Birdwatching was once a quiet, eccentric pastime. Now, it’s a worldwide phenomenon. Travelers go thousands of miles - even to remote places such as the Andes in Colombia - to catch a glimpse of one species. 



In the process, birdwatchers bond with the natural world, interact with fellow travelers, and spend money - lots of it. 



Now, birdwatching is one of the major engines of ecotourism, particularly in the tropics where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-birds-one-tree-complete-evolutionary-map-reveals-hidden-links/">bird</a> populations are rich and varied. But according to new research, not every country with rare birds is cashing in on this trend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birdwatching-as-a-growing-business">Birdwatching as a growing business</h2>



Over the past decade, birdwatching has gone through the roof. Apps such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-may-solve-the-mystery-of-bird-movements/">eBird</a>, which allow users to record sightings, have made birdwatching a worldwide community. They receive millions of checklists from users who record what birds they have spotted and where.



The data is especially valuable for researchers trying to figure out how birdwatching tourism works - and where it’s growing.



A group of scientists from the <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/">University of California, Santa Cruz</a> decided to dig into this question. They analyzed eBird records for 155 nations from 2010 to 2022. 



The goal was to learn why birdwatching tourists are drawn to certain places and why others receive more visits than others.



The team started by determining which app users were likely tourists. If a user mostly posted bird sightings in one country but also submitted checklists from others, those other sightings were counted as tourism. 



Next, the researchers built models to analyze which factors were tied to rising tourist activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-birds-more-tourists">More birds, more tourists?</h2>



You’d think countries with the most birds would attract the most birders. That’s partly true - but it’s not the whole story.



The researchers looked at four main factors to understand what drives birdwatching tourism. First was the total number of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-bird-species-face-extinction-risks-in-the-neotropics/">bird species</a> in a country. They also considered the number of small-range species - birds that are found only in a very specific area. 



Beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/">biodiversity</a>, the team included the Human Development Index, which measures education, health, and income levels. Lastly, they factored in the Global Peace Index, which reflects a country’s overall safety and stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-influencing-bird-tourism">Factors influencing bird tourism </h2>



The analysis showed that the most important factor wasn’t birds - it was development. A country’s Human Development Index explained 41.4 percent of the variation in bird tourism. 



Species richness came in second at 22.4 percent. Small-range species mattered too, but not as much. Surprisingly, safety had only a minor influence - just 1.4 percent.



That means tourists care more about basic infrastructure and services than they do about peace rankings. They want to go somewhere that’s easy to travel in, not necessarily somewhere that’s totally safe on paper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colombia-takes-the-lead">Colombia takes the lead</h2>



One of the biggest winners in the study was Colombia. Since 2010, birding activity in the country has grown 40 times over. 



The country also saw the biggest growth in tourist birdwatching, specifically. Colombia now holds a much bigger slice of the global birding pie than it did a decade ago.



South Africa ranked second in growth overall. Other countries, like Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru, also scored high in both visitation and biodiversity.



But some tropical countries, including Venezuela, Bolivia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, barely saw any growth - even though they have incredible birds.



The gap is especially striking between Colombia and Venezuela. Both have rich bird life and similar development scores, but their tourism outcomes couldn’t be more different.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-working-and-what-isn-t">What’s working - and what isn’t</h2>



Part of Colombia’s success might come down to smart promotion. The country’s tourism agency launched a major campaign to boost birdwatching. 



Meanwhile, places like Costa Rica have spent years building infrastructure - trails, towers, trained guides - and focusing on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/travelers-are-ready-for-more-affordable-eco-friendly-options/">sustainable travel</a>. That kind of investment pays off.



On the other hand, some countries just haven’t built the conditions needed to welcome tourists, even if they have world-class birds. 



The study also suggests other factors might be in play: ease of getting visas, how affordable flights are, how a country is seen politically, and how well-connected it is to major tourist source countries like the U.S.



“Over the years, we’ve seen Colombia really explode as a birdwatching destination, and we often asked ourselves why more countries aren’t similarly recognized as great places for birdwatching,” said Scott Winton, a UC Santa Cruz ecologist and study coauthor.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birdwatching-as-a-business-opportunity">Birdwatching as a business opportunity</h2>



The researchers say there are ways to grow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birdwatching-boosts-alaskas-economy-by-hundreds-of-millions/">birdwatching tourism</a> - especially for countries in the tropics with untapped potential.



One important takeaway: it’s not all or nothing. A nation doesn’t necessarily have to be completely developed or 100% secure to attract birders. What is more important is whether certain areas are perceived as safe, boast trained local guides, and provide minimal amenities.



To get there, governments can facilitate the growth of birding tourism by providing tax incentives or low-interest loans to facilitate the construction of birding trails, canopy towers, and viewing hides. 



Investing in guide training can also go a long way, particularly if locals are equipped with bird identification and customer service knowledge. Preserving bird habitats is important, as ecotourism relies on maintaining these areas intact. 



Furthermore, investing in small, community-based tourism enterprises with incentives for sustainable activities can help make birding tourism more accessible and inclusive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birdwatching-biodiversity-and-income">Birdwatching, biodiversity, and income</h2>



Birdwatching isn’t a shortcut to success. It requires long-term thinking. Natural habitats take years to recover if they’re destroyed, but tourism built around nature can last for generations. Still, it’s not a decision governments should make alone.



“Just as I’ve seen birding tourism change people’s lives in my native Colombia, I hope other tropical countries can come together to conserve and showcase their amazing bird capital,” said Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela, the study’s lead author.



Ultimately, local and Indigenous communities should have the final say. When they lead, and when the land is protected, birdwatching can be more than a hobby - it can be a way to protect biodiversity and build lasting income in places that need it most.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pan3.70105">People and Nature</a>.



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Birdwatching is big business, but not all countries benefit

Birdwatching was once a quiet, eccentric pastime. Now, it’s a worldwide phenomenon. Travelers go thousands of miles - even to remote places such as the Andes in Colombia - to catch a glimpse of one species. In the process, birdwatchers bond with the natural world, interact with fellow travelers, and spend money - lots of it. Now, birdwatching is one of the major engines of ecotourism, particularly in the tropics where bird populations are rich and varied. But according to new research, not every country with rare...

Scuba diving does more than open a window onto coral gardens and kelp forests. According to the first comprehensive tally of its global economic footprint, the pastime injects between $8.5 billion and $20.4 billion into the world economy each year. It also supports up to 124,000 jobs across 170 countries.



The study gives ocean advocates a new set of hard numbers to argue that healthy seas are not just a moral imperative - they are a lucrative asset.



The new analysis builds on 2021 work that pegged Mexico’s dive tourism at roughly $725 million a year - nearly as much as the entire fishing industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dive-data-goes-global">Dive data goes global</h2>



Backed by the <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Geographic Society</a> and endorsed by the United Nations Ocean Decade, marine biologist Octavio Aburto-Oropeza of <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a> created the Atlas Aquatica project to discover whether similar economic clout exists at the global scale.



The team compiled a database of more than 11,500 dive operators using Google Maps listings and PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) records, then cross-checked entries with local experts. An online survey drew 425 responses from businesses in 81 countries.



Economist Andrés Cisneros-Montemayor from <a href="https://www.sfu.ca/">Simon Fraser University</a> translated those answers into spending estimates: direct outlays on courses, boat charters, and gear rentals, plus indirect spending on hotels, meals, and transportation by the world’s nine to fourteen million recreational divers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dive-tourism-drives-billions">Dive tourism drives billions</h2>



The numbers surprised even seasoned researchers. Direct expenditures came in between $900 million and $3.2 billion a year. 



Add in ancillary spending, and the total swells to a figure of $8.5 billion to $20.4 billion. Eighty percent of dive-shop employees are local residents, a ratio that few mass-tourism sectors match.



“Scuba diving is pretty unique because it makes you spend time underwater,” said Fabio Favoretto, the Atlas Aquatica coordinator and a Scripps postdoctoral fellow.



“You can sail or surf above a dead ocean, but scuba divers notice if there are no <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-are-quietly-battling-climate-change-on-the-seabed/">fish</a> - it’s really an activity that is dependent on the health of the system. That’s a positive for conservation because it makes divers allies.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-divers-flock-to-protected-waters">Divers flock to protected waters</h2>



Roughly 70 percent of all marine dives happen inside <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-fall-short-on-2030-biodiversity-targets/">marine protected areas</a> (MPAs), a finding that aligns with earlier research showing that operators and clients will pay a premium for richer wildlife encounters.



Prior studies suggest that expanding MPAs could further boost revenue by attracting more visitors willing to pay higher fees for healthier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reef-food-webs-are-more-fragile-than-we-thought/">reefs</a>, seagrass meadows, and pelagic drop-offs.



“We show that diving generates a lot of income, and it does this without degrading the environment like extractive industries such as fishing or mining,” Aburto-Oropeza said.



“We hope that showing the scale of the economic impact from this activity will encourage policies that invest in diving by increasing marine protections.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-workforce-watching-reefs-decline"><a></a>A workforce watching reefs decline</h2>



Still, money alone cannot shield ecosystems. Most surveyed operators reported noticeable environmental degradation at their sites over the past decade.



That frontline perspective makes the sector a potential early-warning system for policymakers, provided governments invite dive professionals to the table. 



The authors call for standardized ecological monitoring protocols across the industry and for formal seats for operators in marine management bodies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eco-friendly-tourism-works">Eco-friendly tourism works</h2>



Dive tourism exemplifies what scholars call the “blue economy,” a vision in which coastal communities prosper by stewarding, not exploiting, marine resources.



“Unlike mass tourism operations that can harm local communities and marine environments, dive tourism, when managed well, can be economically viable, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable,” said Anna Schuhbauer, the study’s lead author and a fisheries scientist at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/">University of British Columbia</a>.



Because divers fly in small groups, stay longer, and spend heavily on local services, the money sticks close to home. Their physical footprint - anchored moorings, low-speed boats, tanks that are refilled rather than discarded - remains comparatively light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giving-divers-a-voice">Giving divers a voice</h2>



Despite their economic heft, dive operators are often fragmented into tiny businesses with little say in coastal zoning or fisheries regulation. Atlas Aquatica aims to change that by helping shops form cooperatives.



Pilot cooperatives in Mexico and Italy are already pooling funds for reef restoration, lobbying for stricter fishing limits inside MPAs, and negotiating better safety and sustainability standards. 



The study recommends that governments recognize such groups as official stakeholders, giving them standing in decision-making processes that shape the underwater landscapes on which their livelihoods depend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-profits-support-protection">Profits support protection</h2>



For decades conservationists have argued that protecting biodiversity can pay for itself. By attaching dollar values to bubbles, buoyancy, and fin kicks, the new report turns that slogan into measurable evidence.



Moreover, scuba divers’ preference for MPAs is supported by data showing that about 70 percent of all marine dives currently occur within MPAs. 



Policymakers weighing the short-term gains of mining or unregulated fishing against the steady flow of dive tourism dollars now have a clearer ledger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scuba-diving-s-future-outlook">Scuba diving’s future outlook</h2>



The researchers acknowledge gaps - their operator list, though vast, is not exhaustive; informal or unlicensed outfits are harder to track; and the pandemic temporarily suppressed travel numbers used in the analysis.



Even so, the conservative tone of their models suggests that the true economic contribution may be higher. Future studies will refine regional estimates, examine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-carbon-footprint-urban-farms-and-agriculture/">carbon footprints</a>, and test whether higher protection leads directly to higher earnings over time.



For now, the takeaway is straightforward: oceans brimming with life are a magnet for recreational divers, and divers, in turn, pump billions into coastal economies without extracting a single fish.



Recognizing that virtuous cycle could help steer global recovery funds, tourism strategies, and climate-finance projects toward smarter policies. These would support colorful reefs and dense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-forests-in-crisis-how-toxic-turf-algae-are-taking-over/">kelp forests</a> - a win for local jobs, national coffers, and, above all, the sea itself..



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-sustainability/fulltext/S2949-7906(25)00131-4?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2949790625001314%3Fshowall%3Dtrue">Cell Reports Sustainability</a>.



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Scuba diving boosts conservation - and brings in billions

Scuba diving does more than open a window onto coral...

City life has always had a reputation for being fast. A new study shows just how much faster it's become. The researchers found that from 1980 to 2010, the average walking speed in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia rose by 15 percent. 



Meanwhile, the number of people lingering in public spaces dropped by 14 percent. Fewer people are slowing down to talk, relax, or meet others.



The research comes from scientists at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT), Yale University, the University of Hong Kong, Michigan State University, and Harvard University. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-decades-of-data-reveal">What decades of data reveal</h2>



The team used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-used-to-locate-sources-of-heavy-pollution/">machine learning</a> to analyze how public spaces are used differently today than they were 40 years ago.



The researchers worked with old footage captured by William Whyte, a well-known urbanist who spent the late 1970s and early 1980s studying public spaces in major cities. 



Whyte filmed four key spots: Boston's Downtown Crossing, New York’s Bryant Park, the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Philadelphia’s Chestnut Street. 



In 2010, researchers went back to those same locations at the same times of day to shoot updated footage for comparison.



“Something has changed over the past 40 years,” said MIT professor of the practice Carlo Ratti. “How fast we walk, how people meet in public space - what we’re seeing here is that public spaces are working in somewhat different ways, more as a thoroughfare and less a space of encounter.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fewer-interactions-in-city-spaces">Fewer interactions in city spaces</h2>



The study used AI and computer vision to identify patterns in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/distracted-walking-texting-puts-pedestrians-at-risk/">pedestrian</a> behavior. One surprising constant: the number of people walking alone didn’t really change - from 67% in 1980 to 68% in 2010. 



At the same time, the percentage of individuals who entered a space and then joined a group dropped from 5.5% to just 2 percent. “Perhaps there’s a more transactional nature to public space today,” said Ratti.



That shift reflects how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-digital-technology-influence-our-sense-of-self/">technology</a> has changed the way we navigate social life. Plans are often made ahead of time, and people tend to move with more purpose through public spaces.



“When you look at the footage from William Whyte, the people in public spaces were looking at each other more,” said Ratti. 



“It was a place you could start a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brief-conversations-with-strangers-boost-life-satisfaction/">conversation</a> or run into a friend. You couldn’t do things online then. Today, behavior is more predicated on texting first, to meet in public space.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meeting-spaces-for-city-people">Meeting spaces for city people </h2>



Another possible reason for the shift? Starbucks - and places like it. Meeting up in an air-conditioned café is now the go-to move, far more appealing than hanging out on a hot or windy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-environments-and-sidewalks-improve-heart-health/">sidewalk</a>.



According to the study authors, the proliferation of coffee shops and other indoor venues may be pulling people away from lingering in outdoor public areas.



That’s a major change from 1980, when large coffee chains were rare or nonexistent. Now, those third spaces are everywhere - and they’re often designed specifically to draw people in and keep them there.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-better-city-spaces">Designing better city spaces </h2>



The research doesn’t just document a shift - it could shape how cities are designed in the future. Planners might use these insights to rethink how public spaces are built and how people move through them.



“Public space is such an important element of civic life, and today partly because it counteracts the polarization of digital space,” said Arianna Salazar-Miranda of Yale University. “The more we can keep improving public space, the more we can make our cities suited for convening.”



The team hopes this is just the beginning. Building on this study, researchers aim to broaden their understanding of how people interact with public environments.



“We are collecting footage from 40 squares in Europe,” said Fabio Duarte of MIT. “The question is: How can we learn at a larger scale? This is in part what we’re doing.”



The future of public space may depend on learning from its past - and adjusting to how people use it today.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2424662122">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Fewer people are stopping to talk in city spaces

City life has always had a reputation for being fast....

People with dementia often wait too long for a diagnosis. A new global study by UCL found that the average time from the first symptoms to diagnosis is 3.5 years. 



For early-onset dementia, the delay stretches to 4.1 years. These delays worsen access to care and lead to missed opportunities for support.



Researchers analyzed 13 studies from Europe, the US, Australia, and China, covering over 30,000 participants. They tracked the time from when symptoms first appeared - noticed by families or patients - to the formal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-confirmed-as-a-major-risk-factor-for-dementia/">diagnosis</a> by clinicians.



This is the first comprehensive review to measure this diagnostic gap across countries and dementia types.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-dementia-goes-undiagnosed">Why dementia goes undiagnosed</h2>



“Timely diagnosis of dementia remains a major global challenge, shaped by a complex set of factors, and specific healthcare strategies are urgently needed to improve it,” said lead author Dr. Vasiliki Orgeta from the <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/psychiatry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCL Division of Psychiatry</a>.



Though early symptoms may appear subtle, many families delay action. People often mistake the signs for normal aging. In several countries, general practitioners refer patients to memory clinics, but often only after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-particular-sleep-stage-slow-wave-deep-is-most-important-for-preventing-dementia/">symptoms</a> become severe.



The diagnostic process itself is slow. Even in countries with established memory clinics, delays persist. On average, patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) waited 4.2 years. 



Those with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) faced a 3.6-year delay. The longest delays occurred in younger people with FTD, who waited 4.7 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-people-wait-longer">Young people wait longer</h2>



Younger patients face unique challenges. Their symptoms are unexpected and often misdiagnosed as stress or mental health issues. 



Two studies linked younger age directly to longer delays. Several others found that people with young-onset dementia saw multiple doctors before receiving a diagnosis.



Specialist services helped. In one Australian study, people who accessed a dedicated young-onset dementia clinic got diagnosed faster.



“Our work highlights the need for a clear conceptual framework on time to diagnosis in dementia, developed in collaboration with people with dementia, their caregivers, and supporters,” Dr. Orgeta added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waiting-for-dementia-diagnosis">Waiting for dementia diagnosis</h2>



Race, income, and education also played a role. One study from the US found that Black participants experienced longer delays compared to white participants.



This difference was partly due to income and education levels. Lower educational attainment and lack of insurance contributed to these diagnostic gaps.



Female patients, in some studies, were also more likely to wait longer. People without functional impairments tended to get delayed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/risk-of-dementia-is-much-higher-than-previously-thought/">diagnoses</a> too. This shows that visible symptoms often trigger action - but subtle or early signs may not.



“Symptoms of dementia are often mistaken for normal aging, while fear, stigma, and low public awareness can discourage people from seeking help,” said study co-author Dr. Phuong Leung.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-type-of-dementia-often-missed">One type of dementia often missed</h2>



Frontotemporal dementia is harder to detect. It may present as behavioral or language issues rather than memory loss. In some studies, FTD patients were younger and had fewer memory symptoms than those with AD. This complexity caused doctors to misread symptoms or delay referrals.



“Within healthcare systems, inconsistent referral pathways, limited access to specialists, and under-resourced memory clinics can create further delays," said Professor Rafael Del-Pino-Casado from the University of Jaén in Spain.



"For some, language differences or a lack of culturally appropriate assessment tools can make access to timely diagnosis even harder.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-speeding-up-detection">Speeding up detection</h2>



The review recommends setting up specialist services for young-onset dementia. These centers can reduce diagnostic delays and improve access to support. 



It also urges global efforts to improve training for doctors, awareness campaigns for the public, and policy frameworks to define acceptable diagnostic timelines.



“To speed up dementia diagnosis, we need action on multiple fronts," said Dr. Orgeta. "Public awareness campaigns can help improve understanding of early symptoms and reduce stigma, encouraging people to seek help sooner."



"Clinician training is critical to improve early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dementia-is-a-growing-global-health-crisis-with-a-staggering-cost/">recognition</a> and referral, along with access to early intervention and individualized support so that people with dementia and their families can get the help they need."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-undiagnosed-dementia">Reducing undiagnosed dementia</h2>



Many people still believe dementia only affects older adults, a misconception that leaves younger patients undiagnosed and delays treatment, reducing quality of life.



The report calls for more large-scale studies and standard definitions of diagnostic intervals. Without accurate timelines, policy and planning efforts will fall short.



The authors argue for immediate investment in research, inclusive care systems, and better diagnostics. With the right steps, future generations could receive dementia diagnoses faster - and live better for longer.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.70129" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry</a>.



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Dementia is going undiagnosed for years, especially in young patients

People with dementia often wait too long for a diagnosis....

You might sweat through a July afternoon, yet still feel drowsy right on schedule when evening falls. A new study shows that our internal clock stays on its 24-hour beat in the heat by subtly reshaping the daily rise and fall of gene activity.



The research was led by theoretical biophysicist <a href="https://ithems.riken.jp/en/members/gen-kurosawa">Gen Kurosawa</a> at the RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (<a href="https://ithems.riken.jp/en">iTHEMS</a>) in Japan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-temperature-speeds-reactions">Why temperature speeds reactions</h2>



Most chemical reactions run faster as the thermometer climbs. This is because heat lets molecules collide more often.



Left unchecked, the basic physics would cause every cellular process to speed up. Yet organisms show temperature compensation, keeping their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-color-of-light-impacts-our-internal-clocks-and-circadian-rhythms/">circadian rhythm</a> nearly the same.



Biologists use something called a Q10 value to measure how temperature affects reactions. Even a small 10°F increase can double the speed of many biological processes, showing just how unlikely it is for a body clock to stay completely stable.



This mystery has intrigued scientists who study biological clocks for decades and drives ongoing research into what keeps them so precise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-the-body-clock-steady">Keeping the body clock steady</h2>



The classic explanation comes from scientist Colin Pittendrigh. In 1954, he noticed that fruit flies kept emerging right on schedule, even when he changed the temperature in their chambers.



Pittendrigh's observation convinced researchers that the body clock carries built-in brakes to counteract the thermal push.



Subsequent models invoked competing chemical loops that lengthen or shorten the cycle so their temperature responses cancel out. 



These ideas work in theory yet do not fully capture the fine details of real gene-expression curves recorded in animals and plants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-body-clock-changes-shape">The body clock changes shape</h2>



Kurosawa’s team found that the key isn’t adjusting the speed of the cycle. Instead, they discovered that changing the shape of the rhythm - something they call waveform distortion - makes the difference.



At higher temperatures, messenger RNA (<a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Messenger-RNA-mRNA">mRNA</a>) levels climb sharply, linger, then glide down more slowly. This stretches one side of the wave and squeezes the other.



The total area under the curve - an indirect measure of how much protein is made - stays the same, which helps keep the overall cycle length steady.



Viewed on a graph, the once-smooth sine wave becomes a lopsided sawtooth. That geometry alone delivers the needed timekeeping fix.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-math-trick-explains-time-in-heat">A math trick explains time in heat</h2>



To explain how this imbalance keeps the cycle steady, the researchers used a math technique called the renormalization group method. This technique is usually applied to complex, chaotic systems like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientific-surprise-as-turbulence-mixing-dynamics-captured-using-quantum-computing/">turbulence</a>.



The method teases out the slow backbone of a complicated set of equations, showing that only the downturn of the wave needs to relax to counteract universal speed-ups.



Because the analysis is analytical rather than purely simulated, it offers clear testable predictions about which part of the waveform should stretch when the thermostat rises. 



The predictions line up with time-lapse luciferase recordings of clock genes in cultured cells, lending extra weight to the math.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-clocks-match-the-model">Animal clocks match the model</h2>



Fruit flies, mice, and even bread mold fungi show the predicted skew when they grow in warmer rooms, matching the model line for line. 



Heat-pulse <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9528772/">experiments</a> also shift PER and TIM proteins in the direction the theory foresees, confirming that proteins follow the mRNA wave.



In flies carrying the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7481773/">perL mutation</a>, the distortion is exaggerated and the period actually lengthens, highlighting how a single genetic tweak can upset the balance. That mutant teaches researchers where the tipping points hide in the molecular wiring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wave-shape-affects-sleep-and-shiftwork">Wave shape affects sleep and shiftwork</h2>



A sturdier but less responsive clock sounds good until you cross several time zones or work overnight. 



Modeling work suggests that as the waveform grows more distorted, the range of light signals that can reset the clock narrows, making jet lag and shift-work fatigue harder to shake.&nbsp;



“The degree of waveform distortion in clock <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tens-of-thousands-of-hidden-dark-genes-discovered-in-humans/">genes</a> could be a biomarker that helps us better understand sleep disorders,” Kurosawa said. 



Ignoring shape may explain why some experimental drugs that tweak reaction rates never made it to the clinic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-and-light-warp-rhythms">Heat and light warp rhythms</h2>



Changes in the shape of the body clock’s rhythm also affect how it responds to winter darkness and bright summer light - suggesting a possible molecular link between temperature changes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunlight-plays-a-critical-role-in-human-sleep/">seasonal mood shifts</a>.



Insects enduring broad temperature ranges show sluggish adjustments because a heavily distorted wave resists dawn cues - a possibility raised by field <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26120562/">studies</a> on temperature-trained flies.&nbsp;



A distorted wave in January may tell migratory birds when to head south or signal bees to forage later in the day. That knowledge could guide design of smart lighting systems that change spectrum and intensity as temperatures shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-shape-to-treatment-options">From shape to treatment options</h2>



Researchers now need to pin down the enzymes that slow the evening slide of clock mRNA and hunt for drugs that can nudge that process. 



The experts also want to learn whether age, diet, or genetic variation affects how easily the waveform bends. That could open paths to more tailored <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/circadian-medicine-light-therapy-could-help-millions-of-heart-patients/">chronotherapy</a>.



Answering these questions will also clarify whether waveform signatures can serve as early warning markers for metabolic disease.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013246">PLOS Computational Biology</a>.



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Human body clocks distort time to stay on schedule in the heat

You might sweat through a July afternoon, yet still feel...

Lately, if a soundtrack in a streaming clip stirred your emotions more than usual, it might not have come from a composer at all. A new study shows that AI-generated music doesn’t just fill space - it can move us more than the real thing.



The new study showed 88 volunteers the same short films while biometric sensors tracked their eyes and skin. After each viewing, participants rated how they felt, and the equipment logged subtle shifts that even they could not sense.



Nikolaj Fišer of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (<a href="https://www.uab.cat/web/universitat-autonoma-de-barcelona-1345467954774.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UAB</a>) led the research with colleagues at RTVE in Barcelona and the <a href="https://www.uni-lj.si/en/university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Ljubljana</a>. His team pooled expertise in communication science, media psychology, and audio engineering.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-ef7e153d-11f4-4751-9555-8fc2931ec5b0">AI tools reshape sound</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-generative-ai-go-mad-and-wreck-internet-data/">Generative artificial intelligence</a> tools turn plain language prompts into full songs. Platforms such as Suno and Stable Audio let users specify mood, tempo, and instrumentation, already powering thousands of YouTube reels.



A 2024 market report predicts the AI music segment will top $3 billion by 2028. Analysts tie that growth to advertisers and indie game studios hungry for cheap, custom soundtracks.



The Barcelona team asked whether synthetic tracks do more than fill silence. Their three test conditions paired identical visuals with a traditional cinematic score, an AI track built from a rich prompt, and another AI track based on a bare-bones prompt that only listed emotional values.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-0cb9f345-fd8f-4332-ac8b-14642769eb03">AI music boosts response</h2>



Eye tracking showed wider pupil dilation with both AI tracks than with the human score. The average increase of 0.18 millimeters is a reliable marker of stronger emotional arousal.



“Both types of AI-generated music led to greater pupil dilation and were perceived as more emotionally stimulating compared to human-created music,” said Fišer.



The observation matches earlier work linking dilated pupils to heightened sound induced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-emotions-linked-to-unique-brain-activity/">excitement</a>.



The findings suggested that decoding the emotional information in AI generated music may require greater cognitive effort. Detailed-prompt music also raised blink frequency by about 20 percent and boosted galvanic skin response, two signs of heavier cognitive processing.



Those physiological changes never reached awareness. Self report scores on mood stayed neutral, underscoring how bodies can signal strain or thrill before minds notice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-2e75cf18-2cdb-41df-bbc5-a83fadc15c5e">Stretching memory with music</h2>



Working memory has strict limits, and sensory streams vie for capacity.



When music grows dense, the brain allocates more resources to decoding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-doesnt-just-hear-music-it-becomes-the-rhythm/">rhythm</a> and harmony. But despite the brain's limits, the volunteers recalled the scene details on a follow-up quiz given by the researchers.



Moderate cognitive stretching might even help memory by sharpening focus. Researchers have seen similar effects when suspenseful scores accompany learning videos in classrooms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-860683d1-cb9e-4938-8306-c63d1e0faa39">The comfort of convention</h2>



Participants labeled the human score most familiar even though none had heard it before. Hollywood conventions, minor keys for tension, swelling strings for relief, prime ears to tag certain tonal shapes as known, and familiarity often aligns with preference.



AI tracks sounded novel by contrast. Novelty itself widens pupils and drives exploratory attention, a link shown in infant work using out of scale melodies.



Familiarity speeds prediction, letting brains <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-brain-decides-what-to-focus-on-and-what-to-ignore/">focus</a> on surprises instead of every beat. Predictive coding models suggest that once AI engines fully mirror those statistics, listeners may stop guessing who wrote the music.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-1b374b32-3c9a-4a1a-8cb8-b0bccdc51731">Cheaper music, same punch</h2>



Production budgets shrink when music can be drafted in seconds instead of weeks. Independent filmmakers already replace temp library cues with AI stems, and the new physiology data hints those placeholders may survive to final release because the emotional punch is strong.



Meanwhile, concert halls see opportunity. Hybrid shows where algorithms improvise beside live musicians sold out pilot events in Los Angeles this spring.



Licensing rules, however, remain unsettled. The U.S. Copyright Office says fully AI generated works lack protection, muddying royalty streams for tracks that still rack up millions of plays.



Asset managers notice the turmoil. Stock music libraries now add AI only shelves and price them lower, betting high volume will offset thinner margins.



Music schools are responding with new modules on human-AI collaboration. Students who once studied counterpoint now also learn prompt design.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-9d2ede96-b682-47b6-9763-a55a16739b41">Ethics of algorithmic emotion</h2>



Hidden <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-predict-human-life-events-including-death/">algorithms</a> raise new questions about consent. Viewers on social media never sign forms telling them a guitar riff underneath might be steering the mood.



Media psychologists caution that pairing sentiment analysis with instant music could let advertisers tweak emotions on the fly.



Artists worry about training data. Lawsuits in New York and London argue that scraping copyrighted recordings violates performers’ rights.



Fišer’s group proposes metadata flags describing arousal targets so editors can set upper limits in children’s or therapeutic content. Regulators in Europe may move first, as the draft <a href="https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Artificial Intelligence Act</a> already calls for clear labels on synthetic audio.



For now, the lesson is simple. The score behind your next online video may come from a server rack, and your body may cheer before your brain notices.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0326498">PLOS</a><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0326498" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0326498">One</a>.



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AI soundtracks stir stronger emotions than music composed by humans

Lately, if a soundtrack in a streaming clip stirred your...

In the last two decades, smartphones have become deeply embedded in childhood. They are no longer luxury devices for adults but tools, toys, and social lifelines for children. 



A major global study by Sapien Labs has found that owning a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/phone-bans-dont-help-children-learn-to-navigate-the-digital-world/">smartphone</a> before age 13 correlates with poorer mind health in adulthood.



This includes higher risks of suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, and weakened emotional control. The results span across cultures and regions, making it a global concern.



The researchers analyzed data from over 100,000 young adults aged 18 to 24. They found that early smartphone use in children - especially before age 10 - leads to a steep drop in mind health scores. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smartphones-and-harmful-content">Smartphones and harmful content </h2>



Smartphones today act as entry points to AI-powered environments. These systems, designed to maximize user engagement, often exploit psychological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mobile-addiction-harms-kids-mental-health-more-than-screen-time/">vulnerabilities</a>. 



They push harmful content, encourage constant social comparison, and replace in-person interaction and sleep with screen time.



“Our data indicate that early smartphone ownership - and the social media access it often brings - is linked with a profound shift in mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood,” said Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, who is the founder and Chief Scientist of <a href="https://sapienlabs.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sapien Labs</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-early-is-too-early">How early is too early?</h2>



The Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) scores showed that those who got smartphones at 13 scored around 30. Those who received one at age five scored just 1. 



Among females, early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childrens-screen-time-shapes-their-mental-health-as-teens/">smartphone</a> use raised the percentage reporting suicidal thoughts by 20 points. Males showed an 11-point increase.



The symptoms most affected include suicidal ideation, hallucinations, aggression, and emotional instability. Functioning issues included reduced self-image, confidence, empathy, and calmness. 



The effects were more severe in English-speaking countries, where early access is common.



“These symptoms of increased aggression, detachment from reality and suicidal thoughts can have significant societal consequences as their rates grow in younger generations,” says Dr. Thiagarajan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-effects-of-social-media">The effects of social media</h2>



The study found that early access to social media explained 40% of the negative effects. Cyberbullying, poor family relationships, and disrupted sleep were also significant contributors. These factors often act downstream of early social media use.



In the English-speaking world, the numbers were worse. Social media access accounted for up to 70% of the mental health impact. Female users also faced more exposure to sexual abuse linked to early online access.



“Based on these findings, and with the age of first smartphones now well under age 13 across the world, we urge policymakers to adopt a precautionary approach, similar to regulations on alcohol and tobacco, by restricting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/screen-time-and-mental-health-a-vicious-cycle-for-kids/">smartphone</a> access for under 13s, mandating digital literacy education and enforcing corporate accountability,” said Dr. Thiagarajan.



This isn’t just a parenting issue. Children whose parents limit devices may face peer exclusion. AI-driven social media apps are too persuasive for young minds to self-regulate. 



Even children protected at home face peer-led exposure to harm in schools. That’s why experts stress the need for collective solutions rather than isolated efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limiting-smartphone-access-to-children">Limiting smartphone access to children</h2>



Dr. Thiagarajan and her team propose a four-part policy response to protect children under 13. First, they recommend mandatory education on digital literacy and mental health to prepare children before they access online platforms. 



Second, they call for strict enforcement of age limits on social media, ensuring that companies are held accountable for underage users. The experts advocate for a complete ban on social media access for children under 13 across all internet-connected devices.



Furthermore, the researchers propose graduated smartphone access by providing children under 13 with basic phones that support only calling and texting, without internet or app capabilities.



“Altogether, these policy recommendations aim to safeguard mind health during critical developmental windows,” said Dr. Thiagarajan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smartphones-children-and-health">Smartphones, children, and health</h2>



Delaying action could cost society a generation’s well-being. Up to 20% of youth may suffer suicidal thoughts due to early smartphone exposure. Nearly a third could face serious distress symptoms if trends continue.



“Our evidence suggests childhood smartphone ownership, an early gateway into AI-powered digital environments, is profoundly diminishing mind health and wellbeing in adulthood with deep consequences for individual agency and societal flourishing,” said Dr. Thiagarajan.



“I was initially surprised by how strong the results are. However when you give it due consideration, it does begin to make sense that the younger developing mind is more compromised by the online environment given their vulnerability and lack of worldly experience."



Dr. Thiagarajan noted that it is also important to point out that smartphones and social media are not the only assault to mental health and crisis facing younger adults. "It explains some of the overall decline but not all of it."



“Now, while more research is needed to unravel the causal mechanisms, waiting for irrefutable proof in the face of these population-level findings unfortunately risks missing the window for timely, preventative action.”



The research was supported by the Global Mind Project. The findings are published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19452829.2025.2518313" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Human Development and Capabilities</a>.



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Don't give your children a smartphone before the age of 13, scientists warn

In the last two decades, smartphones have become deeply embedded...

Plenty of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) eyeball the bread basket like it’s a minefield. Many swear that a single crumb of gluten or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/this-diet-promises-to-improve-symptoms-of-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/">wheat</a> will balloon their abdomen or send them racing to the restroom.



A new controlled <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2468125325000901" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trial</a> from McMaster University hints that the real culprit may be expectation, not gluten molecules. The finding lands in a country where roughly <a href="https://cdhf.ca/en/digestive-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one-in-ten</a> Canadians live with IBS.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-belief-affects-gut-more-than-gluten">Belief affects gut more than gluten</h2>



“Not every patient who believes they are reacting to gluten actually does,” explained <a href="https://experts.mcmaster.ca/display/bercikp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premysl Bercik</a>, a senior investigator and study co-author from the Department of Medicine at <a href="https://www.mcmaster.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McMaster University</a>. He and his colleagues designed a cereal bar challenge that separated perception from physiology. 



Participants cycled through three bars that looked and tasted identical: one packed with purified <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colonoscopy-vs-stool-tests-doctors-found-out-which-is-better-at-detecting-cancer/">gluten</a>, one with whole grain wheat, and one completely free of both. Only after the study ended did they learn which week featured which bar.



Symptom logs revealed no statistical difference among the three bars. The sham snack triggered just as many bad gut days as the wheat laden versions, undermining the assumption that gluten is uniquely sinister.



When the blindfold came off, most volunteers still insisted wheat was toxic and vowed to stay gluten free. That disconnect between data and conviction hints at a powerful role for learned fears.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cereal-bar-test-found-no-link-to-gluten">Cereal bar test found no link to gluten</h2>



Lab teams tracked dietary compliance by measuring <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38257173/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38257173/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gluten immunogenic peptide</a> fragments in stool, an objective fingerprint of recent gluten intake. 



The marker showed that many participants quietly skipped the bars, suggesting anxiety steered behavior more than the study protocol.



Only about one third followed instructions to the letter. Yet even that compliant subset showed no consistent link between gluten dose and symptom flare, shrinking the pool of true wheat reactors.



Whole wheat contains amylase trypsin inhibitors as well as gluten proteins, so the team expected the grain bar to cause more trouble than purified gluten. It didn’t, further weakening the wheat equals pain narrative.



“Many of them may benefit from psychological support and guidance to help destigmatize gluten and wheat,” Bercik said, calling for individualized management rather than sweeping bans. He believes clinicians must combine nutritional advice with psychological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protein-cd74-discovery-may-change-the-treatment-of-colon-cancer/">tools</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fear-of-gluten-can-worsen-ibs">Fear of gluten can worsen IBS</h2>



Expectation can hurt as much as a bad meal, a phenomenon known as the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3167012/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nocebo effect</a>. Systematic <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36606047/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reviews</a> show up to 40 percent of trial participants report new gut pain after a biologically inert placebo.



Researchers think negative anticipation primes the brain’s pain circuits, amplifying normal digestive sensations until they feel pathological. 



That feedback loop travels the vagus nerve and reshapes motility, explaining why fear alone can quicken bowels.



IBS already involves a hypersensitive gut brain axis, so patients are especially vulnerable to suggestion. Social cues, food labels, and memories of past flares all feed the cycle.



Breaking that loop means addressing stress and thought patterns alongside menu planning. 



Cognitive behavioral therapy and gut directed hypnotherapy have both improved IBS scores in randomized trials, showing belief can heal as well as harm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gluten-panic-worsens-ibs-confusion">Gluten panic worsens IBS confusion</h2>



An <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10793197/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> of 822 gluten free videos found view counts rising briskly while information quality lagged, with average <a href="https://openmd.com/guide/health-information-quality-seals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HONcode</a> scores under two out of eight. 



Recipes dominate these clips, but many also warn that wheat causes vague “inflammation” in everyone, regardless of diagnosis.



Algorithms reward sensational claims, so posts linking gluten to cancer or autism spread faster than nuanced evidence. 



Viewers then arrive at the clinic convinced that purity equals health and that a slice of pizza will undo weeks of progress.



Bercik notes that online <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IBS</a> communities can also validate symptoms and give patients a sense of control. The challenge is steering that energy toward evidence based strategies instead of endless eliminations.



Clinicians now spend precious appointment minutes debunking myths before prescribing care. Better media literacy campaigns could free up time for science rather than damage control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ibs-triggers-aren-t-always-gluten">IBS triggers aren’t always gluten</h2>



Gluten may be innocent for many, but food still matters. Roughly half of IBS cases improve on a low fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols plan (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27725652/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FODMAP</a>) that limits fermentable carbohydrates, including certain fruits, dairy sugars, and wheat fructans.



The diet identifies which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/that-whole-wheat-bread-youve-been-eating-is-often-a-trap-its-not-what-you-think-it-is/">carbohydrates</a> ferment into gas inside the colon, stretching the gut wall and sparking pain. After a strict short phase, foods are re-introduced one by one to map personal thresholds.



Unlike a permanent gluten ban, the FODMAP approach is temporary and re-expansive, aiming for the broadest diet that keeps symptoms in check. Professional guidance is critical, because unmonitored restriction can create nutritional gaps.



Some patients also react to fat, caffeine, or big evening meals. A food and symptom diary, paired with structured re challenges, often clarifies patterns that emotion alone obscures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treat-ibs-with-facts-not-gluten-fear">Treat IBS with facts, not gluten fear</h2>



Genetic testing can rule out true <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/map-of-1-6-million-gut-cells-will-reveal-new-ways-to-treat-disease/">celiac disease</a>, a condition that demands lifelong gluten avoidance. When results come back negative, patients deserve reassurance that an occasional sandwich will not erode their intestines.



Emerging breath tests, microbiome profiling, and wearable motility sensors promise to refine IBS sub types and their triggers. 



The cereal bar study underscores the need to validate new tools against placebo controlled designs, keeping expectation bias in check.



Meanwhile, simple steps, stress management, graded exercise, adequate sleep, ease the gut’s alarm system. Layering these habits onto a flexible diet may offer more relief than chasing ever narrower menus.



For clinicians, the lesson is to test beliefs before endorsing them. A short blind challenge can reveal whether wheat, lactose, or FODMAPs are genuine villains or just familiar scapegoats.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2468125325000901" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet Gastroenterology &amp; Hepatology</a>.



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Study claims that gluten intolerance is psychosomatic and not the cause of IBS

Plenty of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) eyeball the...

Covid-19,And,Dementia.,Neuropsychiatric,Sequelae,Of,Covid-19.,3d,Illustration.,Coronaviruses

Scientists watched the pandemic reshape hospitals, jobs, and politics, but a new set of brain scans hints that it also reshaped the organ inside our skulls.



People who were never infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed brains that looked a few months older than expected. 



This suggests that merely living through lockdowns, uncertainty, and social upheaval left a subtle neurological signature. 



The findings come from a new investigation by Dr. Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad of the <a href="https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nottingham’s School of Medicine</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pandemic-stress-aged-the-brain">Pandemic stress aged the brain</h2>



Nearly 1,000 healthy adults enrolled in the UK Biobank underwent two MRI sessions - one before March 2020. For half of them, a second scan took place between 2021 and 2023.



Researchers used machine learning models built from 15,334 pre-pandemic scans to estimate each volunteer’s brain age gap, the difference between predicted brain age and chronological age. A positive gap means the brain appears older on imaging, a negative gap younger.



“What surprised me most was that even people who hadn’t had Covid showed significant increases in brain aging rates,” said Mohammadi-Nejad.&nbsp;



Participants who weren’t infected but lived through the pandemic showed an average increase in brain age of about five and a half months compared to similar individuals who were scanned twice before 2020.



Older age, male sex, and lower income made the acceleration steeper, demonstrating that biology and biography travel together.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-accelerates-brain-aging">Stress accelerates brain aging</h2>



The study adds to a growing collection of research that links chronic stress hormones to faster structural decline in white matter.



Elevated allostatic load, the body’s cumulative stress score, correlates with brains that look a year or two older than they should.



Isolation compounds the problem. A study of 24,867 adults found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-harms-health-more-than-alcohol-obesity-or-smoking/">loneliness</a> and poverty were linked to higher brain age and worse physical health. Lockdowns amplified both stress and isolation, so a slight pandemic era uptick in brain age is biologically plausible.



Animal studies support the idea. Rodents under constant stress show brain inflammation and damage in areas used to estimate brain age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-infected-brains-show-more-decline">Infected brains show more decline</h2>



Covid-19 infection had its own costs. Participants who caught the virus took longer on the Trail Making Test (TMT), a timed task of mental flexibility, than both controls and pandemic peers who were never infected with the virus.



A separate Japanese cohort <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7563673/">study</a> confirms that slower trail making times flag early cognitive change in older adults.



Brain scans of infected people elsewhere echo the pattern. A 2022 report comparing 401 infected volunteers with 384 controls found greater gray matter loss in orbitofrontal and parahippocampal regions, areas tied to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-your-brain-decides-what-smells-good-or-bad/">smell</a> and memory.



In the Nottingham analysis, only the infected subgroup linked larger brain age jumps with worse trail making scores, hinting that viral effects and stress effects overlap but are not identical.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-hits-the-vulnerable-harder">Stress hits the vulnerable harder</h2>



Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood, working an unstable job, or lacking higher education magnified the brain aging-signal. 



Employment insecurity, for example, added almost six extra months to the gap compared with securely employed peers.



These scans make visible a truth social scientists have charted for decades: financial strain and limited social capital seep into physiology. When economic cushions thinned during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-lockdowns-weakened-our-immune-systems/">lockdowns</a>, the impact may have sped up.



The data support protecting vulnerable groups during crises, as stress leaves measurable effects on the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healing-depends-on-lifestyle">Healing depends on lifestyle</h2>



“We can’t yet test whether the changes we saw will reverse, but it’s certainly possible, and that’s an encouraging thought,” said Professor Dorothee Auer, senior author of the study.



Brain age models capture averages, not destinies. Earlier studies of stress recovery suggest that gray matter volume and brain connectivity can rebound when stress is reduced. Recovery is more likely when lifestyle factors like sleep, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-bursts-of-intense-exercise-can-slow-brain-aging/">exercise</a>, and social contact improve.



Longer follow-ups will reveal whether the pandemic’s neural footprint fades, stays put, or predicts later cognitive trouble. 



For now, the scans remind us that global emergencies do not end at the ICU door - they echo inside healthy brains, too, in ways only careful imaging can catch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-scans-reveal-policy-impact">Brain scans reveal policy impact</h2>



The study adds weight to the idea that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brains-age-might-be-older-than-you-are/">brain age</a> could become a routine marker in population health. 



If small changes in daily life - or major global events - show up clearly on brain scans, public health leaders might one day use brain age metrics to evaluate policy impacts over time.



The research also raises the question of how resilience works at a neural level. Some people weathered the pandemic with little psychological or neurological wear, while others showed sharper declines.



Understanding what protects brain health under chronic stress could shape future treatments or community interventions.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-61033-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Covid aged our brains, even if you weren't infected - here's how it happened

Scientists watched the pandemic reshape hospitals, jobs, and politics, but...

Woman,Using,Daily,Activity,Tracking,App,On,Mobile,Phone,Showing

A fitness tracker doesn’t care whether you run for the bus or wander through the grocery store. It simply counts. Those digital tallies have become a barometer of personal health and wellness, yet the “magic” 10,000-step goal that pops up on so many screens never came from a medical textbook. 



New evidence now suggests that you can bank most of the same benefits with a target that feels far more doable.



Daily movement is still critical. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cardiorespiratory-fitness-linked-to-greater-cognitive-performance/">Cardiorespiratory fitness</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/squats-vs-walking-the-definitive-winner-for-reducing-blood-sugar/">blood sugar control</a>, and mood all improve when people spend less time sitting. The question has always been how much walking is enough to tip the scales toward better health. 



A sweeping review published in The Lancet Public Health turns that puzzle on its head, offering a fresh benchmark that's easier to reach for schoolchildren, office workers, and older adults alike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-benefits-of-daily-steps">Health benefits of daily steps</h2>



After combing through data collected between 2014 and 2025 in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and several other nations, researchers at the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> weighed information from fifty-seven studies that tracked step counts with pedometers, accelerometers, and popular wrist-worn sensors. 



Lead author <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/about/our-people/academic-staff/melody-ding.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Melody Ding</a> explains, “Aiming for 7,000 steps is a realistic goal based on our findings, which assessed health outcomes in a range of areas that hadn’t been looked at before.”



The analysis compared people who logged about 2,000 steps per day with peers who reached higher brackets in 1,000-step increments. 



It found that moving up to roughly 7,000 steps lowered the risk of dying from any cause by 47 percent, almost matching the advantage seen at 10,000 steps.



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



Walking around 3½ miles a day also trimmed dementia risk by 38 percent, while an extra 3,000 steps beyond that shaved only seven additional percentage points. 



<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Type 2 diabetes</a> showed a different curve: incidence dropped 22 percent at 10,000 steps and 27 percent at 12,000. Importantly, the biggest jump in protection happened when people climbed from 2,000 to between 5,000 and 7,000 steps. 



<a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/about/our-people/academic-staff/katherine.owen.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Katherine Owen</a>, the study’s chief analyst, notes, “For people who are already active, 10,000 steps a day is great, but beyond 7,000 steps, the extra benefits for most of the health outcomes we looked at were modest.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-gains-and-step-goals">Health gains and step goals</h2>



The review did more than tally deaths. Researchers linked a 7,000-step habit to lower odds of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/">cardiovascular disease</a>, certain cancers, depression, and mobility problems. 



“We know daily step count is linked to living longer, but we now also have evidence that walking at least 7,000 steps a day can significantly improve eight major health outcomes - including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and depressive symptoms,” Professor Ding says. 



Those findings back up earlier work showing that even light-intensity activity improves insulin sensitivity, blood-pressure regulation, and the release of brain-boosting neurochemicals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-the-goalposts-again">Moving the goalposts (again)</h2>



Why did 10,000 steps take root in the first place? Historians trace the figure to a Japanese pedometer marketed in the 1960s under the name manpo-kei, or “10,000-step meter.” 



Marketers rounded the idea into a neat slogan, and fitness culture never looked back. Science, however, keeps refining the target. 



By pooling millions of person-years of follow-up, the Sydney team demonstrated that the curve of risk reduction begins to flatten once people cross 7,000 steps. 



Hitting higher numbers still helps, especially for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-identify-a-cellular-switch-mitochondria-that-could-reverse-type-2-diabetes/">blood-glucose</a> control, yet the incremental payoff shrinks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-increases-big-payoffs">Small increases, big payoffs</h2>



Most adults in high-income countries average fewer than 5,000 steps on workdays. That leaves substantial room for improvement without marathon ambitions. 



Professor Ding reminds readers, “However, for those who cannot yet achieve 7,000 steps a day, even small increases in step counts, such as increasing from 2,000 to 4,000 steps a day, are associated with significant health gains.” 



The same principle holds for those edging toward retirement: replacing a couple of car trips each week with short walks or choosing stairs instead of elevators can push step totals into the protective zone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-what-fits">Finding what fits</h2>



Public health agencies have long advised at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, a metric many people find hard to translate into daily life. 



Steps provide a simpler yardstick, and the Australian government is already exploring how to fold the new evidence into future guidelines. 



Researchers also want to know whether age, chronic illness, or regional differences should tweak the threshold. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/to-get-fit-and-stay-healthy-walk-this-exact-distance-every-day/">Step counters</a> miss swimming and cycling, and most studies still overrepresent wealthier nations, so widening the research net will sharpen advice for diverse communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-steps-and-the-future">Health, steps, and the future</h2>



The main lesson is one of progress rather than perfection. 



“Our research helps to shift the focus from perfection to progress. Even small increases in daily movement can lead to meaningful health improvements,” Professor Ding concludes.



A stroll with the dog, an extra loop around the block during lunch, or pacing the sidelines at a child’s soccer game all add to the tally. 



Cross the 7,000-step mark most days, and you are likely protecting your heart, mind, and metabolic health. Go further if you enjoy it, but remember that the steepest gains come early. 



Your sneakers - and your body - will thank you.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2468266725001641" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet Public Health</a>.



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No more counting to 10,000 every day - study shows equal health benefits in fewer steps

A fitness tracker doesn’t care whether you run for the...

Portrait,Of,The,Elderly,Woman.,A,Photo,On,Outdoors

Wrinkles don’t just appear because you’re growing older. Beneath every line and fold lies a mechanical truth. As your skin ages, its ability to manage physical stress weakens, leading to creases and crumples. But how exactly does that happen?



Scientists have long speculated on why older skin forms wrinkles. Many blamed genetics, sun damage, or gradual loss of proteins like collagen and elastin. But no one had tested these ideas on actual human skin until now. 



Researchers at <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a>, State University of New York (<a href="https://www.suny.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUNY</a>), decided to find out what really happens when skin ages.



Their work goes beyond theory. They brought solid experimental evidence to show how wrinkles form through physical buckling when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/summer-skin-care-dermatologists-reveal-the-ingredients-they-trust/">skin</a> stretches and contracts over time. The results confirm what many suspected but couldn’t prove.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skin-shrinks-more-with-age">Skin shrinks more with age</h2>



Guy German, an associate professor of biomedical engineering, and his team closely examined strips of human skin from people aged 16 to 91. They used a low-force tensometer to stretch these samples in one direction. 



What they found was simple but powerful: when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stem-cells-can-shift-from-hair-growth-to-skin-healing/">skin</a> stretches one way, it contracts the other way. This shrinking movement increases with age. When it becomes too strong, the skin buckles and forms wrinkles. 



“This is no longer just a theory,” said Professor German. “We now have hard experimental evidence showing the physical mechanism behind aging.”



Imagine your oldest hoodie. Over time, it stretches in random spots and loses its shape. Skin, though far more complex, behaves in a surprisingly similar way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-milestone-for-skin-science">A milestone for skin science</h2>



For Professor German, this breakthrough isn’t just another study. It’s personal. Understanding how and why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-skins-bacteria-could-be-a-natural-sunscreen/">skin</a> wrinkles was one of his life goals.



Professor German questioned the endless advice from media and marketers about anti-aging. Instead of relying on vague claims, he wanted scientific clarity.



“When I got into this field, that was one of my goals - can I figure out aging? Because if I look at the TV, the radio, online, at shops, I'm being told 1,000 different things about how to improve my skin health, and I want to know what's right and what isn't. And so I thought I'd skip to the end and try and figure it out myself.“



Abraham Ittycheri and Alejandro Wiltshire, both students of Professor German, played key roles in this research. Together, they applied gentle tension to the skin samples and carefully recorded how the tissue responded. 



The setup mimicked everyday pressures your skin feels while smiling, frowning, or even sleeping.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wrinkles-form-when-skin-gets-wonky">Wrinkles form when skin gets "wonky"</h2>



As skin ages, it doesn’t stretch and contract evenly. German explained that youthful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-c-promotes-skin-renewal-and-anti-aging-at-the-genetic-level-dna-demethylation/">skin</a> has predictable mechanical properties. But over time, these properties begin to shift.



“Your skin has one set of mechanical properties when you're young, but as you get older, things begin to change and get a bit ‘wonky,’” said Professor German.



He noted that aging skin stretches more sideways. This uneven tension causes folds to appear. 



Interestingly, the skin doesn’t rest naturally. Even when you’re relaxed, internal forces are still pulling it in various directions. These built-in tensions increase the likelihood of wrinkling.



“Things degrade a bit, and it turns out the skin stretches laterally more, which causes the actual wrinkles that form," explained Professor German.



"And the reason why that exists in the first place is that your skin is not in a stress-free state. It's actually stretched a little bit. So there are inherent forces within your skin itself, and those are the driving force towards wrinkles.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-silly-putty-skin-and-sun">Silly putty, skin, and sun</h2>



To explain further, German used a simple analogy. “If you stretch Silly Putty for instance, it stretches horizontally, but it also shrinks in the other direction - it gets thinner. That's what skin does as well."



“As you get older, that contraction gets bigger. And if your skin is contracted too much, it buckles. That's how wrinkles form.”



This shrinking effect mirrors what happens to the dermal layer of your skin. Over time, it loses strength and elasticity, which changes how it handles movement and pressure.



Sun exposure can make this process worse. According to Professor German, long-term time in the sun can cause your skin to age faster even if you’re still young.



“If you spend your life working outside, you’re more likely to have more aged and wrinkled skin than those who are office workers, for example,” he said. 



“Chronological aging and photoaging give you similar results. So go and have a fab summer, but don't forget the suntan lotion - your future self will appreciate it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-how-wrinkles-form">Understanding how wrinkles form</h2>



The new research finally puts years of assumptions to the test. Past models speculated about the weakening of the dermal structure. But this is the first time scientists used real samples to demonstrate exactly how wrinkles form.



By identifying this contraction behavior in skin, the study offers a new path for future cosmetic and clinical strategies. Treatments may now aim to adjust how skin responds to tension, instead of simply adding hydration or boosting collagen.



For now, the study acts as a solid foundation, clearing the noise in a crowded industry full of unverified claims. It marks a new chapter in our understanding of what really happens as skin ages.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751616125001961?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials</a>. 



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Scientists finally know how wrinkles form when skin ages

Wrinkles don’t just appear because you’re growing older. Beneath every...

Complaining is universal. Whether it’s about the weather, a late bus, or a frustrating coworker, venting is part of being human. But how we complain - and what our voices reveal when we do it - can vary more than you might think.



New research from a team of scientists in Switzerland and Canada shows that complaining has a recognizable tone of voice. Even more interesting, the emotional signals behind that tone shift depending on cultural background.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vocal-expressions-of-complaints">Vocal expressions of complaints</h2>



The study, led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.unige.ch/">University of Geneva</a>, sheds light on how vocal expressions of complaints differ between French and Québécois speakers. 



Dr. Maël Mauchand is a neuroscientist at the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences at the University of Geneva.



“Complaining is differentiated from neutral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-speech-is-full-of-melodies-that-create-language-like-patterns/">speech</a> by changes in vocal expression. Complainers tend to change their intonation, pitch, rhythm, and emphasis, making them sound more emotive and expressive,” said Dr. Mauchand.



“We show that complaining strategies show specific variations across two francophone cultures, with Québécois sounding more angry or surprised and French speakers sounding sadder.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complaining-across-cultures">Complaining across cultures</h2>



To explore how complaints differ between cultures, researchers recorded eight native speakers - four from France and four from Quebec.



The participants read 84 simple sentences in both a neutral and complaining tone. The content of the sentences stayed the same; only the vocal delivery changed.



Next, 40 listeners living in Quebec, including both native Québécois and individuals who grew up in France, were asked to assess the emotional tone of selected recordings. They rated them across six emotional categories: happy, sad, angry, surprised, fearful, and disgusted.



“Complaining strategies seem consistent towards defining a general ‘complaining tone of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-our-voice-gives-us-a-greater-sense-of-control/">voice</a>,' with a few specific cultural variations,” noted Dr. Mauchand.



French speakers tended to use a higher pitch. Québécois speakers, meanwhile, showed more variation in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-have-a-hidden-musical-talent-for-singing-on-pitch/">pitch</a> - making their tone more dynamic and emotionally charged.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anger-versus-sadness">Anger versus sadness</h2>



Complaining, at its core, is a way to relive or express a negative experience. That means it’s often full of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-emotions-build-in-the-brain-and-why-they-linger/">emotion</a> - and those emotions came through loud and clear in the study.



Listeners judged Québécois speakers as sounding angrier, more surprised, and more disgusted. French speakers, by contrast, were consistently rated as sounding sadder.



“There may be cultural norms on what a complaint sounds like in France or in Quebec, influenced by their use,” said Dr. Mauchand. 



“The French are said to complain quite often - if complaining is frequent and ritualized, it makes sense that complainers try to make their voice sound less aggressive, for example by using higher intonation and sounding more sad than angry.”



In Quebec, expressiveness is often more pronounced in everyday speech. That might be why high-energy emotions like anger and surprise come through more strongly in complaints.



“There may be social conventions on what a complaint sounds like in a particular culture, which can be learned as we grow up,” noted Dr. Mauchand. “How we complain is a subtle interplay between emotion, social context, and cultural display rules.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-tone-of-complaints">Understanding the tone of complaints</h2>



The researchers acknowledged that their sample was small - only eight speakers and two cultural groups. This means that the results might not apply universally. Still, the findings offer a useful lens for thinking about emotional communication. 



The study also raises bigger questions: How do complaints function in different cultures? How often do people complain? And how are those complaints received by others?



The answers could be useful far beyond linguistics. Understanding the tone of complaints could help in fields like communication disorders, psychotherapy, and emotional training.



“As an immediate application, it could encourage people to be more attentive,” said Dr. Mauchand. “Not just to what people say, but how they say it - and what it implies.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complaining-as-emotional-communication">Complaining as emotional communication</h2>



Complaining isn’t just <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/venting-does-not-reduce-anger-psychologists-advise-doing-this-instead/">venting</a> - it’s a way of expressing emotion. Whether it’s anger, sadness, frustration, or even surprise, the tone we use when complaining tells others how we feel, often more clearly than the words themselves.



That’s why these subtle vocal shifts matter. A sad-sounding complaint might invite comfort. An angry-sounding one could trigger defensiveness. How we sound when complaining can influence how others react, whether they feel empathy, annoyance, or something in between.



This is especially important in multicultural environments where people may interpret emotional tones differently. What sounds like a mild complaint to someone from France might come across as intense or aggressive to someone from Quebec - and vice versa.



Understanding these patterns could help improve cross-cultural communication, emotional awareness, and even professional training in areas like counseling, mediation, or caregiving.



As the study suggests, there’s more going on in complaining than meets the ear. And being aware of that might change how we listen - and how we speak - when emotions run high.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1592994">Frontiers in Communication</a>.



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Sad or angry? Complaining sounds different across cultures

Complaining is universal. Whether it’s about the weather, a late...

Sadness and depression can feel heavy enough to cause your shoulders to slump and even cause you to feel a faint flush on your face, as if someone turned up the temperature. 



Many people report the same thing: when the blues roll in, a gentle warmth tags along. Doctors have wondered for decades whether that extra body heat is simply coincidence or a clue to something deeper.



A new trove of data suggests the two feelings march together far more often than chance would allow. 



Spotting depression early can save months of struggle, and an everyday thermometer to measure your body temperature might become part of that early-warning kit, according to a fascinating study.



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



A team of researchers - led by a team at the University of California, San Francisco (<a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/">UCSF</a>) and partners in 106 countries - studied seven months of depression scores and body temperature readings from more than 20,000 volunteers.



After the second month of analysis, a very clear pattern emerged: higher depression scores meant higher body temperatures. 



Participants used household thermometers once a day and wore smart rings that sampled skin temperature thousands of times during each 24-hour cycle. The design captured both single snapshots and continuous streams, giving the study unusual breadth.



Each notch upward on the depression survey paired with a small rise in temperature - often less than one degree Fahrenheit - but the match held across climates, ages, and seasons. 



That consistency lifts the evidence from this study above many previous lab experiments that relied on a few dozen college students at a time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-a-slight-rise-means">What a slight rise means</h2>



A healthy core hovers near 98.6 °F, yet the body drifts up and down around that mark as metabolism revs or relaxes. 



In this study, people reporting milder symptoms stayed close to the textbook average, while those with heavier moods sat just a hair warmer. 



The differences averaged less than one degree, and that alone won't trigger an alarm. But across populations, it points to a biological shift that shadows emotional pain.



The investigators also compared the daily swing - called <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37640270/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diurnal amplitude</a> - between daytime peaks and nighttime lows. Smaller swings lined up with stronger depression scores. 



The trend scraped just below statistical significance, yet it matched hints from earlier controlled trials, suggesting timing may matter as much as the absolute reading.



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



Cooler evenings help the brain drift into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sleep-clears-toxic-waste-from-the-brain/">deep sleep</a>. Volunteers who scored high for depression did not shed heat as smoothly after sundown. 



Their temperature curves looked flatter, which may echo trouble in the internal clock that guides hormone release and sleep architecture. 



Chronic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-gene-explains-why-some-people-can-thrive-on-less-sleep/">short sleep</a> is itself a risk factor for mood disorders, so a sluggish drop in temperature could add weight to an already heavy cycle.



Circadian researchers have long noted that light exposure, meal timing, and exercise <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeling-groggy-a-simple-trick-can-transform-your-mornings/">reset the clock</a>. 



This new work pushes body temperature onto that list, raising the chance that adjusting thermal cues might nudge sleep and mood back into sync.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-depression-likes-warm-temperatures">Depression likes warm temperatures</h2>



Keeping core temperature in check is a full-time job. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/syncing-brain-muscle-circadian-rhythms-slows-aging/">Muscles</a>, the liver, and even the brain churn out heat, while blood flow to the skin and sweating carry it away. 



<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3079864/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stress hormones</a>, low-grade inflammation, and shifts in neurotransmitters - all common in depression - can clog sweat glands and narrow tiny blood vessels near the surface. 



Electrodermal readings, which track microscopic bursts of sweat, often register on the low end for people with depression, hinting at weaker cooling.



A persistent half-degree rise may feel harmless, but over weeks it tweaks heart rate, muddles energy levels, and chips away at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sleep-how-slow-waves-boost-memory-formation/">restorative sleep</a>. 



That steady drag can deepen emotional lows, creating a loop in which feeling down slows cooling and inadequate cooling worsens the mood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heating-up-to-cool-down">Heating up to cool down</h2>



"Ironically, heating people up actually can lead to rebound body temperature lowering that lasts longer than simply cooling people down directly, as through an ice bath," said <a href="https://profiles.ucsf.edu/ashley.mason" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashley Mason</a>, PhD, the study’s lead author and associate professor of psychiatry at <a href="https://weill.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences</a>. 



"What if we can track the body temperature of people with depression to time heat-based treatments well?"



<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6310/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whole-body hyperthermia</a>, for instance, asks a patient to relax under infrared lamps until core temperature climbs several degrees. A single session in one small trial lifted mood for weeks. 



Saunas, hot yoga, and long soaks in a 104 °F tub appear to provoke a similar rebound: the body overshoots on cooling afterward, leaving core temperature slightly lower for hours. 



If timing that surge and crash lines up with individual temperature curves, it could become an affordable add-on to standard care.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taming-the-heat">Taming the heat</h2>



“To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date to examine the association between body temperature - assessed using both self-report methods and wearable sensors - and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-depression-contagious-couples-may-share-it-through-kissing/">depressive symptoms</a> in a geographically broad sample,” Mason concluded.



“Given the climbing rates of depression in the United States, we’re excited by the possibilities of a new avenue for treatment.”



Roughly one-third of patients feel little relief after trying two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drugs-targeting-gut-cells-not-brain-cells-are-better-at-treating-depression-and-anxiety/">antidepressant drugs</a>, and weekly talk therapy remains out of reach for many because of cost or distance. 



Thermal protocols demand little gear beyond heaters, benches, or tubs already found in fitness centers. Insurance rarely covers such sessions today, but wider evidence may nudge payers to rethink that stance. 



Meanwhile, consumer wearables have plunged in price, making continuous temperature tracking a realistic self-care tool.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-depression-temperature-and-the-future-0">Depression, temperature, and the future</h2>



The next step is simple in plan, tricky in practice: deliberately adjust body temperature, then watch mood move in real time. 



Trials will compare saunas, heated vests, and water immersion to learn which triggers the most durable cooling. Researchers will also test whether syncing heat exposure with each person’s unique temperature rhythm improves results.



No one expects warmth alone to overhaul depression treatment, yet it could offer relief to people who prefer non-drug options or need something to bridge long gaps between counseling visits. Because the approach is low-tech, it might reach rural clinics that struggle to hire mental-health specialists.



For now, keeping an eye on the thermometer when low mood lingers could provide an early hint that the system is off balance. A small rise, coupled with persistent sadness or fatigue, may be reason enough to talk with a clinician.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-51567-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Strange link identified between body temperature and depression

Sadness and depression can feel heavy enough to cause your...

<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...

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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



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.

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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