Heart disease, not suicide or overdose, is the leading killer of people living with serious mental health conditions. This is the conclusion of a sweeping review led by Viola Vaccarino of Emory University.



The experts report that adults with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety die, on average, 10 to 20 years earlier than their peers - largely because of cardiovascular disease.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-and-life-expectancy">Mental health and life expectancy </h2>



The cardiovascular penalty attached to common psychiatric diagnoses is substantial. Depression raises the risk of heart disease by roughly 72 percent.&nbsp;



For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-use-linked-to-higher-risk-of-schizophrenia/">schizophrenia</a>, the risk nearly doubles - up to about 95 percent. Bipolar disorder increases cardiovascular risk by 57 percent, PTSD boosts coronary heart disease risk by 61 percent, and anxiety disorders are associated with a 41 percent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular causes. 



These numbers help explain why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-life-expectancy-faces-a-triple-threat/">life expectancy</a> shrinks so dramatically for this population.



Despite the elevated risks, people with mental health conditions routinely receive worse heart care than the general public. Screenings are missed and risk factors go unmanaged. Evidence-based treatments are offered less often and followed up less reliably.&nbsp;



The result is a widening survival gap affecting a vast swath of society: roughly one in four people will experience a mental health disorder during their lifetime.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-illness-and-heart-disease">Mental illness and heart disease</h2>



Mood and thought disorders don’t just coincide with heart disease; they help cause it - and cardiovascular events can in turn trigger new psychiatric illness. That feedback loop runs through behavior and biology.&nbsp;



Higher rates of smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet are part of the story. So are the physiological effects of chronic stress: systemic inflammation, elevated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blood-pressure-treatment-efficacy-calculator-revolutionize-measurement-and-treatment/">blood pressure</a>, arrhythmias, and insulin resistance all nudge the cardiovascular system toward failure.



The relationship is equally visible in reverse. About 18 percent of people with cardiovascular disease live with depression; after an acute event such as a heart attack, that figure climbs to roughly 28 percent. 



Nearly one in four stroke survivors develops depression in the aftermath, and around 12 percent of heart attack survivors go on to meet criteria for PTSD. Treating either condition in isolation misses the way each amplifies the other.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-existing-systems-miss-what-matters">Existing systems miss what matters</h2>



The review highlights a pattern of structural neglect. Mental health and cardiology are typically staffed, funded and measured as separate domains, with little coordination between them.&nbsp;



Many cardiology clinics don’t routinely screen for depression, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/witnessing-trauma-may-cause-ptsd-in-a-different-way/">PTSD</a>, or anxiety. Many psychiatric services don’t monitor blood pressure, lipids, or glucose as systematically as cardiovascular teams would.



Access gaps compound the problem. In a 2023 U.S. survey cited by the authors, 54 percent of people who met criteria for a mental health disorder received no treatment at all.



Even in countries with universal coverage, patients with serious mental illness are less likely to receive recommended medications, procedures and follow-up for heart disease. 



Poverty, unstable housing, and social isolation make adherence and clinic attendance harder, turning health inequities into entrenched mortality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-and-physical-health-gains">Mental and physical health gains</h2>



The good news is that several familiar tools carry cardiovascular benefits alongside mental health gains.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-in-a-pill-is-now-closer-to-reality/">Exercise</a> is one of the most effective treatments for depression and also directly improves blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and endothelial function. The review argues it should sit alongside psychotherapy and antidepressants as core treatment - not an optional add-on.



Mind-body practices such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve some risk factors (for example, heart rate variability and stress biomarkers). Evidence that they prevent heart attacks or strokes remains limited, but early signals are encouraging and warrant larger trials.



Integrated care models - where mental health and cardiovascular teams coordinate around the same patient - consistently improve psychiatric outcomes in clinical studies. The next step is proving that these collaborative approaches also cut hard cardiac endpoints like myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality.&nbsp;



To do that, researchers will need to stop excluding people with mental health disorders from cardiovascular trials, a longstanding practice that has left clinicians without robust, disorder-specific guidelines for high-risk patients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-life-expectancy-outcomes">Improving life expectancy outcomes</h2>



The authors call for changes that are as practical as they are profound. Medical schools and residency programs should train clinicians to recognize and manage the bidirectional links between mental and physical illness.&nbsp;



Health systems and payers need to expand mental health coverage while embedding routine cardiovascular screening and risk management into psychiatric care - and, conversely, embedding mental health screening into cardiology.



Community-level solutions matter, too. Making exercise accessible and safe, addressing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-related-deaths-will-surge-by-2030/">tobacco</a> use with tailored support, improving food access and tackling social isolation are public-health interventions that serve both the heart and the mind.&nbsp;



And because the burden is unequally distributed, equity must be a design principle: culturally competent care, outreach in underserved neighborhoods and policies that reduce financial and logistical barriers will save the most lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treat-the-whole-person">Treat the whole person</h2>



Taken together, the evidence reframes a familiar crisis. Mental health disorders are common. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-century-of-progress-in-the-fight-against-cardiovascular-disease/">Cardiovascular disease</a> is common. When they collide, lives are cut short - not by inevitability, but by gaps we can close.&nbsp;



If roughly a quarter of us will face a mental health condition in our lifetime, preventing the downstream heart damage is not a niche priority; it’s a population-wide imperative.



The path forward is clear enough: measure risk where it’s highest, treat depression and anxiety as cardiac risk factors, deploy exercise and integrated care as first-line tools, and build research and reimbursement structures that reflect how tightly the mind and heart are tied. 



Stop treating mental and cardiovascular health separately, and that 10- to 20-year life-expectancy penalty starts to look less like fate - and more like a fixable failure.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(25)00165-6/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet Regional Health - Europe</a>.



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Mental health disorders reduce life expectancy by up to 20 years

Heart disease, not suicide or overdose, is the leading killer of people living with serious mental health conditions. This is the conclusion of a sweeping review led by Viola Vaccarino of Emory University. The experts report that adults with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety die, on average, 10 to 20 years earlier than their peers - largely because of cardiovascular disease.&nbsp; Mental health and life expectancy The cardiovascular penalty attached to common psychiatric diagnoses is substantial. Depression raises the risk of heart...

Hershey,Pennsylvania,,October,15,,2021:,Jolly,Rancher,Candy,On,Display

Without much warning last month, the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency ordered an <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-fafa-02-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immediate recall</a> of four "Jolly Ranchers" products, made by the Hershey Company in the U.S., because they contained mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (<a href="https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/mineral-oil-hydrocarbons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MOAH</a>) and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5497826/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MOSH</a>).



Across the Atlantic, these same Hershey's hard candies remain on U.S. shelves, highlighting how two regulators can read the same toxicological literature yet reach opposite conclusions.



The split decision has reignited a long‑running debate over the U.S. practice of letting companies self‑certify many food additives as safe while European agencies treat similar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-of-food-safety-ai-can-detect-contamination-early/">chemicals</a> with greater caution. 



That debate has moved from think‑tank white papers into a political fight now drawing attention from presidential hopefuls and state lawmakers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-mineral-oil-is-used-in-candy">Why mineral oil is used in candy</h2>



“Consuming mineral oil regularly and over time could pose a risk to your health,” warned <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/precautionary-advice-issued-to-pet-owners-on-dog-chews-linked-to-illness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tina Potter</a>, head of incidents at the <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food Standards Agency</a>. Potter leads the incident‑response team that enforces the nation’s additive limits.



Hershey spokesman Todd Scott counters that the oils act only as a processing aid to keep candy from sticking, calling them indispensable for the smooth, glassy finish consumers expect.



“The key takeaway from all of this is mineral oil is allowed and deemed safe for use in food in the US,” Scott said, noting that it never appears on the ingredient list because federal rules exempt aids used in tiny amounts.



The lubricants fall into two broad camps, MOSH molecules with fully saturated carbon chains and MOAH molecules laced with ring‑shaped aromatics that can include three or more fused <a href="https://ionscience.com/en/news/benzene-ring-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">benzene rings</a>. Manufacturers like the compounds because they stay stable under high heat and do not change a candy’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frozen-food-new-thawing-methods-will-improve-safety-and-quality/">taste</a> or smell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moah-and-mosh">MOAH and MOSH</h2>



A 2023 review by the <a href="https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/8215" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Food Safety Authority</a> linked MOAH molecules with three or more aromatic rings to DNA damage and stated that no exposure level could be considered risk‑free. 



The same document reported that young consumers had the highest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-tongue-could-revolutionize-food-safety/">exposure</a> to MOSH but found less evidence of human harm, a nuance often lost in headlines.



Laboratory studies in rats show MOSH accumulating in the liver and lymph nodes, sometimes forming granulomas that hint at chronic inflammation. 



Because humans absorb and clear hydrocarbons differently than this strain of rat, regulators disagree on how seriously to weigh those findings.



European law therefore takes a precautionary stance, banning deliberate use of the oils in confectionery, whereas the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (<a href="https://www.fda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA</a>) accepts tiny residues that migrate from processing equipment. This regulatory asymmetry sets the stage for the broader fight over the <a href="https://www.skadden.com/insights/publications/2025/03/closing-the-gras-loophole-secretary-kennedys-plan-to-enhance-fda-food-safety-regulations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GRAS loophole</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mineral-oil-avoids-full-safety-checks">Mineral oil avoids full safety checks</h2>



Under the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK216664/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1958 Food Additives Amendment</a>, companies can declare a substance “generally recognized as safe” without asking the FDA to review their data, provided a panel of experts, internal or external, endorses the conclusion. 



Between 2015 and 2020, one <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10481496/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> of 403 filings found that nearly 30 percent relied on the opinion of an employee of the manufacturer itself.



“A company can add a new ingredient and not even list its chemical compound on the packet,”  says public‑health lawyer <a href="https://publichealth.nyu.edu/faculty/jennifer-pomeranz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jennifer Pomeranz</a>. 



She points out that the law never required such notices to reach the agency at all. Advocates fear that self‑policing fosters blind spots when cumulative exposures involve dozens of lightly studied chemicals.



“If a company can’t sell something in California or New York, they may as well reformulate their product for the whole country,” argues regulatory counsel Jensen Jose at the nonprofit <a href="https://www.cspi.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Science in the Public Interest</a>. 



The train of thought is that state legislation can move faster than Washington and that strategy is now reshaping ingredient lists nationwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-states-fight-mineral-oil-in-food">How states fight mineral oil in food</h2>



California’s 2023 <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AB-418-Signing.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AB 418</a> banned FD&amp;C Red 3, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and propylparaben in foods sold after 2027, making it the first U.S. state to bar these additives. 



Within months, the FDA proposed its own nationwide phase‑out of <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/brominated-vegetable-oil-bvo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brominated vegetable oil</a> and accepted a citizens’ petition to reconsider <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-revoke-authorization-use-red-no-3-food-and-ingested-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Red 3</a>, illustrating the ripple effect of state action.



Similar bills are pending in New York, Illinois, and Washington, and campaigners have signaled that MOAH will be on their next target list. 



<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/robert-kennedy.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a> has already promised to close the GRAS loophole if elected, giving the issue fresh political visibility.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avoid-risky-additives-while-shopping">Avoid risky additives while shopping</h2>



Dietitian <a href="https://www.lindsaymalonerd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lindsay Malone</a> recommends focusing on whole foods and limiting ultra‑processed snacks that stack multiple controversial additives, including butylated hydroxyanisole, or BHA, which experimental <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4462476/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> link to hormone disruption. 



She suggests choosing plain nuts over flavored mixes and fruit over brightly colored gummies to shrink exposure without feeling punitive.



Consumers who still want an occasional hard candy can look for European‑made <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-food-nutrition-labels-may-be-based-on-50-year-old-data/">brands</a> that meet MOAH‑free standards or check confectioners’ websites for updated formulations. 



In the meantime, U.S. shoppers may see fresh warning labels as lawsuits and state bills push companies to reformulate.



For researchers, the Jolly Rancher episode underscores the need for publicly funded studies that track low‑dose, long‑term exposure across diverse populations. 



Until such data arrive, regulators will keep balancing uncertain risks against the sweet pull of consumer demand.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/8215" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EFSA Journal</a>.



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Very popular candy, Jolly Ranchers, were just banned in the UK but not in the US

Without much warning last month, the United Kingdom’s Food Standards...

Female,Having,Heart,,Asthma,Or,Panic,Attack.,Difficulties,With,Breathe,

When we think of a heart attack, the image that often comes to mind is straight out of a movie: someone suddenly clutches their chest in pain and collapses as shocked bystanders look on. It's a scene etched into our collective memory by decades of TV and film.



However, the real experience of a heart attack rarely fits that narrative. In fact, believing in that dramatic version can delay life-saving treatment.



Hollywood’s version has shaped public perception in ways that may be doing more harm than good. The truth is far more complex and subtle. 



For Ann Eckhardt, a nursing professor and researcher at <a href="https://www.uta.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Texas at Arlington</a>, this public misunderstanding is not just a matter of health education. It is a deeply personal mission rooted in years of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-kills-differently-now-than-five-decades-ago/">research</a> and a family experience that first sparked her passion for the subject.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-the-signs-of-a-heart-attack">Missing the signs of a heart attack </h2>



Movies from the 1980s and 1990s cemented an unrealistic idea of heart attacks. The result? Many people don’t recognize the signs when it happens to them.



“We did ourselves a disservice in the 1980s and 1990s with what’s known as ‘The Hollywood Heart Attack,’” Dr. Eckhardt said. “That’s unfortunately not real life. It’s not always intense." 



"Sometimes it’s just discomfort that doesn’t feel quite right, so people tend to wait to see a doctor. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to have negative consequences after your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/">heart</a> attack.”



This tendency to wait, to dismiss symptoms that don’t seem dramatic enough, can cost precious time. And in cardiology, time is muscle. 



The longer blood flow to the heart is restricted, the greater the damage. But if people are looking for cinematic signals, they might miss the real ones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-attack-symptoms-can-be-subtle">Heart attack symptoms can be subtle </h2>



One of the biggest myths is that heart attacks always present with severe, sudden <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweeteners-erythritol-directly-linked-to-heart-attacks-and-strokes/">pain</a>. In reality, many symptoms are subtle. 



People may experience vague discomfort, pressure, or a strange feeling they can’t quite describe. These symptoms are easier to ignore, especially when life is busy or stressful.



Eckhardt and her team wanted to understand these misconceptions in detail. They explored how people interpret chest pain and whether that interpretation affects how and when they seek care. 



The team has identified a dangerous gap between public belief and medical reality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-the-warning-signs">Rethinking the warning signs </h2>



Many people also believe that heart attacks look drastically different in men and women. While that belief was once supported in the medical community, experts are now rethinking the language they use.



“We used to say men have typical symptoms and women have atypical symptoms,” Eckhardt said. “We’re trying very hard to move away from that language now."



"The most common symptom for men and women is chest-related. We created confusion by saying women are somehow completely different.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-false-expectations-about-heart-attacks">False expectations about heart attacks</h2>



Labeling symptoms as typical or atypical can confuse patients. If someone doesn’t feel the expected kind of pain, they may assume it isn’t serious. Worse, they might believe it can’t possibly be a heart attack. That false assurance can delay treatment.



Eckhardt’s team wanted to dig deeper into how people form these ideas. To do that, they created the <a href="https://www.heartandlung.org/article/S0147-9563(23)00121-8/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chest Pain Conception Questionnaire</a>. 



The tool is designed to measure what people think heart attack symptoms look like, and where those ideas come from.



Three years into the project, the team made a striking discovery: nearly 75% of respondents had gotten their information about heart attacks from media sources like TV and film. That suggests medical messaging is losing the battle for public attention.



“We often tell people chest pain is a symptom of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-this-amount-of-coffee-helps-prevent-heart-disease-and-diabetes/">heart</a> attack, but what we don’t tell them is what they might actually feel,” Eckhardt said. 



“For a lot of people, it’s not pain in the traditional sense. It’s more discomfort, pressure, tightness. They just don’t feel quite right, but they can’t really put their finger on it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vague-signs-delay-treatment">Vague signs delay treatment</h2>



Many heart attack sufferers report a general unease or tightness instead of sharp pain. But because it’s vague, they hesitate to call a doctor or go to the hospital. This indecision can lead to devastating outcomes.



Eckhardt wants medical professionals to change how they talk to patients. Instead of simply asking about chest pain, they should expand the question to include more accurate descriptions.



“The longer you wait, the more likely it is you’ll have irreversible damage to the heart,” Eckhardt said. 



“So, if we can determine what people think a heart attack will be like, perhaps we can help the medical community better triage and ask questions. It’s not just ‘Are you having chest pain?’; it’s also ‘Do you have any discomfort, pressure, tightness, squeezing?’”



This approach could help doctors identify patients at risk more effectively. It also makes space for individuals to describe their symptoms without second-guessing themselves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-lifelong-mission">A lifelong mission </h2>



For Eckhardt, this work is not just about data or education. It is deeply personal. Her commitment to the subject began when she was young, shaped by a frightening family event.



“That experience sparked my interest early on,” Eckhardt said. When she was in middle school, her grandfather was rushed to the hospital after a heart attack. 



Thankfully, he survived the ordeal thanks to timely bypass surgery and lived for another two decades. That moment planted the seeds of a lifelong commitment to health education and research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-the-public-perception">Changing the public perception </h2>



Eckhardt and her colleagues know it won’t be easy to re-educate the public. Hollywood images are hard to shake. 



However, the team's research continues, driven by a clear goal: help people recognize real heart attack symptoms, seek help early, and improve outcomes.



Every person who rethinks their idea of what a heart attack feels like could be one life saved. It is not always about pain. Sometimes, it is a quiet, persistent signal that something is wrong. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.heartandlung.org/article/S0147-9563(25)00104-9/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heart &amp; Lung</a>.



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What a heart attack really feels like - it's much different from what you see on TV

When we think of a heart attack, the image that...

Food,Products,Representing,The,Mediterranean,Diet,Which,May,Improve,Overall

The daily hassle of abdominal pain, bloating, and unpredictable bathroom trips drives many people with with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to search for a diet that actually works. 



Between four and five percent of US adults live with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The go‑to plan has been the low <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fodmap-diet-what-you-need-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FODMAP diet</a>, but a restrictive menu of do‑nots can turn mealtime into math class.



A new pilot trial from the <a href="https://www.michiganmedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a> compares that elimination regimen to the heart‑healthy Mediterranean diet and finds that both can soothe symptoms, though with different trade‑offs. 



<a href="https://medschool.umich.edu/profile/6301/prashant-singh" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prashant Singh, MBBS</a>, a gastroenterologist at Michigan Medicine, led the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-food-choices-matter">Why food choices matter</h2>



IBS is considered a disorder of gut-brain interaction, where nerves and microbes inside the intestine over‑react to normal digestion. 



That hypersensitivity means small tweaks in what you eat can translate into outsized cramps or gurgles. Scientists have long noted that patients prefer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/want-to-slow-down-aging-add-these-foods-to-your-diet/">diet</a> therapy over pills, and guidelines now place food at the center of care.



Yet no single plate helps everyone. Some people flare after wheat, others after garlic, and a few after stress alone. 



Targeting patterns rather than individual ingredients has therefore become a pragmatic strategy, giving physicians a framework to test and tweak without endless trial‑and‑error meals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-fodmap">A closer look at FODMAP</h2>



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34376515/">FOD</a><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34376515/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">M</a><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34376515/">AP</a> stands for "fermentable oligo‑, di‑, and monosaccharides and polyols," short‑chain carbs that gut bacteria quickly digest, producing gas that can stretch sensitive intestines. 



A 2022 network meta‑analysis ranked the low FODMAP diet first for global IBS symptom relief among 13 controlled trials.



“Restrictive diets, such as low FODMAP, can be difficult for patients to adopt,” said Prashant Singh. 



The drawback is complexity. Shoppers must memorize long lists, calculate portion sizes, and reintroduce foods in three labor‑intensive phases. 



Concerns also linger about nutritional gaps and the potential loss of beneficial gut bugs when fermentable fibers disappear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mediterranean-diet-flavor-without-fear">Mediterranean diet: flavor without fear</h2>



Enter the seafood‑and‑olive‑oil approach celebrated around the world for heart protection. The landmark <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23432189/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PREDIMED trial</a> cut heart attack and stroke by roughly 30 percent in high‑risk adults who ate extra‑virgin olive oil or nuts daily. 



Beyond arteries, recent reviews link Mediterranean eating to a bloom of short‑chain‑fatty‑acid‑producing bacteria that dampen gut inflammation.



“This study adds to a growing body of evidence which suggests that a Mediterranean diet might be a useful addition to the menu of evidence‑based dietary interventions for patients with IBS,” noted <a href="https://www.uofmhealth.org/profile/731/william-d-chey-md" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">William Chey, MD</a>, chief of Gastroenterology at Michigan Medicine. 



Researchers have wondered whether that microbiome shift could calm IBS. A 2024 Australian randomized trial found the diet feasible and tied it to lower gastrointestinal distress scores. 



Unlike low FODMAP, the Mediterranean template emphasizes inclusion over exclusion, plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, with minimal red meat and sweets. 



Meals feel recognizable and communal, an advantage when family dinners or restaurant outings matter to quality of life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-numbers-behind-the-findings">Numbers behind the findings</h2>



The Michigan pilot randomized 20 adults with diarrhea‑predominant or mixed‑type IBS to four weeks of either eating style. 



Seventy‑three percent of the Mediterranean group and 81.8 percent of the low FODMAP group hit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (<a href="https://www.fda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA</a>) yardstick of a 30 percent drop in abdominal pain. 



Symptom-severity scores also fell in both cohorts, though the low FODMAP arm logged a steeper average decline.



Importantly, every participant received pre‑portioned meals to maximize adherence, and dietitians verified compliance rates above 90 percent. 



That control means the relief probably stemmed from the diets themselves, not random chance or inconsistent follow‑through. 



Still, sample size was small, so the authors call for larger, real‑world <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40273380/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> before formal guidelines change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-patients-can-try-now">What patients can try now</h2>



If meticulous tracking and temporary restriction feel manageable, low FODMAP may offer the fastest path to quieter bowels. 



Those who dread counting apple slices or onion fragments can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-diet-boosts-brain-power-by-altering-the-gut/">lean into Mediterranean staples</a> instead, foods such as oatmeal with berries at breakfast, lentil salad drizzled with olive oil at lunch, and grilled salmon with roasted vegetables for dinner.



Either way, work with a registered dietitian familiar with IBS. Professional guidance prevents nutrient gaps, monitors symptom diaries, and designs a reintroduction schedule if you start with low FODMAP. 



It also helps personalize Mediterranean patterns, ensuring adequate calcium, iron, and protein for different life stages.



Remember that stress, sleep, and movement matter too. Pair <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthier-diet-could-boost-memory-delay-dementia/">dietary</a> tweaks with a short daily walk or breathing exercise to tap the gut–brain axis from multiple angles. Small, consistent habits often beat drastic overhauls in the long haul.



The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nmo.70060" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurogastroenterology &amp; Motility</a>.



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Study shows this diet improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

The daily hassle of abdominal pain, bloating, and unpredictable bathroom...

Exercise is known to help mental health - but movement alone isn’t always enough. New research shows it’s how, where, and why you move that really matters.



In a recent study, scientists found that the mental health benefits of exercise aren’t just tied to intensity or duration. They’re closely connected to the context surrounding the activity - like whether it’s done alone or with others, indoors or outside, for fun or out of obligation.



Study co-author Patrick O’Connor is a professor in the Mary Frances Early College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology at the <a href="https://www.uga.edu/">University of Georgia</a>.



“Historically, physical activity research has focused on how long someone exercises for or how many calories were burned,” said Professor O’Connor. 



“The ‘dose’ of exercise has been the dominant way researchers have tried to understand how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fitness-focused-medicine-physical-activity-reduces-chronic-disease-risk/">physical activity</a> might influence mental health, while often ignoring whether those minutes were spent exercising with a friend or as part of a game.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-with-purpose-feels-different">Exercise with purpose feels different</h2>



Not all movement is equal. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-walking-improves-mobility-and-prevents-falls-in-older-adults/">Walking your dog</a>, riding a bike with friends, or joining a dance class tends to feel good. But scrubbing floors or jogging to make it to work might not. Even if the physical effort is the same, the experience - and its emotional impact - can be very different.



To explore this, the researchers reviewed three kinds of studies: large population surveys, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and a smaller group of studies focused specifically on context. 



The large-scale data showed clear patterns: people who engage in regular leisure-time physical activity - things they choose to do for enjoyment - tend to report less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-chronic-pain-have-high-rates-of-depression-and-anxiety/">depression and anxiety</a>.



“For example, if a soccer player runs down the field and kicks the game-winning ball, their mental health is fantastic,” said Professor O’Connor. “In contrast, if you do the exact same exercise but miss the goal and people are blaming you, you likely feel very differently."



"Anecdotes such as these show how context matters even when people are performing a similar exercise dose.”



In other words, the same movement can either lift you up or drag you down depending on the situation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-limits-of-traditional-studies">The limits of traditional studies</h2>



While RCTs confirmed that regular exercise can improve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-illness-is-caused-by-the-whole-body-not-just-the-brain/">mental health</a> - especially for people already dealing with anxiety or depression - most of these studies were short-term and used small, similar groups of people. That limits how much we can apply the findings to the wider public.



“The average effects on mental health are small across all the randomized controlled studies of exercise, and that’s partly because most of the studies focused on people who were not depressed or anxious - you do get bigger effects in those studies,” noted Professor O’Connor. 



“We’re communicating to scientists that larger- and longer-term controlled studies are needed to make a compelling case whether exercise does, or does not, truly impact mental health.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-why-context-matters">Exercise: Why context matters</h2>



What’s still missing - and possibly the most important piece - is a better understanding of the setting and experience. Who were you with? Was it social or solitary? Structured or spontaneous? Did it feel rewarding?



“If you’re outside and it’s hot, and you’re having to walk to work, that’s part of the context,” said O’Connor. “Or if you go and take a group exercise class - some instructors you really like, and some you don’t. So, that’s also part of the context."



“If we’re trying to help people’s mental health with exercise, then not only do we need to think about the dose and the mode, we also need to ask: What is the context?” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-moving">More than just moving </h2>



The conclusion is simple, but often overlooked. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-bursts-of-intense-exercise-can-slow-brain-aging/">Physical activity</a> can be powerful, but the impact depends on many factors. 



Professor O’Connor emphasized that it's not just the physical movement that matters, but also the meaning, context, and overall experience that come with it.



"Greater progress will be made in this area when research designs are expanded to include consideration of the potential influence of contextual factors on relationships between physical activity and mental health," concluded the researchers.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2025/05000/up_for_debate__does_regular_physical_activity.17.aspx">Medicine &amp; Science in Sports &amp; Exercise</a>.



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How to maximize the mental health benefits of exercise

Exercise is known to help mental health - but movement...

Abuse or neglect in the preschool years appears to push a child’s internal clock forward while also steering their eyes away from the very cues that build trust. 



Two separate biological and social signals - faster cellular aging and reduced eye contact - foreshadow later struggles with emotions and behavior.



The evidence comes from the <a href="https://www.ugscd-osaka-u.ne.jp/en/">United Graduate School of Child Development</a>, a consortium of several leading Japanese universities specializing in child development research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-quiet-footprint-of-maltreatment">The quiet footprint of maltreatment</h2>



Long-term studies already link childhood maltreatment to heart disease, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seven-healthy-lifestyle-habits-that-prevent-depression/">depression</a>, and premature death, yet pinpointing the earliest biological shifts has been tricky. 



Many investigations lean on teenagers’ memories or on broad stress hormones that rise for many reasons.



The Japanese team aimed lower in age and deeper in detail, asking what happens inside the body and in live social behavior before a child enters grade school.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clocking-childhood-stress-in-cells">Clocking childhood stress in cells</h2>



Ninety-six four- and five-year-olds visited the university lab with a caregiver they trusted. Thirty-six of them suffered confirmed severe childhood maltreatment; the remaining sixty formed a comparison group.



Technicians took a painless cheek swab and measured DNA methylation patterns with the Pediatric-Buccal-Epigenetic clock - a method this group refined in earlier work. 



The algorithm converts chemical tags on genes into an “epigenetic age.” If that number outruns the child’s actual age, researchers infer that wear and tear has set in early.



The abused children’s cells looked markedly older, even after the analysts adjusted for sex, birth weight, and household income. 



Accelerated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epigenetic-dna-clocks-predict-biological-age-more-accurately/">epigenetic clocks</a> in adults often foreshadow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-type-of-diabetes-type-5-is-now-officially-recognized-linked-to-nutritional-deficiencies/">diabetes</a>, stroke, and early mortality. Spotting the same pattern in four-year-olds suggests damage is already under way while most of the brain is still wiring itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abused-children-miss-social-cues">Abused children miss social cues</h2>



Next came a social test. High-resolution eye-tracking cameras recorded exactly where and how long each child looked while short videos played.



When faces appeared on screen, youngsters with a history of abuse spent far less time examining the eye region than their peers.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-and-human-brains-sync-up-during-eye-contact/">Eye contact</a> feeds children information about emotions, intentions, and safety. Avoiding it deprives them of a fast, intuitive map of other people’s feelings just when they are learning to navigate friendships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abuse-disrupts-on-two-fronts">Abuse disrupts on two fronts</h2>



Statistical models showed that cellular aging and gaze avoidance each predicted higher scores on caregiver checklists of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-microbes-have-an-unexpected-link-to-anxiety/">anxiety</a>, aggression, and attention problems.



Yet the two did not sit in a single chain. Faster clocks did not explain why eyes wandered, and wandering eyes did not explain the faster clocks. Trauma, it seems, injures children along at least two independent tracks.



“Our research sends a powerful message: child maltreatment can leave invisible but measurable marks on a child’s biology and social development. By identifying these early warning signs, we can step in earlier and provide targeted support,” said lead author Keiko Ochiai.



“Tools such as eye-tracking assessments and stress-related biological testing could help teachers, doctors, and caregivers expedite the identification of children at risk,” she added.



“Support programs can then be tailored to improve social skills, reduce emotional stress, and promote healthier development - potentially preventing more serious problems later in life.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catching-childhood-maltreatment-early">Catching childhood maltreatment early</h2>



Because the study captured a single snapshot in time, it cannot prove that abuse causes every change.



Poverty, prenatal stress, or inherited risks may also accelerate epigenetic clocks or nudge eyes away from faces. Even so, the data place the first measurable cracks astonishingly early, suggesting that age four is not too soon - perhaps not even soon enough - to intervene.



Crucially, both assessments are simple to bring into clinics and preschools. Cheek swabs require no needles, and modern processors can read methylation signatures in hours. Portable eye trackers now fit on a laptop.



Embedding these tools into routine checkups could flag vulnerable youngsters before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-hijacks-the-brain-disrupting-sleep-and-memory/">stress</a> cements into chronic disease or social isolation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helping-young-people-reset-the-clock">Helping young people reset the clock</h2>



The researchers have already begun a follow-up that will revisit the same children in middle school to see whether early cellular age predicts adolescent depression, metabolic illness, or continued social withdrawal.



They also hope to test whether nurturing foster care, trauma-focused therapy, or parent-training programs can slow the epigenetic clock and coax eyes back to faces.



Childhood is meant to stretch time, not compress it. Yet when abuse or neglect crowds those years with fear, the body and mind appear to leap forward, aging faster and dodging the very gaze that could bring comfort.



Detecting those hidden signals of childhood maltreatment offers a rare chance to reset the clock and guide young people toward a future where curiosity, connection, and health unfold at the pace nature intended.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0321952">PLOS One</a>.



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Childhood maltreatment speeds up aging and alters behavior

Abuse or neglect in the preschool years appears to push...

Even a brief jab from a pin or the sting of a hot pan can leave behind pain that lingers as dread, worry, and distress. Researchers have now pinpointed a strand of nerve cells that splice those emotions onto raw sensation. 



The research was conducted at the <a href="https://www.salk.edu/">Salk Institute for Biological Studies</a>, where neuroscientist Sung Han and his colleagues mapped this pathway in mice. The findings show how a spinal spark becomes both a sharp twinge and a wave of misery.



By isolating calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) neurons in a small pocket of the thalamus and tracing their links to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lizard-brain-shapes-social-abilities-in-humans/">amygdala</a>, the team made a key discovery. They showed that this branch of the classic spinothalamic tract carries the feelings that make pain matter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-emotional-triggers-of-pain">The emotional triggers of pain</h2>



For decades, the prevailing view was that the brain processes sensory and emotion-related aspects of pain through separate pathways.



“But there’s been debate about whether the sensory pain pathway might also contribute to the emotional side of pain," Han said. "Our study provides strong evidence that a branch of the sensory pain pathway directly mediates the affective experience of pain.”



In other words, the same “highway” that delivers information about heat or pressure can fork into lanes that deliver pain feelings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-the-pain-textbook"><a></a>Rewriting the pain textbook</h2>



Textbooks have long split pain in two. Fast sensory signals climb the spinothalamic tract to the thalamus. From there, they travel to the sensory cortex, letting you spot where you were burned and how hot it was.



A second route - the spinoparabrachial tract - was said to feed emotion and shock to the brainstem.



The Salk findings blur that distinction. By injecting tracers into the spinal cords of mice, the team followed some spinothalamic fibers to the parvocellular subparafascicular nucleus of the thalamus. 



This region is home to CGRP-tagged neurons that wire straight to the amygdala, the hub for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/">fear and anxiety</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-emotion-on-and-off">Turning emotion on and off</h2>



To test what the cells do, researchers genetically silenced the CGRP neurons. Mice still withdrew from a hot plate or pinprick, proving that sensory detection was intact. However, they stopped avoiding places where that discomfort had occurred.



When the same neurons were flicked on with light-driven optogenetics, the animals avoided the chamber even though no pain stimulus was present, a sign of pure emotional distress.



“Pain processing is not just about nerves detecting pain; it’s about the brain deciding how much that pain matters,” said first author Sukjae Kang.



“Understanding the biology behind these two distinct processes will help us find treatments for the kinds of pain that don’t respond to traditional drugs.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pain-beyond-the-wound">Pain beyond the wound</h2>



Many difficult disorders - fibromyalgia, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysteries-of-migraines-explained-by-brain-fluid-dynamics/">migraine</a>, and some forms of post-traumatic stress - feature overwhelming pain or threat without obvious tissue injury.



Gene expression analysis showed that thalamic CGRP neurons carry several signatures already linked to migraine. Drugs that block CGRP are already easing migraine attacks in clinics.



Han’s team suggests these drugs could calm the thalamic circuit that turns everyday bumps and sounds into agony.



“Our discovery of the CGRP affective pain pathway gives us a molecular and circuit-level explanation for the difference between detecting physical pain and suffering from it,” Han said. 



“We’re excited to continue exploring this pathway and enabling future therapies that can reduce this suffering.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-pain-more-treatable">Making pain more treatable</h2>



Everyone feels the initial jab at roughly the same stimulus strength, yet people vary wildly in how long they brood over it. The new work shows that variation may begin inside the thalamus, not only in higher thought centers.



By revealing a precise set of neurons that add the emotion behind the pain, the study opens the door to therapies that dull suffering without muting essential warning signals.



Clinicians could one day pair CGRP blockers with behavioral therapy to restore a balanced response to hurt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-physical-hurt">Looking beyond physical hurt</h2>



The Salk team now plans to trace the same circuit in other species and to test whether it reacts to social pain such as heartbreak or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-grief-may-look-nothing-like-human-sorrow/">grief</a>.



If the CGRP loop proves to be a general “alarm” network, dialing it down might help people whose brains stay locked in high alert after trauma.



For the millions living with chronic pain, the discovery offers concrete hope that scientists can uncouple sensation from suffering. It could let a simple bruise heal without haunting the mind.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2505889122">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Why pain feels emotional: New brain pathway linked to suffering

Even a brief jab from a pin or the sting...

A patch of grass, a shady tree, or a sandbox just beyond the front door can nudge children toward stronger self-control years later. New evidence ties tiny slivers of nature at home to key thinking skills in preschoolers, suggesting that everyday greenery does more than lift spirits.



Researchers at the <a href="https://illinois.edu/">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a> followed Midwestern families from infancy to kindergarten as part of the <a href="https://www.familyresiliency.illinois.edu/strong-kids-2-cells-society-approach-nutrition">STRONG Kids2 project</a>. 



By merging satellite mapping with parent surveys, postdoctoral scholar Samantha Iwinski and colleagues tested how backyard features and family routines interact to build - or blunt - executive function (EF) in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genes-influence-blood-pressure-from-early-childhood/">early childhood</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-space-and-child-self-control">Green space and child self-control</h2>



Executive function is the mental toolbox that helps youngsters remember rules, switch focus, and curb impulses. Scientists separate it into “cold” skills, such as paying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-stops-paying-attention-to-repeated-distractions/">attention</a> and planning, and “hot” skills, which manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brainwaves-reveal-that-positive-emotions-enhance-memory/">emotions</a>. The Illinois team asked whether nearby outdoor elements would tilt the scales.



“We looked at what people have outside their home or across the street, where they can just walk out their door, and we focused on children’s access to these facilities before age two,” Iwinski said.



“The goal was to investigate how those environmental factors shaped children’s cognitive abilities as well as the home environment, because it's all part of a holistic system of influences.”



Google Earth images pinpointed trees, lawns, sandboxes, decks, and outdoor storage at 435 households spanning apartments, single-family homes, and farms. 



Annual home visits then measured toddlers’ executive skills and gauged household order - or chaos - through questions on noise, routines, and crowding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sandbox-time-builds-child-focus">Sandbox time builds child focus</h2>



Iwinski and her team found that having trees, a sandbox, or outdoor storage space before age 2 was linked to stronger cold executive function by age four.



“Trees and a sandbox allow for sensory interaction and are part of a natural playscape, providing opportunities to touch and feel and potentially climb," she said. "Outdoor storage space could mean there are toys and games that promote outdoor activities.”



Children who could reach such features showed greater ability to concentrate and follow directions when tested two years later.



Other landscape cues favored “hot” executive function. “This could relate to socializing and connection. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birth-of-farming-driven-by-humans/">Farming</a> communities are often close-knit. Having a deck provides an opportunity to sit together and talk,” Iwinski noted.



Preschoolers raised on farms or with a porch to gather on were better at calming themselves when upset and delaying gratification at ages four and five.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greener-yards-calmer-homes"><a></a>Greener yards, calmer homes</h2>



Families surrounded by lush vegetation also reported less household chaos - fewer sudden noises, more predictable schedules, and less overall stress. 



Parents seemed to use outside time as a pressure valve, turning shared walks or sandbox play into moments of restoration for adults and kids alike.



Still, the story was not one-directional. High chaos at ages two and four hurt executive skills in those same years, yet the pattern flipped later on.



“But we found that higher household chaos at earlier time points actually resulted in better EF at 4 years of age," Iwinski said. This could be because children develop resilience and adaptability, learning to regulate themselves in a chaotic environment.”



The finding hints that some turbulence, if paired with supportive caregiving, may teach flexibility.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-space-gap-persists-for-children">Green space gap persists for children</h2>



The team warns that access is uneven. Research shows that children in low-income families have the most nature deprivation. 



"It would be important to implement policies that help underserved communities to have more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-green-spaces-are-urgently-needed-across-the-global-south/">green space</a> and ways to interact available, and to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe in outdoor environments,” Iwinski said.



Pocket parks, community gardens, and traffic-calmed streets could provide small pockets of green space for children where private yards are scarce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-nature-part-of-play">Make nature part of play</h2>



Tiny habit shifts may help families harvest cognitive benefits even before policy catches up. 



“Parents can talk about what to do, for example, ‘we can play with rocks today, tomorrow we can do sand,’ and show their kids what it means to be outside,” Iwinski said.



“It’s not just about helping your child, but also yourself, because outdoor activities promote mental health and restoration for everyone.”



Educators can extend the lesson by dotting school grounds with raised beds or movable log slices. Even a short recess under a tree canopy may sharpen attention back in the classroom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-shapes-growing-minds">Nature shapes growing minds</h2>



The study knits together <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/landscapes-with-a-mix-of-habitats-are-biodiversity-hotspots/">landscape design</a>, family psychology, and child development into a single storyline: nature near home can quiet the household, invite unstructured exploration, and prime young brains for the twin tasks of focus and emotion control. 



It also shows that the benefits accrue well before children learn to read or add, highlighting a critical window for urban planners and caregivers alike.



Future work will track the same cohort into middle childhood to see whether early green space exposure predicts academic success or social adjustment.



For now, the message is simple and actionable: add a tree, keep a bucket of sand, or set out chairs on the porch - then step outside and play. The mind that steadies itself amid swaying branches or gritty fingers may carry that balance for years to come.



 The study is published in the journal <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/959179">Children, Youth and Environments</a>.



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Green spaces have a major impact on child development

A patch of grass, a shady tree, or a sandbox...

Happy,Young,Mother,Bonding,With,Her,Toddler,Son,In,Blue

Singing to a baby may feel like nothing more than a timeless tradition, yet fresh data now proves just how much those soft tunes matter. Researchers at <a href="https://www.yale.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale University</a> ran a four‑week experiment and saw babies’ mood ratings climb when parents were nudged to sing more often.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lullaby-benefits">Lullaby benefits</h2>



Parents have always trusted songs to soothe, and science backs that trust. In a 2021 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8220405/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>, infants’ heart rates and skin conductance dropped when they heard lullabies in foreign languages. 



Those calming effects appear stronger than speech alone, hinting that melody taps regulatory circuits <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-dancing-and-singing-lullabies-to-babies-are-not-innate-human-behaviors/">beyond ordinary talk</a>.



Another experiment showed that seven‑ to ten‑month‑olds listened to singing for about twice as long as speech before fussing. 



Taken together, these findings explain why even sleep‑deprived caregivers keep humming when nothing else works.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-roots-of-singing-to-babies">Cultural roots of singing to babies</h2>



Across time and geography, parents have sung to soothe, bond, and signal safety. 



<a href="https://www.ethnomusicology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ethnomusicology</a> studies show that infant-directed singing has distinct features, like slower tempo, repetitive structure, and pitch exaggeration, that appear in nearly every society’s lullabies. 



These songs aren't just tradition. They likely emerged because they work. In communities without formal parenting tools or gadgets, music acts as an instinctive caregiving method that bridges generations, languages, and lifestyles. 



Understanding this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-causes-similar-emotional-experiences-and-sensations-in-all-cultures/">global pattern</a> helps explain why singing continues to be a reliable tool in modern households, regardless of background.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-out-if-singing-helps-babies">Finding out if singing helps babies</h2>



<a href="https://www.eunchomusic.com/about-me">Eun Cho</a> of the <a href="https://www.eunchomusic.com/about-me" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale Child Study Center</a> and colleagues recruited 110 families with babies younger than four months. 



Using ecological momentary assessment, a smartphone survey method that pings parents randomly through the day, they captured real‑time mood snapshots instead of relying on memory.



Half the parents got karaoke‑style videos, songbooks, and weekly prompts; the rest continued usual care. 



Within a week most in the music group were singing in nearly nine out of ten survey windows, and that habit stuck after the prompts stopped.



“Parents intuitively gravitate toward music as a tool for managing infants' emotions, because they quickly learn how effective singing is at calming a fussy baby,” said <a href="https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/people/samuel-mehr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Samuel Mehr</a>, director of <a href="https://www.themusiclab.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Music Lab</a>. 



Parents were never told when to sing, yet they instinctively reached for music during bouts of fussing. 



Survey data confirmed his point: singing became the only soothing technique that rose significantly during the intervention. Babies whose caregivers sang more showed higher overall mood scores, not just momentary relief.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-music-reaches-the-infant-brain">Why music reaches the infant brain</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/similar-patterns-music-language-found-across-all-cultures/">Cross‑cultural work</a> finds songs tied to infant care in every documented society, suggesting an evolutionary role. 



Melodies carry repetitive rhythms and exaggerated pitch contours that match babies’ sensitivity to temporal patterns.



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/babies-hear-far-more-speech-at-home-than-music/">acoustic cues</a> likely signal safety, driving a physiological downshift: slower heart rate, calmer nervous system, steadier gaze. 



Because the same core features appear in many musical traditions, even unfamiliar songs can have the desired effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-singing-helps-both-babies-and-parents">Singing helps both babies and parents</h2>



While the Yale trial did not boost caregiver mood in four weeks, other work hints at downstream benefits. 



A 10‑week group‑singing program in Italy eased <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1461965/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">postpartum depression</a> symptoms and was rated feasible for public clinics.



Lower infant distress can also lighten parental stress loads, improving sleep and bonding over time. Researchers plan longer studies to test whether daily singing shifts family health more broadly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-homes-without-music">Homes without music?</h2>



While many families in the Yale study already used music daily, not all households have the same habits. Earlier <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163638324000079" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> using all‑day audio recorders found surprisingly little music in many infants’ environments, even when parents assumed they sang often.



This gap means some babies may miss out on the emotional support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mothers-can-use-singing-to-engage-with-infants/">singing</a> provides, especially in homes facing stress, poverty, or limited caregiver time. 



Low‑cost tools like the ones used in the study, songbooks, videos, simple reminders, may help close that gap and give all babies the same access to mood‑lifting interaction. 



Even a small boost in daily musical moments could be a game‑changer for the most vulnerable infants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-music-home">Bringing music home</h2>



No special skill, speaker, or playlist is required. Pick any simple tune, nursery rhyme, folk song, or a chorus you like, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/finding-their-voice-how-singing-empowers-children/">sing</a> it at diaper changes, before naps, or in the evening bath. 



Keep the tempo slow, the volume soft, and repeat phrases so your baby learns the pattern. 



Consistency, not perfection, appears to be what a newborn brain craves, and caregivers already hold the most responsive instrument.



Your voice is enough. And for your baby, it might just be the best sound in the world. The science agrees: a few songs a day can go a long way.



The study is published in <a href="https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cdev.14246" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Child Development</a>.



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Singing to babies significantly improves their mood and overall well-being, study confirms

Singing to a baby may feel like nothing more than...

Our desks keep us glued to chairs for hours, yet our bodies keep score. After meals, our blood sugar spikes, particularly if we remain sedentary. Two fresh studies have now analyzed the respective benefits of walking and doing squats, in terms of their ability to lower those <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diabetes-patients-overtreated/">glucose</a> surges. 



One test pitted simple body‑weight squats against walking sessions of different lengths, to see which shrinks after‑meal sugar spikes. The contest delivered a surprise winner.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-squats-and-mini-walks-win-the-day">Squats and mini-walks win the day</h2>



Lead author <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ying-Gao-55" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ying Gao</a> of <a href="https://www.zju.edu.cn/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zhejiang University</a> guided 18 young men through four, single‑day <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ying-Gao-55" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trials</a> that included long sitting, a half‑hour stroll, three‑minute mini‑walks every forty‑five minutes, or ten fast squats on the same clock. 



The squat and frequent mini-walk conditions slashed postprandial sugar spikes by 21 percent, when compared with nonstop <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-for-hours-daily-shrinks-your-brain-even-if-you-exercise/">sitting</a>.



The same sugar‑flattening effect almost doubled the benefit of the lone, 30‑minute walk. This indicates that muscles care more about timing than about total steps. 



Importantly, energy burned was matched across conditions, so extra calorie loss was not the hero.



Deskbound adults spend more than 9 hours per day seated, on average, a pattern that is linked to higher diabetes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sedentary-behavior-sitting-for-hours-health-risk-early-death/">risk</a>, even in habitual exercisers. 



Shifting some of that time toward burst‑style movement gives muscles periodic wake‑up calls without asking for gym clothes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-advantage-of-squats">The advantage of squats</h2>



Squatting lights up the quads and glutes far more than an easy stroll. The trial found that higher averaged <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4825-emg-electromyography" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electromyogram</a> amplitude in those big muscles tracked directly with lower blood sugar swings, while hamstring effort mattered less.



“Only increased aEMG in quadriceps and gluteal muscles was associated with a reduction in postprandial glycemic response,” the authors noted. More muscle fibers squeezing at once appear to pull extra sugar out of circulation.



Those same fibers are among the largest glycogen reservoirs in the body. Emptying them repeatedly during the workday sets the stage for later insulin‑assisted refilling, a cycle that may dampen glucose peaks in subsequent meals.



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



Three‑minute strolls every 45 minutes came close to the squat effect, even though each break felt relaxed. Small bursts appear to wake up leg muscles repeatedly, keeping sugar disposal lines open throughout the day.



Still, the single, longer walk under‑performed. The data suggest that the body values frequent nudges over one heroic push, which echoes office studies where hourly movement trims cholesterol and insulin peaks.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/to-get-fit-and-stay-healthy-walk-this-exact-distance-every-day/">Walking</a> breaks also counteract stiffness, boost mood, and require no floor space. That makes them a friendly backup plan on days when squats are impractical (such as in narrow airplane aisles or crowded buses).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lactate-and-glut4-link">Lactate and GLUT4 link</h2>



Squats briefly cut off oxygen to working muscle, boosting lactate production. Laboratory work in human myotubes shows that “lactic acid has an important role in energy metabolism of human myotubes” and even raises glucose uptake three‑fold when it replaces sugar in the growth medium.



Higher lactate feeds a cellular message that orders more <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/10/2432" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GLUT4 transporters</a> to the muscle surface, the very gates that shuttle glucose inward. 



Scientists agree that, in response to stimulation by insulin or exercise/muscle contraction, GLUT4 “translocates from intracellular storage vesicles to the muscle cell surface” where it plays an essential role in glucose transport.



The lactate shuttle also lets active muscles share this metabolite with the liver for fresh glucose production - forming a push‑and‑pull cycle that stabilizes blood sugar without sharp highs or lows.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lasting-ripple-effects">Lasting ripple effects</h2>



“Enhanced skeletal muscle and whole body insulin sensitivity can persist for between 24 and 48 hours after one exercise session,” noted physiologist <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4816200/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gregory Cartee</a>. 



A single bout of exercise can thus keep muscles extra sensitive to insulin for up to two days, meaning that each squat break may buy prolonged metabolic calm.&nbsp;



Because squats recruit more fibers per second than walking, they may stretch that window even further, though larger trials will be needed to test this idea. 



Even if the extra edge is small, the compounding effect over hundreds of workdays could be substantial.



Employers who are worried about productivity may find that adding a beep on the office clock every 45 minutes is cheaper than funding a corporate gym and easier than policing step counts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leveraging-squats-in-daily-life">Leveraging squats in daily life</h2>



Ten deep squats take roughly 20 seconds and require zero equipment. Set a 45‑minute timer, stand up, drop and rise ten times, then sit back down, and you will have matched the glucose benefit seen in the lab.



If knee pain rules out squats, a three‑minute hallway march delivers nearly the same payoff. What counts is breaking sitting time often and pushing large muscles hard enough to feel them work.



Pairing these movement snacks with balanced meals can amplify their punch, especially for people watching carbohydrate intake. Consistency beats intensity, so keep the breaks small, frequent, and sustainable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caveats-and-future-research">Caveats and future research</h2>



The volunteers in Gao’s study were healthy young men, leaving questions about how older adults, women, or people with diabetes will respond. 



Hormonal differences and joint limitations could modify the squat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/studies-learn-the-exact-amount-of-time-you-should-spend-training-to-build-muscle/">advantage</a>, and researchers are already planning follow‑ups that include broader demographic groups.



Laboratory meals were standardized, yet real‑world diets vary wildly in sugar content. Future work will need to track continuous glucose monitors over weeks to see whether movement snacks tame everyday spikes triggered by pizza lunches and birthday cake.



Finally, scientists still debate the precise chain of molecular events between lactate, GLUT4, and long‑term insulin signaling. 



Decoding that pathway could unlock new drug targets that mimic the down‑to‑earth prescription of standing up and moving every 45 minutes.



The study is published in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38629807/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scandinavian Journal of Medicine &amp; Science in Sports</a>.



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Squats vs walking: The definitive winner for reducing blood sugar

Our desks keep us glued to chairs for hours, yet...

We all know sleep is important, but what if simply flipping on a light at the wrong time could do more than just make you tired? What if artificial light could change the way your body fights illness, how your brain processes emotion, or how you recover from surgery?



A team of researchers at <a href="https://www.wvu.edu/">West Virginia University</a> has explored this question. The research suggests that artificial light at night may silently alter how our bodies function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-night-shifts-to-neuroscience">From night shifts to neuroscience</h2>



The story behind this research starts in an unlikely place. Before becoming a scientist, Dr. Randy J. Nelson, the lead researcher, worked night shifts in a turkey processing plant. Later, he performed autopsies at two hospitals in Cleveland. 



Eventually, a job opening at the San Diego Zoo led Dr. Nelson to pursue a scientific career that took him to UC San Diego and later UC Berkeley, where he became the first person in the U.S. to earn two PhDs at once - one in psychology and one in endocrinology.



"My path to academia is typical in the sense that it is not 'typical,'" said Dr. Nelson. Today, he leads the Department of Neuroscience at West Virginia University. 



In Dr. Nelson's lab, researchers have spent years studying how the modern world, especially its bright nights, can throw off the rhythms our bodies evolved to follow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-artificial-light-and-human-health">Artificial light and human health</h2>



Most people associate circadian rhythms with sleep, but the WVU researchers show that these rhythms are integrated into almost every system in the body.



The experts report that light at night can disrupt the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infection or triggering unnecessary inflammation. It can also throw off metabolism, which may contribute to rising rates of obesity. 



When it comes to mental health, artificial light interferes with mood regulation, helping explain why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-chronic-pain-have-high-rates-of-depression-and-anxiety/">depression and anxiety</a> are more common among people with irregular schedules.



The effects are wide-ranging and serious. According to the lab's findings, our biology expects natural cycles of light and dark. When those cycles are broken, things can start to go wrong - quietly but powerfully.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-type-of-artificial-light-is-most-harmful">What type of artificial light is most harmful?</h2>



The team’s research is now focused on pinpointing the specific wavelengths of light that cause the most damage. 



The experts are also studying how long it takes for the body to recover from regular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-pollution-disrupts-entire-ecological-networks/">exposure</a> to artificial light, and whether the time of day makes a difference in how the body responds to light.



"What is the contribution of time-of-day as a biological variable?" That’s one of the questions driving Dr. Nelson's current work.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-research-into-better-care">Turning research into better care</h2>



Beyond the lab, the scientists are running clinical trials to see if reducing exposure to artificial light in hospitals could help patients recover faster.



One trial is focused on people recovering from strokes. Another trial is tracking outcomes after cardiac surgery. Both patient groups often spend time in ICUs, where harsh fluorescent lighting is the norm throughout the day and night.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colors-of-sunset-and-sunrise-reset-our-circadian-rhythms/">Circadian rhythms</a> are a fundamental aspect of biology, and much is known from foundational science about them,” noted Dr. Nelson. “However, little of this foundational science has been translated to clinical medicine.”



The WVU team is also testing whether night-shift nurses can benefit from wearing bright blue light visors at specific times to help reset their internal clocks. The results could open the door to better health for millions of workers with irregular hours - from factory employees to first responders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-health-insights-about-artificial-light">New health insights about artificial light</h2>



Artificial light has changed how we live - and it’s also changed how our bodies function in ways we are only just beginning to understand.



Other studies have linked nighttime light exposure to increased risks of certain cancers, metabolic disorders, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-exposure-is-extremely-harmful-to-our-mental-health/">mental health</a> issues. Blue light from screens, in particular, has been shown to suppress melatonin production, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. 



There’s growing evidence that long-term exposure to light at the wrong times may contribute to chronic inflammation and disrupt key hormonal cycles.



What the research from West Virginia University adds is a clearer picture of how these disruptions affect multiple systems at once - and why timing matters just as much as intensity.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/brainmed/aop/article-10.61373-bm025k.0083/article-10.61373-bm025k.0083.xml">Brain Medicine</a>.



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Hidden health crisis: How artificial light disrupts our bodies

We all know sleep is important, but what if simply...

Humans in all nations and culture chase youth. In 2024 alone, global spending on anti-aging products was roughly $74 billion. But what if the key to slower aging and longer life hides in psilocybin, the compound found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/religious-leaders-tried-psilocybin-and-it-changed-their-lives/">psychedelic mushrooms</a>?



This sounds strange. Yet science now says it might be true.



Researchers at <a href="https://www.emory.edu/home/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emory University</a> made a surprising discovery. They found that psilocin, a compound your body produces after eating psychedelic mushrooms, could actually slow down aging in cells. 



Their study appeared in npj Aging, and the results stunned even the researchers.



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



After the body converts psilocybin into psilocin, it binds to serotonin receptors, altering perception, mood, and cognition. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-before-psilocybin-mushrooms-brain-on-psilocybin-mushrooms-any-questions/">Brain imaging shows</a> that under psilocybin, rigid brain networks loosen their grip, allowing parts of the brain that don’t usually communicate to connect in unexpected ways. 



This rewiring effect can temporarily dissolve the ego and create a sense of unity or interconnectedness, often described as a profound spiritual experience.



But <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-psilocybin-mushrooms-got-their-magic/">the magic</a> isn’t just in the moment - it’s in what comes after. Clinical studies show that a single guided psilocybin session can ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, sometimes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psilocybin-may-boost-our-ability-to-learn-and-explore/">with lasting effects</a>. 



Scientists believe this happens because psilocybin disrupts entrenched thought loops and gives people a window to view their life and habits from a new angle. 



Combined with therapy, it can help someone reframe trauma or break out of destructive mental patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-study-psilocybin-and-aging">How to study psilocybin and aging</h2>



The researchers grew human lung and skin cells and added psilocin. Normally, these cells grow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-aging-how-some-people-live-past-100-years/">old</a> and stop dividing. But this time, something else happened.



At a lower dose, cells lived almost 30% longer. A higher dose pushed that to more than 50%. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-are-experimenting-with-new-approach-to-fight-and-stop-human-aging-necrosis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells stayed active</a>. They kept dividing far longer. They showed fewer signs of stress and less damage.



The treated cells had more sirtuin1, a protein that helps cells survive stress. They also showed less DNA damage. And there was another surprise - these cells kept their telomeres intact.



<a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Telomere" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Telomeres</a> protect DNA from damage. As people grow older, telomeres shrink, leading to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/">age</a>-related diseases. In this study, psilocin stopped that shrinkage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mice-lived-longer-with-psilocybin">Mice lived longer with psilocybin</h2>



For years, scientists tossed around the “psilocybin-telomere hypothesis.” They suspected psychedelics could help protect telomeres and slow aging. But no one had ever proved it. Until now.



This wasn’t just a lab trick. The team also tested psilocybin in aging mice, equal in age to 60 to 65-year-old humans. First, the mice got a low dose of psilocybin. Then they received higher doses once a month for ten months.



They waited and watched. The outcome was hard to ignore. About 80% of the treated mice survived the entire study. In the untreated group, only half survived.



The treated mice also looked healthier. They had better fur, fewer white hairs, and even some new hair <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/defying-time-three-ways-to-slow-biological-aging/">growth</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-cells-stay-younger">How cells stay younger</h2>



Psilocybin activates serotonin receptors. These receptors are not just in the brain - they are everywhere in the body. They exist in the heart, lungs, skin, immune cells, and more.



In this study, psilocin boosted <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/sirtuin-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sirtuin1</a> in cells. This protein helps the body manage oxidative stress. Less stress meant cells stayed younger for longer.



The researchers now believe psilocybin touches many aging pathways. It protects DNA, lowers stress, preserves telomeres, and may slow aging itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psilocybin-may-improve-aging-even-later">Psilocybin may improve aging even later</h2>



“Most cells in the body express <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dopamine-and-serotonin-shape-behavior/">serotonin</a> receptors, and this study opens a new frontier for how psilocybin could influence systemic aging processes, particularly when administered later in life,” said study co-author Dr. Louise Hecker.



Her words say it all: this isn’t just about mental health anymore.



“Our study opens new questions about what long-term treatments can do. Additionally, even when the intervention is initiated late in life in mice, it still leads to improved survival, which is clinically relevant in healthy aging,” Hecker said.



The message is clear: it’s never too late to change how we age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-better-way-to-age">A better way to age</h2>



This discovery comes at a crucial time. A recent report showed that life expectancy in the United States still falls behind other countries. Americans not only live shorter lives but also struggle with quality in later years. 



“This study provides strong preclinical evidence that psilocybin may contribute to healthier aging, not just a longer lifespan, but a better quality of life in later years,” says study co-author Dr. Ali John Zarrabi.



Zarrabi worries about extending life without improving well-being. He doesn’t want people trapped in bodies that no longer work.



“As a palliative care physician-scientist, one of my biggest concerns is prolonging life at the cost of dignity and function. But these mice weren’t just surviving longer. They experienced better aging,” said Zarrabi.



His words strike a deep chord. Aging isn’t only about years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-just-the-beginning-for-psilocybin">Just the beginning for psilocybin</h2>



The researchers know their work is just beginning. They must study psilocybin in humans. They need to find the safest doses and study long-term effects.



There are hurdles. Psilocybin is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-americans-are-microdosing-psilocybin-mdma-cannabis-lsd/">controlled substance</a>. Getting approval and funding takes effort. But many researchers remain hopeful.



Psilocybin already holds FDA “breakthrough therapy” status for depression. This could help speed up future research on aging.



A psychedelic drug helping people live longer might sound strange. But science rarely cares about what sounds strange. It cares about results. And right now, psilocybin’s results are impossible to ignore.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41514-025-00244-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">npj Aging</a>.



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Study shows psilocybin from 'magic mushrooms' delays aging and significantly extends lifespan

Humans in all nations and culture chase youth. In 2024...

Music education is gaining recognition as a vital well-being tool, and a recent study sheds new light on its importance for young people.



The research, led by Dr. Jason Goopy at Edith Cowan University (<a href="https://www.ecu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECU</a>), stresses that learning music offers more than entertainment. It provides real emotional and social benefits to students.



The team reviewed 30 academic sources, most of which revealed strong positive links between music <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-rewires-the-brain-to-quickly-navigate-emotion/">learning</a> and well-being. The results showed that music education supports confidence, social connections, and overall engagement with learning.



"Music can play a crucial role in supporting the well-being of children and adolescents. From listening to active participation, young people worldwide use music as an activity and resource for well-being," wrote the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-programs-and-student-well-being">Music programs and student well-being </h2>



Dr. Goopy emphasized that music education in schools goes beyond music <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-doesnt-just-hear-music-it-becomes-the-rhythm/">appreciation</a> and learning an instrument. “It can strengthen self-confidence, social connections and engagement in education."



"We found that music education can foster a sense of belonging, improve emotional awareness and encourage perseverance, all of which contribute to a young person's overall well-being," said Dr. Goopy.



The findings suggest that schools should treat music as essential - not as just another extracurricular activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-boosts-focus-and-confidence">Music boosts focus and confidence</h2>



The analysis also showed that music learning improves self-confidence, emotional regulation, and personal fulfillment. 



“Music learning creates opportunities for self-expression, collaboration and achievement, all of which contribute to students living well and healthy,” Dr. Goopy said.



Young people also benefit from improved motivation and stronger relationships with teachers and peers. These positive changes ripple through their academic and personal lives.



The research identifies effective practices for enhancing well-being through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-reveal-how-music-can-heal-the-brain/">music</a>. These include group music activities, songwriting, focused listening, and collaborative decision-making.



Such activities encourage participation, creativity, and emotional expression. They also help students build skills in patience, leadership, and emotional awareness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-helps-children-feel-connected">Music helps children feel connected</h2>



The study highlights the social impacts of music <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-has-the-power-to-change-the-mood-of-our-memories/">learning</a>. Many young people reported stronger friendships, improved teamwork, and a sense of belonging.



Shared musical experiences help students feel connected. Programs that promote collaboration tend to bring students closer together. Music classes can also strengthen ties between teachers and students.



Music learning improves academic motivation and focus. Students often feel more engaged and achieve better results in other subjects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-features-of-successful-programs">Key features of successful programs</h2>



The research points out what makes some music programs really stand out. It all starts with students making music together. When they play, sing, or create as a group, students feel more connected.



Music programs help students set future goals. They also encourage students to think about careers involving music.



These programs do not just teach music. They help students grow in other ways too, building skills like teamwork, patience, and confidence. 



Above all, successful music programs balance fun with just the right amount of challenge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-education-as-a-well-being-strategy">Music education as a well-being strategy </h2>



Music education should be embraced as a well-being strategy - not just an art form. The researchers recommend integrating well-being goals into music programs.



The review highlights the lack of large-scale research on music learning and well-being. Most existing studies use small sample sizes and qualitative methods.



The authors urge for new tools to measure mental health outcomes in music education. They recommend combining both qualitative and quantitative methods for future studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-access-to-music-learning">Expanding access to music learning</h2>



Access to music education remains unequal. Many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds benefit the most from such programs.



Schools and communities must ensure all students have equal opportunities to learn music. Doing so will promote both personal growth and community well-being.



“This research sends a clear message: learning music is more than just an artistic indulgence,” said Dr. Goopy.



“It actively contributes to young people's ability to thrive. Every child needs access to quality, sequential and ongoing school music education delivered by confident and capable teachers."



“The opportunity to enhance wellbeing from learning music should be available to every child regardless of what school they attend.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1321103X251323562" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research Studies in Music Education</a>.



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How music education helps young people thrive

Music education is gaining recognition as a vital well-being tool,...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
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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...

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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...

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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.

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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.

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https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
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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

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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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

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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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"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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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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