<p>Not everything in the universe is what it seems. Some things, like tiny red objects captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), might look like stars or galaxies. But new research suggests they could be something else entirely - something we’ve never seen before.</p>



<p>The objects, called “little red dots,” were first spotted when Webb returned its initial pictures in 2022. The dots appeared where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-galaxy-shows-us-what-the-early-milky-way-looked-like/">young galaxies</a> would be alone, 500 to 700 million years after the Big Bang. But they were too bright and too big to be galaxies that early in the universe. Something wasn’t adding up.</p>



<p>For a while, researchers thought they had discovered ancient, mature galaxies that somehow formed way faster than expected - so fast they started calling them “universe breakers.” But after digging deeper, a new idea started to form. Maybe these weren’t <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-galaxies-revealed-in-a-single-webb-image/">galaxies</a> at all.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-star-that-s-hiding-a-black-hole">A star that's hiding a black hole</h2>



<p>In a recent study, scientists proposed a bold theory: the red dots might be something called a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/free-floating-black-hole-appears-to-be-feeding-on-a-star/">black hole</a> star. Picture a huge sphere of gas that looks like a cold, low-energy star - but inside, it’s hiding a growing supermassive black hole.</p>



<p>Instead of getting its energy from fusion like a normal star, this object feeds off matter falling into the black hole at its core. That process generates energy and gives off light, creating the bright signal scientists saw.</p>



<p>“Basically, we looked at enough red dots until we saw one that had so much atmosphere that it couldn't be explained as typical stars we’d expect from a galaxy,” said Joel Leja, an associate professor of astrophysics at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a>. </p>



<p>“It’s an elegant answer really, because we thought it was a tiny galaxy full of many separate cold stars, but it’s actually, effectively, one gigantic, very cold star.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cold-stars-that-shine-strangely">Cold stars that shine strangely</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/video/earth-humans-and-all-living-creatures-are-made-from-stars/">Stars</a> that are cold emit very little visible light. They glow mainly in the red or near-infrared part of the spectrum - a type of light our eyes can’t see. These stars are usually small and faint, which makes them hard to find.</p>



<p>But these red dots stood out. The light they gave off wasn’t from a hot, bright region like we usually see near black holes. Instead, it came from very cold gas, similar to what’s found around low-mass stars.</p>



<p>Webb was built to pick up exactly this kind of ancient, stretched-out infrared light. Its infrared sensors can see light that traveled across the universe for over 13 billion years. That makes it perfect for spotting objects from the very early days of the cosmos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-most-extreme-red-dot">The most extreme red dot</h2>



<p>Between January and December 2024, the team gathered spectra - a kind of light fingerprint - from 4,500 galaxies. Spectra can tell scientists how bright something is across different wavelengths, which helps them figure out what it’s made of and how massive it is.</p>



<p>One of these objects stood out. Nicknamed “The Cliff,” it turned out to be the most extreme of all the red dots. It was so far away that its light took about 11.9 billion years to reach Earth.</p>



<p>“The extreme properties of The Cliff forced us to go back to the drawing board, and come up with entirely new models,” said Anna de Graaff, a researcher for the <a href="https://www.mpia.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Astronomy</a>.</p>



<p>Spectral analysis showed that The Cliff wasn’t made up of countless tiny stars. It was a single, massive object - a black hole pulling in gas so fast that it wrapped itself in a glowing shell of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-star-forming-hydrogen-cloud-discovered-surprisingly-close-to-earth-eos/">hydrogen</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-black-hole-stars-a-missing-link">Are black hole stars a missing link?</h2>



<p>Black holes are found at the center of most galaxies. Some of them are enormous - millions or even billions of times more massive than our sun. But no one knows exactly how they got that big, or how they formed in the first place.</p>



<p>“No one's ever really known why or where these gigantic black holes at the center of galaxies come from,” said Leja. “These black hole stars might be the first phase of formation for the black holes that we see in galaxies today - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supermassive-black-holes-are-much-more-common-in-the-universe-than-believed/">supermassive black holes</a> in their little infancy stage.”</p>



<p>That idea could help solve a major puzzle in astronomy. If these red dots are actually black hole stars, then maybe they’re the missing link - the early-stage objects that grow into the supermassive black holes we see in today’s galaxies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-following-clues-from-the-universe">Following clues from the universe </h2>



<p>The team plans to keep studying these black hole star candidates, especially by looking at how dense the gas is and how strong the light output is. That might help confirm whether they’re really seeing a new type of object.</p>



<p>“This is the best idea we have and really the first one that fits nearly all of the data, so now we need to flesh it out more,” said Leja. </p>



<p>“It's okay to be wrong. The universe is much weirder than we can imagine and all we can do is follow its clues. There are still big surprises out there for us.”</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2025/09/aa54681-25/aa54681-25.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy and Astrophysics</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: T. Müller/A. de Graaff/Max Planck Institute for Astronomy</p>



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Mystery objects in the early universe may be black hole stars

Not everything in the universe is what it seems. Some things, like tiny red objects captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), might look like stars or galaxies. But new research suggests they could be something else entirely - something we’ve never seen before. The objects, called “little red dots,” were first spotted when Webb returned its initial pictures in 2022. The dots appeared where young galaxies would be alone, 500 to 700 million years after the Big Bang. But they were too bright and too...

Beautiful,Woman,Info-graphic,Portrait,With,Information,And,Healthy,Concept

<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.buckinstitute.org/">Buck Institute</a> have made a significant breakthrough in the field of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/">aging</a> and disease with the discovery of a new drug-like molecule.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This molecule, known as MIC (Mitophagy-inducing compound), has been shown to extend lifespan and improve health in a variety of ways.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-it-work">How does it work?</h2>



<p>MIC operates by promoting healthy mitochondria through a process called mitophagy, which removes and recycles damaged mitochondria.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Mitochondria are crucial organelles in cells that produce energy, and their health is directly linked to overall cellular health and longevity.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The study demonstrated that this molecule extended the lifespan of C. elegans, a nematode worm frequently used in aging research.&nbsp;</p>



<p>MIC also improved mitochondrial function in mouse muscle cells and showed promise in ameliorating pathology in neurodegenerative disease models.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitochondrial-dysfunction">Mitochondrial dysfunction</h2>



<p>Mitochondrial dysfunction is known to play a role in various age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, muscle wasting, and cancer progression.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Despite the potential of treatments targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, none have been approved for human use to date.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coumarin">Coumarin</h2>



<p>The mitophagy-inducing compound is a coumarin, a type of naturally bioactive compound found in many plants and certain types of cinnamon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Coumarins are known for their diverse health benefits, including anticoagulant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antihyperglycemic properties, and neuroprotective effects.</p>



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



<p>The discovery of the effects of MIC originated from a study on Parkinson's disease. A team of experts including Dr. Julie Andersen and Dr. Shankar Chinta were examining known enhancers of mitophagy in a mouse model.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The mitophagy-inducing compound emerged as a significant find in their research. Instead of immediately testing MIC in mice, the researchers opted to study its impact on overall aging and its mechanism of action using the C. elegans model.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This approach led to the discovery that MIC belongs to a different class of molecules that enhance the expression of a key protein in autophagy and lysosomal functions (TFEB).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cellular-health-nbsp">Cellular health&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study, led by Dr. Andersen and research scientist Dr. Manish Chamoli, revealed that MIC activates the transcription factor TFEB, a master regulator of genes involved in autophagy and lysosomal functions. Autophagy is an intracellular recycling process vital for cellular health.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The research findings are significant as they show MIC's potential in not only extending lifespan but also preventing mitochondrial dysfunction in mammalian cells, offering new avenues for treating various age-related diseases.</p>



<p>"There's a bottleneck in efforts to develop potential therapeutics in the field of geroscience, and the bottleneck is that we don't have enough molecules in the pipeline," said study senior co-author Dr. Gordon Lithgow.</p>



<p>"MIC is a great candidate to bring forward given its therapeutic effect across multiple models and the fact that it is a naturally occurring molecule."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anti-aging-strategies">Anti-aging strategies</h2>



<p>Anti-aging strategies encompass a variety of practices and research areas focused on slowing down or reversing the aging process. Here are some key areas:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthy-lifestyle-choices">Healthy lifestyle choices</h3>



<p>This includes a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management. Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption also plays a critical role.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skincare-regimens">Skincare regimens</h3>



<p>Using sunscreen to protect the skin from UV damage, along with regular use of moisturizers and anti-aging products like retinoids and peptides, can help maintain skin health.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-medical-interventions">Medical interventions</h3>



<p>These include hormone replacement therapies, cosmetic procedures like Botox or fillers, and plastic surgery. These methods should be approached cautiously and under medical supervision.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supplements">Supplements</h3>



<p>Some people use supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, coenzyme Q10, and others believed to have anti-aging effects. However, their effectiveness can vary and should be used judiciously.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emerging-research">Emerging research</h3>



<p>Areas like telomere therapy, stem cell research, and gene editing are being explored for potential anti-aging benefits. While promising, many of these are still in the experimental stages.</p>



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



<p>Maintaining mental health and active social life is essential. Activities that stimulate the mind, like puzzles, reading, and learning new skills, along with regular social interaction, can contribute to longevity and quality of life.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regular-check-ups">Regular check-ups</h3>



<p>Regular visits to healthcare professionals for check-ups can help in early detection and management of age-related diseases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anti-aging-foods-nbsp">Anti-aging foods&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Certain foods are known for their potential anti-aging benefits, mainly due to their high antioxidant content and other beneficial nutrients. Here's a list of some of these foods:</p>



<ul>
<li>Berries: Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, berries like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries help combat oxidative stress and inflammation.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and other greens are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They also contain compounds that may help protect against cognitive decline.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts are sources of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, and have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and longer lifespan.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Whole Grains: Foods like quinoa, oats, and brown rice are high in fiber, which can improve digestion and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory properties and beneficial effects on heart and brain health.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Green Tea: Rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, green tea is believed to protect against oxidative stress and reduce the risk of certain cancers.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Olive Oil: A staple of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, promoting heart health and potentially benefiting the skin.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Dark Chocolate: High in flavonoids, dark chocolate (in moderation) can improve heart health and protect the skin from UV damage.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Turmeric: This spice contains curcumin, a compound with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Avocado: High in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, avocados can promote healthy skin and reduce the risk of heart disease.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Tomatoes: Rich in lycopene, an antioxidant, tomatoes can protect the skin from UV rays and may reduce the risk of certain cancers.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Garlic: Known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, garlic can also reduce the risk of heart disease.</li>
</ul>



<p>Incorporating these foods into a balanced diet can contribute to overall health and potentially slow some aspects of the aging process. It's also important to maintain a diverse diet and consult with a healthcare professional, especially when making significant dietary changes.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-023-00524-9"><em>Nature Aging</em></a>.</p>



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Anti-aging molecule discovered that extends lifespan

Researchers at the Buck Institute have made a significant breakthrough...

<p>The reintroduction of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-return-of-the-gray-wolf-triumph-or-tragedy/">gray wolf</a> (<em>Canis lupus</em>) to Germany, starting 23 years ago in Lusatia, Eastern Germany, marks a significant ecological and social event.&nbsp;Understanding the intricacies of this recolonization and predicting future distribution trends are essential.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In a recent study published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13789" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Diversity and Distributions</em></a>, a team from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (<a href="https://www.izw-berlin.de/en/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leibniz-IZW</a>) has shed light on this complex process.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers found that gray wolves’ habitat selection evolved from the early to the late phases of recolonization in a specific area, refining their 2020 habitat modeling originally published by the <a href="https://www.bfn.de/en">Federal Agency for Nature Conservation</a>.</p>



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



<p>Gray wolves, which prefer habitats with ample cover and distance from human activity, demonstrated these preferences during their return to Germany. The recolonization of habitats they were extirpated from 200 years ago allowed for predictions of future range expansion in Germany.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The 2020 study by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), conducted with the Leibniz-IZW team, estimated around 700 to 1,400 potential wolf territories in Germany’s natural areas. The scientists have now delved deeper, testing various spatio-temporal modeling approaches in relation to different phases of recolonization.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-conditions">Dynamic conditions</h2>



<p>“There is reason to believe that the recolonization of Germany by the gray wolf is not a so-called stationary process, but is characterized by changing framework conditions,” said senior author Stephanie Kramer-Schadt, the head of the Department of Ecological Dynamics at the Leibniz-IZW.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Kramer-Schadt noted that the recolonization process might not be uniform across Germany due to differences in environmental conditions, like between eastern Germany and the Rhine-Ruhr area. Wolves’ habitat preferences might also vary depending on whether they are in the early or late phase of recolonization.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-developing-accurate-models">Developing accurate models</h2>



<p>Dr. Aimara Planillo, the study’s first author, emphasized the importance of these factors for model accuracy. “If models are developed on the basis of the specific environmental conditions of a particular region, they could underestimate the suitability of another, very different region to which such a model might be applied,” she explained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dr. Planillo also noted that models based on early recolonization phases might underestimate wolves’ habitat suitability during later phases when they are less selective.</p>



<p>The experts developed models using a combination of radio telemetry and observation data, testing their ability to predict subsequent phases of the colonization process. The study confirmed and refined the 2020 projections.</p>



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



<p>Key findings include that wolves initially select the best habitats during early recolonization but become less selective in later stages.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“When recolonizing an area, wolves always secure the best habitats first. It therefore appears that they are considerably more sensitive to environmental variables,” the scientists said. They also found that neighboring second-class sites are colonized in later phases, as demonstrated in eastern Germany.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-suitable-habitats-nbsp">Suitable habitats&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study suggests that suitable habitats for wolves are concentrated in the north, northeast, and south of Germany, while lower quality habitats are more common in the west.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Unoccupied high-quality habitats exist in southern Bavaria and central Germany, which are likely to be colonized by wolves initially settling in prime locations.</p>



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



<p>In summary, the research emphasizes the need for careful spatio-temporal projections in habitat modeling for expanding species like the gray wolf.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The complexity and dynamism of the recolonization process necessitate a nuanced approach to predicting and understanding the expansion of wolf populations in Germany.</p>



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Study reveals how gray wolves recolonized Germany

The reintroduction of the gray wolf (Canis lupus) to Germany,...

<p>A major study led by the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a> has found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-lockdowns-had-unexpected-impacts-on-wildlife-behavior/">Covid lockdowns</a> were no more effective at controlling the pandemic than allowing people to adapt their behavior to the threat. </p>



<p>"Despite the global impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the question of whether mandated interventions have similar economic and public health effects as spontaneous behavioral change remains unresolved," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Addressing this question, and understanding differential effects across socioeconomic groups, requires building quantitative and fine-grained mechanistic models."</p>



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



<p>The research, which modeled virus death and unemployment rates under different pandemic policies, indicated that while blanket shutdowns reduced fatality rates, a strategy similar to Sweden’s, where people adjusted their behavior voluntarily, was just as effective.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavioral-changes-nbsp">Behavioral changes&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Both substantial behavioral changes and stringent closures lead to similar patterns of rising unemployment and fewer infections,” the authors reported. This conclusion was drawn despite the imposition of strict non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as lockdowns, social distancing, and face masks, which were deemed "critical" to reducing Covid spread.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, as the experts argued, “individuals changing their behavior of their own accord - such as by minimizing contacts and less frequent trips to shops or restaurants - could have also minimized deaths.”</p>



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



<p>The study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-023-01747-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Human Behavior</em></a>, utilized data from around 416,000 people in New York City, exploring various scenarios of restrictions and behavior changes. The findings revealed that both strict lockdowns and high rates of behavioral change led to a rise in unemployment and fewer Covid deaths. </p>



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



<p>The researchers found that if lockdowns were imposed, virus deaths fell 35 percent while unemployment jumped 64 percent.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, if people were left to their own devices in a ‘high fear’ situation, deaths decreased by 50 percent, while job losses increased by 40 percent.</p>



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



<p>Professor Doyne Farmer, director of the Complexity Economics program at Oxford’s Institute of New Economic Thinking, commented on the study’s relevance to ongoing global Covid inquiries.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We are seeing governments across the globe begin their ‘moments of reckoning,’ reviewing the effectiveness of a great variety of policies brought in during Covid," said Professor Farmer.</p>



<p>"Our quantitative research helps provide evidence-based answers to these questions, suggesting that both lockdowns and spontaneous behavior change lead to similar trade-offs between health and the economy.”</p>



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



<p>The research also highlighted that applying restrictions late, when people have already adapted their behavior, leads to increased deaths and unemployment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“While it is intuitive to expect stricter mandated NPIs to increase unemployment and decrease Covid-19 deaths, it is less apparent that heightened behavioral adaptation would yield similar results.”</p>



<p>In conclusion, the study provides a critical perspective on the efficacy of different pandemic management strategies and their impacts on public health and the economy, underscoring the complexity of decision-making in unprecedented global health crises.</p>



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Behavioral changes were as effective as lockdowns during the pandemic

A major study led by the University of Oxford has...

<p>A recent study conducted by the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a> has uncovered a concerning insight into the world of bumblebees and their interaction with pesticides.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-exposure">Increased exposure</h2>



<p>The researchers found that bumblebees are unable to taste pesticides in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sipping-on-nectar-hummingbirds-consume-a-surprising-amount-of-alcohol/">nectar</a>, even when these pesticides are at levels that could be lethal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This finding is particularly alarming as it indicates that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-rusty-patched-bumblebee-a-very-important-pollinator-is-on-the-edge-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumblebees</a> cannot avoid ingesting contaminated nectar, thereby significantly increasing their risk of exposure to harmful pesticides.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bumblebees-and-pesticides">Bumblebees and pesticides</h2>



<p>"Bees are important pollinators of agricultural crops, but their populations are at risk when pesticides are used. One of the largest risks bees face is poisoning of floral nectar and pollen by insecticides," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"Studies of bee detection of neonicotinoids have reported contradictory evidence about whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bumblebees-have-an-incredible-sense-of-smell-to-find-their-way-home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> can taste these pesticides in sucrose solutions and hence avoid them."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-toxic-compounds-nbsp">Detecting toxic compounds&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Given their innate ability to taste and differentiate between various sugary solutions, the team wanted to investigate if this sense of taste could extend to detecting and avoiding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/glyphosate-disrupts-brood-care-in-bumblebees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pesticides</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Previous observations had shown that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/european-bumblebees-face-extinction-as-their-habitats-vanish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumblebees</a> could detect certain toxic compounds, such as quinine, which tastes bitter to them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team, led by Dr. Rachel Parkinson of the University of Oxford's Department of Biology, employed two distinct methods to assess the bumblebees' ability to taste two types of pesticides: neonicotinoid and sulfoximine.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study focused on Bombus terrestris, a common species of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bumblebees-choose-immediate-rewards-over-energy-efficiency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumblebee</a>, and used nectar from oilseed rape (Brassica napus) as a base for the experiments.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-response-when-tasting-pesticides">Bees' response when tasting pesticides</h2>



<p>The first method involved electrophysiology to record the neuron responses in the taste sensilla, akin to tastebuds, on the bumblebees' mouthparts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This technique allowed the researchers to determine the strength of the bees' response to the taste. The second method involved offering the bees sugar solutions with and without the addition of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-increase-pesticide-toxicity-in-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pesticides</a> and observing their feeding behavior.</p>



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



<p>The results showed that there was no difference in neuron responses whether the bees consumed sugar solution alone or sugar solution mixed with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-cannot-fly-straight-after-ingesting-pesticides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pesticides</a>. This indicates that the bumblebees' mouthparts lack the mechanisms to detect common pesticides in nectar.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, in the behavioral tests, the bees consumed equal amounts of both the pesticide-laced and pesticide-free solutions, even when the pesticide concentration was high enough to be harmful.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-study-is-significant">Why this study is significant</h2>



<p>"As bumblebees cannot taste pesticides and don’t experience immediate negative consequences from drinking them, they likely would not be able to avoid consuming nectar contaminated with pesticides in the field," said Dr. Parkinson.</p>



<p>"This research is important when considering the use of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pesticides-make-it-harder-for-male-bees-to-attract-mates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pesticides</a> on outdoor crops due to the risk posed to bees as they will not avoid drinking these compounds. Potentially, these findings could be applied towards searching for a non-toxic compound that tastes bad to bees and could be used as a 'bee deterrent' on pesticide-treated crops that do not require insect pollination."</p>



<p>The researchers also explored the concept of "bitter" taste avoidance using quinine. While bees did not reduce their intake of the pesticide-infused solutions, they did show an aversion to quinine-laced sugar solutions at high concentrations, suggesting some ability to detect and react to specific bitter tastes.</p>



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



<p>The study highlights a critical issue in the interaction between bees and pesticides, with the inability of bees to taste and therefore avoid pesticide-contaminated nectar posing a significant threat to their health and their indispensable role in pollinating crops.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The pesticides used in the study included neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, and the sulfoximine pesticide sulfoxaflor.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This research opens the door to future studies and potential strategies to mitigate the risks posed by pesticide use in agriculture, particularly in relation to bee health and pollination services.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.89129.2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>eLife</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Hidden danger: Bumblebees can't taste lethal pesticides in nectar

A recent study conducted by the University of Oxford has...

<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College London</a> (UCL) have made a surprising discovery about the influence of hunger hormones on decision-making processes in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-implant-may-allow-people-to-communicate-through-their-thoughts/">brain</a>. The study reveals that these hormones directly affect the hippocampus, a key area involved in decision-making and memory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hunger-hormones-nbsp">Hunger hormones&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“We all know our decisions can be deeply influenced by our hunger, as food has a different meaning depending on whether we are hungry or full. Just think of how much you might buy when grocery shopping on an empty stomach."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"But what may seem like a simple concept is actually very complicated in reality; it requires the ability to use what's called ‘contextual learning,'" explained study lead author Dr. Andrew MacAskill.</p>



<p>“We found that a part of the brain that is crucial for decision-making is surprisingly sensitive to the levels of hunger hormones produced in our gut, which we believe is helping our brains to contextualize our eating choices.”</p>



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



<p>In their experiments, the UCL team observed mice in an arena with food and noted the differences in behavior between hungry and full mice.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers discovered that activity in a subset of brain cells in the ventral hippocampus (the underside of the hippocampus) increased as animals approached food, inhibiting them from eating.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>However, this inhibitory activity diminished in hungry mice, correlating with higher levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin in their blood. This finding is pivotal as it showcases how ghrelin can cross the blood-brain barrier and influence brain activity to control eating behavior.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers further manipulated this response by experimentally activating ventral hippocampal neurons, making mice behave as though they were full, thus stopping them from eating even when hungry. This was achieved by either activating these neurons or by removing the receptors for ghrelin.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-response">Brain response</h2>



<p>“It appears that the hippocampus puts the brakes on an animal’s instinct to eat when it encounters food, to ensure that the animal does not overeat – but if the animal is indeed hungry, hormones will direct the brain to switch off the brakes, so the animal goes ahead and begins eating," explained Dr. MacAskill.</p>



<p>The team is now exploring how hunger might affect other aspects of cognition, such as learning and memory, and whether these mechanisms are also involved in responses to stress or thirst.</p>



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



<p>The researchers hope their findings could contribute to research into the mechanisms of eating disorders, to see if ghrelin receptors in the hippocampus might be implicated, as well as with other links between diet and other health outcomes such as risk of mental illnesses.</p>



<p>“Being able to make decisions based on how hungry we are is very important. If this goes wrong it can lead to serious health problems," said study first author Dr. Ryan Wee.</p>



<p>"We hope that by improving our understanding of how this works in the brain, we might be able to aid in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hunger-hormones">Hunger hormones</h2>



<p>Hunger hormones are crucial in regulating appetite and food intake. The primary hormones involved are:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ghrelin">Ghrelin</h3>



<p>Often called the "hunger hormone," it's produced in the stomach and signals the brain to stimulate appetite. Its levels increase before meals and decrease after eating.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leptin">Leptin</h3>



<p>Produced by fat cells, it signals the brain to reduce appetite. Leptin levels rise with increased fat storage, indicating a sufficient energy reserve.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insulin">Insulin</h3>



<p>Secreted by the pancreas, it helps regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin also has an effect on body weight and appetite control.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peptide-yy-pyy">Peptide YY (PYY)</h3>



<p>This hormone is released by the intestines in response to eating and promotes a feeling of fullness or satiety.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cholecystokinin-cck">Cholecystokinin (CCK)</h3>



<p>Produced in the small intestine, CCK is released after eating and helps digest fats and proteins. It also signals the brain to reduce appetite.</p>



<p>These hormones interact in a complex system, balancing hunger, satiety, and energy intake. Understanding their roles can be crucial in managing weight and addressing eating disorders.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2023.10.016" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Neuron</em></a>.</p>



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Hunger hormones in the gut can change our eating behavior

Researchers at University College London (UCL) have made a surprising...

<p>A study led by researchers from <a href="https://www.iu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indiana University</a> has brought a new perspective to the field of climate engineering, particularly in its application to the rapidly melting ice sheets of West Antarctica. </p>



<p>The research examines the feasibility of scattering sunlight-reflecting particles in the atmosphere to slow down the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-ice-shelves-are-dwindling-at-a-startling-pace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting process</a> and reduce the risk of catastrophic sea-level rise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-melting-in-west-antarctica">Rapid melting in West Antarctica</h2>



<p>With the planet facing unprecedented climatic challenges, scientists are increasingly concerned about the accelerated ice loss in West Antarctica. This phenomenon poses a significant threat to global sea levels. </p>



<p><a href="https://earth.indiana.edu/directory/faculty/goddard-paul.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paul Goddard</a> is an assistant research scientist at IU and the lead author of the study. He highlights the dire situation. “Even if we achieve the ambitious target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which we are currently not on track to do, we will still see significant sea-level rise,” he states.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stratospheric-aerosol-injection">Stratospheric aerosol injection</h2>



<p>The study delves into a specific form of climate engineering known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atmospheric-aerosols-can-significantly-cool-down-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stratospheric aerosol injection</a>. This method involves releasing large amounts of tiny sulfur droplets into the stratosphere, mimicking the natural cooling effect produced by large volcanic eruptions. </p>



<p>The researchers, including Goddard, <a href="https://earth.indiana.edu/directory/faculty/kravitz-ben.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ben Kravitz</a> of IU, Douglas MacMartin and Daniele Visioni of Cornell University, Ewa Bednarz of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Walker Lee of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, utilized high-performance computers and global climate models to simulate various scenarios of this technique.</p>



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



<p>The simulations identified the most effective strategy for slowing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-loss-increases-snowfall-over-west-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic ice loss</a>, recommending the dispersal of aerosols at multiple latitudes, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere. This approach is pivotal in keeping warm ocean waters away from the ice shelves. </p>



<p>However, Goddard cautions, “Where you release the aerosols matters a lot. Some single-latitude injection scenarios actually accelerated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-shelves-are-much-thinner-than-previously-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic ice loss</a> due to a southward shift of prevailing winds.”</p>



<p>While the potential benefits are significant, the study also sheds light on the risks associated with stratospheric aerosol injection. Changes in regional precipitation patterns and the danger of "termination shock" -- a rapid rebound in global temperatures if the intervention is interrupted -- are among the key concerns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-climate-engineering">Understanding climate engineering</h2>



<p>The research team emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of the risks and regional effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificially-cooling-atmosphere-geoengineering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">managing solar radiation</a>. </p>



<p>“If society decides to pursue geoengineering, we need to know much more than we currently do,” says Ben Kravitz, an assistant professor at IU. “This study starts to fill knowledge gaps, but there’s a long way to go before we can consider it a viable solution.”</p>



<p>The Indiana University study represents a significant step in exploring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/survey-mother-nature-is-more-likely-to-solve-climate-change-than-geoengineering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate engineering</a> as a potential solution to slow down the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-has-lost-3000-billion-tons-of-ice-in-25-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">catastrophic melting</a> of the West Antarctic ice sheet. However, it also underscores the complexity and potential risks of such interventions. </p>



<p>As the debate around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geoengineering-can-we-dim-the-sun-to-avoid-climate-tipping-points/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geoengineering</a> continues, this research provides crucial insights and a call for further, more detailed studies to fully understand its implications for Antarctica and the planet as a whole.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-ice-melt-in-antarctica">More about ice melt in Antarctica</h2>



<p>Antarctica, the southernmost continent, is experiencing significant changes due to global warming, leading to the accelerated melting of its ice sheets. This phenomenon not only contributes to global sea level rise but also affects global climate patterns. In this article, we explore the causes, impacts, and potential future scenarios of Antarctica's ice melt.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-causes-of-ice-melt-in-antarctica">Causes of ice melt in Antarctica</h3>



<p>Global Warming and Climate Change: The primary driver of ice melt in Antarctica is global warming, caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions. As the Earth's atmosphere warms, so do the ocean waters surrounding Antarctica, leading to the melting of ice from below.</p>



<p>Atmospheric Changes: Changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, influenced by global warming, affect the temperature and precipitation levels in Antarctica. Warmer air temperatures directly contribute to surface melting of the ice.</p>



<p>Ocean Currents: The warming of ocean currents also plays a crucial role. Warmer currents erode the ice shelves from below, weakening them and making them more prone to break apart.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-antarctica-s-ice-melt">Impacts of Antarctica's ice melt</h3>



<p>Sea Level Rise: The most significant impact of the melting Antarctic ice is the rise in global sea levels. The continent holds the majority of the Earth's fresh water. Consequently, its melting contributes significantly to sea level rise, threatening coastal communities worldwide.</p>



<p>Biodiversity Loss: Antarctica's unique ecosystem, including its marine life, is at risk. As ice melts and fresh water enters the ocean, it can disrupt the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. This affects species that depend on ice for their survival.</p>



<p>Global Climate Patterns: The melting of Antarctic ice can alter global climate patterns. Changes in the salinity and temperature of the ocean waters can affect ocean currents, which play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-antarctica-s-ice-sheets">Future of Antarctica's ice sheets</h3>



<p>Projected Increase in Melting: With current trends in global warming, scientists project an increase in the rate of Antarctica's ice melt. This acceleration could have drastic consequences for global sea levels.</p>



<p>Importance of Climate Action: To mitigate the worst impacts of ice melt, significant and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are essential. International cooperation and adherence to climate agreements like the Paris Accord are critical.</p>



<p>Scientific Research and Monitoring: Continued research and monitoring of Antarctica's ice sheets are vital. Understanding the dynamics of ice melt and its impacts can help in developing effective strategies to address this global challenge.</p>



<p>In summary, the melting of Antarctica's ice sheets is a clear indicator of the broader impacts of climate change. It requires immediate and concerted global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate its effects. The future of Antarctica's ice, and indeed the world's coastlines and climate systems, depends on the actions we take today to combat global warming.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JD039434" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres</a>.</p>



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Scientists: Slow Antarctica ice melt with sunlight-reflecting particles

A study led by researchers from Indiana University has brought...

<p>In a new study led by <a href="https://wsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a>, researchers have discovered that grizzly bears maintain their internal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-moonlight-affects-the-circadian-clocks-of-animals/">circadian rhythms</a> even during their hibernation period.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This finding provides significant insights into the adaptability of circadian rhythms across different species, including humans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-circadian-rhythms">Circadian rhythms</h2>



<p>"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hibernating-bears-could-help-treat-human-diabetes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hibernation</a> is a highly seasonal physiological adaptation that allows brown <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-some-black-bears-actually-brown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bears</a> (Ursus arctos) to survive extended periods of low food availability," wrote the study authors. </p>



<p>"Similarly, daily or circadian rhythms conserve energy by coordinating body processes to optimally match the environmental light/dark cycle."</p>



<p>"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitat-and-diet-shape-the-guts-of-alaskan-brown-bears/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brown bears</a> express circadian rhythms in vivo and their cells do in vitro throughout the year, suggesting that these rhythms may play important roles during periods of negative energy balance."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy-production-nbsp">Energy production&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Contrary to the common perception that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hibernating-bears-could-help-humans-prevent-muscle-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hibernation</a> is a state of complete inactivity, the researchers observed that energy production in bears continues to follow a daily pattern, even as they sleep for months. </p>



<p>The experts also found that the amplitude of energy production was blunted during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-food-bears-hibernate-age-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hibernation</a>, with a reduced range of highs and lows. The peak occurred later in the day compared to the bear's active season, but the daily fluctuation was still there, noted the researchers. </p>



<p>“This underscores the importance of the circadian rhythms themselves - that they give organisms the flexibility to still function in a state as extreme as a hibernating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bears-are-not-carnivores-and-they-crave-a-healthy-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bear</a>,” said study senior author Professor Heiko Jansen.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-study-bear-hibernation">How to study bear hibernation</h2>



<p>This phenomenon was observed through genetic analyses on cell samples from six <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-bears-that-eat-human-food-lack-gut-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bears</a>, taken during their active and hibernating periods. </p>



<p>The cells were cultured and examined at two different temperatures, mimicking the bears' body temperatures during hibernation and active seasons.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The results showed a rhythmic expression of thousands of genes, leading to a consistent yet modulated production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy carrier in cells.</p>



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



<p>The study's findings have broader implications for understanding metabolic health in humans. Disruptions in circadian rhythms, such as those experienced by night shift workers, have been linked to metabolic issues like weight gain and diabetes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By studying bears, who are akin to "extreme shift workers" during their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-prevents-blood-clots-in-hibernating-bears/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hibernation</a>, scientists can gain insights into how prolonged periods of inactivity and fasting do not result in health issues typically seen in humans under similar conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy-conservation-nbsp">Energy conservation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research also highlighted differences in hibernation behaviors between bears and other hibernating mammals like rodents.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Unlike the near-comatose state of hibernating rodents, bears show occasional movements during hibernation, following a circadian rhythm with more daytime activity.</p>



<p>“It's like setting a thermostat. If you want to conserve some energy, you turn down the thermostat, and this is essentially what the bears are doing,” said Jansen.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“They’re using the ability to suppress the circadian rhythm, but they don’t stop the clock from running. It's a really novel way of fine-tuning a metabolic process and energy expenditure in an animal.”</p>



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



<p>Bear hibernation is a complex and fascinating process that involves several unique biological adaptations. Here are some key aspects of bear hibernation:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-annual-cycle-and-stages">Annual cycle and stages</h3>



<p>Black bears, for example, go through a five-stage annual cycle, including hibernation, walking hibernation, normal activity, hyperphagia (excessive eating), and fall transition​​.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metabolic-changes-during-bear-hibernation">Metabolic changes during bear hibernation</h3>



<p>Bears are considered true hibernators. This status was confirmed after biologists discovered the many metabolic changes that occur during their hibernation. This process was traditionally defined only in terms of temperature reduction, which is not significant in bears​​.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-regulation">Temperature regulation</h3>



<p>Unlike some hibernators, such as Arctic ground squirrels, that can lower their body temperature dramatically, bears maintain a comparatively high body temperature during hibernation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their metabolism slows significantly, but they hardly lose any heat. This is a unique approach among hibernating animals​​.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-habits">Eating habits</h3>



<p>In preparation for hibernation, bears enter a phase of hyperphagia, where they consume enormous amounts of food. For instance, grizzly bears in Yellowstone can consume up to 20,000 calories a day during this period, gaining up to three pounds daily​​.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproduction-and-bear-hibernation">Reproduction and bear hibernation</h3>



<p>The reproductive cycle of bears is also linked to hibernation. Female bears can delay the implantation of fertilized eggs in their womb until they enter hibernation, which is believed to be a strategy for energy conservation and population control based on food availability​​.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bear-hibernation-and-den-construction">Bear hibernation and den construction</h3>



<p>Bears typically create heat-efficient dens, often on slopes at high elevations. The dens are constructed just large enough for the bear, with an entrance that quickly gets covered by insulating snow, maximizing heat retention​​.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-preservation-during-hibernation">Health preservation during hibernation</h3>



<p>Bears maintain their health during hibernation in ways that are not fully understood but are of great interest to scientists.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For instance, they are able to prevent osteoporosis, a notable exception to what happens in most other animals, including humans, when inactive for extended periods.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A study showed that hibernating bears shut down genes involved with bone breakdown, suggesting a potential avenue for preventing osteoporosis in humans​​​​.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muscle-atrophy-prevention">Muscle atrophy prevention</h3>



<p>Grizzly bears can hibernate for months without experiencing muscle atrophy, a common problem in other animals and humans during periods of inactivity. Their metabolism and heart rate drop during hibernation, and their blood becomes rich in nitrogen.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Researchers have identified a unique set of genes in grizzly bears that boost amino acid metabolism during hibernation, leading to increased concentrations of certain non-essential amino acids that fuel muscle cell growth​​.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-medical-applications-nbsp">Potential medical applications&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The study of bear hibernation has potential applications for human health. For example, replicating a hibernation-like state in humans could be beneficial for stroke victims, extending the window of opportunity for treatment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Such research is inspired by the way bears significantly reduce their metabolism while maintaining vital functions during hibernation​​.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hibernation-timing">Hibernation timing</h3>



<p>Unlike some other hibernating animals that follow strict schedules based on day length, bears decide for themselves when to hibernate and when to recover. This timing is influenced by various factors, including food supply and temperature​​.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00360-023-01513-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of Comparative Physiology B</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Circadian rhythms persist during bear hibernation

In a new study led by Washington State University, researchers...

<p>A recent study has revealed a startling link between rabies virus variants found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-find-a-protein-in-bats-that-can-slow-aging-and-fight-most-diseases/">bats</a> and those present in white-tufted marmosets in Northeast Brazil.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This finding is significant due to the potential risk of rabies transmission to humans, and is particularly concerning since a man died in May after a marmoset bite.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emergence-in-wildlife-nbsp">Emergence in wildlife&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Rabies, a deadly disease for humans, is increasingly being detected in various wildlife species, including marmosets found in Brazilian forests and urban areas.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Marmosets, often captured as pets and later abandoned, have been implicated in human rabies cases. This emergence is a pressing public health concern.</p>



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



<p>The study was conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_University_of_S%C3%A3o_Paulo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal University of São Paulo</a>’s Medical School (EPM-UNIFESP) and supported by FAPESP. The results highlight the similarity between rabies variants in marmosets and bats.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Fruit- and insect-eating bats, which are not typically associated with rabies, were found carrying the virus, indicating a complex transmission dynamic. Bats that feed on blood are the more likely hosts.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deadly-encounters">Deadly encounters</h2>



<p>“Seven marmosets have recently tested positive for rabies. Rabies is endemic in Ceará, where people have been attacked by marmosets and died from rabies. One such death occurred in May,” said study lead author Larissa Leão Ferrer de Sousa.</p>



<p>In February, a 36-year-old farm worker near a town called Cariús was bitten by a rabid marmoset. “The marmoset fell into his backyard. It was semi-paralyzed, which is one of the symptoms of rabies. The man tried to help it, and it bit him," said Sousa.</p>



<p>"Animals with rabies aren’t always aggressive and don’t necessarily foam at the mouth, the symptom most people associate with rabies. Sometimes there are no apparent symptoms at all."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-warning">Public warning</h2>



<p>Sousa advises against touching wild animals, including bats, and suggests contacting local animal health surveillance for dead wildlife. Immediate medical attention and vaccination are crucial following animal contact, as rabies symptoms typically signal a fatal outcome.</p>



<p>“Rabies incubates for 45 days on average, so it’s extremely important for anyone who’s infected to get post-exposure prophylaxis [serum and vaccine] immediately. When symptoms appear, it’s normally too late, and the patient will die,” said Ricardo Durães-Carvalho, a researcher at EPM-UNIFESP and principal investigator of the study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-sequencing-nbsp">Genetic sequencing&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers sequenced RNA from 144 brain tissue samples of 15 bat species. These samples, collected as part of a national surveillance program, revealed rabies virus variants in bats closely related to those in marmosets.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Next, the team traced the evolutionary history of the viruses they found using computer-assisted tools.</p>



<p>The first set of sequences was compatible with rabies virus variants found in two insectivorous bat species from Southeast Brazil in 2010.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, another group of variants found in two insectivorous and one frugivorous species of bats were evolutionarily related to the virus detected in marmosets from the Northeast.</p>



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



<p>“Our results allowed us to infer that the different rabies virus variants that were closely related in evolutionary terms were originally from the same animal, revealing complex spillover dynamics and multiple viral transmission between hosts,” said Durães-Carvalho.</p>



<p>While bats and marmosets play key roles in rabies transmission, they are also crucial for ecological balance and are threatened by habitat loss. Respecting and protecting these animals in their natural habitats is essential for maintaining ecosystem health.</p>



<p>The discovery of rabies virus variants in bats linked to marmosets in Brazil serves as a reminder of the intricate relationships between wildlife, humans, and diseases.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Wildlife conservation and public health vigilance are crucially important for preventing future outbreaks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-white-tufted-marmosets">White-tufted marmosets</h2>



<p>White-tufted marmosets, also known as common marmosets or white-tufted-ear marmosets, are New World monkeys native to South America. They were originally found along the northeastern coast of Brazil, in various states including Piaui, Paraiba, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Alagoas, and Bahia​​​​.</p>



<p>In terms of appearance, these marmosets are quite small, with a body length of approximately 12 to 15 centimeters and a tail length ranging from 29.5 to 35 centimeters. They are distinguished by their white ear tufts and a white blaze on their forehead. Their head fur is usually dark brown, while their back fur is a greyish brown color with light transverse striping​​.</p>



<p>The white-tufted marmoset lives in stable extended families, indicative of their social nature​​. An interesting aspect of their behavior is their feeding habits. They primarily feed on gums and saps from trees, using their lower incisors to create holes in gum-producing trees. This action induces a flow of gum from the trees, which serves as an important food source for them​​.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmv.29046" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of Medical Virology</em></a>.</p>



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Emerging threat: Rabies virus from marmosets found in Brazilian bats

A recent study has revealed a startling link between rabies...

<p>A recent study suggests that men may experience less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/no-pain-no-gain-physical-activity-enhances-pain-tolerance/">pain</a> when treated by female healthcare providers compared to male ones. Researchers from <a href="https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lund University</a> in Sweden conducted experiments involving healthy volunteers and patients in hospital settings to explore this phenomenon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gender-difference-in-pain-perception">Gender difference in pain perception</h2>



<p>In one experiment, participants were subjected to a laser pulse on the foot arch by examiners of both genders. The findings indicated that male participants reported a higher pain threshold when treated by female examiners, even though the examiners followed identical procedures and scripts. Interestingly, this gender difference in pain perception was not observed in female participants.</p>



<p>A separate experiment involved participants self-administering a mild electric current and indicating when they felt pain. This test was repeated with both male and female examiners. Results showed that both male and female participants could endure more pain when a female examiner was present.</p>



<p>Additionally, a clinical study involving 245 post-surgical patients across three hospital wards revealed that male patients reported slightly less pain when their pain levels were assessed by female investigators. This gender-specific difference in pain reporting was not observed in female patients.</p>



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



<p>Lead author Anna Engskov, a consultant in anaesthesiology and intensive care at Lund, highlighted the potential significance of these findings for patient care, particularly in situations of intense pain requiring relief.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“For the individual patient it can matter, especially given that the differences in pain were greatest when it hurt so much that the patients started asking for pain relief,” she explained. In addition, she suggested that silent communication factors like empathy, indicated by more smiles and direct eye contact, might play a role, although the exact reasons for these differences remain unclear.</p>



<p>Professor Jonas Åkeson from <a href="https://vard.skane.se/en/skane-university-hospital/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skåne University Hospital</a> in Malmö, who supervised the experiments, emphasized that this is the first time such results have been confirmed both experimentally and clinically. These insights into the gender dynamics of pain evaluation could enhance patient care and pain management strategies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pain-perception-nbsp">Pain perception&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Pain perception, also known as nociception, is the sensory process that provides the signals that lead to the experience of pain. It involves the detection of potentially harmful stimuli by nociceptors (sensory neurons) and the transmission of this information to the brain, where it is processed and interpreted as pain.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This process is crucial for survival as it triggers reflexes and behaviors that protect the body from harm. Pain perception can be influenced by various factors including physical condition, emotional state, cultural background, and prior experiences with pain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pain-threshold">Pain threshold</h2>



<p>People with a higher pain threshold can tolerate a greater intensity of painful stimuli before perceiving it as pain. This threshold varies significantly among individuals due to a combination of genetic, physiological, psychological, and environmental factors.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-factors">Genetic factors</h3>



<p>Some people are genetically predisposed to have a higher pain tolerance. Variations in genes related to the nervous system can affect how pain signals are processed and perceived.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physiological-factors">Physiological factors</h3>



<p>Differences in nerve function and the efficiency of the body's natural pain-inhibiting mechanisms can influence pain threshold. For instance, higher levels of endorphins, natural painkillers produced by the body, can raise the pain threshold.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-factors">Psychological factors</h3>



<p>Mental and emotional states like focus, anxiety, or stress can impact pain perception. For example, athletes or soldiers in high-stress situations often report not feeling pain until after the stressful event is over.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-and-cultural-factors">Environmental and cultural factors</h3>



<p>&nbsp;Exposure to pain, cultural attitudes towards pain, and learned behaviors can also influence one's pain threshold. People who are frequently exposed to painful stimuli might develop a higher tolerance over time.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-023-00508-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Biology of Sex Differences</em></a>.</p>



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Men have a higher pain threshold when females are treating them

A recent study suggests that men may experience less pain...

<p>A new study funded by <a href="https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cancer Research UK</a> has found that every year, 1.3 million lives are tragically lost to cancers caused by smoking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tobacco-native-american-culture/">tobacco</a> in the UK, US, and BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). The research reveals that these seven countries collectively bear more than half of the global burden of annual cancer deaths. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventable-risk-factors">Preventable risk factors</h2>



<p>The study, conducted by experts from the <a href="https://www.iarc.who.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Agency for Research on Cancer</a> (IARC), Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), and King’s College London, not only looked at smoking but also examined the impact of alcohol, overweight or obesity, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, concluding these four preventable risk factors are responsible for nearly two million deaths combined annually.</p>



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



<p>The researchers utilized a method focusing on the years of life lost to cancer, providing insights into the premature nature of these deaths. This perspective underscores the societal impact of cancer – for instance, a death at 60 results in more years of life lost compared to a death at 80.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The study concluded that the four risk factors contribute to over 30 million years of life lost each year, with smoking tobacco having the most substantial impact, leading to 20.8 million years lost.</p>



<p>Globally, cancer is increasingly affecting low- and middle-income countries. Cancer Research UK’s analysis indicates a projected rise in new cancer cases by approximately 400 percent in low-income countries over the next 50 years, from 0.6 million to 3.1 million cases annually. In contrast, very-high-income countries like the UK are expected to see an increase of around 50 percent over the same period.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-action-is-needed">Global action is needed</h2>



<p>Dr. Ian Walker, Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy and information, emphasized the importance of global action to prevent these cancers and highlighted the critical impact of tobacco control.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Smoking causes 150 cases of cancer in the UK every single day. Raising the age of sale in England is a critical step towards creating the first ever smoke free generation, and we call on MPs from all parties to support the legislation.”</p>



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



<p>The research findings, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102289" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>eClinicalMedicine</em></a>, were derived from analyzing population attributable fractions of the four risk factors from previous global studies and applying these to 2020 cancer death estimates. </p>



<p>The study highlighted various key findings, including the differing impact of preventable risk factors on cancer types across countries. For instance, in India, head and neck cancer in men and gynecological cancer in women were more prevalent due to inadequate cervical screening and different smoking habits, compared to other countries where tobacco smoking mainly led to lung cancer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gender-disparities-nbsp">Gender disparities&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study also revealed significant gender disparities in cancer deaths and years of life lost due to different risk factors. Men had higher rates of years lost to smoking and alcohol, while women were more impacted by overweight or obesity, and HPV infection. This was especially pronounced in South Africa and India, where HPV led to high rates of years of life lost with a significant gender imbalance.</p>



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



<p>Dr. Judith Offman, Senior Lecturer in Cancer Prevention and Early Detection at Queen Mary University of London, who contributed to the study while at King’s College London, reflected on the findings: “Seeing how many years of life are lost to cancer due to these risk factors in countries around the world allows us to see what certain countries are doing well, and what isn’t working.”</p>



<p>She emphasized the crucial role of HPV vaccination and cervical screening in preventing cervical cancer, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where cervical cancer mortality rates are significantly higher than in the UK and US.</p>



<p>In response to these findings, Cancer Research UK is launching its Manifesto for Cancer Care and Research on November 28. This manifesto aims to transform cancer care and survival in the UK and assist other countries in saving more lives from cancer. It will offer a comprehensive blueprint of actionable policies for political parties to improve outcomes for cancer patients.</p>



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Smoking tobacco leads to over 1.3 million cancer deaths each year

A new study funded by Cancer Research UK has found...

<p>In a significant breakthrough in the field of paleontology, the southern coast of Australia has revealed 27 ancient bird footprints. </p>



<p>These footprints date back to the Early Cretaceous period when Australia was still physically connected to Antarctica. They offer new insights into early avian evolution and their migratory patterns. </p>



<p>The bird tracks are estimated to be between 120 and 128 million years old, a time frame that is crucial to understanding the early stages of avian evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-125-million-year-old-bird-tracks">125 million-year-old bird tracks</h2>



<p>Anthony Martin is the first author of the study and a professor at <a href="https://envs.emory.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emory University</a>'s Department of Environmental Sciences. He emphasizes the global significance of this discovery. </p>



<p>"Most of the bird tracks and body fossils dating as far back as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colossal-new-dinosaur-was-hidden-in-spains-early-cretaceous-fossils/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early Cretaceous</a> are from the Northern Hemisphere, particularly from Asia,” Martin observes. </p>



<p>“The birds would likely have been stepping on soft sand or mud. Then the tracks may have been buried by a gentle river flow that deposited more sand or mud on top of them," Martin elaborated.</p>



<p>This new evidence indicates a diverse avian presence near the South Pole around 125 million years ago. As a specialist in ichnology, Martin’s expertise lies in interpreting these ancient traces of life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-characteristics-and-location">Characteristics and location</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bird-footprints_early-cretaceous_credit-Anthony-Martin_1medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discovered bird tracks</a> vary in size from seven to 14 centimeters wide. This matches the size of modern-day shorebirds, such as small herons and oystercatchers. These tracks are among the largest known from the Early Cretaceous and were found in the <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0293308" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wonthaggi Formation</a>, a geological site south of Melbourne.</p>



<p>The Wonthaggi Formation, where the tracks were located, marks a significant geological period when the supercontinent <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/supercontinents-101-pannotia-gondwana-and-pangea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gondwana</a> began to fragment. This period was characterized by a polar environment with a rift valley and braided rivers. Severe winters and prolonged periods of darkness were common.</p>



<p>The multiple stratigraphic levels where the tracks were found suggest a recurrent presence of various bird species. This may indicate seasonal formation during polar summers. This could point to migratory patterns among these ancient birds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-the-bird-footprints">Preserving the bird footprints</h2>



<p>Martin notes the difficulties in preserving bird fossils, given their small and lightweight bone structure. This rarity makes the discovery of the Wonthaggi tracks all the more remarkable. The Wonthaggi Formation itself is known for its rich variety of polar dinosaur bones. However, bird fossils have been extremely scarce.</p>



<p>“Birds have such thin and tiny bones,” Martin says. “Think of the likelihood of a sparrow being preserved in the geologic record as opposed to an elephant.”</p>



<p>Martin and his colleagues previously discovered two 105-million-year-old bird tracks in Australia's <a href="https://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/37743/7/03chapter4pgs34-52.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eumeralla Formation</a>, which were then the oldest known in Australia. The current discovery was initially spotted in 2020 by co-author Melissa Lowery, a local volunteer fossil hunter, renowned for her skill in finding fossil tracks.</p>



<p>“Melissa is incredibly skilled at finding fossil tracks,” Martin says. “Some of these tracks are subtle even for me, and I have lots of experience and training.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-field-analysis-and-challenges">Field analysis and challenges</h2>



<p>The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, delaying field analysis until 2022. Martin, along with Patricia Vickers-Rich and Thomas Rich, both of whom have contributed significantly to the understanding of Gondwana's biota, led the field analysis.</p>



<p>The detailed examination of the tracks, such as the thinness of the toes and the angles between them, was crucial in confirming their avian origin. Claudia Serrano-Brañas, a co-author and paleontologist, compared these tracks with ancient bird footprints from other parts of the world to verify their similarities.</p>



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



<p>Peter Swinkels, a co-author and expert in specimen preservation, created resin casts of these tracks. These casts not only aid in further research but also help in preserving these ephemeral geological records, which are rapidly eroding due to coastal tides and waves.</p>



<p>Reflecting on the transient nature of these discoveries, Martin remarks, "Seven of the tracks that Melissa found in 2020 are no longer there." This statement underscores the urgency in documenting these rare and fleeting glimpses into our planet's ancient past. </p>



<p>The discovery of these avian tracks in Southern Australia not only enhances our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fascinating-fossil-birds-discovered-in-china/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early bird life</a>, but also highlights the impermanent nature of geological records.</p>



<p>This study is the result of collaborative efforts by an international team, including experts from <a href="https://www.monash.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monash University</a> and the <a href="https://museumsvictoria.com.au/research-institute/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Museums Victoria Research Institute</a> in Australia; the Benemérita Normal School of Coahuila in Mexico; and the <a href="https://www.si.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian Institution</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-birds-in-the-early-cretaceous">More about birds in the Early Cretaceous</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-species-of-ankylosaur-discovered-on-the-isle-of-wight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early Cretaceous</a> period, spanning from approximately 145 to 100 million years ago, marked a significant era in the evolution of birds. During this time, birds diverged further from their dinosaurian ancestors, developing characteristics that defined modern avian species.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diversity-and-adaptation">Diversity and adaptation</h3>



<p>Birds in the Early Cretaceous showcased a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-got-their-diverse-skulls-in-the-time-of-dinosaurs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remarkable diversity</a> in form and function. This era witnessed the emergence of various bird groups, each adapting to different ecological niches. </p>



<p>Some developed specialized beaks and feet for different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-birds-switched-from-dinosaur-diets-to-eating-leaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feeding strategies</a>, while others adapted for efficient flight, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of early birds.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-records-and-discoveries">Fossil records and discoveries</h3>



<p>Fossil discoveries from this period, including the discovery discussed above, provide key insights into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chinese-fossil-provides-a-new-glimpse-into-early-bird-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution of birds</a>. Notable fossils include well-preserved specimens with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/modern-bird-feathers-contain-traces-of-dinosaur-feathers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feathers</a>, which help scientists understand the transition from feathered dinosaurs to modern birds. </p>



<p>These fossils reveal early birds' physical characteristics, such as toothed beaks and long, bony tails, which gradually disappeared in later avian evolution.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavioral-aspects">Behavioral aspects</h3>



<p>Behavioral aspects of Early Cretaceous birds, such as nesting habits, can be inferred from fossilized nests and eggs. These discoveries suggest that some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-prehistoric-bird-had-a-tongue-as-long-as-its-head/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early bird species</a> exhibited behaviors similar to modern birds, like brooding and possibly vocal communication.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-significance">Ecological significance</h3>



<p>Early Cretaceous birds played vital roles in their ecosystems. As insectivores, frugivores, and possibly even small carnivores, they contributed to the balance of their habitats. Their presence indicates a complex and thriving ecosystem during this period.</p>



<p>In summary, the Early Cretaceous period was a critical time in avian history, marked by diversification and adaptation. The fossil record of bird footprints from this era, while still incomplete, provides invaluable insights into the early stages of bird evolution, illustrating a dynamic period in the history of life on Earth.</p>



<p>The full study was published in <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0293308" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>.</p>



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Oldest known bird footprints discovered in Australia

In a significant breakthrough in the field of paleontology, the...

<p>A recent study led by <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pennsylvania State University</a> has found that as Antarctica loses sea ice due to global warming, the subsequent increase in snowfall over its ice sheets might partially offset the contributions to sea level rise.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This research uncovers a complex relationship between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-levels-in-antarctica-have-reached-an-unprecedented-low/">sea ice loss</a> in the Amundsen Sea, West Antarctica, and an increase in atmospheric moisture leading to heavier snowfalls.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subtle-interactions-nbsp">Subtle interactions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>According to Luke Trusel, assistant professor of Geography at Penn State and a co-author of the study, including these subtle interactions in climate models could improve predictions of phenomena like sea level rise.</p>



<p>Antarctica’s ice sheet is a major player in global sea level dynamics. As one of the world’s largest freshwater stores, any change in its volume has a direct impact on sea levels. Trusel pointed out that, while attention often focuses on visible processes like calving icebergs, less obvious factors, such as snowfall on the ice sheet, are equally crucial.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“For a place like Antarctica, which is just massive, the amount of snow falling on top of the ice sheet is as important or even more important than other processes like meltwater or ice breaking off,” Trusel said.</p>



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



<p>Jessica Kromer, a doctoral candidate at Penn State and study lead author, emphasized the role of sea ice in the study. “Sea ice is significant. It reflects sunlight, aids in cooling the planet, and influences interactions between the atmosphere and ocean, including oceanic evaporation,” she argued.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers discovered that during periods of reduced sea ice, there was more moisture in the atmosphere, which condensed when reaching the colder ice sheet boundaries, leading to increased snowfall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-level-rise">Sea level rise</h2>



<p>Despite the potential for additional snowfall to slow sea level rise, the researchers caution that it is not sufficient to offset the overall trend.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“With global warming, there’s an expectation of reduced sea ice. As sea ice diminishes, there could be increased evaporation from the ocean leading to more precipitation over Antarctica. While this might appear to offset the loss of sea ice, the implications are multifaceted. Increased snowfall in Antarctica might slow the sea level rise, but it’s essential to recognize that the ice sheet will continue to contribute to rising sea levels.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctic-sea-ice-patterns">Antarctic sea ice patterns</h2>



<p>Kromer highlighted recent satellite data showing significant changes in Antarctic sea ice patterns. “While Arctic sea ice has been rapidly declining over the satellite record, the Antarctic experienced a slight increase until 2015, followed by a sharp decline in 2016,” she said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“In 2022, we witnessed a new record low, and this year’s levels are even lower, significantly below previous observations. These recent rapid changes in Antarctic sea ice highlight the urgency of understanding their causes and their potential impact on the Antarctic ice sheet.”</p>



<p>This study - published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023GL104436" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Geophysical Research Letters</em></a><em> </em>- underscores the necessity of refining climate models to accurately predict future sea level changes, particularly in representing sea ice dynamics.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“If we aim to project future sea level changes with precision, it’s essential to enhance our models, particularly in representing sea ice dynamics,” Trusel concluded.</p>



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Sea ice loss increases snowfall over West Antarctica

A recent study led by Pennsylvania State University has found...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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