Ever been on horseback, feeling the power of the creature below you and the wind in your hair? Of course, it's a bit hard on the body. But did you ever consider that horseback riding might have the power to change the shape of your skeleton?



It's a complex topic, but researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder are diving in headfirst. Their new study draws from a rich evidence - from modern medical studies of horse riders to records of human remains spanning millennia.



What they've found is that, yes, horseback riding can indeed leave traces on our skeletons, subtly changing the shape of our hip joints. But that doesn't mean you can point to a skeleton and definitively say, "Ah, a horse rider!"



We sit for long periods, we engage in various physical activities - all of which can also transform our bones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-horseback-riding">Impact of horseback riding</h2>



This bone-altering revelation comes from Lauren Hosek, an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a>, and the lead author of the study. 



"In archaeology, there are vanishingly few instances in which we can tie a particular activity unequivocally to skeletal changes," said Professor Hosek. 



So, what relevance does this hold? Well, for one, these findings might have major implications for those studying the origins of domesticated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-horse-protection-day-respecting-the-needs-and-rights-of-horses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">horses</a>. 



In addition, the research is casting some serious doubt on an archaeology theory that's been standing tall for quite a while - the Kurgan hypothesis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-relationships-between-humans-and-horses">Relationships between humans and horses</h2>



According to study co-author William Taylor, curator of archaeology at the CU <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/resources/museum-natural-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Museum of Natural History</a>, this research is smack dab in the middle of one of archaeology's oldest debates.



The earliest undeniable evidence of humans using horses for transport comes from the region around Russia's Ural Mountains, where scientists have found horses, bridles, and chariots dating back to around 4,000 years ago.



But here comes the Kurgan hypothesis, saying, "Hold your horses!" This theory, originating in the early 20th century, posits that the close relationship between humans and horses started much earlier. 



It suggests that around the fourth millennium B.C., the Yamnaya people living near the Black Sea were the first to gallop on horses across Eurasia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-impacts-of-horseback-riding">Cultural impacts of horseback riding</h2>



A popular belief is that these early horse riders may have spread early versions of languages that eventually evolved into English, French, and other languages.



“For decades, there’s been this idea that the distribution of Indo-European languages is, in some way, related to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/horse-miscarriages-offer-insights-into-human-pregnancy-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">domestication of the horse</a>,” said Taylor.



It has also been suggested that human remains from the Yamnaya culture, dating back to about 3500 B.C., show evidence of wear and tear from horse riding - which supports the Kurgan hypothesis.



But Hosek and Taylor are here to reign in the speculation. They argue that it's not so straightforward.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-skeletal-changes">Complexity of skeletal changes</h2>



Professor Hosek has spent countless hours scrutinizing human bones to glean lessons about the past. She explains that the skeleton isn't fixed in place, but can change shape throughout an individual's lifetime.



Think about it: you pull a muscle, and where that muscle attaches to the bone, a reaction can occur, making the bone more porous or forming raised ridges. But interpreting these clues is a murky business at best.



For instance, let's talk about the hip joint. When you flex your legs at the hip for long periods - like during an extended horse ride - the hip joint's ball and socket may rub together along one edge.



Over time, this rubbing can cause the hip bone's socket to become more oval. But numerous other activities can result in the same elongation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternatives-to-horseback-riding">Alternatives to horseback riding</h2>



As it happens, humans used cattle, donkeys, and even wild asses for transport in certain areas of western Asia centuries before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/horses-demonstrate-an-unanticipated-level-of-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">horse</a> taming began. 



These ancient people likely attached these animals to carts or even smaller two-wheeled vehicles much like a chariot.



“This repetitive, intense pressure from that kind of jostling in a flexed position could cause skeletal changes,” said Professor Hosek. She has seen similar changes in the skeletons of 20th-century Catholic nuns, who despite never riding horses, took long carriage rides across the American West.



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



In the end, Hosek and Taylor believe that human remains alone can't provide an exact date for when people started horseback riding - not with the current scientific tools anyway.



“Human skeletons alone are not going to be enough evidence,” said Hosek. “We need to couple that data with evidence coming out of genetics and archaeology and by looking at horse remains, too.”



As for the Kurgan hypothesis, Taylor claims that from their research, "none of these lines of evidence suggest that the Yamnaya people had domestic horses.” 



So, next time you go for a horse ride, remember: you're participating in an activity that's been shaping human history - and our very bones - for millennia. And who knows what scholars will uncover next in this fascinating field?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ado9774" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Horseback riding changes our skeleton, especially the hip joints

Ever been on horseback, feeling the power of the creature below you and the wind in your hair? Of course, it's a bit hard on the body. But did you ever consider that horseback riding might have the power to change the shape of your skeleton? It's a complex topic, but researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder are diving in headfirst. Their new study draws from a rich evidence - from modern medical studies of horse riders to records of human remains spanning millennia. What they've...

A new study published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1236256" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Sports and Active Living</a> sheds light on the way swimming lessons are taught to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-green-space-linked-to-adhd-in-children/">children</a>, suggesting there's significant room for improvement to enhance children’s intrinsic motivation to swim.&nbsp;



The research was led by Carola Minkels, a doctoral student in the Department of Human Movement Sciences at Free University Amsterdam.&nbsp;



“Here we show that swimming lessons in the Netherlands poorly support the intrinsic motivation of children: their need for autonomy is thwarted, while their needs for competence, and relatedness are only weakly supported," said Minkels.



“Fortunately, we also show that teachers can be taught to better support these needs if they adopt a swim teaching program explicitly designed for this.”



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



While swimming is not just a potentially life-saving skill but also a means of a full-body workout promoting cardiovascular and lung health, it has been observed that few children continue with swimming after learning the basics in high-income countries.&nbsp;



In the Netherlands, for example, while a significant percentage of children earn their basic and advanced swimming diplomas, 70% of swimming teachers believe their former students seldom swim post-certification, leading to potential deterioration in their acquired skills.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-swimming-lessons">Swimming lessons</h2>



"Regularly recurring practice is necessary to preserve swimming skills, and to master swimming in more challenging environments, such as strong currents and waves," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"Since most children in Western countries acquire swimming skills during swimming lessons, these lessons also offer an ideal opportunity to stimulate children to adopt swimming as a sporting activity, be it at a swimming club or in unorganized form."&nbsp;



"To this end, swimming lessons should be focused not only on the acquisition of swimming skills to become water safe, but also on developing motivation for and pleasure in swimming."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-self-determination-theory-nbsp">Self-determination theory&nbsp;</h2>



Minkels and her colleagues based their research on the self-determination theory of human motivation and personality, which asserts that individuals are more likely to enjoy and persist in activities when they are self-motivated.&nbsp;



This theory proposes that autonomy (the need to control one’s actions and goals), competence (the need to feel effective in one’s behavior), and relatedness (the need to belong to a social group) are critical factors shaping self-determination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted</h2>



The researchers observed 128 swimming lessons at 42 schools, taught by different instructors. Of these, 25% of instructors were trained in the EasySwim program, designed with self-determination theory in mind, whereas the remaining 75% were not.&nbsp;



The lessons varied in duration and size but were all aimed at novice swimmers between the ages of four and ten. Following each lesson, the instructors were rated on a seven-point scale regarding their support or thwarting of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The findings revealed that while competence and relatedness were somewhat supported, autonomy was significantly lacking in the teaching styles observed.&nbsp;



“Instructors scored significantly lower on the employment of autonomy in swimming lessons than on the employment of competence and relatedness,” the authors noted. 



However, instructors trained under the EasySwim program displayed higher scores in supporting autonomy, indicating that it’s possible to teach instructors to nurture all three critical needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



The experts recommend a shift in the teaching style employed by swimming instructors, advocating for an approach that strongly supports autonomy, competence, and relatedness. 



They believe that this teaching style will not only improve swimming skills in children but will also inspire them to enjoy swimming and continue practicing the sport long after their formal education ends.&nbsp;



“Motivation is a prerequisite for all forms of learning, including motor learning. A more motivating teaching style is therefore more likely to improve the swimming capability of children," said Minkels.



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Swimming lessons fail to promote pleasure and motivation in kids

A new study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active...

People are often learning from those around them without even being aware of it. Such social learning through imitation eliminates the need to start from scratch, ensuring progress is not repeatedly reset to zero.&nbsp;



But what is the origin of this intrinsic skill that underpins cultural learning and, by extension, humanity’s evolutionary trajectory?&nbsp;



A new study led by the Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) has recently found that this unique ability has its roots in early infancy.



“Children acquire their ability to imitate because they themselves are imitated by their caregivers,” said senior author Markus Paulus, the chair of the Developmental Psychology and Educational Psychology Department at LMU.



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



The experts examined the interactions between several pairs of mothers and children over an extended period of time. The research sessions commenced when the infants were six months old and concluded at 18 months.&nbsp;



Through a range of playful interactions, the researchers investigated the imitation patterns observed in these dyads.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reciprocal-imitation-nbsp">Reciprocal imitation&nbsp;</h2>



The analyses revealed a clear correlation: the more a mother sensitively interacted and imitated her six-month-old, the more proficient that child became at imitating others by 18 months.



This reciprocal imitation, apparent between parents and their children, acts as a communicative bridge. Caregivers often mirror the cues provided by their children, enhancing and amplifying them in the process, which leads to a shared imitation of movements and expressions.&nbsp;



“These experiences create connections between what the child feels and does on the one hand and what it sees on the other. Associations are formed. The child’s visual experience is connected to its own motor activity,” Paulus explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skill-acquisition-nbsp">Skill acquisition&nbsp;</h2>



Imitation plays a pivotal role in children’s skill acquisition journey – from object handling to cultural norms like hand gestures and even language acquisition.&nbsp;



“Children are incredible imitators. Mimicry paves the way to their further development. Imitation is the start of the cultural process toward becoming human,” Paulus said.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-imitation-is-learned-nbsp">Imitation is learned&nbsp;</h2>



While historically the prevailing belief in psychology was that imitation was an innate skill, this new study provides evidence it is a learned rather than instinctual skill.



These findings suggest that the finesse with which children learn to mimic others is intimately tied to the responsive nature of their caregivers. In this context, sensitivity means the caregiver’s knack for recognizing and responding adeptly and swiftly to the child’s cues.&nbsp;



“The sensitivity of the mother is a predictor of how strongly she imitates her child,” said lead author Samuel Essler, a postdoctoral fellow in Developmental Psychology at LMU.



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



The research also unravels the essence of what makes us inherently social creatures: our unique abilities that are honed through interpersonal interactions. These human traits are largely influenced by the distinctive methods employed in child-rearing.



“By being part of a social interaction culture, in which they are imitated, children learn to learn from others. Over the course of generations and millennia, this interplay has led to the cultural evolution of humans,” Paulus said.&nbsp;



“Through social learning, certain actions or techniques do not have to be constantly invented anew, but there is a cultural transfer of knowledge. Our results show that the ability to imitate, and thus cultural learning, is itself a product of cultural learning, in particular the parent-child interaction,” he concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.084">Current Biology</a>.



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.

Cultural learning begins in infancy during parent-child imitation 

People are often learning from those around them without even...

Individuals diagnosed with cannabis use disorder may have a heightened risk of facing major cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes, according to a new study.



The researchers found that people with cannabis use disorder are at a 60% higher risk of experiencing a major heart-related event compared to individuals who do not misuse the drug.



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



The study was focused on information from five databases, including close to 60,000 cannabis users – half of whom were diagnosed with cannabis use disorder.&nbsp;



The findings indicate a “substantial association between cannabis use disorder and the increased risk of first-time adverse cardiovascular events,” said lead researcher Dr. Anees Bahji, a clinical assistant professor of Psychiatry at the <a href="https://www.ucalgary.ca/safer-substance-use/cannabis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Calgary</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-cardiovascular-risks">Potential cardiovascular risks</h2>



However, he emphasized that the research doesn't necessarily prove that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marijuana-use-reduces-demand-for-prescription-drugs/">marijuana</a> abuse causes heart problems, but indicates a potential higher risk for those diagnosed with cannabis use disorder.



The study further highlights the need for a better understanding of the cardiovascular risks linked to cannabis use disorder. Such risks might have been previously underestimated or ignored.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-cannabis-use-disorder">What is cannabis use disorder?</h2>



Cannabis use disorder is defined as a pattern of marijuana usage that leads to significant distress or impairment.&nbsp;



Symptoms and related behaviors include:



<ul>
<li>Unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control usage</li>



<li>Spending excessive time obtaining or using cannabis</li>



<li>Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not consuming it</li>
</ul>



"The diagnosis of cannabis use disorder depends on meeting specific criteria, and it is not solely based on frequency or quantity of use," said Dr. Bahji. "Individuals can develop this disorder even with relatively infrequent cannabis use if their use leads to significant impairment in their daily life, relationships or overall well-being."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underlying-factors">Underlying factors</h2>



The underlying cause driving the link between elevated heart risk and cannabis use disorder remains unclear.&nbsp;



Dr. Bahji noted that cannabis could affect heart rate, blood pressure, inflammation levels in the body, blood clotting, and the ability of blood vessels to dilate and relax.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-relationship">Complex relationship</h2>



"The relationship between cannabis use and cardiovascular events is complex and may also be influenced by factors such as the method of cannabis consumption, the presence of other co-occurring health conditions, and individual variations in response to cannabis," said Dr. Bahji.&nbsp;



"Further research is needed to better understand these mechanisms and the overall impact on cardiovascular health."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflicting-opinions">Conflicting opinions</h2>



Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care physician and cannabis specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, disagrees with the findings.



"The presence of cannabis use disorder isn't very accurate in helping us to determine anything," said Dr. Grinspoon, noting that individuals with this disorder may have had other medical conditions that they were using the cannabis to treat. This could mean they were less healthy and could explain the higher rates of heart disease."



"There are too many possible variables that could skew the results, so I don't make much of the study or its results. It is more anti-cannabis porn, in my humble opinion," said Dr. Grinspoon.



"That said, if you take too high a dosage of cannabis, it can cause anxiety which, in turn, can trigger an arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat) or possibly a coronary event, so, inpatients with a history of coronary disease, particularly recent, unstable coronary disease, or with a history of arrhythmia, I treat very carefully if at all with medicinal cannabis."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.16337">Addiction</a>.



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Cannabis use disorder linked to increased heart risks

Individuals diagnosed with cannabis use disorder may have a heightened...

A recent study conducted by researchers at <a href="https://www.augusta.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Augusta University</a> reveals that maintaining a consistent sleep routine not only supports overall health but also plays a crucial role in slowing down the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-boost-healthy-aging-during-global-warming/">aging</a> process.



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



Sleep helps in cognitive processes such as thinking, concentrating, and processing information. Adequate sleep aids in improving memory and problem-solving skills.&nbsp;



Furthermore, it plays a pivotal role in mood regulation; insufficient sleep can lead to mood swings and even mental health disorders like depression.



The new research shows that a consistent sleep schedule can help us live a longer, healthier life by slowing down the aging process at a cellular level.



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



The team analyzed the sleep patterns of over 6,000 participants with an average age of 50 using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.&nbsp;



The participants wore sleep trackers for a duration of 4-7 days, providing valuable data on sleep duration, variability, and regularity, as well as information on catch-up sleep and social jet lag.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



Through careful analysis of the participants' blood samples, the researchers estimated their biological ages. These samples indicated signs of various health factors, including liver and kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol levels.&nbsp;



The participants also answered queries related to their lifestyle, including their health, weight, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, and physical activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The study revealed that approximately 65% of participants slept for 7 to 9 hours nightly. In addition, 16% slept under 7 hours, while 19% slept over 9 hours.&nbsp;



On average, the participants' bed time changed by 60 minutes each night, while they got an extra 78 minutes of sleep on the weekend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-age">Biological age</h2>



A significant finding was the correlation between the participants' biological age and their sleep patterns.&nbsp;



Individuals exhibiting substantial differences in bedtime and sleep duration during weekdays and weekends had the highest biological age.&nbsp;



Conversely, those with a flexible sleep schedule were found to have a biological age roughly nine months older than consistent sleepers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications">Study implications</h2>



The researchers suggest that deviations in our internal body clock likely interrupt the core mechanisms that govern biological aging.&nbsp;



The data implies that irregular sleep schedules may accelerate cellular aging, increasing our susceptibility to age-related diseases and even earlier death.



However, the research is in its initial stages, and further studies are needed to explore the&nbsp; relationship between sleep and the body’s internal clock. This could improve our understanding of how sleep influences the rate of biological aging.



"In this study, we found that day-to-day deviations in sleep parameters are independently associated with biological aging in US general population," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Since day-to-day deviation in sleep is a modifiable behavioral factor, our finding suggests that intervention aiming at increasing regularity in sleep patterns may be a novel approach for extending a healthy life span."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-benefits-of-sleep">Health benefits of sleep</h2>



Sleep plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. During sleep, the body works to repair heart and blood vessels, heal damaged tissues, and boost muscle mass.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hormones">Hormones</h3>



Sleep also helps maintain a healthy balance of hormones, including those that regulate stress, growth, and appetite.



Deep sleep triggers the release of hormones that promote normal growth, boost muscle mass, and help repair cells and tissues.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-function">Immune function</h3>



Adequate sleep supports the immune system, aiding in the prevention of common illnesses.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-reduction">Stress reduction</h3>



Sleep reduces stress levels and lowers the production of stress hormones, promoting emotional and mental resilience.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mood-regulation">Mood regulation</h3>



Consistent sleep helps prevent mood swings and decreases the risk of developing disorders like depression and anxiety.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cognitive-functions">Cognitive functions</h3>



Sleep enhances cognitive processes such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and creativity.



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Consistent sleep slows down aging at a cellular level

A recent study conducted by researchers at Augusta University reveals...

Female,Friends,Drinking,Beer,At,Music,Festival

Rising global temperatures may be fueling an unexpected health crisis - an increase in hospital visits due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-alcohol-consumption-does-not-increase-risk-of-early-death/">alcohol</a> and drug-related disorders. A study conducted by scientists at <a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/">Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health</a> has shed light on this alarming connection.



The study is possibly the first of its kind, offering a comprehensive look into the relationship between escalating temperatures and a subsequent rise in hospital visits.



"Our work highlights how hospital visits from alcohol- and substance-related disorders are currently impacted by elevated temperatures and could be further affected by rising temperatures resulting from climate change," wrote the study authors.



"Enhanced social infrastructure and health system interventions could mitigate these impacts."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-and-drug-disorders-nbsp">Alcohol and drug disorders&nbsp;</h2>



In recent decades, the U.S. has witnessed a concerning surge in cases of binge drinking, alcohol-induced illnesses, and fatalities, particularly among middle-aged to older citizens. 



Furthermore, drug overdose deaths have increased more than five times since the end of the 20th century.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



For the study, the team analyzed data from over 671,625 alcohol- and 721,469 substance-related hospital admissions spanning two decades in New York State. This data was cross-referenced with daily temperatures and humidity levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



One of the significant revelations was the correlation between elevated temperatures and an increase in alcohol-related hospital admissions.&nbsp;



Possible explanations could include increased outdoor activities during pleasant weather, higher substance consumption, dehydration due to sweating, or a rise in DUI incidents.



For drug disorders involving cannabis, cocaine, opioids, and sedatives, a similar pattern was observed, but only up to a specific temperature - 65.8°F. The findings suggest that individuals might be less likely to venture outdoors beyond this temperature threshold.



“We saw that during periods of higher temperatures, there was a corresponding increase in hospital visits related to alcohol and substance use, which also brings attention to some less obvious potential consequences of climate change,” said study first author Dr. Robbie M. Parks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers note that their study may underestimate the link between temperature rise and substance use disorders because the most severe disorders may have resulted in deaths before a hospital visit was possible.&nbsp;



In subsequent research, scientists could investigate the potential correlation between the number of deaths and hospital admission records to get a fuller picture of a patient's medical trajectory.



Experts could also explore the effects of pre-existing health conditions aggravated by substance use in conjunction with soaring temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-interventions-nbsp">Public health interventions&nbsp;</h2>



"Our findings suggest that rising temperatures, including those caused by climate change, may influence hospital visits for alcohol and other drugs, emphasizing the need for appropriate and proportionate social and health interventions, as well as highlighting potential hidden burdens of climate change," wrote the researchers.



There is an urgent need for public health officials and scientists to lead initiatives like public awareness drives to educate communities about the risks posed by warmer temperatures on substance abuse.



“Public health interventions that broadly target alcohol and substance disorders in warmer weather - for example, targeted messaging on the risks of their consumption during warmer weather - should be a public health priority,” said study senior author Dr. Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43856-023-00346-1">Communications Medicine</a>.



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Rising temperatures may amplify alcohol and drug disorders

Rising global temperatures may be fueling an unexpected health crisis...

Healthy,Food,In,Heart,Diet,Concept,With,Stethoscope

In the relentless pursuit to enhance public health and curb escalating healthcare costs, experts are advocating the integration of targeted food and nutrition strategies into the national healthcare system. Educating the public that "food is medicine" would be incredibly beneficial to the health care system and human health in general.



A <a href="https://tuftsfoodismedicine.org/true-cost-fim-case-study-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comprehensive report</a> released today from the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University delineates the myriad health and economic benefits of such an approach.



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



The report, titled “The True Cost of Food: Food is Medicine Case Study”, elucidates the multifaceted benefits stemming from <a href="https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/initiative/food-is-medicine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food is Medicine</a> (FIM) efforts. These are defined as nutritional interventions within the healthcare system aimed at treating or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-diet-may-save-your-life-six-key-foods-lower-the-risk-of-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preventing</a> chronic diet-related diseases. 



The focus is not solely on amplifying nutritional uptake and enhancing health outcomes but also on alleviating food insecurity and propelling health equity forward.



Research indicates that FIM strategies, such as <a href="https://www.fimcoalition.org/our-model" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medically Tailored Meals</a> (MTMs), can play a pivotal role in averting nearly 1.6 million hospitalizations if nationally implemented in Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance schemes. 



This is especially true for patients grappling with diet-related conditions and constrained in performing daily living activities. Incorporating FIM strategies will not only cut the work for hospitals, but also lead to an estimated net saving of $13.6 billion in healthcare costs in the first year post-implementation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-augmenting-health">Augmenting health</h2>



Moreover, the initiation of produce prescription programs at a national level for patients battling diabetes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-infections-are-threatening-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food insecurity</a> has the potential to prevent around 292,000 cardiovascular events. This would ultimately result in an additional 260,000 quality-adjusted life years. 



The approach proves to be highly cost-effective from a health perspective, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $18,100/quality-adjusted life years. It also saves societal costs, registering a net savings of $-0.05 billion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-untold-impact-of-food-is-medicine">The untold impact of Food is Medicine</h2>



Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, the report’s senior author, a renowned cardiologist, and Director of the <a href="https://foodasmedicineinstitute.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food is Medicine Institute</a>, emphasized the profound impact FIM interventions can have on the escalating death toll, which is around 10,000 weekly in the U.S, and the colossal $1.1 trillion spent annually due to poor diets affecting healthcare and productivity. 



Mozaffarian mentioned, “Today’s report further underscores the profound significance of FIM interventions such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions, amalgamated with enhanced nutrition education for medical practitioners and insurance coverage for nutritional counseling spearheaded by a qualified dietitian."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comprehensive-approach">Comprehensive approach</h2>



This report underscores the pressing need to exploit the potential of FIM to its fullest. The research team proposed myriad national policy solutions focusing on the enhancement of infrastructure, creation of opportunities and funding, and bolstering of the <a href="https://www.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United States Department of Agriculture</a> nutrition programs.



Devon Klatell, Vice President, Food Initiative at The Rockefeller Foundation, accentuated the importance of comprehending the real costs of our food system, encompassing environmental, occupational, and health impacts, which are often overlooked. 



Klatell said, “This report can guide governments, corporations, and consumers in appreciating the worth of Food is Medicine interventions by contemplating not merely the price of food but also the return on investment in upgraded health outcomes."



In summary, the Food is Medicine initiative posits a revolutionary approach in intertwining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-in-nutrition-science-dna-barcoding-reveals-dietary-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrition science</a> with healthcare strategies, offering promise in improving quality of life, reducing hospital workloads, and cutting healthcare costs. 



It’s a call to action for governments, corporations, and consumers to reconsider food values and to embrace nutritional interventions for the betterment of public health and societal well-being. With concerted efforts from all sectors, the potential of Food is Medicine interventions can be unlocked, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable society.



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Food is Medicine education could save millions of lives and billions of dollars

In the relentless pursuit to enhance public health and curb...

A team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a> has designed a new drug, currently undergoing trials in mice, which holds promise for evolving into a new medication aimed at promoting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/getting-more-sleep-can-boost-weight-loss/">weight loss</a> by simulating the effects of exercise.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elevates-metabolism-and-endurance-nbsp">Elevates metabolism and endurance&nbsp;</h2>



This drug, which was found to induce weight loss in obese mice, “tricks” the muscles into perceiving heightened levels of exercise, thereby elevating metabolism without the mice engaging in actual physical activity.&nbsp;



Moreover, the compound elevates endurance levels, enabling mice to run almost 50 percent further than they could before, without significant physical exertion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-mimetics-nbsp">Exercise mimetics&nbsp;</h2>



This groundbreaking medication falls under the category of “exercise mimetics,” which bestow some exercise benefits without necessitating an increase in physical activity.&nbsp;



Although it is in the early stages of development, there is potential for its future application in humans for addressing conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and the decline of muscle mass associated with aging.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-metabolic-pathway-nbsp">Natural metabolic pathway&nbsp;</h2>



This comes in the wake of drugs like Ozempic marking significant advancements in curbing appetite and managing metabolic diseases.



However, the distinguishing factor of the newly discovered SLU-PP-332 is that it neither influences appetite nor induces an increase in exercise, but rather enhances a natural metabolic pathway that typically responds to exercise.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heightened-energy-consumption">Heightened energy consumption</h2>



Essentially, the medication induces the body to behave as if it is undergoing intense training, resulting in heightened energy consumption and accelerated fat metabolism.



“This compound is basically telling skeletal muscle to make the same changes you see during endurance training,” explained senior author Thomas Burris, a professor of Pharmacy at the University of Florida.&nbsp;



“When you treat mice with the drug, you can see that their whole body metabolism turns to using fatty acids, which is very similar to what people use when they are fasting or exercising. And the animals start losing weight.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-targeting-proteins-nbsp">Targeting proteins&nbsp;</h2>



SLU-PP-332 operates by targeting a set of proteins called ERRs, pivotal for triggering vital metabolic pathways in energy-consuming tissues such as muscles, heart, and brain. ERRs are notably more active during exercise, but activating them through medications has posed challenges.



In another <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acschembio.2c00720">paper</a> published in March, scientists found that SLU-PP-332 can effectively amplify the activity of ERRs, and enable normal-weight mice to run 70 percent longer and 45 percent further compared to those not administered the drug.



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



In the current study, the focus was on testing the drug’s impact on obese mice. Administering the treatment twice daily for a month led to a tenfold reduction in fat accumulation and a 12 percent decrease in body weight in comparison to the control group, all while maintaining consistent food intake and activity levels. “They use more energy just living,” Burris noted.



Upcoming publications from the Burris lab indicate potential benefits of the compound in addressing heart failure in mice by fortifying the heart muscle.



To date, the compound hasn’t manifested any severe adverse effects. The subsequent phase in the development of SLU-PP-332 entails refining its structure, with the aim of formulating it as a pill as opposed to an injectable solution. Subsequently, extensive testing for side effects in diverse animal models will precede any human trials.



While various exercise mimetics have already undergone testing, market entry remains challenging, partly due to the length of the drug development process.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tackling-obesity-nbsp">Tackling obesity&nbsp;</h2>



Moreover, tackling obesity through medication has historically been challenging due to how complex obesity’s causes and manifestations are.&nbsp;



The breakthrough came with the advent of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, initially formulated for diabetes but also inducing weight loss, fueling interest and research in this domain.



These recent findings highlight the potential of this innovative drug in preserving muscle mass during weight loss periods or aging, when the body’s response to exercise diminishes. Nonetheless, further research is needed to uncover the full spectrum of the drug’s capabilities.



“This [drug] may be able to keep people healthier as they age,” Burris concluded.



The study is published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.123.001733">Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics</a>.



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Exercise-mimicking drug tricks the body into burning fat  

A team of researchers led by the University of Florida...

Pet,Care,Concept.,Funny,Smiling,Golden,Retriever,Dog,In,The

College life, often depicted as exhilarating and liberating, is also synonymous with stress due to the amalgamation of academic pressures, work, and personal responsibilities. Recognizing the myriad of pressures students face, universities have initiated innovative stress relief programs. One such program named “Pet Your Stress Away” encourages students to pet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/therapy-dogs-boost-cognitive-skills-in-college-students/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> and cats. 



The essence of these programs is allowing students to interact with furry friends, aiming to alleviate stress and improve overall mood. Scientists at <a href="https://wsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a> (WSU) have substantiated the effectiveness of these programs, revealing their capability to yield significant stress-relieving physiological benefits beyond just elevating moods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reaping-benefits-in-just-ten-minutes">Reaping benefits in just ten minutes</h2>



Patricia Pendry, an Associate Professor in WSU’s Department of Human Development, underscores the impact of animal interaction, stating, “Just 10 minutes can have a significant impact”. 



The study, conducted by Pendry along with WSU graduate student Jaymie Vandagriff and published in <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2332858419852592" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AERA Open</a>, demonstrated that students experiencing interaction with cats and dogs showed a marked reduction in cortisol, a major stress hormone. 



These findings are pivotal as they represent the first instance where reductions in cortisol levels in students were observed during a real-life intervention outside the laboratory setting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



The meticulously designed study included 249 college students who were randomly segregated into four distinct groups. The students in the first group were given the opportunity to interact directly with cats and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-dog-feel-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a>, allowing them to pet and play with the animals for ten minutes. 



To gauge the variable impacts of differing animal exposures, the second group observed others interacting with the animals while awaiting their turn. The third group viewed a slideshow featuring the animals, and the fourth was waitlisted, anticipating interaction but initially without any engagement or stimuli.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-cortisol-reduction-from-petting-dogs">Significant cortisol reduction from petting dogs</h2>



The methodological approach included collecting several salivary cortisol samples from each participant from the time they woke up. The subsequent data analysis revealed that students who engaged directly with the animals exhibited significantly lower cortisol levels in their saliva post-interaction. These compelling results remained consistent, even accounting for the varying initial cortisol levels amongst students.



Benefits beyond surface-level



Universities' incorporation of “Pet Your Stress Away” programs is rooted in the acknowledgement of the multi-faceted pressures inundating students. These programs don’t merely serve as a transient mood enhancer. They penetrate deeper, offering tangible physiological benefits by significantly reducing stress levels.



 The study validates the potency of these programs, highlighting their ability to create a holistic, positive impact within a mere ten-minute interaction window.



In summary, the innovative stress reduction programs instituted by many universities manifest a proactive approach to address the escalating stress levels amongst students, combining academic vigor with emotional well-being. The conclusive evidence provided by the study conducted at Washington State University accentuates the vital role such programs can play in fostering a balanced and conducive learning or working environment. 



By allowing a short respite through animal interaction, universities are not just enhancing student mood but are also contributing to their overall well-being by inducing physiological changes that combat stress.



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Petting dogs and cats dramatically reduces stress

College life, often depicted as exhilarating and liberating, is also...

In an era where the emphasis on creating a nature-friendly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cigarette-butts-leak-thousands-of-deadly-toxins-into-the-environment/">environment</a> has never been greater, researchers are warning of the dangers posed by greenwashing.&nbsp;



The concept of greenwashing has emerged as a significant barrier to achieving a ‘nature positive’ world, an aspirational vision of halting environmental degradation and protecting biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-positive-nbsp">Nature positive&nbsp;</h2>



According to World Economic Forum, nature positive means enhancing the resilience of our planet and societies to halt and reverse nature loss.



It represents an intent to go a step beyond the present measures, which largely orbit around damage control.



"Nature positive is a hot topic in conservation. Described as the biodiversity version of a ‘net zero’ climate goal, the desired outcome is an improvement in the state of nature and not merely the mitigation of impacts," wrote the researchers.



The team was led by Professor Martine Maron from <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/">The University of Queensland</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leaders-pledge-for-nature">Leaders’ Pledge for Nature</h2>



Professor Maron stressed the indispensability of a nature positive approach, especially in the face of the ongoing mass extinction.&nbsp;



“Countries around the world are starting to back the concept – more than 90 world leaders have signed on to the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature calling for a nature positive future by 2030," said Professor Maron.&nbsp;



“And 11 of the global Fortune 100 companies already aspire to contribute to nature positive."



“This is fantastic news, but these laudable ambitions mustn’t be sidelined by a well-known enemy of the environmental movement: greenwash.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-greenwashing">What is greenwashing?</h2>



Greenwashing is the tactic employed by organizations to project an inflated image of their environmental commitments.&nbsp;



It involves dishing out misleading or deceptive information to appear more environmentally responsible than one truly is.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misleading-information-nbsp">Misleading information&nbsp;</h2>



Professor E.J. Milner-Gulland from the University of Oxford said the team hopes that the public does not get the proverbial wool pulled over their eyes.



“Our message to the public is that it’s incredibly important to scrutinize these claims,” said Professor Milner-Gulland.



“As with the term ‘net zero,' you’ll soon start to see the businesses you buy from, and the governments you vote for, making claims that they are being, doing, or contributing to nature positive."



“But to be clear, such an achievement is only possible if we fundamentally change how we run our society and economy."



“What we really need are standards, so that it’s clear what constitutes misleading information, and transparency, so that consumers and voters can tell the greenwash from the genuine efforts for change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-still-have-a-long-way-to-go">We still have a long way to go</h2>



Australia is currently framing its national environmental law reforms around the concept of nature positive.



“For these initiatives to truly achieve that goal, they’ll need to be substantial and far-reaching, preventing the accumulation of further impacts, especially on our threatened biodiversity,” said Professor Maron.



“Hundreds of thousands of hectares of habitat are still being cleared in Australia every year, so we still have a long way to go before we can say we’re nature positive.”



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02199-2">Nature Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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Greenwashing jeopardizes efforts for a "nature positive" world

In an era where the emphasis on creating a nature-friendly...

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A recently study has revealed a crucial connection between workplace stress and the onset of heart disease, particularly in men. The research team closely monitored approximately 6,500 white-collar professionals over 18 years, from 2000 to 2018. 



These participants, with an average age of 45, had no previous history of heart disease. The diverse group of participants included 3,118 men and 3,347 women, employed in varied roles, such as senior management, technical, professional, and office workers.



The meticulous process involved the analysis of health and workplace surveys to understand the correlation between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-walks-help-relieve-work-related-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">job strain</a>, effort-reward imbalance, and cardiovascular health. The effort aimed to uncover the intricate relationships between perceived job stressors and heart disease risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-was-learned-about-workplace-stress">What was learned about workplace stress</h2>



The study made a significant revelation, indicating that men under stressful, high-demand jobs with perceived lower rewards had almost double the risk of developing heart disease compared to men without such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yoga-can-reduce-stress-and-improve-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stressors</a>. In fact, the risk was found to be 49% higher in men experiencing either job strain or effort-reward imbalance.



The severity of the combined effects of high-demand, low-reward jobs was found to be comparable to the impact of obesity on coronary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/laughter-may-be-the-best-medicine-for-your-heart/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart disease risk</a>. This raises pressing concerns regarding the importance of job environment on overall health, given the substantial amount of time people spend at work.



Interestingly, the study could not conclusively determine the impact of work-related psychosocial stress on women’s heart health. Mathilde Lavigne-Robichaud, lead author, stressed the need for further investigations to explore the complex interplay between different stressors and women’s cardiovascular health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-and-suggestions">Implications and suggestions</h2>



Understanding the linkage between work stressors and cardiovascular health is pivotal, not just for public health but also for enhancing workforce well-being. Lavigne-Robichaud said, “Our study highlights the pressing need to proactively address stressful working conditions and to forge healthier work environments that are beneficial for both employees and employers.”



This study calls attention to the urgent requirement for reforms in workplace conditions and employment practices. Employers should recognize the importance of minimizing job strain and ensuring a balanced effort-reward system to foster a healthier, more productive workforce.



In summary, with an ever-increasing number of people exposed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chronic-stress-causes-the-brain-to-crave-comfort-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stressful work conditions</a>, this research serves as a crucial reminder of the need to prioritize and address workforce well-being to combat the rising prevalence of heart disease. 



This is especially true among men. Further research exploring the intricate relationships between work-related stress and women’s heart health is also crucial to develop comprehensive strategies for workplace wellness.



This research, conducted by a team led by Mathilde Lavigne-Robichaud, a doctoral candidate in population health at CHU de <a href="https://www.crchudequebec.ulaval.ca/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quebec-University Laval Research Center</a>, was published in <a href="Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes</a>.



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Workplace stress can double men’s heart disease risk

A recently study has revealed a crucial connection between workplace...

The Biden administration has announced that starting next week, every US household can request up to four free at-home Covid tests.&nbsp;



This initiative is an effort to prevent a potential winter surge in Covid cases, especially with the emergence of the Eris and BA.2.86 variants.



The $600 million program was initiated in early 2022, a period when retailers experienced a shortage of tests.&nbsp;



When the Covid public health emergency was declared over in May, the program to distribute Covid tests was suspended.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-free-tests">Free tests</h2>



To date, over 755 million free Covid tests have been distributed across the US by the Biden administration.&nbsp;



These tests, as clarified by the Health and Human Services (HHS), are intended for use throughout the remainder of the year. Detailed instructions regarding the checking of expiration dates will be included.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recent-surge">Recent surge</h2>



In recent months, there have been a surge in Covid infections and hospitalizations. Across hospitals in the United States, the data shows 20,538 Covid admissions in the week leading up to September 9. 



This figure indicates a 7.7% week-on-week rise in hospital admissions - representing the slowest increase since early July, a time when hospitalizations were at an all-time low.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covid-deaths">Covid deaths</h2>



In addition, Covid-related deaths are beginning to plateau, with 844 recorded in the week leading up to August 19.



Despite the introduction of updated vaccines and the current wave being relatively mild, disruptions could continue, possibly due to reasons such as staff absences.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wastewater-monitoring-nbsp">Wastewater monitoring&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Amy Kirby, who leads the CDC's <a href="https://wastewaterscan.org/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=search&amp;utm_content=adgroup1&amp;utm_campaign=wastewaterscan&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwmbqoBhAgEiwACIjzEMS_xAkXS55BDNX45aCEJE6vPjs3KxjsO5z2StMQbepQ13aHRNAL8BoC6ugQAvD_BwE">wastewater monitoring program</a>, emphasized the uncertainty, stating it's "really too early to tell" if a significant winter surge would materialize.



Wastewater monitoring has emerged as a crucial indicator of the virus's prevalence. The CDC's recent surveillance of Covid wastewater indicates declines in mid-Atlantic states like Virginia and Maryland.&nbsp;



However, the Midwest and Northeast show a consistent increase in Covid traces, especially with school reopenings.



Marlene Wolfe, program director for WastewaterSCAN, mentioned that their findings point towards a "flattening out" of Covid spread. WastewaterSCAN currently tracks 183 sites across 36 states.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



Bill Hanage of <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a> also emphasized the importance of wastewater surveillance, especially now that public health officials are not actively tracking individual Covid cases. 



The wastewater monitoring method, likened to weather forecasts, provides an indication of the virus's spread even before individuals show symptoms.



As the nation faces the possibility of another Covid surge in the winter, the Biden administration's free testing initiative and wastewater surveillance remain crucial tools.&nbsp;



While current data may be encouraging, experts like Dr. Kirby warn that it is essential for the public to remain vigilant and proactive, especially with the unpredictability of the virus.



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Free Covid tests may help combat winter surge in the US

The Biden administration has announced that starting next week, every...

Recent research suggests that prehistoric societies might have modified human bones for ritualistic uses. 



This discovery was made during an international study led by Zita Laffranchi and Marco Milella from the University of Bern, in collaboration with Rafael Martínez Sánchez of the <a href="https://www.uco.es/internacional/extranjeros/en/about-uco">University of Cordoba</a>.&nbsp;



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



Historically, cuts and marks found on ancient bone remains often led the scientific community to attribute their use to human consumption.&nbsp;



However, the research's analysis of over 400 remains, both adults and adolescents, from the Cueva de los Mármoles in Priego de Córdoba has presented a different narrative. These remains are housed in the local Archaeological Museum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bones-used-as-tools">Bones used as tools</h2>



The team used high-resolution molds and electron microscopes to study the bones. Their observations indicate that many marks on these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-pterosaur-bones-found-in-australia-date-back-107-million-years/">bones</a> are consistent with a cleaning process, suggesting the bones were likely used as tools rather than for consumption.



Martínez Sánchez highlights the challenge of distinguishing the purpose behind the bone marks, especially since these bones were found on the cave's surface and could have undergone various taphonomic changes, such as animal activity or trampling.&nbsp;



However, the study leans away from the hypothesis of consumption. Instead, it finds evidence for a meticulous cleaning process suitable for tool use, such as a fibula with a pointed end, a modified tibia, and a skull.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-burial-practices-nbsp">Burial practices&nbsp;</h2>



Carbon-14 dating unveiled three distinct funerary periods within the cave, with the earliest dating back to 3800 BC during the Neolithic. This period saw a surge in the use of dolmens, or stone tombs, for collective burials. Such burial practices signify a society deeply connected with its ancestors.



This research aligns with the Megalithic era, a time when the marks on the bones, believed to be inconsistent with consumption, support the theory that human remains were repurposed as instruments. Martínez Sánchez proposes that these remains might have been used in rituals inside the cave.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ritualistic-practices">Ritualistic practices</h2>



The team's findings challenge pre-existing beliefs, suggesting that human remains, from the late Neolithic to the Bronze Age, were used for cultural and ritualistic practices long after their deposition.&nbsp;



"It seems that there was the idea of grouping the dead in the same place, cleaning the remains, and using the bones as instruments, perhaps related to some type of ritual performed inside the cavity," said Martínez Sánchez.



These rituals apparently spanned a great period of time, from the end of the Neolithic to the Bronze Age - a time "in which we did not expect to find that bodies were still deposited in this cavity," said Martínez Sánchez.



The study not only uncovers the practices of ancient societies but also emphasizes the complexities and intricacies of our ancestors' relationship with the deceased.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/">PLoS One</a>.



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New study sheds light on Neolithic rituals involving human bones

Recent research suggests that prehistoric societies might have modified human...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" 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.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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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

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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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...