Carrying a reusable water bottle is a smart habit. It saves money. It cuts down on single-use plastic. It keeps you hydrated. There’s a catch, though. 



Many of us don’t clean our bottles nearly as well or as often as we think we do, and the germs that hitch a ride on our hands, rims, and lids can stick around.



In 2024, the global market for reusable water bottles was valued at about $10 billion, with surveys of university students reporting usage rates ranging from 50% to 81%.



A study on the campus of <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University</a> put everyday bottles under the microscope to see how clean they really are and which habits help or hurt. The takeaway is a reality check with simple fixes that anyone can put into practice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-reusable-water-bottles">Studying reusable water bottles</h2>



The research team kept the question simple: "How clean are the bottles that students actually use all day?" 



To get real-world answers, they collected 90 bottles directly from students. They asked owners how they used and cleaned their bottles, then tested the bottles in two ways.



First, they swabbed the outer surfaces using a rapid hygiene test called ATP that lights up when organic residue remains. This signal is widely used in food safety as a quick screen for whether a surface is truly clean after washing. 



Second, they rinsed the insides and counted bacteria clinging to water-contact surfaces. They measured common water-loving bacteria and checked for coliforms, an indicator group that can signal when conditions could support more concerning contamination.



The study was led by Carl Behnke from <a href="https://www.purdue.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University</a> with a cohort of academics and scientists. Later in the process, Dr. Yuriko Fukuta, an assistant professor of medicine (infectious diseases) at <a href="https://www.bcm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baylor College of Medicine</a>, added clinical context.



Their goal wasn’t to name and shame anyone’s bottle. It was to map daily habits to measurable cleanliness, so people could tweak what they do and keep their bottles safer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-on-the-outside">What's on the outside</h2>



The outsides of bottles were dirtier than they looked. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATP_test" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ATP readings</a> indicated that the exterior surfaces of all the water bottles collected (including two new bottles that were purchased from a local retailer as controls) were considered "dirty" and failed the ATP test.



That’s not surprising in daily life, where hands move from phones to doorknobs to laptop keyboards to bottle caps. Residue left behind gives microbes places to hang on to.



More frequent refills were associated with dirtier outer surfaces. Each refill adds touchpoints: your hands, the cap, counter edges, and faucet areas. The rim matters here because it is where hands and mouths meet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-on-the-inside">What's on the inside</h2>



Scientists tested the inside of people’s reusable bottles to see how many live bacteria were inside. Think of the number they report - CFU per milliliter - as how many tiny bacterial “colonies” can grow from a small sip of liquid rinsed off the bottle’s inner walls. 



Many places set the bar for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nearly-100-million-americans-exposed-to-contaminated-drinking-water/">drinking water</a> at below 100–500 CFU/mL. In this study, about 7 out of 10 bottles cleared 100, about 2 out of 3 topped 200, and 3 out of 5 exceeded 500. In plain English: most bottles carried more bacteria than you’d want in clean drinking water.



Researchers also checked for “<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/coliform-bacteria">coliforms</a>,” the bacteria we use as a red flag for sanitation. For bottled water, the rule of thumb is basically “none detected” (no more than 1 per 100 mL). Here, roughly 1 in 4 bottles broke that limit, and a few were sky-high.



Bacteria need three things: moisture, nutrients, and time. A bottle provides moisture by design. Nutrients show up when anything other than water goes in, and time accumulates when a bottle sits in a warm car, on a desk, or by the bed overnight.



One clear pattern stood out. Bottles used strictly for water tended to have lower bacterial counts. Bottles that also held sports drinks, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bvo-highly-toxic-soda-ingredient-banned-by-the-fda-in-2024-still-being-used-today/">soda</a>, or sweetened tea or coffee with cream often had much higher counts. 



Sugars feed bacteria. Proteins and fats can leave a film that helps cells attach and form biofilms, which are much harder to remove than free-floating cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cleaning-reusable-water-bottles">Cleaning reusable water bottles</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-raises-your-blood-pressure/">Material</a> played a limited role. Glass tended to look cleaner on the quick outside test, likely because its surface is smoother and nonporous. But no material gets a free pass. 



Design features - narrow necks, flip tops, straws, bite valves, and silicone gaskets - create nooks where residue and biofilms hide. Those tucked-away spots are often the last to be disassembled and scrubbed.



People who cleaned more often generally had better results, but intentions didn’t always match outcomes. 



A quick rinse can leave sticky films intact. Dishwashers vary in heat and spray coverage; water may not reach beneath threads, seals, and straw assemblies.



Washing without separating the different parts of the bottle lets biofilms survive in hidden crevices.



“Do you wash your dishes after dinner?” Behnke asked. “Yes. But with water bottles, we often take them all over the place and don’t properly clean them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-health-concerns">Human health concerns</h2>



Fukuta suggested that bacteria might include <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/staph-infections/symptoms-causes/syc-20356221" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">staphylococcus bacteria</a> or <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/about/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strep</a>. And there’s this, from the cohort study: “More than 20% of our samples had coliform bacteria, which is fecal matter,” says Behnke.



A bottle can act as a fomite - a surface that helps move microbes from place to place - when it isn’t kept clean. Hands touch the cap and rim. 



Mouths contact the same areas. If the outside is grimy, it can become the pathway for microbes to reach the drinking surfaces.



Dr. Yuriko Fukuta agrees. “We’re constantly touching our water bottles with our mouths and hands, so it’s easy to transmit bacteria to them, and then it just grows,” she says. “In some cases this can make you sick, especially if you have a weaker immune system.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reusable-water-bottle-tips">Reusable water bottle tips</h2>



Treat a reusable bottle like a food-contact surface. Use hot water and dish soap. Scrub the walls with a bottle brush. 



Use a small brush, skewer, or toothpick for threads and tiny crevices. Take lids, straws, bite valves, and silicone rings apart and scrub them individually. 



Let everything dry completely with the cap off. Drying breaks the moisture part of the bacteria formula and prevents the musty smell that appears when water lingers.



If you use sweet or creamy drinks, wash the bottle the same day. If your current bottle has many small parts and you often skip steps, a simpler design with a wide mouth can help you stick with the routine. 



Avoid sharing bottles. Saliva adds new microbes that can seed later growth, even if nothing seems wrong at the time. 



If you often set your bottle on public surfaces, wipe the outside periodically, paying special attention to the rim and cap.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-it-all-means">What it all means</h2>



Reusable bottles are still a smart, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-thousands-of-nanoplastics-found-in-bottled-water/">sustainable choice</a>. They just need real cleaning. 



The inside isn’t sterile, and the outside picks up residue fast. Pair frequent refilling with a consistent cleaning routine. 



That set of small steps turns your bottle back into what you intended it to be: a safe hydration tool, not a traveling microbiology project.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.foodprotection.org/files/food-protection-trends/nov-dec-17-sun.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food Protection</a>.



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Reusable water bottles are a breeding ground for strep and fecal bacteria, study warns

Carrying a reusable water bottle is a smart habit. It saves money. It cuts down on single-use plastic. It keeps you hydrated. There’s a catch, though. Many of us don’t clean our bottles nearly as well or as often as we think we do, and the germs that hitch a ride on our hands, rims, and lids can stick around. In 2024, the global market for reusable water bottles was valued at about $10 billion, with surveys of university students reporting usage rates ranging from 50% to...

The human heart, a powerful organ, functions as the body's engine, tirelessly pumping blood to sustain life. However, the way it beats differs between men and women. 



For decades, scientists have observed that women tend to have faster <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heartbeats</a>, while men are more susceptible to irregular rhythms like atrial fibrillation (AFib). Despite the evident differences, the underlying reasons remained elusive - until now.



A new study from The Ohio State University <a href="https://wexnermedical.osu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wexner Medical Center</a> dives into this mystery. Researchers found that the sinoatrial node (SAN), the heart’s natural pacemaker, operates differently in men and women. It’s not just about hormones or body size. The difference is in the genes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-heart-s-pacemaker-in-women">The heart’s pacemaker in women</h2>



Think of the SAN as the heart’s rhythm section. It sets the beat, making sure the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-smallest-pacemaker-light-activated-fully-dissolves-after-healing-the-heart/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart</a> pumps blood steadily. But the way it does that isn’t the same for everyone.



Ohio State researchers examined donated human hearts. They focused on the SAN cells, digging deep into their genetic blueprints. What they found surprised them. The genes running the SAN look different in men and women.



“We found for the first time that the genes controlling how the SAN works are influenced by sex,” said Dr. Vadim Fedorov, lead author and Corrine Frick Research Chair in Heart Failure and Arrhythmia.



“That helps explain why women generally have faster heart rates and are more likely to experience inappropriate sinus tachycardia, while men face a greater risk of heart rate disorders like conduction block and atrial fibrillation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-differences-in-heart-rhythms">Genetic differences in heart rhythms</h2>



Researchers zoomed in on the genetic networks that keep the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unhealthy-habits-can-make-your-heart-age-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart</a> beating. In women, they spotted genes that push the heart to beat faster. TBX3 and HCN1 stood out. They’re the genes responsible for faster rhythms.



Meanwhile, men’s hearts told a different story. Genes linked to inflammation and collagen production dominated. These genes can mess with the heart’s electrical signals, increasing the risk of arrhythmias.



“Women showed higher levels of TBX3 and HCN1, which are two key genes that help drive faster heart rhythms,” said Dr. Ning Li, co-author and research assistant professor at Ohio State.



“In contrast, male hearts had more activity in gene networks related to inflammation and collagen production, which can interfere with electrical signaling and increase the risk of arrhythmias.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examining-real-human-hearts">Examining real human hearts</h2>



The researchers didn’t just rely on lab models. They examined actual human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-cells-grown-in-space-may-help-heal-damaged-hearts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hearts</a>, donated through Lifeline of Ohio. Each heart revealed a unique genetic signature, offering clues to how sex influences heart rhythm.



In the lab, the team analyzed genes involved in pacing, metabolism, inflammation, and fibrotic remodeling. They wanted to know how these genes affected SAN cells - the heart’s metronome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-rhythm-genes-in-women">Heart rhythm genes in women</h2>



Why do these genetic differences matter? Because they could explain why men and women often experience different heart rhythm problems.



Women’s hearts beat faster, making them more prone to inappropriate sinus tachycardia. Meanwhile, men face a higher risk of AFib, a condition where the heart’s rhythm goes haywire. The genes that drive these conditions may also hold the key to better, more targeted treatments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-genes-guide-heart-treatments">Can genes guide heart treatments?</h2>



This study is part of Ohio State’s broader mission to prevent and treat heart rhythm disorders. Millions of Americans live with AFib or other arrhythmias. Most rely on medications or pacemakers to keep their hearts in sync.



But what if doctors could target those genetic networks instead? By understanding the gene patterns that influence SAN function, they might develop more effective treatments.



The findings open the door to personalized medicine - treatments based on genetic makeup rather than just symptoms. Imagine a world where doctors don’t just treat the heart. They treat the genes behind its rhythm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-in-heart-research">Next steps in heart research</h2>



The study’s authors aren’t stopping here. Next, they plan to look at how age and lifestyle might influence those genetic networks. Will those genes shift over time? Will they react to diet, exercise, or stress?



Researchers hope to answer these questions in future studies. For now, they’ve taken a big step forward in understanding why men and women’s hearts beat to different tunes - and how that rhythm could one day save lives.



The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institutes of Health</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leducqfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leducq Foundation</a>, and the&nbsp;Bob and Corrine Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia&nbsp;funded the study.



The Frick Center is the first in the nation to focus on treating both heart failure and arrhythmias, making it a fitting partner for this groundbreaking research.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCEP.124.013534" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Circulation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology</a>.



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Men and women have different heart rhythms, and now we know why

The human heart, a powerful organ, functions as the body's...

Scientists have identified a previously overlooked set of stem cells inside our hair follicles, and it could be a game-changer for people who feel anxious about thinning hair. 



Their work highlights an area higher up in each follicle that appears to control the biological switch between silent and active hair growth phases.



<a href="https://med.virginia.edu/dermatology/faculty/lu-q-le-md-phd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lu Q. Le</a>, MD, PhD, from UVA’s <a href="https://med.virginia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Medicine</a> and his colleagues conducted this investigation to learn how these forgotten cells might prompt new follicles to become active once again.



They believe this finding opens the door for new techniques to address hair loss, but they emphasize that ongoing analysis is needed before final treatments reach the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stem-cell-hair-growth-triggers">Stem cell hair growth triggers</h2>



This newly recognized cell group sits in the upper and middle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-hidden-way-that-humans-feel-and-sense-touch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sections of the follicle</a>. Researchers say these cells can renew themselves and produce various specialized offspring that participate in building new hairs.



Some were skeptical about whether follicle activity hinged on lesser-known compartments, but the team reported strong evidence that this region holds untapped power to spark hair regrowth. 



They found that, in lab settings, depleting these cells disrupted the natural cycle of replacing older <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/daily-dose-finasteride-magic-pill-regrows-hair-heals-prostate-boosts-heart-health/">hairs</a> with fresh strands.



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



Some people view <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-natural-cure-male-baldness-highly-effective-sugar-2-deoxy-d-ribose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hair thinning</a> as an inevitable rite of passage. Researchers suggest the presence of unique cells, which may be more responsive to therapy, gives fresh reason to think differently.



“It is our hope that these stem cells could one day provide a novel therapy for treating hair loss in people,” said Le. 



That goal remains on the horizon, but the concept has stirred excitement among scientists who study the biology of skin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-with-existing-therapies">Challenges with existing therapies</h2>



Typical solutions, such as over-the-counter <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482378/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creams</a> or prescription <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medications</a>, may improve only certain types of hair shedding. Many users also struggle with results that come slowly or plateau.



These new insights, however, add another target for investigation. Experts think that directing medical treatments toward lesser-studied follicle zones could bring more consistent or sustainable outcomes.



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



The most compelling twist is that these cells are still present in bald areas, even after hair shafts are long gone. That means the problem might not be total cell loss - it could be a matter of reactivating what’s already there.



Le’s team found that the upper follicle stem cells were still intact in human scalp samples taken from bald patients. 



This raises the possibility that with the right signals or drugs, these dormant cells might be coaxed into restarting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beethovens-dna-reveals-unanswered-questions-about-his-death/">hair</a> cycle from scratch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-few-surprising-details">A few surprising details</h2>



Some of the earliest <a href="https://www.jci.org/articles/view/46307" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tests</a> on mice, documented in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, showed that once these high-placed cells were taken away, hair shafts were lost in parts of the skin.



The animals also displayed disorganized follicles, hinting at a broader role these cells may have in preserving a healthy hair structure.



An earlier <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2203463/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paper</a> on skin growth patterns pointed out that multiple factors interact to dictate why certain patches produce hair vigorously while others stay dormant. 



With this new clue, researchers can look more carefully at what signals these newly identified cells send to the surrounding layers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hair-stem-cells-and-the-future">Hair, stem cells, and the future</h2>



Scientists believe that maintaining or boosting the activity of these mid-follicle populations might guard against baldness. 



They are especially intrigued by how these cells might react if transplanted into areas that have gone quiet.



“We plan to fully investigate the potential of these stem cells in human hair follicles,” Le said. 



To get there, the team is examining human samples to see how often these cells remain in bald regions and whether they can be awakened.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-in-the-lab">Next steps in the lab</h2>



To understand how these cells behave over time, researchers are experimenting with different ways to trace their movements inside hair follicles. 



They’ve used genetically marked cells in mice to watch how the upper follicle stem cells migrate and change during the hair cycle.



This tracking helped confirm that these cells not only exist but also actively repopulate lower regions of the follicle, especially the bulge. 



That behavior is key, because the bulge has long been viewed as the main source of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intermittent-fasting-can-slow-hair-growth-but-it-also-has-many-positive-health-benefits/">hair</a> growth, and it now seems these newly discovered cells are its upstream supply.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-for-stem-cells-and-hair-loss">Hope for stem cells and hair loss</h2>



Public health data suggest millions of adults feel uneasy about hair-related changes. Stress, genetics, and medical conditions can all play a role, so there is no single fix that works across the board.



Researchers say this discovery adds another set of possibilities to that conversation. They believe a refined understanding of these mid-follicle cells will guide specialists toward a more targeted approach in the years ahead.



These findings show promise for those who want a new strategy that tackles hair loss at its roots. They also raise interesting questions about how our bodies control tissue renewal.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.jci.org/articles/view/180160" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Clinical Investigation</a>.



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Scientists discover hidden stem cells that could reactivate hair growth

Scientists have identified a previously overlooked set of stem cells...

A walk through a park, a moment of quiet under a tree, a glimpse of green spaces from a window - these small encounters with nature might be more than just pleasant distractions. They could be changing people's lifestyle choices.



Researchers from the University of Exeter have found a link between nature and health habits. The study, part of the BlueHealth <a href="https://bluehealth2020.eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">project</a> funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020, tracked smoking and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-social-drinking-feels-so-different-from-drinking-alone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking patterns</a> across 18 countries.



The results were clear. People living in the greenest neighborhoods were 13 percent less likely to smoke and 31 percent less likely to drink daily than those in less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-green-spaces-are-urgently-needed-across-the-global-south/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green areas</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-visits-reduce-smoking">Nature visits reduce smoking</h2>



The study didn’t stop at measuring green space. It also looked at intentional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-in-the-global-south-have-far-less-green-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature</a> visits. People who made it a habit to spend time in nature - at least once a week - were less likely to smoke. The effect on drinking wasn’t as strong.



“We don’t think it’s simply a coincidence those who are exposed to nature smoke and drink less. A growing number of studies are showing that when people are exposed to nature, they have fewer cravings for substances like alcohol and nicotine,” noted Dr. Mat White from the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a>.



“In part, we think this is because they tend to be calmer and don’t need that 'hit,' which helps them give up smoking, for instance.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-counts-as-green-space">What counts as green space?</h2>



The study defined residential green space as land with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural elements</a> within 250 meters of a person’s home. That includes private gardens, parks, and patches of greenery. Data came from the BlueHealth International Survey, which involved 18,838 adults from 18 countries.



Study lead author Dr. Leanne Martin emphasized that the benefits of nature cut across income levels and educational backgrounds.



“Our finding that nature seems to be beneficial to all in society is hugely important because it goes some way to leveling the playing field in terms of reducing health inequalities,” noted Dr. Martin.



“We've accounted for a wide range of socioeconomic factors in our research and found the benefits are not determined by things like having a higher income or living in more affluent areas. For those people who don’t live in areas with high green space, we’ve found those intentional visits to nature also have huge benefits.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-spaces-can-assist-public-health">Green spaces can assist public health</h2>



The study suggests that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprising-mental-health-benefits-of-living-near-green-spaces/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green</a> spaces could serve as a public health tool. Nature’s calming effect may reduce cravings for cigarettes. The tranquility of a park, the rhythm of a river, or the rustle of leaves could all play a role in easing the urge to smoke. 



But what about alcohol? The study found that while living near green spaces was linked to less daily drinking, the effect was not as strong as it was for smoking. 



Researchers think social habits may be a factor. Drinking often happens in social settings, and those settings might still be present, even in green areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-nature-help-you-break-a-habit">Can nature help you break a habit?</h2>



Public health programs could use these findings. Instead of conventional quit-smoking strategies, they could promote nature visits. A weekly walk through a forest or a park might offer the same calming effect as nicotine - without the health risks.



But what about those without easy access to green spaces? The study suggests that intentional nature visits work, even for people in urban areas. Programs could organize nature outings or create small green spaces in city centers.



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



Previous studies often focused on one country or one type of nature exposure. This study expanded the scope. It covered 18 countries and looked at both residential green space and intentional nature visits.



Despite the cultural and environmental differences across countries, the findings remained consistent. The link between green spaces and lower smoking rates held up across the board. This suggests that nature’s influence isn’t tied to one place or culture - it’s universal.



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



The study lays the groundwork for future research. It opens questions about how much nature is needed to see a health effect. Would a short walk through a park have the same impact as a day spent hiking? Would sitting by a lake offer more benefits than a walk through a garden?



And what about other health risks? If nature can lower smoking rates, could it also reduce other unhealthy habits? More research could explore these questions and refine the role of nature in public health strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-spaces-and-healthier-habits">Green spaces and healthier habits</h2>



The <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a> study offers a simple message: green spaces might help people smoke and drink less. Living near greenery or visiting nature regularly seems to make people less likely to reach for a cigarette or a drink.



For public health officials, the findings suggest a low-cost, accessible intervention. Create more green spaces. Promote nature visits. Make nature a regular part of daily life.



For individuals, the takeaway is even simpler. Spend time in nature. Visit a park. Walk through a garden. It could be more than just a relaxing break - it could be a step toward a healthier life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1353829225000693?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Health &amp; Place</a>.



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Living near nature helps reduce bad habits like smoking

A walk through a park, a moment of quiet under...

Imagine spending hours on the couch, feeling good about the morning’s workout. You ran, you lifted, you stretched. You believe you've done enough to protect your health. But new research says that may not be true. 



Sitting for extended periods, regardless of exercise, can harm the brain. Even the most active older adults face the risk of faster brain shrinkage if they sit too much.



The study, led by researchers from <a href="https://www.vanderbilt.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vanderbilt University</a>’s Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, tracked older adults for seven years. They examined how long participants sat, how often they moved, and how much their brains shrank over time. 



The results were troubling. Exercise didn’t fully counteract the effects of prolonged <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sedentary-behavior-sitting-for-hours-health-risk-early-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sitting</a>. The more hours spent sitting, the greater the brain decline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sitting-for-hours-shrinks-the-brain">Sitting for hours shrinks the brain</h2>



The study showed that even those who exercised for 150 minutes a week still experienced brain shrinkage if they sat for long hours. Memory declined, and the hippocampus lost volume.



Participants wore wrist monitors that tracked every move. On average, they sat for 13 hours a day. That’s a lot of time spent sitting - at the desk, on the couch, in the car. And it took a toll.



Those who sat more had thinner brains in areas linked to memory and Alzheimer’s disease. Reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-too-much-can-cause-premature-aging-even-if-you-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sitting</a> time might help protect brain health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-risk-and-sitting">Genetic risk and sitting</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-too-much-can-raise-blood-pressure-even-in-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sitting</a> is bad enough. But for those carrying the APOE-ε4 gene, it’s worse. This gene already raises the risk of Alzheimer’s. The researchers found that it also amplifies the impact of sitting.



People who carry the APOE-ε4 gene lost more gray matter in specific parts of the brain. These areas include the frontal and parietal lobes, which are important for making decisions and remembering information.



Because these brain regions became smaller, APOE-ε4 carriers had more trouble with memory tasks. They couldn’t remember words as easily as others. They also found it harder to name objects quickly. The damage in these brain areas made simple memory tasks more difficult.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-sitting-hurts-the-brain">Why sitting hurts the brain</h2>



When you sit for a long time, blood flow to the brain slows down. This means the brain gets less oxygen and fewer nutrients, which are essential for keeping brain cells healthy. 



With less blood flow, the brain struggles to maintain strong connections between its cells. Over time, this can cause the hippocampus – the part of the brain that manages memory – to shrink.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-can-counteract-the-health-risks-of-sitting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sitting</a> can also lead to more inflammation in the body. Inflammation involves chemicals that can harm brain cells. For people with the APOE-ε4 gene, which is linked to Alzheimer’s, this inflammation could cause even more damage to the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sitting-and-brain-decline">Sitting and brain decline</h2>



The study didn’t just look at brain volume once. It tracked changes over seven years. The findings were clear. More sitting meant faster brain shrinkage, especially in those with genetic risk.



Participants sat for an average of 13 hours a day. Even those who exercised regularly couldn’t escape the damage. They still lost brain volume in areas tied to memory, language, and processing speed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-can-t-erase-the-damage">Exercise can’t erase the damage </h2>



You can’t undo hours of sitting with a morning run - the study made that clear. Exercise helps, but it doesn’t erase the damage from hours of inactivity. Movement throughout the day matters more.



Researchers suggest breaking up sitting time with frequent walks, stretches, or standing breaks. Stand during phone calls. Walk around while reading emails. The brain needs regular movement to stay healthy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sitting-brain-size-and-health">Sitting, brain size, and health</h2>



The researchers also used wrist monitors to measure real movement - not self-reported activity. Participants wore them for seven days, 24 hours a day. The data was precise.



MRI scans provided another layer of insight. The experts measured cortical thickness in regions linked to Alzheimer’s. They tracked changes in brain volume over time, focusing on the hippocampus, frontal lobe, and parietal lobe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-loss-and-language-decline">Memory loss and language decline</h2>



The findings weren’t just about brain volume. They were about memory too. Those who sat more performed worse on naming tasks. They couldn’t recall names or objects as quickly. They struggled to remember words.



For APOE-ε4 carriers, the decline was steeper. As discussed above, they lost brain volume faster and showed more severe memory loss. The researchers believe sitting speeds up age-related brain changes in those already at genetic risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sitting-less-protects-the-brain">Sitting less protects the brain</h2>



Sitting for long hours can damage the brain, especially in older adults. Even if you exercise, the harm from sitting too much doesn’t go away. You need to keep moving throughout the day to protect your brain.



Most people sit for around nine hours a day. In the study, people sat for 13 hours daily. Cutting down on sitting time can help prevent brain damage. Every step you take could make a difference.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/alz.70157" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s &amp; Dementia</a>.



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Sitting for hours daily shrinks your brain, even if you exercise

Imagine spending hours on the couch, feeling good about the...

The U.S. population is getting older faster than ever, with a median age of 38.9. By 2050, the number of Americans over 65 is projected to rise from 58 million to 82 million. A new kind of robot named E-Bar may soon play a key role in how America supports its aging population.



As this shift continues, the need for practical, everyday eldercare becomes more urgent. But staffing shortages, rising healthcare costs, and changes in family structures have made traditional care more difficult to sustain.



To help meet these challenges, engineers from the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT) have turned to robotics. 



They’ve developed and tested a device called the Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot, or E-BAR. It’s a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-robots-can-help-you-find-objects-that-youve-lost-or-misplaced/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mobile robot</a> designed to support elderly users as they walk through their homes, assist them with mobility, and prevent falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-e-bar-the-robot-that-catches-you">E-BAR - the robot that catches you</h2>



Think of E-BAR as a robotic set of handlebars that trails behind an older adult. The person can either walk independently or lean on E-BAR for balance. 



If the person starts to fall, the robot’s side airbags rapidly inflate to cushion and catch them. E-BAR is strong enough to lift someone from a sitting to a standing position - and lower them back down - while following their natural motion.



Falls are a serious problem for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-the-temperature-inside-your-home-safe-for-seniors-a-new-study-has-details/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seniors</a>. They’re currently the leading cause of injury for people over the age of 65. The engineers wanted to create something that would offer both physical support and a sense of independence.



“Many older adults underestimate the risk of fall and refuse to use physical aids, which are cumbersome, while others overestimate the risk and may not do exercise, leading to declining mobility,” explained Harry Asada, the Ford Professor of Engineering at MIT.



“Our design concept is to provide older adults, having balance impairment, with robotic handlebars for stabilizing their body. The handlebars go anywhere and provide support anytime, whenever they need.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-built-for-everyday-living">Built for everyday living</h2>



Right now, E-BAR is controlled by a remote, but the team plans to automate future versions so the robot can follow a user on its own. They also aim to make it slimmer and more flexible for navigating tight spaces.



“I think eldercare is the next great challenge,” said Roberto Bolli, a graduate student in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.



“All the demographic trends point to a shortage of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-glimpse-of-the-future-robots-in-nursing-homes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">caregivers</a>, a surplus of elderly persons, and a strong desire for elderly persons to age in place. We see it as an unexplored frontier in America, but also an intrinsically interesting challenge for robotics.”



Asada’s lab has previously explored many elder-support technologies - everything from wearable airbags to robotic walkers. 



But E-BAR is different. It’s meant to be used in the home or in care facilities without the need for a harness or other wearables. That makes it less intrusive and more comfortable.



“Elderly people overwhelmingly do not like to wear harnesses or assistive devices,” says Bolli. “The idea behind the E-BAR structure is, it provides body weight support, active assistance with gait, and fall catching while also being completely unobstructed in the front. You can just get out anytime.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-e-bar-is-built-for-the-job">E-BAR is built for the job</h2>



The team put a lot of thought into how E-BAR should look and function. It has to move through regular doorways, allow users to take full steps, and fully support a person’s weight during posture changes. 



At the base of the device is a sturdy, 220-pound (100 kilogram) platform. This weight keeps it stable as it helps lift and balance a person.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/e-bar-robot_elderly-care_MIT_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/e-bar-robot_elderly-care_MIT_1s.webp" alt="Six of multiple possible assistance scenarios with a prototype of a new robot being developed at MIT. Top row: getting into/out of a bathtub, bending down to reach objects, and catching a fall. Bottom row: powered sit-to-stand transition from a toilet, lifting a person from the floor, and walking assistance. Credit: MIT" class="wp-image-1969763"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Six of multiple possible assistance scenarios with a prototype of a new robot being developed at MIT. Top row: getting into/out of a bathtub, bending down to reach objects, and catching a fall. Bottom row: powered sit-to-stand transition from a toilet, lifting a person from the floor, and walking assistance. Click image to enlarge. Credit: MIT</figcaption></figure>



Underneath, special wheels allow the robot to move in any direction - no awkward turning required. The upper part of E-BAR includes 18 linked bars that adjust like a mechanical crane, helping the person to stand or sit. 



Two arms stretch out in a U-shape to offer additional support, and they contain soft airbags that inflate instantly to help catch a user if they begin to fall.



This airbag feature sets E-BAR apart. It’s the first robot to catch a falling person without needing any wearable gear or harness system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-testing">Real-world testing</h2>



In the lab, the robot has already shown promise. A senior volunteer used it during daily activities, like bending to pick something off the floor, reaching overhead, and even stepping over the edge of a bathtub. 



These tasks are often tough for older adults to do safely without help. E-BAR proved it could lend reliable, steady support in each case.



Bolli sees the robot as a good match for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/3000-extra-steps-per-day-lowers-blood-pressure-in-older-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">older adults</a> who still have some muscle strength but need help with everyday movements.



“Seeing the technology used in real-life scenarios is really exciting,” said Bolli.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-robot-assisted-care">The future of robot-assisted care</h2>



The current version of E-BAR doesn’t use fall prediction tools, but that may change. 



Another MIT project led by graduate student Emily Kamienski is developing machine learning algorithms that assess a person’s risk of falling in real time. Combining that technology with E-BAR’s airbags could lead to an even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robosapiens-ai-project-making-industrial-robots-more-free-thinking-adaptable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safer robot</a> in the future.



Asada believes a range of robotic tools could eventually offer different levels of support as a person’s needs change.



“Eldercare conditions can change every few weeks or months,” said Asada. “We’d like to provide continuous and seamless support as a person’s disability or mobility changes with age.”



<a href="https://youtu.be/DlT6vHx4Dz4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to watch a video of E-BAR in action...</a>



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Meet E-Bar, the robot designed to prevent the elderly from falling

The U.S. population is getting older faster than ever, with...

Young,Female,Tourist,In,Friendly,Contact,With,Cow,Met,In

City dwellers in the Netherlands have a curious way of clearing their heads. Rather than see a psychologist or seek therapy through other means, they hop on a train, ramble into the green lowlands, and hug a cow.



The practice, known as “koeknuffelen,” sounds quirky until you try it; within minutes most visitors feel their shoulders drop and their pulse slow.



Scientists have long suspected that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-cats-make-excellent-therapy-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal-assisted therapy</a> works in part because soft noses, steady heartbeats, and wordless company nudge our nervous system toward calm. 



Until now, almost every formal study has focused on dogs, cats, or the occasional rabbit. Cows, though, linger on the fringes - huge, sweet, and largely untested.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuddling-cows-as-therapy">Cuddling cows as therapy</h2>



Two researchers - Dr. Katherine Compitus of <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a> and Dr. Sonya Bierbower of the United States Military Academy at <a href="https://www.westpoint.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Point</a> - set out to change that. 



Their paper, “Cow Cuddling: Cognitive Considerations in Bovine-Assisted Therapy,” appears in the journal Human-Animal Interactions and may tip the field toward larger pasture-mates. 



Conducted at <a href="https://www.shsanctuary.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surrey Hills Sanctuary</a> in New York State, the pilot project paired 11 volunteers, ages 13 to 79, with two mellow steers named Magnus and Callum.



The work used the 24-item <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312371308_HAIS_The_Human-Animal_Interaction_Scale_Manual" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human-Animal Interaction Scale</a>, a survey that captures how often people stroke, lean on, or otherwise connect with an animal and records the animal’s own moves in return. Each session lasted 45 minutes to prevent fatigue on either side of the fence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-cows-and-people-respond">How cows and people respond</h2>



Magnus and Callum greeted their guests with slow sniffs, accepted hay pellets from open palms, and even settled onto the grass for a shared lounge. 



When interested, they licked sleeves - a bovine version of social grooming - and, when finished, they simply rose and wandered off. Unfriendly gestures were scarce. 



One teenager admitted she had expected headbutts but, instead, “fell in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grass-scarcity-alters-cow-feed-and-dairy-products/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">love with cows</a>” before the session ended.



The steers’ preferences turned out to be surprisingly specific. 



“We have discovered in the current study that bovine-assisted therapy may not only be an effective treatment model that benefits human participants but appears to be enriching to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-makes-dairy-cows-produce-less-milk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cattle participants</a> as well, as shown by their proximity to and continuous interactions with humans,” Dr. Compitus said. 



The data also revealed a gender twist: the animals spent more time beside women than men, and the women, in turn, reported stronger feelings of attachment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-calm-signals-from-cow-therapy">Measuring calm signals from cow therapy</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-a-pill-stop-cows-from-burping-methane/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stress in cattle</a> shows up as loud calls, quick tail flicks, or rigid backs. None spiked during these cuddle sessions. Instead, the animals’ easy breathing and willingness to lie down suggested comfort. 



“Two of the gaps in the research we address in this study are the inclusion of cattle in AAT and an examination of the cognitive processes of animals involved in AAT,” Dr. Bierbower noted. 



For a field that often views animals as passive tools, tracking the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-want-to-talk-to-their-cows-so-ai-is-helping-them-interpret-moos-and-burps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cow’s point of view</a> marks an important shift.



Therapists already use dogs to ease anxiety during dental visits and miniature horses to coax speech from children on the autism spectrum. Cattle bring a different scale. 



A mature steer may top 1,500 pounds, yet these gentle giants lower their heads for scratches much like a Labrador does. That contrast - immense size, peaceful manner - can amplify the sense of safety that therapy animals provide.



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



Touch triggers a release of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-holds-the-keys-to-both-your-heart-and-your-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxytocin</a>, sometimes called the “bonding hormone,” in both humans and many mammals. The hormone slows heart rate, reduces cortisol, and boosts feelings of trust. 



While a purring cat can spark that reaction, leaning against a broad cow magnifies the tactile cue: more surface area, deeper vibrations, and a steadier baseline heart rhythm.



Researchers in earlier dog-based trials found that even brief petting lowers blood pressure. The current cattle study hints the same benefit may hold when the animal outweighs the participant by a ton. 



Because <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cattle-gallstones-insanely-valuable-are-the-new-must-have-item-in-global-smuggling-rings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cows live in herds</a> and often groom one another, they may already possess social wiring that lets them extend calm to another species.



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



Dr. Compitus reaffirmed that the therapy appeared enriching for the steers, citing their close proximity and continuous interactions with humans. 



Yet she also cautioned, “It is unclear without further testing whether the animals sought out the attention of women in general or if the women were more likely to initiate the actions when compared to the men participants.”



Future work will need larger herds, more diverse volunteers, and perhaps heart-rate monitors on both sides of the cuddle. It will also need to check whether cattle enjoy the work long-term or simply tolerate it for snacks. 



Ethical guidelines already require therapy dogs to rest between client visits; similar safeguards for bovine partners will be crucial.



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



Animal-assisted therapy grew from a fringe idea in the 1960s to a mainstream adjunct in hospitals and schools today. 



Adding cows may seem like a pastoral gimmick, yet the early numbers suggest genuine promise. Eleven participants is small, but every study starts somewhere, and Magnus and Callum appear to have opened the gate.



As Dr. Bierbower and Dr. Compitus refine their protocols, mental-health clinics might soon book time at local farms, giving stressed-out teens and weary adults a chance to swap city noise for the slow beat of a cud-chewing companion. 



If larger trials confirm the soothing power of a 1,500-pound hug, the phrase “therapy animal” could soon conjure more than wagging tails - it might also bring to mind a soft-eyed steer waiting beneath an open sky.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2024.0016" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human-Animal Interactions</a>.



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Cows who are 'cuddled' as therapy animals strongly prefer women over men

City dwellers in the Netherlands have a curious way of...

Clocking more than 52 hours a week may do more than sap energy - it appears to alter the architecture of the brain itself.



A new imaging study of healthcare staff shows enlarged volumes in regions tied to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-cells-communicate-to-support-decision-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decision-making</a> and emotional control among people who consistently work long hours, hinting at structural shifts that could influence mental well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-brains-work-overtime">When brains work overtime</h2>



Long schedules have long been blamed for higher rates of heart trouble, metabolic disease, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-depression-often-hold-tightly-to-self-doubt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a>. Yet scientists have struggled to identify what relentless work does to the brain's neural tissue.



To probe that question, a team of Korean researchers led by <a href="https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/en_sc/index.do" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yonsei University</a> invited volunteers from the <a href="https://www.kci.go.kr/kciportal/ci/sereArticleSearch/ciSereArtiView.kci?sereArticleSearchBean.artiId=ART002827338" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gachon Regional Occupational Cohort Study</a> to undergo high-resolution MRI scans. 



The final sample included 110 hospital workers, of whom 32 routinely surpassed the 52-hour threshold set by South Korea’s labor law, while 78 logged standard weeks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chronic-overtime-and-brain-volume">Chronic overtime and brain volume</h2>



Those in the overwork group were generally younger, held their jobs for fewer years and possessed more advanced degrees - reflecting the junior resident physicians and research fellows who often shoulder extended shifts.



After excluding scans of poor quality, the team used voxel-based morphometry, which compares minute differences in grey-matter density, and atlas-based analysis, which maps brain areas against a reference template. 



The goal was to see whether chronic overtime corresponded to measurable differences in brain volume.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-excessive-work-alters-brain-regions">Excessive work alters brain regions</h2>



Analyses converged on several hotspots in the frontal lobe and deeper cortical folds. The atlas comparison revealed a striking 19 percent increase in the middle frontal gyrus among overworked participants.



This ridge, situated just above the temples, contributes to working memory, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neurons-coordinate-group-activities-for-language-processing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language processing</a>, and top-down attention - skills heavily taxed by time-pressured clinical duties.



Voxel mapping then highlighted sixteen additional sectors, among them the superior frontal gyrus, a planner’s hub for deliberation and goal setting, and the insula, the hidden lobe that integrates bodily signals with emotional awareness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strain-shows-up-in-tissue">Strain shows up in tissue</h2>



Together, the pattern suggests that brains steeped in prolonged stress from work may add circuitry - or at least grow existing circuitry - in areas that juggle competing priorities and regulate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-timing-has-a-powerful-effect-on-our-mood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mood</a>.



While these changes might sound beneficial, the authors caution against rosy interpretations. “Notably, the increased brain volumes observed in overworked individuals may reflect neuroadaptive responses to chronic occupational stress, although the exact mechanisms remain speculative,” the authors wrote.



In other words, tissue growth could hint at swelling or rewiring driven by persistent strain rather than healthy development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-brain-changes">Unraveling the brain changes</h2>



Because the project offers only a snapshot, it cannot show whether large frontal lobes pre-existed and perhaps helped certain workers tolerate marathon schedules, or whether the extra hours sculpted the tissue over time.



“While the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the exploratory nature of this pilot study, they represent a meaningful first step in understanding the relationship between overwork and brain health,” the researchers wrote.



Either way, enlarged control centers do not guarantee sharper performance. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enlarged-brains-impaired-function">Enlarged brains, impaired function</h2>



Earlier behavioral research links excessive duty hours with memory lapses, poor emotional regulation, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-protects-against-work-stress-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">burnout</a>, echoing the executive and limbic roles of the structures that expanded here.



“The observed changes in brain volume may provide a biological basis for the cognitive and emotional challenges often reported in overworked individuals," noted the study authors. 



"Future longitudinal and multi-modal neuroimaging studies are warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms."



Only repeated scans over months or years can reveal whether brain size shrinks back once work hours normalize or whether the alterations become permanent scars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-global-toll-of-extra-shifts">The global toll of extra shifts</h2>



The <a href="https://www.ilo.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Labor Organization</a> estimates that overwork kills more than 800,000 people every year, often via stroke or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart disease</a>. 



Yet policymakers rarely consider neurological fallout when drafting hours-of-service rules. The present evidence, although preliminary, hints that overtime may leave an imprint visible on MRI long before bodily organs fail.



To reduce that risk, experts urge both individual pacing and systemic reform. Employers can rotate demanding tasks, enforce true off-duty periods and foster cultures that prize mental restoration as much as productivity. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overwork-and-brain-health">Overwork and brain health</h2>



Governments, for their part, might revisit thresholds that define a legal workweek, ensuring that statutory limits align with current science.



“The results underscore the importance of addressing overwork as an occupational health concern and highlight the need for workplace policies that mitigate excessive working hours.” the authors said.



In practice, that could mean capping consecutive night shifts, mandating recovery sleep for trainees, or offering mental-health check-ins for employees in unavoidable crunch cycles such as pandemic surges.



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



Confirming the new findings will require broader cohorts - ideally across industries, age ranges, and cultural settings - and techniques that assay brain chemistry as well as anatomy.



Wearable devices that track <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-is-essential-for-memory-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>, stress hormones, and mood could enrich MRI snapshots with day-to-day context. Combining those streams may reveal thresholds at which adaptive growth tips into harmful swelling or connectivity loss.



For now, the message is plain. The brain is plastic, reshaping itself to meet the demands placed upon it. 



Prolonged weeks of intense problem solving and emotional labor appear to leave a signature in the very regions that power those abilities, raising the stakes for employers and legislators alike to keep workloads within healthy bounds.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://oem.bmj.com/content/early/2025/05/08/oemed-2025-110057" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Occupational and Environmental Medicine</a>.



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Working too many hours can alter your brain

Clocking more than 52 hours a week may do more...

Creativity can flourish when you leave your comfort zone. A new study shows that relocating - or splitting time between different places - can help people start their most creative projects years earlier than those who stay put.



In fact, scientists from <a href="https://www.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ohio State University</a>, New York University in Abu Dhabi, and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis found that Nobel Prize winners who moved more often started their prize-winning research significantly earlier than those who didn’t. 



The research, which analyzed Nobel laureates in chemistry, medicine, and physics from 1901 to 2003, was published in the journal International Economic Review.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creativity-needs-fresh-air">Creativity needs fresh air</h2>



The study found that Nobel laureates who relocated frequently began their groundbreaking work about two years earlier than those who never moved. 



Those who split their time between multiple institutions started even earlier - by as much as 2.6 years.



“They’re hearing interesting ideas at one place and different ideas at another location. They are putting these things together in novel, important ways,” said Bruce Weinberg, one of the study’s authors.



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



According to the researchers, switching locations helps scientists meet others with different perspectives. That mix of ideas can be powerful fuel for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-discover-a-pattern-that-drives-artistic-breakthroughs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creative breakthroughs</a>.



“If they stayed in one place, it would take much longer to happen or may not happen at all,” Weinberg said.



Previous research has often focused on how clusters of scientists in one location - like Silicon Valley or Cambridge - drive innovation. But this new study highlights something different: the power of exposure to new ideas through movement.



“You can be in one place with lots of brilliant people, but after a while, you’ve talked to all of them and you develop a common understanding of how things work,” Weinberg said.



“You’re less likely to come up with this great breakthrough unless you are exposed to a new set of ideas you haven’t heard before. You can do that by moving or working in several locations.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mobility-and-innovation">Mobility and innovation </h2>



The researchers built a detailed dataset tracking the yearly locations of Nobel Prize winners and the year they began the work that led to their awards. They discovered patterns that connect mobility with earlier innovation.



Moving every two years shaved off about two years from the time it took to begin Nobel-winning work. Relocating every five years led to a reduction of 0.7 years. 



Working in multiple places - like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-experiences-alter-time-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">balancing time</a> between a university and a large facility such as CERN - reduced the time to innovation by 2.6 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-head-start-on-greatness">A head start on greatness</h2>



The data also revealed that about 5 to 10% of the Nobel laureates began their prize-winning work in the very first year of their careers. But others took 10, 20, or even up to 40 years.



“It’s not easy for a scientist to move their lab and work to a new location, but it can substantially boost their research,” Weinberg said.



Interestingly, the average time it took for laureates to start their Nobel work stayed consistent over the years, regardless of the scientific field.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-means-for-the-rest-of-us">What this means for the rest of us</h2>



Academic sabbaticals might offer similar benefits by allowing scholars to work in new or multiple places, providing a potential boost to creativity. While the study didn’t measure sabbaticals directly, the authors noted that examining their effects on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creative output</a> would be a valuable next step.



“For someone who might have taken 10 years to begin their prize-winning research if they stayed in one place, moving every two years could reduce that time by nearly a quarter. That is substantially accelerating their innovations,” Weinberg said.



Though the study focused on a specific group of scientists, Weinberg believes the findings have broader implications for anyone whose work relies on creativity.



“Many scientists work the same way as our study's chemistry, medicine, and physics researchers. They can benefit by moving to new places and being exposed to new ideas,” he said.



“I think the same might even be true of great painters and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-age-artists-carved-incredibly-detailed-animal-tracks-onto-rocks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artists</a> and anyone in a creative domain - their genius is coming up with novel ideas and expressing them in novel ways. And it helps to move and meet others with different ideas.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creativity-thrives-outside-the-comfort-zone">Creativity thrives outside the comfort zone</h2>



Weinberg also mentioned that there might be an added boost to creativity simply from being in a new setting, even beyond the benefits of meeting new people.



“Going off into a completely different environment, a new context, might help <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/creative-people-make-the-most-of-their-idle-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creative people</a> think in new ways,” he said.



“You’re more likely to come up with that great new idea if you move around, meet new people, have new experiences, encounter new ways of thinking."



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/iere.12768" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Economic Review</a>.



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Need a creativity boost? Try a change of scenery

Creativity can flourish when you leave your comfort zone. A...

Antimicrobial,Susceptibility,Testing,In,Petri,Dish.,Microbiologist,Check,Antibiotic,Resistance

Scientists have discovered that a notorious hospital bacterium can digest the very plastics used in sutures, stents, and surgical mesh. By turning the polymer into food, the microbe may cling more stubbornly to devices and linger longer on ward surfaces.



Researchers from <a href="https://www.brunel.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brunel University London</a>, working with a patient-derived strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, found that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-pathogen-is-resistant-to-hospital-disinfectant-cleaners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pathogen</a> dismantles polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable plastic common in modern medicine. 



The insight challenges the assumption that clinical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/everyday-polymers-that-are-considered-safe-release-harmful-toxins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polymers</a> are immune to microbial attack.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-hospital-plastics-into-food">Turning hospital plastics into food</h2>



The team traced the plastic-eating trick to a single enzyme, which they named Pap1. In laboratory tests, Pap1 reduced a thin PCL film by seventy-eight percent within seven days. The bacterium then used the liberated fragments as its sole carbon source.



“It means we need to reconsider how pathogens exist in the hospital environment,” said professor Ronan McCarthy, who led the study.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hungry-bacteria-will-devour-plastic-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plastics</a>, including plastic surfaces, could potentially be food for these bacteria. Pathogens with this ability could survive for longer in the hospital environment. It also means that any medical device or treatment that contains plastic could be susceptible to degradation by bacteria.”



PCL is prized because it bends without snapping, melts at low temperatures, and gradually dissolves in the body. Those traits make it ideal for resorbable sutures, drug-delivery patches, and soft tissue scaffolds.



Until now, surgeons assumed the material would vanish only through hydrolysis and harmless metabolic clearance. Pap1 shows that microbes can accelerate the process - and exploit it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-boosts-bacterial-defenses">Plastic boosts bacterial defenses</h2>



When P. aeruginosa chews up plastic, it gains more than nourishment. The broken polymer pieces help the cells weave tougher <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-coexist-in-shared-spaces-by-playing-nice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biofilms</a>, those gluey communal layers that resist disinfectants, immune cells, and multiple classes of antibiotics.



Catheter-related urinary tract infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia already rank among the hardest hospital infections to treat. PCL degradation could fortify the culprit’s defenses, complicating therapy even further.



The <a href="https://www.who.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a> lists P. aeruginosa among the top “critical” pathogens in need of new drugs. Its uncanny ability to evolve resistance and to thrive in damp, nutrient-poor niches makes it a frequent cause of persistent outbreaks.



The study showed that plastic may be an unexpected reservoir of calories, tipping survival odds further in the germ’s favor.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-bacteria-may-digest-plastic">More bacteria may digest plastic</h2>



The researchers looked at genetic databases and spotted related enzyme blueprints in other bacteria known to haunt intensive-care units.



Though only PCL digestion was proven, the sequence hints suggest that plastics such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodegradable-living-plastic-contains-bacterial-spores-that-break-it-down/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polyurethane</a> or polyethylene terephthalate - used in everything from vascular grafts to wound dressings - might also be vulnerable.



“The bug's plastic-eating ability is likely helping it survive on surfaces in hospitals, potentially driving hospital outbreaks. We should start to consider focusing on plastics that are harder for microbes to digest and potentially screening pathogens for these enzymes, especially in unexplained prolonged outbreaks,” McCarthy said.



That prospect affects far more than one operating theatre. Cardiac stents, breast implants, dental membranes and bone fillers all rely on polymers for flexibility and strength. If any of those materials can be metabolized, latent infections might smolder undetected until biofilms reach critical mass.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-safer-plastics">Designing safer plastics</h2>



One response is to redesign polymers so their chemical bonds resist enzymatic cleavage. Another is to coat device surfaces with inert barriers or embedded antimicrobials that deny bacteria a foothold. 



Any such solution must preserve the mechanical virtues that made PCL popular in the first place while preventing degradation inside the body.



Research chemists may also mine Pap1 itself for clues. By mapping its active site, they could predict which molecular motifs invite attack and which repel it. That information could steer the next generation of hospital plastics toward safer territory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-hospital-surveillance">Rethinking hospital surveillance</h2>



Hospitals already culture swabs from taps, beds, and keyboard covers. The new data suggest laboratories should add targeted searches for plastic-digesting enzymes.



Environmental isolates that test positive might explain outbreaks whose source has eluded standard surveillance. Cleaning protocols could likewise shift focus: scrubbing away visible grime is not enough if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/previously-overlooked-viruses-may-secretly-shape-bacterial-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> can tuck inside the polymer and nibble at its chains.



McCarthy emphasizes that the present work is an early step. It examined one strain, one enzyme, and one polymer under controlled conditions. Real-world environments mix many microbes, variable temperatures, and diverse materials.



“Plastic is everywhere in modern medicine, and it turns out some pathogens have adapted to degrade it, and we need to understand the impact this has on patient safety,” McCarthy said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-experiments-on-the-horizon">Next experiments on the horizon</h2>



Future studies will test explanted devices for microscopic bite marks, track enzyme genes across hospital genomes and expose other medical plastics to potential degraders.



Animal models may reveal whether in-body digestion changes implant strength or releases inflammatory by-products. Parallel work on coatings and polymer chemistry will explore defenses.



For now, the image is sobering: a superbug perched on a catheter, slowly digesting the tube meant to heal, using the fragments to thicken its fortress and bide its time. The finding upends old assumptions and signals that in the quiet corners of a ward, plastic may not be inert at all - but a secret feast for the enemy within.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(25)00421-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Reports</a>.



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New "superbugs" discovered in hospitals devour medical plastics, boosting infection risks

Scientists have discovered that a notorious hospital bacterium can digest...

While myths about “left-brained” or “right-brained” personalities persist, one long-known division of labor in the brain turns out to be even more significant than people realize.



A new scientific review reveals how the brain maintains separate processing streams for the left and right sides of our visual field - and how it cleverly balances this split to avoid blind spots, all while giving us a seamless experience of the world.



Neuroscientists Earl K. Miller and Scott Brincat of <a href="https://picower.mit.edu/">MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory</a> have synthesized years of research into how this split processing works. Their insights clarify how the brain’s hemispheres divide up visual spatial perception, why this trade-off exists, and how the brain bridges the resulting gap.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hemisphere-myths-debunked">Hemisphere myths debunked</h2>



Study co-author Earl K. Miller is a professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT.



“People hear all these myths about the left brain being more analytical and the right brain being more artistic, or people being right-brained versus left-brained. Ninety-nine percent of that is nonsense,” said Miller. "You think with your whole brain.”



Despite this, visual spatial perception really is divided. The brain’s right hemisphere processes what we see on the left, and the left hemisphere processes the right. This separation persists even in high-level cognitive processes like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-stops-paying-attention-to-repeated-distractions/">attention</a> and working memory.



“It’s for good reason,” Miller said. “Perceptual capacity is limited - you can only take in so much at once. If your capacity is fully tied up on the right side of your gaze, you might miss a threat approaching on the left. Splitting resources between both sides helps avoid dangerous perceptual blind spots.”



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



When Miller was a student, he learned that information from the left and right visual fields was neatly split between brain hemispheres until reaching the prefrontal cortex, where it was believed to be fully integrated. 



But two decades of research, including Miller and Brincat’s own studies, have painted a more nuanced picture.



Contrary to earlier assumptions, even in the prefrontal cortex, neural activity shows a strong bias toward the “contralateral” hemisphere - the side opposite to where an object appears in view. 



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



Brain wave measurements, particularly in the gamma frequency range, reveal that neurons in the frontal cortex show increased activity when attending to stimuli on the opposite side.



“As a result, the two hemispheres appear to function surprisingly independently, even for high-level cognitive functions like attention and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pupils-enlarge-dilate-when-working-memory-engaged-focused-on-task/">working memory</a>,” wrote the researchers.



This is why, for example, people and animals can remember more items if those items are presented on both sides of their visual field, rather than all on one side - a phenomenon known as the “bilateral advantage.”



But this advantage has limits. People still track multiple objects less effectively than a single object, even if those objects are split between both sides of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blinking-plays-crucial-role-vision-human-perception/">vision</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-brain-does-share">What the brain does share</h2>



The brain’s division of labor, however, applies only to spatial information - the “where” of visual objects.



Other aspects, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-retinal-cells-explain-complex-color-perception/">color</a> and shape, are processed across both hemispheres. This selective separation allows the brain to maximize its limited perceptual capacity for spatial awareness without compromising recognition of what objects are.



Interestingly, people also show individual differences in their visual capacity across the field of view. To explore this variability, Miller has founded a startup called <a href="https://splitsage.com/">SplitSage</a>, aimed at helping people optimize performance in visually demanding tasks by measuring these perceptual differences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-the-brain-gap">Bridging the brain gap</h2>



Given the persistence of this division, why don’t we encounter any problems when, for instance, a bird flies from the left to the right side of our gaze? Why doesn’t the handoff between hemispheres disrupt our perception of a seamless world?



Studies show that as an object approaches the midline of vision, the hemisphere about to “receive” it ramps up neural activity in anticipation, while the “sending” hemisphere continues to track it for some time after.



“As a tracked target approaches the visual midline, the hemisphere about to receive the target shows a ramp-up of activity well before the crossing time, as if it is anticipating the target,” the experts wrote.



“Further, activity in the sending hemisphere remains high well after the crossing. Thus, for up to a second or more, neural signals reflecting the target are shared across both hemispheres. It is as if both hemispheres are holding the baton.”



This mechanism ensures continuity, much like how a mobile phone switches between cell towers without dropping a call. However, there is a small but measurable performance cost during this “handoff.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-division-and-disorders">Brain division and disorders</h2>



The ability to synchronize hemispheres is crucial. Disruptions in interhemispheric connectivity and synchrony have been linked to neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, depression, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-use-linked-to-higher-risk-of-schizophrenia/">schizophrenia</a>, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and autism spectrum disorders.



“A foundational understanding of interhemispheric processing, combined with interventions translatable to human patients, offers hope for developing novel network-level treatments,” the authors wrote.



The better scientists understand how the brain manages this division and handoff, the better equipped they are to develop treatments for disorders where this process breaks down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-halves-one-picture">Two halves, one picture</h2>



The brain’s strategy of splitting visual spatial perception across hemispheres is an elegant solution to a capacity problem.



By managing each side independently, the brain maximizes awareness and minimizes blind spots. And thanks to its anticipatory handoff system, it stitches both halves of the world into the seamless, unified experience we take for granted.



While pop culture myths about “right-brained artists” and “left-brained analysts” remain oversimplified, the real story of how the hemispheres divide and collaborate is far more interesting - and far more relevant to both neuroscience and human health.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028393225000880?via%3Dihub">Neuropsychologia</a>.



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How the brain splits vision and puts it back together

While myths about “left-brained” or “right-brained” personalities persist, one long-known...

The ripening of tomatoes may reveal clues about the cellular processes that influence aging, according to a new study. 



Dr. Simon Michaeli from the <a href="https://www.agri.gov.il/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Volcani Institute</a> worked with colleagues in Israel and Germany to explore how a fundamental recycling system in cells affects tomato ripening and possibly our own <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">aging</a> path.



The team discovered that a process known as <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-023-06154-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autophagy</a> may be key to shaping when tomatoes ripen, since it helps control a plant hormone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-autophagy-impacts-cellular-aging">How autophagy impacts cellular aging</h2>



Autophagy is a vital cleanup and recycling mechanism in most organisms, excluding bacteria, and is associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protein-changes-discovered-protect-humans-mammals-from-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a> processes in animals. It breaks down and repurposes damaged parts of the cell to keep everything running smoothly, much like an internal maintenance routine. 



Research suggests it promotes <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4382258/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthier lifespans</a> for animals by clearing out unnecessary cell materials, including proteins that might otherwise build up over time. Studies have hinted at its significance in plants, but it wasn’t always clear if it played a role in fruit ripening. 



The new <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.70127" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> shows a direct connection between autophagy and the timing of certain ripening events in tomatoes. The research also notes that slowing ripening doesn’t require halting other key growth functions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hormone-that-controls-fruit-ripening">The hormone that controls fruit ripening</h2>



<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4677914/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ethylene</a> is a primary hormone that signals when fruit should turn from green to a softer, more appetizing form. It is famously linked to apples, bananas, avocados, and tomatoes, triggering them to become sweeter, juicier, and sometimes brighter.



Scientists often examine ethylene production to figure out if a fruit is on track for normal ripening. A slight acceleration can lead to fruit that ripens sooner and spoils faster. A delay can mean it stays unripe for longer and might never fully develop ideal taste or texture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tomato-experiments-and-early-ripening">Tomato experiments and early ripening</h2>



Researchers temporarily repressed autophagy genes in mature tomato fruits to test the effect on ripening. Their observations revealed that these tomatoes ripened ahead of schedule, which indicated that autophagy helps to keep ethylene levels in check.



They found that once autophagy was dialed down, ethylene production spiked earlier. In short, limiting a cell’s ability to break down its own parts pushed the fruit to age at a faster pace. 



The study points out that this cellular recycling mechanism has similar anti-aging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-old-are-you-really-new-tool-measures-aging-from-the-inside-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">functions</a> in various organisms, from simple animals to humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-less-waste">Implications for less waste</h2>



Producers spend enormous effort controlling the ripening process, since it influences everything from shipping schedules to profit margins. 



A big concern is spoilage, which eats into budgets and reduces the variety of produce on store shelves. Any strategy to slow or better control the ripening timeline might cut these losses.



“It is estimated that around 40% of global agricultural produce is lost or wasted, which has significant financial, nutritional, and environmental implications,” explained Michaeli. 



He and his team believe that harnessing what goes on at a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-scientific-review-analyzes-the-potential-and-limitations-of-nmn-for-slowing-down-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cellular level</a> might ensure fresher fruits and a reduced carbon footprint.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-paths-in-fruit-science">Future paths in fruit science</h2>



Experiments with tomatoes are just the tip of the iceberg for exploring how autophagy shapes food quality. It’s possible this process operates in similar ways across different types of produce, though not all fruits respond to ethylene the same way.



Additional research might look at selective targeting of autophagy pathways so that farmers can keep tomatoes from ripening too fast without harming other aspects of plant growth. That could lead to improved shelf life while maintaining the fruit’s taste, nutrients, and color.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autophagy-ethylene-and-tomatoes-ripening">Autophagy, ethylene, and tomatoes ripening</h2>



Scientists want to pinpoint how autophagy keeps ethylene in balance. They suspect that when cells recycle specific proteins or molecules linked to ethylene, it holds off ripening a bit longer.



“Eventually, we may use our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind ripening to reduce produce loss across the supply chain. The next step is to identify how autophagy regulates the onset of ethylene,” said Michaeli.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-benefits-for-growers">Potential benefits for growers</h2>



Everyone in the food chain stands to benefit from discovering new ways to prolong produce quality. Less spoilage translates into cheaper groceries, a lighter load on landfills, and more choices for people everywhere.



Farmers are eager for any technique that can keep crops in top condition for a longer stretch. If autophagy can be managed without sacrificing flavor or nutrition, it may open the door to practical, eco-friendly solutions that help feed growing populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aging-insights-from-ripening-tomatoes">Aging insights from ripening tomatoes </h2>



Beyond fruit biology, this finding sparks curiosity about our own cells. Autophagy is often linked to longevity and healthier aging in animals. It’s not about living forever, but rather about steering body cells toward a more balanced maintenance system.



The tomato example shows one more way autophagy supports life processes, whether that’s controlling the moment a fruit hits peak ripeness or preserving the health of our tissues. Researchers suggest that uncovering parallels in different species may advance our understanding of aging overall.



The study is published in <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.70127" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Ripening tomatoes may hold clues to delay human aging

The ripening of tomatoes may reveal clues about the cellular...

Have you ever noticed how your fingers become wrinkled when soaked in water? The longer you stay submerged, the more pronounced those wrinkles become. 



But do those wrinkles form in the same pattern every time? That intriguing question recently caught the attention of scientists at Binghamton University, State University of New York (<a href="https://www.suny.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUNY</a>).



A couple of years ago, Professor Guy German published a breakthrough study on why skin wrinkles in water. The common explanation was that water caused the skin to swell, which leads to wrinkling. However, German’s research revealed a more complex story beneath the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-finger-wrinkles-form">How finger wrinkles form</h2>



Before Professor German’s study, the prevailing belief was that water absorption alone caused skin to wrinkle.



However, the team at the Biological Soft Matter Mechanics Laboratory found that blood vessels beneath the skin actually contract after prolonged exposure to water. This contraction is what creates those familiar loops and ridges on your fingers.



Professor German initially discussed his findings in a 2023 article for The Conversation’s Curious Kids feature. It wasn’t a peer-reviewed journal, but a student’s question that pushed German to dig deeper.



"A student asked, 'Yeah, but do the wrinkles always form in the same way?' And I thought: I haven't the foggiest clue!" said Professor German.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consistency-in-water-induced-wrinkles">Consistency in water-induced wrinkles</h2>



Motivated by the student’s question, the team set out to determine whether the same wrinkle patterns appear after each water immersion.



The study was led by Professor German and Rachel Laytin, a graduate student who was pursuing her Master’s degree. They designed a simple but effective experiment to investigate the question.



Subjects placed their fingers in water for 30 minutes, then had their fingers photographed. The procedure was repeated under identical conditions at least 24 hours later. 



By comparing the before-and-after images, the researchers could assess whether the wrinkle patterns remained consistent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-wrinkles-always-form-the-same-way">Do wrinkles always form the same way?</h2>



The results, published in the Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, confirmed that the wrinkle patterns remained unchanged across multiple immersions.



"Blood vessels don't change their position much - they move around a bit, but in relation to other blood vessels, they're pretty static," explained Professor German. "That means the wrinkles should form in the same manner, and we proved that they do."



The experiment revealed that, despite the variability in other aspects of skin physiology, the underlying blood vessel network remains relatively static. This stability ensures that the topography of water-induced wrinkles is consistent from one immersion to the next.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nerve-damage-prevents-water-wrinkles">Nerve damage prevents water wrinkles</h2>



While investigating wrinkle patterns, the researchers stumbled upon an unexpected finding. 



"We've heard that wrinkles don't form in people who have median nerve damage in their fingers," said Professor German. "One of my students told us, 'I've got median nerve damage in my fingers.' So we tested him - no wrinkles!"



This observation could open doors to further research on how nerve damage affects skin behavior under water. It also suggests a potential diagnostic tool for identifying nerve damage based on the presence or absence of water-induced wrinkles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-family-connection-to-forensics">A family connection to forensics</h2>



While the study’s origins stem from a student's simple question, its implications could extend far beyond the lab.



German's father, a retired police officer in the U.K., dealt with the challenges of identifying bodies recovered from water. Understanding how wrinkle patterns form and remain consistent could aid in forensic investigations, including fingerprinting at crime scenes.



"Biometrics and fingerprints are built into my brain," said Professor German. "I always think about this sort of stuff, because it's fascinating."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-water-wrinkles">Future research on water wrinkles</h2>



The study has not only answered one intriguing question but also opened the door to many more. German is eager to explore further questions about how skin responds to prolonged water exposure. 



He believes the Curious Kids feature and the thought-provoking question from a young student were instrumental in inspiring this research.



"I feel like a kid in a candy store, because there's so much science here that I don't know. We thank the people at The Conversation and the wonderful question they asked us, because it does create cool new science," he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-research">Broader implications of the research</h2>



The study has added a new layer of understanding on how human skin behaves under water. The findings could be applied not only in forensic science but also in medical research, particularly in studying skin conditions and nerve damage.



For now, the simple question that sparked the study has been answered: Yes, water wrinkles form in the same pattern every time. 



Yet, the implications of this finding are far from simple. By exploring the relationship between blood vessels and skin topography, German and his team have laid the groundwork for further studies that could transform our understanding of skin physiology and its response to external stimuli.



In the end, what began as a child’s question became a compelling scientific inquiry that has lead to new discoveries and to more questions that are waiting to be answered. And for German, that’s the best part of being a scientist - the constant pursuit of the unknown.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751616125000517?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials</a>. 



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Finger wrinkles from water could help solve crimes

Have you ever noticed how your fingers become wrinkled when...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



-----



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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</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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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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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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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