A nationally representative, wearables-based study has tracked Americans who said they did not do structured exercise. It found that short energy bursts - a median of just 1.1 minutes per day of brief, vigorous effort - was linked with a lower risk of death over roughly seven years.



The pattern was simple. People who racked up about five or six energy bursts per day, each usually around 10 seconds and all under one minute, tended to fare better than those who did none.



This work was led by Emmanuel Stamatakis at the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a>. The team focused on vigorous activity, meaning effort that makes breathing hard and raises heart rate clearly for short spans.



Researchers looked at death from any cause. The curve of benefit rose quickly at low amounts, then flattened, which means the biggest change showed up when going from zero to a little. 



That is important for people who find it hard to schedule <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-can-slow-aging-right-down-to-your-dna/">workouts</a>.



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



The sample came from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHANES</a> (the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), a long-running U.S. program that links health records with device-measured movement. 



Participants wore a wrist accelerometer - a sensor that records motion dozens of times per second - for about a week.



The authors studied what they call Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity (<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2807734" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VILPA</a>). 



That is the short, sharp effort that happens during normal life, like a very fast walk uphill, a quick run to catch a bus, or carrying heavy items up stairs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-short-energy-bursts-mean">What short energy bursts mean</h2>



Two findings stood out. First, daily time VILPA showed a near-linear link with lower risk, and the median of 1.1 minutes per day corresponded to a hazard ratio of about 0.61 in models that accounted for many other factors. 



Second, doing roughly five to six short bursts per day captured most of the observed benefit in this group.



“VILPA is a bit like applying the principles of High <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-feels-better-when-its-matched-to-your-personality/">Intensity</a> Interval Training to your everyday life," Stamatakis explained. 



"We need to further investigate this link through robust trials, but it appears that VILPA may be a promising, cost free recommendation for lowering cancer risk in people who find structured exercise difficult or unappealing."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comparing-with-other-studies">Comparing with other studies</h2>



Earlier U.K. Biobank <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-02100-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> reported that a sample median of 4.4 minutes per day of VILPA was associated with noticeably lower risks of all cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. 



The U.S. study’s median dose is smaller, which may reflect differences in age, fitness, or baseline activity.



Cancer findings from the U.K. Biobank add useful context. 



A 2023 <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2807734" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> of non-exercisers found that about 4.5 minutes per day of VILPA was linked to lower incident cancer risk, with the steepest gains when moving from none to a little.



A hazard ratio compares rates of an outcome between groups over time. Values below 1.0 indicate a lower rate in the more active group, values above 1.0 indicate a higher rate, and the confidence interval shows the range of uncertainty.



These numbers do not prove that short energy bursts caused the lower risk. They show a strong association after adjusting for many measured factors, which is informative for public health while we wait for further trials.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy-bursts-and-health">Energy bursts and health</h2>



Only about one quarter of U.S. adults meet both aerobic and strength targets, notes a CDC <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db443.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>. 



Finding health linked to very short, vigorous effort embedded in daily life could help reach people who are not hitting those goals.



The signal shows up at low doses. That matters because many people cite time, cost, or access as barriers to regular exercise.



The U.S. cohort’s median VILPA time was just over a minute per day, and the median burst count was about five per day. 



Most bursts lasted around 10 seconds, which aligns with the way people actually move when life gets busy.



The dose-response curve rose quickly at first, then flattened around eight bursts per day in this dataset. That pattern supports the idea that small, repeatable effort may offer a meaningful step up from doing none.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy-bursts-and-future-health">Energy bursts and future health</h2>



Wearable sensors let scientists capture movement in 10-second windows, which makes it possible to study these micro patterns. That is a big advance over older surveys that missed very short efforts.



Future trials need to test whether nudging VILPA upward changes health markers directly. Those tests could use prompts during chores, commuting, or short work breaks.



This was an observational analysis, so unmeasured differences could still explain part of the link. People who feel better might move more, and some health risks are hard to measure perfectly at baseline.



Device limits matter too. Wrist sensors can misread certain tasks, and any single week of tracking may not reflect a person’s full year of movement.



Public health groups already say that all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-form-of-exercise-is-shown-to-improve-sleep-the-most-according-to-studies/">movement</a> counts. VILPA adds a sharp, practical edge to that message by focusing on brief, intense efforts that do not require special gear or set times.



If ongoing work shows cause and effect, simple cues could help people add a handful of short energy bursts to tasks they already do. 



That kind of shift would be especially useful for those who do not visit gyms or prefer not to schedule workouts.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.05.25333017v1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medRxiv</a>.



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Just one minute of this exercise every day can literally add years to your life, says a new study

A nationally representative, wearables-based study has tracked Americans who said they did not do structured exercise. It found that short energy bursts - a median of just 1.1 minutes per day of brief, vigorous effort - was linked with a lower risk of death over roughly seven years. The pattern was simple. People who racked up about five or six energy bursts per day, each usually around 10 seconds and all under one minute, tended to fare better than those who did none. This work was led...

Motherhood begins with joy, responsibility, and unexpected exhaustion. For many new mothers, the early days with a newborn blur into sleepless nights and foggy mornings. While friends and family may offer advice like "nap when the baby naps," this simple sleep guidance doesn't always work. 



A new study being presented at SLEEP 2025 has revealed something deeper. The exhaustion many new moms feel isn't just due to lack of sleep - it’s rooted in the loss of uninterrupted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parent-children-relationships-are-key-to-lifelong-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>.



Researchers tracked real-world sleep data of first-time mothers using Fitbit devices. What they found shifts our understanding of postpartum fatigue entirely. Even when mothers manage to get enough total sleep hours, the frequent disruptions keep their bodies from truly resting. 



As the data shows, these disruptions are not short-lived. They persist well into the following weeks and months, reshaping what maternal recovery really means.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-habits-of-first-time-mothers">Sleep habits of first time mothers</h2>



The study followed 41 first-time mothers between the ages of 26 and 43. They shared their personal wearable sleep data across a span that began a full year before childbirth and extended into their child’s first birthday.



The research team used 5-minute bins to analyze the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/talking-to-kids-about-puberty-why-sooner-may-be-better-than-later/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> and wake patterns, and required at least 10 consecutive minutes of sleep or wakefulness to define the start and end of a sleep session.



One key metric they focused on was the “Longest Stretch of Sleep” (LSS). Typically used to track infant sleep, this measure proved incredibly revealing when applied to mothers. 



By identifying how long mothers were able to sleep without being woken up, the study captured the true depth of sleep fragmentation. What emerged was a clear picture of profound sleep disruption, even after the first weeks of new motherhood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-crashes-in-week-one-after-childbirth">Sleep crashes in week one after childbirth</h2>



During the first week after childbirth, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-often-feel-lonely-burnt-out-parenting-demands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mothers</a> averaged just 4.4 hours of sleep per day. This is a stark drop from their pre-pregnancy average of 7.8 hours. 



But even more concerning was their LSS, which fell from 5.6 hours before pregnancy to just 2.2 hours. Nearly one-third of these new mothers (31.7%) went more than 24 hours without sleep during that first week.



In many ways, this kind of sleep loss is expected during the first few days. However, the story doesn’t end there. While total sleep duration improved gradually over time, the structure of sleep remained fractured. And that proved to be the real problem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-improves-slowly-but-stays-broken">Sleep improves slowly but stays broken</h2>



Sleep rose to 6.7 hours in weeks two to seven, then 7.3 hours by week thirteen. But uninterrupted sleep stayed low - just 3.2 to 4.1 hours, far below the 5.5 to 5.6 hours seen pre-pregnancy.



All differences were statistically significant (F &gt; 29.8, P &lt; 0.001), showing that disrupted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-divided-on-best-time-to-stop-pacifiers-and-thumb-sucking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> reflects a lasting biological change, not just a new routine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interrupted-sleep-leaves-mothers-exhausted">Interrupted sleep leaves mothers exhausted</h2>



The study was led by Teresa Lillis, a clinical psychologist and adjunct professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at <a href="https://www.rush.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rush University</a> Medical Center in Chicago.



“The significant loss of uninterrupted sleep in the postpartum period was the most dramatic finding,” said Lillis. "While mothers generally returned to their pre-pregnancy total nightly sleep duration after the first postpartum week, the structure of their sleep remained profoundly altered." 



"These results fundamentally transform our understanding of postpartum sleep; it’s not the lack of sleep, but rather, the lack of uninterrupted sleep that is the largest challenge for new mothers.”



This insight challenges old advice and explains why many still feel exhausted despite doing everything “right.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-sleep-patterns-new-health-risks">New sleep patterns, new health risks</h2>



Lillis and her team argue that this kind of sleep discontinuity may be a major risk factor for postpartum depression and other related health issues. The quality of sleep, not just the quantity, influences both mental and physical recovery after childbirth.



Their study gives weight to what many new mothers have said for years: “I’m sleeping, but I’m still tired.” Now there’s scientific proof to back up that experience. 



Intermittent sleep does not allow the body to complete essential rest cycles, meaning physical repair and mental restoration stay incomplete night after night.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-help-new-mothers-sleep">How to help new mothers sleep</h2>



“Our results validate the lived experience of new mothers’ exhaustion and provide a new target for sleep-related interventions,” said Lillis. “Rather than simply encouraging mothers to ‘nap when the baby naps’, our findings show that mothers would most benefit from strategies that protect opportunities for uninterrupted sleep.”



This statement signals a shift in how caregivers, partners, and healthcare professionals might support mothers. Helping new moms catch up on lost hours isn’t enough. 



What they need are longer blocks of continuous rest - a goal that may require more structural support, such as shared night care, postpartum doulas, or better parental leave options.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-mothers-really-need-after-childbirth">What mothers really need after childbirth</h2>



This study opens the door for future research into postpartum recovery and maternal mental health. It may also influence policy decisions related to maternity care. 



The study was conducted at <a href="https://wsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a>’s Sleep and Performance Research Center.



What’s clear is that uninterrupted sleep is not just a luxury for new mothers - it is a need, as vital as food and medicine, and it deserves serious attention.



The research will be presented on Monday, June 9, during SLEEP 2025 in Seattle. This annual meeting is a collaborative event hosted by the <a href="https://aasm.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Academy of Sleep Medicine</a> and the <a href="https://sleepresearchsociety.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleep Research Society</a>.



The findings are published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/48/Supplement_1/A398/8135096" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SLEEP</a>.



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Why new mothers feel exhausted despite getting sleep

Motherhood begins with joy, responsibility, and unexpected exhaustion. For many...

As California faces intensifying droughts and tighter water regulations, a new study shows that digital tools can make a significant difference in encouraging households to conserve water.



The research, led by Professor Mehdi Nemati from the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/">University of California, Riverside</a>, reveals that a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smartphones-are-teaching-us-how-to-supercharge-our-memory/">smartphone</a> app called Dropcountr can reduce average household water use by six percent. The savings are even higher among the most water-intensive users.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-use-of-smart-meters">Smarter use of smart meters</h2>



Originally, smart water meters were installed by many utilities to simplify billing through remote readings. But Dropcountr, the app at the heart of the study, takes this a step further. It transforms meter data into real-time feedback that’s easy for homeowners to understand.



The app shows users how much water they consume, how their usage compares to similar households, and how their consumption trends over time.



Nemati called it a “nudge” - a small, timely prompt that shifts behavior without rules or penalties. In the context of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/agave-plants-natures-answer-to-water-conservation/">water conservation</a>, that might mean prompting a user to fix a leak, take shorter showers, or wait until the dishwasher is full before running it.



“California water agencies are under pressure to hit individualized water-use targets and conservation goals under the ‘<a href="https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/conservation/regs/water_efficiency_legislation.html">Making Conservation a California Way of Life</a>’ regulation,” Nemati said. “Our study shows that this digital feedback tool can be a powerful, low-cost way to help households manage their use and reduce consumption.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-time-water-use">Real-time water use</h2>



The research focused on the City of Folsom in Northern California, where Dropcountr was introduced to residents in late 2014. Around 3,600 households signed up to use the app, allowing researchers to track more than 32 million records of daily water use from 2013 to 2019. 



By comparing users to a control group, the team found that participants reduced their water use by an average of 6.2%.



Importantly, the app was particularly effective with heavy users. The top 20% of users managed to cut their water use by up to 12%. “This is a crucial outcome when every drop counts,” Nemati said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nudges-that-save-water">Nudges that save water</h2>



Dropcountr doesn’t just show water use - it also delivers alerts when consumption nears more expensive rate tiers and flags potential leaks. These leak notifications were especially impactful.



When a continuous-use pattern (like water running for 72 hours straight) was detected, users were notified. Water use dropped 50% after a leak alert, then 30%, with a 9% reduction still seen six days later.



“The sharp drop suggests customers are paying attention and acting quickly,” Nemati said. “One major advantage is that they can detect leaks right away - sometimes before they cause damage or result in costly bills. That’s difficult with traditional billing systems, where usage is only seen after 30 or 60 days.”



The app also taps into social <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychological-poverty-greatly-impacts-decision-making/">psychology</a> by showing users how their water use stacks up against their more efficient neighbors. This appeal to social norms helps users set and maintain realistic conservation goals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-quick-fixes">Beyond quick fixes</h2>



One of the most promising findings in the study was that these changes weren’t just short-lived. 



“We looked at water use 50 months out and still found sustained reductions,” Nemati said. “People weren’t just reacting once and forgetting. They stayed engaged.”



This long-term engagement stands in contrast to older methods still used by some water agencies. Despite having access to smart meter data, many utilities rely on mailed notices that may be too late or too technical to prompt meaningful change.



“People get <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-americans-cannot-afford-basic-water-services/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water bills</a>, but the information may not be salient. Most bills report usage in cubic feet or units, which aren't easy to interpret,” noted Nemati. “What platforms like Dropcountr do well is make the data meaningful."



"People want to use water wisely. They just need timely, clear, and actionable feedback. These platforms give them that - and they work.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-proofing-water-use">Future-proofing water use</h2>



Although Dropcountr works best with smart meters - and many California homes still rely on manual readings - advanced metering infrastructure continues to spread.



As California prepares for stricter <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-now-the-driving-force-behind-droughts/">drought</a> and efficiency standards, Nemati urges water agencies to make better use of the data they already collect.



“We have the data,” he said. “Now we just need to use it in smarter ways. This study shows how a relatively inexpensive solution can help homeowners conserve and ease pressure on our water systems.”



As climate change continues to strain resources, digital tools like Dropcountr could play a vital role in building a water-smart California, one household at a time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0928765525000247">Resource and Energy Economics</a>.



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Smartphone app helps households cut water use

As California faces intensifying droughts and tighter water regulations, a...

Two things often happen at the same time in a busy kitchen: plates clatter into the dishwasher and a mental note pops up that the soap dispenser is running low. The brain keeps both thoughts alive for a few seconds, steers the hands, and updates the grocery list. 



Scientists call this swift juggle “working memory,” yet most people know it simply as keeping track of what matters right now.



Researchers have spent decades mapping this mental scratchpad, but its quirks still surprise. The latest clue comes from the eyes. 



A fresh study suggests that the way a person’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pupil-size-during-sleep-decides-if-new-or-old-memories-are-replayed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pupils change</a> while they concentrate hints at how well that mental scratchpad is working.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-working-memory-matters">Why working memory matters</h2>



Working memory does more than hold stray reminders; it stitches together phone digits until they are dialed, keeps track of a spoken sentence until the meaning lands, and buffers half-finished ideas during problem-solving. 



Unlike <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-our-brain-form-long-term-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-term memory</a>, it works on a tight clock measured in seconds. Because the capacity is finite - typically three to seven items at once - small differences in efficiency can ripple through reading, mathematics, and decision-making.



Psychologists often compare working-memory scores among people of similar age, finding wide gaps. Some differences trace back to genetics, sleep quality, and stress. 



Others appear linked to how sharply someone focuses in the moment. Pinning down those fleeting attentional shifts has been tough, so a team at the <a href="https://www.uta.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at Arlington</a> turned to a simple, involuntary signal from the eye.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eyes-signal-focus-level">Eyes signal focus level</h2>



Assistant professor of psychology Matthew Robison and doctoral student Lauren D. Garner, both from UTA's <a href="https://camlab.uta.edu/lab-members/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CAM Lab</a>, recruited 179 undergraduate volunteers for a set of memory challenges designed to last only a few heartbeats. 



An eye-tracking camera, like the one an optometrist uses, recorded pupil size while each participant tried to remember colors, shapes, or letters flashed on a screen. The pupils were expected to widen in the dimly lit lab, yet they also fluctuated with mental effort.



“What we found was that the lowest performers on the tasks showed less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pupils-reveal-how-active-the-brain-is-even-during-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pupil dilation</a>,” Robison explained. 



“For the highest-performing participants, pupil dilations were larger overall, and they were more discerning about the information they were asked to recall.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-working-memory-and-larger-pupils">Working memory and larger pupils</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/specific-eye-features-influence-how-others-perceive-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pupil dilation</a> is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, the same circuitry that speeds the heartbeat under stress. 



Earlier research showed the pupils twitch in sync with challenges such as mental arithmetic, signaling rising cognitive load. 



This new work links that physical reaction directly to the accuracy of working memory: bigger, more precisely timed dilations tracked with sharper recall across the entire group.



The study appears in <a href="https://link.springer.com/journal/13414" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Attention, Perception &amp; Psychophysics</a>, and its key takeaway has immediate practical value. 



Teachers, coaches, and clinicians could someday use a non-invasive gaze sensor to see whether a student’s attention slips long before test scores reveal a problem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-attention-and-cognitive-load">Attention and cognitive load</h2>



The eye-memory link lines up with a well-known theory called “<a href="https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1057/978-1-137-00772-8_677" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resource allocation</a>,” which proposes that the brain funnels more energy - oxygen, glucose, and electrical activity - toward information flagged as important. 



The dilating pupil mirrors that surge. When the surge is weak or mistimed, fewer details make it onto the mental scratchpad.



Everyday distractions, from buzzing phones to background chatter, can sap that resource. 



On the flip side, practice with activities that demand steady focus, such as playing certain musical instruments or fast-paced video games, has been shown to nudge working-memory scores upward. 



Those lifestyle influences mesh neatly with the new pupil data, suggesting the eyes could become a quick biofeedback tool for attention training.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-classroom-and-clinic-uses">Classroom and clinic uses</h2>



Individualized instruction often starts with trial and error. A live readout of pupil patterns could speed the process by showing when a student is overwhelmed or under-engaged in real time. 



That information might guide a teacher to slow the pace, rephrase directions, or add a break exactly when it counts.



“We found that people who more intensely and consistently paid attention, as measured by their pupils being dilated more, performed better on the memory tasks,” Robison enthused.



“Importantly, we found high performers also showed more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pupil-size-reveals-hidden-cognitive-fatigue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pupil sensitivity</a> compared to low-performing participants. This is exciting research because it adds another valuable piece of the puzzle to our understanding of why working memory varies between individuals."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-working-memory-in-shape">Keeping working memory in shape</h2>



While future gadgets may monitor focus automatically, old-school habits still help. Brief pauses during dense reading let fresh material settle before more arrives. 



Organizing tidbits into tiny clusters - phone numbers into three short chunks, for example - reduces the load. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/practicing-mindfulness-can-quiet-the-noise-of-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mindfulness exercises</a> that train sustained attention have gained traction, and emerging evidence suggests they may slightly enlarge working-memory capacity over weeks of practice.



Even aerobic movement matters. Studies tracking middle-aged adults find that brisk walking improves blood flow to brain regions involved in executive control, indirectly supporting the memory buffer. 



The take-home message echoes common sense: whatever boosts overall <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-belly-fat-may-actually-boost-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a> tends to support the few precious slots on that internal notepad.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pupils-working-memory-and-future-study">Pupils, working memory, and future study</h2>



The UT Arlington experiment adds a clear, measurable signpost to the study of working memory. By tying pupil behavior to test performance in 179 young adults, it builds a bridge between subjective focus and objective outcomes. 



Larger studies spanning different ages and cultures are already in the planning stages, aiming to see whether the same patterns hold in childhood development, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/taking-vitamin-d-supplements-may-add-years-to-your-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-diet-may-protect-cognitive-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive disorders</a>.



If they do, tracking a tiny change in the eyes might soon guide personalized learning plans, aid early diagnoses of attention deficits, or help engineers design user interfaces that adapt to a person’s real-time mental load. 



For now, the findings serve as a reminder that the eyes are broadcasting more than mood or alertness - they may be giving away the secrets of how we juggle the small but vital tasks that keep life running smoothly.



The full study was published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13414-024-02853-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Attention Perception &amp; Psychophysics</a>



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Scientists link pupil dilation to the brain’s all-important 'working memory' levels

Two things often happen at the same time in a...

Plastic pollution often brings to mind landfills, oceans, and overflowing garbage dumps. Few people think about their home appliances. Yet, inside many modern kitchens, ordinary plastic containers undergo a process that could harm our environment in unseen ways.



A new study from the <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Queensland</a> now reveals a surprising source of plastic pollution: household dishwashers.



This finding opens a new chapter in the conversation about how domestic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-deaths-in-india-linked-to-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a> contributes to global pollution. The research brings attention to the connection between plastic use, cleaning habits, and wastewater contamination. 



For a long time, dishwashers were overlooked in environmental discussions. However, the reality they reveal is not so spotless.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-particles-from-dishwashers">Plastic particles from dishwashers</h2>



Led by Dr. Elvis Okoffo from the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, the study examines how plastic containers behave under typical dishwashing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-air-pollution-forms-may-help-us-prevent-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>. 



“We demonstrated that plastic containers and utensils washed in dishwashers release plastic particles,” Dr. Okoffo noted.



This isn't just speculation. The researchers tested full dishwasher loads of common household plastic items and tracked what entered the wastewater after one cycle.



The results show that mechanical dishwashing - while convenient - can have unexpected side effects. Plastics degrade under exposure to high heat, water pressure, and cleaning chemicals.



These conditions cause both visible and invisible fragments of plastic to break off, eventually flowing down the drain. The kitchen becomes a surprising entry point for plastic pollutants into the environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-from-dishwashers-in-wastewater">Plastic from dishwashers in wastewater</h2>



Washing plastic items may appear harmless, but the long-term outcome could be significant. “Even seemingly harmless everyday actions can have cumulative environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-impacts-brain-development-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consequences</a>,” Dr. Okoffo explained. 



“The introduction of plastics into the environment carries a potential risk of adverse impacts on environmental and human health.”



Dishwashers can reach temperatures of up to 70°C. Under this heat, plastic reacts chemically and physically. Repeated exposure weakens the structural integrity of plastic items. Combined with the friction of water jets and detergents, this breakdown releases a startling number of particles.



The study revealed that one dishwasher cycle can release around 920,000 plastic particles. This includes both microplastics, which are smaller than 5 millimeters, and nanoplastics, which are even smaller and often escape detection. 



If every household with a dishwasher contributes to this cycle, the numbers become astronomical - about 33 million particles per home every year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sources-of-plastic-pollution">Sources of plastic pollution</h2>



While the particle count is high, the actual weight of released <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-patients-have-a-unique-vulnerability-to-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic</a> remains small. “Despite the high number of particles released, the total mass released from plastic containers is low and is minor compared to other known sources of plastic pollution,” Dr. Okoffo said. 



The study estimates that about 6 milligrams of plastic per person are released yearly. That amount equals roughly a quarter of a single grain of rice. But this does not make the problem any less important. Nanoplastics are tiny enough to pass through water filtration systems. 



Once they reach the environment, nanoplastics are difficult to remove and may accumulate in marine life and drinking water sources. Their small size allows them to travel far, possibly entering food chains and affecting both ecosystems and human health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-solutions-in-appliance-design">Potential solutions in appliance design</h2>



Dr. Okoffo believes the responsibility does not lie with consumers alone. Appliance manufacturers and plastic producers must think about design solutions. 



“Plastic manufacturers could also develop plastics that are more resistant to degradation during dishwashing,” he suggested.



Appliances can also evolve. By fitting dishwashers with built-in particle traps or advanced filters, engineers could prevent many of these fragments from entering the water system. 



Capturing the pollutant at its origin avoids the expensive and difficult task of cleaning it up later. This proactive approach could spare wastewater facilities and marine systems from further harm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-for-conscious-cleaning">A call for conscious cleaning</h2>



With 58% of Australian households regularly using dishwashers, the study holds weight beyond the lab. The results apply to millions of homes worldwide. Changing how we clean plastic could shift our overall environmental footprint.



"Removing this pollutant before it can enter the environment is better than implementing costly measures after the pollutant has already been released,” said Dr. Okoffo. 



His words encourage prevention over reaction - a principle that often gets overlooked in environmental policy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-dishwashing-choices-can-help">Small dishwashing choices can help</h2>



Plastic waste doesn't only come from discarded bags or bottles. The tools we use daily - food containers, utensils, and kitchen gadgets - contribute in less obvious ways. Each dishwashing cycle that includes plastic is part of a wider issue. Though the waste is microscopic, the impact is measurable.



“Small changes, when multiplied across millions of households, can help reduce the global burden of plastic pollution,” Dr. Okoffo concluded. 



A shift in household practices, product materials, and appliance design could set the stage for lasting environmental improvements.



The study doesn’t demand radical lifestyle changes. Instead, it asks us to be mindful. In the quiet hum of a dishwasher lies a chance to rethink our role in the plastic lifecycle. Small steps, taken by many, still count.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsestwater.4c00768" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS ES&amp;T Water</a>.



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Dishwashers release nearly one million plastic particles per cycle, a huge source of microplastic pollution

Plastic pollution often brings to mind landfills, oceans, and overflowing...

Anger flares up in traffic jams, board meetings, and kitchen quarrels alike. The rush of heat, the pounding heart, and the urges to shout or slam a door feel almost automatic. Most of us just want lash out and vent, hoping the anger will be gone as fast as it came.



For decades, people have sworn by “getting it out,” whether by screaming into a pillow or pummeling a punching bag. Others swear by the opposite approach: pause, breathe, let it pass. 



A new scientific sweep of the evidence puts these rival tactics head-to-head - and crowns a clear winner.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-venting-anger-myth-loses-steam">The 'venting anger' myth loses steam</h2>



After the second paragraph, it’s time to meet the researchers. Communication scholar <a href="https://comm.osu.edu/people/bushman.20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brad Bushman</a> at <a href="https://osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ohio State University</a> has spent years testing the notion of catharsis. 



“Venting anger might sound like a good idea, but it’s actually counterproductive,” he says. 



His team, working with postdoctoral fellow <a href="https://sophiekja.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sophie Kjærvik</a>, combed through 154 different studies with more than 10,000 people to sort myth from reality.



Their review shows that activities lowering bodily arousal - deep breathing, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-protects-against-work-stress-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mindfulness</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-slows-biological-aging-at-the-molecular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meditation</a>, even slow, controlled yoga - consistently push anger levels down. 



The setting hardly matters; results hold for solo exercises at home, therapist-guided sessions, and app-based programs. 



“Reducing arousal - and actually the physiological aspect of it - is really important,” Kjærvik explains.



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



Kjærvik’s meta-analysis, published in Clinical Psychology Review, found that every group studied - college students, retirees, people with intellectual disabilities, and individuals with criminal records - benefited from arousal-decreasing strategies. 



In stark contrast, jogging, hitting a bag, or smashing plates in a rage room showed little effect or even nudged anger upward. “To reduce anger, it is better to engage in activities that decrease arousal levels,” Bushman notes.



Meta-analyses of this size are rare in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-shows-better-emotional-intelligence-than-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotion research</a>. By pooling so many participants, the team could spot small but steady patterns that single experiments miss. 



The consistency across gender, age, and cultural background signals that calming the body is a universal recipe, not a fad tied to one social-media trend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calm-beats-cardio">Calm beats cardio</h2>



Why would a brisk run fail where a quiet breath succeeds? Anger already revs the sympathetic nervous system - the body’s gas pedal. Adding more acceleration simply keeps the engine roaring. 



“Certain physical activities that increase arousal may be good for your heart, but they’re definitely not the best way to reduce anger,” Bushman adds.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yoga-can-reduce-stress-and-improve-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yoga</a> offers an intriguing twist. Though poses raise heart rate, the practice embeds steady breathing and focused attention, turning movement into meditation. 



“It was really interesting to see that progressive muscle relaxation and relaxation in general might be as effective as approaches such as mindfulness and meditation,” Kjærvik noted. 



“And yoga, which can be more arousing than meditation and mindfulness, is still a way of calming and focusing on your breath that has a similar effect in reducing anger.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-the-body-s-alarm-system">Inside the body's alarm system</h2>



Anger sparks a full-body alert: faster heartbeat, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-and-heart-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher blood pressure</a>, surging adrenaline. The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system primes muscles for fight or flight, while its calmer twin - the parasympathetic branch - waits to dial everything back. 



Techniques that lengthen exhales or tense and release muscles flip that switch sooner, cooling the system before words or fists fly.



Scientists think this quick reset evolved because it lets social groups resolve conflicts without lasting harm. Lowering arousal gives the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-brain-pathways-identified-as-being-unique-to-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prefrontal cortex</a> - our planning center - time to weigh consequences, recall past regrets, and choose words more carefully. 



The payoff is fewer broken dishes, lower stress hormones, and relationships that bounce back instead of break.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-anger-without-venting">Reducing anger without venting</h2>



Apps offering guided breathing now sit within arm’s reach, many of them free of charge. A simple routine - inhale for four counts, exhale for six - can drop heart rate within a minute. 



Two cycles of progressive muscle relaxation ease shoulder knots that broadcast irritability.



A five-minute mindfulness session on YouTube can do the same job as a longer appointment when time is tight. 



“It’s really a battle because angry people want to vent, but our research shows that any good feeling we get from venting actually reinforces aggression,” Bushman says.



For situations demanding movement, try a slow walk around the block. Keep the pace easy enough to hold a steady conversation. Pair it with attention to your surroundings - the hum of cicadas, the scent of fresh-cut grass. 



Gentle motion helps metabolize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-hormones-rise-during-sleep-to-prepare-your-body-for-the-day/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress hormones</a> without driving arousal higher, and nature’s small details pull focus away from rumination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Unchecked anger strains marriages, work teams, and the cardiovascular system. Over months, it can hardwire aggressive habits. 



The new review shows there’s nothing inevitable about that spiral; swapping venting for calming returns control to the driver’s seat. 



Because most interventions cost little or nothing, workplaces, prisons, and schools can roll them out without red tape. Even a coach’s whistle can cue athletes to pause for three slow breaths before play resumes.



Parents can apply the same thinking at home. Instead of sending a child to “go punch a pillow,” suggest three balloon-slow breaths, a sip of water, and a quiet corner until color fades from their cheeks. 



Modeling the strategy yourself teaches by example and keeps the living room peaceful.



Cooling down trumps blowing up. Evidence from more than 10,000 volunteers says so, and the message holds whether you are nine or ninety. 



So next time fury rises, skip the punching bag and breathe. Your heart - and everyone within earshot - will thank you.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735824000357?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clinical Psychology Review</a>.



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'Venting' doesn't reduce anger, so psychologists advise patients to do this instead

Anger flares up in traffic jams, board meetings, and kitchen...

In everyday life, the spleen rarely gets the spotlight. This lesser-known organ, tucked under the rib cage on the left side of the abdomen, has just gained new respect from medical researchers.



For a long time, doctors have been able to remove the spleen without major issues, giving it a reputation as something non-essential. That view is now shifting, thanks to a fresh wave of discoveries related to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weight-loss-drugs-could-save-an-enormous-number-of-lives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organ</a> repair and new cell growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spleen-s-surprising-capability">Spleen’s surprising capability</h2>



Recent work led by a team of researchers, including Professor Lei Dong and Professor Jian Xiao from <a href="https://en.wmu.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wenzhou Medical University</a>, <a href="https://www.nju.edu.cn/en/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanjing University</a>, and the <a href="https://www.um.edu.mo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Macau</a>, has opened up new horizons.



They have shown that the spleen can be turned into a built-in system that supports transplanted tissues.



Many see this approach as a possible game-changer for people with <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/about-type-1-diabetes.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">type 1 diabetes</a>, a serious condition in which the body stops making enough insulin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spleen-redefined-as-a-valuable-organ">Spleen redefined as a valuable organ</h2>



For decades, doctors recognized that the spleen helps manage blood cells and fights infections. Yet, a partial or total removal rarely caused life-threatening <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-microbiome-trillions-of-bacteria-unique-like-fingerprints/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">problems</a>, leading many to call it non-essential.



That view changed when experts discovered how <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4052466/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immunomodulatory nanoparticles</a> could adjust the local environment inside the spleen. Researchers believe this technique sets the stage for better acceptance of transplanted <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542302/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">islets</a>, the insulin-producing clusters in the pancreas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-built-in-host-for-new-cells">A built-in host for new cells</h2>



“We’re essentially converting the spleen into a high-performance bioreactor,” explains Dong. He adds that by enhancing the <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/extracellular-matrix" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extracellular matrix</a>, improving blood vessel formation, and controlling immune attacks, transplanted cells can flourish.



For some doctors, the spleen’s layout and connections make it a strong candidate for these treatments. It receives blood directly, which can help transplanted cells get oxygen and nutrients right away.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spleen-showed-organ-support-abilities">Spleen showed organ support abilities</h2>



In earlier <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15619229/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> reported in 2020, the same team showed that a reprogrammed spleen could support partial liver-like functions in mice. This finding laid the groundwork for investigating if the spleen can handle other types of tissues.



Now, they have taken that concept further by examining how the spleen might support transplanted insulin-producing cells in nonhuman primates. This serves as a vital step before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-snail-venom-possible-key-to-improving-diabetes-medicine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential</a> testing in human volunteers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tackling-type-1-diabetes">Tackling type 1 diabetes</h2>



About 1.6 million people in the United States are <a href="https://breakthrought1d.org.au/what-is-t1d/quick-guide-to-t1d/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimated</a> to have type 1 diabetes. The condition arises when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-making cells in the pancreas.



A promising option has been <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/insulin-medicines-treatments/pancreatic-islet-transplantation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">islet transplantation</a>, but it often faces issues with rejection and poor cell survival. Scientists hope that by giving these cells a protected environment inside the spleen, more patients could benefit from transplantation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-injections-that-change-the-game">Injections that change the game</h2>



These nanoparticle injections prime the spleen to handle new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-reveals-the-secret-to-keeping-your-brain-young/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells</a> more effectively. This strategy might reduce the need for high-dose immune-suppressing drugs.



Reports suggest that the spleen’s environment becomes friendlier to new cells after the nanoparticle treatment. This shift could help ensure that transplanted islets continue working in the long run.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



Researchers are now considering how to refine these spleen-focused methods to handle stem cell–derived tissues. One vision involves using induced <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4699068/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pluripotent stem cells</a>, or iPSCs, to create organs that match each patient’s own tissue profile.



However, experts caution that more safety tests are essential before this approach finds its way into clinics. Large-scale trials and long-term monitoring would help confirm if these cells remain stable and functional over time.



Minimally invasive approaches, such as B-ultrasound guided injections, might also make this therapy more accessible. Early demonstrations in animals have shown encouraging feasibility for that technique.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spleen-could-power-next-steps">Spleen could power next steps</h2>



If future tests confirm these successes, doctors might have a simpler way to replace failing organs without relying on complex external devices. In the case of insulin-making cells, that could mean fewer daily injections and better quality of life for many individuals.



Most people never expect the spleen to help them recover lost organ function. Yet this approach highlights how an overlooked structure might hide untapped capacity for medical breakthroughs.



Though more confirmation is needed, the early findings raise hope for a future where organ transplants rely less on donor shortages and immune conflicts. Even if the spleen was once called non-essential, it might soon prove to be a valuable partner in personalized medicine.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adj9615" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Translational Medicine</a>.



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This overlooked human organ has a built-in bioreactor that could revolutionize diabetes treatment

In everyday life, the spleen rarely gets the spotlight. This...

It’s easy to believe that the internet is an open door to knowledge. A place where a user's search leads to discovery. A tool for understanding new ideas, correcting mistakes, or seeing both sides of a debate. But in practice, something very different is happening.



Especially now, when polarization defines everything from public health to climate action to political opinion, many people go online hoping to learn - and come away even more convinced they were right all along.



The surprising part? These biases are not the fault of online search engines alone. 



A study from <a href="https://tulane.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tulane University</a> has exposed a quiet but powerful driver behind the entrenchment of opinion: the way people frame their questions in the first place. And even unbiased algorithms can’t save us from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scrolling-online-videos-is-not-a-good-cure-for-boredom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consequences</a> of our own wording.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-user-search-terms-shape-results">User search terms shape results</h2>



The Tulane study offers a wide-angle look at how search behavior deepens existing beliefs. It’s not about misinformation. It’s not about manipulation. It’s about routine, everyday habits that unknowingly reinforce what people already think. 



According to the researchers, most users choose search terms that reflect their current opinions, often without realizing it. The search engine then returns the most relevant results based on those terms - leading users into a loop of self-confirmation.



"When people look up information online - whether on Google, ChatGPT or new AI-powered search engines - they often pick search terms that reflect what they already believe (sometimes without even realizing it)," noted study lead author Eugina Leung, assistant professor at Tulane’s A. B. Freeman School of Business.



"Because today’s search algorithms are designed to give you ‘the most relevant’ answers for whatever term you type, those answers can then reinforce what you thought in the first place. This makes it harder for people to discover broader <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/happiness-influences-online-shopping-habits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">perspectives</a>."



This pattern held steady across 21 experiments with nearly 10,000 participants. Regardless of the subject - caffeine, nuclear power, COVID-19, or crime statistics - people shaped their searches to match their beliefs.



Someone confident that caffeine is healthy might search for “benefits of caffeine,” while a skeptic would look up “caffeine health risks.” That small difference pushed them toward vastly different sources, perspectives, and conclusions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-users-unknowingly-confirm-their-views">Users unknowingly confirm their views</h2>



The team also explored whether users were consciously seeking validation through their searches. Surprisingly, most weren’t. In several experiments, fewer than 10% of participants admitted they were deliberately using search to find results that supported what they already believed.



Yet the majority still typed queries that aligned with their personal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/doomscrolling-is-silently-ruining-our-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">views</a>. Their search patterns didn’t change, even when their intent wasn’t to confirm a bias.



That’s what makes this issue so subtle. People can fall into biased search loops even when they think they’re being neutral. Search engines prioritize what they interpret as relevance, so they reward the exact words entered. 



The result is a kind of algorithmic loyalty to the user’s original phrasing, whether or not that phrasing reflects a full picture of the topic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-reflects-user-bias-too">AI reflects user bias too</h2>



The issue isn’t just with search engines. AI tools like ChatGPT also reflect users' biases. When queries are slanted, AI responses often match the tone and viewpoint of the question. 



Even if other views are mentioned, the search still supports the user's original belief. These tools seem neutral but rely heavily on how users frame their questions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solution-for-online-search-biases">Solution for online search biases </h2>



The researchers tested multiple approaches to see if they could encourage people to seek out more balanced information. Merely advising users to consider different views didn’t work. Neither did suggesting that they run multiple types of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-is-helping-save-wild-animals-like-caracals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">searches</a>. Behavioral nudges and awareness campaigns weren’t enough.



But one change worked consistently: modifying the algorithm itself. In one experiment, researchers adjusted the search tool to deliver a broader range of articles - regardless of how narrowly the query was phrased - exposing users to more diverse perspectives.



This had a clear effect: users were more likely to adopt moderate views, showed greater openness to changing their behavior, and didn’t find the broader results less helpful or accurate.



Participants appreciated the balanced approach, rating the mixed results as just as relevant as the ones that matched their original wording. 



That challenges the idea that users only want search content that aligns with their beliefs and suggests they will value a fuller view - so long as they aren’t required to search for it themselves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-different-kind-of-button">A different kind of button</h2>



The researchers proposed a “Search Broadly” feature - an alternative to Google’s “I’m Feeling Lucky.” Rather than showing the most relevant result, it would present diverse sources.



Users responded positively, showing interest in tools that challenge rather than reflect their views. This approach isn’t about restricting content, but about design. 



By prioritizing perspective over confirmation, algorithms could interrupt polarization at its source: the search query.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-biases-in-online-searches">Reducing biases in online searches</h2>



Search engines and AI platforms aren’t neutral containers. They’re decision-makers. Every search result order, every answer phrasing, is based on calculations of relevance, popularity, or usefulness. 



And these calculations reflect assumptions about what the user wants. But what if those assumptions are wrong? What if users aren’t best served by hearing what they expect?



“Because AI and large-scale search are embedded in our daily lives, integrating a broader-search approach could reduce echo chambers for millions (if not billions) of users," noted Professor Leung.



"Our research highlights how careful design choices can tip the balance in favor of more informed, potentially less polarized societies."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2408175122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Internet search results often reinforce a person's existing beliefs

It’s easy to believe that the internet is an open...

Human aging is a complicated story that involves many moving parts including genes, metabolism, immune responses, and lifestyle patterns.



Experts from Higher Education Press have explored how these factors help people live well into their 90s and beyond. The team examined groups of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-aging-drinking-coffee-can-add-years-to-your-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-lived</a> individuals to see why they stay active and avoid chronic diseases.



“Human healthy aging and longevity are complex phenomena influenced by a dynamic interplay of genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, immune, and environmental factors," noted study lead author Fan-Qian Yin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-people-age-without-serious-illness">Some people age without serious illness</h2>



Some <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/centenarians" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">centenarians</a> seem to dodge or delay common health problems. This intriguing ability may be related to their <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/genome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genome</a> and the way certain protective variants are passed down.



Lifestyle choices and everyday surroundings also appear to guide this aging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-too-much-can-cause-premature-aging-even-if-you-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">path</a>. People in regions known for high life expectancy often eat fresh produce and engage in steady physical activity.



Women make up the majority of centenarians, but the men who do reach that age often show fewer chronic diseases. Some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4346010/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> suggest that men who <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-aging-what-animals-can-teach-us-about-getting-older/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">live</a> past 100 tend to be exceptionally resilient or have fewer genetic risk factors to begin with.



Hormones may help explain this gap. Higher levels of <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18156-estradiol-tablets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estradiol</a> in older women and <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/testosterone--what-it-does-and-doesnt-do" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testosterone</a> in older men appear to protect against some effects of aging, though the benefits depend on balance and overall health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-influential-factors-in-healthy-aging">Influential factors in healthy aging </h2>



Scientists point to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ng0194-29" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">APOE e2</a> as an important marker for protection in older adults. Some families carry this variant and experience lower risks of heart disease.



But genetic influence is not the whole story. The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-022-00974-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbiota</a> in the gut has also drawn attention, because it affects inflammation and digestion in ways that may keep people healthier for longer.



Some researchers have found that <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/npp2012112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA methylation</a> (a process that controls gene activity without changing the DNA itself) slows down in older adults who stay healthy. This may help protect their cells from damage over time and prevent some diseases linked to aging.



Other molecules, like <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41576-023-00662-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noncoding RNAs</a>, also seem to play a role by regulating how genes behave. Certain RNAs appear to block signals that cause cells to wear out, which may explain why some older people maintain more youthful biological functions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-microbes-sleep-and-stress-management">Gut microbes, sleep, and stress management </h2>



The <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4290017/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut microbiome</a> in long-lived people tends to look very different from those who age with chronic illness. It often includes higher levels of helpful bacteria like <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-022-00631-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Akkermansia muciniphila</a>, which supports gut lining health and reduces inflammation.



Some species in these guts even make compounds that act like natural anti-aging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/leg-balance-is-a-key-indicator-of-healthy-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agents</a>. These microbes thrive on diets rich in fiber, nuts, and fermented foods, suggesting that what we eat really does shape how we age.



People who live longer often manage stress well and sleep deeply. Chronic <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579396/">stress</a> raises cortisol levels, which can damage the brain, weaken the immune system, and speed up aging.



Good sleep habits, especially consistent 7–8 hour nights, help regulate hormones, repair tissues, and support memory. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4067693/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> show that long-lived individuals tend to sleep better and wake more refreshed, even in old age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-food-and-exercise-shape-aging">How food and exercise shape aging</h2>



Many long-lived folks stick to modest workouts, including walking or light strength training. This choice seems linked with better organ function and more stable weight over time.



Eating patterns rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains often support better cholesterol balance. 



Some older adults take in fewer calories, which might help blood sugar management and reduce harmful inflammation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steps-toward-healthy-aging">Steps toward healthy aging</h2>



Some centenarians have surprisingly active immune systems, which helps them fight off infections that typically hit harder with age. One clue is their lower levels of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3226076/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IL-6</a>, a molecule tied to chronic inflammation and age-related illness.



At the same time, they show higher levels of IL-10 and <a href="https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1479-5876-10-183" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TGF-beta</a>, which help calm the immune response and reduce tissue damage. This balance may explain why they avoid or bounce back more easily from disease compared to their peers.



Researchers are exploring ways to encourage healthy aging for everyone. Work continues on approaches to improve metabolic function and slow unwanted immune reactions that lead to disease.



Exports are also testing treatments like metformin to mirror the health benefits often seen in calorie-conscious groups. Ongoing studies promise to improve our ability to delay many age-related challenges.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11684-024-1120-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers of Medicine</a>.



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Healthy aging: How some people live past 100 years

Human aging is a complicated story that involves many moving...

Most of us have laughed uncontrollably when tickled. Yet almost none of us know why. Tickling sits at a strange crossroads - it’s universal, ancient, and deeply familiar, yet still barely understood by science. Socrates and Aristotle debated its meaning.



Charles Darwin believed it could reveal something about laughter and emotion. Even today, neuroscientists are still asking: what is tickling, and why does it matter?



Neuroscientist Konstantina Kilteni from <a href="https://www.ru.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Radboud University</a> believes this question deserves more attention. “Tickling is relatively under-researched,” she noted. To her, this isn't just a gap - it’s an opportunity.



“It is a complex interplay of motor, social, neurological, developmental and evolutionary aspects,” said Kilteni. 



By studying tickling, we may unlock new answers about how the brain develops, how we relate to others, and how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/laughter-may-help-dry-eyes-as-much-as-eye-drops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotions</a> are wired into our skin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-types-of-tickling">Two types of tickling</h2>



Kilteni’s research distinguishes between two kinds of tickling. Knismesis is the light, feather-like sensation. Gargalesis is the intense, laughter-inducing kind from strong, repetitive touches - like fingers on the armpits or soles.



Most studies focus on knismesis. It’s easier to replicate and measure. But gargalesis, the one that causes squirming and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-diamond-dust-reverse-global-warming-and-cool-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">laughter</a>, remains neglected. That’s the version Kilteni wants to study closely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-should-we-study-tickling">Why should we study tickling?</h2>



Tickling has implications far beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-of-static-electricity-has-finally-been-solved/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">laughs</a>. It may explain how we learn to distinguish self from others. This is key to understanding conditions like autism or schizophrenia. It also appears early in life - infants react to tickles by the end of their first year.



Besides humans, gorillas, bonobos, and even rats respond to tickling. That makes it a good subject for evolutionary studies. According to Kilteni, tickling can strengthen the bond between parents and children. But it also offers insight into early brain development.



To study gargalesis, Kilteni created a tickling lab. A subject places their feet through holes in a plate. A mechanical stick delivers a controlled tickle. This lets her track consistent reactions - heart rate, breathing, sweat, and brain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-who-use-humor-have-better-relationships-with-their-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activity</a>.



“By incorporating this method of tickling into a proper experiment, we can take tickling research seriously. Not only will we be able to truly understand tickling, but also our brains.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tickling-and-sensory-processing">Tickling and sensory processing</h2>



Research confirms that individuals with autism often react more strongly to tickling. This might reflect differences in sensory processing or brain wiring. These insights may help develop better sensory therapies and deepen our understanding of the autistic experience.



When you try to tickle yourself, your brain already knows what’s coming. It uses a process called “predictive attenuation” to cancel out the expected sensation. 



As your hand moves, your brain sends motor signals to control it - but it also predicts the resulting touch. Because it can accurately guess the timing, location, and pressure, the brain reduces your sensitivity in advance. This means the tickling sensation doesn’t fully register.



Kilteni highlights this effect to explain why externally generated touches feel more intense and unpredictable. Your brain filters out sensations it can predict, so it can stay alert to unfamiliar or potentially harmful stimuli. 



This internal filtering system is essential for reacting quickly to surprises - like a sudden poke or a crawling insect. It also plays a role in understanding the difference between self and other, which is crucial for social interaction and personal awareness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-evolutionary-mystery">An evolutionary mystery </h2>



Some people can’t stop laughing when tickled. Others barely flinch. This may depend on genetics, skin sensitivity, brain wiring, or even personality traits like extroversion. 



Children are usually more ticklish, possibly because it helps them learn body awareness and humor.



Tickling may have served many roles. One theory says it taught children to protect sensitive body parts. Another sees it as a way to build social bonds. Some scientists say it's just a reflex - like sneezing. But no theory has been proven.



Tickling might even have sexual or emotional dimensions. “Tickle sensations can only be induced by people with whom we have close social relationships,” noted Kilteni. The same touch from a stranger would likely feel unpleasant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-tools-and-ideas-for-future-research">New tools and ideas for future research</h2>



The review proposes three key challenges: defining what tickling really is, recreating it reliably in labs, and mapping its brain mechanisms. 



Kilteni’s solution is to use automated tools like robots or haptic devices. This helps remove human error and makes the tickling consistent.



She also encourages combining physical, emotional, and brain data to better understand the experience. Future work may use imaging techniques to track exactly what happens from skin to brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-still-laughing-still-wondering">Still laughing, still wondering</h2>



From Plato to PET scans, tickling has fascinated thinkers for millennia. Yet it remains one of the least understood sensations.



Thanks to researchers like Kilteni, that may soon change. “We are only at the very beginning of this journey," she said. 



With better tools and clearer definitions, tickling might soon reveal more about emotion, evolution, and how the brain tells self from other.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt0350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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After centuries of debate, we still don't know how tickling works

Most of us have laughed uncontrollably when tickled. Yet almost...

Relationships are often described as the merging of two lives - emotionally, physically, and practically. We accept the idea that couples influence each other’s habits, moods, and routines. But what if those changes extend far beyond conscious behaviors?



What if even depression could shift between partners - not just through shared struggles, but through the very bacteria in your body beginning to mirror those of your spouse?



A new study led by Iranian researcher Reza Rastmanesh presents a surprising theory: depression and anxiety might be contagious among couples - not just through shared <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-adult-depression-linked-to-worse-memory-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional experiences</a>, but through oral bacteria.



After six months of marriage, healthy spouses living with a partner suffering from both depression and insomnia began to show measurable changes in their mood, sleep, and microbiota.



“Oral microbiota transmission between individuals in close contact partially mediates symptoms of depression and anxiety,” noted the authors of the study. 



This research, while preliminary, opens a new frontier in how we understand emotional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-related-brain-inflammation-linked-to-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">well-being</a> within intimate relationships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marriage-might-shift-mental-health">Marriage might shift mental health</h2>



The researchers focused on couples married for under a year, recruited from two private sleep clinics in Tehran. They selected 268 couples in which one spouse exhibited the “depression-anxiety phenotype” - defined by moderate depression, moderate anxiety, and significant sleep issues.



Each of these individuals lived with a partner who was initially healthy, free from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teens-with-problematic-smartphone-use-suffer-from-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional</a> and sleep disturbances.



The study measured mental health using validated Persian versions of standard questionnaires: the <a href="https://naviauxlab.ucsd.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BDI21.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beck Depression Inventory-II</a>, <a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpmykpsih/image/upload/great-plains-health-site-358/media/1087/anxiety.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beck Anxiety Inventory</a>, and <a href="https://www.med.upenn.edu/cbti/assets/user-content/documents/Pittsburgh%20Sleep%20Quality%20Index%20(PSQI).pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index</a>. The researchers collected saliva to assess cortisol - a stress hormone - and mouth swabs to analyze bacterial composition.



Six months later, the healthy spouses had changed. Their depression, anxiety, and sleep scores increased, and their oral bacteria began to resemble those of their affected partner. Even more revealing, women appeared to be more vulnerable to these shifts than men.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-couples-may-pass-on-depression">Couples may pass on depression</h2>



Mouth-to-mouth bacterial transfer sounds unusual, but it is a daily part of close contact. Whether through kissing, sharing food, or simply breathing the same air, couples swap millions of microbes. 



In most cases, this poses no risk. But the Iranian study suggests that these exchanges may influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-americans-have-lost-years-of-time-to-poor-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>.



The microbiota of a healthy spouse started to show elevated levels of bacterial groups previously linked to mental illness. 



These included Clostridia, Veillonella, Bacillus, and Lachnospiraceae. The researchers used advanced DNA sequencing and linear discriminant analysis to track these shifts.



The findings suggested a microbial convergence. The oral ecosystems of the healthy partners grew more similar to those of their depressed and anxious spouses. Over time, emotional and biological states seemed to synchronize as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cortisol-rises-with-partner-s-depression">Cortisol rises with partner’s depression</h2>



The team measured cortisol, a hormone known to spike under stress. Cortisol can indicate how the body reacts to emotional burdens. 



At the start of the study, healthy partners had low levels. But after living with a troubled spouse, their cortisol levels rose dramatically.



Female spouses saw particularly steep increases. In one part of the analysis, women’s cortisol nearly doubled. These hormonal changes paralleled shifts in depression and anxiety scores, reinforcing the theory that stress responses are shared on a physiological level in close relationships.



This adds weight to the idea that psychological synchrony in couples may not just be behavioral - it might also have microbial and hormonal dimensions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-certain-bacteria-might-worsen-sleep">Certain bacteria might worsen sleep</h2>



The oral microbiome is more than just an ecosystem of bacteria. It communicates with the brain through what scientists call the oral microbiota-brain axis. 



Changes in this microbial network may influence neurological pathways, potentially altering mood and cognitive states.



Insomnia severity in this study correlated with the presence of certain bacterial groups. Higher levels of Fusobacteria and Spirochaetota, for example, tracked closely with disrupted sleep. Healthy spouses began to show increased levels of these microbes after six months.



One especially interesting find was that a bacterium called Dialister - belonging to the Firmicutes family - was more abundant in women than men. 



This suggests that women may absorb and reflect microbial changes more intensely than their male counterparts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-couples-might-share-depression">Couples might share depression </h2>



Scientists have long known that couples synchronize in fascinating ways. They may mirror each other’s heart rates, align their sleep cycles, or even exhibit similar cortisol rhythms. 



This new research suggests that oral bacteria may form another point of connection, influencing depression among couples.



The study discusses “social closeness” as a factor in microbial exchange. This refers not just to physical proximity but emotional bonds that enable deeper contact. 



The closer the relationship, the more likely it becomes for microbial and emotional states to influence one another.



This may explain why couples often seem to echo each other’s mental states over time. Depression and anxiety could ripple through households, not just via conversations and behaviors, but via silent bacterial messengers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mood-and-bacteria-in-newlyweds">Mood and bacteria in newlyweds</h2>



This research was conducted with care. The team excluded any participants taking antibiotics, pregnant women, or couples that had separated during the study period. 



Oral samples were collected from the palatine tonsils and throat. The DNA was extracted and sequenced using industry-standard protocols.



Participants provided samples at the start and again six months later. Cortisol was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. 



Statistical analyses included logistic regression, correlation testing, and microbial diversity evaluation. All procedures followed ethical guidelines set by the Iran National Science Foundation.



Despite these strengths, the researchers acknowledge limitations. They only collected morning saliva, didn’t account for shared dietary changes, and relied on self-reported mental health scores. Still, the trends they uncovered were consistent and compelling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



One implication is clear: emotional health within a couple may be more interconnected than we realized. Traditionally, doctors treat individuals. 



But this study raises the possibility that treating both partners may be more effective when mental health symptoms appear in one.



The study references animal research that supports this view. Transferring gut bacteria from depressed mice into healthy ones produced depressive behaviors. Similarly, probiotics have improved sleep and mood in mice exposed to stress. 



The findings suggest that microbial environments might trigger emotional shifts, at least under certain conditions.



“Fecal microbiota-induced insomnia and depression-like behaviors in mice can be alleviated by microbiota-modulating probiotics,” wrote the researchers.



If this effect translates to humans, we may need to rethink mental health therapy - not just for individuals, but for families.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-holistic-medicine">Future of holistic medicine</h2>



This study hints at larger networks. The oral microbiome is linked to both the gut and ocular microbiomes. 



People suffering from dry eye syndrome, for example, often have depression or anxiety. These conditions may share more than emotional roots - they may share microbial ones.



Such overlaps suggest that personalized medicine could one day include microbiome mapping. Couples might receive probiotic therapies together or undergo screenings that look at bacterial harmony in addition to emotional wellness.



This idea aligns with the goals of predictive and personalized care. If bacterial shifts can predict emotional changes, then we might have a new tool for early diagnosis and intervention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-love-health-and-invisible-influence">Love, health, and invisible influence</h2>



Relationships, as it turns out, are not just a merging of hearts. They're also a merging of ecosystems. When one partner carries the emotional burden of depression or anxiety, the other may feel it not just psychologically, but biologically.



This research does not suggest people should avoid relationships with depressed partners. Instead, it encourages a more compassionate and scientifically informed view of mental health. 



If bacterial imbalances contribute to emotional distress, then treating those imbalances could offer hope.



Future studies will need to confirm whether these effects are causal. But if they are, they could shift how we define and support emotional health - not only in individuals, but in the shared space between them.



In the end, couples may influence each other in ways we’re only beginning to understand - and some of those influences might be microscopic.



The study is published in the journal in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2472-0712/ERHM-2025-00013" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine</a>.



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Some common mental disorders may be contagious, transmitted by kissing

Relationships are often described as the merging of two lives...

The air around us isn’t empty. It carries molecules, gases, and invisible particles that interact with everything they touch - including us. 



Scientists have long known that humans emit chemicals and react with the air around them. But a new discovery adds depth to that understanding. It turns out that when we apply perfume or lotion, we may be changing our personal airspace more than we realize.



This discovery comes from a detailed international study led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.mpg.de/institutes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute</a>, Penn State, and other institutions. 



The study reveals how common personal care products disturb the “human oxidation field” - a kind of protective chemical zone that forms around people indoors. And its disruption could have consequences for both health and indoor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/home-fragrances-impact-indoor-air-quality-and-the-health-risks-are-alarming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air</a> quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-our-bodies-create-a-chemical-barrier">Our bodies create a chemical barrier</h2>



When people are indoors, their bodies interact with ozone - a common air <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-fryers-crowned-the-least-polluting-kitchen-appliance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollutant</a> that comes in from the outside. This interaction produces highly reactive molecules called hydroxyl radicals, or OH.



These radicals react with pollutants, helping neutralize them in the air close to the skin and in the breathing zone.



“Think of people as candlelight, our body temperature is typically the warmest thing in the indoor environment,” said Donghyun Rim, associate professor at <a href="https://www.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a>. This warmth draws air inward, allowing chemical reactions to happen close to the body. 



The reactions form an invisible but vital air-cleaning layer called the human oxidation field, which reduces the chances of breathing in harmful ozone and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nanoplastics-can-alter-the-course-of-antibiotics-within-our-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollutants</a>. But personal care products like lotions and perfumes interfere with this protective process.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lotion-reduces-the-air-cleaning-field">Lotion reduces the air-cleaning field</h2>



Volunteers in the study sat in a special chamber with and without applying lotion. The lotion they used was unscented and contained linoleic acid and phenoxyethanol, a common preservative.



The findings were striking. With ozone in the room, applying lotion caused a 170% spike in OH reactivity. That led to a 140% drop in OH concentration near the skin.



Phenoxyethanol, a volatile component in the lotion, absorbed many of the radicals. It became the main reason for the increased OH loss. 



The lotion also diluted skin oils, reducing the availability of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-buildings-used-passive-cooling-methods-to-reduce-heat-with-out-air-conditioning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compounds</a> like squalene that normally produce OH radicals when reacting with ozone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-perfume-hits-the-air-shield-quickly">Perfume hits the air shield quickly</h2>



The fragrance used in the test was a popular unisex scent dominated by ethanol and monoterpenes. Ethanol, which made up more than 99% of the gas-phase emissions, suppressed the OH field quickly.



Shortly after volunteers sprayed the fragrance on their hands, ethanol and monoterpenes spiked near their heads - up to 10 times the surrounding air levels.



This led to a sharp drop in OH levels - an 86% loss - though the effect didn’t last long. As ethanol evaporated quickly, the indoor air started to recover.



When both products were used together, their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activities-are-weakening-earths-air-circulation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effects</a> added up. Fragrances caused an immediate disruption. Lotions extended the impact over time.



Ethanol and phenoxyethanol released into the air followed the body’s thermal plume. Concentrations stayed highest near the face and chest. That means the breathing zone - the air you actually inhale - was most affected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lotion-compounds-alter-the-air">Lotion compounds alter the air</h2>



Hydroxyl radicals clean indoor air. But if personal care products remove them, pollutants stay longer. They can transform into new chemicals that stick around and get into your lungs.



The study also modeled real-world impacts. It showed that lotion and fragrance users emit more reactive compounds. These alter the surrounding air in ways that may affect other people in the same room.



Children and people with asthma may be especially vulnerable. Some chemical reactions produce tiny airborne particles that penetrate deep into the lungs. 



These secondary products can also form sticky films on surfaces, adding to indoor exposure through skin contact or dust.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-personal-care-indoors">Rethinking personal care indoors</h2>



Even fragrance-free products can change indoor chemistry. The lotion used in this study had no added scent, yet it still disrupted the air's oxidation field. That’s because compounds like phenoxyethanol and fatty acids still react with ozone.



Commercial perfumes are even more potent because of their ethanol content. While essential oils like linalool also react, their effects are smaller if no ethanol is present.



This research raises important questions. Indoor air quality isn’t just about what we spray in the air. It’s also about what we wear on our skin.



Understanding how our products change the chemistry around us may lead to better indoor air standards. It may also influence future product formulations. Until then, a lotion or spritz of perfume might be doing more than you think.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads7908" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Perfume and lotion disrupt body's natural air cleaning system 

The air around us isn’t empty. It carries molecules, gases,...

This is not your father’s Kawasaki. And it’s definitely not your great-grandfather’s horse. Kawasaki recently previewed a mechanical, horse-like creature at the <a href="https://www.japan.travel/en/expo2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Osaka-Kansai Expo</a>. 



Known as CORLEO, it relies on a hydrogen engine to strut across tough terrain, offering a different view of Japan’s clean-energy goals.



Seen walking on four metal legs, this technological marvel sparked many questions about blending robotics with sustainable power.



<a href="https://www.ece.cmu.edu/directory/bios/Shinji%20Watanabe.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Shinji Watanabe</a> from Kawasaki's Advanced Robotics Division noted that this concept is still in its infancy. The design pulls ideas from video games, mixing the look of a panther with the carriage of a military stallion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-corleo-rides-on-ai-and-hydrogen">CORLEO rides on AI and hydrogen</h2>



CORLEO’s 150 cubic-centimeter engine runs on hydrogen, which produces only water as its byproduct. That detail lines up with growing national interest in lowering <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1190" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon emissions</a> through next-generation energy.



“<a href="https://www.khi.co.jp/expo2025/concept01/index_en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The vehicle is beginner-friendly</a>,” Kawasaki claims. His statement hints at a vehicle that moves according to body shifts instead of complicated controls. 



Weight-based steering is meant to feel closer to horseback riding than operating a typical motorcycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-four-legs-make-corleo-different">Four legs make CORLEO different</h2>



Unlike typical motorcycles, this machine doesn’t rely on two wheels or treads. Its four-limbed frame steps one foot at a time, guided by an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/using-artificial-intelligence-ai-to-make-quantum-computers-reality/">artificial intelligence</a> system that adapts to dips and rises in the path.



The motion is reminiscent of large animals, though Kawasaki’s approach tries to merge mechanical precision with a natural gait. Bifurcated hooves with rubber pads help it tackle bumpy roads and even rocky hills.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concept-vs-real-world-use">Concept vs. real-world use</h2>



At the expo, CORLEO mostly showed off its ability to stand and shift positions. The promise of galloping at high speed is still far off.



The timeline for any large-scale production is unclear, though Kawasaki has said it hopes to see real-world use before 2050. The video teased at the event was computer-generated, so the actual leaps remain hypothetical.



Some watchers might think this concept is just for show. Yet it hints at more serious <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7758092" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robotic</a> efforts across Japan, including cargo carriers and <a href="https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/dam/jcr:49a7b802-a891-4393-ade2-36dce8aa56ca/JFR15_Majdik.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rescue machines</a> that benefit from walking mechanisms.



The capacity to navigate uneven terrain could be a game-changer in remote areas. A system that requires no heavy batteries and only outputs water may eventually help reduce pollution in pristine locations.



Kawasaki isn’t alone in dreaming up a rideable animal-like robot. <a href="https://www.xpeng.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">XPeng</a> from China introduced smaller quadrupeds styled as a unicorn and a pony, though their designs target younger riders.



For grown adults seeking a futuristic mount, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-hydrogen-reserves-discovered-beneath-earths-mountains/">hydrogen</a> power brings more torque and range than many battery-based approaches. Still, the gap between entertaining concept and everyday transport is huge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-corleo">What's next for CORLEO?</h2>



CORLEO might overshadow other projects in Kawasaki’s robotics division, but the company has a long history in industrial automation. 



Its CL series robots handle demanding tasks like welding and heavy lifting in factories across the globe.



Balancing that practical side with a sleek consumer-facing creation is part of a broader trend. Machines that look more animal than robot might appear in theme parks, tourism, or even specialized military roles someday.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/kawasaki_CORLEO_horse-robot_hydrogen-powered_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/kawasaki_CORLEO_horse-robot_hydrogen-powered_1s.webp" alt="Kawasaki’s revolutionary off-road personal mobility vehicle, CORLEO, offers excellent all-terrain capability, powered by four robotic legs, together with the handling and stability of Kawasaki’s motorcycles. While preserving the joy of riding, the vehicle continually monitors the rider’s movements to achieve a reassuring sense of unity between human and machine. Credit: Kawasaki" class="wp-image-1971297"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kawasaki’s revolutionary off-road personal mobility vehicle, CORLEO, offers excellent all-terrain capability, powered by four robotic legs, together with the handling and stability of Kawasaki’s motorcycles. While preserving the joy of riding, the vehicle continually monitors the rider’s movements to achieve a reassuring sense of unity between human and machine. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Kawasaki</figcaption></figure>



CORLEO stands as a bold demonstration of what hydrogen-based designs might achieve if the core technology matures. 



It could one day march through rocky trails and mountain paths with no carbon footprint, though for now, it remains an ambitious prototype.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydrogen-combined-with-ai">Hydrogen combined with AI</h2>



Japan has poured resources into fueling stations, aiming to power buses and trucks with cleaner energy. Some experts see <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-natural-hydrogen-deposit-discovery-is-worth-a-staggering-184-billion/">hydrogen</a> adoption as a way to stabilize electricity demand, although high production costs remain a sticking point.



Commercial success hinges on robust infrastructure and accessible refueling sites. Without enough stations, even the best hydrogen engine could stall in terms of widespread acceptance.



Many robotics labs incorporate advanced <a href="https://www.jmlr.org/papers/volume17/15-522/15-522.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algorithms</a> to help machines plan routes and respond to sudden shifts in their environment. CORLEO’s system may follow the same path, using sensors to adjust each footfall in real time.



That kind of intelligence allows the machine to assess whether a slope is safe or if it should slow down. It might also enable future versions to detect obstacles like fallen branches or ditches before taking a step.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-on-the-horizon">Challenges on the horizon</h2>



Hydrogen <a href="https://acris.aalto.fi/ws/portalfiles/portal/61225644/ENG_Elberry_et_al_Large_scale_compresssed_hydrogen_storage_International_Journal_of_Hydrogen_Energy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storage</a> involves high pressures or super-cold temperatures, which can raise costs and complexity for consumer vehicles. 



AI-driven controls also demand significant processing power, pushing companies to refine hardware that can handle heavy computation without draining too much energy.



There is also the issue of public perception. A mechanical horse may intrigue some, but others may find it too futuristic to trust on busy roads or remote trails. It marks a bold early milestone in hydrogen-driven innovation.&nbsp;



Click here to <a href="https://youtu.be/vQDhzbTz-9k" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watch a video of CORLEO in action...</a>



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Kawasaki unveils a robotic horse that gallops using hydrogen fuel and artificial intelligence

This is not your father’s Kawasaki. And it’s definitely not...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" 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> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" 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 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

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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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"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

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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

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" 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 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

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

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