each mission exceeding the duration of the last. Its last flight ended in November 2022 after 908 days in orbit. General David Thompson of the Space Force hinted at exciting plans for the X-37B. He acknowledges its role as a remarkable test bed and experimentation vehicle.</p>



<p>The upcoming Mission 7 of the X-37B, launching on the Falcon Heavy, will include a mixture of innocuous civilian NASA science and military experimentation with space domain awareness. This combination of civilian and military objectives underscores the dual nature of the mission.</p>



<p>The X-37B's development history is intertwined with NASA, the Air Force, and Boeing's Phantom Works. Initially envisioned as a lifeboat for the International Space Station, its design evolved to meet various military and experimental needs. The spacecraft's ability to deploy solar arrays in orbit allows for extended missions, a capability unmatched by the Space Shuttle.</p>



<p>The X-37B's design suggests potential for covert operations, such as retrieving or inspecting foreign satellites without detection. The U.S. has expressed concerns about similar activities by nations like Russia and China, highlighting the strategic importance of space domain awareness.</p>



<p>In summary, the combination of the X-37B and Falcon Heavy opens up possibilities for high-energy orbits and advanced military capabilities in space. While the specifics of the X-37B's upcoming mission remain classified, its launch signals the U.S.'s intent to maintain dominance in space.</p>



<p>Image Credit: AP / U.S. Air Force</p>



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X-37B spacecraft, owned by the Pentagon, is shrouded in mystery and whispers

The Pentagon's X-37B, an unmanned drone, is gearing up for...

Closeup,Orion,Constellation,On,Night,Starry,Sky,Above,Forest,Silhouette,

<p>Next week, the night sky will witness an extraordinary astronomical event, as Betelgeuse, one of the most luminous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-six-planet-star-system-moves-in-strange-perfect-synchrony/">stars</a> in the constellation Orion, temporarily vanishes from view.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This unusual occurrence, set to happen on Monday night, December 11, is due to an asteroid, 319 Leona, passing directly in front of the star, causing it to disappear for approximately 12 seconds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-occlusion-nbsp">Rare occlusion&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Astronomical phenomena like this are not uncommon, but the upcoming event involving Betelgeuse is unique due to the specific alignment that will create a striking ‘ring of fire’ effect.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Observers in Florida, parts of eastern Mexico, southern Europe, and northern Asia will be ideally positioned to witness this rare ‘occlusion.’ For those not in these regions, the <a href="https://www.virtualtelescope.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virtual Telescope Project</a> in Italy will be streaming the event live from 8 PM Eastern on Monday.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity-nbsp">Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This brief occlusion is more than just a spectacular sight; it presents a valuable scientific opportunity. Astronomers are eager to use this time to study the surface of Betelgeuse, a red supergiant sun, which has shown unusual dimming patterns over the past four years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Miguel Montargès, an astrophysicist at the <a href="https://www.observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/-observatoire-de-paris-.html?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Observatory</a>, expressed excitement about this event, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” The occlusion will enable scientists to examine the star’s outer region, which is normally overwhelmed by its bright core.</p>



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



<p>This research is expected to provide insights into the ‘convective cells’ of Betelgeuse, which are the pathways for heated gas movement across the star. Montargès anticipates that the data gathered might also enhance understanding of how planetary systems, like our own solar system, form.</p>



<p>Gianluca Masi, director of the Virtual Telescope Project, pointed out that the event will also aid in studying asteroid 319 Leona.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“These kinds of occultations,” Masi stated, "are very useful to constrain the shape of the asteroid involved.” He also noted that this occlusion is not only rare but symbolic of Betelgeuse’s eventual fate. “For a very short time, we will see the legendary Orion constellation without its famous, orange shoulder,” referencing the eventual supernova explosion of Betelgeuse.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viewing-the-betelgeuse-event">Viewing the Betelgeuse event</h2>



<p>Astronomers are meticulously tracking the trajectory of asteroid 319 Leona, with the occultation anticipated to occur around 8:17 PM Eastern Time. Those within the correct viewing line will have the chance to see Betelgeuse, typically the 10th-brightest star, fade from sight, an experience that can be enhanced with binoculars or a telescope.</p>



<p>Even for observers outside the optimal viewing areas, there’s still a chance to witness Betelgeuse dimming in an unusual manner. Residents of the Northern Hemisphere can find Betelgeuse in December by looking east about two hours after sunset, near Orion’s Belt.</p>



<p>For those seeking more information, the <a href="https://occultations.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Occultation Timing Association</a> has dedicated a <a href="https://www.iota-es.de/betelgeuse2023.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">page</a> to the event, complete with a downloadable Google Earth file to assist in tracking the visibility of the event globally.</p>



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



<p>Betelgeuse, often pronounced "Beetlejuice," is a red supergiant star that has captivated astronomers and stargazers alike with its distinctive red hue and immense size. Located in the constellation of Orion, it's one of the most easily recognizable stars in the night sky and has been a subject of fascination and study for centuries.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-astronomical-significance">Astronomical significance</h3>



<p>As discussed above, Betelgeuse holds a special place in astronomy due to its enormous size and relatively close proximity to Earth. It's one of the largest stars visible to the naked eye, with a radius over 1,000 times that of the Sun. If placed at the center of our solar system, Betelgeuse would engulf the inner planets, reaching out nearly to the orbit of Jupiter.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stellar-characteristics">Stellar characteristics</h3>



<p>This celestial giant is a red supergiant, a stage in the lifecycle of a star that occurs after it has exhausted the hydrogen in its core. During this phase, the star expands significantly and cools down, giving it a distinctive red color. Betelgeuse's surface temperature is around 3,500 Kelvin, much cooler than the Sun’s 5,778 Kelvin.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-variability-and-brightness">Variability and brightness</h3>



<p>Betelgeuse is a variable star, meaning its brightness changes over time. These fluctuations in brightness are due to complex processes happening in its vast, bubbling surface. The star’s light can vary in a somewhat irregular pattern, making it a subject of interest for those studying stellar behavior.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distance-and-visibility">Distance and visibility</h3>



<p>Located approximately 642 light-years from Earth, Betelgeuse is relatively close in astronomical terms, allowing for detailed observation. Its brightness usually ranks it among the top ten brightest stars in the night sky, making it easy to spot even in areas with moderate light pollution.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-supernova">Future supernova</h3>



<p>One of the most intriguing aspects of Betelgeuse is its potential future as a supernova. Astronomers predict that within the next million years, Betelgeuse will exhaust its nuclear fuel and undergo a spectacular supernova explosion. This event will be so bright that it will be visible from Earth even during the day and will mark the end of this star’s life cycle.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-and-historical-impact">Cultural and historical impact</h3>



<p>Betelgeuse has also played a significant role in various cultures and mythologies. Its position in the constellation of Orion, a prominent figure in Greek mythology, and its visibility across the globe have made it a point of interest and storytelling for many civilizations.</p>



<p>In summary, Betelgeuse stands as a magnificent example of the wonders of the universe. Its immense size, changing brightness, and inevitable fate as a supernova continue to make it a subject of both scientific study and popular fascination. As we gaze upon this red supergiant, we are reminded of the vastness and beauty of the cosmos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-orion-constellation">More about the Orion constellation</h2>



<p>As discussed above, <a href="https://universe.nasa.gov/news/147/discovering-the-universe-through-the-constellation-orion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Orion constellation</a>, one of the most recognizable and prominent constellations in the night sky, captivates observers across the globe. Named after the Greek mythological hunter, Orion, this constellation not only boasts significant astronomical importance but also holds a rich cultural and mythological heritage.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-astronomical-features-of-orion">Astronomical features of Orion</h3>



<p>Orion is home to some of the brightest stars in the night sky. Betelgeuse, the protagonist of this article, marks Orion's right shoulder. Bellatrix serves as his left shoulder. Rigel, a brilliant blue-white star, represents Orion's left foot, and Saiph constitutes his right knee. These stars form the distinct hourglass shape of the constellation.</p>



<p>A striking feature of Orion is his belt, comprised of three aligned stars: Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka. Below the belt, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jumbos-james-webb-reveals-free-floating-worlds-that-cant-be-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orion Nebula </a>(M42), a vibrant, star-forming region, dazzles astronomers and astrophotographers alike. This nebula, visible to the naked eye under dark skies, is a popular target for telescopic observation.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orion-in-culture-and-mythology">Orion in culture and mythology</h3>



<p>In Greek mythology, Orion is depicted as a formidable hunter, often associated with tales of bravery and prowess. Various cultures have their own interpretations of this constellation, each adding to its rich narrative tapestry.</p>



<p>The stars of Orion have been significant in various ancient civilizations, from the Egyptians, who associated the constellation with Osiris, the god of the afterlife, to the Native American cultures, where it held various meanings and stories.</p>



<p>In summary, Orion continues to be a source of wonder and inspiration. Its prominent place in the night sky makes it a gateway for amateur astronomers and a subject of ongoing study for professionals. Whether it's through the lens of science, culture, or mythology, the Orion constellation remains an enduring and captivating presence in our night sky.</p>



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"Betelgeuse" star in the Orion constellation will vanish from the skies tonight

Next week, the night sky will witness an extraordinary astronomical...

<p>In an unprecedented scientific achievement, experts have developed a system that is capable of reading human thoughts and converting them into text.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The technology was designed by the GrapheneX-UTS Human-centric Artificial Intelligence Centre at the <a href="https://www.uts.edu.au/">University of Technology Sydney</a> (UTS).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-machine-interaction">Human-machine interaction</h2>



<p>The portable, non-invasive system stands as a significant milestone, offering transformative communication solutions for individuals impaired by conditions like stroke or paralysis.</p>



<p>However, the potential applications of this mind-reading technology extend beyond aiding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-implant-may-allow-people-to-communicate-through-their-thoughts/">speech-impaired</a> individuals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research paves the way for fluid human-machine interactions, potentially enabling seamless control of devices such as bionic arms or robots. This could ultimately lead to a new era in assistive technology.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spotlight-paper">Spotlight paper</h2>



<p>The pioneering study has garnered international recognition, being featured as the spotlight paper at the prestigious NeurIPS conference in New Orleans on December 12, 2023.&nbsp;This event is renowned for showcasing the latest research in artificial intelligence and machine learning.</p>



<p>The project was led by Professor CT Lin, director of the GrapheneX-UTS HAI Centre, in collaboration with Yiqun Duan and Jinzhou Zhou, both PhD candidates at the UTS Faculty of Engineering and IT.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eeg-based-approach">EEG-based approach</h2>



<p>The core of this technology lies in its ability to record and decode brain activity through an electroencephalogram (EEG) cap. Participants in the study silently read texts while the cap captured their brain’s electrical activity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This EEG data is then processed by an AI model named DeWave, a creation of the UTS team. DeWave distinguishes itself by translating EEG signals into coherent words and sentences, learning from extensive EEG datasets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pioneering-effort-nbsp">Pioneering effort&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“This research represents a pioneering effort in translating raw EEG waves directly into language, marking a significant breakthrough in the field,” said Professor Lin.</p>



<p>“It is the first to incorporate discrete encoding techniques in the brain-to-text translation process, introducing an innovative approach to neural decoding. The integration with large language models is also opening new frontiers in neuroscience and AI."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-step-beyond-existing-technologies">A step beyond existing technologies</h2>



<p>Current methods for translating brain signals to language, like Elon Musk’s Neuralink, require invasive procedures or bulky, expensive equipment like MRI machines.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These methods often rely on additional aids such as eye-tracking, which limits their practicality. The UTS innovation, however, operates with or without eye-tracking, making it more versatile and user-friendly.</p>



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



<p>Conducted with 29 participants, the research promises greater robustness and adaptability compared to previous technologies tested on fewer individuals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The UTS technology has a significant advantage in its versatility, as EEG waves vary among individuals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meaningful-results-nbsp">Meaningful results&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“The model is more adept at matching verbs than nouns. However, when it comes to nouns, we saw a tendency towards synonymous pairs rather than precise translations, such as ‘the man’ instead of ‘the author,'" said Duan.</p>



<p>“We think this is because when the brain processes these words, semantically similar words might produce similar brain wave patterns. Despite the challenges, our model yields meaningful results, aligning keywords and forming similar sentence structures."</p>



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



<p>While the mind-reading technology currently excels more in matching verbs than nouns, it demonstrates an impressive ability to align keywords and form coherent sentence structures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The current translation accuracy is around 40 percent on the BLEU-1 scale, with aspirations to reach the efficacy of traditional language translation or speech recognition systems, which hover around 90 percent.</p>



<p>The research expands upon previous <a href="https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2022-06-07/brain-waves-control-robot-dogs-moves" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain-computer interface technology</a> developed by UTS in association with the Australian Defence Force that uses brainwaves to command a quadruped robot.</p>



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Mind-reading technology transforms thoughts into text

In an unprecedented scientific achievement, experts have developed a system...

<p>Beluga whales are known for their highly social and vocal nature, and play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. They rely on acoustics for navigation, prey detection, predator avoidance, and maintaining social bonds.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, in Alaska's Cook Inlet, home to a critically endangered beluga population, these vital communications are increasingly threatened by human-generated noise.</p>



<p>This is the conclusion of a study led by the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a>, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shipping-noise">Shipping noise</h2>



<p>The study marks the first detailed documentation of these whales' communication patterns and the first quantitative analysis of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whales-fail-to-respond-to-vessel-noise/">shipping noise</a> could be overshadowing their calls.</p>



<p>The researchers identified 41 distinct call types, with 18 unique to the Cook Inlet population. Alarmingly, the study notes that the noise from commercial ships completely drowns out the whales’ most frequently used calls.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Arial Brewer, the study's lead author and a doctoral student at the UW's School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, emphasized the significance of this critical habitat for beluga whales.</p>



<p>“The core critical habitat for these whales is a very noisy area. Commercial shipping, an international airport, military operations and gas and oil exploration are all concentrated there,” said Brewer.</p>



<p>“A fundamental knowledge gap for the Cook Inlet beluga population is how they communicate important information. The first step is to describe their vocal repertoire. With that information, we can begin to understand if their communication is impacted by human-caused noise.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acoustic-communication-nbsp">Acoustic communication&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Understanding how Cook Inlet belugas communicate is vital, given their precarious status. Cook Inlet, with its abundance of glacial runoff, offers poor visibility, making acoustic communication essential for these non-migratory whales.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The region's unique environmental conditions, including turbid waters, strong tides, and seasonal ice, pose significant challenges for research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-year-round-noise">Year-round noise</h2>



<p>”All of that human-caused noise means the belugas may not hear critical communications from each other, such as predator alarm calls or a mother calling to her calf,” said Brewer.</p>



<p>While all whales are affected by noise, Cook Inlet belugas may be particularly vulnerable to noise as a stressor.</p>



<p>“Cook Inlet is extremely turbid year-round from glacial runoff. It looks like chocolate milk,” explained Brewer. “Acoustic communication is extremely important for this population since visibility is so poor. And, unlike other, higher-Arctic beluga populations, this population is non-migratory, so they are exposed to this noise year-round.”</p>



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



<p>The Cook Inlet Beluga Acoustics Program has been monitoring beluga whales and anthropogenic noise since 2008 using bottom-mounted passive acoustic recorders.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study focused on recordings from 2018 to 2019, classifying beluga vocalizations into whistles, pulsed calls, and combined calls, further dividing them into 41 unique types.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brewer's extensive experience, involving thousands of hours of listening, highlights the significance of uncovering new call types.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geographic-and-genetic-isolation">Geographic and genetic isolation</h2>



<p>The study suggests that while some calls are shared across populations, others are unique, potentially influenced by evolutionary, environmental, or cultural factors. The uniqueness of the Cook Inlet belugas' calls may stem from their long-term geographic and genetic isolation.</p>



<p>A critical aspect of the research was analyzing how human-caused noise, particularly from commercial shipping, affects these whales.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-insights">Key insights</h2>



<p>The study revealed that the most commonly used call types were partially or completely masked by ship noise, with each ship passage potentially disrupting beluga communication for nearly two hours. This is particularly concerning given the high volume of commercial shipping traffic in the area.</p>



<p>Nearly 500 commercial ships use the Port of Alaska each year, with an average of 8-10 ships coming and going per week. It is estimated that each ship passage drowned out beluga communication at the study site for one hour and 50 minutes on average.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>“Our results suggest that every time a commercial vessel transits through the Port of Alaska shipping lanes, Cook Inlet beluga communication could be heavily impacted within their core habitat,” said Brewer.</p>



<p>“Humans are such a visual species. It’s hard for us to comprehend how noisy it is under the surface of the ocean and how much noise impacts marine mammals such as belugas. We hope our findings will lead to further studies to better inform management about these types of human-caused impacts.”</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jasa/article/154/5/3487/2925354/Communication-in-Cook-Inlet-beluga-whales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of the Acoustical Society of America</em></a>.</p>



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Ship noise threatens the survival of beluga whales

Beluga whales are known for their highly social and vocal...

Yggdrasil,From,Norse,Mythology,Known,For,Being,The,Tree,Of

<p>In an insightful analysis, a team of conservation biologists have highlighted a significant gap in the current emoji library's representation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> and the "Tree of Life". They argue that while animals are well depicted, other forms of life like plants, fungi, and microorganisms are glaringly underrepresented.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-assessing-emoji-biodiversity">Assessing emoji biodiversity</h2>



<p>The research team, consisting of Stefano Mammola, Mattia Falaschi, and Gentile Francesco Ficetola, categorized emojis from the emoji library related to nature and animals from <a href="https://emojipedia.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emojipedia</a> and mapped them onto the phylogenetic tree of life. </p>



<p>Their findings, displayed in a fascinating <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tree-of-life_Phylogenetic-trees-of-emojis_Credit-iScience-Mammola_1medium-scaled.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phylogenetic trees of emojis</a>, revealed a skewed representation favoring animals, particularly vertebrates, over other vital lifeforms in the "tree of life".</p>



<p>“While the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-time-machine-reveals-a-century-of-biological-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> crisis may seem distant from the online world, in our increasingly digitized society, we should not underestimate the potential of emojis to raise awareness and foster appreciation for the diversity of life on Earth,” the research team wrote.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-of-life-and-the-emoji-library">"Tree of Life" and the emoji library</h2>



<p>Their analysis identified 112 distinct organisms in emoji form: 92 animals, 16 plants, 1 fungus (likely <em>Amanita muscaria</em>), and 1 microorganism (likely <em>Escherichia coli</em>). Vertebrates dominated the animal emojis at 76%, followed by arthropods (16%). This starkly contrasts with real-world <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-greening-projects-can-dramatically-boost-urban-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, where arthropods far outnumber vertebrates.</p>



<p>“Currently available emojis encompass a broad range of animal species, while plants, fungi, and microorganisms are underrepresented,” the researchers write. “Such strong taxonomic bias is in line with current societal awareness of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/historic-treaty-adopted-to-protect-biodiversity-in-the-high-seas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, which tends to prioritize animals over other taxa.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emoji-library-s-representation-of-animals">Emoji library's representation of animals</h2>



<p>The researchers then took a deeper dive into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-risks-will-persist-long-after-temperatures-peak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> characteristics of animal emojis. They managed to identify some emojis as individual animal species, like the bald eagle and giant panda, while they could only classify others at the genus or family level, such as those representing ants or crocodilians.</p>



<p>In their findings, vertebrates accounted for 76% of the animal emojis, arthropods for 16%, mollusks for 4%, cnidarians for 2%, and annelids for 1%. Considering that over 1.3 million arthropod species exist compared to around 85,000 vertebrate species, the current emoji catalog significantly underrepresents arthropod <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restoring-forest-biodiversity-has-massive-potential-for-carbon-capture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> while overrepresenting vertebrates.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the researchers pointed out the complete absence of emojis for platyhelminths (including flatworms and tapeworms) and nematodes, even though each of these groups includes more than 20,000 species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emoji-tree-of-life-diversity-is-evolving">Emoji "Tree of Life" diversity is evolving</h2>



<p>Fortunately, the diversity of emojis seems to be on the rise. In 2015, emoji representation included only 45 animal taxa, but this number grew to 78 by 2019 and further to 92 by 2022. Not only did the number of animal emojis increase, but their representativeness of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protected-areas-slow-down-biodiversity-loss-but-they-cant-reverse-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> also improved during this period. Initially, emojis only depicted vertebrates, arthropods, and mollusks. </p>



<p>However, by 2020, annelids joined this group with the introduction of the "worm" emoji, likely symbolizing an earthworm, and cnidarians followed in 2021 with the addition of a red coral emoji.</p>



<p>“This increase in phylogenetic diversity driven by less-known taxa emphasizes a positive trend of enhanced opportunities for emojifying biodiversity communication, allowing users of digital platforms to discuss a range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeding-the-world-at-a-cost-food-production-and-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>-related topics and sentiments more effectively, beyond the icons depicting iconic species,” the researchers write.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-in-the-digitized-world">Biodiversity in the digitized world</h2>



<p>The authors emphasize the role of emojis in today's digitized society for raising awareness about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-induced-changes-in-ocean-salinity-threaten-biodiversity-and-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>. </p>



<p>“The development and maintenance of diverse and inclusive emoji sets are crucial to ensure the equitable representation of the tree of life in digital communication tools and to effectively convey messages on the importance of all the organisms for the functioning of the biosphere," they state.</p>



<p>Creating a more diverse emoji catalog could greatly aid conversations around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-day-for-biological-diversity-from-agreement-to-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> and conservation. The authors argue for the need for inclusive emoji sets to ensure equitable representation of all organisms and to effectively convey the importance of biodiversity in digital communications.</p>



<p>The team suggests that further research is needed to understand how nature-related emojis are utilized in discussions about biodiversity and conservation. This could potentially open up new avenues for engaging the public in these critical topics.</p>



<p>In summary, this eye-opening analysis by Mammola, Falaschi, and Ficetola underscores a critical need for a more inclusive emoji library that accurately represents the rich diversity of life. As digital communication continues to be a dominant medium, ensuring that our digital tools reflect the full spectrum of biodiversity becomes increasingly important for fostering awareness and engagement in conservation efforts.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2589004223026469">iScience</a></em>.</p>



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Current emoji library doesn’t accurately represent the Tree of Life

In an insightful analysis, a team of conservation biologists have...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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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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