Different,Types,Of,Non-dairy,Milk

Vegans who replace cow's milk with soy, almond, or other plant-based alternatives may face a higher chance of mental issues like depression and anxiety than individuals who drink cow’s milk regularly.



This finding emerged from a recent investigation of lifestyle patterns and mental health outcomes among hundreds of thousands of adults in the United Kingdom.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-well-being-of-milk-drinkers">Mental well-being of milk drinkers</h2>



Scientists explored how different milk types might be linked to mental and emotional well-being over more than a decade. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-gmo-plants-make-baby-formula-healthy-as-breast-milk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milk</a> is consumed by <a href="https://www.fao.org/dairy-production-products/products/milk-and-milk-products/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">billions of people</a> worldwide, making it a major part of daily diets.&nbsp;After reviewing participants’ intake habits, researchers noted intriguing contrasts in mental health. 



One group that stood out was semi-skimmed milk drinkers. According to data, they had lower rates of both anxiety and depression when compared to those who either consumed full-fat or plant-based alternatives. 



This observation piqued the interest of <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chunyan-Wu-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Chunying Wu</a> from <a href="https://portal.smu.edu.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Medical University</a>, who authored the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-to-non-dairy-beverages">Shifting to non-dairy beverages</h2>



In recent years, many individuals have turned to non-dairy beverages. They cite environmental, health, or ethical concerns in their decision to avoid traditional cow’s milk. 



Yet <a href="https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/Trade-General/Trade-Market-reports/Milk-alternatives-popularity-growing-in-the-US-February-2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> suggests some of these milk alternatives may not provide the same mental health benefits. One explanation involves nutritional content.&nbsp;



“Milk is a rich source of nutrients such as lactose, lipids, protein, and minerals, which are essential for maintaining human health,” wrote the scientists from Southern Medical University. 



Plant-based options, on the other hand, often differ in protein levels and might include added ingredients that influence mood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calcium-and-serotonin">Calcium and serotonin</h2>



Researchers found that cow’s milk <a href="https://www.adsa.org/About-ADSA/Media/Serotonin-found-to-be-an-important-factor-in-calcium-homeostasis-in-dairy-cows-November-16-2021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">delivers calcium</a> in a form that supports pathways involved in serotonin production. Serotonin, sometimes called the body’s “feel-good” molecule, helps regulate mood and stress responses.&nbsp;



“Serotonin is a chemical that plays a role in the brain with respect to mood and mental health. The most popular group of antidepressant medications promotes the absorption of serotonin,” the authors explained.&nbsp;



As a result, consistent calcium intake can potentially improve these natural coping mechanisms. Some plant-based milks also offer calcium, but the level and bioavailability may vary.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saturated-versus-unsaturated-fats">Saturated versus unsaturated fats</h2>



Milk is rich in saturated fats. Semi-skimmed milk reduces the proportion of these fats but still retains valuable fatty acids that might help protect the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11211382/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a>. 



Compared to the full-fat version, semi-skimmed appears to occupy a middle ground of moderate fat content without the potential drawbacks of excess saturated fat.&nbsp;



Meanwhile, plant-based milk alternatives can sometimes include added sugars or other compounds that may have unexpected effects on mental well-being. 



These additives, while often enhancing taste or texture, may inadvertently interfere with the body's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breast-milk-lowers-asthma-risk-in-babies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural hormone regulation</a>, potentially impacting emotional stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impact-on-dopamine">Potential impact on dopamine</h2>



In addition to serotonin, <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dopamine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dopamine</a> plays a key part in focus and reward-related behavior. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4850606/#:~:text=Recent%20research%20has%20shown%20that,to%20be%20vulnerable%20to%20dysregulation." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> have suggested that high levels of certain saturated fats can alter dopamine signaling, which may contribute to mood disorders.&nbsp;



Semi-skimmed milk, with its reduced saturated fat, may avoid some of these mental effects and maintain a healthier balance of essential nutrients. 



Scientists suggest this balance could hold the key to the lower rates of depression and anxiety seen among semi-skimmed milk consumers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-varied-mental-health-benefits-of-milk">Varied mental health benefits of milk</h2>



While findings point to fewer mood challenges for people who choose semi-skimmed over other varieties, each individual’s mental health picture depends on much more than beverage choice. 



Genetics, life stressors, sleep, and socioeconomic circumstances all contribute.&nbsp;



Researchers emphasize that food-related decisions are just one facet of psychological well-being. They recommend that people remain mindful of their overall habits and consult healthcare professionals when making major dietary shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-considerations">Practical considerations</h2>



Experts often promote a balanced diet that combines fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and moderate dairy. Semi-skimmed milk could fit neatly into many people’s meal plans.&nbsp;



Individuals who prefer plant-based options may benefit from checking labels for calcium and protein levels, as well as added substances. 



Though no single approach will suit everyone, looking at subtle dietary factors might pay off for those hoping to support a healthy outlook.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-milk-s-mental-benefits">Future research on milk's mental benefits</h2>



Additional research may help clarify whether semi-skimmed milk truly provides extra mental health benefits.



Controlled clinical trials could investigate how this option affects depression or anxiety in different subgroups, such as older adults or those with pre-existing conditions.&nbsp;



Researchers also <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7178197/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">note</a> that genetics can make some people more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/raw-milk-could-carry-deadly-flu-viruses-for-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vulnerable</a> to certain dietary impacts. A closer look at these details might inform tailored recommendations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



Many are interested in how small tweaks to daily meals might lift or lower spirits. 



This study urges people to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-raw-milk-health-hazard-pasteurization-important/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pay attention to milk</a> choice, especially if they already feel down or tense. Substituting semi-skimmed for full-fat or plant-based beverages could make a subtle difference for some.&nbsp;



Experts look forward to future work that explores how simple changes in milk type and eating patterns might support better mental well-being. Further investigation of these connections may help people shape diets that support mental balance.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1435435/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Nutrition</a>.



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Some types of plant-based milk are linked to mental disorders like depression

Vegans who replace cow's milk with soy, almond, or other plant-based alternatives may face a higher chance of mental issues like depression and anxiety than individuals who drink cow’s milk regularly. This finding emerged from a recent investigation of lifestyle patterns and mental health outcomes among hundreds of thousands of adults in the United Kingdom.&nbsp; Mental well-being of milk drinkers Scientists explored how different milk types might be linked to mental and emotional well-being over more than a decade. Milk is consumed by billions of people worldwide,...

Sexual intercourse is one of the major perks of being a sexually-reproducing species. Sure, it often comes with some downsides, such as STIs, unplanned pregnancies, and the random cramp you get in your foot that totally kills the mood. But for the most part, <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-diet-sex-life/">sex</a> should be something that everyone can enjoy in a safe, consensual manner. 

Unfortunately for many women, sexual function and comfort often decrease with age during menopause – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t solutions. A recent presentation at <a href="http://www.menopause.org/">The North American Menopause Society (NAMS)</a> annual meeting in San Diego, CA, highlighted the many hormone and non-hormone therapies available to women who may suffer from genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

Vulvovaginal atrophy occurs as the result of estrogen deficiency, and can cause decreased lubrication, dryness, and pain during sex. These are the most common symptoms of GSM, and keep many postmenopausal women from having or enjoying sex. 

Dr. Jan Shifren of <a href="https://hms.harvard.edu/">Harvard Medical School</a> presented on hormone therapies, such as vaginal use of low-dose estrogen therapy and DHEA and oral ospeminfene. It’s also been shown that testosterone can be effective in improving sexual function, although there are no FDA-approved testosterone products for women and the long-term risks are unknown.

“Fortunately for women who have suffered with GSM, including women who have undergone cancer treatments, there are more options than ever before for maintaining a healthy sex life,” says Dr. Shifren.

There are also non-hormone options that Shifren highlighted, including the regular use of long-acting vaginal moisturizers and lubricants to decrease friction. It’s also been found that the use of topical lidocaine can help decrease the pain of penetration, as can pelvic floor therapy. There are more invasive options – such as vaginal laser therapy to stimulate collagen growth – which show some promise. However, more research is needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness and any potential side effects.

“It is important for women, as well as their healthcare providers, to understand the information because sex shouldn’t hurt at any age,” says Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, NAMS executive director.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

New methods help women enjoy sex after menopause

Sexual intercourse is one of the major perks of being...

The <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/employers-sexual-harassment-metoo/">#MeToo Movement</a> has inspired more and more people to voice their experiences with sexual assault and harassment. 

It’s important to consider not just how our society at large treats these voices, but also acknowledge how sexual assault and harassment impact a person’s physical and mental health in the long term. 

Given the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment, there exists little prior research on how these previous traumatic experiences impact a person’s physical health. 

Rebecca Thurston, Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Epidemiology at the <a href="https://www.pitt.edu/">University of Pittsburgh</a> and a trustee on the board of the <a href="http://www.menopause.org/">North American Menopause Society </a>(NAMS) led a study that investigated the long-term consequences of assault and harassment in women’s health. 

“It is widely understood that sexual harassment and assault can impact women's lives and how they function, but this study also evaluates the implications of these experiences for women's health,” said Thurston. 

Thurston presented her findings at an annual (NAMS) and the study was published in the journal  JAMA Internal Medicine.

For the research, more than 300 women were asked about previous experiences with sexual harassment or assault. 

19 percent of the participants reported instances of workplace harassment, 22 percent reported a history of sexual assault, and 10 percent were exposed to both. 

Thurston also assessed the health of the participants and found that sexual harassment correlated with higher blood pressure and triglyceride counts, poor sleep, and an increased risk of hypertension. 

Assault was linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety as well poor sleep quality and sleep disorders. 

“The results of this study should remind healthcare providers of the need to ask questions and fully understand their patients' histories when diagnosing and prescribing treatment for such problems as depression and sleep disorders,” said JoAnn Pinkerton, the executive director of The North American Menopause Society. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Sexual harassment, assault take long term tolls on health

The #MeToo Movement has inspired more and more people to...

Crash dieting, or severely reducing the number of calories you eat in a day for short bursts in an attempt to quickly lose weight, may get you results, but unfortunately, these come with a cost. 

Research has shown that crash dieting can weaken your <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/20/crash.diets.harm.health/index.html">immune system</a>, and put <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/20/crash.diets.harm.health/index.html">unnecessary stress</a> on your heart and damage your <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/environmental-pollutants-kidney-health/">kidneys</a>. 

Now, new study presented at the American Physiological Society’s Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases: Sex-Specific Implications for Physiology Conference provides further proof that crash diets are harmful in the long run. 

Researchers from <a href="https://www.georgetown.edu/">Georgetown University</a> conducted the study and restricted the diets of female rats. 

The rats had their diet reduced by 60 percent, similar to a crash diet where people limit their caloric intake to 800 calories a day from the daily recommended amount of 2000. 

Within just three days, the researchers noticed changes in the rats. Body weight was reduced and the rats’ cycling, similar to a female’s menstrual cycle, temporarily stopped. 

The researchers also observed blood pressure drops, decreased heart rates, and reduced kidney function in the rats. After the rats returned to their normal diet, cycling was restored and blood pressure, weight, and heart rate all returned back to normal. 

However, those rats that had been given the reduced calorie diet showed abnormal abdominal weight gain after three months. 

“Even more troubling was the finding that angiotensin II, a hormone in the body, was more potent at increasing blood pressure in the rats that were on the reduced-calorie diet,” said Aline the first author of the study.


The study confirms the damage that crash dieting can do on people’s health even months after the diet itself. 

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Crash dieting can do long-term health damage, new study shows

Crash dieting, or severely reducing the number of calories you...

Insects are an eco-friendly source of protein - would you try one?. Would you be open to trying a snack made with insects? 

For people in western countries, <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/freshwater-insects-eaten-microplastics/">insects</a> are rarely consumed as food, and if they are it’s usually as a novelty, but in many countries insects are a welcome source of protein. 

According to a recent report in <a href="https://theconversation.com/eating-insects-has-long-made-sense-in-africa-the-world-must-catch-up-70419">The Conversation</a>, roughly 2 billion people around the world eat insects, and in Africa it is especially common. 

In a future where food insecurity is slated to become a widespread challenge due to climate change, finding ways to sustainably meet food demand and still reduce greenhouse gas emissions is key, and one way to do this is to cut back on livestock farming and meat production. 

Insects could be a viable alternative protein source, but how do you get countries that don’t typically eat insects to warm up to entomophagy (the practice of eating insects). 

But now, a new study may have found the answer and it has to do with clever marketing. 

Researchers from the <a href="http://www.unibe.ch/index_eng.html">University of Bern</a> conducted a study examining strategies that could be employed to help people be more comfortable with eating insects. 

The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2018.00088/full">Frontiers in Nutrition</a> and the results suggest that promoting insects as a luxury or tasty delicacy could help improve the appeal in countries where insects are not regularly eaten. 

“Insects have numerous health benefits as a source of protein and dramatically outperform conventional meats in terms of greenhouse gas emissions,” Sebastian Berger, the lead author of the study. “Therefore, insect-based food might help in the fight against climate change.”

The researchers asked members of the public in Cologne, Germany to view advertisements for an insect-based food. Some of the advertisements promoted insects as an environmentally friendly and healthy food, but other adverts highlighted the pleasurable and tasty aspects of the food. 

Participants were then given a mealworm chocolate truffle and a questionnaire about the treat, if they were willing to try it, what they thought it would taste like, it’s quality, and if it was eaten, how it tasted. 

It was the advertisements that promoted the insect truffle as luxurious and high-quality that peeked the most interest and appeal among consumers. The advertisements that showcased the insect as eco-friendly were not as effective. 

The researchers say that for people who don’t eat insects, marketing is crucial for overcoming the “disgust” factor that consumers might have about eating insects. Promoting the eco-friendly benefits just isn’t enough to make the insect itself appealing. 

Instead, the study shows that appealing to people’s emotions is the more strategic way to go and giving insects luxury status could help sway strong feelings of disgust. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Insects are an eco-friendly source of protein - would you try one?

Insects are an eco-friendly source of protein - would you...

Striking up a <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/older-people-distracted-conversation/">conversation</a> with a stranger can be interesting and rewarding, but it can also be downright intimidating and can cause us to question if our conversation partners like us or not. A new study has revealed that people do not usually give themselves enough credit when it comes to how likable they are to others. 

“We found that following interactions, people systematically underestimated how much their conversation partners liked them and enjoyed their company, an illusion we call the liking gap,” wrote the study authors.

“We observed the liking gap as strangers got acquainted in the laboratory, as first-year college students got to know their dorm mates, and as formerly unacquainted members of the general public got to know each other during a personal development workshop.”

In one experiment, college dorm mates were observed over the course of an academic year as they developed new relationships. After meeting and conversing, the individuals were asked to rate their own performance in conversation as well as that of their partners. 

The conversations varied in length, and the topics were sometimes provided by the researchers. The study revealed that people consistently rated their conversation partner as more likable than they rated themselves.

The experts found that the liking gap persisted in some cases for several months. 

Study co-author Gus Cooney is a social psychologist at <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a>. He explained that shy people had the greatest tendency toward the liking gap. 

Ultimately, the team found that people like us more than we think they do. Cooney suggests that one possible explanation for the liking gap is that we are so focused on our side of a conversation that we are unable to accurately measure our partner's feelings. 

“We don’t know what other people are thinking, and so we substitute our own thoughts about ourselves for what other people think,” said Cooney. “We’re basically projecting what we think of our own performance, and assume that’s what other people think of us.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/home/pss">Psychological Science</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

You are more likeable than you think, new study reveals

Striking up a conversation with a stranger can be interesting...

Droughts will become twice as costly if global warming continues. An economic assessment from the <a href="http://english.cas.cn/">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> has found that if <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/switzerland-loses-20-percent-snow/">global warming</a> is not limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the increasing drought intensity will cause economic losses to double.

Around 20 percent of China's direct economic losses related to weather and climate are caused by drought. The researchers analyzed 30 years of economic loss statistics across 31 provinces and cities in an effort to identify the intensity, location, and duration of drought events in <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/historic-flooding-has-killed-hundreds-across-china/">China.</a>

From 1949-2017, around one-sixth of the total arable land was affected by drought. In addition, annual direct economic losses reached more than seven billion US dollars during the time period from 1984 to 2017.

For the investigation, the scientists projected drought losses in China under a global temperature increase of 1.5°C and 2.0°C.Droughts will become twice as costly if global warming continues

Study first author Professor SU Buda is a researcher with the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG).

“Estimated loss in a sustainable development pathway at the 1.5°C warming level increases tenfold in comparison to the reference period 1986-2005, and nearly three-fold, relative to the interval 2006-2015,” said Professor Su. “More efforts on mitigation are needed, so that the 1.5°C warming limit is not exceeded."

According to the study, the annual average drought loss for the 2.0°C warming level is estimated to be approximately two times the loss projected under 1.5°C warming.

Study co-author Professor JIANG Tong is an expert at the National <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=climate&amp;cvid=98032ec15d764376ad21c4ff58b1a987&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">Climate</a> Center of China Meteorological Administration.

“Keeping the global average temperature increase under or equal to 1.5°C above pre-industrial level can reduce the annual drought losses by several tens of billions of USD,” explained Professor Jiang.

The study is published in the <a href="http://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Droughts will become twice as costly if global warming continues

Droughts will become twice as costly if global warming continues....

The more familiar we get with a person, the better our brain becomes trained to recognize their face, according to a new study. 

Researchers from <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/">Dartmouth College</a> conducted the study which sheds insight into how the brain learns to process faces and <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/pigs-recognize-human-faces/">recognize</a> an individual or familiar person. The study was published in the journal eNeuro. 

The research expands on previous research that found across our visual frame of reference or visual field, attributes of a face can be interpreted differently depending on where we see it. 

For example, a face with androgynous features may appear more masculine in one area of the visual field or more feminine in another area.

This means that the same face could be interpreted as two different faces depending on where in the visual field it was seen. The researchers set out to examine how typical day-to-day interactions with people influenced the way we perceive familiar faces.


Graduate students were asked to participate in the study and the researchers showed the participants different photographs of their peers on a screen.

The pictures would appear in different locations around one fixed point on the screen.

Those students that were familiar with each other or had closer relationships were better at consistently recognizing a familiar face no matter where it showed up on the screen. 

After monitoring the participants, the researchers discovered that repeated social interactions with another person trains different groups of neurons to recognize a face no matter where it appears in our visual field.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

How your brain learns to recognize familiar faces

The more familiar we get with a person, the better...

For many women who want <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/green-spaces-childrens-respiratory/">children</a>, there’s a question of how old is too old to start a family? What are the health risks associated with having a child at 35 or older compared to your 20s? 

Birth rates have generally been on a decline with more and more women putting off pregnancy or remaining childless compared to previous generations. Researchers have also noticed a simultaneous rise in women who are getting pregnant in their <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/05/the-rise-of-older-mothers/560555/">late 30s and early 40s</a>. 

But studies have shown that having a baby in your late 30s is not <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20045756">without its risks</a>, including an increased chance of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and pregnancy loss. 

Now, a new study has found that delaying pregnancy can also increase the risk of heart disease, both for women and their children. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.ualberta.ca/">University of Alberta</a> conducted the study and recently presented their findings at an <a href="http://www.the-aps.org/">American Physiological Society </a>conference.

Advanced maternal age, or pregnancy at 35 or older, increases the risk of degraded blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the placenta which can be dangerous for the growth and development of a fetus, according to previous studies. 

The researchers set out to determine the extent to which advanced maternal age increases the risk of cardiovascular disease for a woman and her child later in life. 

To do this, the team monitored three groups of rats as a model for advanced maternal age.

One group had rats that had never been pregnant, the second group consisted of rats that were postpartum or who had recently given birth, and the third group was labeled “pregnancy loss.” 

The pregnancy loss group had more dilated blood vessels than the other two groups. Constricted blood vessels can increase the risk of blood flow problems and damage heart health. 

What’s more, the researchers noticed gender-specific health risks in the offspring of older rats. Male rats born to older rats had a higher prevalence of blood vessel function impairment and an increase in cardiac risk factors. 

“These data demonstrate mechanisms which may lead to worsened outcomes at an advanced maternal age, including early pregnancy termination, and later life cardiovascular dysfunction,” the researchers wrote in their study. “Given the increasing trend toward delaying pregnancy, our findings have significant population and healthcare implications and further illustrate pregnancy as a window of opportunity to assess cardiovascular health," the researchers wrote.
--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Pregnancy over 35 can increase risk of cardiovascular disease

For many women who want children, there’s a question of...

Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone and it’s a key part of the female reproductive system. Menopause causes a decrease in hormones that impact the function of the ovaries leading the eventual end of a woman's menstruation cycle. 

Menopause also lowers <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/tea-tree-lavender-oils-hormones/">estrogen</a> levels in the brain, and a new study has found that this drop in estrogen supply may lead to memory problems and anxiety. 

Researchers from <a href="https://www.georgetown.edu/">Georgetown University</a>, and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_University_of_Ouro_Preto">Federal University of Ouro Preto</a> in Brazil conducted a study with rats to explore links between menopause and the development of anxiety and impaired memory function. 

It was theorized that because estrogen binds to proteins in the brain that are involved with mood, behavior, and cognition, menopause may increase the risk of anxiety related mood problems and forgetfulness. 

To test this, the researchers monitored a group of female rats that didn’t have ovaries so as to mirror the effects of human menopause. The rats were given different tests to measure anxiety, short-term memory recognition, and spatial memory. 

Menopause impacted short-term recognition and increased anxiety in the rats. Compared to a control group of rats that were the same age, the menopausal rats had higher levels of anxiety but both groups had the same spatial memory ability. 

The results, which were presented at the <a href="http://www.the-aps.org/">American Physiological Society’s</a> Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases: Sex-Specific Implications for Physiology conference, show that hormonal imbalances due to menopause can cause anxiety and problems with short-term memory. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lack of estrogen due to menopause linked to anxiety

Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone and it’s a...

The Superior National Forest located in northern Minnesota contains a vast boreal forest ecosystem, but it is perhaps most well known for its Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 

Over 445,000 acres of the forest is water, as 1,300 miles of cold water streams run throughout the National Park. Many species of fish call the boundary waters home and the forest is also a habitat for 300 to 400 wolves, according to the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/superior/about-forest">United States Department of Agriculture. </a>

Both the Superior National Forest and its Canoe Wilderness are noted for pristine waters and breathtaking expanses of pine and spruce forests. The Boundary Waters area is also a popular destination for fishing, camping, and hiking. 

However, in yet another reversal of previous Obama Era proposals and mandates, the Trump Administration has recently opened the door to potential mining and mineral leasing in the area, threatening the natural wilderness. 

Already, the Trump Administration has <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/trump-policies-cost-deaths/">reversed several</a> of former President Obama’s mandates that were implemented to help mitigate the impacts of climate change. 

Earlier in August, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to rescind Obama-era emissions standards, instead allowing states to regulate fossil fuel emissions and pollutants from coal-fired plants. 

Before that, President Trump announced that the administrations released a proposal to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/trump-administration-to-freeze-fuel-efficiency-standards-and-fight-states/2018/07/24/cfad0a58-8f38-11e8-8322-b5482bf5e0f5_story.html?utm_term=.4e750e17d175">freeze fuel efficiency standards</a> and limit state’s rights in setting their tailpipe standards. 

Both new proposals go directly in the face of the previous administration's goals to combat climate change and there are concerns that the environment and public health will suffer as a result. 

This new reversal is in a similar vein for President Trump and could potentially pave the way for new mineral leasing, mining operations, and pollution in the Superior National Forest. 

Along the southern edge of the boundary waters in the Superior National Forest lies what is believed to be one of the richest untapped deposits of copper, gold, and palladium in the world, according to <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/09/06/boundary-waters-mining">Minnesota Public Radio News (MPR)</a>. 

This trifecta of mining metals yet to be mined is known as the Duluth Complex. 

MPR also stated that although mining companies have been scoping out the areas for decades, no copper mines have been opened in the area. 

Which brings us to the real crux of the Duluth Complex and Superior National Forest issue. Do the new decisions to allow mineral leasing and permits really put the Boundary Waters in jeopardy? 

The short answer is no, because the proposal does not impact the current mining restrictions within the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness area. The same cannot be said for the Rainy River Watershed. 

Instead, earlier this September, the <a href="https://www.usda.gov/">U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA)</a> canceled a proposed 20-year mining withdrawal announced in 2016 within the Superior National Forest and the Rainy River Watershed. 

It was agreed that a study would be conducted reviewing the potential environmental impact of mining in the area to see if a mining withdrawal was warranted. 

However, earlier this month, the Department of Agriculture canceled the withdrawal and its study after 15 months because there was no new information about the watershed or area that would prompt a mining moratorium. 

Instead, the USDA Forest Service said that it was confident that environmental conservation and economic growth could thrive side by side in the Superior National Forest. 

“It’s our duty as responsible stewards of our environment to maintain and protect our natural resources,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2018/09/06/usda-removes-roadblock-mineral-exploration-rainy-river-watershed">statement</a>. “At the same time, we must put our national forests to work for the taxpayers to support local economies and create jobs.” 

Much like the fuel efficiency standards pit car companies and California against each other, with automotive manufacturers welcoming a rollback on tailpipe regulations, this news is overdue and welcomed with open arms by mining companies but maligned by environmentalists. 

“The Trump administration broke its word to us, to Congress, and to the American people when it said it would finish the environmental assessment and base decisions on facts and science,” Alex Falconer, Executive Director of the <a href="https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/">Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters</a>, told MPR News. 

Canceling the withdrawal allows companies to apply for permits for mineral leasing within 365 square miles of forest and Rainy River Watershed. 

This is where many environmentalists and Minnesotans (like myself) are concerned. If a mining operation is approved, it could mean significant pollution and hazardous runoff into the watershed, putting the diverse and abundant ecosystem of the Superior National Forest at risk.

One might argue it’s a matter of economic growth versus environmental preservation. On the one hand, as the USDA stated, opening up the area to mineral leasing and mining permits could provide thousands of new jobs and positively impact nearby communities. 

However, in August, <a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/stock/files/snf_withdrawal_ea_stock_and_bradt_aug6_2018.pdf">a group of Harvard economists</a> conducted a thorough review of the potential economic impacts of mining and mineral leasing in the Superior National Forest and found that opening up mining would negatively impact the economy in the long run. 

One important thing to note and which might make people view the canceled withdrawal more favorably is that although the new policy allows companies to apply for permits, it does not automatically grant mining rights. 

This is why some people called the 20-year withdrawal redundant because no matter what, any new mining ventures would have to undergo a thorough and lengthy environmental impact process. 

But let’s consider for a minute what could happen if a mining company did start operating in the areas? 

According to a report published by <a href="https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/sites/default/files/public/attachments/wilderness_character_report.pdf">Save the Boundary Waters</a>, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Superior National Forest, previous environmental impact statements found that mining poses many risks to watersheds including groundwater contamination and damaging surrounding wetlands. 

If this were to happen in the Rainy River Watershed it could be catastrophic for the wildlife that call the area home. 

Time will tell if the Superior National Forest will become the next Iron Range or if the USDA’s final analysis of the environmental impact of mineral leasing actually holds true and the potential risks for pollution or contamination are very low. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Trump admin opens the door to mining in the Boundary Waters

The Superior National Forest located in northern Minnesota contains a...

As years have passed, <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/operation-icebridge-holes-arctic-ice/">melting ice</a> in the Arctic has opened up shipping routes and made it easier for ships to navigate the once ice-covered seas. This has been great for the shipping industry, but bad for the Arctic environment. Almost all ships are powered by fossil fuels, and many use heavy fuel oil, which emits black soot when burned and creates a destructive, toxic mess when it’s spilled. While few international rules have been passed to protect the Arctic ecosystem from these threats, a proposal for a heavy fuel oil ban in the region has been gaining support.

“For a long time, we weren’t looking at the Arctic as a viable option for a shortcut for Asia-to-Europe, or Asia-to-North America traffic, but that’s really changed, even over the last couple of years,” Bryan Comer, a senior researcher with the <a href="https://www.theicct.org/">International Council on Clean Transportation</a> marine program, told <a href="https://grist.org/article/shipping-giants-look-lustily-at-the-warming-arctic/">Grist</a>. “It’s just increasingly concerning.”

With the Arctic region warming almost twice as fast as the rest of the planet, this ecosystem has become increasingly fragile. In the past, only enormous, nuclear-powered icebreakers were able to forge through these frozen seas. But these days, even commercial ships are able to move through this region from around July to October – although sometimes with icebreaker escorts.

“Because of climate change, because of the melting of sea ice, these ships can operate for longer periods of time in the Arctic and the shipping season is already longer than it used to be,” Scott Stephenson, an assistant geography professor at the <a href="https://uconn.edu/">University of Connecticut</a>, told <a href="https://grist.org/article/shipping-giants-look-lustily-at-the-warming-arctic/">Grist</a>. 

Sian Prior, a lead advisor to the <a href="https://www.hfofreearctic.org/en/front-page/">HFO-Free Arctic Campaign</a>, told <a href="https://grist.org/article/shipping-giants-look-lustily-at-the-warming-arctic/">Grist</a> that the best way to move forward now is to get rid of fossil fuels entirely in the Arctic region. He suggests installing electric systems with possibly battery storage or hydrogen fuel cells. But because these technologies are not currently available for ocean-going ships, the next option would be to run ships on liquefied natural gas. 

This is still a long way off, however, as many ships still run on heavy fuel oil, which is made from the residues of petroleum refining. In 2015, this fuel made up 57 percent of total fuel consumption in the Arctic, and accounted for 68 percent of ships’ black carbon emissions – according to the International Council on Clean Transportation.

Although black carbon usually makes up only a small share of total emissions, these small black particles absorb the sun’s heat and thus directly contribute to warming the atmosphere. After a few days, the particles fall back down to earth, darkening the snow and resulting in it absorbing more sunlight, causing snowmelt and even more warming. “It’s dirtier when you burn it, the options to clean it up are limited, and the length it’s likely to persist in the environment is longer,” Prior told <a href="https://grist.org/article/shipping-giants-look-lustily-at-the-warming-arctic/">Grist</a>.

Beginning in April, the International Maritime Organization – the U.N. body that regulates the shipping industry, began laying the groundwork to ban ships from carrying and using heavy fuel oil in the Arctic region. But due to the length of the rulemaking process, no policy will take effect before 2021. 

While easier shipping paths make for better business and trade, its effect on the environment is clear and dangerous. If we’re looking to protect our environment while also allowing these shipping lanes to remain open, it’s imperative that policies be put in place to allow for both.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Melting ice, opening shipping lanes, and environmental threats

As years have passed, melting ice in the Arctic has...

According to the <a href="https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/">National Poll on Healthy Aging</a>, more than half of people in their 50s and 60s are interested in having their <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/dna-test-illegal-ivory-poachers/">DNA</a> tested to find out more about their ancestry, understand various health risks, and to improve medical care.

On the other hand, two thirds of those polled said that DNA testing would probably cause them to worry too much about their future health.

The poll, which included 993 adults between the ages of 50 and 64, was conducted by the University of Michigan <a href="http://ihpi.umich.edu/healthcare-policy-innovation">Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation</a>.

Survey respondents were asked if they would be interested in taking tests to learn their genetic risk for three later-life disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or macular degeneration. Around two-thirds of the respondents had at least some interest in each test.


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved several disease-specific tests to be marketed directly to the public. Only one in 10 respondents  reported taking genetic tests offered directly to consumers, while one in 20 had taken genetic tests ordered by a doctor.


Dr. Scott Roberts worked on both the design and the analysis of the survey. He has studied the use of direct-to-consumer genetic testing and found that people who take these tests with the primary goal of learning about their ancestral heritage often end up being “blindsided” by findings that show they have a high risk of developing diseases such as Alzheimer's.

“Compared to previous findings in the general adult population, this age group appears to be a little more lukewarm about their views of the benefits versus the risks of genetic testing overall,” said Dr. Roberts. “The majority said they might be interested in knowing their risk for specific conditions, but on other hand they were worried about potential psychological distress from the results.”

According to Dr. Roberts, the accuracy of any genetic test is not 100 percent. He also pointed out that testing ordered by a physician often includes a genetic counselor who can help to prepare patients for handling the results and can help them understand what the test results actually mean. 

Dr. Preeti Malani is the director of the poll and a professor of Internal Medicine at the U-M Medical School who has special training in geriatric medicine.

“Patients may not think about the downstream effects of direct-to-consumer genetic testing. An unexpected positive result may lead to several additional tests that may or may not be covered by insurance,” explained Dr. Malani.

More than 70 percent of the participants who had taken a direct-to-consumer test said they were interested in learning more about their ancestry, while just under 10 percent said they got tested to find out more about their health in general or their risk of a particular disease.

“We're living in an era when advances like DNA testing are providing an amazing amount of useful health information,” said Dr. Alison Bryant, senior vice president of research for <a href="https://www.aarp.org/">AARP</a>. “As genetic testing becomes even more sophisticated and common among older adults, the challenge will be to ensure that people understand the benefits and limitations of these tests.”

This research was funded by the University of Michigan and AARP.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Study: Most older adults are interested in DNA testing results

According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, more than...

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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"

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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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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