A good night’s sleep does more than help you feel rested - it literally clears your mind. New research reveals how deep sleep removes waste buildup in the brain, a process that is crucial for brain health.



However, sleep aids may disrupt this natural “brainwashing” system, raising questions about their long-term effects on cognitive function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-s-built-in-cleanup-system">Brain’s built-in cleanup system</h2>



The glymphatic system is like a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-sleep-transforms-brain-performance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cleaning service for your brain</a>. Throughout the day, metabolic waste builds up in the brain, including toxic proteins that, if not removed, can lead to neurological issues like Alzheimer’s disease.



The glymphatic system works by using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, to flush out these harmful substances.



Think of the CSF as water flowing through pipes and washing away debris. This process happens most effectively during deep sleep, when the brain’s cleaning system kicks into high gear.



While scientists have known about the glymphatic system’s existence for years, they didn’t understand exactly what powered it - until now.



Recent research has shown that norepinephrine, a chemical messenger in the brain, is key. During deep sleep, waves of norepinephrine cause blood vessels in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> to pulse rhythmically. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-norepinephrine-in-brain-cleaning">Role of norepinephrine in brain cleaning</h2>



Danish scientists have uncovered a crucial role for norepinephrine during deep sleep. They found that the brainstem releases waves of norepinephrine roughly every 50 seconds during this sleep phase. 



These waves cause blood vessels in the brain to contract and relax rhythmically, much like a pump. This rhythmic movement generates fluid pulses that help cerebrospinal fluid flow through the brain and flush out waste and toxins.



“It’s like turning on the dishwasher before you go to bed and waking up with a clean brain,” explained Maiken Nedergaard, senior author and researcher at the <a href="https://www.rochester.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rochester</a> and <a href="https://www.ku.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-blood-flow-during-sleep">Brain blood flow during sleep</h2>



Nedergaard's team investigated how norepinephrine affects blood flow during sleep. In sleeping mice, they observed that waves of norepinephrine align with changes in the size of blood vessels.



These waves cause the blood vessels to alternately contract and expand in a steady rhythm. This rhythmic motion acts like a pump, pushing cerebrospinal fluid through the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sleep-how-slow-waves-boost-memory-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> to remove waste.



“You can view norepinephrine as this conductor of an orchestra. There’s a harmony in the constriction and dilation of the arteries, which then drives the cerebrospinal fluid through the brain to remove the waste products,” noted lead author Natalie Hauglund.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-all-types-of-sleep-equal">Are all types of sleep equal?</h2>



The researchers investigated how zolpidem, a common sleep aid, affects the brain's cleaning system during deep sleep. They found that mice given zolpidem experienced a significant reduction in norepinephrine waves, which are essential for driving the brain’s waste-clearing process. 



Specifically, the norepinephrine waves were 50% weaker in mice that were given zolpidem than in mice that slept naturally.



As a result, the fluid transport system responsible for flushing out brain waste slowed down by more than 30 percent. Although zolpidem helped the mice fall asleep faster, their brain’s ability to remove harmful waste was compromised.



This suggests that while sleep aids like zolpidem can promote sleep, they might interfere with the brain's natural cleaning processes, potentially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poor-sleep-habits-may-age-the-brain-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">affecting long-term brain health</a>.



“If people aren’t getting the full benefits of sleep, they should be aware of that so they can make informed decisions,” Hauglund warned.



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



While this study was focused on mice, the researchers believe the findings are relevant to humans, who also have a glymphatic system.



Similar patterns of norepinephrine waves, blood flow changes, and fluid dynamics have been observed in human brains. Disruptions to these processes may contribute to neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.



“Now we know norepinephrine is driving the cleaning of the brain, we may figure out how to get people a long and restorative sleep,” Nedergaard concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-the-brain-healthy-with-sleep">Keeping the brain healthy with sleep</h2>



The research highlights how critical deep sleep is for keeping the brain healthy. During deep sleep, the brain’s cleaning system removes harmful waste and toxins. This process is essential for preventing neurological disorders and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-is-essential-for-memory-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">maintaining cognitive function</a>.



While sleep aids can make falling asleep easier, they may interfere with the brain's natural cleaning process by disrupting mechanisms like norepinephrine waves, which drive waste clearance. 



This disruption could reduce the benefits of sleep and potentially harm long-term brain health.



By understanding these processes, people can make more informed decisions about their sleep habits, such as prioritizing natural, restorative sleep over relying on sleep medications.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(24)01343-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a>.



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Deep sleep clears toxic waste from the brain

A good night’s sleep does more than help you feel rested - it literally clears your mind. New research reveals how deep sleep removes waste buildup in the brain, a process that is crucial for brain health. However, sleep aids may disrupt this natural “brainwashing” system, raising questions about their long-term effects on cognitive function. Brain’s built-in cleanup system The glymphatic system is like a cleaning service for your brain. Throughout the day, metabolic waste builds up in the brain, including toxic proteins that, if not removed,...

Starbucks <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/press-releases/starbucks-to-eliminate-plastic-straws-globally-by-2020">announced</a> on Monday that they will be phasing out their single-use plastic straws worldwide by 2020. This move comes at a time when scientists are calling our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-galapagos-islands/">plastic pollution</a> problem a “global crisis” and advocacy groups are warning that plastic poses one of the greatest threats to our oceans.

Phasing out the plastic straw could have huge positive impacts. Starbucks gives out an estimated 1 billion straws a year. By 2020, the coffee chain will replace their straws with a recyclable straw-less lid, made from biodegradable materials.

In a press release, Starbucks said “Starbucks has designed, developed and manufactured a strawless lid, which will become the standard for all iced coffee, tea and espresso beverages. The lid is currently available in more than 8,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada for select beverages including Starbucks Draft Nitro and Cold Foam.”

Customers who need straws for medical and other reasons can still help protect our oceans. Starbucks will start providing straws made from more sustainable sources such as paper and compostable plastic by request.

Currently, Starbucks is the largest food and beverage retailer to phase out plastic straws worldwide. Plastic straws are far from the only plastic destroying our oceans, but their impacts are certainly severe.

A<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wH878t78bw"> 2015 video</a> of a sea turtle with a straw stuck up its nostril quickly went viral with over 30 million views to date. The difficult-to-watch video shows a person trying to dislodge a straw from the turtle’s nostril as the turtle struggles.

When plastic is polluted into our waterways, it stays in the environment forever. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/index.htm">United States National Park Service</a> says, “Once in the water, plastic never fully biodegrades, but breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually being dubbed a ‘microplastic’ —something that is less than 5mm long and still able to cause problems for marine life.”

Plastic, whether in large or small pieces, can wreak havoc on marine animals by choking them, entangling them and entering their stomachs, potentially causing them to starve to death.

A pivotal<a href="http://science.sciencemag.org/content/347/6223/768"> study</a> in 2015, published in Science, found that 4.8 to 12.7 metric tons of plastic waste entered our oceans in 2010 alone.

Starbucks policy change is much needed but not enough on its own. While addressing plastic straws is a great start, our society is now addicted to plastic. Single-use plastic can be found everywhere: from our utensils to our bags and water bottles.

Policy changes surrounding plastic are also occurring at the local government level. The city of Seattle recently became the first US city to ban plastic utensils and straws. The ban affects bars and restaurants in the city and went into effect last week. 

"Plastic pollution is surpassing crisis levels in the world's oceans, and I'm proud Seattle is leading the way and setting an example for the nation by enacting a plastic straw ban," Seattle Public Utilities General Manager Mami Hara said in a statement about the ban.

Starbucks and Seattle have both set good examples for how we should be handling the plastic pollution crisis. Actions from both corporations and governments will help to most efficiently protect our oceans.

--

By <a href="mailto:brianna.grant134@gmail.com">Brianna Lynne</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Starbucks to phase out plastic straws worldwide by 2020

Starbucks announced on Monday that they will be phasing out...

Hawaii is the first state to ban the sale of sunscreens with oxybenzone or octinoxate thanks a new bill signed by Hawaii Governor David Ige on Tuesday, July 3rd. 

The bill prohibits the sale or distribution of certain sunscreens because of their impact on coral reefs and will be enacted in 2021. 

Sunscreen used for medical purposes that contain either of the two chemicals will still be allowed to be worn by patients and the ban does not include products that are considered for cosmetic use. 

Coral reefs around the world have experienced staggering amounts of decline, loss, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-barrier-reef-mass-bleachings/">bleaching</a> in recent years and studies have shown that oxybenzone and octinoxate are toxic to coral larvae. 

“Studies have documented the negative impact of these chemicals on corals and other marine life,” said Governor Ige. “Our natural environment is fragile, and our own interaction with the earth can have lasting impacts. This new law is just one step toward protecting the health and resiliency of Hawaii's coral reefs.”

Corals play an important role in providing habitat to marine wildlife, protecting coastlines from flooding, and attracting tourism. 

“Healthy reefs are a fundamental part of a larger ecosystem which is important to the health of our planet,” said Senator Roz Baker in a statement. “This bill has enormous significance and I’m so happy on behalf of the Senate to be here participating in the signing of this very important bill. Governor, by signing this measure, you are presenting our community with a unique moment in time to protect our coral reefs.” 

While the ban is good news for corals and marine conservation, not everyone is in support of the bill, namely the makers of sunscreen products. 

According to a piece by <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/hawaii-governor-signs-bill-making-hawaii-the-1st-state-to-ban-sunscreens-that-harm-coral-reefs/70005401">Accuweather</a>, there are more 3,500 sunscreens currently on the market that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. The two chemicals are specifically used to block damaging UV rays and there are concerns that the bill could raise the risk of skin cancer and sunburn. 

It was reported by the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2018/05/02/hawaii-might-be-about-to-ban-your-favorite-sunscreen-to-protect-its-coral-reefs/?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.20661254b5e9">Washington Post</a> in May of this year that the <a href="https://www.chpa.org/">Consumer Healthcare Products Association</a> felt the bill could put millions at risk by removing 70 percent of sunscreens on the market today. 

The risks that harmful UV rays pose to people are well documented and sunscreen is a proven method to guard against the sun. However corals are also in clear and present danger and measures must be taken to ensure that the world’s remaining reefs have a fighting chance in the face of climate change. 

“In my lifetime, our planet has lost about half its coral reefs,” said Rep. Chris Lee about the new bill. “We’ve got to take action to make sure we can protect the other half as best we can because we know that time is against us.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Hawaii bans sale of sunscreens that hurt corals

Hawaii is the first state to ban the sale of...

A proposal to promote breastfeeding was met with unexpected contention by American delegates at the World Health Assembly in May. The United States reportedly used intimidation to get some countries to retract their support for the resolution.

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/starting-babies-solid-food/">Baby food</a> is a $70 billion industry that is monopolized by only a few American and European companies. As more mothers are turning to breastfeeding, the industry has seen its sales dropping across wealthy countries.

Based on decades of research that finds breast milk substitutes are not as healthy for babies as breast milk, the international plan would limit the deceptive marketing of infant food alternatives.

According to the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/">New York Times</a>, the United States first moved to modify some of the language used in the proposal, particularly a statement which called for policymakers to restrict the promotion of products that could have damaging effects on babies and young children.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services explained: “The resolution as originally drafted placed unnecessary hurdles for mothers seeking to provide nutrition to their children.”

When the attempt by American delegates to rephrase the resolution was not successful, they resorted to threats. 

Ecuador, for example, withdrew its sponsorship for the project after the United States threatened to punish the country with harsh trade measures and retract military aid funding for backing the measure.

The New York Times reported that at least 12 other nations, primarily poor countries in Africa and Latin America, also dissociated from the proposal. Officials from Mexico, Uruguay, and the United States told the news source that these countries withdrew their support for the initiative out of fear of retaliation by the United States.

Patti Rundall is the policy director of the British advocacy group <a href="http://www.babymilkaction.org/">Baby Milk Action</a>.

“We were astonished, appalled and also saddened,” Rundall told the New York Times. “What happened was tantamount to blackmail, with the U.S. holding the world hostage and trying to overturn nearly 40 years of consensus on the best way to protect infant and young child health.”

Ultimately, it was Russia that stepped up to introduce the resolution, and the United States did not directly object.

An anonymous Russian delegate told The Times: “We’re not trying to be a hero here, but we feel that it is wrong when a big country tries to push around some very small countries, especially on an issue that is really important for the rest of the world.”

Oddly, President Donald Trump has denied the the story, tweeting “The U.S. strongly supports breast feeding but we don’t believe women should be denied access to formula.”

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

NYT: Trump admin opposed resolution that promotes breastfeeding

A proposal to promote breastfeeding was met with unexpected contention...

It’s widely recommended that new mothers breastfeed for the first six months of their infant's life. But now, new research has found that introducing solid food earlier could help with sleeping and improve quality of life for moms. 

The <a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/breastfeeding/conditioninfo/recommendations">US Department of Health and Human Services</a>, the <a href="https://www.aap.org/">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>, and the <a href="http://www.who.int/">World Health Organization</a> all officially recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed for the six months after birth. 

This is said to promote healthy growth and development and even after solid foods are introduced, breastfeeding is still suggested until at least a year after birth. 

The <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx">National Health Service</a> (NHS) in the UK has similar guidelines and the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care">UK Department of Health and Social Care</a> recommends that solid food should be introduced only when the infant is ready. 

But according to the research, 75 percent of British mothers start solid foods earlier in the hopes that it will help their children sleep longer and wake up less throughout the night, even though the NHS says that starting solid food early has no impact on sleeping. 

A new study conducted by researchers from <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk/">King’s College London </a>and <a href="http://www.sgu.edu/">St. George’s University </a>shows that this may not be the case. The results were published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. 

The study was titled The Enquiring about Tolerance (EAT) and took place between 2008 and 2015. 

1,303 breastfed three-month-old infants from England and Wales were part of the study and the researchers split the babies into two groups. 

Researchers asked mothers of the first group to follow the recommended guidelines and stick to breastfeeding for six months. The second group was introduced to solid foods earlier along with breastfeeding. 

The parents also completed online questionnaires that asked about feeding, breastfeeding and sleep duration. 

The study also took into account how well the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eat-pregnant-change-babys-gut/">mothers</a> fared during the three-year feeding trials.

Babies who were given solid foods early slept longer, about a quarter of an hour each night, and didn’t wake up as often throughout the night which was a great help to the mothers as well. 

“It is a commonly-held belief among mothers that introducing solids early will help babies sleep better, and our study supports this,” said Michael Perkin, a co-lead author of the study. “We found a small but significant increase in sleep duration and less frequent waking at night. Given that infant sleep directly affects parental quality of life, even a small improvement can have important benefits.”

Although the study seems to prove that introducing solid foods earlier does help with sleeping, the <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/">Food Standards Agency</a> which helped fund the study stated that women should still stick to the recommended six-month guidelines because of limitations to the study and the need for further research. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Starting babies to solid food sooner may help them sleep better

It’s widely recommended that new mothers breastfeed for the first...

People from cold climates may have more healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/skin-patch-dissolves-fat/">brown fat</a> and with it, a lowered risk of metabolic disorders and obesity. 

A new study found that men who spend time in lower temperature environments can pass on healthy brown fat to their children. 

The study was conducted by researchers from <a href="https://www.ethz.ch/en.html">ETH Zurich</a>, a mathematics and science university, and published in the journal Nature Medicine. 

First, the researchers wanted to better understand the correlation between ambient temperature before conception and the formation of brown fat. 

CT scan images of 8,400 adult patients were analyzed for the study, and those participants first conceived during the colder months had more active brown adipose tissue than those conceived during warmer months. 

Next, the researchers conducted several experiments with mice to see if this correlation between temperature at conception and brown fat held true. 

Groups of mice were kept in either moderate or cool environments and after they mated, the researchers examined the offspring.  

For female mice, the temperatures had no impact on how much brown tissue was passed onto offspring, but the babies of males who were kept in cooler temperatures had more active brown fat than the offspring of males kept in moderate environments. 

The offspring of males from cooler temperatures were also better equipped to combat obesity even on a high-fat diet. 

After studying the sperm of the male mice the researchers were able to show that temperature did impact healthy brown fat formation in offspring. 

A possible explanation for why cold climates influence brown adipose formation is that burning brown fat cells produces body heat and so males from cold temperatures are predisposed to thrive in that environment. 

“Perhaps this protects them from icy cold, which might explain why this epigenetic mechanism has been selected for, in the course of evolution,” says Christian Wolfrum, the leader of the research. “Until now, the assumption was that this had something to do with the temperatures people experienced during their lifetime, but our observations suggest that temperatures prior to conception might also affect later levels of brown fat.” 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Kids born in cold climates have different fat content

People from cold climates may have more healthy brown fat...

Although many theories have been proposed about the actual purpose behind yawning, the true biological reason for yawning remains a mystery. Research shows that yawning does not occur only when someone is tired, but also during times of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/expecting-stressful-day/">stress</a>.


One popular idea behind yawning is that the body does not take in as much oxygen when we are sleepy or bored because we do not breathe as deeply. Therefore, yawning may function as a way to relieve the body of carbon dioxide while bringing in more oxygen.

Hippocrates, known as the “father of medicine,” proposed that yawning preceded a fever as a way of removing bad air from the lungs. More current research, however, does not support the idea that yawning is a function of the respiratory system.

A more common theory today is that yawning is related to the temperature of the brain, and that we yawn to cool the brain's temperature when it warms beyond a stable point.

It is clear that yawning is common across nearly every species, occurring when an animal is tired and also serving as a threat in some groups. When yawning occurs in a time of stress or social conflict, it is referred to as “displacement behavior.”

It is also known that something about a wide open yawn can be contagious, primarily in social species such as humans and chimpanzees.


Furthermore, some studies have demonstrated that humans who are more empathetic are also more prone to contagious yawning. According to research, brain regions which are responsible for empathy and social skills are activated when contagious yawning occurs.

A team of biologists in the UK found inconclusive evidence that dogs yawned in response to unfamiliar humans, while further research from the <a href="https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/">University of Tokyo</a> found that dogs were more likely to yawn in response to familiar people. This indicates that contagious yawning is more of a social response than a stress-triggered response.

On the other hand, psychologists at the <a href="https://www.unl.edu/">University of Nebraska</a> conducted a study in 2014 to examine contagious yawning among shelter dogs. Some of the animals that responded to human yawning had elevated cortisol levels, suggesting that stress does play a role in this phenomenon.

A report published by the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/">Library of Congress</a> found that 42 to 55 percent of adults will yawn when watching videos of others who are yawning.

“Neurons in the brain fire causing you to feel what that person is experiencing and commanding you to perform the action even if you do not actually feel the need,” said the researchers.

The fact that centuries of studies have not produced a definitive reason for yawning makes this unexplained phenomenon, which could be a direct result of boredom, all the more interesting.

--
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Scientists can’t figure out why humans yawn

Although many theories have been proposed about the actual purpose...

A new study has revealed that parents who experienced trauma early in life are more likely to have children with behavioral issues. Some of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-lessons-language-skills/">childhood</a> hardships identified in the research include the death of a parent, divorce, abuse, and exposure to substance abuse or violence in the home.

Study lead author Dr. Adam Schickedanz is a pediatrician and assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the <a href="http://medschool.ucla.edu/">David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA</a>.

“Previous research has looked at childhood trauma as a risk factor for later physical and mental health problems in adulthood, but this is the first research to show that the long-term behavioral health harms of childhood adversity extend across generations from parent to child,” said Dr. Schickedanz.

The researchers found that when parents had at least four adverse childhood experiences, their children had double the risk of suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and were four times more likely to have mental health issues.


The experts also determined that the childhood experiences of the mother had a stronger impact on the behavioral health of a child compared to the influence of incidents in the father’s early life.

Parents with a history of damaging events during childhood were more likely to report both mental health problems and higher levels of aggravation as parents. These factors, however, only explained about 25 percent of the link to elevated behavioral health risks among the kids.

“If we can identify these children who are at a higher risk, we can connect them to services that might reduce their risk or prevent behavioral health problems,” said Dr. Schickedanz.


For their investigation, the experts analyzed data from a national survey containing information from four generations of American families. The researchers used responses from parents about whether they were abused, neglected, or exposed to other stressors or maltreatment while growing up. They also examined medical and behavioral information on the children.


This data showed a strong relationship between adversity in the parents’ history and behavioral health problems among their children. 

Dr. Schickedanz said the team will now investigate how the support of teachers or other resilience factors may help combat the negative outcomes of childhood trauma.

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/">Pediatrics</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Kids prone to behavioral issues if parents had rough childhoods

A new study has revealed that parents who experienced trauma...

Keeping your brain in tip-top shape as you age may mean using your eyes – or at least, taking better care of them. Healthy vision may help slow down age-related cognitive decline, according to a new study.

The connection between eye and brain health mean that fixes like properly prescribed glasses or cataract removal surgery can help keep an aging mind working smoothly.

The link, according to doctoral student Diane Zheng of the <a href="http://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a>, is because seniors with poor vision tend to drop brain-boosting hobbies like crossword and number puzzles. They also spend less time with other people than seniors with healthy vision. 

“If you're aging without good vision, not only are you giving your brain less stimulation, you might be altering your brain at a structural level,” Dr. Heather Whitson of <a href="https://www.duke.edu/">Duke University</a> told the <a href="http://dailymail.co.uk/">Daily Mail</a>. 

The study followed 2,520 people between the ages of 65 and 84. The participants got vision and cognitive tests every year for eight years. The researchers found that the seniors who had worse vision at the start of the study tended to show signs of worse cognitive decline. The worse their vision got, in general, the lower their scores on the cognitive exam.

The team of scientists also discovered that while worsening vision appeared to affect cognition, the influence of declining cognition on vision wasn’t as strong.

Zheng, who led the study, suggested that seniors get regular eye checkups and deal with any symptoms of vision loss quickly.

“Taking care of your vision is important in order to maintain good cognitive function,” she said.

Whitson, who wasn’t involved with the study, said most age-related causes of deteriorating vision can be treated. Many vision problems can be slowed, stopped or corrected if caught early, she told the Mail.

The study was published in <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2686117">JAMA Ophthalmology</a>.

—

By Kyla Cathey, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Healthy vision may slow down age-related cognitive decline

Keeping your brain in tip-top shape as you age may...

Dubai is known for its breathtaking and often inventive architecture, which draws tourists from all over the world. Now, it’s adding one more attraction to the list: the Earth's largest vertical farm.

The planned project is designed to take up only 130,000 square feet, while having the same production output as 900 farmed acres.

It should also allow the farmers to grow greens using only a fraction of the water required by a cultivated field – and, if all goes to plan, no pesticides or herbicides.

“Today's announcement is an important milestone for the Emirates Group, for Dubai, and for the UAE,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum told the <a href="http://dailymail.co.uk/">Daily Mail</a>. “This investment to build and operate the world's largest vertical farming facility aligns with the UAE's drive for more agricultural self-sufficiency, a vision which began with the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's founding father.”

The vertical farm is the latest step in the United Arab Emirates’ work to become more agriculturally self-sufficient. 

The farm – estimated to cost $40 million – is a joint project between <a href="http://emiratesflightcatering.com/">Emirates Flight Catering</a> and <a href="http://croponeholdings.com/">Crop One Holdings</a>, based in the U.S. The first crops will be to feed customers of the 105 airlines and 25 airport lounges served by the catering company, the Mail reported.

The vertical farm will rely on hydroponics technology to produce approximately three tons of leafy greens each day. Hydroponics can grow some plants with little need for soil or sunlight.

“As one of the world's largest airline catering operations, Emirates Flight Catering constantly looks at innovation, and ways to improve our productivity, product and service quality,” Saeed Mohammed, the company’s CEO, told the UK news site.

The company expects to have the vertical farm in operation by December 2019.

—

By Kyla Cathey, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

World's largest vertical farm to join Dubai skyline

Dubai is known for its breathtaking and often inventive architecture,...

Spending time in the great outdoors can lift your mood. Now, researchers believe time in green spaces can improve your health, too.

A new study led by Dr. Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett of <a href="http://www.uea.ac.uk/medicine">Norwich Medical School</a> has found that being exposed to green spaces can have a number of different health benefits, including reducing the risk of disorders like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, pre-term birth and high blood pressure, among others.

The team of researchers analyzed more than 140 studies from throughout the world to determine whether time in the great outdoors really offers a boost to health. They defined green spaces as both open rural land and parkland in cities and urban areas.

"Spending time in nature certainly makes us feel healthier, but until now the impact on our long-term wellbeing hasn't been fully understood,” Twohig-Bennett said.

They discovered that people who live near green spaces or spend a lot of time in them also tend to get better sleep and have fewer physical symptoms of stress.

"Forest bathing is already really popular as a therapy in Japan – with participants spending time in the forest either sitting or lying down, or just walking around. Our study shows that perhaps they have the right idea!” Twohig-Bennett said.

While there’s plenty of research showing the health benefits of visiting nature, the researchers don’t yet know why it has such a relaxing and healing effect on humans.

"People living near green space likely have more opportunities for physical activity and socializing. Meanwhile, exposure to a diverse variety of bacteria present in natural areas may also have benefits for the immune system and reduce inflammation,” she said.

More research is needed to test these ideas. Still, the researchers hope that the health benefits will encourage more people to spend time outside.

The systematic review and analysis has been published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environmental-research">Environmental Research</a>.

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By Kyla Cathey, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Spending time in green spaces is good for your health

Spending time in the great outdoors can lift your mood....

A new study has shown that inhaling formaldehyde vapor could raise the risk of certain cancer, sources from the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/">Environmental Protection Agency</a> have told the news site <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/06/epa-formaldehyde-warnings-blocked-696628">Politico</a>.

But agency leaders are not releasing a draft of the assessment, completed before President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017, the two sources – one former one current EPA employee – told Politico.

According to the two sources, key agency officials have blocked briefings about the study that would allow it to move closer to release. 

"They're stonewalling every step of the way," the current official said.

Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical, but it is also used in industrial resins used to treat particle board and in other material coatings, along with other common household items. 

In 2011, the <a href="https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/">National Toxicology Program</a> described formaldehyde vapor as “known to be a human carcinogen,” based on reports by organizations including the <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a> and the <a href="https://www.iarc.fr/">International Agency for Research on Cancer</a>. Other studies have also <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemicals-shampoo-liquor-cancer/">linked formaldehyde to cancer</a>.

According to Politico’s sources, who were not named, the new report links inhaling formaldehyde vapor to leukemia and nasopharyngeal cancer. But the sources allege that Trump-appointed officials – including agency chief of staff Ryan Jackson, as well as Richard Yamada with the EPA Office of Research and Development – have purposely delayed the new report’s release to undermine the EPA’s research.

EPA officials have denied the accusation.

"Mr. Yamada and Mr. Jackson have not cancelled briefings on assessments or during the [Integrated Risk Information System] process, and in fact have requested briefings," an EPA spokesman said in a statement to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/">CNN</a>.

Another EPA official said that the study includes thousands of pages of information currently being analyzed by scientists.

But two U.S. Senators, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, said that their inquiries into the study’s progress have gone unanswered.

"Delaying the EPA's latest assessment of the health risks of formaldehyde only further endangers the public's health. The EPA should move past politics and focus on its job of protecting Americans' health,” Markey told CNN.

—

By Kyla Cathey, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Politico: EPA blocking report that links formaldehyde vapor, cancer

A new study has shown that inhaling formaldehyde vapor could...

When an elderly family member makes an inappropriate comment or racist remark, some will disregard it “because they come from a different time.” 

What is considered culturally insensitive and politically correct now perhaps wasn’t 50 or 60 years ago and sometimes we just shake our heads and let it slide. 

In a new report from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/why-are-older-people-racist-2018-7?r=US&amp;IR=T">Business Insider Australia</a>, several psychologists weighed in on why the elderly make culturally insensitive remarks and found that one major motivation behind it is the insecurities and fear that come with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-connections-slow-brain-aging/">aging</a>. 

As people age, they begin to feel more isolated and directing fear and anger toward a group of people can help assuage those fears. Bias can also bring people together and provide a sense of identity. 

“The theory is when you think of death it creates a fear, and one way of reacting to that anxiety is to cling to identity, to try and gain a sense of belonging, or even a sense of protection,” Steve Taylor, a psychologist at Leeds Beckett University, told Business Insider. “There's just a general feeling of anxiety in the air that creates this need for identity and belonging, and this need to demonize other groups.”

There are also other factors at work including deterioration and shrinking in the brain that can cause uncensored speech. 

One thing that the the psychologists in the piece made clear was that growing up “in a different time” was more of an excuse than anything else.  

“The fact that just because somebody was born in an era that was less tolerant or there was more prejudice explicitly, doesn’t mean that they are set in their ways,” said Abrams. “It’s not always the case that if you’re an older person you’re doomed and you’re not going to change. Especially as we progress in society and become less ignorant. Well, most of us.”

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Study: Older people are more racist due to their own insecurities

When an elderly family member makes an inappropriate comment or...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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