<p>Evolution is often framed as a slow process encoded into our DNA. Yet some scientists argue we may be witnessing a shift of a different kind - one driven not by biology but by culture. This idea challenges traditional views of how our species adapts and survives.</p>



<p>At the <a href="https://umaine.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maine</a>, researchers Timothy M. Waring and Zachary T. Wood believe culture is overtaking genetics as the main force of human evolution. Their work suggests that humanity may be experiencing a transition rivaling some of the greatest shifts in evolutionary history.</p>



<p>"We find that culture solves problems much more rapidly than genetic evolution," said Waring. "This suggests our species is in the middle of a great evolutionary transition.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-s-new-driving-force">Evolution’s new driving force</h2>



<p>From <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-neolithic-mountain-settlers-used-complex-farming-methods/">farming methods</a> to legal codes, cultural practices adapt far faster than biological evolution. These changes allow human groups to solve problems and adjust to environments in ways genetics cannot match. </p>



<p>Waring and Wood argue that this transition is not new but is accelerating and could define humanity for millennia. “Cultural evolution eats genetic evolution for breakfast,” said Wood. “It’s not even close.”</p>



<p>Modern life illustrates this vividly. Eyeglasses, surgery, and fertility treatments intervene in challenges once governed by natural selection. Hospitals, schools, and governments have become cultural infrastructures that determine survival more than genetic traits.</p>



<p>“Ask yourself this: what matters more for your personal life outcomes, the genes you are born with, or the country where you live?” Waring said. </p>



<p>“Today, your well-being is determined less and less by your personal biology and more and more by the cultural systems that surround you - your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/community-sleep-health-predicts-success-among-children/">community</a>, your nation, your technologies. And the importance of culture tends to grow over the long term because culture accumulates adaptive solutions more rapidly.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture-moves-faster-than-dna">Culture moves faster than DNA</h2>



<p>Culture is not just personal; it thrives on shared practices. Evidence from history and anthropology shows that group-level cultural adaptation has long shaped humanity, from the rise of agriculture to the creation of states. </p>



<p>Health systems, sanitation, and education now contribute more to survival than individual intelligence or genetic luck.</p>



<p>The researchers suggest this reliance on shared systems means humans are evolving through culture to become more group-oriented and dependent. Our survival may hinge on cultural evolution and collective adaptation rather than individual genetic advantage.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-groups-evolve-beyond-genetics">Groups evolve beyond genetics</h2>



<p>Evolutionary history includes dramatic reorganizations of life, like single cells forming multicellular organisms or insects becoming highly cooperative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ant-colonies-behave-like-neural-networks-when-making-decisions/">colonies</a>. Waring and Wood argue humans could be undergoing a similar individuality transition.</p>



<p>“Cultural organization makes groups more cooperative and effective. And larger, more capable groups adapt - via cultural change - more rapidly,” said Waring. “It’s a mutually reinforcing system, and the data suggest it is accelerating.”</p>



<p>Societal complexity makes even genetic engineering possible, showing how culture controls biology itself. If this transition continues, future humans may resemble societal “super-organisms” shaped more by cultural systems than genetic evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-putting-culture-to-the-test">Putting culture to the test</h2>



<p>The researchers stress that their theory is testable. They are developing mathematical models and long-term data collection to measure how quickly culture is overtaking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tens-of-thousands-of-hidden-dark-genes-discovered-in-humans/">genes</a>. Importantly, they caution against viewing cultural evolution as inevitable progress.</p>



<p>“We are not suggesting that some societies, like those with more wealth or better technology, are morally ‘better’ than others,” Wood said. “Evolution can create both good solutions and brutal outcomes. We believe this might help our whole species avoid the most brutal parts.”</p>



<p>At the University of Maine’s Applied Cultural Evolution Laboratory, Waring’s team continues to expand this work, exploring how cultural patterns can inform humanity’s future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-culture-and-evolution">Future of culture and evolution</h2>



<p>The implications are vast. If cultural inheritance keeps dominating, human destiny may rest less on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-dna-shows-what-really-spread-the-farming-revolution/">DNA</a> and more on the resilience of our communities, technologies, and institutions.</p>



<p>“If cultural inheritance continues to dominate, our fates as individuals, and the future of our species, may increasingly hinge on the strength and adaptability of our societies,” Waring noted.</p>



<p>In this view, evolution’s future may not be written in genes but in the shared systems and stories that bind us together, shaping our communities, guiding innovation, and influencing how societies survive, grow, and adapt.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/biosci/biaf094/8230384?redirectedFrom=fulltext&amp;login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>BioScience</em></a>.</p>



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Culture is driving human evolution faster than our genes

Evolution is often framed as a slow process encoded into our DNA. Yet some scientists argue we may be witnessing a shift of a different kind - one driven not by biology but by culture. This idea challenges traditional views of how our species adapts and survives. At the University of Maine, researchers Timothy M. Waring and Zachary T. Wood believe culture is overtaking genetics as the main force of human evolution. Their work suggests that humanity may be experiencing a transition rivaling some of the greatest...

Closeup,Right,Side,Portrait,Of,Giant,Anteater,From,Climbing,On

<p>Spores of coprophilous fungi pass through the guts of megafauna (animals weighing over 45 kilograms) as part of their life cycle. As a result,&nbsp; the presence of such spores in sediment samples can provide evidence that large animals lived in a specific time and place.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By analyzing samples from a peat bog in Pantano de Monquentiva – located about 60 kilometers from Bogota, Colombia in the Eastern Cordillera mountains – a team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a> discovered that large animals became locally extinct at this location both around 23,000 years ago and 11,000 years ago, severely impacting the ecosystems in which they were embedded.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Considering our current biodiversity crisis, these findings suggest that the disappearance of large animals could once more transform ecosystems that sustain both wildlife and humans.</p>



<p>“We know that large animals such as elephants play a vital role in regulating ecosystems, for example by eating and trampling vegetation,” said&nbsp;study senior author Dunia H. Urrego, a senior lecturer in Physical Geography at Exeter.</p>



<p>“By analyzing samples of fungal spores, as well as pollen and charcoal, we were able to track the extinction of large animals, and the consequences of this extinction for plant abundance and fire activity. We found the Monquentiva ecosystem changed dramatically when large animals disappeared, with different plant species thriving and wildfires increasing.”</p>



<p>Although the analysis of fungal spores does not show which types of megafauna were present, species known to inhabit Columbia during these periods included the giant armadillo and the giant, six-meter-tall ground sloth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to the researchers, most of the plentiful megafauna that existed for thousands of years vanished 23,000 years ago. After about 5,000 years, large animals began once more to populate the Monquentiva, before another wave of extinction decimated them approximately 11,000 years ago. While the causes of these extinctions are not yet clear, scientists argue that climate change, hunting by humans, or even meteor strikes could be plausible explanations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“After the megafauna vanished, plant species at Monquentiva transitioned, with more woody and palatable plants (those favored by grazing animals), and the loss of plants that depend on seed dispersal by animals,” said lead author&nbsp;Felix Pym, a&nbsp;graduate student in Physical Geography at Exeter.</p>



<p>“Wildfires became more common after the megafauna extinctions – presumably because flammable plants were no longer being eaten or trampled upon. Overall, our findings show that this habitat was highly sensitive to the decline of its megafaunal populations.”</p>



<p>The findings suggest that, in the context of our current biodiversity crisis, conservation efforts should take into account the effects of local herbivore declines on the dispersal of various plant species, wildfire activity, and the loss of ecosystem services.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/qua.2022.66"><em>Quaternary Research</em></a>.</p>



<p>—</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</em></p>



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Colombian megafauna experienced "waves" of extinctions

Spores of coprophilous fungi pass through the guts of megafauna...

<p>A recent study has revealed that the mysterious comet-like tail of asteroid 3200 Phaethon, the source of the annual Geminid meteor shower, is not composed of dust as previously believed. Instead, the tail consists of sodium gas, challenging long-held scientific assumptions about this enigmatic celestial object.</p>



<p>Discovered in 1983, Phaethon is an asteroid that exhibits comet-like behavior, brightening and forming a tail when near the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aztecs-kept-accurate-time-using-the-sun-and-the-mountains/">Sun</a>. Most meteor showers are the result of comets, so when scientists found that Phaethon's orbit matched that of the Geminid meteors, they assumed the tail was formed by dust escaping from the asteroid's surface due to the Sun's heat. In 2009, NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) confirmed the existence of Phaethon's tail, supporting the dust theory.</p>



<p>However, in 2018, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/parker-solar-probe">NASA's Parker Solar Probe</a> observed that the Geminid debris trail contained far more material than Phaethon could possibly shed during its close approaches to the Sun. This prompted Qicheng Zhang, a PhD student at the California Institute of Technology and lead author of the study published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/acc866"><em>Planetary Science Journal</em></a>, to question the dust hypothesis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Comets often glow brilliantly by sodium emission when very near the Sun, so we suspected sodium could likewise serve a key role in Phaethon's brightening," explained Zhang.</p>



<p>To test this hypothesis, Zhang examined images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint mission between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), which has color filters that can detect sodium and dust. Archival images from STEREO and SOHO were also examined, revealing the tail during 18 of Phaethon's close solar approaches between 1997 and 2022.</p>



<p>SOHO's observations showed the asteroid's tail to be bright in the filter that detects sodium but not in the filter that detects dust. The shape of the tail and the way it brightened as Phaethon passed the Sun also matched what scientists would expect if it were composed of sodium, but not if it were composed of dust. This evidence confirmed that Phaethon's tail is made of sodium, not dust.</p>



<p>Project team member Karl Battams of the Naval Research Laboratory highlighted the significance of the discovery. "Not only do we have a really cool result that kind of upends 14 years of thinking about a well-scrutinized object, but we also did this using data from two heliophysics spacecraft – SOHO and STEREO – that were not at all intended to study phenomena like this."</p>



<p>The researchers suspect that some of the comets discovered by SOHO and the citizen scientists involved in the Sungrazer Project may actually be rocky asteroids like Phaethon, heated up by the Sun. "A lot of those other sunskirting 'comets' may also not be 'comets' in the usual, icy body sense, but may instead be rocky asteroids like Phaethon heated up by the Sun," said Zhang.</p>



<p>A lingering question remains: If Phaethon doesn't shed much dust, how does it supply the material for the Geminid meteor shower observed each December? Zhang's team theorizes that a disruptive event a few thousand years ago, possibly involving a piece of the asteroid breaking apart under rotational stress, caused Phaethon to eject the estimated billion tons of material that make up the Geminid debris stream. The exact nature of this event is still unknown.</p>



<p>Further answers may be forthcoming from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)'s upcoming DESTINY+ mission, which plans to fly past Phaethon later this decade.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-comets-and-asteroids">More about comets and asteroids</h2>



<p>Comets and asteroids are celestial objects found within our solar system, often referred to as small Solar System bodies. While both are remnants of the early solar system, they differ in their composition, structure, and behavior.</p>



<p>Comets are made up of a mixture of ice, rock, and dust, and are sometimes referred to as "dirty snowballs." They are believed to originate from the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud, regions located in the outer reaches of the Solar System. When a comet gets close to the Sun, the ice in its nucleus vaporizes, creating a glowing coma (a bright, hazy atmosphere) and a tail that can stretch millions of kilometers. The tail always points away from the Sun due to the solar wind and radiation pressure. Comets typically have elongated, elliptical orbits, which cause them to periodically visit the inner Solar System.</p>



<p>Asteroids, on the other hand, are primarily composed of rock and metal and are the remnants of the early Solar System's building blocks. They are found mostly in the Asteroid Belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, although some can be found in other parts of the Solar System as well. Unlike comets, asteroids do not have a glowing coma or a tail, as they do not contain significant amounts of ice. Their orbits are generally more circular than those of comets, and they can range in size from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter.</p>



<p>While comets and asteroids are distinct celestial objects, some "crossover" bodies exhibit characteristics of both, such as asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which forms a comet-like tail when near the Sun. The study of these celestial objects helps scientists understand the formation and evolution of the Solar System and offers insights into the potential origins of life on Earth.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/IPAC</p>



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Study sheds new light on mysterious asteroid Phaethon

A recent study has revealed that the mysterious comet-like tail...

<p>The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle by absorbing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This critical ecosystem service helps regulate the Earth's climate and mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, the rainforest's ability to store <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-forests-are-losing-their-capacity-to-trap-carbon/">carbon</a> is under threat due to various factors, including deforestation, climate change, and increasing incidents of drought.</p>



<p>A recent study involving 80 scientists from Europe and South America has shed light on how different regions within the Amazon rainforest are likely to respond to drier conditions brought about by climate change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study, led by Dr. Julia Tavares and Professor David Galbraith of the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a>, reveals that trees in the western and southern Amazon face the greatest risk of dying due to drought. The death of these trees, and consequently the loss of their ability to store carbon, could have significant implications for the global carbon cycle and climate change mitigation efforts.</p>



<p>Historically, scientific investigations have focused on the central-eastern region of the forest, which is the least vulnerable to drought. This means that the potential impacts of drought on the entire Amazon rainforest may have been underestimated. The current study offers the first comprehensive assessment of how different regions of the Amazon might respond to an increasingly warm and dry climate.</p>



<p>Professor Galbraith highlighted the importance of understanding the stress limits that the Amazon forest can endure:&nbsp; “Our study provides new insights into the limits of forest resistance to one major stressor - drought.”</p>



<p>The Amazon is not a single, homogenous forest. It is composed of numerous forest regions that span various climate zones, ranging from extremely wet to very dry. Dr. Tavares explained that the research aimed to examine how these diverse forest ecosystems were coping with the stresses they faced.</p>



<p>Published in the scientific journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05971-3"><em>Nature</em></a>, the study's findings remove a "major knowledge bottleneck of how climate change will impact this critical ecosystem."&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The research team, known as the "tree doctors," collected measurements and samples from 11 separate sites across the western, central-eastern, and southern Amazon – covering Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia – over the course of a year. This comprehensive data set allowed the scientists to evaluate the drought resistance of 540 individual trees across 129 species.</p>



<p>Despite the southern part of the Amazon Forest demonstrating the greatest degree of adaptation to cope with drought, the study revealed that trees in this region still faced the highest risk of dying due to drought. This increased vulnerability is likely a result of rapid climate change and disruption to rainfall patterns caused by deforestation, which have pushed trees to the limits of their adaptability.</p>



<p>Conversely, tree species in the wettest parts of the Amazon Forest exhibited the lowest levels of adaptation to drought, yet were considered the safest in terms of future climate change risks. This is because these areas have not yet been significantly impacted by changes in rainfall.</p>



<p>The researchers emphasize that their findings should be used to update and refine existing models on how the Amazon may be impacted by drier conditions, as previous studies may have underestimated the vulnerability of certain forest regions to climate change. With a more nuanced understanding of the Amazon rainforest's response to drought, scientists and policymakers can better assess the potential consequences of climate change and develop targeted strategies to preserve this vital ecosystem.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-carbon-storage-in-the-amazon-rainforest">More about carbon storage in the Amazon rainforest&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Carbon storage in the Amazon rainforest plays a significant role in regulating global climate. The vast expanse of the Amazon, covering approximately 6.7 million square kilometers, is home to an estimated 390 billion individual trees belonging to over 16,000 species. These trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass through the process of photosynthesis.</p>



<p>The Amazon rainforest is responsible for storing an estimated 76 to 96 billion metric tons of carbon, making it one of the largest terrestrial carbon sinks on the planet. This carbon storage capacity helps offset human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, thereby mitigating the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the vastness and diversity of the Amazon contribute to the stability of weather patterns, influencing precipitation and temperature.</p>



<p>However, this vital ecosystem service is under threat from various factors. Deforestation, often driven by logging, agriculture, and infrastructure development, directly results in the loss of trees and, consequently, their ability to store carbon. When trees are cut down or burned, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to increased greenhouse gas concentrations and exacerbating climate change.</p>



<p>Climate change and drought also pose significant threats to the Amazon's carbon storage capacity. As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns change, some regions within the rainforest become drier, increasing the likelihood of tree mortality. The recent study led by Dr. Julia Tavares and Professor David Galbraith revealed that trees in the western and southern Amazon face the highest risk of dying due to drought. This could lead to a decrease in the forest's ability to absorb and store carbon, further accelerating climate change.</p>



<p>To preserve the Amazon's carbon storage capacity, it is crucial to implement targeted conservation strategies, such as sustainable forest management, reforestation efforts, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, enhancing our understanding of the Amazon rainforest's response to climate change and drought will help inform policies and actions to maintain its health and resilience.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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The Amazon rainforest and the looming threat of drought

The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of...

Female,Nhs,Uk,Lab,Microbiologist,Biotechnician,Holding,Glass,Bottle,Vial

<p>In a groundbreaking new study, researchers from the <a href="https://www.lji.org/">La Jolla Institute for Immunology</a> (LJI) have uncovered how certain human antibodies can continue to fight against the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pigs-are-highly-resistant-to-sars-cov-2-infection/">SARS-CoV-2</a> virus, despite its mutations. The researchers utilized samples from an anonymous San Diego resident, who has become a fascinating example of the human immune system's ability to adapt and combat the virus.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research not only reveals the potential of the original Moderna SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in generating antibodies against later Omicron variants, but also offers detailed 3D structures of three promising neutralizing antibodies bound to the Spike protein.</p>



<p>"To blunt the next pandemic and protect people from seasonal re-emergence of this one, we need antibodies of the broadest possible capacity - ones that are not escaped. We found those in a vaccinated San Diegan," explained Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire, CEO of LJI.</p>



<p>"Studying that person’s immune response in detail uncovered antibodies that are still effective against many Omicron variants," said co-author Dr. Kathryn Hastie. "We now have to figure out how to boost these antibodies that we want over others that are less effective."</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted</h2>



<p>The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112421"><em>Cell Reports</em></a>, focused on a volunteer who had received two doses of the Moderna SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, with samples collected before the emergence of the Omicron variant.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers then tested these samples against various variants, discovering that the volunteer maintained moderate to high levels of antibodies effective against Beta, Delta, and Omicron lineages BA.1, BA.1.1, and BA.2. Among these, they identified five antibodies capable of decreasing the infectivity of BA.1 by more than 85 percent. The team used cryo-electron microscopy to map out the vulnerabilities on the Spike protein.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"This structural work lets us see exactly how the antibodies interact with the protein and how they can neutralize the virus," said study co-author Xiaoying Yu.</p>



<p>The research showed that two of the promising antibodies latch onto two parts of the protein, locking it in place to halt infection.</p>



<p>Results from a mouse model were also encouraging, with each of the three promising antibodies reducing the viral load in the lungs of mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 BA.1 and BA.2. The researchers plan to run more human antibodies through this same pipeline at LJI, which includes antibody isolation, screening, structural analysis, and animal model experiments.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"This research will help us combat the variants we have right now and give us targets for future vaccine development and therapeutics," said Yu.</p>



<h2 id="h-key-variants-of-sars-cov-2">Key variants of SARS-CoV-2&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Coronavirus variants are different forms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that have undergone genetic changes or mutations. As viruses replicate, they can accumulate changes in their genetic code, leading to new variants.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some of these changes may have little impact on the virus's behavior, while others can lead to significant differences in transmissibility, severity, or the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) closely monitor SARS-CoV-2 variants to assess their potential impact on public health.</p>



<p>Key SARS-CoV-2 variants that have emerged throughout the pandemic include:</p>



<h3 id="h-alpha-b-1-1-7">Alpha (B.1.1.7)</h3>



<p>First identified in the United Kingdom in September 2020, the Alpha variant was found to be more transmissible than previous strains. This variant had a higher rate of infection and led to a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases worldwide.</p>



<h3 id="h-beta-b-1-351">Beta (B.1.351)</h3>



<p>First detected in South Africa in December 2020, the Beta variant also exhibited increased transmissibility. Additionally, it raised concerns due to its potential to evade immunity induced by previous infections or vaccinations to some extent.</p>



<h3 id="h-gamma-p-1">Gamma (P.1)</h3>



<p>First identified in Brazil in January 2021, the Gamma variant showed increased transmissibility and potential resistance to immunity from previous infections or vaccinations.</p>



<h3 id="h-delta-b-1-617-2">Delta (B.1.617.2)</h3>



<p>First discovered in India in December 2020, the Delta variant rapidly became the dominant strain globally. It displayed much higher transmissibility than previous strains, leading to surges in cases and hospitalizations. Vaccines have generally proven to be effective against severe disease caused by the Delta variant, although breakthrough infections can still occur.</p>



<h3 id="h-omicron-b-1-1-529">Omicron (B.1.1.529)</h3>



<p>First reported in South Africa in November 2021, the Omicron variant has several mutations on the Spike protein, which raised concerns about increased transmissibility, potential immune evasion, and the effectiveness of vaccines. Early data suggest that while vaccines may be less effective in preventing Omicron infections, they still provide protection against severe disease and hospitalization.</p>



<p>Scientists continue to study these and other emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants to better understand their characteristics and devise appropriate public health strategies. Vaccination, along with other preventive measures such as masking, social distancing, and good hand hygiene, remains a crucial tool in combating the virus and its variants.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Human antibodies are adapting to fight emerging Covid variants

In a groundbreaking new study, researchers from the La Jolla...

<p>Across the tropical regions of the world, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/californias-forests-are-losing-their-ability-to-recover/">forests</a> face a myriad of challenges brought on by global change. One such challenge is the combined impact of increased lightning frequency and the prevalence of woody vines known as lianas.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In a new study supported by the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/">National Science Foundation</a>, researchers have investigated the potential impacts of this phenomenon. The experts found that the "one-two punch" of lightning and lianas is causing higher mortality rates among smaller trees. This could ultimately alter the composition of tropical forests and reduce their capacity to store carbon.</p>



<p>Matt Kane, a program director in NSF's Division of Environmental Biology, highlighted the importance of understanding the consequences of ecological disturbances driven by climate change. "Knowing the short- and long-term effects of lightning strikes is helping improve scientific understanding and sustainability of tropical forest ecosystems."</p>



<p>Tropical forests are subject to approximately 35-67 million lightning strikes each year, with a growing trend toward more frequent strikes. Lead author Evan Gora, a scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, noted that "lightning is a major cause of tree death and forest disturbance, yet it has been understudied as an agent of change."&nbsp;</p>



<p>Gora and his team set out to determine why certain lightning strikes cause more tree deaths than others, and found that lianas play a crucial role. Lianas are long-stemmed, woody vines that are prevalent in tropical forests. These plants compete for sunlight by climbing trees and extending into their canopies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers discovered a positive correlation between liana density and the number of trees killed or damaged by lightning. Their research suggests that this is because lianas are highly conductive and serve as a conduit for electrical current to flow from large trees to smaller ones.</p>



<p>"Large trees are more likely to be struck by lightning. When lianas are in the canopy, they amplify the effects of lightning strikes, resulting in more severe damage to neighboring trees," said Gora. He explained that "by physically connecting trees that would otherwise be separated, lianas act like jumper cables, delivering deadly electrical current to smaller understory trees that would otherwise survive a lightning strike."</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted</h2>



<p>The study was conducted in a lowland forest on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, which is the only tropical forest where lightning impacts have been systematically quantified. Researchers estimate that lightning is responsible for the death of more than 16 percent of tree biomass annually on the island, including 40-50 percent of the largest trees.</p>



<p>To investigate the role of lianas in lightning disturbance severity, the team used a novel lightning detection system. They conducted surveys on 78 lightning strikes in areas with mapped liana presence and monitored 1,921 trees that had sustained visible lightning damage. Tree conditions were assessed within four months of the lightning strike and up to four times within the following 23 months.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings of this study shed light on the complex relationships between lightning, lianas, and tropical forests, as well as the potential implications for forest ecosystems as a whole. The research is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14698137"><em>New Phytologist</em></a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-tropical-forests-face-multiple-threats">Tropical forests face multiple threats</h2>



<p>Tropical forests, which are some of the most biodiverse and ecologically significant ecosystems on Earth, face a variety of challenges and threats. These issues not only jeopardize the health and stability of these forests but also have global implications for climate change and biodiversity conservation. Some of the key issues faced by tropical forests include:</p>



<h3 id="h-deforestation">Deforestation</h3>



<p>Large-scale clearing of tropical forests for agriculture, logging, infrastructure development, and mining is a major threat to these ecosystems. Deforestation results in habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation, which can lead to a decline in biodiversity and disrupted ecosystem functioning.</p>



<h3 id="h-climate-change">Climate change</h3>



<p>Rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and more frequent and severe weather events due to climate change pose significant challenges for tropical forests. These changes can affect forest structure, composition, and function, as well as increase the risk of wildfires, pest outbreaks, and disease.</p>



<h3 id="h-invasive-species">Invasive species</h3>



<p>Non-native species can be introduced to tropical forests intentionally or accidentally, and they can have severe ecological impacts. Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt ecosystem processes, and even lead to the extinction of native species.</p>



<h3 id="h-over-exploitation">Over-exploitation&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Over-harvesting of timber, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products can lead to forest degradation and a decline in biodiversity. Unsustainable hunting and poaching can also threaten wildlife populations and disrupt ecological balance.</p>



<h3 id="h-pollution">Pollution</h3>



<p>Air, water, and soil pollution from industrial and agricultural activities can have detrimental effects on tropical forests. Contaminants can harm plants and animals, disrupt nutrient cycling, and affect overall forest health.</p>



<h3 id="h-disease-and-pests">Disease and pests</h3>



<p>Pests and diseases can cause significant damage to tropical forests, especially when exacerbated by climate change and habitat disturbance. These threats can result in the decline of specific tree species, which in turn can affect the overall structure and function of the forest ecosystem.</p>



<h3 id="h-land-use-change">Land-use change</h3>



<p>Changing land-use patterns, such as urbanization and agricultural expansion, can lead to the conversion of tropical forests into other land uses. This process contributes to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as increased human-wildlife conflict.</p>



<p>To address these challenges, it is vital to implement effective conservation strategies, promote sustainable land-use practices, and raise awareness about the importance of tropical forests. This will help protect these valuable ecosystems and the numerous species that depend on them, while also mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving vital ecosystem services for future generations.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Woody vines amplify the effects of lightning in tropical forests

Across the tropical regions of the world, forests face a...

<p>A recent study published in the journal <a href="https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/15/1675/2023/"><em>Earth System Science Data</em></a> has found that, for reasons still not clearly understood, the global sea surface temperature reached an unprecedented high this month. Scientists are concerned that this unexpected ocean warming, combined with other weather events, could cause global temperatures to spike to a concerning new level by the end of 2024.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In addition, a strong El Niño event – a weather system which significantly heats the oceans – will likely begin over the next months, further exacerbating the current rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-could-be-devastating-to-all-living-creatures/">ocean warming</a> and leading to more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, die-offs of marine life, and decreased capacities of oceans to absorb greenhouse gases.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to the experts, over the past 15 years, our planet has accumulated nearly as much heat as it did in the previous 45 years, with most of the extra energy going into the oceans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It’s not yet well established, why such a rapid change, and such a huge change is happening,” said lead author Karina Von Schuckmann, an oceanographer at <a href="https://www.mercator-ocean.eu/en/">Mercator Ocean International</a>. “We have doubled the heat in the climate system the last 15 years, I don’t want to say this is climate change, or natural variability or a mixture of both, we don’t know yet. But we do see this change.”</p>



<p>Interestingly, a factor possibly influencing the amount of heat entering the world’s oceans could be a reduction in the pollution from shipping following the 2020 regulations put in place by the <a href="https://www.imo.org/">International Maritime Organization</a> to reduce the sulphur content of fuel burned by ships. Although this initiative had a rapid impact in reducing the amount of aerosol particles released by ships that are polluting the atmosphere, removing them may have also caused more heat to enter the waters, since such aerosols can help reflect heat back into space.</p>



<p>In this context of rapid warming, the forthcoming weather phenomenon known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) will likely push temperatures even higher. After three years when this naturally occurring event has been in a cooler phase called La Niña - which has contributed to keeping global temperatures in check - the advent of El Niño during the following months can spell disastrous consequences for the climate, disrupting weather patterns around the globe, weakening the monsoon, and increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires in Australia.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, even without the further complications this weather phenomenon will bring about, the current level of ocean warming (about 0.9C above preindustrial levels) has major global consequences, including loss of species caused by marine heatwaves, more extreme weather characterized by intense and long-lasting hurricanes and cyclones, sea-level rise due to accelerated melting of glaciers that increases the risk of coastal flooding, and less ability of oceans to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.</p>



<p>However, according to Von Schuckmann, there is still hope left, particularly since temperatures may once more decrease after the El Niño subsides. In the meanwhile, globally coordinated efforts to mitigate climate change are essential. “We still have a window where we can act and we should use this to reduce the consequences,” she concluded.</p>



<p>—</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</em></p>



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Ocean warming hit a record high this month, and there's more to come

A recent study published in the journal Earth System Science...

<p>Climate change has recently increased the frequency and severity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-fires-intense-birds/">forest fires</a> in different parts of the world, and post-fire management has become crucial for restoring burned forests and safeguarding various ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By taking as a case study the black-backed woodpecker – a species of bird that seems to thrive in areas devastated by wildfires – a team of scientists led by <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/">Cornell University</a> has devised a new tool which factors how fires burn into forest management decisions in an attempt to turn science into action for wildlife conservation.</p>



<p>“Wildfire is like a 10,000-piece puzzle, and climate change is rearranging the pieces,” said lead author Andrew Stillman, a postdoctoral fellow in Applied Ecology at Cornell. “Gigantic, severe fires are becoming the new norm in California due to drought, longer burn seasons, and dense forests. But birds do really well in landscapes that are ‘pyro diverse’ - areas where fire results in uneven patches burned at high, medium, and low severity.”</p>



<p>Black-backed woodpeckers love pyrodiversity, often preferring to build their nests in recently burned areas after high severity fires. However, they also like to be close to regions that burned at low intensity, where their offspring can hide from predators among living trees which still provide some cover. Thus, since these birds appear to be uniquely sensitive to the removal of trees after fires, forest managers should use information on their habitat preferences to guide their post-fire planning.</p>



<p>After wildfires, forest managers face difficult challenges in deciding how to properly protect and restore burned areas while incorporating the needs of both humans and wildlife. Often there is not enough time to survey wildlife in burned regions, so choosing where to invest in wildlife conservation is not easy. To address this problem, the Cornell researchers developed an online tool to predict the abundance of black-backed woodpeckers after wildfires by incorporation data on the value of pyrodiversity.</p>



<p>“The tool we’ve created uses data from 11 years of surveys to predict where woodpeckers could be found in the greatest numbers using data available within months after a fire burns. The birds move in to take advantage of a boom in juicy beetle larvae in the burned trees,” Stillman explained.</p>



<p>This online tool uses a variety of information, starting with satellite-based data of burn severity which forest managers can upload. This data is then used to assess pyrodiversity based on how much forest canopy has been lost, while integrating the results with other factors, including woodpecker home ranges, vegetation type, longitude, elevation, and years since a fire burned.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to the experts, this tool can save time and effort after wildfires for forest managers, conservationists, and private landowners to choose an appropriate path of action that would take into account wildlife conservation.</p>



<p>“A burned forest is a unique, incredible, and complicated ecosystem that bursts with new life. At first you think everything is dead. The ground is ash. The trees are black. But as you start walking around, you find that the place is alive. It’s not dead, just changed,” Stillman concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2853"><em>Ecological Applications</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<p>image Credit: Jeremy Roberts, www.ConservationMedia.com</p>



<p>----</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</em></p>



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

Woodpecker behavior can guide post-wildfire management

Climate change has recently increased the frequency and severity of...

<p>China, despite its late entry into the realm of space exploration, has recently unveiled an ambitious vision that could potentially make it the first nation to establish a lunar base on the moon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With aspirations of putting Chinese astronauts on the moon's surface within the next seven years, Beijing may even outpace the United States in creating a permanent lunar outpost.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> has disclosed plans for its own Artemis Base Camp, aiming for establishment in the 2030s. This timeline sets up the tantalizing prospect of an intense 21st-century space race between the two countries. Wu Weiren, the physicist leading China's moon mission, shared with state media that Beijing's goal is to build a lunar research station before the end of the decade.</p>



<p>"By 2030, the footprints of the Chinese people will be left on the moon," said Weiren. "There's no question about it."</p>



<p>This development follows China's announcement two years ago of a partnership with Russia to create a joint lunar base by 2035. The latest declaration suggests that the two nations have expedited their plans in an effort to surpass the US-led Western contingent, which includes the space agencies of Canada, Europe, and Japan.</p>



<p>Leaked documents from last year indicated that NASA aimed to begin its moon base construction in 2034. However, the US <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-happens-to-all-the-space-junk/">space</a> agency has also expressed aspirations to have a permanent lunar outpost by the end of the decade.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Just last week, officials hinted that work on this project could commence as early as the Artemis VII mission, which could launch between 2029 and 2030, contingent on the success of earlier milestones in the program.</p>



<p>Although China is a relative newcomer in the field of space exploration, the country has achieved several noteworthy accomplishments over the past decade. The uncrewed Chang'e 1 mission launched in 2007 to orbit the moon, followed by a successful unmanned landing in 2013.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In 2019, China made history as the first country to land on the far side of the moon. At the end of 2020, the Chang'e-5 probe successfully returned with rock and lunar soil samples, further showcasing China's growing prowess in space.</p>



<h2 id="h-russia-s-collaboration-with-china">Russia’s collaboration with China</h2>



<p>In contrast to China's ambitious lunar plans, Russia appears to be taking a different path in the realm of space exploration. Although once a superpower alongside the United States, Russia has transitioned from being a space pioneer to playing a somewhat minor role, particularly after losing its monopoly on ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station due to the emergence of Elon Musk's SpaceX.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, Moscow still possesses substantial expertise and is evidently regarded by China as an ideal partner for its moon base endeavors. In 2021, Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, announced that it had signed an agreement with <a href="http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/index.html">China's National Space Administration</a> to develop research facilities on the moon's surface. The two countries committed to collaborate in the planning, design, development, and operation of the research station.</p>



<p>While the initial goal was to build the lunar outpost by 2035, it seems that Beijing and Moscow are now focused on competing with NASA in the race to establish themselves as the leading global force in space exploration.</p>



<p>According to the official timetable, Beijing plans to launch the Chang'e 7 mission in 2026 for a "comprehensive survey task" to search for water at the moon's south pole. Following this, the Chang'e 8 mission, scheduled for 2028, would aid in constructing an international lunar station that would be available for use by other nations, as explained by Wu Weiren to China Central Television.</p>



<p>He further elaborated on the primary objectives of the Chang'e 8 mission, stating that "its primary task would be to survey resources on the moon and experiment with the reutilization of the resources."&nbsp;</p>



<p>Wu also highlighted potential research questions, such as the feasibility of constructing buildings on the moon, the viability of using bricks, and the methods of communication that would be employed.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-u-s-has-planned-for-the-moon">What the U.S. has planned for the moon</h2>



<p>NASA has recently announced the selection of four astronauts for its first moon crew in half a century, as the United States and China-Russia vie to establish lunar outposts. The plan for the Artemis II mission is to fly around the moon next year, with a lunar landing targeted for 2025. This landing, part of the Artemis III mission, would witness the first woman and the first person of color setting foot on the moon. However, many believe that this timeline might experience some delays.</p>



<p>According to the US space agency, the initial missions to begin constructing a base on the moon will be Artemis VII, VIII, and IX, which are likely to coincide with the Chang'e 8 mission. Both the American and China-Russia endeavors are focusing on exploring the lunar south pole for their outposts, as it is known to contain significant amounts of water ice that could be utilized for future colonies.</p>



<p>NASA initially revealed its plans for a single Artemis Base Camp at the lunar south pole back in 2020. Nevertheless, officials hinted last week that the agency might collaborate with international partners, such as the European Space Agency, to expand this into a series of moon bases. One advantage of this approach would be the added redundancy for missions that might face catastrophic emergencies on the moon.</p>



<p>Jim Free, NASA's associate administrator for exploration systems development, explained during a press briefing that working with multiple sites would also allow the Artemis program to maximize its scientific potential. "So we can maybe have two or three sites to go to that help our science diversity because the reason we're doing Artemis in the first place is for science," Free said. "We're probably looking at the later missions, like [Artemis] 7, 8, and 9, where we're starting to look at adding permanent habitation on the surface."</p>



<p>The United States first sent a man to the moon in 1969 and followed with 11 more lunar landings until 1972. However, there have been no manned missions to the moon since then. Last year, NASA launched the Artemis program as a 21st-century successor to the highly successful Apollo missions. The uncrewed Artemis I mission involved sending NASA's Orion spacecraft into orbit on a Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for a 25-day round trip to the moon and back.</p>



<h2 id="h-history-of-the-chinese-space-program">History of the Chinese space program</h2>



<p>The history of the Chinese space program can be traced back to the late 1950s when the country started developing its missile and rocket technologies. Over the years, the program has evolved and expanded, achieving significant milestones and becoming a major player in global space exploration.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-here-are-some-key-events-in-the-history-of-the-chinese-space-program">Here are some key events in the history of the Chinese space program:</h2>



<h3 id="h-early-years-1950s-1960s">Early years (1950s-1960s)</h3>



<p>China's space program began with the founding of the Fifth Academy of the Ministry of National Defense in 1956, which was responsible for missile and rocket development. In 1958, the Chinese Academy of Sciences established a research program for satellite development. With the help of Soviet Union experts, China developed its first ballistic missiles and laid the groundwork for its space program.</p>



<h3 id="h-first-satellite-1970">First satellite (1970)</h3>



<p>On April 24, 1970, China successfully launched its first satellite, Dongfanghong-1 (The East is Red-1), becoming the fifth nation to send a satellite into space. The satellite transmitted the Chinese patriotic song "The East is Red" while orbiting the Earth.</p>



<h3 id="h-manned-space-program-1992-present">Manned space program (1992-present)</h3>



<p>China initiated Project 921 in 1992, which aimed to develop a manned spacecraft. After several years of development and testing, the Shenzhou (meaning "Divine Vessel") spacecraft series was born. The first unmanned Shenzhou mission, Shenzhou 1, was launched in 1999.</p>



<h3 id="h-first-manned-spaceflight-2003">First manned spaceflight (2003)</h3>



<p>China became the third country to send humans into space with the successful launch of Shenzhou 5 on October 15, 2003, carrying astronaut Yang Liwei. This achievement marked a significant milestone in China's space program.</p>



<h3 id="h-lunar-exploration-program-2007-present">Lunar exploration program (2007-present)</h3>



<p>China's lunar exploration program, Chang'e, named after the mythical Chinese Moon goddess, began with the launch of the Chang'e 1 lunar orbiter in 2007. In 2013, Chang'e 3 successfully soft-landed on the moon, deploying the Yutu rover. China became the first nation to land on the far side of the moon with the Chang'e 4 mission in 2019. In 2020, the Chang'e 5 mission successfully collected and returned lunar samples to Earth.</p>



<h3 id="h-mars-exploration-2020-present">Mars exploration (2020-present)</h3>



<p>China launched its first Mars mission, Tianwen-1, in July 2020. The mission includes an orbiter, lander, and rover, and aims to study Mars' geology, atmosphere, and search for signs of water. In May 2021, the mission successfully landed the Zhurong rover on Mars, making China the second country to deploy a rover on the Martian surface.</p>



<h3 id="h-tiangong-space-station-2011-present">Tiangong space station (2011-present)</h3>



<p>The Tiangong ("Heavenly Palace") program aims to establish a modular space station. Tiangong-1 was launched in 2011 as a prototype, followed by Tiangong-2 in 2016. The core module of the new Tiangong space station, Tianhe, was launched in April 2021, with plans to complete construction by 2022.</p>



<p>The Chinese space program continues to evolve, with ambitious plans for future lunar missions, manned space exploration, and international collaboration.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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China plans to inhabit a space station on the moon by 2030

China, despite its late entry into the realm of space...

<p>New research conducted by the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/vet-school/">University of Bristol Veterinary School</a> has discovered that pet rabbits experience higher levels of the stress hormone corticosterone when kept in small hutches with limited exercise opportunities.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Funded by the RSPCA, the study emphasizes the importance of allowing pet rabbits the freedom to exercise outside their enclosures, even if the hutches are larger than the traditional size. Rabbits are a popular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pet-owners-are-happier-than-people-who-dont-have-pets/">pet</a> choice for many families in the UK, with an estimated 900,000 pet rabbits in the country.</p>



<p>Previous studies have explored the housing needs of rabbits in laboratories and for meat production, but there has been limited research on the housing needs of pet rabbits. Animal welfare organizations recommend that pet rabbits be housed in pairs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2023.105919"><em>Applied Animal Behaviour Science</em></a>, aimed to investigate the effects of common hutch sizes and access to an exercise area on the welfare of pet rabbits living in pairs.</p>



<p>The research was focused on 20 pre-established pairs of adult neutered rabbits (one male, one female) housed for eight weeks in standard housing. Ten pairs were kept in small wooden hutches (0.73 square meters), while the other ten pairs were housed in large hutches (1.86 square meters). The exercise area, or run, was a 3 x 1-meter area attached to the hutches.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The rabbits either had unlimited access to the run or access was limited to three hours at midday. The behavior of the rabbits was observed at dawn, dusk, and midday, and fecal samples were collected for corticosterone analysis at the end of each access period.</p>



<p>The results showed that rabbit pairs were more active when run access was limited to three hours, with physical activity, including play jumps, significantly increasing when the pairs with restricted access were released into the run. The researchers suggest that this activity rebound demonstrates the rabbits' need to move every day, and their welfare is compromised when they can only do so at midday.</p>



<p>Drs Nicola Rooney and Suzanne Held, senior authors of the paper from the University of Bristol Veterinary School, stated: “Rabbits are active and need to be able to hop, run, jump, dig and stretch out fully when lying down. Restricting rabbits’ opportunity to get away from each other and to move to times of day when they would not naturally be as active is likely to contribute to the activity peaks and high stress hormone levels in the pairs in the smaller hutches with limited access to a run."</p>



<p>The study further suggests that hutch sizes of around 0.75 square meters should not be recommended for rabbit pairs, even if they have access to an exercise area for three hours per day during the middle of the day. These recommendations have been incorporated into the RSPCA and other animal charities' rabbit care advice on housing.</p>



<p>"The findings of this research are highly welcomed confirming what many of us have known for so long, that keeping rabbits in small hutches with limited opportunities to exercise compromises their welfare," said Dr. Jane Tyson, an RSPCA rabbit welfare expert. "Rabbits are often misunderstood animals, but the findings from the study show that housing rabbits in an enclosure consisting of a sheltered area with constant access to a larger space is critical."</p>



<p>The study's findings have also influenced the UK Rabbits Strategy for rabbit welfare, which is set to be published later this year.</p>



<p>The research highlights the importance of providing pet rabbits with access to an exercise area, even when they are kept in larger hutches. This is particularly important for pairs of rabbits, as they require social interaction and physical exercise to maintain their wellbeing.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-other-important-notes-for-keeping-rabbits-as-pets">Other important notes for keeping rabbits as pets</h2>



<p>Keeping rabbits as pets can be a rewarding experience, but it's crucial to be well-informed about their needs and behaviors to ensure their health and happiness. Here are some essential points to consider when caring for pet rabbits:</p>



<h3 id="h-diet">Diet</h3>



<p>Rabbits require a balanced diet consisting mainly of hay or grass, which aids digestion and promotes healthy teeth. They also benefit from fresh vegetables and a small amount of high-quality rabbit pellets. Avoid feeding rabbits human treats, such as sugary snacks, as they can cause health issues.</p>



<h3 id="h-housing">Housing</h3>



<p>As mentioned in the previous article, rabbits need spacious and secure housing with constant access to a larger exercise area. A hutch or cage should provide shelter, a comfortable place to sleep, and enough room to stretch, hop, and play. The enclosure should be kept clean and dry to prevent disease.</p>



<h3 id="h-companionship">Companionship</h3>



<p>Rabbits are social animals that thrive in pairs or small groups. Keeping rabbits together can reduce stress and provide mental stimulation. However, it's essential to ensure that rabbits are neutered to prevent unwanted litters and aggression.</p>



<h3 id="h-handling-and-socialization">Handling and socialization</h3>



<p>Gently handling rabbits from a young age helps them become accustomed to human interaction. Be patient and approach rabbits calmly to avoid causing fear or stress. Rabbits prefer being stroked rather than picked up, as they can become nervous when their feet leave the ground.</p>



<h3 id="h-health-care">Health care</h3>



<p>Regular vet check-ups are essential to monitor your rabbit's health. Look out for signs of illness, such as changes in appetite, lethargy, or abnormal droppings. Keep your rabbit's vaccinations up to date to protect them from serious diseases.</p>



<h3 id="h-enrichment">Enrichment</h3>



<p>Providing toys, tunnels, and other objects for rabbits to explore and interact with can promote mental and physical stimulation. Rabbits enjoy digging, chewing, and playing, so ensure that their environment offers these opportunities.</p>



<h3 id="h-grooming">Grooming</h3>



<p>Regular grooming is essential, especially for long-haired breeds, to prevent matting and reduce the risk of hairballs. Rabbits also need their nails trimmed regularly to prevent overgrowth and injury.</p>



<h3 id="h-safety">Safety</h3>



<p>Ensure that your rabbits' environment is secure from potential predators, such as dogs, cats, or wild animals. Check fencing and enclosures for any gaps or weaknesses that could allow entry.</p>



<h3 id="h-temperature-and-weather">Temperature and weather</h3>



<p>Rabbits can be sensitive to extreme temperatures. Ensure that they have adequate shade and ventilation during hot weather and proper insulation during cold periods.</p>



<h3 id="h-education">Education</h3>



<p>Continue learning about rabbit care, behavior, and health to provide the best possible environment for your pet. Consult with veterinarians, rabbit rescue organizations, and other rabbit owners to gain insight and advice on proper rabbit care.</p>



<h3 id="h-history-of-rabbits">History of rabbits</h3>



<p>The history of rabbits can be traced back millions of years. They belong to the family Leporidae, which includes hares and rabbits, and the order Lagomorpha. The history of rabbits can be broadly categorized into their evolution, domestication, and their role in human society.</p>



<h3 id="h-evolution">Evolution</h3>



<p>The ancestors of modern rabbits first appeared around 40 million years ago during the Eocene epoch. These ancient lagomorphs, such as the small Palaeolagus, eventually evolved into several distinct lineages. The crown group of modern rabbits and hares, known as Leporidae, emerged around 12 million years ago during the Miocene epoch.</p>



<h3 id="h-domestication">Domestication</h3>



<p>The domestic rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, originated from the European wild rabbit. Domestication is believed to have begun in the Roman Empire around 2,000 years ago, with the primary purpose of providing a source of food and fur. The domestication process continued throughout the Middle Ages and expanded across Europe.</p>



<h2 id="h-role-in-human-society">Role in human society</h2>



<p>Rabbits have played various roles in human society throughout history. They have been a source of food, fur, and leather for thousands of years. During the medieval period, rabbits were kept in specially designed enclosures called warrens, managed by warreners.</p>



<p>Rabbits were introduced to various parts of the world by humans, sometimes with negative consequences for native ecosystems. For example, the introduction of rabbits to Australia in the 19th century led to widespread environmental damage and the displacement of native species.</p>



<p>In the 19th and 20th centuries, rabbits became increasingly popular as pets, especially in Western countries. The development of different rabbit breeds began in earnest during this period, with breeders selecting for specific traits such as size, color, and fur type.</p>



<p>Rabbits have also played a role in scientific research, particularly in the fields of genetics, immunology, and reproduction. Furthermore, rabbits have been featured in folklore, mythology, and literature across various cultures, often symbolizing fertility, innocence, and trickery.</p>



<p>In summary, the history of rabbits spans millions of years, from their ancient ancestors to their domestication and various roles in human society. Today, rabbits continue to be valued as pets, sources of food and clothing, and important symbols in our culture.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Pet rabbits need space and freedom to play and exercise

New research conducted by the University of Bristol Veterinary School...

<p>A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/">University of Bristol</a> emphasizes the need for better preparedness in regions across the world that are most susceptible to the devastating effects of extreme heat. The research, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>, identifies areas such as Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, and Central America as being particularly high risk.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study reveals that these regions are more likely to experience unprecedented heat extremes due to a combination of socioeconomic vulnerability, the potential for record-breaking temperatures, and rapid population growth.</p>



<p>One of the main reasons behind the vulnerability of these regions is that countries which have yet to experience the most intense heatwaves often only introduce adaptation measures after the event has occurred. Limited healthcare and energy provision further exacerbate the risks.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Other hotspots identified by the researchers include Beijing and Central Europe, where millions of people would be adversely affected if record-breaking heatwaves were to occur.</p>



<p>"As heatwaves are occurring more often, we need to be better prepared. We identify regions that may have been lucky so far - some of these regions have rapidly growing populations, some are developing nations, some are already very hot. We need to ask if the heat action plans for these areas are sufficient," said study lead author and climate scientist Dr. Vikki Thompson.</p>



<p>To pinpoint the regions most likely to experience extreme heat events, the researchers employed extreme value statistics, a method used to estimate the return periods of rare events. They analyzed large datasets from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dangerous-climate-feedback-loops-have-been-underestimated/">climate</a> models and observations, focusing on the areas where temperature records are most likely to be broken soonest and the communities consequently in greatest danger of experiencing extreme heat.</p>



<p>The researchers also warn that statistically implausible extremes, such as the 2021 Western North America heatwave, could occur anywhere. In their study, they found that such unlikely events transpired in almost a third (31%) of the regions assessed where observations were deemed reliable enough between 1959 and 2021.</p>



<p>Study co-author Dann Mitchell is a professor in Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Bristol Cabot Institute for the Environment. He emphasized the importance of preparedness: "Being prepared saves lives. We have seen some of the most unexpected heatwaves around the world lead to heat-related deaths in the tens of thousands. In this study, we show that such record-smashing events could occur anywhere. Governments around the world need to be prepared."</p>



<p>As human-induced climate change continues to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves, it is crucial to prioritize mitigation efforts in the most vulnerable regions. The study's findings serve as a call to action for policymakers in hotspot regions to develop and implement strategies that reduce the risk of deaths and associated harms resulting from climate extremes.</p>



<p>In light of the growing threat posed by climate change, the University of Bristol became the first UK university to declare a climate emergency in 2019, reflecting the institution's commitment to understanding and addressing the dangerous consequences of climate change.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-extreme-heat-and-heatwaves">More about extreme heat and heatwaves</h2>



<p>Heatwaves and extreme heat events have significant impacts on both humanity and ecosystems. These impacts are exacerbated by climate change, which is causing a rise in the frequency, intensity, and duration of such events. Below are some of the key effects of heatwaves and extreme heat on humans and ecosystems:</p>



<h3 id="h-human-health">Human health</h3>



<p>Extreme heat can lead to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations like the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Heatwaves can also exacerbate air pollution, contributing to respiratory issues like asthma and allergies.</p>



<h3 id="h-increased-mortality">Increased mortality</h3>



<p>During severe heatwaves, there is often a spike in the number of heat-related deaths. For example, the 2003 European heatwave led to over 70,000 excess deaths, while the 2010 Russian heatwave caused an estimated 56,000 fatalities.</p>



<h3 id="h-agriculture-and-food-security">Agriculture and food security</h3>



<p>High temperatures and prolonged heatwaves can negatively impact crop yields, livestock health, and overall agricultural productivity. This can lead to food shortages, higher food prices, and increased malnutrition.</p>



<h3 id="h-water-resources">Water resources</h3>



<p>Heatwaves can increase evaporation rates, leading to reduced water availability for humans, agriculture, and ecosystems. They can also exacerbate drought conditions, contributing to water scarcity and increased competition for water resources.</p>



<h3 id="h-energy-demand">Energy demand</h3>



<p>As temperatures rise, the demand for cooling systems, such as air conditioning, increases. This can strain energy infrastructure and lead to power outages, further impacting vulnerable populations.</p>



<h3 id="h-ecosystems">Ecosystems</h3>



<p>Extreme heat can have a detrimental effect on ecosystems, including coral reefs, forests, and wetlands. High temperatures can cause coral bleaching, reduce biodiversity, and increase the risk of wildfires, which can lead to habitat loss and the release of large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.</p>



<h3 id="h-economic-impact">Economic impact</h3>



<p>The combined effects of heatwaves and extreme heat events can result in significant economic losses. Agriculture, tourism, and energy sectors are among the industries most affected by these events. Additionally, increased healthcare costs and reduced labor productivity due to heat-related illnesses can also strain economies.</p>



<p>Climate change is playing a significant role in exacerbating the impacts of heatwaves and extreme heat events. As global temperatures continue to rise due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. This increases the potential for devastating consequences on human health, ecosystems, and the global economy.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Addressing climate change through mitigation and adaptation measures is crucial to reducing the risks and impacts associated with heatwaves and extreme heat events.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Study reveals countries most at risk from extreme heat

A recent study led by the University of Bristol emphasizes...

<p>The seas surrounding the Arctic are major ecological regions and fisheries. Unfortunately, they are also among the areas most affected by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-favors-some-arctic-insects-over-others/">climate change</a>, which leads to warming waters and loss of sea ice, affecting ecosystems in often unpredictable ways.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To better understand the impact of climate change on Arctic biodiversity and ecology, a team of scientists led by <a href="https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/">Hokkaido University</a> in Japan has examined Arctic-wide and regional changes in species richness, composition, and potential species associations, and discovered that recent changes in biodiversity were driven by pervasive poleward species range expansions.</p>



<p>“We used data on the occurrences of 69 species of apex predators and mesopredators in eight Arctic areas from 2000-2019,” said study lead author Irene Alabia, a postdoctoral fellow in Marine and Fisheries Science at Hokkaido. “We combined this information with climate and productivity data across the same period to map species-specific habitat distributions.”</p>



<p>For each of the eight Arctic areas, the experts computed the species richness, community composition, and co-occurrences between species pairs in order to infer potential species associations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The analyses revealed that species richness (the number of different species) has increased over the past two decades, a phenomenon largely driven by the northward migration of apex predators such as sharks, whales, and seabirds. By contrast, mesopredators like fish and crabs showed a relatively limited degree of northward expansion.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to the scientists, these Arctic biodiversity changes caused alterations in potential species associations due to habitat overlap between taxa from various marine communities during a period of unprecedented changes in temperature and sea ice extent.</p>



<p>“Our findings revealed that changes in climate and species richness in the Arctic vary across different large marine areas and highlight potential regions of climate and productivity hotspots, and emerging areas of species gain. This information is relevant for strengthening conservation and management efforts for the sustainable use of resources under the expanding footprints of climate change in the Arctic,” Alabia concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30943-y"><em>Nature Scientific Reports</em></a>.</p>



<p>—</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</em></p>



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

Climate change pushes Arctic marine predators northward

The seas surrounding the Arctic are major ecological regions and...

<p>In a groundbreaking study, researchers at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at <a href="https://www.tufts.edu/">Tufts University</a> have found that poor diets may be responsible for a staggering 70 percent of global type 2 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-plant-based-diets-reduce-the-risk-of-type-2-diabetes/">diabetes</a> cases. This figure is significantly higher than the 40 percent estimated in previous studies. The experts say this difference may be attributed to the inclusion of new information in their analysis, as well as updated data on dietary habits.</p>



<p>One of the key factors leading to the higher percentage of type 2 diabetes cases linked to poor diets is the first-ever inclusion of refined grains in the analysis. Refined grains, such as white rice and wheat, were identified as one of the top contributors to the global diabetes burden.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, the updated data in the study was based on national individual-level dietary surveys, rather than agricultural estimates, which may have provided a more accurate assessment of people's dietary habits.</p>



<p>Overall, the experts found that poor diets may be responsible for over 14.1 million cases of type 2 diabetes worldwide in 2018. The investigators, however, acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding these new estimates, noting that they can be further refined as new data becomes available.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Despite the uncertainty, the study provides valuable insights into the impact of dietary factors on the global prevalence of type 2 diabetes and underscores the need for targeted interventions to address these factors. The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02278-8"><em>Nature Medicine</em></a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-why-the-study-matters">Why the study matters</h2>



<p>As the global incidence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise, these findings have significant implications for public health policy, healthcare professionals, and the private sector. By identifying key dietary contributors, such as refined grains, stakeholders can develop strategies and initiatives to promote healthier dietary choices, ultimately helping to curb the devastating impact of type 2 diabetes on individuals, families, and healthcare systems worldwide.</p>



<p>As scientific understanding of the relationship between diet and type 2 diabetes evolves, and as new data emerges, it will be critical for researchers to continue refining these estimates. In doing so, they can help inform future efforts to address the growing burden of type 2 diabetes.</p>



<p>"Our study suggests poor carbohydrate quality is a leading driver of diet-attributable type 2 diabetes globally, and with important variation by nation and over time," said study senior author Professor Dariush Mozaffarian. "These new findings reveal critical areas for national and global focus to improve nutrition and reduce devastating burdens of diabetes."</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted</h2>



<p>To develop their model, the researchers utilized data from the Global Dietary Database, population demographics from various sources, global type 2 diabetes incidence estimates, and information on how food choices affect individuals living with obesity and type 2 diabetes from multiple published papers.</p>



<p>The analysis revealed that poor diets contribute to a larger proportion of total type 2 diabetes incidence in men compared to women, in younger adults compared to older ones, and in urban residents compared to their rural counterparts at the global level.</p>



<p>Regionally, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, particularly Poland and Russia, experienced the highest number of type 2 diabetes cases linked to diet. This is likely due to their diets, which tend to be rich in red meat, processed meat, and potatoes. Latin America and the Caribbean, especially Colombia and Mexico, also had a high incidence of diet-related type 2 diabetes cases, attributed to the consumption of sugary drinks, processed meat, and low intake of whole grains.</p>



<p>By contrast, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa showed a lower impact of diet on type 2 diabetes cases. However, Sub-Saharan Africa witnessed the largest increase in type 2 diabetes cases due to poor diet between 1990 and 2018. Among the 30 most populated countries studied, India, Nigeria, and Ethiopia had the fewest cases of type 2 diabetes related to unhealthy eating.</p>



<p>Study first author Meghan O'Hearn, who conducted this research while a PhD candidate at the Friedman School, warned that "left unchecked and with incidence only projected to rise, type 2 diabetes will continue to impact population health, economic productivity, health care system capacity, and drive health inequities worldwide." She emphasized that these findings could help inform nutritional priorities for clinicians, policymakers, and private sector actors as they encourage healthier dietary choices to address the global epidemic.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-is-type-2-diabetes">What is Type 2 diabetes?</h2>



<p>Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition that affects the way the body processes glucose (sugar), which is its primary source of energy. It is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for approximately 90-95% of all diabetes cases. The condition is characterized by insulin resistance, wherein the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that enables cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream.</p>



<h2 id="h-risk-factors-for-type-2-diabetes">Risk factors for type 2 diabetes&nbsp;</h2>



<h3 id="h-age">Age</h3>



<p>The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age, especially after the age of 45. However, due to factors such as obesity and sedentary lifestyles, the condition is increasingly being diagnosed in younger individuals, including children and adolescents.</p>



<h3 id="h-family-history">Family history</h3>



<p>Having a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, with type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing the condition.</p>



<h3 id="h-obesity">Obesity</h3>



<p>Being overweight or obese is one of the most significant risk factors for type 2 diabetes, as excess fat can cause insulin resistance.</p>



<h3 id="h-physical-inactivity">Physical inactivity&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Leading a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, as regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight and regulate blood sugar levels.</p>



<h3 id="h-ethnicity">Ethnicity</h3>



<p>Certain ethnic groups, including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders, have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites.</p>



<h3 id="h-gestational-diabetes">Gestational diabetes</h3>



<p>Women who have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.</p>



<h2 id="h-symptoms-management-and-prevention">Symptoms, management, and prevention&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, and frequent infections. However, some people with type 2 diabetes may not exhibit any symptoms, which makes regular check-ups and screenings crucial for early detection and management.</p>



<p>Managing type 2 diabetes typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and losing excess weight. In some cases, oral medications or insulin injections may be required to help regulate blood sugar levels.</p>



<p>Prevention strategies for type 2 diabetes include adopting a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats; engaging in regular physical activity; maintaining a healthy weight; and avoiding tobacco products. Regular check-ups and screenings can also help detect the early signs of type 2 diabetes and facilitate prompt intervention to prevent or delay the onset of the condition.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Poor diets are driving a global diabetes epidemic 

In a groundbreaking study, researchers at the Friedman School of...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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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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>



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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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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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<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

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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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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