Wish,To,Meet,Santa,Claus.,Merry,Christmas,And,Happy,New

Every December, colorful lights and festive tunes remind kids, and adults, that Santa Claus is on his way. Families fill their homes with decorations, children write wish lists, and a sense of anticipation hangs in the air. 



Parents have long told their kids that if they behave well, Santa will bring them just what they asked for. Until recently, few studies examined whether this belief actually influenced how kids act.



In a new project, researchers decided to see if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/irregular-bedtimes-disrupt-the-well-being-and-behavior-of-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">children</a> truly become more considerate when they think Santa is watching. 



They explored whether kids act better because of the story of Santa or because of everything else going on during the holiday season. 



Professor Kapitány from the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a> led the investigation along with colleagues from <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Durham</a>, <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edinburgh</a>, and <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leeds</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids-santa-and-surprises">Kids, Santa, and surprises</h2>



The study tracked 533 kids between ages four and nine over three separate Christmases and visits from Santa. Families <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kids-with-behavioral-issues-have-high-cortisol-levels-in-their-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported on behaviors</a> like sharing, helping others, and following rules. 



Parents also described whether their kids believed in Santa and took part in festive traditions. According to the data, there was no direct link between Santa belief alone and an increase in kindness.



Instead, good behavior rose as Christmas neared when families engaged in activities such as decorating their homes, singing carols, and enjoying special treats.&nbsp;



The study noted that these experiences led to small but consistent boosts in generous and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kindergarten-conduct-childhood-behavioral-problems-will-cost-society-later/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">respectful actions</a>. 



This shift also came with a bump in more rowdy moments, highlighting that heightened excitement can show up in many ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-festive-rituals">The power of festive rituals</h2>



For many families, hanging ornaments or baking Christmas cookies is more than just a fun holiday pastime. 



These rituals offer children a chance to feel a sense of togetherness and excitement that breaks up their usual routine. 



The study suggests that these shared activities have a greater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-consider-their-own-past-actions-before-judging-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effect on kindness</a> than the idea of being judged by a mysterious gift-giver in a red suit.



Parents often say they remind kids to be on their best behavior so Santa will reward them. Yet the findings show it’s the holiday atmosphere itself that has the strongest pull. 



One researcher described it by saying “the magic is in the time of year, so to speak, not in the claim over the supernatural big man.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supernatural-beliefs-and-morality">Supernatural beliefs and morality</h2>



Some scholars point out that Santa is often placed on the same pedestal as other powerful beings in certain cultures. 



Parents treat him as a figure who can watch children from afar, keep track of good deeds, and decide on gifts. 



This study adds to conversations about how belief in unseen forces might shape moral choices.



Other work shows that religious ideas can sometimes bring out prosocial behavior. Hearing about rules or promises of rewards can prompt more cooperation.&nbsp;



In the case of Santa, though, the results suggest that the presence of traditions might play a bigger role in guiding kids toward friendly, generous actions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contrasting-philosophies-on-kids-and-santa">Contrasting philosophies on kids and Santa</h2>



Philosophers have different views on whether parents should even promote Santa’s story. 



Dr. Joseph Millum from the <a href="https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of St. Andrews</a> worries it “breaches trust,” calling Santa a “preposterous lie.” Others feel that Santa can be a healthy way to bring joy into children’s lives. 



Tom Whyman, a lecturer in philosophy at the <a href="https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Liverpool</a>, says that “kids need Santa.” 



These opinions highlight the varying attitudes people have toward a figure whose influence has become an enduring feature of holiday culture.



When parents choose whether to encourage this tale, they grapple with how it shapes their children’s sense of wonder and truth. 



Some families see Santa as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pretend-play-builds-the-foundation-for-learning-and-relationships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">harmless make-believe</a>, while others wonder if creating a magical visitor might later undermine a child’s trust. 



The study reminds us that cultural myths carry weight, yet they may not fully explain shifts in children’s behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-holiday-traditions">Implications for holiday traditions</h2>



The research shows that singing festive songs, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/christmas-trees-have-unique-strategies-to-survive-freezing-winters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">placing ornaments on a tree</a>, or preparing traditional foods creates a distinct environment. That environment is linked with both extra kindness and occasional bursts of negative behavior. 



While the belief in Santa himself did not correlate directly with improved conduct, the coordinated celebration of the season proved to be more powerful.



Families can consider how these moments <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/personality-traits-are-not-strongly-inherited-from-parents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bring the household closer</a>. Children who help bake cookies or watch a classic Christmas movie often feel a greater sense of involvement. 



This sense of participation aligns with the study’s findings that holiday events can be a driving force behind thoughtful gestures, cooperation, and cheer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-questions-about-childhood-and-culture">Bigger questions about childhood and culture</h2>



Santa’s modern image traces back to a blend of folklore, marketing campaigns, and traditions inspired by Saint Nicholas. 



For countless children, the idea of a kindhearted figure traveling the skies in a single night is a highlight of December. 



This study encourages us to think about how such stories fit into broader questions about parenting approaches and cultural myths. 



Many communities celebrate special figures who reward the nice and ignore or punish the naughty. 



In each case, children experience stories they can hold onto, if only for a few magical years. The current research suggests that these stories may matter less than the rituals and music, but they still add color to the season.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Plenty of families continue to share the Santa story, watch Christmas movies, and maintain lively traditions. 



The researchers point out that more studies could explore how different cultural celebrations, and the potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/holiday-stress-is-higher-this-year-compared-to-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress levels surrounding them</a>, ultimately help shape child development. 



From the outside, it might seem obvious that gatherings, songs, and decorations encourage bright and kind behavior, yet measuring these elements takes careful planning.



Some psychologists are curious about whether similar patterns show up around other holidays or special events with strong rituals.&nbsp;



The core message remains that communal practices, family bonding, and joyful anticipation often spark gentler and more considerate behavior in children. 



The Santa myth is part of that puzzle, but it may not be the only factor making kids play nicely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-did-we-learn-about-kids-and-santa">What did we learn about kids and Santa?</h2>



The takeaway here is that Christmas is a powerful backdrop for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-parents-use-threats-to-discipline-children-but-its-not-effective-in-the-long-run/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shaping how children behave</a>. 



A lively household filled with festive foods, carols, and colorful decorations can steer kids toward more thoughtful choices, even if the well-known Santa story doesn’t stand alone as a motivator. 



Traditions that families share appear to matter more than the promise of presents under the tree.



These observations offer a new way to think about how myths and rituals come together to create a meaningful holiday experience.&nbsp;



Children may still look forward to Santa’s arrival each year, but the real spark for positive behavior lies in those precious moments spent enjoying the season.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://osf.io/preprints/osf/e8jm6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OSF Pre-prints</a>.



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Does believing in Santa make kids behave better? A new study found out

Every December, colorful lights and festive tunes remind kids, and adults, that Santa Claus is on his way. Families fill their homes with decorations, children write wish lists, and a sense of anticipation hangs in the air.  Parents have long told their kids that if they behave well, Santa will bring them just what they asked for. Until recently, few studies examined whether this belief actually influenced how kids act. In a new project, researchers decided to see if children truly become more considerate when they think...

New research suggests that taking three-minute resistance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-significantly-lowers-heart-disease-risk-by-reducing-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exercise</a> breaks every 30 minutes over a four-hour period in the evening may improve sleep length. 



The study, led by researchers who recruited 30 non-smokers aged 18 to 40, found that participants slept an average of 27 minutes longer after incorporating these activity breaks compared to prolonged sitting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resistance-exercise-in-the-evening-nbsp">Resistance exercise in the evening&nbsp;</h2>



Current recommendations discourage intense exercise before bed due to its potential to increase body temperature and heart rate, which can result in poorer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/getting-high-quality-sleep-helps-prevent-depression-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep quality</a>. 



However, the study explored whether short, simple exercises could positively impact sleep without these adverse effects.



Participants wore activity trackers to record their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/any-type-of-physical-activity-can-help-protect-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical activity</a> and sleep patterns. They completed two sessions: one with continuous sitting and another with resistance exercise breaks, including chair squats, calf raises, and standing knee raises.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-disruptions-in-sleep-quality">No disruptions in sleep quality</h2>



The results indicated that after the exercise breaks, participants slept longer, averaging 7 hours and 12 minutes compared to 6 hours and 45 minutes after prolonged sitting. Wake times were also later, with participants waking at 8:06 am after exercise breaks versus 7:35 am after sitting.



No significant differences were found in sleep efficiency or the number of awakenings during the night, suggesting that these activity breaks did not disrupt sleep quality.&nbsp;



Additionally, there were no notable differences in activity patterns in the 24 hours following each intervention.



The researchers acknowledged several limitations, such as the small sample size and the controlled laboratory setting, and called for further studies involving larger numbers of people in their normal home environments.



“These results add to a growing body of evidence that indicates evening exercise does not disrupt sleep quality, despite current sleep recommendations to the contrary,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-influence-of-evening-exercise-nbsp">The influence of evening exercise&nbsp;</h2>



The experts highlighted that extending sleep duration, particularly for those who sleep less than the recommended nightly total, may potentially reduce metabolic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crucial-discoveries-will-improve-cardiovascular-disease-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a> risk over the long term. 



The simple resistance exercises used in the study can be easily integrated into daily routines, even while streaming content, which may increase adherence to the routine.



“While existing research indicates that evening exercise may not adversely impact sleep, the mechanisms by which it influences sleep quality remain unclear,” they concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-resistance-exercise-nbsp">More about resistance exercise&nbsp;</h2>



Resistance exercise, also known as strength training or weight training, involves activities that cause your muscles to work against an external resistance. This could be weights, resistance bands, or even your body weight. The main goal is to increase muscle strength, size, and endurance.



When you do resistance exercise, you're essentially creating tiny tears in your muscle fibers. Your body repairs these tears, making the muscles stronger and bigger in the process. It's like giving your muscles a workout to build their resilience.



One of the great things about resistance exercise is that it’s versatile. You can lift weights at the gym, use resistance bands at home, or even do bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats anywhere. It’s suitable for all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced athletes.



Resistance exercise offers numerous benefits beyond just building <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/molecule-in-coffee-trigonelline-keeps-muscles-young/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">muscle</a>. It can improve bone density, boost metabolism, enhance joint function, and even help with weight management. Regular resistance training can also improve your overall physical performance and reduce the risk of injuries.



It's important to start slowly and focus on proper form to prevent injuries. As you get stronger, you can gradually increase the resistance or the number of repetitions to continue challenging your muscles.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001774" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ Open Sport &amp; Exercise Medicine</a>.



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Resistance exercise in the evening can improve sleep

New research suggests that taking three-minute resistance exercise breaks every...

A new study led by the <a href="https://www.uga.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a> (UGA) has revealed that one in five U.S. farmers binge drink when under high stress. The research highlights the link between farmers using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-amounts-of-alcohol-have-big-impacts-on-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol</a> to manage stress, driven by the intense and risky nature of their work.&nbsp;



“Alcohol is the most acceptable way to deal with that stress versus actually going to talk to somebody about that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turn-stress-productive-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a>, or it’s a way to be able to talk about that stress with friends,” said lead author Christina Proctor, a clinical associate professor at UGA’s College of Public Health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-as-a-coping-mechanism-nbsp">Alcohol as a coping mechanism&nbsp;</h2>



Unique barriers to healthcare for farming communities include not just the usual rural issues like distance and lack of specialists, but also stigma and distrust of healthcare providers.&nbsp;



Farmers fear that seeking mental health care might be seen as an inability to manage their operations. This often leads to increased alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism.



“Farming is a high-risk, physically challenging occupation. Considering farmers report high stress and barriers to seeking healthcare, it is important to understand factors influencing alcohol use to tailor interventions and healthcare resources for alcohol use in rural areas,” wrote the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farming-and-mental-health-nbsp">Farming and mental health&nbsp;</h2>



Proctor and her co-author, Noah Hopkins, surveyed 1,045 farmers and found that almost all farmers drink, with over one-third consuming multiple drinks per week. These drinking habits are concerning due to the stigma around mental health care and the associated risk of suicide.



“Knowing the stigma that exists within rural farming populations about seeking care and then looking at death by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/suicide-rate-increases-during-the-week-of-a-full-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suicide</a> numbers, it really is a public health issue because there are drastic, traumatic outcomes associated with not being able to ask for that care, using alcohol to cope and then feeling hopeless,” Proctor said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-support-for-stressed-farmers">Support for stressed farmers</h2>



The study found that farmers who could rely on community support and peers were less likely to drink excessively. Proctor emphasizes the need for community-based support and training for various rural professionals to facilitate open conversations about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>.



“If the networks don’t exist, we’ve got to train our bankers. We’ve got to train, you know, farm bureau agents; we’ve got to train feed store managers. Everyone in rural areas has to be willing to have those open and honest conversations about mental health. It starts so basic, but it’s so big.”



The researchers noted that interventions to address stress and alcohol consumption should focus on promoting resilience, reducing stigma, and encouraging peer support to address cultural norms around mental health and alcohol use.&nbsp;



“Rural practitioners should develop cultural competence to better serve agricultural communities to prevent alcohol use disorders. To discuss ways to reduce stigma and encourage peer support to address alcohol and mental health disorders in rural farming populations.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-stress-of-farming">The stress of farming</h2>



Farming is an inherently demanding occupation, often subjecting farmers to significant stress due to a combination of environmental, economic, and personal factors.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-pressures-nbsp">Economic pressures&nbsp;</h3>



The unpredictability of weather and the impacts of climate change can drastically affect crop yields and livestock health, leading to financial instability.&nbsp;



Market fluctuations, trade policies, and changing consumer demands further compound the economic pressures farmers face, making it challenging to maintain a consistent income.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intensive-labor">Intensive labor</h3>



Additionally, farming is a labor-intensive job that requires long hours and physical exertion, which can lead to physical fatigue and health issues.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolation">Isolation</h3>



The isolation associated with rural living can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and mental strain, as farmers often work alone or with limited social interaction.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-pressures-nbsp">Cumulative pressures&nbsp;</h3>



The necessity to make quick decisions in response to unforeseen problems, such as pest infestations or equipment failures, adds another layer of stress.&nbsp;



These cumulative pressures can lead to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-support-networks-nbsp">Support networks&nbsp;</h3>



Despite these challenges, many farmers find resilience and strength in their connection to the land, their community, and their passion for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-adopt-regenerative-agriculture-better-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agriculture</a>.&nbsp;



Support networks, including family, friends, and agricultural organizations, play a crucial role in helping farmers manage stress and maintain their well-being.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/1059924X.2024.2374737" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Agromedicine</a>.



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Stressed out farmers are turning to alcohol to cope

A new study led by the University of Georgia (UGA)...

A longitudinal study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2024-001295" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ Public Health</a> has recently found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/51-percent-of-the-world-relies-on-car-commutes-every-day/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">commuters</a> who choose to cycle or walk to and from work have lower risks of developing physical and mental issues. Although both types of activity appeared to be beneficial, cycling had the highest advantages.



Active commuting is one of the most practical and sustainable ways to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spending-67-minutes-daily-outdoors-boosts-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improve health</a>, as scientists have long argued. Yet, previous studies had many limitations, including short monitoring periods, narrow age groups, and limited health outcomes. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-active-vs-inactive-commuting-nbsp">Active vs. inactive commuting&nbsp;</h2>



In this new study, the scientists collected and analyzed data from the <a href="https://sls.lscs.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scottish Longitudinal Study</a>, which is based on five percent of Scotland’s population derived from Census returns in 1991, 2001, and 2011. 



First, the respondents had to select which mode of travel they use for the longest part of their commute. While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-is-a-powerful-tool-to-boost-brain-health-and-overall-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking</a> and cycling were defined as active travel, all the other methods were deemed “inactive.” 



The experts then connected these responses to data regarding hospital admissions, deaths, and use of mental health drugs like antidepressants, sedatives, and anxiolytics.&nbsp;



Other factors, such as age, sex, socioeconomic factors, distance to work, and pre-existing health issues have also been taken into consideration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-of-the-study">Key findings of the study</h2>



The analysis revealed that between 2001 and 2018, 4,276 participants died (half of them from cancer), and 52,804 were admitted to hospital (12 percent for cardiovascular issues, seven percent for cancer, and three percent after traffic accidents). Moreover, 38.5 percent were prescribed heart medicines, and 41 percent mental health drugs.



Compared to those who did not engage in active commuting, individuals who walked to work were more likely to be younger females who worked shifts, lived in cities, commuted for shorter distances, and had lower incomes and educational attainment.&nbsp;



Cyclists shared some similarities, being more likely to be younger males who worked shifts, lived in urban areas, and were less likely to own homes or have caregiving responsibilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clear-health-benefits-of-active-commuting-nbsp">Clear health benefits of active commuting&nbsp;</h2>



However, active commuting was clearly linked to reduced risks of death and mental and physical health issues compared to inactive commuting.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cycling-to-work">Cycling to work</h3>



Respondents who cycled to work had a 47 percent lower risk of death from any cause, a 10 percent lower risk of any hospital admission, and a 24 percent lower risk of hospital admission for cardiovascular disease.&nbsp;



Cycling was also associated with a 30 percent lower risk of needing cardiovascular medication, a 51 percent lower risk of dying from cancer, a 24 percent lower risk of hospitalization for cancer, and a 20 percent lower risk of needing mental health medications. 



Nevertheless, cyclists were twice as likely to be hospitalized due to road traffic collisions compared to inactive commuters.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walking-to-work-nbsp">Walking to work&nbsp;</h3>



On the other hand, walking to work was linked to an 11 percent lower risk of hospital admission for any cause, a 10 percent lower risk of hospital admission for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-worsens-cardiovascular-health-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a>, a 10 percent lower risk of needing cardiovascular drugs and a seven percent lower risk of requiring mental health medications.



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



Since the study was observational, it cannot definitively establish cause and effect. Moreover, the researchers identified other limitations, including the fact that census responses only captured a single point in time and did not account for overall physical activity levels or multimodal trips.



According to the authors, despite such limitations, the study strengthens the evidence that active commuting has population-level health benefits and can contribute to reduced morbidity and mortality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-active-commuting-and-mental-health">Active commuting and mental health</h2>



“That cyclist and pedestrian commuting is associated with lower risks of being prescribed medication for poor mental health is an important finding.”



“These findings provide direct evidence of the health benefits of active commuting in a Scottish context, supporting current policy. This study has wider global relevance to efforts to reduce carbon emissions and to shift to more active and sustainable travel modes.”&nbsp;



However, the experts concluded that the “finding that cyclist commuters have twice the risk of being a road traffic casualty compared with non-active commuters reinforces the need for safer cycling infrastructure.”



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Active commuting: Cycling to work linked to enormous health benefits

A longitudinal study published in the journal BMJ Public Health...

The SMIM1 gene has been identified as a potential new factor in genetic predisposition to obesity. This discovery was made by an international team of scientists investigating the genetic contributors to obesity.



In a study led by the University of Exeter, researchers have found that individuals with a genetic variant disabling the SMIM1 gene tend to have higher <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-impairs-the-brains-response-to-nutrient-intake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">body weight</a> and lower resting energy expenditure. This insight could potentially lead to new approaches for obesity treatment.



The research team is now interested in exploring whether an existing, affordable thyroid medication could effectively treat obesity in individuals lacking both copies of the SMIM1 gene.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-underestimated-effect-of-smim1">The underestimated effect of SMIM1</h2>



The SMIM1 gene was discovered just a decade ago during a search for the gene encoding a distinct blood group known as Vel. 



This breakthrough came as a result of dedicated efforts to understand the genetic underpinnings of various blood types, leading to the identification of SMIM1 as the gene responsible for the Vel blood group.



Approximately one in 5,000 individuals lack both copies of the SMIM1 gene, rendering them Vel-negative. This genetic rarity has now been linked to a predisposition for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/just-a-few-extra-pounds-increases-hypertension-risk-in-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher body weight</a>. 



The Exeter study indicates that individuals without both copies of the SMIM1 gene are more likely to be <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/being-overweight-makes-it-harder-for-brain-to-resist-unhealthy-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overweight</a> compared to those with at least one functioning copy.



Alongside this, individuals without both copies of the gene exhibit other obesity-associated measures, such as high levels of fat in the blood, signs of fat tissue dysfunction, increased liver enzymes, and diminished levels of thyroid hormones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-new-treatments-for-obesity">Finding new treatments for obesity</h2>



For the investigation, the team scrutinized the genetics of close to half a million participants in the UK Biobank cohort. They recognized 104 individuals with the variant leading to the SMIM1 gene's loss of function.



The team also collaborated with the <a href="https://bioresource.nihr.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIHR National BioResource</a> to obtain fresh blood samples from both Vel-negative and Vel-positive individuals.



Study lead author Mattia Frontini is an associate professor of cell biology at the <a href="https://medicine.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter Medical School</a>. 



"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-now-affects-more-than-a-billion-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Obesity rates</a> have nearly tripled in the past 50 years, and by 2030, more than one billion individuals worldwide are projected to be obese," said Frontini.



"Obesity is due to an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, often a complex interplay of lifestyle, environmental, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-can-be-passed-down-from-parents-to-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic factors</a>. In a small minority of people, obesity is caused by genetic variants." 



"When this is the case, new treatments can sometimes be found to benefit these people -- and we're now hoping to run a clinical trial to find out whether widely-available drug for thyroid supplementation may be beneficial in treating obesity in people who lack SMIM1."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-impact-of-the-genetic-variant">Global impact of the genetic variant</h2>



Further exploration of these cohorts suggests that the SMIM1 variant could influence obesity in nearly 300,000 people worldwide. This conclusion was reached after analyzing the effects found in four additional cohorts of people with the SMIM1 gene variant.



The experts determined that having the variant had a notable impact on weight, accounting for an average extra 4.6kg in females and 2.4kg in males.



"SMIM1 was only discovered a decade ago, as a long-sought blood group protein on red blood cells, but its other function has remained unknown until now. It's very exciting to find that it has a more general role in human metabolism," said study co-author Jill Storry, a professor at Lund University in Sweden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modifying-the-gene-to-treat-obesity">Modifying the gene to treat obesity</h2>



The implications of this study extend beyond mere understanding; they hint at potential therapeutic applications. 



Researchers are now exploring whether modifying the SMIM1 gene or its expression could offer new avenues for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-treatment-of-child-obesity-yields-lasting-results/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treating obesity</a>. 



Gene therapy and CRISPR technology could potentially be employed to correct the genetic variant responsible for SMIM1 deficiency. 



Additionally, lifestyle interventions tailored to individuals with SMIM1 variants might be developed, focusing on specific exercise and dietary recommendations that could mitigate the gene's effects.



The study provides us with a more in-depth understanding of obesity. As more information on the SMIM1 mechanism is revealed, individuals lacking SMIM1 could receive essential information and support, contributing significantly to the global fight against obesity.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(24)00219-8?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2666634024002198%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Press</a>.



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Can the lack of a single gene cause obesity?

The SMIM1 gene has been identified as a potential new...

As we continue to march towards an increasingly digitized era, the possibility of robots co-existing harmoniously with humans in various settings becomes more conceivable. 



Today, we delve deep into fascinating research that's further pushing the boundaries of what <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/who-do-children-trust-more-robots-or-humans-scientists-found-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humanoid robots</a> are capable of - incorporating dance moves into their functionality.



The striking work comes from a dedicated team of engineers based at the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a>.



The experts have successfully trained a humanoid robot to perform a plethora of expressive movements, with a finesse that makes these complex actions appear effortlessly learned.



From following simple dance routines to interpreting gestures like waving, high-fives, and hugging, this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/would-you-trust-a-robot-to-look-after-your-cat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advanced robot</a> astounds with its ability to maintain a steady gait across differing terrains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-harmonious-co-existence">A harmonious co-existence</h2>



"Through expressive and more human-like body motions, we aim to build trust and showcase the potential for robots to co-exist in harmony with humans," noted Xiaolong Wang, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UC San Diego.



The team envisions a future where human-friendly robots could render invaluable assistance in settings like factory assembly lines, hospitals, homes, and possibly even replace human presence in hazardous environments like laboratories or disaster sites.



The work is set to be presented to the world at the upcoming 2024 Robotics: Science and Systems Conference in Delft, Netherlands.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expressiveness-of-the-robot">Expressiveness of the robot</h2>



The remarkable expressiveness of this robot is rooted in its training regimen. Borrowing techniques from the art of dance, the humanoid's performance capability is built on the foundation of diverse human body motions. 



Much like a highly receptive dance student, the robot quickly picks up new routines and gestures.



The training involved simulating upper and lower body motions separately, which allowed for the replication of complex movements, while maintaining balance and walking across different surfaces. 



"The main goal here is to show the ability of the robot to do different things while it's walking from place to place without falling," said Professor Wang.



This type of coordination is possible because the robot operates under a unified policy governing its entire structure. The policy ensures the synchronization of upper body gestures with a steady gait, enabling the robot to navigate across various terrains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-towards-autonomous-robots">Advancing towards autonomous robots</h2>



As of now, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-cannot-outrun-animals-but-theyre-evolving-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robot's movements</a> are dictated by a human operator using a game controller. However, in the near future, the team hopes to equip the robot with a camera that could enable autonomous navigation and task execution.



The team's current focus is fine-tuning the design to tackle more refined and intricate tasks. 



With the objective of extending the capabilities of the upper body, the range of motions and gestures the robot can perform will certainly increase, thus steering us yet closer towards a future where robots and humans can coexist in harmony.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meaningful-social-interactions">Meaningful social interactions</h2>



Another promising frontier in the development of humanoid robots is enhancing their ability to engage in meaningful social interactions with humans. 



Using sophisticated algorithms and machine learning, experts are creating robots that analyze facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language to gauge emotions and react appropriately.



The intersection of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-robots-with-a-local-accent-seem-more-trustworthy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social robotics</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-design-and-build-walking-robots-in-seconds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence</a> holds great promise for the future. As these systems become more adept at interpreting and reacting to human emotions, the potential for creating harmonious and supportive interactions between humans and machines continues to expand. 



This progress not only enhances functionality but also fosters a deeper connection and trust between humans and their robotic counterparts.



As we look to the future, the collaboration between engineers, psychologists, and AI specialists will be crucial in refining these social robots. 



By integrating emotional intelligence with physical dexterity, the next generation of humanoid robots will be equipped to navigate complex human environments with ease and sensitivity, further solidifying their role as indispensable partners in our increasingly automated world.



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Dancing robots: The future of human-robot interactions

As we continue to march towards an increasingly digitized era,...

Loneliness affects roughly a third of Canadians, and recent research from the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Waterloo</a> suggests that this condition can have far more severe consequences than we may realize.



Loneliness is not just an emotional state, but a potent stressor that can significantly impair our memory, especially as we age.



The study elaborates that loneliness is a subjective emotion. It's quite possible for a person to feel isolated even when they are actively engaging in social activities. 



Often accompanied by depression, this feeling can trigger an increase in stress hormones, which can wreak havoc on our memory capabilities.



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



The Waterloo team conducted a study over a six-year period to examine the impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-and-social-isolation-increase-mortality-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social isolation</a> and loneliness on memory in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-drops-in-middle-adulthood-but-then-grows-with-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">middle-aged</a> and older adults.



The research was focused on four categories of social isolation and loneliness: individuals who were both socially isolated and lonely, those who were socially isolated, those who were lonely, and individuals who were neither.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loneliness-and-memory-impairment">Loneliness and memory impairment</h2>



"As we expected, people who were both socially isolated and lonely had the greatest decline in memory, which intensified over the six years," noted study lead author Ji Won Kang, a Ph.D. candidate at Waterloo.



Somewhat surprisingly, the researchers found that loneliness itself had the second greatest impact on memory, a finding that challenges the popular narrative focusing on the detrimental effects of social isolation.



"Regarding functional impairment, the ‘neither’ group and ‘both’ group, respectively, displayed the least and the most severe functional impairment," the experts noted. 



"Turning to memory, our regression analyses suggested that being socially isolated, lonely, or both were linked to lower memory scores relative to being neither isolated nor lonely."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-solitude-be-a-silver-lining">Can solitude be a silver lining?</h2>



If you’re wondering how socially isolated individuals without feelings of loneliness can protect their memory, the answer may lie in engaging in solo activities that are mentally stimulating.



Activities such as reading, playing games, and pursuing hobbies can improve memory and stimulate the brain, thereby offsetting the negative effects of social isolation. 



These activities not only provide mental engagement but also promote cognitive resilience, helping to maintain memory function and overall brain health as we age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-the-future-hold">What does the future hold?</h2>



The findings underscore the significance of community programs for older adults, especially those who are both socially isolated and lonely.



Kang hopes the research can be instrumental in highlighting the need for such initiatives since this group is at the highest risk of memory impairment.



Addressing the societal issues that contribute to isolation should be a priority. "A solution could be to implement transportation or home-visit programs - something to address the societal issues that lead to them being more isolated," said Kang.



As for those who are socially connected but still feel lonely, understanding the root cause of their loneliness is crucial for effective intervention and support.



For instance, these individuals may be grappling with personal issues, such as a failing marriage or unresolved emotional conflicts. In such cases, counseling or therapy could offer them the much-needed support to address these underlying problems. 



By tackling the root causes, individuals can work towards alleviating their feelings of loneliness and improving their overall mental health and well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-technology-in-combating-loneliness">The role of technology in combating loneliness</h2>



In today's digital age, technology can play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of loneliness and social isolation. 



Virtual reality (VR) experiences and online social platforms can offer meaningful connections for those who are physically isolated. 



For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chronic-loneliness-increases-stroke-risk-in-older-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">older adults</a>, tech-savvy solutions like video calls, online communities, and social media can provide opportunities to engage with family and friends, reducing feelings of loneliness. 



Additionally, mobile applications focused on mental health can offer resources and support for managing loneliness and its associated stress. 



Embracing technology while ensuring ease of use can be a significant step towards addressing the loneliness epidemic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loneliness-a-public-health-crisis">Loneliness: A public health crisis</h2>



The study sends an important message: loneliness has a tangible impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-reality-one-in-four-americans-with-cognitive-impairment-lives-alone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive health</a>, affecting our memory and overall cognitive function.



So, the next time you feel lonely, remember that it's not just an emotion - it’s a matter of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-is-a-global-health-issue-that-must-be-addressed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public health</a>. 



"Memory changes linked to aging are often viewed as a normal part of growing older, but these changes frequently signify major neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia," noted the researchers.



"Currently, over 55 million individuals globally are living with major neurocognitive disorders and this number is expected to rise to 139 million by 2050. These disorders have emerged as leading contributors to mortality and morbidity among aging populations."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167494324001596?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics</a>. 



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Loneliness impairs memory in older adults

Loneliness affects roughly a third of Canadians, and recent research...

New research led by <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pennsylvania State University</a> has found that American diets may have improved in quality and diversity following the onset of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-value-nature-more-during-covid-19-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 pandemic</a>. The study revealed that during lockdowns, citizens' diet quality improved by up to 8.5% and food diversity by up to 2.6%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-food-shifts-during-the-pandemic-nbsp">Major food shifts during the pandemic&nbsp;</h2>



“In addition to presenting a direct risk to human health and creating adverse shocks to health care systems, the global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted food acquisition and consumption in ways that had not been seen in generations,” wrote the researchers.



“In the U.S., starting in March 2020, the pandemic shut down almost all restaurants and cafeterias and disrupted agricultural supply chains so that retail food shoppers encountered stock-outs of some items for the first time in decades.”&nbsp;



“Since approximately 50 percent of U.S. food dollars are spent on food away from home (FAFH) options, the pandemic-induced closures and lockdowns set the stage for a major shift from FAFH establishments to supermarkets and other food retailers that remained open during the pandemic.”&nbsp;



The study authors noted that this shift may have dramatically affected the composition of food acquisitions and overall diet quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-american-diet-quality-during-the-pandemic">American diet quality during the pandemic </h2>



“When dine-in restaurants closed, our diets got a little more diverse and a little healthier,” said co-author Edward Jaenicke, an expert in nutrition at Penn State. These findings suggest that shifts away from restaurant eating could positively impact Americans' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urbanization-does-not-always-decrease-food-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food diversity</a> and healthfulness.



Before the pandemic, American diets were generally considered unhealthy, with only slight improvements over the years. Jaenicke's team was initially studying how people might feed themselves after a global catastrophe, but the pandemic presented a real-world scenario to study these impacts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research-nbsp">Focus of the research&nbsp;</h2>



For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 41,570 households in the <a href="https://nielseniq.com/global/en/solutions/homescan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NielsenIQ Homescan Consumer Panel</a>, comparing grocery purchases before and after the pandemic-induced closures. 



The team designated each household's post-pandemic period as the weeks following their county’s school closures in 2020, allowing them to establish a causal effect of the pandemic on food purchases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-food-diversity-and-diet-quality">Increased food diversity and diet quality</h2>



The study found modest increases in food diversity and significant improvements in diet quality during the months following school closures. These patterns were observed across various demographics, although households with young children, lower incomes, and without a car showed smaller increases.



According to the experts, several factors could account for these findings. The closure of restaurants, typically sources of less healthy food, might have led to healthier eating at home.&nbsp;



Additionally, the pandemic may have heightened health consciousness among consumers, leading them to buy healthier and more diverse groceries.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-crisis-global-supply-chains-face-25-trillion-in-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Supply chain</a> disruptions might have prompted consumers to try new, diverse products. Moreover, school and business closures likely gave households more time to cook and prepare meals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-purchasing-behavior-in-the-u-s">Food purchasing behavior in the U.S.</h2>



“Like prior research, our results confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affected the food-purchasing behavior of U.S. households," wrote the study authors. 



"However, unlike other studies, we find modest temporary increases in food diversity (of up to 2.6 percent compared to the prior year) as measured by the Berry Index and larger temporary increases in diet quality (of up to 8.5 percent) as measured by the USDAScore."



“To put these results in context, no study that we know of investigates pandemic-induced changes in food diversity and very few studies investigate diet quality changes in the U.S. market.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-disasters-and-brand-switching-nbsp">Natural disasters and brand switching&nbsp;</h2>



Jaenicke suggested that future studies could further explore how different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-risk-natural-disasters-doubled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disasters</a> affect purchasing and eating habits, providing valuable insights for improving diet and health outcomes.



“It is known that the pandemic caused some stock outs at grocery stores and supermarkets, and it is likely that food-at-home consumers shifted to new foods that led to increased diversity and healthfulness,” noted the study authors.&nbsp;



“Related research on natural disasters finds that hurricanes in the U.S. cause substantial brand switching in the bottled water category, presumably because their usual brand was not available. It is likely that during the COVID-19 pandemic, unavailable product categories may have caused similar switching behaviors, but on a broader scale.”&nbsp;



“Our results suggest that at least some of this switching and experimentation with new foods contributed to increases in diversity and healthier food choices that did not completely dissipate by the end of the study period.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0300839" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>.



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Diet quality briefly improved during the pandemic

New research led by Pennsylvania State University has found that...

A study examining the impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/getting-high-quality-sleep-helps-prevent-depression-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> on brain function discovered a link between an individual's preference for morning or evening activity and their cognitive performance, suggesting that “night owls” generally score higher cognitively.



Researchers from <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a> (ICL) analyzed data from over 26,000 people to investigate how various aspects of sleep - such as duration, patterns, and quality - affect mental sharpness and cognitive ability. 



Using data from the <a href="https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Biobank</a>, they examined whether participants identified as “morning people” or “evening people,” indicating their most alert and productive times of the day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mysterious-function-of-sleep-nbsp">The mysterious function of sleep&nbsp;</h2>



“Sleep is a fundamental biological behavior that is universally conserved throughout evolution. However, despite its significance, the function of such a process remains a long-debated subject of interest,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



“Emerging studies suggest that sleep plays a crucial role in optimizing cognitive function by contributing to bodily restoration, memory consolidation, learning and emotional regulation. Sleep impairment, particularly common among elderly people, has been consistently linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.” 



“Homeostatic immune function is also profoundly influenced by sleep, and sleep impairment has been linked to immune-related neurodegenerative, metabolic, autoimmune and vascular diseases." 



"Animal studies have further shown that, mechanistically, sleep disturbance induces neuroinflammation, complement activation, impaired learning and memory, and affects hippocampus-dependent learning.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-duration-and-cognitive-performance">Sleep duration and cognitive performance</h2>



The researchers noted that population-based studies have highlighted the relationship between sleep duration and cognitive abilities, indicating potential cognitive impairments associated with both short and long sleep durations.



Published in <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2024-001000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ Public Health</a>, the study revealed that sleeping between seven to nine hours per night optimizes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bright-light-instantly-enhances-brain-function-alertness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain function</a>, enhancing cognitive abilities such as memory, reasoning, and information processing speed. 



In contrast, sleeping for fewer than seven hours or more than nine hours had a negative impact on cognitive function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-night-owls-outperformed-morning-larks">Night owls outperformed morning larks</h2>



The study also highlighted the influence of a person’s chronotype, which refers to their preference for morning or evening activity. “Night owls” - those who are naturally more active in the evening - outperformed “morning larks” in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/morning-exercise-improves-cognitive-performance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive</a> tests. 



Larks consistently scored the lowest, with intermediate types - those with a mild preference for either day or night - performing better, and evening types achieving the highest scores.



Night owls scored approximately 13.5% higher than morning larks in one group and 7.5% higher in another group.&nbsp;



Intermediate sleepers scored around 10.6% and 6.3% higher than morning types in the two groups, respectively. These differences were statistically significant, indicating they are unlikely to be due to chance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-night-owls-cognitive-performance">Night owls' cognitive performance </h2>



The analysis accounted for various health and lifestyle factors, including age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, and chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.&nbsp;



Generally, younger individuals and those without chronic conditions scored higher in cognitive tests, while healthier lifestyle choices were linked to better cognitive performance.



“Our study found that adults who are naturally more active in the evening (what we called 'eveningness') tended to perform better on cognitive tests than those who are 'morning people.' Rather than just being personal preferences, these chronotypes could impact our cognitive function,” said lead author Raha West from the Department of Surgery and Cancer at ICL.



However, West emphasized that the findings do not imply all morning people have poorer cognitive performance, but rather that the overall trend favors <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/late-night-habits-raise-the-risk-of-coronary-artery-calcification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evening types</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proactively-managing-sleep-patterns-nbsp">Proactively managing sleep patterns&nbsp;</h2>



West noted that shifting natural sleep habits is complex, but understanding and working with one's sleep tendencies while ensuring sufficient sleep duration is crucial for brain health.



Interestingly, while sleep duration was critical, people with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insomnia-strengthens-shameful-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insomnia</a> did not score significantly lower in cognitive performance. This suggests that specific aspects of insomnia, such as severity and duration, need to be considered.



“We've found that sleep duration has a direct effect on brain function, and we believe that proactively managing sleep patterns is really important for boosting, and safeguarding, the way our brains work,” said co-lead author Daqing Ma.



“We'd ideally like to see policy interventions to help sleep patterns improve in the general population.”



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‘Night owls’ are mentally sharper than ‘morning larks’ 

A study examining the impact of sleep on brain function...

When considering a vegetarian diet, genetics play a significant role, as highlighted by a new study from the <a href="https://www.uga.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a>. 



Published in <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1011288" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS Genetics</a>, this research investigates how genetic variations influence individual responses to nutrients and potential diet-related diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-in-the-number-of-vegetarians">Increase in the number of vegetarians</h2>



“Vegetarianism is a superordinate term covering a variety of animal-restricted dietary practices, typically referring to lacto-ovo vegetarianism, which permits plant-based food, dairy, and eggs, and excludes meat, fish, and seafood,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



“Estimates indicate that in Western countries, adherence to plant-based diets has increased over the past decade.”



“This has been motivated by several factors, including health benefits, taste preferences, ethical concerns with slaughtering animals and factory farming, environmental concerns related to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and perceived moral accreditation.”&nbsp;



“It is now common for nutrition professionals to recommend vegetarianism to the public en masse.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-health-benefits">Potential health benefits</h2>



For many, a vegetarian diet offers health benefits like lower <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-can-work-as-well-as-medication-to-lower-cholesterol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cholesterol</a> and reduced risks of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. 



However, the diet might pose challenges for others, potentially leading to lower Vitamin D levels and higher triglycerides, which can elevate cardiovascular risk.



“We are building a scientific foundation for personalized nutrition, which optimizes human health at the level of the individual, instead of one-size-fits-all dietary recommendations,” said lead author Michael Francis, an expert in bioinformatics at the University of Georgia.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-and-ancestry">Genetics and ancestry</h2>



The team analyzed data from over 150,000 participants, identifying 2,300 strict vegetarians to assess the genetic impact on health outcomes.



“Genetics and ancestry are known to play an important role in metabolic processes (i.e., nutrigenetics) and thus may impact both dietary behavior, and the effect of diet on disease risk,” noted the researchers.



“With regard to behavior, heritable components have previously been associated with plant-eating preference. Specific genetic variants have been significantly associated with quantitative measures of plant-eating.”



“To discover how the health impacts of vegetarianism can depend on the genetic background of an individual, we considered gene-environment interactions (G×E), which can produce synergistic (non-additive) effects on health outcomes that genetic or environmental factors alone would not.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-impact-on-health-outcomes-nbsp">Genetic impact on health outcomes&nbsp;</h2>



The study found that most vegetarians had lower cholesterol levels across all measures, which is beneficial for heart health.&nbsp;



However, vegetarians also exhibited lower <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-d-influences-gut-bacteria-to-help-fight-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vitamin D</a> levels and higher triglycerides. These findings highlight the complexity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/being-a-vegetarian-is-genetic-and-could-explain-why-some-people-cant-give-up-meat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a> impacts and the importance of considering genetic factors.



By including a genetic component in their analysis, the researchers discovered that specific gene variants, or minor alleles, influenced health outcomes.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vegetarians-and-gene-variants-nbsp">Vegetarians and gene variants&nbsp;</h2>



One such gene variant, related to calcium metabolism, resulted in increased calcium levels among vegetarians with this allele, potentially benefiting bone and dental health but posing risks like kidney stones or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cardiovascular-disease-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular issues</a>. 



Another gene variant affected hormone levels, with some vegetarians experiencing increased testosterone despite the general trend of decreased testosterone in vegetarians.&nbsp;



Additionally, a variant related to kidney function altered the impact of vegetarianism on kidney filtration rates.



“People with specific and immediate nutritional requirements related to these three traits should consider being tested for the variants we describe in this manuscript and making changes accordingly,” Francis said.



This research supports future nutrigenetics studies and clinical trials, helping to better understand diet impacts on diverse populations.



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Vegetarians have different health outcomes due to genetics

When considering a vegetarian diet, genetics play a significant role,...

Are you familiar with the exhausting battle millions of people worldwide are fighting against dementia? If so, you'll agree that one of the most pressing challenges they face is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-the-rate-of-cognitive-decline-in-alzheimers-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early detection</a> of diseases such as Alzheimer's, where AI can play a crucial role.



A team of <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambridge</a> scientists has knitted together tech threads to provide a ray of hope in this fight. They've created an artificially intelligent tool for predicting whether people with early dementia signs will develop Alzheimer's disease or remain stable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-purpose-and-promise-of-the-ai-tool">Purpose and promise of the AI tool</h2>



Did you know that Alzheimer's disease is at the root of 60-80% of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dementia-was-extremely-rare-in-ancient-times-so-why-is-it-now-so-prevalent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dementia cases</a>? The catch is that early detection carries the promise of more effective treatments. 



Yet, it's a catch-22 situation: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-the-rate-of-cognitive-decline-in-alzheimers-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early diagnosis</a> often hinges on expensive or invasive tests which many memory clinics can't offer. Hence, the grim reality of misdiagnosis or late diagnosis. Enter the AI tool.



The team, led by Professor Zoe Kourtzi from the University of Cambridge's <a href="https://www.psychol.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Psychology</a>, conceived an advanced machine learning model. 



According to their research, this model outperforms current clinical diagnostic tools in predicting Alzheimer's progression.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanics-of-the-alzheimer-s-ai-tool">Mechanics of the Alzheimer's AI tool</h2>



The ingenious prediction power of this model relies on non-invasive, low-cost patient data. Cognitive tests and structural MRI scans, showing grey matter atrophy from over 400 individuals, provided the backbone for the AI model. 



The model didn't stop at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pupil-size-reveals-hidden-cognitive-fatigue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theoretical potential</a>. It confronted real-world conditions, with patient data from a further 600 US cohort participants and longitudinal data from 900 people from UK and Singapore memory clinics.



And how did it fare? With flying colors. The algorithm could tell apart people with stable mild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifestyle-choices-in-young-adulthood-impact-cognitive-ability-in-midlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive</a> impairment and those progressing to Alzheimer's disease within three years. 



The AI tool identified people developing Alzheimer's correctly in 82% of cases and identified those who didn't in 81% of cases from cognitive tests and MRI scans alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accuracy-and-patient-wellbeing">Accuracy and patient wellbeing</h2>



“We’ve created a tool which, despite using only data from cognitive tests and MRI scans, is much more sensitive than current approaches at predicting whether someone will progress from mild symptoms to Alzheimer’s – and if so, whether this progress will be fast or slow," noted Prof. Kourtz.



“This has the potential to significantly improve patient wellbeing, showing us which people need closest care, while removing the anxiety for those patients we predict will remain stable. At a time of intense pressure on healthcare resources, this will also help remove the need for unnecessary invasive and costly diagnostic tests.”



The implications are far-reaching. Significantly reduced misdiagnosis rates, improved patient wellbeing, and avoidance of unnecessary invasive and costly diagnostic tests are all on the table.



The model also proved to be a crystal ball, forecasting the course of Alzheimer's progression in patients. Who would remain stable? Who would slowly progress? And who would deteriorate rapidly? The model could tell, and its predictions rang true when cross-verified with follow-up data over six years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-face-of-ai-for-alzheimer-s">Human face of AI for Alzheimer's</h2>



As Prof. Kourtzi points out, the AI tool shines by being sensitive yet straightforward, using only cognitive tests and MRI scans to predict Alzheimer's progression. 



The tool promises to work as a guide, showing which patients need the most care and calming those predicted to remain stable. To those familiar with the intense pressure on healthcare resources, it's a sight for sore eyes.



And there's more. The model distinguishes people who have memory loss symptoms but remain stable. This differentiation, as Prof. Kourtzi points out, helps redirect them to a different clinical pathway since their symptoms may stem from other causes, such as anxiety or depression.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-the-lab">Beyond the lab</h2>



The team's algorithm isn't an ivory-tower innovation. It faced the real-world test with nearly 900 individuals from UK and Singapore memory clinics. And it successfully passed. 



“Memory problems are common as we get older. In clinic I see how uncertainty about whether these might be the first signs of dementia can cause a lot of worry for people and their families, as well as being frustrating for doctors who would much prefer to give definitive answers," expressed Dr. Ben Underwood, assistant professor at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge.



The fact that we might be able to reduce this uncertainty with information we already have is exciting and is likely to become even more important as new treatments emerge.” 



Importantly, the team trained and tested the AI model on routinely-collected data from patients in actual memory clinics. As Prof. Kourtzi underscores, this proves that the model can generalize to a real-world setting.



The team's vision doesn't stop here. They plan to stretch their AI tool to other forms of dementia, such as vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia, and to integrate different data types, like markers from blood tests. 



It's clear: the team's mission to tackle the growing health challenge presented by dementia is just starting to gather steam.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(24)00304-3/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EClinicalMedicine</a>.



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AI tool is better at predicting Alzheimer’s disease than current tests

Are you familiar with the exhausting battle millions of people...

Can you think of a narcissistic character who etched a profound mark on your memory? Regina George from Mean Girls or Nate Jacobs from Euphoria, perhaps? Teenagers, aren't they? Narcissism can manifest at any age, making these characters unforgettable.



Deftly conducted by researchers from none other than the reputable <a href="https://www.unibe.ch/index_eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bern</a>, this intriguing study presents some captivating insights. The seasoned scientist leading the troop was Dr. Ulrich Orth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-narcissism-and-age">Narcissism and age</h2>



The researchers endeavored to understand if narcissism, a personality trait rather notorious, ebbs, flows, or remains static with age. 



Roping in data from an impressive selection of 51 previous studies involving a whopping 37,247 patients between the tender age of eight and a ripe old 77, they examined three different types of narcissism closely - agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic.



Agentic narcissism showers feelings of grandiosity, superiority, and a high need for admiration. 



Antagonistic narcissism is characterized by arrogance, entitlement, and low empathy, while neurotic narcissism involves emotional hypersensitivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-factor-shows-a-declining-curve">Age factor shows a declining curve</h2>



The crunch point is here. The team's efforts bore fruit in revealing that all three types of narcissism decline with age. 



However, there's a twist in the tale. People's narcissism relative to their peers doesn't significantly metamorphose over time. 



To put it in a nutshell, if you were Mr. or Ms. Narcissistic among your peers as a child, chances are high you'd continue holding that title well into adulthood.



"This was true even across very long periods of time, which suggests that narcissism is a stable personality trait," Dr. Orth shared.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-and-how-of-it-all">‘Why’ and ‘how’ of it all</h2>



Now, you might be wondering why or how this happens. Well, you're not alone. While the University of Bern researchers didn't delve into the possible reasons behind these findings, they hope their study will kindle the flames for future research.



"One theory posits that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/personality-type-can-accurately-predict-your-relationship-status/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social roles</a> we take on in adulthood, for example as a partner, a parent, an employee, lead to the development of more mature personality characteristics, including lower levels of narcissism," Dr. Orth suggested.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-vs-nurture">Nature vs. nurture</h2>



One of the burning questions this study reignites is the age-old debate of nature versus nurture. Are we born with narcissistic traits, or are they sculpted by our environment and experiences? 



While the University of Bern study sheds light on how narcissism can decline with age, it leaves open the question of whether genetic predisposition or life circumstances play a more pivotal role. 



Some psychologists argue that early childhood experiences, such as parenting styles and peer interactions, significantly shape narcissistic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cryptocurrency-investors-linked-to-dark-personality-traits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tendencies</a>. 



Conversely, others underline the role of inherent personality traits that manifest regardless of external influences.



Further research examining these differing perspectives is essential to understand the intricate dance between nature and nurture in the development of narcissism.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-mental-health-interventions">Implications for mental health interventions</h2>



The findings from this study also bear substantial implications for mental health interventions. Understanding that narcissism can diminish over time provides a beacon of hope for therapeutic practices aimed at mitigating extreme narcissistic traits. 



Mental health professionals can better tailor their interventions by focusing on enhancing empathy, emotional regulation, and fostering healthier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/personality-has-a-profound-influence-on-gene-expression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social interactions</a>. 



Additionally, the study underscores the importance of early intervention in childhood and adolescence, potentially steering individuals away from entrenched narcissistic patterns that could have long-lasting repercussions on their personal and professional lives. 



As research continues to evolve, nuanced approaches in psychological therapies could emerge, informed by the life-span changes in narcissistic traits highlighted by the University of Bern's innovative study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-picture-of-narcissism-and-age">Bigger picture of narcissism and age </h2>



Dr. Orth opines that these findings hold significant implications as high levels of narcissism influence people's lives in several ways. 



The narcissistic individuals and perhaps even more, the lives of their families and friends are impacted.



Now that we've dished out the findings and their implications, it's time to ponder. 



Do you know people who fit the bill? How do these insights influence your understanding of their behavior? And most crucially, how can society use this understanding to foster a healthier environment?



As they say, "knowledge is power." Let's use it well.



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Narcissism declines with age but remains stable relative to peers

Can you think of a narcissistic character who etched a...

Prehistoric,Beehive,Hut,Dingle,Peninsula,County,Kerry,Ireland,Eire,Irish

When we think of the plague, our minds often leap to the 'Black Death' that decimated a third of Europe's population in the 14th century. However, emerging insights paint a different story of another plague from the Stone Age.



The plague, it seems, may have been a dark player in an even earlier history, one carved in the stones and DNA of the Neolithic Age.



Historically, it was believed that the plague had its cruel debut in the Middle Ages. 



A fresh wave of research, however, suggests that it had already made its horrific entrance in Scandinavia thousands of years before the '<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-unearth-the-origins-of-the-black-death-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black Death</a>.'



Far from being a harmless passerby, it might have unleashed its own silent epidemic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plague-dna-found-in-stone-age-skull">Plague DNA found in Stone Age skull</h2>



In a groundbreaking collaboration between the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> and the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a>, researchers honed in on the DNA preserved in the teeth and bones of 108 individuals, having met their end some 5000 years ago.



Fascinatingly, 18 of these individuals, or 17%, were found to carry the plague's deadly signature at their time of death. 



Even more stirring, the evidence suggests that the plague strain they carried had epidemic potential.



This raises a crucial question: could the plague have been an underlying factor in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-significantly-impacted-neolithic-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neolithic decline</a>, a period of severe population decrease that swept over Scandinavia and Northwestern Europe over several centuries 5000 years ago?



While certainly intriguing, this remains a hypothesis. "We cannot – yet – prove that this was exactly how it happened. But the fact that we can now show that it could have happened this way is significant," says Frederik Seersholm, the postdoc who led the DNA analysis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-archaeology-meets-genetics">Archaeology meets genetics</h2>



The archaeological material serving as a window into the past predominantly originates from passage graves in Sweden, with one individual hailing from a stone cist in Stevns, Denmark. 



Cutting-edge deep shotgun sequencing, a technique capable of extracting intricate details from heavily damaged or degraded DNA, acted as the researchers' time machine stepping back into the Neolithic Age.



Through this, they were able to conduct a comprehensive mapping of plague lineages and gain detailed insights into other microbes in the DNA data. 



Simultaneously, they got an up-close look at the human DNA - from a broad perspective, right down to the individual level.



"The analyses provided a picture of the social organization that existed back then," says Associate Professor Martin Sikora from the <a href="https://globe.ku.dk/">Globe Institute</a>, also behind the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-truth-behind-stone-age-plague-dna">Truth behind Stone Age plague DNA</h2>



The fact that 17% of the individuals whose DNA was analyzed had the plague implies that <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/the-scandinavian-peninsula-in-northern-europe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scandinavia</a> might have been in the tight grip of this deadly disease during the late Stone Age. 



In one family, for instance, they observed at least three plague outbreaks over the six generations they were able to map.



This new DNA data provide a compelling challenge to previous theories suggesting that the population plunge at the end of the Neolithic Age could not have been triggered by the plague.



“There have been several theories involving the plague, and one of them suggested that the plague could not have caused an epidemic – but that assumption no longer holds,” states Frederik Seersholm.



As we decode the past with new scientific tools, it appears that the ruthless specter of the plague may have haunted humanity longer and more pervasively than we previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plague-s-widespread-impact-in-history">Plague's widespread impact in history</h2>



The discovery of plague's presence in Neolithic Scandinavia opens the door to a broader understanding of its potential impact on other ancient civilizations.



This revelation prompts historians and scientists alike to consider whether plague-induced declines may have occurred in other parts of the world during prehistory. 



Evidence suggests that ancient trade routes, which facilitated the movement of goods and people, may have also played a crucial role in the spread of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-heightens-risk-of-most-infectious-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infectious diseases</a>.



By examining skeletal remains and genetic material from various archaeological sites across Europe, Asia, and Africa, researchers can piece together a more comprehensive history of plague outbreaks and their effects.



As we continue to uncover the secrets of our past, it becomes increasingly clear that the story of human civilization is intricately linked with the history of disease. 



By investigating these ancient epidemics, we not only honor the lives lost but also equip ourselves with knowledge to combat future pandemics.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07651-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Stone age farming population decimated by the plague

When we think of the plague, our minds often leap...

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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

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" 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> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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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



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Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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