<p>When a bone is shattered or a tumor leaves a sizable void, surgeons have two broad choices: pack the space with graft (bone taken from the patient or a donor) or plug it with a synthetic scaffold that encourages new bone to grow.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Custom 3D-printed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-implant-may-allow-people-to-communicate-through-their-thoughts/">implants</a> have been a big advance, but they take time. Scanning, design, fabrication, and sterilization often take a week or more. That’s fine for planned procedures. It’s a problem when seconds count, like in trauma surgery.</p>



<p>A team led by Jung Seung Lee at <a href="https://www.skku.edu/eng/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sungkyunkwan University</a>, South Korea, asked a disarmingly simple question: what if the scaffold could be made on the spot, shaped by the surgeon in minutes, and still meet the biological requirements for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-long-necked-dinosaurs-struggled-with-fatal-bone-disease/">bone</a> regeneration?&nbsp;</p>



<p>The answer looks a lot like something you’d find in a craft drawer: a hot glue gun - reengineered for the operating room - and a bioactive “glue” designed to become new bone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bone-mineral-meets-glue-gun">Bone mineral meets glue gun </h2>



<p>The cartridge inside their gun isn’t glue. It’s a blend of hydroxyapatite (HA) - the calcium-phosphate mineral that makes up about half of real bone by volume - and polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable thermoplastic widely studied for medical use.&nbsp;</p>



<p>HA brings osteoconductivity, meaning it’s the right mineral for bone cells to grow on. PCL brings melt-and-set workability and a gentle degradation profile over months to years, giving the body time to swap the scaffold for living bone.</p>



<p>Standard hot glue guns run well above 100 °C - too hot for tissue. The team modified the gun so the melt temperature sits near 60 °C, around the melting point of PCL. </p>



<p>That’s still warm, but brief, localized contact at that temperature is routinely managed in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/srt-h-robot-performs-surgery-without-a-human-controlling-its-hands-for-the-first-time-ever/">surgery</a> (think electrocautery), and the material cools and hardens quickly once extruded.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-it-s-used-in-surgery">How it’s used in surgery</h2>



<p>In their proof-of-concept, surgeons would debride and clean the defect, then “draw” with the gun, layering the HA–PCL filament directly into the void.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Because the material extrudes as a thin bead and sets within seconds, the surgeon can sculpt to fit the irregular geometry of real fractures - no waiting for a lab to print, ship, and sterilize a custom implant.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If needed, the filament can be pre-loaded with drugs. The group demonstrated vancomycin and gentamicin embedded in the material, releasing slowly over weeks to bathe the surgical site and help suppress <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/skin-may-play-a-hidden-role-in-ebola-infection/">infection</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happened-in-living-bone">What happened in living bone</h2>



<p>To test whether the on-demand scaffold actually supports regeneration, the team created centimeter-long defects in rabbits’ femurs - a challenging gap size that doesn’t reliably heal on its own.&nbsp;</p>



<p>After 12 weeks, the animals treated with the “glue gun” showed no separation at the bone-implant interface and no obvious adverse reactions. Quantitatively, bone volume within the defect was more than twice that of controls filled with traditional bone cement. </p>



<p>That’s an important point: standard cements (like PMMA) are structural fillers but biologically inert; they don’t invite bone to grow in and replace them. The HA–PCL composite, by contrast, is designed to be colonized by bone cells and resorbed over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-repairing-bones-with-a-glue-gun">Repairing bones with a glue gun</h2>



<p>Orthopedic infections can turn a routine repair into a months-long ordeal. Because the scaffold is heat-molded at the point of care, the team could simply mix antibiotics into the filament beforehand.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In their tests, vancomycin and gentamicin loaded into the composite leached out gradually and directly into the defect bed. This delivery path avoids high systemic drug levels and targets the microbes where they live - on hardware and within the healing bone.</p>



<p>Speed and fit are the headline advantages. In trauma, tumor surgery, or revision cases with irregular voids, being able to fill and contour in minutes is a big deal. </p>



<p>The material choice is sensible: HA for bioactivity, PCL for processability and a degradation timetable that lines up with bone remodeling.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remaining-challenges-and-questions">Remaining challenges and questions</h2>



<p>There are open questions before a craft-gun-turned-medical-tool goes mainstream. Heat exposure must be managed carefully near delicate structures. </p>



<p>Mechanical strength is likely adequate for non- or partial-load-bearing zones, but long-bone defects under high stress may still require plates, rods, or staged reconstructions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Surgeons will want more data on long-term remodeling: does the scaffold resorb at a rate that matches new bone formation, and what happens in larger animals and humans?&nbsp;</p>



<p>And then there’s regulation - turning commodity hardware into a sterile medical device, with validated temperatures, flow rates, cartridges, and cleaning protocols, is its own development path.</p>



<p>It’s a fair challenge: imaging and printing are getting faster, and customized implants will keep improving. The right answer may be to use printing for planned, complex reconstructions, and keep a bone-safe “glue gun” on the back table for the cases that can’t wait.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-simple-tool-for-surgery">A simple tool for surgery</h2>



<p>What makes this approach intriguing is less the gadget itself and more the workflow it enables. </p>



<p>In one trip to the OR, a surgeon could clear debris, rebuild a defect to fit, deliver local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-rivers-are-highly-saturated-with-human-antibiotics-helping-bacteria-develop-resistance/">antibiotics</a>, and leave behind a scaffold the body recognizes - all without couriering scans or scheduling a second procedure. </p>



<p>The materials are inexpensive and familiar, and the technique builds on skills orthopedic and maxillofacial surgeons already have.</p>



<p>There’s also room to grow. The same platform could accept filaments tuned for different jobs - stiffer or more porous, faster or slower to resorb, with growth factors, even with living cells for future applications.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-surgical-glue-guns">The future of surgical glue guns</h2>



<p>As faster point-of-care imaging and planning tools enter the OR, “draw-to-fit” reconstruction could be guided by intraoperative scans, blending the best of custom design with the immediacy of a handheld device.</p>



<p>For now, the takeaway is straightforward. By lowering the melt temperature and swapping craft glue for a bone-friendly composite, researchers turned a ubiquitous tool into a surgical instrument that can fill irregular defects, support bone growth, and deliver local antibiotics - all in minutes. </p>



<p>In emergencies and hard-to-plan repairs, that kind of speed could be the difference between patching a void and truly regenerating bone.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/device/fulltext/S2666-9986(25)00186-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Device</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Hot glue gun turned surgical tool can rebuild broken bones

When a bone is shattered or a tumor leaves a sizable void, surgeons have two broad choices: pack the space with graft (bone taken from the patient or a donor) or plug it with a synthetic scaffold that encourages new bone to grow.&nbsp; Custom 3D-printed implants have been a big advance, but they take time. Scanning, design, fabrication, and sterilization often take a week or more. That’s fine for planned procedures. It’s a problem when seconds count, like in trauma surgery. A team led by Jung Seung...

Platelet,In,The,Blood,And,Thrombocyte,Anatomy,Concept,As,Activated

<p>Tiny structures in our blood called platelets are best known for helping to stop the bleeding after we get a cut or a scrape, but that is only part of the story. </p>



<p>A new study reports that platelets collect bits of DNA that float around in the blood and may help the body keep inflammation in check, while also offering a fresh source of genetic clues for disease detection.</p>



<p>Those fragments include cell-free DNA from tumors and from a fetus during pregnancy. </p>



<p>Early cancer screens often struggle because <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-024-02021-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circulating tumor DNA</a> is scarce, especially when disease is small, so tapping platelet cargo could raise the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/junk-dna-found-to-play-a-powerful-role-in-the-human-body/">signal</a> when it counts most.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-platelets-clean-up-trash">Blood platelets clean up trash</h2>



<p>This work was led by <a href="https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/scientist/bethan-psaila/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bethan Psaila</a> at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>, with first author Lauren Murphy, working with collaborators across Oxford and the <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Edinburgh</a>.</p>



<p>Platelets lack a nucleus, yet they are laced with an internal network of surface connected channels known as the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29442528/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">open canalicular system</a>, which helps them take up and release molecules as they circulate.</p>



<p>That architecture makes them well suited to encounter DNA fragments shed by cells throughout the body.</p>



<p>They're also abundant, with a normal adult count of roughly 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood, and they turn over quickly in about a week. </p>



<p>That constant traffic gives platelets countless chances each day to sample what the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/womens-egg-cells-shield-dna-from-the-effects-of-aging/">body</a> is shedding.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-platelets-absorb-tumor-and-fetal-dna">Platelets absorb tumor and fetal DNA</h2>



<p>“We found that, despite lacking a nucleus, platelets contained a repertoire of DNA fragments mapping across the nuclear genome,” wrote Murphy. </p>



<p>The researchers tracked DNA moving from nucleated cells into platelets in lab co-cultures and then looked for the same phenomenon in people. </p>



<p>They examined platelets from pregnant individuals and detected <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/y-chromosome-is-disappearing-may-already-be-causing-problems-for-men/">Y chromosome</a> DNA when the fetus was male, confirming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-stress-may-have-lasting-effects-on-fetal-development/">fetal DNA</a> uptake in maternal platelets. </p>



<p>In mice and in patients with very low platelet counts, plasma cell-free DNA rose, a pattern consistent with platelets normally helping clear that DNA from circulation.</p>



<p>The group also found tumor derived mutations inside platelets from people with advanced cancers and even from those with <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/they-found-colon-polyps-now-what" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">precancerous colonic polyps</a>. That last result points straight at early detection opportunities where today’s tests fall short.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-blood-platelets-fight-cancer">How blood platelets fight cancer</h2>



<p>Today’s liquid biopsy tests usually analyze DNA floating in plasma after cells, including platelets, are removed, which means a chunk of useful information may be discarded at the very first step. </p>



<p>If labs analyze DNA within platelets as well, they could detect low-burden disease that plasma-based methods often overlook.</p>



<p>Prior <a href="https://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/fulltext/S1535-6108%2815%2900349-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> already hinted that platelets act as messengers for cancer biology. </p>



<p>Researchers showed that tumor educated platelets carry altered RNA profiles that can classify tumor types and key mutations, proof that these cells can encode disease signals in their cargo. </p>



<p>The new paper extends that idea to DNA and positions platelets as a second reservoir of genomic material.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-boost-for-prenatal-screening">Big boost for prenatal screening</h2>



<p>Noninvasive prenatal testing built on maternal plasma cell-free <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/altering-rice-dna-improves-its-growth-rate-and-could-end-world-hunger/">DNA</a> has already reshaped obstetric care over the past decade. </p>



<p>One <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30067923/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> called this shift “a success story of modern genomic medicine,” noting rapid global adoption and clinical impact.</p>



<p>Sequencing cell-free DNA in maternal plasma now reduces invasive procedures such as amniocentesis by an estimated 50 to 70 percent worldwide, according to recent <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11711700/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyses</a> of clinical practice. </p>



<p>If platelets also harbor fetal DNA, as the <em>Science</em> study shows, laboratories may be able to extract more information from the same blood draw.</p>



<p>Any gains would be most valuable where signal is weakest, such as early gestation or in individuals with lower fetal DNA fractions. </p>



<p>Platelet based workflows will need careful controls to avoid contamination and to normalize for platelet counts and activation states, but the path is clear for method development.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aiding-immunity-and-inflammation">Aiding immunity and inflammation</h2>



<p>Platelets are not bystanders in immunity. They sense pathogens, interact with white blood cells, and influence inflammation, a role recognized across cardiovascular and infectious disease <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.319821" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a>.</p>



<p>That biology helps explain the new findings. When platelet numbers drop, <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/thrombocytopenia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thrombocytopenia</a> can coincide with higher levels of cell-free DNA, which is known to stimulate immune pathways; when numbers are normal, platelets may help buffer that stimulus. </p>



<p>The team also observed that platelet encapsulated DNA is shielded from external DNases (enzymes that degrade DNA by hydrolyzing the phosphodiester bonds in the DNA backbone), suggesting a protected, controlled cargo rather than debris.</p>



<p>Taken together, the picture is of a blood cell that patrols widely, picks up DNA fragments, and releases contents when activated at the right place. </p>



<p>That's a plausible way to limit background inflammation while still enabling targeted responses at sites of injury or infection.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-platelets-and-future-health">Blood platelets and future health</h2>



<p>The technical work is now straightforward in concept but demanding in practice. </p>



<p>Labs will need robust protocols for platelet isolation, DNA extraction, and bioinformatic filtering that distinguish platelet encapsulated sequences from plasma contaminants, all while keeping pre analytical variables tight across sites.</p>



<p>Clinical trials must show added value over existing plasma tests. That means head to head comparisons in screening cohorts with adjudicated outcomes and clear metrics like sensitivity at fixed specificity in stage I cancers or low fetal fraction pregnancies.</p>



<p>None of this diminishes the central insight. Platelets may be more than clot makers and immune sentinels, they could be practical, easy to isolate biosensors that carry DNA signals from across the body, ready to be read out in a standard blood draw.</p>



<p>The full study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp3971" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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Blood platelets play a critically important role in the body that was unknown until now

Tiny structures in our blood called platelets are best known...

<p>Astronomers have discovered a bizarre “lava world” spiraling towards its doom. TOI-2431 b is an Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting its star in a different solar system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A consortium of astronomers led by Kaya Han Tas from the <a href="https://www.uva.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Amsterdam, Netherlands</a> characterized the exoplanet. </p>



<p>They predict the planet is on a death spiral and will be torn apart by its star in just 31 million years, a blink of time on cosmic scales.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fate-of-toi-2431-b">Fate of TOI-2431 b</h2>



<p>The Earth-sized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-found-orbiting-the-closest-star-to-our-sun-barnards-star/">exoplanet</a> stands out as the shortest-period rocky world with astronomers having precisely measured both its mass and radius. These are also called ultra-short-period planets.</p>



<p>Unlike Earth’s year-long path around the Sun, this world completes a year in less than a quarter of an Earth day, once every 5 hours, 22 minutes.</p>



<p>It is also “tidally locked” - the same side always faces its star. One side is in endless day, while the other remains dark. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10569-017-9783-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Models</a> suggest proximity to the star locks rotational and orbital periods together.</p>



<p>Being so close to its star puts it at the edge of survival because its orbit is unstable and shrinking. </p>



<p>Researchers estimate that in only 31 million years, TOI-2431 b will cross the Roche limit. Crossing this threshold will let the star’s tidal forces overpower the planet’s self-gravity and rip it apart.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-was-toi-2431-b-characterized">How was TOI-2431 b characterized?</h2>



<p>Astronomers discovered TOI-2431 b with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exotic-worlds-tess-unveils-126-new-exoplanets/">NASA’s TESS</a> telescope. TOI refers to “TESS object of interest.” The planet is named after its host star, TOI-2431, which is about two-thirds the size of our Sun. It’s a late K star.</p>



<p>They measured the planet’s size indirectly. Like insects casting shadows across a light bulb, the planet creates regular dips in starlight as it passes in front. Astronomers used this ‘shadow effect’ to determine the planet’s radius.</p>



<p>To measure its mass, scientists turned to the NEID and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitable-exoplanet-gliese-12-b-only-40-light-years-away-earth-like-temperatures/">Habitable-zone Planet</a> Finder instruments.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These detect tiny wobbles in the star’s movement, which the planet’s gravity causes. Combining mass with size showed TOI-2431 b is rocky and unusually dense.</p>



<p>For astronomers, the Earth-sized exoplanet is a benchmark case, revealing how extreme orbits reshape planets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-sized-exoplanet-shaped-by-tides">Earth-sized exoplanet shaped by tides</h2>



<p>Unlike Earth, which is nearly spherical, TOI-2431 b has a distorted, football-like shape. Just as the Moon pulls the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-is-subtly-changing-the-tides/">Earth’s oceans</a>, this planet faces tides – but on a catastrophic scale.</p>



<p>It orbits so close that the star’s pull on its near side is much stronger than on its far side. The result is an elongated body. Its longest axis, pointing toward the star, is about 9% longer than its shortest axis.</p>



<p>Astronomers have measured such an extreme tidal deformation in a rocky exoplanet for the first time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-lava-world-with-no-atmosphere">A "lava world" with no atmosphere</h2>



<p>If its orbit and shape weren’t extreme enough, TOI-2431 b’s surface is even harsher. With an equilibrium temperature above 2,000 Kelvin (3,600°F), it is hot enough to melt rock. It is likely covered in oceans of lava.</p>



<p>Stellar radiation stripped away any <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1304197111" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydrogen-helium atmosphere</a> the planet once had. For millions of years, UV rays heated the gases until they escaped into space.</p>



<p>What remains is a dense, rocky world with a measured density of 9.4 grams per cubic centimeter, higher than Earth’s. It may represent the first well-studied case of a rocky core that atmospheric loss has exposed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-did-it-come-from">Where did it come from?</h2>



<p>TOI-2431 b’s orbit is so close to its star that it could not have formed there. Forming solid rocks needs cooler temperatures. Astronomers believe that the planet formed farther away. It then migrated inward, being pushed and pulled by different gravitational forces along the way.</p>



<p>One possibility is that TOI-2431 b began as a <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/479/4/5012/5049314" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gas giant or mini-Neptune</a>, later losing its atmosphere. Another is that it started as a rocky super-Earth, gradually pushed inward by gravitational interactions.</p>



<p>Evidence suggests it may belong to a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-planet-system-discovered-just-270-light-years-away-named-toi-1136/">multi-planet system</a>. Gravitational tugs from worlds arising from the same start may have helped drive its migration. A little like the three-body problem in the science fiction series.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-world-in-its-final-chapter">A world in its final chapter</h2>



<p>TOI-2431 b is unlike any world astronomers have studied before.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For scientists, it offers a unique laboratory to study planetary migration, atmospheric loss, and tidal interactions. For the rest of us, it is a reminder of the fragile balance that allows Earth to exist in a stable orbit.</p>



<p>By observing TOI-2431 b’s death spiral in real time, astronomers gain insight into how planets live and die. It is also a glimpse into the extraordinary diversity of worlds across the galaxy.</p>



<p>The study has been submitted to <em>Astronomy and Astrophysics</em> and is available as a preprint on <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.08464" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arXiv.</a></p>



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Earth-sized exoplanet is spiraling toward destruction

Astronomers have discovered a bizarre “lava world” spiraling towards its...

<p>A new way of steadying telescopes has lifted the blur on the sun’s corona, giving scientists crisp, movie-like views of structures only dozens of miles across for the first time. </p>



<p>The system, called adaptive optics for the corona, reaches roughly 39 miles of detail at the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/widest-high-resolution-photo-of-the-sun-ever-captured-solar-orbiter/">sun</a>’s distance and tracks fast changes that shape space weather.</p>



<p>These images reveal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02564-0/figures/2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fine threads of cooling plasma</a>, twisting arcs called prominence structures, and a narrow, short lived plasmoid that unraveled in the wake of a flare. </p>



<p>The footage is not a special eclipse trick, it is routine observing from a ground telescope that now corrects Earth’s air in real time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-sun-s-corona-matters">Why the Sun's corona matters</h2>



<p>Lead scientist <a href="https://spie.org/profile/Dirk.Schmidt-18247" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dirk Schmidt</a> of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s <a href="https://nso.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Solar Observatory</a> led development on the Goode Solar Telescope at Big Bear, with collaborators at New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Center for Solar Terrestrial Research (<a href="https://research.njit.edu/cstr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSTR</a>).&nbsp;</p>



<p>Clearer views at small scales help answer long standing questions about why the corona is millions of degrees while the surface below is about 10,000 degrees, a puzzle known as the coronal heating problem.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Spacecraft imagers like the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (<a href="https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/3828/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SDO-AIA</a>) catch the full disk with <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11207-011-9776-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1.5 arcsecond resolution and 12 second cadence</a>, but they do not reach the fine angular resolution a large ground telescope can achieve with good correction. </p>



<p>The new approach narrows the gap and exposes the tiny strands and clumps that models of loop heating and cooling have hinted at for years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-optics-beat-the-blur">New optics beat the blur</h2>



<p>“The turbulence in the air severely degrades images of objects in space, like our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chinas-artificial-sun-reactor-sets-new-record-for-fusion-power-generation/">sun</a>, seen through our telescopes. But we can correct for that,” said Schmidt. </p>



<p>The Coronal Adaptive Optics system (CONA) reshapes a mirror about 2,200 times per second and uses a specialized sensor tuned to hydrogen-alpha light to lock onto off limb features that older systems could not stabilize. </p>



<p>Older solar adaptive optics worked best on the bright disk, yet lost their grip beyond the edge where the corona glows faintly. </p>



<p>CONA was built to track dim coronal structure directly, so the correction follows the exact region of interest instead of a nearby proxy, which keeps the scene stable for fast imaging bursts.</p>



<p>At the telescope’s diffraction limit near one tenth of an arcsecond, the team resolved strands under 100 kilometers wide and captured a finely twisted plasmoid that formed and collapsed during the decay phase of a modest flare. </p>



<p>Those behaviors point to rapid changes in magnetic topology known as magnetic reconnection, a process that can spawn small islands and kinks as energy is released in bursts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-sun-s-coronal-rain-reveals">What the Sun's coronal rain reveals</h2>



<p>The instrument’s sharpness turned coronal rain from a blur into a structured pattern, with many strands clustering near the telescope’s resolution limit and others appearing even narrower in the raw profiles. </p>



<p>That is important because rain offers a direct marker of how and where energy is deposited along coronal loops, and models predict a wide range of sizes and cooling times tied to the heating pattern.</p>



<p>“Raindrops in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sun-covered-with-moss-peculiar-structure-sunspot-groups/">sun</a>’s corona can be narrower than 20 kilometers,” concluded <a href="https://nso.edu/about/nso-scientific-staff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thomas Schad</a>, NSO astronomer on the observing team, from the most detailed images of coronal rain to date. </p>



<p>Rain forms when hot loop plasma becomes thermally unstable and condenses, a multiphase process that has been linked to the balance between heating and cooling in simulations and observations of active regions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02564-0/figures/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sun_coronal-rain_Quiescent-hedgerow-prominence_Nature-Astronomy_1s.webp" alt="Examples of diverse Hα features outside the solar disk imaged with adaptive optics correction. Credit: Nature Astronomy" class="wp-image-1982755"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Examples of diverse Hα features outside the solar disk imaged with adaptive optics correction. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Nature Astronomy</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprise-twist-in-a-flare-s-wake">Surprise twist in a flare’s wake</h2>



<p>During one observing run, the team watched a narrow, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02564-0/figures/3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fast evolving plasmoid</a> appear near the apex of post flare loops and then unravel into fragments within minutes, an event that would have looked bland at lower resolution and cadence. </p>



<p>The feature’s fine threads and abrupt halt suggest a tug of war between tension and pressure that accompanies reconnection and kink like behavior in the surrounding field, classic magnetohydrodynamics at work.</p>



<p>“These are by far the most detailed observations of this kind, showing features not previously observed, and it’s not quite clear what they are,” said <a href="https://people.njit.edu/profile/yurchysh" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vasyl Yurchyshyn</a>, NJIT CSTR research professor and co-author of the study. </p>



<p>That uncertainty is useful, it points directly to the scales where models must improve and where future spectroscopic measurements can pin down temperatures and flows.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sun-s-corona-and-new-telescopes">Sun's corona and new telescopes</h2>



<p>CONA now runs at the <a href="https://bbso.njit.edu/np/gst_project.html">Goode</a> Solar Telescope in California, and the team is preparing to bring the technique to the 4 meter Daniel K. Inouye Solar <a href="https://bbso.njit.edu/np/gst_project.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Telescope</a> in Hawai‘i, which would push the smallest observable scales even further. </p>



<p>Pairing high resolution imaging with polarimetry at that aperture would open the door to routine measurements of coronal magnetic fields and their rapid changes.</p>



<p>A move to larger apertures also raises the bar for speed, because features can evolve significantly in fractions of a second. </p>



<p>That is a tradeoff the field is ready to make now that coronal adaptive optics is turning ultra fine structures from theory into everyday data.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02564-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Astronomy</em></a>.</p>



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The sun as you've never seen it before: solar storms and eruptions in ultra-high definition

A new way of steadying telescopes has lifted the blur...

<p>Astronomers have spotted a tiny, previously unknown moon circling Uranus. The discovery raises the planet’s moon tally to 29. The satellite is only about six miles across and orbits the planet’s inner system. Its faint glow explains why it escaped earlier searches.</p>



<p>A team led by the Southwest Research Institute (<a href="https://www.swri.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SwRI</a>) identified the body in James Webb Space Telescope (<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>) images taken back on February 2, 2025. </p>



<p>The detection came from a set of very long exposures designed to probe the dim environment near Uranus.</p>



<p>“This object was spotted in a series of ten 40-minute long-exposure images captured by the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam),” said Maryame El Moutamid, a lead scientist in SwRI's Solar System Science and Exploration Division, based in Boulder, Colorado.</p>



<p>“It's a small moon but a significant discovery, which is something that even NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft didn't see during its flyby nearly 40 years ago.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-another-speck-among-rings">Another speck among rings</h2>



<p>Uranus is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-finds-uranus-full-of-surprises-after-20-years-of-observations/">famous for its rings</a> and its pack of small inner satellites. This newcomer is the 14th member of that intricate family, tucked inside the orbits of the five large moons Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon. The inner neighborhood is busy, and that matters.</p>



<p>“No other planet has as many small inner <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-surface-patterns-found-on-the-moons-around-uranus/">moons as Uranus</a>," said Matthew Tiscareno of the <a href="https://www.seti.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SETI Institute</a> in Mountain View, California, a member of the research team. </p>



<p>"Their complex interrelationships with the rings hint at a chaotic history that blurs the boundary between a ring system and a system of moons.”</p>



<p>“Moreover, the new moon is smaller and much fainter than the smallest of the previously known inner moons, making it likely that even more complexity remains to be discovered.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-moon-resides">Where the moon resides</h2>



<p>The orbit sits close to the planet. It’s located about 35,000 miles (56,000 kilometers) from Uranus’s center. </p>



<p>It circles the planet’s equatorial plane between the orbits of Ophelia - just outside Uranus’s main ring system - and Bianca.</p>



<p>“Its nearly circular orbit suggests it may have formed near its current location,” El Moutamid said.</p>



<p>That kind of track hints at a quiet life. It likely coalesced from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-debris-may-create-a-future-with-no-internet-or-astronaut-missions/">debris</a> near its current location, rather than being captured from afar.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hard-to-see-harder-to-catch">Hard to see, harder to catch</h2>



<p>With an estimated diameter of just six miles, the object is smaller than any of the previously known inner moons. Its surface is probably dark. </p>



<p>That makes it much fainter than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-pulls-another-life-saving-maneuver-for-voyager-from-15-billion-miles-away/">Voyager 2</a> could have seen during its 1986 flyby and pushes ground-based observatories to their limits.</p>



<p>The latest discovery relied on sensitive infrared imaging and lots of patient exposure time. Those tools turn ultra-faint smudges into detectable points.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-view-of-the-outer-solar-system">New view of the outer solar system</h2>



<p>The observing program tapped the James Webb Space Telescope’s top instrument for this job.</p>



<p>“Through this and other programs, Webb is providing a new eye on the outer solar system,” El Moutamid said. “This discovery comes as part of Webb’s General Observer program, which allows scientists worldwide to propose investigations using the telescope’s cutting-edge instruments.”</p>



<p>“The NIRCam instrument's high resolution and infrared sensitivity make it especially adept at detecting faint, distant objects that were beyond the reach of previous observatories.”</p>



<p>That mix - sharp images and deep infrared reach - lets scientists hunt for small bodies hidden in the glare of a bright <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-telescope-may-have-just-found-its-first-planet/">planet</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-confirming-and-naming-the-moon">Confirming and naming the moon </h2>



<p>A formal name will come later. The <a href="https://www.iau.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Astronomical Union</a> will review and approve the designation. Tradition says it will draw from Shakespeare or Alexander Pope.</p>



<p>The team will also refine the orbit with follow-up visits. That work can reveal how the newcomer fits into Uranus’s fragile balance of rings and moons. </p>



<p>Tiny satellites can shepherd ring edges or trade tugs with neighbors over time. Even a six-mile moon can leave a mark.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-voyager-s-legacy-continues">Voyager’s legacy continues</h2>



<p>Uranus remains mostly an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/claim-uranus-and-neptune-have-oceans-5000-miles-deep/">unexplored frontier</a>. It received only a single fast flyby in 1986, and there has never been an orbiter. Each new detection fills a gap.</p>



<p>“The discovery of this moon underscores how modern astronomy continues to build upon the legacy of missions like Voyager 2, which flew past Uranus on January 24, 1986, and gave humanity its first close-up look at this mysterious world," El Moutamid said. </p>



<p>"Now, nearly four decades later, the James Webb Space Telescope is pushing that frontier even farther."</p>



<p>The broader lesson is clear: small moons matter. They record the scars of past collisions, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturns-rings-beautiful-iconic-will-disappear-this-weekend-ring-plane-crossing/">shape rings</a>, and trace the planet’s history. Finding one this faint suggests more remain to be found.</p>



<p>With each pass of a sensitive camera, the once-simple picture of Uranus grows richer and more complex. And a distant system that Voyager only glimpsed is coming into sharper focus, one tiny world at a time.</p>



<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/pA8jJOEHGtg
</div></figure>



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Webb telescope strikes again finding a new moon orbiting Uranus

Astronomers have spotted a tiny, previously unknown moon circling Uranus....

<p>In the hills of southwestern Kenya, more than 2.6 million years ago, early hominins were doing more than just surviving - they were planning ahead. They used sharp-edged stone tools to process plants and butcher massive prey like hippos. </p>



<p>But what’s more surprising is this: they hauled the raw materials for those tools from over six miles away. That detail changes what we thought we knew about the beginnings of tool use.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-hominins-went-the-distance">Early hominins went the distance</h2>



<p>A team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.si.edu/museums/natural-history-museum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History</a>, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and <a href="https://www.qc.cuny.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queens College</a> found evidence that ancient hominins on Kenya’s Homa Peninsula sourced specific kinds of stone from distant locations.</p>



<p>The study pushes back the earliest known evidence of long-distance transport of toolmaking materials by a staggering 600,000 years.</p>



<p>“People often focus on the tools themselves, but the real <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/who-made-the-earliest-stone-tools/">innovation</a> of the Oldowan may actually be the transport of resources from one place to another,” said Rick Potts, senior author of the study. </p>



<p>“The knowledge and intent to bring stone material to rich food sources was apparently an integral part of toolmaking behavior at the outset of the Oldowan.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nyayanga-reveals-ancient-behavior">Nyayanga reveals ancient behavior</h2>



<p>The researchers focused on an area called Nyayanga, on the Homa Peninsula, near the shores of Lake Victoria. The region is rich in fossils and has been the subject of decades of fieldwork.</p>



<p>Potts began surveying the area in 1985 and later partnered with colleagues from the National Museums of Kenya. The work is part of the ongoing Homa Peninsula Paleoanthropology Project, which is co-directed with Queens College professor Thomas Plummer.</p>



<p>Emma Finestone of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History joined the project in 2012. She and the team have since been piecing together how ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/did-early-hominins-use-stone-tools-like-chimpanzees-do-today/">hominins</a> moved across the landscape and used stone tools to interact with their environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-tools-cut-hippos">Early tools cut hippos</h2>



<p>At Nyayanga, they uncovered a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-tools-flint-created-400000-years-show-technological-advancement-of-early-humans/">cache</a> of stone tools and hundreds of butchered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hippopotamus-population-hit-hard-by-habitat-destruction/">hippopotamus</a> bones, some of which dated back nearly three million years. In a 2023 study, the same team proposed that these remains may represent the earliest known example of stone tools used to butcher large animals.</p>



<p>“Hominins were using stone tools for a variety of pounding and cutting tasks, including processing plant and animal foods, and working wood,” said Plummer. </p>



<p>“The diversity of activities that used stone tools suggests that even at this early stage of cultural development stone tools enhanced the adaptability of the hominins using them.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-first-stone-tools">The first stone tools</h2>



<p>The toolkit in question is known as the Oldowan. It’s a collection of basic but effective tools: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monkey-stone-tools-look-like-early-human-artifacts/">hammerstones</a>, sharp flakes, and stone cores. </p>



<p>With these, early humans could smash bones, slice meat, and process plant material more efficiently than with bare hands or teeth.</p>



<p>These stone tools weren’t just random rocks picked up off the ground. The stone had to be tough yet brittle enough to break into sharp edges. </p>



<p>That’s where the mystery deepened. Nyayanga’s local rock is too soft to be useful for long; any tool made from it would dull quickly or crumble under pressure.</p>



<p>So, where did the stone for the tools come from? To find out, the team analyzed the chemical makeup of hundreds of stone flakes and cores.</p>



<p>The researchers found that most were made from rhyolite and quartzite - types of stone not found locally. The nearest sources of these rock types are located in <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/riverbeds/">riverbeds</a> more than six miles to the east.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/stone-tools_Oldowan_Kenya_3-million-years-ago_credit-Finestone_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/stone-tools_Oldowan_Kenya_3-million-years-ago_credit-Finestone_1s.webp" alt="Oldowan stone tools made from a variety of raw materials sourced up to 8 miles away from where they were found in southwestern Kenya. This discovery pushes back the earliest known evidence of ancient humans transporting resources over long distances by some 600,000 years. Credit: E.M Finestone, J.S. Oliver, Homa Peninsula Paleoanthropology Project" class="wp-image-1982740"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Oldowan stone tools made from a variety of raw materials sourced up to 8 miles away from where they were found in southwestern Kenya. This discovery pushes back the earliest known evidence of ancient humans transporting resources over long distances by some 600,000 years. Click image to enlarge. Credit: E.M Finestone, J.S. Oliver, Homa Peninsula Paleoanthropology Project</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-hominins-planned-ahead">Early hominins planned ahead</h2>



<p>Many animals use tools. Some, like chimpanzees, even carry them short distances. But these early hominins went farther. </p>



<p>They knew where to find the best material and how to get it back to a location that was rich in food. That shows not just physical ability but cognitive planning.</p>



<p>“The mental maps of the oldest known hominins to persistently make stone tools well surpassed their immediate surroundings, even surpassing a few miles,” said Potts.</p>



<p>The hominins weren’t just reacting to their environment. They were thinking ahead - remembering locations, assessing needs, and choosing the right time to act.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossils-hint-at-makers">Fossils hint at makers</h2>



<p>One big question remains: which ancient species made these tools? At the Nyayanga site, researchers found a molar tooth belonging to a hominin in the genus <em><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-ancestor-paranthropus-robustus-walked-upright-2-million-years-ago/">Paranthropus</a></em>, known for its powerful jaws and grinding teeth. </p>



<p>Researchers found another <em>Paranthropus</em> tooth on the surface nearby. These fossils suggest the hominins may have made the tools - or at least were present when others used them.</p>



<p>“Unless you find a hominin fossil actually holding a tool, you won’t be able to say definitively which species are making which stone tool assemblages,” Finestone said. “The research at Nyayanga suggests that there is a greater diversity of hominins making early stone tools than previously thought.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-long-tradition-of-tool-use">A long tradition of tool use</h2>



<p>This discovery adds a deeper layer to our understanding of hominin behavior. Early hominins weren’t just scraping by. They were problem-solvers, strategists, and mobile toolmakers.</p>



<p>“Humans have always relied on tools to solve adaptive challenges,” said Finestone. “By understanding how this relationship began, we can better see our connection to it today - especially as we face new challenges in a world shaped by technology.”</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu5838" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>.</p>



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Human ancestors hiked many miles to get special materials they liked for making stone tools

In the hills of southwestern Kenya, more than 2.6 million...

<p>New NASA modeling suggests that the dwarf planet Ceres once supplied a steady stream of chemical energy - exactly the kind of “fuel” that some microbes use to live.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There’s no evidence that life ever existed there, but the finding strengthens the case that this 585-mile-wide world in the main asteroid belt once offered conditions that could have supported single-celled organisms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-bright-spots-to-a-buried-ocean">From bright spots to a buried ocean</h2>



<p>Clues to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-on-the-dwarf-planet-ceres/">Ceres</a>’ watery past came from <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/dawn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s Dawn mission</a>, which orbited the dwarf planet from 2015 to 2018. </p>



<p>Dawn revealed brilliant, reflective patches on the surface that turned out to be salt deposits - crusts left behind when liquid rose from underground and evaporated.</p>



<p>Follow-up analyses in 2020 pointed to a vast reservoir of brine beneath the crust as the source of that liquid.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dawn also detected organic carbon compounds on the surface, adding another piece to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-planets-are-more-habitable-than-we-thought/">habitability</a> puzzle. Water and organics, however, are necessary but not sufficient; life also needs energy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-evolution-of-ceres">The evolution of Ceres</h2>



<p>The new study fills in that missing piece. Using thermal and chemical models, the authors reconstructed how temperatures and rock-water chemistry inside Ceres evolved over time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The simulations indicate that about 2.5 billion years ago, water circulating through the interior likely carried dissolved gases upward from metamorphosed rocks in the core.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The heat driving that flow came from radioactive decay within the rocky interior - an energy source common in young worlds that fades over billions of years.</p>



<p>Sam Courville, the study’s lead author, conducted the work while an intern at <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> and is now a researcher at <a href="https://www.asu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arizona State University</a>.</p>



<p>“On Earth, when hot water from deep underground mixes with the ocean, the result is often a buffet for microbes - a feast of chemical energy. So it could have big implications if we could determine whether Ceres’ ocean had an influx of hydrothermal fluid in the past,” said Courville.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-hydrothermal-buffets-work">How hydrothermal “buffets” work</h2>



<p>On our planet, hydrothermal systems churn out water enriched in molecules such as hydrogen, methane, and sulfide, which certain microbes oxidize or reduce to power their metabolisms.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The modeling for Ceres points to a similar style of chemistry: rocks altered by heat and water in the core would have released gases into warm fluids, which then percolated into a subsurface ocean.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With liquid water, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-world-ceres-near-mars-is-full-of-organic-matter-that-may-support-life/">organic molecules</a>, and a persistent chemical energy source all aligned, Ceres appears to have checked three of the biggest boxes for habitability - at least for a time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-window-in-time-for-habitability">A window in time for habitability</h2>



<p>The study narrows that favorable window to roughly 2.5 to 4 billion years ago, when Ceres’ rocky core reached peak temperatures and hydrothermal circulation would have been most vigorous. After that, radiogenic heat diminished.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Without the tidal kneading that keeps ocean worlds like Europa and Enceladus warm today, Ceres gradually cooled. </p>



<p>The present-day interior is colder, any remaining liquids are concentrated brines, and there’s not enough internal heating to keep a global ocean from freezing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ceres-may-have-been-habitable">Ceres may have been habitable </h2>



<p>“Catching Chill” is an apt way to describe modern Ceres: a frozen world with patches of residual brine locked beneath its surface. But the absence of present-day habitability doesn’t erase its past potential.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-buried-for-millions-of-years-may-guide-search-for-alien-life/">microbes</a> had ever arisen - whether locally or delivered by impacts - the modeled chemistry suggests there would have been “food” to sustain them for long stretches. </p>



<p>That is a crucial distinction: the results don’t claim life existed, only that the energy budget would not have been the limiting factor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-small-icy-worlds">Lessons for small, icy worlds</h2>



<p>Ceres is the largest object in the asteroid belt and a bridge of sorts between the rocky inner planets and the icy moons of the outer solar system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The new work implies that other small, water-rich bodies of comparable size that lack tidal heating could also have passed through habitable phases early in their histories.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Radiogenic warmth and rock-water reactions are not exotic; they’re baseline planetary processes. If they played out on Ceres, they likely did so elsewhere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-on-dawn-s-legacy">Building on Dawn’s legacy</h2>



<p>Dawn provided the geologic and chemical signposts - the salts, the organics, the hints of brine - that made this modeling possible. The new study knits those clues together into a coherent timeline of interior heat and hydrothermal circulation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It also sets up testable hypotheses for future missions: for example, whether specific salt and organic deposits at the surface align with ancient pathways where chemically rich fluids once rose.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy-as-a-habitability-gatekeeper">Energy as a habitability gatekeeper</h2>



<p>Planetary habitability is often framed as “follow the water.” In reality, it’s “follow the water, the organics, and the energy.” Ceres now joins the short list of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hydrothermal-vents-could-support-life-on-jupiters-moons/">places</a> where all three may have coincided, even if only in the deep past. </p>



<p>That insight widens the search for life’s potential homes, reminding us that small worlds without tidal power can still be chemically dynamic - and that their quiet exteriors may hide histories far livelier than they look.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt3283" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science Advances</em></a>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA</p>



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Dwarf planet Ceres may have once been habitable

New NASA modeling suggests that the dwarf planet Ceres once...

<p>A new study reveals that among seven baleen whale species, only humpbacks can execute the high-performance turns essential for "bubble-net feeding." This incredible feeding strategy involves whales releasing bubbles in a ring to corral prey.</p>



<p>The research, led by <a href="https://manoa.hawaii.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa</a> graduate Cameron Nemeth, highlights the special role of humpback pectoral flippers in achieving this maneuver. </p>



<p>The findings shed light on the biomechanics behind one of the ocean’s most iconic hunting strategies.</p>



<p>Nemeth conducted the study as part of a larger project at the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology’s Marine Mammal Research Program (<a href="https://www.mmrphawaii.org/">MMRP</a>).</p>



<p>Using drones and noninvasive suction-cup tags, his team quantified the turning performance required for solitary bubble-net feeding.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-and-bubble-net-feeding">Whales and bubble-net feeding</h2>



<p>"The fact that humpback whales' pectoral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-crocodile-had-dolphin-like-flippers-and-smooth-skin/">flippers</a> enhance their maneuverability wasn't the most surprising part of our study, as there have been previous studies on the morphology of these flippers," said Nemeth.</p>



<p>"However, it was shocking to discover that among thousands of turns from a variety of behavioral states, no other species of whale examined were achieving the turning performance required to create a bubble-net."</p>



<p>This discovery shows how unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-humpback-whales-are-born-in-places-we-didnt-expect/">humpbacks</a> truly are compared to other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baleen-whales-cannot-escape-human-noise/">baleen whales</a>. Even though other species may seem capable of turning sharply, their physical structure makes bubble-net feeding highly inefficient.</p>



<p>In contrast, humpbacks have adapted perfectly to this demanding strategy, giving them an advantage when hunting smaller or scattered prey.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-baleen-whales-diet">Understanding baleen whales' diet</h2>



<p>Baleen whales eat some of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-satellites-track-antarctic-krill-are-these-tiny-ocean-shrimp-in-danger/">tiniest creatures</a> in the ocean, even though they’re among the largest animals on Earth. </p>



<p>Instead of teeth, they have long <a href="https://us.whales.org/whales-dolphins/what-is-baleen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plates of baleen</a> - think of them like giant combs made of keratin, the same stuff as your fingernails. </p>



<p>When a whale takes in a huge mouthful of water, it pushes the water back out through the baleen, trapping food inside. </p>



<p>Their menu usually includes krill, plankton, and small schooling fish like anchovies or herring, depending on the species and where they live.</p>



<p>What’s amazing is the sheer volume they eat. A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-ever-footage-of-a-blue-whale-nursing-its-calf-captured/">blue whale</a>, for example, can gulp down several tons of krill in a single day during feeding season. </p>



<p>These whales don’t nibble all year round; they often migrate thousands of miles between feeding grounds in cold, nutrient-rich waters and breeding grounds in warmer seas where food is scarce.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flippers-help-with-bubble-nets">Flippers help with bubble-nets</h2>



<p>The research highlights that humpbacks’ large flippers can produce nearly half of the force required for turning. </p>



<p>This efficiency means <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-helps-humans-have-20-minute-conversation-with-humpback-whale-named-twain/">humpback whales</a> use less energy while executing bubble-net feeding compared to other whale species.</p>



<p>For others, even attempting such maneuvers would demand far greater energy expenditure, making it impractical.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/humpback-whale_bubble-net_feeding-strategy_infographic_credit-Remili-Nemeth_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/humpback-whale_bubble-net_feeding-strategy_infographic_credit-Remili-Nemeth_1s.webp" alt="An infographic presenting the main findings of Nemeth et al. (2025). Credit: Anaïs Remili and Zoltan Nemeth" class="wp-image-1982732"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>An infographic presenting the main findings of Nemeth et al. (2025). Click image to enlarge. Credit: Anaïs Remili and Zoltan Nemeth</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>"This is a great example of a collaborative research project that took advantage of datasets from 28 different research organizations across six countries," said Lars Bejder, research professor at <a href="https://www.himb.hawaii.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HIMB</a>, principal investigator of MMRP, and co-author of the study. </p>



<p>"These sorts of initiatives are able to address questions that otherwise would be very difficult to answer."</p>



<p>This collaboration allowed researchers to build a comprehensive dataset, strengthening the evidence for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-humpback-whales-are-born-in-places-we-didnt-expect/">humpbacks</a>’ unique hunting edge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy-reserves-for-survival">Energy reserves for survival</h2>



<p>The findings are especially important for Hawaiʻi. Humpback whales travel there in the winter, and while in the islands, they do not eat.</p>



<p>Instead, they survive solely on the fat and energy stored from feeding in Alaska. Knowing how well they hunt helps scientists assess their health, strength, and energy levels.</p>



<p>This knowledge also reveals how changes in the environment - such as shifts in prey or warming oceans - might affect their survival during long migrations and fasting. For Hawaiʻi and its people, protecting humpback whales depends on such careful research.</p>



<p>Studies like this also guide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-leaks-conservation-efforts-may-shift-harm-elsewhere/">conservation</a> by highlighting the real challenges whales face as they manage their limited energy reserves and prepare for future journeys.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-culture-and-continuity">Research, culture, and continuity</h2>



<p>Nemeth led this large-scale project during his final undergraduate semester and will continue with the MMRP as he transitions into a Ph.D. program in 2026. </p>



<p>He will oversee the lab’s ongoing humpback whale project in Maui, ensuring long-term continuity of this important research.</p>



<p>In an additional milestone, Nemeth translated the study’s abstract into Hawaiian, collaborating with a Hawaiian language professor to refine the text. </p>



<p>This marks one of the first times a scientific paper in this field has included a Hawaiian-language abstract, setting a precedent for future publications.</p>



<p>By merging cutting-edge science with cultural respect, this step opens the door for broader community engagement with<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracking-tiny-life-new-tools-for-phytoplankton-research/"> marine biology research</a>. </p>



<p>It shows how scientific work can honor local traditions while still advancing global knowledge and understanding.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <em><a href="https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article-abstract/228/16/jeb249607/368911/The-key-to-bubble-net-feeding-how-humpback-whale?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Experimental Biology</a></em>.</p>



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Humpbacks are the only whales capable of using the 'bubble-net feeding' strategy

A new study reveals that among seven baleen whale species,...

<p>The beginning of life inside the womb has always carried an air of mystery. For decades, scientists have studied embryos under microscopes and examined fragments of the implantation process through snapshots. </p>



<p>Yet, one of the most critical stages - the moment an embryo embeds itself into the uterus - remained hidden. This step decides whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/embryo-formation-is-shaped-by-electric-fields/">pregnancy</a> will succeed or fail, yet no one had ever witnessed it in full motion.</p>



<p>That has now changed. Researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (<a href="https://ibecbarcelona.eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IBEC</a>), working with <a href="https://en.dexeus.com/who-we-are/our-centers/barcelona" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dexeus University Hospital</a>, have captured real-time 3D images of a human embryo implanting. </p>



<p>This marks the first time the process has been recorded in such detail, offering answers to questions that have puzzled scientists for decades. Their findings appear in the journal Science Advances.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-live-view-of-embryo-implantation">Live view of embryo implantation</h2>



<p>Implantation failure is one of the leading causes of infertility. It accounts for about 60 percent of spontaneous miscarriages. Until now, the process in humans could not be observed live. Researchers only had access to scattered still images.</p>



<p>Samuel Ojosnegros is the principal investigator of IBEC's Bioengineering for Reproductive Health group and leader of the study.</p>



<p>"We have observed that human embryos burrow into the uterus, exerting considerable force during the process," he said. "These forces are necessary because the embryos must be able to invade the uterine tissue, becoming completely integrated with it."</p>



<p>"It is a surprisingly invasive process. Although it is known that many women experience abdominal pain and slight bleeding during implantation, the process itself had never been observed before." </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-embryo-reshapes-uterine-matrix">Embryo reshapes uterine matrix</h2>



<p>To advance, the embryo does more than rely on enzymes that break down tissue. It must also push physically against the collagen-rich uterine matrix. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dinosaur-collagen-survived-the-test-of-time/">Collagen</a>, the same protein that strengthens tendons and cartilage, forms a stiff barrier.</p>



<p>"The embryo opens a path through this structure and begins to form specialized tissues that connect to the mother's blood vessels in order to feed," said Ojosnegros.</p>



<p>The study revealed that embryos actively remodel their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moms-health-shapes-how-well-an-embryo-develops/">environment</a>. </p>



<p>"We observed that the embryo pulls on the uterine matrix, moving and reorganizing it. It also reacts to external force cues," said Amélie Godeau, a researcher in the Ojosnegros group and co-first author of the study. "We hypothesize that contractions occurring in vivo may influence embryo implantation."</p>



<p>Effective implantation requires both chemical and mechanical strategies. The embryo generates pushing and pulling forces to reorganize tissue, creating the conditions needed for blood vessel connection.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanical-forces-and-embryo-behavior">Mechanical forces and embryo behavior</h2>



<p>The research highlights how physical cues shape early development. The embryo’s forces are not random but regulated and adaptive. </p>



<p>According to the study, human embryos display dynamic traction patterns, adjusting their grip as they move deeper.</p>



<p>This differs significantly from other species. For instance, in mice the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/placenta-hormones-may-have-driven-human-brain-evolution/">uterus</a> plays an active role, folding around the embryo. Human embryos instead behave more aggressively, penetrating tissues with sustained force.</p>



<p>The difference suggests species-specific implantation strategies evolved to match reproductive environments.</p>



<p>These findings also reveal that embryos interact with the extracellular matrix in ways similar to invasive cancer cells. </p>



<p>Both systems remodel their surroundings, though embryos do so under tightly regulated conditions that lead to healthy growth rather than disease.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/human-embryo-implantation_first-time-witnessed_credit-IBEC_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/human-embryo-implantation_first-time-witnessed_credit-IBEC_1s.webp" alt="Confocal microscopy image of a nine-day-old human embryo. Specific proteins and cellular structures have been colored in the image: OCT4 (green), which is related to embryonic stem cells; GATA6 (magenta), which is associated with early tissue formation; DAPI (blue), which marks the DNA in the nuclei; and phalloidin (red), which reveals the actin cytoskeleton. The scale bar corresponds to 100 µm. Credit: Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)" class="wp-image-1982723"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Confocal microscopy image of a nine-day-old human embryo. Specific proteins and cellular structures have been colored in the image: OCT4 (green), which is related to embryonic stem cells; GATA6 (magenta), which is associated with early tissue formation; DAPI (blue), which marks the DNA in the nuclei; and phalloidin (red), which reveals the actin cytoskeleton. The scale bar corresponds to 100 µm. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)</em></figcaption></figure>



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



<p>This work could influence assisted reproduction practices. A clearer picture of implantation may improve embryo selection and boost pregnancy success rates. It also sheds light on why some embryos fail to attach or develop properly.</p>



<p>The ability to analyze implantation in detail may shorten conception times in clinical settings. </p>



<p>Better insights into embryo mechanics and tissue interactions might also help refine fertility treatments for patients struggling with repeated failures.</p>



<p>Additionally, the study suggests that monitoring embryo force generation may become a future diagnostic tool. </p>



<p>Measuring how embryos push and pull could help identify those with greater implantation potential.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-womb-recreated-in-lab">Womb recreated in lab</h2>



<p>To capture these details, the IBEC team designed a platform that mimics the uterine environment. It allowed embryos to implant outside the uterus under carefully controlled conditions. </p>



<p>Using a gel made of artificial collagen and essential proteins, they recreated the uterine tissue structure.</p>



<p>This platform enabled real-time fluorescence imaging, revealing how embryos generate force and interact with their surroundings. Both human and mouse embryos were studied to highlight species differences.</p>



<p>Mouse embryos rely on the uterus folding around them, creating a crypt. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moms-health-shapes-how-well-an-embryo-develops/">Human embryos</a>, however, drive themselves inward, penetrating tissues and expanding from within.</p>



<p>"Our platform has enabled us to quantify the dynamics of embryo implantation and determine the mechanical footprint of the forces used in this complex process in real time," said Anna Seriola, IBEC researcher and co-first author of the study.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr5199" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>.</p>



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Breakthrough imaging technology shows embryo implantation for the first time

The beginning of life inside the womb has always carried...

<p>The roots of mammals stretch deep into Earth’s history. Long before modern species appeared, small creatures experimented with traits that shaped the lineage we come from. </p>



<p>Fossils are our only link to these ancestors, and sometimes a single discovery can change the whole picture. </p>



<p>This is exactly what happened in Greenland, where scientists uncovered the oldest definitive docodontan mammal ever found.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oldest-fossil-from-greenland">Oldest fossil from Greenland</h2>



<p>Dr. Sofia Patrocínio and her team at the <a href="https://www.uevora.pt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universidade de Évora</a> have described the fossil in the journal <em>Papers in Palaeontology</em>. It came from the Rhætelv Formation, a site that holds rare traces of early life.</p>



<p>The research closes a gap in mammal history, narrowing a 40-million-year mystery to 33 million years.</p>



<p>The docodontan fossil, named&nbsp;<em>Nujalikodon cassiopeiae</em>, includes part of a jawbone, a preserved molar, and the roots of another tooth. From these pieces, researchers pieced together a story about how early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-was-thriving-before-earths-greatest-mass-extinction/">mammals</a> ate, lived, and adapted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adaptable-teeth-shaped-survival">Adaptable teeth shaped survival</h2>



<p>"Docodontans are one of the earliest groups of mammaliaforms," said Dr. Elsa Panciroli. "They have more complex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/end-of-dentures-tooth-replacement-science-is-about-to-help-you-regrow-your-own-teeth/">teeth</a> than most other mammaliaforms at this time, with a lot of cusps and ridges, rather than a simple arrangement of only a few cusps in a row."</p>



<p>That complexity gave docodontans a real advantage. With teeth that could handle many foods, they spread into new environments. </p>



<p>"This probably made them able to eat a wider range of foods, making them more ecologically diverse," Dr. Panciroli said. By the Middle to Late Jurassic, they were thriving in ways few other early mammals managed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rise-and-fall-of-docodontans">Rise and fall of docodontans</h2>



<p>But success did not guarantee survival. Docodontans dissapeared, and no direct <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/10-million-year-old-fossils-could-redefine-mammalian-evolution-argon-argon-dating/">descendants</a> remain today. Why? No one knows for certain. </p>



<p>"It is not possible to say why they became extinct. Extinction is a natural phenomenon that happens, often when conditions change (new habitats, changing climates, or altered ecosystems)," said Dr. Panciroli.</p>



<p>Shifts in climate and habitat may have played a role, but the fossil record leaves questions where answers should be.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-docodontan-fossils-fill-history-gaps">Docodontan fossils fill history gaps</h2>



<p>The placement of docodontans in the evolutionary tree is relatively clear, but relationships among species remain debated. Fossils help untangle these links, though they are scarce.</p>



<p>"There are very few places in the world where the fossils of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earliest-land-animals-had-fewer-skull-bones-than-fish/">terrestrial animals</a> are preserved from the Early to Middle Jurassic," said Dr. Panciroli. </p>



<p>"This is why there is such a big gap in our knowledge. It's a problem not just for the study of mammals, but for all land-living animal groups."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-reveals-docodontan-link">Fossil reveals docodontan link</h2>



<p>Detailed analysis showed <em>Nujalikodon cassiopeiae</em> was either an early docodontan or its closest relative, making it a transitional species. </p>



<p>It also represents the oldest definitive docodontan yet identified, reducing the evolutionary gap by seven million years.</p>



<p>Its teeth reveal how simple cusp patterns evolved into the complex structures seen later. "This gives us a clue about how their complex teeth may have evolved from the simpler cusp patterns of their ancestors," said Dr. Panciroli.</p>



<p>The fossil’s location matters too. With similar finds in Great Britain and France, researchers believe docodontans first appeared in Europe. </p>



<p>From there, they spread widely, reaching regions that include Portugal, Germany, Russia, China, and the U.S. Their ability to adapt to new diets likely made this expansion possible.</p>



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



<p>The Greenland fossil does not answer every question, but it takes scientists much closer to understanding the bigger picture. </p>



<p>It offers a glimpse into how docodontans lived, the regions they spread into, and the way their teeth developed into more complex forms that allowed them to survive in different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-euarthropod-youti-yuanshi-lived-520-million-years-ago-insect-evolution/">environments</a>. </p>



<p>Still, one of the biggest puzzles remains unsolved - why did they eventually disappear, leaving no direct descendants behind?</p>



<p>Every new discovery adds a missing piece to the vast puzzle of mammal evolution. With&nbsp;<em>Nujalikodon cassiopeiae</em>, researchers now hold one of the most important clues uncovered so far.</p>



<p>The study highlights both the progress that has been made and the mysteries that remain, reminding us how much more there is to learn about the deep history of mammals.</p>



<p>Image credit: Two <em>Nujalikodon cassiopeiae</em> in the Rhætelv Formation, Greenland. Credit: Pedro Andrade in Patrocínio et al. 2025</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/spp2.70022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Papers in Palaeontology</a></em>.</p>



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New docodontan species discovery fills in mammal evolution gaps

The roots of mammals stretch deep into Earth’s history. Long...

<p>A large international study reports that Covid-19 is linked with signs of older blood vessels months after infection, and the signal is strongest in women. The analysis points to a measurable change in how the body’s largest arteries behave, not just a vague sense of fatigue or brain fog.</p>



<p>The work ties prior infection to a higher risk profile that clinicians already know how to measure and manage. It strengthens the case for checking the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pandemic-stress-may-have-aged-your-brain-even-without-infection/">health</a> of central arteries in people with persistent post-covid symptoms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covid-causes-early-aging-of-arteries">Covid causes early aging of arteries</h2>



<p>Rosa Maria Bruno of <a href="https://u-paris.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Cité University</a> led the <a href="https://www.arterysociety.org/our-activities-2/cartesian-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CARTESIAN</a> consortium, which tested whether infection is associated with accelerated vascular aging captured by study in adults.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“COVID-19 is associated with early vascular aging in the long term, especially in women,” wrote Bruno and her collaborators.</p>



<p>The team enrolled 2,390 people across 34 centers in 16 countries between September 2020 and February 2022. Participants were assessed about six months after infection for those exposed.</p>



<p>The individuals were grouped as never infected, infected without hospitalization, hospitalized on general wards, or admitted to intensive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-vaccine-strategy-paid-off-and-its-still-saving-lives/">care</a>. This design allowed the researchers to compare arterial measures across clear clinical strata.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-vascular-age">Measuring vascular age </h2>



<p>Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a standard noninvasive marker of arterial stiffness, and higher values predict cardiovascular events beyond traditional risk factors. Clinicians use it because faster pressure waves mean stiffer, less compliant aortas.</p>



<p>The study tracked how quickly a pressure wave moved from the carotid to the femoral artery using validated devices, with reference ranges based on age and blood pressure. This standardization helps ensure that different centers share a common understanding of what counts as “higher than expected.”</p>



<p>SARS-CoV-2 uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to enter cells, which provides a plausible entry point for vascular effects. Injury to the endothelium has been documented in Covid-19 and long Covid, aligning biology with the observed stiffness signal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covid-19-effects-on-women-s-arteries">Covid-19 effects on women’s arteries</h2>



<p>Even after accounting for factors like age, smoking, or blood pressure, women who had Covid-19 showed stiffer arteries than women who had never been infected. The effect became stronger the more severe their illness had been.</p>



<p>For women who recovered at home, their arteries looked about half a step older than expected. Those who had been hospitalized showed a slightly bigger shift, and women who ended up in intensive care showed the largest jump of all. </p>



<p>Men, on the other hand, did not show the same pattern compared with men who had not been infected.</p>



<p>To put it in perspective, the increase seen in women who had mild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/preparing-for-the-next-pandemic-lessons-about-viral-transmission/">cases</a> was similar to adding about five years of wear and tear to their blood vessels. In the most severe cases, the change looked closer to seven or eight years. That kind of shift can make a real difference for long-term heart health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-are-the-impacts-stronger-in-women">Why are the impacts stronger in women?</h2>



<p>Females often mount stronger innate and adaptive immune responses than males, and those differences have been tied to divergent Covid-19 outcomes. A more robust response can help early, yet it may sustain inflammation that lingers.</p>



<p>Large U.S. cohort work has also linked female sex to a higher risk of long Covid, especially in midlife, independent of other risk factors. This echoes the study’s finding that persistent symptoms and arterial stiffness track together in women.</p>



<p>Those converging lines do not prove cause and effect. They do point to a consistent story that clinicians can use while research fills in the gaps.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-changed-over-12-months">What changed over 12 months</h2>



<p>In participants who returned for a second visit about a year later, PWV stabilized or even declined in those with prior infection, while it crept up in controls as you would expect with normal aging. That suggests parts of the stiffness signal may ease over time.</p>



<p>An <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf590/8236451" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">editorial</a> described the pattern as “an accelerated yet partially reversible clock.” That framing fits the longitudinal data without overselling certainty.</p>



<p>Vaccination at the first visit was associated with lower PWV among infected women, a signal still present at 12 months, though confounding cannot be ruled out in observational data. This finding supports, but does not by itself prove, a protective vascular effect.</p>



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



<p>PWV is quick to measure, repeatable, and already used in preventive cardiology. It adds signals beyond standard clinic numbers, which makes it useful when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-covid-19-virus-travels-deep-inside-our-lungs/">symptoms</a> linger but routine labs look fine.</p>



<p>For women with prior Covid infection and ongoing symptoms, especially in midlife, a vascular checkup can inform tighter blood pressure control, lipid management, and exercise planning. It also gives patients and clinicians a shared, objective marker to follow over time.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf430/8236450?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>European Heart Journal</em></a>.</p>



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Covid-19 leaves a lasting impact on women’s arteries

A large international study reports that Covid-19 is linked with...

<p>Heat defined the summer of 2024, a harsh reminder of our changing climate. In the West African city of Kayes, temperatures soared past 119 degrees Fahrenheit in April. </p>



<p>People couldn't escape the brutal heat. Air conditioners strained electrical grids. Hospitals filled with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-and-humidity-sharply-raise-heart-risks/">heat</a>-related illnesses. This wasn't just a bad week of weather. It was part of a dangerous trend that's reshaping life across an entire continent. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-heat-waves-in-europe-can-be-predicted-by-melting-sea-ice/">Heat waves</a> are becoming Africa's new normal. These prolonged periods of abnormally hot weather now hit harder, last longer, and happen more often than they did just decades ago. </p>



<p>The change is so dramatic that scientists are calling it a complete transformation of African climate patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-africa-s-heat-waves-changed">How Africa's heat waves changed</h2>



<p>New research reveals just how much things have changed. The research team examined heat wave patterns using large-ensemble computer models that could separate different contributing factors. They looked at daytime, nighttime, and compound <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humid-heat-days-are-a-growing-threat-to-public-health/">heat</a> waves that combine both.</p>



<p>Between 1950 and 1979, Africa experienced relatively mild heat waves that occurred roughly once every three to eight years. During this earlier period, natural factors dominated the climate system. </p>



<p>About 80% of heat wave activity came from natural causes like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-orbit-may-trigger-massive-volcanic-eruptions/">volcanic eruptions</a> and normal weather variations. Sulfate aerosols - tiny particles released by volcanic eruptions and some human activities - actually helped cool the planet by making clouds reflect more sunlight back to space.</p>



<p>Fast forward to recent decades, and the picture looks completely different. From 1985 to 2014, heat waves started showing up every two years or less. They lasted up to three times longer than before. </p>



<p>By this period, human influences had taken over. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/">Greenhouse gas emissions</a> from burning coal, oil, and gas trapped more heat in the atmosphere. Black carbon emissions - essentially soot from incomplete combustion - absorbed sunlight and added to the warming effect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-driven-heat-waves-in-africa">Human-driven heat waves in Africa</h2>



<p>The researchers found that only 30% of recent heat wave activity could be blamed on natural causes. The rest comes directly from human actions. </p>



<p>The team also found a strong connection between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-is-on-pace-to-surpass-1-5c-global-temperature-increase-for-second-year-in-a-row/">heat</a> wave frequency and near-surface air temperatures. This relationship makes sense because both are influenced by similar factors like air circulation patterns and how energy moves between the Earth's surface and atmosphere.</p>



<p>"Raising awareness of heat waves is critical to saving human life," said Akintomide Afolayan Akinsanola, head of the Climate Research Lab and assistant professor of Earth and environmental sciences in the UIC College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. </p>



<p>"In a developing continent like Africa, where the capacity for adaptive infrastructure is relatively low, heat waves can have greater consequences."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-africa-suffers-more-from-heat">Why Africa suffers more from heat</h2>



<p>Africa sits in a particularly vulnerable position as our planet warms. The continent lacks the extensive air conditioning, emergency cooling centers, and heat-warning systems that help protect people in wealthier regions. Many communities depend on outdoor work and lack access to reliable electricity for cooling.</p>



<p>The human cost is already mounting. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/state-of-the-climate-2024-record-heat-and-rising-seas/">Heat</a>-related illnesses kill about 5,600 people annually in the United States - a country with extensive cooling infrastructure and emergency services. Some experts predict that Nigeria alone could see heat-related deaths rise to 23,000 or even 43,000 per year by the end of this century.</p>



<p>The most vulnerable people - infants, older adults, and those with existing health conditions - face the greatest risks. But heat waves don't just threaten individual health. They damage entire ecosystems, reduce crop yields, and overwhelm energy systems when people desperately need power for cooling.</p>



<p>"I was surprised to see that these changes were consistent across the African subregions, not just a specific isolated area," said Vishal Bobde, a doctoral student in Akinsanola's lab and the study's first author.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-of-extreme-heat">Ripple effects of extreme heat</h2>



<p>Heat waves create a cascade of problems that extend far beyond uncomfortable temperatures. When crops fail due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-is-pushing-parts-of-earth-beyond-human-survival/">extreme heat</a>, food prices rise and communities face shortages. </p>



<p>Energy systems struggle to meet cooling demands, leading to blackouts that make the heat even more dangerous.</p>



<p>These climate pressures can force people to leave their homes in search of cooler, more livable areas. Large-scale migration puts stress on destination communities and can create conflicts over resources. The researchers warn that these effects don't stay contained within Africa's borders.</p>



<p>"The impacts are wide-ranging, from productivity to food shortage to energy," said Akinsanola, who is jointly appointed at the Environmental Science Division of Argonne National Laboratory. </p>



<p>"Remember that the African population is close to 2 billion. Heat waves can lead to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drought-kills-trees-faster-than-previously-thought/">drought</a>, trigger migration and spark conflicts, thereby impacting regional, continental and even global stability."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-toward-heat-solutions">Looking toward heat solutions</h2>



<p>Scientists hope their findings will help African communities, governments, and international organizations develop better strategies for dealing with heat waves. </p>



<p>This includes creating early warning systems that can alert people when dangerous heat is approaching, and improving what researchers call "heat-risk literacy" - helping people understand and respond to heat dangers.</p>



<p>"While Africa contributes a relatively small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is a global issue that is intensifying heat waves everywhere. Addressing this requires global cooperation to aggressively reduce emissions and build adaptive capacity," said Kayode Ayegbusi, co-first author and UIC doctoral student in Akinsanola's lab.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-a-hotter-future">Preparing for a hotter future</h2>



<p>The research team plans to investigate how future heat wave patterns might change depending on whether the world meets the goals set in the 2015 Paris Agreement. This international treaty aims to limit global temperature increases and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</p>



<p>Understanding these climate patterns represents just the first step. The real challenge lies in translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions that can protect vulnerable communities from an increasingly hostile climate.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02578-6">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Africa’s heat waves are getting hotter, longer, and deadlier

Heat defined the summer of 2024, a harsh reminder of...

<p>Flyers may soon help unlock one of the most mysterious regions of Earth’s atmosphere. Between 30 and 60 miles above our heads lies the mesosphere - a stretch of sky too high for planes and weather balloons, too low for satellites, and nearly impossible to reach with current tools. </p>



<p>Yet inside this no-man’s land sits valuable data that could sharpen weather forecasts and strengthen climate models.</p>



<p>Now, a group of scientists from the Harvard John A. Paulson <a href="https://seas.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Engineering and Applied Sciences</a> and the University of Chicago may have found a way in.</p>



<p>Their new study introduces an ultra-light flying device that can lift itself into this thin, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-may-amplify-the-impacts-of-geomagnetic-storms/">upper atmosphere</a> using only sunlight.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightweight-flyers-lifted-by-sunlight">Lightweight flyers lifted by sunlight</h2>



<p>The secret behind these floating flyers is a little-known physics trick called photophoresis.</p>



<p>“We are studying this strange physics mechanism called photophoresis and its ability to levitate very lightweight objects when you shine light on them,” said Ben Schafer, the lead author of the study.</p>



<p>Photophoresis happens when gas molecules bounce harder off the warm side of an object than the cool side. That creates a tiny push. In most environments, the force is too weak to notice. But in very low-pressure <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-space-station-observes-something-unknown-55-miles-above-earth/">conditions</a> - like those in the mesosphere - that small push can turn into a steady lift.</p>



<p>The research team built ultra-thin structures from ceramic alumina and coated one side with a thin chromium layer to absorb sunlight. When exposed to light, the temperature difference between the two sides generates a lift strong enough to counter <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/theory-gravity-exists-without-mass-so-dark-matter-does-not-exist/">gravity</a>.</p>



<p>“This phenomenon is usually so weak relative to the size and weight of the object it’s acting on that we usually don’t notice it,” Schafer explained. “However, we are able to make our structures so lightweight that the photophoretic force is bigger than their weight, so they fly.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthroughs-in-technology">Breakthroughs in technology </h2>



<p>The idea for these light-powered devices started over a decade ago. David Keith, now at the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a>, had been exploring ways photophoretic particles might be used in climate engineering. </p>



<p>That sparked a collaboration with Schafer and Joost Vlassak, a materials engineering expert with deep knowledge in nanofabrication.</p>



<p>Recent breakthroughs in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nanotech-material-graphene-passes-human-safety-tests/">nanotech</a> made it all possible. Scientists can now build featherweight structures with precise control over material thickness and shape.</p>



<p>“We developed a nanofabrication process that can be scaled to tens of centimeters,” said Vlassak. “These devices are quite resilient and have unusual mechanical behavior for sandwich structures. We are currently working on methods to incorporate functional payloads into the devices.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunlight-powered-flyers-in-the-atmosphere">Sunlight-powered flyers in the atmosphere</h2>



<p>To see if the theory would hold up, the team designed and built their devices in the lab. They placed them inside a low-pressure chamber, designed by Schafer and Harvard postdoctoral fellow Jong-hyoung Kim, to simulate conditions found in the upper atmosphere.</p>



<p>“This paper is both theoretical and experimental in the sense that we reimagined how this force is calculated on real devices and then validated those forces by applying measurements to real-world conditions,” Schafer said.</p>



<p>In one key experiment, a structure just one centimeter wide was able to float at a pressure of 26.7 Pascals when exposed to light at 55% the intensity of sunlight. That’s about what you'd experience 60 kilometers above Earth.</p>



<p>“This is the first time anyone has shown that you can build larger photophoretic structures and actually make them fly in the atmosphere,” Keith said. “It opens up an entirely new class of device: one that’s passive, sunlight-powered, and uniquely suited to explore our upper atmosphere. Later they might fly on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-plan-terraform-mars-nanoparticles-would-make-it-habitable-for-humans/">Mars</a> or other planets.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-ways-to-study-the-mesosphere">New ways to study the mesosphere </h2>



<p>These devices could open up entirely new ways to monitor and study the mesosphere. With small sensors attached, they could collect data like wind speed, temperature, and pressure - information that’s hard to come by today, but critical for accurate forecasting and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exxons-climate-predictions-were-remarkably-accurate-but-ignored/">climate predictions</a>.</p>



<p>Fleets of flyers in the mesosphere could also be used for emergency communication networks or defense, acting like near-Earth satellites but without the high cost or lag time.</p>



<p>And since the atmosphere on Mars shares similar characteristics with our mesosphere, these devices could even help in future planetary missions. The team is now working on building communication payloads that will let the devices send back data in real time.</p>



<p>“I think what makes this research fun is that the technology could be used to explore an entirely unexplored region of the atmosphere. Previously, nothing could sustainably fly up there,” Schafer said. “It’s a bit like the Wild West in terms of applied physics."</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09281-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Ben Schafer and Jong-hyoung Kim</p>



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Sunlight-powered flyers could unlock secrets of Earth's atmosphere

Flyers may soon help unlock one of the most mysterious...

<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=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



<p>Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



<p>The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.</p>



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



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.</p>



<p>The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



<p>This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.</p>



<p>The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.</p>



<p>The full study was recently published in <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a></em>.</p>



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<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=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



<p>Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



<p>A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.</p>



<p>Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.</p>



<p>Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents".  In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively.   MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.</p>



<p>MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization.  The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



<p>Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.</p>



<p>Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



<p>The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.</p>



<p>A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



<p>Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.</p>



<p>This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



<p>The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.</p>



<p>PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



<p>AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.</p>



<p>In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



<p>The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.</p>



<p>As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.</p>



<p>The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.</p>



<p>For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.</p>



<p>The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.</p>



<p id="block-9bd989d6-2fd3-4580-957f-6cacce134f08">-----</p>



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<p>MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a></p>



<p>Dominnus: <a href="https://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.dominnus.com</a></p>

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<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=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



<p>The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-microbial-partnerships">The science behind microbial partnerships</h2>



<p>Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.</p>



<p>The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-food-security">Implications for global food security</h2>



<p>The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



<p>While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



<p>As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<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=kVywlgRJXsc
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some children read facial expressions when making food choices.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-people-s-reactions-influence-children-s-eating-habits">Other people's reactions influence children's eating habits</h2>



<p>Many children are finicky eaters, but research explains how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-learned-why-so-many-kids-dislike-vegetables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watching others eat and social modeling</a> influence the eating habits of children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Study Methodology Demonstrates Social Learning Impact</h2>



<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.aston.ac.uk/hls/school-of-psychology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston University School of Psychology</a> have published findings in Frontiers in Psychology that illuminate the neurobiological foundations of food preference development through observational learning. The investigation employed controlled video stimuli featuring adults consuming raw broccoli while displaying systematically varied facial expressions to measure participant responses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Asymmetrical Response Patterns Identified</h2>



<p>The research, conducted with 204 female participants, revealed a pronounced asymmetry in social modeling effects. Negative facial expressions during vegetable consumption significantly diminished observer food preference ratings, while positive expressions failed to produce corresponding increases in vegetable appeal. This finding challenges conventional assumptions about the bidirectional nature of social influence in dietary behavior formation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evolutionary Psychology Framework Applied</h2>



<p>Dr. Katie Edwards and her research team propose that these results reflect adaptive mechanisms developed through evolutionary processes. The heightened sensitivity to disgust expressions likely functions as a protective system, enabling individuals to identify potentially harmful foods through social cues without direct risk exposure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clinical and Educational Implications</h2>



<p>These findings carry substantial implications for pediatric nutrition interventions and family meal dynamics. The research suggests that parental expressions of distaste during vegetable consumption may inadvertently reinforce children's existing food aversions through unconscious social transmission pathways.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Future Research Directions</h2>



<p>The study establishes a foundation for expanded investigation into real-time social modeling effects and cross-demographic applicability. Researchers emphasize the necessity for longitudinal studies examining actual consumption behaviors rather than preference ratings alone, particularly within family contexts where social learning occurs most frequently.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVywlgRJXsc Some children read facial expressions when making food choices....

<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=JynHpMaNO8A
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chaotic cancer protein finally controlled after decades of mystery</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-causing-protein-bound-and-blocked">Cancer-causing protein bound and blocked</h2>



<p>In a discovery that can one day revolutionize cancer treatment, researchers at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> have successfully developed a means of controlling MYC, a notoriously slippery protein that causes approximately <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chaotic-protein-that-fuels-75-of-cancers-can-be-controlled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">75% of all cancers in humans</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-myc-different">What makes MYC different</h2>



<p>MYC presents a unique challenge when studying cancer. Normally, this protein plays a vital role in healthy cells. It carefully controls transcription - the process that converts genetic information from DNA and RNA into proteins.</p>



<p>However, cancer changes everything. In cancer cells, MYC becomes a destructive force. It operates in overdrive mode with no regulation whatsoever.</p>



<p>Professor Min Xue, who led the research team, explains it simply: "MYC is less like food for cancer cells and more like a steroid. It drives cancer's aggressive growth." This superactive behavior makes MYC involved in three out of every four cancer cases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-myc-is-hard-to-target">Why MYC is hard to target</h2>



<p>Despite its clear role in cancer, targeting MYC has been one of medicine's biggest challenges. The main problem lies in MYC's unusual structure - or rather, its complete lack of structure.</p>



<p>Professor Xue describes the protein as "basically a glob of randomness." This means conventional drug discovery methods don't work. These traditional approaches rely on sharply defined protein structures. MYC simply doesn't have one.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A New Approach to Fighting MYC</h2>



<p>The UCR research team developed a clever solution. They designed a special peptide molecule that could selectively bind to MYC. More importantly, this peptide could block MYC's destructive activity.</p>



<p>The key was fine-tuning two specific features: the peptide's stiffness and its shape. Through careful adjustments, researchers achieved something remarkable. They reached "sub-micro-molar affinity" - meaning their peptide binds as strongly as antibodies do.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-results">Breakthrough results</h2>



<p>This accomplishment represents a major leap beyond previous attempts. The researchers enhanced their peptide's binding strength by two orders of magnitude. This dramatic improvement brings the work significantly closer to practical drug development goals.</p>



<p>The research opens new possibilities for treating the vast majority of cancers where MYC plays a destructive role.</p>



<p>The researchers are presently optimizing peptide-delivery systems based on lipid nanoparticles that deliver the peptide effectively into cancer cells. The<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> National Institutes of Health</a> and the <a href="https://www.defense.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Defense</a> funded the study, which appeared in the Journal of the <a href="https://www.acs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Chemical Society</a>.<br>This research offers renewed hope against cancer, and it can potentially open a door to more effective cancer therapies for most cancer patients worldwide.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

The protein that fuels 3 out of 4 cancers has been controlled

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JynHpMaNO8A Chaotic cancer protein finally controlled after decades of mystery...

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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

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>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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."</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified <em>Eospermatopteris</em>, 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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."</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em>Current Biology</em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veg4HmmRVZY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our bodies hits two 'aging cliffs' at these ages.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-map-exact-ages-when-your-body-rapidly-ages">Scientists Map Exact Ages When Your Body Rapidly Ages</h2>



<p>Scientists have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/#google_vignette">discovered that aging</a> isn't the gradual, steady process many assume it to be. Instead, researchers from Stanford Medicine have found that our bodies undergo dramatic molecular changes at two specific ages: 44 and 60. This research, published in Nature Aging, reveals that aging happens in sudden bursts rather than smooth transitions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-waves-of-rapid-aging">Two waves of rapid aging</h2>



<p>The Stanford study tracked over 135,000 different molecules and microbes in 108 participants aged 25 to 75 over several years. Results showed that 81% of all molecules studied exhibited non-linear changes, meaning they shifted dramatically at certain ages rather than changing gradually over time.</p>



<p>Michael Snyder, chair of genetics at Stanford School of Medicine and the study's senior author, noted significant findings. "We're not just changing gradually over time; there are some really dramatic changes. It turns out the mid-40s is a time of dramatic change, as is the early 60s. And that's true no matter what class of molecules you look at."</p>



<p>The first wave of changes occurs around age 44, affecting molecules related to alcohol metabolism, caffeine processing, lipid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/age-related-changes-in-metabolism-dont-match-our-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolism</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a>, and skin and muscle function. The second wave hits around age 60, involving changes in carbohydrate metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function, and again cardiovascular and muscle health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-during-these-aging-bursts">What happens during these aging bursts</h2>



<p>During the mid-40s transformation, researchers observed significant changes in how the body processes alcohol and fats. This period often coincides with increased stress levels in many people's lives, potentially contributing to lifestyle factors that accelerate these molecular shifts.</p>



<p>"It's possible some of these changes could be tied to lifestyle or behavioral factors that cluster at these age groups, rather than being driven by biological factors," Snyder explained. For instance, alcohol metabolism dysfunction might result from increased consumption during the typically stressful mid-40s period.</p>



<p>The changes at age 60 are perhaps less surprising, as this is when many age-related diseases begin to manifest more prominently. The molecular shifts affect immune function and kidney health, both critical for maintaining overall wellness as we enter our senior years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-latest-research-confirms-aging-patterns">Latest research confirms aging patterns</h2>



<p>Recent 2025 studies have validated these findings. Research examining tissue samples from 76 people found similar aging patterns, noting an "inflection point" between ages 45 and 55.</p>



<p>Scientists discovered that blood vessels, particularly the aorta, age fastest among all body tissues. This vascular aging may drive aging in other body parts, highlighting cardiovascular health's central role in the aging process.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cellular-changes-and-microbiome-shifts">Cellular changes and microbiome shifts</h2>



<p>The Stanford research revealed that these aging bursts affect our microbiome – the trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi living in and on our bodies. These microbial communities undergo substantial shifts during both aging periods, potentially affecting everything from digestion to immune function.</p>



<p>Additionally, researchers found that protein production and gene expression begin to fall out of sync as we age. This breakdown in cellular communication becomes especially pronounced during the two aging waves, contributing to the accumulation of damaged proteins associated with diseases such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-may-not-be-brain-disorder-important-data-was-fabricated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer's</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-implications-and-longevity-considerations">Health implications and longevity considerations</h2>



<p>Understanding these aging patterns has important implications for healthcare strategies. Research suggests that people should pay particular attention to their health during their 40s and 60s, when these dramatic molecular changes occur.</p>



<p>Snyder emphasized the importance of proactive health measures. "I'm a big believer that we should try to adjust our lifestyles while we're still healthy," he noted. This might include increasing exercise to protect heart health and maintain muscle mass, or reducing alcohol consumption in the 40s as the body's ability to metabolize it declines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-approaches-to-anti-aging-treatment">New approaches to anti-aging treatment</h2>



<p>Aging research has seen notable advances in 2025. Harvard Medical School scientists developed chemical cocktails that reverse cellular aging without genetic modification. These six combinations restored aged cells to youthfulness in under a week, offering safer alternatives to gene therapy.</p>



<p>Researchers identified new biomarkers like "InflammAge," a saliva-based test measuring chronic inflammation associated with aging. This non-invasive approach could change how we monitor aging and intervention.</p>



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



<p>Emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, cellular reprogramming, and senolytic therapies, are opening new possibilities for extending healthspan. Companies develop treatments targeting aging's fundamental mechanisms rather than just managing age-related diseases.</p>



<p>The Stanford findings provide a roadmap for implementing preventive measures. Rather than waiting for symptoms, people can prepare for and potentially mitigate these predictable aging waves.</p>



<p>As aging understanding evolves, one thing becomes clear: aging isn't inevitable decline, but specific biological events we may learn to prevent or reverse. The key is recognizing when these transitions occur and taking proactive health steps during vulnerable periods.</p>



<p>The study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/nataging" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Aging</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Scientists discover we age in bursts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veg4HmmRVZY Our bodies hits two 'aging cliffs' at these ages....

<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=PqlF0XKzHY4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The hidden science behind tickling.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-discover-the-brain-s-tickling-command-center">Scientists discover the brain's 'tickling command center'</h2>



<p>Researchers have finally solved one of humanity's most enduring mysteries: why we can't <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/after-centuries-of-debate-we-still-dont-know-how-tickling-works/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tickle</a> ourselves and what makes some people incredibly ticklish while others barely react? Recent scientific discoveries are revolutionizing our understanding of this peculiar human behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-discovery-in-the-brain">Breakthrough discovery in the brain</h2>



<p>In 2023, Dr. Michael Brecht's team at <a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humboldt University</a>-<a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berlin</a> made a major discovery published in the <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(22)01991-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">journal <em>Neuron</em></a>. They identified the brain's actual "tickling command center" – specific neurons in a region called the periaqueductal gray that control both tickling responses and play behavior.</p>



<p>When researchers used cutting-edge optogenetic technology to shut down these neurons in laboratory rats, something remarkable happened. The animals completely lost their ability to be tickled or engage in playful behavior.</p>



<p>"We found that global blockade of the rat periaqueductal gray with either muscimol or lidocaine interfered with ticklishness and play," the research team reported in their study.</p>



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



<p>What we call "tickling" is two completely different phenomena, according to the latest research. Light tickling – that feathery sensation that makes you want to scratch – is essentially your body's sophisticated bug detection system. This alerts you to potential insects or parasites on your skin.</p>



<p>Deep tickling – the kind that makes you laugh uncontrollably – involves complex brain circuits and is fundamentally social. You literally cannot tickle yourself with this type of stimulation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-self-tickling-is-impossible">Why self-tickling is impossible</h2>



<p>Your cerebellum acts like a prediction machine, recent findings show. When you move your own hand to touch yourself, your brain generates precise predictions about what you will feel and then cancels out the tickling sensation through neural inhibition.</p>



<p>When someone else tickles you, your brain can't predict their movements, so the full tickling response activates. It's like your brain's way of distinguishing between self and others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-individual-differences-explained">Individual differences explained</h2>



<p>Individual differences in ticklishness depend on genetics, psychology, and even trust. Dr. Xinzhong Dong at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a> notes that people with denser nerve endings tend to be more sensitive.</p>



<p>Psychological factors matter just as much. You respond more strongly when tickled by people you trust, and anxiety completely shuts down tickling responses. This explains why the same physical stimulus can produce completely different reactions depending on who's doing the tickling.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controlling-your-ticklishness">Controlling your ticklishness</h2>



<p>Science offers answers for controlling your ticklishness. You can reduce tickling sensitivity through systematic desensitization – gradual exposure in controlled settings.</p>



<p>Dr. Konstantina Kilteni's 2025 research, published in <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt0350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>, reveals another technique: place your hand on the tickler's hand. This allows your brain to partially predict the sensations, reducing the tickling response by up to 90 percent.</p>



<p>"Your brain is essentially learning to override its own reflexes," Kilteni explained in her review of tickling research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-purpose-discovered">Evolutionary purpose discovered</h2>



<p>From an evolutionary perspective, tickling serves vital functions according to <a href="https://www.umd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> researcher Dr. Robert Provine's extensive studies. It trains our defense reflexes for vulnerable body areas and facilitates social bonding between family members.</p>



<p>Tickling-induced laughter is actually one of the first forms of communication between infants and caregivers. "Tickle involves a neurological self/nonself discrimination, providing the most primitive social scenario," Provine noted in his research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clinical-applications-emerge">Clinical applications emerge</h2>



<p>Research shows people with autism spectrum disorder perceive touches as more ticklish than people without the condition. Investigating this difference could provide insight into brain differences and help advance autism research.</p>



<p>People with schizophrenia tend to experience self-touches similarly to external tickles, allowing them to essentially tickle themselves. This suggests altered sensory prediction mechanisms in the condition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-research-reveals-universal-nature">Animal research reveals universal nature</h2>



<p>Scientists have discovered that many species beyond humans are ticklish. Rats emit ultrasonic "laughs" when tickled, while chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans all respond to tickling stimulation.</p>



<p>This widespread occurrence across species suggests that tickling serves fundamental biological and social functions that evolved long before humans developed complex language and culture.</p>



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



<p>Dr. Kilteni argues that tickling research deserves more scientific attention. "It is a complex interplay of motor, social, neurological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects," she stated in her recent review.</p>



<p>New haptic technologies and advanced research methodologies now permit scientists to investigate tickle sensation with unprecedented precision. Standardized experimental methods using mechanical tickling devices ensure consistent results across studies.</p>



<p>Recent findings published in <em>Science Advances</em> show that tickling research is opening new doors in neuroscience, potentially leading to a better understanding of social behavior, sensory processing, and neurological conditions.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlF0XKzHY4 The hidden science behind tickling. Scientists discover the brain's...

<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=elr4948_uOU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dr. Ronald Mallett from the University of Connecticut reveals secret mission to create working time travel device.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-an-equation-truly-bend-time-a-physicist-s-decades-long-quest-to-rewrite-reality">Could an equation truly bend time? A physicist's decades-long quest to rewrite reality</h2>



<p>Imagine the impossible: stepping back through time in a time machine, not in fantasy, but through a scientific endeavor driven by profound personal loss. For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astrophysicist-says-hes-cracked-the-equation-for-time-travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Ronald Mallett</a>, a distinguished astrophysicist and professor emeritus at the <a href="https://uconn.edu/">University of Connecticut</a>, this deeply human longing has fueled a lifelong mission. He claims to have discovered the equation that could unlock temporal displacement, pushing boundaries once deemed purely science fiction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-profound-grief-that-forged-a-vision">A profound grief that forged a vision</h2>



<p>Mallett's extraordinary pursuit began with devastating tragedy in 1955. At merely 10 years old, he endured his father Boyd's sudden death—a television repairman whose passion for science had ignited a similar spark in his young son. Boyd Mallett, only 33, succumbed to a heart attack, leaving behind a grief-stricken child searching for solace.</p>



<p>That solace came through H.G. Wells' <em>The Time Machine</em>. Within its pages, Mallett found a captivating concept: "Time is only a kind of Space." These words transformed from a literary phrase into a guiding principle, becoming the driving force behind his unwavering commitment to unraveling time's fundamental mysteries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-humble-beginnings-to-academic-heights">From humble beginnings to academic heights</h2>



<p>Mallett's journey was far from straightforward. After serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era, he utilized the GI Bill for higher education, earning his Ph.D. in physics from Pennsylvania State University in 1973 at the age of 28.</p>



<p>In 1975, he made history as the first African American professor in the University of Connecticut's physics department, achieving full professorship in 1987 before retiring in 2024 as professor emeritus.</p>



<p>Throughout these successful academic years, Mallett harbored his radical ambition as a closely guarded secret. "I kept my time travel goal a secret," he confessed. "I worried people would think I was nuts." His public research centered on black holes, serving as a "cover story" while he quietly developed his revolutionary time travel theory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-breakthrough-moment">The breakthrough moment</h2>



<p>His pivotal insight arrived while hospitalized for a heart condition—a profound irony given his father's heart attack started this journey. The breakthrough was elegantly simple yet revolutionary: "If gravity can bend time, and light can create gravity, then light can bend time."</p>



<p>"It turns out that black holes can create a gravitational field that could lead to the creation of time loops that could allow us to go back in time," he explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-blueprint-for-a-temporal-vortex">The blueprint for a temporal vortex</h2>



<p>Mallett's vision for a functioning time machine replicates spacetime-warping phenomena around black holes. He offers a compelling analogy: "Picture a cup of coffee. Stir it with a spoon, and the coffee swirls. A spinning black hole does the same to spacetime."</p>



<p>In Einstein's general relativity, the universe is a dynamic fabric woven from space and time. Massive objects like black holes warp this fabric—an effect we perceive as gravity. Mallett theorizes that an intense, continuous, circulating beam of light from a ring of powerful lasers could replicate this gravitational torsion, effectively twisting time into a loop.</p>



<p>This "time loop" would theoretically allow information—or perhaps matter—to travel backward in time. He detailed this mathematical concept in his 2006 autobiography, <em>Time Traveler: A Scientist's Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-published-research-and-recognition">Published research and recognition</h2>



<p>His work, published in respected journals including <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/physics-letters-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physics Letters A</a></em> and <em><a href="https://link.springer.com/journal/10701" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Foundations of Physics</a></em>, suggests circulating laser light could generate gravitational fields potent enough to create closed timelike curves, enabling time travel for data.</p>



<p>Mallett's research has gained worldwide media attention, featured on <a href="https://www.thisamericanlife.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Public Radio's <em>This American Life</em></a>, the <a href="https://www.history.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History Channel</a>, and <a href="https://www.today.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBC's <em>Today Show</em></a>. The widespread interest reflects both his compelling personal story and rigorous scientific approach.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-galactic-hurdles-and-persistent-skepticism">The galactic hurdles and persistent skepticism</h2>



<p>While Mallett's equations captivate imagination, the path to reality faces immense obstacles. The energy requirement is staggering—Mallett acknowledges needing "galactic amounts of energy," far beyond current technological capabilities.</p>



<p>There's also a poignant limitation: even if realized, his machine could only send information back to when it was first activated, meaning it couldn't transport him to 1955 to prevent his father's death.</p>



<p>The scientific community remains skeptical. Physicists Ken Olum and Allen Everett argue that Mallett's proposed laser ring would need to be larger than the observable universe to achieve the necessary spacetime distortion. They invoke Stephen Hawking's chronology protection conjecture, suggesting physics may prevent macroscopic time travel.</p>



<p>Astrophysicist Paul Sutter has voiced doubts about Mallett's underlying mathematics, while science writer Brian Clegg finds the concept intriguing enough to warrant experimental investigation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-legacy-that-transcends-time">A legacy that transcends time</h2>



<p>Now approaching 80, Dr. Mallett remains steadfast. "I believe my work will show time travel is possible," he asserts. "Future generations will build on it in ways we can't yet imagine."</p>



<p>His equations, though yet to physically bend time, have bent our collective imagination. Ongoing public interest, evidenced by his continued media appearances and Spike Lee's film adaptation of his memoir, underscores his ideas' profound impact.</p>



<p>More than a scientific pursuit, Mallett's story testifies to human resilience, intellectual courage, and hope's enduring power. Whether his theoretical time machine ever materializes, his legacy is immeasurable—inspiring countless individuals to challenge conventional limits and perceive time not as an unyielding barrier, but as a boundless frontier awaiting exploration.</p>



<p></p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elr4948_uOU Dr. Ronald Mallett from the University of Connecticut reveals...

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



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



<p>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?</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>Sources:</strong> <em>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.</em></p>



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



<p><strong>1. Is acid rain completely gone?</strong> 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.</p>



<p><strong>2. How long did solving take?</strong> 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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>5. Could acid rain return?</strong> 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.</p>



<p><strong>6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"?</strong> 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></p>



<p>-----</p>



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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...

<p>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. </p>



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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).</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.</p>



<p>In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. </p>



<p>Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.</p>



<p>Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. </p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.</p>



<p>“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. </p>



<p>The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.</p>



<p>“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”</p>



<p>The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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?</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ACS Reactions</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

How does salt makes things taste better?

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>'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)."</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Santiago, Chile in South America

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