Do you ever wonder if where you live impacts your health? Well, you might be onto something. New research has opened a new chapter in the rural-urban health divide saga. 



The studies rolling off their desks portray a rather disconcerting picture: rural men are living shorter lives and spending fewer of their twilight years in good health compared to their urban counterparts. Why is this so? 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-in-rural-and-urban-areas">Health in rural and urban areas</h2>



Rural areas, often romanticized as idyllic havens of tranquility, are in fact battlegrounds where lifestyle habits wage war on human health daily.



Among rural men, the troika of smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions have insidiously woven themselves into the fabric of life. 



This deadly cocktail is fueling the rural-urban divide in illness. As our calendars keep flipping, this gap in health disparity widens. Spoiler alert: when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mens-brains-shrink-in-the-evening-and-reset-overnight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rural men</a> hit sixty, the game is almost over.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-demand-dwindling-supply">Rising demand, dwindling supply</h2>



As if the above predicaments weren't enough, rural areas face an increasingly uphill battle when it comes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-diet-may-protect-cognitive-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthcare</a>. 



With a higher demand for care and dwindling provider numbers, the future seems bleak. Rural areas are aging faster, largely because the younger folk are packing their bags and heading to the cities. 



This mass exodus further shrinks the supply of potential caregivers, posing quite a challenge for rural communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rural-health-crisis">Rural health crisis</h2>



"Rural populations face a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, which has serious implications for healthy aging," said lead author<a href="https://healthpolicy.usc.edu/author/jack-m-chapel/"> Jack Chapel</a>, a postdoctoral scholar at the <a href="https://healthpolicy.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USC Schaeffer Center</a> for Health Policy &amp; Economics.



"With an aging population and fewer physicians available, the burden on rural communities is set to grow, leading to significant challenges in providing care for those who will face more health issues in the future."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-quality-for-rural-men">Health quality for rural men</h2>



The researchers used data from the Health and Retirement Survey and a prediction tool known as the Future Elderly Model. 



The goal? To anticipate future life expectancy and health quality for rural and urban Americans after age 60. 



They compared health trajectories for Americans who turned 60 between 2014-2020 and those who hit the mark between 1994-2000.



Their results? Quite startling. The disparity between rural and urban men has tripled in the last two decades. Presently, rural men can expect to live about two years less than their urban peers. 



What's more, they suffer from quality health for 1.8 fewer years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-rural-health-gap">Urban-rural health gap</h2>



About ten years ago, a game-changing study revealed that people with lower education levels are more prone to "deaths of despair" -- think drug overdoses or suicide.



This new study shows that although education is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fathers-diets-impact-the-heart-health-of-their-daughters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">critical factor in health quality</a>, it doesn't fully explain the urban-rural gap. 



When the researchers adjusted rural education levels to match their urban counterparts, they did see a reduction in the healthy life expectancy gap. But it was far from a perfect solution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interventions-to-bridge-the-gap">Interventions to bridge the gap</h2>



So, what can be done? Researchers suggest interventions focusing on smoking reduction, obesity management, and cardiovascular disease treatment and control. 



But it's easier said than done. Even the most effective interventions couldn't completely bridge the rural-urban divide in healthy life expectancy.



Co-author<a href="https://healthpolicy.usc.edu/author/elizabeth-currid-halkett-phd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Elizabeth Currid-Halkett</a> is the James Irvine Chair in Urban and Regional Planning and a senior scholar at the USC Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy &amp; Government Service.



“While education matters, so does smoking, prevalent obesity, cardiovascular conditions – and simply living in a rural area -- which leads not only to more deaths but more illness among rural American men,” Currid-Halkett explained.



“Closing the gap in healthy life expectancy between urban and rural areas for older adults would require encouraging health behavior changes earlier in life and making broader social and economic improvements in rural areas,” said co-author<a href="https://healthpolicy.usc.edu/author/bryan-tysinger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Bryan Tysinger</a>, director of health policy simulation at the Schaeffer Center.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-big-picture">The big picture</h2>



There's no easy way to put this: the health of rural men is in crisis. This glaring reality underscores the need for urgent, comprehensive, and multi-faceted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/men-could-face-an-84-increase-in-cancer-cases-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interventions</a>. 



While progress might be slow and the challenge seems daunting, remember that every life improved is worth the effort. After all, health shouldn't be a luxury determined by your zip code.



The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.12875" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Journal of Rural Health</a>.



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Growing health gap between rural and urban men around the world

Do you ever wonder if where you live impacts your health? Well, you might be onto something. New research has opened a new chapter in the rural-urban health divide saga. The studies rolling off their desks portray a rather disconcerting picture: rural men are living shorter lives and spending fewer of their twilight years in good health compared to their urban counterparts. Why is this so? Health in rural and urban areas Rural areas, often romanticized as idyllic havens of tranquility, are in fact battlegrounds where lifestyle...

Worldwide, the proportion of people over the age of 60 is predicted to double in the next three decades. An aging population brings with it many attendant health issues, not least of which is type 2 diabetes. This disease is characterized by insulin resistance, or an inability of the body cells to respond to insulin, and its treatment places a burden on public <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-d-is-essential-for-heart-health/">health</a> systems globally.&nbsp;



Insulin resistance is often associated with reduced physical activity and so, as we age and become less active, we are more prone to developing type 2 diabetes. However, the precise mechanism whereby physical inactivity leads to the development of insulin resistance has not been demonstrated.



Now, in a study led by Professor Tony Tiganis of <a href="https://www.monash.edu/">Monash University</a>, researchers have discovered the metabolic mechanism whereby physical activity levels and insulin resistance are connected in laboratory mice.&nbsp;



According to Professor Tiganis, skeletal muscle cells constantly produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and this process increases during physical exercise. Moderate exposure to these oxygen-derived free radicals is essential for normal cellular function in our bodies, and also induces the body’s adaptive response to produce antioxidants in defense. Regular exercise benefits health by enhancing antioxidant defenses against high levels of ROS, and this is one of the ways in which doing exercise makes us feel better.



“Exercise-induced ROS drive adaptive responses that are integral to the health-promoting effects of exercise,” said Professor Tiganis.&nbsp;However, a reduction in generation of ROS in skeletal muscle, brought on by decreasing physical activity as we age, is instrumental in the development of insulin resistance.&nbsp;



The research team found that, in mice, an enzyme called NOX-4 is essential for producing exercise-induced ROS and therefore for the adaptive responses that drive metabolic health. They found that levels of NOX-4 increased in skeletal muscle after the mice exercised and that this led to increased ROS, which elicited the adaptive responses that protect mice from the development of insulin resistance.



Importantly, the scientists have shown that the levels of NOX-4 in skeletal muscle are directly related to age-associated decline in insulin sensitivity.&nbsp;“In this study we have shown, in animal models, that skeletal muscle NOX-4 abundance is decreased with aging and that this leads to a reduction in insulin sensitivity,” said Professor Tiganis.



These findings help explain how physical activity actually enhances insulin responses and promotes metabolic health. In addition, the enzyme that is key in this mechanism has the potential to be targeted by drugs in order to promote its activity, thereby protecting against the consequences of aging, such as diabetes.&nbsp;



“Triggering the activation of the adaptive mechanisms orchestrated by NOX-4&nbsp;with drugs, might ameliorate key aspects of aging, including the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes,” said Professor Tiganis.&nbsp;



“One of these compounds is found naturally, for instance, in cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli or cauliflower, though the amount needed for anti-aging effects might be more than many would be willing to consume.”&nbsp;



The study is published today in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv">Science Advances</a>.



---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Enzyme produced during exercise protects against aging

Worldwide, the proportion of people over the age of 60...

After certain U.S. states introduced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lockdowns-disrupted-work-leisure-balance-especially-for-moms/">lockdowns</a> and stay-at-home orders in March, 2020, there were anecdotal reports that people bought and consumed more alcohol than usual. However, data-driven research into whether this was the case produced mixed results.



Scientists at the <a href="http://www.buffalo.edu/">University of Buffalo</a> set out to clarify this situation by analyzing data on sales of alcohol in 16 U.S. states during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. They used monthly sales figures reported by the <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/">NIAAA</a> for the period from March to June 2020, and compared these with sales in the same period in 2018 and 2019. In some states (but not all), separate sales figures were available for wine, beer and spirits.&nbsp;



In addition, the researchers used anonymized mobility data from over 45 million smart mobile devices (mostly smartphones) indicating people’s visits to businesses where alcohol is sold. In this way they could assess any changes in the relationship between alcohol sales and people’s visits to businesses that sell alcohol.&nbsp;



“Anonymized human mobility data and geospatial analysis help us understand how people’s visiting behavior to alcohol outlets changed during the stay-at-home period of COVID-19, and how such behavior change varied across different geographic regions,” says Yingjie Hu, PhD, an assistant professor of geography in the UB College of Arts and Sciences.



“Understanding how alcohol purchase behavior is changed by events such as COVID is important because heavy alcohol use is known to be associated with numerous social problems, especially within the home,” says Bria Quigley, PhD, research assistant professor of medicine in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB and the UB Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions.



The results of the analyses showed that the overall sales of spirits and wine increased in the early months of the pandemic – by as much as 20–40 percent in some states. The sales of beer declined overall, compared to sales during the same period in previous years. Meanwhile, people’s visits to bars and pubs declined, but visits to liquor stores increased.



The trends did vary significantly between states. For example, while beer sales decreased in most states, they increased in Kansas, Arkansas and Texas. Furthermore, Texas, Kentucky and Virginia showed sustained increases in their sales of both spirits and wine, which the authors suggest “can be alarming signals for problematic alcohol use.”



“If data can provide information about geographic areas in which alcohol use increases during certain types of events such as during severe weather, high unemployment, or events such as the COVID pandemic, this information can be useful to help prepare law enforcement, medical professionals and substance use disorder treatment providers to address alcohol-related issues associated with such times,” said Quigley.



Machine-learning assessments in the study point to a significant shift in the relationship between alcohol sales data and visits to various alcohol outlets. The researchers suggest the possibility that people turned increasingly to online alcohol purchases or to panic buying of spirits and wine. More research will be necessary to understand the exact changes in people’s purchasing behavior.&nbsp;



The research team notes that the study has some limitations: For example, many states were not included in the NIAAA dataset, and the human mobility data was not able to capture sales at places such as grocery stores, where sales of alcohol are mixed with sales of other items.&nbsp;



Nevertheless, these results provide insights into the potential effects of lockdown policies on alcohol use and could inform future public health policies to address alcohol-related social issues, the researchers say.



The results of this study were published today in the open-access journal&nbsp;<a href="https://plos.org/">PLOS ONE</a>.



---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Many turned to alcohol during early pandemic lockdown

After certain U.S. states introduced lockdowns and stay-at-home orders in...

Meditation used to be considered by many people as reserved for religious and spiritual practice, but modern digital apps have brought the act to the mainstream. Not only has it become significantly more popular, but a new study has concluded that people who meditate regularly see a huge range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/outdoor-exercise-improves-mental-health/">mental health</a> benefits.



A new study conducted by <a href="https://onepoll.com/">OnePoll</a> on behalf of <a href="https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/">Kaiser Permanente</a> has found that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, over three-quarters of Americans have sought to support their mental health through digital tools. Among the 2,003 survey participants, 57 percent said they meditated regularly as part of their self-care routine, at an average of two hours per week.



In addition to meditation, 42 percent of respondents consumed online videos and streaming services concerning self-care, with a third using generalized mental health apps and a third using hobby-focused online programs such as yoga and art apps.



Survey respondents who meditated regularly reported several benefits. Among these participants, 42 percent reported a better sex life, 51 percent claimed to have better emotional control, 57 percent experienced improved sleep quality, and 60 percent had better clarity and focus.&nbsp;



Around half of the participants also stated that they had sought out ways to manage substance abuse issues, with 52 percent of these individuals reporting that meditation helped them through the struggle.



The increase in uptake of digital self-help tools is a result of various increased life stresses from the pandemic. However, three issues arose as most prevalent - 40 percent of users reported financial stress as their primary concern, 39 percent cited health concerns, and 37 percent noted difficulties with family and friends.



“The events of the past several years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have clearly taken a toll on our emotional well-being,” said Cosette Taillac, vice president for Mental Health and Wellness at Kaiser Permanente. “Digital self-care tools for mindfulness, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy can help boost resilience and offer useful and accessible self-help tools for people experiencing emotional distress.”



Despite the benefits of digital meditation apps being clear, almost half of the survey participants still expressed skepticism. A quarter of respondents were put off by the digital tools in fear of practicing meditation and mindfulness incorrectly, and nearly half thought the tools were overly complicated or would not be as effective as real-life solutions.



“Digital self-care tools are not meant to take the place of care from a skilled mental health clinician,” said Taillac. “But evidence-based apps can complement that care and support overall emotional well-being. That’s especially true when the app has been vetted and recommended by a trusted health care provider, making it more likely that patients will feel comfortable using the resource.”



---



By <a href="mailto:calumvaughan05@gmail.com">Calum Vaughan</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Meditation may lead to better focus, sleep, and sex life

Meditation used to be considered by many people as reserved...

Currently, models of alcohol use and misuse are mostly derived from research on men,but it seems that these models may not always be applicable to women. New research has found that exposure to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-makes-lifes-clock-tick-faster/">stress</a> can lead women to consume more alcohol than intended, while stress alone does not have the same effect on the consumption of alcohol by men.



“Some people can intend to have one or two alcoholic beverages and stop drinking, but other people just keep going. This impaired control over drinking is one of the earliest indicators of alcohol use disorders, and we know stress contributes to both impaired control over drinking and dysregulated drinking. The role of stress in impaired control over drinking is understudied, especially in women,” said study lead author Julie Patock-Peckham, assistant research professor at Arizona State University.



The study took place in a laboratory that was set up to resemble a bar. There was a bar tender, bar stools, a choice of alcoholic beverages and lively bar-room conversation. The participants (105 men and 105 women) were randomly divided into two groups, one that experienced a stressful situation and the other that experienced a non-stressful situation.



Next, half of the participants received an alcoholic drink that was equivalent to three cocktails, and the other half received three non-alcoholic drinks. After that, all participants had unrestricted access to alcoholic drinks from the bar for 90 minutes.&nbsp;



The researchers monitored alcohol consumption by counting the number of alcoholic beverages consumed, and also by measuring breath blood alcohol content (BAC). Their aim was to determine whether stress, the initial drink or the combination of the two most accurately predicted how much alcohol participants would consume.&nbsp;



“We know that both genes and the environment play a role in problematic drinking. We can’t do anything about the genes, but we can intervene with the environment. Stress and impaired control over drinking are tightly connected, and because stress is something we can manipulate, we tested whether stressors cause dysregulated drinking,” said Patock-Peckham, who leads the&nbsp;<a href="https://psychology.clas.asu.edu/research/labs/social-addictions-impulse-lab">Social Addictions Impulse Lab</a>&nbsp;at ASU.



The results showed that participants exposed to stress engaged in heavier drinking, irrespective of their gender. However, men who experienced stress and then received an initial alcoholic drink consumed more alcohol than men who experienced stress but received a placebo (non-alcoholic drink) to start with.&nbsp;



In the case of women, whether the first drink was alcoholic or not did not make a difference: experiencing stress led to heavy drinking.



“That women just needed the stress but men needed the push of already having alcohol on board shows how important this type of research is,” said Patock-Peckham. “The outcomes from alcohol use are not the same for men and women, and we cannot keep using models that were developed in men to help women.”



In general, although rates of alcohol misuse are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/women-and-alcohol">higher in men than in women</a>, women are&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26331879/">catching</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27797998/">up</a>. Women are also&nbsp;more <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26371405/">at risk</a>&nbsp;than men of developing alcohol-related problems.



The results of this study are published in the journal <a href="https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/adb">Psychology of Addictive Behaviors</a>.



---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Stress causes women to consume more alcohol than intended

Currently, models of alcohol use and misuse are mostly derived...

Scientists estimate that globally two out of five plant species are threatened with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-dragonfly-species-at-risk-of-extinction/">extinction</a>. Despite this clear trend, there is still much debate over whether species richness is also declining locally. This phenomenon is referred to as the “biodiversity conservation paradox."



An international team of scientists led by <a href="https://www.idiv.de/en/about-idiv.html">iDiv</a> has now taken a closer look at the displacement of rare plants by analyzing a shift in species composition across three habitats. Plant species were examined in mountain summits, woodland understories, and meadows and pastures.&nbsp;



The results show that widely distributed plants which prefer nutrient rich soils are becoming more common, while plants with small ranges requiring low nutrient soils are in decline.&nbsp;



Across the mountain habitats, species numbers are still increasing. However, according to study first author Dr. Ingmar Staude, this may not always be the case. He said that in the long term, species displacement may be expected here too.



The plant species composition analysis was derived from research at 141 study areas spread across 19 countries. The data goes back as far as the 1940s.&nbsp;



The researchers found that the major culprit of species displacement is an increase in soil nutrients such as nitrogen, which is associated with agriculture. Combustion and an increase in soil temperatures are also contributing factors. These additional factors cause the phenomena to be far outside of normal agricultural areas.&nbsp;



“We are witnessing these dynamics unfolding in near-natural habitats, places we’d expect to provide safe havens for specialized species and those of high conservation value," said Dr. Ingmar. "This suggests that the Anthropocene is not stopping at the doors of the few remaining wild areas that we consider protected.”



“The results of the study are not just be seen as an ‘early warning signal,' said study co-author Professor Harold Pauli. "Particularly concerning is that the species change has proceeded in the same direction across strongly differing ecosystems. We, therefore, expect that we are dealing here with a pervasive, large-scale phenomenon.”



Overall, the research highlights the issue of intense agriculture driving local extinction of rare plants. Unfortunately, this problem will only get worse with a growing population that will demand even more agriculture.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14610248">Ecology Letters</a>.



---By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Rare plants are displaced by more common species

Scientists estimate that globally two out of five plant species...

Cocoa, used in the production of dark chocolate, is rich in iron, fibers, and phytochemicals – powerful chemical compounds found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-can-slow-global-warming-but-they-cannot-stop-it/">plants</a>, which boost immunity and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, dementia, arthritis, and stroke. Now, researchers have found that a moderate daily intake of dark chocolate can improve the mood too.



A study led by the Seoul National University in South Korea has demonstrated that healthy adults who ate 30 grams of 85 percent dark chocolate per day (about a third of a normal 100 grams bar of chocolate that supermarkets usually sell) were happier compared to those who ate chocolate with less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cocoa-can-help-people-live-longer-healthier-lives/">cocoa</a> in it, or no chocolate at all.



“Dark chocolate has long been recognized for its mood-altering properties,” the study authors wrote. “However, the evidence regarding the emotional effects of daily dark chocolate intake is limited. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides evidence that dark chocolate consumption in everyday life influences physiological and psychological states.”



In order to test this hypothesis, the scientists enrolled 46 participants, and asked them to consume either 30g of 85 percent dark chocolate, or 30g of 70 percent cocoa chocolate, or no chocolate at all each day for three weeks. The participants’ moods were assessed by using the self-report questionnaire “<a href="https://ogg.osu.edu/media/documents/MB%20Stream/PANAS.pdf">The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule</a>” (PANAS).&nbsp;



Moreover, in order to assess the possible associations between the mood-altering effects of dark chocolate and gut microbiota, the researchers also analyzed participants’ fecal samples.



The scientists found that consumption of 85 percent dark chocolate significantly reduced negative mood states and increased gut microbial diversity. Participants who ate this type of chocolate had particularly high levels of Blautia, a type of gut bacteria known to be associated with positive mood changes.



According to the researchers, the mood-altering properties of 85 percent dark chocolate are probably “mediated by changes in the diversity and abundance of intestinal bacteria.”



“These findings indicate that dark chocolate exerts&nbsp;prebiotic&nbsp;effects, as evidenced by its ability to restructure the diversity and abundance of intestinal bacteria; thus, it may improve negative emotional states via the gut-brain axis,” they concluded.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955286321002746?via%3Dihub">Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Dark chocolate triggers mood-boosting changes in the gut

Cocoa, used in the production of dark chocolate, is rich...

Previously, experts have linked low levels of sun exposure with the onset of conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia, lupus, and Crohn’s disease. According to a new study from <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/">UC San Francisco</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-to-sunlight-enhances-libido/">sunshine</a> also has a protective effect against multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases in children and young adults.



The analysis was focused on 332 individuals between the ages of three and 22 who had been recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The researchers compared the participants' locations and amount of sun exposure to 534 individuals without MS.



Among the participants who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, 19 percent said they spent less than 30 minutes outdoors each day during the previous summer. At the same time, just six percent of individuals who did not have MS fell into this category of low sun exposure.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Ultimately, the researchers determined that participants who spent a daily average of 30 minutes to one hour outdoors had a 52 percent lower chance of multiple sclerosis compared to young people who went outside for less than 30 minutes per day.



Study co-senior author Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant, director of the UCSF Regional Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center, noted that sun exposure is known to boost vitamin D levels. “It also stimulates immune cells in the skin that have a protective role in diseases such as MS. Vitamin D may also change the biological function of the immune cells and, as such, play a role in protecting against autoimmune diseases.”



Multiple sclerosis usually emerges in adults between the ages of 20 to 50. However, up to five percent of the approximately one million MS patients in the United States begin experiencing symptoms in childhood.&nbsp;



Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis takes longer than adults to advance, but debilitating symptoms that come along with disease progression - such as poor coordination and loss of bowel and bladder control - are reached approximately 10 years earlier.



The UCSF study also revealed that residents of Florida, who are exposed to a greater intensity of sunlight, are 21 percent less likely than residents of New York to develop multiple sclerosis.



According to the report, sun exposure is “dose-dependent,” (the longer the exposure the lower the risk). The researchers noted that even exposure in the first year of life seemed to protect against MS.



Fortunately, the use of sunscreen does not appear to lessen the therapeutic effects of sunlight in warding off MS, said Dr. Waubant. She added that clinical trials are needed to determine if increasing sun exposure or vitamin D supplementation can prevent the development of MS or alter disease course post-diagnosis.



"Advising regular time in the sun of at least 30 minutes daily especially during summer, using sun protection as needed, especially for first degree relatives of MS patients, may be a worthwhile intervention to reduce the incidence of MS.”



The study is published in <a href="https://n.neurology.org/">Neurology</a>, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology.



---



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

Sunshine protects young people from multiple sclerosis

Previously, experts have linked low levels of sun exposure with...

A daily dose of yogurt can help lower blood pressure, particularly among individuals with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-pollution-exposure-linked-to-hypertension/">hypertension</a>, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.unisa.edu.au/">University of South Australia</a>. 



More than one billion people suffer from hypertension, or high blood pressure. These individuals have a greater risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death worldwide. Every 36 seconds, someone in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease.



Yogurt is known to improve digestive health, boost the immune system, and help with weight management. The current study explores the health benefits of yogurt specifically for individuals at a high risk of cardiovascular disease.



"Associations between fermented dairy products and blood pressure are unclear. The current study therefore examined the association between yogurt and blood pressure in hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals," explained the study authors.&nbsp;



In collaboration with experts at the University of Maine, the researchers investigated the relationship between yogurt intake, blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors. They found that for individuals with hypertension, yogurt is associated with lower blood pressure.



Study co-author Dr. Alexandra Wade said the research provides new evidence that connects yogurt with positive blood pressure outcomes for hypertensive people.



“High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, so it’s important that we continue to find ways to reduce and regulate it,” explained Dr. Wade.



“Dairy foods, especially yogurt, may be capable of reducing blood pressure. This is because dairy foods contain a range of micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium and potassium, all of which are involved in the regulation of blood pressure."



“Yogurt is especially interesting because it also contains bacteria that promote the release of proteins which lowers blood pressure."



“This study showed for people with elevated blood pressure, even small amounts of yogurt were associated with lower blood pressure."



“And for those who consumed yogurt regularly, the results were even stronger, with blood pressure readings nearly seven points lower than those who did not consume yogurt.”



According to the researchers, future observational and intervention studies should continue to focus on at-risk individuals to examine the potential benefits of yogurt.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/international-dairy-journal">International Dairy Journal</a>.



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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

Yogurt is a powerful weapon against high blood pressure

A daily dose of yogurt can help lower blood pressure,...

In recent decades, scientists have extensively explored the negative effects of stress on human health and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solitude-increased-well-being-during-the-pandemic/" data-type="news" data-id="1897716">well-being</a>. Prolonged stress increases the risk of heart disease, mood disorders, diabetes, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, it disrupts our ability to think clearly and regulate our emotions. 



Now, a study led by <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale University</a> has found that stress can also influence the aging process by interacting with our “epigenetic clock,” or the changes in DNA that occur at different times in different people as they grow older.&nbsp;



In order to investigate the relationship between chronic stress and aging, the scientists enrolled 444 people between the ages of 19 and 50. The individuals provided blood samples that were used to evaluate the age-related chemical changes captured by a tool called “GrimAge” (which was built to assess the state of particular individuals’ life’s clocks). The participants also answered questions regarding their stress levels and psychological resilience.



The researchers found that, even after accounting for behavioral and demographic factors such as body mass index, diets, smoking, race, or income levels, participants who scored higher on measures related to prolonged stress showed accelerated aging markers and physiological changes such as increased insulin resistance.



However, subjects who scored high on two psychological resilience measures (emotion regulation and self-control) appeared to be more resilient to the effects of stress on aging and insulin resistance.



“These results support the popular notion that stress makes us age faster, but they also suggest a promising way to possibly minimize these adverse consequences of stress through strengthening emotion regulation and self-control,” said study lead author Zachary Harvanek, a resident in the Yale Medical School’s <a href="https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/">Department of Psychiatry</a>.



Thus, the more psychologically resilient a person is, the more chances they have to live a longer and healthier life. “We all like to feel like we have some agency over our fate,” said study senior author Rajita Sinha, a professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Yale. “So it is a cool thing to reinforce in people’s minds that we should make an investment in our psychological health.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-021-01735-7">Transactional Psychiatry</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Stress makes life’s clock tick faster

In recent decades, scientists have extensively explored the negative effects...

In the American population, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-sleep-reduces-the-risk-of-cognitive-decline/">sleep</a> deprivation has become a major public health concern, with only two-thirds of the adult population reporting the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep nightly. Cannabis is commonly used in the US as a sleep aid, despite there being mixed findings in the scientific literature in regard to its efficacy.



At the same time, cannabis use in North America has also increased dramatically. Approximately 45 million adults in the USA reported cannabis use in 2019, which is double the prevalence reported in the early 2000s. This increase is due in part to the widespread decriminalization of the drug during the past decade, but also due to research that shows cannabinoids may have therapeutic value in relieving pain, and in treating anxiety and sleep disorders. Evidence of the effective use of cannabis to normalize sleep patterns is, however, usually derived from small studies that show inconclusive results.&nbsp;



New research, published today in the online journal&nbsp;<a href="https://rapm.bmj.com/">Regional Anesthesia &amp; Pain Medicine</a> makes use of data on sleep duration and cannabis use from US adults who took part in the biennial National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2005 to 2018. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between cannabis use and nightly sleep duration in a nationally representative dataset.



"Despite the current literature demonstrating mixed effects of cannabis and various cannabinoid formulations on sleep architecture and quality, these agents are being increasingly used as both prescribed and unprescribed experimental therapies for sleep disturbances," said the study authors.&nbsp;



The researchers categorized participants as non-users of cannabis, or as recent users if they had used in the past 30 days. Among those, moderate users were defined as those who had used cannabis on fewer than 20 of those days, while heavy users were those who had used on 20 or more of the past 30 days.&nbsp;



Sleep duration was defined as short (less than 6 hours), optimal (6–9 hours), or long (more than 9 hours).&nbsp;Participants were asked whether they had difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping for too long in the past 2 weeks. They were also asked whether they had ever consulted a doctor about a sleep problem.



Surveys from a total of 21,729 participants were used in the analysis, and the researchers state that these people were representative of an estimated 146.5 million US adults. Of these participants, 3,132 (14.5%) reported that they had used cannabis in the preceding 30 days, while the rest were non-users.



The average nightly sleep duration for all participants was just less than 7 hours but recent users were 34 percent more likely to report short sleep and 56 percent more likely to report long sleep than non-users. They were also 31 percent more likely to report difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much in the preceding 2 weeks, and 29 percent more likely to have discussed a sleeping problem with a doctor.&nbsp;



Furthermore, moderate users were 47 percent more likely to sleep 9 or more hours a night compared with non-users, while heavy users were 76 percent more likely to experience long sleep. Heavy users were also 64 percent more likely to experience short sleep.



The analysis took into consideration other factors that could potentially influence the relationship, such as: age; race; educational attainment; weekly working hours; a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and coronary artery disease; weight (BMI); smoking; heavy alcohol use (4 or more drinks daily); and prescriptions for opioids, benzodiazepines, ‘Z drugs’ (approved for insomnia), barbiturates, other sedatives, and stimulants.



The findings indicate that recent cannabis use is linked to extremes of nightly sleep duration, with users being more likely to experience less than six hours or more than nine hours of sleep a night. No clear relationship between cannabis use and improved sleep patterns was observed.&nbsp;



“Our findings highlight the need to further characterize the sleep health of regular cannabis users in the population," wrote the study authors. "Sleep-wake physiology and regulation is complex and research about related endocannabinoid pathways is in its early stages.”



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Recent cannabis use linked extreme sleep patterns

In the American population, sleep deprivation has become a major...

Vitamin D, which we generally get from exposure to the sun, is essential for our bodies, particularly the bones. However, new research from the <a href="https://www.unisa.edu.au/">University of South Australia</a> has found that low levels of vitamin D do not only affect the bones, but could also increase the risk of cardiovascular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-have-a-high-risk-of-disease-due-to-inbreeding/">disease</a>.&nbsp;



Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide, taking an average of 17.9 million lives each year. In Australia, one in four deaths is caused by CVDs, and treatment for such diseases cost the Australian economy five billion dollars per year.&nbsp;



Low levels of vitamin D are common in many parts of the world, with data from the <a href="https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/">UK Biobank</a> showing that 55 percent of participants have low levels (&lt;50 nmol/L), and 13 percent have severe deficiency (&lt;25 nmol/L). In the United States, 24 percent of the people suffer from vitamin D deficiency, in Canada 37 percent, and in Australia 24 percent.



By using a genetic approach to assess the vitamin levels of 267,980 participants and compare it with CVD risks, scientists found that people with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to suffer from heart disease and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-pollution-exposure-linked-to-hypertension/">hypertension</a>. For the participants with the lowest concentrations of this essential vitamin, the risk of heart disease was more than double than for those with sufficient concentrations.



“Severe deficiency is relatively rare, but in settings where this does occur it is very important to be proactive and avoid negative effects on the heart. For example, deficiency can be a problem for people living in residential care who may have limited exposure to sun,”&nbsp;said study lead author Elina Hyppönen, a professor of Nutritional and Genetic Epidemiology at the University of South Australia.



“We can also get vitamin D from food, including oily fish, eggs, and fortified foods and drinks. This said, food is unfortunately a relatively poor source of vitamin D, and even an otherwise healthy diet does not typically contain enough.”



Fortunately, vitamin D can also be taken from daily supplements, which can be safely used by people with low exposure to sun in order enhance their concentrations and thus improve their overall health.



“Those with the lowest concentrations are likely to have the strongest effects, yet a population-wide approach to eradicate vitamin D deficiency could reduce the global burden of CVDs,” Professor Hyppönen concluded.



The study is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehab809/6448753">European Hearth Journal</a>.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Vitamin D is essential for heart health

Vitamin D, which we generally get from exposure to the...

A new study led by the <a href="https://www.uc.edu/">University of Cincinnati</a> has found that during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/latest-coronavirus-variant-may-be-500-more-infectious-than-delta/">COVID-19</a> pandemic, media use increased among tweens (children between 9 and 13 years of age). Although most parents agree that children’s use of technological devices should be controlled, these concerns appeared to take a backseat in 2020, when the pandemic forced parents to make accommodations for children spending more time at home than in physical social settings.



“Family life was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as members adjusted to living, working, and learning at home. Media and technology became a central tool to manage these activities simultaneously for different family members,” wrote the study authors.



In order to examine screen time among tweens, the researchers used a survey in which parents were asked to provide details about their children’s daily routine.&nbsp;



The majority of the parents (87 percent) reported that their tweens were using media more during the pandemic than before, 19.5 percent said that they created a social media account for the child (such as TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram), and one in five parents (21.2 percent) indicated that they have purchased a household tech device, such as a laptop or a Chromebook.



According to the results of the survey, parents who were more worried about the pandemic reported that their tweens used media more. The study also showed that established gender patterns were maintained, with boys generally playing video games, and girls watching videos.



“With more tweens using media during the pandemic than before, it is more important than ever to reconsider our notions of ‘how much’ is ‘too much’ and really focus on what they are getting out of this use,” said study lead author Nancy Jennings, an expert in children media use at the University of Cincinnati.



“For years, many media scholars have begged adults to look beyond just the amount of time children use media and look at what they are doing with it and how it was impacting their lives,” she explained.



For instance, media often helped tweens connect with their peers during the times when they were isolated in their homes, and offered distraction from the fear and uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Thus, according to Jennings, researchers “need to take a deeper look at our kids’ media use and move beyond the sheer quantity of time spent with media.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-03797-001">Psychology of Popular Media</a>.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Tweens used media more during the pandemic

A new study led by the University of Cincinnati has...

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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



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.

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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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



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.

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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