The holiday season, filled with festive gatherings and delicious food, can be challenging for anyone committed to a healthy lifestyle.&nbsp;



A new national survey by <a href="https://www.orlandohealth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orlando Health</a> finds that nearly 40% of Americans worry about overeating during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-people-die-from-heart-attacks-during-the-holidays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">holidays</a>. However, experts reassure that a few holiday treats are not a cause for guilt or concern over weight gain long-term health impacts.



“Holidays come around once a year, and indulging in a few traditional foods and favorite recipes that may have a little extra sugar or fat is not going to affect your health or derail your healthy habits,” said Sara Riehm, a registered dietitian at Orlando Health.&nbsp;



Riehm notes that, for many, the anxiety about holiday <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-nuts-every-day-does-not-cause-weight-gain-but-it-does-improve-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weight gain</a> far outweighs actual weight gain during this time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthy-holiday-habits">Healthy holiday habits</h2>



The survey also revealed some common yet counterproductive tactics people use to avoid overindulgence.&nbsp;



One in four respondents, for instance, skip meals before a holiday event in an attempt to “save” calories. Riehm warns against this strategy, as it often leads to overconsumption once hunger takes over.



“It’s a lot easier to make healthier decisions when we're not hungry. Having a light meal with protein and fiber before a party helps you feel fuller and make mindful choices about what you’re eating,” Riehm advised.



She suggests balancing a serving of a favorite holiday treat with nutritious options like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-fruits-and-vegetables-improve-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vegetables</a> or a fruit salad to ensure a balanced plate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-debunking-the-detox-myth">Debunking the “detox” myth</h2>



Another common response to holiday indulgence is the urge to “detox” or “cleanse” afterward. The survey showed that a third of people feel the need to detox post-holidays, believing it will offset any negative effects of holiday treats.&nbsp;



However, Riehm explains that these detox measures are not only ineffective but could also pose health risks.



“We can't really detox the body from the so-called ‘toxins’ that we're getting from our food,” she said. “Our liver and kidneys are already designed to remove toxins from the body without the need for juices or supplements.”&nbsp;



She further cautions that detox methods often involve extreme calorie restrictions, potentially leading to dangerous drops in blood sugar and disturbing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tool-detects-changes-in-gut-health-to-help-prevent-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut health</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthy-goals-in-the-holiday-season">Healthy goals in the holiday season </h2>



Rather than resorting to drastic measures, Riehm recommends seeking guidance from a registered dietitian to help manage a balanced and sustainable plan through the holiday season and beyond.



“With so much information, misguided advice, and pseudoscience out there, registered dietitians are going to be your number one source for evidence-based nutrition information,” she said.&nbsp;



According to Riehm, dietitians, unlike self-designated nutritionists, are licensed to provide medical nutrition therapy, making them a reliable resource for developing lasting, health-centered strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-informed-choices">Making informed choices </h2>



For Joshua Walker, a participant in a six-week lifestyle program at the Orlando Health Center for Health Improvement, working with Riehm revealed surprising insights into his <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-healthy-diet-can-reduce-brain-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a>. 



Walker, who carefully manages his diet and exercise, discovered that foods he once considered healthy were elevating his blood sugar.



“I was eating tons of carbs and fruit, and that turns into sugar inside the body,” Walker explained.&nbsp;



Through minor adjustments guided by Riehm, he stabilized his blood sugar and feels confident that he can navigate the holidays without compromising his health goals.&nbsp;



Walker now enjoys the flexibility to indulge without fear: “If Grandma made an apple pie that I’m just looking at and it’s speaking my name, I’ll go ahead and eat a slice.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consistency-over-perfection">Consistency over perfection</h2>



Riehm emphasizes that sustainable health is built on consistency and flexibility rather than strict avoidance.&nbsp;



“No diet or healthy habit is going to be successful in the long term without a little bit of flexibility,” she said.&nbsp;



Rather than fixating on each meal, Riehm advocates a balanced approach: “The same way that one healthy meal is not going to make a huge difference in your health outcomes, having one unhealthy meal is also not going to make a huge difference.”



Ultimately, the key to maintaining a healthy weight over the holidays is to enjoy traditional foods in moderation and make informed, mindful choices without guilt. 



Embracing this balanced perspective allows holiday celebrations to be a joyful experience rather than a source of stress.



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Worried about holiday weight gain? Here's what the experts say

The holiday season, filled with festive gatherings and delicious food, can be challenging for anyone committed to a healthy lifestyle.&nbsp; A new national survey by Orlando Health finds that nearly 40% of Americans worry about overeating during the holidays. However, experts reassure that a few holiday treats are not a cause for guilt or concern over weight gain long-term health impacts. “Holidays come around once a year, and indulging in a few traditional foods and favorite recipes that may have a little extra sugar or fat is...

We've all had that refreshing gulp of beer on a warm summer night or after a long, tiring day at work, but seldom do we associate beer with gut health. 



After all, it's usually the star of social gatherings, not dietary plans. But raise your glasses high and toast to this new and thought-provoking research from Dalian Medical University that reveals beer as not just a social lubricant, but potentially a gut-health enhancer.



The research's beacon, Dr. Jianxin Li, presents beer as more than just a frothy indulgence. He suggests that this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/no-evidence-that-beer-goggles-are-real-but-liquid-courage-is-definitely-a-thing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">age-old beverage</a>, often referred to as 'liquid bread', could be providing more than just a welcome chill on a balmy evening.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beer-as-a-historical-delight">Beer as a historical delight</h2>



It's pretty hard to imagine a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brewing-beer-in-space-the-future-of-fermentation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world without beer</a>, and history confirms its long-standing relationship with humanity. Traces of beer consumption date back to around 9,000 years ago in China. 



From ancient Babylonian feasts to present-day festivities, beer's cultural significance is underscores its pivotal role in human civilization. 



It holds an unshakable position as the most consumed alcoholic beverage globally -- only water and tea surpass it.



Interestingly, beer wasn't solely a source of joy as early as the third millennium BC; Babylonians were recording beer recipes on clay tablets. 



The narrative that beer functioned as 'liquid bread' might have more depth than previously thought, with recent research suggesting health benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-beer-the-key-gut-healthy-ingredients">Making beer: The key gut-healthy ingredients</h2>



Making beer starts with four main ingredients: water, malt, hops, and yeast. First, you soak malted barley in hot water to get those sugars out, which is called mashing. 



Then, you boil the sugary liquid -- known as wort -- and toss in some hops to give the beer its unique flavor and aroma. 



After boiling, cool down the wort and move it to a fermenter, where you'll add the yeast. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/old-trick-turns-plant-based-cheese-into-something-that-actually-tastes-good/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The yeast will munch on the sugars</a>, turning them into alcohol and carbon dioxide, which creates those nice bubbles in the beer.



Once fermentation wraps up, let the beer settle and mature so the flavors can develop and any unwanted bits can drop out.



Finally, you bottle or keg the beer, adding a little extra sugar for natural carbonation, or you can use CO2 for a quicker method. 



The whole journey from grain to glass can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the beer style and the brewer's vibe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-gut-health-connects-to-beer">How gut health connects to beer</h2>



The question on everyone's lips: What makes beer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-bacteria-influence-our-social-behavior-and-sense-of-fairness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a potential ally</a> for gut health? 



Dr. Li's research reveals that beer, rich in vital amino acids, vitamins, trace elements, and bioactive substances, can benefit our gut when consumed in moderation. 



These nutrients, broken down and fermented by our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tool-detects-changes-in-gut-health-to-help-prevent-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut's microbial community</a>, can regulate immunity and overall gut health.



Intriguingly, the study suggests that beer's bacteria can enhance arterial function and immune response, especially in healthy, non-smoking adults. 



So, while you're relishing that cold pint, you might be boosting your body's defenses. Cheers to that!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microecological-magic-of-beer">Microecological magic of beer</h2>



The blessings of beer aren't limited to boosting the health of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-bacteria-have-very-clever-ways-of-supporting-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">your gut bacteria</a>. The research advances the concept of beer as a 'microecological modulator.' 



This refers to its capacity to minimize cancer risk, ease <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-century-of-progress-in-the-fight-against-cardiovascular-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular issues</a>, and manage metabolic syndrome. 



Several studies confirm these claims, showing that moderate beer consumption can lower heart disease risk, improve circulation, and even help fend off upper respiratory infections.



From heart health to bone health, beer seems to be a gift that keeps on giving. Beer is rich in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) -- <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-cholesterol-may-increase-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the 'good' cholesterol</a>, and polyphenols, which protect the heart. 



It also contains dietary silicon, supporting bone growth and strength. Some studies even suggest that moderate beer consumption can enhance bone density in older women and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beer-and-your-microbiome">Beer and your microbiome</h2>



Beer does wonders for your gut's microbiome. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trouble-brewing-for-beer-decline-in-hop-production-causes-beer-shortages-and-bad-taste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loaded with dietary fiber</a> and some probiotics, it helps maintain your gut's healthy microbial balance. By promoting beneficial bacteria's growth, beer might support overall gut health.



Beyond gut health, beer potentially offers several unexpected health benefits. Compounds in beer, like xanthohumol, have neuroprotective properties that might help preserve cognitive function and lower the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beer-could-help-protect-against-alzheimers-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dementia and Alzheimer’s disease</a>. 



Beer's high water content makes it a diuretic, helping in kidney function and reducing kidney stones risk. 



In addition, beer contains several B vitamins, including B2, B3, B5, B6, and folate. These are essential for cellular function and energy metabolism, adding another layer to beer’s potential health benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-beer-and-gut-health">Future of beer and gut health</h2>



In sum, the study from <a href="https://english.dmu.edu.cn/Admissions1/International_Student.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dalian Medical University</a> opens up an intriguing dialogue about beer's role in our diets. Could beer become a regular player in discussions on gut health and immune function? 



Dr. Li and his team believe it's a possibility worth exploring. 



Needless to say, moderation is key. While beer offers several health benefits, over-consumption can have negative impact on health.



Always remember, not all beers are created equal. Low or non-alcoholic beers fortified with bioactive substances, like fiber or antioxidants, might provide the most significant health benefits.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1186927/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Nutrition</a>.



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Beer vs. probiotics: How drinking a pint is great for gut health

We've all had that refreshing gulp of beer on a...

Alzheimer's disease, a leading cause of cognitive decline, may have an unexpected link to a widespread environmental issue - light pollution.



As artificial illumination continues to fill our cities and suburbs, researchers are now exploring how constant exposure to nighttime light may influence public health. 



While streetlights and neon signs enhance safety and urban beauty, this constant glow could have hidden consequences, potentially contributing to an increased risk of Alzheimer's.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-pollution-and-alzheimer-s-disease">Light pollution and Alzheimer's disease</h2>



In the US, several states have implemented measures to mitigate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-pollution-disrupts-entire-ecological-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light pollution</a>. Yet, some parts of the country continue to bathe in high levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-exposure-is-extremely-harmful-to-our-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial night light</a>.



Suspecting a possible connection between this incessant light exposure and public health, researchers embarked on a study to investigate the association between outdoor light pollution and Alzheimer's disease prevalence.



"We show that in the US there is a positive association between AD prevalence and exposure to light at night, particularly in those under the age of 65," noted study lead author Dr. Robin Voigt-Zuwala, a professor at <a href="https://www.rush.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rush University Medical Center</a>.



"Nightly light pollution - a modifiable environmental factor - may be an important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-higher-the-intensity-the-greater-the-risk">The higher the intensity, the greater the risk?</h2>



The investigative team scrutinized light pollution maps of the continental United States and considered various medical data known to influence Alzheimer's disease risk. 



They produced data reflecting the nighttime light intensity for each state, categorizing them into five groups based on the intensity level.



Among individuals aged 65 and older, the findings revealed a stronger correlation between Alzheimer's disease prevalence and nightly light pollution than with other established disease indicators such as alcohol abuse, chronic kidney disease, depression, and obesity.



While other risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke did display a higher association with Alzheimer's disease, the impact of light pollution was undeniable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-vulnerability-in-younger-people">Increased vulnerability in younger people</h2>



Interestingly, this association was even more pronounced in the population under 65, indicating a higher sensitivity to the effects of nighttime light exposure. The reason behind this age-related sensitivity to light pollution remains unclear.



"Certain genotypes, which influence early-onset AD, impact the response to biological stressors which could account for increased vulnerability to the effects of nighttime light exposure," said Voigt-Zuwala.



"Additionally, younger people are more likely to live in urban areas and have lifestyles that may increase <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-to-light-during-sleep-can-damage-your-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exposure to light at night</a>."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prevention-and-mitigation-techniques">Prevention and mitigation techniques</h2>



As a result of their findings, the researchers advocate for increased public awareness regarding the potential effects of light pollution.



"Awareness of the association should empower people – particularly those with risk factors for Alzheimer's disease – to make easy lifestyle changes,” said Voigt-Zuwala. Changes may include the use of blackout curtains or sleeping with eye masks, especially for those residing in high light pollution areas.



Moreover, internal light exposure would be as significant in this discourse. Although not examined in this study, the researchers pointed out that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-effects-of-artificial-blue-light-remain-unknown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blue light</a>, in particular, disrupts sleep. 



The usage of blue light filters, transition to warm light, and installation of dimmers could effectively reduce light exposure within households.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alzheimer-s-and-the-path-forward">Alzheimer's and the path forward</h2>



The team acknowledges that their study is based on a subsection of the U.S. population and that not everyone resides in areas with high light pollution throughout their lives. 



The experts noted that further research is needed to explore the complex relationship between nighttime light exposure and Alzheimer's disease.



As research continues to uncover the potential connections between Alzheimer's and light pollution, experts emphasize the importance of taking preventative steps. 



Communities can work to reduce outdoor light pollution by using shielded streetlights and promoting darker night skies, which may help minimize the risk of Alzheimer's disease in the population. 



On an individual level, simple adjustments such as reducing blue light exposure in the evening and prioritizing quality sleep can be vital in protecting long-term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-is-a-powerful-tool-to-boost-brain-health-and-overall-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>. 



By addressing both external and internal sources of light pollution, there is hope for mitigating one of the many factors linked to Alzheimer's disease.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2024.1378498/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Neuroscience</a>.



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Light pollution increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease, a leading cause of cognitive decline, may have...

The low-carb lifestyle has been a point of contention for dieticians and individuals, with some questioning its nutritional value. 



As interest in low-carb diets skyrockets, it is increasingly important to dispel any misconceptions that undermine the potential benefits of a low-carb lifestyle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-low-carb-diets">New perspective on low-carb diets</h2>



Recently, a study published in Frontiers in Nutrition busted one of the top myths about low-carb diets - that they leave you undernourished. Contrary to this belief, the research reveals that strategically planned low-carb diets can meet, and sometimes surpass, one’s dietary needs.



According to Dr. Beth Bradley, a co-author of the study from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/cals/nfs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont’s Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences</a>, many Americans struggle to get the nutrients they need from typical food choices. 



"Low-carb eating patterns can actually help promote better diet quality and close critical nutrient gaps," said Dr. Bradley. 



The researchers evaluated the nutritional composition of three distinct 7-day low-carb meal plans. Two of these were <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vegan-and-keto-diets-rapidly-transform-the-immune-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ketogenic diets</a>, comprising roughly 20 grams and 40 grams of net carbs daily, while the third had around 100 grams of net carbs daily.



All three diets meet the key requirement for low-carb diets, which is under 130 grams of carbs per day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-packed-with-nutrients">Packed with nutrients</h2>



Each of these meal plans exceeded the average nutrient needs for essential vitamins such as A, C, D, E, K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and vitamins B6 and B12. This was applicable for men and women aged 31-70. 



Dr.Bradley emphasized that low-carb eating patterns can actually help promote better diet quality, further dismissing the belief that these diets result in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/micronutrient-deficiency-rates-are-soaring-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrient deficiency</a>.



However, for specific sub-populations with higher needs, such as younger women and older adults, a few nutrients like iron and calcium might fall slightly short. This highlights the importance of individualized nutritional planning when adopting a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-exactly-constitutes-a-low-carb-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">low-carb lifestyle</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-about-fiber">How about fiber?</h2>



One of the most notable findings from the study revolved around fiber. The meal plans with 40 grams and 100 grams of net carbs succeeded in meeting the daily fiber needs of women aged 31-70.



“The idea that a low-carb diet must also be low in fiber is simply not supported by the data,” noted Dr. Bradley. She emphasized that “high-fiber foods are actually an important part of a low-carb lifestyle, in part because <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fiber-rich-diets-reduce-antimicrobial-resistance-in-the-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fiber-rich</a> food choices can help lower net carbohydrate intake.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protein-and-fat-consumption">Protein and fat consumption</h2>



While the protein content of these meal plans exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), they still fell within the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range of 10-35% of daily calories. The diets were lower in saturated fat and sodium compared to the average <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthier-american-diets-could-greatly-benefit-the-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American diet</a>.



However, the diets slightly exceeded recommendations for these components, providing more beneficial omega-6 to omega-3 and sodium to potassium ratios.



“Which foods your nutrients come from and how they fit within the broader context of your overall diet may play a more important role in determining health outcomes," said Dr. Bradley. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-era-of-low-carb-lifestyles">A new era of low-carb lifestyles</h2>



The research ultimately reinforces evidence that supports the role of a low-carb lifestyle in promoting a balanced diet, overall well-being, and controlling or even reversing diet-related diseases.



While some individuals may need dietary supplements to meet their personal needs, a low-carb diet provides a robust nutritional foundation for a healthy lifestyle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-health-implications-of-low-carb-diets">Broader health implications of low-carb diets</h2>



Low-carb diets go beyond improving nutrient intake; they also have significant implications for managing chronic conditions. For individuals with metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes, low-carb diets help regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity.



These diets are also linked to better cardiovascular health, as they can improve omega-6 to omega-3 ratios and balance sodium and potassium intake, reducing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.



In terms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-foods-are-great-for-weight-loss-regardless-of-the-type/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weight management</a>, low-carb diets can promote satiety and reduce overall calorie consumption, making them a sustainable option for those aiming to manage their weight. 



While not a universal solution, the potential benefits of low-carb diets make them a valuable tool in supporting overall health.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1449109/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Nutrition</a>.



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Low-carb diets have more nutritional value than expected

The low-carb lifestyle has been a point of contention for...

Meditation is a powerful tool for managing pain, far beyond mere physical sensations. How we perceive and process pain shapes our overall experience, and this is where meditation plays a pivotal role.



Traditionally, it’s been assumed that mindfulness meditation, a centuries-old practice, alleviates pain by activating the placebo response - where an improvement in symptoms is attributed to an inactive treatment.



However, recent research challenges this long-held belief, revealing that mindfulness meditation operates through distinct neurobiological mechanisms, separate from the placebo effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-mechanisms-of-mindfulness-meditation">Brain mechanisms of mindfulness meditation </h2>



A breakthrough study unveiled in the Biological Psychiatry journal uncovers that mindfulness meditation uses separate brain mechanisms than those activated by the placebo response to alleviate pain.



Researchers from the <a href="https://medschool.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego School of Medicine</a> used sophisticated brain imaging techniques to distinguish between the pain-relieving effects of mindfulness meditation, placebo cream, and a counterfeit mindfulness meditation method, referred to as "sham" mindfulness meditation among healthy participants.



The experts found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-can-lead-to-altered-states-of-consciousness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mindfulness</a> meditation resulted in significant reductions in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-meditation-can-reduce-pain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pain</a> intensity and unpleasantness, and also downregulated brain activity patterns associated with pain and negative emotions.



However, the placebo cream only affected the brain activity pattern synchronized with the placebo effect, leaving the person's primary experience of pain untouched.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-meditation-in-pain-management">Power of meditation in pain management</h2>



“The mind is extremely powerful, and we’re still working to understand how it can be harnessed for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-as-a-pain-reliever-the-power-of-your-playlist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pain management</a>," noted Fadel Zeidan, an anesthesiology professor at the UC San Diego Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion.



"By separating pain from the self and relinquishing evaluative judgment, mindfulness meditation is able to directly modify how we experience pain in a way that uses no drugs, costs nothing and can be practiced anywhere.”



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



Engaging 115 participants from two separate clinical trials, the researchers explored the effects of four interventions. These included guided mindfulness meditation, sham-mindfulness meditation with only deep breathing, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-energy-boost-from-your-morning-cup-of-coffee-may-be-a-placebo-instead-of-the-caffeine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">placebo</a> cream (petroleum jelly) that participants were led to believe reduces pain, and an audiobook serving as a control.



After administering a painful yet harmless heat stimulus to the back of the participant's leg, their brains were scanned before and after the interventions.



Using a novel method, multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA), the experts analyzed the brain activity patterns of participants. These patterns revealed whether mindfulness meditation and placebo engaged similar or separate brain processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-placebo-mindfulness-overlap-myth">The placebo-mindfulness overlap myth</h2>



The findings indicate that although the placebo cream and sham-mindfulness meditation decreased pain, mindfulness meditation was markedly more effective at pain reduction as compared to the other tested methods and controls. 



Additionally, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-and-yoga-reduce-chronic-pain-and-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mindfulness-based pain relief</a> reduced synchronization between brain areas involved in introspection, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, known collectively as the neural pain signal (NPS).



On the other hand, placebo cream and sham-mindfulness meditation failed to show a significant change in the NPS compared to controls, interestingly engaging separate brain mechanisms with minimum overlap.



These findings challenge the commonly held view that the placebo effect overlaps with brain mechanisms triggered by active treatments, specifically regarding pain. 



“Instead, these two brain responses are completely distinct, which supports the use of mindfulness meditation as a direct intervention for chronic pain rather than as a way to engage the placebo effect," said Zeidan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meditation-and-chronic-pain-relief">Meditation and chronic pain relief</h2>



In conventional medicine, therapies are usually deemed effective if they surpass the placebo in their effects. As this study found mindfulness meditation to be more potent than a placebo and not engaging the same neurobiological processes, it opens up new avenues for developing treatments for chronic pain.



Further research is needed to validate these results in individuals living with chronic pain, not just healthy participants.



In the long run, the researchers aspire to create more effective and accessible interventions by understanding the distinct brain mechanisms underlying mindfulness meditation and its power to reduce pain in people with various health conditions.



"Millions of people are living with chronic pain every day, and there may be more these people can do to reduce their pain and improve their quality of life than we previously understood,” said Zeidan. "We are excited to continue exploring the neurobiology of mindfulness and how we can leverage this ancient practice in the clinic.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0006322324015567" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biological Psychiatry</a>.



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Mindfulness meditation is a powerful weapon against chronic pain

Meditation is a powerful tool for managing pain, far beyond...

Probiotic,Background.,Gastrointestinal,Tract.,Large,And,Small,Intestine,With,Bifidobacteria.

In a world that is increasingly turning towards personalized health, an innovative holistic tool has surfaced that studies our gut health at an unprecedented level. 



Developed by a team of Mayo Clinic researchers, this sophisticated computational tool provides insights into the complex ecosystem of the gut microbiome -- a bustling city of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms within the digestive system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter">Getting to the heart of the matter</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-gut-microbiome-is-shaped-by-what-we-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut microbiome</a> plays a pivotal role in digestion, metabolism, immune function, and even chronic diseases. 



However, knowing what constitutes a healthy microbiome and identifying early indicators of potential health issues has been a longstanding challenge.



This is where the new tool, called the Gut Microbiome Wellness Index 2, steps in, revolutionizing how we assess gut health by filling a significant gap in existing wellness measurement tools.



"Finally, we have a standardized index to quantitatively measure how 'healthy' a person's gut microbiome is," explained Dr. Jaeyun Sung, senior author and computational biologist at <a href="https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-individualized-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mayo Clinic's Center for Individualized Medicine</a>.



The tool aims to be a "proactive health indicator" rather than a diagnostic tool, providing early warnings about adverse changes in gut health before serious symptoms arise. 



"Our tool is not intended to diagnose specific diseases but rather to serve as a proactive health indicator. By identifying adverse changes in gut health before serious symptoms arise, the tool could potentially inform dietary or lifestyle modifications to prevent mild issues from escalating into more severe health conditions, or prompt further diagnostic testing," said Dr. Sung.



"By being able to answer whether a person’s gut is healthy or trending toward a diseased state, we ultimately aim to empower individuals to take proactive steps in managing their own health."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cutting-edge-approach">Cutting-edge approach</h2>



The tool demonstrated at least 80% accuracy in distinguishing healthy individuals from those suffering from any disease.



This feat was achieved by analyzing over 8,000 gut microbiome profiles gathered from published studies spanning 26 countries and six continents, showcasing the impressive range and reliability of the new technology.



The tool can detect subtle changes in gut health, offering insights into whether an individual is progressing towards or recovering from a disease.



The experts tested the index on a massive dataset and validated it on a new cohort of over 1,100 samples, demonstrating the tool’s capability across clinical scenarios such as fecal microbiota transplantation, changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/boost-your-gut-health-top-five-prebiotic-rich-foods-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dietary fiber intake</a>, and antibiotic exposure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-gut-health-monitoring">Future of gut health monitoring</h2>



Building upon the original tool, the Gut Microbiome Wellness Index 2 incorporates a broader range of data and refined computational methods. 



Dr. Sung and his team are working to expand the dataset further and integrate advanced artificial intelligence techniques to enhance the predictive accuracy and adaptability.



The ultimate goal is to empower individuals to take proactive steps in managing their own health through early detection and lifestyle adjustments.



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



The importance of gut health extends far beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-humans-have-shockingly-different-digestive-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digestion</a>. Recent research has uncovered a deep connection between the gut microbiome and various aspects of overall health, including mental well-being, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-people-have-unique-immune-responses-that-block-covid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immune response</a>, and chronic disease management. 



The gut is often referred to as the "second brain" due to the gut-brain axis, a communication network linking the central nervous system and the digestive tract. This system plays a crucial role in regulating mood, stress levels, and even cognitive function.



Imbalances in the gut microbiome have been linked to a wide range of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and autoimmune disorders. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that gut health can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-gut-brain-communication-affect-emotional-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influence mental health</a> conditions like anxiety and depression. 



Researchers have found that maintaining a balanced and diverse gut microbiome may help reduce inflammation, improve metabolic function, and strengthen the immune system.



By providing individuals with a quantifiable measure of their gut health, tools like the Gut Microbiome Wellness Index 2 offer the potential to address these broader health concerns. 



As Dr. Sung noted, early detection of gut imbalances through such tools could lead to preventive measures that enhance overall wellness, not just digestive health.



In an era where personalized medicine is gaining traction, understanding and nurturing gut health is becoming increasingly essential for both physical and mental well-being.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51651-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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New tool detects changes in gut health to help prevent disease

In a world that is increasingly turning towards personalized health,...

A new study sheds light on how the brain initiates spontaneous actions without any external triggers. 



The research not only explains how these actions emerge but also offers insight into the mysterious ramping of neural activity before movement - a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-of-spontaneous-action-nbsp">Origins of spontaneous action&nbsp;</h2>



The study was led by Jake Gavenas during his time as a PhD student at the Brain Institute at <a href="https://www.chapman.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chapman University</a>. He collaborated with two faculty members, Uri Maoz and Aaron Schurger, to explore the origins of spontaneous action. 



Together, the researchers simulated activity in neural networks and compared the results to real human intracortical recordings during spontaneous movement.&nbsp;



The findings offer a fascinating explanation for how the brain's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neurons-can-predict-human-speech-before-we-say-a-word/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurons</a> work together to trigger movement without any clear external signal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-signals-and-conscious-actions">Brain signals and conscious actions</h2>



One of the study's key discoveries is that rapid fluctuations in the activity of individual neurons can combine within a network, resulting in much slower fluctuations when viewed at the population level.&nbsp;



This helps explain a phenomenon that many people have experienced but never fully understood - such as when you're standing on a diving platform, contemplating a jump. Nothing outside of you is telling you to jump, but at some point, you make the decision internally, and then you move.&nbsp;



The brain, specifically the motor cortex, is coordinating muscle contractions to make this happen, but the question is: where do the initial signals to jump come from, and how do they relate to your conscious decision to act?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spontaneous-voluntary-actions">Spontaneous voluntary actions</h2>



Since the 1960s, neuroscientists have observed that electrical activity in the brain begins to increase one to two seconds before a spontaneous voluntary action. 



Many researchers believed this slow ramping up of activity represented the brain preparing to move, following a preconscious decision. But what remained unclear was how this ramping process starts, as it seemed to emerge from nowhere.



This slow-ramping brain activity has sparked years of debate among neuroscientists and philosophers about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-do-not-have-free-will-stanford-scientist-robert-sapolsky/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">free will</a> and conscious control. 



The big question has been whether this ramping signals that the brain is preparing to move even before we consciously decide to act, raising concerns that our actions might be predetermined at an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-behavior-is-influenced-by-the-unconscious-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unconscious</a> level. Understanding where this ramping activity comes from has been a central problem in neuroscience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neural-activity-before-spontaneous-actions-nbsp">Neural activity before spontaneous actions&nbsp;</h2>



Researchers like Maoz and Schurger have challenged the view that the brain makes a preconscious decision to move.&nbsp;



In 2012, Schurger proposed an alternative explanation, suggesting that the slow ramping in neural activity is part of a broader process. In this process, slow background fluctuations in the motor cortex accumulate until they hit a certain threshold, triggering movement.



In this framework, the key moment isn't when the slow ramping begins, but rather when the fluctuations cross a threshold to initiate action. This would explain why scientists see ramping activity before movement - because, looking back from the point of action, slow fluctuations would have been leading up to the threshold crossing all along.&nbsp;



This explanation, while compelling, left one crucial question unanswered: where do these slow background fluctuations in neural activity, often called 1/f noise, come from, considering that individual neurons fluctuate quite rapidly?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slow-ramping-signals-nbsp">Slow-ramping signals&nbsp;</h2>



The study is the first to provide an explanation for how slow background fluctuations arise from networks of neurons, none of which, individually, operate on such slow timescales.&nbsp;



The research shows that when neurons interact in a network, their fast, individual fluctuations can combine into slower, population-level fluctuations. These slow fluctuations can then lead to a threshold-crossing event, triggering movement and giving rise to the ramping activity that appears before spontaneous actions.



“We see similar slow-ramping signals before other kinds of spontaneous behaviors, like coming up with creative ideas or freely remembering things that have happened to you. A similar process might therefore underlie those phenomena, but only time and further research will tell,” Gavanas said.



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



In short, this study provides a possible explanation for the slow, spontaneous fluctuations in neural activity, which are widespread in neural systems and critical to understanding how the brain triggers movement without external cues.



Moreover, the study highlights an important point about how researchers interpret their findings. According to Maoz, it reveals the bias we have as researchers to think that our results uncover a causal mechanism, when it may really be just a correlation.



This observation reminds us that in neuroscience, understanding the difference between correlation and causation is crucial for making sense of how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-does-creativity-start-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> functions.



The research is published published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51401-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>. 



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What causes the brain to initiate spontaneous actions?

A new study sheds light on how the brain initiates...

Bad teen behavior usually happens away from adult supervision, which means it's easy for parents to blame others for their child's delinquent behavior.



When parents believe that other teens are a bad influence, they may feel tempted to limit these friendships. However, a recent study suggests that this overbearing approach could be counterproductive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prohibiting-friendships-can-backfire">Prohibiting friendships can backfire</h2>



A new study cautions parents - especially meddling moms - against prohibiting friendships, as such actions might worsen the very behavior they aim to correct.



The study was co-authored by Brett Laursen, a professor of psychology at <a href="https://www.fau.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Atlantic University</a>, and Goda Kaniušonytė from <a href="https://www.mruni.eu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mykolas Romeris University</a>.



The researchers followed a diverse group of students, consisting of 292 boys and 270 girls aged 9 to 14, over the course of a school year.



The students completed surveys at regular intervals to measure their conduct, perceived maternal disapproval of friends, peer status, and classroom disruptiveness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maternal-disapproval-impacts-teen-behavior">Maternal disapproval impacts teen behavior</h2>



The findings reveal that maternal disapproval of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-teen-friendships-build-lasting-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">friendships</a> in response to behavior issues can damage a child's peer status, exacerbating the behavioral problems that mothers intend to address.



 "Maternal friend disapproval has counterproductive consequences for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kindergarten-conduct-childhood-behavioral-problems-will-cost-society-later/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior problems</a> because of the deleterious impact it has on peer status," explained Laursen. 



The children, alienated from their peers, faced increased classroom disruptions and adjustment difficulties.



Results from the study indicate that when mothers intervened to restrict friendships, they inadvertently worsened their child’s relationships with peers, causing further issues in behavior. 



The researchers found that classmates responded to maternal interference with increased disliking of the child, not just a reduction in popularity. 



As a result, children who were subject to friend prohibitions often found themselves ostracized, with classmates distancing themselves to avoid ridicule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-domino-effect-of-prohibited-friendships">The domino effect of prohibited friendships</h2>



The study also explored the potential for parents to unintentionally succeed in disrupting friendships. 



"Imagine this scenario," said Laursen. "A friendship ends because a mother prohibits it. Now the child needs a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reconnecting-with-old-friends-is-as-scary-as-making-new-ones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new friend</a>. Who wants to be friends with someone who has an unpleasant, interfering mother?" 



"Chances are good that friend options are now quite limited, and the child is forced to consider someone who also is rejected by peers; someone who has a hard time making friends."



In many cases, the limited social options available to children after such interventions meant they were more likely to befriend classmates who exhibit the same behavior problems.



The pressure to conform to disruptive behaviors was heightened, compounding the very issues that the mothers had hoped to resolve. 



Moreover, the loss of peer status led to increased distress, making it more difficult for children to develop healthy coping mechanisms. 



Exclusion from social interactions with typically developing peers deprived them of the chance to learn and practice age-appropriate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kids-who-are-active-on-social-media-are-just-as-active-offline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social skills</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parental-support-improves-teen-behavior">Parental support improves teen behavior</h2>



“Mothers may think they are protecting their children, but in reality, their actions often push them further into undesirable situations,” Laursen noted. 



This unintended consequence highlights the risks of direct interference in children’s friendships, especially when it involves cutting off ties with peers.



The study authors suggest that instead of prohibiting friendships, parents should focus on creating positive, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supportive-adults-help-protect-children-from-mental-health-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supportive relationships</a> with their children. This, they argue, may help buffer against the negative influence of troublesome peers.



"Parents should consider positive alternatives to friend prohibition," said Laursen. "Focus on maintaining positive relationships with children, because warmth and support can be effective buffers against troublesome peer pressure, potentially disrupting the downward spiral of peer problems and adjustment difficulties."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-constructive-peer-engagement">Encouraging constructive peer engagement</h2>



The researchers further advise that parents should encourage their children to engage in constructive peer activities within supervised settings. 



Participation in clubs and other adult-sponsored activities could offer opportunities for positive peer interaction while minimizing deviant behavior. 



According to Laursen, creating these positive environments for friendship can help children build healthier social connections without the need for restrictive parental interference.



Study co-author Goda Kaniušonytė added that parents’ well-meaning interventions often stem from concerns about their child’s behavior, but these efforts can have the opposite effect. 



By limiting social opportunities, children may fall into a cycle of rejection and behavioral issues, making it harder for them to adjust in the long term.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.14043" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry</a>.



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When moms meddle: Friend disapproval worsens teen behavior

Bad teen behavior usually happens away from adult supervision, which...

Have you ever considered the impact of simply observing how others deal with challenging situations? It's a lot more profound than you might think. This act of empathy can help us develop a layer of emotional armor, helping us with resilience and shielding us from the mental health ravages of trauma, such as depression.



The researchers at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) have been delving into this, studying how this "emotional contagion" works in mice – and they've cracked the code.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-resilience-anyway">What's resilience, anyway?</h2>



When life throws us tough situations, we humans have a knack for getting through it, picking up and pressing on. This is what we call resilience. 



That said, not everyone finds it so easy to bounce back from traumatic events. Some folks may feel stuck in a rut, losing their motivation and drive, the telltale signs of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-maltreatment-fuels-mental-health-crisis-in-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a>. 



If we could <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-high-resilience-live-up-to-ten-years-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boost resilience</a> in these vulnerable individuals, we could fortify them against the onset of debilitating mental health conditions. However, we're not quite there yet. 



"There is a lack of clinical tools or underlying mechanisms to promote this type of conditioning capable of fostering a resilient reaction as in healthy people," says Manuel Mameli, Associate Professor at the Department of Fundamental Neurosciences at the Faculty of Biology and Medicine, <a href="https://www.unil.ch/central/en/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNIL</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peek-learn-endure-for-emotional-resilience">Peek, learn, endure for emotional resilience</h2>



How did the UNIL neuroscientists crack this nut? 



They created an experimental model to promote resilience and then measure its effects on the development of pathological traits following trauma. The process was quite ingenious.



"We started from the recognized fact that simply observing the emotional experiences of others helps us to learn from them. It's a phenomenon known as emotional contagion, and it engages resilience", explains Manuel Mameli.



They used an "observer" mouse, who got to watch another mouse experiencing mild electric shocks. This observation served as a protective shield for the observer mice -- when they later experienced the shocks themselves, they largely avoided falling into depression-like states.



On the other hand, the mice that didn't get a chance to observe the shocks, they weren't so lucky.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-serotonin-our-resilience-maestro">Meet serotonin, our resilience maestro</h2>



Stumbling upon the behavioral principle was a big win. But the UNIL scientists didn't stop there. They dived deeper, identifying the brain mechanism mediating this learning process. 



They focused on an itsy-bitsy brain structure called the habenula, known for its involvement in our emotional and sensory processing, and regulation of neurotransmitters linked with depression, notably serotonin. They developed imaging tools to track this elusive molecule in mice. 



"It's very difficult to measure the variation of serotonin in the brain. Thanks to a biosensor developed by Yulong Li of <a href="https://english.pku.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peking University</a>, co-author of the study, we were able to identify the key mechanism," says Manuel Mameli.



The team found that this emotional contagion coincided with a change in neuron function in the habenula, along with a surge in serotonin release in this region. 



"It's the dynamics of serotonin that change during this task, and this is the key finding of our study," reveals Sarah Mondoloni, a postdoctoral fellow in Manuel Mameli's lab at UNIL.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-resilience-and-mental-health">Emotional resilience and mental health</h2>



The revolutionary findings at the UNIL offer promising implications for mental health treatment and therapy. 



If emotional contagion can bolster resilience, then therapeutic models that incorporate observational learning may be beneficial for those struggling with mental health issues.



Such approaches could potentially enable individuals to develop coping mechanisms by learning from those who have navigated similar challenges successfully. 



This could be particularly impactful for vulnerable populations, offering a pathway towards improved mental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/resilience-is-surprisingly-linked-to-gut-and-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health resilience</a> in a more holistic and supportive environment.



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



Building upon the exciting discoveries related to serotonin in the habenula, future research must continue to explore the neurobiological pathways involved in emotional contagion and resilience. 



Investigating how these processes can be harnessed not only in animal models but in human populations is crucial. 



Additionally, researchers might look into related neurotransmitters and their roles in bolstering or limiting resilience, thereby broadening our understanding of the intricate interplay between social learning and emotional health. 



Such inquiries may pave the way for novel interventions that tap into our inherent capacity for resilience through shared human experiences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-understanding-of-depression">New understanding of depression</h2>



Depression has long been linked to serotonin. Many antidepressants target serotonin, aiming to boost its concentration in the brain. 



This study introduces a novel angle, indicating that a localized surge of serotonin in the habenula could fend off depressive symptoms following a traumatic experience. 



"Our discovery could pave the way for new therapeutic applications relevant to depression, for example by testing existing pharmacological serotonin activators. Their use could be refined to achieve better therapeutic approaches," Mameli aptly concludes.



So next time you watch someone dealing with a tough situation, know that you're not just a passive observer. You're building mental resilience, potentially protecting your mental well-being. 



And, who knows, this new understanding of serotonin could eventually lead to better therapeutic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-a-history-of-depression-tend-to-process-more-negative-information/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">approaches to fight depression</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp3897" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Seeing others' struggles can strengthen our emotional resilience

Have you ever considered the impact of simply observing how...

We've all heard the saying, "Age is just a number." But, is it? According to a new study, human aging is so much more than a gradual process of decline. It involves distinct episodes of rapid change, happening at the exact same ages in 81% of all humans. 



These pivotal moments in our lives can lead to shifts in various biological processes, influencing everything from metabolism to cellular function.



These findings revolutionize our understanding of aging, urging us to rethink our strategies for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-delays-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">staying healthy as we get older</a>.



By focusing on these key age milestones, we can better tailor our approach to fitness, nutrition, and preventive care, ultimately <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-anti-aging-drug-interleukin-11-boosts-lifespan-prevents-cancer-gray-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhancing our quality of life</a> in our later years.



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



For a long time, we've imagined aging as a slow and constant process, akin to the hands of a clock, tick-tocking their way through time. But Michael Snyder, Chair of Genetics at <a href="https://med.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford School of Medicine</a>, and his new research paints a different picture. 



By studying the biological data of 108 people aged between 25 and 75, the team identified 135,000 changes in various molecules and microbes within our bodies. 



Their results showed a whopping 81% of these molecules showed drastic shifts around the ages of mid-40s and early 60s. According to Snyder, this is a game-changer in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-blood-pressure-drug-called-rilmenidine-dramatically-slows-aging-in-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anti-aging research</a>. 



At 44, our bodies witness a significant change in molecules linked with metabolism -- like those connected to alcohol, caffeine, and lipids. 



And, by the time we hit 60, other shifts occur impacting immune regulation, carbohydrate metabolism, and kidney function. 



These results suggest that our bodies are not simply wearing down slowly, but instead, are undergoing sudden changes that may explain many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">age-related health issues</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connection-between-microbiome-and-aging">Connection between microbiome and aging</h2>



Our bodies are bustling with life, and I'm not talking about us. I'm referring to the myriad bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that call us home. 



This thriving community, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-microbiome-trillions-of-bacteria-unique-like-your-fingerprint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the microbiome</a>, plays a crucial role in our health, influencing everything from digestion to immunity. Snyder's research throws light on the link between our microbiome and aging. 



Their findings suggest that our microbiome composition experiences notable shifts around the ages of 44 and 60, possibly contributing to the health challenges we face as we age. This discovery paves the way for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-cells-could-be-used-to-slow-down-or-even-reverse-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newer strategies</a> focusing on healthier aging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-aging-and-disease">Human aging and disease</h2>



Snyder's research also uncovers the link between aging and disease. Molecules associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-century-of-progress-in-the-fight-against-cardiovascular-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a>, a leading cause of death worldwide, show significant changes during the two periods identified in the study. 



Similarly, our immune function, the body's defense system, undergoes critical alterations around age 60.



Dr. Xiaotao Shen, a fellow researcher on the team, noted noticeable shifts in molecules linked to cardiovascular health, skin and muscle maintenance, and metabolism at these particular ages. 



It suggests that our risk for conditions like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-may-not-be-brain-disorder-important-data-was-fabricated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s disease</a> and heart disease could spike at specific times in our lives, rather than increasing slowly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personal-lifestyle-choices-and-aging">Personal lifestyle choices and aging</h2>



Do your daily choices affect how you age? Snyder's team firmly believes so. They're particularly interested in lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption. 



For example, alcohol metabolism begins to slow down in your mid-40s, a period often full of career pressures, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-may-speed-up-aging-in-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">family responsibilities</a>, and personal challenges.



These lifestyle changes can trigger a chain reaction of molecular alterations, affecting everything from cardiovascular health to skin elasticity. 



But the silver lining here is that these are "modifiable factors." By managing stress, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tricking-cells-into-thinking-they-ate-less-food-can-slow-aging-process/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eating a balanced diet</a>, and exercising regularly, we might slow down or even offset some of these molecular shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-connection-found-in-human-aging">Genetic connection found in human aging</h2>



Our genes also play a crucial role in how we age. Every individual has a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/junk-proteins-responsible-for-aging-cause-als/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unique genetic blueprint</a> that determines susceptibility to certain health issues as we get older. 



By identifying these markers, researchers can start to develop personalized approaches to healthcare.



How exciting is the idea that you could know in advance your likelihood of experiencing certain age-related conditions and taking specific steps to prevent them? 



This could transform our approach to aging, facilitating tailored interventions that could enhance our quality of life as we age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-aging-how-does-this-impact-you">Redefining aging: How does this impact you?</h2>



So, how can we apply these insights to our lives? Snyder suggests that giving closer attention to our health in our 40s and 60s could make a difference. 



Simple actions, like boosting physical activity, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-healthy-diet-your-secret-weapon-against-aging-and-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improving your diet</a>, and reducing alcohol, could delay the onset of age-related changes.



The revelations from Snyder's research challenges our conventional views on aging, providing fresh perspectives on how and when our bodies change. 



By understanding these critical periods of rapid transition, we're better equipped to prepare for the years ahead.



These insights beg the question: how will you approach aging in the future? Your insights and strategies are welcome in the comments below!



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-024-00692-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Aging</a>.



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Human bodies undergo very rapid change at two very specific ages

We've all heard the saying, "Age is just a number."...

A new study led by Aarhus University has revealed that older individuals are just as capable as younger people at remembering familiar musical pieces, though certain parts of their brains must work harder.&nbsp;



The research, recently published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-024-06587-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications Biology</a>, offers insights into how aging affects the brain’s ability to process and recall <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-triggers-unique-prediction-zones-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-age-related-changes-in-the-brain">Exploring age-related changes in the brain</h2>



What makes this study particularly noteworthy is its combination of classical music and neurophysiology to explore the brain's functional changes with age.&nbsp;



At <a href="https://www.en.auh.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University Hospital</a>, 76 participants, ranging in age, underwent brain scans while listening to a piano piece by Johann Sebastian Bach - a composer whose structured and harmonious music was chosen for its memorability. 



The participants had heard the piece twice before their scans, allowing the researchers to observe how their brains responded to familiar music.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sensory-areas-of-older-brains">Sensory areas of older brains</h2>



The results showed that when older people listen to familiar music, sensory-related areas of their brains become more active, while the brain regions typically responsible for memory processes show less activity compared to younger people.



“This suggests that the sensory areas of older brains work harder to compensate for the reduced response from the areas typically involved in memory processes,” explained associate professor Leonardo Bonetti from the Center for Music in the Brain, part of the Department of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-older-brain-adapts-to-challenges-nbsp">The older brain adapts to challenges&nbsp;</h2>



One of the key takeaways of the research is that changes in brain function with age do not necessarily point to decline or disease.&nbsp;



“The study emphasizes that changes in brain functionality do not necessarily lead to disease or dysfunction. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-can-prevent-brain-aging-and-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aging</a> is not just about having a declining brain, but about having a brain that adapts to challenges and compensates for mechanisms that become less effective,” Bonetti explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-regions-associated-with-memory-nbsp">Brain regions associated with memory&nbsp;</h2>



In addition to playing the familiar Bach piece, the researchers also presented participants with altered versions of the original melodies to examine how their brains responded to unfamiliar music.&nbsp;



The scans revealed that older individuals show less activity in the brain regions associated with memory when listening to new variations of the music. In contrast, sensory-related regions of the brain remained equally active, regardless of whether the participants were listening to familiar or unfamiliar versions.



“The older group simply does not show the same brain responses when hearing new variations of the music as the younger group. This may help explain the mechanism that makes it challenging for older people to cope with changes in general,” Bonetti said.



This finding has significant implications for understanding how memory functions in aging individuals and could potentially offer insights into age-related memory decline.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-as-a-tool-to-study-the-aging-brain">Music as a tool to study the aging brain </h2>



Bonetti hopes the study can inform dementia research and contribute to more effective screening methods for early detection of cognitive impairments.



“We are now planning to expand the study to include people with mild dementia. The hope is that we can identify biomarkers and use the data to predict how changes in brain functionality indicate the likelihood of developing dementia,” Bonetti said.&nbsp;



By studying the brain’s response to familiar and unfamiliar music, researchers may be able to identify early signs of cognitive decline and use this information to develop strategies for treatment or intervention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-that-is-suitable-for-memory-studies-nbsp">Music that is suitable for memory studies&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers chose music sequences based on Johann Sebastian Bach’s compositions for a reason. Bonetti explained that Bach’s music is particularly suitable for memory studies because of its strong harmonic structure and clear patterns, making it easier to remember than other types of stimuli like numbers or text.&nbsp;



The piece used in the study, a simplified version of Prelude in C Minor from Das Wohltemperirte Clavier, was selected because of its repetitive structure, which helps embed the music in memory after just a few listens.



“Bach’s music is very easy to remember because it combines strong harmonies and a clear hierarchical structure, which is repeated many times,” Bonetti explained.&nbsp;



“The participants heard the piece twice and then remembered it. In memory research, music is often better than, for example, numbers or text, because it is intuitively memorable. This allows us to more easily discover how the brain processes information over time.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-early-detection-of-cognitive-decline">Improving early detection of cognitive decline </h2>



Music, with its ability to evoke strong emotional and sensory responses, provides a valuable tool for studying how the brain processes and retains information. In particular, it helps researchers observe how the brain adapts and compensates for changes related to aging.



The use of Bach’s music, which naturally lends itself to memorability, also allowed the researchers to better understand the mechanisms the brain uses to recall information as we age.&nbsp;



The study's findings shed new light on how aging brains adapt to the challenges of memory retention, particularly through the increased engagement of sensory areas to compensate for diminished <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-has-the-power-to-change-the-mood-of-our-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a> activity. This shift underscores the adaptability of the brain, showing that while aging may change how the brain works, it doesn’t necessarily mean a decline in its overall function.



As the research continues, it holds the potential to improve early detection of cognitive decline in aging populations and offer new approaches for understanding how memory functions across the lifespan.&nbsp;



By studying the interaction between music, memory, and the aging brain, researchers like Bonetti hope to unlock further insights into how we can maintain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-for-the-aging-brain-mediterranean-diet-protects-cognitive-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive health</a> as we grow older.



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Music reveals which brain areas are affected by aging

A new study led by Aarhus University has revealed that...

Happiness plays a larger role in online shopping than we might think. A recent study shows that when people are in a good mood, they tend to use more positive language during product searches, which in turn increases the likelihood of clicking on advertisements.



Conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.terry.uga.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia Terry College of Business</a>, the study highlights how these positive search terms lead to more engagement with online ads, offering new insights into the evolving digital shopping landscape.



“There’s a lot of research about how you feel when you’re in a store, how you feel when you see a product, but now people begin the shopping process online before they step foot in a store,” said Sarah Whitley, an assistant professor of marketing at UGA’s Terry College. “They may operate differently in this online space, and we need to understand how emotions play a role."



The study bridges traditional marketing research, which investigates consumers’ emotions at physical stores, to the evolving digital shopping landscape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-happiness-drives-online-shopping-behavior">Happiness drives online shopping behavior</h2>



The researchers analyzed over 5 million archived searches and conducted experiments with 6,800 participants.



The findings demonstrate that individuals primed with positive imagery (such as babies, sunshine, and bubbles) used more positive emotional words in their online searches, leading to a significant boost in ad clicks.



“When people are in a positive mood and experiencing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-and-diverse-experiences-spark-positive-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">positive emotions</a>, they have rose-colored glasses on,” Whitley explained. This effect was observed across a variety of products, from water bottles to books and posters.



Test subjects who used positive search terms like “joyful” or “inspiring” were twice as likely to click on ads at the top of their search results compared to those who used neutral descriptors like “clear” or “lightweight.”



“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/positivity-and-emotional-awareness-can-add-years-to-your-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">positive feeling</a> has nothing to do with the product they are searching for; it’s just something they are feeling at the moment,” said study co-author Professor Anindita Chakravarty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-mood-altering-is-your-click">How mood-altering is your click?</h2>



Interestingly, these findings suggest that the positive emotions consumers feel at the time of their search have no direct connection to the product itself. 



“When it happens they’re feeling happy and need to search for a product at the same time, they are going to use more positive words when they type in their search query. And that’s when the practical implications come in," said Professor Chakravarty.



This insight carries significant practical implications for online marketers, particularly in understanding how to target consumers based on their current emotional state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-positive-emotions-as-a-marketing-target">Positive emotions as a marketing target</h2>



Marketers may find it beneficial to reserve ad dollars for targeting happier consumers early in the buying process, rather than relying solely on deal-based search terms. 



“Instead of just thinking about deal-based search terms, marketers might want to consider some of these positive emotion words in search terms that can indicate how the consumer is feeling at that moment,” said Professor Whitley.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-happiness-and-online-impulse-shopping">Happiness and online impulse shopping </h2>



Happiness not only influences how consumers search for products but also plays a significant role in driving impulse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-welfare-biggest-concern-people-making-food-choices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">buying behaviors</a>. 



When individuals are in a positive emotional state, they tend to be more open to spontaneous purchases, feeling less restrained by practical considerations such as budget constraints or perceived risks. 



This elevated mood can lead to a more carefree approach to shopping, where consumers are motivated by the desire to maintain their happiness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tapping-into-the-happiness-of-consumers">Tapping into the happiness of consumers</h2>



Emotional shopping is especially prominent in categories like luxury goods, electronics, and entertainment, where emotional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruit-vegetables-and-exercise-can-increase-life-satisfaction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satisfaction</a> is closely tied to the purchase experience. Products in these categories often offer an immediate sense of gratification, which appeals more strongly to consumers when they’re in an uplifted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/link-between-sleep-and-mood-explains-the-wrong-side-of-the-bed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mood</a>.



For marketers, this means strategically targeting happier consumers with time-sensitive offers, exclusive deals, or suggesting complementary products during the buying process can significantly boost sales. 



By tapping into the emotional state of online shoppers, businesses can encourage unplanned purchases and drive higher overall sales, particularly by using engaging visuals, personalized recommendations, and marketing messages that evoke positive feelings and reinforce the consumer's good mood.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00222429241263012" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Marketing</a>.



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Happiness influences online shopping habits

Happiness plays a larger role in online shopping than we...

Air,Pollution,From,Car,Exhaust,Smoke,Traffic,In,The,City.

Turns out our environment, the air we breathe, and the noise we hear, can play a crucial role in fertility. A recent Danish study published by The BMJ highlights that long term exposure to air pollution particulates (PM2.5) and road traffic noise can increase the risk of infertility in both men and women.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-noise-and-infertility">Air pollution, noise and infertility</h2>



Reproductive health is a significant topic around the world, garnering lots of attention and research. 



Infertility, one particular aspect of reproductive health, affects one in every seven couples trying to conceive. 



While various culprits have been blamed for this issue, our focus today is on the role of air pollution and traffic noise.



Inconsistent results from previous studies have driven the need to investigate these environmental factors further. 



While some studies have suggested negative impacts of air pollution on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/semen-has-its-own-microbiome-and-it-may-be-the-cause-of-infertility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sperm quality</a> and fertility treatments, no concrete studies had looked into traffic noise's role.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-infertility-diagnoses">Infertility diagnoses</h2>



To bring clarity to the matter, researchers delved into investigating if long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and road traffic noise could be associated with higher risk <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-fertility-rates-are-quickly-declining-and-little-is-being-done-about-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infertility</a> in men and women. 



Using national registry data from Denmark, they selected 526,056 men and 377,850 women, all aged between 30-45 years, and mostly trying to become pregnant.



To ensure purity in their study, the researchers selected participants who were yet to receive infertility diagnoses or undergone surgeries that prevent pregnancy. 



Also, the chosen participants had fewer than two children and were either cohabiting or married.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-pollution-and-noise-on-infertility">Impact of pollution and noise on infertility</h2>



Based on the participant's addresses from 1995-2017, the researchers calculated the yearly average PM2.5 concentrations and road traffic noise levels. 



They then cross-checked these records with infertility diagnoses from the national patient register.



The findings? During the 18-year follow-up, 16,172 men and 22,672 women were diagnosed with infertility. 



Further adjustments for influential factors like income, education level, and occupation showed that exposure to 2.9 µg/m3 higher average levels of PM2.5 over five years increased the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-testicles-created-in-a-lab-will-eventually-produce-sperm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infertility</a> in men aged 30-45 years by 24%. 



On the other hand, women exposed to 10.2 decibel higher average levels of road traffic noise over five years had a 14% higher risk of infertility, but only for those older than 35 years.



For the men, road traffic noise increased infertility risk slightly in the 37-45 age group, but not among those aged 30-37 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rich-poor-middle-class">Rich, poor, middle Class</h2>



No corner of Denmark was spared. The study found consistent rise in the risk of noise-related infertility in women and PM2.5 related infertility in men across rural, suburban, and urban areas. Socioeconomic status, whether low, medium, or high, had little effect on these findings.



And while the study is observational, thus designed to find links rather than cause-effect relationships, their large sample size based on reliable health and residential data adds weight to the findings. 



Additionally, validated models were used to assess the impact of pollution and noise levels, taking into account major social and economic factors.



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



The researchers acknowledge the potential limitations of their infertility study, including potential inclusion of couples not actively trying to conceive, or lacking information on factors such as lifestyle, or exposure to noise and air pollution at work and during leisure activities. 



Yet, their findings shine a light on a rarely discussed aspect of infertility.  



“If our results are confirmed in future studies, it suggests that political implementation of air pollution and noise mitigations may be important tools for improving birth rates in the western world,” the authors conclude.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications">Study implications</h2>



This begs the question: what does this mean for you and me, and what can we practically do about it?



While individual actions can be taken to reduce exposure to noise and air pollution, the study on infertility poses a challenging question to policymakers. 



If these results are confirmed in future studies, does it warrant enforcing regulations on noise and air pollution?



It's certainly food for thought. Could this be the push needed for stricter regulations on noise and air pollution?



Ultimately, if these findings stand up to further scrutiny, they could guide strategies to protect us all from these exposures. In the end, it might not just be a call for cleaner air and quieter streets, but also a chance at improving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-infertility-screening-will-be-drastically-improved-with-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birth rates</a> in the western world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj-2024-080664" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The BMJ</a>.



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Air pollution and traffic noise increase the risk of infertility

Turns out our environment, the air we breathe, and the...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features 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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" 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> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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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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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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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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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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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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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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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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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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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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



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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



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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



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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



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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...