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...

International collaboration in Saudi Arabian archaeological research has uncovered previously unknown clues about the history of the region. The new findings include the oldest evidence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-are-unequivocally-to-blame-for-the-climate-crisis/">humans</a> in Arabia, dating back 400,000 years.&nbsp;



The study, led by Dr. Huw Groucutt of the <a href="https://www.shh.mpg.de/en">Max Planck Institute</a>, found an interesting pattern. It seems that water sources fluctuated over long periods of time in what is now the Nefud Desert. When pools and streams of water formed, they created corridors for humans to travel, allowing access to previously inaccessible areas.&nbsp;



In one site, human habitation appeared sporadically at 400, 300, 200, 100 and 55 thousand years ago. Each human occupation brought with it a different stone tool culture, documenting the shift in technology over time.



The diversity of the region is highlighted by the difference in tools brought to archaeological sites by people who commingled at the same spots but arrived from different origins. Animal remains emphasize this point. Some animals came more from Africa while others were inhabitants or Arabia itself.&nbsp;



Dr. Groucutt explained the importance of his team’s research and how it changes our perspective. “Arabia has long been seen as empty place throughout the past. Our work shows that we still know so little about human evolution in vast areas of the world and highlights the fact that many surprises are still out there.”



The study shows that humans have always depended on a liveable climate to determine where they lived, even in a region that seems to be one of the most inhospitable on Earth. When water was available, people occupied the site until they were forced to move, a common pattern.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“It’s remarkable; every time it was wet, people were there,” said project leader Prof. Michael Petraglia. “This work puts Arabia on the global map for human prehistory."



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/">Nature</a>.



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

Climate change pushed humans back and forth across Arabia

International collaboration in Saudi Arabian archaeological research has uncovered previously...

Staying fit is hard, and when you begin the long journey to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bottlenose-dolphins-struggle-with-weight-in-their-40s/">weight</a> loss it can be an uphill battle. New research confirms that shedding pounds is more than a matter of mindset - if you’re already obese, it can be even harder for you to burn calories than people who are already in shape.&nbsp;



"This analysis using data from the <a href="https://doubly-labelled-water-database.iaea.org/">DLW database</a> shows how individuals are not all the same in the way they budget their energy use. People living with obesity may be particularly efficient at hanging onto their fat stores, making weight loss difficult," explained Professor John Speakman of the <a href="https://english.cas.cn/">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a>



The research, published by a group of international scholars from China and the United Kingdom, looked at data from 1,750 adults. Individuals with a more normal body mass index (BMI) ended up burning more calories at the end of the day after vigorous activity - 72 percent of those calories burned during exercise stayed gone. Those with a higher BMI only ended up losing about half of the calories they burned during exercise.&nbsp;



The researchers believe compensatory mechanisms to be the cause. The body is constantly seeking a state of equilibrium, a balance that both environment and history influence. So, if you eat a lot and then exercise, your body is going to increase your appetite, or possibly reduce the calories you burn while resting to maintain your “normal” state.&nbsp;



Professor Speakman says that this discrepancy explains why despite significant effort, it can be hard for more obese individuals to lose weight. "When enrolled into exercise programs for weight loss, most people lose a little weight. Some individuals lose lots, but a few unlucky individuals actually gain weight.”&nbsp;



Professor Lewis Halsey from the University of Roehampton says that medical professionals and weight loss programs need to take heed of the difference between individuals’ metabolisms.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"Around the world, national guidelines tend to recommend a 500–600 calorie deficit through exercising and dieting to lose weight. However, they do not take into account the reduction of calories being burned in the most basic of human functions as the body compensates for the calories burned on the exercise," explained Professor Halsey.



While the study might sound discouraging to those pursuing a healthier lifestyle, understanding the nuances of one’s own body can only be a good thing. Paying close attention to your own physiological cues can be an added tool for weight loss.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home">Current Biology</a>.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:rugerpaleo@gmail.com">Alex Ruger</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

People who are obese have a harder time burning calories

Staying fit is hard, and when you begin the long...

For many, coffee is a necessary ingredient to start the day. Now, new research has revealed that regular coffee consumption may also be a key component to extending your longevity.



"Our findings suggest that coffee consumption of up to 3 cups per day is associated with favorable cardiovascular outcomes," said Dr. Judit Simon of Semmelweis University. "While further studies are needed to explain the underlying mechanisms, the observed benefits might be partly explained by positive alterations in cardiac structure and function.”



The research, presented at the <a href="https://www.escardio.org/Congress-Home">European Society of Cardiology</a>, assessed coffee consumption among those that did not yet have significant heart problems. Dr. Simon says that her team’s research “is the largest study to systematically assess the cardiovascular effects of regular coffee consumption in a population without diagnosed heart disease.”&nbsp;



Study participants either drank no coffee, 0.5 to three cups a day, or more than three cups daily. The scientists then looked at each individual's age, weight, sex, respiratory health, blood pressure, and other factors to determine their likelihood of being diagnosed with heart disease.&nbsp;



The results showed that those who consumed a moderate amount of coffee had a 17 percent lower risk of heart disease than those who drank no coffee at all.&nbsp;



The researchers also used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to directly look at the heart health of over 30,000 participants. According to Dr. Simon, daily consumers had healthier sized and better functioning hearts. "This was consistent with reversing the detrimental effects of aging on the heart.”



“Our results suggest that regular coffee consumption is safe, as even high daily intake was not associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality after a follow-up of 10 to 15 years.”&nbsp;



Other benefits of drinking coffee regularly may include lower risks of stroke, death from cardiovascular disease, and death from any cause. Although further research is needed to understand this phenomenon, it appears that you don’t need to feel guilty about pouring yourself a cup of joe in the morning.&nbsp;



The research will be presented at <a href="https://www.escardio.org/Congresses-&amp;-Events/ESC-Congress">ESC Congress 2021</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:rugerpaleo@gmail.com">Alex Ruger</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Coffee consumption may reverse the detrimental effects of heart aging

For many, coffee is a necessary ingredient to start the...

Scientists from the <a href="https://uci.edu/">University of California, Irvine</a> and the <a href="https://www.utah.edu/">University of Utah</a> have investigated what makes a human voice attractive, a question with important implications in both our personal and professional lives.



The researchers recorded 42 individuals performing a variety of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/speech-is-the-biggest-spreader-of-covid-19/">speech</a> tasks and asked participants to rate the vocal attractiveness of the recorded speakers. They studied how acoustic correlates of speech clarity might predict attractiveness ratings, with the concept of “vowel space area” (an important qualitative intelligibility index) as a main acoustic feature.



"Much received wisdom and many vocal coaches would encourage people to slow down and carefully enunciate to make a better impression on their audience," said study co-author Daniel Stehr.&nbsp;



"However, when it comes to empirical studies of how attractiveness of the human voice is judged, we couldn't find previous work investigating whether an actual link exists between perceived attractiveness and overall clarity of articulation."



Stehr and his colleagues were surprised to discover an important gender difference for the correlation between speech intelligibility and perceived attractiveness. Although clarity of articulation seemed to be strongly predictive of vocal attractiveness, these results only applied to female speakers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Scientists believe that the lack of relationship between acoustic correlates of clearly produced speech and male vocal attractiveness might have compelling evolutionary origins.



“From a sexual selection standpoint, males with traits that are slightly more masculine than average are typically preferred, which in this context would make males with less clear speech more attractive,” Stehr explained.&nbsp;



However, such theories should not be taken for granted. As Stehr acknowledged, everything connected to evolution can have different, sometimes even contradictory, explanations.&nbsp;



"At the same time, constricted vowel space area and lower perceived clarity is associated with a range of speech motor disorders, suggesting a lack of clarity may also have indicated the presence of disease to our ancestors," said Stehr.



Further research is needed to sort through such contradictory explanations, and shed more light on the evolutionary origins of contemporary human behaviors.



The study was published in <a href="https://asa.scitation.org/journal/jas">The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America</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

What makes a human voice attractive?

Scientists from the University of California, Irvine and the University...

A new study published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Reports</a> has found that prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2 does not guarantee higher levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-antibodies-persist-for-at-least-nine-months/">antibodies</a>, and that full vaccination offers more protection against the virus than previous infection or a single dose of vaccine.&nbsp;



Study participants were selected from a racially and ethnically diverse pool of adults in the Chicago area and were provided with <a href="https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2020/05/antibody-test-covid-19/">antibody testing kits</a> devised by scientists at <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern University</a>. The individuals submitted blood samples two to three weeks after their first dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, as well as two months after the second dose. Scientists measured whether the blood samples could inhibit the binding between coronavirus’ spike protein and the ACE2 receptor.



“When we tested blood samples from participants collected about three weeks after their second vaccine dose, the average level of inhibition was 98 percent, indicating a very high level of neutralizing antibodies,” said study lead author Thomas McDade, professor of anthropology in the <a href="https://weinberg.northwestern.edu/">Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences</a> at Northwestern University.



The researchers found that the antibody response to vaccination varied according the participants’ history of prior infection. Individuals who previously contacted SARS-CoV-2 and had multiple symptoms had much higher antibody levels than those who were asymptomatic or had mild cases.&nbsp;



“Many people, and many doctors, are assuming that any prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2 will confer immunity to re-infection. Based on this logic, some people with prior exposure don’t think they need to get vaccinated.&nbsp;Or if they do get vaccinated, they think that they only need the first dose of the two-dose Pfizer/Moderna vaccines,” explained Professor McDade.



“Our study shows that prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2 does not guarantee a high level of antibodies, nor does it guarantee a robust antibody response to the first vaccine dose.&nbsp;For people who had mild or asymptomatic infections, their antibody response to vaccination is essentially the same as it is for people who have not been previously exposed.”&nbsp;



Moreover, the emergence of new variants decreases protection from both prior infection and vaccination. For the emerging variants B.1.1351 (South Africa), B.1.1.7 (UK), and P.1 (Brazil), scientists found that the levels of inhibition ranged from 67 to 92 percent.



“As far as protection goes after vaccination, the story is the same for all the variants, including delta -&nbsp;the vaccine provides good protection, but not as good protection as for the original version of the virus for which the vaccine was designed.&nbsp;Combine that with the fact that immunity wanes over time, you get increased vulnerability to breakthrough infection,” said Professor McDade.&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

Vaccination offers more protection than prior COVID-19 infection

A new study published in Scientific Reports has found that...

New research from the <a href="https://www.heart.org/">American Heart Association</a> has found that a daily intake of half a cup of walnuts for a period of two years lowers levels of <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/hdl-good-ldl-bad-cholesterol-and-triglycerides">low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol</a> (known as “bad cholesterol”), and thus reduces the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-air-pollutants-contribute-to-cardiovascular-disease/">cardiovascular</a> disease.&nbsp;



Similarly with fish, walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linoleic acid), which are known to be highly beneficial for cardiovascular health.&nbsp;



“Prior studies have shown that nuts in general, and walnuts in particular, are associated with lower rates of heart disease and&nbsp;stroke. One of the reasons is that they lower LDL-cholesterol levels, and now we have another reason: they improve the quality of LDL particles,” explained study co-author Emilio Ros, director of the Lipid Clinic at the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the <a href="https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en">Hospital Clínic of Barcelona</a>.



&nbsp;“LDL particles come in various sizes. Research has shown that small, dense LDL particles are more often associated with&nbsp;atherosclerosis, the plaque or fatty deposits that build up in the arteries. Our study goes beyond LDL cholesterol levels to get a complete picture of all of the lipoproteins and the impact of eating walnuts daily on their potential to improve cardiovascular risk.”



Dr. Ros’s study was conducted from 2012 to 2016 and involved over 700 participants with ages between 63 and 69. They were divided into two groups; participants in one group were asked to eat half a cup of walnuts per day, and those in the other group were asked to abstain from eating walnuts.&nbsp;



Scientists found that, after two years, participants eating walnuts had lower LDL cholesterol levels (by an average of 4.3 mg/dL) and lower levels of total cholesterol (by an average of 8.5 mg/dL). In addition, both total and small LDL particles were reduced (by 4.3, respectively 6.1 percent). The Intermediate Density Lipoprotein (IDL), a precursor to LDL recognized to be a cardiovascular risk factor too, also decreased over two years. Surprisingly, changes in LDL cholesterol differed by gender. Among men, LDL cholesterol decreased by 7.9 percent, yet fell only by 2.6 percent among women.&nbsp;



“Eating a handful of walnuts every day is a simple way to promote cardiovascular health,” Dr. Ros concluded. “Many people are worried about unwanted weight gain when they include nuts in their diet. Our study found that the healthy fats in walnuts did not cause participants to gain weight.”&nbsp;



The research was published in the journal <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/circ">Circulation</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

Eat a handful of walnuts every day for better heart health

New research from the American Heart Association has found that...

New research from the <a href="https://www.escardio.org/">European Society of Cardiology</a> gives hope to older people that it is never too late to start exercising and increase longevity. The study, led by Dr. Nathalia Gonzalez of the University of Bern, shows that getting active later in life can have major heart health benefits. 

“These encouraging findings highlight how patients with coronary heart disease may benefit by preserving or adopting a physically active lifestyle," explained Dr. Gonzalez.

The researchers analyzed data from 33,576 patients who suffered from coronary heart disease with an average age of 62.5 years old. On average, follow-up exams were conducted every 7.2 years. 

Activity levels in the patients were assessed via a questionnaire and were divided into four different categories: inactive over time, active over time, increased activity over time, decreased activity over time. 

Unsurprisingly, patients who were inactive over time were the most likely to die of cardiovascular disease. They were also more likely to die prematurely from any cause. 

Patients who were active over time were 50 percent less likely to die, while patients who increased activity over time were 45 percent less likely to die. 

When it comes to heart health, similar results were observed. The risk for cardiovascular mortality was 51 percent lower among those who remained active, and 27 percent lower among patients who increased their activity. 

“The results show that continuing an active lifestyle over the years is associated with the greatest longevity. However, patients with heart disease can overcome prior years of inactivity and obtain survival benefits by taking up exercise later in life," said Dr. Gonzalez.

"On the other hand, the benefits of activity can be weakened or even lost if activity is not maintained. The findings illustrate the benefits to heart patients of being physically active, regardless of their previous habits.”

In case you needed extra motivation to get outside or hit the gym, remember, years of your life could depend on it. 

The research was presented at <a href="https://www.escardio.org/Congresses-&amp;-Events/ESC-Congress">ESC Congress 2021</a>.

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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Exercise can improve heart health at any age

New research from the European Society of Cardiology gives hope...

A new study presented at the <a href="https://www.escardio.org/">European Society of Cardiology</a> suggests that drinking a proper amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/running-dry-water-shortages-in-the-colorado-river/">water</a> could help maintain heart health and prevent the development of heart failure. The author of the research, Dr. Natalia Dmitrieva of the Heart, Lung and Blood institute explains: “Our study suggests that maintaining good hydration can prevent or at least slow down the changes within the heart that lead to heart failure."

'The findings indicate that we need to pay attention to the amount of fluid we consume every day and take action if we find that we drink too little.”

Standard recommendations for daily fluid intake are 1.6 - 2.1 liters for women and 2 - 3 liters for men. Research suggests that worldwide, many people fall short of the lower end of this recommendation. 

Measuring serum sodium is a scientifically accurate way to determine hydration. The higher the concentration of serum sodium, the more dehydrated a person is. With the rise of serum sodium concentrations, the body reacts by trying to conserve water. Some of the water conservation attempts by the body are known to be detrimental to heart health.

“It is natural to think that hydration and serum sodium should change day to day depending on how much we drink on each day," said Dr. Dmitrieva. "However, serum sodium concentration remains within a narrow range over long periods, which is likely related to habitual fluid consumption.”

The study looked closely at the serum sodium concentration levels in middle age and whether it led to heart failure up to 25 years later. The study also looked at thickening of the left ventricle, which is a predictor for future heart failure. Nearly 16,000 study participants were first assessed between the ages of 44 and 66, and were periodically examined up to the age of 90. 

The upshot is that the higher concentrations of serum sodium in middle age led to higher incidence of heart failure later in life. 

“The results suggest that good hydration throughout life may decrease the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure," explained Dr. Dmitrieva.

"In addition, our finding that serum sodium exceeding 142mmol/l increases the risk of adverse effects in the heart may help to identify people who could benefit from an evaluation of their hydration level."

"This sodium level is within the normal range and would not be labeled as abnormal in lab test results but could be used by physicians during regular physical exams to identify people whose usual fluid intake should be assessed.”

The research, which was funded by the Intramural Program of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, was presented at <a href="https://www.escardio.org/Congresses-&amp;-Events/ESC-Congress">ESC Congress 2021</a>.

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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Hydration reduces the risk of heart failure

A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology...

Human breast milk can help treat infections in newborn babies, according to new research from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a>. The researchers found that human milk oligosaccharides, sugar molecules found in breast milk, protect against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-bacteria-of-infant-boys-can-enhance-cognitive-skills/">bacteria</a> known as group B Streptococcus (GBS) - a common cause of blood infections in newborns. 

The experts report that human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) may ultimately replace antibiotics for treating infections in infants and adults.

“Our lab has previously shown that mixtures of HMOs isolated from the milk of several different donor mothers have antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against GBS,” said Rebecca Moore,  a graduate student in the lab of Dr. Steven Townsend at Vanderbilt University. 

“We wanted to jump from these in vitro studies to see whether HMOs could prevent infections in cells and tissues from a pregnant woman, and in pregnant mice.” 

The CDC reports that about 2,000 babies in the U.S. get GBS each year, and up to six percent do not survive the infection. The bacteria can be transferred from mother to baby during delivery. 

The incidence of late-onset infections, which happen from one week to three months after birth, is higher in formula-fed infants. This indicates that factors in breast milk could help protect against GBS. 

The investigation was focused on the effects of HMOs on GBS infection in placental immune cells called macrophages.

“We found that HMOs were able to completely inhibit bacterial growth in both the macrophages and the membranes, so we very quickly turned to looking at a mouse model,” explained Moore. 

“In five different parts of the reproductive tract, we saw significantly decreased GBS infection with HMO treatment."

“We concluded that GBS is producing lactic acid that inhibits growth, and then when we add the oligosaccharide, the beneficial species can use it as a food source to overcome this suppression."

According to the researchers, the reason HMOs can treat and prevent GBS infection is likely two-fold: they act as an anti-adhesive by preventing pathogens from sticking to tissue surfaces and forming a biofilm, and they possibly serve as a prebiotic by supporting the growth of good bacteria.

“HMOs have been around as long as humans have, and bacteria have not figured them out. Presumably, that’s because there are so many in milk, and they’re constantly changing during a baby’s development,” said Dr. Townsend. 

“But if we could learn more about how they work, it’s possible that we could treat different types of infections with mixtures of HMOs, and maybe one day this could be a substitute for antibiotics in adults, as well as babies.”

The research was presented at the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society, ACS Fall 2021.

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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

Sugars in breast milk help prevent infections in newborns

Human breast milk can help treat infections in newborn babies,...

According to new research from the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a>, eating a hot dog might take 36 minutes of healthy life away from you. The researchers found that by exchanging only 10 percent of daily calories from beef or processed meat for those from sustainable foods like fruits, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nuts-lowers-risk-obesity/">nuts</a> and veggies, a significant impact could be made. 

With this 10 percent switch, a dietary carbon footprint can be reduced by one third, and a person may gain 48 minutes of healthy life per day. 

The researchers examined 5,800 foods, which were evaluated on both their health impact and their environmental impact. Katerina Stylianou, who conducted the study as part of her doctoral candidacy, explained what sets her research apart from others.

"Generally, dietary recommendations lack specific and actionable direction to motivate people to change their behavior, and rarely do dietary recommendations address environmental impacts."

The healthy minutes calculation for each food was made by adapting previous research that looked at 15 dietary risk factors and estimates of disease burden and nutrition profiles of commonly consumed foods in the U.S.. 

To evaluate the environmental impact of foods, the experts looked at the life cycle of food from production to disposal, taking into account factors such as water usage and human health impacts from production-related air pollution. The researchers developed scores for 18 environmental indicators.

The study ultimately classified foods into three categories - green, yellow and red. The green foods are sustainable foods that have a positive impact on both health and the environment. Green foods include fruits, nuts and other plants, as well as a few select seafoods. 

On the other end of the spectrum, red foods have a high negative impact on health or the environment. The red foods include mainly beef, pork, lamb and processed meats.

The research suggests that legumes, nuts and outside grown vegetables should be increased in one’s diet, while beef, shrimp, pork, lamb and greenhouse grown vegetables should be limited. Small changes can have a positive impact. At the same time, however, the scientists emphasize that the best foods for the environment are not always the best for ones health and visa versa.    

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natfood/">Nature Food</a>.

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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Eat sustainable foods, gain more healthy minutes of life

According to new research from the University of Michigan, eating...

<a href="https://ok.ubc.ca/">UBC Okanagan</a>, a university in Canada, is home to a Building Academic Retention through K-9s (BARK) program. While this program has long shown an increase in student well-being from interactions with dogs, the specifics have remained unknown. 

To investigate, Dr. John-Tyler Binfet recently led a team in the assessment of 284 interactions between students and dogs. 

"There have been a number of studies that have found canine-assisted interventions significantly improve participants’ wellbeing, but there has been little research into what interactions provide the greatest benefits," explained Dr. Binfet. "We know that spending time with therapy dogs is beneficial but we didn’t know why.”

To take a closer look at what type of interactions with dogs are most beneficial to students, the researchers recruited volunteers. 

The participants were assigned one of three different interactions: with a dog without touching, with a dog with touching, or with a dog handler without a dog. Before and after each interaction, the students answered questions to assess their well-being.

The study revealed that students showed improvement from interactions with dogs regardless of their initial level of well-being. Unsurprisingly, the students who interacted with the dogs by touching them had a greater increase in their perceived well-being than those who did not touch dogs. 

Dr. Binfet explains why his research is very timely. “As students potentially return to in-person class on their college campuses this fall and seek ways to keep their stress in check, I’d encourage them to take advantage of the therapy dog visitation program offered." 

"And once there - be sure to make time for a canine cuddle...That’s a surefire way to reduce stress.”

Dr. Binfet points out that his research shows how best to use therapy dogs, and that a proper ratio of dogs to people is essential to allow dog cuddling.

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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Cuddling with dogs can improve your well-being

UBC Okanagan, a university in Canada, is home to a...

When it comes to popular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/outdoor-cats-tourism/">outdoor</a> activities in the United States, recreational fishing is nearly at the top of the list - second only to jogging. More than 44 million Americans describe themselves as recreational anglers.

Last spring, researchers at <a href="https://www.lsu.edu/">LSU</a>, the U.S. Geological Survey, and Clemson University set out to investigate how the pandemic was affecting recreational fishing. 

The team distributed an online survey in July and August of 2020, and received thousands of responses across 10 states. Recreational anglers were asked 20 questions, including whether they fished more or less often during the pandemic and what their motivations were.

Study lead author Stephen Midway is an assistant professor in the Department of Oceanography &amp; Coastal Sciences at LSU. “What we found is people still fished and in fact, they fished a little bit more during the pandemic,” said Professor Midway.

Overall, 80 percent of the survey respondents said they fished as much during the pandemic as they did before, while 20 percent said they fished more.

The individuals who fished more during the pandemic took about one additional trip in the spring. The researchers explained that while this increase may seem small, it had a positive ripple effect on the economy.

“When you go fishing, you are spending money. You may have bought your fishing rod and reel 10 years ago, but when you go fishing, you buy bait, put gas in your car or boat, buy ice, buy a fishing license and possibly pay for a boat slip," said Professor Midway.

"There’s a significant amount of money that gets distributed throughout the economy through the travel cost of fishing including that one extra fishing trip."

In addition, money from state fishing licenses is often used to support wildlife management agencies and fisheries.

“For most states, a large amount of their fisheries management budget is generated by fishing license sales. That helps increase the revenues to help them do their jobs,” said Professor Midway.

Most of the survey respondents expressed the belief that fishing was a very low risk activity during the pandemic. 

Many of the individuals had experienced reduced work hours and less income as a result of COVID-19 shutdowns. They said that they turned to recreational fishing as a relatively low-cost outdoor activity.

As for what motivated people to go fishing during the pandemic, the most popular responses were: social and family bonding, stress relief, and being in nature.

“This study was very valuable to state fisheries agencies, because it helped to identify what the broad motivations were for people to increase their fishing activity," said Jeff Kopaska, who is a fisheries research biometrician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

"State agencies were well aware that many more fishing licenses were being sold during the pandemic, and everyone had some opinion ‘why.’ This work identified that fishing was perceived as a safe, stress-relieving activity, which will now help agencies to fine-tune messaging to try to keep people fishing in the future."

“The willingness of anglers to keep fishing during a public health crisis suggests the importance of the activity," said Professor Midway. "A better understanding of anglers’ motivation and behaviors is important for any type of resource management."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://plos.org/">PLOS ONE</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

Recreational fishing got a boost during the pandemic

When it comes to popular outdoor activities in the United...

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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

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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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"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

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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

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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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...