On September 29, 2024, something unusual happened in our cosmic neighborhood. Earth captured a tiny asteroid named 2024 PT5, turning it into a temporary mini-moon. 



That's right... as of today, November 2, 2024, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/its-official-earth-now-has-two-moons-captured-asteroid-2024-pt5/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth has two moons</a>.



Richard Binzel, an astronomer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.mit.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>), shed some light on these fleeting celestial companions.



"These happen more often than we think, but they're small and tough to spot," Binzel explained. "Only lately have our telescopes become powerful enough to catch them regularly."



Back in August, a team of astronomers from the <a href="https://www.ucm.es/english" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Complutense University</a> of Madrid detected the small space rock using a powerful telescope in Sutherland, South Africa.



They weren't the only ones keeping an eye on it. The asteroid was first noticed on August 7, 2024 by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (<a href="https://atlas.fallingstar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ATLAS</a>) at Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii.



This discovery sparked excitement among astronomers, offering a chance to learn more about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-test-simulation-shows-earth-not-prepared-prevent-large-asteroid-strike/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">near-Earth objects</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-exactly-is-2024-pt5">What exactly is 2024 PT5?</h2>



Earth occasionally captures small asteroids like 2024 PT5, placing them into temporary orbits around our planet. 



While most asteroids circle the sun on their regular paths, some venture close enough for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-global-electric-field-discovered-equally-important-gravity-magnetic-fields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's gravity</a> to snatch them up for a brief visit.



These cosmic visitors only stay in Earth's orbit for a short time -- typically a few weeks or months -- before breaking free and resuming their solar journey.



Each mini-moon gives scientists a rare opportunity to examine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/27500-hidden-near-earth-asteroids-discovered-using-google-cloud/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">near-Earth asteroids</a> up close, revealing valuable insights about our solar system's mechanics.



So, what makes this asteroid special, aside from the fact that new technology and the internet made it famous? 



William Blackmore, Planetarium Director and Astronomy Instructor at <a href="https://www.mhcc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mt. Hood Community College</a>, offered his thoughts.



"All mini-moons are unique in their own way," Blackmore explained. "This one isn't different from others except that it's the most recent.”



2024 PT5 will be around for about two more weeks, probably until mid-November.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comparing-2024-pt5-to-our-moon">Comparing 2024 PT5 to our moon</h2>



Let's compare our moon to this new mini-moon: 2024 PT5 is only about 37 feet across, while our familiar moon stretches a massive 2,159 miles in diameter. That makes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-earth-get-its-moon-a-new-theory-has-emerged/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our moon</a> over 300,000 times wider than this tiny asteroid.



Knowing it’s up there is pretty exciting, even though we can't see it for ourselves without an invitation to a huge Earth telescope installation.



“These temporary captures are natural cosmic laboratories,” Binzel mentioned. “They help us understand the small bodies that come close to Earth and could be important for future space missions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-asteroid-2024-pt5-became-famous">How Asteroid 2024 PT5 became famous</h2>



Understanding how 2024 PT5 became Earth's temporary moon involves a bit of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/finding-order-in-the-chaos-of-the-three-body-problem/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orbital mechanics</a>. 



Blackmore explained, "It's moving along with us in our orbit around the sun. It's part of a group of asteroids called the Arjuna asteroids, which move at about the same pace as Earth."



He added an interesting analogy: "Imagine a skateboarder dropping into a skate park. They ride the curves, adding energy as they go. That's like the asteroid getting caught in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dart-mission-debris-will-create-a-human-made-meteor-shower/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's gravitational field</a>, riding the curve before moving on."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-spotting-mini-moons">Significance of spotting mini-moons</h2>



Spotting mini-moons is tough because they're incredibly small and faint. These tiny asteroids are often just a few dozen feet across, which means they don't reflect much sunlight. That makes them nearly invisible against the dark backdrop of space.



Plus, they're zipping around at high speeds and don't hang around for long, so by the time we point our telescopes their way, they might already be gone. 



It's like trying to catch a glimpse of a firefly from miles away -- you need the right conditions and equipment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-high-tech-telescopes">Modern high-tech telescopes</h2>



Astronomers find them by using powerful telescopes equipped with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gaia-reveals-moons-around-hundreds-of-asteroids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensitive detectors and smart software</a>.



Projects like the ATLAS system scan the skies every night, searching for any objects that weren't there before. 



When they spot something moving in a way that suggests it's close to Earth, they alert other astronomers to help confirm the find. 



It's a collaborative effort, combining technology and teamwork to spot these elusive cosmic visitors.



Knowing more about these temporary moons helps us prepare for any potential asteroid threats and opens up possibilities for mining resources from near-Earth objects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-in-observing-2024-pt5">Challenges in observing 2024 PT5</h2>



For those eager to see this mini-moon, both experts warned that it would be extremely difficult. "You'd need a telescope with a diameter of at least 30 inches," Blackmore mentioned. "That's beyond what most amateur astronomers have."



Todd agreed, adding, "It won't be visible to the naked eye. Being 33 feet wide and so far away, you'd need a very large telescope."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



While 2024 PT5 doesn't pose any threat to Earth, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-there-a-fifth-force-of-nature-asteroids-provide-new-clues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studying it is crucial</a>. 



"It's important to analyze how it moves and interacts with Earth's gravitational pull," Blackmore said. "This helps us refine our techniques for tracking objects that could cross our path again."



Todd highlighted the practical applications of this knowledge. 



"We need to understand how to intercept an asteroid at a distance and change its direction," he said. "This could be vital in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-dart-mission-proves-humanity-can-be-saved-from-asteroid-collision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preventing potential impacts</a> in the future."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inspiration-for-future-space-missions">Inspiration for future space missions</h2>



Blackmore envisioned future missions that could take advantage of these temporary visitors. 



"It would be fascinating if we had missions ready to send small satellites or probes to these objects when they come close," he mused. "Imagine building a network of sensors or cameras traveling along with us, like space webcams."



Todd also saw <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-named-psyche-is-worth-10000-quadrillion-for-whoever-can-extract-minerals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential in asteroid mining</a> and scientific discovery. 



"There might be materials on these asteroids that we can't find on Earth," he said. "They could solve problems in medicine or technology. But we need to weigh the benefits carefully."



To sum it all up, the brief visit of asteroid 2024 PT5 serves as a reminder of the dynamic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-in-asteroids-were-formed-in-cold-regions-of-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature of our solar system</a>. 



While it won't be with us for long -- just a couple more weeks -- its presence offers valuable opportunities for learning and exploration.



As technology advances, we'll likely spot more of these mini-moons. Each one gives us a chance to understand our cosmic environment better and prepare for the future. 



So even though you'll never see it, you might want to spare a moment of your time and stop to appreciate 2024 PT5 while you still can.



The full study was published in the&nbsp;<a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2515-5172/ad781f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">journal IOPscience</a>.



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Earth's second moon, a mini-moon, will drift away in a few days and never return

On September 29, 2024, something unusual happened in our cosmic neighborhood. Earth captured a tiny asteroid named 2024 PT5, turning it into a temporary mini-moon. That's right... as of today, November 2, 2024, Earth has two moons. Richard Binzel, an astronomer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), shed some light on these fleeting celestial companions. "These happen more often than we think, but they're small and tough to spot," Binzel explained. "Only lately have our telescopes become powerful enough to catch them regularly." Back in August,...

Have you ever wondered why the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth is warming</a> at an alarming rate? The answer lies right under our noses - climate change, a phenomenon that scientists worldwide have been battling against. A recent study from <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH Zurich</a> presents insights into our planet's climatic past, offering a unique perspective on the effects of warming today.



The research was led by Earth scientists at ETH Zurich. The team collaborated with eminent institutions, including the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a>, <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a>, CNRS Toulouse, and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-past-and-climate-change">Earth's past and climate change</h2>



Earth's geological history is complex, with major events like volcanic eruptions that changed landscapes and released ash and gas into the atmosphere.



These eruptions often led to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-earths-hottest-day-ever-was-recorded-on-july-22-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quick climate warming</a>, affecting ecosystems and life. Mass extinctions, like the one that killed the dinosaurs, were key moments that changed evolution and allowed new species to develop.



These periods of enhanced volcanic activity altered the carbon-climate regulation systems for millions of years. As if Earth's fiery turmoil wasn't enough, the changing vegetation further shifted the planet's climatic equilibrium, leaving an indelible mark on Earth's geological narrative.



"The Siberian Traps event released some 40,000 gigatons of carbon over 200,000 years. The resulting increase in global average temperatures between 5 - 10°C caused Earth’s most severe extinction event in the geologic record,” noted Professor Taras Gerya from ETH Zurich, a seasoned veteran in the field.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surviving-thriving-or-dying">Surviving, thriving, or dying</h2>



Unsurprisingly, nature has had to adapt to these climatic changes. However, some species simply didn't have the luxury of time to adapt to the steadily increasing temperatures.&nbsp;



“The recovery of vegetation from the Siberian Traps event took several millions of years and during this time Earth’s carbon-climate regulation system would have been weak and inefficient resulting in long-term climate warming,” explained study lead author Julian Rogger of ETH Zurich.



According to the study, the severity of such climatic turmoil relies on the rapid sequestration of emitted carbon back into Earth's interior, either through silicate mineral weathering or organic carbon production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-lessons-from-earths-past">Climate lessons from Earths past </h2>



The historical data from Earth's climate reveals that resilience and adaptation are not merely choices but necessities for survival.&nbsp;



The drastic shifts during previous warming periods serve as a warning, portraying the potential consequences of inaction in the face of current climate crises. Learning from the past enables us to develop robust strategies for resilience not just in plant life but across ecosystems.&nbsp;



As communities and nations grapple with climate challenges, integrating historical climate insights into modern policymaking will be essential.&nbsp;



Understanding how previous species thrived or perished can guide contemporary efforts in conservation and environmental management, ensuring that we take informed steps towards a sustainable future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-era-of-earth-s-climate-crisis">New era of Earth's climate crisis</h2>



So, what does the past have to say about our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-make-your-hometown-feel-like-somewhere-else/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">current climate crisis</a>? Essentially, the disruption of vegetation contributes significantly to the duration and severity of climate warming. The study reveals that an impaired ability of vegetation to regulate Earth's carbon cycle may take millions of years to reach a new stable climatic equilibrium.



“Today, we find ourselves in a major global bioclimatic crisis,” said Professor Loïc Pellissier of ETH Zurich and <a href="https://www.wsl.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WSL</a>. 



“Our study demonstrates the role of a functioning of vegetation to recover from abrupt climatic changes. We are currently releasing greenhouse gases at a faster rate than any previous volcanic event. We are also the primary cause of global deforestation, which strongly reduces the ability of natural ecosystems to regulate the climate. This study, in my perspective, serves as ‘wake-up call’ for the global community.”



This is indeed a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-still-prevent-critical-climate-tipping-points/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wake-up call for humanity</a>. Now, the question is, how will we respond? Will we continue on our current path, risking the destruction of our planet, or will we rise to the occasion, making changes to ensure a livable world for future generations?



The clock is ticking, and unlike plant species millions of years ago, we might not have the luxury of time to adapt.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adn3450" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Plants needed millions of years to recover from past climate warming

Have you ever wondered why the Earth is warming at...

Life can sure feel heavy at times, right? But what if a diet change could lighten that load? Recent findings from a diligent team at <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a>, State University of New York (<a href="https://www.suny.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUNY</a>) suggests that Mediterranean diet reduces perceived stress, promoting mental and physical health.



This isn't some casual presumption. It's a conclusion drawn from a meticulously conducted comparison of Mediterranean and Western diets and their impact on stress perceptions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mediterranean-diet-for-stress">Mediterranean diet for stress</h2>



Driving this exploration is Lina Begdache, an esteemed associate professor of health and wellness studies at Binghamton University. She's been deeply invested in uncovering the effects of various elements on our wellbeing, particularly our mental health.



Begdache and her team delved into whether embracing a Mediterranean diet – plates brimming with fruits, veggies, whole grains, and healthful fats – could alter how people perceive their stress. 



The researchers found that consuming Mediterranean diet staples is tied to lower levels of perceived stress and mental distress.



This Mediterranean approach isn't all about chowing down; it represents a balanced lifestyle teeming with variety and top-notch nourishment. In stark contrast stands the typical Western diet, laden with processed and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unhealthy-diet-leaves-brain-feeling-foggy-frazzled-sad/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high-glycemic foods</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diet-stress-nexus">Diet-stress nexus</h2>



Stress is a global experience, isn't it? However, your perception of stress can significantly affect your mental and physical health.



“Stress is recognized to be a precursor to mental distress, and research, including our own, has demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet lowers mental distress,” Begdache said. 



“Thus, one element of the puzzle may be explained by the fact that the Mediterranean diet may be associated with a decrease in the negative components of perceived stress and an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-diet-keeps-the-brain-sharp-even-in-old-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improvement in its positive attributes</a>.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



How did Begdache and her team arrive at this conclusion? They conducted a survey with over 1,500 participants, probing their food habits and measuring their stress levels. 



Post crunching the data with a machine learning model, it became evident that the components of the Mediterranean diet were associated with lower stress and mental distress levels. Conversely, the typical Western diet seemed to be tied to heightened stress and mental distress experiences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adopting-a-balanced-lifestyle">Adopting a balanced lifestyle</h2>



Embracing the Mediterranean diet doesn't just dampen stress - it's linked to a smorgasbord of health perks. Research suggests this diet can minimize the risk of chronic diseases like heart conditions, diabetes, and certain cancers.



Additionally, the focus on whole foods and healthy fats boosts cognitive functioning, potentially lowering depression risks. By remolding our diet, we can cultivate a lifestyle that champions physical and mental well-being, creating a sturdy foundation for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-diet-may-be-a-fountain-of-youth-for-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comprehensive health</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pivot-to-the-mediterranean-diet">Pivot to the Mediterranean diet</h2>



Shifting to the Mediterranean diet does not have to be overwhelming. You can start by including more fruits and vegetables in your meals; aim for an array of colorful produce.



Opt for whole grains like quinoa, barley, and brown rice over refined versions. Infuse healthy fats, such as olive oil, nuts, and avocados, while cutting down on processed foods and sugars. 



Play with herbs and spices for flavor in lieu of salt, and remember to share your joyful meals with loved ones. These manageable steps can drive you towards a healthier lifestyle and possibly curtail stress in the bargain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-food-affect-our-stress-levels">How does food affect our stress levels?</h2>



Begdache noted that this study bridges a vital gap in the field. Although plenty of studies scrutinize how stress influences our dietary choices, scant research investigates how food can affect our stress levels.



Her team continues to probe various aspects of brain function, behaviors, and dietary trends, eager to unearth more correlations and health advantages.



The next time you're drawn to a doughnut or a packet of chips in a stressful moment, why not consider a fresh fruit salad or a handful of nuts instead? 



Switching from a Western diet to a Mediterranean approach might be just the trick to managing stress more effectively. Isn't it heartening to realize that your next meal could be a stride towards a less stressful existence?



Remember, stress does not have to rule your life. So, are you primed for a dietary shift to lead a healthier, more cheerful life? The decision is entirely up to you.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02601060241263375" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nutrition and Health</a>.



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Mediterranean diet: A delicious way to manage stress

Life can sure feel heavy at times, right? But what...

Have you ever wondered how large crowds dance in perfect unison at concerts or how everyone seems to move to the same rhythm in nightclubs? The secret to synchronized dance movements, according to a new study, is quite simple: bouncing.



The research, coming from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (<a href="https://www.iit.it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IIT</a>), or the Italian Institute of Technology in Rome, has unearthed a fascinating fact.



Bouncing, a basic movement, has been identified as a key factor facilitating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/classical-music-can-synchronize-the-heartbeats-of-strangers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synchronization</a> among people dancing together. 



This intriguing discovery might be tied to the bouncing movement that humans experience as infants, linked to the rhythm of a mother's walk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-drives-synchronized-dancing">What drives synchronized dancing?</h2>



The study, led by Giacomo Novembre of the Center for Life Nano- &amp; Neuro-Science of IIT in Rome, engaged 35 pairs of individuals. Each pair was asked to dance spontaneously while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/listening-to-music-makes-medication-more-effective/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">listening to music</a> under various conditions.



The participants listened to the same or different tunes through earphones while maintaining or avoiding eye contact. 



The focus was to understand what drives people to synchronize their dance movements: the sight of their partner, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-find-cultural-differences-in-how-we-interpret-rhythm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rhythm</a> of the music, or both. 



The findings of this intriguing research were published in the international journal Current Biology.



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



The participants engaged in a "silent disco" mode, standing a few meters apart on their designated spaces. 



Their movements were meticulously recorded via wearable markers on the main joints, providing data for a sophisticated optical motion capture system equipped with infrared cameras.



The researchers used a fully data-driven algorithm to decompose complex dance movements into 15 distinct "dance steps," explaining over 95% of recorded movements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-and-partner-driven-dance-movements">Music and partner-driven dance movements</h2>



The study identified two main ways to synchronize in dance: "music-driven" and "partner-driven." The former involves synchronization based on the rhythm of the music, regardless of the partner's movements.



Conversely, the partner-driven mode refers to synchronizing movements solely based on observing the partner’s movement.



According to the research, both modes can coexist and even work simultaneously without interference, leading to the fascinating phenomena observed in group dances. 



The music-driven synchrony often incorporates anterior-posterior movements, while the partner-driven synchrony includes lateral movements common in face-to-face dances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-universal-dance-step-bouncing">Universal dance step: Bouncing</h2>



Among all the dance steps observed, one unique movement stood out: bouncing. This movement involves jumping up and down repeatedly in tune to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-activity-reveals-connection-between-music-and-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a>. The universality of this movement lies in its ability to synchronize through both channels - music and partner.



Interestingly, bounce movement was found to be amplified when the participants could see each other. 



“Vertical movements such as bounce are the most effective for achieving synchronization with other people, through both visual and auditory modes," noted Giacomo Novembre, the principal investigator.



The unique role of the bounce in rhythmic coordination might stem from early human life. As infants, the rhythm of their mother's walk is one of the first experiences of synchronized movement. 



This notion is supported by study first author Felix Thomas Bigand, a postdoctoral researcher at IIT in Rome. Bigand suggests that bounce and locomotion, which are among the first isochronous signals experienced by humans, could be the fundamental elements facilitating synchronization in dance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-context-and-synchronized-dancing">Social context and synchronized dancing</h2>



In addition to physical movements and music, social context plays a significant role in how individuals synchronize their dance. Research indicates that emotional connection and social bonding can enhance the synchronization experience.



When dancers share a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/positivity-and-emotional-awareness-can-add-years-to-your-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">positive emotional state</a>, whether through laughter, shared enjoyment of the music, or mutual encouragement, their ability to synchronize improves significantly.



As dance continues to evolve across cultures and settings, understanding the interplay between movement, music, and social dynamics will be crucial. 



This knowledge not only enriches our appreciation of dance as an art form but also highlights its potential as a tool for social cohesion and emotional expression. 



The study of dance synchronization opens doors to exploring how humans connect with one another, making every dance floor a stage for both individual expression and collective harmony.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982224006985" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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The secret to synchronized dance movements

Have you ever wondered how large crowds dance in perfect...

In what can only be described as a herculean accomplishment, a team of scientists has succeeded in bringing to the surface a long, 1,268-meter section of rocks from the Earth's Mantle. This layer, hidden beneath the crust, forms the largest chunk of our planet.



The insights gained from this discovery open doors to a profound understanding of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-inner-core-rotation-has-begun-moving-backwards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet's inner workings</a>, offering a peek into life's origins, the causes behind volcanic activities, and the global cycles of elements vital to our existence such as carbon and hydrogen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-earth-s-interior">Understanding Earth's interior</h2>



The Earth is composed of four <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ringwoodite-mineral-confirms-vast-ocean-exists-400-miles-under-earths-crust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primary layers</a>: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. At the surface, we find the crust, which is thin and solid, primarily made of rock, representing the layer where we reside.



Below the crust lies the mantle, a substantial layer of semi-solid rock that flows gradually over time. This dynamic layer is crucial, as it drives the movement of tectonic plates, resulting in earthquakes and volcanic activity.



Delving deeper, the outer core consists of liquid metal, predominantly iron and nickel, and is responsible for generating Earth's magnetic field through its movements.



At the very center, we encounter <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-inner-core-rotation-is-slowing-down-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the inner core</a> -- a dense, solid sphere of iron and nickel. Despite enduring extreme heat, the extraordinary pressure keeps this inner core solid.



Each layer not only contributes to the structure of our planet but also plays a vital role in processes that shape our environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-achievement">Unprecedented achievement</h2>



At the forefront of this remarkable feat is Professor Johan Lissenberg from Cardiff University’s <a href="https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/earth-environmental-sciences" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Earth and Environmental Sciences</a>.



The mantle rocks were procured from a tectonic window on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge during Expedition 399 of the JOIDES Resolution, appropriately titled “Building Blocks of Life, Atlantis Massif,” in spring of 2023.



This accomplishment marks an epoch in Earth sciences. The international team, operating under the International Ocean Discovery Program (<a href="https://www.iodp.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IODP</a>), has secured these ancient rocks for detailed analysis. They will now serve as keys to our understanding of Earth's geological and biological history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deciphering-the-many-layers-of-earth-s-mantle">Deciphering the many layers of Earth's mantle</h2>



The rock samples are far from ordinary. Their unique makeup reveals secrets of processes that took place as these rocks ascended from the deep recesses of the Earth to the surface.



Professor Lissenberg notes, "Our study begins to look at the composition of the mantle by documenting the mineralogy of the recovered rocks, as well as their chemical makeup."



Interestingly, they contain less of the mineral pyroxene and more magnesium than anticipated. This points to the mantle undergoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mantle-heat-shaped-earths-crust-3-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">considerably more melting</a> than previously believed, which in turn, helps explain how magma forms and eventually leads to volcanic eruptions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-earth-s-mantle-to-volcanic-eruptions">From Earth's mantle to volcanic eruptions</h2>



Pathways discovered within these rock samples indicate the routes magma took towards the Earth's surface. 



These revelations underscore a better understanding of how magma originates in the mantle, moves upwards, and eventually powers volcanic eruptions.



"This is important because it tells us how the mantle melts and feeds volcanoes, particularly those on the ocean floor that account for the majority of volcanism on Earth," explains Professor Lissenberg.



Understanding this interplay between mantle melting and volcanic activity is a critical piece in Earth's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/theia-ancient-planet-buried-inside-of-earth-may-be-the-origin-of-our-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geological puzzle</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foothold-on-the-origins-of-life">Foothold on the origins of life</h2>



The mantle rocks offer key insights not just into geological processes, but also into how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/luca-universal-ancestor-to-all-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life on Earth might have originated</a>.



The mineral olivine, abundant in mantle rocks, reacts with seawater to produce hydrogen and other molecules – a process potentially fundamental to the creation of early life conditions.



Dr. Susan Q. Lang from the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</a> underscores the importance of this breakthrough.



"The rocks that were present on early Earth bear a closer resemblance to those we retrieved during this expedition than the more common rocks that make up our continents today," she shares.



This discovery offers a glimpse into conditions billions of years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-exploration-of-earth-s-mantle-layer">Further exploration of Earth's mantle layer</h2>



The journey of the Expedition 399 team is far from complete. The international group, comprised of more than 30 scientists, will continue to examine the mantle samples to unravel a myriad of scientific mysteries.



Dr. Andrew McCaig, the co-chief scientist of the expedition from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a>, sheds light on the extensive implications of this research.



"Our new deep hole will be a type section for decades to come in disciplines as diverse as melting processes in the mantle, chemical exchange between rocks and the ocean, organic geochemistry, and microbiology," McCaig concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-window-into-the-past-present-and-future">Window into the past, present, and future</h2>



The recovery of mantle rocks from the ocean's depths is not just a landmark scientific achievement; it's a giant leap towards untangling the intricate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/who-is-drilling-a-hole-more-than-30000-feet-deep-in-the-earths-crust-and-why/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mysteries of our planet</a>.



As scientists like Professor Lissenberg, Dr. Lang, Dr. McCaig, and their colleagues continue to delve into the data, they're not just increasing our understanding of Earth; they're also reshaping our perception of our planet and our place within it.



It is awe-inspiring to realize that somewhere, deep beneath our feet, the answers to some of life's grandest questions lay shrouded in mystery.



The team's relentless pursuit of knowledge, their spirit of collaboration, and their unending curiosity serves as a reminder of scientific exploration's endless potential.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp1058" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Record-breaking hole drilled into the Earth’s mantle is a scientific goldmine

In what can only be described as a herculean accomplishment,...

Venturing back in time, a team of dedicated scientists have undertaken the formidable challenge of meticulously recreating the obscure scent worn by none other than the infamous Roman dictator, Julius Caesar.



Known as 'Telinum', this distinctive scent was a highly coveted blend of nature's bounty, meticulously crafted from an array of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-bees-create-perfume-from-flowers-to-attract-females/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowers</a>, fruits, and oils. Astonishingly, the scent even included the sweat of gladiators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pioneers-of-perfumery-romans-and-egyptians">Pioneers of perfumery: Romans and Egyptians</h2>



While the birth of perfume is often attributed to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scent-of-eternity-experts-recreate-the-fragrance-of-egyptian-mummification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Egyptians</a>, who used it extensively for their rituals and medicinal purposes, it was the Romans who perfected the art of perfumery.



Their sophisticated fragrances captured the essence of Roman society, speaking volumes about class distinctions, social status, and personal style.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-smell-of-power-julius-caesar-s-scent">The smell of power: Julius Caesar's scent</h2>



The Roman ruler, who wielded power from 46 to 44 BC, held a close association with a particular fragrance that was integral to his identity. Researchers delved deeply into historical accounts to unravel the components of Caesar's signature scent.



The experts, led by Professor Cenker Atila from <a href="https://www.cumhuriyet.edu.tr/m/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sivas Cumhuriyet University</a>’s Archaeology Department,&nbsp;meticulously referenced ancient writings and works of his contemporaries to compile a comprehensive list of possible ingredients.



The findings revealed that the Telinum perfume likely held an aromatic mix of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-in-the-mint-family-may-help-produce-new-medicines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mint</a>, rose, lemon, bergamot, lavender, jasmine, water lily, violet, oud cedarwood, and amber.



However, the final touch, according to legend, came from a rather unconventional ingredient: the sweat of gladiators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gladiator-sweat-the-unique-ingredient">Gladiator sweat: The unique ingredient</h2>



The inclusion of gladiator sweat held a uniquely high value in Roman society. It carried traces of their blood, skin, dirt, and the olive oil that was smothered on their bodies before they engaged in lethal combat.



This peculiar addition was carefully recreated by scientists from The Scent Culture and Tourism Association (SCTA) using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-that-ancient-rome-smelled-like-patchouli/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patchouli</a>, a flowering plant known for its rich, earthy, and musky scent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-history-to-market-the-fragrance-revival">From history to market: The fragrance revival</h2>



The recreated fragrance is scheduled for release in Turkey, France, and Italy in October. However, the pricing details still remain unreleased.



"What Caesar smelled like, what was in his perfume, where he got his perfume, or who made it for him had always been a matter of great curiosity," noted the researchers.



"The contents of his perfumes have been largely determined by information provided by ancient writers and his close friends."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implication-of-scent-in-ancient-roman-society">Implication of scent in ancient Roman society</h2>



Caesar, who declared himself the dictator over the Roman Republic, utilized his influence to broaden the rule of Rome by invading Great Britain and establishing Cleopatra as the queen of Egypt after defeating Ptolemy’s army in the Battle of the Nile.



The scent preferences among <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2000-year-old-wine-discovered-in-ancient-roman-tomb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient Romans</a> were quite simple. They generally preferred a musty and pungent smell. 



On the other hand, emperors, nobles, priests, and military generals sought sweeter perfumes from overseas or commissioned their local brands, aiming to distinguish themselves from the common masses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-perfume-and-its-ancient-origins">Perfume and its ancient origins</h2>



The tradition of utilizing perfume for ritualistic and medicinal purposes dates back nearly 4,000 years and was first adopted by Egyptians and Mesopotamians, eventually being embraced by the Romans in the first century.



In the end, the dedicated effort to resurrect Julius Caesar's iconic fragrance reveals intriguing insights into the intricate blend of history, culture, and personal aesthetics in ancient Rome, as well as the endless possibilities for the future of fragrance.



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



The study of scent - known as olfactology - explores how our sense of smell influences behavior, memory, and emotion. This ancient sense helps us navigate the world, with olfactory receptors identifying a vast array of scents accurately.



Research shows that certain fragrances evoke powerful memories and emotions, connecting us to past experiences and people.



In perfumery, crafting scents also involves balancing top, middle, and base notes. Top notes provide the initial impression, middle notes form the heart of the fragrance, and base notes leave a lasting impression.



Beyond mere aesthetics, scents have also been linked to physiological effects. For example, lavender is often associated with calming properties, while citrus scents are believed to invigorate the mind.



The significance of scent in both individual experiences and broader societal contexts underscores its enduring role in shaping human interactions and identities throughout history.



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Scientists have recreated Julius Caesar’s signature scent

Venturing back in time, a team of dedicated scientists have...

Growing up, we all learned about Earth's seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. These geographical boundaries have been taught as an integral part of our education system for ages.



However, new research suggests that this long-held belief may not be correct. According to Dr. Jordan Phethean and his dedicated team, we actually have only six continents.



This bold claim comes from a detailed study that looks into the geological processes behind the breakup of the European and North American continents, exploring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-u-s-just-expanded-its-territory-by-a-million-square-kilometers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how these landmasses have evolved</a> over millions of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-continental-shift">New perspective on continental shift</h2>



Dr. Jordan Phethean, the lead author of the study from the <a href="https://www.derby.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Derby</a>, highlights a significant shift in our understanding of tectonic plates.



"The discovery indicates that the North America and Eurasian tectonic plates have not yet actually broken apart, as is traditionally thought to have happened 52 million years ago," explains Dr. Phethean.



Instead, these plates are still stretching and in the process of breaking apart. This ongoing process changes how we perceive the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-lost-mega-plate-pontus-resurfaces-after-160-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">formation and separation</a> of Earth's continents.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iceland-s-connection-to-earth-s-continents">Iceland's connection to Earth's continents</h2>



The study focuses on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/icelands-volcanic-eruptions-may-continue-for-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iceland, a volcanic island</a> nestled between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Traditionally, it has been believed that Iceland emerged around 60 million years ago as a result of the mid-Atlantic ridge.



This tectonic boundary, formed by the North American and Eurasian plates, is thought to have facilitated the rise of a hot mantle plume that ultimately created the island.



However, recent findings challenge this long-standing theory. Researchers, through an extensive analysis of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-volcanic-events-linked-to-the-slowing-of-tectonic-plates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tectonic movements</a> across the African continent, have proposed a captivating idea.



They claim that Iceland, along with the Greenland Iceland Faroes Ridge (<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0012825218305476" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GIFR</a>), contains geological fragments from both European and North American tectonic plates.



This discovery suggests that these regions are not merely isolated landforms; they are interconnected components of a larger continental structure. To describe this newly identified geological feature, the team has coined the term 'Rifted Oceanic Magmatic Plateau' (ROMP).



This term emphasizes the unique composition of the area and highlights the significant implications for our understanding of plate tectonics and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-building-triggered-a-mass-extinction-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geological history</a> of the North Atlantic region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-romp-earth-s-hidden-treasure">The ROMP: Earth’s hidden treasure</h2>



Dr. Phethean draws an intriguing parallel, describing the ROMP as the Earth Science equivalent of finding the Lost City of Atlantis.



"Fragments of lost continent submerged beneath the sea and kilometers of thin lava flows," he explains. By studying the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/african-rift-massive-crack-could-split-the-continent-in-half/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic Afra region in Africa</a> and comparing it to Iceland, the team found striking similarities in their evolution.



If Dr. Phethean's team is correct, the European and North American continents are still in the process of breaking apart. This means that, scientifically speaking, North America and Europe might be considered a single continent of Earth rather than two distinct continents.



While this idea is controversial, it is grounded in meticulous research.



"It is controversial to suggest that the GIFR contains a large amount of continental crust within it, and that the European and North American tectonic plates have perhaps not yet officially broken up," admits Dr. Phethean. Yet, their findings support this bold hypothesis.



The research is still in its conceptual phase. The team plans to explore volcanic rocks in Iceland for more concrete evidence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/supercontinents-101-pannotia-gondwana-and-pangea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient continental crust</a>. 



They are also undertaking plate tectonic modeling and computer simulations to better understand the ROMP formation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-of-earth-s-proto-microcontinent">Discovery of Earth's proto-microcontinent</h2>



This research follows Dr. Phethean's earlier discovery of a new 'proto-microcontinent' between Canada and Greenland. 



Believed to have formed 60 million years ago, this proto-microcontinent is about the size of England, sitting below the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/additional-heat-is-being-transferred-to-the-arctic-ocean-as-the-climate-warms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Davis Strait</a>.



"Rifting and microcontinent formation are ongoing phenomena," says Dr. Phethean.



Understanding these processes helps scientists learn more about how plate tectonics operate. This knowledge can predict where useful resources might be found and how Earth might look millions of years into the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-earth-science">Implications for Earth Science</h2>



Dr. Phethean's work offers new insights into the dynamic nature of our planet. The discovery of the proto-microcontinent and the ROMP has significant implications.



It helps us understand the past, present, and future of Earth's geological activity. It also sheds light on how plate tectonics might have influenced the development of life.



The next steps for Dr. Phethean and his team involve more in-depth studies and advanced modeling techniques. By continuing their research, they aim to provide more evidence and refine our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/argoland-unraveling-the-mysteries-of-a-lost-continent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's geological history</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-continents-are-forever-changing">Earth's continents are forever changing</h2>



In summary, Dr. Phethean's research offers a transformative perspective on our understanding of Earth's continents. 



By revealing ongoing tectonic shifts and the presence of hidden continental fragments, his findings challenge longstanding assumptions and pave the way for new explorations.



This study emphasizes the dynamic nature of our planet and the constant evolution of its geological framework. 



As we explore these revelations further, we not only revise our scientific literature but also broaden our comprehension of the Earth we inhabit.



Dr. Phethean and his team's work serves as a reminder of the countless hidden mysteries our world holds, waiting to be discovered. 



Their continued efforts are set to illuminate both Earth's history and its future, deepening our appreciation for its ever-evolving character.



How might these insights influence our approach to understanding geological processes and their implications for our environment? Stay tuned.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1342937X24001023?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gondwana Research</a>.



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Earth may now have only six continents instead of seven

Growing up, we all learned about Earth's seven continents: Africa,...

Red dwarfs, the most common type of star in our milky way galaxy, are intriguingly small, slow-burning stars with very long life spans. Now, a new study is adding an unexpected twist to the red dwarf narrative involving ultra-violet (UV) radiation. 



In fact, the amount of UV radiation emitted by this class of stars could render any orbiting planets uninhabitable, despite being in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trappist-1-has-seven-earth-like-planets-that-may-support-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"goldilocks" zone</a>. 



Unmasking this cosmic conundrum, researchers from the <a href="https://manoa.hawaii.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hawaiʻi</a> Institute for Astronomy (<a href="https://www.ifa.hawaii.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IfA</a>) step into the spotlight.



The study was led by astronomers Vera Berger and Benjamin J. Shappee and their fellow researchers at IfA. They've pulled back the cosmic curtain to give us a fresh view of these celestial firecrackers, presenting an intriguing, more nuanced narrative.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-dwarf-s-uv-radiation">Red dwarf's UV radiation</h2>



The researchers discovered that red dwarf stars can produce stellar flares emitting far-ultraviolet (far-UV) radiation at levels much higher than previously presumed. 



The million-dollar question is: How does this intense UV radiation from these flares impact the habitability of planets around the red dwarfs?



"Few stars have been thought to generate enough UV radiation through flares to impact planet habitability. Our findings show that many more stars may have this capability," Berger divulges. 



The UV radiation from these potent stellar flares can be both a bane and boon to life-sustaining planets. On the one hand, flares might erode planetary atmospheres, posing a threat. 



Conversely, they can contribute to the formation of essential life-creating RNA building blocks. These are the stakes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galex-space-telescope">GALEX space telescope</h2>



The team scoured archival data from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/galaxy-evolution-explorer-galex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GALEX space telescope</a>, probing for flares among 300,000 nearby stars. 



This now-decommissioned <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> mission captured near-and far-UV wavelengths of most of the sky from 2003 to 2013. 



By harnessing modern computational techniques, the researchers unearthed fascinating insights buried within the heaps of historical data.



"Combining modern computer power with gigabytes of decades-old observations allowed us to search for flares on thousands and thousands of nearby stars," asserts Michael Tucker, a Ph.D. graduate of IfA and now a postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://www.osu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ohio State University</a>.



The research challenges established models of stellar flares and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-earth-discovered-in-the-habitable-zone-of-its-star/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanet habitability</a>. The far-UV emission from flares is, on average, three times more potent than typically projected. It can even surge to twelve times the anticipated energy levels.



"A change of three is the same as the difference in UV in the summer from Anchorage, Alaska to Honolulu, where unprotected skin can get a sunburn in less than 10 minutes," Shappee explains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culprit-behind-red-dwarf-uv-flares">Culprit behind red dwarf UV flares</h2>



The exact factor behind this amplified far-UV emission is still a mystery to the scientists. One possibility could be the concentration of flare radiation at specific wavelengths linked to the presence of atoms like carbon and nitrogen.



Ph.D. candidate at IfA and study co-author Jason Hinkle observes, "This study has changed the picture of the environments around stars less massive than our Sun, which emit very little UV light outside of flares."



Berger, now a Churchill Scholar at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>, concludes that more data from space telescopes is needed to explore the UV light from stars. 



This probing analysis -- of the stars and their emissions -- is crucial for understanding this mystifying UV phenomenon.



And so, the saga of the red dwarfs carries on, bringing us ever closer to unlocking the secrets of these stellar flares and their impact on potential life-hosting planets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-dwarfs-far-uv-and-the-search-for-e-t">Red dwarfs, far-UV, and the search for E.T.</h2>



The revelations surrounding the intense far-UV radiation emitted by red dwarfs compel a re-evaluation of current <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitable-exoplanet-gliese-12-b-only-40-light-years-away-earth-like-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanet</a> habitability models. 



As researchers continue to identify planets within the habitable zones of these stars, the newfound understanding that stellar flares can drastically affect atmospheric integrity is vital. 



It suggests that not all planets orbiting red dwarfs are created equal; some may be more susceptible to atmospheric stripping than others, which can fundamentally alter the potential for life. 



Understanding how far-UV radiation interacts with various planetary atmospheres will be critical for future astronomical surveys and will necessitate a multi-faceted approach that integrates observations of stellar activity, atmospheric composition, and evolutionary models. 



As astronomers advance their quest for extraterrestrial life, these findings highlight the importance of considering the dynamic environment that surrounds potentially habitable planets, ensuring that the search for life goes beyond the classic parameters of distance and planetary conditions.



The next chapter lies in the upcoming sky survey data, ready to provide new insights and deepen our understanding of the universe. The tale of the cosmos unravels, one dwarf star at a time.



This important research stems from Vera Berger's work during the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at IfA, an initiative supported by the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a>.



The study is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/532/4/4436/7725642" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.</a> 



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Planets orbiting common red dwarf stars may not be habitable

Red dwarfs, the most common type of star in our...

If you could live to a ripe old age, but with a youthful spring in your step, would you take the chance? Researchers are now turning that fantasy into a reality. They've devised a treatment for aging that doesn't just add years to your life -- it adds life to your years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-longer-life-but-at-what-cost">Longer life, but at what cost?</h2>



It's a fact of modern life: we're all living longer. Thanks to advancements in medicine and public health, human lifespans have grown incredibly over the last century. 



But there's a catch. These extra years don't always come with good health. Chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease often become unwelcome companions in later life, followed by frailty. 



Most interventions focus on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-anti-aging-drug-interleukin-11-boosts-lifespan-prevents-cancer-gray-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prolonging life</a>, but not necessarily good health, leading to a significant health decline in the last decade of life. In short, no one wants to spend their added years in decrepitude.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-treatment-promises-healthy-aging">New treatment promises healthy aging</h2>



But what if that feeble decline isn't our fate? In their research, published in the August issue of Cell Metabolism, <a href="https://medicine.uconn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Connecticut School of Medicine</a> gerontologist, Dr. Ming Xu, and his team have shown that this doesn't have to be the case.



Their breakthrough? A new treatment that allowed a group of mice to live 9% longer with monthly treatments -- that's about 79 extra days of energy-filled life for our furry friends.



The treatment involved targeting and removing inflammatory cells from the body.&nbsp;These cells <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/losing-loved-ones-can-speed-up-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contribute to aging</a> and age-related diseases.&nbsp;By eliminating them, researchers were able to extend lifespan and improve overall health.



But the real success wasn't just the extension of life; it was the vitality that came with it. The treated mice showed impressive strength, maintaining their grip and walking speed up to the very end of their lives. 



In human terms, that's like an 80-year-old running around like they've found the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fountain of youth</a>!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-aging-treatment-works">How the aging treatment works</h2>



What sets this research apart is the record-keeping and aging measurements carried out. In contrast to most experiments that select a specific end point in time and measure the effect of the treatment then, Dr. Ming Xu and his collaborators embarked on a longitudinal study. 



They tracked the health, grip strength, and walking speed of the mice from the time they were 20 months old (about 60 in human years) until their death. 



This approach allowed them to assess the physical function and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-secret-ingredient-to-healthy-aging-your-midlife-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overall health</a> changes of each mouse throughout the entire treatment period. 



And here's the exciting part: even though the treated mice were older at their time of death, their physical function and overall frailty were better than the untreated controls. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-very-successful-in-mice">Very successful in mice</h2>



"We are all very excited about this finding," says Dr. Xu. "It demonstrates that we not only extend the lifespan, but indeed extend life with good health in mice, which is a key goal for the aging field."



While the findings from UConn are undoubtedly exciting, further research is necessary to bridge the gap between animal studies and human application. 



Future studies must explore various variables such as dosage, treatment duration, and the effects of this intervention across different ages and genetic backgrounds.



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



The research involved two groups of mice. One received monthly treatments to remove highly inflammatory cells from their tissues, and the other group, kept as a control, did not. 



The cells targeted for removal were those actively expressing a specific gene known as p21. The oldest treated mice lived to be 43 months old -- equivalent to about 130 years in human terms. 



The average treated mouse, meanwhile, lived longer and healthier than an average untreated mouse.



Now, the real question is, can this translate to humans? If it can, it would mean 8 to 10 additional years of healthy old age. 



It's an exciting prospect in the field of aging, and the researchers are currently exploring ways to bring their results to our lives.



Innovative scientific studies like this one give us hope for the future -- hope for a future where aging doesn't equate to frailty, where we can live longer, healthier, and fuller lives.



This intriguing research was primarily supported by the NIH <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute on Aging</a>, American Federation for Aging Research (<a href="https://www.afar.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AFAR</a>), and <a href="https://hevolution.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hevolution Foundation</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Metabolism</a>.



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Monthly aging treatment aims to help you live long and die healthy

If you could live to a ripe old age, but...

The discovery of rare early human fossils on the Indonesian island of Flores, including an extraordinarily small adult limb bone, is providing crucial insights into the evolution of Homo floresiensis, the so-called “Hobbits of Flores.”



The findings, which date back to approximately 700,000 years ago, are detailed in a new study published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50649-7#Sec2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



The remains of Hobbits were first uncovered in 2003 at Liang Bua cave by a team co-led by the late Professor Mike Morwood, an Australian-New Zealand archaeologist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unknown-origins-of-homo-floresiensis">Unknown origins of Homo floresiensis</h2>



Archaeological evidence indicates that these diminutive, small-brained humans inhabited Liang Bua as recently as 50,000 years ago, a period when Homo sapiens were already well-established in Australia to the south.&nbsp;



The origins of the mysterious Homo floresiensis have been widely debated, with initial hypotheses suggesting they were a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hobbit-not-descended-homo-erectus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dwarfed descendant</a> of early Asian Homo erectus. 



Another theory posits that the Hobbit could be a late-surviving remnant of a more ancient, small-statured hominin from Africa, such as Homo habilis or Australopithecus afarensis (the species of the famous 'Lucy').



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hominin-fossil-sites-on-flores">Hominin fossil sites on Flores</h2>



Besides Liang Bua, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-first-arrived-in-europe-1-3-million-years-ago/">hominin fossils</a> on Flores have only been found at Mata Menge, an open-air site located 75 km east of the cave in the So’a Basin's tropical grasslands. 



Previously, this site yielded several hominin fossils, including a jaw fragment and six teeth, from a sandstone layer dating back around 700,000 years. 



These fossils pre-date the Liang Bua hominins by 650,000 years and suggest that small body size evolved early in the history of Flores hominins. 



However, without postcranial elements (bones from below the head), it was unclear if these So’a Basin hominins were as small, or even smaller, than Homo floresiensis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-homo-floresiensis-fossils">Rare Homo floresiensis fossils</h2>



The new study, led by Professor Yousuke Kaifu of the <a href="https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tokyo</a>, Iwan Kurniawan of the Center for Geological Survey in Indonesia, and Professor Gerrit van den Bergh from the <a href="https://www.uow.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wollongong</a>, reports the discovery of three additional hominin fossils from Mata Menge.&nbsp;



This discovery resulted from several seasons of field excavations and includes the first postcranial element - a distal shaft of an adult humerus (the lower half of the upper arm bone, known as LB1).



The recovery of this fossil limb bone is significant as it provides extensive evidence about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-found-in-china-belong-to-a-previously-unknown-human-ancestor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancestral</a> origins of Homo floresiensis. Digital microscopy of the microstructure confirmed that the small humerus belonged to an adult individual.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smallest-upper-arm-bone-in-the-hominin-record">Smallest upper arm bone in the hominin record</h2>



The estimated length of the bone allowed the team to calculate the body height of this hominin to be approximately 100cm, which is around six cm shorter than the estimated height of the 60,000-year-old Homo floresiensis skeleton from Liang Bua (~106cm, based on femoral length).



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/homo-floresiensis_hobbits-of-flores_skeleton_credit-Yousuke-Kaifu_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/homo-floresiensis_hobbits-of-flores_skeleton_credit-Yousuke-Kaifu_1s.webp" alt="The Mata Menge humerus fragment (left) shown at the same scale as the humerus of Homo floresiensis from Liang Bua. Credit: Yousuke Kaifu" class="wp-image-1941063"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Mata Menge humerus fragment (left) shown at the same scale as the humerus of Homo floresiensis from Liang Bua. Credit: Yousuke Kaifu</figcaption></figure>



“This 700,000-year-old adult humerus is not just shorter than that of Homo floresiensis, it is the smallest upper arm bone known from the hominin fossil record worldwide,” said co-author Adam Brumm from the Australian Research Center for Human Evolution at <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/about-griffith/campuses-facilities/nathan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Griffith University</a>.&nbsp;



“This very rare specimen confirms our hypothesis that the ancestors of Homo floresiensis were extremely small in body size; however, it is now apparent from the tiny proportions of this limb bone that the early progenitors of the ‘Hobbit’ were even smaller than we had previously thought.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size-reduction-among-flores-hobbits">Size reduction among Flores Hobbits</h2>



Additionally, the two new hominin teeth from Mata Menge are small in size and one has shape characteristics most consistent with early Homo erectus from Java.&nbsp;



This similarity does not support the hypothesis that Homo floresiensis evolved from a more primitive type of hominin, such as those never recovered from Indonesia or the broader region outside Africa.



The Mata Menge human remains, now totaling 10 fossil specimens from at least four individuals (including two children), are anatomically similar to the Liang Bua Homo floresiensis and can be regarded as an older variant of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-humans-used-to-eat-their-ancestral-relatives-practicing-cannibalism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hominin</a>.&nbsp;



However, this earlier form had less specialized dentition (more primitive teeth) than its descendants at Liang Bua. The diminutive arm bone indicates that significant body size reduction occurred early in the history of the Flores hominins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-history-of-homo-floresiensis">History of Homo floresiensis</h2>



“The evolutionary history of the Flores hominins is still largely unknown,” said Brumm. “However, the new fossils strongly suggest that the ‘Hobbit’ story did indeed begin when a group of the early Asian hominins known as Homo erectus somehow became isolated on this remote Indonesian island, perhaps one million years ago, and underwent a dramatic body size reduction over time.”



The researchers noted that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/homo-naledi-may-have-been-the-first-to-bury-their-dead-200000-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earliest Flores hominins</a> appeared on this Wallacean island ~1.0–1.27 Ma, probably unintentionally (i.e., through accidental “rafting,” perhaps on tsunami debris), and possibly as part of the initial colonization of the Sunda Shelf region by early H. erectus. 



“The Flores hominins experienced substantial body size reduction soon after this event (within ~300,000 years), despite the presence of large-bodied predators such as ~3 meter-long Komodo monitors and crocodiles from the earliest paleontological record ( ~ 1.4 Ma) onwards,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



“This implies that giant reptilians did not represent a serious predation threat for early H. floresiensis or its progenitors.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stable-hominin-body-size-nbsp">Stable hominin body size&nbsp;</h2>



According to the researchers, this early evolutionary event was followed by long-term stability in hominin body size, possibly also in cultural adaptations (e.g., stone technology), and minor morphological specialization in the dentition.



“How the small brain size reported for the ~60,000 years old LB1 evolved still remains unknown," the experts wrote. "At present, however, the available fossil data imply that small body size had been a functional adaptation for these insular hominins during and slightly beyond the Middle Pleistocene and indeed potentially up until the arrival of H. sapiens on Flores around 50,000 years ago; an event that, we suspect, precipitated the demise of H. floresiensis."



This study provides crucial insights into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earliest-humans-were-bipedal-and-could-swing-through-trees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary history</a> of Homo floresiensis, suggesting that these early hominins underwent significant evolutionary changes after becoming isolated on Flores.&nbsp;



The findings highlight the complexity and diversity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-evolution-was-shaped-by-competition-not-just-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human evolution</a>, particularly in isolated environments, and underscore the importance of continued research in the region to further unravel the mysteries of our ancient ancestors.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50649-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



Image credit: Cicero Moraes (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CC BY 4.0</a>)



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Human ancestors called ‘Hobbits’ of Flores were smaller than we imagined

The discovery of rare early human fossils on the Indonesian...

"Choose your friends wisely." This timeless piece of advice usually passed on from generations may seem like mere words of wisdom, but a recent study led by <a href="https://rutgershealth.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutgers Health</a> Professor Jessica E. Salvatore proves that there's actually some solid science and genes behind it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-friends-genes-matters">Your friends' genes matters</h2>



According to the findings of the study, the genetic traits of your high school best friend might have impacted your risk for addiction and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-americans-have-lost-years-of-time-to-poor-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychiatric disorders</a> in your later life. 



"Peers' genetic predispositions for psychiatric and substance use disorders are associated with an individual's own risk of developing the same disorders in young adulthood," explained Professor Salvatore.



What this essentially means is your pals' genes could have determined your own mental health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-genetic-effects">Social genetic effects</h2>



Believe it or not, our genes do not operate in a vacuum. They are influenced by a variety of factors, including the people we hang out with. 



This interaction between a person’s genetic makeup and the genes of their social circle is called socio-genomics, a budding branch of genomics. 



To put this theory to the test, Salvatore and her team delved into a mass of Swedish national data for assessing peer social genetic effects for multiple psychiatric disorders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-the-data">Decoding the data</h2>



An armory of information was available with the researchers, thanks to an anonymous database of over 1.5 million Swedish individuals born in the timeframe between 1980 and 1998. 



By studying patterns in the location, school, and medical and legal records related to substance use and mental health, the experts were able to discern interesting trends.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-friends-genes-and-disorders">Friends, genes, and disorders</h2>



The main objective of the study was to assess whether the genetic predisposition of a peer group could predict the likelihood of members developing substance abuse, major depression, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety disorders in adulthood</a>. This predisposition was gauged using family genetic risk scores.



Even when factors like individual genetic propensities and family socioeconomic factors were taken into account, a clear correlation emerged between peers' genetic predispositions and an individual's chance of developing a disorder.



The implications of the study are profound and reshape our understanding of the onset of psychiatric disorders.



"Peer genetic influences have a very long reach," noted Salvatore. This implies that intervention strategies for such disorders need to extend beyond individual risk and encompass social and network-based aspects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



As the field of socio-genomics expands, there lies a significant opportunity for further exploration into how our genes interact with our social networks. 



The findings of Salvatore's study open the door for additional research, particularly in diverse populations and varied cultural contexts. It is essential to investigate how different lifestyles, community dynamics, and social structures influence genetic predispositions across individual groups. 



By expanding this research, we can gain deeper insights into the mechanisms behind psychiatric disorders and potentially identify novel intervention points that consider the complete human experience - where genetics and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-theory-enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend-proven-by-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social connections</a> weave together.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-questions-than-answers">More questions than answers</h2>



Despite these breakthrough findings, many questions remain unanswered. Salvatore highlights the need for further research to comprehend why these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reconnecting-with-old-friends-is-as-scary-as-making-new-ones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">connections</a> exist. 



“The most obvious explanation for why peers’ genetic predispositions might be associated with our own well-being is the idea our peers’ genetic predispositions influence their phenotype, or the likelihood that peers are also affected by the disorder,” noted Salvatore.



“But in our analysis, we found that peers’ genetic predispositions were associated with target individuals’ likelihood of disorder even after we statistically controlled for whether peers were affected or unaffected.”



Moreover, it is crucial to understand how to best disrupt the long-reaching processes and risks that extend for over a decade after school attendance.



In a nutshell, whether we realize it or not, our friends' genes may have been pulling the strings of our genetic destiny in more ways than we can imagine. It's an intriguing field of study that is yet to reveal all its secrets. 



As the famous poet John Donne once said, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent." And it seems in the light of socio-genomics, we're <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-power-of-diversity-in-friendships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pieces of our friends</a> as well.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.20230358" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Psychiatry</a>.



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How your friends' genes can alter the course of your life

"Choose your friends wisely." This timeless piece of advice usually...

Due to warming sea temperatures and mass coral bleaching events, the Great Barrier Reef is currently facing critical threats that endanger its remarkable ecology, biodiversity and beauty, according to a new study published in journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07672-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>. 



Study lead author Benjamin Henley is an Honorary Fellow at the <a href="https://www.uow.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wollongong</a> (UOW). Along with his team, Henley has reconstructed 400 years of summer sea surface temperatures in Coral Sea. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bleaching-on-the-great-barrier-reef">Bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef</h2>



The investigations revealed that extreme recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-ocean-heating-signals-alarm-for-a-3c-warmer-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean heat</a> has caused significant coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef. This research provides new evidence of ongoing and future impact of rising sea surface temperatures on this ecological jewel of Australia.



Recently, <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/committee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee</a> decided not to list the Great Barrier Reef as in danger. However, Henley and his team argue that - based on their new evidence - the Reef is indeed in peril. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The team combined sea surface temperature reconstructions using geochemical data from coral cores previously collected from the region.&nbsp;



The researchers also analyzed climate model simulations of sea surface temperatures, both with and without the influence of climate change, concluding that anthropogenic climate change is responsible for the rising temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-heat-and-great-barrier-reef-bleaching">Record heat and Great Barrier Reef bleaching</h2>



According to the experts, recent mass bleaching events coincide with five of six hottest years in the new 400-year-long record. Specifically, years 2024, 2017, and 2020 saw Coral Sea reaching 400-year highs. The warmest on record, by a large margin, was 2024. 



Additional significant heat events occurred in 2016, 2004 and 2022. The repeated sequences of mass <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-largest-coral-bleaching-event-is-now-underway/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral bleaching</a> have had devastating effects, severely impacting Great Barrier Reef's unparalleled ecology and biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-death-of-a-natural-wonder">The death of a natural wonder</h2>



“When I plotted the 2024 data point, I had to triple check my calculations – it was off the charts – far above the previous record high in 2017. I could almost not believe it. Tragically, mass coral bleaching has occurred yet again this year,” Henley said.&nbsp;



“In the absence of rapid, coordinated and ambitious global action to combat climate change, we will likely witness the demise of one of Earth’s most spectacular natural wonders.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-great-barrier-reef-faces-catastrophe-nbsp">Great Barrier Reef faces catastrophe&nbsp;</h2>



Professor Helen McGregor, from UOW’s Environmental Futures, and the second author of the study, stressed the need for urgent action to prevent the devastation of one of the world’s most important ecosystems.&nbsp;



“There is no ‘if, but or maybe’ - the ocean temperatures during these bleaching events are unprecedented in the past four centuries,” she reported.&nbsp;



“The Great Barrier Reef is facing catastrophe if anthropogenic climate change is not immediately addressed. The very corals that have lived for hundreds of years and that gave us the data for our study are themselves under serious threat.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-influence-on-the-reef">Human influence on the Reef</h2>



According to Henley, the climate model analysis confirms that human influence on the climate system is responsible for the rapid warming in recent decades.



“Without urgent intervention, our iconic Great Barrier Reef is at risk of near-annual bleaching from high ocean temperatures. The Reef’s fundamental ecological integrity and outstanding universal value are at stake,” said Henley.&nbsp;



According to Henley, immediate action to transition to net zero emissions is necessary. “We have many of the key solutions to stop <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-evidence-that-climate-change-is-caused-by-human-activities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>; what we need is a step change in the level of coordinated national and international action to transition to net zero.



“We can never lose hope. Every fraction of a degree of warming we avoid will lead to a better future for the human and natural systems of our planet. We hope that our study equips policymakers with more evidence to pursue deeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions internationally.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bleaching-on-a-mass-scale-nbsp">Bleaching on a mass scale&nbsp;</h2>



Coral bleaching occurs when stress causes corals to expel the algae that live in their tissue, which provide the corals with their vibrant colors. Without the algae, the coral’s white skeleton is exposed.&nbsp;



Environmental disturbances and declining water quality can lead to bleaching, but recent sea temperature warming has caused bleaching on a mass scale.&nbsp;



Although corals can recover if the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/killing-crown-of-thorns-starfish-cots-could-save-great-barrier-reef/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress trigger</a> is reduced, the Great Barrier Reef has experienced five major mass coral bleaching events since 2016.



The research has broader implications for coral reef systems worldwide, highlighting the link between the long-term trajectory of extreme ocean temperatures and the ecological health and biodiversity of these critical ecosystems.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-">-----</h3>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h--0">-----</h3>

Great Barrier Reef is on the brink of extinction

Due to warming sea temperatures and mass coral bleaching events,...

As we step into a new decade, it's high time we zoom into our children's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeding-children-healthy-diets-can-be-very-challenging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a>, especially their sugary drink intake. Researchers have uncovered a startling fact: children are consuming 23% more sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) now than they did back in 1990.



Behind this significant research is an expert team that vigorously collected and analyzed global dietary data. The team was led by an eminent scientist who is dedicated to understanding dietary patterns and their influence on our health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-children-consuming-sugary-drinks">Children consuming sugary drinks</h2>



“Sugary beverages increase weight gain and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dads-diets-have-a-direct-impact-on-childhood-obesity-rates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risk of obesity</a>, so even though kids don’t often develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease when they are young, there could be significant impacts later in life,” said first author&nbsp;<a href="https://depts.washington.edu/healthms/people/laura-lara-castor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Laura Lara-Castor</a>, a recent graduate of the Friedman School and now a postdoctoral scholar at the <a href="https://www.washington.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a>. 



“This study highlights the need for targeted education and policy interventions to change behavior early on and prevent the adverse outcomes associated with sugar-sweetened beverage intake in childhood.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-numbers">Alarming numbers</h2>



The numbers are indeed chilling. Globally, our children and teenagers are drinking these sugary drinks more and more, showing an average increase of 23% from 1990 to 2018. This trend mirrors a rise in obesity among young individuals in the same period.



Sugary drinks aren't just limited to the traditional soft drinks, they're also those deceptive fruit drinks, energy drinks, punch, and lemonade. Any beverage with added sugars and at least 50 kcal per serving is considered an SSB.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-childrens-sugary-drink-intake-by-region">Childrens' sugary drink intake by region</h2>



When we dive into the geographical details, an interesting picture emerges. Sub-Saharan Africa witnessed the largest increase with an additional 2.17 servings per week.



On the other side of the spectrum, South Asia has the least weekly intake of 1.3 servings. The highest intake? Latin America and the Caribbean, averaging around 9.1 servings.



The study also sheds light on the urban-rural divide. It reveals that children and adolescents who live in cities consume more SSBs than their rural counterparts. Further, the intake is higher among children of parents with higher education levels.



“Our findings should raise alarm bells in nearly every nation worldwide,” said senior author&nbsp;Dariush Mozaffarian, Jean Mayer Professor of Nutrition and director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://tuftsfoodismedicine.org/">Food is Medicine Institute</a>&nbsp;at the Friedman School. “The intakes and trends we’re seeing pose a significant threat to public health, one we can and must address for the future of a healthier population.”



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



Education is vital in influencing children's dietary choices. Studies show that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-sugar-sources-are-key-to-preventing-childhood-obesity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comprehensive nutrition education</a> leads to healthier beverage choices among kids. 



By informing children and their guardians about the impacts of sugar-sweetened beverages, schools and communities can foster healthier lifestyles from an early age.



To combat the rising consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, effective policy interventions are needed at local and national levels. 



Strategies like taxing sugary drinks, regulating marketing to children, and increasing access to healthier options can change public habits. 



Collaboration among governments, healthcare providers, and community organizations is crucial in promoting health consciousness and fostering well-being for future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limiting-children-s-sugary-drink-intake">Limiting children's sugary drink intake</h2>



The researchers emphasize that efforts to control the marketing of SSBs to children and teenagers are crucial. And rightly so, as the study suggests that the increase in SSB intake among children and adolescents from 1990 to 2018 was almost double that seen among adults.



Despite certain limitations, such as the availability of dietary survey data, the findings act as a crucial tool in understanding and addressing the rising consumption of SSBs worldwide. These findings "should be taken as the best currently available, but nonetheless imperfect, estimates of SSB intake worldwide," add the authors.



The findings serve to guide national and targeted policies aimed at reducing SSB intake among young people globally. This can help curb the growing problem of SSBs for public health, particularly in regions like the Latin America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa.



The study's intent is aligned with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It's a call for everyone involved, from parents to policy makers, to take a look at our young ones' plates and glasses. 



After all, the health of children is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fathers-diet-impacts-the-health-of-his-future-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reflection of the health</a> of our future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-079234" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ</a>.



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Children are consuming more sugary drinks than ever

As we step into a new decade, it's high time...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



The map has been created over the last decade using observations of water-rich rocks and mineral deposits. The images were captured by ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.



"A big surprise is the prevalence of these minerals, with the map revealing hundreds of thousands of water-affected locations in the oldest parts of the planet," says ESA. "The new data will help answer exciting questions about Mars’ climate history, whether water was globally persistent or confined to short, intense episodes, and whether the conditions were ever suitable for life."



"Specifically, the map shows the locations and abundances of aqueous minerals. These are from rocks that have been chemically altered by the action of water in the past, and have typically been transformed into clays and salts."



According to John Carter of the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), our collective understanding of Mars has been oversimplified. He explained that planetary scientists have tended to think that only a few types of clay minerals on Mars were created during its wet period, then as the water gradually dried up, salts were produced across the planet.



The new map shows that the composition of Mars is much more complicated than what we thought. For example, while many salts formed after Martian clays, there are some salts that are presumed to be older than some of the clays.&nbsp;



“The evolution from lots of water to no water is not as clear cut as we thought, the water didn’t just stop overnight. We see a huge diversity of geological contexts, so that no one process or simple timeline can explain the evolution of the mineralogy of Mars. That’s the first result of our study. The second is that if you exclude life processes on Earth, Mars exhibits a diversity of mineralogy in geological settings just as Earth does,” said Carter.



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



The experts found that the muscle metabolism of cavefish has been genetically reprogrammed over time. As a result, the animals have experienced major changes in their morphology and behavior. Despite these changes, however, the cavefish remain healthy and fit.



The research may provide new clues about the evolutionary consequences of prolonged physical inactivity in humans.&nbsp;



“It’s no surprise that people are moving less and less as technology has advanced,” said Rohner. “With cavefish, we have a unique system where we can study what might happen if people remained couch potatoes over very, very long periods of time.”



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



"With more than 370,000 miles of coastline on Earth, there are plenty of places where epic waves build up, curl over, and hurtle toward the shore.- much to the thrill of surfers," says NASA. "There are some places where these waves are so magnificent that they can be seen from space."



"With the broad perspective of satellites, we can see how these iconic waves develop into the world’s tallest, longest, fastest, and heaviest."



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes why satellite images and measurements of our planet have become "essential to our survival, offering a new outlook of our world."&nbsp;



Rising sea levels pose one of the biggest societal threats associated with climate change. According to ESA, satellite altimeter missions such as Copernicus Sentinel-6 are essential in monitoring global and regional changes in sea level.



"Unbeknown to many, the island of Crete, Greece, plays an important role in the Copernicus satellite altimetry constellation and on an international stage," reports ESA.



"Satellite altimetry data have to be continuously monitored at the ESA’s Permanent Facility for Altimetry Calibration where different techniques have pioneered the use of transponders to provide the best measurements to validate satellite altimeters in space soon after launch."



Dr. Craig Donlon explains that, by understanding planet Earth through satellite measurements, we are able to find evidence of change.&nbsp;



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

[sendtonews key="761m2QQvR1-2035772-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...