Who knew that a simple catch-up with your pals could hold the secret to a longer, healthier life? A recent study has suggested an intriguing link between our levels of social interaction and loneliness, and our physical health.



Leading the study was Dr. Chun Shen, along with his dedicated team from the University of Cambridge. The researchers found that a lack of social contact might be more harmful than previously suspected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-problem-of-loneliness">Growing problem of loneliness</h2>



Loneliness has become a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-isolation-and-loneliness-trigger-changes-in-blood-proteins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global public health issue</a> that affects people of all ages. While often associated with the elderly, loneliness has surged among younger generations as well, with 61% of 18–25-year-olds reporting frequent feelings of isolation.



Technology, despite promoting virtual connections, has deepened the problem by replacing meaningful, face-to-face interactions with superficial, online relationships.



Workplace changes, like remote work, have also reduced casual interactions and increased isolation among employees. Urban environments, with their fast-paced, individualistic cultures, paradoxically leave many feeling disconnected despite being surrounded by people.



Governments worldwide are recognizing loneliness as a crisis. The U.K. appointed a Minister for Loneliness, and Japan has initiatives to address extreme social withdrawal. The World Health Organization has also flagged loneliness as a growing concern.



Addressing loneliness requires promoting inclusive communities, encouraging social connections, and raising awareness to counter its significant emotional, physical, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-disrupts-college-students-sleep-more-than-screen-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">societal impacts</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proteins-loneliness-and-health">Proteins, loneliness, and health</h2>



Researchers from the University of Cambridge analyzed blood samples from 42,000 adults aged 40-69, collected through the <a href="https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.K. Biobank</a>. Their study revealed a critical insight: loneliness increases the production of five specific proteins.



These proteins are directly linked to serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and even early death. This finding sheds light on the biological mechanisms through which loneliness can harm physical health.



“We know that social isolation and loneliness are linked to poorer health, but we’ve never understood why. Our work has highlighted a number of proteins that appear to play a key role in this relationship,” explained Dr. Shen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-social-contact">Role of social contact</h2>



The study emphasizes how social bonds act as a protective shield against many health issues. Loneliness and social isolation have long been associated with reduced well-being and early mortality. 



However, this research offers new insights into the biological mechanisms at play.



“These findings drive home the importance of social contact in keeping us well," noted Professor Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>.



"More and more people of all ages are reporting feeling lonely. That’s why the World Health Organization (<a href="https://www.who.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHO</a>) has described social isolation and loneliness as a ‘global public health concern.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-of-loneliness-and-health">The science of loneliness and health</h2>



The research indicated that loneliness was linked to the increased production of five distinct proteins in the body.



One of the primary ways loneliness affects health is through chronic stress. When people feel socially isolated, their bodies may register stress and prepare them for a state of “fight or flight.”



This stress response can elevate inflammation, disrupt hormone regulation, and impair immune system function. Over time, these physiological changes contribute to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-harms-health-more-than-alcohol-obesity-or-smoking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">development of diseases</a>.



Additionally, loneliness impacts heart health by influencing blood pressure and increasing the likelihood of conditions such as hypertension. It also contributes to metabolic changes, which can lead to insulin resistance - a precursor to type 2 diabetes.



These findings reveal that loneliness is not just a social or emotional issue but a biological one with far-reaching implications for overall health. Understanding the science behind these processes emphasizes the importance of addressing loneliness to prevent its harmful effects on the body.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-tips-for-staying-connected">Practical tips for staying connected</h2>



Promoting relationships and staying socially connected can significantly improve your well-being. Below are some practical ways to build and maintain connections while reducing feelings of loneliness.



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Reconnect with friends and family
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Send a message, make a call, or schedule regular meetups.</li>



<li>Plan activities like meals, walks, or shared hobbies.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Engage in community activities
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Join local groups or clubs, such as book clubs or fitness classes.</li>



<li>Volunteer in your community to meet people and make a difference.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Build new social networks
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Attend events like workshops, networking meetups, or local festivals.</li>



<li>Use platforms like Meetup or Facebook Groups to find people with similar interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Strengthen everyday interactions
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Greet your neighbors, chat with coworkers, or start conversations in daily settings.</li>



<li>Smile, make eye contact, and show interest to encourage connections.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li>Focus on quality over quantity
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Spend time nurturing relationships that bring joy and support.</li>



<li>Prioritize meaningful connections over having a large social circle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combating-loneliness-for-better-health">Combating loneliness for better health</h2>



The findings, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, stress the need for society to prioritize social contact. Whether through community programs, mental health support, or simply reaching out to loved ones, staying socially connected can significantly improve overall health.



In a world that often feels more digitally connected but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeling-lonely-and-unhappy-can-age-you-faster-than-smoking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">socially distant</a>, these insights remind us of the importance of nurturing real-life relationships - for both our hearts and our health.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02078-1">Nature Human Behaviour.</a>



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Social contact is a protective shield against health issues

Who knew that a simple catch-up with your pals could hold the secret to a longer, healthier life? A recent study has suggested an intriguing link between our levels of social interaction and loneliness, and our physical health. Leading the study was Dr. Chun Shen, along with his dedicated team from the University of Cambridge. The researchers found that a lack of social contact might be more harmful than previously suspected. Growing problem of loneliness Loneliness has become a global public health issue that affects people of...

A recent study from the <a href="http://med.stanford.edu/">Stanford University School of Medicine</a> has found that the average age of newborns’ fathers in the U.S. has increased by 3.5 years in the last four decades. This Stanford study was the first comprehensive analysis of all live births reported to a federal data depository in the U.S. from 1972-2015 – encompassing almost 170 million births.

The data was accrued from the National Vital Statistic System, which is an intergovernmental data-sharing program sponsored by the CDC. It records births and deaths reported in all 50 states, as well as self-reported maternal and paternal ages where available. Other data recorded includes race, ethnicity, and levels of education of the parents. Reports are periodically released on maternal statistic from this database, but little information on newborns’ dads has been analyzed.

The researchers found that between 1972 and 2015, the average paternal age at the time of birth increased from 27.4 years to 30.9 years. Asian-American dads were around 36 years old on average, making them the oldest of any ethnicity. Overall, the percentage of newborns’ <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fathers-treat-daughters-differently/">fathers</a> who were older than 40 doubled, and the share of fathers over 50 almost doubled as well.

So why does this matter? Well, according to the authors, a rising paternal age can affect the total number of children a man will have, causing a decrease in population growth – which can affect national and international economies. Furthermore, “every potential dad acquires an average of two new mutations in his sperm each year,” explains Dr. Michael Eisenberg, an assistant professor of urology at <a href="http://med.stanford.edu/">Stanford</a> and senior author of the paper. “And there are associations between older fatherhood and higher rates of autism, schizophrenia, chromosomal abnormalities, some pediatric cancers and certain rare genetic conditions."

However, some of the benefits of this rise in paternal age include data that shows older fathers are more likely to have better jobs and more resources. They’re also more likely to have relatively stable lifestyles and be involved in raising the child.

But paternal ages are not the only thing that has increased in the last four decades, “Maternal ages at birth have been increasing, too,” says Eisenberg. “In fact, they’ve advanced even more than paternal ages have in the same time frame. This may be a consequence of women waiting longer to get married or putting off childbearing as the years they spend in higher education increase and as careers become more central to their lives. The result is that the average age difference between moms and dads has been shrinking, from 2.7 years in 1972 to 2.3 years in 2015.”

These patterns are applicable across all racial, regional, age, and education categories. The authors believe this could be due to the spread of reliable contraception and integration of women into the workforce.

There were also some other interesting data points found in this study. The youngest dad recorded during this 44-year period was 11 years old, while the oldest was 88. However, the world-record holder oldest new dad was a man from India who fathered two children at the age of 94 and 96 with a wife who was in her late 50s. “Unfortunately, they wound up separating,” Eisenberg says. Apparently, not even setting world records is enough to keep people together.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Men in the U.S. are becoming fathers at older ages

A recent study from the Stanford University School of Medicine...

Research from the <a href="https://www.unisa.edu.au/">University of South Australia</a> shows that people who use marijuana may actually walk differently from those who do not. The study found changes in the movements of the shoulders, knees, and elbows of cannabis users.

The evaluation focused on 44 participants - half marijuana users and half non-users. The individuals were given screening tests and clinical neurological examinations of movement. They were also given gait and balance tests which involved motion capture systems.

The study revealed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marijuana-use-kidney-function/">marijuana</a> users have stiffer shoulders and more flexible elbows as they walk. The cannabis users also had faster knees capable of reaching higher walking speeds than those of non-users. There were no noticeable differences between the neurological functions or balancing abilities of users and non-users, however.

Study co-author Verity Pearson-Dennett told <a href="http://www.psypost.org/">PsyPost</a>, “The changes in walking were small enough that a neurologist specializing in movement disorders was not able to detect changes in all of the cannabis users. However, many of the participants in the cannabis group were moderate-to-light cannabis users, therefore heavier cannabis users may have greater impairments.”

While the majority of the participants for the study were in their twenties, the authors of the study say that more research is needed “to investigate if the subtle gait changes observed in this population become more apparent with aging and increased cannabis use.” The researchers also want to conduct further analyses to determine exactly how marijuana affects people's movements.

“Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug, with 35% of Australians aged 14 years and over reporting use on at least one occasion,” said Pearson-Dennett.

According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/">Center for Disease Control</a> (CDC), marijuana is also the most used illegal drug in the United States with over 22.2 million users. More than half of the states in America have now legalized the use of marijuana, and there is heightened curiosity about the influence the drug has on overall health and well-being. 

The CDC <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/index.htm">reports</a> there is strong evidence that marijuana use is linked to increased risk of cancer, stroke, heart attack, and decreased IQ. On the other hand, marijuana has been associated with many positive benefits. Some studies have linked cannabis use to a healthier metabolism and improved lung capacity. In addition, marijuana has been proven to ease pain and nausea during intense medical treatments, relieve arthritis discomfort, and help with a variety of other ailments.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Using marijuana can change the way you walk

Research from the University of South Australia shows that people...

Scientists have identified skeletal remains that belonged to one of the very first known settlers in the Americas. A detailed analysis of a skeleton found in the Chan Hol cave near Tulum in Southern Mexico revealed that human settlement in the Americas may have occurred in the late Pleistocene era.

The appearance of the first humans in the Americas is a timeline that scientists have not been able to clearly record and has been the subject of much debate. The majority of early osteological evidence is fragmentary, yet researchers have managed to find and date well-preserved prehistoric human skeletons in the caves of Tulum.

Wolfgang Stinnesbeck from <a href="https://www.heidelberg.edu/">Heidelberg University</a> led a team of researchers to learn more about the earliest settlers of the Americas. To do this, they meticulously examined the skeleton discovered in the Chan Hol cave. The scientists analyzed the uranium, carbon, and oxygen isotopes found in its bones and in the stalagmite which had grown through its pelvic bone in order to date the skeleton.

The results of the study found that the skeleton dated back to ~13 k BP, or approximately 13,000 years before present. This indicated that the Chan Hol cave was inhabited during the late Pleistocene era and defined the skeleton as one of oldest examples of a human settler in the Americas. 

The researchers pointed out that changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warmer-climate-preview-2080s/">climate</a> over time may have influenced the dating of the skeleton. They said that future research may be able to determine how climate impacted the Chan Hol archaeological record. The study is published today in the journal <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/">PLOS ONE</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: Tom Poole, Liquid Junge Lab

Humans settled in the Americas at least 13,000 years ago

Scientists have identified skeletal remains that belonged to one of...

17th century mathematician Blaise Pascal introduced the theory that humans often calculate the expected value of a decision by multiplying its value with the probability that it can be obtained. Researchers at the <a href="http://icahn.mssm.edu/">Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai</a> have now determined which parts of the brain are involved in making decisions. This breakthrough may ultimately be used to help treat depression and anxiety.

"For a long time, we thought that representations of value and probability were being evaluated in the same, single part of the brain," explains lead author Peter Rudebeck. "What's exciting here is that we're showing that it's being done in two different parts of the brain, which are separate both functionally and anatomically."

The research team focused on two regions of the brain, the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC). Previous studies have indicated that people whose OFC was damaged by injury or disease have impaired decision-making abilities. Despite these findings, little was previously known about the precise roles of the OFC in the decision-making process.

For the first of two tests, monkeys were set up with a game where they could touch images on a screen to earn rewards. The researchers changed the probability at various times throughout the task and found that the control monkeys and the monkeys with OFC lesions were able to adjust their choices accordingly. The monkeys with VLPFC lesions, on the other hand, were unable to continue tracking the reward probability.

Next, the monkeys played a game where they had to track the value of two rewards. The monkeys with the OFC lesions were the only group that did not acknowledge the value of one reward versus the other

"We've known for a long time that these two parts of the brain are highly interconnected," says Dr. Rudebeck. "Previous research indicates that both send connections to another area of the frontal lobe called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) and functional magnetic resonance imaging suggests that the VMPFC may be where choices ultimately get made."

In a separate set of experiments, the investigators wanted to determine whether VMPFC is involved in comparing different values, and they induced lesions in that region to find out. The tests revealed that animals with a damaged VMPFC were able to make a decision based on probability or value alone, but were much less capable of comparing values.

The study, which is published in the journal <a href="http://www.cell.com/neuron/home">Neuron</a>, gives researchers insight as to why people with damage in certain areas of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brains-detect-pitch-meaning/">brain</a> have a harder time making decisions.

"Depression and anxiety disorders are characterized by changes in the way that people process rewards and make decisions. In some cases, changes in decision-making can be so extreme that individuals are unable to lead normal lives," says Dr. Rudebeck. "Determining which parts of the brain help us to make decisions based on the subjective value and probability is therefore a critical step in understanding how these debilitating disorders are caused."

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Decisions are made by two independent regions of the brain

17th century mathematician Blaise Pascal introduced the theory that humans...

Remaining active is a big part of both mental and physical health for many individuals, especially as we age – and nothing is less active than sitting in front of a TV. Now, a new study has found that older people who watch more than five hours of TV per day and have only three or fewer hours per week of total physical activity could have a more than three-fold higher risk of losing their ability to walk years later.

This study looked at all types of sedentary behavior, as well as light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity, and found that prolonged sitting and TV watching were two factors that were especially harmful. These factors were only exacerbated by decreased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/older-adults-work-stay-active/">physical activity</a>.

“TV viewing is a very potent risk factor for disability in older age,” says <a href="https://publichealth.gwu.edu/departments/exercise-and-nutrition-sciences/loretta-dipietro">Loretta DiPietro</a>, PhD, MPH, lead author of the study and Chair of the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the <a href="https://www.gwu.edu/">George Washington University's</a> Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken Institute SPH). “Sitting and watching TV for long periods (especially in the evening) has got to be one of the most dangerous things that older people can do because they are much more susceptible to the damages of physical inactivity.”

The researchers looked at data from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, which tracked men and women ages 50 to 71 for roughly ten years, recording how much they watched TV, exercised, and did other physical activity. By the study’s end, almost 30 percent of previously healthy participants reported a mobility disability. 

One of the study’s most concerning findings was that participants who watched five or more hours of TV per day had a 65 percent greater risk of having a mobility disability by the end of the study compared to those who watched less than two hours of TV per day. This association was independent of their level of physical activity. Increased levels of sitting and TV watching combined with low physical activity were even more harmful, and resulted in a decrease of ability to walk.

Although younger people may be able to get away with sitting for long periods of time, after the age of 50 this begins to become more of an issue. “We’ve engineered physical activity out of our modern life with commuting, elevators, the internet, mobile phones and a lifestyle (think Netflix streaming) that often includes 14 hours of sitting per day,” says DiPietro. “Our findings suggest that older people who want to remain fit must ramp up their daily physical activity and reduce the amount of time they spend sitting.”

DiPietro suggests that we should begin to incorporate more physical activity into our daily lives. This could mean taking walking breaks from your desk at work, or simply taking the stairs. “To stay active and healthy as you age, move more and sit less – throughout the day – every day,” DiPietro says.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Watching TV linked to diminished mobility in older years

Remaining active is a big part of both mental and...

With the takeover of social media as a major outlet for news and information these days, it’s not surprising that it has become the leading destination for consumers to seek out information about plastic surgery. This is especially true of young people, many of whom are looking to improve their appearance for these social media platforms, such as Instagram and Snapchat. However, a recent study from Northwestern Medicine has found that the majority of providers advertising cosmetic surgery services on Instagram are actually not board certified-plastic surgeons. 

“This is a very scary finding,” says Robert Dorfman, first author of the study and a medical student at <a href="http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.</a> “Providers – ranging from physicians who are not licensed in plastic surgery to dentists, hair salon employees and barbers – are doing procedures for which they do not have formal or extensive training. That’s extremely dangerous for the patient.”

A board-certified plastic surgeon is a physician who has over six years of surgical training and at least three years specifically dedicated to plastic surgery. Many plastic surgeons also specialize within the plastic surgery discipline. Despite this, many hair salons, dentists, barbers and spas are marketing plastic surgery procedures on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/instagram-photos-reveal-depression/">Instagram</a>, even though they have no physician with the necessary experience.

“A cosmetic surgeon is not necessarily the same thing as a board certified plastic surgeon, and patients need to be made aware of this,” says Dorfman.

Someone who calls themselves a “cosmetic surgeon” could have experience ranging from one-year of cosmetic surgery fellowship to just a few short weekend courses covering cosmetic surgery topics.

The study’s authors believe that the confusing marketing on social media is putting patients at risk of physical harm and even death. A prior study done by Dr. John Kim, a Northwestern Medicine plastic surgeon, found a nearly 300 percent increase in the number of complications from a specific surgery when it was performed by non-plastic surgeons compared to board-certified surgeons.

This new study from <a href="http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern Medicine</a> analyzed the types of providers marketing cosmetic surgical procedures and used popular hashtags to identify related posts. From the top 189 posts with these hashtags, less than 20 percent of the providers had plastic surgeons eligible for membership in ASAPS. Non-eligible physicians made up over 26 percent. Just over 5 percent of the top posts were from non-physicians, including dentists, spas with no associated physicians, and even a hair salon. The rests of the posts were mostly self-promotional or educational.

“As patients increasingly rely on social media to choose their provider, it is critical to understand the ecosystem of online platforms available to patients,” says Dr. Clark Schierle, a plastic surgeon at <a href="http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern Medicine</a>. “It is critical that board-certified plastic surgeons use social media like Instagram as a platform to educate patients about the risks of surgery.”

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The risk of researching cosmetic surgery on Instagram

With the takeover of social media as a major outlet...

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and is most commonly caused by plaque buildup in the arteries. This constricts blood flow, which leads to heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. Now, a new 16-year study from <a href="http://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/">Lund University</a> set out to examine how weather could have a possible triggering effect for heart attacks. The research found a direct correlation between cold weather conditions and an increase in heart attacks. 

The study gathered data from 280,000 patients who were treated for heart attacks and matched the corresponding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weather-temperature-election-outcomes/">weather</a> conditions from meteorological records.

Between the 1998 and 2013, the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2811455/">Swedish Myocardial Infarction Registry</a> recorded 280,873 heart attacks treated at a coronary care unit. The study compared these incidences with the weather conditions at the time and grouped together the heart attacks that occurred in similar weather conditions and temperatures.

The results showed that cooler temperatures triggered a higher rate of heart attacks, but the number of heart attacks decreased in warmer temperatures. Researchers found that when the average temperature was below 0 degrees Celsius, there were 4 or more heart attacks per day. 

“Our results consistently showed a higher occurrence of heart attacks in sub-zero temperatures. The findings were the same across a large range of patient subgroups, and at national as well as regional levels, suggesting that air temperature is a trigger for heart attack,” said Dr. Moman A. Mohammad from the Department of Cardiology at Lund University, first author of the study. 

A possible explanation for this swell in heart attacks could be because blood vessels constrict in colder temperatures, which increases blood pressure. 

Because this was an observational study, other outlying factors may have also had an impact on the increased number of heart attacks. 

Even so, the study shows that colder temperatures are a possible trigger for heart attacks, so people at risk of cardiovascular disease and heart problems should take extra precaution during the winter months. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Cold weather increases risk of heart attack

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the...

Becoming the primary caregiver for a family member can be incredibly exhausting and stressful, mentally, physically, and emotionally. The dynamic is complicated further when one must become the primary caregiver for their spouse. Despite the often overwhelming burdens of caregiving, studies also show that helping and caring for others improves our wellbeing and can be greatly beneficial to mental health.  

Now, a new study from the <a href="http://publichealth.yale.edu/">Yale School of Public Health</a>, <a href="http://www.stonybrook.edu/">Stony Brook University</a>, the<a href="https://umich.edu/"> University of Michigan</a>, and the <a href="http://www.buffalo.edu/">University at Buffalo</a> set out to investigate this dichotomy in caregiving and find the parameters that lead to greater fulfillment and improved well-being to lessen the negative, demanding effects. 

The researchers conducted two studies and observed caregivers whose spouses suffered chronic pain. The first study included 73 caregivers who reported on their tasks and emotional state every three hours. In the second study, participants were asked to write in a diary at the end of the day fully describing their activities and how much they felt appreciated. 

The researchers, led by Michael Poulin from the University at Buffalo Department of Psychology, found that helping behaviors can reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cortisol-indicate-stressed/">stress</a>, but appreciation and recognition for the tasks given is a key part of the equation. 

“Spending time attempting to provide help can be beneficial for a caregiver's mental and physical well-being, but only during those times when the caregiver sees that their help has made a difference and that difference is noticed and recognized by their partner,” said Poulin.

The study found that being a caregiver and engaging in helping behaviors can be rewarding and actually decrease the stresses of caregiving. However, these benefits are only truly felt when gratitude is adequately expressed by the beneficiary. 

Poulin’s study is important in that it shows how to alleviate the some of the stress of caregiving. The findings could also help implement social programs and community resources that help caregivers and their spouses properly communicate and make sure emotional needs are met for both parties. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Draining effects of caregiving alleviated by appreciation

Becoming the primary caregiver for a family member can be...

Calculating the financial return on education is increasingly difficult these days, especially since there aren’t many set ROI (return on investment) measuring techniques that tackle the financial benefit of higher learning and any economic gains that ensue, compared to the costs of schooling. But a new study examined the investment return for higher educated women and how their standard of living was effected in the labor and marriage markets, and examined why so many women are marrying down compared to men. 

“Now women are more likely to get married to a less-educated man. What is the consequence of this?” asks ChangHwan Kim, associate professor of sociology at the <a href="https://www.ku.edu/">University of Kansas</a> and lead author of the study, which was published in the journal Demography. 

The researchers gathered US Census data from 1990, 2000,  and 2009-2011, and examined people ages 35 to 44 years old to study gender-specific changes in the financial return on education. 

The number of educated women has greatly increased in the past few decades and opened more opportunities in the labor market. Previously, this worked in women’s favor, but now there are far more highly educated women compared to men in the marriage market, making it easier for men to marry up. 

“Previously, women received more total financial return to education than men, because their return in the marriage market was high. However, this female advantage has deteriorated over time despite women's substantial progress in education and labor-market performance,” said Kim. 

The researchers found that even with the greater economic advantage that women are bringing to the marriage market, many women are faced with a lower standard of living because the financial contributions to the marriage household are not equal. 

“For less-educated women, the contribution of their husbands has been substantially reduced so that their standard of living has diminished, even though their personal earnings have grown,” the researchers said.

Another way to look at the study’s results, as the researchers note, is that men can marry up easily and gain more from the return to education versus their spouses. The study shows a greater improvement in the standard of living for men than women. 

“When we consider family dynamics, men are getting the benefit from women's progress,” said Kim. 

Calculating the financial benefits of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/continued-education-stay-sharp/">education</a> is important because it can help put the costs of education in perspective for future students. But understanding any possible wealth disparities and gaps by factoring in gender dynamics is an important piece to bear in mind.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Why are so many highly educated women marrying down?

Calculating the financial return on education is increasingly difficult these...

A massive investigation of more than 135,000 people across five continents has revealed that a diet which includes a moderate intake of fruits, vegetables, and fat is linked to longer life. The research also suggests that excessive consumption of carbohydrates can increase the risk of death. 

The highest benefits were found in people who incorporated three to four servings of fruits, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/labeling-make-vegetables-appealing/">vegetables</a> and legumes into their diet every day. Victoria Miller is a <a href="http://www.mcmaster.ca/">McMaster University</a> doctoral student and lead author of the paper.

"Our study found the lowest risk of death in those who consumed three to four servings or the equivalent to 375 to 500 grams of fruits, vegetables and legumes per day, with little additional benefit for intake beyond that range," said Miller. "Additionally, fruit intake was more strongly associated with benefit than vegetables.”

A higher amount of fat, enough to provide 35 percent of energy, was also found to contribute to a lower risk of death compared to lower fat intakes. A diet high in carbohydrates, on the other hand, proved to be dangerous. Eating enough carbohydrates to provide 60 percent of energy or higher was linked to an increase in the risk of death, although not from cardiovascular disease.

The data for the analysis was collected from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, which followed more than 135,000 people in 18 countries. The study gathered information about the participants’ diets and followed them for an average of seven and half years.

There was no relationship found between dietary fats and major cardiovascular disease, but higher fat consumption was associated with lower mortality. The data included all major types of fats including saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and monounsaturated fats. Saturated fats were associated with lower stroke risk.

Co-author Mahshid Dehghan pointed out that the results of the study contradict “the conventional beliefs about dietary fats and clinical outcomes.” She explained that recent dietary guidelines have focused on reducing fat intake in order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease without taking into consideration how saturated fat is replaced in the diet.

"A decrease in fat intake automatically led to an increase in carbohydrate consumption and our findings may explain why certain populations such as South Asians, who do not consume much fat but consume a lot of carbohydrates, have higher mortality rates," said Dehghan.

The research, published as two reports in <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/">The Lancet</a>, may help to better inform consumers of their nutritional needs.

"The findings of these studies are robust, globally applicable and provide evidence to inform nutrition policies,” said co-author Andrew Mente. “This is relevant because in some parts of the world nutritional inadequacy is a problem, whereas in other parts of the world nutritional excesses may be the problem.”

The reports will be presented today at the <a href="https://www.escardio.org/Congresses-%26-Events/ESC-Congress">Congress of the European Society of Cardiology</a> in Barcelona, Spain.

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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

Scientists unveil the best diet for a longer life

A massive investigation of more than 135,000 people across five...

According to a new study from the <a href="https://www.escardio.org/Congress-Home">European Society of Cardiology</a>, poor sleep can lead to heart disease. Lack of quality sleep may be a sign of a serious cardiovascular issue such as ischaemic heart disease and stroke. Researchers conducted a study of almost 13,000 people to determine if there are distinguishable sleep disturbance patterns associated with each of these heart conditions.

"Poor sleep is associated with cardiovascular diseases such as ischaemic heart disease and stroke but the kind of sleep disturbances that are most risky is not well documented," said lead researcher Dr Nobuo Sasaki. "'Poor sleep' includes too short or too long sleep, difficulty falling asleep, and difficulty maintaining sleep."

In order to investigate the different patterns of sleep disturbance between the two conditions, the researchers analyzed 12,876 residents of Hiroshima, Japan, who were scheduled for a regular health check. 773 of the patients had a history of ischaemic heart disease, while 560 patients had a history of stroke. The remaining 11,543 had no cardiovascular disease.

The team evaluated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rem-sleep-risk-dementia/">sleep</a> habits of the patients using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a self-reporting survey about sleep quality which produces seven component scores. These scores measure aspects of sleep such as sleep duration, sleep quality, difficulty in maintaining sleep, and use of sleeping pills.

The experts calculated a global PSQI score which ranged from 0 to 21 for each patient using the sum of the seven component scores. Higher scores indicated poorer sleep quality. These “poor sleep" ratings were found in 52 percent of patients with ischaemic heart disease and 48 percent of patients with a history of stroke.

"The proportion of people suffering from sleep disturbances is around 1.5-fold higher among patients with previous ischaemic heart disease or stroke compared to those with no history of cardiovascular disease,” explained Dr. Sasaki.

"Interestingly only patients with ischaemic heart disease reported difficulty maintaining sleep and short sleep duration," he continued. "Difficulty maintaining sleep reflects an increase in sleep fragmentation, which refers to brief moments of waking up and causes overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system and adrenocortical axis."

The findings of the study will be presented today at the <a href="https://www.escardio.org/Congresses-%26-Events/ESC-Congress">Congress of the European Society of Cardiology</a> in Barcelona, Spain.

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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

Poor sleep can actually kill you

According to a new study from the European Society of...

White shark sightings off the coast of Massachusetts startled beachgoers and closed multiple <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-cape-cod-rising/">Cape Cod</a> beaches last week. Experts say the sharks are most likely arriving to the area in pursuit of seals, and do not pose a major threat to humans.

Cleveland Bigelow was paddleboarding approximately 30 yards off the shore of Marconi Beach when he was thrown off his stand-up board by a white shark. The shark bit the board, but Bigelow escaped without injury. 

"I would be telling you a fish story if I said that I wasn't scared," Bigelow told <a href="http://www.wcvb.com/">WCVB</a>. "I count my blessings from God.”

14 miles south of the incident, a white shark attacked a seal just feet from the shore at Nauset Beach. Surfers and swimmers panicked to get to safety as a large pool of blood appeared in the water.

In recent years, great whites have been appearing in larger numbers off Cape Cod in the summertime. Researchers believe that they are attracted to a thriving seal population, which has been growing since the 1972 federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. Scientists also believe that changing ocean currents and the depletion of food due to overfishing are also explanations for the presence of more white sharks in the region.

Marie Levine is the executive director of the <a href="https://www.sharks.org/">Shark Research Institute</a> in Princeton, New Jersey.

"We are the interloper in the ocean," Levine told the <a href="https://www.ap.org/en-us/">Associated Press</a>. "White sharks prey on seals. Seals come ashore, so if seals are coming ashore on any beach, people should stay out of the water there. It's just common sense."

Greg Skomal is a state biologist in Massachusetts who has been studying the migratory patterns of white sharks. His team has electronically tagged dozens of animals for their research, and identified 80 sharks off Cape Cod in 2014, 141 in 2015, and 146 in 2016. 

While data for 2017 is not yet available, Skomal said there is evidence that great whites are spreading out to cover most of Cape Cod’s eastern coast. He indicates, however, that the event at Nauset Beach is a perfect example of why there is no need to panic.

"We had people who were surfing, we had swimmers, and we had a shark attack a seal among them all," said Skomal. "That's a level of selection that we need to realize. The shark decided the seal was the prey item."

There have been no fatal shark attacks reported in the United States so far this year, and sharks have not killed a person in Massachusetts since 1936.

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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

Shark sightings shut down beaches on Cape Cod

White shark sightings off the coast of Massachusetts startled beachgoers...

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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

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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"

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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...