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,...

As the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-made-covid-19-patients-sicker-for-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19</a> pandemic emerged, one of the most pronounced impacts was observed on cruise ships. A disproportionate number of cruise ship passengers were infected with the virus and stranded onboard for quarantine.&nbsp;



This scenario highlighted the urgent need for improved ventilation on cruise ships to distribute fresh air, especially in cabins and other enclosed areas, to reduce viral transmission.



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



A new study published by the <a href="https://www.aip.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Institute of Physics</a> investigated how ventilation can influence the transmission of airborne viruses in a standard cruise ship cabin. This examination was based on the guidelines established both before and after the pandemic.



“The most recent standards and regulations on room safety regarding the airborne transmission of viruses focus on high rates of air exchange,” said study co-author Dimitris Drikakis. 



“But this can be inefficient in terms of energy consumption, can compromise passenger comfort as it generates strong air drafts, and most importantly, can spread saliva droplets up to five times more when passengers cough.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-computer-simulations">Computer simulations</h2>



To comprehend the implications thoroughly, Drikakis and his team simulated virus droplets resulting from a cough in a typical cruiser cabin designed for two or more occupants. These simulations factored in varying ventilation rates and the positioning of the individual coughing.&nbsp;



The range for computational fluid dynamics testing was broad, between 1.5 to 15 air changes per hour (ACH), encompassing scenarios from minimal ventilation to rates that surpassed the newest recommendations.



“The study reveals that a higher ventilation rate is not the best strategy to avoid spreading airborne diseases,” said Drikakis. “Complete evaporation of the saliva droplets may not necessarily mean all viruses or bacteria become instantly inactive. Therefore, we should aim at minimum droplet spreading inside the cabin and different ventilation strategies for occupied cabins.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ideal-ventilation-strategy-nbsp">Ideal ventilation strategy&nbsp;</h2>



Upon evaluating the results, the research team proposed an ideal ventilation strategy. Systems should function at medium flow rates of about 3 ACH when cabins are occupied and then ramp up to 15 ACH for a minimum of 12 minutes post-vacancy.&nbsp;



This method ensures a complete air refreshment for subsequent occupants. Additionally, they advocate for a "clearance wait time" of at least 12 minutes for rooms of comparable sizes, maintaining a minimum of 15 ACH.



“Our main argument for the proposed values is the necessity to minimize droplet spreading while maintaining good ventilation levels, comfort, and energy consumption,” stated Drikakis.&nbsp;



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



This approach offers a more energy-efficient solution and elevates passenger comfort - a stark contrast to the practice of leveraging higher ventilation rates.



“Our main argument for the proposed values is the necessity to minimize droplet spreading while maintaining good ventilation levels, comfort and energy consumption,” said Drikakis. “Keeping ventilation at the proposed values reduces energy consumption and improves passenger comfort in contrast to the use of higher ventilation rates.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/5.0169992" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physics of Fluids</a>.



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Cruise ships rethink ventilation to minimize viral spread

As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, one of the most pronounced...

A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/">University of Sydney</a> has revealed a concerning decline in the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat common infections in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-may-be-isolating-too-long-for-covid-19-infection/">children</a> and babies worldwide.&nbsp;



This alarming resistance to antibiotics is leading to outdated global guidelines and a subsequent rise in avoidable deaths, particularly in regions such as South-East Asia and the Pacific.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-updates-urgently-needed">Updates urgently needed</h2>



The study highlighted that many antibiotics, which are recommended by the World Health Organization (<a href="https://www.who.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHO</a>), show less than 50 percent effectiveness in combating childhood infections like pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. 



This indicates that the global guidelines on antibiotic use urgently require updates. It is worth noting that these findings are further supported by data in the journal "Lancet South East Asia."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thousands-of-preventable-deaths">Thousands of preventable deaths</h2>



Regions facing the brunt of this crisis include South-East Asia and the Pacific, specifically nations like Indonesia and the Philippines. Thousands of preventable child deaths in these areas result from the growing antibiotic resistance each year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-health-threat">Global health threat</h2>



The WHO has identified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top 10 global public health threats.&nbsp;



Among newborns, approximately three million sepsis cases are reported worldwide every year, leading to almost 570,000 deaths. A significant portion of these deaths can be attributed to antibiotics that are ineffective in treating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-have-been-found-in-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria resistant</a> to them.



Of particular concern, the antibiotic ceftriaxone, commonly used in Australia to treat a myriad of child infections, is now found to be effective in only one out of three cases of newborn sepsis or meningitis. Another drug, gentamicin, often prescribed alongside aminopenicillins, is similarly losing its efficacy.



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



Study lead author Dr. Phoebe Williams is an infectious disease specialist at the University’s School of Public Health and <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/infectious-diseases-institute/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute</a>. Her research is focused on reducing antimicrobial resistance in high-burden healthcare settings in Southeast Asia.



Antimicrobial resistance poses a more significant threat to children as newer antibiotics are less frequently tested on them.



For the study, the experts scrutinized 6,648 bacterial isolates from 11 countries, relying on data from 86 publications.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wake-up-call-nbsp">Wake-up call&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Williams said the study should be a wake-up call for the whole world, including Australia. "We are not immune to this problem - the burden of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sloths-may-hold-a-secret-weapon-against-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antimicrobial resistance</a> is on our doorstep," she said.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-linked-to-increase-in-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antibiotic resistance</a> is rising more rapidly than we realize. We urgently need new solutions to stop invasive multidrug-resistant infections and the needless deaths of thousands of children each year.”



“Antibiotic clinical focus on adults and too often children and newborns are left out. That means we have very limited options and data for new treatments.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed-nbsp">Further research is needed&nbsp;</h2>



Currently, Dr. Williams is researching the potential of an older antibiotic, fosfomycin, to counteract multidrug-resistant urinary tract infections in Australian children. She's also actively collaborating with the WHO’s Paediatric Drug Optimisation Committee to expedite children's access to effective antibiotics.



Study senior author Paul Turner is the director of the Cambodia Oxford Medical Research Unit at Angkor Hospital for Children, Siem Reap and a professor at the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>.



“This study reveals important problems regarding the availability of effective antibiotics to treat serious infections in children,” said Turner. “It also highlights the ongoing need for high quality laboratory data to monitor the AMR situation, which will facilitate timely changes to be made to treatment guidelines.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100291">The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia</a>.&nbsp;



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Antibiotics for childhood infections are becoming ineffective

A recent study led by the University of Sydney has...

Young,Hiker,Man,Taking,Selfie,Portrait,On,The,Top,Of

In the age of social media, selfies have become a big part of our daily communication. These digital self-portraits have surged in popularity alongside smartphones.



But, even though selfies have become ingrained in our culture, we still don’t understand how people use them to communicate. This is the central focus of a new study from the <a href="https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bamberg</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-selfie-meanings-nbsp">Selfie meanings&nbsp;</h2>



“Although the term ‘selfies’ is now celebrating its 21st birthday, and although selfies are known in art history for nearly 200 years in photography and more than 500 years in paintings, we still lack a clear classification of the different types of selfies,” said study lead author Tobias Schneider.



Earlier studies established three primary motives behind taking selfies: self-expression, documentation, and performance. While some scientists used hashtags and metadata to extract selfie meanings, the photo itself often remained unexplored.



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



To investigate, the Bamberg team presented a group of study participants with random selfies and noted their first impressions. 



“Most research addresses direct visual factors, neglecting associative factors that viewers have in mind when browsing through our selfie-oriented world,” said study senior author Professor Claus-Christian Carbon. “Here we used personal reports and associations to describe and categorize selfies in a systematic way.”



Using a database called Selfiecity, the team created a dataset of 1,001 selfies. These images were free from any text and taken using mobile cameras or selfie sticks.



Overall, 132 online participants were presented with a variety of selfies, which were randomly generated. The individuals recorded their spontaneous reactions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-semantic-profiles-nbsp">Semantic profiles&nbsp;</h2>



Based on thousands of reactions, the researchers identified 26 categories of selfies. A subsequent cluster analysis grouped these into five primary "semantic profiles."



The largest of the semantic profiles was named "aesthetics": pictures that highlight style or aesthetic experience. This category was closely followed by "imagination": selfies that provoke viewers to speculate about the selfie-taker's surroundings or activities.



The third profile named "trait" includes selfies that elicit personality-related terms. The last two profiles are "state," focusing on mood or ambiance, and "theory of mind," pushing viewers to surmise the motives or identity of the selfie-taker.



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



According to the researchers, the results suggest that participants were picking up on visual language which we use to communicate different aspects of ourselves - whether that’s our mood or a new outfit.



“We were quite impressed how often the category ‘theory of mind’ was expressed, because this is a very sophisticated way of communicating inner feelings and thoughts,” said Schneider. “It shows how effective selfies can be in terms of communication.”



“Research never ends. We need more free reports on selfies, more descriptions of how people feel about the depicted persons and scenes, in order to better understand how selfies are used as a compact way of communicating to others.”



“We definitely need larger, more diverse, and cross-cultural samples in the future to understand how different groups and cultures use selfies to express themselves,” added Carbon.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2023.1233100" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Communication</a>.



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How do we use selfies to communicate?

In the age of social media, selfies have become a...

A new study led by <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M University</a> has found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-deprivation-makes-you-angry/">anger</a>, typically regarded as a negative emotion, can actually serve as a powerful motivator for individuals striving to attain challenging goals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mix-of-emotions-nbsp">Mix of emotions&nbsp;</h2>



“People often believe that a state of happiness is ideal, and the majority of people consider the pursuit of happiness a major life goal,” said lead author Heather Lench, PhD, a professor in the department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Texas A&amp;M.&nbsp;



“The view that positive emotion is ideal for mental health and well-being has been prominent in lay and psychological accounts of emotion, but previous research suggests that a mix of emotions, including negative emotions like anger, result in the best outcomes.”



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



This viewpoint aligns with the functionalist theory of emotion, suggesting that all emotions, whether positive or negative, are responses to environmental stimuli, serving to alert individuals to significant situations that demand action.



In their quest to delve deeper into the role of anger in goal achievement, the researchers undertook a series of experiments with over 1,000 participants and analyzed survey responses from an additional 1,400 individuals.&nbsp;



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



Participants were subjected to conditions designed to invoke various emotional responses, including anger, and were subsequently presented with challenging objectives.



One of the experiments had participants view specific visuals intended to induce certain emotional or neutral states, followed by a task involving solving word puzzles. Another scenario involved completing a skiing video game with varying levels of difficulty.



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



Across the various experimental setups, the experts consistently observed that anger enhanced the participants’ ability to meet their goals, especially in comparison to a neutral emotional state. This was evident through improved performance metrics such as higher scores or quicker response times. In certain instances, anger was even associated with an increased propensity to cheat in order to attain a more favorable outcome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anger-increases-effort">Anger increases effort</h2>



Additionally, the study took into account survey data from the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections. Prior to the elections, participants were asked to rate their potential level of anger should their preferred candidate lose.&nbsp;



Post-election, they reported on their voting behavior. The data revealed that those who anticipated anger in the event of their candidate’s loss were more likely to participate in the voting process, although their choice of candidate was not influenced by their anger.



“These findings demonstrate that anger increases effort toward attaining a desired goal, frequently resulting in greater success,” Lench said, further highlighting that anger’s efficacy in achieving goals was particularly pronounced in situations where the goals posed a substantial challenge, and was less associated with success in simpler tasks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-balanced-emotional-spectrum-nbsp">A balanced emotional spectrum&nbsp;</h2>



Lench also acknowledged that while anger was a common facilitator of success, other emotions such as amusement or desire were sometimes linked to goal attainment too.



Ultimately, these findings contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the utility of a balanced emotional spectrum, including both positive and negative emotions, in promoting overall well-being.&nbsp;



“People often prefer to use positive emotions as tools more than negative and tend to see negative emotions as undesirable and maladaptive. Our research adds to the growing evidence that a mix of positive and negative emotions promotes well-being, and that using negative emotions as tools can be particularly effective in some situations,” Lench concluded.



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Personality and Social Psychology</a>.



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Anger can be a powerful motivator to achieve major life goals

A new study led by Texas A&amp;M University has found...

In a significant shift from the common belief that individuals should aim for 10,000 steps daily for optimal health, a new international study spearheaded by the <a href="https://www.ugr.es/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Granada</a> has established a different standard. 



The research not only highlights the ideal number of daily steps people should target but also emphasizes the health advantages of the walking pace.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dissecting-the-myth-of-10-000-daily-steps">Dissecting the myth of 10,000 daily steps</h2>



The notion advocating for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climbing-stairs-can-slash-your-heart-disease-risk-by-20-percent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10,000 daily steps</a>, originating in Japan around the 1960s, was widely accepted but lacked substantial scientific backing. 



This recent study demystifies that number, pointing out that the key to reducing the risk of premature death significantly lies in accomplishing approximately 7,000 daily steps. 



This translates to about 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) per day, given the average human stride. The research also delineates that the pace of walking fortifies the health benefits gained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-optimal-daily-step-count">Optimal daily step count</h2>



The study is the product of collaboration among specialists from various international institutions. These include the <a href="https://www.radboudumc.nl/en/patient-care" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Radboud University Medical Center</a> in the Netherlands, the Universities of Granada and Castilla-La Mancha in Spain, and <a href="https://www.iastate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iowa State University</a> in the United States.



Francisco B. Ortega is the study's lead author and a professor at the UGR’s Department of Physical Education and Sports. He explained, "We've demonstrated that more steps are always better, and there's no evidence to suggest a step count that could be harmful to health." 



Ortega emphasized that reaching between 7,000 and 9,000 daily steps emerges as a practical health objective for the majority. The revelation comes after a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis encompassing data from twelve international studies, which collectively involved more than 110,000 participants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-10-000-to-7-000-establishing-clear-targets">From 10,000 to 7,000: Establishing clear targets</h2>



Esmée Bakker, a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Granada and a principal author of the study, shared insights distinguishing this research from others. 



"What sets our study apart is the establishment of clear step goals. We indicate that health improvements are observable with minor increases in daily steps, especially for individuals presently less active," she stated.



According to the findings, even incremental objectives like an additional 500 daily steps could offer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-can-drastically-improve-your-health-without-thousands-of-daily-steps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health improvements</a>. This recommendation is particularly encouraging for those who find the prospect of nearly 9,000 steps daunting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fast-walking-enhances-benefits">Fast walking enhances benefits</h2>



The study doesn't stop at just quantifying steps. It further uncovers that the speed at which a person walks plays a crucial role. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/health-benefits-of-10000-steps-are-enhanced-with-a-faster-pace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Faster walking</a> correlates with a lower mortality risk, irrespective of the total daily steps. The researchers also found these results consistent across genders.



Moreover, the study's insights extend to practicality. It underscores that the means of counting steps, whether through a smartwatch, a wrist-based tracker, or a smartphone, doesn't influence the outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-benefits-at-every-age">Health benefits at every age</h2>



One might wonder if ceasing to walk beyond approximately 9,000 steps is advisable. "Absolutely not," asserts Francisco B. Ortega. The research indicates no upper limit to harmful steps.



Ortega notes that walking as many as 16,000 steps daily still showcases health advantages, albeit with diminishing risk reductions beyond the 7,000-9,000 step bracket.



Importantly, the study advocates for age-appropriate step targets. Younger individuals might have higher step goals compared to their older counterparts. 



Notably, the research scope was confined to analyzing the effects on all-cause mortality and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/3000-extra-steps-per-day-lowers-blood-pressure-in-older-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular diseases</a>. A broad spectrum of scientific literature suggests that moderate to vigorous physical activities correlate with numerous other health benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daily-steps-simplify-public-health-goals">Daily steps simplify public health goals </h2>



The significance of this study is not just in its scientific findings but also in its practical implications. National physical activity guidelines recommending 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly often leave individuals at a crossroads. Most people are unsure about exercise intensity, or whether their activities meet these standards.



Counting steps simplifies this. It offers a tangible, measurable goal that most people can track thanks to prevalent technology like smartphones and wearable devices.



In summary, the study serves as a beacon, guiding individuals towards achievable health goals through walking. By establishing a more accessible target and recognizing the role of walking pace, the research paves the way for enhanced public health strategies. It encourages communities to step up -- quite literally -- for their health.



The full study was published in <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0735109723064008" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the American College of Cardiology</a>.



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Scientists prove how many daily steps you should take to avoid early death

In a significant shift from the common belief that individuals...

The importance of sunscreen has been emphasized by health campaigns worldwide. Its popularity is on the rise, with more people than ever relying on sunscreen to protect their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-does-skin-become-leathery-after-too-much-uv-light-from-sun-exposure/">skin</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunscreen-paradox-nbsp">Sunscreen paradox&nbsp;</h2>



However, recent findings suggest that this growing trust might be misplaced, hinting at what experts call the "sunscreen paradox." This unsettling concept suggests that the rising use of sunscreen correlates with increasing melanoma and skin cancer rates.



Dr. Ivan Litvinov, Chair of the Dermatology Division at <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a>, together with a team of researchers including Dr. Sandra Peláez, Dr. Richie Jeremian, and Dr. Pingxing Xie, have published two studies that delve into the sunscreen paradox.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misguided-belief-nbsp">Misguided belief&nbsp;</h2>



A concerning revelation from the research is the way that sunscreen is viewed by the general public. “The problem is that people use sunscreen as a ‘permission slip’ to tan,” said Dr. Litvinov. “People think they are protected from skin cancer because they are using a product marketed to prevent a condition.”&nbsp;



Many people assume that sunscreen application offers complete protection. The result is a false sense of security, the researchers noted. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skin-cancer">Skin cancer</h2>



While sunscreen is essential, it is not a guaranteed way to protect yourself from skin cancer.&nbsp;



“Sunscreen is important, but it is also the least effective way to protect your skin when compared to sun protective clothing, rash guards, and sun avoidance. People can and should enjoy the outdoors, but without getting a sun burn or a suntan,” said Dr. Litvinov.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-melanoma-incidence">Melanoma incidence</h2>



In the first study, the team investigated the melanoma incidence rates in the Atlantic provinces of Canada.&nbsp;



Here, residents of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, despite being better informed about sun protection and more proactive in monitoring the UV index, showed higher melanoma incidence rates.



"Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, with a propensity for metastasis and poor prognosis," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



Higher melanoma rates were attributed to increased sun exposure due to higher temperatures and a preference for outdoor activities.



"Within the Canadian population, several sociodemographic variables have been associated with sun exposure rates and subsequent CM development, including geographic latitude, climate, vegetation, genetic predisposition, Fitzpatrick skin phototype, socioeconomic status, occupation, and behavioral habits," explained the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-discovery">Alarming discovery</h2>



The second study, focused on the UK Biobank, unearthed a startling correlation: sunscreen use is linked with more than double the risk of skin cancer development.&nbsp;



“These combined findings suggest a sunscreen paradox, whereby individuals with higher levels of sun exposure also tend to use more but not an adequate quantity of sunscreen or other sun-protection measures, providing a false sense of security,” explained Dr. Litvinov.



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



This growing body of evidence highlights a necessary shift in the global understanding and application of sun protection. We must adopt a comprehensive approach to sun safety, which includes awareness, the right sun-protective attire, and limited sun exposure.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers15194726" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cancers</a>.



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Sunscreen gives us a false sense of security

The importance of sunscreen has been emphasized by health campaigns...

Intermittent fasting, specifically time-restricted eating, has gained prominence as an innovative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-dietary-changes-could-offset-carbon-emissions/">dietary</a> approach. 



A recent study from the <a href="https://www.uic.edu/">University of Illinois Chicago</a> (UIC) suggests that this method may not only be safe - but also highly effective - for individuals with Type 2 diabetes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beneficial-strategy">Beneficial strategy</h2>



The research highlights the benefits of consuming meals within an eight-hour window, specifically from noon to 8 p.m., as participants adhering to this regimen experienced more weight loss over a six-month period than those who decreased their calorie intake by 25 percent.&nbsp;



This is significant given that the traditional advice for diabetics often focuses on calorie reduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-sugar-levels">Blood sugar levels</h2>



Moreover, despite the differences in dietary methods, both sets of participants showcased similar reductions in their long-term blood sugar levels.&nbsp;



This was determined through a hemoglobin A1C test, which offers insight into blood sugar levels spanning the last three months.



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



The comprehensive study was focused on 75 participants, who were distributed into three distinct groups: time-restricted eating, calorie reduction, and a control group.&nbsp;



Over half a year, the research team meticulously measured the participants' weight, waist circumference, blood sugar levels, among other critical health indicators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-ease">Surprising ease</h2>



Study senior author Krista Varady, a professor of Kinesiology and Nutrition at UIC, said the time-restricted eating group adapted to this regimen with surprising ease.&nbsp;



By contrast, many individuals in the calorie-reducing group struggled to follow the dietary recommendations.&nbsp;



The researchers believe this is partly because patients with diabetes are generally told to cut back on calories by their doctors as a first line of defense, so many of these participants likely had already tried - and struggled with - that form of dieting.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effective-alternative-nbsp">Effective alternative&nbsp;</h2>



Notably, although the participants practicing time-restricted eating weren't specifically advised to cut calories, the defined eating window inadvertently led them to do so.



“Our study shows that time-restricted eating might be an effective alternative to traditional dieting for people who can’t do the traditional diet or are burned out on it,” said Professor Varady. “For many people trying to lose weight, counting time is easier than counting calories.”&nbsp;



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



Importantly, the six-month study did not report any adverse events. Both occurrences of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) remained consistent across the diet and control groups.



Given that an estimated 1 in 10 U.S. residents is diagnosed with diabetes - a figure projected to escalate to 1 in 3 by 2050 - the need for alternative dietary solutions is pressing.&nbsp;



While the study serves as an initial step in establishing the safety of intermittent fasting for Type 2 diabetics, Professor Varady emphasized the need for larger follow-up studies. She also noted that people with diabetes should consult their doctors before starting a time-restricted diet.&nbsp;



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39337">JAMA Network Open</a>.



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Tired of dieting? Time-restricted eating is a safe alternative

Intermittent fasting, specifically time-restricted eating, has gained prominence as an...

Making small dietary changes could be the first step towards reducing carbon emissions and improving our health, suggests a new study co-authored by a researcher from <a href="https://tulane.edu/">Tulane University</a> and published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-023-00864-0">Nature Food</a>.&nbsp;



The study indicates that straightforward alterations, such as opting for chicken over beef or choosing plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk, can potentially diminish the average American’s food-related carbon footprint by 35 percent, and enhance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-healthy-diet-can-reduce-brain-aging/">diet</a> quality by four to ten percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-changes">Small changes</h2>



This research underscores the viability of a “small changes” methodology, which the authors believe might persuade more individuals to embrace eco-friendly dietary practices.&nbsp;



Since food production contributes to 25-33 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions - with beef production identified as a major source - such changes could be crucial for mitigating pollution and thus climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simple-swaps">Simple swaps</h2>



“This study shows that cutting dietary carbon emissions is accessible and doesn’t have to be a whole lifestyle change,” said senior author Diego Rose, the director of the nutrition program at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.&nbsp;



“It can be as simple as ordering a chicken burrito instead of a beef burrito when you go out to eat. When you’re at the grocery store, move your hand one foot over to grab soy or almond milk instead of cow’s milk. That one small change can have a significant impact.”



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



The research team analyzed dietary data from over 7,700 Americans to identify high-impact foods and propose lower-emission, nutritionally comparable alternatives.&nbsp;



“For us, substitutes included swapping a beef burger for a turkey burger, not replacing your steak with a tofu hotdog,” explained lead author Anna Grummon, an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy at <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a>. “We looked for substitutes that were as similar as possible.”



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



The most substantial reductions in emissions were observed in mixed dishes like burritos and pastas, where substituting beef with a less impactful protein is relatively straightforward.&nbsp;



The study also incorporated dietary data for children, highlighting that plant-based milk alternatives can significantly reduce carbon footprints and establish positive habits from an early age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dietary-improvements-nbsp">Dietary improvements&nbsp;</h2>



Although the study wasn’t primarily focused on identifying healthier alternatives to high-carbon foods, the switches to lower-carbon options resulted in considerable dietary improvements.&nbsp;



“There is overlap between sustainable diets and healthy diets. Our study shows that changing just one ingredient, making one swap, can be a win-win, resulting in meaningful changes in both climate outcomes and how healthy our diets are,” Grummon concluded.



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Small dietary changes could offset carbon emissions

Making small dietary changes could be the first step towards...

The pull of your smartphone isn’t just driven by endless streams of information. A new study suggests it's all about our craving for novelty.



The world of online information can be very distracting, and many people blame tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Apple for our dwindling attention spans.



However, in a recent paper, philosopher Jelle Bruineberg from the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/">University of Copenhagen</a> presents a different perspective. He suggests that the real issue might not be the abundance of digital information, but our intrinsic human desire for novelty. And if it's novelty the brain craves, digital technology is certainly able to deliver.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-checking-habits-nbsp">Checking habits&nbsp;</h2>



"When we get this inner urge to check our email or the latest notifications on Facebook, it is not because we are overwhelmed by information; often, we are not even engaging with our mobile phone when the urge comes. But the action of checking our phone affords us easy access to a very satisfying reward: a piece of novel information. This craving for novelty is, according to cognitive neuroscience, a basic aspect of the way our minds work," explained Bruineberg.



"Digital technologies provide us with the means to achieve this reward with hardly any effort. We only need to move a couple of fingers around on our phone."&nbsp;



"If I were in a library, which also contains vast amounts of information, it would not make sense for me to develop a checking habit with respect to a particular book. It would be too much of a hassle, but moreover the information in a book is static, it does not suddenly change in the way that information in the digital realm changes. It is the combination of effortless access and changing content, that makes us so susceptible to develop 'checking habits.'"



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-perspective">Historical perspective</h2>



Bruineberg also questions the modern narrative around the attention economy. The prevailing belief is that in a bygone era, when information was sparse, people could focus better. Today, we're inundated with information, leading to our current attention crisis.&nbsp;



Bruineberg challenges this view, noting that maintaining focus has historically been a challenge. As evidence, he cites religious groups' emphasis on meditation and contemplation, designed to aid individuals in gaining control over their wandering minds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-profound-mismatch-nbsp">A profound mismatch&nbsp;</h2>



"The idea I put forward in this article is that there is a profound mismatch between the way our minds work and the structure of modern digital technologies. But it is not about us getting swamped by loads of information," said Bruineberg.



"What it boils down to is that we – and our minds – are not equipped to deal with environments that allow for frictionless engagement and task-switching, practically infinite amounts of easily available novelty and rewards. And the only way to counter this development is to heavily constrain our digital environments."



"For example, receiving emails only twice a day guarantees that there is no novelty to be found in your inbox in between those moments. 50 years from now, we probably look back in horror at how complex and unconstrained our current digital environments are."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nc/niad019">Neuroscience of Consciousness</a>.



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Digital distraction: Our phones are irresistible because we crave novelty

The pull of your smartphone isn’t just driven by endless...

Childhood trauma, a pervasive issue worldwide, may have greater ramifications than previously believed.&nbsp;



A recent meta-analysis published by the <a href="https://www.aan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Academy of Neurology</a> reveals a potential connection between traumatic events experienced in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-trauma-can-be-overcome-in-adulthood-even-in-the-animal-kingdom/">childhood</a>, such as abuse or household dysfunction, and the onset of headache disorders in adulthood.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clear-risk-factors">Clear risk factors</h2>



While the research does not provide evidence of a direct causal relationship, it clearly highlights an association.



“Traumatic events in childhood can have serious health implications later in life,” said study author Dr. Catherine Kreatsoulas of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.&nbsp;



“Our meta-analysis confirms that childhood traumatic events are important risk factors for headache disorders in adulthood, including migraine, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and chronic or severe headaches. This is a risk factor that we cannot ignore.”



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



The team analyzed the results of 28 studies across 19 countries involving over 150,000 participants. 



Overall, 31 percent (48,625 individuals) recounted at least a single traumatic event from their childhood. Meanwhile, 16 percent (24,956 individuals) were diagnosed with primary headaches.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-results-of-the-analysis">Results of the analysis</h2>



The analysis showed that, among the group with traumatic childhood events, 26 percent had a primary headache disorder. By contrast, only 12 percent from the non-traumatic group suffered from a headache disorder.



When the researchers took a closer look at the data, they found that individuals with one or more childhood traumas were almost 50 percent more prone to headache disorders than individuals without such traumas.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traumatic-events-nbsp">Traumatic events&nbsp;</h2>



Furthermore, the risk escalated with the number of traumatic events: a single traumatic event resulted in a 24 percent increased risk, while experiencing four or more traumatic events doubled the likelihood of a headache disorder.



To refine their understanding, the team placed traumatic events into two categories: threat traumas (like abuse or witnessing violence) and deprivation traumas (such as neglect or living with a chronically ill family member).&nbsp;



Threat traumas increased the headache risk by 46 percent and deprivation traumas by 35 percent. Physical and sexual abuse escalated the risk of headache disorders by 60 percent. In the deprivation category, childhood neglect almost tripled the risk.



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



“This meta-analysis highlights that childhood traumatic events categorized as threat or deprivation traumas are important and independent risk factors for headache disorders in adulthood,” said Dr. Kreatsoulas.&nbsp;



“Identifying the specific types of childhood experiences may help guide prevention and treatment strategies for one of the leading disabling disorders worldwide. A comprehensive public health plan and clinical intervention strategies are needed to address these underlying traumatic childhood events.”



“It is important to note that the true estimate of the association is likely higher due to the sensitive nature of reporting childhood traumatic events."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-headache-disorders">More about headache disorders</h2>



Headache disorders, among the most common disorders of the nervous system, are pervasive conditions that can affect individuals across all age groups. Here are some of the most common types of headache disorders:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-migraines">Migraines</h3>



Characterized by throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tension-headaches">Tension headaches</h3>



Often described as a tight band around the head, they are typically a result of muscle tension or stress.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cluster-headaches">Cluster headaches</h3>



These headaches are extremely painful, and occur in cyclical patterns or clusters. They are one of the most severe types of headache disorders.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.neurology.org/">Neurology</a>.



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Childhood trauma could triple the risk of headache disorders

Childhood trauma, a pervasive issue worldwide, may have greater ramifications...

A new study from Canada has shed light on the potential therapeutic power of music in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-therapy-can-reduce-pain-stress-and-anxiety/">pain management</a>.&nbsp;



Drawing from the universally acknowledged notion that music can be a profound emotional experience, researchers have taken this idea a step further.&nbsp;



The team set out to investigate&nbsp; how emotional connections with our favorite music can actually help reduce pain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pain-perception">Pain perception</h2>



Over the years, research has consistently illustrated the relationship between music and reduced pain perception in humans. This phenomenon, termed hypoalgesia, is characterized by a decreased sensitivity to pain.&nbsp;



It happens when the pain signals are disrupted during their transmission from the source to the point where our conscious mind identifies them as pain.



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



The experts wanted to pinpoint the kind of music that best aids in diminishing pain perception. The research was conducted at the Roy Pain Lab at McGill University.&nbsp;



“In our study, we show that favorite music chosen by study participants has a much larger effect on acute thermal pain reduction than unfamiliar relaxing music,” said Darius Valevicius, a doctoral student at the <a href="https://www.umontreal.ca/">Université de Montréal</a>.&nbsp;



“We also found that emotional responses play a very strong role in predicting whether music will have an effect on pain.”



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



For the investigation, study participants were exposed to thermal stimuli (similar to the sensation of a hot teacup being held against the skin). These sensations were paired with music excerpts, each lasting approximately seven minutes.



The participants reported having strongly reduced pain intensity and unpleasantness while listening to their favorite music compared to unfamiliar tracks or even just silence.&nbsp;



“In addition, we used scrambled music, which mimics music in every way except its meaningful structure, and can therefore conclude that it is probably not just distraction or the presence of a sound stimulus that is causing the hypoalgesia,” explained Valevicius. This points toward an emotional connection with the music.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-themes">Emotional themes</h2>



Venturing into the emotional landscape of music, the study further explored if specific musical themes could influence the pain-reducing effects.&nbsp;



“We found that reports of moving or bittersweet emotional experiences seem to result in lower ratings of pain unpleasantness, which was driven by more intense enjoyment of the music and more musical chills,” said Valevicius.&nbsp;



An interesting factor that emerged during experimentation was the concept of musical chills – a physical manifestation of intense musical enjoyment. While the exact nature of musical chills remains a mystery, they seem to be key players in the process of blocking pain signals.



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



Despite their promising findings, the experts acknowledged certain limitations of the study. The duration for which participants listened to music samples could potentially impact results.



According to the researchers, questions which also need to be addressed in further research include if listening to favorite music is as effective with other, non-thermal pain stimuli, such as mechanical stimulation or chronic pain.



“Especially when it comes to the emotion themes in favorite music like moving/bittersweet, we are exploring new dimensions of the psychology of music listening that have not been well-studied, especially in the context of pain relief," said Valevicius. "As a result, the data we have available is limited, although the preliminary results are fairly strong."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2023.1210572" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Pain Research</a>.&nbsp;



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Music as a pain reliever: The power of your playlist

A new study from Canada has shed light on the...

Brain,Hologram,On,Aerial,View,Of,Road,,Busy,Urban,Traffic

In an era where urbanization draws millions to live near major roadways and city centers, a new study raises critical public health concerns. Researchers in China and the UK have uncovered startling connections between living close to significant traffic arteries, higher dementia rates, and consequential changes in brain structure. 



This extensive study, a collaboration led by prominent scientists, highlights traffic-related air pollution as a key factor in these alarming correlations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neurological-shadows-of-urban-living">Neurological shadows of urban living</h2>



The research illuminates the often-overlooked consequences of urban lifestyles. "Existing studies vaguely explored neurological risks tied to major roads, leaving the mechanisms largely unexplained," explains Fanfan Zheng, lead author from the School of Nursing, <a href="https://www.pumch.cn/en/introduction.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peking Union Medical College</a>. 



The study breaks focuses on how residential proximity to traffic hotspots corresponds with an escalated risk of dementia, underscoring the pollutants involved.



This comprehensive research analyzed an expansive pool of data from 460,901 participants over a substantial median period of 12.8 years, sourced from the reliable <a href="https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Biobank</a> dataset. By distinguishing cases by dementia type, the study offers an in-depth perspective on this global health issue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traffic-causes-silent-changes-in-the-brain">Traffic causes silent changes in the brain</h2>



Innovatively extending the scope of the UK Biobank's resources, researchers incorporated brain MRI scans, unveiling alterations in brain structures indicative of Alzheimer's. This occurred even before symptoms surfaced. This proactive approach, considering genetic predispositions and other dementia influences, fortifies the study’s findings.



Associate Professor Wuxiang Xie, from Peking University's <a href="http://pucri.bjmu.edu.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clinical Research Institute</a>, notes, "Our evidence points to a persistent connection between high-traffic residence and increased dementia risk, indicting traffic-related pollutants, specifically nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5." 



These revelations propose that tackling air pollution could significantly counter the dementia risks tied to traffic proximity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-debunking-noise-highlighting-pollution">Debunking noise, highlighting pollution</h2>



Contrasting certain preceding studies, this research found negligible links between long-term exposure to traffic noise and dementia. The authors made sure to aim the spotlight firmly back on air pollution.



Additionally, the research discerned that closeness to heavy traffic consistently correlates with reductions in brain volumes associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study emphasizes the subtle yet profound neurological impacts of environmental factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-and-public-health-policies">Future research and public health policies</h2>



Chenglong Li, co-author, advocates for intensified focus on exploring whether decreasing traffic-related pollution impacts on the brain, plus dementia biomarkers and incidence.



"We envision a strategy to prevent numerous dementia instances at the pre-symptomatic phase by addressing the root environmental cause—pollution due to heavy traffic," Li concludes.



This disturbing research serves as a clarion call to global health authorities and urban planners, emphasizing the necessity to re-evaluate urban living frameworks. By prioritizing the reduction of traffic-related air pollutants, societies can potentially safeguard millions from the insidious risks of dementia, thereby enhancing public health and community well-being worldwide. 



The implications of this research resonate far beyond individual health, urging a transformative reassessment of sustainable living and preventive healthcare infrastructure.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/hds.0091" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Health Data Science</a>.



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Living near traffic can cause dementia and change brain structure

In an era where urbanization draws millions to live near...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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