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The ground is moving underfoot across large swaths Africa, even when the weather is calm. Over the past few decades, engineers have had to mend warped highways, farmers have felt hot springs pop up in old fields, and GPS receivers reveal that the land itself is stretching. 



These shifts trace a long, snaking scar known as the East African Rift, which now runs about 2,000 miles from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-the-shores-of-the-red-sea-turn-pink-every-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Red Sea</a> to central Mozambique.



The latest three‑dimensional seismic models show that the split is anything but tidy. 



Beneath certain valleys, the crust is already threadbare, while nearby blocks of rock remain thick and stubborn. Deep magma rises to exploit every weakness, pushing from below while gravity pulls from above.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-african-rift-stretches-2-000-miles">African rift stretches 2,000 miles</h2>



"What we do not know is if this rifting will continue on its present pace to eventually open up an ocean basin, like the Red Sea, and then later to something much larger, like a small version of the Atlantic Ocean," said Ken Macdonald, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (<a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCSB</a>). 



"Or might it speed up and get there more quickly? Or it might stall out, as the Atlantic did before it commenced to true seafloor spreading? At the present rate, a sea about the size of the current Red Sea might form in about 20‑30 million years.”



According to a February 2025 study published in the scientific journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2024JB030417" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JGR Solid Earth</a>, the northern branch, called the Main Ethiopian Rift, narrows to a canyon flanked by steep faults that slip in bursts. 



Farther south, the valley widens; seismic waves lose energy there faster than expected, marking pockets of molten rock that prop the crust open from below.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanic-processes-at-work">Volcanic processes at work</h2>



About 22 million years ago, the Somali and Nubian plates began to creep apart. A recent simulation argues that a rising plume of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mantle-heat-shaped-earths-crust-3-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">super‑heated mantle</a> thins the overlying plate “like taffy left on a dashboard,” according to researchers. 



“We confirmed previous ideas that lithospheric buoyancy forces are driving the rift, but we’re bringing new insight that anomalous deformation can happen in East Africa,” said Tahiry Rajaonarison of <a href="https://nmt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Mexico Tech</a>.



At the time, some geologists believed the rift was the beginning of a new ocean as two parts of the African continent pulled apart, but the claim was controversial.



Now, scientists from several countries have confirmed that the volcanic processes at work beneath the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/visualizing-the-seasons-of-central-ethiopia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ethiopian rift</a> are nearly identical to those at the bottom of the world’s oceans, and the rift is indeed likely the beginning of a new sea. 



Another study published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2019GL085598" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>, suggests that the highly active volcanic boundaries along the edges of tectonic ocean plates may suddenly break apart in large sections, instead of little by little as has been predominantly believed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-african-rift-cracks-in-real-time">African rift cracks in real time</h2>



The first vivid and obvious clue to what was happening arrived in September 2005, when a 35‑mile fissure up to 25 feet wide ripped open in Ethiopia in just 10 days. 



“Eventually this will drift apart,” Dr. James Hammond of the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a> told the BBC World Service. “The sea will flood in and will start to create this new ocean.” 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/East-African-Rift-System_map-graph_credit-JGR-Solid-Earth_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/East-African-Rift-System_map-graph_credit-JGR-Solid-Earth_1s.webp" alt="(a) Structural map of our interest region, showing the location and extent of the Archean cratons, Tertiary volcanism and EARS main structures. Red triangles are volcanoes (modified from Global Volcanism Program (2013)). Structures are from Globig et al. (2016). (b) Map of the EARS showing the main rifts and volcanic provinces. Abbreviations: KVVP Kivu Virunga Volcanic Province, KQVP Kenya Quaternary Volcanic Province, RVP Rungwe Volcanic Province, MER Main Ethiopian Rift." class="wp-image-1967992"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(a) Structural map of our interest region, showing the location and extent of the Archean cratons, Tertiary volcanism and EARS main structures. Red triangles are volcanoes (modified from Global Volcanism Program (2013)). Structures are from Globig et al. (2016). (b) Map of the EARS showing the main rifts and volcanic provinces. Abbreviations: KVVP Kivu Virunga Volcanic Province, KQVP Kenya Quaternary Volcanic Province, RVP Rungwe Volcanic Province, MER Main Ethiopian Rift. Click image to enlarge. Credit: JGR</figcaption></figure>



“It will pull apart, sink down deeper and deeper, and eventually…parts of southern Ethiopia, Somalia will drift off, create a new island, and we’ll have a smaller Africa and a very big island that floats out into the Indian Ocean.”



Heavy rain in 2018 exposed a similar crack in Kenya, forcing road closures and startling residents. Geologist David Adede, from the <a href="https://www.uonbi.ac.ke/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nairobi</a>, linked the event to the region‑wide tug‑of‑war between the two plates, showing that even everyday weather can uncover tectonic scars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-model-predicts-a-slowly-forming-ocean">Model predicts a slowly-forming ocean</h2>



Computer models at <a href="https://www.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a> lend weight to the plume‑driven theory. 



“If you hit Silly Putty with a hammer, it can actually crack and break. But if you slowly pull it apart, the Silly Putty stretches. So on different time scales, Earth’s lithosphere behaves in different ways," explained Virginia Tech's <a href="https://geos.vt.edu/people/Everyone/Sarah-Stamps.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">D. Sarah Stamps</a>.



Her team’s work points toward a future ocean spreading along the current rift line. Africa will not tear completely for at least another five million years, but the groundwork is happening fast enough for satellites to watch.



“This work is a breakthrough in our understanding of continental rifting leading to the creation of new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-same-process-that-is-raising-sea-levels-today-sank-them-millions-of-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean basins</a>. For the first time they demonstrate that activity on one rift segment can trigger a major episode of magma injection and associated deformation on a neighboring segment," noted Ken Macdonald of UCSB.



"Careful study of the 2005 mega‑dike intrusion and its aftermath will continue to provide extraordinary opportunities for learning about continental rifts and mid‑ocean ridges," Macdonald concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-current-hazards-caused-by-the-african-rift">Current hazards caused by the African rift</h2>



“In addition, such sudden large-scale events on land pose a much more serious hazard to populations living near the rift than several smaller events would," said Cindy Ebinger, professor of earth and environmental sciences at the <a href="https://www.rochester.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rochester</a>.



Rapid injections of magma can shove the surface upward, fracture highways, and rattle towns with earthquakes.



Another threat lurks in the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Afar-triangle-a-depressed-area-surrounded-by-the-Nubian-Yemen-and-Somalian_fig1_345985550" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Afar Depression</a>, parts of which already lie below sea level. Only a 65‑foot‑high ridge in Eritrea blocks the Red Sea. If that barrier fails, seawater will surge inland long before full‑fledged seafloor spreading begins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-laboratory-above-ground">Ocean laboratory above ground</h2>



The Afar region and Iceland are the planet’s only places where a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/megastructure-ancient-buried-seafloor-dinosaur-age-found-under-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mid‑ocean‑ridge system</a> stands above water. 



“The whole point of this study is to learn whether what is happening in Ethiopia is like what is happening at the bottom of the ocean where it’s almost impossible for us to go,” said Ebinger.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/East-African-Rift-System_global-map_credit-JGR-Solid-Earth_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/East-African-Rift-System_global-map_credit-JGR-Solid-Earth_1s.webp" alt="Regional and global datasets. Stations from global data set are shown in red (Ekström, 2011), stations from regional data set are shown in green. Regional stations are mainly located along eastern Africa, with a particularly dense coverage over the Afar rift (Ethiopia)." class="wp-image-1967989"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Regional and global datasets. Stations from global data set are shown in red (Ekström, 2011), stations from regional data set are shown in green. Regional stations are mainly located along eastern Africa, with a particularly dense coverage over the Afar rift (Ethiopia). Click image to open. Credit: JGR</figcaption></figure>



“We knew that if we could establish that, then Ethiopia would essentially be a unique and superb ocean‑ridge laboratory for us. Because of the unprecedented cross‑border collaboration behind this research, we now know that the answer is yes, it is analogous."



Instruments now blanket the desert, logging every shuffle of the ground and every whisper of magma. The data will refine forecasts for future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-forces-discovered-cause-earths-continents-to-rise-great-escarpment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continental breakups</a> and help geologists understand how today’s oceans first opened.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-impact-of-the-african-rift-system">Global impact of the African Rift System</h2>



To sum it all up, geologic change does move at such a slow pace it makes skyscraper construction seem fleeting, yet the sum of tiny annual motions adds up. It causes hazards that can be felt and seen during our lifetimes, while also redrawing maps. 



Rarely do we get to see geological processes in action, but in this instance, we are the lucky ones. From the sudden 2005 fissure to today’s steady one‑inch‑per‑year drift, the African Rift System offers a rare front‑row seat to continental breakup in action.



Whether this continental rip stalls, accelerates, or marches on unchanged, one fact remains: the ground beneath East Africa is restless, and each year of careful observation brings scientists one step closer to explaining how whole oceans are born.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2024JB030417" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JGR Solid Earth</a>.



An earlier study with images was published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2021JB023570" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JGR Solid Earth</a> (Images of the rift found here).



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Entire continent is splitting open and forming 'an ocean basin' like the Red Sea

The ground is moving underfoot across large swaths Africa, even...

Animal,And,Technology.,Curious,Fluffy,Labrador,Lying,On,Floor,At

Dogs have been at our side for centuries, and many of us believe they catch on to much of what we say. Some animal lovers have turned to special devices that supposedly help dogs “speak.” Yet, recent scientific findings hint that these gadgets might not work as well as people hope.



At <a href="https://www.elte.hu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eötvös Loránd University</a> in Budapest, researchers in the Department of Ethology set out to see whether certain recorded words truly register in a dog’s mind. Dr. Tamás Farago explained that these study results highlight how audio fidelity plays a key role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-understand-words-even-in-monotone-speech/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canine</a> word recognition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-hear-more-speech-frequencies">Dogs hear more speech frequencies</h2>



Dogs hear a wider band of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-human-speech-changes-when-we-talk-to-dogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frequencies</a> than humans do. Their range starts near 65 Hz and stretches to around 45,000 Hz, while people typically only reach about 20,000 Hz. 



This difference means that when we play recorded speech to dogs, equipment quality matters. If important sonic details go missing, dogs may seem confused or unresponsive.



Many devices are built for humans. They often focus on our usual speech range, between 300 Hz and 3,400 Hz, without going too high. That might help with phone calls or podcasts, but it leaves out some of what dogs may need to pick up on words.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-struggle-to-hear-poor-audio">Dogs struggle to hear poor audio</h2>



Researchers tested different ways of delivering recorded words, comparing common tools like phone-linked speakers and “talking” buttons. Their study revealed that poor sound quality from certain devices undercuts a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/talking-slower-helps-dogs-understand-what-humans-are-saying/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a>’s ability to act on those recorded commands. 



“The frequency analysis showed that the loudspeaker preserves most sound frequencies of the human speech, the AIC button loses frequencies that would be necessary to convey human speech to dogs,” explained Dr. Farago.



When live speech was used, the dogs almost never missed the mark. But once the words came through lower-grade electronics, many of them struggled. That suggests a dog recognizes a speaker’s real voice more easily than hollow, tinny recordings with missing frequencies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-speech-clarity-even-affects-smart-dogs">Speech clarity even affects smart dogs</h2>



Some dogs are labeled <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0208" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gifted Word Learner canines</a>. They build an extra-large vocabulary and can link multiple words with specific actions or objects. 



Even so, the research found their success drops when they hear certain audio distortions. While these bright pups remain better at identifying words than other dogs, they still slip up if the playback is missing key frequency signals.



In one segment of the research, owners taught new names for toys by using a recorded voice. After a set period, the same owners tried requesting these toys either with the same recorded track or with regular speech. 



The results showed that when the new words came straight from the person’s mouth, dogs picked them out more often.



This ability to transfer knowledge suggests that real-time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-speech-speed-can-signal-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vocal cues</a> may help dogs latch onto words more effectively, perhaps because the live voice contains subtle frequencies that matter to them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-popular-talking-buttons-often-confuse-dogs">Popular talking buttons often confuse dogs</h2>



“Initially, I was genuinely surprised to see dogs looking puzzled and struggling to respond,” said lead author <a href="https://www.pada-icofa.com/about/fumi-higaki" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fumi Higaki</a>. 



<a href="https://fluent.pet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Button devices</a> got a lot of buzz on social media, thanks to videos where dogs seemingly press buttons to “say” words. But these gadgets often compress sounds in ways that strip away the lower or higher parts of speech. When the dogs in the study heard such heavily degraded cues, their performance sank.&nbsp;



“We hope our research will help improve methodologies in canine research that utilize recorded human speech,” noted project leader Dr. Claudia Fugazza. That doesn’t mean dogs never connect the dots. But it does suggest that a direct human voice might be more reliable for training, especially if you’re teaching brand-new vocabulary. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-respond-best-to-live-speech">Dogs respond best to live speech</h2>



For everyday folks trying to communicate better with their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-recognize-familiar-human-voices-even-in-recordings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canine</a> friends, live voice cues might be the more reliable method. 



Owners who rely on recorded tools may find that their dogs don’t respond as expected. Such outcomes are not because the dogs are clueless; it’s that the essential audio frequencies simply aren’t there.



Anyone eager to teach commands with digital devices should be aware that an inexpensive mic and speaker may fail to reproduce the exact vocal signals a dog needs. 



If you still want to experiment with dog “speech” tools, keep an eye on audio quality. Speaking directly may bring greater clarity for your pup, even if it seems old-fashioned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-canine-communication">Future of canine communication</h2>



This work shows that sound fidelity is not a minor detail. It might shape a dog’s entire experience of human speech. 



Manufacturers who sell “talking” buttons might need to rethink their design to keep more of the original voice frequencies. That might help dogs pick up words more consistently.



Researchers also hope this exploration spurs new technologies that consider how dogs hear. The findings suggest that with the right equipment and plenty of live interaction, dogs could keep expanding their ability to understand us. 



Each step brings owners closer to forging meaningful communication across the species divide.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-96824-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Speech gadgets for dogs aren’t always reliable or clear

Dogs have been at our side for centuries, and many...

Close-up,Image,Featuring,A,Row,Of,White,,Oval-shaped,Pills,Scattered

For people struggling with opioid addiction, the ability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures - such as the sound of laughter, the warmth of the sun, or the sight of a smiling baby - can slowly fade. Cravings for opioids can be eased due to a new form of therapy. 



This emotional numbness is one of addiction’s cruelest effects, often pushing people deeper into dependence in a desperate attempt to feel something again. But now, there’s a new kind of therapy that appears to help.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-opioid-recovery-boosted-by-new-therapy">Opioid recovery boosted by new therapy</h2>



In a new study, researchers from the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a> explored a treatment called Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement, or MORE. This therapy is designed to change how the brain processes pleasure. 



The team found that it not only improves mood and emotional awareness, but also helps reduce opioid cravings. The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, add to growing evidence that MORE may be an effective tool in the fight against opioid use disorder (OUD).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-pain-treatment-fuels-opioid-use">How pain treatment fuels opioid use</h2>



Every year, millions of people are prescribed opioids to help manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-chronic-pain-have-high-rates-of-depression-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic pain</a>. But for some, what begins as a treatment can spiral into dependency. 



As the body builds tolerance, individuals often need higher doses to feel the same relief. Over time, their ability to feel <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pets-increase-life-satisfaction-as-much-as-marriage-or-close-friendships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">joy in everyday life</a> begins to disappear. This emotional flattening becomes a powerful driver of addiction.



The researchers explain that MORE offers a different approach. Developed by a professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine, this therapy blends mindfulness training, cognitive behavioral techniques, and positive psychology. 



The goal is to help people better manage their cravings, reduce their pain, and, perhaps most importantly, rediscover joy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-opioids-reshape-brain-activity-patterns">Opioids reshape brain activity patterns</h2>



In the study, 160 participants with chronic pain - some with OUD and some without - were enrolled from primary care and pain clinics. They were asked to complete a task designed to measure their emotional response to positive imagery. 



These included pictures of things such as sunsets, puppies, or happy faces. They also filled out surveys tracking their cravings and emotional states.



For a subset of these participants who were at risk of misusing opioids, the researchers randomly assigned them to one of two groups. 



One group received eight weeks of one-on-one MORE therapy. The other participated in a standard supportive group therapy. Afterward, all of the participants repeated the emotional task and filled out follow-up surveys for up to three months.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restoring-the-capacity-to-feel-pleasure">Restoring the capacity to feel pleasure </h2>



The results were telling. People with OUD showed a much weaker response in the brain when looking at pleasant images. This blunted reaction was directly tied to stronger opioid cravings. 



However, those who went through the MORE program experienced a shift. Their brains responded more strongly to positive stimuli - and their cravings were cut in half compared to those in standard therapy.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-discovery-offers-hope-for-tackling-opioid-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Opioid addiction</a> decreases the brain’s ability to experience natural healthy pleasure, driving increased cravings for the drug,” said Eric Garland, the study’s lead author. “Our research shows that MORE helps restore this capacity, reducing cravings and potentially preventing opioid misuse.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-one-on-one-therapy">The power of one-on-one therapy </h2>



This isn’t the first time the therapy has shown promise. Over the past two decades, MORE has been tested in more than 10 randomized clinical trials, involving over 1,000 participants. 



In a 2022 study of 250 patients, the therapy reduced opioid misuse by 45% at a nine-month follow-up - almost three times more effective than group therapy alone. Half of the patients also reported less chronic pain.



In 2023, another study found that when MORE was added to standard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-cuddle-hormone-fosters-love-boosts-memory-and-may-cure-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">addiction</a> care, the relapse rate dropped by 42%, and treatment dropout was 59% lower compared to standard care alone.



The therapy has also gained attention for its potential economic impact. Backed by the National Institutes of Health, Garland’s research estimates that for every dollar spent on MORE, there’s an estimated $798 in cost savings. 



These savings come from fewer fatal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiktok-videos-provide-a-lifeline-to-prevent-opioid-overdoses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overdoses</a>, lower healthcare expenses, less criminal justice involvement, and improved work productivity. Over a lifetime, the benefit per person treated is projected to exceed $320,000.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-therapy-helps-alleviate-opioid-cravings">MORE therapy helps alleviate opioid cravings</h2>



While the findings are promising, the researchers say more work is needed. “This study is a crucial step, but we need more large-scale and long-term research to fully understand how treatments like MORE can help heal the brain to enhance recovery from opioid addiction,” noted Garland.



“Multiple rigorous, well-controlled clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of the MORE therapy. It is now the right moment to partner with policymakers, healthcare organizations and administrators of the opioid legal settlement to disseminate this evidence-based treatment nationwide to help alleviate the opioid crisis.”



As the opioid epidemic continues to affect families across the country, therapies like MORE offer a fresh and much-needed approach - one that doesn’t just target the symptoms, but helps people reconnect with the joy of living.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2833307" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA</a>.



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Finding joy again: New therapy eases opioid cravings

For people struggling with opioid addiction, the ability to enjoy...

The concept of karma has deep roots across cultures and religions. It promises that moral actions will eventually bring fitting consequences - good deeds yield rewards, and bad ones lead to punishment.



For many, this belief adds meaning and structure to life’s random events. When fortune smiles or tragedy strikes, karma offers an explanation that feels fair and satisfying.



But beneath this comforting idea lies a curious paradox. While people often believe in karma as a universal law of justice, they don’t apply it equally to themselves and to others. 



Instead, they use it in ways that serve different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/acts-of-kindness-social-brains-are-wired-to-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychological</a> needs - self-esteem on the one hand, and a sense of justice on the other.



Recent research from <a href="https://www.yorku.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">York University</a>, published by the American Psychological Association, explores this phenomenon in depth. The study reveals how karma becomes a mirror for self-worth and a judgment tool for others’ misfortunes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-karma-for-me-justice-for-you">Karma for me, justice for you</h2>



A research team led by Cindel White conducted three large studies with more than 2,000 participants across the United States, India, and Singapore. They examined how people described karmic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-increases-feelings-of-hope-happiness-and-gratitude/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">events</a> in their lives compared to those in others’ lives.



The results pointed to a consistent psychological pattern: when people think about karma in their own life, they recall positive experiences that feel earned. When thinking about others, they tend to describe misfortunes and punishments.



In the first study, 86 percent of participants wrote about events in their own lives. Most of these events were positive and interpreted as rewards for good actions. 



However, when participants chose to write about others, 92 percent focused on negative outcomes. This contrast wasn’t subtle - it showed up in their language, emotional tone, and evaluations of who deserved what.



“We found very similar patterns across multiple cultural contexts, including Western samples, where we know people often think about themselves in exaggeratedly positive ways, and samples from Asian countries where people are more likely to be self-critical,” said White.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-needs-shape-karma-thinking">Psychological needs shape karma thinking</h2>



The divide makes sense when viewed through the lens of psychological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/who-is-happier-being-single-men-or-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">motivation</a>. People want to see themselves as good, competent, and deserving of success.



This is known as self-enhancement. When something good happens, attributing it to karmic merit boosts one’s self-image. The thinking is simple: I must have done something right.



But when bad things happen to others, a different motive comes into play. People also want to believe the world is fair. The belief in a just world helps explain suffering and reduces the discomfort of seeing innocent people in pain. 



In that context, karma becomes a convenient explanation for misfortune - those people must have done something wrong.



“Thinking about karma allows people to take personal credit and feel pride in good things that happen to them even when it isn’t clear exactly what they did to create the good <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/facial-expressions-arent-enough-to-understand-human-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcome</a>, but it also allows people to see other people’s suffering as justified retribution,” White explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-background-matters">Cultural background matters</h2>



The researchers didn’t stop at general trends. They wanted to know whether this self-other gap in karma interpretation varied across cultures. Study participants came from religiously diverse backgrounds: American Christians, nonreligious people, Indian Hindus, and Singaporean Buddhists.



As expected, the bias was strongest among Americans. Seventy-one percent described their own karma-related experiences as positive, while only 18 percent saw others’ experiences that way. In contrast, Indian and Singaporean participants were less likely to frame their own experiences so positively. 



In Singapore, only 52 percent did so. This aligns with previous research showing that self-enhancement is more common in individualistic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coping-with-eco-anxiety-turning-climate-worry-into-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cultures</a> like the U.S., and less so in collectivist cultures that value modesty and self-criticism.



Still, the same general pattern held everywhere. Even in cultures with deep-rooted karmic traditions, people were more likely to think of others’ misfortunes as punishment and their own blessings as earned rewards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotion-memory-and-power-of-narrative">Emotion, memory, and power of narrative</h2>



The research team used both human coders and computer sentiment analysis to examine how people described karmic events. The emotional tone of the stories was strikingly different depending on who the story was about. 



Descriptions of self-related karma were more upbeat, containing more positive words and emotional language. In contrast, stories about others were often colder, more negative, and less nuanced.



In Study 3, participants were also asked to rate how they felt about these events. Those recalling their own karmic experiences reported more pride, optimism, and contentment. 



They also felt stronger emotions overall. This suggests that thinking about karma can do more than explain events - it can reinforce identity, shape memory, and even regulate feelings.



Importantly, even participants who denied believing in karma showed similar patterns. This points to an implicit bias in how people interpret life events, suggesting that karma functions as more than a religious belief - it acts as a psychological framework, deeply woven into how people make sense of the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeing-the-good-in-ourselves">Seeing the good in ourselves</h2>



These studies add to a broader body of work on self-serving attributions. People tend to explain their own successes as a result of internal qualities like talent or effort, while attributing failures to outside forces. When it comes to karma, this self-protective tendency shows up as an overemphasis on personal virtue.



At the same time, people are more willing to blame others for their misfortunes. This may stem from a desire to protect the belief that the world is fair. If others suffer due to bad karma, then justice has been served. This logic, while comforting, can also lead to victim-blaming and moral disengagement.



The research also found that people viewed themselves as more moral than others, saw their own karmic outcomes as more deserved, and were quicker to attribute negative karma to others’ actions than to their own. 



This confirms that belief in karma, while seemingly spiritual and impartial, can be used in biased, self-protective ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-life-meaning-through-karma">Finding life meaning through karma </h2>



While the idea of karma has ancient roots, its modern function appears more psychological than theological. 



Karma gives people a way to interpret good and bad events when other explanations fail. It offers a path to take credit, protect self-esteem, and explain injustice without confronting randomness or chance.



“This satisfies various personal motives - to see oneself as good and deserving of good fortune, and to see justice in other people’s suffering - and supernatural beliefs like karma might be especially good at satisfying these motives when other, more secular explanations fail,” noted White.



Even in an age of science and reason, these findings show that people still lean on supernatural thinking to make sense of their world. Karma remains powerful, not just because it explains things, but because it does so in a way that protects the self and affirms a moral universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-beliefs-shape-reality">When beliefs shape reality</h2>



The researchers caution that while most participants believe karma applies equally to everyone, their actual thinking shows otherwise. 



Positive experiences are more quickly linked to one’s own past virtues. Negative events are often assigned to others’ misdeeds. This pattern has consequences beyond personal comfort. It shapes how we judge others, form opinions, and decide who is worthy of help or blame.



These findings raise important questions about how beliefs shape perception. Karma, like many supernatural concepts, doesn’t just sit passively in the background. It actively colors how people interpret events, make moral judgments, and understand themselves in relation to others.



While karma may claim to be impartial, the way people invoke it is anything but. Its moral logic bends to the needs of the believer - rewarding the self and punishing the other.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/rel-rel0000565.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Psychology of Religion and Spirituality</a>.



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Most people believe they deserve good karma more than others

The concept of karma has deep roots across cultures and...

Rainbow,Lorikeets

North America’s birds are disappearing, and they're vanishing at the fastest rate in the places they dominate. A new study using nearly two decades of data from citizen scientists reveals that birds are declining where they should be thriving.



The findings spotlight an ecological emergency but also highlight recovery potential. 



The analysis, conducted by researchers at the <a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell Lab of Ornithology</a>, tracked 495 bird species between 2007 and 2021 using over 36 million observations submitted to the <a href="https://ebird.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eBird</a> platform.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-declining-across-north-america">Birds declining across North America</h2>



The researchers sought to build a detailed picture of population trends across North America. The result was sobering: in 83% of species, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-might-repeat-evolution-under-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population</a> declines were steepest in areas where the birds were most abundant.



“We're not just seeing small shifts happening, we're documenting populations declining where they were once really abundant," said Alison Johnston, one of the researchers. 



"Locations that once provided ideal habitat and climate for these species are no longer suitable. I think this is indicative of more major shifts happening for the nature that's around us." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-decline-most-where-they-once-thrived">Birds decline most where they once thrived</h2>



Previous studies warned us about overall losses. Since 1970, North America has lost more than 25% of its breeding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/big-brains-and-wide-ranges-cant-save-birds-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>. But knowing where declines are happening is crucial to respond effectively. 



Until now, efforts to pinpoint local declines faced a major hurdle: lack of fine-scale, consistent data across species' ranges.



Johnston’s team tackled this with a machine learning model that could handle vast and varied data inputs. It accounted for human observation behavior, which often distorts raw counts. 



The model separated real population changes from observer differences, enabling a clearer picture of regional trends.



The result: a high-resolution map of shifting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-living-in-cities-are-usually-more-colorful-and-less-brown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird populations</a>, not just across North America, but also Central America and the Caribbean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-even-thriving-birds-face-local-losses">Even thriving birds face local losses</h2>



While the big picture shows 75% of bird species are in decline - with 65% declining significantly - the local view is more complex.



Nearly every species (97%) shows areas of both gain and loss. That’s a hopeful sign. It suggests some areas offer refuge, while others face stress from climate change and habitat degradation.



“This is the first time we’ve had fine scale information on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-americas-birds-scientists-declare-a-full-on-emergency-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population</a> changes across such broad spatial extents and across entire ranges of species. And that provides us a better lens to understand the changes that are happening with bird populations,” said Amanda Rodewald, co-author of the study.



Even birds considered stable at a regional level may be struggling in their core areas. And species in low-density zones sometimes fare better. 



These patterns suggest strongholds are now vulnerable, and previously marginal areas may serve as safe havens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-habitat-climate-and-human-action">Role of habitat, climate, and human action</h2>



Birds that breed in grasslands and drylands face the sharpest declines. These ecosystems are especially sensitive to habitat disruption and climate shifts. 



The findings suggest abundance itself doesn’t guarantee resilience. In fact, pressure may concentrate in places with high population density, degrading quality faster.



Not all regions show loss. The Appalachians and western mountain ranges host stable or growing populations. These areas might offer clues for restoration efforts elsewhere.



“Areas where species are increasing where they're at low abundance may be places where conservation has been successful and populations are recovering, or they may point to locations where there may be potential for recovery,” said Johnston.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-scale-of-bird-decline">The scale of bird decline</h2>



“We employed causal machine learning models and novel statistical methodologies that allowed us to estimate changes in populations with high spatial resolution while also accounting for biases that come from changes in how and where people go birding,” said Daniel Fink.



The study ran over 500,000 simulations, requiring more than 6 million hours of computing. That equates to about 85 years of work on a standard laptop. This technical effort was matched by the public’s commitment to citizen science.



“Knowledge is power. Because of the volunteers that engage in programs like eBird, because of their enthusiasm and engagement, and generosity of time, we now know more about bird populations and more about the environment than we ever have before,” said Rodewald.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-conservation-starts-here">Smarter conservation starts here</h2>



The study's maps and methods help policymakers make sharper choices. 



“It’s this kind of small-scale information across broad geographies that has been lacking and it’s exactly what we need to make smart conservation decisions,” said Rodewald.



By seeing exactly where birds are declining or doing well, conservation groups can act with more precision. The insights allow them to focus on recovery where it’s most needed - and most possible.



The message is clear: North America’s birds are in crisis, even in their safest places. But with detailed insight and active stewardship, recovery is within reach.



This research was supported by foundations, <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NSF grants</a>, and supercomputing resources from <a href="https://www.psc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center</a> and <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University</a>. Together, they’ve made a detailed, actionable map for the future of bird conservation.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adn4381" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Birds are declining fastest where they were once common

North America’s birds are disappearing, and they're vanishing at the...

Memory shapes our understanding of everything around us. It helps us learn, holds our treasured stories, and forms the bedrock of our daily decisions. Scientists have long recognized how sleep deepens the lessons of the day, yet many wondered whether it also readies the mind for brand-new knowledge. 



The answer to that puzzle has recently been pursued by a team in Japan. Professor Kaoru Inokuchi from the <a href="https://www.u-toyama.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toyama</a> led this effort. The research is shedding light on how the sleeping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-night-of-lost-sleep-can-trigger-hidden-health-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> protects recent memories yet frees up space for future experiences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-brain-stores-memories">How the brain stores memories</h2>



In the study, researchers used advanced tools to watch the brain activity of mice before and after they learned new tasks. They focused on a subset of cells known as <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7577560/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">engram cells</a>, which hold the imprint of specific experiences.



By tracking these cells across sleep and wake, they observed how certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-quality-could-be-the-key-to-better-metabolic-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns</a> reappeared once the mice drifted off. This quiet reactivation served to keep newly formed memories stable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-gets-brains-ready-to-learn">Sleep gets brains ready to learn</h2>



The experts noticed another population that would eventually handle upcoming events. According to one finding, these “engram-to-be cells” showed mounting signs of coordination during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-can-boost-memory-in-a-surprising-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rest</a>.



“Engram-to-be cells exhibited increased coactivity with existing engram cells during sleep, suggesting that this interaction helps shape new memory networks,” explained Professor Inokuchi. This pattern hints at how the brain readies itself to learn something fresh.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-poor-sleep-blocks-new-learning">Poor sleep blocks new learning</h2>



The researchers ran simulations where they turned off key changes that normally happen during sleep. When these <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/1301559" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synaptic plasticity mechanisms</a> were disabled, the brain failed to prepare new cells for future learning.



Without these changes, memory networks became rigid. The same cells kept replaying old information, while potential new learning paths were lost. 



It’s a reminder that when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleeping-smarter-just-15-extra-minutes-can-boost-adolescent-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> is cut short or disturbed, the brain doesn’t just lose rest — it may lose readiness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-helps-build-learning-capacity">Sleep helps build learning capacity</h2>



The researchers crafted computer models to explore why some cells lose strength while others gain influence during rest. When they blocked certain changes in these models, new learning never took hold.



This shows that post-learning sleep is not just a time for replay. It also primes certain cells so they can capture fresh details without erasing older ones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-links-old-and-new-memories">Sleep links old and new memories</h2>



The study also revealed that not all brain cells play the same role. Some existing memory cells - called <a href="https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(15)00677-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">common engram cells</a> - seem to serve as bridges, connecting past knowledge with what's coming next. 



The cells showed stronger links with the engram-to-be cells than others did, but only during sleep. This suggests that something unique is happening at night that clears space in the brain’s wiring. Without it, new learning might struggle to stick.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-decides-which-memories-survive">Sleep decides which memories survive</h2>



The researchers found that only about half of memory-related cell groups remained stable over time. Others dropped out or were replaced by new ones, depending on how the brain reshaped itself during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>.



This could explain why we remember certain experiences clearly but forget others. If sleep doesn’t give those memories a chance to stabilize or make room for new ones, they may quietly disappear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-can-boost-memory-and-learning">Sleep can boost memory and learning</h2>



“We believe that manipulating brain activity during sleep or sleep patterns may uncover methods to enhance memory by unlocking the brain’s latent potential,” said Professor Inokuchi. Individuals who get enough <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/10.1152/physrev.00032.2012" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rest</a> often recall details more reliably.&nbsp;



This direction opens possibilities for educational strategies and interventions. It also points to methods that might help those coping with memory difficulties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-research-may-aid-brain-disorders">Sleep research may aid brain disorders</h2>



Researchers believe this discovery could change how we think about treating memory-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. If sleep can be used to guide the brain’s ability to store and prepare for learning, it might open up new ways to protect cognitive health.



Future studies will likely explore how different stages of sleep-like non-rapid eye movement (<a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep/nrem-sleep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NREM</a>) sleep and rapid eye movement (<a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep/rem-sleep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">REM</a>) sleep - play separate roles in tuning the brain for memory updates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-shapes-how-we-remember-and-learn">Sleep shapes how we remember and learn</h2>



“We want people to understand that sleep is not just about rest - it plays a crucial role in how the brain processes information. With that in mind, we hope everyone will begin to value sleep more and use it as a way to improve their overall quality of life,” concluded Professor Inokuchi.



Experts suggest that restless nights may disrupt the brain’s readiness to learn new information.



The study reveals that sleep looks both backward and forward. It fortifies yesterday’s lessons while preparing space for tomorrow’s challenges.



Ultimately, these findings may change our approach to sleep. The research could also pave the way toward the development of therapies for people struggling with cognitive setbacks.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58860-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Sleep prepares the brain for the future while protecting memories of the past

Memory shapes our understanding of everything around us. It helps...

Many people struggle with anxiety or depression, and self-doubt often clouds how they see their abilities. These conditions can leave them trailing a lack of self-belief, making even everyday tasks feel overwhelming.



Scientists recently <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57040-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studied</a> more than 500 people across two separate groups to get a clearer picture of why this happens. They uncovered intriguing clues about <a href="https://tll.mit.edu/teaching-resources/how-people-learn/metacognition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metacognition</a>, which is our ability to assess our own thought processes. 



Dr. Sucharit Katyal completed this work as a postdoctoral researcher at the <a href="https://www.mps-ucl-centre.mpg.de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck</a> UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research and is currently at the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-confidence-in-anxiety-and-depression">Confidence in anxiety and depression</h2>



Researchers asked participants to perform tasks that involved identifying details and remembering key information. They used a playful computer game with a fictional town named Fruitville, where folks needed help picking and sorting various fruits.



At different points, an auditor showed up to offer either positive or negative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-too-much-salt-may-contribute-to-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feedback</a> on how these tasks were handled. The team measured each person’s day-to-day confidence on specific jobs and compared it to an overall rating of how well they believed they did across all tasks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-depression-makes-self-doubt-louder">Depression makes self-doubt louder</h2>



The experts found that individuals with significant anxiety or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-chronic-pain-have-high-rates-of-depression-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a> were not any worse at completing the tasks. Their actual results matched those of participants with lower symptoms of these conditions.



Despite this, people with anxiety or depression zeroed in on times when they felt less confident in their decisions. They largely brushed aside moments where they felt more assured, setting the stage for persistent low self-belief.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-overthinking-affects-daily-choices">How overthinking affects daily choices</h2>



Metacognition - how we think about our own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-related-brain-inflammation-linked-to-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thinking</a> - shapes many decisions we make every day. It influences whether we speak up in a meeting, try something new, or trust our memory in a conversation.



When this internal self-monitoring system is skewed, as it can be in people with anxiety or depression, it leads to hesitation, second-guessing, or avoidance. Even when the facts support success, the internal feeling of “not good enough” can win out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feedback-shifts-self-doubt-in-depression">Feedback shifts self-doubt in depression</h2>



Interestingly, everyone’s self-belief changed when they heard if they were right or wrong. Good news lifted people’s outlook, while critical comments lowered it.



Still, those with anxiety or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-americans-have-lost-years-of-time-to-poor-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a> remained stuck in lower overall self-belief. They seemed to ignore the brighter spots of their performance, even after receiving the same mix of positive and negative messages as everyone else.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-depression-and-imposter-syndrome">Depression and imposter syndrome</h2>



“Overall, our findings offer a simple yet powerful message - that the persistent negative self-beliefs experienced by people with anxiety and depression are often illusory, and may be rooted in a dysfunctional view of how they evaluate themselves,” said Dr. Katyal. 



”This would also explain why anxiety and depression symptoms are also closely linked to <a href="https://www.sciencetheearth.com/uploads/2/4/6/5/24658156/2011_sakulku_the_impostor_phenomenon.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">imposter syndrome</a> where some people persistently doubt their achievements despite being competent.” 



Dr. Katyal emphasized the importance of not relying too heavily on our own self-judgments, especially when they tend to be overly critical. 



He suggested that people should be cautious about how much they trust their internal assessments. Instead, they might benefit from giving more weight to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-adult-depression-linked-to-worse-memory-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feedback</a> from others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-ease-self-doubt-in-depression">How to ease self-doubt in depression</h2>



<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anxiety</a> is a common mental health concern in the United States, and it can affect how a person perceives the future or reads social cues. <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Depression</a> can drain motivation and self-confidence, leading individuals to feel incapable of tasks they can actually handle well. 



These findings highlight an avenue where individuals might train themselves to notice accomplishments in a more balanced way. Checking in with trusted friends, teachers, or coworkers could help counter the tendency to overemphasize mistakes.



According to the researchers, future strategies might include personalized feedback sessions to reinforce positive progress. By doing so, people could gain more accurate perspectives on their abilities and cut down on needless self-criticism.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-getting-rid-of-depression-and-self-doubt">Getting rid of depression and self-doubt</h2>



Struggles with self-confidence are common in classrooms and offices. A student may get high grades yet still feel like a fraud, while an employee might regularly meet deadlines and deliver results but second-guess every decision.



If people with anxiety and depression undervalue their own successful moments, they may be more prone to burnout, avoid promotions, or resist taking on new challenges. 



Interventions that help individuals trust their strengths could be especially important in high-pressure academic or work environments.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57040-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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People with depression often hold tightly to self-doubt

Many people struggle with anxiety or depression, and self-doubt often...

Stars have long inspired curiosity among observers, but our understanding of their birth and the creation of planets around them is still evolving. New insights from recent research suggest the story of how planetary systems come together is more dynamic than previously believed.



Paolo Padoan, an ICREA research professor at the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (<a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UB</a>) and currently on leave at <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dartmouth College</a>, has helped highlight an alternative angle on these processes. 



Padoan's findings center on the role of <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0406166" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bondi-Hoyle accretion</a>, a mechanism that appears to add crucial mass and momentum to young stellar disks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stars-gather-gas-from-their-surroundings">Stars gather gas from their surroundings</h2>



Early ideas suggested that <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/protoplanetary-disk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protoplanetary disks</a> only shrink as they funnel material onto their stars. Observers assumed these disks were finite reservoirs that gradually dissipated, but new results call for a broader interpretation.



“Stars are born in groups or clusters within large gas clouds and can remain in this environment for several million years after their birth,” said Padoan. His perspective suggests that stars do not develop in isolation, which is a key detail for understanding disk <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-planets-form-its-much-more-complicated-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a>.



Researchers have also noted how local conditions can vary from one star cluster to another. These variations might explain why planetary systems display such a wide range of orbits and compositions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-clusters-shape-planet-birth">Star clusters shape planet birth</h2>



Stars interact with surrounding gas that continues to feed the disk, even after the initial collapse. This constant influx extends the lifetime of disks and boosts the raw material available for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-giant-planets-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a> formation.



Many star clusters form in immense clouds of volatile gas, which move at high speeds. That movement, often described as <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-09498-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supersonic turbulence</a>, can give each cluster a distinct profile of density, temperature, and motion.



Scientists studying these environments see large-scale flows that transport matter across vast distances measured in trillions of miles. These flows may bring in new elements or compounds that alter how planets eventually take shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disks-grow-larger-over-time">Disks grow larger over time</h2>



“After a star forms, its gravity can capture more material from the parental gas cloud... but enough to restructure its disk,” said Padoan. This process ensures disks may grow larger over time, contradicting classic views that they only lose mass.



By tracking the motion of interstellar gas, scientists observed how random density changes produce significant spins in these disks. That insight opened the door to a theory that better fits actual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-planets-formed-in-the-harsh-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observations</a>.



The disk’s size can influence the distribution of dust grains and ice, which are key ingredients for planet cores. If the disk extends farther, planets can form at greater distances from the star, broadening the possibilities for planetary orbits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-gas-shapes-stars-and-planets">How gas shapes stars and planets</h2>



Teams employed advanced modeling to simulate the swirl of gas around early-stage stars. This allowed them to test various conditions and see which setups matched data collected by <a href="https://www.almaobservatory.org/en/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ALMA</a>.



“Comparing the observable data from the simulations with real observations is crucial to validate the simulations,” said Veli-Matti Pelkonen, an ICUCB researcher and team member who underscores the value of these methods.



The researchers used simulation outputs to track <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lucy-spacecraft-captures-rare-view-of-ancient-asteroid-donaldjohanson/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex</a> properties that remain invisible in real-life images.



Their computational approach included the influence of magnetic fields, which can change the way gas flows inside stellar nurseries. The experts also accounted for chaotic velocities that shift direction rapidly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-gas-means-more-planets">More gas means more planets</h2>



The researchers believe that the extra mass provided by Bondi-Hoyle accretion supports the creation of more robust disks. A stronger disk may hold onto the gas and dust needed to form multiple generations of planetary cores.



The added spin from the environment can influence how material circulates before it clumps into planetary bodies. This dynamic flow could also guide the formation of planetary atmospheres, which is critical for any potential habitability.



In some cases, the strong influx of gas might even reshape the arrangement of emerging planets. That reshaping has potential implications for both planet sizes and orbital separations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-for-exoplanets">Broader implications for exoplanets</h2>



Many newly discovered exoplanets have masses and orbits that differ from our solar system. If disks can capture extra material from their surroundings, it might explain these unexpected configurations in other star systems.



Studies of distant clusters have yielded surprising results about how often planet-hosting stars appear in tight groups. Researchers continue to gather evidence on whether these conditions correlate with diverse planetary architectures.



Because environment shapes disk properties, the search for life-supporting planets might hinge on understanding local cloud conditions. More data from exoplanet surveys could link these conditions to signs of potential water or other life-essential molecules.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-star-and-planet-formation">Predicting star and planet formation</h2>



“With the increase of the computing power of supercomputers, these advances will continue to increase our understanding of star formation,” said Pelkonen.



Astronomers are already pairing these high-resolution simulations with data from advanced telescopes like the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a>, aiming for better clarity on disk structures.



Expanding knowledge of disk behavior offers a fresh path to interpreting how planets develop in diverse environments. By mapping these steps, researchers hope to refine our understanding of where life-friendly planets might arise in the cosmos.



Observing how gas moves in stellar nurseries may lead to refined models that predict how many Earth-like worlds could form. That level of insight would be a turning point for anyone exploring the probability of life beyond our neighborhood.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02529-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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Each star's neighborhood affects the type of planets that form

Stars have long inspired curiosity among observers, but our understanding...

Children’s first encounters with math usually happen at the breakfast table or on the playground, not in a classroom. Developmental scientists have long known that these everyday experiences - like counting blocks or footsteps to the front door - nurture an intuitive sense of quantity.



According to a comprehensive report, a strong “number sense” builds arithmetic fluency, which later supports success in algebra, geometry, and adult earnings. 



Yet the route from cereal-box counting to fluent calculation has been hotly debated: Should teachers focus on memorizing multiplication tables, or on fostering deeper conceptual reasoning? The new review concludes that the debate sets up a false choice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-framework-for-learning-math">New framework for learning math</h2>



Drawing on behavioral experiments, longitudinal research, neuroimaging data, and classroom design studies, the researchers propose a three-stage cycle in which facts and concepts reinforce one another.



They believe fluency starts with understanding, improves with timed practice, and deepens through reflection and discussion.



“We want to be clear: Educators don’t have to choose between timed practice and rich classroom discussions," said study lead author Nicole McNeil of the <a href="https://www.nd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Notre Dame</a>.



"A carefully structured approach - pairing brief, timed sessions that strengthen facts in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-our-brain-form-long-term-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a> with purposeful reasoning and discussion activities that weave those facts into an integrated knowledge network - gives students the fluency they need to succeed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-shifts-with-practice">Brain shifts with practice</h2>



The researchers frame math learning as a dynamic movement between two knowledge states. Young children start with implicit insights: they can combine two sets of crackers and anticipate a larger pile without articulating why.



Over time, guided instruction turns these hunches into explicit strategies, such as “counting on from the bigger number” or recognizing that addition is commutative. 



With continued, targeted practice - ideally in short, carefully timed bursts - these explicit strategies become automatic, freeing up mental resources for higher-level problem solving.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-imaging-method-will-unravel-mysteries-of-neural-processes/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neuroimaging</a> studies cited in the report reveal that as this process unfolds, brain activation patterns begin to shift. Brain activity shifts from effortful reasoning to rapid recall, reflecting the child’s move from counting slowly to instant retrieval.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-more-math-wars">No more math wars</h2>



Because fluency develops through intertwined conceptual and procedural growth, the authors argue, classroom instruction should regularly cycle between the two. 



Early progress monitoring is recommended to spot gaps in mental number representations. Explicit teaching of thinking strategies, such as making tens, can help address those gaps. 



The research team also suggests using retrieval exercises designed to be brief enough to encourage speed only after accuracy has been achieved.



Each timed practice session should end with group discussion where students explain methods and link facts to broader ideas. This “explain–practice–explain” rhythm avoids the pitfalls of rote memorization while ensuring that knowledge can be deployed automatically when needed, noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-math-skills-shape-futures">Math skills shape futures</h2>



The paper’s authors and an <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/15291006251326581" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">accompanying commentary</a> by Melissa E. Libertus of the <a href="https://www.pitt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pittsburgh</a> highlight the practical stakes. 



Students who leave elementary school fluent in arithmetic adapt more readily to algebraic symbolism, grasp fraction magnitudes more accurately, and solve multi-step word problems more efficiently.



Longitudinal data link early math skills to later academic attainment and even adult income. The experts argue that arithmetic fluency is essential in today’s data-driven world - just as important as reading.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-training-teachers-with-research">Training teachers with research</h2>



Despite the strong evidence base, many teacher-preparation programs devote limited time to the cognitive science of math <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-learning-how-our-brains-neurons-make-and-retrieve-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">learning</a>. The researchers call for more explicit coursework that helps future educators evaluate instructional materials through the lens of learning research.



Digital tutoring systems and adaptive practice apps can help - but only when educators integrate them into conceptual discussions and reflective reasoning. 



Future research should explore how parents’ math anxiety affects children and how digital tools can personalize practice while preserving depth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-classroom-model">A new classroom model</h2>



The report arrives at a moment when timed tests and “math wars” rhetoric still spark controversy. Speed and understanding aren’t opposing goals - they build on each other in a well-designed learning process.



By letting children’s initial intuitions surface, honing them through targeted practice, and weaving them back into rich conceptual networks, educators can cultivate the kind of fluency that supports future math learning. This fluency also aids in real-world problem solving.



The science of learning, the authors argue, shows that arithmetic proficiency is built not on memorization alone and not on exploration alone, but on a deliberate interplay of the two. This is proof that, in mathematics as in many areas of education, balance and evidence go hand in hand.



Nancy Jordan of the <a href="https://www.udel.edu/">University of Delaware</a>, Alexandria Viegut of the <a href="https://www.uwec.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire</a>, and Daniel Ansari of <a href="https://www.uwo.ca/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Western University</a> are co-authors of the study.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15291006241287726">Psychological Science in the Public Interest</a>.



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Scientists discover a better way for kids to learn math

Children’s first encounters with math usually happen at the breakfast...

Sao,Paulo,,Sp,,Brazil,-,April,20,2023:,Ayahuasca,Spell.

The Amazonian brew ayahuasca is attracting ever-greater scientific attention for its apparent ability to relieve depression, anxiety, and other forms of psychological distress. Yet, testimonials from users also include nights of terror, overwhelming sadness, or lingering feelings of isolation.



A large new analysis reveals that the effects of the psychoactive drink depend heavily on who is consuming it, where they drink, and how their experience is supported. These factors play a major role in determining whether the long-term outcome is healing or harmful.



The new study is led by Óscar Andión of <a href="https://researchsherpas.com/en/">Research Sherpas</a> together with colleagues at the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Services (<a href="https://www.iceers.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICEERS</a>) and other institutions. 



The research applies both classic statistics and machine-learning algorithms to tease apart patterns that link immediate psychological reactions to longer-term wellbeing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-s-drinking-ayahuasca-and-why">Who’s drinking ayahuasca and why</h2>



The paper draws on data from the <a href="https://www.globalayahuascaproject.org/">Global Ayahuasca Survey</a>, an online questionnaire that reached more than 10,000 consumers on six continents. 



Earlier data showed over half of participants experienced adverse mental states after using the psychoactive drink. These difficulties were linked to a history of mental illness and using the drug in non-traditional settings.



In this study, of the original 10,836 respondents, 5,400 supplied complete information and were included in the final models. Among those participants, 14 percent reported a prior diagnosis of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-microbes-have-an-unexpected-link-to-anxiety/">anxiety</a> disorder and nearly 20 percent a history of depressive disorder.



The investigators acknowledge that the survey’s voluntary, retrospective design introduces selection and recall biases. People with strong experiences are more likely to respond, and delayed recall can lead to inaccurate or distorted memories. Still, it’s the largest sample yet, spanning Amazonian rituals, Western retreats, and informal underground psychedelic circles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-ayahuasca-helps-or-hurts">When ayahuasca helps or hurts</h2>



The analyses confirmed that participants with pre-existing anxiety or depression were more likely to report challenging emotional states. This was especially true for those who consumed the psychoactive drink outside traditional or well-structured ceremonial settings.



Experiences such as visual distortions, though often labeled “adverse,” actually predicted better mental health scores at the time of survey. In contrast, lingering feelings like being down, disconnected, or energetically attacked were linked to poorer mental health later on.



Curiously, the machine-learning models suggested that not all difficult experiences should be dismissed as negative. Some initially unpleasant states were linked to improved mental health months later. This suggests that acute psychological struggle may lead to long-term benefits - but only under certain conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-protects-against-bad-outcomes">What protects against bad outcomes</h2>



Environmental and psychosocial variables emerged as powerful moderators. Participants who consumed the psychoactive drink in group ceremonies led by experienced facilitators were less likely to suffer harmful after-effects. Preparation and integration practices further enhanced the benefits, making adverse effects even less likely.



Age also played a role, with older users reporting fewer persisting problems. The authors interpret these findings to mean that a supportive “set and setting,” combined with life experience, may buffer vulnerable individuals from potentially destabilizing reactions.



Spiritual framing likewise appeared beneficial. Survey items that measured the importance of ceremonial symbolism, prayer, or ritual structure correlated with lower probabilities of post-session anxiety, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/confirmed-magic-mushrooms-can-effectively-treat-depression/">depression</a>, and social withdrawal.



“Our research also highlights that the spiritual significance of ayahuasca ceremonies plays a protective role, reducing adverse emotional states like anxiety, depression, and disconnection, thus contributing to overall mental health improvement,” the authors wrote.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-means-for-treatment">What this means for treatment</h2>



Clinical enthusiasm for psychedelics has spurred efforts to translate ayahuasca - traditionally brewed from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves - into standardized pharmaceutical formats. The new study cautions against overlooking the communal and cultural matrix that appears to scaffold positive outcomes.



“What stood out most to us was the significant difference in mental health outcomes between users who had supportive environments [during their use] and those who didn’t. This emphasizes the importance of a responsible and well-prepared setting for those seeking healing through ayahuasca,” explained corresponding author José Carlos Bouso, a scientist at ICEERS.



The authors therefore advocate supervised consumption of the ayahuasca, especially for people with mood-disorder histories. They urge future research to study real-world communal ceremonies, not just controlled lab settings, where most drinking happens.



“Ayahuasca use, when experienced in safe, supportive environments, may offer therapeutic benefits, particularly for individuals with a history of mood disorders, highlighting the importance of the ceremony's setting and the role of facilitators,” they observed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-difficult-experiences">Redefining difficult experiences</h2>



One of the paper’s striking conclusions is that common checklists for psychedelic side-effects may oversimplify complex emotional processes. Medical trials may label certain states as undesirable, while shamanic practice views them as essential stages of purging or insight.



“Our study reveals that the post-ayahuasca mental states, traditionally seen as adverse, can contribute to improved mental health, especially in individuals with previous anxiety and depressive disorders. This suggests the need for a more nuanced understanding of these states as potentially beneficial experiences,” the authors wrote.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-psychedelic-healing">Future of psychedelic healing</h2>



Despite limitations, the findings add clarity and detail to the debate on how to regulate and deliver psychedelic therapies. They underscore the interplay between personal history, ceremony design, and the subjective meaning of challenging experiences.



“The insights gathered from the Global Ayahuasca Survey (GAS) provided a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between ayahuasca use and mental health outcomes. It was particularly interesting to see how the setting, preparation, and integration practices play a pivotal role in shaping the overall experience,” Bouso explained.



Interest in psychedelic healing is outpacing the evidence base. Context-sensitive studies help maximize benefits and reduce potential harms. Practitioners are reminded that the brew’s power lies not just in its chemistry, but in the communal setting that holds the experience.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000097">PLOS Mental Health</a>.

Psychoactive drink has healing power - but not for everyone

The Amazonian brew ayahuasca is attracting ever-greater scientific attention for...

Coffee is often seen as a simple pick-me-up. New work suggests regular coffee habits could be linked to better physical resilience during aging.



A group of scientists discovered that 4 to 6 cups (125 mL each) of coffee a day may help cut the odds of being physically frail. 



The research was led by Margreet R. Olthof, associate professor at the Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije <a href="https://www.uva.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universiteit Amsterdam</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-muscles-and-frailty-risk">Coffee, muscles, and frailty risk</h2>



Our bodies go through natural changes as we get older. Some people experience problems with everyday tasks, because of low muscle strength or a tendency to feel more exhausted than usual.



This can lead to something known as frailty, a condition that can include slower walking and reduced activity levels. Finding easy ways to reduce these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-civet-day-2025-reveals-the-dark-side-of-a-luxury-coffee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effects</a> is a major goal for many people who hope to stay healthier.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-may-protect-muscles">Coffee may protect muscles</h2>



Coffee contains several substances, including <a href="https://www.coffeeandhealth.org/health/health-conditions/type-2-diabetes/overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antioxidants</a>, which may help curb swelling in the body. Experts have noted the connection between chronic inflammation and muscle problems in older adults.



Previous research suggests that coffee’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-you-pour-coffee-changes-its-strength-and-flavor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">composition</a> could support better muscle integrity. The possibility of buffering inflammation might aid people who want to maintain a steady gait and avoid sudden weakness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daily-coffee-and-reduced-frailty">Daily coffee and reduced frailty</h2>



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-coffee-is-missing-these-five-brain-boosting-spices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drinking</a> coffee is a key part of many people’s daily routine, and as people age they are constantly looking for ways to maintain their health. Our findings highlight the possible beneficial association between daily coffee consumption and reduced risk of frailty in later life in the older population,” said Olthof.



These observations raise interesting questions about diet and lifestyle adjustments for older individuals.



Most experts suggest that moderate daily coffee consumption fits within a healthy lifestyle. The <a href="https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4102" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Food Safety Authority</a> puts 400 mg of caffeine (about 3-5 cups) as a daily limit for most adults.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-tools-for-healthy-aging">Practical tools for healthy aging </h2>



Some older folks already enjoy multiple cups of coffee a day. Others might wonder if switching to decaf is worth it for comfort or to lessen jittery feelings.



Future research could clarify which coffee types are more helpful, but the interest is strong. Coffee is widely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-flavor-can-be-improved-with-a-simple-trick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumed</a> and might be a practical tool in aging well.



Many individuals also keep an eye on their meals and physical activities. Combining balanced eating with a few cups of coffee could boost a person’s odds of feeling spry.



“Coffee consumption may thus enhance healthy aging, but it is important we also explore further dietary interventions, to ensure older adults can continue to live fulfilling lives,” noted Olthof.



This perspective aligns with broader approaches to aging that include varied nutrition and regular exercise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-and-overall-well-being">Coffee and overall well-being </h2>



For people who love coffee, keeping an eye on cream, sugar, or sweet syrups is still wise. Health experts often advise against sugary add-ons that can pile on calories.



Moderation helps avoid side effects like jitters or trouble sleeping. Everyone is unique, so doctors sometimes weigh in on how much coffee is right for an individual.



Coffee often brings comfort, shared chats, and a sense of alertness. Those positive feelings could merge well with any physical advantages.



Some older adults might find that a warm beverage in the morning keeps them energized. Paired with a good diet and gentle movement, it might be one way to support overall well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-compounds-contribute-to-benefits">Coffee compounds contribute to benefits </h2>



Studies keep popping up, pushing our understanding of coffee’s role. Scientists analyze how coffee’s compounds interact with muscle cells and metabolic pathways.



Conversations will likely grow in the health community about coffee’s effects on aging. As more data emerges, guidelines could become clearer on daily intake for older adults.



Experts believe that coffee’s potential benefits come from a mix of factors, not just caffeine alone. <a href="https://www.coffeeandhealth.org/health/health-conditions/neurodegenerative-disorders/caffeine-and-cognitive-performance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Polyphenols</a>, for example, have drawn attention for their influence on oxidative stress.



Lifestyle factors, including adequate rest and engaging activities, still matter a lot. Coffee alone isn’t a magic fix, but it may be a helpful piece in a bigger puzzle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-may-support-healthy-aging">Coffee may support healthy aging</h2>



Many people already drink coffee daily. The findings offer a new perspective on an old favorite.



The potential for lowered frailty risk is an encouraging thought. Better muscle health may mean fewer struggles with day-to-day tasks.



Coffee isn’t a guarantee of a robust life in our later years, but it can be part of a balanced approach. There is still a need for personalized advice, especially for those with specific health concerns.



The investigation was funded by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (<a href="https://www.coffeeandhealth.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISIC</a>).



The study is published in the <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-025-03683-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Journal of Nutrition</a>.



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Drinking coffee may reduce frailty in aging adults

Coffee is often seen as a simple pick-me-up. New work...

An enormous hydrogen-rich molecular cloud has been faintly glowing near our solar system - escaping detection until now.



This newly discovered cloud is one of the largest single structures in the sky and among the closest to Earth ever detected. 



It’s called Eos, named after the Greek goddess of dawn. And it may even hold answers to some of the biggest questions in astronomy - like how stars are born.



Eos was discovered by scientists from <a href="https://newbrunswick.rutgers.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutgers University–New Brunswick</a>, and their research marks the first time a molecular cloud has been detected using far-ultraviolet light. This discovery could change how scientists search for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-solar-system-once-drifted-through-orions-star-forming-region/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star-forming regions</a> in the universe.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
“This opens up new possibilities for studying the molecular universe,” said Blakesley Burkhart, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rutgers University and a research scientist at the Center for Computational Astrophysics at the <a href="https://www.simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flatiron Institute</a> in New York.
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spotting-hidden-hydrogen-clouds">Spotting hidden hydrogen clouds</h2>



Gas and dust form <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molecular clouds</a>. They contain mostly hydrogen, along with other molecules like carbon monoxide. These clouds are where stars and planets begin to form.



Until now, astronomers mainly used radio and infrared signals to detect carbon monoxide in these clouds. That’s because molecular hydrogen - though more abundant - is hard to observe directly. This discovery changed that.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
“This is the first-ever molecular cloud discovered by looking for far ultraviolet emission of molecular hydrogen directly,” Burkhart enthused. 



“The data showed glowing hydrogen molecules detected via fluorescence in the far ultraviolet. This cloud is literally glowing in the dark.”
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-eos-so-special">What makes Eos so special?</h2>



Eos is a crescent-shaped gas cloud about 300 light-years from Earth. It lies near the edge of a region of space called the Local Bubble - a cavity filled with gas that surrounds our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-the-delicate-balance-of-our-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a>.



In size, Eos covers an area in the sky equivalent to 40 full moons. It has a mass around 3,400 times that of the sun. According to models, the cloud will evaporate in about 6 million years. Though it’s nearby, Eos poses no danger to Earth.



What it offers is a rare chance to study how molecular clouds behave in our part of the galaxy.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
“When we look through our telescopes, we catch whole solar systems in the act of forming, but we don’t know in detail how that happens,” Burkhart noted.



“Our discovery of Eos is exciting because we can now directly measure how molecular clouds are forming and dissociating - and how a galaxy begins to transform interstellar gas and dust into stars and planets.”
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peering-into-the-cosmic-dawn">Peering into the cosmic dawn</h2>



The team detected Eos using an instrument called FIMS-SPEAR - a far-ultraviolet spectrograph aboard the Korean satellite STSAT-1. 



This device breaks ultraviolet light into its components, much like a prism splits visible light, letting scientists examine the details of the radiation.



When Burkhart found the data in 2023, it had just been released to the public. “It was kind of like just waiting to be explored,” she said.



The use of this technique could dramatically shift how scientists study the space between stars.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
“The use of the far-ultraviolet fluorescence emission technique could rewrite our understanding of the interstellar medium, uncovering hidden clouds across the galaxy and even out to the furthest detectable limits of cosmic dawn,” said Thavisha Dharmawardena, a <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> Hubble Fellow at <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a> and a co-first author of the study.
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-eos-was-hidden">Why Eos was hidden</h2>



Hydrogen makes up almost all of Eos, but it contains little carbon monoxide. That makes it nearly invisible to conventional detection methods.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
“The story of the cosmos is a story of the rearrangement of atoms over billions of years,” Burkhart explained. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/eos-molecular-cloud_visible-light_new-skyline-1_credit-Rutgers_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/eos-molecular-cloud_visible-light_new-skyline-1_credit-Rutgers_1s.webp" alt="Artist's conception of what the Eos molecular cloud would look like in the sky if it were visible to the naked eye. Credit: NatureLifePhoto/Flickr (New York City Skyline), Burkhart et al. 2025" class="wp-image-1967888"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Artist's conception of what the Eos molecular cloud would look like in the sky if it were visible to the naked eye. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NatureLifePhoto/Flickr (New York City Skyline), Burkhart et al. 2025</figcaption></figure>



“The hydrogen that is currently in the Eos cloud existed at the time of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-the-big-bang-theory-is-correct-what-exactly-happened/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Bang</a> and eventually fell onto our galaxy and coalesced nearby the sun. So, it’s been a long journey of 13.6 billion years for these hydrogen atoms.”
</blockquote>



For many scientists, the discovery came as a surprise. "When I was in graduate school, we were told that you can’t easily directly observe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seeking-the-origins-of-the-molecule-that-made-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molecular hydrogen</a>,” said Dharmawardena. “It’s kind of wild that we can see this cloud in data that we didn’t think we would see.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-far-uv-science">Future of far-UV science</h2>



The discovery of Eos is not the end of the story - it’s just the beginning. Burkhart and her team are supporting a proposed NASA mission also named Eos. Its goal is to extend this detection method across wider regions of the galaxy.



The team is already using the James Webb Space Telescope (<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>) to look for more hydrogen clouds. Early results suggest they’ve identified the most distant molecular gas ever observed.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
“Using JWST, we may have found the very furthest hydrogen molecules from the sun,” Burkhart said. “So, we have found both some of the closest and farthest using far-ultraviolet emission.”
</blockquote>



Eos has revealed that some of the most important structures in the galaxy might still be hiding in plain sight - waiting for someone to look at them the right way.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02541-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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Massive star-forming cloud discovered surprisingly close to Earth

An enormous hydrogen-rich molecular cloud has been faintly glowing near...

Scientists have long puzzled over a curious geological mystery in the Pacific Ocean: could one deep-sea hotspot be responsible for both a sprawling underwater volcano chain and the largest volcanic plateau on Earth? 



After years of uncertainty, a new study connects these distant features, revealing a much clearer picture of how the Pacific Ocean floor has shifted and evolved.



The research, led by geologists from the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> and the University of Hawaiʻi, points to the Louisville hotspot as the common source of both the Louisville Ridge - a chain of underwater volcanoes - and the vast Ontong Java Plateau.



Their findings, published in the journal Nature, are helping to rewrite the volcanic history of the Pacific Ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanoes-share-hidden-origin">Volcanoes share hidden origin</h2>



“Up until now, we’ve had this extremely disconnected picture of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunken-worlds-discovered-under-the-pacific-ocean-in-earths-mantle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pacific</a> and its volcanoes,” said Val Finlayson, the study’s lead author. 



“But for the first time, we’re able to make a clear connection between the younger southern and older western Pacific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-camera-helps-scientists-forecast-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic systems</a>. It’s a discovery that gives us a more complete history of how the Pacific Ocean basin has evolved over millions of years to become what it is today.”



The Ontong Java Plateau, located north of the Solomon Islands, is a massive submerged volcanic platform. It’s about 120 million years old and has puzzled researchers due to its size and unclear origins.



Meanwhile, the Louisville hotspot, located in the southern Pacific Ocean, has long been known to generate a line of underwater volcanoes. Scientists had suspected the two might be linked, but no one could prove it - until now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanic-clues-beneath-the-crust">Volcanic clues beneath the crust</h2>



Part of the difficulty in confirming the connection came from the disappearance of key evidence. Over time, portions of the Louisville hotspot track were pushed beneath the Earth’s crust through subduction, making direct study impossible.



“Much of the physical evidence for a connection between Louisville and Ontong Java has disappeared because part of the Louisville hotspot track was subducted, or pushed, under <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-roughness-of-tectonic-plates-may-predict-earthquake-magnitude/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tectonic plates</a> in the Pacific region,” Finlayson explained.



“We had to sample deeply <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underwater-volcanic-eruptions-are-more-harmful-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">submerged volcanoes</a> from a different long-lived hotspot track to find evidence from tens of millions of years ago that suggested our models for the Pacific plate needed revision.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-footprints-of-a-hidden-past">Footprints of a hidden past</h2>



The breakthrough came when the team explored <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-like-marine-life-found-on-underwater-mountains-includes-100-new-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater mountains</a> near Samoa. They expected to find relatively young volcanic structures. Instead, the researchers uncovered mountains far older than anticipated. Using rock samples, they analyzed both the age and chemical composition of the formations.



The data told a surprising story: the mountains were part of an ancient segment of the Louisville volcanic track. These volcanoes, formed by the same hotspot, left behind what the team likened to a trail of “footprints.”



“We can track these ‘footprints’ across time and space,” Finlayson said. “The footprints get progressively older as you move away from an active hot spot, similar to how your own footprints will fade away in the sand as you walk."



"But you can still tell that these prints belong to the same source. Thanks to this new evidence, we were able to revise current models of Pacific plate motion and gain a better understanding of how the seafloor has moved over millions of years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-volcanic-history">Rewriting volcanic history</h2>



This improved understanding of Pacific plate movement doesn't just fill in a missing chapter of geological history - it could help with future studies of volcanoes across the world.



Many Pacific islands are built on volcanic foundations, and a better grasp of how those formations developed could be useful for both researchers and local communities.



The research team now plans to apply these updated models to other mysterious volcanic features, both below the ocean surface and above it.



“We’ve solved one mystery, but there are countless more waiting to be unraveled. This finding offers us a more accurate history of the Pacific and its volcanic activity and helps us understand more about the dynamics and style of volcanism that occurs there,” Finlayson said. 



“Everything new we learn about the Earth’s tumultuous past helps us better understand the dynamic planet we live on today.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08889-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Hidden connection unites the largest volcanoes in the Pacific

Scientists have long puzzled over a curious geological mystery in...

When naturalists tally the frogs in a farm pond or the orchids in a mountain meadow they always encounter the same rule of thumb: when you survey a larger range, the more species you find. The relationship seems simple, yet ecologists have puzzled over an odd signature hidden in species distribution data for nearly a century.



As one zooms out from local plots to regional landscapes. the tally of new species first soars. Then, it plateaus, taking off again at continental and global scales. That curious “S-shaped” curve is technically, the three-phase species–area relationship. 



It has appeared in everything from beetles to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-wings-have-a-surprising-effect-on-island-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> and from coral reefs to desert shrubs. Until now, no single mathematical framework explained why the curve changes its slope where it does.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-species-distributions">Predicting species distributions </h2>



A collaboration of researchers spanning Portugal, Germany, the United States and South Africa has now filled that theoretical gap. 



The experts combined basic geometry with giant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> datasets to show that the three phases arise inevitably from the way individual species spread their geographic ranges across Earth’s surface.



The team's model not only reproduces the classic patterns, it also generates equations that predict how many species should occur at the precise break points between phases - a feat with direct relevance for conservation planners who must estimate extinctions as habitats are lost.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-range-size-affects-species-distributions">Range size affects species distributions</h2>



Ecologists formalized the species-area relationship (SAR) in the early twentieth century, discovering that a log-log plot of cumulative species versus area usually forms a straight line. Yet when studies started to cover larger domains, investigators found the line was actually composed of three segments.



In the first segment, from local quadrants to perhaps a few hundred square kilometers, adding more land brings a flood of new species because each little patch contains slightly different microhabitats. In the middle segment, spanning thousands of square kilometers, the pace slackens; the same bird species, for instance, occupy most forests inside a biogeographic region. 



Beyond that, when continents are added, evolutionary history enters the picture and the slope shoots up again as entirely different faunas come into view. Empirically describing those bends was straightforward; explaining them from first principles proved harder. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-individual-ranges-of-species">Individual ranges of species</h2>



“We demonstrated that the individual geographical ranges of all species within the studied areas shape the typical species distribution patterns we observe across the globe,” said lead author Luís Borda-de-Água of <a href="https://www.cibio.up.pt/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIBIO</a> in Portugal.



By mathematically stacking these ranges like overlapping tiles on a floor plan, the team showed that the SAR’s inflection points fall where the average range size of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-temperature-extremes-change-the-distribution-of-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resident species</a> equals the sampling area. At small scales most ranges eclipse the plot, so each extra hectare introduces new species.



At intermediate scales the plot begins to rival range size, so fewer novelties appear. At the largest scales even the widest-ranging species occupy only one continent, restoring the steep climb.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-patterns-and-crunching-records">Testing patterns and crunching records</h2>



To test the idea the researchers turned to the <a href="https://www.gbif.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Biodiversity Information Facility</a>, a compendium of citizen-science sightings and museum records. They extracted roughly 700 million geo-referenced observations spanning birds, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-40-of-amphibians-face-extinction-due-to-escalating-climate-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a>, mammals and vascular plants.



For each taxonomic group they generated empirical SARs and compared them with the theoretical predictions. The correspondence was striking: predicted transition points - where the slope of the SAR changes - matched the observed curves within confidence bounds for all groups.



Borda-de-Água noted that this is a major step forward in ecology because it links a macroecological pattern to a simple, measurable property - range size - without invoking mysterious external factors. 



Senior author Henrique Pereira is a research professor at the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research <a href="https://www.idiv.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(iDiv</a>) and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. 



Pereira emphasized the significance of the research. “Discovering fundamental principles in ecology is just as thrilling as breakthroughs in physics.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-stakes-for-a-shrinking-planet"><a></a>Practical stakes for a shrinking planet</h2>



Beyond intellectual satisfaction the model carries weighty consequences for biodiversity assessments. International panels such as IPBES rely on SARs to translate lost habitat into predicted extinctions. 



If analysts know where a landscape sits on the three-phase curve they can apply the correct slope and avoid over- or under-estimating risk. The new equations provide exactly that guidance. 



Suppose a logged forest fragment still covers more area than the average range of its endemic beetles; species losses may be modest. But once destruction pushes the fragment below the first transition threshold, disappearing hectares cause a much steeper decline in species count.



Because the theory is scale-free it can also help conservationists decide whether sampling has been adequate. If observed species richness does not yet reach the slowdown phase, additional survey work is warranted before managers proclaim an inventory complete.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-species-distributions">Shifting species distributions </h2>



The authors acknowledge that species’ ranges are not static. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate change</a>, invasive species, and land-use shifts continually redraw distribution maps. 



Incorporating dynamic range models into the three-phase framework will be a priority, as will extending tests to marine organisms and microbes, whose ranges are harder to delineate.



Still, the study offers a rare optimism amid grim extinction headlines. By revealing the geometry behind one of ecology’s most robust laws, scientists gain a clearer lens through which to view and perhaps mitigate humanity’s impact on life’s diversity.



As Pereira puts it, advances like these “unveil hidden patterns that have been shaping life on Earth for millions of years,” providing the knowledge base needed to steer those patterns, responsibly, into the future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59239-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Saving biodiversity: Scientists discover hidden pattern guiding species distributions

When naturalists tally the frogs in a farm pond or...

Nicotine pouches - small, flavored packets placed between the gum and lip - have become a fast-growing trend among teenagers. A new study shows that the use of these pouches by high school students in the U.S. nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024.



The research was conducted by scientists at the <a href="https://keck.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California</a>. The team surveyed more than 10,000 high school students across the country to understand their use of nicotine pouches and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tobacco-bans-could-help-prevent-1-2-million-lung-cancer-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tobacco</a> products.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teen-nicotine-pouch-use-soars">Teen nicotine pouch use soars</h2>



The data highlights a worrying trend. In 2023, just 3% of 10th and 12th graders reported using nicotine pouches. By 2024, that number had jumped to 5.4 percent. More teens said they had used the pouches in the past month and past year, and the number who used both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-and-nicotine-use-during-pregnancy-linked-to-infant-mortality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nicotine</a> pouches and e-cigarettes also increased during that period.



Interestingly, while pouch use went up, the number of teens who reported vaping declined slightly - from 20% in 2023 to 17.6% in 2024. 



But dual use rose, with 3.6% of teens saying they had used both products in the past year, up from 2.1% the previous year.



“This growing public health issue needs more attention," said Dae-Hee Han, PhD, the study's lead author. "Like flavored <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/e-cigarettes-linked-to-increased-risk-of-heart-failure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e-cigarettes</a> when they first emerged, use of this new oral nicotine product is becoming more widespread, particularly among adolescents.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teens-most-at-risk">Teens most at risk</h2>



Some teens are more likely to use nicotine pouches than others. Boys, non-Hispanic white teens, and students in rural areas showed higher rates of use. These groups mirror the typical profile of smokeless tobacco users, like those who chew tobacco, according to the researchers.



“We’re finding that the risk profile differs quite a bit between nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes, which means we need prevention approaches that are targeted for each,” Han said.



The health risks of nicotine pouches are still unclear, but there are known concerns. Some users have reported mouth sores and gum irritation. And nicotine addiction itself is a real issue, especially for teens. 



Studies suggest that nicotine exposure during adolescence can hurt brain development and affect memory, attention, and learning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-influencers-and-fda-approval">Influencers and FDA approval</h2>



Part of the pouch popularity seems to be driven by social media. A wave of “Zynfluencers” - influencers promoting the Zyn brand - has helped tie pouch use to ideas of confidence, masculinity, and mental focus.



In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Zyn permission to market flavored pouches to adults aged 21 and older. The decision was based on the idea that these products might be less harmful than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-vaping-help-people-quit-smoking-cigarettes-new-study-breaks-it-down/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cigarettes</a> for adults trying to quit. But unlike nicotine gum or patches, pouches are not approved as tools to stop <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-cigarettes-accelerates-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smoking</a>.



The same university behind the teen survey also found in a separate study that fewer than 1% of adults were actually using nicotine pouches. That raises a big question: Who is really buying them? 



“Parents, teachers, and pediatricians should be aware that teen nicotine pouch use is increasing across the nation,” said senior author Adam Leventhal, PhD.



“To reverse this trend, we need to heighten public awareness about pouches and educate youth about them. Policymakers might also consider ramping up regulation of the booming pouch market - including cinnamon, fruit, and other attractive flavors - to protect youth.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-nicotine-pouch-use-among-teens">Monitoring nicotine pouch use among teens</h2>



The FDA’s decision relied partly on results from a different national survey, the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). That survey did not find a statistically significant rise in monthly teen use of pouches. However, like the USC-led study, the NYTS did find a big increase in lifetime use among teens.



The FDA didn’t mention that rise in its decision, but researchers say it matters. Tracking lifetime and yearly use helps identify when teens are experimenting with substances, even if they aren’t using them often.



Monitoring pouch use again in 2025 will be key to understanding how the FDA’s authorization is affecting behavior. Future research should also track long-term use, when teens first start using pouches, how strong the nicotine is, and what health problems may follow.



Researchers say more attention is needed to see whether new policies and prevention programs are working - especially for groups at higher risk, like teens in rural areas or those using both pouches and e-cigarettes.



“Nicotine pouches are relatively new, so we need time to collect data on prevalence, policy, and prevention,” Han said.



The full study was published in the journal JAMA Network Open.



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Nicotine pouches are a dangerous new trend among teens

Nicotine pouches - small, flavored packets placed between the gum...

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Beeswax Song Bird Candles

Beautifully sculpted song bird candles handcrafted from 100% pure beeswax....

Beautifully sculpted sphere candles handcrafted from 100% pure beeswax. As they burn, the shapes and designs illuminate and beautify any setting. Read more Overview Beautifully and intricately sculpted, then casted, these handcrafted beeswax sphere candles are truly amazing while burning, casting a luminescent glow through their unique design. Choose from three styles: Lotus, Flora, and Deco. Each 4" sphere candle will burn for over 50 hours. To extend the life of your candle, burn a beeswax tea light inside the sphere shell and continue to enjoy its luminous glow. These sculpted candles are made with unscented, naturally filtered beeswax. Enjoy the natural, sweet, honey-like fragrance infused straight from the hive into the wax! Free of paraffin and other toxins, these candles burn clean and soot free. The wicks are made from 100% cotton and contain no lead or metal.

Beeswax Sphere Candles

Beautifully sculpted sphere candles handcrafted from 100% pure beeswax. As...