Pregnancy is a time when many expectant mothers seek ways to manage discomfort and stress. With growing interest in natural remedies, cannabidiol (CBD), a compound derived from cannabis, has gained popularity as a perceived safe option for nausea, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. 



Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD does not produce a high, leading many to assume it poses little to no risk during pregnancy.



Despite this perception, scientific research on the effects of CBD during pregnancy remains limited. Many previous studies have focused on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-impacts-working-memory-and-brain-function/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis smoke</a> or THC exposure, leaving CBD largely unexplored. 



A new study from <a href="https://www.mcmaster.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McMaster University</a> challenges these assumptions, revealing concerning links between CBD use and fetal development issues. These findings suggest that CBD, often considered harmless, may have unexpected consequences for both mother and child.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-risks-of-cbd-in-pregnancy">Potential risks of CBD in pregnancy</h2>



A team of researchers at McMaster University investigated the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy, specifically focusing on both CBD and THC. 



The findings, published in eBioMedicine, highlight the potential dangers of oral cannabis consumption from early to mid-pregnancy. 



The study revealed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-during-pregnancy-rewires-the-fetal-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis exposure</a> was associated with impaired fetal growth, changes in the placenta, and behavioral alterations in offspring.



Tyrah Ritchie led the study while completing her master’s degree in the Medical Sciences program at McMaster University.



“The use of cannabis during pregnancy is rising in Canada. Most previous studies focus on exposure to cannabis smoke or just the psychoactive component of cannabis (THC), leaving other cannabis ingredients and methods of consumption understudied," noted Ritchie.



"However, consuming cannabis orally or only using other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-potency-cannabis-use-linked-to-epigenetic-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> ingredients like CBD, is often perceived as safer despite this lack of evidence. Our study is shedding light that there's a possibility that CBD might also be harmful in the pregnancy.”



The study challenges the belief that CBD is a safe alternative to THC during pregnancy. While THC has long been linked to developmental concerns, this research suggests that CBD may also have unintended effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fetal-growth-and-placental-development">Fetal growth and placental development</h2>



The researchers examined how THC and CBD affect fetal development by administering cannabis oil to pregnant mice. 



Their observations revealed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-and-hallucinogen-use-are-at-historically-high-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis exposure</a> resulted in smaller fetuses compared to those in the control group. This suggests that cannabis compounds may interfere with normal growth, leading to intrauterine growth restriction.



In addition to reduced fetal size, the study found that cannabis impacted the development of blood vessels that supply nutrients to the placenta. 



The placenta plays a crucial role in providing oxygen and nutrients to the developing baby, and any disruption in this process could have serious consequences.



“We did see that both THC and CBD can disrupt a special type of immune cell called a Uterine NK Cell that is crucial in normal development of the placenta," said Ali Ashkar, professor in McMaster’s Department of Medicine and co-leader of the study.



"We also saw poor development of the arteries that help supply blood to the placenta. We're thinking this is what is possibly disrupting the nutrient and oxygen delivery to the baby and contributing to the intrauterine grow restriction.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pregnancy-cbd-and-offspring">Pregnancy, CBD, and offspring</h2>



Beyond physical growth, the study also examined how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-found-in-cannabis-plants-can-actually-reduce-cannabis-induced-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis exposure</a> affects offspring behavior. Researchers monitored the behavior of the mice after birth and discovered changes in aggression, activity levels, and learning ability. 



These findings suggest that exposure to cannabis during pregnancy could have lasting neurological effects on the offspring.



“Oral use of THC and CBD during the pregnancy not only disrupts growth of the baby but seems to have long-term consequences as the babies were found to have changes in their behaviour later in life,” said Ritchie.



Behavioral changes in offspring highlight the possibility of cognitive and emotional challenges that may persist into adulthood. 



The exact mechanisms behind these effects remain unclear, but the findings raise concerns about how cannabis interacts with the developing brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-further-investigation">Need for further investigation</h2>



While this study provides critical insights, researchers emphasize the need for further investigation to fully understand the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recreational-cannabis-use-protects-against-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risks</a> of CBD use during pregnancy. 



The study was conducted on mice, and while animal models offer valuable information, human studies are necessary to confirm these findings.



Ritchie stresses that the growing trend of cannabis use during pregnancy should be met with caution. Many expectant mothers turn to CBD with the belief that it is safe, but without clear scientific evidence, assumptions about its harmlessness may be misleading.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-cbd-use-during-pregnancy">Rethinking CBD use during pregnancy</h2>



The widespread perception of CBD as a natural and safe remedy has led to its increasing use among pregnant individuals. 



However, this study suggests that CBD may not be as risk-free as commonly thought. The findings indicate that both THC and CBD could interfere with crucial developmental processes, affecting both physical growth and long-term behavior.



Pregnant individuals considering cannabis products should consult healthcare professionals before use. While the study does not provide definitive answers on CBD’s safety for human pregnancies, it does highlight the need for greater awareness and caution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-funding-and-future-research">Funding and future research</h2>



This study was supported by The <a href="https://cannabisresearch.mcmaster.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael G. DeGroote</a> Centre for Medicinal Cancer Research, the <a href="https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canadian Institutes of Health Research</a>, and the <a href="https://www.innovation.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canadian Foundation for Innovation</a>. 



As research in this field continues, scientists aim to explore the specific mechanisms by which cannabis compounds affect pregnancy outcomes.



With increasing cannabis use worldwide, understanding its full impact on pregnancy is more important than ever. Further studies will help clarify the risks, providing expectant mothers with the information they need to make informed choices.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(25)00016-7/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EBioMedicine</a>.



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CBD use during pregnancy has unexpected consequences

Pregnancy is a time when many expectant mothers seek ways to manage discomfort and stress. With growing interest in natural remedies, cannabidiol (CBD), a compound derived from cannabis, has gained popularity as a perceived safe option for nausea, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD does not produce a high, leading many to assume it poses little to no risk during pregnancy. Despite this perception, scientific research on the effects of CBD during pregnancy remains limited. Many previous studies have focused...

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>.

—

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.”

--

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...

Trump-era politics have put environmental policy on the back burner of national news, policy, and conversation. To many, his cutting of environmental regulations, monitoring, and funding (just to name a few of his environmentally deteriorating decisions) spell out doom for humanity’s race against climate change. However, new hope may be on the way to Congress. 

Last Tuesday, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a young Latina democratic socialist, beat Joe Crowley, a longtime US representative and democratic party leader, in the New York primaries. It was a win that CNN deemed “the most shocking upset of a rollicking political season.” She is almost certain to continue on to Congress to represent the state’s overwhelmingly blue 14th district. Although we won’t speak on the rest of her policies, her environmental agenda which she dubs the “Green New Deal” could begin making the environment a political priority once again. 

One of the best things about Ocasio-Cortez’s victory may be pushing tough environmental policies back onto the national stage. Especially when most sitting Democrats in congress have not been pushing the issue as aggressively as scientists deem necessary. In fact, Ocasio-Cortez’s plan is the only one that strictly abides by the scientific consensus on the timeline in which we must take action to prevent catastrophic climate events. Her plan would be the most progressive to date of any current congressperson. Will Congress be receptive to her ideas? It’s too soon to say, but environmental enthusiasts should take comfort that Ocasio-Cortez will help revitalize momentum toward environmentally conscious legislation. 

“We need more environmental hardliners in Congress,” she told <a href="http://inthesetimes.com/">In These Times </a>magazine last week. “We need a Marshall Plan for renewable energy in the United States. The idea that the Democratic Party needs to be moderate is what’s holding us back on this.”

Ocasio-Cortez’s environmental goal listed out in her plan is actually in agreement with the 1,400 U.S. mayors who pledged to convert their cities to zero-emission energy sources by 2035 after President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trump-decision-paris-climate-agreement/">Paris Climate Agreement</a>. However, this only accounts for 41% of the country’s electricity use; Ocasio-Cortez seeks to make that number 100% with her New Green Deal. 

With a degree in economics, her plan heavily relies on shifting economic structure to support sustainable energy sources.

“The Green New Deal we are proposing will be similar in scale to the mobilization efforts seen in World War II or the Marshall Plan,” she told the <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/">Huffington Post</a>. 

To put it simply, Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal would follow in FDR’s footsteps of economic stimulus but be dedicated to building a more environmentally sustainable country, complete with modernized high-paying jobs for Americans whose livelihoods may be threatened by global climate change. 

“We must again invest in the development, manufacturing, deployment, and distribution of energy, but this time green energy,” she said.

The Green New Deal has many obstacles in its path before it might see the light of day, or more importantly floor of congress but hopefully the success of it’s championer will help inspire more Democrats and Republicans to take environmental policy seriously and incorporate it into their agenda’s. 

You can read Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s full plan below: 

In order to address runaway global climate change, Alexandria strongly supports transitioning the United States to a carbon-free, 100% renewable energy system and a fully modernized electrical grid by 2035. She believes renewable fuels must be produced in a way that achieves our environmental and energy security goals, so we can move beyond oil responsibly in the fight against climate change. By encouraging the electrification of vehicles, sustainable home heating, distributed rooftop solar generation, and the conversion of the power grid to zero-emissions energy sources, Alexandria believes we can be 100% free of fossil fuels by 2035.

Furthermore, Alex believes in recognizing the relationship between economic stability and environmental sustainability. It’s time to shift course and implement a Green New Deal – a transformation that implements structural changes to our political and financial systems in order to alter the trajectory of our environment. Right now, the economy is controlled by big corporations whose profits are dependent on the continuation of climate change. This arrangement benefits few, but comes at the detriment of our planet and all its inhabitants. Its effects are life-threatening, and are especially already felt by low-income communities, both in the U.S. and globally. Even in NY-14, areas like Throgs Neck, College Point, and City Island are being affected by erosion and rising sea levels. Rather than continue a dependency on this system that posits climate change as inherent to economic life, the Green New Deal believes that radically addressing climate change is a potential path towards a more equitable economy with increased employment and widespread financial security for all.

Climate change is the single biggest national security threat for the United States and the single biggest threat to worldwide industrialized civilization, and the effects of warming can be hard to predict and self-reinforcing. We need to avoid a worldwide refugee crisis by waging a war for climate justice through the mobilization of our population and our government. This starts with the United States being a leader on the actions we take both globally and locally.

--

By <a href="mailto:bianca@earth.com">Bianca Vierra</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Image Credit: Ocasio2018 Campaign

Ocasio-Cortez may make environmental policy a political priority

Trump-era politics have put environmental policy on the back burner...

With a heavy focus on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/immigration-detention-centers-prisons/">immigration reform and policies</a> in the news cycle, less is understood about what motivates migrants to move from one place to another within their own country. 

A new study conducted by researchers from <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/">University College London</a> used a modeling approach to examine internal migration patterns across the United States. 

The results were published in the journal PLOS ONE and show that people are more likely to move to larger cities where they can be more assured of finding work and housing. 

The study found that people from smaller cities and rural areas are more likely to move than people from larger cities, and the size and location of cities are important factors that potential migrants consider. 

The researchers used a scaling model to help illustrate migration patterns and cities were considered areas with populations of 50,000 or more while anything less was considered a rural area. 

Different city populations were then used and the researchers found that people from smaller cities of less 100,000 were twice as likely to move to larger cities with populations of more than 10 million. 

Whereas residents of large cities were less likely to move and if they did, it was to similarly sized areas. 

“The model can be used to more accurately predict population movement as it corrects biases which occur in other methods,” said Steven Bishop, a member of the research team. “This is an important, data-led development in revealing how communities and regions will grow and develop in the future.”

Moving to a larger city is likely motivated by the promise of more job options, better income earnings, better housing, and finding more people of similar cultures and backgrounds. 

The researchers say the results could help policymakers and city leaders work to guarantee that migrants can successfully settle and contribute to new areas. 

“The results could have an impact on future integration policies as governments can more accurately predict where citizens are likely to move from and to within their country,” said Rafael Prieto Curiel, the lead researcher of the study. “Migrants contribute to the prosperity of their destination with skills and activities, but migration requires integration policies and social support systems to allow newcomers to settle into a new environment and therefore fully contribute locally.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

People from rural areas are twice as likely to move to cities

With a heavy focus on immigration reform and policies in...

The prospect of using DNA as a means of data storage is becoming more and more realistic all the time. A startup company at the Harvard Life Lab has recently announced its plans to offer such a storage service beginning next year.

A group known as <a href="https://catalogdna.com/">Catalog</a> has developed a method of storing an entire terabyte of data on a single DNA pellet.

“We are developing next generation technology to store digital information in DNA molecules,” said the startup agency on its website. “Our vision is to fit the information content of entire data centers into the palm of your hand.”

“We have proven our approach to encoding data in DNA and are in the process of scaling up our platform. The Catalog technology will make it economically attractive to use DNA as the major medium for long-term archival of data.”

According to an article published by the <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/">New Scientist</a>, DNA is one of the most dense and durable methods of media storage. The news agency reported that the process of storing data on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-bank-endangered-extinct-animals/">DNA</a> is very similar to storing information on a hard drive.

If DNA is stored properly, it can endure for hundreds of years, which is far longer than the life of a hard drive. An analysis of the failure rate of 25,000 hard drives by the online data backup company BackBlaze found that 90 percent of hard drives last for only three years.

While the process of storing data on DNA was once considered impractical due to obstacles such as cost and speed, Catalog said that it has developed a machine that can drastically cut the costs of DNA storage. Beginning next year, the company will offer a terabyte of DNA-encoded data in a gram-sized pellet.

On June 26, the Boston startup announced it has already used the storage system to save a copy of the novel A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost in genetic material.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Boston startup company will provide data storage on DNA pellets

The prospect of using DNA as a means of data...

According to a new study, individuals who are “skinny fat,” which refers to having too much fat and not enough muscle, are more prone to cognitive decline. The loss of muscle tissue with age, or sarcopenia, and obesity both have a negative impact on health and cognitive function, and there is an even higher threat when the two conditions are coinciding.

The investigation, which was led by researchers at <a href="https://www.fau.edu/">Florida Atlantic University</a>, was based on data from a series of aging and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-memory-starts-at-age-2-study-finds/">memory</a> studies which involved over 350 participants that had an average age of 69. 

The team analyzed the relationship of skinny fat and sarcopenic obesity with performance on various cognition tests. The researchers also assessed body composition and incorporated functioning tests such as grip strength.

The study revealed that sarcopenic obesity or skinny fat was associated with the lowest cognitive performance, followed by sarcopenia alone and then obesity alone. In addition, obesity and sarcopenia were associated with inferior executive function such as self-control, orientation, and working memory. 


The study’s senior author, Dr. James E. Galvin, is one of the most prominent neuroscientists in the country.

"Sarcopenia has been linked to global cognitive impairment and dysfunction in specific cognitive skills including memory, speed, and executive functions," said Dr. Galvin.

“Understanding the mechanisms through which this syndrome may affect cognition is important as it may inform efforts to prevent cognitive decline in later life by targeting at-risk groups with an imbalance between lean and fat mass. They may benefit from programs addressing loss of cognitive function by maintaining and improving strength and preventing obesity.”

While it is not yet clear what underlies the association between obesity and cognitive dysfunction, some research suggests that sedentary behavior, inflammation, and vascular damage are some of the potential drivers of this connection. Sarcopenia has been linked to impaired conflict resolution and selective attention. 

“Sarcopenia either alone or in the presence of obesity, can be used in clinical practice to estimate potential risk of cognitive impairment,” said study co-author Dr.Magdalena I. Tolea. “Testing grip strength by dynamometry can be easily administered within the time constraints of a clinic visit, and body mass index is usually collected as part of annual wellness visits.”

The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.dovepress.com/call-for-papers-clinical-interventions-in-aging-d57-j4">Clinical Interventions in Aging</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: <a href="https://www.fau.edu/">Florida Atlantic University</a>

Having less muscle and more fat linked to cognitive decline

According to a new study, individuals who are “skinny fat,”...

A new study has revealed that humans are still somewhat conscious under the effects of general anesthesia. While they cannot feel any pain, patients given general anesthesia before an operation are still vaguely aware of what is going on around them. This is particularly true if there are noises or sounds that cause concern.

The experts found that 42 percent of patients under the influence of a general <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anesthesia-works-plants-people/">anesthetic</a> can still be roused, while about half of those given a sedative can be easily brought to consciousness with a loud shout and physical contact.

Study author Antti Revonsuo is a cognitive neuroscientist and psychologist at the <a href="http://www.utu.fi/en/">University of Turku</a> in Finland.

“Nearly all participants reported dream-like experiences that sometimes mixed with the reality,” said Professor Revonsuo.

The investigation was focused on 47 healthy individuals who were given either the general anaesthetic propofol or the sedative dexmedetomidine until they were unconscious.

As the drugs were taking effect, the researchers attempted to rouse the participants. In addition, the experts recorded brain activity among the individuals throughout the trial.

Once the subjects were unconscious, the team played recordings that included sounds that were completely normal and others that included unusual sounds or sentences which ended abruptly.

The analysis of brain wave activity revealed that the individuals shifted between a deep sleep state and a state with much more awareness while supposedly unconscious.

Among individuals who were sedated, brain activity indicated that they heard the unusual sounds and attempted to interpret them. The participants under the influence of propofol did not acknowledge the odd sounds.

The presentation of unpleasant noises, however, got the attention of all the individuals, regardless of the drug used to sedate them. The participants were also found to react faster to these noises when they heard them while awake.

“In other words, the brain can process sounds and words even though the subject did not recall it afterwards,” said study author Harry Scheinin. “Against common belief, anaesthesia does not require full loss of consciousness, as it is sufficient to just disconnect the patient from the environment.”

The research is published in the journal <a href="http://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/journal.aspx">Anesthesiology</a>.

-

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Study: Most people are still relatively aware under anesthesia

A new study has revealed that humans are still somewhat...

Researchers at the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/">University of Wisconsin-Madison</a> have found that ancient Romans are responsible for the spread of tuberculosis (TB), which kills approximately 1. 7 million people every year worldwide. 

Although tuberculosis first emerged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-kills-infants/">Africa</a> 5,000 years ago, the experts linked the rapid spread of the disease to activities that took place during the first century AD at the height of the Roman Empire.

TB is easily spread from person to person when it becomes airborne from something as simple as a sneeze or a cough, and the condition can have a fatal effect on the lungs.

The investigation was focused on genomic data from more than 550 samples of tuberculosis bacteria, which were obtained from across modern-day Africa and Eurasia. A comparison of the DNA sequences enabled the team to construct a timeline of how the disease spread.

Three of the seven lineages that now exist were found to be native to Africa and Eurasia, while the other four had spread out into other regions.

The movement of the four strains of TB out of Africa was discovered to coincide with the peak of the Roman Empire, when activities such as group bathing were common.


Study author and geneticist Caitlin Pepperell told the <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/">New Scientist</a>:

“The timing is consistent with the Romans causing an incredible amount of movement and exploration around the Mediterranean.”


“There was contact between human populations that had not had contact before."

Across Asian and African countries, about 80 percent of people are affected by TB, while about 5 to 10 percent of the American population has tested positive for the disease. 

Understanding how tuberculosis spread in the past will help experts to predict the ways that this deadly disease may spread in the future.

The research can be accessed on the site <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/">bioRxiv</a>. 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Ancient Romans spread tuberculosis at the height of their success

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that ancient...

On Thursday, <a href="https://www.epa.gov/">Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA) chief Scott Pruitt submitted his resignation after an unprecedented number ethical scandals plagued his tenure.

Pruitt, the former attorney general of Oklahoma, came under fire for excessive spending of taxpayer dollars for personal first-class travel, a condo rental from a Washington D.C. lobbyist, and the purchase of $43,000 soundproof phone booth for his own office.

In addition, Pruitt was said to have ordered his staff to attend to his personal tasks, including finding a six-figure job for his wife, according to the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/">Washington Post</a>.

But beyond his appalling use of funds, Pruitt was more widely criticized for prioritizing oil companies and profit over the health of the planet and future generations.

Just last week, a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/03/politics/scott-pruitt-mom-restaurant-confrontation/index.html">video</a> went viral online of a young mother confronting Pruitt at a restaurant holding her young child and urging the EPA head to resign.

"We deserve to have somebody at the EPA who actually does protect our environment, somebody who believes in climate change and takes it seriously for the benefit of all of us, including our children,” Kristin Mink told Pruitt to his face.

As we reported, the initial appointment of Scott Pruitt to run the EPA infuriated environmentalists, as Pruitt time and time again <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scott-pruitt-doubts-global-warming/">denied</a> the existence of climate change and questioned basic scientific facts about global warming. President Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Pruitt to run the EPA was widely viewed as a move to dismantle the organization and empower oil companies and fossil fuel suppliers.

During his time at the EPA, Pruitt ordered that climate change information be <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-defense-fund-emails/">scrubbed</a> from the official website of the government agency. He also <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pruitt-clean-power-plan/">oversaw</a> the repeal of Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which aimed to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

In one interview, Pruitt even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pruitt-global-warming-good/">suggested</a> that global warming might even be a good thing for the planet.

Shortly after the resignation was announced, Donald Trump tweeted, “I have accepted the resignation of Scott Pruitt as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Within the Agency Scott has done an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him for this.”

Meanwhile, environmental advocacy group <a href="https://environmentamerica.org/home">Environment America</a> released their own response.

“It took an endless stream of ethical lapses for Scott Pruitt to lose his job, but he never should have had that position in the first place, nor kept it as long as he did, given his actions to undermine core environmental protections such as clean air and clean water,” said Christy Leavitt, the senior director of <a href="https://www.environmentamericas.org/">Environment America’s</a> Campaign to Defend Our Environment.

“Presidents don’t always get a ‘do-over’ so soon after appointing cabinet secretaries who fail to properly serve the American people. We call on the president to remember that conservation is part of being conservative. And we implore him to honor the bipartisan history of environmentalism from Republicans Theodore Roosevelt and Richard Nixon through modern administrations by nominating a true protector of the environment – so that his children and grandchildren, as well as ours, can inherit an Earth worth inheriting.”

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By <a href="mailto:rarnold@earth.com">Rory Arnold</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

EPA head Scott Pruitt resigns after endless ethical scandals

On Thursday, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Scott Pruitt submitted...

The Summer of 2018 is shaping up to be the hottest on record and global climate change is at the root of it.

It was recently reported by the <a href="http://www.noaa.gov/news/contiguous-us-had-its-warmest-may-on-record">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) that the contiguous United States had its warmest May on record, and now temperatures show no signs of cooling down. 

The heat has caused cracked roads and roof tiles in Britain to buckle, according to the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5916967/Global-warming-blame-heat-records-worldwide-experts-warn-heatwave-continue.html">Daily Mail.</a> Further north in Scotland, a record-shattering 91.8 degrees Fahrenheit was reported In Motherwell. 

In Ireland, Belfast created a new record for the United Kingdom overall with temperatures reaching 86.2 degrees Fahrenheit. While temperatures in the 80s and 90s are typical for many states during the summer months, the cooler, wetter climates in Ireland and the UK make the heat wave unprecedented. 

The country of Oman in the Middle East experienced the highest nighttime temperature on Earth at 126 Degrees Fahrenheit. 

Many cities are issuing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heat-waves-increase-mortality-rates/">heat warnings</a>, and already eight people have died due to the high temperatures in North America. 

While heat waves are common and not necessarily always attributable to climate change, this unusual bout of literal global warming is too extreme and too long to be simply explained by natural climate phenomena. 

“Summers keep getting hotter,” heat wave expert Friederike Otto of the <a href="http://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a> told the Daily Mail. “Heatwaves are far more intense than when my parents were growing up in the 1950s. If we do nothing to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, the kind of extreme heat we saw this past summer will be the norm when my young son is a grown man.”

In the US and Canada, a heat dome that has been lingering over the United States since June is part of the reason temperatures have been so stifling in that region. The dome is now predicted to spread even further throughout the week. 

As weather extremes become the new norm and countries around the world experience hotter and hotter summers, more severe hurricane seasons, and frigid winter cold snaps, it can only be hoped that policymakers will work quickly to cap emissions and combat climate change. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Record setting heat waves continue across the globe

The Summer of 2018 is shaping up to be the...

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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

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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