Different,Types,Of,Non-dairy,Milk

Vegans who replace cow's milk with soy, almond, or other plant-based alternatives may face a higher chance of mental issues like depression and anxiety than individuals who drink cow’s milk regularly.



This finding emerged from a recent investigation of lifestyle patterns and mental health outcomes among hundreds of thousands of adults in the United Kingdom.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-well-being-of-milk-drinkers">Mental well-being of milk drinkers</h2>



Scientists explored how different milk types might be linked to mental and emotional well-being over more than a decade. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-gmo-plants-make-baby-formula-healthy-as-breast-milk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milk</a> is consumed by <a href="https://www.fao.org/dairy-production-products/products/milk-and-milk-products/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">billions of people</a> worldwide, making it a major part of daily diets.&nbsp;After reviewing participants’ intake habits, researchers noted intriguing contrasts in mental health. 



One group that stood out was semi-skimmed milk drinkers. According to data, they had lower rates of both anxiety and depression when compared to those who either consumed full-fat or plant-based alternatives. 



This observation piqued the interest of <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chunyan-Wu-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Chunying Wu</a> from <a href="https://portal.smu.edu.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Medical University</a>, who authored the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-to-non-dairy-beverages">Shifting to non-dairy beverages</h2>



In recent years, many individuals have turned to non-dairy beverages. They cite environmental, health, or ethical concerns in their decision to avoid traditional cow’s milk. 



Yet <a href="https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/Trade-General/Trade-Market-reports/Milk-alternatives-popularity-growing-in-the-US-February-2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> suggests some of these milk alternatives may not provide the same mental health benefits. One explanation involves nutritional content.&nbsp;



“Milk is a rich source of nutrients such as lactose, lipids, protein, and minerals, which are essential for maintaining human health,” wrote the scientists from Southern Medical University. 



Plant-based options, on the other hand, often differ in protein levels and might include added ingredients that influence mood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calcium-and-serotonin">Calcium and serotonin</h2>



Researchers found that cow’s milk <a href="https://www.adsa.org/About-ADSA/Media/Serotonin-found-to-be-an-important-factor-in-calcium-homeostasis-in-dairy-cows-November-16-2021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">delivers calcium</a> in a form that supports pathways involved in serotonin production. Serotonin, sometimes called the body’s “feel-good” molecule, helps regulate mood and stress responses.&nbsp;



“Serotonin is a chemical that plays a role in the brain with respect to mood and mental health. The most popular group of antidepressant medications promotes the absorption of serotonin,” the authors explained.&nbsp;



As a result, consistent calcium intake can potentially improve these natural coping mechanisms. Some plant-based milks also offer calcium, but the level and bioavailability may vary.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saturated-versus-unsaturated-fats">Saturated versus unsaturated fats</h2>



Milk is rich in saturated fats. Semi-skimmed milk reduces the proportion of these fats but still retains valuable fatty acids that might help protect the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11211382/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a>. 



Compared to the full-fat version, semi-skimmed appears to occupy a middle ground of moderate fat content without the potential drawbacks of excess saturated fat.&nbsp;



Meanwhile, plant-based milk alternatives can sometimes include added sugars or other compounds that may have unexpected effects on mental well-being. 



These additives, while often enhancing taste or texture, may inadvertently interfere with the body's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breast-milk-lowers-asthma-risk-in-babies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural hormone regulation</a>, potentially impacting emotional stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impact-on-dopamine">Potential impact on dopamine</h2>



In addition to serotonin, <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dopamine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dopamine</a> plays a key part in focus and reward-related behavior. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4850606/#:~:text=Recent%20research%20has%20shown%20that,to%20be%20vulnerable%20to%20dysregulation." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> have suggested that high levels of certain saturated fats can alter dopamine signaling, which may contribute to mood disorders.&nbsp;



Semi-skimmed milk, with its reduced saturated fat, may avoid some of these mental effects and maintain a healthier balance of essential nutrients. 



Scientists suggest this balance could hold the key to the lower rates of depression and anxiety seen among semi-skimmed milk consumers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-varied-mental-health-benefits-of-milk">Varied mental health benefits of milk</h2>



While findings point to fewer mood challenges for people who choose semi-skimmed over other varieties, each individual’s mental health picture depends on much more than beverage choice. 



Genetics, life stressors, sleep, and socioeconomic circumstances all contribute.&nbsp;



Researchers emphasize that food-related decisions are just one facet of psychological well-being. They recommend that people remain mindful of their overall habits and consult healthcare professionals when making major dietary shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-considerations">Practical considerations</h2>



Experts often promote a balanced diet that combines fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and moderate dairy. Semi-skimmed milk could fit neatly into many people’s meal plans.&nbsp;



Individuals who prefer plant-based options may benefit from checking labels for calcium and protein levels, as well as added substances. 



Though no single approach will suit everyone, looking at subtle dietary factors might pay off for those hoping to support a healthy outlook.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-milk-s-mental-benefits">Future research on milk's mental benefits</h2>



Additional research may help clarify whether semi-skimmed milk truly provides extra mental health benefits.



Controlled clinical trials could investigate how this option affects depression or anxiety in different subgroups, such as older adults or those with pre-existing conditions.&nbsp;



Researchers also <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7178197/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">note</a> that genetics can make some people more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/raw-milk-could-carry-deadly-flu-viruses-for-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vulnerable</a> to certain dietary impacts. A closer look at these details might inform tailored recommendations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



Many are interested in how small tweaks to daily meals might lift or lower spirits. 



This study urges people to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-raw-milk-health-hazard-pasteurization-important/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pay attention to milk</a> choice, especially if they already feel down or tense. Substituting semi-skimmed for full-fat or plant-based beverages could make a subtle difference for some.&nbsp;



Experts look forward to future work that explores how simple changes in milk type and eating patterns might support better mental well-being. Further investigation of these connections may help people shape diets that support mental balance.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1435435/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Nutrition</a>.



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Some types of plant-based milk are linked to mental disorders like depression

Vegans who replace cow's milk with soy, almond, or other plant-based alternatives may face a higher chance of mental issues like depression and anxiety than individuals who drink cow’s milk regularly. This finding emerged from a recent investigation of lifestyle patterns and mental health outcomes among hundreds of thousands of adults in the United Kingdom.&nbsp; Mental well-being of milk drinkers Scientists explored how different milk types might be linked to mental and emotional well-being over more than a decade. Milk is consumed by billions of people worldwide,...

Christmas can be a dangerous time for cats, so experts at <a href="https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/understanding-cats/christmas-safety-for-cats" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purina</a> have published some safety guidelines to help cat owners prepare for a safe and stress-free holiday.&nbsp;



"Christmas is such an exciting time of year, but unfortunately all the twinkling lights and merriment can be hazardous for your cat," wrote the Purina team.&nbsp;



"From climbing the Christmas tree to the stress of visiting family members and hazardous treats that may turn out to be harmful, cats and Christmas can sometimes be a real recipe for disaster. But it doesn’t need to be! When managed with a bit of extra care, the holidays can be a time of fun and happiness for both you and your four-legged friend."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climbing-the-tree">Climbing the tree</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-are-better-at-expressing-emotions-than-cats-except-for-anger/">Cats</a> are natural climbers, and Christmas trees often become unintended challenges for them. The risk of your ambitious cat toppling the tree is real.&nbsp;



To prevent such mishaps, the experts recommend using a heavy base or tethering the tree to a wall or ceiling for stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangling-dangers">Dangling dangers</h2>



Shiny, dangling Christmas decorations are irresistible to cats but can be dangerous.&nbsp;



Glass ornaments may break and harm your cat, while tinsel and angel hair pose choking hazards. Opt for cat-safe decorations that are securely attached and out of paw's reach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beware-of-wires">Beware of wires</h2>



The allure of Christmas light wires can be dangerous for cats who might chew them. Covering wires and opting for battery-powered lights when you're not around to supervise can mitigate these risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toxic-trees">Toxic trees</h2>



Fir trees can be mildly toxic to cats, causing mouth and stomach irritation. Fallen needles pose a risk of puncturing the gastrointestinal system. Consider a non-drop variety or an artificial tree to reduce these risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-dangers">Additional dangers</h2>



Live, potted Christmas trees may contain fertilizers that are harmful to cats. Changing the soil and covering it can prevent your cat from mistaking it for a litter tray.



Some snow globes contain toxic antifreeze, and broken pieces can be hazardous. Be cautious with festive plants like poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe, as they are poisonous to cats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-food">Christmas food</h2>



The experts say to be mindful of Christmas foods that are toxic to cats, such as onions, garlic, raisins, chocolate, and alcohol. Also, beware of meat strings from roasts, which can cause choking.



In addition, the kitchen itself can be hazardous to cats. "There’s always plenty of cooking going on during the festive period and this poses new threats to your pet. From cooking oil, hot stoves to clanging pots and pans, it’s a good idea to keep cats out of the kitchen at Christmas," wrote the Purina team.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-create-a-safe-space-nbsp">Create a safe space&nbsp;</h2>



Cats thrive on routine and familiarity. Christmas upheavals, like decoration changes and guest visits, can be stressful. Keep your cat's environment as unchanged as possible, offering them a safe, familiar space.



Create a safe space by using a stair gate to keep cats away from unfamiliar guests and hectic areas. Ensure your cat has access to their essentials in a quiet part of the house.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cleaning-products">Cleaning products</h2>



Excessive cleaning can disrupt the comforting scents in your home, causing anxiety in cats. Clean lightly, maintaining a scent environment that is familiar to your cat.



"While you are going to want to make sure your house looks its best if you are inviting family around, don't go too crazy with the cleaning, polishing and air fresheners," said the experts.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prioritize-cat-time">Prioritize cat time</h2>



"Most importantly, take an hour or two out of your festive celebrations just to have some ‘cat time’ - doing the things you know your cat enjoys."&nbsp;



"That might be playing with interactive hunting toys, it might be grooming, or it might just be spending quiet time together. This is the best present you can give your cat for Christmas." 



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How to keep cats safe this Christmas, from toxic trees to dangling dangers

Christmas can be a dangerous time for cats, so experts...

Ukraine,,Kiev,-,January,04,,2020:,Coca,Cola,Soft,Drinks

Cola, a beverage often associated with the festive Christmas season, has garnered a reputation for its supposed ability to alleviate a blocked esophagus, when food gets stuck in your throat. 



However, recent research conducted by <a href="https://www.amsterdamumc.org/en/about/organization/about-amsterdam-umc.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amsterdam UMC</a> has undermined this widely held belief. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-study-cola-and-throat-blockages">Why study cola and throat blockages?</h2>



Elise Tiebie is an emergency physician and the driving force behind this study. She discovered numerous online sources, including tip websites, Wikipedia, and even a British newspaper anecdote about paramedics relying on cola to save lives. 



Professor Arjan Bredenoord, a renowned authority in Gastroenterology at Amsterdam UMC and the lead author of the study, expressed his surprise. He said, "I've even heard doctors recommending it." 



Consequently, Bredenoord and his team sought to investigate the veracity of these claims, ultimately dispelling this long-standing myth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-esophageal-blockages">Understanding esophageal blockages</h2>



Sometimes, after swallowing, a piece of food can become lodged in the narrow passage of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/esophagus-accumulates-mutations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">esophagus</a>, resulting in a distressing sensation of pressure. In severe cases, individuals may struggle to even swallow their saliva. 



This obstruction is typically caused by a constricted esophagus, which may be due to scars resulting from previous inflammations or a narrowing caused by a tumor. 



Bredenoord emphasizes the potential dangers of this condition, stressing the importance of seeking appropriate medical treatment. 



"This can be really dangerous, so it's important that people get the correct treatment. That's why we wanted to check if this works,” adds Bredenoord.  



With this imperative in mind, the researchers set out to assess the efficacy of cola in resolving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-humans-have-shockingly-different-digestive-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">esophageal blockages</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treatment-options-and-the-role-of-cola">Treatment options and the role of cola</h2>



In some instances, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chewing-food-thoroughly-may-help-manage-weight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food particles</a> dislodge on their own, naturally relieving the blockage. However, such spontaneous resolution is not guaranteed, necessitating a visit to the emergency room. 



In cases where there is a suspicion that the obstruction persists, an emergency endoscopy is usually performed. During this procedure, a camera is introduced through the mouth into the esophagus to remove the stuck food using a net or forceps.



Previous suggestions have proposed that cola may aid in dislodging throat blockages, potentially averting the need for emergency endoscopy. 



To investigate this claim, Bredenoord and his team conducted a comprehensive study across five Dutch hospitals, meticulously evaluating the safety and effectiveness of cola in dissolving esophageal obstructions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-cola-and-throat-blockages">Studying cola and throat blockages</h2>



51 patients, awaiting endoscopy, were divided into two groups. Half were given small sips of cola in the emergency room, while the other half waited without consuming cola. 



If patients still experienced difficulty swallowing saliva, an emergency endoscopy was performed to remove the blockage.



The study's findings definitively demonstrate that cola does not possess the purported ability to alleviate food blockages in the esophagus. 



In both groups, whether they received cola or not, there was an improvement in 61% of patients. Furthermore, no side effects or complications were observed with the use of cola.



"There was no improvement when using cola to loosen stuck food in the esophagus, often the food dislodged on its own after a while and otherwise, we performed an endoscopy. Hopefully this put this myth to rest,” concludes Bredenoord.



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



In summary, this research debunks the popular perception surrounding the efficacy of cola in this context, while also underscoring the importance of seeking appropriate medical intervention for esophageal blockages.



This is especially true during this time of year when dietary excesses are common. Let us celebrate the holiday season with accurate information and prioritized health.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/383/bmj-2023-077294" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The BMJ</a>.



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Holiday advice: Drinking cola won’t help if food sticks in your throat

Cola, a beverage often associated with the festive Christmas season,...

A recent study from the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en">University of Gothenburg</a> sheds new light on the relationship between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/circadian-rhythms-persist-during-bear-hibernation/">circadian rhythms</a> and cardiovascular health. The study reveals a startling correlation between late-night habits and the risk of coronary artery calcification, a critical factor in the development of atherosclerosis.



"Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Approximately 49 million people in the European Union live with CVD, which accounts for 37% of all deaths in the region," wrote the study authors.



The research, involving 771 people aged 50 to 64, is part of the larger <a href="https://www.scapis.org/">SCAPIS</a> population study. It meticulously assessed the degree of artery calcification in the heart's coronary arteries using computer tomography. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-insights-nbsp">Key insights&nbsp;</h2>



Participants self-reported their chronotype - whether they were extreme morning types, moderate morning types, intermediate types, moderate evening types, or extreme evening types.



The results were striking. Among those who classified themselves as extreme morning types, only 22.2% exhibited pronounced artery calcification.&nbsp;



By contrast, the extreme evening types showed a significantly higher prevalence, with 40.6% having severe coronary artery calcification.



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



Atherosclerosis involves the accumulation of fatty deposits inside arteries, impeding blood flow. This disease develops over an extended period, often going unnoticed until causing severe conditions like angina, heart attacks, or strokes.



Previous studies have linked late-night habits with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, this is the first research to specifically connect circadian rhythms to artery calcification, an early stage of cardiovascular disease.



"Our results indicate that extreme evening chronotype may be linked not only to poorer cardiovascular health in general, but also more specifically to calcification in the coronary arteries calcification and atherosclerosis," said study first author Mio Kobayashi Frisk, a doctoral student at Sahlgrenska Academy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contributing-factors">Contributing factors</h2>



In assessing the risk of atherosclerosis, the study accounted for various factors, including blood pressure, blood lipids, weight, physical activity, stress level, sleep quality, and smoking habits.&nbsp;



"As well as the previously known factors, the individual circadian rhythm also appears to be an important risk factor for atherosclerosis. We interpret our results as indicating that circadian rhythms are more significant early in the disease process. It should therefore particularly be considered in the preventive treatment of cardiovascular diseases," said study co-author Ding Zou.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-self-reported-chronotypes">Self-reported chronotypes</h2>



An interesting aspect of the study is the reliance on self-reported chronotypes. While this could be seen as a limitation, it provides valuable insight into personal sleep patterns and their impact on health. The study excluded individuals who had experienced a heart attack, focusing on a healthier subset of the general population.



Chronotypes represent the average time when half of the night's sleep has passed. For extreme morning types, this occurred around 02:55 AM, whereas for extreme evening types, it was around 04:25 AM.



The results highlight the need for further research into how our internal clocks influence our overall health, particularly concerning life-threatening conditions like atherosclerosis.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2023.11.004" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleep Medicine</a>.



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Late-night habits of "night owls" raise the risk of heart disease

A recent study from the University of Gothenburg sheds new...

Young,Smiling,Friends,Toasting,Red,Wine,At,Restaurant,Pub,At

While it's well-known that excessive alcohol consumption harms many organs, including the liver, brain, and heart, a paradox exists. About 50 years ago, studies began to suggest that moderate drinking might be beneficial for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/every-move-counts-even-minimal-activity-can-boost-heart-health/">heart</a>.



Moderate drinking is quantified as one to two drinks per day for a man, and one drink per day for a woman. Here, a "drink" is defined as either a shot (1.5 ounces) of spirits, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 12-ounce bottle of beer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-and-health-benefits">Heart and health benefits</h2>



The notion of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heavy-drinking-increases-the-buildup-of-ectopic-fat-around-the-heart-and-liver/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart</a> benefits from moderate drinking emerges from observational research involving hundreds of thousands of participants. These studies have closely monitored individuals' drinking patterns and health over several decades. 



Participants were classified as non-drinkers, moderate drinkers, and more-than-moderate drinkers. Over time, it was observed that moderate drinkers had lower rates of coronary artery disease, including fewer heart attacks, compared to the other groups.



"That makes sense, since other studies have found that moderate drinking causes 'good' cholesterol to rise and blood to clot a bit less easily - both of which could explain a lower rate of heart attacks," explained Dr. Anthony Komaroff, an internal medicine specialist and editor-in-chief of the <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/is-moderate-drinking-heart-healthy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard Health Letter</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studies-of-moderate-drinking">Studies of moderate drinking</h2>



However, observational studies are not without limitations. If such a study finds that moderate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-alcohol-has-a-significant-negative-impact-on-a-fathers-sperm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinkers</a> have a lower incidence of heart disease, it doesn't necessarily imply that moderate drinking is the direct cause. There could be other, unmeasured variables involved. 



For instance, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-alcohol-consumption-does-not-increase-risk-of-early-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moderate</a> drinkers may engage in other unknown heart-healthy practices, or non-drinkers might possess a gene that increases their risk of heart disease and also affects their alcohol tolerance.



"Good observational studies do their best to take account of all the factors that might affect an outcome," said Dr. Komaroff. "Unfortunately, they can't be done perfectly, and they can't take account of risk factors that have not yet been discovered."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-randomized-controlled-trials">Randomized controlled trials</h2>



To definitively prove the benefits of any treatment or practice, including moderate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-may-amplify-alcohol-and-drug-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking</a>, randomized controlled trials are needed. These trials involve randomly assigning participants to different groups to isolate the effect of the treatment or practice. 



However, it is challenging to conduct trials on nutritional practices like moderate drinking due to difficulties in participant adherence and long-term monitoring.



Recent studies have cast doubt on the evidence that moderate drinking reduces the risk of heart disease. This doesn't negate past studies, but adds complexity to the existing body of research.



As it stands, the evidence suggests that while moderate drinking may offer some heart benefits, it should not be recommended solely for achieving these potential benefits. On the contrary, excessive drinking is undeniably harmful, causing multiple health issues, including heart problems.



"We all wish science could provide definitive and permanent answers to important questions, but that is rarely the case," said Dr. Komaroff. "The best that we can do is give you our current assessment of how we weigh the sometimes-conflicting evidence. Stay tuned!"



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recent-moderate-drinking-research">Recent moderate drinking research</h2>



In a separate report, researchers at <a href="https://www.massgeneral.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts General Hospital</a> have made a breakthrough in understanding why light to moderate alcohol consumption might be beneficial for heart health.&nbsp;



Published in the <a href="https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.04.015" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the American College of Cardiology</a>, the study reveals a link between alcohol consumption and reduced stress signaling in the brain, which may lower the risk of heart disease.



This impact appeared to significantly account for the reductions in heart disease risk seen in light to moderate drinkers participating in the study, noted the researchers.



"We are not advocating the use of alcohol to reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes because of other concerning effects of alcohol on health,” said study senior author and cardiologist Ahmed Tawakol.



“We wanted to understand how light to moderate drinking reduces cardiovascular disease, as demonstrated by multiple other studies. And if we could find the mechanism, the goal would be to find other approaches that could replicate or induce alcohol’s protective cardiac effects without the adverse impacts of alcohol.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-substantial-risk-reduction">Substantial risk reduction</h2>



The research involved over 50,000 participants from the Mass General Brigham Biobank. The results showed that light to moderate drinking is linked to a substantial reduction in cardiovascular disease risk. This finding persisted even after adjusting for genetic, clinical, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors.



A subset of 754 individuals underwent PET/CT brain imaging, primarily for cancer surveillance, to examine the effect of light/moderate alcohol consumption on stress-related neural network activity. 



The imaging revealed reduced stress signaling in the amygdala - a brain region associated with stress responses - in light to moderate drinkers compared to those who abstained or drank little.&nbsp;



"When the amygdala is too alert and vigilant, the sympathetic nervous system is heightened, which drives up blood pressure and increases heart rate, and triggers the release of inflammatory cells,” explained Tawakol. 



“If the stress is chronic, the result is hypertension, increased inflammation, and a substantial risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-interventions">New interventions</h2>



The experts also discovered that while light to moderate drinking lowered the risk for cardiovascular disease, any amount of alcohol increased the risk of cancer. Furthermore, excessive drinking (more than 14 drinks a week) raised heart attack risk and decreased overall brain activity, potentially affecting cognitive health.



Given these findings, Tawakol and his team propose that future research should focus on new interventions that reduce brain stress activity without alcohol's harmful effects.&nbsp;



The team is currently exploring the impact of exercise, stress-reduction techniques like meditation, and pharmacological therapies on stress-associated neural networks, aiming to induce similar cardiovascular benefits.



The research was supported by the <a href="https://www.nih.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institutes of Health</a>.



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Heart benefits of moderate drinking may be hidden in the brain

While it's well-known that excessive alcohol consumption harms many organs,...

In the near future, people may access their community health status much like they check the local weather forecast. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-flu-emerges-as-a-public-health-risk/">public health</a> surveillance system uses advanced technologies to scrutinize public wastewater, revealing vital information about circulating viruses within communities.



The system involves a detailed analysis of the human virome – all known human viruses – in community wastewater.&nbsp;



“Knowing the up and down patterns within the viral landscape of human wastewater, the changes in the relative proportions of the different viruses in time and by location, is increasingly proving to be a powerful tool to improve our understanding of outbreaks, transmission and the effects on overall population health," said Dr. Anthony Maresso from the <a href="https://www.bcm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baylor College of Medicine</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-insights">Crucial insights</h2>



Texas stands out as the pioneer in developing a comprehensive pipeline for wastewater surveillance of the human virome.&nbsp;



This initiative, led by the Texas Wastewater Consortium and supported by the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute, involves steps from sample collection to analysis and reporting. The periodic reports, informed by detailed virome analysis, provide crucial insights to public health officials.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-detection">Early detection</h2>



Dr. Maresso and his colleagues have demonstrated that they can detect changes in viral trends in wastewater weeks before they are detected in the clinic.



“Think of it as a very fancy smoke alarm that brings to the attention of scientists, physicians and public health authorities the progressively increasing proportions of a particular virus strain in the community, one they need to follow closely, assessing its outbreak potential,” said study first author Dr. Michael Tisza. “For instance, we knew about mpox (monkeypox) well before most clinical settings knew about it because we detected it in wastewater.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emerging-viruses-nbsp">Emerging viruses&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers believe that this technology is going to be one way they can get ahead of not only all known viruses that can be shed in wastewater, but also to potentially get an upper hand on the next virus that we don’t yet know about.



“Had we had this in place during the time COVID-19 was emerging, we may have seen some coronavirus sequences that alerted us of the new sequence of the COVID-19 virus that began spreading in 2019 and exploded into a pandemic,” noted Dr. Maresso.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-context-nbsp">Historical context&nbsp;</h2>



The idea of using wastewater surveillance dates back to the early 1940s with the monitoring of poliovirus. Pioneered by researchers at Yale University and Baylor College of Medicine, this method provided insights into the spread and evolution of diseases at the community level.&nbsp;



Dr. Joseph Melnick's work in the 1960s at Baylor, using wastewater analysis to predict and respond to polio outbreaks, laid the foundation for modern wastewater-based epidemiology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covid-19-pandemic">COVID-19 pandemic</h2>



The COVID-19 pandemic marked a resurgence in wastewater analysis. Baylor scientists were among the first to detect the COVID-19 virus in wastewater. This revived interest in wastewater surveillance has now been expanded to monitor a broader range of viruses, using more sensitive technologies like PCR and genetic sequencing.



“We also see sequence information that PCR cannot give us that allows us to identify new viruses that might lead to the next pandemic,” said Dr. Tisza. “This is very powerful; it’s quantum leaps ahead of everything else. We think this is the way everybody is going to do it in the future.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42064-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Community health updates will soon be as easy as checking the weather

In the near future, people may access their community health...

A recent study published by the <a href="https://www.apa.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Psychological Association</a> has shed light on the profound impact of sleep deprivation on our emotional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/therapy-dogs-benefit-student-well-being-across-all-genders/">well-being</a>. 



This extensive research, synthesizing over 50 years of data, reveals that lack of sleep significantly affects our mood, increases anxiety, and dampens positive emotions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-health-nbsp">Psychological health&nbsp;</h2>



“In our largely sleep-deprived society, quantifying the effects of sleep loss on emotion is critical for promoting psychological health,” said study lead author Dr. Cara Palmer of <a href="https://www.montana.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Montana State University</a>. 



“This study represents the most comprehensive synthesis of experimental sleep and emotion research to date, and provides strong evidence that periods of extended wakefulness, shortened sleep duration, and nighttime awakenings adversely influence human emotional functioning.”



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



In collaboration with co-lead author Dr. Joanne Bower of East Anglia University and their team, Dr. Palmer analyzed data from 154 studies spanning five decades, involving 5,715 participants.&nbsp;



The studies disrupted participants' sleep in various ways: extended wakefulness, reduced sleep duration, and intermittent awakenings.&nbsp;



Post-sleep manipulation, the researchers had assessed emotional variables such as mood, response to emotional stimuli, and symptoms of depression and anxiety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-insights">Critical insights</h2>



The findings are striking. All forms of sleep loss led to a reduction in positive emotions like joy and contentment and heightened anxiety symptoms, including increased heart rate and worrying.&nbsp;



“This occurred even after short periods of sleep loss, like staying up an hour or two later than usual or after losing just a few of hours of sleep,” said Dr. Palmer. “We also found that sleep loss increased anxiety symptoms and blunted arousal in response to emotional stimuli.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-depression-symptoms-nbsp">Depression symptoms&nbsp;</h2>



However, the study's findings on depression symptoms and negative emotions like sadness and stress were less consistent and significant.&nbsp;



A notable limitation of this research is its focus on young adults, with an average participant age of 23.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-nbsp">Future research&nbsp;</h2>



According to the experts, future research should include a more diverse age sample to better understand how sleep deprivation affects people at different ages, according to the researchers.&nbsp;



Other directions for future research could include examining the effects of multiple nights of sleep loss, looking at individual differences to find out why some people may be more vulnerable than others to the effects of sleep loss, and examining the effects of sleep loss across different cultures, as most of the research in the current study was conducted in the United States and Europe, according to the researchers.



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



“Research has found that more than 30 percent of adults and up to 90 percent of teens don’t get enough sleep,” said Dr. Palmer.&nbsp;



“The implications of this research for individual and public health are considerable in a largely sleep-deprived society. Industries and sectors prone to sleep loss, such as first responders, pilots and truck drivers, should develop and adopt policies that prioritize sleep to mitigate against the risks to daytime function and well-being.” 



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/bul0000410" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Psychological Bulletin</a>. 



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Sleep deprivation has a big impact on emotional well-being

A recent study published by the American Psychological Association has...

Holding,Emergency,Contraception,Medicine,Over,Vintage,Alam,Clock

A recent study highlights a significant increase in sales of "morning after" pills in the United States following the New Year holiday. This 10% spike indicates a higher risk of unprotected sex during this period compared to other holidays.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comparison-with-other-holidays">Comparison with other holidays</h2>



While Valentine’s Day and Independence Day also report increased sales, the New Year's rise is more pronounced. This trend is particularly concerning given the increasing abortion restrictions in many US states, underscoring an unmet need for contraceptive services.



The study points out that New Year’s Eve celebrations often coincide with less protected sexual activity, increased alcohol consumption, higher rates of sexual assault, and limited access to contraceptive options due to the holiday hours of clinics and stores.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detailed-analysis-of-morning-after-pill-sales">Detailed analysis of "morning after" pill sales</h2>



Researchers delved into the sales data of levonorgestrel, an over-the-counter "morning after" pill, from 2016 to 2022. The analysis focused on sales in the week following New Year's Eve and Day across various US retail outlets, adjusting for the size of the female population aged 15 to 44.



The study also examined other holidays associated with unprotected sex, including Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, and St. Patrick’s Day, each showing a smaller increase in emergency contraception sales. Notably, holidays like Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Easter did not show similar trends.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-role-of-emergency-contraception">Critical role of emergency contraception</h2>



The study acknowledges limitations, such as the inability to equate sales directly with usage and the exclusion of data from certain sources. However, the findings are significant for public health, highlighting the need for targeted interventions during holidays to reduce risks associated with unprotected sex.



“More than ever, emergency contraception is a critically important option for people in the US, particularly those living in regions with bans or severe restrictions on abortion,” the researchers write. “Future work will explore how other dynamics at play in the US context, including state abortion restrictions, affect emergency contraception purchasing behavior and imply potential public health interventions to provide contraceptive care to those who need it the most.”



In light of restrictive abortion laws, emergency contraception becomes an essential option, particularly in affected regions. The research team aims to further explore how these dynamics influence purchasing behaviors and identify public health interventions for effective contraceptive care.



The full study was published in journal <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/383/bmj-2023-077437">The BMJ</a>.



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Sales of "morning after" pills soar after New Year’s Day

A recent study highlights a significant increase in sales of...

A new study published by <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/">Frontiers</a> shows that intermittent energy restriction (IER) diets alter communication between the gut and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-healthy-diet-can-reduce-brain-aging/">brain</a>, suggesting a complex interaction between our diet, gut health, and brain function. 



The research highlights the potential of tailored dietary interventions in managing obesity and its related health risks.



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



The study is particularly relevant given that over a billion people globally struggle with obesity, a condition linked to numerous health risks including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers.&nbsp;



Despite the high prevalence of obesity, effective, long-term weight loss remains challenging due to the intricate interplay of gut physiology, hormones, and brain function.



“Here we show that an IER diet changes the human brain-gut-microbiome axis. The observed changes in the gut microbiome and in the activity in addition-related brain regions during and after weight loss are highly dynamic and coupled over time,” said study co-author Dr. Qiang Zeng, a researcher at the Health Management Institute of the <a href="https://www.omicsonline.org/universities/Chinese_PLA_General_Hospital/">PLA General Hospital</a> in Beijing.



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



The study involved a thorough investigation of 25 obese participants, both women and men, from China. These individuals, averaging 27 years of age with BMIs ranging from 28 to 45, were asked to follow a strict IER diet.&nbsp;



The researchers used a range of techniques including metagenomics of stool samples, blood measurements, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to track changes in the gut microbiome, physiological parameters, serum composition, and brain activity.



“A healthy, balanced gut microbiome is critical for energy homeostasis and maintaining normal weight. In contrast, an abnormal gut microbiome can change our eating behavior by affecting certain brain area involved in addiction,” explained study co-author Dr. Yongli Li from the Department of Health Management of Henan Provincial People’s Hospital in Henan, China.



The study was conducted in two phases: a 32-day high-controlled fasting phase with stepwise reduced calorie intake, and a subsequent 30-day low-controlled fasting phase with specific dietary recommendations.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-insights-nbsp">Critical insights&nbsp;</h2>



The impact of this diet was profound: participants lost an average of 16.7 pounds, showing reductions in body fat, waist circumference, blood pressure, and serum levels of various markers like fasting plasma glucose and cholesterol. This indicates the potential of IER diets in mitigating obesity-related comorbidities such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and liver dysfunction.



The experts observed changes in both brain activity and the gut microbiome. They noted alterations in brain regions related to appetite and addiction control, as well as shifts in the abundance of specific gut bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Bacterokles uniformis.&nbsp;



Intriguingly, the study found correlations between the abundance of certain gut bacteria and the activity of specific brain regions involved in executive functions and emotional processing.



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



The findings open new avenues for understanding the complex relationship between weight loss, the brain, and the gut microbiome. However, as Dr. Xiaoning Wang noted, the study is correlational, and the exact causality remains unclear.&nbsp;



“The gut microbiome is thought to communicate with the brain in a complex, two-directional way. The microbiome produces neurotransmitters and neurotoxins which access the brain through nerves and the blood circulation. In return the brain controls eating behavior, while nutrients from our diet change the composition of the gut microbiome,” explained Dr. Wang.



“The next question to be answered is the precise mechanism by which the gut microbiome and the brain communicate in obese people, including during weight loss," said study co-author Dr. Liming Wang. "What specific gut microbiome and brain regions are critical for successful weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight?”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1269548" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology</a>.



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Appetite control: Intermittent fasting alters gut-brain communication 

A new study published by Frontiers shows that intermittent energy...

Asian,Man,Watch,Online,Tv,And,Eating,Snack,Instead,Of

Recent findings shed light on the relationship between physical inactivity, social vulnerability, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, and health characteristics in the United States. 



This comprehensive study, conducted by researchers from esteemed institutions, highlights the distinct geographic variances and disparities within the nation. 



These findings support the adoption of precision medicine approaches to target specific groups of individuals and communities, aiming to alleviate these disparities and improve overall health outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-physical-inactivity-pandemic">The physical inactivity pandemic</h2>



Dr. Ross Arena is a leading expert from the University of Illinois Chicago's <a href="https://ahs.uic.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Applied Science</a> and the Founder of the Healthy Living for Pandemic Event Protection (<a href="https://ahs.uic.edu/physical-therapy/healthspan/hl-pivot-healthy-living-for-pandemic-event-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HL–PIVOT</a>) Network in Chicago. 



Ross emphasizes the urgency of the situation, stating, "The findings of the current investigation indicate a crisis within a crisis with respect to a physical inactivity pandemic in the US. On a national level, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/active-aging-physical-activity-has-a-direct-impact-on-life-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical activity</a> is unacceptably low and has not appreciably improved over the past decade, while high levels of social vulnerability and physical inactivity are concentrated in specific geographic regions."



Engaging in regular physical activity contributes not only to one's healthspan but also to their lifespan, known as "healthy longevity". Even small increases in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/any-type-of-physical-activity-can-help-protect-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activity</a> can have significant positive effects on an individual's overall health and well-being. 



However, the COVID-19 pandemic, with its social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders, has led to a reduction in physical activity levels for many Americans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-vulnerability-and-physical-inactivity">Social vulnerability and physical inactivity</h2>



To delve deeper into the relationship between social vulnerability and physical inactivity, researchers conducted a spatial analysis comparing county-level data on physical inactivity prevalence with the <a href="https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Vulnerability Index</a> (SVI). 



The study also took into consideration the unique regional cultures in the United States, as defined by the American Nations model. The in-depth statistical analysis yielded several important findings:



<ul>
<li>Social vulnerability significantly influences the prevalence of physical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/physical-inactivity-during-childhood-linked-to-heart-damage-in-early-adulthood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inactivity</a> in the United States, particularly when it is associated with socioeconomic status and household characteristics.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The American Nations model revealed clear and statistically significant heterogeneity in social vulnerability across distinct regions of the United States. Similar to the well-known "stroke belt," there is evidence of a "social vulnerability belt" sweeping across a large portion of the southern US region. Additionally, northern and western Alaska are areas of concern.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The distribution of the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) aligns considerably with the prevalence of physical inactivity, suggesting a regional cultural influence on these adverse phenomena.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>High levels of social vulnerability and physical inactivity are concentrated within specific geographic regions, indicating the need for tailored solutions to address health disparities.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-factors-that-influence-lifestyle">Complex factors that influence lifestyle</h2>



The study emphasizes that external factors influencing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-may-improve-mental-health-more-than-medication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifestyle choices</a> are heterogeneous. Cultural and geographic overlays, historical effects from early settlers, and competing migration patterns of settler-colonizers have laid the foundation for diverse cultural traditions, as well as varied political and socioeconomic preferences.



The investigators stress that traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/you-can-reduce-your-risk-of-cancer-with-just-4-5-minutes-of-daily-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health messaging</a> and individual counseling approaches to address the physical inactivity crisis have suffered from an all-or-none approach. 



Co-investigator Dr. Nicolaas P. Pronk, President and Chief Science Officer of <a href="https://www.healthpartners.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HealthPartners</a>, Bloomington, MN, highlights the need to consider influencing factors. He states, “Typically, we’ve said, ‘Being <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/every-move-counts-even-minimal-activity-can-boost-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physically active</a> is good for everyone and hence all people should be more physically active and exercising 150 minutes or more per week on most if not all days of the week at a moderate intensity is ideal.’ Little attention is paid to factors that influence a person’s decision to be <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/physically-active-children-cope-better-with-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physically active</a>.”



Co-investigator Colin Woodard, Director of the Nationhood Lab at Salve Regina University's <a href="https://salve.edu/pell-center-for-international-relations-and-public-policy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pell Center</a> for International Relations and Public Policy in Newport, RI, adds that historical and cultural drivers of physical inactivity have often been overlooked. 



He emphasizes the importance of understanding what truly motivates behavioral change, stating, "Our goal with this study is to start getting to the bottom of what really motivates behavior and behavior change. Data-driven intelligence and the work of historians and cultural geographers can help us find the best ways to encourage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/morning-exercise-may-be-the-best-way-to-lose-weight-study-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy lifestyle choices</a> and ultimately make people healthier."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physical-inactivity-and-precision-medicine">Physical inactivity and precision medicine</h2>



Dr. Arena concludes by emphasizing the significance of considering social vulnerability and regional characteristics when designing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-can-counteract-the-genetic-risk-for-diabetes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical activity</a> health promotion campaigns and tailoring individual counseling. 



He states, “Our findings indicate social vulnerability and deep-seated characteristics of the United States’ distinct regions are likely influencing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-literally-becomes-harder-when-you-dont-do-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical activity decisions</a>. These factors should be considered when designing physical activity health promotion campaigns and tailoring individual counseling. We need to figure out how to help specific communities and individuals make behavior changes. What tools do they need? What messaging will resonate with them? It’s time to apply a precision medicine approach to healthy living medicine.”



In summary, this study highlights the detrimental effect of increased social vulnerability on unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, physical inactivity, and health characteristics in the United States. By recognizing the unique geographic variances and disparities and adopting precision medicine approaches, it is possible to target specific groups and communities, ultimately reducing health disparities and improving overall health outcomes. 



Through a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing behavior and the deployment of tailored solutions, we can promote healthier lifestyle choices and pave the way for a healthier nation.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(23)00676-9/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Medicine</a>.



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The US is in the midst of a "physical inactivity" pandemic

Recent findings shed light on the relationship between physical inactivity,...

Researchers at <a href="https://www.ntu.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanyang Technological University, Singapore</a> (NTU Singapore), in collaboration with <a href="https://www.camfil.com/en/">Camfil</a>, a global air filter manufacturer, have discovered that office <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/improving-air-quality-could-reduce-severe-cases-of-covid-19/">air quality</a> significantly influences creativity. 



The study revealed that high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - gases emitted from products like detergents, pesticides, perfumes, aerosol sprays, and paint - adversely affected creativity in individuals tasked with constructing 3D models from LEGO bricks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-total-volatile-organic-compounds">Total volatile organic compounds</h2>



Based on a statistical analysis, the NTU team determined that reducing total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) by 72 percent could potentially improve an individual’s creative potential by 12 percent.&nbsp;



TVOC is a measure of the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the air, commonly originating from interior decoration materials, household products, and other sources.



This study, conducted on the NTU Smart Campus, is part of a broader partnership between the University and Camfil.&nbsp;



This collaboration aims to examine the impact of indoor air quality on adult cognitive performance, evaluate air filter technologies in tropical climates, and develop innovative, energy-efficient clean air solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-air-quality-on-creativity">Impact of air quality on creativity</h2>



Professor Ng Bing Feng and Professor Wan Man Pun, leading the research team and serving as Cluster Directors for Smart &amp; Sustainable Building Technologies at the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), emphasized the significance of their findings.&nbsp;



“While most people would correctly associate indoor air quality with effects on the lungs, especially since we just emerged from a pandemic, our study shows that it could also have an impact on the mind and creative cognition, or the ability to use knowledge in an unconventional way," said Professor Ng.



"Our findings suggest that relatively low TVOC levels, even if well within the accepted threshold, could impact an individual’s creative potential."



Professor Wan highlighted the practical implications of these findings, particularly for creative industries. “This could have serious consequences for industries that rely on creativity for the bulk of their work. For instance, artists often use paints and thinners that release high levels of volatile organic compounds and may not know they need adequate ventilation to clear them from their workplace."



"The findings also point to how making minor adjustments in the office, such as reducing the use of aroma diffusers or ensuring adequate ventilation, could positively impact employees and their productivity,” he explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-assessing-creativity-from-air-quality">Assessing creativity from air quality</h2>



To assess creativity, the NTU researchers employed the Serious Brick Play method, adapted from the LEGO Serious Play framework. This method involves participants building 3D LEGO models and providing written descriptions. These models and descriptions are then evaluated for creativity by a panel of judges.



“While the LEGO Serious Play framework has been used in various settings to unleash creative thinking and has even been used to support dementia patients, it does not have a quantitative assessment component and cannot systematically assess creativity. This is why we added a component to score participants on their creativity,” Ng said.



The findings suggest a notable link between air quality and cognitive functions, particularly creativity, underscoring the importance of maintaining healthy indoor environments in workplaces and other settings.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42355-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Scientific Reports</a>.



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Indoor air quality influences creativity

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), in collaboration...

Spirulina,Green,Smoothie,-,Healthy,Food

As more individuals seek alternatives to traditional animal-based diets, a new study conducted by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Exeter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a> has shed light on an unexpected source of protein: eating algae. This research is the first of its kind to demonstrate that two commercially available algal species are not only protein-rich but also support muscle remodeling in young, healthy adults. 



This study highlights the potential of algae, specifically spirulina and chlorella, as rich protein sources capable of supporting muscle growth in healthy adults. The discovery is especially pertinent for those seeking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-foods-are-healthier-than-animal-products/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alternatives</a> to animal-derived proteins for environmental and ethical reasons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-algae-is-a-promising-alternative">Eating algae is a promising alternative</h2>



Researcher Ino Van Der Heijden from the University of Exeter emphasizes the significance of this discovery. 



"Our work has shown algae could become part of a secure and sustainable food future. As the trend of reducing meat consumption for ethical and environmental reasons grows, the interest in nonanimal-derived and sustainably produced protein sources is also increasing. Algae emerge as a promising novel protein source in this context," he explains.



Traditionally, animal-derived proteins are known for their ability to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, a crucial process for muscle growth and repair. The study suggests that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/algae-may-be-the-future-of-sustainable-superfoods/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> can replicate this process, offering an eco-friendly alternative. Spirulina and chlorella, in particular, are not only protein-rich but also abound in essential micronutrients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-algae-as-a-nutritional-powerhouse">Algae as a nutritional powerhouse</h2>



To substantiate these findings, the University of Exeter conducted a detailed study involving thirty-six healthy young adults. This randomized, double-blind trial compared the effects of spirulina and chlorella with a recognized high-quality, nonanimal protein source – fungal-derived mycoprotein. 



Participants engaged in resistance exercise and then consumed a protein-rich drink. Researchers collected and analyzed blood and muscle samples over four hours post-exercise and feeding, focusing on amino acid concentrations and muscle protein synthesis rates.



The study revealed that all protein sources increased blood amino acid concentrations, with spirulina showing the most rapid and highest peak responses. Moreover, each protein type effectively stimulated muscle protein synthesis in both rested and exercised muscles, with exercised muscles exhibiting higher synthesis rates.



In summary, this pioneering research by the University of Exeter positions spirulina and chlorella on par with high-quality nonanimal proteins, marking a significant step in the quest for sustainable, ethical protein sources. 



Algae, with its robust ability to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, stands as a viable alternative for those seeking nonanimal-derived protein options, paving the way for more sustainable and environmentally conscious dietary choices.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.08.035." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Nutrition</a>.



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Eating algae instead of meat products to save the planet

As more individuals seek alternatives to traditional animal-based diets, a...

Concept,Of,Social,Media,Communication,And,Digital,Online,,People,Use

In an increasingly digitized world, social media has become an integral part of many people's lives, spanning across generations. While some studies suggest that engaging with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-you-use-social-media-affects-your-sense-of-happiness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> can boost mood, others indicate that it may have a negative impact on mental health, leading to the phenomenon known as Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). 



In a recent study conducted by Associate Professor Julia Brailovskaia and her team from the Mental Health Research and Treatment Center at <a href="https://www.kli.psy.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/fbz/fbz-en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ruhr University</a> Bochum, Germany, and the <a href="https://www.leibniz-hki.de/en/german-centre-for-mental-health.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">German Center for Mental Health</a>, new evidence emerged regarding the effects of social media use on job satisfaction and mental health. The study revealed compelling insights into the relationship between social media use and overall well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-social-media-and-mood-swings">Studying social media and mood swings</h2>



The research team designed a one-week study involving 166 participants working in various sectors, who spent a minimum of 35 minutes a day engaging in non-work-related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-use-is-not-an-addictive-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> use. 



The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group continued their usual social media habits, while the other group reduced their social media use by 30 minutes per day for seven days. 



The participants completed online questionnaires before the study, on the day after it commenced, and one week later. These questionnaires provided valuable data on workload, job satisfaction, commitment, mental health, stress levels, FoMO, and behaviors indicating addictive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-so-many-people-addicted-to-social-media/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-team-learned">What the team learned</h2>



The team's findings revealed that a mere 30-minute reduction in daily social media use had significant positive effects on job satisfaction and mental health. 



Julia Brailovskaia stated, "The participants in this group felt less overworked and were more committed on the job than the control group." 



Moreover, the participants' sense of FoMO decreased, indicating reduced anxieties associated with missing out on important events in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-behavior-groups-people-into-opposing-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">networks</a>. These improvements persisted for at least a week after the end of the study and, in some instances, even increased over time. 



Encouragingly, participants who voluntarily reduced their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-causes-depression-in-adults-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> use continued to maintain the habit even after the study's conclusion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-and-work-performance">Social media and work performance</h2>



The study suggests that the observed improvements can be attributed to reduced feelings of being overworked and increased attention focused on job tasks. 



Brailovskaia explains, "Our brains can't cope well with constant distraction from a task. People who frequently stop what they're doing to catch up on their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-over-social-media-less-stress-more-life-satisfaction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> feed find it more difficult to focus and achieve poorer results." 



By freeing up time from social media use, participants had more opportunity to prioritize their work responsibilities and avoid divided attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-and-personal-relationships">Social media and personal relationships</h2>



Another significant finding from the study emphasized the potential negative impact of excessive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-social-media-cause-depression-in-children-a-new-study-says-no/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> use on interpersonal relationships in the workplace. 



Spending excessive time on social media may hinder face-to-face interaction with colleagues, potentially leading to feelings of alienation. Limiting social media use could help mitigate this effect and encourage real-life interactions among colleagues, fostering a more supportive work environment.



The study's results align with <a href="https://news.rub.de/wissenschaft/2022-04-20-psychologie-weniger-smartphone-mehr-wohlbefinden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previous research</a> conducted by the team. It suggests that even a modest reduction of 20 to 30 minutes in daily social media consumption can alleviate depressive symptoms and improve overall mental health. 



Julia Brailovskaia suggests that incorporating a reduction in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-impacts-boys-and-girls-at-different-ages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> use as a component of business coaching training, mental health programs, and psychotherapeutic interventions could yield valuable benefits for individuals' well-being and job performance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-a-healthy-balance">Finding a healthy balance</h2>



As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/goldilocks-amount-of-social-media-time-may-protect-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> continues to permeate our daily lives, it is crucial to understand its potential impacts on job satisfaction and mental health. The study conducted by Associate Professor Julia Brailovskaia and her team highlights the positive effects of reducing social media use by just 30 minutes per day on job satisfaction and mental health. 



In summary, by affording individuals more focused work time, reducing stress levels, and fostering authentic interpersonal connections, limiting social media use can enhance the overall well-being and performance of employees. These findings underline the significance of addressing social media use as a factor in promoting employee mental health and job satisfaction.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0144929X.2023.2286529" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Behavior and Information Technology</a>.



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Spending less time on social media improves your mental health

In an increasingly digitized world, social media has become an...

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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

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" 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> 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



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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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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