Imagine listening to your favorite song and seeing bursts of color with each note. Or think of a number that tastes like your favorite candy. For individuals with synesthesia, these experiences are not mere flights of fantasy, but their everyday reality.



They inhabit a sensory wonderland where sight meets sound, taste intertwines with touch, and their brain functions as a gifted maestro, skillfully orchestrating this magnificent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-sense-of-smell-can-change-the-colors-we-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symphony of senses</a>.



Each moment becomes an intricate tapestry woven from the threads of their heightened perceptions, allowing them to experience the world in ways that most can only dream of.



Colors resonate with sounds, flavors burst into visual patterns, and the beauty of life unfolds in a brilliant kaleidoscope of sensations that enriches their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-digital-technology-influence-our-sense-of-self/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding of existence</a> itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-size-of-synesthesia-does-not-fit-all">One size of synesthesia does not fit all</h2>



Synesthesia, unlike most conditions, is charmingly varied. Synesthesia isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. It <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24995-synesthesia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comes in various forms</a>, each with its own intriguing twist:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Grapheme-Color Synesthesia: Ever noticed letters or numbers seem to carry specific colors? For instance, the letter "A" might always appear red to you. </li>



<li>Chromesthesia: This type links sounds to colors. A particular musical note or voice might evoke shades like blue or green. </li>



<li>Lexical-Gustatory Synesthesia: Words or sounds trigger taste sensations. Hearing someone’s name could make you taste chocolate. </li>



<li>Spatial Sequence Synesthesia: Numbers, dates, or sequences form visual patterns in your mind’s eye, like seeing months arranged in a circular layout around you. </li>



<li>Mirror-Touch Synesthesia: Feeling a similar sensation on your body when you see someone else being touched.</li>
</ul>



Each form offers a different lens through which synesthetes experience the world, making their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blinking-plays-crucial-role-vision-human-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory interactions</a> uniquely personal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exactly-how-does-it-work">Exactly how does it work?</h2>



Where does this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emotions-sensory-perception-brain-fascinating-interplay/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory magic</a> come from? After all, most of us, the 'neurotypical' majority, live in a world where the senses operate independently.



Scientists think synesthesia happens because of extra connections between different areas of the brain, showcasing its amazing plasticity and adaptability. 



These additional neural links let one type of sensory input, like sound or color, trigger another, leading to the fascinating experiences that synesthetes often talk about.



Genetics also play a big role in synesthesia, as this interesting condition tends to run in families, hinting at a hereditary aspect. 



Research shows that people with synesthesia often have family members who also experience it, suggesting that genetic factors might help shape its development.



Plus, advanced studies using brain imaging techniques have found that people with synesthesia have structural differences in various brain regions that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visual-perception-speed-varies-greatly-among-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">process sensory info</a>. 



These differences might include variations in the density of neural pathways or the size of certain brain areas, helping to explain why their brains create these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-perception-we-see-the-world-based-on-what-we-expect-to-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unique sensory experiences</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synesthesia-as-a-blessing-and-a-curse">Synesthesia as a blessing and a curse</h2>



For many people with synesthesia, it’s not just a quirky condition -- it’s a fantastic source of creativity and better memory. 



Artists, musicians, and writers often find inspiration in their synesthetic experiences, using their unique perceptions to create rich and multidimensional work. 



Picture a musician who sees colors while composing tunes or a painter who hears sounds as vibrant shades. These mixed senses can lead to art that connects on multiple levels, providing a depth that others might miss.



But living with synesthesia can be a bit tricky sometimes. Some folks feel overwhelmed by their perceptions, especially in busy, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-human-nose-perceives-the-scent-that-lingers-after-rain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory-filled environments</a>. 



Balancing these heightened experiences can be tough, affecting how synesthetes go about their daily lives. Still, many embrace their unique way of seeing the world, finding strength and inspiration in their sensory connections.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-well-known-people-with-synesthesia">Well known people with synesthesia</h2>



Several beloved figures from history have worn their synesthetic experiences proudly.



Renowned author Vladimir Nabokov associated each alphabet and numeral with a unique hue that ultimately seeped into his evocative literary descriptions.



The abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky had a colorful symphony playing in his mind, which found expression in his rhythm-filled paintings.



Today, musician Pharrell Williams blends colors and sounds to create his exuberant music.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-common-is-it">How common is it?</h2>



Synesthesia affects around 4% of people, but that number could actually be higher since some experiences are pretty subtle and might go unnoticed. 



It shows up in all genders and cultures, though certain types may pop up more in specific groups.



There’s such a wide variety of synesthetic experiences that while some are famous, others are still pretty rare and not as well understood. 



This variety really highlights how complex synesthesia is and how important it is to keep researching its many aspects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-the-synesthetic-life">Living the synesthetic life</h2>



Synesthetes experience a range of reactions towards their condition, some embrace it while others grapple with it. 



For those who experience it, synesthesia shapes normal daily life in both good and bad ways. 



It boosts creativity and memory, helping synesthetes shine in art and intellectual pursuits. Their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aphantasia-research-results-people-who-cant-visualize-information/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unique way of experiencing the world</a> makes learning and creating more vivid and fun.



On the flip side, having senses constantly interacting can feel a bit overwhelming, especially in busy or noisy places. 



Many synesthetes find ways to manage sensory overload, balancing their heightened experiences with everyday demands. 



This balance affects how they connect with the world, influencing everything from personal relationships to work life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-synesthesia-teaches-us">What synesthesia teaches us</h2>



To sum it all up, synesthesia and synesthetes give us a rare glimpse into the brain’s amazing ability to connect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasomnia-awake-dream-exploring-sleepwalking-deep-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different sensory inputs</a>, showing us that there is no single way to perceive reality. The synesthetic blending of senses can help us understand how our own brain interprets the world.



In addition, studying synesthesia gives us a peek into the incredible world of sensory fusion. It helps us appreciate the diversity of human perception and the nuanced neurological choreography that shapes our reality.



Irrespective of whether you are a synesthete or just fascinated by the human mind, synesthesia reminds us of the richness and complexity of our sensory experiences.



-----



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Synesthesia: How some people taste words and see music in color

Imagine listening to your favorite song and seeing bursts of color with each note. Or think of a number that tastes like your favorite candy. For individuals with synesthesia, these experiences are not mere flights of fantasy, but their everyday reality. They inhabit a sensory wonderland where sight meets sound, taste intertwines with touch, and their brain functions as a gifted maestro, skillfully orchestrating this magnificent symphony of senses. Each moment becomes an intricate tapestry woven from the threads of their heightened perceptions, allowing them to experience...

Women with PTSD and depression are four times more likely to die prematurely. Women who suffer from post-traumatic <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/tropical-birds-handle-heat-stress-much-better-than-expected/">stress</a> disorder and depression have a risk of premature death that is four times higher compared to women without trauma exposure or depression, according to a study from the <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a>. 

The researchers found that depression and PTSD greatly increased the risk of early death from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, type 2 diabetes, accidents, suicide, and other major causes.

"The study examines longevity - in a way, the ultimate health outcome - and the findings strengthen our understanding that mental and physical health are tightly interconnected," said study lead author Andrea Roberts. 

"This is particularly salient during the pandemic, which is exposing many Americans and others across the world to unusual stress while at the same time reducing social connections, which can be powerfully protective for our mental health."

The study is the first of its kind to examine the health outcomes of concurrent PTSD and depression in a large population of civilian women. Previous research on this topic has been primarily focused on men in the military.

The investigation involved more than 50,000 women between the ages of 43 and 64 years old. Over nine years, the subjects with high levels of both PTSD and depression symptoms were nearly four times more likely to die from almost every major cause of death compared to the other women.

The researchers expected that the link between premature death and depression and PTSD could possibly be explained by health risk factors such as smoking and obesity. However, they determined that these types of risk factors only contributed to a relatively small number of the deaths. This particular finding indicates that other factors, such the effect of stress hormones on the body, may account for the higher risk of early death in women with the disorders.

According to the experts, treatment of PTSD and depression in women with symptoms of both disorders may reduce their substantial increased risk of mortality.

"These findings provide further evidence that mental health is fundamental to physical health - and to our very survival," said study senior author Professor Karestan Koenen. "We ignore our emotional well-being at our peril." 

The study is published in the <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen">JAMA Network Open</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Women with PTSD and depression are four times more likely to die prematurely

Women with PTSD and depression are four times more likely...

In a new study from <a href="https://www.uthscsa.edu/">UT Health San Antonio</a>, experts have pinpointed why drinking alcohol interferes with our ability to concentrate. The researchers have found that alcohol blocks the release of norepinephrine, which is needed to help us pay <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/musically-training-children-have-improved-attention-and-memory-skills/">attention</a>.

"When we want to focus on something, or when we stand up from a chair and become active, a brain stem nucleus releases a chemical called norepinephrine. Acute exposure to alcohol inhibits this signal in the brain," said study senior author Dr. Martin Paukert.

When a particular task requires our attention,  norepinephrine is secreted by a brain structure called the locus coeruleus. Dr. Paukert and his colleagues have described, for the first time, what happens next. They discovered that the norepinephrine normally attaches to receptors on cells called Bergmann glia, which elevates calcium levels within these cells. 

Bergmann glia are supporting cells in the cerebellum, a region near the brain stem. "To our knowledge, this paper is the first description that norepinephrine in mammals directly binds to receptors on the Bergmann glia and activates them through calcium elevation," said Dr. Paukert.

Even though the researchers focused primarily on the Bergmann glia, they also demonstrated that the same type of inhibition takes place in cortical astrocytes. "Most likely vigilance-dependent astrocyte calcium activation is inhibited throughout the brain by acute alcohol intoxication."

People tend to lose their balance when they are drinking alcohol. The researchers expected to find that the inhibition of calcium rise in Bergmann glia would explain this as well, but it did not. 

"The calcium elevation in Bergmann glia is not critical for motor coordination, which is somewhat surprising because the cerebellum is classically known for its role in motor control," said Dr. Paukert. "However, our findings are in line with current suggestions that the cerebellum also plays critical roles in non-motor functions, and that astrocytes are not only supporting basic brain maintenance, but they may actively participate in cognitive function."

Study co-author Dr. Manzoor Bhat suggested that the significance of this groundbreaking research is that it was conducted "in real time in living and breathing animals using state-of-the-art technologies." 

"The findings will open up new avenues of defining the brain circuits that ultimately determine the state of alertness, and how chemicals that interfere with those circuits essentially dampen this inherent vigilance system of the brain," said Dr. Bhat. 

The work was funded by the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute of Mental Health. 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms">Nature Communications</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Why drinking alcohol interferes with concentration

In a new study from UT Health San Antonio, experts...

Experts at the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/">University of Sydney</a> have demonstrated for the first time that cannabidiol (CBD) does not impair a person's ability to drive. The research is particularly relevant as CBD is increasingly used to treat anxiety, epilepsy, fibromyalgia pain, sleep disorders, and other medical issues. 

"These findings indicate for the first time that CBD, when given without THC, does not affect a subject's ability to drive. That's great news for those using or considering treatment using CBD-based products," said study lead author Dr. Thomas Arkell.

For the investigation, 26 participants were given four different types of vaporized cannabis in a random order on four separate occasions. The vaporized cannabis contained either: mainly THC, mainly CBD, a combination of THC and CBD, or a placebo cannabis with no active components. The amount of THC inhaled by the volunteers was potent enough to induce strong feelings of intoxication.

The driving tests that followed were conducted on a 100-kilometer stretch of public highway in a dual control car with a driving instructor present. The study participants completed two driving tests, which were conducted 40 minutes and four hours after inhaling the cannabis vapor. The researchers used a well-established scientific test that measures lane weaving, swerving, and overcorrecting. 

The study revealed that cannabis containing mainly CBD did not impair driving, while cannabis containing THC caused mild impairment 40 minutes later. The individuals who were given THC no longer showed signs of impairment four hours after exposure.

"With cannabis laws changing globally, jurisdictions are grappling with the issue of cannabis-impaired driving," said Dr. Arkell.  "These results provide much needed insights into the magnitude and duration of impairment caused by different types of cannabis and can help to guide road-safety policy not just in Australia but around the world."

Dr. Arkell said that road safety is a primary concern, and that the research can support evidence-based laws and regulation for people receiving medical cannabis.

Professor Iain McGregor is the academic director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney.

"The results should reassure people using CBD-only products that they are most likely safe to drive, while helping patients using THC-dominant products to understand the duration of impairment," said Professor McGregor.

"With rapidly changing attitudes towards medical and non-medical use of cannabis, driving under the influence of cannabis is emerging as an important and somewhat controversial public health issue."

"While some previous studies have looked at the effects of cannabis on driving, most have focused on smoked cannabis containing only THC (not CBD) and have not precisely quantified the duration of impairment."

"This is the first study to illustrate the lack of CBD effects on driving and to also provide a clear indication of the duration of THC impairment."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/">JAMA</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

CBD does not impair driving ability

Experts at the University of Sydney have demonstrated for the...

In a new study from the <a href="https://www.pcrm.org/">Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine</a>, experts report that a plant-based diet can transform the health of individuals who are <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/overweight-depression/">overweight</a>. The researchers found that the benefits of a plant-based diet begin with a metabolism boost, and then spread throughout the body. 

Beyond weight loss, study participants experienced cardiometabolic improvements that can reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many other health issues.

"These findings are groundbreaking for the 160 million Americans struggling with overweight and obesity," said study lead author Dr. Hana Kahleova. "Over the course of years and decades, burning more calories after every meal can make a significant difference in weight management."

The participants, who were overweight and had no history of diabetes, were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. Individuals in the intervention group followed a plant-based diet focused on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes with no calorie limit, while individuals in the control group made no dietary changes. Unless directed by a physician, none of the participants changed their exercise or medication routines. 

After 16 weeks, members of the plant-based group had increased their after-meal calorie burn by an average of 18.7 percent, and had lowered their body weight by about 14 pounds. These individuals also saw significant drops in visceral fat volume, which is dangerous fat that builds up around the internal organs.

In collaboration with experts at Yale University, the researchers used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to track the accumulating fat in muscle and liver cells. The team discovered that individuals in the plant-based group had reduced fat inside their liver and muscle cells by 34 and 10 percent, respectively. Fat stored in these cells is linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

"When fat builds up in liver and muscle cells, it interferes with insulin's ability to move glucose out from the bloodstream and into the cells," said Dr. Kahleova. "After just 16 weeks on a low-fat, plant-based diet, study participants reduced the fat in their cells and lowered their chances for developing type 2 diabetes."

The study offered new insight into the link between insulin resistance and the fat contained within cells. Participants on a plant-based diet showed decreased fasting plasma insulin concentration, decreased insulin resistance, and increased insulin sensitivity - which are all positive results. In addition, members of the plant-based group substantially reduced their "bad" cholesterol levels.

Out of all of the body and health improvements achieved by the intervention group, the control group saw no significant changes.

One study participant known as Sam not only improved his metabolism during the 16-week plant diet, but also lost 34 pounds. "I plan to stay on this diet for good. Not just for 16 weeks, but for life." In the time since the research concluded, Sam has stuck with a plant-based diet, reached his goal weight, and has started running marathons.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen">JAMA Network Open</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

A plant-based diet can transform your health and body

In a new study from the Physicians Committee for Responsible...

Divorce causes immediate mental and physical health impacts. A new study published by <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/">Frontiers</a> reveals that going through a divorce impacts both mental and physical <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/everyday-activities-improve-well-being-and-boost-brain-health/">health</a>. By gaining a better understanding of these effects, experts can develop interventions to support divorcees through the difficult process and to help them avoid long-term health consequences.

The study is the first of its kind to examine health impacts immediately after a divorce. The researchers found that higher levels of conflict predicted worse mental health outcomes.

Many countries require a separation period before couples can apply for divorce. According to the researchers, a lengthy separation may allow psychological wounds to heal, so studies that have focused on these circumstances may underestimate the more immediate health impacts.

"Previous studies have not investigated the effects of divorce without extensive separation periods occurring before the divorce," said Professor Gert Hald of the University of Copenhagen. "We were able to study divorcees who had been granted a so-called 'immediate' divorce in Denmark and on average, these divorcees obtained a divorce within 5 days of filing for it."

The team obtained "real-time" data on 1,856 very recent divorcees, who reported on their background, health, and their divorce.

"The mental and physical health of divorcees was significantly worse than the comparative background population immediately following divorce," said Dr. Søren Sander.

The analysis revealed some interesting trends among the divorcees. Men who earned more money had better physical health, while having more children or a new partner predicted better mental health after a split. Among women, those who had decided to end the marriage or had a new partner tended to walk away with better mental health. 

Regardless, conflict was found to be the most influential factor on mental health. "Across gender, higher levels of divorce conflict were found to predict worse mental health, even when accounting for other socio-demographic variables and divorce characteristics," said Dr. Sander.

The research suggests that targeted treatment is needed to support individuals early on in the process.

"We need evidence-based interventions that can help divorcees immediately following divorce," said Hald. "These might include face-to-face or digital interventions that are designed to reduce the specific adverse mental and physical health effects of divorce."

"Not only would this be beneficial for divorcees, but it could also save money by countering the negative impacts of divorce on work-place productivity, sick days, doctor visits and use of health care facilities."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology">Frontiers in Psychology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Divorce causes immediate mental and physical health impacts

Divorce causes immediate mental and physical health impacts. A new...

While it is known that reduced food intake can boost health and <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/certain-stress-boost-longevity/">longevity</a>, the molecular mechanisms involved remain a mystery. In a study of fruit flies, researchers at the <a href="https://www.mpg.de/en">Max Planck Institute</a> have now identified a protein named Sestrin that mediates the beneficial, anti-aging effects of dietary restriction.

The experts found that increasing the amount of Sestrin in fruit flies not only extended their lifespan, but also protected the flies against the unfavorable effects of a protein-rich diet. Furthermore, the researchers demonstrated that Sestrin improved the health of the flies by influencing the turnover of stem cells contained in their gut.

It has recently been discovered that the restriction of certain food components - like proteins and their amino acids - is more influential than calorie reduction in determining how the body will respond to dietary restriction. On the molecular level, one particular signaling pathway known as the TOR pathway is important for longevity.

"We wanted to know which factor is responsible for measuring nutrients in the cell, especially amino acids, and how this factor affects the TOR pathway," explained study lead author Jiongming Lu. 

"We focused on a protein called Sestrin, which was suggested to sense amino acids. However, no one has ever demonstrated the amino acid sensing function of Sestrin in a living being."

Lu and his team analyzed Sestrin in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, which is commonly known as fruit fly. The study revealed that the Sestrin protein plays a previously unknown role in the anti-aging effects of reduced food intake. Mutant flies without Sestrin did not reap the same benefits of dietary restriction.

"We could show that the Sestrin protein binds certain amino acids. When we inhibited this binding, the TOR signalling pathway in the flies was less active and the flies lived longer," said Lu. "Flies with a mutated Sestrin protein unable to bind amino acids showed improved health in the presence of a protein-rich diet."

Remarkably, when the researchers increased the amount of Sestrin protein in stem cells located in the fly gut, these flies lived about ten percent longer than control flies. 

"We are curious whether the function of Sestrin in humans is similar as in flies," said Lu. "Experiments with mice already showed that Sestrin is required for the beneficial effects of exercise on the health of the animal. A drug that increases the activity of the Sestrin protein might therefore be in future a novel approach to slow down the aging process."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nataging">Nature Aging</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Anti-aging effects of dietary restriction are mediated by a protein

While it is known that reduced food intake can boost...

Coppery titi monkeys are extremely loyal to their mates, according to research from the <a href="https://www.dpz.eu/en/home.html">German Primate Center</a> (DPZ). Across an entire study population living in the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/some-parts-of-the-amazon-rainforest-will-thrive-in-a-warming-climate/">Amazon</a> lowland rainforest, genetic testing revealed that there was not a single example of infidelity.

"In pair-living mammals, genetic monogamy is extremely rare," explained the researchers.  "One possible reason is that in socially monogamous animals, mate choice can be severely constrained, increasing the risk of inbreeding or pairing with an incompatible or low-quality partner." 

"To escape these constraints, individuals might engage in extra-pair copulations. Alternatively, inbreeding can be avoided by dispersal. However, little is known about the interactions between mating system, mate choice, and dispersal in pair-living mammals."

Coppery titi monkeys live in small family groups that consist of one male, one female and their offspring, with a single infant typically born each year. The children leave the group when they reach sexual maturity to search for a partner and set up a new territory. The partners maintain a strong relationship, spending day and night in close proximity and grooming each other.

For the investigation, 14 groups of coppery titi monkeys were studied. DNA testing showed that all of the offspring were born to monogamous partners. 

In addition, the adult monkeys showed high levels of genetic diversity. "Extra-pair breeding would therefore not have provided a genetic advantage for the animals studied, so that they presumably rather avoided the risks of infidelity, explained Sofya Dolotovskaya, who studied the animals for 14 months of field research as a doctoral student.

"In an undisturbed ecosystem, as at our field station, young coppery titi monkeys obviously migrate far enough from their natal group to find a suitable partner without incurring the risk of inbreeding," said study co-author Eckhard W. Heymann. "Further studies must show whether genetic monogamy also prevails in other populations of coppery titi monkeys, especially in fragmented habitats".

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep">Scientific Reports</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Coppery titi monkeys are loyal and faithful to their partners

Coppery titi monkeys are extremely loyal to their mates, according...

Everyday physical activities are exceptionally beneficial to alertness, energy, and overall cognition, according to a study led by the <a href="https://www.kit.edu/english/">Karlsruhe Institute of Technology</a> (KIT). The researchers found that climbing stairs and other daily tasks can improve well-being and mental health, particularly among individuals who are susceptible to psychiatric disorders.

"Clearly, exercise activities such as playing soccer with friends every Monday and Thursday evening differ from non-exercise activities such as spontaneously fetching papers from the basement at work," wrote the study authors.  

"Accordingly, exercise activities are defined as structured physical activities with high demands of energy expenditure across prolonged time periods, whereas non-exercise activities comprise all other daily physical activities - e.g., climbing stairs, gardening, and catching the train."

These daily activities are often processed automatically and habitually or performed spontaneously, explained the researchers. "However, epidemiological studies have ignored this distinction and often considered physical activity as a global construct comprising all human physical activities."

The team noted that clinical trials focused on the impact of physical exercise on mental health outcomes may overlook the potential benefits of non-exercise activities.

Study co-author Professor Heike suggested that strong restrictions of social interaction during the pandemic may have negative effects on our quality of life. "To feel better, it may help to more often climb stairs."

For the investigation, the researchers used a variety of assessments such as smartphone tracking to determine the impact of everyday activity on brain health and well-being. The study revealed that participants felt more alert and had more energy after completing daily tasks. 

The experts also found that the volume of gray brain matter in the brain mediates the link between everyday activity and affective well-being. This brain region is known to  regulate emotions and resistance to psychiatric disorders. 

"Persons with a smaller volume of gray brain matter in this region and a higher risk of psychiatric disorders felt less full of energy when they were physically inactive," said study co-author Heike Tost. "After everyday activity, however, these persons felt even more filled with energy than persons with a larger brain volume."

According to Professor Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, the results suggest that physical activity in everyday life is especially beneficial for individuals who are susceptible to psychiatric disorders. "In future, the findings of the study might be used in a smartphone app that will motivate users to be active to enhance their well-being in case of decreasing energy." 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Everyday activities improve well-being and boost brain health

Everyday physical activities are exceptionally beneficial to alertness, energy, and...

By gaining a better understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, conservationists will be more capable of protecting endangered <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/animals-in-cold-climates-are-facing-a-higher-risk-of-disease-outbreaks/">animals</a> like rhinos and tigers, according to a team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/">University of Queensland</a>. 

"The consumptive use of wildlife is often rooted in traditional beliefs and customs," wrote the study authors. "Many people around the world rely on traditional forms of medicine for their health and wellbeing." 

"These diverse medical systems make use of an array of wild plants, animals and fungi, often ones that are locally available and that are not threatened. However, some traditional medical systems make use of products derived from endangered species, including Traditional Chinese Medicine."

Study lead author and phD candidate Hubert Cheung said efforts to shift entrenched values and beliefs about Chinese medicine are not achieving conservation gains in the short term. He explained that a better understanding of traditional practices was critical for conservationists to form more effective strategies.

"The use of endangered species in traditional Chinese medicine threatens species' survival and is a challenge for conservationists. Pushing messages of inefficacy, providing various forms of scientific evidence or promoting biomedical alternatives doesn't seem to be drastically influencing decisions and behaviors."

Cheung pointed out that while many practices and treatments continue to be criticized for lacking scientific support, the World Health Organization approved the inclusion of traditional Chinese medicine in its global compendium of medical practices last year.

"The challenge now is for conservationists to work proactively with practitioners and others in the industry to find sustainable solutions," said Cheung. "However, most conservation scientists and organizations are unfamiliar with traditional Chinese medicine, which makes it difficult to devise effective and culturally-nuanced interventions."

In an effort to make traditional Chinese medicine more accessible, the researchers have examined the core theories and practices. They hope this study may influence policy and campaigning.

"Today, traditional Chinese medicine is formally integrated into China's healthcare system, and has been central to China's response to the ongoing pandemic," said Cheung. "In fact, the Chinese government's COVID-19 clinical guidance has included recommendations for the use of a product containing bear bile, which has raised concerns among conservation groups."

According to study co-author Professor Hugh Possingham, traditional Chinese medicine is now not only entrenched in the social and cultural fabric of Chinese society, but also gaining users elsewhere.

"A better understanding of traditional Chinese medicine will empower conservationists to engage more constructively with stakeholders in this space," said Professor Possingham."We're hoping that this work can help all parties develop more effective and lasting solutions for species threatened by medicinal use."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/25758314">People and Nature</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

Understanding Chinese medicine could protect endangered animals

By gaining a better understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, conservationists...

In a new study led by <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/">UC Riverside</a>, experts have found that motivation to exercise may be linked to certain smells. The researchers used a mouse model to demonstrate that how specific smells are perceived may affect the decision of whether or not to engage in physical activity.

"Exercise, which is essential for both physical and mental health, can help prevent obesity and other inactivity-related diseases and disorders in humans," said study lead author Professor Sachiko Haga-Yamanaka. "Some people like to exercise more than others do, but why this is so is not well understood."

A widely studied behavior in rodents is voluntary wheel running (VWR), which is where mice are given access to a running wheel for spontaneous exercise. 

When the researchers selectively bred mice that exhibited high VWR activity, they found that animals of this lineage developed genetic differences in their olfactory system that made them perceive smells differently from a control group.

"The olfactory system became genetically differentiated between the high runner and control lines during the selective breeding process with several chemosensory receptors in specific receptor gene clusters being differentially expressed between high runners and controls," said Professor Haga-Yamanaka. "Our results suggest these chemosensory receptors are important trait locations for the control of voluntary exercise in mice."

The research has major implications for humans, who receive many olfactory stimuli from the environment and other nearby people. "It's not inconceivable that someday we might be able to isolate the chemicals and use them like air fresheners in gyms to make people even more motivated to exercise," said Professor Theodore Garland. "In other words: spray, sniff, and squat."

The study was focused on the vomeronasal organ - the accessory olfactory organ in amphibians, squamates, rodents and most other mammals. The signals detected by vomeronasal sensory receptor neurons are processed in the brain's amygdala and hypothalamus, which induce physiological and behavioral responses.

The researchers found that receptor genes were optimally expressed in the vomeronasal organs of the high runners. The findings indicate that individual differences in exercise habits may be explained by variations in the perception of specific smells.

"Taken together, our results show vomeronasal receptors as trait locations for voluntary exercise behavior in mice," said Professor Haga-Yamanaka. "The high runner and control lines provide a strong model for determining the contribution of genetics to voluntary-exercise related traits."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/">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

Can certain smells motivate us to exercise?

In a new study led by UC Riverside, experts have...

In a new study published by the <a href="https://www.heart.org/">American Heart Association</a>, experts report that older women between the ages of 50 and 79 must limit their sedentary time to reduce the risk of heart failure. The researchers found that even among older women who get regular exercise, sedentary behavior is linked to an increased risk of heart failure with hospitalization. 

"For heart failure prevention, we need to promote taking frequent breaks from prolonged sitting or lying down, in addition to trying to achieve guideline levels of physical activity, such as those recommended by the American Heart Association," said study lead author Dr. Michael J. LaMonte of the University at Buffalo. 

"Very few studies have been published on sedentary time and heart failure risk, and even fewer have focused on older women in whom both sedentary behavior and heart failure are quite common."

To investigate, the researchers examined the records of almost 81,000 postmenopausal women who were enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. The participants reported on how much time they spent sitting, lying down, or being physically active each day. 

The women were divided into groups based on their total sedentary time each day, which ranged from 6.5 hours or less to 9.5 hours or longer. At the time of enrollment, none of the participants had been diagnosed with heart failure, and they were all able to walk at least one block independently. 

Over nine years of follow-up, 1,402 women were hospitalized due to heart failure. Compared with women who reported less than 6.5 sedentary hours per day, the risk of heart failure hospitalization was 42 percent higher in women who spent more than 9.5 hours sitting or lying down. Participants who reported 6.6 to 9.5 hours of daily sedentary behavior had a 15-percent higher risk of heart failure. 

"These findings are consistent with other studies confirming that people with more daily sedentary time are more likely to develop chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and premature death from heart disease and other causes," said Dr. LaMonte.

Even after known risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity were accounted for, the link between sedentary time and heart failure hospitalization risk persisted. Perhaps the most surprising finding was that the association between more sedentary time and a higher risk of heart failure hospitalization was observed among some of the women who were the most physically active.

"Our message is simple: sit less and move more. Historically, we have emphasized promoting a physically active lifestyle for heart health - and we should continue to do so! However, our study clearly shows that we also need to increase efforts to reduce daily sedentary time and encourage adults to frequently interrupt their sedentary time. This does not necessarily require an extended bout of physical activity; it might simply be standing up for 5 minutes or standing and moving one's feet in place," said Dr. LaMonte.

"We do not have sufficient evidence on the best approach to recommend for interrupting sedentary time. However, accumulating data suggest that habitual activities such as steps taken during household and other activities of daily living are an important aspect of cardiovascular disease prevention and healthy aging."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/circheartfailure">Circulation: Heart Failure</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

Less sedentary time greatly reduces the risk of heart failure

In a new study published by the American Heart Association,...

Drinking cocoa may give your <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/desire-for-social-interaction-activates-the-brain-like-a-food-craving/">brain</a> a major boost of speed and accuracy, according to new research from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx">University of Birmingham</a>. Study participants who drank cocoa with high levels of flavanols were able to complete complex cognitive tasks much more efficiently.

Flavanols are plant nutrients that are found in tea, grapes, tomatoes, and many other foods, but they are particularly concentrated in the cacao beans that are used to make cocoa. Previous studies have shown that cocoa flavanols can help lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation, and fight cell damage.

The Birmingham team set out to investigate the cognitive effects of cocoa flavanols in young, healthy individuals while focusing on a link between blood oxygenation and cognitive benefits. The researchers used non-invasive brain imaging to measure blood oxygenation levels among individuals who consumed cocoa that contained either high levels of flavanols or no flavanols. 

In collaboration with scientists at the <a href="https://illinois.edu/">University of Illinois</a>, the experts showed that participants who consumed a flavanol-rich drink produced a faster and greater increase in blood oxygenation levels in response to artificially elevated levels of CO2.

Approximately two hours after drinking the cocoa, the volunteers were exposed to air with 5 percent carbon dioxide, which is about 100 times the normal concentration. This is a standard method for challenging brain vasculature to determine how well it responds, said study co-author Professor Gabriele Gratton. He explained that the body typically reacts by increasing blood flow to the brain. "This brings in more oxygen and also allows the brain to eliminate more carbon dioxide."

The researchers found that most of the individuals had a stronger and faster brain oxygenation response after the consumption of cocoa flavanols. "The levels of maximal oxygenation were more than three times higher in the high-flavanol cocoa versus the low-flavanol cocoa, and the oxygenation response was about one minute faster," said study lead author Dr. Catarina Rendeiro.

After the carbon dioxide test, the participants were assigned progressively complex cognitive tests, which often required them to manage contradictory or competing demands. During the tests, the researchers found that volunteers who consumed flavanols executed tasks with significantly higher speed and accuracy.

"Our results showed a clear benefit for the participants taking the flavanol-enriched drink - but only when the task became sufficiently complicated," said Dr. Rendeiro. "We can link this with our results on improved blood oxygenation - if you're being challenged more, your brain needs improved blood oxygen levels to manage that challenge. It also further suggests that flavanols might be particularly beneficial during cognitively demanding tasks."

The experts discovered that a small group of four volunteers did not benefit from the flavanol-enriched drink in terms of blood oxygenation levels, and also did not experience any cognitive benefits. These individuals had high levels of brain oxygenation responses at the beginning of the trial that were not influenced by the enriched cocoa. 

"Because these four participants already had the highest oxygenation responses at baseline, this may indicate that those who are already quite fit have little room for improvement," said Dr. Rendeiro. "Overall, the findings suggest that the improvements in vascular activity after exposure to flavanols are connected to the improvement in cognitive function."

"We used cocoa in our experiment, but flavanols are extremely common in a wide range of fruit and vegetables. By better understanding the cognitive benefits of eating these food groups, as well as the wider cardiovascular benefits, we can offer improved guidance to people about how to make the most of their dietary choices."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep">Scientific Reports</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

Drinking cocoa can make your brain sharper and faster

Drinking cocoa may give your brain a major boost of...

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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



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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"

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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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

[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...