Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Messina Strait, a channel in the Mediterranean Sea that separates Sicily and Calabria. The photograph was captured by an astronaut onboard the International Space Station



The Messina Strait is 20 miles long with a depth of 820 feet, and joins the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north and the Ionian Sea to the south.&nbsp;



"Waves that follow the tide from west to east are visible in the right half of the photo. These are caused by internal waves, a process where stratified water layers of changing density and increasing depth horizontally propagate beneath the water surface. The waves are illuminated by sunglint—an optical phenomenon that occurs when sunlight is directly reflected off the water and into a satellite’s sensor, or in this case, the astronaut’s camera," explains NASA.



"Alternating currents, relatively low water temperature, and high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen contribute to the region’s aquatic biodiversity. The strait hosts several deep-sea fish species such as Sloane’s viperfish (a predatory dragonfish) as well as commercially valuable fish like yellowtail and snapper. On the left side of the image, thin, white lines are likely ship wakes, some of which may belong to fishing boats."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



---



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



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

Messina Strait in the Mediterranean Sea

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Amazon River in Brazil. This particular stretch of river is located near the port city of Parintins.



"The river is the largest on Earth and allows seagoing ships to reach Parintins even though it is 800 kilometers (500 miles) inland from the Atlantic Ocean," says NASA.



"Seagoing ships can progress 3,600 kilometers (2,200 miles) up the Amazon River - more than halfway across the South American continent - to the port of Iquitos in Peru."&nbsp;



The muddy color of the river is tied to the Andes Mountains, a major source of sediments and mineral nutrients. According to NASA, the sediment erodes from the Andes Mountains located to the west and is carried generally eastward toward the ocean.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



---



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



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

The lower Amazon River in Brazil

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, a group of islands located in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, off the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.&nbsp;



"Sunglint reflects off the water surface, accentuating wave movement, ship wakes, and cloud shadows," said NASA. "The islands appear rust-colored due to previous tectonic and volcanic activity that deposited layers of black lava and pink volcanic ash."



"The Baja Peninsula acts as a natural wind and wave break that protects islands in the Gulf of California from erosion. Slowed erosion has resulted in the preservation of rock shelters and caves."



"Exploration and excavation of these shelters contribute to understanding the geomorphology, geology, and ancient human patterns on the islands. Archeologists have found human artifacts artifacts dating back approximately ten thousand years, providing evidence of human activity on the islands."



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago is part of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and consists of several islands, the largest and most well-known of which is Isla Espíritu Santo. The other main islands in the archipelago are Isla Partida, Los Islotes, and a few smaller islets.



Espíritu Santo and its surrounding islands are known for their stunning natural beauty, featuring dramatic cliffs, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters. The region is home to a rich diversity of marine life, including sea lions, manta rays, whale sharks, and various species of whales and dolphins. It also supports a variety of bird species, such as blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans, making it a popular destination for birdwatching.



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Mexican Protected Natural Area, which helps to preserve its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Ecotourism is popular in the area, with visitors participating in activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and wildlife watching.



The islands are accessible by boat from the nearby city of La Paz, which is the capital of Baja California Sur. There are numerous tour operators that offer day trips and multi-day excursions to the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, allowing visitors to explore the islands and their remarkable natural features.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



---



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



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

Espíritu Santo Archipelago in the Gulf of California

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Dark Canyon Complex, which is a rugged, remote area in southeastern Utah. It's part of the larger Cedar Mesa Plateau and includes both the Dark Canyon Wilderness and Dark Canyon Primitive Area.&nbsp;



These are areas of steep canyons, high plateaus, and rock formations that are characteristic of the Colorado Plateau.



"Deep, meandering canyons cut through the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah in this photograph, taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station on April 6, 2023," says NASA.



"These canyons, known as the Dark Canyon complex, have distinctive geology, ecology, and archeology. They are some of the only intact protected canyons in the United States."



"This rugged and remote landscape has been shaped by erosion. Over thousands of years, the Colorado River and smaller tributaries have eroded winding, steep-walled canyons into the sedimentary rock. Dark Canyon - one of seven canyons within the complex - cuts diagonally across the photo."



"Within this canyon, sandstone walls tower up to 3,000 feet, shading visitors from morning and afternoon sun - hence its name. The canyon’s steep walls expose roughly 250 million years of geologic history and contain deposits from the Permian period. Cockleshell and crinoid stem fossils have been found in the area."



The astronaut photograph is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by a member of the Expedition 69 crew.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



---



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



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

The Dark Canyon Complex in southeastern Utah

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, and its surroundings. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on February 21, 2023.



"Situated some 50 km south of the North Korean border, the metropolitan area of Seoul appears as the grey area in the centre of the image," says ESA.



"The Han River runs through the city, and to the right of the image it can be seen partly covered by ice. It is one of the biggest rivers in the Korean peninsula. It flows westward through Seoul into the Yellow Sea, named so because of the yellowish sand that colours its water."



"Seoul is surrounded by forested mountains, which appear brown in this wintery image. Bukhansan National Park lies just north of the city. The park is like an island, acting as a big green lung for the surrounding urban environment."



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

The city of Seoul, South Korea 

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

A recent study has uncovered a unique correlation that could aid in early detection of cognitive decline. <a href="https://www.psu.edu/">Penn State</a> researchers have discovered that reduced sexual satisfaction in middle-aged men could serve as a significant warning sign for future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-popular-songs-and-movies-shape-memory/">memory</a> loss.



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnac151">Gerontologist</a>, this study is an innovative contribution to scientific understanding. It delves into the dynamic relationship between erectile function, sexual satisfaction, and cognition, providing novel insights.&nbsp;



"We found that as sexual satisfaction and erectile function decreased, memory loss appeared to increase," the study reports. This correlation suggests a novel risk factor for cognitive decline.



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



Study co-author Professor Martin Sliwinski explained the study's unique methodology: "We measured memory function and sexual function at each point in the longitudinal study, allowing us to track how these factors changed together over time."



The study emphasizes middle age as a crucial period, where physical changes like microvascular alterations affecting erectile function and psychological shifts, such as decreased sexual satisfaction, begin to impact cognition. Professor Sliwinski and his team found a strong correlation between these factors but couldn't definitively determine the cause.



"Low satisfaction generally puts you at higher risk for health problems like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, and other stress-related issues leading to cognitive decline," said Sliwinski.&nbsp;



Notably, the team found that improvements in sexual satisfaction might trigger better memory function, emphasizing the importance of sexual satisfaction for overall health and quality of life.



<h2 id="h-several-other-factors-evaluated">Several other factors evaluated</h2>



The researchers utilized survey data from 818 men involved in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging to conduct the study. By administering neuropsychological tests over a 12-year period (from age 56 to 68), they tracked participants' cognitive changes, adjusting for cognitive ability in young adulthood.&nbsp;



They also evaluated erectile function and sexual satisfaction in conjunction with cognition using the International Index of Erectile Function, a self-reported tool for male sexual health.



Study lead author Riki Slayday, a doctoral candidate at Penn State, commented on the unique focus of the study: "We were interested in the perception of sexual activity, how someone feels about their sex life, and how that influences cognitive function."



The analysis found both erectile function and sexual satisfaction were linked with memory decline, underscoring a connection between psychological and physical health.



"We found concurrent increases or decreases in erectile function and sexual satisfaction were associated with similar trends in cognitive function," said Professor Sliwinski. The researchers concluded that a clear link exists between sex lives and cognition, regardless of demographic and health factors.



<h2 id="h-more-questions-remain">More questions remain</h2>



Previous studies have highlighted a connection between microvascular changes and erectile function. "The active ingredient in Viagra (Sildenafil) was originally developed to treat cardiovascular problems," explained Sliwinski. However, the question of how erectile function relates to other health aspects remains an open question for future research.



Sliwinski suggests that regularly monitoring erectile function could help identify individuals at risk of cognitive decline before they reach their 70s. This recommendation comes at a crucial time when the older adult population in the U.S. is set to double over the next 30 years.&nbsp;



The implication is clear: as more people reach their 60s, we're likely to see more individuals experiencing declines in erectile function and sexual satisfaction.



"We already have a pill for treating erectile dysfunction. What we don't have is an effective treatment for memory loss," noted Sliwinski. He advocates for a shift in focus from merely treating symptoms, like erectile dysfunction, to improving sexual satisfaction and overall well-being.



The study's co-authors include researchers from the University of California San Diego and Boston University, and the research received funding from the <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/">National Institute on Aging</a> at the National Institutes of Health.



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-links-between-sex-and-overall-health">More about the links between sex and overall health</h2>



Sexual activity and sexual health play significant roles in overall human health, spanning physical, psychological, and cognitive dimensions. Here's a more detailed look into each of these areas:



<h3 id="h-physical-health">Physical Health</h3>



Sexual activity is not just about pleasure and procreation; it's also a form of exercise that benefits the body in several ways. Regular sexual activity can improve cardiovascular health, as it increases heart rate and blood flow. Some studies suggest that it can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. It also strengthens the immune system by boosting the levels of certain antibodies. Additionally, hormones released during sexual activity can help reduce pain and improve sleep quality.



<h3 id="h-psychological-health">Psychological Health</h3>



A healthy sex life can lead to improved mental health. It can enhance mood, reduce stress, and increase the overall quality of life. During sexual activity, the body releases hormones such as oxytocin and endorphins, which create feelings of happiness, bonding, and relaxation. This can foster intimacy between partners, improve relationship satisfaction, and promote a sense of well-being. Conversely, sexual issues like erectile dysfunction or a decrease in libido can often signal mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.



<h3 id="h-cognitive-health">Cognitive Health</h3>



Emerging research suggests a correlation between sexual activity and cognitive function. A study led by researchers at Penn State found a connection between sexual satisfaction in middle-aged men and memory function. While the relationship between sexual health and cognition is not fully understood, this study suggests that a satisfying sex life might have a positive effect on cognitive health.



<h3 id="h-overall-health-indicator">Overall Health Indicator</h3>



Sexual health can often serve as a barometer for overall health. For example, erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of cardiovascular problems, as both conditions involve blood flow. Similarly, changes in libido can sometimes indicate hormonal imbalances or other health issues.



<h3 id="h-sexual-satisfaction-and-longevity">Sexual Satisfaction and Longevity</h3>



There's some evidence suggesting that sexual satisfaction might contribute to a longer lifespan. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that men with high orgasmic frequency had a 50% lower mortality risk than those with lower frequencies.



Despite the benefits of sexual activity, it's important to remember that responsible sexual behavior, including safe sex practices and regular check-ups, is vital to avoid sexually transmitted infections and other complications that could negatively impact health.



Therefore, maintaining sexual health should be an integral part of overall healthcare, and any concerns about sexual health should be discussed openly with healthcare providers. It's not just about physical and psychological well-being - the potential cognitive benefits make this an area of increasing interest in the realm of public health.



—-



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

Lack of sexual satisfaction linked to rapid memory decline

A recent study has uncovered a unique correlation that could...

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists from the <a href="https://www.swri.org/">Southwest Research Institute</a> (SwRI) have identified a mammoth plume of water vapor, spanning over 6,000 miles, gushing from Saturn's moon Enceladus.&nbsp;



This observation was made using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and the plume's enormity is tantamount to the distance between the U.S. and Japan.



Led by Dr. Christopher Glein, the team has unveiled this remarkable discovery as part of NASA JWST Cycle 1. The experts will probe the plume and the moon's chemical compounds more in-depth in an effort to gauge Enceladus's potential habitability.



<h2 id="h-ocean-of-liquid-water-under-the-surface">Ocean of liquid water under the surface</h2>



Enceladus, a satellite known to have a subsurface ocean of liquid water, was under the observation of the Cassini spacecraft for 13 long years. This journey led to the revelation of the moon's icy surface, which occasionally shoots out plumes of ice grains and water vapor into the cosmos.



"Enceladus is one of the most dynamic objects in the solar system and is a prime target in humanity’s search for life beyond Earth," said Dr. Glein, who is renowned for his expertise in extraterrestrial oceanography. "In the years since NASA’s Cassini spacecraft first looked at Enceladus, we never cease to be amazed by what we find is happening on this extraordinary moon."



In this awe-inspiring expedition, the Near InfraRed Spectrograph of the Webb made noteworthy observations.



<h2 id="h-shock-and-awe-from-the-research-team">Shock and awe from the research team</h2>



Geronimo Villanueva from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center</a> said: “When I was looking at the data, at first, I was thinking I had to be wrong, it was just so shocking to map a plume more than 20 times the diameter of the moon. The plume extends far beyond what we could have imagined."



Webb’s sensitivity managed to unfold a new narrative about Enceladus. The moon, while orbiting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-now-leads-the-solar-system-moon-race-with-145/">Saturn</a> in a brisk 33 hours, scatters water, forming a donut-like halo in its trail. The findings revealed that this mammoth plume permeates Saturn’s dense E-ring. The JWST data indicates that while about 30 percent of the water lingers in the moon's wake, the other 70 percent drifts away to enrich the rest of the Saturnian system.



Dr. Silvia Protopapa, an icy bodies composition expert from SwRI, explained: “The Webb observations, for the first time, are visually illustrating how the moon's water vapor plumes are playing a role in the formation of the torus. This serves as a stunning testament to Webb's extraordinary abilities. I'm thrilled to be part of the Cycle 2 team as we initiate our search for new indications of habitability and plume activity on Enceladus.”



In light of these astounding revelations, Dr. Glein and his team are gearing up to conduct further studies on Enceladus using the JWST in the upcoming year.



“We will search for specific indicators of habitability, such as organic signatures and hydrogen peroxide," explained Dr. Glein. "Hydrogen peroxide is particularly interesting because it can provide much more potent sources of metabolic energy than what we previously identified. Cassini didn't give us a clear answer on the availability of such strong oxidants on Enceladus.”



<h2 id="h-looking-for-signs-of-life-on-enceladus">Looking for signs of life on Enceladus</h2>



This new endeavor will enhance the potential to spot signs of habitability on the surface and will amplify the signal-to-noise ratio up to ten times compared to Cycle 1. Recognizing the temporal variability of plume outgassing is crucial for future planetary missions targeting the plume.



"Webb can serve as a bridge between Cassini and the proposed search-for-life mission, Orbilander," said Dr. Glein. He expressed that after Cycle 2, we might have a clearer understanding of whether ocean samples are widely distributed across Enceladus’s surface, or concentrated near the south pole.



“These next observations could help us determine if Orbilander can access ocean samples near the equator, which may help us get back to Enceladus sooner,” said Dr. Glein, expressing the team's enthusiasm and hope for the subsequent explorations.



This momentous discovery underscores not only our advancing technological capabilities but also our relentless pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of our universe. The towering plume of water vapor on Enceladus offers a captivating glimpse into what lies beyond our earthly domain, raising the fascinating possibility of life existing in the far reaches of our solar system. As scientists delve further into these investigations, we eagerly await the revelations that lie ahead.



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



Saturn's moon Enceladus is one of the most intriguing objects in our solar system due to its geologic activity and potential habitability.&nbsp;



Discovered in 1789 by William Herschel, it's the sixth-largest moon of Saturn, with a diameter of about 500 kilometers (roughly 310 miles), making it small enough to fit within the length of the United Kingdom.



<h3 id="h-key-information-about-enceladus">Key information about Enceladus:</h3>



<h4 id="h-icy-surface">Icy surface</h4>



Enceladus is one of the brightest objects in our solar system due to its surface being composed of mostly clean, fresh ice, which reflects nearly 100% of the sunlight that strikes it. This icy surface is believed to sit atop a global ocean of liquid water.



<h4 id="h-geologic-activity">Geologic activity</h4>



Enceladus is geologically active, with the most evident sign being the plumes of water vapor that spray into space from its surface. These plumes originate from the so-called "tiger stripes" near the moon's south pole - these are warm fissures in the icy crust, where the internal heat of Enceladus escapes.



<h4 id="h-subsurface-ocean">Subsurface ocean</h4>



The Cassini mission, run by NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and ASI (Italian Space Agency), made the groundbreaking discovery that a salty ocean exists beneath Enceladus's icy surface. This liquid water ocean likely covers the entire moon, sitting between the core and the ice.



<h4 id="h-signs-of-hydrothermal-activity">Signs of hydrothermal activity</h4>



Enceladus has also shown signs of hydrothermal activity. Analysis of the moon's plumes by the Cassini spacecraft detected molecular hydrogen, a potential sign of hydrothermal reactions between the moon's rocky core and its ocean. This type of reaction is known to support microbial life at the bottom of Earth's oceans.



<h4 id="h-potential-for-life">Potential for life</h4>



Given the presence of a global ocean, heat, and organic molecules, Enceladus is considered one of the best places to look for extraterrestrial life within our solar system.



<h4 id="h-e-ring-of-saturn">E-ring of Saturn</h4>



The plumes from Enceladus are responsible for creating Saturn's E-ring, as the moon spews out icy particles that then orbit Saturn.



<h4 id="h-gravity-and-orbital-resonance">Gravity and orbital resonance</h4>



Enceladus orbits Saturn at a distance of 238,000 kilometers (roughly 148,000 miles), closer than our Moon orbits Earth. Its orbit is kept stable due to a 2:1 mean-motion orbital resonance with another of Saturn's moons, Dione. This means that for every orbit Dione completes, Enceladus completes two.



Remember that much of what we know about Enceladus comes from the Cassini mission, which explored the Saturn system from 2004 until its deliberate plunge into Saturn in 2017. As of my knowledge cut-off in September 2021, additional exploration missions like the James Webb Space Telescope will provide even more exciting insights into this intriguing moon.



<h2 id="h-more-about-james-webb-telescope">More about James Webb Telescope</h2>



The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), often dubbed as the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, is one of the most ambitious space observatories ever constructed.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-key-details-about-the-jwst">Key details about the JWST:</h3>



<h4 id="h-partnership-project">Partnership project</h4>



JWST is an international collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It's named after James E. Webb, who served as Undersecretary of State and Administrator of NASA from 1961 to 1968 and was a major advocate for space exploration.



<h4 id="h-launch-and-operation">Launch and operation</h4>



As of my last knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the launch was scheduled for December 2021. The JWST will be positioned near the second Lagrange point (L2), approximately 1.5 million kilometers (about 930,000 miles) from Earth – a position that allows it to stay in line with the Earth as it orbits the Sun.



<h4 id="h-mission-goals">Mission goals</h4>



The primary science goals of JWST are to study the formation of stars and galaxies, understand the formation of stellar and planetary systems, and investigate the potential for life in other planetary systems.



<h4 id="h-technology-and-instruments">Technology and instruments</h4>



JWST features a range of technologies and instruments that far surpass the capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope. Its primary mirror, at 6.5 meters (21 feet) in diameter, is over two and a half times larger than Hubble's, allowing it to collect significantly more light.



<h4 id="h-infrared-focus">Infrared focus</h4>



JWST is primarily an infrared observatory, allowing it to see through dust clouds where stars are born, observe distant galaxies whose light has been redshifted into the infrared part of the spectrum, and study objects within our own solar system in extraordinary detail.



<h4 id="h-instruments">Instruments</h4>



JWST has four main instruments: The Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), and the Fine Guidance Sensor/Near InfraRed Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (FGS/NIRISS). These instruments will allow astronomers to perform a wide range of observations.



<h4 id="h-sunshield">Sunshield</h4>



JWST features a large, five-layer sunshield that is vital for its operation. This sunshield protects the telescope from the heat and light of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, keeping its instruments cooled down enough to observe faint infrared emissions.



The JWST represents a major leap forward in our capabilities to observe the universe, and the scientific community eagerly awaits the wealth of data and discoveries it will generate.



Image Credit: NASA



—-



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

Life on Saturn’s moon Enceladus? Massive water plume has scientists wondering

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists from the Southwest Research Institute...

A team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/">Columbia University</a> and <a href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/">Brigham and Women’s Hospital</a> has recently discovered that a diet low in flavanols – a type of nutrients found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and beverages such as tea, cocoa, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-wildfire-smoke-impact-wine-flavors/">wine</a> – plays a fundamental role in driving age-related memory loss. These findings suggest that the aging brain requires specific nutrients for optimal health in a similar way that the developing brain needs specific nutrients for proper development.



“The identification of nutrients critical for the proper development of an infant’s nervous system was a crowning achievement of 20th&nbsp;century nutrition science,” said senior author Scott Small, a professor of Neurology at Columbia.



“In this century, as we are living longer, research is starting to reveal that different nutrients are needed to fortify our aging minds. Our study, which relies on biomarkers of flavanol consumption, can be used as a template by other researchers to identify additional, necessary nutrients.”



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



The study builds on 15 years of research conducted at Small’s lab examining the relation between age-related memory loss and changes in the dentate gyrus – a region of the brain’s hippocampus that is vital for the formation of new memories. In a series of experiments on both mice and humans, Small and his colleagues discovered that flavanols improve function in the dentate gyrus by enhancing the growth of neurons and blood vessels.



The current study was designed to investigate the impact of flavanols in a much larger group, consisting of 3,500 healthy older adults randomly assigned to receive either a daily flavanol supplement or a placebo for three years.&nbsp;



At the beginning of the study, each participant had to complete a survey assessing the quality of their diet. Afterward, the individuals performed a series of web-based activities in their own homes to assess the types of short-term memories structured by the hippocampus. These tests were repeated each year.&nbsp;



Finally, over a third of the participants supplied urine samples in order for researchers to measure a biomarker for dietary flavanol levels to determine if these levels corresponded to performance on the cognitive tests and make sure the participants were sticking to their assigned regimen.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered">What the researchers discovered&nbsp;</h2>



The analyses revealed that, after one year, participants who had initially reported consuming a poor diet with lower flavanol levels saw an increase in their memory scores by an average of 10.5 percent compared to the placebo group and 16 percent compared to their memory at baseline. Such improvements were sustained for at least two more years. However, in the case of participants who did not have a flavanol deficiency at the beginning of the study, no significant increase in memory scores was found after taking the supplement.



These findings, which are published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, suggest that flavanol deficiency is a driver of age-related memory loss, although it is not yet clear what other factors are at play.&nbsp;



“We cannot yet definitively conclude that low dietary intake of flavanols alone causes poor memory performance, because we did not conduct the opposite experiment: depleting flavanol in people who are not deficient,” Small explained.



In future research, the scientists plan to confirm flavanols’ effect on the brain through a clinical trial aiming to restore flavanol levels in adults with severe flavanol deficiency.



“Age-related memory decline is thought to occur sooner or later in nearly everyone, though there is a great amount of variability. If some of this variance is partly due to differences in dietary consumption of flavanols, then we would see an even more dramatic improvement in memory in people who replenish dietary flavanols when they’re in their 40s and 50s,” Small concluded.



<h2 id="h-more-about-flavanols">More about flavanols&nbsp;</h2>



Flavanols are a type of flavonoid, a class of compounds with antioxidant effects. Flavonoids are a diverse group of phytonutrients (plant chemicals) found in almost all fruits and vegetables. They are known for their health benefits, which are often attributed to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties.



<h3 id="h-foods-with-high-levels-of-flavanols">Foods with high levels of flavanols&nbsp;</h3>



<h4 id="h-cocoa-and-dark-chocolate">Cocoa and dark chocolate</h4>



These are perhaps the best-known sources of flavanols. It's important to note that the flavanol content can vary significantly, depending on the cocoa processing method. Dark chocolate and cocoa powders that have undergone minimal processing tend to have the highest flavanol content.



<h4 id="h-fruits-like-apples-grapes-and-berries">Fruits like apples, grapes, and berries</h4>



These fruits, especially their skins, are good sources of flavanols.



<h4 id="h-green-and-black-tea">Green and black tea</h4>



Both these teas are rich in a subclass of flavanols known as catechins.



<h3 id="h-potential-health-benefits-of-flavanols">Potential health benefits of flavanols</h3>



<h4 id="h-cardiovascular-health">Cardiovascular health</h4>



Flavanols might improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow to the heart and brain. They can also help make blood platelets less sticky, reducing the risk of blood clots.



<h4 id="h-brain-health">Brain health</h4>



Some studies have found that flavanols can improve blood flow to the brain, potentially protecting against age-related cognitive decline.



<h4 id="h-cancer">Cancer</h4>



Flavanols, like other antioxidants, can neutralize harmful free radicals, reducing the risk of cell damage and potentially the risk of certain types of cancer.



<h4 id="h-diabetes">Diabetes</h4>



Some research suggests that flavanols can improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control.



<h4 id="h-skin-health">Skin health</h4>



Flavanols in cocoa may improve the structure and function of skin, protect against sun damage, and improve hydration and complexion.



However, it's important to note that while the potential health benefits of flavanols are promising, many of the effects have been observed in laboratory studies or large-scale population studies, and further research, particularly in the form of randomized controlled trials, is needed to confirm these findings



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

Flavanols: A key to slowing age-related memory loss in the brain

A team of researchers led by Columbia University and Brigham...

<div id="58e3ebce955a315103d39bd1" class="vdb_player vdb_58e3ebce955a315103d39bd158d96b98cd4fed198a0d2a49" data-placeholder="//img.vidible.tv/prod/2021-04/07/606d3532f714c25c64acf634/606d3544bc43a90001b7bbc8_1920x1080_FES_v1.jpg?w=1600&amp;h=900&amp;q=60"><script src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
 
Shadows on the Moon Today&#8217;s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features sunlight and shadows near the Moon&#8217;s South Pole.
The images were captured over the course of two lunar days, which is approximately the equivalent of two months on Earth. 
The data for the visualization was obtained by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft. Shadows on the Moon are The largest acceptable origin explanation is that the Moon formed about 4.51 billion years ago, not long after Earth, out of the debris from a giant impact between the planet and a hypothesized Mars-sized body called Theia. It also is too wide to orbit because of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/foraging-habits-of-seabirds-altered-by-turbulent-tidal-flows/">tidal</a> interaction with the Earth. 
Also near the side of the Moon is marked by dark volcanic maria, which fill the spaces between bright ancient crustal highlands and prominent impact craters. Most of the large impact basins and mare surfaces were in place by the end of the Imbrian period, some three billion years ago. The lunar surface is relatively non-reflective, with a reflectance just slightly brighter than that of worn asphalt. However, because it has a large angular diameter, the full moon is the brightest celestial object in the night sky. Also, 59% of the total lunar surface can be seen from Earth through shifts in perspective due to liberation. And the Moon formed about 4.51 billion years ago 
&nbsp;
Video Credit: NASA Goddard 
&#8211;&#8212;
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer