Ask yourself this: when was the last time you felt truly at peace, not just amused or entertained, but deeply rooted in who you are? A new study suggests that spending more time in nature may play a bigger role in that feeling than we assume.



That deeper layer has a name in psychology - <a href="https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_929" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eudaimonic well-being</a>. It is about purpose, self-acceptance, growth, and relationships. It sticks.



Does nature help with that? The short answer is a resounding "yes." Not only can nature boost your mood for an hour; it can also give you a clearer sense of self that lasts. 



This study examined that question and returned with an answer that feels both refreshing and practical.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-time-and-eudaimonic-well-being">Nature time and eudaimonic well-being</h2>



Researchers invited people in Turku, Finland, to share how the outdoors shows up in their real lives. 



First, 158 residents answered questions about time in nature and how their lives felt in terms of purpose, self-acceptance, growth, relationships, autonomy, and life management. 



Then, 20 people joined creative writing workshops to describe, in their own words, how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-forest-bathing-fresh-breath-for-teen-mental-health/">natural world shapes them</a>. The team paired numbers with stories to capture both patterns and personal depth.



“We wanted to explore how nature supports people's self-acceptance, purpose of life, positive relationships, autonomy, personal growth and agency, as well as life management," explains Joha Järekari, Doctoral Researcher at the <a href="https://www.utu.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Turku</a>.



"This is called eudaimonic well-being and it can be considered in contrast to <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hedonism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hedonism</a>: whereas hedonism focuses on short-term pleasures, eudaimonia delves into longer and deeper well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-time-evokes-deep-feelings">Nature time evokes deep feelings</h2>



The study focused on two groups: ages 15 to 24 and adults over 60. Different life stages bring different needs. 



Yet a clear theme showed up in both: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/virtual-forest-bathing-can-reduce-stress-and-improve-mood/">nature felt nonjudgmental</a>. Trees do not judge. Water does not grade them. That sense of relief made room for honesty.



“Although there were some differences between the different age groups in how they spent time in nature and in what kinds of places, they also had many shared experiences," Järekari noted.



"What both age groups had in common was, among other things, a feeling that nature does not judge or criticize, which had a positive effect on the participants' self-acceptance."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choices-and-belonging">Choices and belonging</h2>



Participants described two kinds of connection. One was inward. Time outside - on a trail, beside water, in a garden - made it easier to hear their own values and act on them. 



The other was outward. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-scents-linked-to-improved-health-and-well-being/">Being outdoors</a> helped people feel closer to friends and family, and also widened their sense of community to include birds, trees, and other living things. 



That broader bond pointed toward meaning, not just good moods.



“Spending time and being active in nature brought to the surface what was really important to the participants in their lives," Järekari describes.



"This increased people's agency and autonomy and had a positive impact on personal growth. The participants reported that it was easier to get in touch with oneself, with other people, and with other species."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factoring-in-age-and-experience">Factoring in age and experience</h2>



Older adults often talked about shared moments with grandchildren and unhurried walks, the kind that leave room for quiet. 



Some mentioned <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/religious-leaders-tried-psilocybin-and-it-changed-their-lives/">moments of spirituality</a>, a quiet awareness of being part of something larger than themselves. 



Younger people leaned on the outdoors for healthy solitude. They could be alone without feeling lonely, or with friends without filling every second with conversation. Different routes, same endpoint: a more authentic self.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-worry-creeps-in">When worry creeps in</h2>



The picture was not perfect. Many participants, especially younger ones, felt the weight of environmental damage. 



Worry about climate change often chipped away at that comfort. Shame showed up too, a feeling of being part of the problem just by being human.



“However, this feeling grew stronger when participants noticed the visible effects of the ecological crisis on their surroundings," Järekari continued.



"Many young people also described a sense of shame about being part of the problem, so to speak, by being part of humanity, which challenged their self-acceptance."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-time-goes-deep">Nature time goes deep</h2>



Plenty of research shows that green space can lower stress and help attention bounce back. This work points to something deeper: <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0329411" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">identity-level effects</a> that unfold over time. 



It suggests that nature is not just a reset button. It is a steady setting where people practice being who they want to be.



“Our research unlocks the impact of nature on people's well-being on a deeper level than stress relief or positive emotions," Järekari emphasizes.



"Connection to nature is important to us on an identity level and often shapes our lives in ways that aren’t immediately obvious, but become clearer over time."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eudaimonic-well-being-in-society">Eudaimonic well-being in society</h2>



Design choices of public spaces matter. If we judge parks only by how many joggers they attract, we miss a big part of their value. 



People need quiet corners, meandering paths, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-the-critical-role-of-nature-in-human-well-being/">benches under trees</a>. Those places support reflection, relationships, and responsibility - features, not extras.



“It is important to encourage a deeper public discussion about the meaning of nature in people’s lives," adds Salla Eilola, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Turku. 



"Consequently, these issues could also be taken into account in decision-making and, for example, in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adn3028" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban planning</a>, where nature still often unfortunately has to give way to built environment," 



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



You do not need a dramatic plan to make this real. Pick a nearby spot and go there on a regular day, not just on the best day. Let your mind settle and see what values bubble up. 



If you spend time with kids or elders, choose slow routes that welcome pauses. Put phones aside. Short, steady moments count.



None of this turns a park into a productivity tool. It simply gives you space to notice what matters and act on it. 



That's the heart of eudaimonic well-being, and nature offers a simple doorway - whether it is a patch of grass, a line of trees, or a stretch of water.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pan3.70104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">People and Nature</a>.



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Walking through a forest can reshape who you are and bring inner peace, according to science

Ask yourself this: when was the last time you felt truly at peace, not just amused or entertained, but deeply rooted in who you are? A new study suggests that spending more time in nature may play a bigger role in that feeling than we assume. That deeper layer has a name in psychology - eudaimonic well-being. It is about purpose, self-acceptance, growth, and relationships. It sticks. Does nature help with that? The short answer is a resounding "yes." Not only can nature boost your mood for...

A short, self-guided program built around everyday contact with nature reports meaningful gains in mood and stress after just four weeks. It is simple by design and aimed at adults with low wellbeing who want help they can start today.



The approach is called Roots and Shoots. It pairs at-home reflections with brief outdoor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-nature-conservation-day-2025-a-healthy-future-for-all/">activities</a> near where people live, adding light digital support for those who want it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-helps-improve-mental-health">Nature helps improve mental health</h2>



The study was led by <a href="https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/24356-matt-owens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Matt Owens</a> at the University of Exeter, with Clinical Psychologist <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Hannah-L-I-Bunce-2217974973" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Hannah L. I. Bunce</a>, co-founders of the <a href="https://www.rowantree.uk/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ROWAN</a> nature and mental health research group.



Researchers across psychology, public health, and ecology have <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31355340/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">linked</a> time in natural settings with improved attention, mood, and stress biology, forming a coherent picture of benefits to mental health. 



<a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1807504116" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evidence</a> extends across the life course, with large cohort work suggesting childhood access to greenspace predicts a lower risk of several psychiatric disorders in adulthood.



The adult intervention literature has moved from anecdotes to trials. 



A comprehensive <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34646931/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> finds nature-based interventions such as green exercise, gardening, and forest therapy improve mental health outcomes in adults, often with practical sessions of 20 to 90 minutes several times per week.



Prescribed contact with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/">nature</a>, from park walks to blue space visits, has also shown benefits for symptoms of depression and blood pressure in randomized and quasi-experimental <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/piis2542-5196%2823%2900025-6/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-program-activities">Nature program activities</h2>



<a href="https://rootsandshoots.org/resources/roots-shoots-formula-toolkit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roots and Shoots is a printed guidebook</a> organized into six short sections that unfold over four weeks. It introduces the science of nature and wellbeing, then leads people through simple tracking of time in nature, mood, and values-based actions.



Core tools include a habit wheel for building small, repeatable moments <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-has-its-own-internet-and-were-only-beginning-to-understand-it/">outdoors</a>, a coping tool to swap unhelpful routines for neutral ones, and a honeycomb challenge to notice different kinds of nature contact. 



Brief meditations and breathing exercises are available online, supporting practice when getting outside is hard.



The study used a randomised controlled trial design. Adults with low wellbeing were assigned either to start the program or to a waitlist control and completed measures at baseline, two weeks, and four weeks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-program-results">Nature program results</h2>



On the primary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-the-critical-role-of-nature-in-human-well-being/">outcome of wellbeing</a>, the intervention group improved more than the waitlist group across four weeks, with a large effect size by the study end. The design was remote and light touch, yet the signal was clear. 



Eighty-two percent of program completers made reliable improvements in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mutual-relationships-with-nature-offer-hope-for-a-sustainable-future/">wellbeing</a>, and 59 percent met the threshold for clinically significant change. None showed deterioration.



Average scores on anxiety and depression started in the clinical range and shifted below caseness by week four.



Effects were medium for anxiety and small for depressive symptoms. Engagement and acceptability were high. Ninety four percent of those who finished said they would recommend the guidebook to a friend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practicing-the-program-daily">Practicing the program daily</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-nature-heals-outdoor-activities-greatly-improve-mental-health/">Nature time</a> is not treated as a luxury. It is framed as a small, daily behavior that can sit alongside existing routines and responsibilities.



The psychological ingredients are familiar and low cost. People practice mindfulness, track mood, write briefly, and connect actions to values that matter to them.



The program avoids all-or-nothing goals. It welcomes brief, nearby, and accessible encounters with trees, water, or sky, and includes virtual nature options when needed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-matters-for-care">Why this matters for care</h2>



Self-help options can play a useful role when services are stretched and stigma or logistics make formal care harder to access. They also give people a way to start while they wait for more intensive support if needed.



Mental health problems <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-06/MHF-Investing-in-Prevention-Report-Summary.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cost</a> the UK economy an estimated 118 billion pounds per year, about 5 percent of GDP, which makes low-cost, scalable options worth testing carefully. 



A month-long guidebook that people can complete without appointments or travel is inexpensive to deliver at scale.



The team emphasizes that a booklet is not a substitute for clinical care in crisis. It is an early step that can help many people feel and function better while easing pressure on services.



Health systems increasingly look for stepped care and preventive options. If confirmed in larger trials, a short nature guide could sit at step 1 or step 2 and augment therapy as homework after higher-intensity care.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-program-in-science">Nature program in science</h2>



“We have developed a self-help package that uses principles from both clinical psychology and nature research to empower individuals to spend more time in nature, rediscover their relationship with natural environments and improve their wellbeing,” said Dr. Owens.



Several streams of evidence propose why nature contact helps. Attention restoration, stress recovery, and social connection are all plausible, testable mechanisms.



Recent reviews point to dose and variety as practical levers. Short, regular sessions in green or blue spaces appear better than rare marathons, and mixing settings may matter as much as time logged.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-near-major-roads-increases-dementia-risk/">Urban living</a> need not be a barrier. Street trees, pocket parks, and canal paths can be enough to practice the habits described in the guide, especially when paired with brief indoor or virtual nature for consistency.



The structure here is the quiet shift. A light-touch plan that invites repeated, low-effort contact with nearby nature can build momentum without demanding free afternoons or long travel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-for-this-nature-program">Next steps for this nature program</h2>



This was a pilot, so the next step is a larger, fully powered trial that tests durability, mechanisms, and who benefits most. Duration is an open question, since many participants said they would welcome a longer version.



Precision also matters. Some people may respond most to habit building outdoors, while others change more through mindfulness or values work.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/8/1096" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Behavioral Sciences</a>.



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Simple and self-guided nature program quickly improves mood and reduces stress

A short, self-guided program built around everyday contact with nature...

Creative,Art,Brain,Explodes,With,Paints,With,Splashes,On,A

Have you ever tried tossing a handful of balls in the air and keeping track of each one at once? No matter how hard you focus, at least one will slip from your mind. 



Researchers say this challenge reveals the surprising limits of human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-power-of-imagination-in-climate-change-adaptation/">imagination</a>, as a recent study shows we can only follow two moving objects at the same time.



The team drew inspiration from a process that enables tracking multiple moving objects simultaneously, known as the Multiple Object Tracking (<a href="https://jov.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2801105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MOT</a>) paradigm. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-far-can-human-imagination-go">How far can human imagination go?</h2>



Researchers took the concept of "mental simulation" to design a new study, despite knowing that we do not always engage in simulation. And if we do, there are limitations to it.



They wanted to test whether people could imagine the future path of more than one moving object at a time, or whether we are limited to just one.



Previous studies on mental imagery have already shown that the more objects we add to our "mental screen," the harder it becomes. It will also impair our precision in making judgments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-for-answers-with-iot">Searching for answers with IOT</h2>



But still, this study does not answer the question: how many such objects can be imagined at once? To answer this, scientists developed an experiment called the Imagined Objects Tracking (IOT) task.



Participants were asked first to watch animated scenes where objects moved across the screen until paused. Then they were told to imagine the movement of these objects and judge the timing of different outcomes.



Interestingly, the researchers focused on timing rather than the location of the objects. 



They then compared the performance of the participants with two <a href="https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/computational-modeling" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">computational models</a> that reflect different ideas on how the brain simulates moving objects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-we-imagine-one-or-many">Do we imagine one or many?</h2>



The first was a parallel model, which assumes people can track multiple moving objects at the same time. The second was a serial model, which assumes that people track just one object at a time. 



After simulating one, they will switch to the next object. It predicts that when more objects are added, imagination slows down. 



Scientists noted the possibility of different subtypes of the serial model. For example, people might imagine the movement of one object for several steps, then switch to another, alternating back and forth.



At first, this seemed more reasonable, but it still did not fit all the data.



Then they thought of an approach that mixes both serial and parallel models, an interleaved model. But its predictions did not match either of the approaches, and were completely different from what the participants did.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-results">Unexpected results</h2>



When scientists tested the participants' actual performance with their models, the result was surprising. Neither the serial, parallel, nor interleaved models provided a thorough explanation of what was happening.&nbsp;



Instead, they found that people could only follow about two moving objects simultaneously in their imagination. This points to the bottleneck in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278262625000752" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental simulation</a>.



"We set out to test the capacity limits of the imagination, and we found that it was one," said co-author Tomer D. Ullman, associate professor in the Department of Psychology at <a href="https://www.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a>.



Unlike our eyes, which can visually track multiple objects at once, our imagination seems to hit a hard limit. When forced to imagine numerous objects in motion, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/">brain</a> struggles, affecting the accuracy.



So why does our imagination struggle to keep up? Prior research offers some clues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-brain-tracks-unseen-objects">How the brain tracks unseen objects</h2>



We often make vague calculations to track multiple objects in motion when they are in front of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-space-travel-affect-eye-health/">eyes</a>. But what if the objects are no longer visible?



In that case, we imagine them continuing to move in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/starfish-are-apparently-one-big-head-crawling-on-seafloor-with-no-body-needed/">head</a>. Tracking an object does not simply stop when it crosses out of sight. The real question was, what is the actual limit?



Scientists still debate the mechanism by which the brain tracks unseen objects. Evidence from the MOT paradigm suggests that we do not always imagine the exact <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/trajectory-data" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trajectories</a> or paths of moving objects.&nbsp;



Instead, we might rely on heuristics, meaning quick mental shortcuts or assumptions. For example, we might assume that an unseen ball rolling across a table continues in a straight line at a constant speed.



Others propose that some of us use "mental simulation", where we track the path of the moving object step by step in our imagination. This approach has been helpful to explain how people think about the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022460X23004698" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamics</a> of moving objects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-impact-of-human-imagination">Real-world impact of human imagination</h2>



The researchers concluded that our ability to simulate moving objects is limited. This suggests that human imagination works best when handling one or two dynamic elements at a time.&nbsp;



This has implications for understanding not only visual imagination but also how people plan, predict, and make decisions in dynamic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-2025-plastic-pollution-is-choking-our-planet/">environments</a>.



In other words, human imagination eventually lets some slip, reminding us that even our mental stage has boundaries.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-61021-8#Ack1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Surprising limits of human imagination revealed by science

Have you ever tried tossing a handful of balls in...

When puberty or childbirth happens early, it can affect health for life. Buck Institute researchers found that girls who start menstruating before age 11 or women who give birth before 21 face higher risks. Their chances of developing type 2 diabetes, obesity, or heart failure nearly double. 



The risk of serious metabolic problems can even quadruple. On the other hand, women who experience puberty or childbirth later often live longer and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-risks-rise-with-heat-and-smoke-exposure/">age</a> more slowly. They also show lower rates of diseases like Alzheimer’s.



Study senior author Dr. Pankaj Kapahi, a professor at the <a href="https://www.buckinstitute.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buck Institute</a>, believes this matters for everyday healthcare.



“Even though women are routinely asked about their menstrual and childbirth history when they receive medical care, this information has rarely factored into the care they receive outside of OB/GYN,” said Dr. Kapahi. 



"These risk factors, whether positive or negative, clearly have significant influence on a variety of age-related diseases and should be considered in the larger context of overall health.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-puberty-and-childbirth-linked-to-aging">Puberty and childbirth linked to aging</h2>



The team studied genetic data from almost 200,000 women in the UK Biobank. They found more than 150 genetic markers linked to reproductive timing. 



Many of these markers fall into pathways that control growth and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-can-alter-an-unborn-babys-immune-system/">aging</a>. These pathways regulate how the body handles energy, nutrients, and stress.



“Many of these markers are involved in well-known longevity pathways, such as IGF-1, growth hormone, AMPK and mTOR signaling, key regulators of metabolism and aging,” noted Yifan Xiang, MD, the postdoctoral fellow who led the work.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-childbirth-speeds-aging">Early childbirth speeds aging</h2>



Evolution cares most about survival and reproduction. That focus comes with tradeoffs. 



“Our study provides some of the strongest human evidence for this theory. We show that genetic factors favoring early reproduction come with the significant cost later in life including accelerated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-secrets-of-a-modern-miracle-how-pregnancy-evolved/">aging</a> and disease," noted Dr. Kapahi. 



"It makes sense that the very factors that help enhance survival of the offspring may lead to detrimental consequences for the mother."



This supports the antagonistic pleiotropy theory. Traits that help early in life can become harmful with age. 



Another idea, the disposable soma theory, also fits here. It suggests the body uses resources for reproduction at the expense of repair. Over time, that choice speeds up aging.



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



Body Mass Index (BMI) plays a big role in this process. Women with early puberty or childbirth tend to have higher BMI later. That extra weight then drives up the risk for diabetes, heart failure, and even cancer. 



"One can envisage that enhancing the ability to absorb nutrients would benefit the offspring but if nutrients are plentiful then it can enhance the risk of obesity and diabetes," said Dr. Kapahi.



This pattern makes sense in the context of history. In times of food scarcity, storing energy meant survival. In today’s world, with food everywhere, the same trait can backfire.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-should-guide-healthcare">Timing should guide healthcare</h2>



The research shows that reproductive timing should matter in medical care. Early puberty or childbirth could serve as a signal for earlier screenings and lifestyle support. 



Dr. Kapahi noted that girls in the US are starting menstruation earlier - about three months sooner per decade since the 1970s. No single cause explains this, but obesity may play a part.



Current research methods may also need to adapt. Many experiments use virgin female mice as models, which may not reflect real-world patterns of aging in women who reproduce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-tradeoffs-shape-future-health">Genetic tradeoffs shape future health</h2>



“If evolution has shaped us to prioritize early reproduction at the cost of aging, how can we leverage this knowledge to extend healthspan in modern society?"



"While we cannot change our genetic inheritance, understanding these genetic tradeoffs empowers us to make informed choices about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/doctors-warn-that-pregnancy-risks-double-for-women-aged-45-and-up/">health</a>, lifestyle and medical care,” said Dr. Kapahi.



The study also points to genetic pathways that might one day be targeted to improve health for mothers and children alike. What helped us survive in the past may harm us now, but awareness gives us tools to act differently.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/102447" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eLife</a>.



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Early puberty linked to higher long-term aging risks

When puberty or childbirth happens early, it can affect health...

Researchers at Scripps explored a compound present in rosemary that may protect the brain and slow Alzheimer's disease progression. This memory-boosting reputation is not new. Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet even says, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance."



Rosemary oil and infused water are popular natural remedies for promoting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-hidden-stem-cells-that-could-reactivate-hair-growth/">hair growth</a> and maintaining scalp health. Social media trends have only added to this herb's popularity.&nbsp;



Native to the Mediterranean and a member of the <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/7/1182" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sage</a> family, rosemary has always been more than just a kitchen spice. 



Researchers found that the herb is packed with health benefits, from fighting inflammation to supporting the body's defense mechanism.



Rosemary has long been known as a "memory herb." In ancient Greece and Rome, scholars and students believed that it could improve their concentration and <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/4-ways-to-improve-focus-and-memory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a>, and used it especially during exams.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rosemary-compound-protects-the-brain">Rosemary compound protects the brain</h2>



The secret lies in the herb's natural compounds, particularly <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/carnosic-acid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carnosic acid</a>. It is a beneficial plant compound, known as a phytochemical, found in rosemary. It has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.



Carnosic acid activates enzymes responsible for immunity and protects the brain from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-disease-attacks-the-brain-in-two-separate-phases/">Alzheimer's disease</a>. However, pure carnosic acid, on its own, is too unstable to be used directly as a drug.



To solve this, scientists developed a stable version called diAcCA. Before being completely absorbed into the blood, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40227330/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diAcCA</a> is converted to carnosic acid in the gut. 



Researchers found that, once in the brain, carnosic acid promoted more connections between nerve cells, a sign linked to better memory.&nbsp;



Tissue analysis showed that carnosic acid reduced brain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/">inflammation</a>. Even more, it reduced harmful proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain condition leading to memory loss and impaired thinking skills.



This research highlights rosemary's potential as more than a culinary herb. It could be a key player in future Alzheimer's therapies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-working-alongside-existing-alzheimer-s-drugs">Working alongside existing Alzheimer's drugs</h2>



<a href="https://www.scripps.edu/faculty/lipton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stuart Lipton</a>, M.D, Ph.D, the Step Family Foundation Endowed Chair at Scripps Research and a clinical neurologist in La Jolla, California, is the senior author of the study.



"We also took down other misfolded or aggregated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-type-of-flour-contains-more-protein-than-meat-and-eggs-crickets/">proteins</a> such as phosphorylated-tau and amyloid-β, which are thought to trigger Alzheimer's disease and serve as biomarkers of the disease process," he said.



Another interesting finding is that the drug was only activated in places where there was inflammation, leaving healthy tissues unaffected. This explains why it is safe and has fewer <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/side-effect" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">side effects</a>. 



Studies further revealed that the body absorbed about 20 percent more carnosic acid from diAcCA than from regular carnosic acid. "diAcCA produces more carnosic acid in the blood than if you took carnosic acid itself," Lipton explained.



Lipton suggests that diAcCA could be used in combination with current Alzheimer's treatments. "It could make existing amyloid antibody treatments work better by taking away or limiting their side effects," he said.



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



While drug development continues, rosemary itself may already influence the brain in surprising ways.



For starters, the herb may help improve blood circulation. Better circulation could allow more nutrients and oxygen to reach the brain, potentially supporting mental clarity.



Research also shows the calming effects of the herb. When its <a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/aromatherapy-overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aroma</a> is inhaled, it can ease anxiety and improve sleep. Reduced stress leads to sharper focus and better memory retention.



On a chemical level, rosemary contains a compound called 1,8-cineole, also known as eucalyptol, which slows down the breakdown of acetylcholine. 



This brain chemical is essential for learning and memory, and when preserved, rosemary may help support cognitive performance.



The benefits do not stop there. Rosemary is also rich in antioxidants, which protect nerve cells from oxidative stress and may reduce aging-related cognitive decline.&nbsp;



Together, these mechanisms reveal why rosemary has carried its reputation as a memory aid for centuries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-path-for-alzheimer-s-treatment">New path for Alzheimer's treatment</h2>



Alzheimer's disease is a leading cause of dementia. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.&nbsp;



Current treatments slow symptoms but do not cure the disease. That is why the discovery of diAcCA is so significant.&nbsp;



Lipton hopes to move the drug quickly into clinical trials. Beyond Alzheimer's, researchers believe diAcCA may also treat other conditions related to inflammation, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and Parkinson's disease.



If successful, this rosemary-derived compound could change how we approach multiple diseases driven by inflammation. It could offer new possibilities for healthier aging and long-term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/17-best-strategies-to-protect-your-brain-from-stroke-dementia-and-depression/">brain protection</a>.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/3/293" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antioxidants</a>.



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How rosemary supports memory, eases anxiety, and fights Alzheimer's naturally

Researchers at Scripps explored a compound present in rosemary that...

Young,Friends,Having,Barbecue,Picnic,In,The,Nature,,Playing,Guitar,

People who lead more varied social lives tend to perceive their days as a sequence of distinct moments, whereas more isolated people experience time as a single, undifferentiated stretch. 



The new findings suggest that richer social routines are linked to finer “event segmentation,” a basic process the brain uses to turn the stream of life into manageable chunks.



Researchers at <a href="https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Holloway, University of London</a>, tested this idea with a movie-watching experiment and linked the results to measures of everyday variety. 



The study asked 157 young adults to press a button whenever one meaningful moment ended and another began while viewing Alfred Hitchcock’s suspenseful short, Bang! You’re Dead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breaking-life-into-moments">Breaking life into moments</h2>



Participants who reported greater experiential diversity - especially in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/survival-of-the-friendliest-social-animals-live-longer/">social lives</a> - marked more boundaries, indicating a finer-grained parsing of experience. The association held even after accounting for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/practicing-mindfulness-can-quiet-the-noise-of-anxiety/">anxiety</a>, loneliness, and socioeconomic factors.



As our senses take in continuous information, the brain creates “events” so we can remember, plan, and navigate. Event boundaries typically arrive when something important changes: a goal, a place, a character, or an emotion.



People differ in how finely they set those boundaries. The new study shows those differences track with the variety of life outside the lab - and most strongly with social variety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-hitchcock-for-science">Watching Hitchcock for science</h2>



Volunteers watched an eight-minute cut of the Hitchcock film and tapped an on-screen button whenever a meaningful unit ended and a new one began. That simple number - how many boundaries each person perceived - was the key measure.



Separately, participants reported the diversity of their recent social interactions (who they met and how they met them) and the complexity of their recent spatial routines (rooms and places visited, local exploration).



Only the social side consistently predicted finer segmentation. In statistical terms, total experiential diversity correlated with boundary frequency. Social diversity - not spatial diversity - accounted for unique variance when both were considered together.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-life-make-the-difference">Social life make the difference</h2>



The study found that people who had more assorted experiences identified more event boundaries, and their brains were able to consume this and know when one event started and ended.



“This suggests that living a fuller and more varied social life trains our brains to pick up more information around us, and helps to collate the information in a quicker, more digestible way," said lead author Carl Hodgetts from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway.



“It’s not just about traveling to different places, or taking a different route to work each day, but connecting with a wide range of people, which helps us to understand what is happening in our world.”



This pattern fits a broader picture. Social contexts are complex and fast-changing, so frequent engagement may tune the<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-human-brain-create-retrieve-memories-engram-cells-connections/"> brain</a> to notice meaningful shifts. 



These shifts include who’s present, what they intend, and how they feel - and the brain may catch them more quickly and more often.



The team also found that the link between social variety and segmentation was stronger in participants with higher trait anxiety. This suggests that heightened sensitivity to social-emotional cues can amplify the effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-memory-to-well-being">From memory to well-being</h2>



Event segmentation is not just a lab curiosity. It supports how we form <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-brains-use-storage-trick-to-keep-your-memories-in-sequential-order/">episodic memories</a>, plan actions, and move through spaces and social situations.



Finer segmentation has been tied to better recall and navigation in past work, and the new results imply that broader, more varied lives could sharpen those abilities by training the brain’s internal “film editor.”



Crucially, the association remained when the researchers controlled for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-causes-people-to-have-more-nightmares/">loneliness</a> and anxiety, indicating that the objective diversity of one’s experiences - not simply how one feels - relates to how the brain parses ongoing activity.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/social-life_experiential-diversity_life-interpretation_anxiety-levels_credit-iScience_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/social-life_experiential-diversity_life-interpretation_anxiety-levels_credit-iScience_1s.webp" alt="&quot;Individual differences in experiential diversity shape event segmentation granularity,&quot; published in iScience, investigated whether this can be partly explained by the diversity of our everyday experiences." class="wp-image-1982426"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">"Individual differences in experiential diversity shape event segmentation granularity," published in iScience, investigated whether this can be partly explained by the diversity of our everyday experiences.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-cues-under-the-microscope">Social cues under the microscope</h2>



The study relied on self-reports of recent experience and on boundary counts during a single film. It cannot prove causation. Still, the results provide a baseline and a direction for future work.



The team plans to use MRI to test whether brain activity at event boundaries differs depending on the variety of people’s social life. 



They also aim to drill down into which cues - social, spatial, or emotional - most strongly trigger boundaries.



The timing is also relevant. The work took place as UK <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/identifying-new-targets-to-prevent-severe-covid-19/">COVID-19</a> restrictions eased. 



This unusual mix of lingering limits and sudden rebounds in daily variety may have sharpened contrasts across participants. Replication across broader contexts will help establish how general the effect is.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-practical-takeaway"><a></a>A practical takeaway</h2>



You can’t watch Hitchcock all day, but you can widen your social world. The study points to a simple idea with broad appeal. 



More assorted social experiences may help your brain detect the meaningful beats of life as they happen, making the stream of experience easier to digest and remember.



And that may matter as much for everyday functioning as for the science of how minds make sense of busy days.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(25)01395-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Having an active social life helps the brain make better sense of the world

People who lead more varied social lives tend to perceive...

Most of us know music can make life feel lighter - it turns chores into something tolerable and workouts into something motivating. But what about when you hit play after an experience instead of during it? That’s where things get interesting.



A new study from scientists at <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA</a> shows that music can shape how well we remember something - if it makes us feel the right way. This effect is not influenced by whether the song is happy, sad, or even familiar. It’s about how much emotion the music stirs in you.



“We found that whether music was negative or positive or whether it was familiar didn’t have as much of an influence on memory as the emotional response people felt while listening to it,” said study co-author Professor Stephanie Leal.



“There was an optimal level of emotional response that aided in remembering the details of an experience. Too much or too little emotional response had the opposite effect - worse memory for details, but better memory for the gist of an experience.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-memory-and-emotions">Music, memory, and emotions</h2>



The study involved volunteers who were shown pictures of everyday objects - things like oranges, laptops, and telephones. After viewing about 100 images, they listened to 10 minutes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/classical-music-orchestrates-a-mood-lifting-dance-in-the-brain/">classical music</a>. 



When their emotional arousal had returned to normal, the volunteers were tested on what they remembered.



Some images were exactly the same. Some were slightly altered versions. Some were completely new. 



Participants had to say whether they had seen the object before and if it was identical or different. They also answered questions about how the music made them feel and whether it was familiar.



The music itself didn’t boost memory across the board. But it helped some people a lot - especially when it came to spotting that an image was similar but not exactly the same.



The key factor? <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/listening-to-music-can-change-how-we-recall-memories/">Emotional arousal</a>. The participants with the best recall weren’t the ones who felt the strongest emotions. They were the ones who felt just enough.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-music-shapes-memory">How music shapes memory</h2>



Memory isn’t just about capturing every detail. Most of the time, we’re remembering the big picture - what researchers call gist-based memory. It’s what helps us recall the idea of something without holding onto all the tiny facts. But sometimes, the details matter. That’s where detail-based memory comes in.



“We used a task designed to tap into the difference between gist- and detail-based memory,” said Leal. “Music helped with detail-based memory but only when the level of emotional arousal was just right for that person.”



This makes sense. If you’re overwhelmed, your brain might blur the details. If you’re bored, it might not care enough to store them. There’s a sweet spot in between where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/memory-isnt-only-stored-in-our-brains-other-cells-can-remember-too/">memory</a> for detail gets sharper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-in-learning-and-therapy">Music in learning and therapy</h2>



The researchers say this kind of emotional “tuning” could eventually help in real-world situations. 



For example, listening to moderately arousing music after studying might help you hold onto more precise information for a test. But music that’s too emotional might have the opposite effect.



“Music has the ability to influence a part of your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-human-brain-create-retrieve-memories-engram-cells-connections/">brain</a> called the hippocampus, which is essential for turning experiences into memories,” Leal said. “We think it should be possible to tap into that in a selective way to boost or impair memory depending on the therapeutic goals.”



It’s not just about learning. This could also help with memory loss in aging, or in people with early-stage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-disruptions-could-signal-the-onset-of-alzheimers/">Alzheimer’s</a>. And for people with anxiety or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-can-rapidly-reduce-ptsd-without-revisiting-trauma/">PTSD</a>, music might help them remember the general idea of a tough experience - without reliving every sharp edge of it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-effects-for-everyone">Different effects for everyone</h2>



The challenge is that what works emotionally varies a lot between people. What’s “moderately arousing” for one person might not hit the same for another. That’s why this line of research is moving toward personalized therapy.



“In my lab, we’re trying to detect changes in the brain and cognition early. Music is noninvasive, low cost, and easy to personalize, and by learning more about the mechanisms that connect it to memory, we can develop treatments and interventions to prevent the disease from progressing,” Leal said. 



“If the federal government reduces funding for Alzheimer’s research, the chances that we’ll be able to develop this line of research into inexpensive yet effective treatments are very low, as developing personalized treatments requires lots of participants in research to really capture individual needs.”



In other words, music isn’t just for playlists and background noise. If we can figure out how to fine-tune its emotional effects, it could become a powerful way to shape how we remember - and how we heal.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.jneurosci.org/content/45/31/e0158252025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JNeurosci</a>.



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Music boosts memory - but only with the right emotional spark

Most of us know music can make life feel lighter...

We all know the feeling. You meet someone new, trade a few words, and it feels like you’ve known them forever. With others, no matter how much time you spend together, the connection never comes. But why?



Researchers say the answer might be hidden in the brain. A new study shows that people whose brains respond in similar ways to the world are more likely to become <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-friendships-improve-your-health-as-you-age/">friends</a> later. Long before two strangers grab coffee or share stories, their brains may already be in sync.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-people-prefer-like-minded-company">People prefer like-minded company</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-changes-what-we-thought-about-friendship-between-plants-fungus-networks/">Humans</a> have always preferred like-minded company. Scientists call this tendency homophily - the pull toward people who look, act, or think like us. It explains why friends often share hobbies, values, or humor. 



But a deeper question has nagged researchers for years. Do friendships create this similarity, or do people seek out those who already see the world the same way?



Carolyn Parkinson at the <a href="https://www.ucla.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Los Angeles</a> wanted to find out. She and her colleagues designed an experiment that started before friendships had a chance to form.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-brain-predicts-future-friendships">The brain predicts future friendships </h2>



The team recruited 41 graduate students. Just before classes began, and before anyone had a chance to build connections, each student entered a brain scanner. 



Inside, they watched 14 short movie clips. The clips covered many styles and topics - documentaries, comedies, debates, food, sports, science.



The researchers tracked activity across 214 brain regions. Each student’s brain left a unique signature of how they paid attention, reacted, and interpreted what they saw. These “neural fingerprints” became the key to predicting future friendships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-friendships-in-the-brain">Mapping friendships in the brain</h2>



Two months later, all 288 students in the program completed surveys asking who they spent free time with. They repeated the surveys six months after that. These results created a living map of friendships - who became close, who drifted apart, and who stayed distant.



When the researchers compared this map to the brain data, patterns emerged. Students who became <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-has-a-hidden-influence-on-who-we-call-friends/">friends</a> eight months later had already shown more similar brain responses back at the start. 



The strongest overlap appeared in the orbitofrontal cortex, a region linked to how we assign value and meaning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-impressions-aren-t-enough">First impressions aren’t enough</h2>



Interestingly, at the two-month mark, there was no big difference between the brains of friends and non-friends. That means early friendships may form out of convenience - living nearby, attending the same events, or sitting together in class. 



But as time passes, people sort themselves out. Those with deeper neural similarities grow closer. Others drift away.



The study also revealed that people who became closer showed stronger alignment across 42 brain regions. 



Many of these areas help us understand stories, focus attention, and imagine other people’s perspectives. It seems that lasting friendships may rely on how similarly two minds interpret the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-similar-ways-of-thinking">Similar ways of thinking</h2>



These findings go beyond shared taste in movies or music. Even after accounting for whether students enjoyed the clips, the brain similarities held. That suggests something more fundamental at work.



“Sociodemographic factors, at least in terms of what we were able to measure here, just seem to explain part of the picture,” Carolyn Parkinson explained.



In other words, friendships aren’t just about being the same age or studying the same subject. They may be built on hidden compatibilities in thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-thinking-lines-up">When thinking lines up</h2>



The brain regions that mattered most belong to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/friends-affect-how-our-brain-responds-to-shopping/">networks</a> that knit together memories, beliefs, and emotions into a picture of what’s happening. 



When two people’s brains line up in these areas, conversations flow more easily. Communication feels natural rather than forced.



“People whose thinking processes are more similar find it easier to get on. When they say something, they just know what the other is thinking because it is how they think themselves,” noted Robin Dunbar at the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-friendship-is-deeper-than-background">Friendship is deeper than background</h2>



The team checked whether similarities in gender, nationality, or academic background explained the brain overlap. These factors played a role, but they didn’t erase the effect. 



Even after adjusting for such variables, people who grew closer showed distinct neural alignment. This means that the roots of friendship run deeper than surface similarities. 



You might connect with someone from a different culture, age, or background if your minds process experiences in the same way. That connection could outlast friendships built only on proximity or circumstance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-friendships-born-or-shaped">Are friendships born or shaped?</h2>



For some scientists, these results confirm an old intuition. Dunbar, who wasn’t part of the study, sees the findings as expected. 



“That like attracts like, rather than people thrown together by accidents draw closer in their traits. In other words, close friends are born, not made,” noted Dunbar.



But the story isn’t entirely one-sided. Life still shapes friendships. Initial bonds may form by chance. Over time, those built on deeper alignment endure, while others fade. 



Both circumstance and compatibility matter, but this research shows that compatibility often wins out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-compass-in-our-brains">Hidden compass in our brains</h2>



What does this mean for everyday life? It suggests that our brains act like quiet compasses, pointing us toward the people who will eventually become close friends. 



We may not be aware of it, but the ease we feel with some people could reflect deep similarities in how our minds process the world.



Friendship, then, is more than shared interests or happy accidents. It is also about shared rhythms of thought, hidden long before we realize it.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-025-02266-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Human Behaviour</a>.



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Secrets of lasting friendships are hiding in the brain

We all know the feeling. You meet someone new, trade...

Erythrocyte,Interaction,With,Plastic,Microparticles,In,Blood.,3d,Illustration,Showing

Scientists can pull plastic particles out of seawater with relative ease, but finding and tracking them in human body tissue is far more complex. 



A new expert <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44222-025-00335-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> lays out how labs can detect plastic particles in blood, lungs, placentas, and other tissues - and why measurement choices will shape what health risks they reveal.



The authors dissect a fast-moving literature to show where current methods succeed, where they fail, and what must improve. 



They highlight the importance of sample preparation, standardized reporting, and clear metrics so that studies can be compared and results trusted.



At the center is a simple but daunting question: How do you measure plastic inside living systems without distorting the evidence?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-particles-in-human-tissue">Plastic particles in human tissue</h2>



“Every biological sample represents a different matrix,” said <a href="https://www.umass.edu/stockbridge/about/directory/baoshan-xing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baoshan Xing</a>, professor of Environmental and Soil Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts (<a href="https://www.umass.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UMass</a>) and lead study author.



That simple point drives the lab playbook. Fatty tissues, protein-rich organs, shells, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-humans-used-ancient-plant-fiber-technology-to-make-tools-39000-years-ago/">plant fibers</a> need tailored digestion steps, from alkaline solutions to enzymes. These steps allow researchers separate plastics without melting or morphing them.



Researchers use the term microplastics for solid plastic particles roughly one micrometer to five millimeters in size. It's a range now common in U.S. government and research guidance. 



Nanoplastics typically refer to particles smaller than one micrometer, often defined by colloidal behavior in the one to 1,000 nanometer range.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-plastics-in-the-lab">Finding plastics in the lab</h2>



After digestion, labs isolate particles and verify their identity. The main tools are Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermal methods like pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). 



Each comes with trade-offs in size limits, throughput, and polymer specificity, especially in complex tissues. Scientists use salty solutions to float or sink plastics, making it easier to recover heavier particles.



Quality control matters as much as the chemistry, including strict contamination blanks, clean air handling, and reporting of detection limits to prevent false positives or inflated counts.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/micro-nano-plastics_human-body-concentrations_illustration_credit-Nature_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/micro-nano-plastics_human-body-concentrations_illustration_credit-Nature_1s.webp" alt="Detection, concentration and distribution of MNPs in the human body. Credit: Nature Reviews Bioengineering" class="wp-image-1982042"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Detection, concentration and distribution of MNPs in the human body. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Nature Reviews Bioengineering</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-early-health-signals-show">What early health signals show</h2>



Researchers have measured <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-inhale-the-equivalent-of-a-credit-card-in-microplastics-each-week/">microplastics</a> in human blood, showing that polymer fragments can circulate systemically. They detected measurable mass concentrations using pyrolysis GC/MS.



Follow-up work has begun to profile sizes, shapes, and polymer types in blood from healthy volunteers to probe possible links with physiology.



Scientists have found plastic particles in human placentas on both the mother’s and baby’s sides. This raises concerns about exposure before birth, which cannot be answered without better, standardized tests.



Human lung tissue examined after surgery has contained identifiable microplastics. Micro-FTIR revealed polymer types and reported concentrations per gram of tissue under stringent blank controls.



Vascular studies have reported microplastics and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-could-help-remove-nanoplastics-from-the-environment/">nanoplastics</a> in carotid artery plaques and associated those findings with higher risks of heart attack, stroke, or death over follow-up periods in clinical cohorts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methods-alter-outcomes">Methods alter outcomes</h2>



Dose matters, but researchers can count it in several ways. The number of particles per gram, mass per gram, or surface area per gram do not tell the same story in a tissue where sizes, shapes, and polymers vary widely.



Interpretation hinges on the metric. Fibers may be many but light, while spheres may be few but heavy. Different shapes behave differently, so researchers must choose measurement methods that fit the health question.



“There are no accepted protocols yet,” said Xing. Without standard methods, it’s hard to compare plastic levels across studies or turn them into health guidelines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-helps-track-plastics">AI helps track plastics</h2>



High-throughput imaging and spectral data generate mountains of information, which is where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-machine-learning-can-help-us-protect-chimpanzees/">machine learning</a> (ML) can help.



Researchers are pairing Raman datasets with classification models to speed up polymer identification and reduce analyst bias.



Thermal analysis coupled with FTIR is also being automated with ML to tease apart polymer signals in complex biological matrices, improving throughput while keeping false identifications in check.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastics-research-needs-standards">Plastics research needs standards</h2>



Reference materials, interlaboratory comparisons, and matrix specific digestion and detection protocols will make results more trustworthy and comparable across labs. 



Agencies are already coordinating methods of research, from definitions to practical measurement guidance, to support that standardization push.



“This is a headache,” said Xing. The upside is that a clear, shared toolkit would let scientists quantify risks with the same confidence we expect in other areas of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-in-human-brains-may-affect-mental-health/">environmental health</a>.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44222-025-00335-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Reviews Bioengineering</a>.



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Easier method helps detect and measure the amount of plastic particles in human bodies

Scientists can pull plastic particles out of seawater with relative...

Imagine taking a single puff from an inhaler once a week and gaining protection from viral infections that make winters unbearable. Scientists believe such an approach could also guard against future pandemics. 



The idea comes from new animal studies on an mRNA treatment designed to boost our natural defenses against viruses.



“You can think about this as a universal antiviral,” said Dusan Bogunovic at <a href="https://www.columbia.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a> in New York. The treatment aims to activate the body’s built-in antiviral shield before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/previously-overlooked-viruses-may-secretly-shape-bacterial-populations/">viruses</a> have the chance to spread.



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



Our immune system already holds powerful tools against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-virus-spread-too-quickly-for-bats-alone-to-be-responsible/">infection</a>. When cells detect viruses, they release interferon, a molecule that activates about 1000 genes. 



These genes lead to the production of antiviral proteins. Some block viruses from entering cells, while others stop new viral particles from spreading.



“Our innate immune system is extremely powerful,” said Bogunovic. However, respiratory viruses reproduce so quickly that they often outpace these defenses. A head start could keep infections mild while the rest of the immune system catches up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-activating-protective-genes">Activating protective genes</h2>



In earlier research, many scientists believed that interferon itself could serve as a powerful, broad antiviral treatment. Interferon is a natural signaling molecule that helps cells activate hundreds of protective genes, which then produce antiviral proteins to fight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-makes-a-virus-capable-of-causing-a-pandemic/">infections</a>. 



The idea was that by giving patients interferon directly, doctors could strengthen the body’s immune defenses and block a wide range of viruses. 



However, this approach faced a serious obstacle: interferon often caused harmful side effects when used as a drug. These side effects limited its practical use and prevented it from becoming the universal antiviral once hoped for.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overcoming-the-interferon-challenges">Overcoming the interferon challenges</h2>



To overcome this, Dusan Bogunovic and his colleagues explored a different path. Instead of relying on interferon itself, they focused on the proteins that interferon activates. 



Out of the many possibilities, they selected ten promising proteins that are naturally produced when the body detects a viral attack.



The team then delivered instructions for making these proteins into cells using mRNA technology. This method has a unique advantage: rather than struggling to push large, pre-made proteins into cells, the mRNA allows cells to produce the proteins internally, right where they are needed most.



Laboratory tests showed strong results. Human cells infected with flu and Zika <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/preparing-for-the-next-pandemic-lessons-about-viral-transmission/">viruses</a> displayed enhanced antiviral defenses after receiving this mRNA treatment. These findings gave researchers hope that such a strategy could also prove effective in living animals and, eventually, in humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inhaler-that-targets-many-viruses">Inhaler that targets many viruses</h2>



The team then delivered the mRNA mixture directly to the lungs of golden hamsters. The results were striking. Treated hamsters resisted SARS-CoV-2 infection, showing much lower viral levels than untreated ones.



“I was like, ‘wow, this actually might be a universal antiviral,'” said Bogunovic. Current antiviral drugs usually target specific viruses. A treatment effective against many viruses would be a major breakthrough, comparable to antibiotics revolutionizing medicine by tackling a broad range of bacteria.



This method may also allow tailoring protein combinations for particular viruses. “Some combinations of interferon-triggered proteins might be especially effective against specific viruses,” said Bogunovic. 



Such flexibility could create both broad and targeted therapies depending on the need. Delivering enough mRNA to the right cells remains a technical challenge. 



“This is certainly exciting and could lead to very promising advances, but we are several steps down the line away from talking about a deployable, versatile countermeasure,” noted Aris Katzourakis at the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-of-the-mrna-inhaler">Potential of the mRNA inhaler</h2>



Despite hurdles, the research shows how mRNA technology can extend beyond vaccines. 



Bogunovic is optimistic that viruses may not easily evolve resistance, as multiple proteins target different parts of the viral lifecycle. This strategy has already proved successful in HIV treatments.



“The research highlights the potential of mRNA technology beyond vaccines. The current trajectory in the US with mRNA vaccines will certainly and tragically slow down progress on both of these fronts,” said Katzourakis.



If these advances continue, one weekly puff might one day shield us from the viruses that have long shaped human health.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adx5758" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Translational Medicine</a>.



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One puff inhaler could block many dangerous viruses

Imagine taking a single puff from an inhaler once a...

Little,Girl,Using,His,Inhaler,On,A,Sunny,Day

A rescue inhaler that pairs a bronchodilator with an anti-inflammatory steroid just changed the conversation about “mild” asthma. 



In a recent study, <a href="https://www.airsupra.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Airsupra</a> reduced the risk of a severe asthma attack by 47 percent versus albuterol alone and cut yearly oral steroid exposure.



Doctors have leaned on albuterol for decades, even though it treats tight airways but not the simmering inflammation that fuels future attacks. 



“SABA-only treatment of asthma is not recommended,” notes the Global Initiative for Asthma <a href="https://ginasthma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GINA-2023-Pocket-Guide-WMS.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pocket Guide</a> 2023.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-asthma-inhaler-does">What this asthma inhaler does</h2>



Lead investigator <a href="https://www.pri-med.com/globals/faculty/l/laforcecraigf?refurl=www.google.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Craig LaForce</a>, M.D., medical director at North Carolina Clinical Research (<a href="https://nccr.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NCCR</a>), led the U.S. study with collaborators across academia and industry.



Airsupra combines albuterol, a short-acting beta2-agonist (<a href="https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/drug-guide/short-acting-beta-agonists-(sabas)" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SABA</a>) that relaxes airway muscles, with budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid (<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4033967/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICS</a>) that calms airway inflammation. 



It is delivered as a pressurized metered dose inhaler (<a href="https://scholars.uthscsa.edu/en/publications/pressurized-metered-dose-inhalers-pmdi">pMDI</a>), used as needed in response to symptoms.



<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05505734" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BATURA</a>, the trial behind the new data, was fully virtual, randomized, double blind, and event driven, with participants treated for at least 12 weeks and up to 52 weeks, all visits conducted remotely and eligibility starting at age 12.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-the-batura-numbers">Inside the BATURA numbers</h2>



Participants using the combination had fewer severe attacks across a year, with an annualized rate of 0.15 compared with 0.32 on albuterol alone, and lower cumulative oral steroid doses over the same period.



An independent committee recommended stopping the trial early for efficacy, and adverse events were similar between groups, with no new safety signals reported.



The benefit was not a narrow statistical blip but a clinically meaningful shift in day to day risk. Fewer attacks mean fewer urgent visits, fewer courses of prednisone, and steadier lung health over time.



These findings also align with a broader pattern seen when an inhaled <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-new-asthma-treatment-in-50-years-offers-hope-for-millions/">steroid</a> is added at the moment symptoms flare. Treat the spasm and the inflammation together, and people have fewer bad days.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asthma-inhaler-challenges-protocol">Asthma inhaler challenges protocol</h2>



For years, many people with intermittent symptoms were told to carry albuterol and rely on it when they wheezed. 



That approach left inflammation unchecked, which is why guideline groups have moved away from SABA only strategies at the first hint of symptoms.



Earlier evidence pointed in the same direction. 



In the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35569035/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MANDALA</a> trial, as needed, albuterol plus budesonide reduced severe exacerbations compared with albuterol in patients with moderate to severe asthma who were responding to symptoms, building the case for anti-inflammatory rescue therapy beyond maintenance plans.



Regulators also asked whether each ingredient pulls its weight. 



The <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11898224/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DENALI</a> lung function study answered that by showing that both albuterol and budesonide contributed to efficacy when combined in the pMDI, supporting the rationale for pairing symptom relief with anti-inflammatory action in one device.



Together, these strands explain why a rescue inhaler that includes a steroid can make sense even for people who think their asthma is “mild.” Symptoms may be occasional, yet risk still accumulates when inflammation gets ignored.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-into-the-real-world">Bringing into the real world</h2>



The Food and Drug Administration (<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-drug-combination-treatment-adults-asthma" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA</a>) cleared Airsupra for adults in January 2023 as an as needed therapy to relieve bronchoconstriction and reduce the risk of exacerbations. 



“It is the first combination of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a short-acting beta-agonist to be approved in the U.S.”



Guidelines now emphasize getting anti-inflammatory medication to the airways when symptoms arise. That can mean ICS formoterol in one track, or an ICS paired with a SABA, with the shared goal of treating both the immediate squeeze and the underlying inflammation.



BATURA focuses that guidance on people labeled as mild, who often are told they will be fine with a rescue bronchodilator alone. 



The new data indicate a practical alternative that can be used in the same moments a person would usually reach for albuterol.



Approval status and labeling still matter. BATURA enrolled participants 12 and older in the United States, but current U.S. approval for the combination rescue inhaler applies to adults 18 and up, so clinicians will continue to match evidence and labeling to individual care plans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-patients-and-families-should-know">What patients and families should know</h2>



If your plan today calls for albuterol alone, ask whether an as needed combination could better fit your pattern of symptoms and risk. 



You are not adding a daily controller here, you are changing what happens each time you reach for a rescue dose, which may cut the chance that a bad day becomes an emergency.



Oral steroids work, but frequent bursts carry costs for bones, blood sugar, mood, and more. A rescue inhaler that reduces total steroid exposure over a year, while still preventing attacks, is a meaningful quality of life gain for many people.



Device technique still counts. Two inhalations of the prescribed dose, proper timing with the canister, and steady follow up visits help convert evidence into outcomes that show up in daily life.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-new-asthma-treatment-in-50-years-offers-hope-for-millions/">Asthma</a> care is personal. The best plan takes into account age, triggers, how often symptoms show up, and how comfortable you are with as needed versus daily medication. 



Bring questions to your next appointment and expect a conversation about options that treat both symptoms and inflammation on the spot.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2504544" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The New England Journal of Medicine</a>.



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A new inhaler that could change asthma treatment forever

A rescue inhaler that pairs a bronchodilator with an anti-inflammatory...

Activation,Of,The,Immune,Response:,Antigen,Presenting,Cell,Activates,T-lymphocytes

Aging bodies usually slow down. Immune defenses are no exception, as infections hit harder and vaccines work less well. Yet a subset of older adults carry unusually youthful immune features, and that wrinkle changes the story in surprising ways.



A new perspective argues that keeping parts of the immune system young late in life can come with a cost. The tradeoff shows up most clearly in a blood vessel disease that strikes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-identify-a-turning-point-when-your-body-starts-aging-faster-proteins-key/">older adults</a> and can threaten sight and the heart.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-youthful-immune-traits-in-elders">Youthful immune traits in elders</h2>



The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-025-00919-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">perspective</a> is led by <a href="https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/weyand-cornelia-m-m-d-ph-d/bio-20527870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornelia M. Weyand</a>, M.D., Ph.D., and <a href="https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/goronzy-jorg-m-d-ph-d/bio-20527076" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jörg J. Goronzy</a>, M.D., Ph.D., at Mayo Clinic. Their work explores how retained youthful traits in T cells line up with disease patterns seen in late life.



“We propose that sustained immune youthfulness can be detrimental to the aging host, while immune <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-can-slow-aging-right-down-to-your-dna/">aging</a> may be a beneficial adaptation,” wrote Weyand and Goronzy. 



The core message is not a rebuke of aging, but a call to understand which immune features help and which harm as years add up.



The authors focus on a form of autoimmunity in which the body’s defenses misidentify self as threat. 



They point to patterns showing that some older patients retain a T cell pool that behaves more like that of much younger people, with strong renewal and rapid responses.



Those traits sound helpful during an infection. In the wrong context, they can feed persistent inflammation in tissues that never needed defending in the first place.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giant-cell-arteritis-is-a-late-life-risk">Giant cell arteritis is a late life risk</h2>



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36656970/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giant cell arteritis</a> is an autoimmune vasculitis that targets medium and large arteries and can narrow vessels, reduce blood flow, and damage the vessel wall. It is the most common <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41584-021-00718-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vasculitis</a> in older adults, especially among people of Northern European ancestry.



Across populations, the pooled incidence is about 10 cases per 100,000 people older than 50, with higher <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7948334/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rates</a> in some regions and lower in others. 



That number helps explain why clinicians are trained to keep an eye out for new headaches, jaw pain, and sudden visual changes in older patients.



Prevalence climbs with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-method-reverses-aging-in-human-cells-without-modifying-dna/">age</a>, peaking in the 70s and 80s, and it affects women more often than men. Those facts line up with the perspective’s central point about late-life immune patterns.



Untreated or smoldering disease can lead to permanent vision loss or aortic complications, including aneurysm, which underscores why accurate diagnosis and monitoring matter. Fast steroid treatment saves sight, but long-term disease control remains a challenge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-persistent-vessel-inflammation">Persistent vessel inflammation</h2>



A line of studies has mapped a small set of T cells with self-renewing traits in inflamed arteries of older patients. 



These cells look and act younger than expected for age, and they appear to supply the fuel for chronic inflammation.



The cells in question are stem-like memory <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3277283/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CD4+ T cells</a>. They carry a transcription factor profile consistent with renewal capacity and sit near the lesions that clinicians see on imaging or biopsy.



Within the vessel wall, they cluster in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41568-019-0144-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tertiary lymphoid structures</a>, small immune neighborhoods that help them persist. Their presence explains how inflammation can recur even when symptoms seem quiet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-failed-checkpoints-in-immune-aging">Failed checkpoints in immune aging</h2>



The immune system relies on immune checkpoints to keep T cells from overreacting, especially in tissues that need peace. Those checkpoints include receptor-ligand pairs that send inhibitory signals and help maintain tolerance to self.



Several lines of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7136921/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> show that the axis of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programmed_cell_death_protein_1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PD-1</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PD-L1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PD-L1</a> is off balance in this disease, with low PD-L1 on vascular dendritic cells and macrophages that should be braking T cells. 



That imbalance removes a layer of control and helps explain why inflammation is hard to shut down in affected arteries. 



Other checkpoint pathways may falter as well. A 2023 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37075705/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> reported a defective immune checkpoint impaired, in giant cell arteritis leading to a pathogenic immune response. 



This checkpoint normally regulates T cell activation and prevents excessive inflammation. This research points to a broader failure to impose restraint on activated T cells.



Clinical experience also shows that turning off checkpoints in cancer can, in rare cases, trigger vasculitis. 



Case <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11986302/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> and reviews link checkpoint inhibitor treatment to giant cell arteritis in older patients, which fits the idea that removing brakes can unmask self-reactivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-some-aging-may-help">Why some aging may help</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-are-experimenting-with-new-approach-to-fight-and-stop-human-aging-necrosis/">Aging</a> changes the adaptive immune system in predictable ways. Vaccine responses dip, naive T cells become rarer, and recall responses dominate, a set of shifts often grouped under <a href="https://immunityageing.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12979-019-0164-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immunosenescence</a>.



Those changes are not uniformly bad. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31186548/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reviews</a> of T cell aging highlight adaptations in self-renewal, quiescence, and cellular senescence that appear to limit runaway activation in older adults, which may protect against autoimmunity in some contexts.



The perspective adds a useful twist by suggesting that delayed immune aging can be maladaptive in late life. In other words, a youthful T cell program, sustained for decades, may become a liability when new tissue changes accumulate.



Age adds new neoantigens, altered self molecules that T cells can misread as foreign. A renewing T cell pool plus a higher antigenic load makes a potent mix, especially in tissues exposed to wear and tear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clinical-impact-of-immune-aging">Clinical impact of immune aging</h2>



A practical question follows: how do we identify older adults whose immune systems remain unusually youthful, and who might be at higher risk for late-life autoimmunity. 



The answer will likely combine immune profiling with imaging and careful clinical phenotyping.



Mayo Clinic has framed a strategy around prediction and early interception, a push that leaders describe under the Precure initiative, which aims to predict and prevent disease before it becomes serious.&nbsp;



For vascular inflammation, that could mean spotting the signatures of self-renewing T cells, then tailoring treatment to shut off the supply rather than only chasing the flames.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-025-00919-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Aging</a>.



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Human immune systems have a 'fountain of youth' and scientists are trying to activate it

Aging bodies usually slow down. Immune defenses are no exception,...

You read words with your eyes, but you also hear them with a voice in your head. That inner speech isn’t just a feeling. It leaves a clear footprint in the brain that can be mapped to text on a screen. 



For people who can’t speak because of paralysis or other conditions, that shift could open the door to faster, more natural conversation.



Scientists have now identified brain activity patterns linked to inner speech and decoded them into text with a 74% accuracy rate.



Published in the journal Cell, the work could enable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-computer-interface-device-lets-users-play-games-with-only-their-minds/">brain-computer interface</a> (BCI) systems to help people who cannot speak out loud communicate by silently thinking a password to activate the system.



“This is the first time we’ve managed to understand what brain activity looks like when you just think about speaking,” explains lead author Erin Kunz of <a href="https://www.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a>. 



“For people with severe speech and motor impairments, BCIs capable of decoding inner speech could help them communicate much more easily and more naturally.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-movement-decoding-to-inner-speech">Movement decoding to inner speech</h2>



BCIs already help people with disabilities by interpreting brain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-the-speed-at-which-the-brain-processes-information/">signals</a> that control movement. 



These systems operate prosthetic devices or type text by decoding attempted speech - when users engage speech muscles but produce unintelligible sounds. 



This is faster than eye-tracking but still demands effort, which can be tiring.



The Stanford team explored decoding purely imagined speech. “If you just have to think about speech instead of actually trying to speak, it’s potentially easier and faster for people,” says co-first author Benyamin Meschede-Krasa.



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



Four participants with severe paralysis from ALS or brainstem stroke took part. Researchers implanted microelectrodes into the motor cortex, a speech-related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/multitasking-messes-with-your-brains-natural-rhythm/">brain</a> area. 



Participants either attempted speaking or imagined saying words. The two tasks activated overlapping regions, though inner speech produced weaker signals.



The researchers also observed that imagined speech involved reduced activity in non-primary motor areas compared to attempted speech, suggesting more streamlined neural pathways. 



Their models could reliably distinguish between the two types of speech despite these similarities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-and-unexpected-findings">Decoding and unexpected findings</h2>



Artificial intelligence models, trained specifically on data from participants’ imagined speech, demonstrated the ability to decode complete sentences from a remarkably large vocabulary of up to 125,000 words, achieving an accuracy rate of 74%. 



In addition to decoding prompted sentences, the system was sensitive enough to pick up on unplanned, spontaneous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-stops-paying-attention-to-repeated-distractions/">mental activity</a>.



For example, when participants were asked to count the number of pink circles on a screen, the BCI detected the numbers they silently tallied, even though they were never instructed to think them. 



This finding indicates that imagined speech generates distinct and identifiable neural patterns, even without direct prompting or deliberate effort from the user.



Furthermore, the research revealed that inner speech signals tend to follow a consistent temporal pattern across multiple trials. 



In other words, the timing of brain activity during silent speech remained stable each time the participants imagined speaking.



This reliable internal rhythm could be an important factor in refining future decoding algorithms, as it provides a predictable framework for translating thought into text with greater accuracy and speed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinguishing-speech-types">Distinguishing speech types</h2>



While the brain activity patterns for attempted speech and inner speech showed many similarities, the researchers discovered that there were still consistent and measurable differences between them. 



These differences were significant enough for the system to accurately tell the two apart, even when the signals came from overlapping brain regions.



According to Frank Willett, this distinction opens the door for developing BCIs that can selectively respond to one type of speech over the other. 



In practical terms, this means a device could be programmed to completely ignore inner speech unless the user chooses to activate it.



To give users full control, the team designed a password-based activation method. In this setup, decoding of inner speech would remain locked until the person silently thought of a specific phrase - in this case, “chitty chitty bang bang.” 



When tested, the system successfully recognized the password with more than 98% accuracy, ensuring both security and intentional use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-inner-speech-decoding">Future of inner speech decoding</h2>



Summing it all up, your inner voice leaves a measurable trace in the brain’s speech-planning system. With thin sensors and well-trained models, that trace can be turned into text in real time, without any physical movement. 



Free-form inner speech decoding remains a challenge due to variability in brain activity and limited vocabulary coverage. 



However, the authors highlight that higher-density electrode arrays, advanced machine learning models, and integration of semantic context could improve accuracy.



“The future of BCIs is bright,” Willett says. “This work gives real hope that speech BCIs can one day restore communication that is as fluent, natural, and comfortable as conversational speech.”



It’s not telepathy, and it’s not flawless, but it points toward a faster, more humane way for people who can’t speak to be heard - using the voice they already have, the one inside.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00681-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a>.



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New brain-computer interface 'reads' your innermost thoughts and translates them into text

You read words with your eyes, but you also hear...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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