A new study has provided the clearest evidence yet that music therapy can significantly ease the agitation, anxiety, and distress frequently seen in people with advanced dementia. The research also explains in detail why music has such a positive effect, and how it can be systematically woven into daily care. 



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00342-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Mental Health</a>, the study offers hope that this readily available and cost-effective tool can help improve quality of life for those facing the greatest challenges of dementia.



Around a million people in the UK live with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/certain-personality-traits-lower-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dementia</a>, over half of them in advanced stages. As dementia progresses, it can lead to difficult behaviors like aggression, restlessness, wandering, and resistance to care - factors that make life harder for patients, loved ones, and professional caregivers alike.&nbsp;



Now, the evidence indicates that music therapy can offer a pathway to greater calm, improved mood, and more meaningful connections, even in the later phases of the disease.



“With an aging population and increasing numbers of people diagnosed with dementia, music is a relatively straightforward and cost-effective way of improving the quality of life of those affected,” said Naomi Thompson of <a href="https://www.aru.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anglia Ruskin University</a> (ARU), who led the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tailored-music-therapy-for-dementia-patients">Tailored music therapy for dementia patients </h2>



The research shows that when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-therapy-can-reduce-pain-stress-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music therapy</a> is carefully tailored to an individual’s personal history, tastes, and needs - through listening to familiar recordings, playing instruments, or singing - there can be immediate and short-term improvements in attention, mood, alertness, and engagement.&nbsp;



Just as importantly, these music sessions can reduce anxiety and agitation, helping people feel safer and more oriented.



Why does music have such a profound impact? The study found that music taps into both sides of the brain, stimulating cognitive and sensory networks even as dementia erodes other faculties.&nbsp;



This can allow individuals to access preserved memories and emotions, and regulate their body’s stress responses, leading to reduced distress. In other words, music can gently awaken parts of the mind that are otherwise difficult to reach.



“Our study not only shows why music therapy is successful - including meeting the person’s need for stimulation, supporting familiarity through memories, encouraging relationships, and crucially helping with the reduction of distress and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a> - it also paves the way for its wider use in dementia care,” Thompson said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-comfort-of-familiar-music">The comfort of familiar music</h2>



One of the key reasons music therapy works so well is its ability to spark memories. Songs from an individual’s younger years, generally between ages 10 and 30, appear most effective at triggering positive, personal recollections.&nbsp;



These music-driven memories can help restore a sense of identity and comfort, soothing the emotional turmoil that often accompanies advanced dementia.



Music therapists can help caregivers and families identify tracks that resonate with the individual’s life story.&nbsp;



Recorded music, which is easily accessible and affordable, can be integrated into a person’s daily routine, introduced at times when they are most likely to become agitated, or used to foster moments of relaxation and reminiscence.



“Just as a doctor prescribes medications with a specific dose and frequency, a music therapist can outline an individualised program, setting out how music should be used throughout someone’s day to reduce distress and improve their wellbeing,” Thompson explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nonverbal-communication-and-social-interaction">Nonverbal communication and social interaction</h2>



Music does not require words - or strong cognitive function - to be enjoyed or understood. People with severe dementia who struggle with language can still respond to melodies, rhythms, and harmonies. They may sway, hum, or smile in response.&nbsp;



This opens up new avenues for connection between the individual, caregivers, family members, and even other residents in a care home.



Such musical encounters can shift the caregiving dynamic. Instead of focusing solely on managing difficult behaviors, caregivers can share positive experiences that validate the person’s humanity.&nbsp;



These uplifting moments can reduce caregivers’ stress and help them feel more empathetic, strengthening the bond between them and the individuals they support.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effective-use-of-music-therapy-for-dementia">Effective use of music therapy for dementia </h2>



To ensure music therapy is widely adopted, the study recommends training for all care staff in using music effectively.&nbsp;



Music therapists can provide guidance on how to select songs, structure sessions, and integrate these sessions into daily life.&nbsp;



Families should also be encouraged to contribute their knowledge of a loved one’s musical preferences, helping to shape personalized playlists that maximize the therapy’s impact.



The guidance outlined in the study is the result of careful research, including interviews with staff and music therapists working on inpatient dementia wards at the<a href="https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust</a>, a systematic review of published studies, a national survey of healthcare professionals, and collaboration with the dementia nursing charity <a href="https://www.dementiauk.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dementia UK</a>.



“People with advanced dementia can sometimes become quite distressed, and we need to find the best ways to help them,” said study co-author Ben Underwood, an associate professor at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>.&nbsp;



“Music is one thing which can help, and so I am excited to see such high-quality work being done in partnership to see how we can bring music therapy to <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHS</a> dementia patients.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creating-a-more-positive-environment-for-everyone-nbsp">Creating a more positive environment for everyone&nbsp;</h2>



Although the primary aim is to improve life for people with advanced dementia, the advantages also extend to families and caregivers.&nbsp;



Engaging with music can reduce their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> and create moments of shared enjoyment, leading to better job satisfaction, reduced caregiver burnout, and a more positive environment all around.



As the number of people living with dementia continues to grow, cost-effective, accessible interventions like music therapy become increasingly valuable. This study not only confirms music’s potential but also provides a realistic plan for making it a standard part of dementia care.



“Music is not just a way to soothe - it’s a way to connect, to remember, and to live more fully in the moment,” Thompson said. “Our study shows that music therapy is not just an option but an essential component of dementia care.”



By embedding music into the heart of dementia care, we can help people with advanced dementia experience less distress, rediscover parts of themselves hidden by the disease, and reconnect with those around them, creating moments of calm, understanding, and human connection.



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Music therapy reduces distress in people with dementia

A new study has provided the clearest evidence yet that music therapy can significantly ease the agitation, anxiety, and distress frequently seen in people with advanced dementia. The research also explains in detail why music has such a positive effect, and how it can be systematically woven into daily care.  Published in the journal Nature Mental Health, the study offers hope that this readily available and cost-effective tool can help improve quality of life for those facing the greatest challenges of dementia. Around a million people in...

In 1923, lead was first introduced into gasoline to enhance car engine performance. However, this improvement in automotive health came at a significant cost to human well-being.



According to a new study, exposure to car exhaust from leaded gasoline during childhood has altered the mental health balance in the U.S. population, leading to generations of Americans who are more depressed, anxious, inattentive, or hyperactive.&nbsp;



The research estimates that over the past 75 years, 151 million cases of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-potency-linked-to-dramatic-rise-in-psychiatric-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychiatric disorders</a> have resulted from American children's exposure to lead.



The study was led by Aaron Reuben, a postdoctoral scholar in neuropsychology at <a href="https://duke.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke University</a>, and his colleagues at <a href="https://www.fsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida State University</a>, 



The findings suggest that Americans born before 1996 experienced significantly higher rates of mental health problems due to lead exposure. These individuals likely experienced personality changes that made them less successful and resilient in life.



Leaded gasoline for cars was banned in the U.S. in 1996, but the researchers emphasize that anyone born before then - especially during its peak use in the 1960s and 1970s - had concerningly high lead exposures as children.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neurotoxic-effects-of-lead">Neurotoxic effects of lead</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lead-pollution-has-made-its-way-to-the-top-of-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lead</a> is neurotoxic and can erode brain cells and alter brain function once it enters the body. Health experts state that there is no safe level of exposure at any point in life. 



Young children are especially vulnerable to lead's ability to impair brain development and alter <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-health-may-literally-be-a-state-of-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>. Unfortunately, regardless of age, our brains are ill-equipped to combat lead toxicity.



Because water systems in older American cities still contain lead pipes, the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA) issued regulations in October that give cities 10 years to identify and replace lead plumbing, allocating $2.6 billion to get it done. 



Earlier this year, the EPA also lowered the level of lead in soil that it considers potentially hazardous, resulting in an estimated one in four U.S. households having soil that may require cleanup.



“Humans are not adapted to be exposed to lead at the levels we have been exposed to over the past century,” Reuben said. “We have very few effective measures for dealing with lead once it is in the body, and many of us have been exposed to levels 1,000 to 10,000 times more than what is natural.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lead-exposure-and-mental-health">Lead exposure and mental health</h2>



Throughout the past century, lead was used in paint, pipes, solder, and most disastrously, automotive fuel.&nbsp;



Numerous studies have linked lead exposure to neurodevelopmental and mental health problems, particularly conduct disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-adult-depression-linked-to-worse-memory-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a>. 



However, it had not been clear how widespread lead-linked mental illness symptoms might have been.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifelong-burden-of-lead-exposure-nbsp">Lifelong burden of lead exposure&nbsp;</h2>



To address this complex question, Reuben and his co-authors Michael McFarland and Mathew Hauer, both professors of sociology at Florida State University, turned to publicly available nationwide data.&nbsp;



By using historical data on U.S. childhood blood-lead levels, leaded-gas use, and population statistics, they determined the likely lifelong burden of lead exposure carried by every American alive in 2015.



From this data, the researchers estimated lead’s assault on mental health and personality by calculating “mental illness points” gained from leaded gas exposure as a proxy for its harmful impact on public health.



“This is the exact approach we have taken in the past to estimate lead’s harms for population cognitive ability and IQ,” McFarland said, noting that the research team previously identified that lead stole 824 million IQ points from the U.S. population over the past century.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-generational-shifts-in-mental-health">Generational shifts in mental health</h2>



“We saw very significant shifts in mental health across generations of Americans,” Hauer said. “Meaning many more people experienced psychiatric problems than would have if we had never added lead to gasoline.”&nbsp;



Lead exposure led to greater rates of diagnosable mental disorders, like depression and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a>, but also increased instances of individuals experiencing milder distress that could impair their quality of life.



“For most people, the impact of lead would have been like a low-grade fever,” Reuben explained. “You wouldn’t go to the hospital or seek treatment, but you would struggle just a bit more than if you didn’t have the fever.”



Lead’s effect on brain health has also been linked to changes in personality observable at the national level. “We estimate a shift in neuroticism and conscientiousness at the population level,” McFarland said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-scope-of-lead-exposure">The scope of lead exposure</h2>



As of 2015, more than 170 million Americans - over half of the U.S. population - had clinically concerning levels of lead in their blood when they were children.&nbsp;



This exposure likely resulted in lower IQs, more mental health problems, and a higher risk for other long-term health impairments, such as increased cardiovascular disease.



Leaded gasoline consumption rose rapidly in the early 1960s and peaked in the 1970s. Consequently, Reuben and his colleagues found that essentially everyone born during those two decades was nearly certain to have been exposed to pernicious levels of lead from car exhaust.&nbsp;



The generation with the greatest lead exposures, Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1980), would have experienced the most significant mental health losses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-legacy-of-lead-exposure-nbsp">Addressing the legacy of lead exposure&nbsp;</h2>



“We are coming to understand that lead exposures from the past - even decades in the past - can influence our health today,” said Reuben.



“Our job moving forward will be to better understand the role lead has played in the health of our country, and to make sure we protect today’s children from new lead exposures wherever they occur.”



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.14072" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry</a>.



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151 million Americans have mental health disorders linked to leaded gasoline

In 1923, lead was first introduced into gasoline to enhance...

A comprehensive review has recently examined the scientific evidence surrounding coffee’s connection to healthy aging. The experts discovered that daily coffee consumption can add up to two years of healthy aging to our lives.



The percentage of people aged 65 and older worldwide is rapidly increasing, projected to grow from 10% in 2022 to 16% by 2050.&nbsp;



The paper highlights how regular, moderate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-consumption-may-lower-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coffee consumption</a> can be an essential component of a healthy and balanced lifestyle for this aging demographic.



For reference, the <a href="https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Food Safety Authority</a> considers daily caffeine intake of up to 400 mg - equivalent to three to five cups of coffee - to be moderate and safe for most adults. Pregnant and lactating women, however, should limit their intake to 200 mg per day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-and-reduced-mortality-risk">Coffee and reduced mortality risk</h2>



Coffee, one of the most extensively studied commodities globally, has been linked in over 50 studies to a reduced risk of all-cause mortality.&nbsp;



The research indicates that coffee can play a measurable role in lowering the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-century-of-progress-in-the-fight-against-cardiovascular-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a>, cancer, respiratory diseases, cognitive decline, and frailty.



The review revealed that regular coffee consumption may extend healthy living by an average of 1.8 years. This suggests that coffee not only contributes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-transfer-longevity-gene-hoping-to-extend-human-lifespan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longevity</a> but also supports better health during those additional years. 



Unlike some nutritional interventions that may exhibit gender-specific effects, the increased healthy life expectancy associated with coffee consumption was observed in both men and women.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-and-biological-aging-nbsp">Coffee and biological aging&nbsp;</h2>



Beyond reducing the risk of chronic diseases, the review delved into how coffee affects biological processes associated with aging.&nbsp;



These mechanisms include mitigating genomic instability - cell mutations that contribute to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-25-years-of-research-revealed-about-brain-aging/">aging</a> - and improving regular cellular function.&nbsp;



To ensure reliability, the review concentrated on studies involving humans and human tissue, providing a clearer picture of coffee’s health benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-coffee-in-healthy-aging-nbsp">The role of coffee in healthy aging&nbsp;</h2>



Traditional clinical advice for older adults has often suggested reducing or even avoiding coffee consumption. However, the review suggests these guidelines should be reconsidered in light of growing evidence supporting coffee’s positive role in healthy aging.



“Traditional clinical recommendations have at times overlooked coffee’s role in healthy aging, but with a strong research base around how regular consumption can potentially reduce some of the most chronic diseases facing society, it is likely time to re-evaluate these,” said lead author Rodrigo Cuhno, an expert in biochemistry at the <a href="https://www.uc.pt/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Coimbra</a>.



“We know that the world’s population is aging faster than ever, which is why it’s increasingly important to explore dietary interventions which may allow people to not only live longer but also healthier lives.”



While caffeine is coffee’s most recognized component, it also contains over 2,000 bioactive compounds. Among these, polyphenols offer antioxidant and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-with-milk-has-powerful-anti-inflammatory-properties/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anti-inflammatory benefits</a>, which may help reduce neuroinflammation and regulate insulin sensitivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unanswered-questions-and-future-research">Unanswered questions and future research</h2>



Although both caffeine and non-caffeine compounds in coffee contribute to extending healthy lifespan, much remains unknown about their exact mechanisms of action.&nbsp;



The authors emphasize the need for further research to uncover how these compounds work and identify individuals who may benefit the most from coffee’s unique properties.



“Our review underlines the role regular, moderate coffee consumption can play in mediating against the biological mechanisms which naturally slow or fail as we get older - triggering a range of potential health issues and comorbidities,” said Cuhna.&nbsp;



“And there is still room to understand more about exactly how these mechanisms work, as well as which individuals may be biologically predisposed to benefiting most from coffee’s interactions with them.”



This review underscores coffee's potential as a valuable dietary component for promoting healthy aging.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-perspective-on-coffee-consumption-nbsp">A new perspective on coffee consumption&nbsp;</h2>



The research not only sheds light on coffee’s contributions to reducing chronic disease risks but also highlights its broader biological benefits, paving the way for future research in this area.



“The conception of coffee consumption has undergone a profound modification, evolving from a noxious habit into a safe lifestyle actually preserving human health,” wrote the researchers.



“The last 20 years also provided strikingly consistent epidemiological evidence showing that the regular consumption of moderate doses of coffee attenuates all-cause mortality, an effect observed in over 50 studies in different geographic regions and different ethnicities.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163724003994" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aging Research Reviews</a>.



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Healthy aging: Drinking coffee can add years to your life

A comprehensive review has recently examined the scientific evidence surrounding...

A common picture on college campuses is that of tired, sleep-deprived students. Assignments, night outs with friends, and an unending scroll through social media keep them up far later than they plan. But what if there's something else at play?



A fresh perspective has emerged, suggesting that something much deeper might be robbing our young adults of their sleep. A recent study indicates that it is not excessive screen time, but feelings of loneliness, that are responsible.



The study was conducted by a collaborative team of researchers from Oregon State University (OSU), Harvard Medical School and Chaminade University. The research involved over 1,000 undergraduate students.



It was led by John Sy, a graduate student from OSU, who identified loneliness as the more consistent predictor of insomnia over screen time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loneliness-vs-screen-time">Loneliness vs. screen time</h2>



Struggling with sleep, most of us would be quick to blame our electronic devices - and they indeed play a part. The study found a link between spending 8-10 hours on gadgets and a higher likelihood of insomnia among college students.



But interestingly, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-causes-people-to-have-more-nightmares/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact of loneliness</a> was even more profound on sleep. 



The <a href="https://oregonstate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OSU</a> study revealed that around 35% of the participants reported high levels of loneliness. These individuals suffered nearly twice as much from symptoms of insomnia compared to their less lonely counterparts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-loneliness-meddles-with-sleep">How loneliness meddles with sleep</h2>



The connection between loneliness and poor sleep has long been recognized, but its significant impact on college students is particularly concerning. 



College life often brings major changes, such as moving away from home, creating new social circles, and managing increased academic pressure - all of which can lead to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-harms-health-more-than-alcohol-obesity-or-smoking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feelings of isolation</a>.



Loneliness not only heightens stress sensitivity but also fuels overthinking, creating the perfect formula for sleepless nights. Research shows that lonely individuals are twice as likely to experience depression, which further disrupts their sleep patterns. 



Poor sleep, in turn, exacerbates emotional struggles, creating a vicious cycle. Addressing loneliness is essential for improving students' mental health and overall well-being.



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



The U.S. Surgeon General's office categorizes loneliness as a significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-drops-in-middle-adulthood-but-then-grows-with-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public health issue</a>. It affects approximately 50% of American adults, even before coronavirus came into play. 



The health implications of loneliness are on par with smoking, contributing to premature death. It’s crucial that we stop underestimating the impact of loneliness on sleep - particularly among young adults who are juggling new tasks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insomnia-s-effect-on-college-life">Insomnia's effect on college life</h2>



Statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that over a quarter of college students experience insomnia. 



This shortage of restful sleep takes a severe toll. It hampers cognitive function, mood regulation, and metabolism. 



For college students, this results in escalated stress levels, anxiety, mood swings, and a dramatic drop in academic performance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dealing-with-loneliness-for-better-sleep">Dealing with loneliness for better sleep</h2>



While limiting screen time to under 8 to 10 hours a day is a good practice, this research underlines the more pressing issue of loneliness. Addressing this sense of isolation can lead to improved sleep, better mental well-being, and enhanced academic results.



So, how can college students combat loneliness? It’s not always easy, but making connections through campus clubs, group activities, or study groups can help. These activities provide chances to meet new people, build friendships, and create a support system. 



Being part of these social groups can make college life feel less lonely and improve overall well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-between-sleep-and-loneliness">Link between sleep and loneliness </h2>



Loneliness is more than just an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-emotions-linked-to-unique-brain-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional state</a>; it’s a health issue that affects overall well-being. For college students, tackling loneliness might just be the key to better sleep. 



Limiting screen time is important, but building strong social connections is crucial for a restful night. Engaging in meaningful conversations, even for a few minutes, can significantly lower stress levels and promote a more peaceful mind before bed. 



So next time you find yourself staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., consider reaching out - sometimes, the best way to sleep better is to feel connected with others.



The study is recently published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07448481.2024.2428413" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of American College Health</a>. 



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Loneliness disrupts college students' sleep more than screen time

A common picture on college campuses is that of tired,...

Addiction to drugs often begins with an unpleasant experience. Consuming addictive substances, whether by injection, inhalation, or ingestion, frequently involves aversive cues like a bitter taste, pain, or discomfort.



Understanding these initial reactions can shed light on who might develop an addiction. This is the focus of a recent study led by Dr. Travis Moschak, a biologist at the University of Texas at El Paso.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aversive-cues-matter-in-drug-addiction">Aversive cues matter in drug addiction</h2>



"Aversive cues matter from the very first exposure," said Dr. Moschak. Until now, researchers lacked an effective animal model to study the role of aversive cues in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zapping-the-brain-with-ultrasound-waves-may-cure-drug-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">addiction</a>. 



To fill this gap, Moschak’s team developed a novel method for rats to self-administer cocaine while experiencing aversive stimuli from the start.



The study on drugs revealed that initial reactions to these aversive cues can significantly influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-discovery-offers-hope-for-tackling-opioid-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">susceptibility to addiction</a>, offering critical insights into why some individuals develop substance use disorders while others do not.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rats-on-cocaine">Rats on cocaine</h2>



The researchers worked with nearly 30 rats that had the opportunity to self-administer small doses of cocaine.



Each dose was preceded by a small, bitter-tasting dose of quinine, a substance that is both safe for rats and commonly found in tonic water. 



This pairing mimicked the mixed positive-negative experience of drug consumption and addiction. The goal was to observe whether the bitter taste deterred the rats from seeking cocaine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-distinct-patterns-of-behavior">Three distinct patterns of behavior</h2>



After exposure to this paired experience, the rats’ responses fell into three distinct patterns:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strong-negative-reaction">Strong negative reaction</h3>



These rats reacted strongly to the quinine and stopped self-administering cocaine entirely. This behavior mirrors individuals who try a drug, have a negative experience, and avoid it thereafter.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slowly-increasing-cocaine-use">Slowly increasing cocaine use</h3>



This group began with low cocaine consumption but gradually increased their intake. The aversive cue wasn’t strong enough to deter them.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-over-consumed-cocaine-at-first">Over-consumed cocaine at first</h3>



Surprisingly, this third group started with heavy cocaine consumption but later leveled off. 



"The third group surprised us," noted Dr. Moschak. "They seemed to have over-indulged and the combination of too much cocaine and too much aversive stimulus took over."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-drug-addiction-research">Implications for drug addiction research</h2>



Previous studies have examined the role of aversive cues in drug use, but this current research is unique in pairing these cues with drug use from the very first instance.



"These findings could help explain why some individuals develop substance use disorders while others do not, and future studies may uncover genetic or neural differences that could guide targeted treatments," said Dr. Moschak.



This study highlights the complexity of addiction and the interplay between positive and negative experiences during drug use. By identifying patterns of behavior, researchers can better understand the factors that contribute to addiction vulnerability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-better-ways-to-treat-addiction">Finding better ways to treat addiction </h2>



Moving forward, Dr. Moschak’s team plans to examine the brain regions active during drug use with an aversive cue.



The researchers aim to uncover genetic or biological differences that may explain the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dopamine-and-serotonin-shape-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">varying responses</a> among the rats.



"This is a fascinating study with great potential to help us better understand and address drug abuse in people," said Dr. Robert Kirken, dean of the College of Science. "With further study, this research could lead to better ways to prevent and treat addiction."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ethical-considerations-and-research-support">Ethical considerations and research support</h2>



At the conclusion of the study, the rats were safely taken off cocaine and were unharmed.



The cocaine used in the study was obtained through the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Drug Supply Program, which provides restricted substances for research purposes. 



The team ensured the rats’ well-being throughout the experiment, demonstrating a commitment to ethical research practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-drug-addiction">Understanding drug addiction</h2>



This study from the <a href="https://www.utep.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at El Paso</a> opens new avenues for understanding addiction by focusing on the role of aversive cues from the very first exposure to drugs. 



By investigating the behavioral, genetic, and neural factors underlying addiction, researchers hope to pave the way for more effective prevention and treatment strategies. 



Future research will also explore deeper connections between aversive stimuli, drug-seeking behavior, and long-term addiction risks. 



As Dr. Moschak’s findings show, even the smallest details - like a bitter taste - can significantly influence the path to addiction.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871624014005?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drug and Alcohol Dependence</a>.



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Rats on cocaine: Investigating the cues that lead to drug addiction

Addiction to drugs often begins with an unpleasant experience. Consuming...

Researchers have uncovered a connection between a specific type of body fat and the abnormal brain proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease, detectable up to 20 years before the first signs of dementia.&nbsp;



This discovery, presented at the <a href="https://www.rsna.org/annual-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting</a>, highlights the potential for lifestyle interventions targeting this fat to influence Alzheimer’s development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-detection-of-alzheimer-s-nbsp">Early detection of Alzheimer’s&nbsp;</h2>



Study lead author Mahsa Dolatshahi is a postdoctoral research associate at the <a href="https://www.mir.wustl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology</a> (MIR) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.



“This crucial result was discovered because we investigated Alzheimer’s disease pathology as early as midlife - in the 40s and 50s - when the disease pathology is at its earliest stages, and potential modifications like weight loss and reducing visceral fat are more effective as a means of preventing or delaying the onset of the disease,” explained Dolatshahi.&nbsp;



With 6.9 million Americans over 65 currently living with Alzheimer’s - a figure projected to double by 2050 without medical breakthroughs - early interventions could significantly alter the trajectory of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-may-not-be-a-brain-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disease</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifestyle-factors-and-alzheimer-s-disease-nbsp">Lifestyle factors and Alzheimer’s disease&nbsp;</h2>



The study examined how obesity, fat distribution, and metabolic factors contribute to Alzheimer’s pathology. It involved 80 cognitively normal middle-aged participants, with an average age of 49.4 years.&nbsp;



Among them, 57.5% were obese, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 32.31. Participants underwent brain PET scans, body MRI scans, metabolic assessments, and cholesterol analysis. MRI scans of the abdomen measured subcutaneous fat (fat beneath the skin) and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-abdominal-fat-linked-to-alzheimers-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visceral fat</a> (fat surrounding internal organs).



“We investigated the association of BMI, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, liver fat fraction, thigh fat and muscle, as well as insulin resistance and HDL (good cholesterol), with amyloid and tau deposition in Alzheimer’s disease,” Dolatshahi said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visceral-fat-and-brain-protein-accumulation">Visceral fat and brain protein accumulation</h2>



The team analyzed thigh muscle scans to assess fat and muscle volumes, while PET scans measured amyloid plaques and tau tangles - abnormal proteins linked to Alzheimer’s.



Their results showed that higher levels of visceral fat were strongly associated with amyloid accumulation, explaining 77% of the relationship between high BMI and amyloid buildup. Other fat types, such as subcutaneous fat, did not account for this link.



“Our study showed that higher visceral fat was associated with higher PET levels of the two hallmark pathologic proteins of Alzheimer’s disease - amyloid and tau,” Dolatshahi noted.&nbsp;



“To our knowledge, our study is the only one to demonstrate these findings at midlife where our participants are decades out from developing the earliest symptoms of the dementia that results from Alzheimer’s disease.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metabolic-health-and-alzheimer-s-risk">Metabolic health and Alzheimer’s risk</h2>



The researchers found that increased insulin resistance and reduced HDL (good cholesterol) levels were linked to higher amyloid accumulation. Interestingly, higher HDL levels partially mitigated the impact of visceral fat on Alzheimer’s pathology.



“A key implication of our work is that managing Alzheimer’s risk in obesity will need to involve targeting the related metabolic and lipid issues that often arise with higher body fat,” explained senior study author Cyrus A. Raji, an associate professor of radiology at MIR.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-deeper-look-at-body-fat-distribution">A deeper look at body fat distribution</h2>



While prior studies have linked high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weight-and-bmi-do-not-accurately-reflect-a-persons-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMI</a> to brain health, this research is unique in distinguishing the effects of visceral fat from other types of body fat.



“This study goes beyond using BMI to characterize body fat more accurately with MRI and, in so doing, reveals key insights about why obesity can increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease,” Dolatshahi said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obesity-and-brain-blood-flow">Obesity and brain blood flow</h2>



In a related study also presented at RSNA 2024, the team explored how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-obesity-rates-are-surging-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a> and visceral fat affect brain blood flow. Using MRI scans, researchers compared cerebral blood flow in individuals with high versus low visceral and subcutaneous fat. Those with high visceral fat exhibited reduced blood flow throughout the brain, while subcutaneous fat showed no significant impact.



“This work will have a considerable impact on public health because nearly three out of four Americans are overweight or obese,” said Raji.



‘Knowing that visceral obesity negatively affects the brain opens up the possibility that treatment with lifestyle modifications or appropriate weight-loss drugs could improve cerebral blood flow and potentially lower the burden of and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.”



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Hidden body fat predicts Alzheimer’s 20 years before symptoms

Researchers have uncovered a connection between a specific type of...

In a comprehensive 30-year study of American adults, researchers found that individuals who consumed the highest ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein had a 19% lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a 27% lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) compared to those with the lowest ratio.



The findings suggest that a plant-to-animal protein ratio of at least 1:2 is effective in preventing CVD, while an even higher ratio of 1:1.3 may be necessary to protect against CHD. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-protein-and-heart-health">Plant protein and heart health</h2>



The research is the first of its kind to investigate how the specific ratio of plant to animal protein impacts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-fruits-and-vegetables-improve-heart-health/">heart health</a>.



Study lead author Andrea Glenn conducted the research as a postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a> and is now an assistant professor at <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a>.



“The average American eats a 1:3 plant to animal protein ratio. Our findings suggest a ratio of at least 1:2 is much more effective in preventing CVD. For CHD prevention, a ratio of 1:1.3 or higher should come from plants,” said Glenn.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-decades-of-data">Three decades of data</h2>



The researchers analyzed 30 years of dietary, lifestyle, and heart health data from nearly 203,000 men and women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Studies I and II and the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study.&nbsp;



Participants reported their dietary intake every four years. The team calculated each participant’s total daily protein intake in grams, as well as their specific consumption of animal and plant proteins. 



During the study period, there were 16,118 documented cases of CVD, including over 10,000 CHD cases and more than 6,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-blood-type-determine-your-stroke-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stroke</a> cases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risk-reduction-with-plant-proteins">Risk reduction with plant proteins</h2>



After adjusting for participants’ health history, demographic, and lifestyle factors, the study found that a higher ratio of plant to animal protein was associated with lower risks of CVD and CHD.&nbsp;



Compared to those who consumed the lowest plant-to-animal protein ratio (~1:4.2), individuals with the highest ratio (~1:1.3) experienced a 19% reduction in CVD risk and a 27% reduction in CHD risk.&nbsp;



These benefits were even greater among participants who consumed more protein overall. Those who obtained 21% of their energy from protein and maintained a higher plant-to-animal protein ratio saw a 28% lower risk of CVD and a 36% lower risk of CHD, compared to those consuming 16% of their energy from protein.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-substituting-meat-with-plant-based-sources-nbsp">Substituting meat with plant-based sources&nbsp;</h2>



No significant associations were found between stroke risk and the protein ratio; however, substituting red and processed meats with plant-based sources like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-nuts-every-day-does-not-cause-weight-gain-but-it-does-improve-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nuts</a> was linked to a reduced risk of stroke.



The researchers explored whether there is a point where increasing plant protein intake no longer provides additional benefits or could have negative effects.&nbsp;



They found that the risk reduction for CVD begins to level off around a 1:2 ratio of plant to animal protein, but the risk of CHD continues to decrease at higher ratios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dietary-changes-for-heart-health-nbsp">Dietary changes for heart health&nbsp;</h2>



According to the researchers, these risk reductions are likely due to replacing red and processed meats with plant protein sources, especially nuts and legumes.&nbsp;



Such dietary changes have been shown to improve cardiometabolic risk factors like blood lipid levels, blood pressure, and inflammatory biomarkers. Plant proteins are often rich in fiber, antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, which contribute to these benefits.



“Most of us need to begin shifting our diets toward plant-based proteins,” said senior author Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at Harvard Chan School.&nbsp;



“We can do so by cutting down on meat, especially red and processed meats, and eating more legumes and nuts. Such a dietary pattern is beneficial not just for human health but also the health of our planet.”



The researchers emphasized that the ratios identified are estimates, and additional studies are necessary to determine the optimal balance between plant and animal protein. Further research is also needed to understand how protein intake may affect stroke risk.



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.09.006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Clinical Nutrition</a>.



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Eating more plant protein lowers the risk of heart disease 

In a comprehensive 30-year study of American adults, researchers found...

Let's accept it - we humans gravitate towards rhythm. It's in our DNA - quite literally. Recent studies suggest a fascinating link between human language, music, and our genes.



This finding suggests that these two abilities might have evolved together. The research used genetic data from 23andMe to explore the relationship. 



The study shines a light on how rhythm and language may share a genetic and neuronal foundation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-puzzle-of-music-and-language">Puzzle of music and language</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-can-boost-brainpower-and-productivity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Music</a> and language have long puzzled researchers, including Charles Darwin. In his later years, Darwin reflected on the mystery of music, questioning its role in human survival. 



"As neither the enjoyment nor the capacity of producing musical notes are faculties of the least use to man in reference to his daily habits of life, they must be ranked amongst the most mysterious with which he is endowed," Darwin famously wrote. 



This study, conducted by the <a href="https://www.mpi.nl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics</a> in the Netherlands, takes us closer to understanding the deep evolutionary roots of these abilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-role-of-music">Evolutionary role of music</h2>



Anthropologists propose that music evolved to serve social functions. It likely helped promote group cohesion through shared emotional experiences. 



The rhythmic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/play-any-kind-of-music-to-make-art-an-emotional-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melodic elements of music</a> may have synchronized group activities, like rituals or communal work. This synchronization could enhance unity and collective effort.



Another theory, supported by Darwin, suggests a connection between music and sexual selection. 



Darwin compared humans to songbirds, noting that musical skill might help individuals attract mates. Those who mastered melody and rhythm could have had reproductive advantages. 



While compelling, these theories lacked clarity about the genetic underpinnings of music and language.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-data-on-rhythm-and-language">Genetic data on rhythm and language</h2>



To investigate the genetic basis of rhythm and language, researchers analyzed data from 23andMe. 



They examined how genetic traits associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/live-music-evokes-stronger-emotions-than-streamed-music/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rhythm</a> correlated with linguistic abilities. The study found that people with strong rhythmic skills often excelled in language-related tasks.



One significant finding was the overlap between rhythm and language abilities and white matter structures in the brain. These structures include the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF-I), which regulates physical movement. 



This overlap supports the idea of a shared genetic and neuronal architecture for rhythm and language.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rhythm-dyslexia-and-genetics">Rhythm, dyslexia, and genetics</h2>



The study revealed an intriguing link between rhythm impairment and dyslexia - a condition that affects reading, writing, and spelling.



The researchers identified a connection between these traits and the gene PPP2R3A. This gene plays a role in processes such as cell growth and division. The association provides new insights into the neurological and genetic roots of rhythm-related impairments.



The findings suggest that difficulties with rhythm might contribute to broader language challenges. Understanding this relationship could pave the way for new approaches to managing conditions like dyslexia.



It also emphasizes how deeply intertwined rhythm and language are, both genetically and neurologically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shared-architecture-rhythm-and-language">Shared architecture: Rhythm and language</h2>



The concept of a shared genetic and neuronal architecture challenges traditional views of rhythm and language as separate abilities. 



Instead, it positions them as interconnected traits with overlapping biological foundations. The brain’s white matter structures appear to play a key role in linking these abilities.



This connection also raises questions about how these traits co-evolved. Did language development drive the evolution of rhythm, or was it the other way around? 



While the study does not answer this question definitively, it highlights the need for further exploration.



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



Music and language are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/song-melodies-have-become-much-simpler-since-1950/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fundamental to human culture</a> and communication. Understanding their genetic links offers insights into human evolution. 



Language enabled complex social structures and advanced communication. Music, with its rhythmic and melodic elements, likely complemented this by enhancing social bonds and cooperation.



The study suggests that these abilities evolved together, shaping the human experience. It also underscores the importance of music in human history. While often overlooked, music may have been as crucial as language in driving human development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-rhythm-and-language">Future research on rhythm and language</h2>



This research marks an important step in understanding the genetic basis of rhythm and language. 



By exploring their shared architecture, it provides new insights into their co-evolution. It also opens doors to new approaches in addressing language-related challenges like dyslexia.



As researchers continue to reveal these connections, they will deepen our understanding of what makes us human. 



Music and language are not just cultural artifacts - they are deeply embedded in our biology. This study reminds us of their intertwined roles in shaping human identity.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02051-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Human Behaviour</a>.



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Language and musical rhythm may have evolved together

Let's accept it - we humans gravitate towards rhythm. It's...

Our understanding of the human genetic code may need a serious update. A global consortium of researchers has confirmed that our genomes contain tens of thousands of "dark" genes.



These hidden sequences in our DNA can code for tiny proteins, some of which play roles in critical processes such as cancer and immunology. This discovery reshapes our view of the genome's complexity.



The research was led by Eric Deutsch, a proteomicist at the Institute of Systems Biology. The findings highlight gaps in the Human Genome Project’s records from 20 years ago and focus attention on the need for ongoing genomic exploration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revisiting-the-human-genome-project">Revisiting the Human Genome Project</h2>



The Human Genome Project provided the first complete sequence of the human genome. However, it left many questions unanswered. 



Early estimates suggested the genome might contain more genes than initially discovered. Advances in technology now reveal that some of these missing elements were overlooked due to their subtle nature.



These "dark" genes reside in regions previously labeled as "junk <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-secret-code-called-spatial-grammar-may-rewrite-genetics-textbooks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a>." Scientists dismissed these areas as non-functional, but they are now proving to hold essential instructions.



Short DNA sequences, known as non-canonical open reading frames (ncORFs), initiate the coding for small proteins. These sequences often went undetected because they lack the long codes typically used to identify genes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-non-canonical-genes">What are non-canonical genes?</h2>



Non-canonical genes differ from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/selfish-dna-transposons-control-early-human-development-not-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conventional genes</a>. Their shorter start sequences make them harder to identify. Despite this, they function similarly as templates for making RNA, which is then used to produce proteins.



Some of these proteins consist of only a few amino acids. Intriguingly, hundreds of such tiny proteins have been found in cancer cells.



The researchers identified these ncORFs by analyzing data from over 95,000 experiments. These studies used mass spectrometry to detect protein fragments and cataloged snippets recognized by our immune systems.



Such methods revealed the presence of previously unknown <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gene-regulation-controlling-cells-to-improve-medical-treatments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic codes</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biomedical-relevance-of-dark-genes">Biomedical relevance of dark genes</h2>



The newly identified ncORFs could have significant implications in medicine.



"We believe the identification of these newly-confirmed ncORF proteins is immensely important," noted the researchers.



"Their proteins may have direct biomedical relevance, which is manifested in the growing interest in targeting such cryptic peptides with cancer immunotherapy, including cellular therapies and therapeutic vaccines."



Some of the genes that encode these proteins are transposons. These are sequences that move within the genome, sometimes originating from viral DNA.



Other genes may produce aberrant proteins, appearing only in specific conditions, such as in cancer samples. These proteins might not naturally belong in the human body, which adds complexity to their study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-genetic-library">Expanding the genetic library</h2>



Out of 7,264 sets of non-canonical genes identified, the researchers confirmed that at least a quarter produce proteins. 



This adds over 3,000 new peptide-coding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-transfer-longevity-gene-hoping-to-extend-human-lifespan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genes</a> to the human genome. However, the team believes there are tens of thousands yet to be discovered. 



Previous techniques lacked the sensitivity to detect these genes. Their discovery opens new avenues in biomedical research.



"We might have a whole new class of drug targets for patients," said John Prensner, a neurooncologist at the University of Michigan. 



The tools developed during this research will allow other scientists to uncover even more hidden genes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-dark-genes">Future research on dark genes</h2>



The ongoing discovery of dark genes highlights the dynamic nature of genomic research. These findings remind us that understanding the human genome remains a work in progress. Advances in technology and continued exploration will likely reveal further complexities.



The study’s insights into non-canonical genes offer exciting prospects for understanding disease mechanisms. They also open possibilities for developing targeted therapies. 



As scientists continue to explore this dark genetic matter, our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-gene-families-pangenome-influence-called-revolutionary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">knowledge of human biology</a> will deepen, potentially transforming avenues of medicine.



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



The discovery of dark genes highlights the vast complexity of the human genome. These hidden sequences not only expand our genetic library but also provide new opportunities for medical advancements. 



With the development of new tools and techniques, researchers are uncovering the untapped potential of these genes. 



The journey to fully understand our genetic blueprint has only just begun, and promises a future rich with discovery and innovation.



The study is published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.09.612016" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioRxiv</a>. 



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Tens of thousands of hidden 'dark genes' discovered in humans

Our understanding of the human genetic code may need a...

Is it possible to combat climate change and feed a growing population using the land resources we have?



The ideal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C will involve a mammoth task. To make this happen, we need not just dramatic reductions in humanity's greenhouse gas emissions but also a careful reconsideration of how we use our land.



This approach would allow us to control climate change while ensuring that enough land is retained to feed the world and maintain ecological health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fight-for-1-5-c">The fight for 1.5°C</h2>



Our planet's landscapes have an expanding responsibility in the war against climate change. Their task is two-fold: drawing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> out of the atmosphere and generating clean energy.



Strategies for removing carbon dioxide include afforestation/reforestation, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and direct air capture. 



Clean energy like wind and solar power, along with sustainable bioenergy cultivation, are just some of the potential sustainable uses of land.



But as we reallocate more land to combat climate change, we must also think of long-term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/potassium-depletion-in-agricultural-soils-threatens-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food security</a> and the well-being of our ecosystems.



The trade-offs in these climate mitigation strategies are often complex, in terms of both their costs and benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-use-options-to-tackle-climate-change">Land use options to tackle climate change</h2>



A new study stands at the forefront of this conversation. Researchers from the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a> Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy (CS3) have used the Integrated Global System Modeling (IGSM) framework to analyze the cost-effectiveness and potential of different land-based climate mitigation options.



In this analysis, the researchers have used Sky2050, a climate-stabilization scenario developed by Shell, to calculate the growing demand for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioenergy-can-slow-climate-change-but-the-window-is-closing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioenergy</a> and natural carbon sinks, as well as the need for sustainable farming and food production.



By using the global hectare (gha) as the standard unit of measurement (one gha equals 10,000 square meters), they've examined whether there's enough land to balance these competing needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transformative-changes-in-policy">Transformative changes in policy</h2>



The results offer a glimmer of hope. The experts found that with transformative changes in policy, land management practices, and consumption patterns, our planet has enough land to meet its needs sustainably.



Furthermore, these changes could help reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-plans-to-eliminate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-power-plants-by-2040/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a>, thus aligning with the 1.5°C goal.



The strategies mentioned include stopping deforestation, accelerating reforestation and afforestation, promoting advances in sustainable agriculture technology and practice, reducing agricultural and food waste, and incentivizing consumers to opt for sustainably produced goods.



The CS3 study suggests that if these changes are implemented, 2.5–3.5 gha of land could be used to capture 3–6 gigatons (Gt) of CO2 per year as part of nature-based solutions, while 0.4–0.6 gha could be used for energy production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeding-the-world-in-a-hotter-climate">Feeding the world in a hotter climate </h2>



CS3 Principal Research Scientist Angelo Gurgel, the study's lead author, reassures us that there is enough land to support a 1.5°C future as long as effective policies at national and global levels are in place. 



Gurgel emphasizes that these policies must promote efficient use of land for food, energy, and nature, and that long-term commitments are needed from government and industry decision-makers.



While combating climate change and feeding the world simultaneously is a monumental challenge, it's not an impossible task. 



By making sustainable and transformative changes, maintaining an effective balance between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/increasing-plant-based-food-production-would-have-extremely-positive-impact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food production</a> and climate action may be within our reach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-consumer-behavior">The role of consumer behavior </h2>



Consumer behavior is as important for the optimization of land use in the face of policy and technological advancement.



Individual diet choices, consumption patterns, and waste management practices all shape demand for agricultural land and associated greenhouse gas emissions.



Transitioning to plant-based diets, for instance, can reduce the land required for livestock farming. This would free up space for afforestation and renewable energy production.



Moreover, reducing food waste at both household and industrial levels can alleviate the pressure on agricultural systems, allowing for a more sustainable allocation of resources.



Education and awareness campaigns that&nbsp;will&nbsp;encourage consumers to&nbsp;choose&nbsp;products&nbsp;produced with sustainability in mind can&nbsp;increase&nbsp;demand for responsible land management practices.



The societal influence that creates a shift towards more environmentally friendly consumption will enhance the efficacy of land-based climate mitigation strategies to ensure a future where climate stability and food security are intertwined.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1393327/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Environmental Science</a>.



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Transformative action needed to feed the world in a warmer climate

Is it possible to combat climate change and feed a...

In a world where the mysteries of early mankind continue to captivate us, a team of researchers has unveiled a fascinating connection between prehistoric rock art and acoustics, hinting towards a purposeful selection of sites for their sound-reflecting properties. 



This intriguing connection could offer insights into our ancestors' perceptions and how they interacted with their environment.



The investigation into this peculiar aspect of prehistoric rock paintings began at the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Helsinki</a>, where an enthralling project took place. 



Researchers posed the following question: were rock painting sites randomly selected, or did they have certain unique attributes that appealed to our ancestors? They found the answer in an unexpected form - sound.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-symphony-carved-in-stone">A symphony carved in stone</h2>



Testing a wide range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-cave-painting-discovered-in-indonesia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rock painting</a> sites, the team performed acoustic impulse response measurements in front of 37 such locations.



The researchers discovered that the same vertical rock surfaces showcasing the painted elk, humans, and boats were also excellent sound reflectors. Their findings, which were indeed unusual, were published in the journal Sound Studies.



It seems that our ancestors' choice of art location - often cliffs adjoining lakes - was also acoustically special.



When the lake levels remained stable, the exceptionally sleek rock surfaces generated distinct single-repeat echoes. These auditory mirror images seem to emanate from behind the rock walls, giving an illusory perception of reality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-sound-of-prehistoric-art">The sound of prehistoric art</h2>



However, jagged lakeshore cliffs and contemporary dwelling sites on the sandy shores of the same water bodies were found to produce much weaker or barely any audible echoes.



Collecting acoustic data required a unique approach. The researchers used a custom-designed recording raft or took measurements during winter from the frozen lake surface.



The data underlined an engrossing fact - the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-age-hunter-gatherers-had-a-very-organized-domestic-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunter-gatherers</a> approaching the rock painting sites by water were entering an extraordinary sensory environment where reality sounded doubled.



"According to the psychoacoustic criterion used, the echoes are so strong that there is no reason to assume that the people in the past did not hear them," said archaeologist Riitta Rainio.



"So, people heard the painted elks talking and the human figures responding with a voice that resembled their own."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rock-paintings-by-the-water">Rock paintings by the water </h2>



Ethnomusicologist Julia Shpinitskaya expressed considerable excitement over the project's outcomes. 



"Although the sounds produced by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-humans-used-ancient-plant-fiber-technology-to-make-tools-39000-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric people</a> are beyond our reach, this study brings out one key feature of the sensory experiences associated with rock paintings by the water - that sound reflections strongly participated in the activities, making the cliffs energetic and active agents," said Shpinitskaya.



The likelihood of communicating reciprocally with the physical environment or more-than-human reality might have been a vital reason why these cliffs were visited and decorated by ancient artists, and why offerings were left in them.



Offering a new perspective on the history of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-humans-used-conch-shell-sounds-to-organize-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sound</a> and music, this study illuminates how meaningful sound reflections could have been in past societies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prehistoric-art-and-the-human-sound-connection">Prehistoric art and the human-sound connection</h2>



The discovery of the connection between acoustics and prehistoric art offers a fascinating glimpse into the ways in which early humans perceived and interacted with their environment.



For ancient hunter-gatherer societies, these sound-reflecting cliffs may have been more than just visually compelling canvases - they were vibrant, multisensory spaces that resonated with cultural and spiritual significance.



The interplay of visual artistry and acoustic phenomena suggests that prehistoric art was not merely decorative but deeply integrated into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-study-sheds-light-on-neolithic-rituals-involving-human-bones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rituals</a>, myths, and practices of early communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evoking-a-sense-of-the-supernatural">Evoking a sense of the supernatural</h2>



By painting these vertical rock faces, early humans could have been creating a space where art and sound merged to evoke a sense of the supernatural. 



The echoes may have amplified the artistic expressions, creating a dynamic experience where the visual representations of animals and humans seemed to come alive through sound.



This synthesis of visual and auditory stimuli potentially played a critical role in shaping the people's understanding of the world and their place within it, making prehistoric art a profound reflection of their sensory and cultural landscape.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20551940.2024.2419293" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sound Studies</a>.



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Acoustic echoes may have inspired prehistoric rock art

In a world where the mysteries of early mankind continue...

Long COVID is the lingering aftermath of infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is estimated that millions of adults, in the U.S. alone, have suffered from this condition. 



What is it about this virus that takes such a toll on the human body and, more specifically, the brain?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-revolutionary-exploration-of-long-covid">A revolutionary exploration of long COVID</h2>



A team of experts from <a href="https://www.helmholtz-munich.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helmholtz Munich</a> and <a href="https://www.lmu.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität</a> (LMU) explored this medical mystery in depth. They unearthed an intriguing factor - the notorious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sars-cov-2-can-survive-on-frozen-meat-for-up-to-a-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SARS-CoV-2</a> spike protein may be guilty of causing persistent brain effects.



These lingering proteins nestle within our brain's protective membranes - the meninges - and the bone marrow within our skulls for up to four years post-infection.



Just like a squatter in an abandoned house, these proteins become unwelcome residents, causing chronic inflammation and amplifying the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-grounds-could-help-prevent-neurodegenerative-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurodegenerative diseases</a>.



The research team also pointed out promising news. It seems that mRNA <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-vaccine-misconceptions-are-spreading-rapidly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 vaccines</a> reduce the accumulation of this protein in the brain.



Despite this, the stubborn persistence of spike proteins offers a potential hotspot for future therapeutic strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-impact-of-the-spike-protein">The impact of the spike protein</h2>



So, how does this dreaded spike protein invade our brain? An advanced, AI-powered, imaging technique forms the backbone of the researchers' answer to this question. 



The breakthrough method transforms organs and tissue samples into transparent structures. It's like having a clear blueprint of a complex building, that allows a three-dimensional view of cellular structures, metabolites and, in this case, viral proteins. 



The research revealed unexpected deposits of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-covid-variant-has-30-mutations-on-the-spike-protein/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spike protein</a> in tissue samples from patients and mice.



Strikingly, there was an influx of this protein in the bone marrow of the skull and meninges, even years after infection. 



These proteins attach themselves to ACE2 receptors, which are particularly prevalent in these regions.



"This may make these tissues especially vulnerable to the long-term accumulation of spike protein," noted study lead author Dr. Zhouyi Rong.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spike-protein-and-long-covid-impacts">Spike protein and long COVID impacts</h2>



Study co-author Professor Ertürk is a researcher at the Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (iTERM), at Helmholtz Munich.



"Our data also suggest that persistent spike protein at the brain's borders may contribute to the long-term neurological effects of COVID-19 and long COVID," said Professor Ertürk.



"This includes accelerated brain aging, potentially leading to a loss of five to ten years of healthy brain function in affected individuals."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vaccines-and-their-role">Vaccines and their role</h2>



We know that vaccines offer a protective shield against the virus. But how do they stand against this protein accumulation? 



The research team discovered that the BioNTech/Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine puts a significant hurdle in the pathway of spike protein accumulation in the brain. 



The hitch? Even though there was a reduction in the spike protein levels, about 50% of it still remained. These leftovers continue to pose a toxic risk to the brain. Nevertheless, the team remains optimistic. 



"This reduction is an important step. Our results, while derived from mouse models and only partially transferable to humans, point to the need for additional therapies and interventions to fully address the long-term burdens caused by SARS-CoV-2 infections," said Professor Ertürk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-societal-challenge-of-long-covid">Societal challenge of long COVID</h2>



Long COVID isn't only a personal health issue affecting individuals. About 50 to 60% of the world's population has battled with COVID-19, and a significant chunk have experienced long COVID - adding up to roughly 400 million individuals.



"This is not just an individual health issue - it is a societal challenge. Our study shows that mRNA vaccines significantly reduce the risk of long-term neurological consequences and offer crucial protection," said Professor Ertürk.



"However, infections can still occur post-vaccination, leading to persistent spike proteins in the body. These can result in chronic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-impacts-the-brain-through-inflammation-not-infection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain inflammation</a> and an increased risk of strokes and other brain injuries, which could have substantial implications for global public health and health care systems worldwide."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancements-in-diagnosis-and-treatment">Advancements in diagnosis and treatment</h2>



The silver lining to this research is that it points to promising new avenues for diagnosing and treating these long-term neurological impacts of COVID-19.



Unlike brain tissue, the areas prone to spike protein accumulation - the bone marrow of the skull, along with the meninges - are easier to access for medical examinations.



Combined with protein panels - tests designed to detect specific proteins in tissue samples - this could allow for the early detection of spike proteins or inflammatory markers in blood plasma or cerebrospinal fluid.



"Such markers are critical for the early diagnosis of COVID-19-related neurological complications," said Professor Ertürk.



"Additionally, characterizing these proteins may support the development of targeted therapies and biomarkers to better treat or even prevent neurological impairments caused by COVID-19."



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1931312824004384" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Host &amp; Microbe</a>.



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Long COVID: Persistent spike proteins accumulate in the brain

Long COVID is the lingering aftermath of infection by the...

Have you ever wondered where your banana peel goes after you casually toss it in the trash? Turns out, it might be missing out on an exciting second life as banana peel flour, which can be transformed into a scrumptious, nutritious snack.



In a recent study, scientists discovered an intriguing possibility. They showed that by blanching, drying, and grinding banana peels into a flour, the unused part of your banana could be reborn as a delicious addition to baked goods.



And it tastes just as good, if not better than wheat-based products.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-the-snacks">Science behind the snacks</h2>



The results of the simple experiment were compelling. Sugar cookies made using the peel flour were taste-tested by consumers who reported that they enjoyed the products as much as they enjoyed peel-free sugar cookies.



The individual were also getting a package deal of flavors packed with a generous helping of minerals and cancer-fighting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-food-day-fighting-global-hunger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrients</a>.



When enriched with banana peels, the sugar cookies baked in the study showed higher levels of fiber, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidant compounds. 



On the flip side, too much banana peel flour did result in somewhat brown and hard cookies, probably due to the extra fiber present in the banana peels. 



However, a balance was found when flour containing 7.5 percent banana peel was used: this combination produced an appealing texture.



Plus, there's another benefit. The goods made with banana peel flour showed no signs of spoilage, even after being kept on the shelf at room temperature for three months.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-banana-peel-flour-beyond-cookies">Banana peel flour beyond cookies</h2>



While this particular study focused on sugar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/larger-snack-sizes-lead-to-quicker-eating-and-bigger-bites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cookies</a>, the findings hint at a broader potential. 



Using banana peel flour in breads, cakes, and even pasta, could be the next step. In fact, a study from last year revealed that banana peels can provide a natural food color to cakes while boosting their nutritional value.



Food writers have been using banana peels in curry dishes, while vegan bloggers have gotten creative with ideas like banana peel bacon and pulled peel "pork."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutritional-and-environmental-value">Nutritional and environmental value</h2>



Banana peel flour has more surprises in store. A <a href="https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82432213.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2016 study</a> found that substituting up to 10 percent of wheat flour with banana peel flour enriched baked bread with greater protein, carbohydrate, and fat content.



Furthermore, it may be important to note that 40 percent of a banana's weight is in its peel. Unfortunately, we discard most of this nutritional treasure.



Interestingly, turning banana peels into flour isn't just about health and taste. It also brings forth a sustainable solution to the ever-growing problem of food waste.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-in-the-peels-of-other-fruits">Potential in the peels of other fruits</h2>



The trend of converting peels to flour isn't limited to bananas. 



The study found similar potential in the skin of other fruits, such as mangoes and oranges. Using their skins can boost a cake's antioxidant properties and improve its flavor profile. 



Moreover, did you know that orange peels can be repurposed in various ways? From adding zest to recipes to making natural cleansers, orange peels are versatile and sustainable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-banana-peels">Benefits of banana peels</h2>



As discussed, banana peels are mighty health warriors in disguise. They are rich in vitamins like B6 and B12, which improve energy levels, brain health, and red blood cell production. 



Their high potassium and magnesium content is a boon for heart health, muscle function, and blood pressure.



The peels are also full of fiber, which aids digestion, promotes a healthy gut, and prevents constipation. Their exceptional antioxidant content combats oxidative stress, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals.



Moreover, these antioxidants may also have anti-inflammatory effects and thus may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Making the most of your banana</h2>



The study was led by researchers from Aligarh Muslim University (<a href="https://www.amu.ac.in" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AMU</a>). It teaches us to consider potential uses of what we would ordinarily just throw away. 



Turning a part of your fruit that's not eaten into something beneficial like banana peel flour is a brilliant idea.



This is not just a way to keep your meals flavorful; banana peel flour also adds a healthful spin to your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smart-snacking-quality-and-timing-make-all-the-difference/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a>. So the next time you peel a banana, think twice before you toss the skin away.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.2c00159">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.



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Using this banana peel ingredient in foods adds cancer-fighting nutrients

Have you ever wondered where your banana peel goes after...

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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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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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 



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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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...