<p>The night sky often dazzles with brief explosions of unimaginable power. Gamma-ray bursts are among the most intense, usually marking the catastrophic end of stars. These bursts vanish within seconds or minutes, leaving astronomers with little more than fleeting traces.</p>



<p>But a recent observation broke every rule. One gamma-ray burst not only lasted far longer than usual but also repeated in a pattern that has never been recorded before.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-astronomers-stunned-by-burst">Astronomers stunned by burst</h2>



<p>The burst, labeled GRB 250702B, was reported in <em>The Astrophysical Journal Letters</em>. Dr. Antonio Martin-Carrillo and colleagues used the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope to study the phenomenon.</p>



<p>“This event is unlike any other seen in 50 years of GRB observations,” said Dr. Martin-Carrillo of the <a href="http://www.ucd.ie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College Dublin</a>. “GRBs are catastrophic events, so they are expected to go off just once because the source that produced them does not survive the dramatic explosion."</p>



<p>"This event baffled us not only because it showed repeated powerful activity but also because it seemed to be periodic, which has never seen before.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-collapse-or-black-hole">Star collapse or black hole?</h2>



<p>Theories about its origin vary. One possibility involves the collapse of a star many times more massive than the Sun. In such a case, some material could have continued feeding the central engine, extending its activity.</p>



<p>Another explanation suggests a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-cosmic-explosion-changes-what-we-know-about-space/">tidal disruption event</a>, where a star is torn apart by a black hole. </p>



<p>For this burst, the data hint that a white dwarf might have been shredded by an intermediate-mass black hole - a long-hypothesized but rarely seen type.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-burst-that-wouldn-t-end">A burst that wouldn’t end</h2>



<p>Most gamma-ray bursts last milliseconds to minutes. This one endured about a day - hundreds of times longer than the norm. </p>



<p>Professor Andrew Levan of <a href="https://www.ru.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Radboud University</a> noted that it was 100 to 1,000 times longer than most GRBs.</p>



<p>The unusual length led astronomers to compare it with ultralong bursts and even with rare tidal disruption events. </p>



<p>However, GRB 250702B showed distinct bursts at intervals that seemed close to integer multiples, hinting at possible periodic behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pinpointing-the-source">Pinpointing the source</h2>



<p>Initial detections came from NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and the <a href="https://english.cas.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a>’ Einstein Probe. </p>



<p>Both caught early signals but could not locate the source precisely. The Very Large Telescope provided sharper data, showing the event was located outside of our galaxy.</p>



<p>“The event seemed to have originated from within our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-clues-about-the-brightest-gamma-ray-burst-of-all-time/">galaxy</a> due to its proximity to the galactic plane. The VLT fundamentally changed that paradigm,” Professor Levan noted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-host-galaxy-revealed">Host galaxy revealed</h2>



<p>The HAWK-I camera on the VLT revealed an extremely red infrared counterpart, suggesting a heavily dust-obscured source. </p>



<p>Follow-up imaging with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/35-years-of-hubble-the-telescope-that-changed-our-view-of-the-universe/">Hubble Space Telescope</a> confirmed the host galaxy’s structure. Observations showed the galaxy had a complex, asymmetric shape, possibly with dust lanes. Such dust could explain the unusually red afterglow.</p>



<p>“What we found was considerably more exciting - the fact that this object is extragalactic means that it is considerably more powerful,” said Dr. Martin-Carrillo.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collision-explains-the-glow">Collision explains the glow</h2>



<p>The afterglow in X-ray, infrared, and radio wavelengths appeared consistent with models in which relativistic jets collide with surrounding material.</p>



<p>Yet the details pointed to an unusually narrow jet angle and significant dust extinction, unlike most known bursts.</p>



<p>Despite these differences, the afterglow fit within the broader family of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recent-gamma-ray-burst-was-70-times-brighter-than-any-cosmic-explosion/">GRB</a> models, strengthening the case for either a rare stellar collapse or a tidal disruption event involving a black hole.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-sparks-new-theories">Mystery sparks new theories</h2>



<p>The researchers outlined four possible scenarios. First, it may have been a relativistic tidal disruption event, most likely a white dwarf consumed by an intermediate-mass black hole.</p>



<p>The second possibility is a nonstandard stellar collapse involving unusual progenitors or environments. Third, the event may have been echoes caused by the scattering of gamma rays through dense dust shells.</p>



<p>A fourth possibility is that the burst came from a very distant, high-redshift source and was brightened by gravitational lensing. Each theory presents challenges, but the first two currently align best with the data.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clarifying-the-gamma-ray-burst">Clarifying the gamma-ray burst</h2>



<p>“We are still not sure what produced this or if we can ever really find out but, with this research, we have made a huge step forward towards understanding this extremely unusual and exciting object,” said Dr. Martin-Carrillo.</p>



<p>Future monitoring with instruments like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/james-webb-detects-signs-of-life-on-exoplanet-k2-18b/">James Webb Space Telescope</a> may offer more clues. Continued X-ray and radio tracking could reveal whether the burst’s jet shuts down like those in tidal disruption events or follows the path of an unusual star’s collapse.</p>



<p>Either way, GRB 250702B has already reshaped what astronomers thought they knew about cosmic explosions.</p>



<p>The study is published in <em><a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/adf8e1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.</em></p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA, ESA and M. Kornmesser</p>



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Gamma-ray burst explodes in an unusual pattern never seen before

The night sky often dazzles with brief explosions of unimaginable power. Gamma-ray bursts are among the most intense, usually marking the catastrophic end of stars. These bursts vanish within seconds or minutes, leaving astronomers with little more than fleeting traces. But a recent observation broke every rule. One gamma-ray burst not only lasted far longer than usual but also repeated in a pattern that has never been recorded before. Astronomers stunned by burst The burst, labeled GRB 250702B, was reported in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Dr. Antonio...

Gold,Panning,,Man,Striking,It,Rich,By,Finding,The,Mother

<p>Gold does not just sit on Earth’s surface in neat little nuggets, ready to be picked up or panned by lucky prospectors. That's not how it works - not even close.</p>



<p>Most gold is trapped in rocks deep in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunken-worlds-discovered-under-the-pacific-ocean-in-earths-mantle/">Earth’s mantle</a>, which is the super-hot layer sandwiched between the crust we walk on and the planet’s core.</p>



<p>Scientists have been trying for years to figure out how gold escapes from the mantle and ends up in deposits that miners can dig up. </p>



<p>Now, a new study has identified a big piece of the puzzle involving unusual chemistry occurring 30 to 50 miles beneath the surface.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gold-in-earth-s-mantle">Gold in Earth's mantle</h2>



<p>Picture the edge of an ocean where the seafloor is slowly sliding under a continent. Geologists call these spots <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/subduction-zone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subduction zones</a>, and they act as recycling centers for old oceanic crust. </p>



<p>As that old seafloor sinks, it drags along water and chemicals that became trapped in the rocks over millions of years.</p>



<p>Here is where it gets interesting. When the sinking slab reaches depths of 30 to 50 miles, the pressure and heat squeeze out super-hot, salty fluids. </p>



<p>These fluids rise into the mantle rock above, helping create the magma that feeds the volcanoes around the Pacific. Sometimes, if conditions align, these fluids also carry large amounts of gold.</p>



<p>Adam Simon, a professor of Earth and environmental sciences at the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a>, and his team recently published their findings in the <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em>. </p>



<p>"This thermodynamic model that we've now published is the first to reveal the presence of the gold-trisulfur complex that we previously did not know existed at these conditions," Simon explained. </p>



<p>"This offers the most plausible explanation for the very <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-high-grade-gold-mine-found-in-an-unexplored-area-of-south-america/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high concentrations</a> of gold in some mineral systems in subduction zone environments."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gold-travels-from-the-mantle-with-sulfur">Gold travels from the mantle with sulfur</h2>



<p>Left alone, gold is essentially a homebody. It does not dissolve easily and prefers to stay put. But pair it with the right partner - sulfur, specifically - and suddenly it is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/couple-finds-a-gold-nugget-measuring-7-inches-across-weighing-more-than-9-pounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ready to travel</a>. </p>



<p>The research team built a computer model that tracks the heat, pressure, and chemical reactions happening deep underground. What they found changes how we think about gold transport.</p>



<p>When those fluids from the sinking oceanic plate hit the mantle, they change its whole personality. They make it more oxidizing, which means it becomes better at removing electrons from other atoms. Think of it as switching the mantle from calm to aggressive mode.</p>



<p>In this aggressive, oxidized mantle, sulfur shape-shifts into forms it normally would not take. </p>



<p>One of these forms creates a molecule in which one gold atom links with three sulfur atoms in a chain. This <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1506378112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gold-trisulfur complex</a> is essentially gold’s first-class ticket to the surface.</p>



<p>Without this complex, gold stays locked in minerals. With it, huge amounts of gold can dissolve in those hot fluids and ride them upward. </p>



<p>We are talking grams of gold per cubic meter of fluid - thousands of times more than is normally scattered through mantle rocks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-subduction-zones">Global subduction zones</h2>



<p>Not every <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-dangerous-part-of-this-west-coast-earthquake-fault-cascadia-subduction-zone/">subduction zone</a> produces gold deposits, and now we know why. </p>



<p>You need the right ingredients: enough oxidizing fluids from the sinking plate, water to create the proper fluid-transport system, and temperatures and pressures that hit the sweet spot for forming that gold-trisulfur complex. </p>



<p>The study found that water is not optional - it is absolutely essential. Systems with water can move far more gold than dry ones. Water is the delivery truck that makes everything work.</p>



<p>When all these ingredients come together, the mantle hands off its gold to rising magmas. </p>



<p>These magmas rise toward the surface, cool, and deposit their golden cargo into cracks and veins. After a few million years, a deposit worth mining can form.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connecting-the-dots">Connecting the dots</h2>



<p>"On all of the continents around the Pacific Ocean, from New Zealand to Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, Russia, Alaska, the western United States and Canada, all the way down to Chile, we have lots of active volcanoes," Simon explained. </p>



<p>"All of those active volcanoes form over or in a subduction zone environment. The same types of processes that result in volcanic eruptions are processes that form gold deposits."</p>



<p>This is not just interesting science - it is also practical. Now that geologists understand this process, they can be smarter about where to look for gold. </p>



<p>Find an old subduction zone where the conditions were just right, and you might find <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supergiant-gold-deposit-find-claims-to-be-the-worlds-largest-discovery-ever/">the next big deposit</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-settling-the-argument">Settling the argument</h2>



<p>Scientists have been debating whether this gold-trisulfur complex could exist under mantle conditions. Some said yes; others said no. </p>



<p>This study effectively ends that argument by showing not only that it exists, but that it is probably the main way gold moves from the deep Earth to the surface.</p>



<p>"These results provide a really robust understanding of what causes certain subduction zones to produce very gold-rich ore deposits," Simon noted.</p>



<p>"Combining the results of this study with existing studies ultimately improves our understanding of how gold deposits form and can have a positive impact on exploration."</p>



<p>It turns out that subduction zones are not just garbage disposals for old ocean floor. They are chemical factories that remix sulfur, water, and heat into a system that can move gold from the deep Earth to places where we can mine it. </p>



<p>When the chemistry is right, Earth essentially runs its own gold-concentration process, creating the deposits that have fascinated humans since we first spotted that distinctive yellow gleam in a riverbed.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2404731121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.</em></p>



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Scientists discover how gold reaches Earth's surface from deep underground

Gold does not just sit on Earth’s surface in neat...

<p>Poplar trees don’t just grow wood - they retool its chemistry as climates shift. That built-in flexibility changes how readily their biomass can be converted into renewable fuels and materials.</p>



<p>A team led by the <a href="https://missouri.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Missouri</a>, with collaborators at <a href="https://www.ornl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oak Ridge National Laboratory</a> and the University of Georgia, traced how the environment reshapes lignin, the tough polymer that stiffens plants.</p>



<p>The work highlights a path to better <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biofuels-may-eliminate-90-of-black-smoke-emissions-from-cars/">biofuels</a> and bioplastics by matching tree genetics withy growing conditions.</p>



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



<p>Lignin is everywhere stems, roots, and leaves are. It fortifies, channels water, and shields tissues from stress.</p>



<p>“Lignin acts as both a glue and an armor - it holds everything together while also protecting the plant from outside stressors,” said Jaime Barros-Rios, an assistant professor of plant molecular biology.</p>



<p>“Understanding how plants make lignin could help us improve its conversion into high-value biomaterials and increase the competitiveness of U.S. biorefineries.”</p>



<p>That conversion challenge is huge. Make lignin easier to process, and the numbers pencil out for greener fuels and materials. Make it harder, and energy and chemical inputs soar.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-poplar-trees-across-climates">Poplar trees across climates</h2>



<p>Poplars are already a workhorse for pulp and paper. They are also prime <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioenergy-can-slow-climate-change-but-the-window-is-closing/">bioenergy</a> candidates. Researchers have mapped their genome, they grow quickly, and plantations cover a broad climate range.</p>



<p>The team leveraged that range by sampling 430 trees of <em>Populus trichocarpa</em> from northern California to British Columbia. Warmer sites produced wood with a higher syringyl-to-guaiacyl ratio, known as S/G. Cooler sites trended lower.</p>



<p>“This S/G ratio represents the proportion between the two most abundant monomers in lignin,” said lead author Weiwei Zhu, a postdoctoral researcher in the Barros-Rios lab.</p>



<p>“These monomers have slightly different chemical structures, impacting the properties of the wood and directly influencing how easily lignin can be broken down and processed - making it easier to create biofuels and a wide variety of everyday products.”</p>



<p>In practical terms, tuning S/G shifts how stubborn lignin is during pulping, pretreatment, or catalytic breakdown. More syringyl units often mean cleaner cuts and fewer side reactions. That can lower cost and carbon from biorefineries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protein-that-protects-poplar-trees">Protein that protects poplar trees</h2>



<p>Field patterns only go so far without a mechanism. To dig deeper, the team combined genetics with 3D protein modeling.</p>



<p>“We identified a mutation in an important cell wall enzyme in poplar trees called laccase, which was found to control the S/G ratio in this natural population,” said Rachel Weber, a senior biochemistry student at Mizzou who built the model.</p>



<p>“So, I was able to utilize a protein structural modeling software called ColabFold to pinpoint the exact location of this mutation within the laccase protein.”</p>



<p>The surprise was where that amino acid change sits. Not in the catalytic pocket, and not where enzymes usually do their cutting and pasting. That placement hints at upstream signals and cellular traffic shaping lignin assembly in the wild, beyond textbook biochemistry.</p>



<p>“This points to a more complex regulation than we initially thought and gives us new clues about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-get-a-boost-from-diverse-neighbors-especially-in-wet-forests/">trees</a> adapt and protect themselves,” said Weber. “This knowledge will help us develop additional hypotheses about how this protein functions and interacts with the plant’s surrounding environment.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-rare-lignin-in-poplar-trees">A rare lignin in poplar trees</h2>



<p>Another curveball emerged from the analyses. The researchers detected small amounts of C-lignin in poplar. Until now, scientists had found that simple, uniform lignin type mainly in certain seeds, such as vanilla and cacti. Its clean structure is a chemist’s dream: fewer linkages, less mess, easier conversion.</p>



<p>Because C-lignin is simpler and more uniform than regular lignin, it’s easier to break down and process into usable plant material for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-inspired-solutions-new-bioplastic-dissolves-rapidly-in-water/">bioplastics</a>, biofuels, and other renewable products.</p>



<p>“This type of lignin could help us turn plant biomass into valuable commodity chemicals more efficiently,” Barros-Rios said.</p>



<p>Even trace levels matter. They signal that the pathway exists in tissues where it was not expected. With the right genetic switches, engineers may be able to dial it up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-greener-plants">Designing greener plants</h2>



<p>The immediate takeaway is clear. Climate and genetics co-author lignin’s script. Warmer, wetter sites nudge S/G higher. Specific laccase variants tweak the balance further. Rare flavors of lignin appear where no one looked before. Each lever can be used to design better feedstocks.</p>



<p>The long game is even more ambitious. The Missouri team is already working to boost C-lignin in poplar and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-soybean-plants-have-a-memory-scientists-think-so/">soybean</a>. </p>



<p>The aim is straightforward: build plants whose biomass cracks cleanly into the molecules that tomorrow’s refineries need. That would cut energy use, reduce waste, and speed the shift from petroleum to plants.</p>



<p>None of this changes what lignin does for a living tree. It still braces, seals, and shields. But by learning how trees tailor that armor to latitude and stress, researchers can tailor it for people, too. </p>



<p>The result could be faster progress toward fuels and materials that start in forests and fields - and a bioeconomy that leans more on biology and less on barrels.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2503491122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Poplar trees changed their chemistry to survive

Poplar trees don’t just grow wood - they retool its...

Mixed,Diatoms,From,A,Small,Creek.,This,Image,Has,Been

<p>Phytoplankton in the waters around Antarctica are changing - and the shift could have big consequences for the climate and the entire Southern Ocean ecosystem.</p>



<p>Over the past 25 years, scientists have used satellite data to track changes in the makeup of these microscopic organisms. </p>



<p>Their findings point to a long-term, climate-driven transformation in the region’s marine environment - one that could weaken the ocean’s ability to capture and store carbon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-shifts-in-phytoplankton">Detecting shifts in phytoplankton</h2>



<p>The study was focused on data from the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative (<a href="https://climate.esa.int/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA’s CCI</a>) and more than 14,000 samples collected between 1997 and 2023. The goal was to analyze changes in phytoplankton populations.</p>



<p>Alexander Hayward, Earth System Scientist at the <a href="https://www.dmi.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Danish Meteorological Institute</a> and lead-author on the paper, explained how the research team used ESA’s CCI data in the study.</p>



<p>“We built machine-learning models using in-situ samples, which we then combined with data from the European Space Agency, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-are-substantially-changing-the-seasons-of-the-ocean/">sea surface temperature</a>, ocean color and sea ice concentration, to track changes in different phytoplankton groups over time," Hayward explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decline-in-diatoms">Decline in diatoms</h2>



<p>The team identified key changes in the balance of phytoplankton types across the Southern Ocean.</p>



<p>“We observed major reductions in diatom populations between 1997-2016 - a period where sea ice increased,” noted Hayward. </p>



<p>“From 2016 onwards, the satellite record revealed a slight rebound in Antarctic diatom populations, and a related group of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-algae-genes-chlorophyll-boost-crop-yields-land-plants/">marine algae</a> - cryptophytes - rapidly proliferated.”</p>



<p>The researchers found that diatoms - large, carbon-absorbing phytoplankton - fell sharply during the first two decades of the study. </p>



<p>After sea ice retreated in 2017, diatom numbers began to recover in some regions, while smaller phytoplankton such as cryptophytes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-plankton-algae-could-change-the-fate-of-the-arctic-food-web/">haptophytes</a> continued to grow. </p>



<p>In West Antarctica, however, diatom populations have continued to decline.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-all-phytoplankton-are-equal">Not all phytoplankton are equal</h2>



<p>Phytoplankton are the foundation of the Antarctic marine food web. Diatoms, haptophytes, and cryptophytes make up the bulk of the microscopic life in these waters. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-plankton-play-a-big-role-in-the-global-carbon-cycle/">Diatoms</a> alone account for nearly half of the phytoplankton here, with haptophytes close behind.</p>



<p>But these organisms don’t all play the same role. Diatoms are heavy hitters when it comes to carbon. </p>



<p>Their hard silica shells trap carbon dioxide, and when diatoms die and sink, they carry that carbon to the ocean floor. They also feed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-krill-are-natures-unexpected-carbon-warriors/">krill</a> - the tiny crustaceans that feed whales, penguins, and seals.</p>



<p>The smaller types, like haptophytes and cryptophytes, don’t store carbon as effectively. So a long-term shift away from diatoms could weaken one of the ocean’s most important carbon storage systems.</p>



<p>“If we observe a decrease in the number of diatoms, it is likely that the biological carbon pump will weaken, resulting in less carbon dioxide being transported to the deep sea,” said Hayward.</p>



<p>“Now more than ever, we need more research and observation to monitor the changes in this sensitive ecosystem. What’s happening at the microscopic level could impact the climate itself and needs our attention.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-satellites-track-phytoplankton-nbsp-shifts">Satellites track phytoplankton&nbsp;shifts</h2>



<p>You might wonder how a satellite flying 815 kilometers above Earth can tell anything about microscopic plankton. It doesn’t see the organisms directly. Instead, satellites like Copernicus Sentinel-3 measure the light reflected off the ocean’s surface. </p>



<p>Changes in that light - especially in the green and blue parts of the spectrum - signal the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shifting-ocean-color-is-pushing-marine-life-toward-the-poles/">chlorophyll</a> and other pigments used in photosynthesis.</p>



<p>Different phytoplankton groups have distinct pigment profiles. When combined with data from water samples, these color signals help scientists map where different phytoplankton are and how their populations are changing over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-carbon-and-the-ocean">Climate, carbon, and the ocean</h2>



<p>Phytoplankton extract carbon from the air, fuel entire ecosystems, and are closely connected to climate change. But long-term records of how these creatures function exist in short supply.</p>



<p>That is why ESA is creating a new project known as Phyto-CCI. It will utilize advanced satellite methods for tracking phytoplankton changes from space, and make it possible for scientists to comprehend their contribution to ocean health and the global climate.</p>



<p>As this research illustrates, the Southern Ocean is already in transition due to climate pressures. What will follow depends not only on ice and temperature - but also on these invisible microorganisms that underpin the entire food chain.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02379-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory </p>



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Phytoplankton changes found in Antarctic waters could impact food webs and carbon storage

Phytoplankton in the waters around Antarctica are changing - and...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

ArtMarie/Getty Images - 1

<p>Caracol has long been a giant in Maya archaeology, yet one key piece was missing: a confirmed royal burial. That changed with the discovery of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/montelirio-tomb-filled-with-the-worlds-largest-collection-of-ancient-beads/">tomb</a> attributed to Te K’ab Chaak, the city’s founding ruler, in the Northeast Acropolis just beside the towering complex of Caana.</p>



<p>Inside, researchers documented rich offerings and human remains that anchor a pivotal moment in early Classic Maya politics. The find links ritual, trade, and power to a single life at the dawn of Caracol’s dynasty.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-maya-s-caracol-the-basics">Understanding Maya's Caracol - the basics</h2>



<p>Caracol emerged as one of the most powerful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-caused-the-maya-collapse-the-answer-was-hidden-in-a-cave/">Maya cities</a>, thriving in the forests of western Belize during the Classic Period between 250 and 900 CE. </p>



<p>At its height, the city supported more than 100,000 inhabitants, making it larger than many urban centers in Europe at the time. </p>



<p>Its rulers oversaw the construction of monumental architecture, including sprawling plazas, ceremonial ball courts, and the towering Caana, or “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Palace</a>,” which remains one of the tallest structures in Belize. </p>



<p>Caracol’s influence extended far beyond its borders, cemented in 562 CE when it defeated the rival city of Tikal, a turning point that reshaped regional politics in the Maya lowlands.</p>



<p>The city’s dominance, however, was not permanent. By the ninth century, Caracol began to falter under the combined pressures of warfare, shifting alliances, and environmental stress. Its once-thriving population dwindled, and the urban core was eventually abandoned.</p>



<p>Dense jungle concealed the remnants of Caracol for centuries until archaeologists brought it back into view in the twentieth century.</p>



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



<p>Arlen F. Chase and Diane Z. Chase of the University of Houston (<a href="https://www.uh.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UH</a>) lead the Caracol <a href="https://caracol.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archaeological Project</a> and have worked in the city for over four decades. Their names are inseparable from Caracol’s map, methods, and debates.</p>



<p>“They’ve found a very early ruler, so that’s very important, and he’s claimed to be the founder of a dynasty. That’s a major find,” said <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/about/staff/profile/gary-feinman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gary Feinman</a>, an archaeologist at the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Field Museum of Chicago</a>, in an interview with the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Times</a>.</p>



<p>This is the first identified royal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/egyptian-pharaohs-long-lost-tomb-located-after-3500-years/">tomb</a> at Caracol since formal excavations began, and it anchors Te K’ab Chaak’s name to physical evidence at the site. </p>



<p>The discovery resolves a long gap between inscriptions and the ground record that specialists have wrestled with for years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-royal-life-in-objects">A royal life in objects</h2>



<p>The chamber held eleven ceramic vessels, carved bone tubes, three sets of jadeite earflares, Pacific <a href="https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-shellfish-research/volume-35/issue-2/035.035.0203/Spondylids-of-Eastern-Pacific-Ocean/10.2983/035.035.0203.full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spondylus</a> shells, and a mosaic death mask, while the remains indicate an elderly individual about 5 feet 7 inches tall with no remaining teeth.</p>



<p>One lid carried a modeled coatimundi head and a bowl bore a portrait of Ek Chuah, the Maya god of trade. Another vessel featured an owl, and several bowls displayed bound captives, a stark signal of status and warfare.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/caracol_kings-tomb_pottery-discovery_credit-UH_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/caracol_kings-tomb_pottery-discovery_credit-UH_1s.webp" alt="One of the pottery vessels features a handle resembling a coatimundi at Caracol. Credit: University of Houston" class="wp-image-1982468"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>One of the pottery vessels features a handle resembling a coatimundi at Caracol. Click image to enlarge. Credit: University of Houston</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Red cinnabar, a mercury sulfide mineral used as a vivid pigment, coated the walls and offerings near the body. In Classic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-caused-the-maya-collapse-the-answer-was-hidden-in-a-cave/">Maya</a> mortuary contexts, that kind of saturation tracks closely with elite burials and royal image-making.</p>



<p>The mask, built from dozens of cut jade and shell pieces, is now being reconstructed. Its placement beside ear ornaments and tubular beads carved with living and skeletal monkeys hints at a carefully staged funerary program.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-early-classic-crossroads">The early classic crossroads</h2>



<p>The burial dates to the Early Classic, a period when ties between the Maya lowlands and Teotihuacán in central Mexico widened, including the well known <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2218315120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">entrada</a> recorded in 378 C.E. that reshaped alliances across Mesoamerica.</p>



<p>“We knew there was a body in there. We could see vessels; we could see red cinnabar,” said Arlen F. Chase, professor of anthropology at the University of Houston. </p>



<p>In the same account, he explains that the team first peered through a small opening before confirming the chamber’s extraordinary contents.</p>



<p>Material and style link Caracol’s royal circle to far reaching exchange during this era. Those connections help explain how a founder king could marshal prestige goods and imagery to consolidate authority inside a growing city.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-caracol-s-maya-cityscape">Rethinking Caracol’s Maya cityscape</h2>



<p>Remote sensing with <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3420181/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LiDAR</a>, a laser based mapping method that penetrates forest canopy, revealed Caracol’s vast causeways, terraces, and settlement structure years before this tomb came to light. That work reframed the city as an integrated urban landscape rather than a cluster of isolated monuments.</p>



<p>Caana, Caracol’s central architectural complex, rises about 143 feet above its southern plaza, and its summit hosted restricted plazas and temples where rulership was performed and guarded. In physical terms, this tomb sits in the neighborhood of that power.</p>



<p>Urban form matters for interpretation. A founder’s burial beside the core complex underscores how early rulers tied ancestry, ritual, and city planning into a single political message.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-team-found-the-chamber">How the team found the chamber</h2>



<p>The archaeologists reopened a burial they had investigated in 1993, cut through the floor, and immediately encountered an earlier chamber beneath it.</p>



<p>Stratigraphy and artifact style lined up with the earliest recorded ruler at Caracol. Context, rather than a name carved in the room, makes the identification persuasive and places the burial at the birth of the dynasty.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adding-to-the-mayan-mythology">Adding to the Mayan mythology</h2>



<p>The carved bones, captives on bowls, and trader god iconography capture a leader fluent in warfare, diplomacy, and exchange. That blend fits a founder king establishing reach beyond his capital.</p>



<p>It also nudges the timeline of central Mexican engagement with the lowlands. Evidence from Caracol suggests ties that predate the famous 378 C.E. moment, not a simple story of sudden outside domination.</p>



<p>The team is reconstructing the jadeite mask and running ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-from-9000-year-old-skeletons-disproves-migratory-waves-theory-from-south-africa/">DNA</a> and stable isotope analyses on the bones, work that will refine age, origins, and life history. </p>



<p>The results will situate Caracol’s new evidence inside a broader conversation about early Classic power and networks.</p>



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



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First king of Caracol's tomb has been discovered, one of the most powerful Maya cities

Caracol has long been a giant in Maya archaeology, yet...

<p>High in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, flashes of orange hair move between the trees. Orangutans spend most of their lives in the canopy - navigating branches, building nests, and raising young in one of the most complex ecosystems on Earth. </p>



<p>Watching them is like catching a reflection of ourselves - their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orangutan-mothers-have-unique-parenting-styles-like-humans/">intelligence</a>, habits, and even their struggles often resemble our own. Yet, despite these connections, orangutans are slipping toward extinction.</p>



<p>World Orangutan Day on August 19 highlights this urgent reality. The day serves as a reminder that saving orangutans goes hand in hand with protecting their forests - and safeguarding the climate we all rely on.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-orangutans-and-forests">Protecting orangutans and forests</h2>



<p>Orangutans live in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra. They act as gardeners of the jungle. By eating fruit and scattering seeds, they help forests regenerate. </p>



<p>Without them, many plant species would vanish, and the ecosystems tied to them would weaken.</p>



<p>Healthy forests do more than shelter wildlife. They absorb carbon, regulate climate, and provide clean water. Protecting orangutans means protecting the same systems that humans depend on.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-communication-than-expected">Smarter communication than expected</h2>



<p>Orangutans continue to surprise scientists. Just when we think we understand them, new research proves otherwise. A recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orangutans-use-complex-vocal-patterns-found-in-human-language/">study</a> from <a href="https://warwick.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Warwick</a> revealed that Sumatran orangutans use recursive vocal patterns when sounding alarm calls. </p>



<p>Recursion is a language tool that allows ideas to be nested within other ideas, creating layered meaning. Humans rely on it constantly in speech and writing, but until recently, scientists assumed it was uniquely human. </p>



<p>The discovery that orangutans use recursion forces us to rethink how we define language and how it is used throughout the animal kingdom.</p>



<p>Another study used machine learning to analyze the calls of Bornean orangutans. Researchers discovered three distinct pulse types hidden in their long calls. Each pulse seems to serve a different role, giving their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-unlock-the-mysteries-of-orangutan-communication/">communication</a> more depth than expected.</p>



<p>For years, people described orangutan calls as simple. This evidence shows otherwise. Their vocal world is structured, varied, and much more sophisticated than we realized.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-conservation-emergency">The conservation emergency</h2>



<p>Orangutans mirror human behavior in unexpected ways. One study describes how they recover from poor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orangutans-manage-sleep-much-like-humans-do/">sleep</a> by napping during the day. They even build quick daytime nests for rest. This pattern looks remarkably similar to how humans catch up on lost sleep.</p>



<p>Despite their intelligence and adaptability, orangutans face steep decline. Populations have fallen by more than half in the past century. </p>



<p>Palm oil plantations replace diverse forests with monoculture crops. Illegal logging cuts deep into jungles. Poachers kill mothers to steal infants for the pet trade.</p>



<p>As their habitats shrink, orangutans crowd into smaller areas. This increases stress, reduces food, and creates conflict with humans. Without intervention, they could disappear in a matter of decades.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-actions-to-protect-orangutans">Actions to protect orangutans</h2>



<p>There are many ways individuals can help protect orangutans. Opting for products made with certified sustainable palm oil is one approach. Supporting rescue centers through donations is another. </p>



<p>You can even virtually <a href="https://www.theorangutanproject.org/donate/?referrer_source=GADUS_GENERIC&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=13240991473&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwwZDFBhCpARIsAB95qO3vTJ075IBt6pMnMSn9C_e0WVyfcGdiW25dHR7bmkwMgaqtFtLPMqMaAmINEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adopt</a> an orangutan to help cover their food and medical care.</p>



<p>Responsible tourism can make a difference. Visiting orangutan habitats can help support local communities and demonstrates that intact forests are far more valuable than cleared land.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-progress-worth-noting">Progress worth noting</h2>



<p>There are signs of hope. Rehabilitation centers in Borneo and Sumatra rescue orphaned orangutans and teach them survival skills. Some of these animals are now living free in the wild again.</p>



<p>Governments and conservation groups are also creating protected areas and linking them with wildlife corridors. These corridors let orangutans move safely between forest patches. </p>



<p>Meanwhile, local communities are exploring sustainable crops that do not destroy rainforests.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-purpose-of-world-orangutan-day">Purpose of World Orangutan Day </h2>



<p>Orangutans cannot fight for themselves. They cannot confront corporations or push for laws. That responsibility falls on us. </p>



<p>Protecting these animals is not just about saving one species. It is about defending the rainforests that regulate climate and sustain life across the globe.</p>



<p>The science is clear, and the threats are well known. What matters now is commitment. Governments need to enforce environmental protections. Businesses must clean up supply chains. People everywhere can support conservation and make smarter choices.</p>



<p>On World Orangutan Day 2025, one truth is clear: orangutans matter. The real challenge is turning that awareness into action - before it’s too late to save them and the forests they call home.</p>



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



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World Orangutan Day 2025: Turning awareness into action

High in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, flashes of...

<p>A tan-brown lizard dashed across sun-warmed rock in coastal Angola and ran straight into the scientific record. It belonged to a trio of day geckos that science had never formally described.</p>



<p>The new species, all from Namibia’s neighbor to the north, include the large-spotted Namib day gecko, <em>Rhoptropus megocellus</em>, alongside <em>R. minimus</em> and <em>R. crypticus</em>. They were documented after multi-year field campaigns across the country’s arid southwest.</p>



<p>The<strong> </strong>study’s corresponding author, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Javier-Lobon-Rovira" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Javier Lobón-Rovira</a> from the Universidade do Porto (<a href="https://www.up.pt/portal/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UP</a>), worked alongside a handful of colleagues from various academic institutions to compile the findings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-gecko-species-in-angola">New gecko species in Angola</h2>



<p>Angola’s reptiles have been gaining attention as access improves and surveys expand. A comprehensive <a href="https://www.podarcis.de/AF/Bibliografie/BIB_12955.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> of the country’s herpetofauna noted rapid growth in documented diversity and underscored several hotspots of endemism in the southwest.</p>



<p>“Angola has recently emerged as one of the most gecko-diverse countries in mainland Africa,” wrote Lobón-Rovira. </p>



<p>Much of this diversity has only come to light in the past decade, as improved access and modern genetic tools have revealed species that were previously overlooked.</p>



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



<p>Between 2018 and early 2025, the team assembled 14 museum vouchers and additional tissue samples from previously unknown populations. </p>



<p>Careful comparisons across body measurements, scale counts, and color patterns separated the candidate species without leaning on a single trait.</p>



<p>Genetic results supported what the eyes suggested. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cnemaspis-vangoghi-new-gecko-species-discovered-india-named-after-van-gogh/">new species</a> formed distinct groups that did not share nuclear haplotypes with close relatives and showed double-digit mitochondrial distances in standard markers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-spotted-new-gecko-stands-out">Large-spotted new gecko stands out</h2>



<p><em>Rhoptropus megocellus</em> is a robust day gecko with paired ocelli, eye-like dark spots, marching down its back. The first pair, at the neck, can meet and form a collar-like band.</p>



<p>It differs from similar Angolan species by the arrangement of enlarged scales under the tail, by a single large internasal scale, and by fewer terminal scales on the fourth toe. The paper also details an inflated nostril rim formed by raised nasal scales.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-it-lives-and-why-that-matters">Where it lives and why that matters</h2>



<p>The large-spotted gecko sticks to rock. In the words of the study, it is “strictly rock-dwelling, always found on large, flattened granite boulders, where it can run rapidly to escape,” wrote Lobón-Rovira. </p>



<p>Its preferred microhabitat includes exfoliating flakes that offer quick cover.</p>



<p>Rock dependence is not just a quirk of lifestyle. For Namib day geckos, both running ability and foot structure shift with the terrain and habitat, tying their movements and body form to the <a href="https://biomechanics.ucr.edu/Higham_Russell_2010_BJLS.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rock surfaces</a> they use.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-day-gecko-really-means-here">What “day gecko” really means here</h2>



<p><em>Rhoptropus</em> species are active by daylight and many are rupicolous, meaning rock-dwelling. They bask, forage, and flee in open sun, which shapes when they move and how they avoid predators.</p>



<p>Daytime activity also makes their camouflage striking. The large-spotted gecko’s gray to brown base tone, orange reticulation on the head, and prominent dorsal spots break up its outline against granite.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/new-gecko-species_identified-in-Angola_credit-Ecology-Evolution_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/new-gecko-species_identified-in-Angola_credit-Ecology-Evolution_1s.webp" alt="Unscaled photographs of the dorsal color pattern variation of the members of the Rhoptropus barnardi group in Angola. (A) Rhoptropus barnardi sensu stricto from Calueque, Cunene Province, Angola. (B) Rhoptropus aff. barnardi 2 from Bero River, Cunene Province. (C, D) Rhoptropus aff. barnardi 1 from Tchivira, Huila Province, and from Chapeu Armado, Namibe Province, Angola, respectively. (E) Rhoptropus minimus sp. nov. from Baba, Namibe Province. (F, G) Rhoptropus biporosus from Iona National Park, Namibe Province, Angola. Credit: Ecology and Evolution" class="wp-image-1982459"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Unscaled photographs of the dorsal color pattern variation of the members of the Rhoptropus barnardi group in Angola. (A) Rhoptropus barnardi sensu stricto from Calueque, Cunene Province, Angola. (B) Rhoptropus aff. barnardi 2 from Bero River, Cunene Province. (C, D) Rhoptropus aff. barnardi 1 from Tchivira, Huila Province, and from Chapeu Armado, Namibe Province, Angola, respectively. (E) Rhoptropus minimus sp. nov. from Baba, Namibe Province. (F, G) Rhoptropus biporosus from Iona National Park, Namibe Province, Angola. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Ecology and Evolution</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-fingerprint-without-the-jargon">Genetic fingerprint without the jargon</h2>



<p>To separate look-alike species, the authors analyzed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Among the mitochondrial markers, ND2 is a widely used gene that tracks variation accumulated over time.</p>



<p>The large-spotted gecko showed pairwise distances from relatives at or above the threshold typical for distinct species in this group. The nuclear marker RAG-1 told the same story by forming its own cluster without shared alleles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-companions-in-the-same-area">Two companions in the same area</h2>



<p><em>Rhoptropus minimus</em> is, as the name telegraphs, small for the genus. It has a granitic, speckled dorsum, four precloacal pores in two groups in males, and a stout build that sets it apart from the slender, ground-running <em>R. biporosus</em>.</p>



<p><em>Rhoptropus crypticus</em> occupies steep, rocky faces in the northern Namibe coastal belt, often near the large-spotted species but with a different tail-scale configuration and a distinct pattern. </p>



<p>It carries more precloacal pores in males than <em>R. biporosus</em> and sports black dorsal markings absent from the highland relatives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-museum-work-matters">Museum work matters</h2>



<p>Specimens from these surveys now reside in collections in Luanda, Porto, and Madrid. That matters because names only stick when types are preserved, measured, and made available for re-examination.</p>



<p>Vouchers anchor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geckos-have-a-hidden-sixth-sense-linked-to-hearing/">species</a> concepts in verifiable material. They allow future teams to revisit identifications, recalibrate measurements, and, if needed, sample DNA again as methods improve.</p>



<p>The coastal Namibe region and adjacent escarpment create a patchwork of microhabitats in a relatively short horizontal span. Dry riverbeds cut across boulder fields, while inselbergs and gravel plains add complexity.</p>



<p>That mosaic fosters endemic lineages, species that occur in just one place. It also creates opportunities for closely related species to live near one another without directly competing for the same rock faces or crevices.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-a-gecko-name-game">More than a gecko name game</h2>



<p>The conveyor belt of finds continues. In 2025, a separate team described another Namib day gecko, <a href="https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5569.3.2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Rhoptropus nivimontanus</em></a>, from the Serra da Neve inselberg in the Namibe province using an integrative approach that combined color pattern, morphology, and DNA.</p>



<p>Taken together, these advances point to southwestern Angola as a center of diversification for small reptiles that specialize on stone surfaces. They also highlight the power of coordinated fieldwork, museum partnerships, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-found-to-have-a-sixth-sense-gecko-hearing-vibrations-changing-science-view-of-sound/">genetic analysis</a>.</p>



<p>Naming species is not academic bookkeeping. It clarifies conservation responsibility, especially when a species occupies a narrow range and hugs a specific substrate.</p>



<p>When a lizard runs only on certain granites or relies on exfoliating flakes for shelter, quarrying, roadwork, or unregulated tourism can wipe out local populations. Clear names help agencies and communities plan around those needs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-for-these-new-gecko-species">Next steps for these new gecko species</h2>



<p>Expect more work on the boundaries among similar <em>Rhoptropus</em> lineages, especially where coastal and upland forms meet. </p>



<p>Expect refined maps of who lives on which rocks and why certain boulders host two species while others host one.</p>



<p>And expect further surprises as teams revisit older records with DNA in hand. Angola’s rocks have more stories to tell, and for day geckos, the details sit in plain daylight.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.71609" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Ecology and Evolution</em></a>.</p>



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Three new gecko species discovered after eight years of searching

A tan-brown lizard dashed across sun-warmed rock in coastal Angola...

<p>Some of our ancestors were much more adventurous than we have given them credit for. A new study describes how hunter gatherers were crossing the the Mediterranean to reach the island of Malta about 8,500 years ago, centuries before farming communities appeared on the islands.</p>



<p>The team uncovered a compact record of life on a small island: hearths stacked in ash, simple stone flakes, and cooked animal remains inside a cave called Latnija in northern Mellieħa. Those layers push Malta’s human story back by about a millennium.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crossing-the-sea-to-reach-malta">Crossing the sea to reach Malta</h2>



<p>The research was led by Professor <a href="http://www.eleanorscerri.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eleanor Scerri</a> at the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology (<a href="https://www.gea.mpg.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MPG</a>) and the <a href="https://www.um.edu.mt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Malta</a>, with colleagues. </p>



<p>Their work outlines a Mesolithic presence on Malta that lasted until roughly 7,500 years ago, right before the Neolithic took hold across the region.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-rays-help-archaeologists-determine-age-discoveries-prehistoric-settlements/">Radiocarbon dates</a> from charcoal and edible shells frame the occupation beginning around 8,500 years ago. </p>



<p>At that time, sea levels and shorelines were similar to today, so any arrival required real seafaring, not a land bridge or tidal trick.</p>



<p>That matters for how we picture final hunter gatherers in the central Mediterranean. They were not pinned to big mainlands, they were mobile, organized, and willing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/technologically-advanced-society-discovered-across-philippine-islands-35000-years-ago/">cross beyond the horizon</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-a-62-mile-crossing-was-possible">How a 62-mile crossing was possible</h2>



<p>“Optimistically, this crossing would have taken place at a speed of 2-3 km per hour, and would have required periods of rest. A 100 km crossing would therefore require several hours of darkness even during the longest day of the year,” said Prof. Nicholas Vella of the University of Malta.</p>



<p>Ocean measurements in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta_Channel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maltese Channel</a> show surface flows commonly around 0.41 to 0.53 meters per second, roughly 0.9 to 1.2 miles per hour, with shifts during strong wind events that could help or hinder paddlers.</p>



<p>Canoe trials with replica dugouts in the Aegean reached paddling speeds up to about 5.5 km per hour, around 3.4 miles per hour, showing what a skilled crew could sustain in fair conditions.</p>



<p>Across the world, long before farmers, people planned and executed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/archaeologist-sailed-on-a-viking-boat-for-three-years-and-made-surprising-discoveries/">sea journeys</a> to reach island lands. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6579762/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modeling</a> of Ice Age movements into Sahul argues for intentional, organized voyages rather than accidental drifts, a useful comparison for the discipline even if the settings differ.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-latnija-reveals-about-daily-life">What Latnija reveals about daily life</h2>



<p>The Latnija layers include hearths, ash beds, and thousands of cooked gastropods along with crabs, sea urchins, fish, and a seal bone, all pointing to an island diet built from both shore and sea.</p>



<p>Alongside that menu were wild land animals, including red deer remains with burning. Stone flakes in local limestone show a practical toolkit rather than ornate microliths.</p>



<p>Later Neolithic communities in Malta ate very differently. </p>



<p>Stable isotope <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-journal-of-archaeology/article/neolithic-diet-at-the-brochtorff-circle-malta/67EF7E1435F9A8525FF3F329570C9C27" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">measurements</a> on human bone from the Brochtorff Circle indicate diets dominated by terrestrial foods from crops and livestock rather than seafood, which underscores how distinctive the Mesolithic pattern is at Latnija.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/malta_Latnija-map_hunter-gatherers_no-contact_credit-Nature_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/malta_Latnija-map_hunter-gatherers_no-contact_credit-Nature_1s.webp" alt="Top, the position of Malta in the Mediterranean. Bottom left, digital elevation model of Latnija, showing the current dripline in dashed lines. Bottom right, the site, showing the sea channel and Gozo in the background, with past sea levels based on a previous study49. LGM, Last Glacial Maximum; MASL, metres above sea level. Credit: Nature" class="wp-image-1982423"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Top, the position of Malta in the Mediterranean. Bottom left, digital elevation model of Latnija, showing the current dripline in dashed lines. Bottom right, the site, showing the sea channel and Gozo in the background, with past sea levels based on a previous study49. LGM, Last Glacial Maximum; MASL, meters above sea level. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Nature</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tools-and-fire-layers-at-latnija">Tools and fire layers at Latnija</h2>



<p>Excavations at Latnija mapped a thick ash horizon with in situ hearths, thermal alteration of sediments, and beds of tip-lined shells. Those details make the case for repeated cooking, not a single visit.</p>



<p>The lithic assemblage, 64 pieces from the Mesolithic levels, centers on simple flakes struck from limestone pebbles. The spare technology fits a small, mobile population working with what the island provided.</p>



<p>Charcoal and plant microremains add more texture. Phytoliths and anthracology show shrubs like lentisk used as fuel, while wild seeds appear charred in hearth deposits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-latnija-changes-human-prehistory">Latnija changes human prehistory</h2>



<p>The discovery rejects an old assumption that small, remote Mediterranean islands were empty until farmers with better boats showed up. </p>



<p>Here, late Holocene hunter gatherers reached one of the region’s most isolated archipelagos at least a thousand years earlier than expected.</p>



<p>It also raises questions about island <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-life-on-islands-loses-diversity-when-humans-arrive/">ecosystems shaped by people</a> before the farming era. Some endemic animals vanished on Malta and nearby islands, and early visits may be part of that story.</p>



<p>“Our discovery connects Malta with a much deeper human prehistory, it roots Malta to the story of humanity itself,” added Prof. Scerri.</p>



<p>Archaeology’s task now is to trace the networks implied by an open-sea hop of this size. One crossing suggests more routes, more signals, and more contact than the standard picture allows.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08780-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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Primitive human population discovered that had no contact with the rest of the world

Some of our ancestors were much more adventurous than we...

<p>Some birds hold greater influence than others when a flock decides where to go next. New research shows that the most persuasive geese in the flock are bold, not aggressive, and that the birds most likely to fall in line are the curious explorers. Together, they steer collective journeys in ways that balance safety and discovery.</p>



<p>The study tackles a classic puzzle in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-tool-superanimal-can-accurately-analyze-animal-behavior/">animal behavior</a>: why certain individuals end up shaping group decisions over months and years. </p>



<p>Simple rules of interaction can explain how groups move in sync. But they do not say much about why some animals consistently get others to go with them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geese-personalities-in-flight">Geese personalities in flight</h2>



<p>To find out, researchers watched a marked population of greylag geese over four years at the <a href="https://klf.univie.ac.at/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Konrad Lorenz Research Station</a> in Grünau im Almtal, Austria. The flock traces back to birds introduced by Nobel laureate Konrad Lorenz in the 1970s, which makes it unusually well-documented.</p>



<p>Field teams logged hundreds of collective departures. They noted who gave a departure call, who launched first, who followed, and the size of each departing party. In parallel, they measured personality with standardized tests.</p>



<p>Flight initiation distance - a measure of how close an approacher can get before a bird takes off - indexed boldness. A mirror test probed aggressiveness. Interaction with a novel object indexed exploration, or curiosity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stable-traits-shape-geese-social-life">Stable traits shape geese social life</h2>



<p>The first finding is simple and important. Individual geese showed stable personality differences - boldness, aggressiveness, and exploration - that persisted across years. Those traits mapped onto daily social roles.</p>



<p>The flock typically moved in subgroups to forage or roost at different sites in the valley. Within those subgroups, bold individuals tended to initiate and be followed. Explorers tended to follow, especially when the leader was bold rather than aggressive.</p>



<p>In other words, a goose’s temperament predicted its influence in real decisions with real stakes. Bolder initiators were more likely to be heeded when they called and took flight. </p>



<p>Followers with a taste for novelty were more likely to go with them, and less likely to trail aggressive or socially dominant birds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leadership-as-protection-not-domination"><a></a>Leadership as protection, not domination</h2>



<p>One result surprised the team. Aggressiveness, though linked to higher social rank, did not predict leadership in group departures. The most influential initiators were bold but not aggressive. That points to a protective leadership style rather than a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-dominance-in-primates-is-more-common-than-we-thought/">dominant</a>, coercive one.</p>



<p>The ecology helps explain why. Each daily move pits risk against reward. Sticking to familiar feeding grounds offers safety but limits opportunity. Striking out raises the chance of finding better food, but it also raises exposure.</p>



<p>Bold leaders reduce uncertainty in the moment - helping a flock launch and cross risky gaps - while exploratory followers tilt the group toward innovation and help spread new routes through social learning.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-followers-matter-in-geese-decisions">Followers matter in geese decisions</h2>



<p>The study reframes influence as a two-way negotiation. Yes, some geese initiate more. But followers are not passive. </p>



<p>They choose whom to follow - and whom to ignore - based on the benefits they receive. Leadership, in this view, is not merely a trait of the few. It is a relationship built from many selective acts of following.</p>



<p>“This research helps to explain why individuals with specific traits consistently wield more influence,” said lead author Sonia Kleindorfer. “More importantly, it draws attention to followers - often overlooked in our human fascination with securing resources."</p>



<p>"What if followers actively choose whom to follow based on the benefits they receive? This shifts focus to the cognitive abilities of followers and challenges traditional ideas about which traits matter most in leaders.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flocks-transform-signals-into-action">Flocks transform signals into action</h2>



<p>The mechanics of a departure are simple on the surface: a call, a launch, and a stream of followers. Underneath is a flow of information. Bold birds lower the cost of action and explorers raise the value of new options.</p>



<p>The result is a collective that can both protect itself and learn. Over time, that learning becomes tradition - routes, schedules, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/murrelets-rely-on-each-other-to-find-breeding-sites/">site preferences</a> that shape the flock’s culture.</p>



<p>By documenting these roles across four years and tying them to stable traits, the study moves beyond one-off observations. </p>



<p>It shows that personality can structure the everyday choices that add up to a group’s way of life. It also shows that “dominance” and “leadership” are not synonyms. A bird that wins fights does not necessarily win followers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-geese-teach-other-species">What geese teach other species</h2>



<p>The implications reach well beyond a single Austrian valley. Many social species face the same daily trade-off between the familiar and the new. In those systems, protective boldness may attract followers more reliably than brute force, and curiosity may be the glue that keeps groups open to change.</p>



<p>By spotlighting follower choice, the work also nudges theory toward the minds of many, not the charisma of a few. Influence depends on who wants to be influenced - and why. </p>



<p>That shift has consequences for how researchers think about collective decision-making, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-availability-influences-social-learning-among-orangutans/">social learning</a>, and cultural evolution across species - including our own.</p>



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



<p>Understanding how individual differences scale up to group behavior can inform conservation, animal welfare, and even the design of autonomous swarms. </p>



<p>It can help explain when groups adapt smoothly to changing conditions and when they stall. It can also help predict who will lead a move to safer ground in a warming, human-altered world.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bold-personality-traits-improve-parenting-success-in-geese/">greylag geese</a> offer a clear lesson. Boldness can protect a flock of geese without aggression. Curiosity can carry new ideas across wings. And influence, far from being the property of the loudest bird, emerges from a conversation between those who initiate - and those who decide to follow.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2589004225014312" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>iScience</em></a>.</p>



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Geese guide the flock with boldness, not aggression

Some birds hold greater influence than others when a flock...

<p>A team of astronomers has captured one of the sharpest images ever of a plasma jet shooting from the heart of a distant galaxy. The galaxy, OJ 287, lies roughly 5 billion light-years from Earth. </p>



<p>It has long been known for its erratic light bursts, but until now, no one had seen its inner workings in such vivid detail.</p>



<p>This new image, made possible by the <a href="https://science.nrao.edu/about/news/radioastron-operational" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RadioAstron mission</a>, shows a long, twisted stream of high-energy particles - like a glowing ribbon - bending and curling as it moves through space.</p>



<p>The image gives scientists a rare look inside the chaotic core of the galaxy, where black holes are likely locked in a cosmic dance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oj-287-and-two-supermassive-black-holes">OJ 287 and two supermassive black holes</h2>



<p>Scientists from <a href="https://www.heidelberg.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heidelberg University</a> and <a href="https://www.tudelft.nl/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Delft University of Technology</a> were among the international team behind the discovery.</p>



<p>The work involved researchers from Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Italy, the United States, and Russia. Some have been working on the RadioAstron project for decades.</p>



<p>“I joined the project in 1979, before many of my co-authors were born,” said Professor Leonid Gurvits of Delft University of Technology, whose decades of expertise in space <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monster-black-hole-is-spinning-in-the-nearby-galaxy-m87-study-confurms/">VLBI</a> (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) and active galactic nuclei helped shape the study.</p>



<p>OJ 287 is thought to contain not one but two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supermassive-black-holes-are-much-more-common-in-the-universe-than-believed/">supermassive black holes</a> orbiting each other. Together, they have a combined mass exceeding a billion times that of our Sun.</p>



<p>The intense gravity near these black holes pulls in surrounding gas and dust, heating it and releasing radiation. That is how astronomers detect what is happening inside.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-telescope-bigger-than-earth">Telescope bigger than Earth</h2>



<p>To capture this image, the team used RadioAstron’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/35-years-of-hubble-the-telescope-that-changed-our-view-of-the-universe/">space telescope</a> in combination with 27 radio observatories around the world. </p>



<p>Together, they formed a virtual telescope five times the diameter of Earth. The resolution was so sharp that it would be like reading a newspaper in New York from a park bench in Delft.</p>



<p>This powerful setup revealed more than just the jet’s unique ribbon shape. It also uncovered regions inside the jet with temperatures over 10 trillion Kelvin - evidence of extreme energy near the black holes.</p>



<p>The team also recorded something remarkable: the birth of a shock wave in the jet. Polarization readings showed that the jet’s magnetic field runs along its length. </p>



<p>That alignment helps scientists understand how these jets get their shape - and how they move.</p>



<p>“We captured the birth of a jet component and watched it travel down this beautiful ribbon until it hit a shock wave and produced the most energetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/integral-gamma-ray-telescope-mission-was-a-brilliant-success/">gamma rays</a> ever detected from this source,” said first author Dr. Thalia Traianou of Heidelberg University.</p>



<p>That collision coincided with the historic detection of trillion-electron-volt gamma rays from OJ 287 in early 2017.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-twists-in-the-cosmic-ribbon">Twists in the cosmic ribbon</h2>



<p>OJ 287 has baffled astronomers for over a century. Its brightness varies in a strange 60-year cycle. That odd timing has led many to suspect a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supermassive-binary-black-holes-secrets-revealed/">binary black hole</a> system at its center.</p>



<p>The newly imaged jet supports this idea. If two black holes are indeed orbiting each other, their movement could twist the jet, bending it over time. </p>



<p>The image captured this twist. It also matches earlier signs of the jet’s wobble, likely caused by precession from the black holes’ orbital motion.</p>



<p>This makes OJ 287 a strong candidate for studying how pairs of supermassive black holes evolve and eventually collide. Those collisions would release gravitational waves - tiny ripples in the fabric of spacetime.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-help-from-the-lisa-mission">Help from the LISA mission</h2>



<p>Future missions may be able to detect those ripples directly. One of the most promising is the joint ESA- NASA mission known as <a href="https://lisa.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LISA</a> (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna), planned for launch in 2035.</p>



<p>While this study focused only on radio signals, it sets the stage for multi-messenger astronomy. </p>



<p>That’s a new way of observing the universe using different types of signals - light, gravitational waves, and even particles like neutrinos. </p>



<p>Together, they can reveal much more than any single type of observation could alone.</p>



<p>“One of the beautiful things about fundamental science is the unpredictability of its impact,” said Gurvits. “When <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-need-resilient-electricity-networks-to-cope-with-climate-change/">electricity</a> was discovered two hundred years ago, no one could have imagined how deeply it would shape modern society."</p>



<p>"It’s the same with our research: we don’t know when and what its effects will be. But that uncertainty is part of what makes fundamental science so exciting. That said, it is certain that this RadioAstron study is a prelude to the upcoming transformational discoveries in the new era of multi-messenger astronomy.”</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2025/08/aa54929-25/aa54929-25.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy and Astrophysics</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image credit: Juan Carlos Algaba - University of Malaya</p>



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Massive plasma jet reveals the merger of two supermassive black holes

A team of astronomers has captured one of the sharpest...

<p>The NISAR mission - short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar - has successfully deployed its massive 39-foot antenna reflector in space.</p>



<p>Seventeen days after launch, the reflector, which had been folded up like an umbrella, finally unfurled after the satellite’s 30-foot boom was fully extended and locked in place. Now it’s ready to begin its work monitoring Earth in stunning detail.</p>



<p>The mission is a collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (<a href="https://www.isro.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISRO</a>). It launched on July 30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in southeastern India. </p>



<p>From its orbit, <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/nisar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NISAR</a> will track movements in ice sheets, glaciers, and land surfaces affected by earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides. It will also monitor forests and wetlands with precision down to a fraction of an inch.</p>



<p>“The successful deployment of NISAR’s reflector marks a significant milestone in the capabilities of the satellite,” said Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division. </p>



<p>“From innovative technology to research and modeling to delivering science to help inform decisions, the data NISAR is poised to gather will have a major impact on how global communities and stakeholders improve infrastructure, prepare for and recover from natural disasters, and maintain food security.”</p>



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



<p>This reflector is the largest ever deployed for a NASA Earth science mission. </p>



<p>It’s built to handle two powerful radar systems at once: an L-band radar that can see through clouds and trees, and an S-band radar that’s better at detecting changes in light vegetation and wet snow. The reflector is essential to both.</p>



<p>“This is the largest antenna reflector ever deployed for a NASA mission, and we were of course eager to see the deployment go well. It’s a critical part of the NISAR Earth science mission and has taken years to design, develop, and test to be ready for this big day,” said Phil Barela, NISAR project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JPL</a>). </p>



<p>“Now that we’ve launched, we are focusing on fine-tuning it to begin delivering transformative science by late fall of this year.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-antenna-opened-in-orbit">How the antenna opened in orbit</h2>



<p>The reflector weighs around 142 pounds and is built from 123 composite struts and a gold-plated wire mesh. </p>



<p>On August 9, the satellite's boom began unfolding, one joint at a time. Four days later, it was fully extended. The reflector assembly, attached to the end of the boom, was next.</p>



<p>On August 15, small explosive bolts fired to release the reflector. This kicked off the "bloom" - a gradual unfurling that relied on tension built up in the frame while it was stowed. Motors and cables then pulled it into its final locked position.</p>



<p>To image <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biomass-satellite-mission-sends-first-images-of-earths-most-extreme-environments/">Earth's changing landscape</a> at about 30-foot resolution, the antenna had to be big - about the width of a school bus. Without synthetic aperture radar (SAR), the same level of detail would require a traditional antenna nearly 12 miles long.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-lens-on-earth-s-surface">A new lens on Earth’s surface</h2>



<p>“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radar-imaging-will-help-protect-polar-bears-from-human-disturbances/">Synthetic aperture radar</a>, in principle, works like the lens of a camera, which focuses light to make a sharp image. The size of the lens, called the aperture, determines the sharpness of the image,” explained Paul Rosen, NISAR’s project scientist at JPL. </p>



<p>“Without SAR, spaceborne radars could generate data, but the resolution would be too rough to be useful. With SAR, NISAR will be able to generate high-resolution imagery." </p>



<p>Using special interferometric techniques that compare images over time, NISAR enables researchers and data users to create 3D movies of changes happening on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-model-reveals-the-evolution-of-the-earths-surface/">Earth’s surface</a>.</p>



<p>NISAR builds on decades of radar research. It follows earlier missions from JPL, including Seasat in 1978 and Magellan in the 1990s, which mapped the surface of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/venus-secret-past-may-have-implications-for-earths-future/">Venus</a>. But this is the first time two SAR systems have flown together on a single Earth science satellite.</p>



<p>The technology has come a long way, and the stakes are real. </p>



<p>NISAR isn’t just about pretty pictures from space. It’s about tracking the changes happening on our planet - shifting ice, sinking coastlines, moving fault lines - so we can respond faster, plan smarter, and understand the systems we all depend on to live, grow food, and stay safe.</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/7fvTqm8Lt2U
</div></figure>



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NISAR satellite unfurls antenna in orbit, set to begin unprecedented Earth imaging mission

The NISAR mission - short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar...

<p>Two weeks ago, 43 endangered Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs took to the skies in a helicopter from the Oakland Zoo. A team transported them to their new home in the high country of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The zoo has now successfully translocated its 1,000th frog to its mountain home. This marks a milestone for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs and the zoo.</p>



<p>This high-profile release is the latest chapter in a long fight to save the species.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-yellow-legged-frogs-disappeared">How yellow-legged frogs disappeared </h2>



<p>The Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs (<em><a href="https://www.fws.gov/species/sierra-nevada-yellow-legged-frog-rana-sierrae" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rana sierrae</a></em>), also called yellow-legged frogs, used to be common across California’s alpine lakes and streams. Keeping insect populations balanced and feeding predators like birds and snakes. </p>



<p>Non-native trout introduced in the late 1800s were the first blow to this native species. The trout ate the tadpoles in large numbers. </p>



<p>Having always lived in fishless lakes, the tadpoles were defenseless. Then the frogs faced more threats because of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-species-act-faces-its-biggest-legal-shift-in-decades/">habitat destruction</a>.</p>



<p>The final blow was the devastating <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-020-0335-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chytrid fungus</a> (<em>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</em>, or Bd). Succumbing to it, their population crashed by more than 90% in a decade. </p>



<p>Young frogs fresh after their tadpole stage (called metamorphs) are most susceptible to this fungus.</p>



<p>“Yellow-legged frogs once were a keystone species in high-elevation lakes, but chytrid and other factors reduced their populations significantly,” the Oakland Zoo stated in a <a href="https://www.oaklandzoo.org/news/1000th-frog-release" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release</a>.</p>



<p>Conservationists feared the endangered species would vanish. But they rolled up their sleeves and went to work. Now the tide is turning through years of sheer persistence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-taming-of-a-lethal-fungus">The taming of a lethal fungus</h2>



<p>Researchers got together as part of the High Mountain Lakes Project. It is a collaboration between UC Santa Barbara (<a href="https://www.ucsb.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCSB</a>), the Oakland Zoo, and others. </p>



<p>Pooling their resources, they studied the chytrid fungus and its effects on frogs. They identified skin peptides and beneficial bacteria that have antifungal properties.</p>



<p>The UCSB researchers developed a trick to improve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frog-saunas-hot-solution-to-fighting-global-amphibian-extinction-apocalypse/">frog immunity</a>. At the zoo, the frogs are exposed to a controlled dose of the chytrid fungus to train their immune systems. </p>



<p>Then, they undergo treatment with antifungal baths. This immune “training” gives the frogs a better chance of fighting the fungus. It’s the trick that prepares the frogs for the wild.</p>



<p>The zoo staff know each frog; they pit tag, weigh, measure, and swab every frog and keep a record.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-rays-of-hope-in-yosemite">First rays of hope in Yosemite</h2>



<p>Scientists found that some frog populations were naturally resistant to the deadly fungus. These frogs were all Bd-positive, indicating that they had the fungal infection. But they continued to thrive. This finding was the beginning of a meticulous reintroduction plan. </p>



<p>Researchers collected adult Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs from three large, naturally recovering populations. Then, they relocated the frogs to 12 suitable, empty <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-save-native-turtles-by-removing-thousands-of-bullfrogs/">lake habitats in Yosemite</a> between 2006 to 2020.</p>



<p>Their long-term observations changed the outlook for the survival of these frogs in the wild. Of the 12 reintroduced populations, nine reproduced successfully - a 75 percent success rate.</p>



<p>The transplanted frogs kept low-to-moderate fungal loads even in new habitats. Just low enough to avoid severe fungal disease and death. </p>



<p>This showed that the resistance was built into the frogs’ genetic makeup. Therefore, it would pass on to their offspring. </p>



<p>Additionally, resilience could persist across different locations and did not hinge on environmental characteristics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yellow-legged-frog-survival-rates">Yellow-legged frog survival rates</h2>



<p>The full-scale study on the reintroduction of frogs in Yosemite reported that many factors influence frog survival. The study published in <em>Nature Communications</em>, led by Roland D. Knapp, Ph.D., from UCSB, found indicators that improve the survival of the frogs. </p>



<p>Surviving the first year was a powerful predictor of long-term persistence. If 50% of frogs survive their first year, the population often remains stable for decades, according to their model.</p>



<p>Notably, Bd load at the time of release did not predict survival. The frogs survived despite carrying a fungal load because of their inherent resistance. Therefore, choosing a resilient donor population was critical.</p>



<p>Where the scientists release frogs mattered as much as the frogs’ resistance. Sites with overwintering refuges, like submerged boulders, improved survival rates. </p>



<p>These protected the frogs from the cold. Chances of survival also improved if the winter was less severe a year after release. </p>



<p>These suitable sites are not easy to reach, however. The conservationists hiked to remote areas or used helicopters to keep track of the reintroduced frogs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yellow-legged-frogs-have-friends-for-life">Yellow-legged frogs have friends for life</h2>



<p>Even after reintroduction, the conservationists continue to be the frogs’ friends. Field teams conduct capture-mark-recapture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-scale-wildlife-surveys-can-reveal-the-health-of-entire-ecosystems/">surveys</a> to track individual frogs during the summer months. They also look for the juveniles and tadpoles to count them.</p>



<p>The pit tags identify the reintroduced frogs, acting like microchips on pets. Researchers capture the adult frogs in a hand-held net. They test the captured frogs for Bd, then measure their size and weight before releasing them.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The rise in population can be tracked with “new recruits”. They are the progeny of the translocated frogs. Researchers tag them after their first capture.</p>



<p>Keeping track is critical to keep the frogs safe in their new home. If an outbreak occurs, a quick reaction is the only way to prevent the fungus from wiping them out. </p>



<p>This is where the Oakland Zoo’s Rapid Response team comes in. They can mobilize within days to treat the frogs in the wild.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-a-keystone-species">Saving a keystone species</h2>



<p>Yellow-legged frogs once anchored Sierra Nevada alpine ecosystems, controlling insects and supporting predators. Their disappearance disrupted those systems. Reintroducing them helps repair the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reintroducing-wolves-could-help-scotland-fight-climate-change/">ecosystem</a>.</p>



<p>Challenges still stand in the way. Metamorphs, the young adults, remain highly vulnerable to Bd, slowing the growth of adult populations. </p>



<p>Genetic monitoring is critical to enhance diversity in reintroduced populations. Future efforts may use selective breeding to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10668650/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strengthen resistance</a> even further. For now, the Sequoia and Kings Canyon release offers a clear sign of progress. </p>



<p>Samantha Sammons is the Oakland Zoo’s wildlife recovery program manager. “We need to keep this movement going to make sure that these frogs don’t disappear again,” said Sammons, calling the event “a major milestone.” </p>



<p>Conservationists are giving the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs a real chance at recovery. If these efforts succeed, the chorus of frogs may once again echo across California’s mountain lakes - a sign of restored ecosystems.</p>



<p>The full study was published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53608-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs reintroduced in landmark event

Two weeks ago, 43 endangered Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs took...

<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>



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



<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

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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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