Americans hear the same advice again and again - eat better and move more. Yet obesity keeps climbing. Almost 40 percent of adults live with it today. Healthcare costs soar past $170 billion each year.



Related diseases, including certain cancers, are rising too. If the answer were only diet and exercise, the trend would have reversed by now.



Scientists at <a href="https://www.uclahealth.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA Health</a> argue that something else is driving the epidemic. They point to stress, inequality, and life circumstances that change how the gut and brain work. 



These forces don’t just influence choices. They shape cravings, motivation, and biology itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obesity-tied-to-social-pressures">Obesity tied to social pressures</h2>



The new review, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, shows how social conditions affect obesity. Researchers call these conditions social determinants of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-childhood-obesity-rate-is-expected-to-soar-by-2050/">health</a>. 



These includes income, education, neighborhood safety, healthcare access, childhood adversity, discrimination, and isolation.



Think of them as the backdrop of daily life, where cheap food options dominate, streets feel unsafe, health care is hard to reach, and stress never fades. 



Each of these pressures pushes the body toward weight gain, shaping how people eat, how much they move, and how they cope.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-microbes-influence-brain-cravings">Gut microbes influence brain cravings</h2>



The body has a messenger system linking the gut to the brain. Microbes in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-is-linked-more-to-food-than-fitness/">gut</a> release signals. The brain responds with hormones and chemical shifts. Together, they steer appetite and cravings.



Dr. Arpana Church, who co-directs the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, describes this loop as central. 



“Our findings reveal that tackling obesity requires more than focusing on individual choices - it demands recognizing the powerful role that social and environmental forces play in shaping gut health, behavior and long-term health outcomes," said Dr. Church.



"Reversing the escalating obesity epidemic in America demands a dual approach - personalized, equitable care for individuals and bold, systemic policy reforms that address the root causes."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-fuels-obesity-patterns">Stress fuels obesity patterns</h2>



Financial stress shapes food choices. Families on tight budgets often buy processed meals because fresh produce costs more. 



Food insecurity makes obesity more common in both adults and children. Stress hormones then reinforce those eating patterns.



Neighborhoods also matter. Poorer areas often lack grocery stores, safe spaces, or healthcare. Violence and crime raise daily stress, pushing people toward food for comfort. Structural racism deepens the problem by concentrating disadvantage in certain communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loneliness-changes-brain-responses">Loneliness changes brain responses</h2>



Isolation adds another layer. People without strong social ties process <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fat-soaking-microbeads-could-be-the-next-weight-loss-breakthrough/">food</a> cues differently. The brain becomes more sensitive to rewards, and food looks more tempting. 



At the same time, the gut microbiome loses diversity. Inflammation rises and cravings grow stronger.



“Research shows that social determinants of health - such as access to nutritious food, safe spaces for physical activity, access to resources such as education, grocery stores, and quality health care - are powerful drivers of obesity risk, underscoring the need to address the conditions in which people live, work and grow,” said Dr. Church.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-rewires-the-brain-and-body">Stress rewires the brain and body</h2>



Stress, poor diet, and discrimination don’t just change behavior - they rewire systems. Brain scans show less gray matter in areas that control motivation and self-control.



Chronic inflammation lowers dopamine, reducing satisfaction from normal rewards. Harmful bacteria flourish in the gut, weakening metabolism and insulin response.



Racism-related stress leaves its mark too. Repeated exposure alters <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-over-matter-brain-boosting-diet-could-enhance-focus-in-children/">brain</a> networks that handle emotions and decision-making. 



It also shifts gut chemistry, promoting inflammation. These biological changes make food an easy, almost automatic coping tool.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-childhood-stress-sets-obesity-patterns">Childhood stress sets obesity patterns</h2>



The review shows that these effects start young. Stress during pregnancy changes fetal development. Children may inherit altered metabolic responses before they’re born. 



After birth, breastfeeding, antibiotics, and early diet shape the microbiome further. Breastfeeding can lower obesity risk in adolescents, especially in disadvantaged families. 



Still, ongoing stress and poor diet often outweigh those protections. By the time children reach school age, the patterns are set.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-resources-reduce-risk">Community resources reduce risk</h2>



Dr. Church emphasized that policy shifts are vital. Health care must expand. Schools need <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-foods-can-be-staged-to-look-more-appealing/">healthier meals</a>, and neighborhoods need grocery stores and safe parks. But individuals can still act within limits.



Choosing affordable nutritious food, keeping social connections, and practicing stress relief can all help. Walking outside, journaling, and gratitude exercises are simple tools. 



"At the same time, healthcare providers have a vital role to play, not only by screening for current social determinants of health, but also by recognizing how these factors accumulate and evolve over time, which is rarely accounted for in today’s clinical practice," said Dr. Church.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mindfulness-and-therapy-show-promise">Mindfulness and therapy show promise</h2>



Clinics are trying new strategies. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tai-chi-reduces-inflammatory-risks-in-cancer-survivors/">Cognitive behavioral therapy</a> helps people change eating habits. Mindfulness reduces stress-driven overeating. 



Researchers are also testing probiotics and even fecal microbiota transplants to restore gut health.



“By understanding these influences and tailoring treatment plans to account for biological and psychosocial challenges, providers can offer more personalized plans that improve outcomes, empowers individuals to take control over their health,” noted Dr. Church.



The message is clear: obesity is not only about food or exercise. It reflects stress, inequality, and biology shaped by the world outside. Until those pressures shift, the numbers won’t change.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1542356525007323" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology</a>.



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New study claims obesity is driven by these two factors, not just diet and exercise, upending current beliefs

Americans hear the same advice again and again - eat better and move more. Yet obesity keeps climbing. Almost 40 percent of adults live with it today. Healthcare costs soar past $170 billion each year. Related diseases, including certain cancers, are rising too. If the answer were only diet and exercise, the trend would have reversed by now. Scientists at UCLA Health argue that something else is driving the epidemic. They point to stress, inequality, and life circumstances that change how the gut and brain work. These...

Regular screening can stop colorectal cancer before it turns deadly. A Spanish trial that followed 57,000 adults for a decade now shows that a laboratory stool test performs as well as a full colonoscopy at detecting early disease.



The finding supports the view that a quick fecal immunochemical test (<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000704.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIT</a>) done at home can stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the hospital scope when the goal is catching cancer early. The result has lit up social media feeds and could change how doctors explain screening choices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-study-was-done">How the study was done</h2>



Study leaders Dr. Antoni Castells of <a href="https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/professionals/antoni-castells" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hospital Clínic de Barcelona</a> and <a href="https://www.enriquequintero.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Enrique Quintero</a> of <a href="https://www3.gobiernodecanarias.org/sanidad/scs/index.jsp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University Hospital</a> of the Canary Islands coordinated the decade‑long <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00619-1/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colonprev project</a>, the first randomized comparison of these two approaches.



Both physicians are veteran gastroenterologists who have spent years urging wider participation in national screening programs.



Their team worked with 15 tertiary hospitals across eight Spanish regions, randomly inviting half the participants to a one‑time colonoscopy and the other half to biennial FIT kits. 



Careful follow‑up over ten years allowed the researchers to record every <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/y-chromosome-disappearance-study-finds-direct-link-to-much-greater-cancer-risk/">cancer</a> diagnosis and related death.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colon-cancer-cases-are-rising">Colon cancer cases are rising</h2>



In the United States, doctors expect roughly 107,320 new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protein-cd74-discovery-may-change-the-treatment-of-colon-cancer/">colon cancers</a> and 46,950 rectal cancers in 2025. 



Those numbers place the disease third among all cancers for incidence and keep it high on the public‑health agenda.



Overall incidence has fallen about one percent per year in adults over 50 thanks to better screening and lifestyle changes. 



By contrast, rates in adults younger than fifty have climbed 2.4 percent annually, highlighting why simple tests that people actually use matter so much.



Mortality also remains substantial, with an estimated 52,900 U.S. deaths forecast for 2025, even as older age groups benefit from earlier detection and improved treatment. Every saved life therefore counts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colonoscopy-vs-stool-tests-no-clear-winner">Colonoscopy vs. stool tests - no clear winner</h2>



The Colonprev investigators recorded 55 colorectal‑<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-virus-that-attacks-black-eyed-peas-also-kills-cancer-tumors/">cancer</a> deaths in the colonoscopy group and 60 in the FIT group, a difference of just 0.02 percentage points that met their strict non‑inferiority margin of 0.16. Clinically, that means both strategies protect patients equally well.



Importantly, the stool test achieved this outcome while requiring no bowel prep, sedation, or time off work. Non‑inferiority therefore arrived with far less disruption to everyday life.



“Participation in screening was higher among individuals invited to faecal immunochemical test screening than colonoscopy screening,” wrote Dr. Castells. His comment captures why uptake metrics deserve as much attention as raw test accuracy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colonoscopy-screening-is-less-popular">Colonoscopy screening is less popular</h2>



Better participation amplifies the impact of any screening program, because an excellent test is useless if few people complete it. 



Public‑health planners often describe this benefit as the difference between efficacy (how well something works in theory) and effectiveness (how well it works in the real world).



Earlier interim <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22356323/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">results</a>, published in 2012, hinted at the same pattern: screening participation was better with FIT while colonoscopy found more benign adenomas without improving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-dont-get-cancer-now-scientists-think-they-know-the-reason/">cancer</a> mortality at that time. The full ten‑year data confirm that early signal and settle the mortality question.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colonoscopy-and-stool-tests-are-partners">Colonoscopy and stool tests are partners</h2>



In the Spanish trial, 39.9 percent of those invited mailed back FIT kits compared with 31.8 percent who scheduled colonoscopies. Similar gaps appear in U.S. insurance <a href="https://ascopost.com/news/october-2022/study-examines-efficacy-cost-of-fit-vs-multitarget-stool-dna-testing-for-colorectal-cancer-screening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data</a>. 



Medicare figures place the average price of an at‑home FIT around $24, whereas a colonoscopy with facility fees often reaches $635 or more. That sticker difference alone can sway both patients and payers.



Beyond dollars, convenience matters; the scope requires a clear liquid diet, a potent laxative, transportation, and recovery time. 



The stool card, by contrast, takes minutes in the privacy of one’s bathroom and slips into a prepaid envelope.



Still, colonoscopy offers an immediate therapeutic edge because doctors can remove suspicious polyps during the same session. 



A positive FIT therefore triggers a follow‑up colonoscopy to finish the job, making both tests partners rather than rivals.



The <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4949-colonoscopy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleveland Clinic</a> notes that minor side effects like temporary bloating are common, while serious complications such as bleeding or a tear in the bowel wall are rare. 



Knowing these risks helps people weigh the comfort of FIT against the one‑and‑done nature of colonoscopy.



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



The <a href="https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Preventive Services Task Force</a> advises starting regular screening at age forty‑five and continuing through seventy‑five, with the choice of yearly FIT, colonoscopy every ten years, or several other approved options. Older adults up to eighty‑five may also benefit, depending on overall health.



Picking a test that fits your lifestyle greatly increases the odds you will stick with the schedule. Many clinics now mail FIT kits directly after a routine visit, and some pharmacies hand them out without an appointment.



Ask your clinician how family history, inflammatory bowel disease, or certain genetic syndromes might alter timing or frequency. 



Once a plan is in place, set a reminder, complete the test on time, and encourage friends and relatives to do the same.



The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (<a href="https://fascrs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ASCRS</a>) lists fiber‑rich foods, regular exercise, limited red meat, and quitting tobacco among six clear steps that cut risk. Screening finds problems early, and healthy choices lower the odds those problems ever appear.



Finally, do not ignore new digestive symptoms between screenings, because even the best schedule cannot replace prompt care when something feels off. Warning signs like rectal bleeding or unexplained weight loss deserve swift attention.



The study is published in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40158525/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet</a>.



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Colonoscopy vs. stool tests: Doctors found out which is better at detecting cancer

Regular screening can stop colorectal cancer before it turns deadly....

The skin is our first protective barrier. With time, the outer layer, the epidermis, thins out. It loses its ability to block external harm. Keratinocytes form most of this layer, moving upward to create the skin’s shield. 



Vitamin C (VC), widely known for its antioxidant power, has also been studied many times in the past for its ability to repair skin. New research adds a deeper genetic angle to its importance.



A Japanese study, published in the&nbsp;Journal of Investigative Dermatology, shows how vitamin C thickens the skin by reactivating specific genes. It strengthens the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-skins-bacteria-could-be-a-natural-sunscreen/">skin</a> by encouraging cell renewal through epigenetic changes.



“VC seems to influence the structure and function of epidermis, especially by controlling the growth of epidermal cells," explains Dr. Akihito Ishigami, Vice President at Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology (<a href="https://www.tmghig.jp/research/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TMGHIG</a>), who led the research.



"In this study, we investigated whether it promotes cell proliferation and differentiation via epigenetic changes."



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



Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C plays a critical role in human biology as a powerful antioxidant and essential cofactor in various enzymatic reactions. 



The body uses it to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-protein-that-reverses-cellular-aging/">synthesize collagen</a>, a key structural protein found in skin, blood vessels, and connective tissues. 



It also assists in the production of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and aids in metabolizing certain amino acids. 



Unlike most animals, humans cannot synthesize vitamin C internally and must obtain it through diet - primarily from fruits and vegetables like oranges, kiwis, strawberries, bell peppers, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/broccoli-sprouts-have-more-nutritional-value-than-mature-broccoli/">broccoli</a>.



Beyond its structural and metabolic roles, vitamin C strengthens the immune system by supporting the function of white blood cells and enhancing skin’s barrier defenses. 



Its antioxidant properties help neutralize free radicals, potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-vitamin-c-thickens-skin">How vitamin C thickens skin</h2>



Researchers wanted to see how vitamin C affects <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-electronic-skin-gives-robots-the-human-touch/">skin</a> growth. But instead of testing on real human skin, they created lab-grown skin called&nbsp;human epidermal equivalents. These are 3D skin models that behave like real skin. 



In these models, the&nbsp;top layer is exposed to air, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hormones-may-slow-skin-aging-and-reduce-wrinkles/">human skin</a> facing the environment, while the&nbsp;bottom layer gets nutrients, just like how blood vessels nourish real skin from underneath.



They applied&nbsp;vitamin C in two doses: 0.1 and 1.0 millimolar. After 7 days, they noticed that the&nbsp;living part of the skin became thicker, meaning more skin cells had grown. 



The outermost dead <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-tech-will-track-emotions-through-changes-in-our-skin/">skin</a> layer didn’t change at this point. But by&nbsp;day 14, the&nbsp;living layer had thickened even more, and the&nbsp;outer dead layer had become thinner.



This suggested that vitamin C was&nbsp;making the skin produce more keratinocytes, which are the main cells that build the protective barrier.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vitamin-c-speeds-up-cell-division">Vitamin C speeds up cell division</h2>



Samples treated with vitamin C had more Ki-67-positive cells, markers of active division and showed faster skin regeneration. The study then looked into how vitamin C enabled this increase.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/vitamin-c_skin-regeneration_epigenetic_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/vitamin-c_skin-regeneration_epigenetic_1s.webp" alt="Vitamin C promotes epidermal regeneration by activating enzymes that help in activating genes and driving DNA demethylation—a process that reactivates genes involved in cell proliferation, ultimately enhancing keratinocyte growth and leading to thicker, healthier skin. Credit: TMIG" class="wp-image-1975765"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vitamin C promotes epidermal regeneration by activating enzymes that help in activating genes and driving DNA demethylation - a process that reactivates genes involved in cell proliferation, ultimately enhancing keratinocyte growth and leading to thicker, healthier skin. Click image to enlarge. Credit: TMIG</figcaption></figure>



They discovered that vitamin C reactivates key genes by removing methyl groups from DNA. These methyl groups silence genes. Their removal allows the genes to turn on, promoting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teen-skin-bacteria-could-hold-the-secret-to-acne-prevention/">skin</a> cell growth and repair.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-silenced-genes">Unlocking silenced genes</h2>



TET enzymes carry out DNA demethylation. They transform 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. 



This step requires iron in its Fe2+ form. When iron becomes Fe3+, the process stops. Vitamin C donates electrons to turn Fe3+ back into Fe2+, keeping the process active.



The study identified more than 10,000 areas of DNA that became hypomethylated with vitamin C. Expression of 12 key genes rose between 1.6 to 75.2 times. 



When TET enzymes were blocked, the effects reversed. This confirmed the role of TET-mediated demethylation in skin thickening.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-dna-structure-and-activity">Changing DNA structure and activity</h2>



The paper supports these results with additional experiments. It describes how vitamin C promotes transcriptional activation by increasing chromatin accessibility. 



Vitamin C-treated skin showed elevated <a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Chromatin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chromatin</a> openness around growth-promoting genes.



The study shows enrichment of open chromatin regions near gene bodies related to cell proliferation. These genes are essential in epidermal development.



It further proves vitamin C’s action by displaying upregulation of genes such as&nbsp;DLX5,&nbsp;CXCL14, and&nbsp;EFNA1. These genes promote <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/keratinocyte" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">keratinocyte</a> growth and skin structure organization.



Moreover, the paper presents long-read sequencing data. This technique confirmed that vitamin C increases the expression of full-length, functional gene transcripts. 



This strengthens the idea that vitamin C not only activates genes but does so in a way that results in usable proteins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vitamin-c-and-skin-health">Vitamin C and skin health</h2>



To sum it all up, these findings suggest vitamin C can strengthen thin or aging skin. It works by restarting growth pathways that decline with age. It reactivates genes and supports cellular rebuilding at a molecular level.



Scientists added vitamin C directly to the skin cells, similar to how a cream or serum would deliver nutrients through the surface of the skin. When vitamin C was present, the skin cells grew more actively, leading to thicker, healthier skin layers.



“We found that VC helps thicken the skin by encouraging keratinocyte proliferation through DNA demethylation, making it a promising treatment for thinning skin, especially in older adults,” concludes Dr. Ishigami.



These changes boosted the activity of genes related to cell growth without interfering with normal skin development.



Although the researchers mentioned that vitamin C levels in the body can increase with supplements, they didn't actually study vitamin C taken by mouth. 



Instead, all the benefits observed - like stronger cell growth and healthier skin structure - came from applying vitamin C directly to the skin model in the lab. 



So, while eating fruits rich in vitamin C is still important for overall health, this study highlights how using it on the skin could help fight signs of aging and keep the skin functioning well.



Thanks to this new study and all of the research that preceded it, vitamin C may soon play a bigger role in daily skincare routines, not just as an antioxidant, but as a genetic rejuvenator.



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The study is published in the <a href="https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(25)00416-6/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Investigative Dermatology</a>. 



Dr. Ishigami worked with <a href="https://iec.hokuriku-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hokuriku University</a> and <a href="https://www.rohto.co.jp/global/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd</a>. Key contributors included Professors Ayami Sato, Yasunori Sato, and Toshiyuki Kimura.



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Scientists prove this common vitamin acts at the cellular level to reverse signs of facial skin aging

The skin is our first protective barrier. With time, the...

We’ve all encountered nosy coworkers - the ones who always seem to appear just as you're having a private chat. They ask questions that feel a little too personal. They linger by your desk a bit longer than necessary, just within earshot of your conversation or a glance at your screen.



Telling the difference between friendly interest and intrusive nosiness isn’t always easy. One person’s casual question can feel like a violation to someone else. Some people are open books, but others prefer to keep their personal lives to themselves.



That gap in expectations has made it tough for researchers to pin down when curiosity becomes a problem at work - until now.



A team of scientists from <a href="https://www.bu.edu/">Boston University</a> and the University of Central Florida has taken a hard look at workplace nosiness. They set out to answer a simple but tricky question: what does it really mean to be nosy at work?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-common-traits-of-nosy-coworkers">Common traits of nosy coworkers </h2>



The research began with surveys of 350 young adults. Participants were asked to describe what nosiness looks like at work. How does it show up? How often does it happen? What does it feel like?



From there, the scientists ran four studies to identify common traits of nosy coworkers and build a scale to measure how intrusive someone might be - both in professional and personal ways. 



The researchers categorized behaviors like frequent questioning, gossip, and pushing for private details into a framework that organizations can now use to track this kind of behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-working-definition-of-nosiness">A working definition of nosiness </h2>



One of the study’s key insights is that nosiness isn’t just what someone does. It’s also how their behavior is perceived.



“If you think of nosiness as a perception or an appraisal of someone else’s information-seeking behaviors, there’s a lot of individual variables - personality, hostile biases - that could determine why someone is more or less likely to perceive someone else as being nosy,” said Richard Currie, an organizational psychologist at Boston University.



In other words, it’s not always about intent. It’s about how it feels. The researchers settled on this working definition of nosiness: “employees’ intrusive attempts to obtain private information from others at work.”



“Defining nosiness is a really big step forward,” they explained. "We came to a firm definition of how it’s different from other related constructs - like social curiosity - that in and of themselves don’t necessarily have overly negative implications; nosiness does, so it truly is a distinct phenomenon.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nosiness-less-sharing-and-more-stress">Nosiness: Less sharing and more stress</h2>



Once they nailed down how to measure nosiness, the next step was to test what it does to workplace culture. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t help.



In organizations where nosiness is more common, employees are more likely to shut down. The study found they protect themselves by withholding information - even when that knowledge could help their team. 



High levels of workplace intrusiveness correlated with increased stress and lower job performance.



“Employees react to nosiness by pulling down the shutters,” the researchers explained. They tighten their boundaries and share less with the people around them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nosy-behavior-in-competitive-workplaces">Nosy behavior in competitive workplaces </h2>



The experts also noticed another pattern: companies with a strong sense of internal competition tended to have more nosy behavior. 



In environments where employees feel like they’re constantly being compared to each other or fighting for limited opportunities, they’re more likely to pry - and be on guard.



A further detail stood out: younger workers were more likely than older workers to report engaging in nosy behavior. That finding raises questions about how different generations approach privacy, both in giving and receiving personal information.



“Interestingly, we found that younger workers reported engaging in nosy behaviors more than older workers did,” Currie said. 



“I find that to be a fascinating finding. I do wonder if that translates to generational differences - not only in your likelihood of engaging in nosiness or being appraised by others as being nosy, but also how you appraise and respond to others.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-the-boss-gets-nosy">When the boss gets nosy</h2>



The implications go beyond casual office gossip. The team behind the study also tested how nosiness from supervisors affects staff - especially in the field of hospitality, where the line between “professional” and “personal” often blurs.



“We found workers’ shared supervisor nosiness perceptions negatively impacted employee perceptions of interpersonal justice, which ultimately reduced their likelihood of engaging in knowledge-sharing behavior,” said Currie. 



He also noted that when supervisors were more authentic and trusting, this weakened the negative relationship between nosiness and interpersonal justice, which led to more knowledge sharing. 



So while being too curious can make staff feel uncomfortable, a leader who’s open and genuine can soften the blow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pressure-to-share">The pressure to share</h2>



For the lead author from Boston University, this topic is personal. "I think we all have been in situations where others felt entitled to our feelings, ourselves in some way,” Currie said.



“What really sparked my interest in workplace privacy is this modern push for authenticity - it sounds healthy to bring your whole self to work, but it seems like it’s almost eroding boundaries between professional and personal lives." 



"That creates pressure, discomfort, perhaps burnout and stress - I wanted to explore that tension a little bit.”



The more we’re encouraged to show up as our “full selves” at work, the less clear it becomes what’s fair game for conversation. And that’s where nosiness creeps in. 



Since starting this research, Currie admits he has become more mindful of his own behavior. "Being the nosiness researcher, you can’t be nosy,” he joked.



The topic has also made its way into his classroom, helping future managers think about how their own curiosity might be perceived by staff. Currie said that it is important for students to understand that people are really complex.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-we-deal-with-nosy-coworkers">How do we deal with nosy coworkers?</h2>



The solution to dealing with nosy coworkers is still up for debate. “People are interesting and, naturally, all of us want to know more about the people we encounter regularly,” noted Currie.



“Sometimes, I find myself being overly curious about what others in my workplace and outside of work are doing, so I do keep in check my nosiness behaviors. But I’d also like to believe that I’m not policing others’ information-seeking.”



The full solution? That’s for future research to unpack. But in the meantime, knowing the line between curiosity and intrusion is a good place to start.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10869-025-10018-7">Journal of Business and Psychology</a>.



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How nosy coworkers affect the dynamics of the workplace

We’ve all encountered nosy coworkers - the ones who always...

Babies can learn with more intention and complexity than previously believed. The results of a new study reshape how we understand early cognitive development.



The research, led by neuroscientist Francesco Poli in the Donders Institute at <a href="https://www.ru.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Radboud University</a> shows that eight-month-old infants can adjust their learning strategy based on how unpredictable their surroundings are. 



“The conventional wisdom is that eight-month-old <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-talk-may-explain-what-sets-humans-apart-from-apes/">babies</a> passively absorb knowledge,” said Poli. “We see that babies are able to adapt their learning strategies to their environment from a very young age.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-babies-learn-to-predict-events">Babies learn to predict events</h2>



The team presented infants with a game involving a colorful monster. This creature appeared on different sides of a screen, either consistently or randomly. The researchers used an eye tracker to measure where the babies looked and how their pupils responded.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-baby-talk-reveals-about-infant-learning/">Babies</a> began to predict where the monster would appear next. When the monster switched sides more often, babies updated their expectations. When the monster stayed in one spot, they learned to expect it there. 



This showed that infants could flexibly manage their learning strategies even when conditions changed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-babies-track-uncertainty">How babies track uncertainty</h2>



The experiment also used advanced modeling tools, including a Volatile Kalman Filter (VKF), to map learning behavior. Pupil size helped researchers read the babies’ responses to uncertainty. 



Tonic pupil size, measured before the monster appeared, indicated how uncertain the babies felt. Phasic responses, measured just after the monster appeared, captured how surprised they were.



According to the study, babies formed a belief about the monster's location. They updated this belief when their prediction failed. The VKF model captured how babies estimated volatility, or how often they expected change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-babies-adjust-learning-based-on-stability">Babies adjust learning based on stability</h2>



The VKF allowed researchers to measure prediction error, the gap between what the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-babies-walk-much-earlier-than-others/">baby</a> expected and what actually happened. 



Larger errors led to bigger pupil reactions, but only in unstable environments. When things were stable, those same errors were treated as unimportant.



The pupil dilation chart on page 4 confirms this. High prediction error in high volatility led to stronger pupil reactions. 



In low volatility, the same prediction error had less effect. This means babies not only noticed change but also gauged when it mattered for learning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-babies-interpret-uncertainty">How babies interpret uncertainty </h2>



The study shows that babies respond differently to changes in their environment. Some overreact to small, harmless shifts, while others miss important ones. These patterns are not random. They reflect how each baby interprets uncertainty.



To explore this, researchers asked parents to complete a temperament questionnaire. It included measures of how well a baby can calm down or stay focused, how often they show joy or enthusiasm, and how easily they become upset.



Babies who overestimated volatility, meaning they learned to believe that the world changed too often, had more difficulty with emotional regulation. They struggled to soothe themselves and stay calm. These babies also showed fewer signs of positive emotion, such as smiling or playfulness.



In contrast, babies who judged environmental changes more accurately were better at regulating their emotions. They also displayed more cheerful and engaging behavior. This suggests that the way a baby perceives change may already shape their emotional style in daily life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-future-mental-health">Predicting future mental health</h2>



In adults, poor response to change has links to anxiety and depression. Poli speculates the same could be true in infants. “But this is still speculation. To be able to say this with certainty, longitudinal research is needed,” he noted.



The developmental pathway graphic mentioned in the study sketches how early learning styles could shape future mental health. 



Babies who misjudge change may be more prone to internalizing or externalizing behaviors, like withdrawal or impulsivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-the-baby-rulebook">Rewriting the baby rulebook</h2>



This work challenges the idea that babies are just sponges. Instead, they show signs of agency, actively using environmental feedback to guide their next move. 



The findings suggest that a baby's early learning skills might interact with their environment to shape long-term well-being.



The study also shows how minor behavioral responses, like a change in pupil size, can offer deep insight into the inner lives of infants.



Babies are not passive observers. They anticipate, adjust, and make decisions using complex internal models. The ability to gauge when the world is stable or unpredictable emerges far earlier than we assumed. 



Understanding these patterns could help support emotional health from the very beginning of life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu2014" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Babies adapt to change using flexible learning strategies

Babies can learn with more intention and complexity than previously...

Many children and teenagers are struggling with mental health. Anxiety and depression are common, and the numbers are rising. 



Parents are looking for help, but standard treatments do not work for everyone. Exercise is now being explored as a practical way to support children’s emotional well-being.



A new study from the <a href="https://www.unisa.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of South Australia</a> offers a practical solution. It shows that regular exercise, done in structured programs, can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in young people. 



This finding gives parents and teachers another option to support children’s mental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-reduces-the-risk-of-brain-diseases-by-up-to-54-percent/">well-being</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-helps-children-s-mental-health">Exercise helps children’s mental health</h2>



The research team analyzed 375 clinical trials involving over 38,000 children and teens aged 5 - 18 years. This is the largest study of its kind. It found clear benefits for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/combining-mindfulness-and-daily-activity-goals-increases-your-desire-to-move/">mental health</a> when children took part in exercise programs.



“Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health issues affecting children and teenagers worldwide,” noted Dr. Ben Singh, who led the study.



The data showed that exercise reduced symptoms of both conditions. Children with ADHD or clinical depression saw the biggest improvements. Adolescents over the age of twelve responded better than younger children.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-current-treatments-don-t-always-work">Current treatments don’t always work</h2>



Standard treatments include therapy and antidepressants. These are often recommended first. But many children either do not receive them or do not benefit from them. 



Some families cannot access therapy regularly. Others worry about side effects from medication.



“Evidence-based treatment guidelines often recommend cognitive behavior therapy and antidepressants as first-line interventions, yet 40 to 60 percent of children don’t receive treatment or fail to gain sufficient benefits, so we clearly need alternatives,” noted Dr. Singh.



Exercise offers a safe and affordable option that children can do at school, at home, or in the community. It is not meant to replace medical care, but it can be part of the support system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-types-of-exercise-for-children">Best types of exercise for children</h2>



The study found that not all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-bursts-of-intense-exercise-can-slow-brain-aging/">exercise</a> works the same way. For depression, moderate-intensity routines that mix aerobic and resistance training are most effective. For anxiety, low-intensity resistance training works better.



Programs shorter than twelve weeks led to bigger improvements for depression. The results for anxiety did not depend much on program length. Children benefited regardless of how many sessions they did each week or how long each session lasted.



“Our study draws together global evidence to show that gentle, light-intensity exercise is highly effective in reducing anxiety in children and teens, while medium-intensity programs that combine resistance and aerobic training, like circuits with weights, can counteract depression,” noted Dr. Singh.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teens-have-more-significant-improvements">Teens have more significant improvements </h2>



Teenagers in the study improved more than younger children. This may be because teens have more stress or fewer chances to be physically active. The researchers suggest that the mental health <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-in-a-pill-is-now-closer-to-reality/">benefits</a> of exercise increase as children grow older.



Children with ADHD or other mental health diagnoses also responded very well to exercise. The improvements were stronger in these groups than in the general population. 



This means that children who are already facing difficulties may benefit the most from physical activity programs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids-benefit-from-simple-exercise">Kids benefit from simple exercise </h2>



Parents do not need to spend money on gyms or trainers. Movement itself is what matters. Children can benefit from simple activities like playing sports, walking, or using home-based routines. Schools can also help by including structured physical activities during the week.



“Short, structured programs that include strength training or a mix of activities seem especially promising, but simply exercising, even for short amounts of time will deliver benefits,” noted Professor Carol Maher, who co-authored the study.



“And for parents, rest assured, you certainly don’t need to fork out money for a gym membership or training program; play-based activities, games, and sport are all valuable forms of movement that can support mental well-being.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simple-way-to-improve-children-s-health">Simple way to improve children's health</h2>



Parents can start by encouraging daily activity that their children enjoy. Schools can include more structured movement in the school day. Even short breaks with light movement can make a difference over time.



“The key message is simple: get active and keep active. Even short bursts of movement can make a real difference to a child’s mental health and well-being, especially for those who are struggling,” noted Professor Maher.



This study does not claim that exercise replaces therapy or medication. But it does show that movement can play a real role in supporting children’s mental health. For families who want non-medical options, exercise is a strong place to start.



The key takeaway is simple. Movement helps, and children do not have to wait months or years to feel better. Results can appear in a matter of weeks. 



With the right approach, physical activity can become part of the everyday tools we use to support young people’s emotional well-being.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(25)00208-4/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAACAP Connect</a>.



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Exercise eases mental health struggles in children and teens

Many children and teenagers are struggling with mental health. Anxiety...

We often think we’re aware of everything around us, but our brains are constantly deciding where to focus.



Think about walking down a busy street. You might glance at a flashy car or a bright advertisement. But when it comes time to cross the street, those distractions vanish. Instead, your brain zooms in on the walk signal, moving vehicles, and people nearby.



That switch in focus - how we go from being drawn to attention-grabbing sights to zoning in on a specific task - has puzzled scientists for years.



Researchers at <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale University</a> wanted to understand not just what grabs our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/words-like-this-and-that-direct-attention-across-languages/">attention</a>, but how we shift it toward things that really matter in the moment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-brain-chooses-to-see">What the brain chooses to see</h2>



Most attention research looks at what draws our eyes - a sudden movement, a bold color, or something new. But this study focused on something different: what happens when our attention is deliberately steered toward a goal.



“We have a limited number of resources with which we can see the world,” said Ilker Yildirim, assistant professor of psychology in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences and senior author of the study. 



“We think of these resources as elementary computational processes; each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-perception-changes-with-our-walking-rhythm/">perception</a> we experience, such as the position of an object or how fast it’s moving, is a result of exerting some number of these elementary perceptual computations.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-brain-focuses-on-the-task-at-hand">The brain focuses on the task at hand</h2>



To explore this, the team created a model called “adaptive computation.” This system, like a mental rationing tool, allocates our perceptual resources to the things most relevant to what we're trying to do. 



If you're trying to cross a street safely, the model prioritizes the walk sign over a flashy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-stops-paying-attention-to-repeated-distractions/">distraction</a>.



“Our model reveals a mechanism by which human attention identifies what things in a dynamic scene are relevant to the goal at hand, and then rations perceptual computations accordingly,” said study co-author Mario Belledonne, a student in Yale’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.



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



To test their ideas, the researchers ran experiments using a screen filled with colored dots. Participants were asked to track certain moving dots while ignoring others. The dots moved unpredictably, forcing people to adjust their focus constantly.



As the dots flashed briefly, participants were asked to press a key when they noticed one. This helped the researchers map how attention moved - almost second by second. 



The adaptive computation model was able to predict where and when these shifts would happen, based on which dots were more relevant to the task.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-effort-involved-in-a-task">Mental effort involved in a task</h2>



In another version of the task, participants still tracked a handful of dots, but the researchers changed how many “distractor” dots appeared and how fast they moved. 



Afterward, people rated how hard the task felt. Interestingly, the model’s predictions matched the participants’ feelings: when the model worked harder to track the targets, participants said the task felt harder.



In other words, the model gave insight into something very human - the mental effort we feel when concentrating on a tough task.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mimicking-the-brain-s-ability-to-focus">Mimicking the brain's ability to focus</h2>



One surprising takeaway from this work is how our brains selectively “ignore” things. That eye-catching car or glowing billboard? If it doesn’t help with what we’re trying to do, it might just disappear from our awareness.



“We want to work out the computational logic of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/action-observation-network-human-brain-perception-see-what-we-expect-to-see-mind-eye/">human mind</a>, by creating new algorithms of perception and attention, and comparing the performance of these algorithms to that of humans,” Yildirim said.



This approach could even guide how we build future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-the-human-brain-outperform-artificial-intelligence/">artificial intelligence</a>. Unlike current AI systems that try to absorb everything, this new model mimics how humans sometimes miss obvious things - not due to error, but because it’s a smart way to focus.



“We think this line of work can lead to systems that are a bit different from today’s AI, something more human-like,” Yildirim said. “This would be an AI system that when tasked with a goal might miss things, even shiny things, so as to flexibly and safely interact with the world.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Frev0000572">Psychological Review</a>.



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How the brain decides what to focus on - and what to ignore

We often think we’re aware of everything around us, but...

Every day, we make choices. Some are big, some small. We weigh options, imagine outcomes, and decide what feels right. But what happens when we’re under pressure? When our minds are clouded with stress, our usual decision-making process shifts. 



We may take chances we would normally avoid. Scientists have long studied the brain’s reaction to stress. Now, a new study from the <a href="https://www.uark.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arkansas</a> offers deeper insight.



The research explains how stress alters our natural instinct to avoid loss. The key concept here is “loss aversion,” a deeply rooted human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-hijacks-the-brain-disrupting-sleep-and-memory/">bias</a> that makes us fear losing more than we value gaining. When stress enters the picture, this aversion fades.



People begin making riskier choices, especially with money. Understanding why this happens can help us make better decisions, even when life gets tough.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-dulls-fear-of-loss">Stress dulls fear of loss</h2>



Imagine finding a hundred-dollar bill on the street. You’d feel lucky. Now imagine losing that same amount. For most people, the emotional pain of losing feels much stronger than the happiness of gaining. That’s loss aversion.



Loss aversion is a natural mental shortcut. It helps us avoid danger and preserve what we already have. However, the University of Arkansas study reveals that stress changes how this bias works. 



When people are stressed, they no longer fear loss as much. This reduced sensitivity can push them to make bolder financial decisions they might later regret.



Lead author Grant Shields explained the personal side of this idea: “In my own life, if I’m stressed, I’ll wait to make a decision that could have potential loss implications.” 



His comment reflects a natural hesitation most of us feel. But the study shows that not everyone reacts this way under stress - especially when gender comes into play.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gender-shapes-stress-response">Gender shapes stress response</h2>



One of the most interesting findings from the study is that stress does not affect everyone in the same way. Specifically, different genders show distinct patterns in how they respond to high-pressure situations. 



The researchers observed that men tend to change their decision-making strategies more dramatically when stressed. Women, on the other hand, maintain better prediction skills under pressure.



That means, women can often estimate what might happen more accurately, even when their stress levels rise. Men may not predict as well, but they tend to grasp the implications of a decision’s outcome more clearly. 



These subtle differences add <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/">complexity</a> to our understanding of human behavior and suggest that our biological makeup might shape how we manage risk when things get intense.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulating-financial-pressure">Simulating financial pressure</h2>



To dig into these behaviors, researchers created an experiment involving 147 participants. They placed each person in a stressful situation, then asked them to make a series of financial decisions. 



The scenarios were hypothetical but realistic. The goal was to mimic the kind of stress people feel in real life and measure how it influences decision-making.



Zach Gray, a psychology doctoral student, and Trey Malone, a former University of Arkansas agricultural economist now at <a href="https://www.purdue.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University</a>, joined Shields in leading the research. 



“Financial risk is easy to assess, because people have a pretty good idea about what they would do with their own money,” Shields explained.



That made it easier to isolate what changed under stress. It wasn’t about learning a new skill or solving a complex puzzle. It was about seeing how people shift their priorities when their minds are under pressure.



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



To interpret their findings, the researchers used a model called cumulative prospect theory. 



This framework breaks down decision-making into four parts: loss aversion, risk aversion, randomness in choices, and probability distortion. It helps explain why people behave in unpredictable ways when facing uncertainty.



Probability distortion is especially revealing. It shows why people buy lottery tickets. They focus on the tiny chance of winning rather than the overwhelming likelihood of losing. Under stress, this distortion can become stronger. 



People start believing unlikely outcomes are more possible than they truly are. That can lead to poor financial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-trees-glow-more-under-stress-but-photosynthesize-less/">decisions</a>, from risky investments to unnecessary spending.



“My research was aimed at understanding these component processes that go into that calculus,” Shields said. 



By focusing on each part of the decision-making model, the team could see which changes mattered most. It turns out that loss aversion, usually a strong guide, weakens the most under stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risky-roots-of-stress">Risky roots of stress</h2>



In today’s world, risky choices often carry serious consequences. Yet stress seems to push us toward those very choices. From <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-avatars-are-making-people-take-more-risks/">gambling</a> to impulsive spending, the effects are easy to spot. But why would evolution shape us this way?



“If you’re an organism that’s being hunted or chased by another, then it makes sense to do stuff that you wouldn’t otherwise. Perhaps making a risky decision is better than staying put,” said Shields. 



This survival logic may still live inside us, even if our threats are now bills, deadlines, or social pressure instead of predators.



Understanding the roots of risky behavior helps us manage it better. Stress might once have helped us survive. Today, it might lead us into trouble. Knowing how our minds change under pressure is the first step toward making wiser decisions, even when we feel overwhelmed.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453024003044?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Psychoneuroendocrinology</a>.



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Why stress makes us take more risks in financial decisions

Every day, we make choices. Some are big, some small....

After a long day or an intense workout, few things are more inviting than the warmth of a hot tub or the dry embrace of a sauna. But beyond relaxation, which heat therapy actually benefits your body the most?



According to a new study from the University of Oregon’s <a href="https://bssc.uoregon.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bowerman Sports Science Center</a>, hot tubs may do more than just soothe sore muscles - they might deliver the most powerful boost to your overall health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-tubs-vs-saunas">Hot tubs vs. saunas</h2>



The study explored the physiological effects of three common types of passive heating: hot tubs, traditional dry saunas, and modern far-infrared saunas. 



Researchers set out to see how these different approaches affect core body temperature, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-worsens-cardiovascular-health-risks/">cardiovascular health</a>, and immune responses.



Jessica Atencio is a lead author of the study and a doctoral student in the Department of Human Physiology at the University of Oregon.



“We compared the most commonly utilized modalities of passive heating as they’re used in everyday life and studied in scientific research,” she said. “No studies have compared the acute responses between the three.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-body-reacts">How the body reacts</h2>



To get answers, Atencio and her team recruited ten men and ten women between the ages of 20 and 28. All participants were regular exercisers and generally healthy. 



This narrow focus allowed the researchers to isolate how young, active bodies respond to each type of heat exposure.



Over the course of the study, the team monitored a range of physiological indicators. These included heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output (how much blood the heart pumps per minute), and levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Blood samples were taken before, during, and after each session to track changes.



What they found was striking: hot-water immersion raised core body temperature more significantly than either sauna type. With that rise came a host of benefits.



“We saw that hot water immersion was the most impactful in increasing core body temperature, which is the main stimulus for these subsequent responses,” Atencio said.



“Increasing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/koalas-can-predict-hot-days-and-adjust-their-body-temperature/">body temperature</a> causes an increase in blood flow, and just the force of blood moving across your vessels is beneficial for your vascular health.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-you-can-t-sweat-away"><a></a>Heat you can’t sweat away</h2>



Part of what makes hot water so effective is that it limits the body’s ability to cool itself down. In a sauna, for example, you sweat and that sweat evaporates, carrying heat away from your body.



But in a hot tub, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/energy-can-be-generated-from-sweaty-fingertips/">sweat</a> doesn’t evaporate - it just mixes with the surrounding water. This inefficiency in heat loss means your body stays hotter longer, triggering more physiological change.



“Hot water immersion gives you the most robust changes in core temperature because you can’t effectively dissipate heat as you can if you have contact with the air and you’re sweating to cool the body,” Atencio said. “When you’re submerged in water, the sweat mechanisms aren’t efficient.”



Only hot water immersion led to measurable changes in immune function. These included spikes in inflammatory cytokines - small proteins that play a key role in cell signaling. They also triggered boosts in immune cell activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-tubs-benefit-health">Hot tubs benefit health</h2>



For study lead author Professor Christopher Minson, who has studied heat therapy for over twenty years, the implications are both exciting and practical.



“There's no doubt that if people are willing to do some heat therapy, it’s going to align with improved health, as long as it’s done in moderation,” he said.



“If you repeat these stresses over time, our lab and many others have shown that they are consistent with improved health.”



While he emphasizes that regular exercise still offers broader health benefits, he also sees heat therapy as a useful alternative. This is especially true for people who can’t, or won’t, commit to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-significantly-lowers-heart-disease-risk-by-reducing-stress/">exercise</a>.



“It can be a very peaceful, sometimes religious, sometimes cultural and sometimes social experience,” Minson added. “And I think those aspects contribute to the health benefits and are critically important.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-know-your-limits-and-options">Know your limits - and options</h2>



That said, both Minson and Atencio stress the importance of safety. “We want people to be smart and safe about it,” Minson said.



“We need to make sure that they are cleared by their physicians for heat therapy or for exercise, whether it’s mild to moderate walking or jogging or strength training. Then they’ll be fine to do heat therapy.”



Atencio, a runner herself, knows people who combine workouts with post-exercise heat therapy. But even if you’re not training for a marathon, she sees value in incorporating passive heating into your wellness routine.



“We always say that exercise is the primary nonpharmacological treatment that people should be doing to promote health, but some people can’t or just won’t exercise,” she said. “Heat therapy is good supplementation.”



So the next time you’re choosing between a soak or a sit in dry heat, science suggests the hot tub may give you more than relaxation - it might offer a better shot at long-term health.



The study is published in the <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00012.2025">American Journal of Physiology</a>.



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Soaking in hot water has many surprising and long-lasting health benefits

After a long day or an intense workout, few things...

Yoga,Woman,Walking,Barefoot,,Focus,On,Feet.

People keep resolving to exercise, yet roughly 31 percent of adults worldwide still fall short of recommended daily activity levels, a figure that translates to about <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/26-06-2024-nearly-1.8-billion-adults-at-risk-of-disease-from-not-doing-enough-physical-activity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1.8 billion people</a>.



Regular movement does more than tone muscles; an umbrella review of more than ninety meta‑analyses found that physical‑activity programs ease depression and anxiety as effectively as many medications or talk therapies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mindfulness-and-daily-activity">Mindfulness and daily activity</h2>



<a href="https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/masa-remskar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Masha Remskar</a> and colleagues at the <a href="https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bath</a> wanted to know why some people keep moving once the novelty of a new routine wears off.



“Our findings show that even short‑term mindfulness training combined with step‑tracking can make people want to move more, which could have lasting benefits,” said Dr. Remskar.



Adding to the sentiment, co‑author <a href="https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/max-western" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Max Western</a> called the work “an exciting first study that combines mindfulness training with strategies designed to help people move more and internalize their motivation for physical activity.”



The team enrolled 109 English adults who seldom exercised, handed everyone a wearable activity tracker, and asked them to aim for 8,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/step-and-time-based-exercise-goals-are-equally-beneficial/">daily steps</a> while logging progress for 30 days. 



Half of the participants also completed ten‑minute guided sessions that steered attention toward breathing, posture, and muscle tension during everyday movement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-steps-bigger-intentions">Small steps, bigger intentions</h2>



By day 30 both groups walked more, yet only the mindfulness group reported a sharper desire to keep exercising, adding 76 extra minutes of moderate activity each week compared with step‑tracking alone. 



Scientists label that internal spark <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2533589/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intrinsic motivation</a>, and it matters because people driven by enjoyment and personal value stick with habits even when rewards disappear.



In survey data, participants who practiced body‑focused awareness scored higher on statements like “I want to be active because it feels right,” hinting that the app helped them shift priorities from external goals to felt experience. 



Those stronger intentions persisted even though total steps leveled off, suggesting that mindset may change before long‑term behavior catches up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-mindfulness-and-activity">Science behind mindfulness and activity</h2>



Intentions are important, but they don’t always translate into action. This is known as the intention–behavior gap, and it frustrates even the most determined people.



Researchers believe mindfulness helps bridge that gap by improving emotional regulation, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/practicing-mindfulness-can-quiet-the-noise-of-anxiety/">increasing focus</a>, and reducing the noise that leads to in-the-moment avoidance. 



When people notice their discomfort without judging it, they are more likely to take action despite it.



Why 8,000 steps? A landmark <a href="https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1479-5868-8-79" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> showed that accumulating about 7,000-8,000 daily steps covers thirty minutes of moderate walking for most adults, enough to hit public‑health guidelines.



Cadence research pins moderate intensity at roughly one hundred steps per minute, so a brisk half‑hour walk layers three thousand purposeful steps on top of everyday movement.



Setting a round, attainable target helps novices avoid the “all‑or‑nothing” trap that often derails grander 10,000‑step ambitions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-mindfulness-activity-tweaks-the-brain">How mindfulness activity tweaks the brain</h2>



The study authors drew on <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00117/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temporal self‑regulation theory</a>, which argues that people discount distant health payoffs when immediate costs, breathlessness, sweat, time, loom large. 



Mindful attention may narrow that gap by teaching the brain to notice pleasant sensations, such as loosened shoulders or a calmer pulse, in real time.



Early neuro‑imaging work links <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-can-lead-to-altered-states-of-consciousness/">mindfulness</a> to reduced activity in the brain’s default‑mode network, a circuit tied to rumination, and to stronger connectivity in regions that govern self‑control, potentially easing the decision to get up and walk.



While the Bath trial did not scan brains, its psychological shifts line up with those mechanistic studies, offering a plausible pathway from body awareness to behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-make-it-happen">How to make it happen</h2>



Pause before opening the front door, inhale, and simply feel both feet on the ground; that five‑second micro‑check‑in came straight from the app and costs nothing. 



Several free platforms host dozens of similar bite‑size exercises, making it easy to pair a daily <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/4500-years-ago-the-step-pyramid-would-have-used-water-pressure-to-lift-its-blocks/">step</a> goal with guided awareness instead of scrolling social media.



Office workers can silence smart‑watch buzzes for everything except hourly stand reminders, then use those sixty seconds to notice breath and posture rather than rummage for email. 



Weekend athletes might review their tracker’s weekly report, mark one walk they genuinely enjoyed, and replay it mindfully - route, sound, and pace, so pleasure, not guilt, drives repetition.



The Bath study reminds us that technology works best when it partners with the mind, not when it barks orders; curiosity about bodily signals could be the missing ingredient in many stalled fitness plans.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755296625000110?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mental Health and Physical Activity</a>.



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Combining body awareness and daily activity goals increases your desire to move

People keep resolving to exercise, yet roughly 31 percent of adults...

Bowls,Of,Spirulina,Powder,And,Pills,On,Grunge,Background

A team working with a type of blue-green microalgae called Spirulina, a very common health supplement powder, managed to alter its bioactive ingredients to include the same vitamin B12 nutrients found in beef or milk, all while staying carbon neutral.



“This marks the first time biologically active vitamin B12 has been identified in Spirulina,” explained <a href="https://www.runi.ac.il/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Asaf Tzachor</a> of <a href="https://www.runi.ac.il/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reichman University</a>, whose multinational group ran the microalgae through a nine‑month stress test in Icelandic photobioreactors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-vitamin-b12-matters">Why vitamin B12 matters</h2>



A shortfall of this vitamin can trigger anemia, nerve damage, and developmental delays, and deficiency rates climb as high as 40 percent in Latin America, 70 percent in parts of Africa, and up to 80 percent in South Asia.



People who skip animal foods face the highest risk because plants do not make cobalamin. Supplements work, yet many communities lack steady access, and cost is sometimes a prohibitive factor.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pseudo-b12-from-spirulina-microalgae">Pseudo-B12 from Spirulina microalgae</h2>



Regular Spirulina mainly carries pseudo‑B12, a look‑alike molecule that our cells ignore. The Iceland project used tuned LED lighting to flip the alga’s own genes toward making methylcobalamin, the active form that humans can absorb.



Laboratory assays put the new strain’s B12 at 1.64 micrograms per 100 grams of dry powder, which is comfortably above the 0.7‑1.5 µg/100 g window quoted for beef in the study. 



More than 98 percent of that total was active B12, not pseudo, ending a long‑standing barrier for microalgae‑based nutrition.



The researchers call the product “Photosynthetically Controlled Spirulina,” or <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33566210/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PCS</a>. They achieved the upgrade without genetic modification, relying instead on light spectra that boost a native metabolic pathway.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creating-spirulina-with-b-12-vitamins">Creating Spirulina with B-12 vitamins</h2>



Those pathways ran inside flat‑panel photobioreactor walls that were kept at about 88 °F (31 °C), aerated by <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364032119305398" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GEOTHERMAL carbon‑dioxide</a> and powered by Iceland’s near‑total renewable electric grid. 



The closed system blocks contamination and uses minimal freshwater, an important edge over open ponds.



PCS stayed carbon neutral because every kilowatt came from hydro or geothermal turbines, and harvested biomass trapped the same amount of carbon that the process emitted.



Besides B12, PCS in Spirulina microalgae delivers roughly 27 grams of protein and 0.03 grams of iron per 100 grams, a profile that tracks or beats lean steak. 



<a href="https://www.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/files/page-files/Vitamin%20B-12.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USDA tables</a> show beef cuts can swing from 0.8 to about 4 micrograms of B12 per 100 grams, depending on the muscle and cooking method.



With vitamin B12 levels at 1.64 micrograms per 100 grams of dry powder, Spirulina is also a comparable source of this essential vitamin. 



In addition, it is light in fat, contains no cholesterol, and is naturally salt free, making it easier to incorporate into heart-friendly diets.



“The findings demonstrate that photosynthetically controlled Spirulina can produce desirable levels of active vitamin B12, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional animal‑source foods,” confirmed Dr. Tzachor.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutritional-microalgae-no-co2-footprint">Nutritional microalgae, no CO2 footprint</h2>



Beef production averages about 60 kilograms (132 pounds) of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-may-benefit-from-rising-temperatures-but-not-from-rising-co2/">CO2</a>‑equivalent emissions for every kilogram of meat, the highest of any staple protein. 



Because PCS cultivation is powered by renewables, swapping a kilogram of steak for an equal mass of algae could erase more than 60 kilograms (130 pounds) of greenhouse gas from the menu.



The paper sketches a country‑wide scale‑up: diverting electricity that is now used by heavy industry could let Iceland ship 278 thousand tons of PCS a year, enough active B12 to meet the daily needs of nearly 14 million toddlers. 



Even a smaller rollout could plug critical gaps in areas where deficiency and childhood stunting overlap.



PCS ships as a shelf‑stable powder that blends into flour, beverages, or nutrition bars, trimming cold‑chain costs that hinder meat or milk aid. Because it is an autotroph, it sidesteps the feed, land, and water burdens that shadow livestock.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-b12-rich-spirulina-and-food-policy">B12-rich Spirulina and food policy</h2>



PCS could also shift how governments approach food security and <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/malnutrition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">malnutrition</a>. Because the production system is modular and closed-loop, it can be deployed in regions with poor soil, unreliable rainfall, or limited farmland. 



That opens the door to building local microalgae facilities in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/which-dietary-changes-are-best-for-cancer-prevention/">vitamin B12</a> deficiency is most severe.



If validated at scale, PCS could also influence agricultural subsidies and international food aid. 



Nations might begin to classify Spirulina as a strategic crop, eligible for public investment or included in procurement plans for schools, hospitals, and humanitarian agencies.



This would mark a rare crossover between biotech innovation and public nutrition policy.



Clinical teams still have to confirm how well humans absorb the algae‑bound <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-b-paradox-supplement-linked-to-heart-disease-risk/">vitamin</a> compared with pills or steak. 



Trials are being designed to track blood markers, nerve function, and taste acceptance across a two‑year window.



Engineers also need to soften PCS’s distinctive color and aroma for picky eaters, especially children. Early tests suggest microencapsulation or partial extraction can hide the hue without stripping the nutrients.



The study is published in <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44187-024-00152-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Discover Food</a>.



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Supplement created that contains more crucial B12 vitamins than milk or meat products

A team working with a type of blue-green microalgae called...

Some people seem better at making life choices, whether it's saving for retirement, choosing the right partner, or deciding when to seek medical help. What sets them apart? According to new research, it may be their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/adult-thinking-skills-may-be-forged-during-our-early-infancy/">intelligence</a> quotient (IQ) and the ability to think in probabilities.



New research from the <a href="https://www.bath.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bath</a> shows that people with higher IQs make fewer mistakes when predicting life events. This improves decisions, leading to better outcomes in health, wealth, and relationships.



The study was focused on data from 3,946 older adults in England. Each participant guessed their chances of living to a certain age. These guesses were then compared to national life expectancy data.



Forecast errors - meaning the difference between estimated and actual chances - were much higher among people with lower IQs. In fact, the least intelligent 2.5% made errors that were more than twice as large as those in the top 2.5%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-iq-supports-better-decisions">How IQ supports better decisions </h2>



“Accurately assessing the probability of good and bad things happening to us is central to good decision-making,” said Chris Dawson, the study’s author and a professor of economics and behavioral science.



The study measured both IQ scores and genetic traits related to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-ai-can-balance-climate-goals-and-economic-progress/">intelligence</a> and education. These traits are captured by polygenic scores, which reflect a person's inherited tendency toward intelligence or educational achievement.



Smarter people not only guessed more accurately, they also showed less variation in repeated guesses. In contrast, low-IQ individuals were more inconsistent and showed wide variability when asked the same question multiple times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smart-minds-predict-precisely">Smart minds predict precisely</h2>



The study relied on a variety of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-map-of-the-brains-mitochondria-may-explain-cognitive-decline/">cognitive</a> tasks. These included memory recall, number puzzles, verbal fluency, and object naming. From these, researchers built a general IQ score, referred to as phenotypic IQ.



The team also analyzed participants’ genetics using polygenic scores. Scores for both IQ and educational attainment helped reveal how much decision accuracy could be linked to DNA.



People with a higher polygenic score for IQ made smaller errors. The same held true, though to a lesser extent, for people with higher scores for educational attainment. But genetic influences alone do not explain everything.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-low-iq-increases-inconsistency">Low IQ increases inconsistency</h2>



Forecasting errors come from two main <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-disrupting-jobs-but-countries-are-learning-to-adapt/">sources</a>: bias and noise. Bias involves consistently wrong guesses. Noise refers to inconsistent answers by the same person over time.



Low-IQ individuals performed poorly on both fronts. The average standard deviation in their repeated guesses was far higher. According to the data, those with high IQ had a standard deviation of 12.08. Those with low IQ had a deviation of 19.46.



“Probability estimation is the most important aspect of decision-making, and people who struggle with this are at a distinct disadvantage,” Dawson said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-choices-better-lives">Smarter choices, better lives</h2>



Forecasting affects daily choices like savings, retirement, and investment. Mistakes here can lead to poor financial outcomes and lower economic welfare.



Even people with high IQs make errors. However, they tend to rely more on slow, logical thinking. People with lower IQs often use mental shortcuts or respond emotionally.



Environmental factors can also throw off predictions. For example, bad weather might impact how someone judges unrelated risks. This introduces noise, which damages decision quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thinking-clearly-in-uncertain-times">Thinking clearly in uncertain times</h2>



Professor Dawson suggests making information more digestible. “Explicitly stating probability estimates on information relating to health and finance could help people prone to forecasting errors to make more informed, accurate decisions,” Dawson noted.



This might include clearer labels, simplified financial tools, or personalized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-text-messages-could-help-tackle-childhood-obesity/">health messages</a>. These changes can help people make better decisions regardless of their IQ.



“IQ is already known to predict health, wealth, income, occupational status and educational attainment and this research highlights one possible channel through which people with a lower IQ do worse on all these outcomes,” he said.



Smarter predictions are not about having more facts. They are about thinking clearly and acting wisely in uncertain situations.



The study is published in the <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-26993-001.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.</a> 



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People with a higher IQ make smarter life decisions

Some people seem better at making life choices, whether it's...

Mid,Adult,Couple,Expecting,A,Baby,While,Husband,Caresses,The

In most countries around the world, many women are diving into pregnancy at older ages to start or expand a family. The choice offers career flexibility, yet the newest data show the baby may shoulder extra risk when the mother's age passes forty.



That warning comes from a study of more than 300,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-baby-talk-reveals-about-infant-learning/">births</a> led by intern physician <a href="https://www.uu.se/en/contact-and-organisation/staff?query=N25-1266" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sofia Voss</a> at <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a>. 



Her team compared infants born to mothers aged 35‑39, 40‑44, and 45 and older, looking for trouble at the delivery‑room door.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-pregnancy-age-keeps-rising">Why pregnancy age keeps rising</h2>



The average age at first birth across the European Union <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11979679/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climbed</a> from 29 years in 2001 to 31 years in 2021. Career planning, reliable contraception, and better fertility treatments all help women delay <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/singing-to-babies-is-a-powerful-way-to-boost-their-mood/">parenthood</a>.



In the United States, the provisional 2023 <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr74/nvsr74-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birth rate</a> for mothers 40‑44 was 12.5 births per 1,000 women, more than double the rate in 1990.  Older parenthood is no longer a fringe choice.



The <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9867659/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish Medical Birth Register</a> confirmed that serious complications remain rare at every age. Even so, the odds of <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9685-stillbirth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stillbirth</a> doubled for mothers 45 and older compared with those 35‑39.



Preterm delivery, defined as fewer than 37 weeks of gestation, struck 8.4 percent of babies in the oldest group versus 4.8 percent in the reference group. 



That translates into one extra premature baby for roughly every 25 very‑advanced‑age pregnancies.



“The highest risks of all were to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-babies-walk-much-earlier-than-others/">babies</a> born to mothers 45 years and older,” said Voss. Low birth weight relative to gestational age and newborn low blood sugar also crept upward with each five‑year step in maternal age.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risky-business-babies-health">Risky business babies' health</h2>



Researchers have long known that <a href="https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(23)01102-X/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advanced maternal age</a> raises the likelihood of placental problems and pregnancy disorders such as <a href="https://www.preeclampsia.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preeclampsia</a>. These conditions can cut oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, raising stillbirth risk.



Egg <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33228416/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality</a> drops steadily after the mid‑thirties, increasing chromosomal errors and triggering early miscarriage or growth restriction. 



Age‑related vascular stiffness may further limit blood flow to the uterus, setting the stage for <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/preterm-birth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preterm birth</a>.



Cesarean delivery rates also rise with maternal age, partly because older mothers carry more chronic conditions. Surgery itself can lead to short‑term breathing trouble for the newborn.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproductive-tech-adds-another-layer">Reproductive tech adds another layer</h2>



About 18 percent of Swedish mothers 45 plus conceived with <a href="https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2016/09/perinatal-risks-associated-with-assisted-reproductive-technology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">assisted reproductive technology</a>, triple the share in the 35‑39 group. 



ACOG reviews show ART singletons carry roughly a 30 percent higher risk of birth defects than naturally conceived peers.



Separate Australian registry <a href="https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-014-0406-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> links ART to a significantly higher preterm rate even after adjusting for parental age and health. The reasons range from embryo culture effects to higher twin loss before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-can-reshape-a-babys-brain-before-birth/">birth</a>.



A U.S. <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2788841" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> of 14 million births echoed those worries, reporting a clear preterm signal in fertility‑treatment pregnancies. When older age and ART stack together, clinicians need to watch even more closely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-medical-advances-are-helping">Medical advances are helping</h2>



Medical advances have softened many dangers once tied to late pregnancy. 



Most infants born to mothers over 40 leave the hospital healthy, and some studies show developmental benefits when parents are older and more financially secure.



Still, the Swedish data remind couples that odds shift as the clock ticks. A baby born at 32 weeks may face weeks in neonatal intensive care and a lifelong risk of breathing and learning difficulties. 



Families weighing egg freezing or career delays should factor those possibilities into their timeline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-doctors-recommend-next">What doctors recommend next</h2>



Clinicians already offer extra ultrasounds and glucose screening to older mothers of advanced age. Voss hopes her findings will sharpen that approach so the most intensive surveillance targets pregnancies when the mother's age is past 44.



Simple steps help too. Maintaining a healthy body mass index, controlling blood pressure, and spacing pregnancies at least 12 months apart all cut complications regardless of age.



A low <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/360/bmj.k207" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apgar score</a> at five minutes, even in the 7‑8 range, has been linked to a higher risk of <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8717-cerebral-palsy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cerebral palsy</a> and <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17636-epilepsy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">epilepsy</a>. 



Because the Swedish cohort showed slightly lower scores in older‑age births, delivery teams may err on the side of closer neonatal monitoring.



The demographic trend toward later motherhood is unlikely to reverse soon. With clear statistics in hand, public‑health planners can steer prenatal programs, and prospective parents can make informed decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-pregnancy-age-and-healthcare">Rising pregnancy age and healthcare</h2>



As more women give birth later in life, public health systems must rethink how they allocate resources. 



Targeted screenings, flexible prenatal care, and specialized delivery protocols may reduce complications linked to advanced maternal age.



Countries with universal health systems, like Sweden, are positioned to integrate this kind of age-stratified care more easily. 



In nations without guaranteed maternity coverage, however, uneven access may widen health gaps between age groups.



The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/apa.70185" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Acta Paediatrica</a>.



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Doctors warn that pregnancy risks double for women aged 45 and up

In most countries around the world, many women are diving...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" 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.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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