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We all know the pull of one more episode. Streaming services make it easy to keep watching, and though it often feels like a guilty pleasure, new research suggests it may not be entirely bad.



A study from the University of Georgia (<a href="https://www.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UGA</a>) highlights that binge-watching or marathon reading can actually strengthen how we remember stories. 



These memories may not vanish once the credits roll but instead linger in our minds, shaping imagination and reflection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-binge-watching-strengthens-memory">Binge watching strengthens memory</h2>



The research connects this phenomenon to something called <a href="https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/34268/chapter-abstract/290548954?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retrospective imaginative involvement</a>, or RII. It refers to how people continue to think about characters and events after finishing a story.



Rather than ending with the last chapter or episode, stories are reconstructed, expanded, and sometimes even altered in imagination.



“Humans are storytelling creatures. One of the functions of narratives is the ability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-use-increases-smoking-vaping-risks-among-youth/">satisfy motivations</a> for things like connecting with other people, feeling autonomous and confident, and even security and safety. Stories have characters that fulfill these roles, and we can satisfy those needs through them,” noted Joshua Baldwin, lead author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-and-imagination">Memory and imagination</h2>



The study shows that people who binge-watch are more likely to engage with stories later, carrying them into daydreams. 



Consecutive viewing appears to help audiences create richer mental models of characters and worlds, which makes these stories more accessible in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emotions-shape-what-goes-viral-on-social-media/">memory</a>.



By consuming content in longer stretches, viewers weave tighter connections across episodes and character arcs, allowing subtle details to resonate more clearly.



This means binging may support stronger recall in the short term, even if some details fade over time. 



More importantly, it keeps the emotional and thematic essence alive, which is what fuels imagination and encourages people to revisit stories in new, creative ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-people-binge-watch">Why people binge watch</h2>



The reason behind a person's binge-watching habits also matters. Some are drawn to stories to escape stress, while others seek to expand their sense of self through new perspectives.



The Temporarily Expanding Boundaries of the Self (<a href="https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/34268/chapter-abstract/290539200?redirectedFrom=fulltext">TE</a><a href="https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/34268/chapter-abstract/290539200" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">B</a><a href="https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/34268/chapter-abstract/290539200?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OTS</a>) model suggests narratives allow people to step outside daily limits and experience autonomy, competence, and connection in imagined worlds.



Escapism-driven viewing, on the other hand, gives relief by pushing aside everyday stress. 



The study found both motivations can lead to retrospective imagination, though expansion motives appear more powerful in creating long-lasting engagement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enjoyment-versus-appreciation">Enjoyment versus appreciation</h2>



Not all stories affect memory the same way. Lighter tales that are fun and easy to watch often spark simple recollections. 



By contrast, appreciated stories (those that feel deep, moving, or even bittersweet) encourage people to reimagine, expand, and reshape them.



These more reflective narratives are especially likely to trigger dynamic forms of imagination, such as changing events or exploring hidden backstories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-and-leisure-time">Stress and leisure time</h2>



Stress does not influence story recall in a simple way. When stress is low or moderate, imagination can act as a relief, giving people a way to unwind and mentally process experiences. In these cases, stories serve as a calming outlet.



However, when stress levels rise too high, the brain becomes overloaded, leaving fewer mental resources available for remembering or reflecting on narratives. 



Instead of nurturing imagination, the mind directs energy toward coping with immediate pressures.



Leisure time changes the picture. When people have free, relaxed moments, their minds are more open to revisiting favorite stories. 



These quiet breaks - during a walk, while chatting, or simply reflecting - create mental space for narratives to return, grow, and shape daydreams.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-binge-watching-can-support-coping">Binge watching can support coping</h2>



Binge-watching has often been criticized for harming sleep and well-being. But this research suggests the picture is more nuanced. 



For some, it builds mental models that last well beyond the show itself. These memories and imagined extensions may even help people cope with challenges, making stories an ongoing psychological resource.



“People who have that habit of binge-watching shows often aren’t doing it passively but are actually actively thinking about it afterwards. They’re very much wanting to engage with stories, even when they’re not around to watch shows,” Baldwin explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stories-live-on-beyond-the-screen">Stories live on beyond the screen</h2>



Most people think bingeing means wasting hours in front of a screen. But the study shows it can be much more than that. 



When you get lost in a story, the characters and emotions often tag along even after you stop watching. Sometimes they reappear in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-dogs-binge-watch-television-everyday/">daydreams</a>, other times in quiet reflections when your mind drifts.



This habit doesn’t just strengthen memory. It can stir creativity, spark imagination, and even help people make sense of their own lives. 



Stories can offer comfort, connection, or a fresh perspective - things we all need from time to time. That’s why they rarely end with the credits. Instead, they linger in our thoughts, shaping how we dream, reflect, and connect with the world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825004147?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Acta Psychologica</a>.



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Why binge-watching TV shows may actually be good for your mind

We all know the pull of one more episode. Streaming services make it easy to keep watching, and though it often feels like a guilty pleasure, new research suggests it may not be entirely bad. A study from the University of Georgia (UGA) highlights that binge-watching or marathon reading can actually strengthen how we remember stories. These memories may not vanish once the credits roll but instead linger in our minds, shaping imagination and reflection. Binge watching strengthens memory The research connects this phenomenon to something called...

Cancer sometimes creeps in slowly, other times it bursts onto the scene without much warning. Either way, the disease hijacks the instructions that tell our cells how to behave, turning helpful teammates into troublemakers. 



For decades, oncology has focused on destroying those unruly cells. A new line of work asks a different question: what if we could push them back to their earlier, well-behaved selves instead?



That shift in thinking matters because collateral damage from chemotherapy and radiation can leave patients exhausted, immunocompromised, or facing secondary health problems. 



Turning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cancer-cells-create-power-waves-to-fuel-invasion/">malignant cells</a> into harmless ones - rather than wiping them out - could soften side effects and open doors for people too frail for aggressive regimens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spotting-the-tipping-point">Spotting the tipping point</h2>



Long before a tumor shows up on a scan, genetic and epigenetic tweaks accumulate inside would-be cancer cells. Eventually the balance tips, launching a rapid change known as a critical transition. 



Physicists know a similar tipping point from the way water flashes into steam at 212 °F (100 °C). Biologists, though, have struggled to pin down that instant in living tissue because every cell moves at its own pace.



Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (<a href="https://www.kaist.ac.kr/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KAIST</a>) recently reported a method that captures this fleeting window. 



The team at KAIST, led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho of the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, calls its approach REVERT, short for REVERse Transition. 



The idea is to record each cell’s gene activity, reconstruct the internal circuitry, then simulate how the circuitry shifts as cancer sets in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revert-kills-cancer-with-math">REVERT kills cancer with math</h2>



Many computational <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/computer-model-can-identify-tumor-fighting-immune-cells/">cancer models</a> rely on differential equations packed with hard-to-measure parameters. 



REVERT keeps the math lean by translating gene networks into <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/boolean-logic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boolean logic</a>: every gene is either on or off, yes or no. 



That stripped-down map is surprisingly powerful. It lets the software explore all the stable states - called attractors - that a cell might occupy and rate each one with a malignancy score.



A low score reflects orderly growth signals. A high score flags a pattern more typical of tumors, such as constant division or resistance to suicide signals. 



By nudging one switch at a time in the computer, the investigators can ask which combinations shove a high score back down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pausing-a-rogue-gene-pair">Pausing a rogue gene pair</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medicinal-plant-has-great-potential-to-fight-colorectal-cancer/">Colorectal cancer</a> gave REVERT its first real-world test. The researchers fed the program single-cell RNA-sequencing data from patient biopsies, watched the simulated cells cross the transition, and searched for breakpoints. 



One culprit popped up quickly: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4609" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MYC</a>, a gene famous for stepping on the gas in many cancers. Shutting off MYC alone, however, did not restore order. The malignancy score fell partway, then stalled.



A second gene, <a href="https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=YY1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YY1</a>, changed the picture. Treating MYC and YY1 as a toggle switch produced two stable outcomes. Tip the balance one way and the cell speeds toward malignancy; tip it the other and normal behavior resurfaces. 



“We have discovered a molecular switch that can revert the fate of cancer cells back to a normal state by capturing the moment of critical transition right before normal cells are changed into an irreversible cancerous state,” said Cho.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-code-to-colon-organoids">From code to colon organoids</h2>



Finding candidate switches in silico is useful, but genuine tissues decide whether a therapy will fly. The researchers collaborated with <a href="https://en.snu.ac.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seoul National University</a>, which provided colon organoids grown from patient samples. 



When scientists reduced activity of USP7 - another REVERT-highlighted target - the organoids regained orderly architecture. 



Cells once eager to overgrow instead respected their neighbors’ space and lined up neatly. Those test-tube results hint that similar reversions could emerge in living patients.



“In particular, this study has revealed in detail, at the genetic network level, what changes occur within cells behind the process of cancer development, which has been considered a mystery until now,” Cho explained. 



He added that uncovering those hidden levers marks the first time anyone has shown that “an important clue that can revert the fate of tumorigenesis is hidden at this very critical moment of change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-revert-on-different-cancer-types">Using REVERT on different cancer types</h2>



Colorectal tumors were the proving ground, yet the underlying logic of critical transitions spans many cancers. 



Lung and breast malignancies, for example, also pass through mixed-identity stages where healthy and diseased programs overlap. 



Because REVERT focuses on that limbo period rather than late-stage chaos, it may reveal intervention points earlier than traditional drug screens.



<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-cell_transcriptomics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Single-cell transcriptomics</a> keeps improving in depth and speed, so feeding richer datasets into the Boolean engine should sharpen its predictions. 



At the same time, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crispr-used-to-remove-extra-chromosomes-in-down-syndrome-and-restore-cell-function/">CRISPR-based</a> gene editing has grown precise enough to toggle multiple switches in living tissue. 



Pair those tools and oncologists could one day customize reversion cocktails for each patient, sparing healthy organs the collateral hits of broad-spectrum treatments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-revert-and-regenerative-meds">Cancer, REVERT, and regenerative meds</h2>



The attractor landscape at the heart of REVERT does more than illuminate cancer. Stem-cell biologists routinely coax cells to choose fates during laboratory reprogramming. 



Errant transitions, however, can derail tissue-engineering projects. A map that catches switches before the wrong fork could refine protocols for growing heart muscle, insulin-producing pancreas cells, or even neurons for spinal-cord repair.



For now, the new framework remains a laboratory concept. Clinical trials that target paired switches must prove safe and durable. 



Tumors also mutate quickly, potentially rewiring the very circuits researchers aim to reset. 



Even so, a strategy that persuades misbehaving cells to stand down - rather than carpet-bombing them - offers a fresh playbook in the long fight against cancer.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202412503" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Science</a>.



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Scientists discover a molecular switch to turn cancer cells into normal cells

Cancer sometimes creeps in slowly, other times it bursts onto...

All living tissues give off photons as excited molecules shed excess energy. The phenomenon is so subtle - roughly a million times dimmer than the threshold of human vision - that researchers call it ultra-weak photon emission (UPE).



Because the brain consumes an exceptionally high metabolic budget and is packed with photoactive compounds such as flavins and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dopamine-and-serotonin-shape-behavior/">serotonin</a>, scientists have long suspected it might glow more brightly than other organs. 



What they did not know was whether that ghostly glow fluctuates in ways that reveal real-time neural activity. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-darkness-into-a-laboratory"><a></a>Turning darkness into a laboratory</h2>



To find out, a collaborative team from <a href="https://algomau.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Algoma University</a>, Tufts University, and Wilfrid Laurier University recruited 20 healthy adults and seated them in a light-sealed chamber.



Two photomultiplier tubes - devices capable of counting single photons - were aimed at the back (occipital) and side (temporal) regions of each participant’s head, while a third tube monitored background darkness.



Simultaneously, the researchers fitted the volunteers with a standard electroencephalography (EEG) cap to compare electrical rhythms with any optical rhythms.



The experiment lasted ten minutes and cycled through five simple conditions: eyes open, eyes closed, listening to a repetitive tone, eyes closed again, and finally, eyes open again. 



Each condition lasted two minutes - enough time for the researchers to watch the brain light settle into a steady signal before switching tasks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-glow-follows-a-rhythm">Brain glow follows a rhythm</h2>



Despite the photons’ extreme faintness, the team, led by Hayley Casey and Nirosha Murugan, successfully separated brain-derived light from background counts by examining complexity and variability.



In brief, the cranial signal showed higher entropy - richer fluctuation - than the near-constant dark noise inside the optics.



Spectral analysis revealed that these emissions waxed and waned at very slow frequencies below one hertz. This means a rise-and-fall cycle occurred every one to ten seconds. 



This low-frequency “heartbeat” was strongest over the occipital cortex, the very region that processes visual input.



Just as important, the photon stream reached a reproducible equilibrium within each two-minute block, then shifted when the task changed. That pattern strongly suggests the glow is not random metabolic chatter but reflects the brain’s moment-to-moment state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eyes-shut-photons-rise"><a></a>Eyes shut, photons rise</h2>



Closing one’s eyes is known to boost alpha-band electrical rhythms (8–12 hertz) in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-human-brain-processes-visual-information/">visual cortex</a>. This is a signature of relaxed wakefulness first reported in the 1920s.



The new study revealed that occipital photon counts modulated in tandem. Some participants’ emissions rose during eyes-closed periods, while others fell. However, each individual showed a consistent direction across the two eyes-closed blocks.



Occipital UPE also showed modest correlations with alpha power measured by EEG - evidence that the optical signal does tap into neural dynamics. However, the relationship is complex and needs further investigation.



Auditory stimulation, delivered through a simple repeating tone, produced subtler effects. The temporal sensor picked up changes in photon variability that tracked certain EEG rhythms recorded over the same region.



This hints that metabolic shifts linked to processing sound also leave a photonic fingerprint.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-window-into-brain-metabolism">A window into brain metabolism</h2>



Standard brain-monitoring tools, whether MRI, PET, or infrared spectroscopy, rely on sending energy into the skull and measuring what bounces back.



UPE recording, in contrast, is wholly passive: the detectors simply wait in the dark. That makes the technique conceptually similar to EEG or magnetoencephalography (MEG), but tuned to oxidative chemistry rather than electricity or magnetism.



The authors propose “photoencephalography” for a future technology that could use natural brain light as a clinical signal.



“We view the current results as a proof-of-concept demonstration that patterns of human-brain-derived UPE signals can be discriminated from background light signals despite very low relative signal intensity,” explained the researchers.



They speculate that refined detectors - equipped with wavelength-specific filters to isolate, say, green-emitting flavins from red-shifted lipofuscin - might one day diagnose metabolic stress. 



Such tools could also monitor aging or even flag <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-grounds-could-help-prevent-neurodegenerative-diseases/">neurodegenerative disease</a> before symptoms emerge.



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



The pilot study sampled only 20 people and monitored just two scalp sites. Photomultiplier tubes counted all visible and near-infrared photons, drowning out any subtle color coding of brain chemistry in the noise.



Future setups will deploy arrays of narrow-band detectors to capture spatial and spectral detail, and will compare cranial readings with simultaneous measurements from non-neural tissues to confirm specificity.



The researchers also plan to test broader age ranges and clinical populations. They aim to see whether disorders that alter oxidative metabolism - such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-blood-test-can-track-the-progression-of-alzheimers/">Alzheimer’s disease</a>, traumatic brain injury, or chronic stress - produce distinctive optical signatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-brain-glows-at-all"><a></a>Why the brain glows at all</h2>



Though focused on measurement, the study builds on work linking UPE spikes to bursts of reactive oxygen in mitochondria. Those by-products can excite biomolecules; when the molecules relax, they release photons.



If so, the faint light may function as a built-in reporter of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-reveals-the-secret-to-keeping-your-brain-young/">brain</a>’s redox balance - a chemical ledger of energy production, stress, and recovery.



Electrical rhythms revolutionized neuroscience a century ago; functional MRI did the same in the 1990s. 



Photoencephalography, though still in its infancy, offers a tantalizing third window. It peers directly at the cell’s metabolic engine without injecting energy or contrast agents.



The current study lights the first path forward: prove the signal exists, show that it changes with mental state, and establish that it differs from background noise. 



The next challenge is to turn those wisps of light into a practical tool for medicine and cognitive science.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(25)00279-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Human brains emit light and glow in the dark, revealing our mental state

All living tissues give off photons as excited molecules shed...

A recent study has revealed that immersion in virtual reality (VR) nature scenes can significantly ease the symptoms of chronic pain. 



The strongest benefits appeared in participants who felt deeply present during the experience, enhancing comfort and reducing pain sensitivity effectively over time.



The research, led by the University of Exeter, involved an immersive 360-degree <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-nature-conservation-day-2025-a-healthy-future-for-all/">nature</a> films through VR against standard 2D video images. VR proved almost twice as effective in reducing pain perception.



Chronic pain, which lasts for more than three months, can be challenging to treat. The researchers simulated this condition in healthy participants. 



The experts discovered that VR nature scenes produced pain-relieving effects similar to painkillers. These effects persisted for at least five minutes after the VR experience ended.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virtual-reality-and-chronic-pain">Virtual reality and chronic pain</h2>



The study was led by Dr. Sam Hughes, senior lecturer in pain neuroscience at the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>. 



“We’ve seen a growing body of evidence show that exposure to nature can help reduce short term, everyday pain, but there has been less research into how this might work for people living with chronic or longer-term pain,” said Dr. Hughes.



“Also, not everyone is able to get out for walks in nature, particularly those living with long term health conditions like chronic pain. Our study is the first to look at the effect of prolonged exposure to a virtual reality nature scene on symptoms seen during long term pain sensitivity.



According to Dr. Hughes, the results suggest that immersive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-innovation-takes-the-lead-in-environmental-action/">nature</a> experiences can reduce the development of this pain sensitivity through an enhanced sense of presence and through harnessing the brains in-built pain suppression systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virtual-nature-scenes-as-therapy">Virtual nature scenes as therapy</h2>



The study, funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences, involved 29 healthy participants. The researchers applied pain to the forearm using electric shocks and then measured pain changes over a 50-minute period. 



Participants developed pain sensitivity similar to nerve pain in the absence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-2025-plastic-pollution-is-choking-our-planet/">nature</a> scenes. On a separate visit, the same participants experienced a 45-minute VR nature session featuring the waterfalls of Oregon. 



The scene was selected to enhance therapeutic outcomes. On another occasion, participants viewed the same nature scenes on a 2D screen for comparison.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeling-present-in-vr-lowers-pain">Feeling present in VR lowers pain</h2>



The participants also completed questionnaires about their pain experience and how present they felt in each scenario. Additional visits included MRI brain scans at the University of Exeter’s Mireille Gillings Neuroimaging Centre. 



Here, researchers induced ongoing pain using a cold gel and examined how participants’ brains responded.



The immersive VR experience significantly reduced the spread and intensity of pain sensitivity. These benefits lasted through the entire 45-minute session. Participants who felt more present during the VR experience reported greater pain relief.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-virtual-nature-scenes-work">Why virtual nature scenes work</h2>



The brain scans revealed that participants with stronger connections in brain regions regulating pain experienced less discomfort. VR nature scenes altered the way pain signals travel in the brain and spinal cord, especially for chronic pain conditions.



“We think VR has a particularly strong effect on reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-has-its-own-internet-and-were-only-beginning-to-understand-it/">experience</a> of pain because it’s so immersive. It really created that feeling of being present in nature - and we found the pain - reducing effect was greatest in people for whom that perception was strongest," said Dr. Sonia Medina.



"We hope our study leads to more research to investigate further how exposure to nature effects our pain responses, so we could one day see nature scenes incorporated into ways of reducing pain for people in settings like care homes or hospitals."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-vr-to-treat-chronic-pain">Using VR to treat chronic pain </h2>



The findings indicate that VR-based nature experiences could become part of pain management strategies. Future research will explore how this technology could benefit people living with chronic pain, especially those unable to access outdoor environments. 



Researchers hope these immersive experiences can complement existing therapies, improve quality of life, and offer accessible solutions for patients in hospitals, care homes, and other clinical settings where natural outdoor exposure is limited.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.lww.com/pain/abstract/9900/immersion_in_nature_through_virtual_reality.970.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pain</a>.



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Virtual nature scenes provide relief from chronic pain

A recent study has revealed that immersion in virtual reality...

More people in the United States now smoke cannabis every day than drink alcohol, with about 17.7 million daily or near daily users recorded in the 2022 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38775461/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Survey on Drug Use and Health</a>. 



That shift adds urgency to questions about what long term, high frequency use might be doing to the body.



Researchers from the University of California San Diego (<a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCSD</a>) followed more than 45,000 patients. They found that people diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538131/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CUD</a>) were 3.25 times more likely to develop oral cancer within five years than those without the disorder. 



The elevated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-in-any-form-directly-linked-to-significant-risk-of-heart-damage/">risk</a> held even after accounting for age, sex, body mass index, and tobacco smoking.



<a href="https://profiles.ucsd.edu/raphael.cuomo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raphael E. Cuomo, Ph.D.</a>, an associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine and member of the <a href="https://moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moores Cancer Center</a>, led the analysis. 



He points out that the findings dovetail with toxicology data showing cannabis smoke carries many of the same chemicals blamed for tobacco related malignancies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-use-linked-to-oral-cancer">Cannabis use linked to oral cancer</h2>



Legalization has widened access to cannabis, yet roughly <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16854249/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">three-in-ten</a> regular users meet criteria for the disorder, a clinical diagnosis that signals problematic use. 



Unlike casual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/legal-access-to-cannabis-is-proving-to-be-good-for-both-people-and-society/">consumption</a>, CUD typically involves near daily smoking, deeper inhalation, and higher potency products that bathe oral tissues in combustion by products.



At the same time, the <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/oral-cavity-and-oropharyngeal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Cancer Society</a> estimates about 59,660 Americans will be told they have cancers of the mouth or throat in 2025. 



Smoking remains a leading risk factor, but human papillomavirus (<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HPV</a>), heavy drinking, and now cannabis may add new layers to that risk profile.



Oral tumors often begin as painless spots on the lip or tongue, making early detection tricky. By linking CUD and tumor incidence in electronic health records, the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC San Diego</a> team offers clinicians a fresh flag for vigilance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-raises-cancer-risk">Cannabis raises cancer risk</h2>



The study drew data from six academic medical centers between 2012 and 2019, then tracked each participant for five years. 



Only 2.1 percent developed CUD, yet that small group accounted for nearly a third of the oral cancer diagnoses observed.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-related-deaths-will-surge-by-2030/">Tobacco smokers</a> in the cohort already faced extra danger, but those who both smoked cigarettes and had CUD were six times more likely to be diagnosed than smokers without CUD. 



Because the cannabis signal persisted inside the smoking subgroup, Cuomo’s team suspects mechanisms beyond simple smoke exposure.



The researchers also noted that women, older age, and higher body mass index appeared to slightly temper risk, echoing patterns seen with tobacco related oral cancers. However, those demographic buffers did not erase the impact of CUD.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-harms-mouth-tissue">Smoke harms mouth tissue</h2>



Laboratory <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18062674/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyses</a> show that marijuana smoke contains hundreds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (<a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-03/documents/pahs_factsheet_cdc_2013.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PAHs</a>), benzene, and ammonia, many at concentrations equal to or higher than tobacco sidestream smoke. Several of these compounds directly damage DNA in epithelial cells lining the mouth.



A detailed chemical fingerprint published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-63120-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2020</a> cataloged 2,575 distinct compounds in mainstream cannabis smoke, 110 of which are known human toxicants. 



Such particle rich aerosols stick to mucosal surfaces, extending contact time between carcinogens and target cells.



Histology from habitual marijuana smokers has revealed <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9719080/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dysplasia</a> and other precancerous changes in bronchial tissue even when tobacco is absent. Those cellular alterations mirror the earliest steps seen on the path to malignancy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-affects-cancer-defense">Cannabis affects cancer defense</h2>



Tetrahydrocannabinol (<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/tetrahydrocannabinol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THC</a>), the main psychoactive molecule in cannabis, can impair <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18040791/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immune suppression</a> pathways that normally patrol for rogue cells. Less immune surveillance could give mutated oral cells a head start toward tumor formation.



Edible or vaporized products bypass the oral cavity, yet frequent users often combine delivery methods, so risk patterns for noncombustible forms remain unclear. 



Future studies that separate smoke exposure from total THC dose may untangle these variables.



Another unknown is whether the rising average potency of commercial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-potency-why-you-shouldnt-trust-the-label/">cannabis</a> accelerates carcinogen uptake or immune effects. 



Public laboratories have only begun to simulate how today’s 25 percent THC flower compares with the 4 percent material studied decades ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daily-users-face-big-risk">Daily users face big risk</h2>



People with CUD commonly face co-occurring mental health challenges, alcohol misuse, and lower participation in preventive dental care. These overlapping factors could compound cancer risk and delay diagnosis.



Socioeconomic gaps may also play a role, because uninsured adults are less likely to receive routine oral examinations. Community clinics that integrate substance use counseling with oral screenings could bridge that divide.



For clinicians, the takeaway is straightforward. When a patient meets criteria for CUD, adding a quick inspection of the mouth and a referral to dentistry costs little but may spot trouble early.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heavy-cannabis-harms-oral-health">Heavy cannabis harms oral health</h2>



Cannabis is not just a milder cousin of tobacco, its smoke delivers a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-extract-cbd-proven-highly-effective-at-killing-mosquitoes/">complex chemical load</a> with measurable impacts on human tissue. 



The UC San Diego study reminds us that heavy, prolonged use carries consequences that legalization debates often overlook.



Policy makers weighing retail expansion should ensure that cancer prevention messaging keeps pace with marketing. Clear warnings, similar to those on cigarette packs, could help users make informed choices.



For now, anyone lighting up daily can lower potential harm by switching to noncombustible products, spacing out sessions, and keeping regular dental check ups. 



Researchers will continue probing dose, delivery, and biology, but prudence starts with individual habits.



“Cannabis smoke contains many of the same carcinogenic compounds found in tobacco smoke, which have known damaging effects on the epithelial tissue that lines the mouth,” noted Cuomo. 



Staying aware of that simple fact may be the first step toward safer choices.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525002244" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Preventive Medicine Reports</a>.



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Cannabis users face a significantly higher oral cancer risk, similar to cigarette smokers

More people in the United States now smoke cannabis every...

Phoenix summers no longer just feel unbearable. They may age your body faster too. In 2023 alone, the city recorded over 140 days with temperatures surpassing 100°F. 



Now, new research suggests that these extreme heat conditions do more than cause short-term harm.



A recent study published in the journal Science Advances&nbsp;has revealed that long-term exposure to high heat can speed up biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monthly-exercise-before-the-age-of-50-results-slows-brain-aging-dramatically/">aging</a>. 



The researchers found that people in places like Phoenix show signs of accelerated aging at the molecular level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-ages-you-like-smoking">Heat ages you like smoking</h2>



"The impact is similar to the effect of smoking and drinking," said Eunyoung Choi, lead author and gerontologist at the <a href="https://usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southern California</a>. 



Choi's team compared older adults from across the U.S., including heat-struck Phoenix and cooler cities like Seattle.



People living in hotter areas appeared around 14 months older biologically than their cooler-region counterparts. These results reflect how consistent heat exposure may silently wear down the body's internal systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aging-affects-health-and-work">Aging affects health and work</h2>



<a href="https://www.bu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boston University</a> gerontologist Deborah Carr noted that even small differences in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-aging-how-some-people-live-past-100-years/">aging</a> matter. "It's just a tremendous strain not only on their own lives and the lives of their families and caregivers, but also has a larger societal impact."



Faster aging may lead to earlier onset of conditions like diabetes, dementia, and cardiovascular disease. 



If those health issues appear sooner, they may push people out of the workforce or into expensive, long-term care. "It really can have tremendous impacts," said Carr.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-changes-how-your-genes-work">Heat changes how your genes work</h2>



The researchers focused on biological age, not just chronological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-are-experimenting-with-new-approach-to-fight-and-stop-human-aging-necrosis/">age</a>. They used DNA samples to track changes linked to a process called methylation. This chemical process affects how genes behave. It acts like switches that can turn genes on or off.



Methylation doesn't alter the DNA sequence but changes how genes are expressed. These shifts can occur in response to environmental stress, poor diet, inactivity, pollution, and heat.



The team used several epigenetic clocks to measure aging. These clocks rely on different sets of DNA methylation markers and offer insight into both pace and risk of biological decline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-makes-aging-speed-up">Heat makes aging speed up</h2>



Increased heat exposure was linked to faster aging in several clocks. Short-term exposure, such as a few days or weeks, raised PCPhenoAge, a measure tied to general physiological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/">aging</a>. 



Longer-term exposure, such as one to six years, also accelerated PCGrimAge and DunedinPACE, which reflect mortality risk and pace of decline.



Animal studies support this. Heat stress can leave a lasting “epigenetic memory” that alters how immune cells and heart cells function. These changes persist long after the initial heat exposure.



In humans, heat has been linked with reduced methylation of genes like TLR-2. This gene affects inflammation and immunity. Such changes may explain how heat accelerates disease onset.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-heat-makes-things-worse">Rising heat makes things worse</h2>



Emergency visits and deaths spike during heat waves. With climate change, those risks only grow. The U.S. may see 20 to 30 more extreme heat days each year by mid-century, according to the National Climate Assessment.



Choi warned that this rising heat comes as the population ages. Older people cannot cool themselves as efficiently. Medications and declining circulation increase their vulnerability.



But heat affects everyone. "It's basically like if you're trying to tread water and someone hands you a brick," said Robert Meade, a heat physiology expert from <a href="https://www.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard</a>. "It's just an extra weight."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-levels-at-home-matter">Heat levels at home matter</h2>



What matters isn’t just the outdoor temperature. Conditions inside homes vary widely. Some people live in overheated trailers or apartments without cooling. Others have access to reliable air conditioning.



Future research aims to explore these differences. Personalized data could reveal how daily exposure shapes long-term health. That could guide public health policies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-heat-exposure-and-aging">Long heat exposure and aging</h2>



The researchers note that not all gene changes are harmful. Some may reflect adaptation that helps bodies handle heat better. But current evidence leans toward damage, not resilience.



Prolonged exposure may reduce physical activity, disturb sleep, and increase stress. These effects accumulate over time, pushing bodies into faster aging even without visible symptoms.



By capturing these changes with precision tools like epigenetic clocks, scientists now offer a clearer view into how heat transforms health at its core.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr0616" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Living in extreme heat can age your body just like smoking does

Phoenix summers no longer just feel unbearable. They may age...

People have been told for decades to get eight solid hours, yet a huge data set now suggests that when you sleep can overshadow how long you sleep. 



More than one in three American adults routinely get less than seven <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-may-have-just-solved-the-mystery-of-sleep/">hours of nightly rest</a>.



In a new analysis of 88,461 volunteers wearing wrist actigraphy sensors, Professor Shengfeng Wang of <a href="https://sph.pku.edu.cn/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peking University</a> and colleagues linked irregular bedtimes and other sleep rhythm problems to a startling range of 172 diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-irregular-sleep-harms-your-health">Irregular sleep harms your health</h2>



The researchers found that over nearly seven years, irregular sleep patterns accounted for about 23 percent of the risk for these health problems. 



Trouble staying asleep and getting quality rest played a role - but the biggest factor was having an unstable sleep schedule.



The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-26019-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleep Regularity Index</a>, a metric that tracks how closely each day’s pattern matches the next, has also predicted death more accurately than sleep duration.



Researchers from <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6265819/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vanderbilt University</a> reported that participants in the most irregular quartile faced a 53 percent higher risk of dying over eight years, even after adjusting for age, BMI, and existing illness.



Sleeping after 12:30 a.m. was linked to a 2.57-fold higher risk of liver cirrhosis. Inconsistent sleep-wake cycles more than doubled the risk of gangrene. 



"Our findings underscore the overlooked importance of sleep regularity,” said Wang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-disease-risks">Hidden disease risks</h2>



Sleep traits explained over 20 percent of cases in 92 out of 172 illnesses. That includes 37 percent of Parkinson’s cases and 36 percent of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-identify-a-cellular-switch-mitochondria-that-could-reverse-type-2-diabetes/">type 2 diabetes</a> cases.



The team used the population attributable fraction, a metric that asks how much disease would vanish if everyone adopted the healthiest sleep profile.



For context, about 30 percent of U.S. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-kills-differently-now-than-five-decades-ago/">coronary heart disease</a> deaths are blamed on cigarette smoking.



The analysis also showed how seldom multiple sleep dimensions overlapped; 58 percent of affected disorders linked to only one aspect of sleep. 



That pattern hints that a single prescription such as “just sleep more” misses important biological pathways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-myth-of-too-much-sleep">The myth of too much sleep</h2>



Surveys suggested nine-hour sleepers risk heart and stroke issues, but objective data linked them to only one disease.



One out of five so-called “long sleepers” actually spent nine hours in bed but slept under six hours.



Removing misclassified participants erased the link between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-gene-explains-why-some-people-can-thrive-on-less-sleep/">long sleep</a> and heart disease, easing concerns for healthy long sleepers. 



Objective trackers, in other words, can clear away the noise that plagues self reports.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-circadian-rhythm-the-basics">Understanding circadian rhythm - the basics</h2>



Your body runs on a biological clock called the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geologist-who-accidentally-discovered-humans-have-an-internal-clock-by-spending-63-days-underground/">circadian rhythm</a>, which follows a roughly 24-hour cycle. It’s not just about sleep - it regulates everything from hormone release and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-body-clock-distorts-time-to-stay-on-schedule-in-the-heat/">body temperature</a> to digestion and alertness. 



At its core, it’s controlled by a part of the brain called the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suprachiasmatic_nucleus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suprachiasmatic nucleus</a>, which responds mostly to light. 



When the sun comes up, light enters your eyes and signals your brain to wake up, boosting alertness and suppressing <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-melatonin/art-20363071" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melatonin</a>. 



As night falls, the opposite happens - your brain ramps up melatonin to help you wind down and prepare for sleep.



As darkness falls, melatonin production ramps back up, nudging you toward sleep. Jet lag, shift work, and screen time before bed can all mess with this rhythm, making you feel tired, foggy, or just out of sync.



When your circadian rhythm is in sync - meaning you go to bed and wake up consistently, and you get enough exposure to natural light - you tend to feel better mentally and physically. 



But when it’s out of whack, like after pulling an all-nighter or flying across time zones, your body feels it. You might feel groggy, irritable, or even a little foggy. That’s your internal clock trying to reset itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-your-body-clock-controls">What your body clock controls</h2>



Regularity outperformed duration partly because the body’s internal circadian rhythm coordinates hormones, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-metabolism-has-evolved-to-become-energetically-unique/">metabolism</a>, and immunity on a 24-hour loop.



Two wrist-derived measures capture that rhythm: relative amplitude - the contrast between daytime activity and nighttime rest - and interdaily stability.



Low relative amplitude predicted COPD and kidney failure in the UK, with similar results in U.S. NHANES data. Inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) mediated up to 10 percent of the effect, hinting at one biological conduit.



Scientists are studying whether evening light, late <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-caffeine-slow-down-aging-yeast-may-hold-the-answer/">caffeine</a>, and social media habits weaken relative amplitude. Small behavior changes might lower major medical costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regular-sleep-boosts-your-health">Regular sleep boosts your health</h2>



“Regularity is probably best for the continuity of your sleep,” said neuroscientist <a href="https://www.swellai.com/transcripts/huberman-lab-podcast-transcript/guest-series-dr-matt-walker-improve-sleep-to-boost-mood-emotional-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matt Walker</a>. Simple habits help: anchor wake up time, dim lights an hour before bed, and reserve the bedroom for sleep to nudge your body clock into a steady groove.



Early evidence shows that forward rotating shift schedules better align with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colors-of-sunset-and-sunrise-reset-our-circadian-rhythms/">circadian rhythms</a>. This change reduces fatigue and improves blood pressure within weeks.



Sleep trackers can't measure brain activity yet, and the people in this study were mostly older adults. Future research will need to include a wider range of people and more in-depth sleep tests. 



Still, the size of the data makes a strong case that sticking to a regular bedtime should be part of basic health advice, right alongside eating well and staying active.



Trials are testing if phone nudges, light filters, or noise rules can reduce disease linked to irregular sleep. If the results hold, the cheapest medicine may be a reliable alarm clock.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/hds.0161" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Health Data Science</a>.



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One critical detail about your sleeping habits is linked to 172 diseases

People have been told for decades to get eight solid...

Public health professionals have long promoted the benefits of walking. Yet the evidence base has mostly come from predominantly white, middle- and high-income groups. 



Two companion studies now extend that knowledge to the very populations that bear a disproportionate burden of chronic disease: low-income and Black adults across the southeastern United States.



Together, the analyses paint a compelling picture of how a single, inexpensive habit - walking briskly for as little as 15 minutes a day - can reduce mortality by nearly one-fifth. It may also help shrink persistent health inequities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-walking-in-real-life">Tracking walking in real life</h2>



The data comes from the <a href="https://www.southerncommunitystudy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Community Cohort Study</a> (SCCS), one of the nation’s largest investigations of health in underserved groups.



Between 2002 and 2009, the SCCS enrolled about 85,000 adults aged 40 to 79. Community health centers that serve low-income patients in 12 southeastern states recruited about 86 percent of participants.



For the present analyses, researchers led by <a href="https://www.vanderbilt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vanderbilt</a> epidemiologist Wei Zheng and doctoral investigator Lili Liu focused on 79,856 participants who had provided detailed baseline information about their daily walking habits.



Participants reported the number of minutes they typically spent each day walking slowly (e.g. moving around, walking to work, walking their dogs or engaging in light <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-feels-better-when-its-matched-to-your-personality/">exercise</a>) and walking fast (e.g. climbing stairs, brisk walking, or heavier exercising).



The researchers linked self-reports to death records, enabling them to track 26,862 deaths over 16.7 years through 2022.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fast-walking-big-payoff"><a></a>Fast walking, big payoff</h2>



Crunching the numbers yielded a striking headline: fast walking for just 15 minutes a day was associated with a 19 percent reduction in risk of death from any cause. Slow walking, even when performed for more than three hours daily, produced a far smaller benefit.



“This is one of the few studies to quantify the effect of daily walking on mortality in a low‑income and predominantly Black U.S. population,” Zheng said.



“By demonstrating the benefits of fast walking - which is a low‑cost and largely accessible activity - we provide direct evidence to inform targeted public health interventions and policies to improve health outcomes.”



Critically, the protective effect of a brisk pace held up after adjusting for smoking, diet, body mass index, education and leisure‑time physical activity (LTPA).



Even among participants who already engaged in some form of LTPA, tacking on more fast walking further reduced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/every-year-of-education-reduces-mortality-risk/">mortality risk</a>. In other words, intensity mattered over and above total activity volume.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-health-powers-survival">Heart health powers survival</h2>



The mortality benefit was most pronounced for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-worsens-cardiovascular-health-risks/">cardiovascular disease</a>, the leading cause of death in the United States. That aligns with physiological data showing that brisk walking boosts cardiac output, improves oxygen delivery, and helps manage weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol.



According to Zheng, brisk walking offers a convenient, accessible, and low-impact activity that individuals of all ages and fitness levels can use to improve overall health and cardiovascular health specifically.



“While the health benefits of daily walking are well established, limited research has investigated how factors such as walking pace affect mortality, particularly in low-income and Black/African American populations,” noted Liu.



“Our research has shown that fast walking as little as 15 minutes a day is associated with a nearly 20 percent reduction in total mortality, while a smaller reduction in mortality is seen with more than three hours of daily slow walking.”



Liu said that this benefit remained strong even after accounting for other lifestyle factors and was consistent across various sensitivity analyses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-walking-isn-t-easy">Why walking isn't easy</h2>



Of course, telling people to walk faster is easier than ensuring they can do so safely. Low‑income communities often lack sidewalks, greenways, and street lighting; crime or heavy traffic may further discourage outdoor exercise.



They are also more likely to be situated in polluted areas where air quality can offset some cardiovascular gains. Economic constraints, shift work, and limited access to healthcare compound the challenge.



Nevertheless, the simplicity of brisk walking renders it uniquely scalable. “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-alone-in-america-an-escalating-public-health-crisis/">Public health</a> campaigns and community‑based programs can emphasize the importance and availability of fast walking to improve health outcomes,” Liu said. 



"Individuals should strive to incorporate more intense physical activity into their routines, such as brisk walking or other forms of aerobic exercise.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-doctors-and-cities-can-do">What doctors and cities can do</h2>



For clinicians, the message is straightforward: prescribe pace, not just steps. A recommendation as modest as 15 brisk minutes per day is tangible, trackable, and unlikely to intimidate sedentary patients.



From a policy standpoint, the findings bolster the case for investing in walkable infrastructure. Well-lit paths, traffic-calming measures, and park renovations are especially needed in neighborhoods where health disparities are most acute.



Public health agencies might also consider workplace interventions. Many of the SCCS participants hold hourly jobs with limited flexibility. 



Safe walking routes and short, brisk breaks could significantly boost employee health and productivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-study-missed">What the study missed</h2>



The authors acknowledge that participants self-reported their walking habits only at enrollment, leaving later changes unmeasured. 



The survey questions could not capture stride length, incline, or terrain, each of which influences exertion.



Even so, the study’s sheer scale, long follow‑up and racial diversity make its conclusions unusually persuasive. Because vital status came from the National Death Index, outcome misclassification is minimal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walking-toward-health-equity">Walking toward health equity</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-can-improve-cardiometabolic-health/">Cardiometabolic</a> disease will not be solved by walking alone. But in regions where healthcare dollars are scarce and gym memberships out of reach, the humble act of upping one’s pace may be the most democratic medicine available.



These twin studies make the evidence compelling, especially for populations often overlooked in earlier research.



In short, fifteen brisk minutes a day is not merely “better than nothing.” For tens of thousands of low‑income Black Americans - and likely millions more nationwide - it could be the difference between an early grave and years of life reclaimed.



When public health officials craft their next round of guidelines, that simple prescription deserves top billing. 



One of the studies was published in the <a href="https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(25)00230-2/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Preventive Medicine</a>.



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Fifteen minutes of brisk walking per day could prolong our lives

Public health professionals have long promoted the benefits of walking....

Coffee perks us up and helps us perform better at many different types of activities. Unfortunately, the caffeine in your coffee could also be energizing bacteria that live inside of you, making them more resistant to antibiotics. 



This is the unexpected finding from a team of researchers led by Professor Ana Rita Brochado at the <a href="https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Würzburg</a>.



The study shows that certain food ingredients, including caffeine, make some antibiotics work less effectively. This doesn’t mean caffeine kills antibiotics directly. But it does cause subtle changes inside bacteria like&nbsp;E. coli.



These changes can block antibiotic entry, helping the bacteria survive. You won’t feel anything after that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-every-day-proven-studies-to-delay-biological-aging-in-humans/">cup of tea</a>, but the microbes in your gut might get more stubborn.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacteria-respond-to-chemicals">Bacteria respond to chemicals</h2>



Bacteria notice what’s around them. They don’t just sit there waiting to die. 



<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/about/index.html#:~:text=E.%20coli%20are%20germs%20called,of%20a%20healthy%20intestinal%20tract." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">E. coli</a>, for example, reacts to chemical signals in its environment by flipping certain genes on or off. This gives it more control over what gets in and out of the cell.



Professor Brochado’s team tested 94 substances: antibiotics, human drugs, and common food <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-you-pour-coffee-changes-its-strength-and-flavor/">ingredients</a>. 



The researchers focused on seven genes that affect transport proteins - tiny pores and pumps that regulate flow in and out of bacteria. Change these proteins, and you change how much antibiotic reaches the inside.



Some changes were big. Others were tiny. But one thing was clear: bacteria don’t treat caffeine like background noise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rob-the-gene-that-blocks-antibiotics">Rob: The gene that blocks antibiotics</h2>



The researchers found that caffeine activates a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/948916" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene called Rob</a>. Once Rob switches on, it sets off a chain reaction. Several transport proteins shift behavior, and the bacteria start blocking out antibiotics like ciprofloxacin.



“Caffeine triggers a cascade of events starting with the gene regulator Rob and culminating in the change of several transport proteins in&nbsp;E. coli, which in turn leads to a reduced uptake of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin,” explained Professor Brochado.



So <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-this-amount-of-coffee-helps-prevent-heart-disease-and-diabetes/">caffeine</a> doesn’t kill antibiotics. It just makes it harder for them to get inside the cell. The bacteria do not become fully resistant - they just become harder to kill.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-bacteria-and-antibiotics">Caffeine, bacteria, and antibiotics</h2>



The research suggests that bacteria can adapt based on diet and environment, even without new mutations or resistance genes.



“Our data show that several substances can subtly but systematically influence gene regulation in bacteria,” noted study lead author Christoph Binsfeld, a PhD student in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Würzburg.



The scary part? These effects don’t show up on standard resistance tests. You might think an antibiotic will work fine. But in your gut, after your morning coffee, bacteria might disagree.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-doesn-t-faze-salmonella">Caffeine doesn't faze Salmonella</h2>



You might expect this caffeine effect to happen across similar bacteria. But it doesn’t. The team also looked at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmonella_enterica" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salmonella enterica</a>, a close cousin of E. coli. Same antibiotic, same <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-flavor-can-be-improved-with-a-simple-trick/">caffeine</a>.



In&nbsp;Salmonella, caffeine didn’t reduce drug uptake. The difference likely comes down to how each species controls transport proteins. One tweaks the gates and the other doesn’t.



This shows that resistance isn’t just about which genes bacteria have. It’s also about how they use them - and when.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-in-coffee-weakens-antibiotics">Caffeine in coffee weakens antibiotics</h2>



What Brochado’s team found isn’t classic resistance. There are no resistant genes being passed around and no permanent mutations. It’s something more flexible that bacteria can turn on or off.



Scientists call this “low-level” resistance. It’s temporary and subtle, but that doesn’t make it safe. It could help bacteria survive just long enough to cause a stubborn infection or evolve further resistance.



So, even though caffeine won’t make E. coli immortal, it might give it a fighting chance. And in medicine, even a small advantage can matter.



Bacteria like&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;use regulators - proteins like MarA, SoxS, and Rob - to control responses. These proteins flip switches that change how transport proteins behave. In the study, Rob showed up more than expected.



Around one-third of all transcriptional changes involved Rob. That’s more than scientists thought. In many cases, Rob worked alongside MarA or SoxS. But in response to caffeine, Rob handled things on its own.



The researchers looked deeper and found something else. After caffeine exposure, over 200 bacterial proteins changed in abundance. 



That included proteins involved in building outer membrane pores. Less pore protein means fewer ways for antibiotics to get in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-antibiotics-with-caffeine-in-mind">Making antibiotics with caffeine in mind</h2>



“Such fundamental research into the effect of substances consumed on a daily basis underscores the vital role of science in understanding and resolving real-world problems,” said Dr. Karla Pollmann, President of the <a href="https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tübingen</a>.



If caffeine can influence antibiotic uptake, what about other compounds? What about patients drinking energy drinks or taking herbal supplements while on medication? These combinations might not be harmless.



Doctors might need to consider diet - including coffee - as part of treatment using antibiotics. Guidelines could eventually include not just dosage, but also what not to eat or drink during therapy.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3003260" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Biology</a>.



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Even microbes thrive on caffeine: Coffee helps bacteria resist antibiotics

Coffee perks us up and helps us perform better at...

Cyclist,Falls,Off,The,Bike,Into,Bushes.,Accident,On,The

Past injuries fade from sight, yet the memory of them lingers in the nervous system. A new mouse study shows a single inflammatory injury can keep the brain on high alert, amplifying fear and pain for months.



A recent <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982225008711" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> reveals how stress hormones and a sensory protein keep the harm alarm ringing. Dr. Loren Martin and colleagues at the University of Toronto Mississauga led the work, showing why some people stay hypersensitive to previous injuries, long after a wound mends.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-of-old-injuries-reshapes-circuits">Memory of old injuries reshapes circuits</h2>



Most of us assume pain stops when tissues heal, but clinical data suggest otherwise. Children exposed to injury or adversity have a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40539444/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher likelihood</a> of adult chronic pain and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/">anxiety disorders</a>.



“Our brains are wired to protect us , especially from threatening situations,” said Dr. Martin. The team paired healed mice with trimethylthiazoline, a fox odor chemical that rodents innately fear, and naive animals froze briefly, then moved on. 



These findings echo human reports where <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10383629/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pre-trauma pain</a> experience predicts persistent pain after car crashes or combat. The data strengthen the idea that injury history reshapes defensive circuits, setting a lower threshold for danger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hormones-in-the-driver-s-seat">Hormones in the driver's seat</h2>



The hormone <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11508944/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corticosterone</a> is the rodent equivalent of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kids-with-behavioral-issues-have-high-cortisol-levels-in-their-hair/">cortisol</a>: it is released when the stress axis fires. Elevating corticosterone for weeks can induce anxiety-like behavior in healthy mice.



Healed mice released a larger corticosterone surge when they smelled predator odor compared with controls. Blocking hormone synthesis during the odor challenge prevented both the prolonged paw pain and the extended freezing.



Imaging <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-025-02910-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> show cortisol spikes strengthen connections between the amygdala and pain processing regions, making future stressors feel more intense. The mouse data supply a mechanistic foothold and hint that dampening glucocorticoid swings might calm runaway pain in trauma survivors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-wasabi-receptor-s-surprising-cameo">The wasabi receptor's surprising cameo</h2>



Enter <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11251976/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TRPA1</a>, sometimes dubbed the “wasabi receptor” because it fires in response to pungent compounds. Beyond the sinuses, TRPA1 sits on sensory neurons and contributes to inflammatory pain.



Pharmacological TRPA1 blockade during predator odor exposure normalized corticosterone release and curtailed freezing. Yet the same blockade failed to stop the long term paw hypersensitivity, revealing a split between fear and pain pathways.



TRPA1’s involvement in threat sensing makes evolutionary sense since it serves as a chemical early warning system. In healed mice, that detector seems recalibrated to overshoot, sounding the alarm even when no fresh injury exists.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fear-and-pain-are-separate-roads">Fear and pain are separate roads</h2>



Researchers often lump fear and pain together because they co-occur, but Martin’s data tell a different story. Inhibiting corticosterone abolished both paths, while inhibiting TRPA1 trimmed only the fear branch.



A dynamical systems <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38849067/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">model</a> published last year supports partially overlapping neural hubs rather than a single circuit. Decoupling the roads matters for treatment because drugs that calm fear might leave pain untouched and vice versa.



Clinicians therefore need to screen both domains separately instead of assuming progress in one guarantees relief in the other. Such tailored assessments could speed patients toward the right mix of therapies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-of-injury-alters-brain-connectivity">Memory of injury alters brain connectivity </h2>



New research suggests that pain priming may not just affect immediate sensory responses but also alter long-term memory encoding of threat cues. This could explain why even subtle reminders of past trauma can trigger both emotional distress and physical symptoms in people with a history of injury or adversity.



<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6650904/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> using imaging techniques have shown that chronic pain alters connectivity in brain regions like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-has-a-filing-system-to-sort-visual-memories/">hippocampus</a>, which plays a key role in memory formation. If injury history reshapes how threats are stored and retrieved, it may be possible to develop therapies that weaken the emotional and physical recall of danger signals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-it-means-for-people-in-pain">What it means for people in pain</h2>



Roughly one in five U.S. adults lives with <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7215a1.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic pain</a>. The mouse findings suggest that an early stressor, even psychological, can cement pain circuits irrespective of lingering inflammation.



That insight reframes conditions like fibromyalgia, where hypersensitivity spreads beyond the original injury. If similar hormone sensor loops operate in humans, targeting them could spare patients years of trial and error painkillers.



The work also hints at a biological link between chronic pain and anxiety diagnoses that often coexist in clinics. Shared stress hormone circuits may explain why treating one symptom eases the other.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-the-injury-memory-link-be-treated">Can the injury-memory link be treated?</h2>



Corticosteroid synthesis inhibitors already exist for endocrine disorders and might merit short, time limited trials after severe injury to test whether they blunt later pain. Selective <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33620419/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TRPA1 antagonists</a> have reached early phase safety testing for asthma and cough, proving they can be taken systemically without major side effects. 



The strategy would be brief, given corticosterone’s vital role in metabolism. Delivering inhibitors only during the immediate stress window could prevent sensitization without hampering long term healing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questions-that-remain">Questions that remain</h2>



Do the same pathways hold in female mice and older animals? Hormone cycles and aging both alter glucocorticoid dynamics, and chronic pain is more common in women.



Another open question is whether the intervention window closes quickly or stays open for weeks. If sensitization hardens within days, emergency department protocols after injuries might need to incorporate stress hormone management before patients even go home.



The study is published in <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982225008711">Current Biology</a>.



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Memories of past injuries amplify future fear and pain responses in the brain

Past injuries fade from sight, yet the memory of them...

The American coastline has always pulled people toward its salt-tinged winds. Now, new work suggests the coastal attraction pays off in extra months of life.



Researchers at <a href="https://www.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ohio State University</a> analyzed data from over 66,000 U.S. census tracts to explore how geography affects lifespan. They found that living within 30 miles of an ocean or gulf adds about a year to the national average life expectancy of 78.4 years.



In contrast, people in large urban neighborhoods near rivers or lakes tend to have slightly shorter lifespans. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-waters-boost-health">Coastal waters boost health</h2>



The term blue space describes ocean fronts, bays, rivers, and other visible surface waters. A 2020 review links routine contact with coastal settings to lower <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-hormones-rise-during-sleep-to-prepare-your-body-for-the-day/">stress hormones</a>, healthier blood pressure, and better heart rate profiles.



This latest study was led by Jianyong “Jamie” Wu of the College of Public Health at Ohio State. 



“Overall, the coastal residents were expected to live a year or more longer than the 79-year average," said Wu. "Those who lived in more urban areas near inland rivers and lakes were likely to die by about 78 or so.”



Wu's team confirmed that advantage. The gap persisted after the models adjusted for age, race, and income.



“On the other side, pollution, poverty, lack of safe opportunities to be physically active, and an increased risk of flooding are likely drivers of these differences,” noted Yanni Cao, a postdoctoral researcher on the project.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooler-cleaner-coastal-air">Cooler, cleaner coastal air</h2>



Coastal counties recorded far fewer days above 95°F and lower annual peaks, sparing residents from lethal heatstrokes and heart strain. 



Epidemiologists show that each additional hot day raises cardiovascular mortality by 0.7 percent in older U.S. adults.



Sea breezes also dilute the fine soot that shortens global life expectancy by almost one year. Cleaner air means fewer asthma flares and strokes, two major killers in high-pollution zip codes.



Wildfire smoke compounds the inland burden. Western tracts beside reservoirs logged triple the number of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-escalating-public-health-emergency/">heavy smoke days</a> compared to similar seaside towns. This difference aligns closely with the study’s inland life expectancy dip.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-near-water-moves-you">Living near water moves you</h2>



Coastal living and living near water nudges people outdoors. A 2024 survey of 1,771 adults found that access to a neighborhood blue space boosted weekly physical activity frequency by 23 percent.



Regular movement trims <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-genetic-test-can-identify-children-who-are-at-risk-of-obesity-well-before-it-occurs/">obesity risk</a> and improves insulin sensitivity, both linked to longer lives.



Ocean edges multiply options, from beach runs to pier fishing. Inland rivers in dense downtowns often lack safe trails or clean swimming spots, blunting the activity bonus.



Coastal roads sit on flatter terrain, easing ambulance response times, while those living in the Rockies contend with steep grades and winter closures. Quick access to trauma centers can make the difference between recovery and early death after strokes or car crashes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lakes-aren-t-always-healthy">Lakes aren’t always healthy</h2>



Not every water view is equal. The Ohio State group saw a negative association between urban inland water and longevity even when lakes exceeded four square miles. 



Industrial runoff, barge traffic, and combined sewer overflows turn some rivers into pollutant sinks, undermining any mental health lift a view might give.



A 2017 review of 35 quantitative studies noted that benefits of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-spaces-in-childhood-improve-well-being-later-in-life/">blue space</a> fade when water quality is poor or access is restricted. The finding dovetails with Cao’s observation that inland “blue” often sits behind fences, roads, or rail yards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-city-rivers-hurt-health">City rivers hurt health</h2>



When the team split the map, rural communities near sizable lakes actually gained life months. Lower traffic density, fewer contaminant sources, and abundant fishing spots may explain the switch.



Cities tell another story. High-rise shadows block breezes, sewage outfalls spike bacteria counts after storms, and paved banks leave no room for walking paths. 



Flood risks add mortality pressure. Census tracts with repeated river inundation events showed sharper drops in life expectancy than any other inland water subgroup.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solutions-for-healthier-cities">Solutions for healthier cities</h2>



Public health experts see clear levers. Cleaning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-impacts-on-waterways-contribute-to-the-climate-crisis/">urban waterways</a>, building continuous waterfront trails, and zoning mixed-income housing near safe beaches could spread coastal-style living gains inland.



A 2025 review across 120 studies concluded that blue-green infrastructure projects lower obesity, anxiety, and all-cause mortality in the surrounding mile.



Local governments can also map cooling corridors that funnel sea breezes deeper inland and reduce sealing of riverbanks so floods dissipate in parks rather than homes. They can also subsidize transit lines that bring lower-income families to swimmable coasts.



These steps echo Healthy People 2030, targets aimed at cutting geographic health gaps.



Life expectancy is climbing again after a pandemic slump, reaching 78.4 years in 2023 per the CDC. Wu’s data suggest that widening the nation’s access to clean, safe blue space could push that figure higher.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935125012320">Environmental Research</a>.



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Coastal living linked to longer lifespans

The American coastline has always pulled people toward its salt-tinged...

Most of us know the sinking feeling that comes when we no longer feel motivated - after a stalled diet, an abandoned New Year’s resolution, or a half‑assembled piece of flat‑pack furniture gathering dust in the corner.



When progress stalls, the temptation to quit can be powerful - especially if we have already spent good money on specialized meal plans, coaching videos, or fancy tools.



A new study led by scholars at <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> suggests a simple mindset shift can rescue <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/streaks-can-be-a-powerful-tool-for-motivation/">motivation</a>: focus on the hours you have invested rather than the dollars you have spent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-time-versus-money">Testing time versus money</h2>



The project builds on a long line of psychological work showing that people perform best when they feel autonomy, competence, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experiences-not-things-are-key-to-deeper-social-connection/">social connection</a>. Failure chips away at those feelings, reducing what psychologists call self‑determination.



Marketing researchers Subimal Chatterjee and Debjit Gupta wondered whether emphasizing the type of investment - time versus money - would change how people react to setbacks.



Their hunch: time‑focused thinkers would persevere longer because they perceive their efforts as self‑improvement, whereas money‑focused thinkers would feel the pinch of wasted cash and give up sooner.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consistent-effects-on-motivation">Consistent effects on motivation</h2>



The team first surveyed more than 600 working professionals about personal goals that had hit a roadblock. Some respondents were prompted to reflect on the money they had poured into their pursuit; others were nudged to think about the time they had spent.



A second study had the same group imagine failing twice and report how motivated they felt to try again. Finally, the researchers replicated the design with 75 Taiwanese undergraduates who had recently flunked an exam.



Across all studies, the pattern held. Framing effort as hours and learning kept persistence and self-determination high, even after two consecutive setbacks. In contrast, those who tallied their cash outlay reported sharp drops in motivation after failing twice. 



Interestingly, after participants had stumbled three or more times, the difference between the two mindsets narrowed. By that point, repeated defeat seemed to sap confidence no matter how the initial investment was framed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spending-time-not-money">Spending time, not money</h2>



Chatterjee explained why the distinction matters: “You can go to coaching classes, you can buy books, you can buy videos. But when you do that, you expect to accomplish your goal. And when you don’t, you get extremely demotivated.”



But on the other hand, noted Chatterjee, if you spend less money, but more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-experiences-alter-time-perception/">time</a>, and think about how you’re doing this to improve yourself, that gets you into a more persistent mindset.



“Think about how, with any sort of health rehabilitation program, after you get hurt and have to get help from a chiropractor or other healthcare professional. There’s a monetary cost that goes along with obtaining that help," said Gupta.



“But you could also think of it as spending time improving and taking better care of yourself. You might not get better in a week; you might not achieve your objectives right away."



The upshot, Chatterjee said, is that it’s all about intrinsic motivation, something that comes from within, and if you really decide to learn. "Then this notion of time versus money becomes especially important.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-money-feels-like-loss">Money feels like loss</h2>



The researchers argue that money triggers a feeling of external control: people expect a clear return on a financial outlay. Fail twice, and it feels as though the cash was wasted.



Time, by contrast, is more easily reframed as personal growth. Hours spent studying or practicing still yield intangible benefits - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/optimal-decision-making-is-a-balance-of-experience-and-knowledge/">knowledge</a>, skill, resilience - even if the immediate goal remains unmet. That internal payoff protects self‑determination and fuels another attempt.



For anyone embarking on a challenging project - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-are-much-better-at-learning-language-than-ai/">learning a language</a>, training for a marathon, or tackling a certification exam - the research offers a practical takeaway.



When setbacks hit, focus on time spent learning and growing - not the money lost on subscriptions or tools. By rewiring the narrative to emphasize time and growth, you prime your mind to stay the course.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-businesses-and-marketers"><a></a>Lessons for businesses and marketers</h2>



The findings also carry weight for companies selling do‑it‑yourself products, online courses, or fitness programs.



“By including subtle, positively‑framed messages along with whatever marketers are selling can allow people to experience a greater level of persistence,” Gupta said.



“Having to try again after it didn’t work the first time wouldn’t mean a wasted effort. It would just be that you’re more likely to have a better handle on things the second time around.” 



Campaigns that spotlight the hours of enjoyment, community support, or personal enrichment a product facilitates - rather than its price tag - could foster customer loyalty and higher completion rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-motivates-in-the-workplace">Time motivates in the workplace</h2>



Inside organizations, the same principle may help employees bounce back from missing a promotion or failing to meet a quarterly target. 



If managers encourage staff to value the experience and skills gained during the process, morale may remain resilient.



For public health officials designing rehabilitation or weight-loss initiatives, framing participation as an investment of time in oneself could boost adherence. This approach may be especially effective for individuals with limited economic resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-mindset-that-motivates">A mindset that motivates</h2>



Goals falter for many reasons, but motivation often evaporates fastest when people feel they have squandered resources. 



This research shows that the most precious resource - time - can also be the most empowering when we choose to see it as self‑development rather than sacrifice.



The next time your resolution wobbles or your side project stalls, tally the minutes you have banked, not the dollars you have burned. That simple accounting switch might be the nudge that keeps you moving forward.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.emerald.com/jcm/article-abstract/doi/10.1108/JCM-05-2023-6026/1251798/Trying-but-failing-the-role-of-time-and-money-in?redirectedFrom=fulltext">Journal of Consumer Marketing</a>.



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Want to stay motivated? Focus on time, not money

Most of us know the sinking feeling that comes when...

Many people experience relationships that bring more stress than happiness. These strained relationships can influence aging and speed up the aging process. 



Psychologists have long known that strong social ties affect how long we live. One review even suggests that social isolation affects mortality as much as obesity or lack of exercise.



Quality of relationships matters as much as quantity. In 2012, researchers at the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=University+of+Utah&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a> found that “frenemies” - ambivalent relationships - may shorten telomeres faster. 



These chromosome caps shorten naturally with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-aging-how-some-people-live-past-100-years/">age</a> and are linked to diseases such as heart disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-stress-changes-your-body">How stress changes your body</h2>



Byungkyu Lee at <a href="https://www.nyu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a> and colleagues used DNA methylation marks to measure aging. These tiny chemical changes influence how genes work. “As we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-are-experimenting-with-new-approach-to-fight-and-stop-human-aging-necrosis/">age</a>, the pattern of these marks shifts in predictable ways,” said Lee.



The study involved 2,232 people who provided saliva samples for epigenetic testing. Participants also described their relationships, answering questions like, “How often has X hassled you, caused problems, or made life difficult?” 



Anyone who answered “occasionally” or “often” was labeled a “hassler.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stressful-relationships-age-you-faster">Stressful relationships age you faster</h2>



Over half the participants had at least one hassler in their network. “Over half of adults report having at least one hassler among their closest contacts,” said Lee.



Each hassler was associated with 0.5 percent faster biological aging. This means affected individuals were, on average, 2.5 months biologically older than their chronological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/">age</a>.



The latest research shows that when hasslers make up more than 50 percent of a person’s network, the acceleration of aging is even greater. Ambivalent hasslers, those who both provide support and cause stress, have the strongest impact.



Purely negative ties, in contrast, seem less harmful because people can distance themselves from these relationships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-harms-mind-and-body">Stress harms mind and body</h2>



Negative ties may increase chronic stress, which raises inflammation and disrupts immune function. This persistent stress can elevate cortisol and other hormones, damaging health over time. 



Lee’s team found higher levels of inflammation and epigenetic dysregulation in those with many hasslers, showing how relationships directly affect the body’s biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/defying-time-three-ways-to-slow-biological-aging/">systems</a>.



The effects extend beyond aging markers. People with more hasslers report worse general, physical, and mental health. They also have higher anxiety and depression scores and more chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and sleep problems. 



Negative ties are linked with higher waist-to-hip ratios, increased BMI, and more multimorbidity. These strained relationships can weaken resilience, make illnesses harder to recover from, and even reduce overall life expectancy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-group-relationships-help">Group relationships help </h2>



Alex Haslam from the <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Queensland</a> believes group belonging can outweigh the impact of a few negative ties. 



“For example, if I am a member of a book club or a choir, it will be my identification with the group as a whole that affects my health, not how well I get on with its individual members."



The complexity of ambivalent relationships makes them particularly damaging. Unpredictable relationships cause ongoing mental and physiological strain. 



People may not be able to avoid these ties, especially when they involve family or long-term friends.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fixing-relationships-can-slow-age">Fixing relationships can slow age</h2>



Negative relationships, especially those that shift between support and criticism, act as powerful chronic stressors. These ties trigger the body’s stress systems repeatedly, raising cortisol and inflammation, which can speed up biological aging and damage overall health. 



Unlike purely negative relationships that people can often avoid, ambivalent ties are harder to escape because they also provide emotional support. This unpredictability makes them particularly harmful, causing continuous psychological strain and physiological wear.



To improve health and slow aging, it is not enough to address loneliness or cut off overtly harmful ties. Future interventions should help people identify and manage ambivalent relationships while strengthening positive, supportive connections. 



Programs that teach conflict resolution, set boundaries, and encourage healthier communication could reduce the toll these complex relationship ties take. 



By focusing on both reducing relationship strain and nurturing trust-based social networks, we can promote better mental and physical well-being and healthier aging across the lifespan.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.23.25328261v2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medRxiv</a>.



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Negative relationships linked to faster aging at the cellular level

Many people experience relationships that bring more stress than happiness....

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

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



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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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.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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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.

How does salt makes things taste better?

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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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.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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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.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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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 Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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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 province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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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 rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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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 Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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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.

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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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.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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