What we eat is not just about hunger. Meals carry culture, habits, and values. They shape how we see ourselves and how others see us. 



Our diets also shape the world we live in. Animal agriculture drives climate change, damages ecosystems, and raises questions about health and ethics.



Scientists agree that cutting down on meat and dairy is one of the fastest ways to reduce harm. Yet progress is uneven. 



Men, in particular, resist plant-based eating more than women. Why? A new study offers an answer, pointing to masculinity as a hidden driver of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/low-carb-or-low-fat-food-quality-is-more-important-for-heart-health/">food choices</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-men-resist-dietary-change">Why men resist dietary change</h2>



The research was conducted by teams at the University of Bath, Bryant Research, and the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a>. 



The team examined links between gender norms and food. The researchers asked a tough question: how can plant-based diets be marketed to men without clashing with their sense of identity?



“Animal agriculture is key culprit of environmental degradation, public health risks, and animal suffering. Reducing meat and animal product <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-identify-two-key-habits-for-losing-weight-without-dieting-meal-timing/">consumption</a> is widely recognized as an effective way to mitigate these harms," said Dr Annayah Prosser of the <a href="https://www.bath.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bath</a> School of Management.



"However, men continue to consume more meat than women, are less likely to be vegetarian or vegan, and are more resistant to initiatives that promote reductions in meat consumption.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-masculinity-at-the-table">Masculinity at the table</h2>



The study surveyed over 1,000 men in the UK. The results showed a clear trend: the more men embraced traditional masculine traits, the more meat they ate.



This wasn’t only about taste. Men attached meaning to meat. For many, meat stood for strength, self-reliance, and even cultural pride. Vegetarianism, on the other hand, looked like a threat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traits-shaping-men-s-diet">Traits shaping men’s diet</h2>



The researchers measured six traits: avoidance of femininity, emotional restraint, aggression, achievement status, self-reliance, and attitudes toward sex. Not all carried the same weight. Two stood out as the biggest predictors of high meat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/popular-diet-restricting-calories-can-lead-to-mood-emotional-slumps-especially-in-men/">consumption</a>.



“Beyond the well-known link between masculinity and meat, our study identified two masculine norms that may drive this connection: ‘avoidance of femininity’ and ‘achievement status,'" said study lead author Elise Hankins of <a href="https://bryantresearch.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bryant Research</a>.



"Men endorsing these specific norms tended to eat more meat, were more attached to meat and dairy, viewed vegetarianism as a threat to British culture and found meat more masculine."



Hsnkins said that in order to shift men’s diets, the challenge is to address these norms and find ways to work with - not against - men’s identities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-men-s-contradictory-diet-views">Men’s contradictory diet views</h2>



Surveys showed numbers, but conversations told a more complicated story. In online focus groups, men often contradicted themselves.



 Many men insisted gender had nothing to do with their food choices. Minutes later, they described how friends, families, or peers influenced what ended up on their plates.



“Men in our focus groups were conflicted over the role masculinity played in their meat consumption. At first, many men wholly dismissed the role their gender had over their diet, but minutes later they would speak about the vast influences their social network and male peer group had on their menu choices,” said Dr Prosser.



“Researchers understand that eating is a fundamentally social activity, and our research shows that while men may not wish to recognise it overtly, masculinity has a major covert influence on dietary choices.”



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



One issue kept coming up: flavor. Men doubted whether plant-based foods could match meat for taste. Many assumed alternatives were bland or unsatisfying.



The researchers argue that changing this perception is vital. If plant-based meals feel indulgent and rich, resistance will fade. Campaigns that spotlight flavor, cooking methods, and satisfaction could make a difference.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthier-diet-could-boost-memory-delay-dementia/">Nutrition</a> also matters. The study showed that men respond strongly to arguments about health, protein, and physical performance.



Marketing that shows plant-based eating as fuel for strength and longevity may resonate more than environmental appeals alone. Fitness-focused stories could make men view plant-based diets as tools for improvement, not sacrifices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-messaging-that-works">Messaging that works</h2>



The researchers warn against directly labeling plant-based foods as “manly.” This tactic risks rejection. Subtler connections to performance, adventure, or resilience could work better.



Packaging and labeling also need care. Familiar words like “meaty” can reassure consumers while helping them see these foods as genuine replacements, not poor imitations.



Food choices don’t happen in isolation. Friends, partners, and families play huge roles. Campaigns that work within these networks might succeed where individual-focused messages fail. 



Price is another barrier. Many men feel plant-based products cost too much. Policies that reduce prices or offer incentives could make plant-based meals more competitive with meat and dairy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture-shaping-men-s-diet">Culture shaping men’s diet</h2>



The findings show that resistance to plant-based diets isn’t just about food. It’s about identity, culture, and belonging. 



Men’s connection to meat often hides beneath layers of social influence and masculine ideals. To change diets, campaigns must work with these realities, not ignore them.



This study reminds us that the road to sustainability is cultural as much as scientific. Changing habits requires more than statistics on climate or health. It requires understanding the values people attach to what they eat. Only then can a shift toward greener diets gain real momentum.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494425001768?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Environmental Psychology</a>.



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Men face a masculinity barrier to greener diets

What we eat is not just about hunger. Meals carry culture, habits, and values. They shape how we see ourselves and how others see us. Our diets also shape the world we live in. Animal agriculture drives climate change, damages ecosystems, and raises questions about health and ethics. Scientists agree that cutting down on meat and dairy is one of the fastest ways to reduce harm. Yet progress is uneven. Men, in particular, resist plant-based eating more than women. Why? A new study offers an answer, pointing...

Pacifiers and thumb-sucking are often lifesavers in the early days of parenthood. They help babies calm down, fall asleep, and cope with unfamiliar sights and sounds. 



But at some point, parents face a new challenge - how and when to help their children let go of these habits.



A national poll from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found that nearly half of parents say their child has used a pacifier. One in four say their child has sucked his or her thumb or fingers.



While these behaviors are common and often harmless early on, many parents worry they may be dragging on too long.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pacifiers-are-helpful-initially">Pacifiers are helpful initially</h2>



According to experts at the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a>, pacifiers and thumb-sucking serve a valuable purpose during infancy. 



The American Academy of Pediatrics even recommends pacifiers during sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, what begins as a comforting reflex can become problematic if it continues past the toddler years.



“For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sugars-in-breast-milk-help-prevent-infections-in-newborns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newborns</a>, sucking is a natural reflex that they use for feeding and can help them calm themselves as they adjust to stressors in their environment,” said Dr. Susan Woolford, a pediatrician at U-M Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and co-director of the Mott Poll.



“Pacifiers and thumb-sucking can be lifesaving by reducing the risk of SIDS but their use should be short-lived, as the benefits of these self-soothing techniques decrease as babies get older. Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use may impact dental health and possibly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/screen-time-delays-language-development-in-toddlers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">speech development</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-soothing-becomes-a-constant-habit">When soothing becomes a constant habit</h2>



The poll revealed that many children use pacifiers or suck their thumbs at bedtime, naptime, or when they’re feeling overwhelmed. But the comfort behaviors didn’t stop there. 



Nearly one in 10 pacifier users relied on it during screen time, while almost a quarter of thumb-suckers did the same. For some, it became a near-constant habit - 18% of parents said their child used a pacifier almost all the time.



“These self-soothing behaviors are a natural part of early development,” Woolford said. “But when they persist beyond the toddler years or start interfering with daily routines, it can signal a child is seeking comfort in the absence of other coping tools.”



Many parents - over half - believe the best time to stop these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/picky-eating-habits-in-childhood-have-lingering-effects-in-adulthood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habits</a> is before the age of two. While some children naturally outgrow them, others may need help breaking the cycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-strategies-work-and-some-don-t">Some strategies work, and some don’t</h2>



Parents have gotten creative in their attempts to move on from pacifiers and thumb-sucking. Some limit the pacifier to bedtime. Others hide it, pretend it’s lost, or explain that the child is now too old to use one. 



A few go further: one in 10 parents even snipped a hole in the pacifier’s nipple to make it less appealing.



For thumb-sucking, some parents introduce a substitute - 18% offered a stuffed animal for comfort. Others tried deterrents, such as hot sauce, Vaseline, or even mittens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-success-depends-on-the-child">Success depends on the child</h2>



According to Woolford, the success of any approach depends on the child. Some respond to stories or videos that explain why it’s time to stop. Others might enjoy earning stickers or small prizes. 



For some kids, it’s easier to slowly reduce usage. There are also children who do better with a clean break - perhaps with a visit from the "pacifier fairy."



Dr. Woolford suggests that offering a soft toy or doll can provide a healthy substitute for comfort.



“As children get older, parents should encourage them to rely less on pacifiers and thumb-sucking for comfort and develop other strategies to self soothe,” Woolford said.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-who-use-humor-have-better-relationships-with-their-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parents</a> should recognize that this may be an emotional transition for their child, and approach it with kindness and patience.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giving-up-pacifiers-and-thumb-sucking">Giving up pacifiers and thumb-sucking</h2>



Every child is different, and there’s no single right way to help them give up soothing habits like pacifiers or thumb-sucking. What matters most is paying attention to how often your child uses these tools, and whether they’re starting to rely on them too much as they grow.



Pacifiers can be incredibly helpful during the first few months of life, especially for sleep and comfort. But as children get older, it’s important to watch for signs that these habits might be interfering with other parts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lighting-up-the-brain-the-power-of-play-in-child-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">development</a> - like speech, sleep routines, or emotional coping.



The goal isn’t to rush children out of their comfort zones, but to gently guide them toward new ways of self-soothing. 



With patience, consistency, and a bit of creativity, most kids adjust with ease. And for parents, that transition - no matter how bumpy - can be one more reminder of how quickly little ones grow up.



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Parents divided on best time to stop pacifiers and thumb-sucking

Pacifiers and thumb-sucking are often lifesavers in the early days...

Green,Rice,Seedlings,In,A,Field,Planted,In,The,Morning

As global pressures mount, the natural systems that support human life - from food to water to Earth’s carbon storage systems - are being pushed out of balance.



A new study maps four key ecosystem services - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-chemicals-from-food-production-pass-into-the-human-body/">food production</a>, carbon storage, soil protection, and water - at one-kilometer resolution over 20 years. 



The research shows how the balance between nature’s supply chain and human demand has changed around the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-global-supply-chain">Nature's global supply chain</h2>



Ecosystem services feed communities, regulate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/">floods</a>, store carbon, and keep soils anchored, yet no global analysis has mapped their supply-versus-demand gaps through time. 



Earlier work focused on single nations or short periods, leaving governments to guess how pressures play out at larger scales.



To fill that gap, researchers from <a href="https://english.njau.edu.cn/">Nanjing Agricultural University</a> and the <a href="https://english.cas.cn/">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> merged satellite imagery with multi-model coupling. They then tracked annual changes from 2000 to 2020 for nearly every terrestrial pixel on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-up-carbon-and-water-down">Food up, carbon and water down</h2>



The headline result looks comforting at first glance: taken together, the four services have leaned toward surplus, mainly because agricultural yields and soil-retention practices improved in many regions. But the good news stops there.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/">Carbon storage</a> and water yield are becoming problematic, especially around dense megacities or industrial belts. By 2020, 76.74% of land had lost carbon storage, while water deficits spread in drylands and irrigated regions.



Spatial patterns jump off the map. Resource-rich but sparsely populated zones - remote<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/single-degree-temperature-warming-boreal-forests-wreak-havoc/"> boreal forests</a>, high Andean grasslands, northern Australian savannas - still show ample ecological “income” with limited local “spending.”



However, fast-growing population centers in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and coastal China tell a different story. In these regions, soaring demand is outpacing dwindling supply chain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-tips-the-supply-chain">What tips the supply chain</h2>



The team then asked which force tips each ledger - human activity or climate variability? Their attribution analysis reveals a complex picture. 



Food production and carbon sequestration mismatches are mainly human-made, linked to cropland expansion, fertilizer use, fossil-fuel emissions, and land-use change.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ecosystem-service-supply-demand_essd_nature-supply-chain_credit-ESE_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ecosystem-service-supply-demand_essd_nature-supply-chain_credit-ESE_1s.webp" alt="Graphic illustration visualizing the forces behind nature's supply chain and ecosystem service mismatches. Credit: Environmental Science and Ecotechnology" class="wp-image-1970511"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Graphic illustration visualizing the forces behind nature's supply chain and ecosystem service mismatches. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Environmental Science and Ecotechnology</figcaption></figure>



Soil conservation and water yield gaps, by contrast, relate more strongly to precipitation swings and temperature trends that scientists tie to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/">climate change</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-meets-human-pressure">Climate meets human pressure</h2>



Results also show striking complementarity: regions where human pressure lightens often coincide with places where climate impacts intensify, and vice versa.



Improved farming and good weather boosted food supply across 80.69% of the planet’s land area. Yet, carbon sinks shrank in most of those same areas because hotter temperatures accelerated ecosystem respiration.



“Pinpointing where and why nature's services fall short is crucial for smart policy,” said corresponding author Wei Wu, a scientist at Nanjing Agricultural University.



“Our findings show that it's not a matter of climate versus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activities-are-weakening-earths-air-circulation/">human activity</a> - it's about their interaction. Recognizing this dual influence is key to crafting effective land-use and conservation strategies in an era of accelerating change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-guide-for-planners">A guide for planners</h2>



The pixel-level resolution - each square just one kilometer on a side - means national governments can zoom into trouble spots instead of relying on coarse regional averages.



Urban areas with water shortages may boost groundwater or recycle greywater; regions losing carbon might restore forests or soils. Where food deficits appear, agricultural zoning or crop diversification might offset risk.



The scientists argue that blanket policies are likely to miss local nuances. Mountain catchments suffering water-yield declines will need different interventions from lowland deltas losing soil to erosion. 



Because the drivers vary by service and location, the recommended strategies must also vary - “precision conservation” rather than one-size-fits-all.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-food-and-water-planning">Smarter food and water planning</h2>



The team acknowledges that their demand indicators remain relatively coarse - population density for food, for example, or evapotranspiration proxies for water.



The researchers call for future work to incorporate finer-grained socioeconomic data, differentiate industrial from subsistence demand, and include ecosystem beneficiaries such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-are-disappearing-and-its-bad-news-for-plants/">pollination</a> and recreation.



Still, the framework shows how high-resolution remote sensing coupled with machine learning can unpack global patterns once obscured by data gaps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-nature-s-supply-chain">Balancing nature's supply chain</h2>



With the planet edging toward climate-system thresholds, the margin for ecological overdraft is shrinking. The new atlas helps decision-makers see where supply and demand are out of balance - and whether humans or climate are to blame.



It also underscores a sobering truth: gains in food and soil security do not offset the twin deficits in carbon storage and water supply.



By mapping those four lifelines pixel by pixel and year by year, the study offers both a warning and a blueprint. Regional surpluses can’t hide shortfalls elsewhere, and no single cause explains the growing patchwork of ecological risks.



Only integrated policies that recognize the intertwined dance of climate change and human footprint stand a chance of keeping nature’s services solvent for the decades ahead.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666498425000511?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science and Ecotechnology</a>.



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Delicate balance between what nature provides and what humanity consumes is under threat

As global pressures mount, the natural systems that support human...

Aging is inevitable, but the speed at which we age might not be. Our biological age - how old our cells appear - can differ from our chronological age. This divergence has led scientists to explore the hidden mechanics of aging, with one food-related focus gaining momentum: epigenetics.



In simple terms, it’s how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-quality-carbs-in-midlife-linked-to-healthier-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene activity</a> changes without altering the DNA sequence. One way the body keeps track of age at the cellular level is through DNA methylation. These are chemical markers that accumulate as we grow older and can predict disease risk and mortality.



A team of researchers has investigated how specific dietary habits may slow or even reverse epigenetic aging. The study was led by Jamie L. Villanueva from the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a> and Ryan Bradley from the <a href="https://nunm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National University of Natural Medicine</a> 



This secondary analysis, based on data from the Methylation Diet and Lifestyle (MDL) study, explores how natural compounds found in plant-based foods may interact with DNA methylation and, in turn, reduce our biological age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-food-reverse-signs-of-aging">Could food reverse signs of aging?</h2>



In the MDL study, 43 healthy men aged 50 to 72 joined an eight-week program. They ate mostly plant-based food, exercised, meditated, and got good sleep. The study had many parts, but this research looked only at what they ate and how it affected aging at the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-every-day-proven-studies-to-delay-biological-aging-in-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cellular level</a>.



Scientists used a tool called Horvath’s clock to measure something called epigenetic age. This tells them how old someone’s body looks on the inside, based on changes in their DNA.



The results were surprising. On average, men who followed the full program ended up 2 years younger in biological terms. Those who didn’t change their habits aged a bit - about 1 year. In some cases, the age reversal was much bigger - up to 9 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewiring-epigenetic-age-with-food">Rewiring epigenetic age with food</h2>



The study’s standout finding was the impact of foods rich in methyl adaptogens. These are natural plant compounds known to influence DNA methylation pathways. 



The experts found that greater consumption of turmeric, rosemary, garlic, berries, green tea, and oolong tea correlated with a significant reduction in epigenetic age.



“In hierarchical linear regression, foods investigated as polyphenolic modulators of DNA methylation (green tea, oolong tea, turmeric, rosemary, garlic, berries) categorized in the original study as methyl adaptogens showed significant linear associations with epigenetic age change (B = -1.21, CI = [-2.80, -0.08]), after controlling for baseline epigenetic age <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-aging-drinking-coffee-can-add-years-to-your-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acceleration</a> and weight changes,” noted the researchers.



This effect persisted even when researchers adjusted for weight loss and initial biological age. That means the foods themselves had a direct effect on DNA markers, not just general improvements in health from weight reduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foods-gene-activity-and-aging">Foods, gene activity, and aging</h2>



Foods in the methyl adaptogen group - like green tea, turmeric, garlic, and berries - contain natural substances that can affect how our genes work. 



For example, green tea has EGCG, turmeric has curcumin, garlic has allicin, and berries have anthocyanins. These can block certain enzymes that speed up aging in our cells.



These substances also help control key <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-happens-to-our-teeth-as-we-age-new-details-have-emerged/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">body processes</a> like how cells grow, stay alive, and use energy. When those processes go off track, they’re often linked to diseases like cancer, heart problems, or memory decline.



Some of these foods also affect something called telomerase. That’s an enzyme that protects the ends of our DNA. Keeping those ends healthy may help slow aging. Interestingly, the same compounds that protect healthy cells might also help remove harmful ones, like cancer cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-impact">Measuring the impact</h2>



Statistical analyses reinforced the dietary impact. The researchers found that consumption of methyl adaptogens remained a significant predictor of epigenetic age reduction even after adjusting for other variables.



In the fully adjusted model, which included weight change and baseline epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), methyl adaptogen consumption still showed strong links to slower biological aging. 



Participants with higher EAA at the start - meaning they were biologically older than their actual age - benefited the most.



While weight loss was observed in the treatment group (average of 4.61 pounds), it did not significantly predict the drop in epigenetic age. This suggests the dietary compounds operated through a mechanism distinct from calorie restriction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-diets-showed-similar-benefits">Other diets showed similar benefits</h2>



These findings align with other studies showing how polyphenol-rich diets can improve epigenetic health. 



For example, a one-year Mediterranean diet trial showed a reversal in epigenetic aging, especially in participants who were biologically older at baseline. Similarly, traditional Japanese diets, known for their vegetable and seafood content, have also been associated with lower epigenetic age.



The DIRECT PLUS study, which used a green Mediterranean diet enriched with walnuts, green tea, and olive products, also linked polyphenol intake to slower biological aging. 



It specifically highlighted compounds like tyrosols and urolithins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and are found in green tea, olive oil, and berries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-biological-age-changes-from-food">Real biological age changes from food</h2>



This study stands out because it closely examined the effect of specific foods using actual biological age measurements. 



The participants’ diets were assessed with detailed frequency questionnaires, and adherence was cross-checked using blood markers of methyltetrahydrofolate - a nutrient associated with green vegetable intake.



Even though it was a small sample, the findings were statistically meaningful. The fully adjusted model explained 44% of the variability in epigenetic age changes - a considerable result given the environmental and genetic complexity of aging.



The fact that participants were mostly white, educated men from a narrow age range is both a strength and a limitation. It reduced variability in external factors but limits how widely the results can apply.



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



These results suggest a promising, food-based strategy for slowing biological aging. By focusing on natural foods that influence DNA methylation, researchers may be one step closer to practical aging interventions.



Of course, more studies with larger and more diverse populations are needed. Newer epigenetic clocks - especially those that account for immune and metabolic changes - could provide even clearer answers.



But the takeaway is encouraging. Eating certain plant foods daily could help reduce the wear and tear on your DNA. That doesn’t mean skipping on sleep or exercise. 



However, adding garlic to dinner or sipping green tea each morning might do more than boost your flavor or energy - it could support the longevity of your cells.



Our genes might set the stage, but our lifestyle holds the pen. This study suggests that choosing the right foods could be a powerful way to rewrite our cellular story. The future of aging might not lie only in medicine, but also in the meals we eat.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.aging-us.com/article/206240/text" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aging-US</a>.



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Want to slow down aging? Add these foods to your diet

Aging is inevitable, but the speed at which we age...

Aging can bring plenty of surprises, but few people suspect that part of the trouble might involve sugar. Researchers have learned that the brain’s protective coating of sugars loses some of its heft with age, and that this sugar loss might undermine the brain’s defenses.



Nobel laureate <a href="https://chemistry.stanford.edu/people/carolyn-bertozzi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carolyn Bertozzi</a>, from <a href="https://www.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a>, became curious about this sugary armor and looked into whether replenishing it could tighten the brain’s protective barrier. 



That barrier, called the blood-brain barrier, is designed to let in necessary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-foods-with-these-key-nutrients-will-dramatically-slow-brain-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrients</a> while blocking harmful substances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shift-in-the-sweet-layer">Shift in the sweet layer</h2>



This sugar coat, known as the glycocalyx, sits on cells that form the blood-brain barrier. A recent study in mice found that the glycocalyx becomes thinner over time, leaving gaps that invite unwanted molecules to slip in.&nbsp;



“We’re stepping outside for the first time and trying to make sense of what’s out there,” said Carolyn Bertozzi, referencing how little attention sugar molecules have received compared to more commonly studied proteins.



The worry is that even minor openings can let inflammatory molecules and other damaging factors spread through the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-for-hours-daily-shrinks-your-brain-even-if-you-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a>. Over the long run, that infiltration can potentially <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn3114" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diminish memory</a> and other cognitive abilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-sugar-layers-step-up-the-defense">Brain sugar layers step up the defense</h2>



Scientists realized that reintroducing key sugar components helped recover some lost protection. These sugar additions seemed to restore the boundary and slow ongoing inflammation.&nbsp;



“Modulating glycans has a major effect on the brain - both negatively in aging, when these sugars are lost, and positively, when they are restored,” explained lead researcher <a href="https://biox.stanford.edu/people/sophia-shi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sophia Shi</a>, from Stanford University.



Boosting the supply of specific sugars supported the barrier’s integrity in older mice. That allowed fewer damaging molecules to enter the brain and showed hints of improved brain function. 



Researchers found that addressing this sugar gap in the glycocalyx gave the animals a better shot at memory recovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-on-the-line">Memory on the line</h2>



“This work lays the foundation for a new field of inquiry into how the aging brain loses its resilience,” said <a href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/tony-wyss-coray" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tony Wyss-Coray</a>, from Stanford University. 



Brain tests of learning and recall showed that mice with replenished sugar layers performed better at certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-mapping-research-mouse-neurons-revolutionary-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a> tasks for the brain.



Small gains can mean a lot when fighting cognitive decline.&nbsp;Scientists have long searched for fresh ways to help people fend off the forgetfulness that comes with advanced age. 



The fact that a few sugars can shore up such a crucial brain barrier adds a new angle to that search. Many existing therapies attempt to stop buildup of harmful proteins, so a sugar-based approach is a different track.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-could-mean">What this could mean</h2>



The blood-brain barrier poses a challenge for anyone developing medications. This barrier acts as a gatekeeper, but a weakened <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00424-007-0212-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">barrier</a> also raises red flags, since it might let in bigger trouble. 



A thicker sugar layer could fine-tune how well the barrier behaves, keeping the brain safe yet still admitting vital substances.



This discovery might influence how researchers design treatments, especially for <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/neuroinflammation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neuroinflammation</a> and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. If a failing sugar shield is a factor in disease progression, adjusting it could help keep the brain in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-identify-the-brain-region-responsible-for-consciousness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">better shape</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-discoveries-lead-next">Where discoveries lead next</h2>



Bertozzi, Shi, and their colleagues plan to sort out which sugar types have the most impact. They also aim to figure out how these sugars interact with other protective molecules. The researchers suspect there could be multiple targets for preserving or replenishing the glycocalyx.



No one is certain exactly how it might work in humans yet, but many age-related vulnerabilities revolve around the same principle of barrier instability. 



Improved knowledge of sugar biology could lead to novel therapies that cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively without causing harmful leaks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-sugar-health">Brain sugar health</h2>



Even for those who are younger, understanding how sugars stabilize the brain’s immune privileges may open up better strategies for warding off disorders. 



Scientists suggest that a well-kept glycocalyx might help people recover from infections or injuries involving the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-may-not-be-a-brain-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a>.



Exploring these benefits requires further steps, and many labs are taking a fresh look at the glycocalyx as they learn more about its protective effects. 



This research offers a view into how aging brains manage the delicate balance between being open enough for nutrients yet closed off from harmful factors.



By tuning that balance with added sugars, memory-related symptoms improved in mice. Studies are ongoing to see how much of that success will carry over to human patients, especially those with neurodegenerative conditions.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08589-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Researchers successfully restore the brain's 'sweet layer' and recover memory

Aging can bring plenty of surprises, but few people suspect...

Concept,Of,Future,Technology,5g,Network,Wireless,Systems,And,Internet

People keep debating whether fifth-generation wireless signals might be risky. Some fear that these signals, traveling at higher frequencies, could damage our cells. Scientists have now studied how 5G waves affect the activity of human skin cells. 



The results reveal no alarming signs of harm. Dr. Vivian Meyer from <a href="https://constructor.university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jacobs University Bremen</a>, led the research to address these concerns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5g-causes-no-harm-to-skin-cells">5G causes no harm to skin cells</h2>



Study participants exposed human skin cells to frequencies of 27 GHz and 40.5 GHz. These tests ran for 2 hours or 48 hours at power flux densities of 1 milliwatt per square centimeter and 10 milliwatts per square centimeter.



The team measured how these electromagnetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-debris-may-create-a-future-with-no-internet-or-astronaut-missions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fields</a> might trigger changes in gene expression. They also tracked DNA methylation, which helps turn genes on or off.



Recommended safety limits for the general population sit at 1 milliwatt per square centimeter for this frequency range, based on the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection <a href="https://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/publications/ICNIRPrfgdl2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guidelines</a>. This study used up to 10 times that level to see if any significant shifts might appear.



Some earlier work pointed to possible health effects but failed to control for heat from the equipment. This group included temperature checks to rule out the chance that slight warming created misleading effects.



Many news outlets have highlighted statements that 5G might cause everything from headaches to severe illness. This study tackled those claims by testing real human cells in controlled lab setups.



Non-ionizing radiation, such as 5G, differs from high-energy sources like X-rays. These high-energy sources can break chemical bonds, but 5G waves do not have that ability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-5g-affects-gene-expression">How 5G affects gene expression </h2>



Gene expression involves the way cells read genetic instructions and make proteins. If an outside factor changes that process, it can lead to subtle or major biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-teleportation-communication-achieved-on-regular-internet-cables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consequences</a>.



Researchers found no unusual patterns in the cells that received the 5G signals. They compared them with cells shielded from the waves and saw similar activity levels.



“The quantum energies are far too low to have photochemical or even ionizing effects on cells,” stated Dr. Meyer. The authors also emphasized that routine tasks like making proteins or repairing tissue stayed normal. This calm response in gene expression points to no disruption from 5G.



Millimeter-wave frequencies also have shallow skin penetration, often only a few millimeters into the body. That limited depth further reduces the odds of deep tissue interference.



Scientists watch gene expression in skin cells closely because 5G exposure can link to inflammation or other cell stress. No such signals were noticed in the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5g-exposure-and-dna-methylation">5G exposure and DNA methylation</h2>



<a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Methylation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Methylation</a> is a chemical tag that can affect how genes function. Certain signals from the environment can change these tags, which sometimes alters cellular behavior.



In this project, no major shifts appeared in the cells’ methylation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/taking-a-smartphone-break-can-improve-your-life-in-surprising-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">profiles</a>. This suggests that the exposure did not create epigenetic stress.



Other <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0109435" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> found similar outcomes at frequencies in the millimeter-wave range, even when power levels were higher than everyday exposure. These stable methylation patterns match the stable gene expression findings.



Previous concerns stemmed from the fear that 5G might spark changes at the cellular level without immediate symptoms. These fresh data suggest otherwise.



Experts have explored whether electromagnetic exposure could prompt long-term epigenetic shifts. Those might remain hidden until many cell cycles pass.



In these trials, the normal patterns suggest that any subtle changes are unlikely. This observation matches wider evidence that short-term exposure poses no known epigenetic threat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-studies-could-reveal-5g-risks">Future studies could reveal 5G risks</h2>



Some people wonder if long-term exposure might still pose unknown risks. Others question whether certain individuals might be more sensitive to electromagnetic signals.



This study indicates no harmful alterations in skin cells from 5G exposure, but more work on various cell types could settle lingering doubts. Future projects may also review how repeated exposure interacts with other environmental factors.



Scientists often stress the importance of consistent methods and proper temperature tracking. Such precautions help isolate real biological changes from simple heating effects. 



The authors believe these findings calm persistent fears and show that 5G exposure to skin cells is unlikely to cause genetic or epigenetic damage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-concerns-about-5g-health-risks">Public concerns about 5G health risks</h2>



Many researchers believe large-scale <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-shrinking-earths-atmosphere-and-thats-bad-for-satellites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monitoring</a> over years could confirm these laboratory insights. Ongoing surveillance might help ease public anxiety.



Policymakers often rely on robust data for safety guidelines. They may update recommendations only if science uncovers new dangers.



Modern wireless networks have always raised questions about health. This well-controlled experiment looks like a solid step toward assurance.



Many wonder if the matter is settled forever. Time will tell whether new research keeps indicating a lack of harm.



The study is published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/5/pgaf127/8124427?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS Nexus</a>.



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5G wireless signals were extensively tested and the final verdict is out on their human impact

People keep debating whether fifth-generation wireless signals might be risky....

Cancer is one of the many health risks linked to physical inactivity, and it has become a growing concern in today’s sedentary world.



Most of us know that we should move more. Yet, with modern life keeping us in chairs and behind screens, the cost of sitting too much is steep - about £7.4 billion a year in the U.K. alone. But beyond the financial toll, it’s our health that suffers most.



Now, fresh evidence suggests a simple habit could make a big difference: walking. New research from the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a> shows that taking more daily steps can lower your chances of developing certain cancers. 



The study followed over 85,000 U.K. adults and found a strong connection between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-can-drastically-improve-your-health-without-thousands-of-daily-steps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking</a> regularly and a reduced risk for 13 types of cancer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-step-cancer-connection">Understanding the step-cancer connection</h2>



Participants wore devices that tracked how much - and how intensely - they moved each day. On average, they were monitored for six years.



The researchers spotted a clear pattern: the more someone walked, the lower their cancer risk. This link held up no matter how fast or slowly those steps were taken.



In fact, the benefits started to appear around 5,000 steps per day. Below that, there wasn’t much effect. But once participants hit 7,000 steps, cancer risk dropped by 11%. At 9,000 steps, the risk fell by 16%. Beyond that, the advantage leveled off, with only small additional improvements.



These numbers back the common advice to walk <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-prove-how-many-daily-steps-you-should-take-to-avoid-early-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10,000 steps a day</a> - not just for heart health or fitness reasons, but as a way to lower cancer risk as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pace-doesn-t-matter-movement-does">Pace doesn’t matter; movement does</h2>



Researchers also looked at how fast people walked. While faster walking was initially linked to lower cancer risk, this difference disappeared when total movement was taken into account. It turns out that it’s the overall amount of activity that matters most - not how briskly you do it.



Swapping sitting time for either light or moderate activity reduced cancer risk. But trading light movement for more intense activity didn’t add extra benefits. The key message? Just move more, at any speed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-types-of-cancer-are-affected">What types of cancer are affected?</h2>



The experts looked at 13 cancers: esophageal, liver, lung, kidney, gastric, endometrial, myeloid leukemia, myeloma, colon, head and neck, rectal, bladder, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diet-improves-health-in-women-with-breast-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breast cancer</a>.



Over six years, about 3% of participants developed one of these cancers. For men, the most common were colon, rectal, and lung cancers. For women, breast, colon, endometrial, and lung cancers were most common.



Physical activity showed the strongest protection against six <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-is-linked-to-32-cancer-types-that-could-drive-40-of-cases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer types</a>: gastric, bladder, liver, endometrial, lung, and head and neck cancers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-study-stands-out">Why this study stands out</h2>



Most earlier studies in this field have relied on people reporting their own activity levels. That method isn’t always reliable. People often forget or overestimate how much they move. This new study used wearable trackers, which gave a much clearer picture of actual daily movement.



It’s also different from research that focuses only on intense exercise. While hitting the gym can be helpful, not everyone is able or motivated to do that. The research suggests that even lighter movement, like walking, can reduce cancer risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-changes-add-up">Small changes add up</h2>



You don’t have to walk miles at a time to see real health benefits. Just 4,000 steps a day - roughly equal to two miles (3.2 kilometers) or about 40 minutes of light walking - can help improve your long-term health.



The good news is that you don’t need to carve out a large chunk of time to make it happen. These steps can be spread throughout the day, making it easier to fit movement into your routine.



Consider small adjustments to your daily habits. Take the stairs instead of the lift whenever possible - it’s a simple way to get your heart rate up. During your lunch break, step outside for a short walk to clear your mind and add to your daily total. 



If you're often on phone calls, use that time to walk around instead of sitting still while you talk. Even parking a little farther away from your destination can give you those extra steps that make a difference.



Incorporating more movement into your day, especially during middle age, can be one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your risk of cancer over time. It doesn’t require a gym membership or special equipment - just a conscious decision to sit less and move more.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-simple-way-to-lower-cancer-risk">A simple way to lower cancer risk</h2>



Of course, the connection between movement and cancer is complex. Scientists still have more to learn - especially about how different types of activity influence individual cancers over time.



But one thing is clear: sitting less and moving more really matters. You don’t have to run marathons. Just get up, take more steps, and you could be walking toward <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intermittent-fasting-could-be-the-key-to-better-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">better health</a> - one day at a time.



Details of the study are published in the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2025/03/14/bjsports-2024-109360">British Journal of Sports Medicine</a>.



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Walking each day at any speed lowers the risk of cancer

Cancer is one of the many health risks linked to...

We all know that feeling. The alarm blares, and instead of getting up, we slap the snooze button and drift back to sleep. Those extra minutes feel like a gift, but are they really? Sleep experts warn that hitting snooze disrupts crucial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/irregular-sleep-may-cause-premature-muscle-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> stages. 



Yet, a study led by researchers at <a href="https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mass General Brigham</a> reveals that more than half of sleep sessions end with a snooze alarm. The average person spends 10.8 minutes each morning in a cycle of fragmented sleep before finally waking up



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-hits-snooze-the-most">Who hits snooze the most?</h2>



Some people can’t help but keep hitting the snooze button. Researchers divided snooze users into three groups. 



The first group barely hit snooze, maybe once or twice, for just three minutes. The second group snoozed a bit more, pressing it twice and snoozing for over six minutes. The last group - the heavy snoozers - couldn’t stop. 



They hit snooze four times per morning, spending about 20 minutes in a foggy, half-awake state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-snoozing-disrupts-sleep">Why snoozing disrupts sleep</h2>



“Unfortunately, the snooze alarm disrupts some of the most important stages of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-prepares-the-brain-for-the-future-while-protecting-memories-of-the-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>,” said Robbins. 



“The hours just before waking are rich in rapid eye movement sleep. Hitting the snooze alarm will interrupt these critical stages of sleep and typically only offer you light sleep in between snooze alarms."



“The best approach for optimizing your sleep and next day performance is to set your alarm for the latest possible time, then commit to getting out of bed when your first alarm goes off.”



Wake up feeling groggy and disoriented? That’s sleep inertia. The study backed this up, showing heavy snooze users slept less soundly and felt less rested during the day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-women-use-the-snooze-button-more">Women use the snooze button more</h2>



Women seem to use the snooze button more than men. In the study, women pressed snooze an average of 2.5 times per session, while men hit it 2.3 times. Women also spent more time in snooze mode, averaging 11.5 minutes compared to 10.2 minutes for men.



Why do women snooze more? Researchers think it might be because women often deal with more sleep problems, like insomnia or restless <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-quality-could-be-the-key-to-better-metabolic-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>. They might also have more responsibilities, like work, childcare, or other tasks that can interrupt their sleep. 



In the morning, they try to grab a few extra minutes of rest by hitting snooze. But those extra minutes don’t always provide real rest - they often leave them feeling more tired and groggy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weekdays-vs-weekends">Weekdays vs. weekends </h2>



People hit the snooze button more on weekdays than on weekends. The study found that from Monday to Friday, the average number of snoozes per session was 2.5. On weekends, it dropped slightly to 2.3.



Why the difference? During the workweek, people have set schedules and early alarms, so they’re more likely to hit snooze to squeeze in a bit more sleep. 



On weekends, they have more freedom to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-loss-has-a-greater-impact-on-heart-health-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> in and less pressure to get up at a specific time. As a result, they don’t feel the need to keep pressing snooze.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-sleep-duration-affects-snoozing">How sleep duration affects snoozing</h2>



Not everyone has time to hit snooze. Those sleeping less than five hours hardly used the snooze function. 



However, those logging more than nine hours couldn’t get enough. They hit snooze four times per session, stretching their wake-up window to 20 minutes of fragmented sleep.



Researchers suggest that short sleepers might have tighter schedules, with no room for those few extra minutes in bed. Meanwhile, long sleepers may feel like they have more time to spare, leading to more snoozing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-countries-hit-snooze-the-most">Which countries hit snooze the most</h2>



Snooze habits vary from country to country. In the study, Sweden had the highest average snooze usage, with people hitting the snooze button 2.7 times per session. 



Germany and the United States were close behind at 2.5 snoozes per session. Japan and Australia kept their snooze time shorter, averaging 2.2 presses per session. 



When it came to how long people stayed in snooze mode, Sweden was again the leader. People there spent an average of 11.7 minutes hitting snooze. In Japan, that number was much lower - just 9.2 minutes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-prime-season-to-hit-snooze">The prime season to hit snooze</h2>



Seasons matter. In the Northern Hemisphere, December was prime snooze season, with people averaging 2.62 snoozes and 11.83 minutes of fragmented sleep. 



Down south, July took the top spot with 2.35 snoozes. On the flip side, September in the north and November in the south had the lowest snooze rates.



Why the shift? Dark mornings and less daylight in winter could make it harder to wake up, tempting people to hit snooze again and again.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bedtime-and-wake-time">Bedtime and wake time</h2>



When you go to bed and wake up can affect how much you hit snooze. People who went to sleep early, around 8 p.m., barely used the snooze button. They averaged 2.5 presses. 



On the other hand, those who stayed up until 10 p.m. hit snooze five times, dragging out their wake-up by 26 minutes.



Wake-up times showed similar patterns. Early risers who woke up at 3 a.m. only hit snooze twice. But those getting up at 1 p.m. pressed snooze nearly seven times, spending 37.6 minutes in a foggy, fragmented state of sleep.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-optimizing-sleep-and-feeling-rested">Optimizing sleep and feeling rested </h2>



Sticking to a regular sleep schedule meant less snoozing. People who went to bed at their usual time hit snooze five to six times per session. 



But those who stayed up late? They hit snooze up to seven times, struggling to get up in the morning and dragging out their wake-up time.



Is hitting the snooze button worth it? Rebecca Robbins thinks not. "The best approach for optimizing your sleep and next day performance is to set your alarm for the latest possible time, then commit to getting out of bed when your first alarm goes off."



Hitting snooze might feel good in the moment, but it breaks up crucial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-sleep-like-humans-with-similar-brain-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep stages</a>, leaving you groggy and less rested. Next time that alarm rings, think twice before slapping snooze. Your brain - and your mood - will thank you.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-99563-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Hitting the snooze button is a bad idea for maintaining good health

We all know that feeling. The alarm blares, and instead...

In the heart of Mexico, a food revolution is quietly taking shape. Food scientist Raquel Gomez is reimagining one of the country’s most iconic foods - the tortilla. 



With a vision to provide a longer-lasting, nutrient-rich option, Gomez is developing a wheat flour tortilla infused with probiotics. This innovation has the potential to impact millions, particularly those in impoverished areas where refrigeration is a luxury. 



Gomez’s work is more than just a scientific endeavor; it is a mission to tackle malnutrition and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-system-can-predict-child-malnutrition-before-it-strikes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> insecurity in Mexico.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tortillas-can-spoil-quickly">Tortillas can spoil quickly</h2>



In Mexico, tortillas aren’t just food - they’re a way of life. Every <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-alternative-seafood-can-help-save-our-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meal</a> revolves around them. Breakfast might include huevos rancheros with tortillas. Lunch often features tacos or quesadillas. Dinner could be a simple tortilla roll with beans or cheese. It’s a staple that shows up on every plate, every day.



But there’s a problem. Tortillas spoil quickly. Fresh corn tortillas, in particular, become inedible within a few days, especially in hot, humid conditions. 



Most Mexicans can’t store large quantities because they don’t have refrigerators. So, they buy fresh tortillas daily from neighborhood shops, known as tortillerías.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tortillas-that-last">Tortillas that last</h2>



Gomez sees a better way. Instead of buying tortillas every day, why not make one that lasts longer? She’s developed a wheat flour tortilla that can stay fresh for up to a month without refrigeration. That’s unusual. Traditional tortillas start to grow mold in just a few days.



But this isn’t just a scientific experiment. "It was developed with the most vulnerable people in mind," Gomez said. She’s thinking about families without fridges, those in rural areas where food spoils quickly.



If her tortillas can last a month, that means fewer trips to the market, less money spent, and more security for families struggling to get by.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-probiotics-extend-shelf-life">Probiotics extend shelf life </h2>



Probiotics are live microorganisms commonly found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forgotten-indigenous-crops-could-help-solve-modern-climate-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foods</a> like yogurt, kefir, and kimchi. They’re often called “good bacteria” because they promote gut health and aid digestion. But in Gomez’s lab, probiotics are doing more than just that. 



The team has incorporated probiotics into their tortilla dough. Most tortillas don’t contain these beneficial microorganisms. But here, they’re the secret weapon. Why? Because probiotics do two critical things.



First, they prevent mold growth. In these probiotic-packed tortillas, the good bacteria outcompete the mold, keeping the tortilla fresh for weeks.



Second, they provide nutritional benefits. Probiotics are known to improve gut health, thus aiding in digestion and boosting the immune system. So, Gomez’s tortilla isn’t just a food item. It’s also a functional food - one that nourishes the body while staying fresh without preservatives.



The result is a tortilla that doesn’t just sit on the shelf - it lasts on the shelf. It remains nutritious. It stays edible. And for families without refrigeration, that’s a game changer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-malnutrition-with-tortillas">Fighting malnutrition with tortillas</h2>



This isn’t just food science. It’s survival science. Nearly 14% of children under five in Mexico suffer from chronic malnutrition. In Indigenous communities, the number jumps to 27 percent.



Gomez wants her tortilla in those kitchens. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lab-grown-chicken-just-got-a-flavor-and-texture-boost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food</a> that lasts means fewer trips to the store, less expense and more meals on the table.



Teresa Sanchez lives in Chiapas, one of Mexico’s poorest states. In her small, wooden house, there’s no refrigerator. She has never owned one. Instead, she cooks on a wood-burning stove, just as her mother and grandmother did. It’s a way of life passed down through generations.



When asked why she doesn’t have a fridge, Sanchez’s answer is simple: "Where are you going to get a refrigerator if there's no money?" Refrigerators are expensive, and in areas like Chiapas, few families can afford them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-waste-and-more-stability">Less waste and more stability</h2>



Without refrigeration, keeping food fresh becomes a constant challenge. Sanchez boils meat to preserve it. If it doesn’t get eaten that day, she boils it again the next day. And the day after that. Repeated boiling keeps bacteria at bay, but it also drains nutrients and alters taste.



Gomez knows this cycle all too well. She’s met families like Sanchez’s. She understands the daily struggle to keep food from spoiling. 



The new tortilla is designed to last for weeks without a fridge, and to offer a solution for families who can’t afford to lose food to spoilage. For people like Sanchez, it could mean less boiling, less waste, and more stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preservatives-or-probiotics">Preservatives or probiotics?</h2>



Most tortillas on store shelves are packed with preservatives. Calcium propionate is the common one. It keeps mold away, but there’s a cost. 



"One of the most commonly used additives in processed wheat flour tortillas is calcium propionate, which is considered harmful to the colon's microbiota," said Guillermo Arteaga, a researcher at the <a href="https://www.unison.mx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sonora</a>.



Gomez takes a different path. Her tortillas rely on probiotics instead. They are natural, clean and do not contain artificial ingredients.



Right now, Gomez’s tortillas use wheat flour. It’s the go-to in northern Mexico. But in the south, corn rules. Corn is cheaper, more readily available, and more culturally significant.



However, corn also spoils faster. Gomez wants to change that. Her team is working to adapt the probiotic method to corn tortillas. It’s not easy. Different grain requires different fermentation, but it’s worth trying.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-the-tortillas-beyond-the-lab">Moving the tortillas beyond the lab</h2>



In 2023, Gomez’s work seemed poised for a breakthrough. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (<a href="https://www.unaminternacional.unam.mx/en/unam" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNAM</a>) signed a deal to distribute her probiotic tortillas. This could have brought the tortillas to stores and, more importantly, to the people who need them most.



But the deal fell through. The reasons aren’t specified, but the outcome is clear - the tortillas never made it to market. They remained in the lab, stuck in the experimental phase.



Despite the setback, Gomez kept pushing forward. In December, she received recognition for her work from the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. The award acknowledged her innovation and the potential impact of her tortillas.



But while awards validate her efforts, they don’t put food on people’s tables. The tortillas need to move beyond the lab and into the hands of people like Teresa Sanchez, where they can actually help families struggling with food insecurity. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-convincing-people-to-try-lab-made-tortillas">Convincing people to try lab-made tortillas</h2>



Gomez faces a tough challenge. In Mexico, fresh tortillas aren’t just food - they’re tradition. Families buy them warm, soft, and straight from neighborhood shops every day. 



The idea of a lab-made tortilla, even one packed with probiotics and designed to last a month without a fridge, feels foreign. Gomez knows this. "It was developed with the most vulnerable people in mind," she says, as if reminding herself why she started.



Gomez wants her tortilla in kitchens like Sanchez’s - a product that can endure the heat, stay fresh, and reduce food waste. But for now, the tortillas remain in the lab, waiting for a chance to reach those who need them most.



Gomez keeps working, keeps testing, keeps hoping. The tortillas haven’t made it to market yet. Maybe they never will. But if they do, they could be more than just food. They could buy time - time to eat, time to save money, time to survive. For families like Sanchez’s, that time could mean everything.



Information for this article was obtained from <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250513-scientists-in-mexico-develop-tortilla-for-people-with-no-fridge">Agence France-Presse</a>.



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New tortillas can last a month without refrigeration

In the heart of Mexico, a food revolution is quietly...

On May 13, 2025, scientists announced intriguing findings about the protective role of skin bacteria against sunlight. The research highlights how certain microorganisms on the skin might reduce the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.



The scientists studied how some skin microbes adjust our response to UV exposure by breaking down a compound called <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/cis-urocanic-acid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cis-urocanic acid</a>. This discovery sheds new light on how the skin's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teen-skin-bacteria-could-hold-the-secret-to-acne-prevention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microscopic allies</a> could influence sun-related health issues.



The study was led by Dr. VijayKumar Patra from the International Center for Infection Research in Lyon, France, and the Research Unit for Photodermatology at the<a href="https://www.medunigraz.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Medical University of Graz</a> in Austria.



Dr. Patra and his colleagues uncovered how the skin’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-tool-analyzes-face-age-to-predict-cancer-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> might influence sun-induced effects through a specialized metabolic process.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skin-bacteria-reduce-uv-damage">Skin bacteria reduce UV damage</h2>



The skin’s outer layer, known as the stratum corneum, is home to many microorganisms that coexist with our cells. Researchers have found that these organisms adapt to the skin’s available nutrients, creating products that can affect local immune responses.



One key factor is how the microbiome deals with sun-triggered molecules. By handling these molecules, microbes shape how skin cells react to environmental challenges. 



The experts observed that certain strains thrive when cis-urocanic acid is present, hinting at new ways to view sun protection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skin-microbes-and-immune-responses">Skin microbes and immune responses</h2>



Scientists refer to cis-urocanic acid as an <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6223114/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immunosuppressive molecule</a> that can tamp down local defense mechanisms. This property is helpful in some cases, but it also raises concerns about skin damage if the immune system is weakened at the wrong moment.



Investigators found that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7919/">microbial metabolism</a> can reduce the impact of cis-urocanic acid on immune cells. They discovered a clear tie between bacterial growth patterns and skin’s ability to respond to sun exposure.



“This is the first time we have demonstrated a direct metabolic link between UV radiation, a host-derived molecule, and bacterial behavior that affects immune function,” said Dr. Marc Vocanson, from the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (<a href="https://www.inserm.fr/en/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">INSERM</a>). 



The research illustrates how basic skin processes and microbial communities interact in surprising ways.



The findings strengthen the idea that the microbiome helps manage signals that keep our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alice-ball-young-chemist-transformed-an-ancient-kava-plant-into-an-effective-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skin</a> healthy. They also suggest that interactions between bacteria and immune cells can shift with changes in the environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-inside-sun-exposed-skin">What happens inside sun-exposed skin</h2>



When the skin is hit by UVB rays, a common type of ultraviolet radiation, a molecule called trans-urocanic acid in the outer skin layer changes form. It turns into cis-urocanic acid, which has strong effects on immune activity in the area.



This transformation isn’t just chemical - it has real consequences for how the skin reacts to threats. Cis-urocanic acid tends to suppress immune responses, which might help with inflammation but can also make the skin more <a href="https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/60355" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vulnerable</a> to infections or cancer-causing mutations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-ways-to-protect-skin">New ways to protect skin </h2>



Dr. Peter Wolf is an expert in the research unit for photodermatology at the Medical University of Graz.



“These findings open the door to microbiome-aware sun protection, where we not only protect the skin from UV radiation, but also consider how resident microbes can alter the immune landscape after exposure,” said Dr. Wolf.



This perspective could influence the design of sunscreens and after-sun care. Experts note that any new approach will need to account for the balance between cutting down damaging UV effects and preserving beneficial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protein-changes-discovered-protect-humans-mammals-from-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">functions</a>. 



The research may ultimately reshape how physicians use UV-based therapies for conditions like psoriasis or dermatitis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-bacteria-to-heal-skin">Using bacteria to heal skin</h2>



Changes in the microbiome might influence how sunburns develop or how quickly skin recovers after strong UV exposure. Some scientists are already investigating how lotions with helpful bacteria could support skin repair.



At this stage, there is still plenty to learn before these ideas translate into clinical treatments. 



The researchers stress that controlled studies are needed to confirm the best way to keep the skin microbiome stable while reducing UV risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skin-bacteria-and-uv-protection">Skin bacteria and UV protection</h2>



“This pivotal study shows that microbial communities are not passive victims of environmental stress but dynamic regulators of immune responses, capable of metabolizing UV-induced skin products such as cis-urocanic acid,” said Dr. Anna Di Nardo of <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC San Diego</a>.



She noted that skin bacteria can shape how our bodies deal with UV-induced changes, highlighting the significance of microbial metabolism as a factor in skin health. 



Dr. Di Nardo also mentioned growing concerns about sun damage and the potential role of beneficial microbes in preventing long-term effects.



Scientists across dermatology and immunology agree that this link between microbes and UV response holds promise for better prevention strategies. It also raises questions about whether tailored skincare could tap into these microbial interactions in the future. 



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(25)00405-1/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Investigative Dermatology</a>.



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Our skin's bacteria could be a natural sunscreen

On May 13, 2025, scientists announced intriguing findings about the...

Philosophers have argued for centuries about whether free will exists. Now, a fresh take suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) might meet the conditions for having it.



Recent research proposes that generative AI can display goal-directed behavior, demonstrate genuine choices, and retain control over its actions. This intriguing idea comes from Finnish philosopher and psychology researcher Frank Martela, an assistant professor at <a href="https://www.aalto.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aalto University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defining-free-will-in-ai-systems">Defining free will in AI systems</h2>



In philosophy, free will typically means having intentions, real alternatives, and the power to decide between those alternatives. Some thinkers claim this requires breaking physical laws, but others say it only needs to hold on a functional level.



Frank Martela’s study links these criteria to advanced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-are-falling-in-love-with-ai-companions-and-it-could-be-dangerous/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI systems</a> that combine neural networks, memory, and planning. He draws on insights from Daniel Dennett and Christian List, whose theories highlight how an agent’s goals and choices shape its behavior.



Many people worry about <a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393608984" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unmanned aerial vehicles</a> or self-driving cars that make life-or-death calls without human oversight. If these machines can choose their actions, responsibility might shift from programmers to the AI itself.



Martela suggests that the more freedom we grant these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-sensor-reveals-your-true-emotions-even-when-youre-faking-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">systems</a>, the more moral guidance they need from the outset. He sees them as mature decision-makers, not naive children who just need basic rules.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-instructing-ai-on-ethics">Instructing AI on ethics</h2>



One recent incident, the withdrawal of a ChatGPT update due to sycophantic tendencies, sparked fresh concern. Developers realized that quick fixes are not enough when a chatbot can confidently provide flawed or dangerous responses.



Martela contends that instructing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-now-create-custom-fragrances-from-scent-labels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> on higher-level ethics is crucial. He points out that building a moral compass into these tools from the start is the only way to guide their decisions once they operate on their own.



Martela compares training these systems to raising a child. Yet he warns that modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-doesnt-just-hear-music-it-becomes-the-rhythm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> is more like an adult forced to handle intricate moral problems.



Shaping a technology’s ethical framework demands comprehensive moral philosophy. Martela believes developers must understand nuanced values to address complicated <a href="https://hdsr.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/l0jsh9d1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dilemmas</a> involving autonomy and risk.



Early AI was taught basic if-then rules, but that approach is outdated. Situations in healthcare, transportation, or national defense can be too complex for rigid guidelines.



Martela notes that advanced AI functions in a world full of gray areas, where free will can be complex. A self-help tool, a self-driving car, and a drone might all need nuanced judgment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-free-will-in-ai">Implications of free will in AI</h2>



Handing AI more autonomy could change how we see accountability. Martela’s perspective implies that well-trained systems might bear moral responsibilities once viewed as purely human.



He is also known for discussing how Finland excels in happiness rankings. That expertise in human well-being informs his call for careful AI governance.



An AI can match or <a href="https://global.oup.com/academic/product/superintelligence-9780199678112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exceed</a> human skill in certain tasks. Without ethical direction, its actions might cause harm or spark conflict .



The new research hints that advanced systems can guide their own choices. Martela says it is wise to embed moral priorities before giving them the license to act alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-ai-bear-moral-responsibility">Can AI bear moral responsibility?</h2>



Some experts see these developments as a big leap forward. Others worry about losing human oversight at crucial moments.



Martela hopes that this debate draws more voices from philosophy, psychology, and public policy. He thinks society should weigh potential gains against ethical risks.



Philosophers have long wondered if moral agency requires consciousness. Martela’s work sidesteps that debate by focusing on practical behavior instead.



He points to functional freedom, a concept suggesting that intent and choice are enough for real responsibility. This perspective could transform how courts, governments, and industries address AI-related accidents.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-ai-decision-making">The future of AI decision-making</h2>



Martela’s ideas trigger tough questions about AI’s future roles. If a system truly decides its path, do we punish the machine or the people who built it?



Some argue for strict guidelines, while others welcome flexible codes that adapt as the technology evolves. The debate shows no signs of slowing.



Martela’s stance challenges the view that machines are just mindless tools. He proposes that tomorrow’s AI might merit serious reflection on whether it shares our moral load.



He urges designers to incorporate ethical principles early. Both enthusiasts and skeptics agree that ignoring moral questions could be dangerous.



The implications extend beyond labs and corporate boardrooms. Everyone who interacts with advanced AI might feel the impact of these choices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-ai">The future of AI </h2>



Legislators, ethicists, and tech leaders are increasingly aware of the stakes. Big decisions lie ahead about how to balance innovation with public trust.



Some experts call for global frameworks to manage AI’s new authority. Others emphasize open debate so that no single viewpoint dominates.



Nobody can predict all outcomes when AI systems gain the power to act independently. Society has a chance to shape this technology before it shapes us.



Moving forward, Martela’s perspective raises hopes and anxieties in equal measure. He underscores that designing AI with carefully chosen moral aims can safeguard both human interests and technological growth.



His argument leaves no room for complacency. Free will in AI might seem abstract, but it has urgent real consequences unfolding right now.



The study is published in <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-025-00740-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI and Ethics</a>.



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If AI has free will, who's responsible when things go wrong?

Philosophers have argued for centuries about whether free will exists....

Time often influences how we feel physically, affecting muscle function, whether it’s waking up with a jolt or unwinding at the end of a long day. Researchers studying the body’s natural cycles have begun to link disruptions in our sleep schedules to accelerated muscle aging.



The focus is on circadian rhythms and how they affect muscle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ripening-tomatoes-may-hold-clues-to-delay-human-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a>. This direction comes from work involving lead author Dr. Jeffrey Kelu, a research associate at <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King’s College London</a>. 



Dr. Kelu's team explored the idea that internal muscle clocks might explain why irregular routines hasten the signs of getting older.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-muscle-clocks-affect-aging">How muscle clocks affect aging </h2>



Circadian rhythms rely on biological “timekeepers” in different parts of the body. Scientists have long known that the brain and other organs use these clocks to regulate temperature, hormones, and digestion.



Research now suggests muscle cells run on their own schedule. When these cycles are interrupted, the aging process can ramp up, also known as <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23167-sarcopenia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sarcopenia</a>, which is the gradual decline in muscle mass.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muscle-aging-patterns-in-fish">Muscle aging patterns in fish</h2>



“We then monitored the fish for two years, comparing them to healthy controls. While no significant differences were seen at younger ages, fish lacking a functional muscle clock eventually showed clear signs of premature <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1970116&amp;action=edit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>,” said Dr. Kelu. 



The team ran experiments on <a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Zebrafish" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zebrafish</a>, small aquarium fish that share many genes with humans.&nbsp;



Scientists picked zebrafish partly because their transparent features make muscle changes easier to observe. These characteristics save valuable time and resources before trying similar work in larger animals or humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-long-term-health-impacts">Observing long-term health impacts</h2>



Zebrafish aren’t just chosen for convenience. Their muscle structure and cellular processes are surprisingly similar to those in humans, which makes them a reliable model for studying complex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-tool-analyzes-face-age-to-predict-cancer-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biological systems</a> like circadian rhythms and protein turnover.



Zebrafish also reproduce quickly and develop rapidly, which helps researchers observe long-term effects like aging within a much shorter period. 



Because their bodies are transparent at early stages, scientists can watch what’s happening in real time, instead of relying solely on post-mortem tissue samples.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-patterns-and-muscle-aging">Sleep patterns and muscle aging</h2>



“In the UK, approximately four million shift workers play a vital role in keeping businesses and emergency services operational around the clock," said Dr. Kelu.



"Our study provides further evidence that the disruption of circadian rhythms in shift workers compromises multiple aspects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/klotho-s-kl-protein-discovered-boosts-lifespan-muscle-brain-power-with-one-dose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a>."



Muscle decline in later years appears to be only one piece of the puzzle. Experts <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21355031/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">note</a> that shift schedules disturb normal sleep-wake cycles and hamper body clocks for years. 



This misalignment seems to speed up the same muscle wear-and-tear that shows up with age, leaving people more at risk of mobility issues.



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



These findings don’t just affect night-shift workers. People with irregular sleep patterns, long-haul travelers, or anyone who regularly stays up late may also experience similar disruptions to their internal clocks. 



The disruptions can add up over time, even if obvious signs do not emerge right away. This raises questions about how much recovery the body truly gets when sleep schedules constantly change. 



Sticking to a consistent bedtime and allowing for deeper rest at night may help the body carry out its normal muscle maintenance routines more effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muscle-aging-in-men-and-women">Muscle aging in men and women</h2>



Although the study used zebrafish, similar <a href="https://genomebiology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/gb-2003-4-10-r61" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns</a> have been seen in humans, especially when it comes to how muscle mass declines with age. 



Recent population data suggests that men may experience sharper drops in muscle strength over time, which lines up with what was observed in male zebrafish. 



This difference might come from how circadian rhythms interact with hormones and metabolic changes across the lifespan. 



Further research is needed to investigate whether men and women need different strategies to protect muscle health as they get older.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-s-influence-on-muscle-aging">Sleep's influence on muscle aging</h2>



Healthy muscles go through daily cleanup. Faulty proteins gather during active periods and are cleared at night so muscles can recover.



Scientists discovered that circadian rhythms direct this cleanup. When these rhythms break, damaged proteins build up, making muscle tissue weaker over time.



New possibilities are emerging. Certain treatments that target internal clocks may help prevent the early muscle loss reported in night workers, though more trials are needed.



“This work shows how studying something as complicated as muscle growth in a simple system, like little fish larva, can really teach us something,” said Professor Simon Hughes, from King’s College London. Therapies that stabilize muscle clocks might keep cells healthier for longer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-muscle-aging-treatments">Future of muscle aging treatments</h2>



Early-stage research is already testing drugs that target clock-related proteins like <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4865262/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rev-erb and Ror</a>, which play a role in regulating nighttime muscle cleanup. 



If these treatments prove safe and effective, they could become part of new therapies designed to slow or prevent sarcopenia in at-risk groups.



There’s also growing interest in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22936255/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronomedicine</a>, timing treatments to match the body’s natural rhythms. For muscle health, this might mean taking medications or scheduling physical therapy at specific times of day to get the best results.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2422446122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Irregular sleep may cause premature muscle aging

Time often influences how we feel physically, affecting muscle function,...

If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed by work, bills, or the latest headlines, taking a moment for mindfulness might offer some relief. 



The practice - simply paying attention to the present moment without judgment - is known to help calm the mind and improve concentration.



“A lot of research has shown that mindfulness can reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teachers-experienced-high-anxiety-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a> symptoms,” said Resh Gupta, a postdoctoral research associate with the&nbsp;Mindfulness Science and Practice research cluster.



While many people experience the benefits of mindfulness firsthand, scientists continue to explore exactly how it works and which types of mindfulness best suit different anxiety patterns. 



Some anxieties come and go. Others linger and interfere with daily life. "We all experience anxiety, but it can manifest in many different ways,” noted Gupta. “It’s a tough problem to pin down.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-matching-mindfulness-with-anxiety-types">Matching mindfulness with anxiety types</h2>



At <a href="https://artsci.washu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University in St. Louis</a>, researchers proposed a new framework to better understand how mindfulness interacts with anxiety. 



Their idea, published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, suggests that no single technique works for everyone. Instead, different mindfulness approaches may work better for different anxiety profiles.



The team includes postdoctoral research associate Resh Gupta, psychology professor Todd Braver, and Wendy Heller, a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Their work was supported in part by WashU’s Incubator for Transdisciplinary Futures.



Braver described the paper as a reflection of the cluster’s broader goals. “There is a growing recognition that these practices can be incredibly useful in enhancing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/houseplants-boosted-psychological-well-being-during-covid-19-lockdown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychological well-being</a>,” he said. 



“But we still do not fully understand the mechanisms of action by which mindfulness can produce beneficial effects. That’s where the scientific research can be so valuable, by helping us more precisely identify why and how certain practices are effective.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-cognitive-control">The role of cognitive control</h2>



One of the key ideas in the new paper is that mindfulness may ease anxiety by improving what scientists call “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bilingual-children-have-lasting-cognitive-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive control</a>.” This is the brain’s ability to stay on track — to manage thoughts and actions in ways that support our goals.



“Cognitive control is the ability to regulate your thoughts and your actions in a way that helps you achieve your goals,” Gupta explained. “For example, if you know you have to go to the grocery store right after work, you can keep that goal in mind during the workday and turn down an offer to do something else after work.”



Mindfulness appears to boost this mental skill. Neuroimaging research shows that meditation can activate the parts of the brain involved in cognitive control. 



In contrast, anxiety tends to do the opposite. It floods the brain’s working memory - the system we rely on to keep track of tasks and priorities - with worry and distractions.



“Worry occupies a lot of space in the brain’s working memory system,” Gupta said. “This is where your goals are stored.”



That mental clutter weakens cognitive control and makes it harder to cope with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a>. But mindfulness can strengthen control again and break the cycle of worry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choosing-the-right-practice">Choosing the right practice</h2>



Not all mindfulness techniques work the same way. Depending on what kind of anxiety someone is experiencing, one approach might work better than another.



For people who tend to ruminate - replaying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pandemic-related-worries-diminish-cognitive-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worries</a> over and over - focused attention might be the most effective.



“Focused attention teaches you to choose an anchor, such as your breath or a sound,” Gupta said. “You keep bringing your attention back to that anchor every time your mind wanders. Instead of focusing on the worry, you're focusing on the present moment experience.”



Others experience anxiety as physical symptoms, such as a racing heart or tightness in the chest. For those cases, a broader technique may be more useful. 



“For this type of anxiety, a form of mindfulness meditation called open monitoring may be beneficial,” Gupta said. “Instead of focusing on one thing, such as the breath, you can observe all internal and external experiences from moment to moment in a non-reactive, non-judgmental way.”



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



The Mindfulness Science &amp; Practice cluster at Washington University isn’t just focused on research. It also offers programs for students, faculty, and the St. Louis community. 



The programs include talks, workshops, and events that introduce participants to mindfulness exercises taught by trained practitioners.



“We’re dedicated to helping the WashU and greater St. Louis community get access to tools to learn about mindfulness science and practice,” Gupta said.



Braver believes that making a variety of mindfulness options available empowers individuals to find the practices that suit them best. 



“People have different options they can choose from, so it becomes easier to find one that best fits your particular temperament, concerns, or current situation,” said Braver. "It’s quite empowering to learn these types of practices, and to feel like we can be in charge of how we use them to improve our quality of life.”



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Practicing mindfulness can quiet the noise of anxiety

If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed by work, bills, or...

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</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.

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</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.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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