<p>A recent analysis of the Sapphire Canyon mudstone core, drilled by NASA’s Perseverance rover in July 2024, adds new and convincing evidence to the ongoing search for life on Mars.</p>



<p>The study describes minerals and textures that - on Earth - are often linked to microbial activity. At the same time, the authors stress that some unknown, nonbiological chemistry could also explain the signals.</p>



<p>“This finding by Perseverance is the closest we have ever come to discovering life on Mars. The identification of a potential biosignature on the Red Planet is a groundbreaking discovery, and one that will advance our understanding of Mars,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. </p>



<p>“NASA’s commitment to conducting Gold Standard Science will continue as we pursue our goal of putting American boots on Mars’ rocky soil.”</p>



<p>The core was taken from a rock named "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-finds-best-evidence-yet-life-on-mars-cheyava-falls-rock/">Chevaya Falls</a>" in Neretva Vallis, an ancient river channel about a quarter mile wide that once fed Jezero Crater’s lake. </p>



<p>After drilling, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-captures-a-surprise-dust-devil-while-taking-high-resolution-selfie-on-mars/">Perseverance</a> sealed the sample for possible return to Earth, where laboratory instruments can perform tests far beyond the rover’s onboard capabilities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-the-martian-mudstone">Inside the Martian mudstone</h2>



<p>Lead author Joel A. Hurowitz of <a href="https://www.stonybrook.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stony Brook University</a> (SBU) reports a fine-grained mudstone with circular reaction fronts informally called leopard spots, plus small nodules embedded in layered sediments.</p>



<p>Perseverance’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/jpl/the-detective-aboard-nasas-perseverance-rover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SHERLOC</a> and <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/heres-how-ai-is-changing-nasas-mars-rover-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PIXL</a> instruments mapped organic carbon with phosphate, iron, and sulfur arranged in distinct, repeating patterns.</p>



<p>Two minerals stand out: vivianite and greigite. Vivianite is an iron phosphate, while greigite is an iron sulfide associated with iron and sulfur cycling in oxygen-poor settings.</p>



<p>These features show up in rocks that settled from<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wave-ripples-discovered-mars-surface-indicate-liquid-water-present-4-billion-years-ago/"> water</a>, not in lavas. The site on Mars lies along Bright Angel, a set of outcrops that preserve layers and veins consistent with slow changes after the mud was laid down.</p>



<p>Textures and chemistry point to low temperature reactions that reorganized elements already present in the mud. </p>



<p>That detail matters because low temperatures fit environments that life can handle, while very hot conditions tend to erase delicate signals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-microbes-leave-similar-traces">Earth microbes leave similar traces</h2>



<p>On Earth, vivianite often forms where microbes reduce iron in water-rich sediments and trap phosphorus in blue-green nodules. </p>



<p>Laboratory and field work document biologically mediated vivianite through extracellular electron transfer.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/greigite" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greigite</a> frequently appears where sulfate reducing bacteria drive chemistry in anoxic muds. In controlled experiments, greigite was detected only in live biotic setups after months of incubation.</p>



<p>The Martian rock shows rims rich in vivianite surrounding small cores enriched in greigite. That bullseye pattern matches a sequence of electron transfer reactions seen in some Earth sediments.</p>



<p>None of this proves metabolism happened in Bright Angel mud, but it shows the chemistry is right for it. That is a subtle point, and it is the reason scientists keep the language cautious.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-of-life-on-mars">Evidence of life on Mars</h2>



<p>A potential biosignature is a feature that might have a biological origin but still needs more data to rule out nonbiological sources. </p>



<p>NASA points mission teams and the public to the Confidence of Life Detection, or CoLD scale, which encourages staged claims and independent checks.</p>



<p>The CoLD mindset is simple in practice. First detect a signal, then exclude contamination, then tackle alternatives, and only then talk about life on Mars with high confidence.</p>



<p>The Bright Angel work sits early on that ladder. It clears several necessary steps but leaves demanding tests for the lab.</p>



<p>Organic compounds can also arrive by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-meteorites-tell-us-about-their-birthplace-in-space/">meteorites</a> or form without biology. The authors note those routes and describe how future analyses could tell paths apart.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-organic-signals-but-no-certainty">Organic signals, but no certainty</h2>



<p>The Mars rover detected organic carbon in several targets within Bright Angel. Reaction fronts rimmed with vivianite surround cores richer in greigite, a pairing consistent with iron and sulfur cycling recorded in the paper.</p>



<p>Mineral veins include calcium sulfate, while the mudstone remains fine-grained and low in magnesium and manganese. There is no sign of intense heating that would reset the rock or scramble tiny textures.</p>



<p>The outcrop sits within layered sediments deposited by water flowing through Neretva Vallis. That channel spans roughly a quarter mile across, which implies sustained flow into Jezero’s ancient lake.</p>



<p>Low temperature context favors life-compatible chemistry, but it does not require life. Abiotic organics and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mineral-discovery-sheds-light-on-mars-fiery-past/">mineral</a> reactions can sometimes copy the same shapes and signals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-proof-but-potential-life-on-mars">Not proof, but potential life on Mars</h2>



<p>“It’s not life itself,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, stressing that this is a potential biosignature, not proof of life. The lead author echoed that caution.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We cannot claim this is more than a potential biosignature,” said Hurowitz. Other officials also underscored the stakes and the limits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“[But] this very well could be the clearest sign of life that we’ve ever found on Mars,” said Sean Duffy, acting NASA administrator. </p>



<p>Caution is not hedging for its own sake. It is how science avoids false alarms when the question is this important.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mars-life_olivine_leopard-spot_Cheyava-Falls_Perseverance-rover_NASA_1big.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mars-life_olivine_leopard-spot_Cheyava-Falls_Perseverance-rover_NASA_1s.webp" alt="NASA’s Perseverance rover discovered leopard spots on a reddish rock nicknamed “Cheyava Falls” in Mars’ Jezero Crater in July 2024. Scientists think the spots may indicate that, billions of years ago, the chemical reactions in this rock could have supported microbial life; other explanations are being considered. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS" class="wp-image-1985874"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>NASA’s Perseverance rover discovered leopard spots on a reddish rock nicknamed “Cheyava Falls” in Mars’ Jezero Crater in July 2024. Scientists think the spots may indicate that, billions of years ago, the chemical reactions in this rock could have supported microbial life; other explanations are being considered. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS</em></figcaption></figure>



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



<p>If the vivianite and greigite formed through microbe-like metabolisms, then <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-begins-steep-climb-up-martian-crater-rim-jezero-crater/">Bright Angel</a> captures a period when surface waters supported the same chemical strategies some cells use for energy today. </p>



<p>That would extend Mars's habitability into a window when this part of Jezero was still wet.</p>



<p>If abiotic paths made the same pattern, the rock still records redox organization of iron, sulfur, and phosphorus in Martian mud. That is a window into how the planet cycles key elements without biology.</p>



<p>Either outcome matters for the bigger story. Mars did not just dry out, it changed its chemistry over time, and these samples let researchers track that change layer by layer.</p>



<p>The work also flags what to measure next. Isotopes, microtextures, and the exact structure of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-atoms-in-your-body-took-a-400000-light-year-journey-through-space/">carbon</a> in the core can separate metabolic signatures from chemical lookalikes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-search-for-life-on-mars-moves-forward">Search for life on Mars moves forward</h2>



<p>The authors lay out lab experiments and field analogs on Earth to test whether nonbiological reactions can reproduce these textures and mineral pairings. </p>



<p>They also point to analyses that require the sample in a clean Earth lab, including isotope ratios that biology tends to skew.</p>



<p>Sample return planning will shape how fast those tests happen. Meanwhile, the rover can keep mapping where these features cluster and how they relate to other rock units nearby.</p>



<p>PIXL and SHERLOC have shown enough sensitivity to guide that search. The pairing of elemental maps and Raman detections gives a consistent picture that can be applied to other outcrops.</p>



<p>As new targets are logged, the CoLD framework will help communicate progress without getting ahead of the data. That is how a potential biosignature becomes a result people can trust.</p>



<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://youtu.be/ieJKWW8sp2A
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This animation depicts water disappearing over time in the Martian river valley Neretva Vallis, where NASA's Perseverance Mars takes the rock sample named “Sapphire Canyon” from a rock called “Cheyava Falls,” which was found in the “Bright Angel” formation. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09413-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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NASA announces "groundbreaking discovery" of life on Mars

A recent analysis of the Sapphire Canyon mudstone core, drilled by NASA’s Perseverance rover in July 2024, adds new and convincing evidence to the ongoing search for life on Mars. The study describes minerals and textures that - on Earth - are often linked to microbial activity. At the same time, the authors stress that some unknown, nonbiological chemistry could also explain the signals. “This finding by Perseverance is the closest we have ever come to discovering life on Mars. The identification of a potential biosignature on...

<p>Scientists at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/">University of California, Riverside</a> (UCR) have discovered that wildfires are releasing a massive amount of methane gas into the atmosphere. Methane is a greenhouse gas much more potent than carbon dioxide. This source of methane was previously unaccounted for. It could make it challenging for states to achieve their cleaner air and climate goals.</p>



<p>Methane gas is known to warm the planet 86 times more effectively than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. It is currently not being tracked by state air quality managers when it comes to emissions from wildfires. This omission could have significant implications for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-whales-help-mitigate-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change mitigation</a> efforts.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-amount-of-co2-released-by-wildfires-in-2021/">Wildfires</a> have long been known to emit methane gas. A new study conducted by UCR researchers reveals that the amount of methane released by the top 20 fires in 2020 was more than seven times the average from wildfires in the previous 19 years. This significant increase in emissions has been linked to the growing size and intensity of fires.</p>



<p>“Fires are getting bigger and more intense, and correspondingly, more emissions are coming from them," explained study co-author Professor Francesca Hopkins. She added that the fires in 2020 would have accounted for 14 percent of the state's methane budget, had they been tracked.</p>



<h2>Monitoring sources of methane gas</h2>



<p>Currently, the state does not monitor natural sources of methane gas, such as those produced by wildfires. However, the 2020 wildfires would have ranked as the third biggest source of methane in the state. </p>



<p>Professor Hopkins emphasized the importance of addressing these emissions, stating: “Typically, these sources have been hard to measure, and it’s questionable whether they’re under our control. But we have to try. They’re offsetting what we’re trying to reduce.”</p>



<p>In the past, scientists measured emissions by analyzing air samples collected from wildfires using aircraft. However, this method is both costly and complex. The UCR research team, however, employed a remote sensing technique to measure emissions from the Sequoia Lightning Fire Complex in the Sierra Nevadas. This remote sensing method is not only safer for scientists but also potentially more accurate. It captures an integrated plume from the fire, including different burning phases.</p>



<p>The novel technique, detailed in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4521-2023"><em>Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics</em></a>, allowed lead author and UCR environmental sciences Ph.D. student Isis Frausto-Vicencio to safely measure the entire plume of gas and debris from the Sequoia Lightning Fire Complex from 40 miles away.</p>



<p>“The plume, or atmospheric column, is like a mixed signal of the whole fire, capturing the active as well as the smoldering phases," said Professor Hopkins. “That makes these measurements unique.”</p>



<h2 id="h-study-used-a-new-method-to-measure-methane-gas">Study used a new method to measure methane gas</h2>



<p>The study employed a novel technique that utilizes the sun as a light source instead of lasers. This approach is common in similar instruments.</p>



<p>The innovative technique works by using the sun's heat energy absorbed and emitted by gases in the plume. This allows scientists to determine the quantity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aerosols-play-a-mysterious-yet-powerful-role-in-arctic-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aerosols</a>, carbon, and methane gas present. This method enabled the research team to measure the massive amount of methane released by the Sequoia Lightning Fire Complex. The 20 gigagrams of methane detected is noteworthy. Just one gigagram is equal to 1,000 metric tons, and an elephant weighs around one metric ton.</p>



<p>Interestingly, the data obtained using this remote technique corresponds with measurements collected from European space agency satellite data. While these satellites offer a broader, global view of burned areas, they are not yet capable of measuring methane gas in such conditions.</p>



<p>The study's findings have critical consequences for California's methane budget, as established by the <a href="https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Air Resources Board</a>. If wildfires like the Sequoia Lightning Fire Complex were accounted for, they would surpass residential and commercial buildings, power generation, and transportation in terms of methane emissions. </p>



<p>However, they would still rank behind agriculture and industry. As climate change continues to intensify, scientists predict that more megafire years will occur in the future. This will further exacerbate methane emissions.</p>



<h2>Addressing methane gas emissions</h2>



<p>California has been proactive in addressing methane gas emissions since 2015 when the state set a target to reduce methane, refrigerants, and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/specific-air-pollutants-linked-to-asthma-attacks-in-urban-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollutants</a> contributing to global warming by 40% by 2030. In 2016, Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 1383 into law, officially codifying these reduction targets. </p>



<p>The state's ambitious goals are to be achieved through a series of regulations aimed at capturing methane gas from dairy farm manure, minimizing leaks from oil and gas producers, eliminating food waste in landfills, banning specific gases in new refrigerators and air conditioners, and implementing other measures.</p>



<p>"California has been way ahead on this issue," said Professor Hopkins. "We're really hoping the state can limit the methane emissions under our control to reduce short-term global warming and its worst effects, despite the extra emissions coming from these fires."</p>



<p>The research highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the role of wildfires in methane emissions. This is particularly important in regions like California, which are already grappling with the impacts of climate change. By doing so, the state can make informed decisions on how best to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to an increasingly unpredictable climate.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-wildfires">More about wildfires</h2>



<p>Wildfires have a significant impact on humans and the environment, with consequences that can be both immediate and long-lasting. Some key aspects of wildfires and their effects are as follows:</p>



<h3 id="h-air-quality">Air quality</h3>



<p>Wildfires produce smoke, which contains a mixture of gases, such as methane gas, and fine particles. These can cause respiratory issues, aggravate pre-existing conditions such as asthma and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/workplace-exposure-to-pesticides-linked-to-greater-copd-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)</a>, and contribute to heart problems. Smoke can travel great distances, affecting air quality in regions far from the actual fire.</p>



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



<p>Wildfires release large amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), into the atmosphere. This contributes to global warming and climate change, which in turn can lead to more frequent and severe wildfires. Additionally, the loss of forests and vegetation due to wildfires reduces the Earth's ability to absorb CO2, further exacerbating climate change.</p>



<h3 id="h-loss-of-biodiversity">Loss of biodiversity</h3>



<p>Wildfires can cause significant damage to ecosystems, killing plants and animals, and reducing biodiversity. In some cases, wildfires can lead to the local extinction of sensitive species. Moreover, the loss of habitat can make it challenging for the surviving wildlife to find food, shelter, and breeding grounds.</p>



<h3 id="h-soil-erosion-and-water-quality">Soil erosion and water quality</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/measuring-the-effect-of-wildfires-on-air-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wildfires</a> can remove vegetation that helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion. This can lead to increased sedimentation in rivers and streams, affecting water quality and aquatic habitats. Additionally, the chemicals and ash released during a wildfire can contaminate water sources, posing risks to both humans and wildlife.</p>



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



<p>Wildfires can cause considerable damage to property, infrastructure, and natural resources, resulting in substantial economic losses. The costs of fighting wildfires, as well as the subsequent rebuilding and restoration efforts, can strain government budgets and local economies.</p>



<h3 id="h-mental-health">Mental health</h3>



<p>Wildfires can have psychological effects on individuals and communities. The stress and trauma associated with losing one's home, witnessing the devastation of the landscape, and the loss of livelihood can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</p>



<h3 id="h-carbon-sequestration">Carbon sequestration</h3>



<p>Forests play a crucial role in capturing and storing carbon, helping to mitigate climate change. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-amount-of-co2-released-by-wildfires-in-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wildfires can reduce the carbon sequestration</a> capacity of forests, especially when fires become more frequent or severe, preventing forests from regenerating and capturing carbon effectively. By releasing tons of methane gas, the climate impact becomes substantially worse.</p>



<p>To minimize the impacts of wildfires on humans and the environment, it is essential to implement effective forest management practices, promote public awareness and preparedness, and develop strategies to mitigate climate change.</p>



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Discovery: Massive amounts of methane gas spews from wildfires

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have discovered...

<p>Newly discovered amber <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-marine-ichthyosaur-fossils-found-high-in-the-alps/">fossils</a> have provided intriguing evidence that beetles fed on the feathers of dinosaurs around 105 million years ago. This suggests a symbiotic relationship between the two species. </p>



<p>The study, published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>, analyzed amber fragments from the San Just locality in Teruel, Spain. These fragments contained larval moults of small beetle larvae closely surrounded by pieces of downy feathers.</p>



<p>Scientists think the feathers belonged to an unknown theropod dinosaur. It may have been either avian or non-avian. Both types lived during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-new-dinosaur-species-related-to-velociraptors-has-been-found/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early Cretaceous</a> period and had similar feather types. The fossils predate the emergence of modern birds by approximately 30 million years.</p>



<p>Vertebrates and arthropods have coexisted for over 500 million years, forming diverse and complex ecological relationships. These interactions have critically shaped their evolutionary history and led to coevolution. However, fossil evidence of such relationships is exceedingly rare.</p>



<p>Researchers identified the larval moults found in the amber as related to modern dermestid beetles. These are known for feeding on organic materials that are difficult for other organisms to decay, such as natural fibers. </p>



<p>Dermestids also play a crucial role in recycling organic matter in nature. They commonly inhabiting nests of birds and mammals where feathers, hair, or skin accumulate. This discovery provides valuable insights into the ecological interactions and coevolution of beetles and dinosaurs during the Early Cretaceous period.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-done">How the study was done</h2>



<p>“In our samples, some of the feather portions and other remains – including minute fossil faeces, or coprolites – are in intimate contact with the moults attributed to dermestid beetles and show occasional damage and/or signs of decay. This is hard evidence that the fossil beetles almost certainly fed on the feathers and that these were detached from its host,” explained Dr. Enrique Peñalver, from the <a href="https://www.igme.es/zaragoza/ingles/inicio.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geological and Mining Institute of Spain of the Spanish National Research Council</a> (CN IGME-CSIC) and lead author of the study.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The beetle larvae lived − feeding, defecating, moulting − in accumulated feathers on or close to a resin-producing tree, probably in a nest setting. A flow of resin serendipitously captured that association and preserved it for millions of years.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Three additional amber pieces each containing an isolated beetle moult of a different maturity stage but assigned to the same species were also studied, allowing a better understanding of these minute insects than what is usually possible in palaeontology,” said study co-author Dr. David Peris, from the Botanical Institute of Barcelona.</p>



<p>Scientists found the most impressive, complete specimen in the amber deposit of Rábago/El Soplao in the northern Spain. It is roughly of the same age as San Just. </p>



<p>“It is unclear whether the feathered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-large-predator-dinosaur/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theropod</a> host also benefited from the beetle larvae feeding on its detached feathers in this plausible nest setting,” said co-lead author Dr. Ricardo Pérez-de la Fuente from the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/">Oxford University</a> Museum of Natural History.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“However, the theropod was most likely unharmed by the activity of the larvae since our data show these did not feed on living plumage and lacked defensive structures which among modern dermestids can irritate the skin of nest hosts, even killing them.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-evidence-that-birds-descended-from-dinosaurs">Evidence that birds descended from dinosaurs</h2>



<p>There is substantial evidence supporting the idea that birds descended from theropod dinosaurs, a group of bipedal, mostly carnivorous dinosaurs. This evidence comes from various fields, including paleontology, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology. Some key pieces of evidence are:</p>



<h3 id="h-fossil-evidence">Fossil evidence</h3>



<p>Researchers have discovered numerous fossils that show transitional features between dinosaurs and birds. One of the most famous examples is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-fossil-dinosaur-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archaeopteryx</a>. It was a creature that lived around 150 million years ago and had features of both dinosaurs and birds. It had feathers and wings, but also teeth, a long bony tail, and other dinosaur-like characteristics.</p>



<h3 id="h-feathered-dinosaurs">Feathered dinosaurs</h3>



<p>The discovery of numerous theropod dinosaurs with feathers or feather-like structures further supports the link between birds and dinosaurs. Examples include <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-the-evolutionary-origin-of-birds-wings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Velociraptor, Sinosauropteryx, and Microraptor</a>. These findings suggest that feathers originally evolved for purposes other than flight, such as insulation or display, and were later adapted for flight in birds.</p>



<h3 id="h-skeletal-similarities">Skeletal similarities</h3>



<p>Birds and theropod dinosaurs share many anatomical features. These include a wishbone (furcula), a unique ball-and-socket wrist joint, hollow bones, and a similar hip structure (with a pubis bone pointing backward). These shared characteristics suggest a common ancestry.</p>



<h3 id="h-nesting-behavior">Nesting behavior</h3>



<p>Fossil evidence indicates that some theropod dinosaurs, like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-ever-dinosaur-found-incubating-eggs-with-embryos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oviraptorosaurs</a>, displayed nesting behaviors similar to those of modern birds. They built nests and brooded their eggs, providing further evidence of a connection between birds and dinosaurs.</p>



<h3 id="h-molecular-evidence">Molecular evidence</h3>



<p>Genetic studies have shown that birds are more closely related to certain theropod dinosaurs than these dinosaurs are to other reptiles. This supports the idea that birds are not merely related to dinosaurs. Most think they are, in fact, a subgroup of theropod dinosaurs.</p>



<p>Taken together, this evidence from various fields paints a compelling picture of the evolutionary link between birds and theropod dinosaurs. Scientists consider birds the only surviving lineage of dinosaurs.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Beetles fed on dinosaur feathers 105 million years ago

Newly discovered amber fossils have provided intriguing evidence that beetles...

<p>In a groundbreaking study, a team of scientists from the <a href="https://www.umass.edu/">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a> has made a remarkable discovery about bird migrations and the fuel that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/for-songbirds-bright-colors-are-a-blessing-and-a-curse/">songbirds</a> use during long, non-stop journeys.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Contrary to the long-held belief that these birds only consume protein towards the end of their journey, the research team found that the birds actually burn a significant amount of protein, including muscle, early in their flights. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of avian migration and open up new research avenues.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/migratory-birds-have-new-strategy-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Migratory songbirds</a>, such as the blackpoll warbler, are known for their incredible twice-yearly flights. Their flights often cover more than 1,000 miles without stopping. </p>



<p>“Birds are amazing animals,” said study lead author Cory Elowe. “They are extreme endurance athletes; a bird that weighs half an ounce can fly, non-stop, flapping for 100 hours at a time, from Canada to South America. How is this possible? How do they fuel their flight?”</p>



<h2 id="h-the-energy-needed-for-bird-migration">The energy needed for bird migration</h2>



<p>Until now, biologists had assumed that birds primarily relied on their fat reserves to fuel these incredible feats of endurance. While fat is still a crucial part of the birds' energy mix, this recent study has shed light on the surprising role of protein in their migratory flights.</p>



<p>“The birds in our tests burned fat at a consistent rate throughout their flights,” said Elowe. “But we also found that they burn protein at an extremely high rate very early in their flights, and that the rate at which they burn protein tapers off as the duration of the flight increases.”</p>



<p>“This is a new insight,” said study senior author Professor Alexander Gerson. “No one has been able to measure protein burn to this extent in birds before.”</p>



<p>“We knew that birds burned protein, but not at this rate, and not so early in their flights. What’s more, these small songbirds can burn 20% of their muscle mass and then build it all back in a matter of days.”</p>



<p>The research was conducted with the assistance of bird banding operators at the <a href="https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/long-point-bird-observatory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Long Point Bird Observatory</a> in Ontario. During the fall, millions of birds gather near the observatory as they journey to their wintering grounds. </p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-bird-migration-study-was-done">How the bird migration study was done</h2>



<p>After capturing 20 blackpoll warblers and 44 yellow-rumped warblers, another migratory songbird, the researchers transported the birds to the Advanced Facility for Avian Research at Western University.</p>



<p>This state-of-the-art facility houses a specialized wind tunnel designed specifically for observing birds in flight. The researchers measured the birds' fat and lean body mass before letting them fly in the wind tunnel. This was done at night to mimic their natural migration patterns. </p>



<p>The team would then observe the birds. At times, they would stay awake for up to 28 hours until the bird chose to rest. The researchers would then collect the bird and measure its fat and lean body mass again. They then compared the results to the pre-flight measurements.</p>



<p>"One of the biggest surprises was that every bird still had plenty of fat left when it chose to end its flight," said Elowe. "But their muscles were emaciated. Protein, not fat, seems to be a limiting factor in determining how far birds can fly."</p>



<h2 id="h-some-bird-migration-questions-left-unanswered">Some bird migration questions left unanswered</h2>



<p>The precise reasons behind the birds' consumption of such vast stores of protein early in their journey remain unclear. However, the findings have opened up a range of possibilities for future research. </p>



<p>“How exactly is it possible to burn up your muscles and internal organs, and then rebuild them as quickly as these birds do,” wonders Gerson. “What insights into the evolution of metabolism might these birds yield?”</p>



<p>Elowe is curious about shivering - nonmigratory birds that overwinter in cold areas keep themselves warm by shivering. “This is also a feat of endurance,” said Elowe. “Do birds fuel their winter shivering spells the same way? And as the world warms, which method of coping with the cold - shivering or migrating - might be the better option for survival?”</p>



<p>This groundbreaking study, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2216016120"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>, challenges conventional wisdom and paves the way for a deeper understanding of the fascinating world of avian migration.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-else-we-know-about-bird-migration">What else we know about bird migration</h2>



<p>Bird migration is a fascinating and complex phenomenon that occurs across various bird species. It involves regular, seasonal movements between breeding and wintering grounds, often covering long distances.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While our understanding of bird migration continues to grow, there are several well-established facts about this remarkable behavior:</p>



<h3 id="h-reasons-for-bird-migration">Reasons for bird migration</h3>



<p>Birds migrate primarily to take advantage of favorable environmental conditions and abundant food resources. Migration allows them to breed in areas with optimal conditions for raising offspring and spend the non-breeding season in locations with sufficient food supply and milder climates.</p>



<h3 id="h-timing-and-routes">Timing and routes</h3>



<p>Bird migration typically follows predictable seasonal patterns, with birds flying to their breeding grounds in the spring and returning to their wintering grounds in the fall. Migratory routes vary among species and can cover vast distances. Some birds, like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprising-insights-into-the-migrations-of-arctic-terns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic tern</a>, travel over 12,000 miles during their migration, while others migrate shorter distances.</p>



<h3 id="h-navigation-and-orientation">Navigation and orientation</h3>



<p>Birds use a combination of factors to navigate during migration, including the position of the sun, stars, and the Earth's magnetic field. They also rely on landmarks such as mountain ranges, coastlines, and rivers. Some birds are known to use their sense of smell to find their way back to their breeding or wintering sites.</p>



<h3 id="h-flight-behavior">Flight behavior</h3>



<p>Migratory birds have evolved various flight behaviors to optimize their energy expenditure during migration. Soaring birds, like raptors and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/storks-are-attracted-to-the-smell-of-freshly-mowed-grass/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storks</a>, take advantage of thermal updrafts to gain altitude without flapping their wings. Other birds, like ducks and geese, fly in a V-formation, which reduces air resistance and saves energy.</p>



<h3 id="h-stopovers">Stopovers</h3>



<p>Birds often make stopovers during migration to rest, refuel, and sometimes even molt. These stopover sites are crucial for the survival of migrating birds, providing them with food, water, and shelter. Many birds exhibit site fidelity, returning to the same stopover sites year after year.</p>



<h3 id="h-impact-of-climate-change-and-habitat-loss">Impact of climate change and habitat loss</h3>



<p>Climate change and habitat loss have significant effects on bird migration patterns. Changes in temperature and precipitation can lead to shifts in the timing of migration, breeding, and food availability. Habitat loss along migratory routes and at breeding and wintering sites can have detrimental consequences for bird populations.</p>



<h3 id="h-bird-migration-monitoring">Bird migration monitoring</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alternative-habitats-bird-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ornithologists and birdwatchers</a> monitor bird migration through various methods, including bird banding, satellite tracking, radar, and citizen science programs. These efforts help collect valuable data on migratory species, which can inform conservation measures and increase our understanding of bird migration patterns.</p>



<h3 id="h-nocturnal-migration">Nocturnal migration</h3>



<p>Many bird species, especially smaller birds like songbirds, migrate during the night. Nocturnal migration is thought to have several advantages, including reduced predation risk, cooler temperatures that minimize water loss, and better use of celestial cues for navigation.</p>



<h3 id="h-adaptations-for-migration">Adaptations for migration</h3>



<p>Birds have evolved various physiological and morphological adaptations to enable long-distance migration. These adaptations include increased fat storage for energy, efficient muscle and wing structures for sustained flight, and the ability to enter a state of torpor to conserve energy during stopovers.</p>



<h3 id="h-conservation-efforts">Conservation efforts</h3>



<p>Bird migration faces numerous threats, including habitat loss, climate change, and human-made structures such as wind turbines and communication towers that can cause collisions. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting migratory birds and their habitats are crucial for the long-term survival of these species. This includes the preservation of stopover sites, the implementation of bird-friendly building designs, and international collaboration to protect migratory routes.</p>



<p>Our understanding of bird migration continues to expand as researchers uncover new information about the factors influencing migratory behavior, the physiological adaptations that enable long-distance flight, and the impacts of human activity on these extraordinary journeys.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Surprising discovery behind long-distance bird migration

In a groundbreaking study, a team of scientists from the...

Tullimonstrum,,Tully,Monster,Swimming,In,The,Ocean,,The,State,Fossil

<p>For over half a century, the Tully monster (Tullimonstrum gregarium) has puzzled paleontologists due to its bizarre anatomy, making it incredibly difficult to classify. This peculiar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-diversity-can-be-monitored-through-dna-in-the-air/">animal</a> lived approximately 300 million years ago. Francis Tully discovered it in the 1950s while fossil hunting at the Mazon Creek Lagerstätte in Illinois.</p>



<p>The Tully monster's average length was around 15 centimeters. Its unique soft-bodied nature made it an enigma among fossils, sparking decades-long debates among researchers about its proper taxonomic classification.</p>



<p>Recently, a hypothesis emerged suggesting that the Tully monster was a vertebrate. Tully was possibly related to cyclostomes, a group of jawless fish like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-lampreys-brain-treatments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lampreys</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/5-strangest-deep-sea-creatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hagfish</a>. If this were true, it could fill a crucial gap in the evolutionary history of early vertebrates. However, supporters and opponents have met this hypothesis with both support and opposition over the years. This has left the scientific community divided.</p>



<h2 id="h-research-team-has-a-breakthrough-on-tully-nonster-study">Research team has a breakthrough on Tully nonster study</h2>



<p>Now, a research team from the <a href="https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/index.html">University of Tokyo</a> and Nagoya University in Japan has made a groundbreaking discovery using 3D imaging technology.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We believe that the mystery of it being an invertebrate or vertebrate has been solved,” said Tomoyuki Mikami. Tomoyuki is a doctoral student in the Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo at the time of the study and currently a researcher at the National Museum of Nature and Science.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Based on multiple lines of evidence, the vertebrate hypothesis of the Tully monster is untenable. The most important point is that the Tully monster had segmentation in its head region that extended from its body. This characteristic is not known in any vertebrate lineage, suggesting a nonvertebrate affinity.”</p>



<p>The team studied more than 150 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tully-monster-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tully monster fossils</a> and over 70 other diverse animal fossils from Mazon Creek. Next, they created a detailed color-coded 3D maps using a laser scanner to highlight the fossils' surface irregularities. Additionally, researchers employed X-ray micro-computed tomography to examine the creature's proboscis. A proboscis is an elongated organ in its head.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-study-revealed-about-tully-monsters">What the study revealed about Tully monsters</h2>



<p>The research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/pala.12646"><em>Paleontology</em></a>, revealed that the features previously used to argue that the Tully monster was a vertebrate were not consistent with those found in vertebrates. This finding strongly suggests that the Tully monster was not a vertebrate. This revelation added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.</p>



<p>While the exact classification of the Tully monster remains uncertain, the next stage of the investigation will focus on determining its true taxonomic position. The creature could potentially belong to a group of nonvertebrate chordates. These possibilities include the lancelet, or a protostome group. A protostome is a diverse collection of animals that include insects, roundworms, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earthworms-invade-north-america/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earthworms</a>, and snails – with radically modified morphology.</p>



<p>The perplexing case of the Tully monster highlights the challenges scientists face in unraveling the dynamic history of Earth. The vast array of organisms that have inhabited it over time make this task difficult. As researchers develop new technologies and research methods, they may emerge with more definitive answers.</p>



<p>Details regarding the Tully monster's place in the evolutionary tree are still missing. For now, though, this enigmatic creature continues to captivate the scientific community and remind us of the complexities of life on our planet.</p>



<p>“There were many interesting animals that were never preserved as fossils,” Mikami said. “In this sense, research on the fossils from Mazon Creek is important because it provides paleontological evidence that cannot be obtained from other sites. More and more research is needed to extract important clues from Mazon Creek fossils to understand the evolutionary history of life.”</p>



<h2 id="h-what-earth-was-like-300-million-years-ago">What Earth was like 300 million years ago</h2>



<p>Around 300 million years ago, Earth was in the late Carboniferous to early Permian period. Several unique features characterized this time in Earth's history:</p>



<h3>Pangaea</h3>



<p>During this period, Earth's continents were coming together to form a single supercontinent called <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/supercontinents-101-pannotia-gondwana-and-pangea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pangaea</a>. This massive landmass included almost all of the present-day continents. A vast ocean called Panthalassa surrounded it.</p>



<h3>Climate</h3>



<p>The late Carboniferous and early Permian periods experienced a generally warm and humid climate due to high levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, the climate began to transition towards a more seasonal and arid environment towards the end of the Carboniferous period. This shift was partly because of the formation of Pangaea, which altered global ocean circulation and wind patterns.</p>



<h3>Flora</h3>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-climate-change-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carboniferous period</a> is famous for its extensive coal deposits, which formed from the remains of vast swampy forests that dominated the landscape. The plant life was predominantly made up of ferns, horsetails, club mosses, and seed-producing plants called gymnosperms. As the climate became more arid in the early Permian, these swampy forests gradually gave way to more drought-resistant plants, such as conifers and other gymnosperms.</p>



<h3>Fauna</h3>



<p>A diverse range of animal life inhabited Earth 300 million years ago. In the oceans, there were various marine invertebrates, such as trilobites, brachiopods, and mollusks, as well as early fish, including sharks and bony fish. On land, the first reptiles were evolving from their amphibian ancestors, and insects were becoming more diverse and abundant. The Carboniferous period also saw the rise of large, dragonfly-like insects called Meganeura, which had wingspans of up to 2.5 feet (75 cm).</p>



<h3>Atmosphere</h3>



<p>The atmosphere during the late Carboniferous period had much higher oxygen levels than today, reaching up to 35%. This high oxygen concentration enabled insects and other invertebrates to grow much larger than their modern counterparts. The elevated oxygen levels also supported the growth of vast forests that ultimately contributed to the formation of extensive coal deposits.</p>



<p>In summary, the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea characterized Earth 300 million years ago. Earth had a warm and humid climate that transitioned to a more arid environment. It was also home to diverse plant and animal life, and a unique atmospheric composition with high oxygen levels.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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What is a Tully monster and why should we care?

For over half a century, the Tully monster (Tullimonstrum gregarium)...

<p>A recent study has shown that speaking nicely while engaged in dog training exercises may be more effective in getting them to follow commands than using a strict, authoritative tone.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Researchers from the Wolf Science Centre at the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/">University of Vienna</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifical_Catholic_University_of_Minas_Gerais">Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerai</a> in Brazil have discovered that dogs respond more accurately to commands when trainers use a friendly voice. Dog trainers believe that a pleasant atmosphere helps <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-use-their-tails-more-for-communication-than-movement/">dogs</a> relax and perform better.</p>



<p>The study involved nine mixed-breed dogs who participated in a total of 135 training sessions. Each dog experienced 15 five-minute sessions with each of the five trainers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Trainers always delivered the pronunciation of standard commands like "sit," "stand," and "roll" in a neutral tone. However, trainers varied their tone of voice during the rest of the sessions, employing "nice," "neutral," or "reprehensive" speech. </p>



<h2 id="h-tone-of-voice-matters-when-dog-training">Tone of voice matters when dog training</h2>



<p>Speakers characterized nice speech by using a higher pitch and exaggerated affection or laughter. Neutral speech had minimal intonation variation. Reprehensive speech was rough, angry, or commanding in tone.</p>



<p>In the sessions where trainers used more reprehensive speech, the researchers observed more negative emotional signs displayed by the dogs. These signs included less tail wagging and spending less time next to the trainer. Importantly, the dogs also performed worse, making fewer correct responses to commands.</p>



<p>Study author Melissa Bravo Fonseca explained that a reproachful voice may stress the dog, affecting its performance.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"In view of our results, we believe that nice speeches have created a positive atmosphere, in which the animals might interact in a relaxed way, favoring the fulfilment of commands," she said. "The use of nice speeches has the potential to attract the listener's attention, increasing the social responsiveness of the receivers."</p>



<h2 id="h-atmosphere-is-also-important-while-dog-training">Atmosphere is also important while dog training</h2>



<p>Fonseca also highlighted that previous studies have demonstrated how a stressful atmosphere can interfere with an animal's cognitive function and negatively impact them emotionally.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"In other words, stressed/tense animals will not respond adequately in the sessions. Therefore, a relaxing atmosphere may improve performance."</p>



<p>While the dogs used in this study were already familiar with the commands, meaning that the training sessions tested their compliance rather than new learning, study co-author Professor Angelica Vasconcellos believes that the findings would also apply to teaching dogs new skills.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Our results suggest that a friendly voice during training supports performance and positive emotional responses in dogs," she concluded.</p>



<p>The study's findings have been published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals"><em>Animals</em></a>. They may offer valuable insight for dog owners and trainers looking to improve their canine training techniques.</p>



<h2 id="h-easiest-dog-breeds-to-train">Easiest dog breeds to train</h2>



<p>Individual dogs' temperament and trainability can vary. However, people generally consider certain breeds easier to train. This is due to their intelligence, eagerness to please, and ability to learn quickly. Some of the easiest dog breeds to train include:</p>



<h3>Border Collie</h3>



<p>Known for their intelligence and work ethic, Border Collies excel in obedience training and various dog sports.</p>



<h3>Poodle</h3>



<p>Poodles are highly intelligent and versatile dogs, capable of excelling in obedience training and various activities.</p>



<h3>German Shepherd</h3>



<p>This breed is valued for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. People commonly use German Shepherds as working dogs because of their trainability.</p>



<h3>Golden Retriever</h3>



<p>Golden Retrievers are friendly, intelligent, and eager to please, making them easy to train and great family pets.</p>



<h3>Labrador Retriever</h3>



<p>Labradors are intelligent, friendly, and eager to learn, making them popular as family pets, therapy dogs, and service dogs.</p>



<h3>Australian Shepherd</h3>



<p>Highly intelligent and energetic, Australian Shepherds are quick learners and excel in various dog sports and activities.</p>



<h3>Papillon</h3>



<p>Small but intelligent, Papillons are known for their agility and ability to learn new commands quickly.</p>



<h3>Shetland Sheepdog</h3>



<p>Also known as Shelties, these dogs are intelligent and eager to please, excelling in obedience training and various dog sports.</p>



<h3>Doberman Pinscher</h3>



<p>Dobies are intelligent, loyal, and trainable, often excelling in obedience and protection work.</p>



<h3>Rottweiler</h3>



<p>Rottweilers are intelligent, loyal, and eager to work, making them suitable for various training endeavors, including obedience and protection work.</p>



<p>Keep in mind that even within these breeds, individual dogs may vary in terms of trainability. Factors like socialization, training methods, and the dog's specific background can also play a significant role in how easy or difficult it is to train a dog.</p>



<h2 id="h-special-bond-between-dogs-and-humans">Special bond between dogs and humans</h2>



<p>The bond between dogs and humans is unique and special due to several factors, including evolutionary, social, and emotional reasons:</p>



<h3>Evolutionary history</h3>



<p>Dogs and humans have shared a close relationship for thousands of years. Domesticated from wolves around 20,000 to 40,000 years ago, dogs have evolved alongside humans, adapting to our lifestyles and needs. This long history of coexistence has created a deep bond between the two species.</p>



<h3>Mutual benefits</h3>



<p>Dogs and humans have historically provided each other with mutual benefits. Dogs helped humans with tasks such as hunting, herding, and protection, while humans provided dogs with food, shelter, and companionship. This interdependence has strengthened the bond between dogs and humans over time.</p>



<h3>Communication</h3>



<p>Dogs have developed an exceptional ability to communicate with humans. They can read human body language, facial expressions, and vocal cues, making them particularly attuned to our emotions and needs. Similarly, humans have become adept at understanding dogs' body language and vocalizations, facilitating communication and strengthening the bond between the two species.</p>



<h3>Social creatures</h3>



<p>Both dogs and humans are social animals, and they naturally form close relationships with members of their own species and others. Dogs have evolved to be particularly skilled at forming attachments to humans, and humans often view dogs as members of their families, further reinforcing the bond.</p>



<h3>Emotional support</h3>



<p>Dogs provide humans with emotional support, companionship, and unconditional love. They have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in people and can even improve overall mental health and well-being. Similarly, humans provide emotional support and companionship to dogs, creating a reciprocal relationship that nurtures the bond between them.</p>



<h3>Oxytocin</h3>



<p>Interactions between dogs and humans can increase the levels of oxytocin, a hormone associated with social bonding and trust, in both species. This hormonal response helps strengthen the bond between dogs and humans and contributes to the emotional connection that many people feel with their canine companions.</p>



<p>These factors, among others, have contributed to the unique and special bond between dogs and humans that continues to be celebrated and studied today.</p>



<p>—-</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>

Dog training is more effective when "nice" voice tone is used

A recent study has shown that speaking nicely while engaged...

<p>In a recent study, researchers have discovered that female monarch butterflies, also known as African queens, are remarkably adept at finding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-zebra-finches-choose-mates-based-on-their-dialects/">mates</a>, even in populations where a male-killing parasite has significantly reduced the number of males.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study, led by scientists from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>, University of Edinburgh, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, sheds light on the mating behavior of these butterflies and the implications for their survival.</p>



<p>Spiroplasma, a parasite that some female butterflies carry, kills all their male offspring, leading to highly infected populations with very few males. Despite this, the researchers found that females mated about 1.5 times on average, irrespective of the number of males present. </p>



<p>In some cases, the male proportion dropped below 10 percent. However, the remaining males appeared to successfully breed with most of the available females. Only 10-20 percent of female butterflies remained unmated. This figure is only slightly higher than the expected average in a population with plenty of males (5-10 percent).</p>



<p>Vincent Rutagarama, a student at the University of Rwanda and the study's first author, described the experience of working with an international team of experts as "inspiring and powerful." He believes the knowledge gained from this research will shape his future career path towards research-based conservation.</p>



<h2 id="h-female-butterflies-breeding-success">Female butterflies breeding success</h2>



<p>Professor Richard ffrench-Constant is from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall. He noted the consistency of female butterflies' breeding success throughout the year. This occurs despite fluctuations in the proportion of males in butterfly populations. </p>



<p>Dr. Ian Gordon from the University of Rwanda suggested that this breeding success might explain how the male-killing parasite could transmit successfully in populations where males are rare.</p>



<p>Dr. Gordon highlighted the irony of the situation: if the entire population were infected, monarch butterflies would produce no more princes, and both the parasite and the butterflies would die out. Further research is needed to understand why some monarch female butterflies remain uninfected and can produce healthy male offspring. </p>



<p>Additional studies may also investigate why the male-killing parasite is currently confined to a sub-section of the East African 'contact zone.' This is where prevailing winds converge and bring flying <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/are-insects-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> together.</p>



<h2>Female butterflies evolving resistance to parasites</h2>



<p>According to Professor ffrench-Constant, other butterfly species have evolved resistance to parasites like Spiroplasma. Monarchs, which are numerous and widespread, are unlikely to be at risk. </p>



<p>However, the researchers expressed concern about the severe drought in East Africa. This has caused a food crisis for humans and damaged biodiversity and ecosystems. They hope that the monarch butterfly can become a symbol of conservation across Africa. The future of monarchs is tied to the future of the continent. Addressing the climate and environment crisis is crucial for its survival.</p>



<p>Researchers conducted the study at sites in Rwanda and Kenya. It involved counting male-female ratios regularly. Scientists also dissected 10 randomly selected female butterflies each month to count spermatophores, which are detectable after breeding. </p>



<p>The research was funded by the <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Geographic Society</a>, <a href="https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleveland Metroparks Zoo</a>, and the <a href="https://gorillafund.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund</a>. The findings have been published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9956"><em>Ecology and Evolution</em></a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-monarch-butterflies">More about Monarch butterflies</h2>



<p>Monarch butterflies, scientifically known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monarch-butterflies-are-officially-listed-as-endangered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Danaus plexippus</a>, are among the most recognizable and iconic butterfly species. This is due to their striking orange, black, and white wing patterns. They are native to North and South America. Their range also extends to other parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and some Pacific islands. Monarchs are known for their incredible long-distance migration. This is unique among butterflies.</p>



<h3>Migration</h3>



<p>Monarch butterflies are famous for their annual migration, which can cover thousands of miles. In North America, they travel from their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-forecast-the-future-of-monarch-butterflies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breeding grounds</a> in the United States and southern Canada to their wintering sites in central Mexico. This journey can span over 3,000 miles and takes several generations of monarchs to complete. The butterflies that migrate to Mexico are the fourth generation of the year. They are the ones that make the return journey to the United States and Canada in the spring.</p>



<h3>Life Cycle</h3>



<p>The monarch butterfly's life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. The entire life cycle takes about a month to complete, with the adult stage lasting for 2-6 weeks. Female monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed plants, which serve as the primary food source for monarch caterpillars. The caterpillar stage lasts about 10-14 days. After this, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis, where it undergoes metamorphosis into an adult butterfly over the next 10-14 days.</p>



<h3>Diet</h3>



<p>As caterpillars, monarchs feed exclusively on milkweed plants (genus Asclepias). Milkweed contains toxic compounds called cardenolides, which the caterpillars store in their bodies, making them unpalatable to predators. This defense mechanism carries over to the adult stage, where the bright orange and black colors of the monarch butterfly serve as a warning to predators that they are toxic. Adult monarchs feed on nectar from a variety of flowers, providing them with the energy necessary for flight, reproduction, and migration.</p>



<h3>Conservation</h3>



<p>Monarch butterflies face several threats, including habitat loss, climate change, and the widespread use of pesticides. Experts have linked the decline in monarch populations to the loss of milkweed plants, in particular. They are vital to the butterflies' life cycle. Researchers have initiated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restoring-milkweed-could-save-the-eastern-monarch-butterfly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservation efforts</a> to protect and restore monarch habitats. These efforts also encourage the planting of milkweed and reducing pesticide use. These efforts aim to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic species and the important role they play in pollination and as indicators of ecosystem health.</p>



<h2 id="h-climate-change-and-the-global-butterfly-population">Climate change and the global butterfly population</h2>



<p>Climate change is impacting the global butterfly population in several ways. Changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and the frequency of extreme weather events drive the most significant effects.</p>



<p>These changes can lead to alterations in the distribution, abundance, and behavior of butterfly species, with potential consequences for ecosystem health and biodiversity. Some of the key ways climate change is affecting butterflies include:</p>



<h3>Range shifts</h3>



<p>As temperatures rise, many butterfly species are moving to higher elevations or latitudes in search of more suitable habitats. This can lead to changes in the distribution of species and the potential for local extinctions in areas where they can no longer survive. In some cases, species may expand their ranges into new areas, increasing the potential for competition with native species and disruptions to local ecosystems.</p>



<h3>Phenology changes</h3>



<p>Phenology refers to the timing of biological events, such as the emergence of adult butterflies or the flowering of plants. Climate change can alter the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unep-report-identifies-the-biggest-emerging-environmental-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phenology</a> of butterflies, leading to mismatches between their life cycles and the availability of resources, such as food plants for caterpillars or nectar sources for adults. Such mismatches can negatively impact butterfly populations, as they may struggle to find enough food to support their growth and reproduction.</p>



<h3>Population declines</h3>



<p>Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can lead to declines in butterfly populations, particularly for species that are sensitive to environmental changes or have specialized habitat requirements. Additionally, extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, or heatwaves, can cause direct mortality or disrupt the availability of resources that butterflies depend on, further contributing to population declines.</p>



<h3>Loss of genetic diversity</h3>



<p>As butterfly populations decline and become more fragmented, they may lose genetic diversity, making them more vulnerable to extinction. Smaller populations are more susceptible to inbreeding, which can reduce their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.</p>



<h3>Changes in community composition</h3>



<p>Climate change can lead to shifts in the composition of butterfly communities, as some species are more able to adapt to new conditions than others. This can result in a loss of biodiversity and alter the ecological roles that butterflies play, such as their contributions to pollination and their function as prey for other species.</p>



<p>Overall, climate change presents significant challenges for the conservation of global butterfly populations. Efforts to mitigate climate change and protect butterfly habitats are essential for ensuring the long-term survival of these important and diverse organisms.</p>



<p>—-</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>

Female butterflies have no trouble breeding despite shortage of males

In a recent study, researchers have discovered that female monarch...

Young,Attractive,Female,Scientist,Researching,In,The,Laboratory,With,Futuristic

<p>In a groundbreaking study conducted in Oceania, researchers from the <a href="https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en.html">University of Auckland</a> have discovered traces of methamphetamine, nicotine, caffeine, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the downtown Auckland air.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The investigation, which took place at a pollution monitoring site on Customs Street, close to the bottom of Queen Street. It is the first of its kind in both <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/south-island-new-zealand-in-the-southwest-pacific/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Zealand</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/simultaneous-atmospheric-rivers-over-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australia</a>.</p>



<p>The team, led by Master of Science student Olivia Johnson and Dr. Joel Rindelaub, a research fellow in the School of Chemical Sciences, analyzed the samples caught by filters at the monitoring site.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>What the research team found<em> </em>in the air</h2>



<p>The largest concentration of methamphetamine detected was 104 picograms (a picogram is one-trillionth of a gram) per cubic meter of air. The average for ten samples taken over five weeks was 24.8 picograms per cubic meter.</p>



<p>“Assuming an active dose of 5 milligrams and 16 cubic meters of air inhaled per person each day, it would take an individual over 8,000 years to inhale an active dose," the researchers explained in their paper published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.101750"><em>Atmospheric Pollution Research</em></a>.</p>



<p>Surprisingly, the methamphetamine concentrations found in Auckland's air were higher than those detected in cities like Barcelona. The study also revealed an increase in airborne drug concentrations during the week leading up to the Christmas holidays and over New Year's Eve. </p>



<p>Of the four drugs studied, nicotine had the highest average concentration at 4.91 nanograms (a nanogram is one billionth of a gram) per cubic meter, which is lower than levels found in many cities overseas. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-and-caffeine-linked-to-lower-risk-of-heart-failure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caffeine</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teenagers-are-ditching-alcohol-for-marijuana/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THC</a> were detected at lower average concentrations compared to studies conducted elsewhere.</p>



<p>“The results aren’t as concerning as a headline might make them sound," said Dr. Rindelaub. "However, they highlight that we really don’t know as much as we should about what’s in the air that we breathe.” For context, it is worth noting that concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 particulates in the air are typically measured in micrograms (one millionth of a gram).</p>



<h2>How detecting drugs in the air can be used in the future</h2>



<p>The researchers believe that airborne monitoring of drugs could complement wastewater analyses. This system tracks drug consumption in communities across the country. Researchers test wastewater for substances like cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mdma-therapy-ptsd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MDMA</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This innovative technique could potentially facilitate assessments of policies such as restrictions on tobacco products. Furthermore, caffeine concentrations seem to correlate with urban pedestrian counts, suggesting a potential proxy for urban activity.</p>



<p>Professor Gordon Miskelly and Hamish Patel, a PhD candidate and air quality scientist at Mote Ltd., also contributed to the study. The team used liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to analyze samples collected from December 7, 2020, to January 11, 2021.</p>



<p>The investigation exclusively focused on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meth-damages-heart/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methamphetamine</a>, nicotine, caffeine, and THC, leaving the presence of other drugs in the air unknown. In a separate study published in December, Dr. Rindelaub and colleagues revealed that microplastics in Auckland’s air were equivalent to over 3 million plastic bottles falling from the sky annually.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Indoor air pollution is also an issue. Rindelaub found traces of polyester, nylon, and PVC in the air of a university lecture theatre. He was there delivering a TEDx talk on pollution. Rindelaub states that air pollution links to more than 3,300 premature deaths per year in Aotearoa.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-air-pollution">More about air pollution</h2>



<p>Air pollution has far-reaching impacts on both the Earth and human health. The consequences of air pollution are multifaceted. Various aspects of our environment, ecosystems, and public health show their observable presence.</p>



<h3>Environmental Impact</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-will-increase-dramatically-in-a-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air pollution</a> contributes to a wide range of environmental issues, including:</p>



<ul>
<li>Climate change: Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. This leads to global warming and climate change. This results in melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and alterations in ecosystems and wildlife habitats.<br></li>



<li>Acid rain: Pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen, and other substances in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids, which fall as acid rain. Acid rain can damage forests, bodies of water, soil quality, and even human-made structures like buildings and monuments.<br></li>



<li>Ozone depletion: Some air pollutants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons, break down the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere. The ozone layer protects us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Ozone depletion can lead to increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface, causing harm to humans, animals, and plants.<br></li>



<li>Ecosystem damage: Air pollution can disrupt the balance of ecosystems, harming plant life, reducing biodiversity, and impacting the food chain. Pollutants can also accumulate in bodies of water. This leads to issues like eutrophication, algal blooms, and "dead zones" where oxygen levels are too low to support marine life.</li>
</ul>



<h3>Human Health Impact</h3>



<p>Air pollution poses significant risks to human health, including:</p>



<ul>
<li>Respiratory issues: Exposure to air pollutants, such as particulate matter, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-nitrogen-oxide-pollution-could-boost-crop-yields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen dioxide</a>, and ground-level ozone, can cause or aggravate respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, and lung infections.<br></li>



<li>Cardiovascular problems: Increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-air-pollution-can-prevent-heart-attacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular diseases are linked to air pollution</a>. This is due to the inflammation and damage it can cause to blood vessels and the heart.<br></li>



<li>Cancer: Long-term exposure to certain air pollutants, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/skin-hair-products-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">benzene</a> and formaldehyde, can increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly lung cancer.<br></li>



<li>Premature death: Researchers have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-million-premature-deaths-linked-to-air-pollution-in-2017/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">linked air pollution to millions of premature deaths</a> worldwide. People living in heavily polluted areas are more likely to experience reduced life expectancy. This is due to illnesses caused or exacerbated by poor air quality.<br></li>



<li>Cognitive and developmental issues: Studies have found associations between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-increases-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollution exposure and cognitive decline</a>, reduced cognitive function in children, and adverse effects on brain development.</li>
</ul>



<p>To address the impacts of air pollution on the Earth and human health, governments, industries, and individuals need to work together. Communities can implement strategies that reduce emissions, improve air quality, and transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.</p>



<p>—-</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>

Illegal drugs can now be detected in the air

In a groundbreaking study conducted in Oceania, researchers from the...

Group,Of,Happy,Multiracial,Friends,Having,Fun,Drinking,And,Toasting

<p>Alcohol hangovers could be a thing of the past? No more liver damage for those who enjoy wine, beer and spirits? It sounds too good to be true. However, according to a new study, this new reality is much closer than you might think.</p>



<p>Since the dawn of civilization, humans and our ancestors have been brewing various forms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-drinking-may-protect-brain-health-in-older-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcoholic beverages</a>, making alcohol an integral part of human life. Each location and ethnic group developed their own unique drink recipes using local farm products, nuts, and fruits. </p>



<p>People have used alcohol recreationally and for numerous medical purposes. People have considered it a necessary medication in human life.</p>



<p>However, excessive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-alcohol-consumption-does-not-increase-risk-of-early-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol consumption</a> has its drawbacks, leading to painful alcohol hangovers, headaches, fatigue, and nausea. Doctors have linked drinking to a plethora of health problems. These include heart disease, cirrhosis, and immune deficiency. </p>



<p>While one solution to avoid these consequences is to drink less, researchers in China have introduced a stunning innovation. Their invention can mitigate hangovers and other adverse outcomes by using a genetically-engineered probiotic.</p>



<h2 id="h-new-probiotic-prevents-alcohol-hangovers">New probiotic prevents alcohol hangovers</h2>



<p>In a groundbreaking study published this week in Microbiology Spectrum, the Chinese researchers described their approach and reported promising results from experiments on mice. The treatment reduced alcohol absorption, prolonged alcohol tolerance, and shortened the animals' recovery time after exposure to alcohol.</p>



<p>The probiotic has not yet been tested on humans for alcohol hangovers. However, the authors believe that it could provide similar benefits. This would offer a new way to reduce alcohol-induced health problems and liver problems in general. </p>



<p>Meng Dong, Ph.D., at the <a href="http://english.ioz.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Science's Institute of Zoology</a>, who contributed to the study, stated that clinical applications might extend beyond alcohol-related conditions. "We believe that genetically engineered probiotics will provide new ideas for the treatment of liver diseases," she said.</p>



<p>To metabolize alcohol, the human body primarily uses forms of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). However, some variants are more effective than others. </p>



<p>Some studies have found that a form called ADH1B, found primarily in East Asian and Polynesian populations, is 100 times more active than other variants. Previous studies on mice have shown that viral vectors genetically engineered to express ADH1B can accelerate alcohol breakdown. However, researchers have not proven this approach to be safe in humans.</p>



<h2>Testing, testing, and more testing</h2>



<p>Motivated by these findings, Dong and her colleagues looked for a safer delivery method. They focused on the probiotic Lactococcus lactis, a bacterium often used in fermentation. They used molecular cloning to introduce the gene for human ADH1B into a bacterial plasmid, which was then introduced into a strain of L. lactis. Lab tests confirmed that the probiotic secreted the enzyme.</p>



<p>To ensure the probiotic would survive against stomach acid, the researchers encapsulated it. They then tested it on three groups of five mice, each exposed to different levels of alcohol. Untreated mice showed signs of drunkenness 20 minutes after alcohol exposure. </p>



<p>However, in the group that received the probiotic expressing human ADH1B, half the mice were still able to turn themselves over an hour after alcohol exposure. A quarter of them never lost their ability to do so.</p>



<p>Further tests revealed that blood alcohol levels in the control group continued to rise two hours after exposure. In comparison, those in the probiotic-treated mice began to fall. Moreover, the researchers found that treated mice showed lower levels of lipids and triglycerides in their livers. This suggests that the probiotic could alleviate alcohol-related damage to that organ, along with preventing alcohol hangovers.</p>



<p>The next step, according to Dong, is to investigate whether the modified probiotic's potential therapeutic effect extends to humans. </p>



<p>"We are excited about the improvement of recombinant probiotics in acute alcohol-induced liver and intestinal damage," Dong said. </p>



<p>As this research progresses, it could open up new avenues for addressing alcohol-related health issues and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/adolescent-drinking-liver-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">liver disease</a>, offering hope to millions who suffer from these conditions.</p>



<h2>The history of alcohol consumption</h2>



<p>Alcohol has been an integral part of human culture and civilization for thousands of years. From its origins as a byproduct of fermentation to its widespread consumption in modern society, alcohol has played a significant role in shaping the course of human history. This section delves into the fascinating journey of alcohol consumption. We explore its origins, development, alcohol hangovers, and influence on societies throughout the ages.</p>



<h3>Early Beginnings</h3>



<p>Historians have traced alcohol consumption traced back to the Neolithic period (circa 10,000 BCE). During that period, the advent of agriculture led to the cultivation of grains and fruits. These food sources would often ferment naturally, creating an alcoholic byproduct. Scientists believe that early humans discovered the first alcoholic beverages by accident. Early humans stumbled upon the intoxicating effects of fermented fruits, grains, or honey.</p>



<p>Archaeological evidence indicates that the production of alcoholic beverages was widespread across ancient civilizations. The earliest known alcoholic drink was a mixture of fermented rice, honey, and fruit. The Chinese produced it around the year 7000 BCE. Meanwhile, the Sumerians and Egyptians were brewing beer as early as 4000 BCE. The art of winemaking was well-established in the Middle East by 3000 BCE.</p>



<h3>Cultural and Religious Significance</h3>



<p>Throughout history, alcohol has held significant cultural and religious importance. Ancient Egyptians drank beer as a staple beverage and offered it to the gods. Similarly, wine played a crucial role in Greek and Roman culture. Dionysus and Bacchus were the respective gods of wine and revelry.</p>



<p>Many religious traditions have incorporated alcohol into their rituals and ceremonies. For example, in Christianity, wine is used in the sacrament of the Eucharist, symbolizing the blood of Christ. In Judaism, wine is consumed during the Kiddush ceremony on the Sabbath and during other religious celebrations.</p>



<h3>Alcohol and Trade</h3>



<p>The production and trade of alcoholic beverages have greatly influenced the development of human societies. As the demand for alcohol increased, people established trade routes to transport these beverages across vast distances. Wine and beer production became specialized industries in ancient Greece and Rome, leading to the establishment of vineyards and breweries.</p>



<p>In the Middle Ages, the production of beer and spirits became important in Europe. Monasteries played a crucial role in brewing and distilling. The production and trade of alcohol helped to boost local economies and even contributed to the Age of Exploration, as European powers sought new routes to secure valuable commodities, including wine and spirits.</p>



<h3>Social Aspects and Regulation</h3>



<p>Throughout history, alcohol has played a complex role in social interactions. People have used it to facilitate bonding, mark celebrations, and provide comfort in times of distress. However, excessive alcohol consumption, and the resulting alcohol hangovers, have also been recognized as a source of social problems, leading to the implementation of various regulations.</p>



<p>Ancient Romans regulated alcohol consumption by enacting sumptuary laws. These laws limited the amount of alcohol consumed based on social status. The Middle Ages saw the establishment of laws governing the production and sale of alcohol, and in the early modern period, governments began to regulate and tax alcohol more heavily.</p>



<h3>The Temperance Movement and Prohibition</h3>



<p>In the 19th and early 20th centuries, concerns about the social and health effects of alcohol consumption led to the rise of the temperance movement. This movement advocated for moderation or abstinence from alcohol and culminated in the implementation of Prohibition in the United States from 1920 to 1933. While Prohibition ultimately failed, it left a lasting impact on the regulation of alcohol in the United States and other countries.</p>



<h3>Conclusion</h3>



<p>The history of alcohol consumption is a fascinating journey through the evolution of human culture and civilization. From its accidental discovery in the Neolithic period to its widespread production </p>



<p>and trade in ancient and modern societies, alcohol has played a significant and complex role in shaping human history. It has held cultural, religious, and social importance in various civilizations, serving as a means of celebration, ritual, and bonding. However, the negative consequences of excessive alcohol consumption have also led to numerous regulations and attempts to control its use.</p>



<p>The history of alcohol consumption and alcohol hangovers serves as a testament to the adaptability and innovation of human societies. It demonstrates how the production, trade, and consumption of alcoholic beverages have contributed to the development of economies, the exchange of cultural ideas, and the growth of global connections. </p>



<p>As we continue to navigate the challenges and benefits of alcohol consumption, the lessons from history can offer valuable insights into striking a balance between enjoyment, cultural significance, and responsible use.</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>

No more alcohol hangovers thanks to magic new medicine

Alcohol hangovers could be a thing of the past? No...

<p>According to a recent study by <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/">Dartmouth College</a>, baseball games may soon be affected by climate change. The researchers found that more than 500 home runs hit since 2010 can be attributed to higher-than-average temperatures resulting from climate change. The experts also predict that there will be several hundred more home runs per season as global warming continues.</p>



<p>While the study only attributes one percent of recent home runs to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shocking-un-report-the-worst-of-climate-change-is-yet-to-come/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, the researchers estimate that rising temperatures could account for 10 percent or more of home runs by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions and climate change continue unabated.</p>



<p>"There's a very clear physical mechanism at play in which warmer temperatures reduce the density of air. Baseball is a game of ballistics. A batted ball is going to fly farther on a warm day," said study senior author Professor Justin Mankin.</p>



<h2>How the study was done</h2>



<p>The researchers analyzed more than 100,000 major league games and 220,000 individual hits. They used these numbers to correlate the number of home runs with the occurrence of unseasonably warm temperatures. They estimated the extent to which the reduced air density that results from higher temperatures was the driving force in the number of home runs on a given day compared to other games.</p>



<p>Study lead author Christopher Callahan, a doctoral candidate in Geography at Dartmouth, said that the researchers accounted for many factors. Some of those included the use of performance-enhancing drugs, the construction of bats and balls, and the adoption of cameras. Also factored in were launch analytics, and other technology intended to optimize a batter's power and distance.</p>



<p>"We don't think temperature is the dominant factor in the increase in home runs - batters are now primed to hit balls at optimal speeds and angles," Callahan said. "That said, temperature matters and we've identified its effect. While climate change has been a minor influence so far, this influence will substantially increase by the end of the century if we continue to emit greenhouse gases and temperatures rise."</p>



<h2>Ballpark location also a factor</h2>



<p>The research team also examined each major league ballpark in the United States. The goal was to gauge how the average number of home runs per year could rise with each one-degree Celsius increase in the global average temperature. They found that the Chicago Cubs' open-air Wrigley Field would experience the largest spike with more than 15 home runs per season. The Tampa Bay Rays' domed Tropicana Field would remain level at one home run or less no matter how hot it gets outside. The Boston Red Sox's iconic Fenway Park and the home of their archrivals the New York Yankees fall in the middle and would experience nearly the same effect as temperatures rise.</p>



<p>Night games would lessen the influence that temperature and air density have on the distance a ball travels. Covered stadiums such as Tropicana Field would nearly eliminate it, the researchers report.</p>



<p>While this phenomenon might seem innocuous, there are additional factors to consider as global temperatures rise, particularly the exposure of players and fans to heat. </p>



<p>"A key question for the organization at large is what's an acceptable level of heat exposure for everybody and what's the acceptable cost for maximizing home runs," said Professor Mankin. "Home runs are one pathway by which temperature is affecting game play, but there are other pathways that are more concerning because they have human risk attached to them."</p>



<h2>Wealth of MLB data available to researchers</h2>



<p>Professor Mankin pointed out that the wealth of data available for major league baseball games. This provided a unique opportunity to identify the repercussions of climate change on a cultural institution. Climate scientists typically focus on the increased likelihood and severity of natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heat-waves-brain-performance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat waves</a> because of the far-reaching devastation these events wreak — and because there are records to study them.</p>



<p>"Major League Baseball is a multibillion-dollar industry that is very data-rich, and that privilege allowed us to identify the effect of climate. This critical cultural touchstone for what it means to be American also happens to have a very salient relationship with physics in that temperature actually affects game play," Mankin said.</p>



<p>"It is really difficult to document how climate change is affecting cultural institutions and forms of recreation generally. For most cultural institutions, we simply don't have the data. In fact, we struggle to track climate impacts around the world because of data poverty. A project like this makes me worry that warming is affecting so many other things we just can't document."</p>



<h2>The impact of climate change on cultural institutions</h2>



<p>Study co-author Professor Jeremy DeSilva emphasized the importance of the study. Exploring the impact of climate change on cultural institutions can have a powerful impact on people's daily lives. </p>



<p>"Baseball is one of these ways that American society holds a mirror up to itself and global climate change is just another example - baseball is not immune to it," DeSilva said. He also noted that baseball has been a catalyst for social change in the past. He referred to desegregation to growing corporatization and the outsized influence of money.</p>



<p>Study co-author Professor Nathaniel Dominy discussed how baseball reflects American cultural values that are often in opposition to each other. </p>



<p>"Think about the expression of American cultural values in baseball and how many of them exist in opposition to the other: winning and losing, tradition and change, teamwork and individualism, logic and luck," he said. "These same tensions are frustrating our collective response to carbon emissions, so it is extremely fitting to explore the effects of climate change on baseball. It is a potent metaphor for the American experience."</p>



<h2>Conclusion</h2>



<p>The experts analyzed data from the past century of baseball and found a correlation between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-conditioning-is-not-a-sustainable-solution-to-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising temperatures</a> and an increase in the number of home runs. As temperatures rise, baseballs become less dense, making them more bouncy and easier to hit farther. The study's authors had a shocking prediction. The number of home runs hit each season could increase by up to 50 percent by the end of the century if current trends in global warming continue.</p>



<p>The researchers hope that this study can serve as an entry point to opening discussion. It can help people understand the impact of climate change on various aspects of their lives. This includes cultural institutions like baseball. </p>



<p>"Maybe people who otherwise wouldn't have will think about, and have a bigger conversation about, the more impactful and dangerous aspects of climate change once they know how it's affecting this quintessential game in the history of our country," DeSilva said.</p>



<p>The research is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-22-0235.1"><em>Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<h2 id="h-history-of-homeruns-in-mlb">History of homeruns in MLB</h2>



<p>Throughout the history of Major League Baseball (MLB), fans have witnessed some incredible displays of power. Players are hitting balls out of the park at a record-breaking pace.</p>



<p>But what is the historical average of yearly home runs in MLB? Looking back over the past century, the answer is a little more complicated than you might think.</p>



<p>In the early years of baseball, home runs were a rarity. In fact, it wasn't until Babe Ruth burst onto the scene in the 1920s that the home run began to take on its current importance. Ruth's incredible power and penchant for hitting home runs revolutionized the game. In the decades that followed, other sluggers followed in his footsteps.</p>



<p>From the 1920s through the 1960s, home runs continued to rise in frequency. During this time period, the average number of home runs hit per season fluctuated quite a bit. In some years seeing more than 5,000 home runs hit across the league, while other years saw fewer than 3,000. However, by the end of the 1960s, it was clear that home runs had become a staple of the game.</p>



<h3>Homerun totals began to surge</h3>



<p>In the 1970s and 1980s, the average number of home runs per season continued to rise. The introduction of new stadiums and the use of lighter, more powerful bats helped contribute to this increase. By the mid-1990s, the average number of home runs hit per season had reached an all-time high. More than 5,500 homers were hit across the league in 1999.</p>



<p>However, this surge in home runs was not without controversy. Many suspected that players were using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to boost their power and hit more home runs. In the years that followed, several high-profile players were caught using PEDs. The league cracked down on drug use with more frequent testing and harsher penalties.</p>



<p>As a result of these efforts, the average number of home runs hit per season has declined in recent years. In 2021, for example, there were just over 5,000 home runs hit across the league. This was down from the peak of nearly 6,000 in 2000.</p>



<p>In summary, the historical average of yearly home runs in MLB has fluctuated over the years. The frequency of home runs rising and falling depending on a variety of factors. However, despite these fluctuations, the home run remains one of the most exciting and memorable moments in baseball. Fans will undoubtedly continue to thrill at the sight of a ball soaring over the outfield wall.</p>



<p>—-</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/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>

Spike in Major League Baseball homeruns attributed to climate change

According to a recent study by Dartmouth College, baseball games...

Medical,Laboratory,Assistant,Holding,Test,Tube,With,Positive,Omicron,Covid-19

<p>New research presented at the <a href="https://www.eccmid.org/">European Congress of Clinical Microbiology &amp; Infectious Diseases</a> (ECCMID) suggests that adults hospitalized with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant have a higher death rate than those hospitalized with seasonal influenza. This is despite the fact that Omicron is considered less virulent with lower case fatality rates than the delta and alpha strains.</p>



<p>The study, conducted by Dr Alaa Atamna and colleagues from the Rabin Medical Center at Belinison Hospital in Israel, compared the clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (Omicron variant) and those hospitalized with influenza at a large academic hospital in Israel.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts found that adults (18 years or older) hospitalized with influenza were 55 percent less likely to die within 30 days than those hospitalized with Omicron during the 2021-2022 influenza season.</p>



<p>The research included 167 patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and 221 patients hospitalized with influenza infection during December 2021 and January 2022. Overall, 63 patients died within 30 days - 19 (9%) admitted with influenza and 44 (26%) hospitalized with Omicron.</p>



<p>Patients with Omicron tended to have higher overall comorbidity scores, needed more assistance performing activities of daily living, and were more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes, whereas asthma was more common in those hospitalized with influenza. Respiratory complications and the need for oxygen support and mechanical ventilation were also more common in Omicron cases than in seasonal influenza.</p>



<p>According to Dr. Atamna, one possible reason for the higher Omicron death rate is that patients admitted with Omicron were older with additional major underlying illnesses such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease. “The difference might also be due to an exaggerated immune response in COVID-19, and that vaccination against COVID-19 was far lower among patients with Omicron."</p>



<p>Dr. Atamna warns that the double whammy of overlapping influenza and COVID-19 epidemics will increase the complexity of disease and the burden on health systems. He urges people to take a basic step that may alter the trajectory of either epidemic, which is to get vaccinated for both flu and COVID-19, especially if they are older and have underlying illnesses.</p>



<p>The study was observational and cannot prove causation. It was conducted in one hospital in Israel, so the results may not apply to other countries and populations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The authors also note that the excess mortality observed for Omicron could be the result of an influenza season that was less severe than usual. Finally, the study included only hospitalized patients, so it could not estimate the proportion of hospitalized patients in the total number of infected patients.</p>



<p>In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of vaccination against both flu and COVID-19, especially for older individuals and those with underlying health conditions. While the study was conducted in one hospital in Israel and the results may not apply to other countries and populations, it provides valuable insight into the clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and influenza.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As the world continues to grapple with these overlapping epidemics, it is crucial to take steps to protect ourselves and others.</p>



<p>What is Omicron</p>



<p>The Omicron virus is a strain of the coronavirus that was first identified in South Africa in November 2021. It is a variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The Omicron variant has been classified as a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its high number of mutations and the potential for increased transmissibility and reduced effectiveness of current vaccines and treatments.</p>



<p>One of the main differences between the Omicron virus and COVID-19 is the number of mutations in their genetic codes. The Omicron virus has a large number of mutations in the spike protein that the virus uses to enter human cells, making it more transmissible than earlier strains of the virus. The mutations in the Omicron virus also appear to have the potential to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments developed for earlier variants.</p>



<p>Another difference is that the symptoms of COVID-19 and the Omicron virus may be slightly different. Preliminary reports suggest that people infected with the Omicron variant may experience milder symptoms than those infected with earlier variants. However, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of the Omicron virus on the severity of illness.</p>



<p>It is important to note that while the Omicron variant is a new and concerning development in the COVID-19 pandemic, the best way to protect yourself and others is to follow public health guidelines, such as wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, and getting vaccinated.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Omicron is much more deadly than the seasonal flu

New research presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology...

<p>A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1112756"><em>Frontiers in Environmental Science</em></a> has found that the Ponderosa pine forests in California's Sierra Nevada that were destroyed by western pine beetles during the 2012-2015 megadrought will not recover to pre-drought densities. This reduction in the forest's ability to store carbon is concerning as forests play an important role in sequestering atmospheric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-influences-coastal-carbon-storage-capacity/">carbon</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"When western pine beetle infestations kill off millions of trees, that carbon dioxide goes back into the atmosphere," explained study lead author Zachary Robbins, a postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory.</p>



<p>The research showed that there is much less risk of another huge die-off this century because the bark beetles will have fewer host trees. However, western pine beetle outbreaks driven by climate change will continue to occur, limiting forest regeneration after the drought.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Some carbon loss won't be resequestered in trees, but fewer trees on the landscape dampens the severity of western pine beetle outbreaks," Robbins said. "The forest seems to reach an equilibrium at a certain point."</p>



<p>During the 2012-2015 drought, an estimated 129 million trees of various species died in the Sierra Nevada, leading to complex interactions among climate change, weather, trees and beetles, which are decimating ponderosa forests in California and elsewhere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As carbon sinks, forests sequester, or store, more than a tenth of the greenhouse-gas emissions in the United States. Trees can use the increasing carbon in the air to grow and thus fix more carbon in the form of wood.</p>



<p>"If there's no disturbance, such as a beetle outbreak, then the carbon gets stored, but when the beetle comes with the higher temperatures of climate change, their populations develop more rapidly. Fewer beetles die in the winter because of warmer minimum temperatures," said study co-author Chonggang Xu, a senior scientist at Los Alamos. "Furthermore, climate-driven drought contributes to more frequent beetle outbreaks."</p>



<p>"The ecosystem has been fundamentally changed by the effects of climate change. That means the forest can't recover to the pre-megadrought carbon level." During a beetle outbreak, millions of trees die and begin releasing carbon back to the atmosphere through microbial decay.</p>



<p>"It's critical for future carbon budgeting to include the effects on forest regeneration caused by beetle outbreaks and other disturbances such as drought and fire," said Xu. Carbon budgeting aims to manage carbon emissions and prevent catastrophic warming.</p>



<p>Xu also noted that rising temperatures worsen the impact of drought on trees. "In the past, a three-year drought would have substantial impact on tree mortality," Xu said. "But in a warmer future, a two-year drought could have similar consequences."</p>



<p>The researchers simulated forests and beetle dynamics in 31 sites dominated by ponderosa pines in the central and southern Sierra Nevada. They used modeling to study tree growth, regeneration, and background mortality, as well as insect mortality, phenology, tree defense, and insect attacks.</p>



<p>The team considered two periods, 2006-2018 and 2018-2100, and used climate data from observations and modeling for the former and climate model data alone for the latter. The research has implications beyond California.</p>



<p>"Many of the interactions we describe here are very similar to those across the West, where you have warming temperatures helping beetle populations and you have dense forests of stressed trees, which will continue to be stressed by future drought," said Robbins.</p>



<p>The experts emphasized that overstocked pine stands are particularly vulnerable to beetle outbreaks and that proactive management processes can mitigate the increased risk posed by drought. "Our evidence shows there's a lot to be gained by those proactive management processes," Robbins said.</p>



<p>In a related 2022 paper, Robbins, Xu, and their collaborators published a new modeling framework to assess the risk bark beetles pose in many forest ecosystems under climate change. The team found that for each degree Celsius of warming, 35 to 40 percent more ponderosa pines would die from beetle attacks, factoring in the effects of compromised tree defenses and increased bark beetle populations.</p>



<p>The study's findings highlight the importance of protecting forests and taking action to mitigate climate change, as these actions are critical for preserving the carbon-sequestration potential of forests.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Some of California’s pine forests may never return

A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental...

<p>In the remote, frigid world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-are-calling-to-halt-fishing-in-antarctica/">Antarctica</a>, a unique group of lifeforms persists in spite of the harsh conditions, with land temperatures averaging around -60°C and ocean temperatures near the freezing point of saltwater (-1.9°C).&nbsp;</p>



<p>One such example is the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-fish-are-increasingly-threatened-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic icefishes</a> (Cryonotothenioidea), which have evolved extraordinary adaptations to thrive in the icy waters surrounding the continent. Among these adaptations are special "antifreeze" glycoproteins, which prevent ice formation within their cells, the absence of hemoglobin in some species, and the loss of the inducible heat shock response, which is nearly universal in other organisms.</p>



<p>A recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msad030"><em>Molecular Biology and Evolution</em></a> has uncovered the genetic mechanisms responsible for the adaptation of Antarctic icefishes' visual systems to both extreme cold and the unique lighting conditions found under Antarctic sea ice.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study, led by Gianni Castiglione (now at Vanderbilt University) and Belinda Chang (University of Toronto), focused on the impact of sub-zero temperatures on the function and evolution of icefishes' visual systems, particularly the temperature-sensitive protein rhodopsin, which plays a role in vision under dim-light conditions.</p>



<p>Castiglione and Chang's previous research had already suggested a key role for rhodopsin in cold adaptation. "We had previously found cold adaptation in the rhodopsins of high-altitude catfishes from the Andes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-landscapes-are-being-transformed-by-climate-change/">mountains</a>, and this spurred us into investigating cold adaptation in rhodopsins from the Antarctic icefishes," said Castiglione.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-found">What the researchers found</h2>



<p>In their study, the researchers found evidence of positive selection and accelerated rates of evolution in rhodopsins among Antarctic icefishes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They also identified two amino acid variants, absent from other vertebrates, that appeared to have evolved during two key periods in icefish history: the development of antifreeze glycoproteins and the onset of freezing polar conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This timing suggests a strong association between these variants and the adaptation and speciation of icefish in response to climatic events.</p>



<p>To verify the functional effects of these amino acid variants, the team performed in vitro assays, creating versions of rhodopsin containing each variant. Both amino acid changes impacted rhodopsin's kinetic profile, lowering the activation energy needed for the protein to return to a "dark" conformation, and likely compensating for cold-induced decreases in rhodopsin's kinetic rate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, one amino acid change led to a shift in rhodopsin's light absorbance toward longer wavelengths. This simultaneous alteration of both kinetics and absorbance was unexpected, according to Castiglione, who noted, "We predict that this allows the icefish to adapt their vision to red-shifted wavelengths under sea ice and to cold temperatures through very few mutations."</p>



<p>Interestingly, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-building-blocks-of-life-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amino acid</a> changes seen in Antarctic icefishes differed from those responsible for cold adaptation in high-altitude catfishes, suggesting multiple pathways for adaptation in rhodopsin. To further explore this line of inquiry, the researchers aim to study cold adaptation in rhodopsins of other cold-dwelling fish lineages, including Arctic fishes. </p>



<p>"Arctic fishes share many of the cold-adapted phenotypes found in the Antarctic icefishes, such as antifreeze proteins. However, this convergent evolution appears to have been accomplished through divergent molecular mechanisms. We suspect this may be the case in rhodopsin as well," said Castiglione.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, acquiring the data needed may prove difficult. “A major obstacle to our research is the difficulty of collecting fishes from Antarctic and Arctic waters,” says Castiglione, “which limits us to publicly available datasets.”</p>



<p>This task may become even more challenging in the future as these cold-adapted fish are increasingly affected by warming global temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to Castiglione, “Climate change may alter the adaptive landscape of icefishes in the very near future, as sea ice continues to melt, forcing the icefish to very likely find themselves at an evolutionary ‘mismatch’ between their environment and their genetics.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Chinstrap-penguins_antarctica_1medium.jpg" alt="Chinstrap penguin, Antarctica" class="wp-image-1916875"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chinstrap penguin, Antarctica</figcaption></figure>



<h2 id="h-other-lifeforms-found-in-antarctica">Other lifeforms found in Antarctica</h2>



<p>In addition to Antarctic icefishes, Antarctica hosts a variety of other unique creatures that have adapted to its extreme conditions. Some of these species include:</p>



<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/penguins-may-have-a-degree-of-self-awareness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penguins</a>: Several species of penguins, such as the Emperor, Adélie, Chinstrap, and Gentoo penguins, call Antarctica home. These flightless birds have adapted to the harsh climate and are excellent swimmers, feeding on krill, fish, and squid.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seals-can-perceive-rhythm-early-in-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seals</a>: Antarctica is home to a diverse array of seals, including Weddell seals, Leopard seals, Crabeater seals, Ross seals, and Southern elephant seals. These marine mammals are well-adapted to the cold and icy environment and primarily feed on fish, squid, and krill.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-krill-can-distinguish-night-from-day-even-in-polar-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Krill</a>: Antarctic krill are small crustaceans that form a crucial part of the Antarctic food web. They serve as a primary food source for many marine animals, including whales, seals, and penguins.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whales-changed-their-mating-tactic-from-singing-to-fighting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whales</a>: Several species of whales inhabit the waters around Antarctica, including the Blue whale, Humpback whale, Minke whale, and Southern right whale. These whales migrate to Antarctic waters during the summer months to feed on the abundant krill.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/albatrosses-put-their-partners-needs-before-their-own/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Albatrosses</a>: These large seabirds can be found in the Southern Ocean and around Antarctica. They have impressive wingspans, which allow them to glide for long distances without flapping their wings. They feed on fish, squid, and krill.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-survivors-tardigrades-extremes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tardigrades</a>: Also known as water bears, these microscopic invertebrates can withstand extreme conditions, including the freezing temperatures of Antarctica. They can be found in mosses and lichens that grow on rocks.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-biodiversity-penguins-poop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lichens and mosses</a>: While plant life is scarce in Antarctica, some hardy species of lichens and mosses have adapted to the cold and dry conditions. They grow on rocks and are found mainly in the ice-free regions of the continent.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-snowstorms-impact-breeding-success-of-petrels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snow Petrels</a>: These small, white seabirds are well-adapted to the cold Antarctic environment and can often be seen flying near icebergs and sea ice.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-already-harming-arctic-birds-fish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skuas</a>: These predatory seabirds are native to Antarctica and feed on fish, penguin eggs, and chicks.</li>
</ol>



<p>These are just a few examples of the diverse life found in Antarctica, where many species have evolved unique adaptations to survive the extreme conditions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Antarctica_summer-night_1medium.jpg" alt="Summer night in Antarctica" class="wp-image-1916877"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Summer night in Antarctica</figcaption></figure>



<h2 id="h-how-climate-change-is-impacting-antarctica">How climate change is impacting Antarctica</h2>



<p>Climate change is having significant impacts on Antarctica and its surrounding ecosystems. Some of the most notable effects include:</p>



<ol>
<li>Rising temperatures: Antarctica has experienced a warming trend over the past few decades, with the Antarctic Peninsula being one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth. This increase in temperature can lead to the melting of ice sheets and glaciers, impacting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.</li>



<li>Melting ice sheets and glaciers: As temperatures rise, ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica are melting at an accelerated rate. This contributes to rising sea levels globally and affects the stability of the Antarctic ice sheet. The loss of ice also reduces habitat for species like penguins and seals that rely on sea ice for breeding, resting, and hunting.</li>



<li>Sea ice decline: Sea ice plays a critical role in Antarctic ecosystems by providing a habitat for various species and supporting the food web. Declining sea ice due to warming temperatures can disrupt the breeding and feeding habits of species such as penguins, seals, and krill.</li>



<li>Ocean acidification: Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere lead to higher concentrations of CO2 being absorbed by the ocean, resulting in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-acidification-will-be-worse-than-expected-in-the-arctic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean acidification</a>. This process can negatively affect marine organisms, such as krill and shell-forming species, which are crucial to the Antarctic food web.</li>



<li>Changes in food availability: Climate change can affect the abundance and distribution of key species like krill, which are vital to the Antarctic food web. Changes in food availability can have cascading effects on higher trophic levels, including penguins, seals, and whales.</li>



<li>Changes in species distribution: As the Antarctic environment changes, some species may expand their range southward, while others may face a reduction in suitable habitat. This can lead to shifts in species distribution and potential competition between native and newly arriving species.</li>



<li>Increased human activity: Climate change may make some parts of Antarctica more accessible, leading to increased human activities such as tourism, fishing, and research. These activities can put additional pressure on fragile Antarctic ecosystems and introduce invasive species.</li>



<li>Impact on global sea level: The melting of Antarctic ice contributes significantly to global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-cause-widespread-impacts-sooner-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea-level rise</a>, which can have wide-ranging consequences for coastal communities and ecosystems worldwide.</li>
</ol>



<p>Overall, climate change poses significant threats to Antarctica's unique ecosystems and the species that call it home. The impacts of climate change on Antarctica can also have global consequences, such as contributing to sea-level rise and altering ocean circulation patterns.</p>



<p>—-</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>

Antarctic icefish have developed alien-like superpowers to survive

In the remote, frigid world of Antarctica, a unique group...

<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>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



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



<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

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features 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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