#Organic Prebiotics

[marketvibes]

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[comicaurora]

If you were a sci-fi writer, how would you solve the Fermi paradox? That being the discrepancy between evidence for alien life, versus the likelihood of their existence? (basically. If alien so likely, why we not see?) The Dead Space series has an amazing cosmic horror solution, but i'm curious what you're brain could come up with!

There's a lot of possibilities, some more interesting than others.

The speed of light and the distance between inhabited stars makes it prohibitively slow to detect, make contact with, or reach any star with alien life. It doesn't matter if we're not alone, our corner of Space Reachable Within A Human Lifetime is so comparatively small that we may as well be. We're all blindly wandering through an infinite desert, calling into the void. Space exploration is a long game, and on that timescale, even whole civilizations blink out very quickly. If we manage to catch a signal and follow it, we might find nothing on the other end but ruins - or an asteroid field where a planet's orbit used to be.

The universe is too young for us to find anyone else out there. We're the first. How will we shape the galaxy to make life better for those who come after us?

The life that formed on Earth is terrifyingly invasive. The atmosphere and ocean is choked with monocellular life, and its surface is coated with a mass of multicellular organisms finding new ways to devour one another. Even extinction events don't keep down the biomass for long. If life on other planets looks anything like us, the problem isn't going to be detecting it. It'll have gotten everywhere. The problem is going to be not immediately getting colonized and eaten alive by it. And if life on other planets DOESN'T look like us, our whole planet is probably a class 1 biohazard and contamination risk. Multicellular earth organisms contain microcosmic ecosystems that proliferate explosively when they die. If anything inside them can find ANYTHING to eat, it's over.

Life evolves frequently, but always in oceans. It is extremely rare for any alien life to leave that ocean and adapt to life on land. Without this step, the jump to space exploration - even space contemplation - becomes infinitely more unlikely.

Monocellular life is seeded on planets from an outside source and allowed to self-cultivate and grow until the biomass reaches a certain volume. Then the farmers return to harvest it.

There is not a single other species on our entire planet that humans can actually reliably communicate with. It takes tremendous amounts of training to make an animal capable of recognizing even a handful of words, and very few of them can use them. Humans can't even communicate with other humans with 100% clarity, even if they're using the same language. When we find alien life, if we even recognize it as anything resembling life as we know it, we have absolutely no way of communicating.

Space colonialism has been disallowed by the space geneva conventions due to massive past tragedies, parasitic exploitation of worlds and senseless loss of life. Human expeditionary efforts are being watched warily through targeting sights.

We've known about radio communication for less than 200 years. We haven't yet figured out the medium through which all advanced civilizations communicate.

Alien life exists in abundance, but the vast majority of it is extremely tiny. We wouldn't spot an anthill on a satellite photo, and none of their ships are large enough to survive passage through our atmosphere.

Earth's oxygen atmosphere is an anomaly, and our first and most enduring extinction event. The explosive proloferation of cyanobacteria and their oxygen photosynthesis irreparably altered the planet's prebiotic atmosphere and wiped out everything that couldn't handle the sudden massive increase in a highly reactive and flammable gas. Earth is considered highly toxic and unstable, though recently detected increases in methane and CO2 might signal that nature is finally beginning to heal.

[healthandwellnessobsession]

10 Best and Easy Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy

It’s no secret that eating healthy and exercising regularly can help keep your heart in tip-top shape. But did you know there are plenty of other …10 Best and Easy Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy

[theambitiouswoman]

Foods You Can Eat Instead of Taking Vitamins and Supplements 🍎🥥🥦🥑🍌

Vitamin A: Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale.

B Vitamins: Whole grains, meat, eggs, nuts, legumes.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Whole grains, legumes, nuts, pork, fortified cereals.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Dairy products, lean meats, almonds, leafy greens. Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Poultry, fish, nuts, legumes, whole grains.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Meat, poultry, eggs, avocado, whole grains.

B6: Chicken, turkey, fish, bananas, chickpeas.

Folate (Vitamin B9): Leafy greens, legumes, citrus fruits, fortified grains.

Vitamin B12: Animal products (meat, fish, dairy), fortified plant-based foods.

Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers.

Vitamin D: Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), fortified dairy products, sunlight.

Vitamin E: Sunflower seeds, almonds, vegetable oils, nuts, spinach, broccoli.

Vitamin F (Essential Fatty Acids): Fatty fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts.

Vitamin H (Biotin): Eggs, nuts, sweet potatoes, salmon, avocado.

Vitamin K: Leafy greens (kale, spinach), broccoli, Brussels sprouts.

Vitamin K2: Fermented foods (natto, cheese), animal products, leafy greens.

Vitamin L1 (Anthranilic Acid): Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower), legumes.

Vitamin P (Bioflavonoids): Citrus fruits, berries, onions, green tea.

Vitamin Q (Ubiquinone): Fatty fish, organ meats, spinach, cauliflower.

Vitamin T (L-carnitine): Red meat, poultry, fish, dairy products.

Vitamin U (S-Methylmethionine): Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts.

Betaine: Beets, spinach, whole grains, seafood.

Boron: Fruits (apples, pears), legumes, nuts, avocado.

Calcium: Dairy products, leafy greens (kale, collard greens), almonds.

Carnosine: Beef, poultry, fish.

Carnitine: Red meat, dairy products, fish.

Catechins: Green tea, black tea, dark chocolate.

Choline: Eggs, liver, beef, broccoli, soybeans.

Creatine: Red meat, fish, poultry.

Chromium: Broccoli, whole grains, nuts, brewer's yeast.

Chondroitin: Cartilage-rich foods (bone broth, connective tissue of meat).

Copper: Shellfish, nuts, seeds, organ meats, lentils.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Fatty fish, organ meats, nuts, soybean oil.

Ellagic Acid: Berries (strawberries, raspberries), pomegranates.

Glucosinolates: Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower).

Glucosamine: Shellfish (shrimp, crab), bone broth, animal connective tissues.

Glutamine: Dairy products, meat, poultry, cabbage.

Inositol: Citrus fruits, beans, nuts, whole grains.

Iodine: Seafood, iodized salt, dairy products.

Iron: Red meat, poultry, beans, lentils, spinach.

L-Theanine: Mushrooms, black tea, white tea, guayusa.

Lignans: Flaxseeds, whole grains, cruciferous vegetables.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), corn, eggs.

Lycopene: Tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit.

Magnesium: Spinach, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans.

Manganese: Nuts, seeds, whole grains, leafy greens, tea.

Melatonin: Cherries, grapes, tomatoes.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, fatty fish.

PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid): Whole grains, eggs, organ meats.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): Meat, poultry, fish, whole grains, avocado

Pectin: Apples, citrus fruits, berries, pears.

Phosphorus: Dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, nuts.

Prebiotics: Garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas (unripe), oats, apples, barley, flaxseeds, seaweed.

Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi).

Potassium: Bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach, yogurt.

Polyphenols: Berries, dark chocolate, red wine, tea.

Quercetin: Apples, onions, berries, citrus fruits.

Resveratrol: Red grapes, red wine, berries, peanuts.

Rutin: Buckwheat, citrus fruits, figs, apples.

Selenium: Brazil nuts, seafood, poultry, eggs.

Silica: Whole grains, oats, brown rice, leafy greens.

Sulforaphane: Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts), cabbage.

Taurine: Meat, seafood, dairy products.

Theanine: Green tea, black tea, certain mushrooms.

Tyrosine: Meat, fish, dairy products, nuts, seeds.

Vanadium: Mushrooms, shellfish, dill, parsley, black pepper.

Zeatin: Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds.

Zinc: Oysters, beef, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains.

[mysticstronomy]

COULD LIFE EXIST ON TITAN??

Blog#416

Saturday, July 6th, 2024.

Welcome back,

Titan's ocean has a volume 12 times that of all Earth's oceans, but it may be barren of life as we know it.

Titan's underground ocean, and similar oceans inside other icy moons in the outer solar system, may lack the organic chemistry necessary for life, according to new astrobiological research.

Titan is Saturn's largest moon, and the second largest moon in the entire solar system. It's famous for being shrouded in a smog of petrochemicals and for possessing a veritable soup of organic molecules — molecules that contain carbon — on its surface. Yet, despite all this fascinating chemistry, Titan is cold. Very cold. It has surface temperatures no warmer than –179 degrees Celsius (–290 degrees Fahrenheit). And in these frigid conditions, chemical reactions for life progress very slowly.

However, deep underground where it's warmer — the exact depth is not certain, but estimates suggest it's on the order of 100 kilometers (62 miles) — a liquid ocean with a volume 12 times that of Earth's oceans combined is thought to exist. Similar oceans inhabit the interiors of Titan's fellow Saturnian moon Enceladus, and Jupiter's moons Europa and Ganymede.

And where there is liquid water, there could be life. Right? Not so fast, says Catherine Neish of Western University in Ontario, Canada.

A planetary scientist, Neish led an international team that challenged the assumption Titan's ocean, and indeed the oceans of other icy moons, could be habitable.

The researchers worked on the basis that, for Titan's ocean to be habitable, a large supply of organic molecules from the surface must be able to physically reach the ocean in order to facilitate prebiotic chemistry that can produce and feed life.

The route for this organic material to reach the ocean is via comet impacts. Such impacts can melt surface ice, creating a pool of liquid water filled with organic molecules. Because liquid water is denser than ice, it sinks. But, Neish's modeling found that the rate of impacts is not high enough for sufficient organic material to reach Titan's ocean.

For example, Neish's team estimates only about 7,500 kilograms (16,534 pounds) of the simplest amino acid, glycine, reaches Titan's ocean every year. It may sound like a lot, but that's equivalent to the mass of one male African elephant spread across an ocean with a dozen times the volume of Earth's oceans. If you’ll excuse the pun, it's barely a drop in the ocean.

"We assumed that the majority of melt deposits — 65% — would sink all the way to the ocean," Neish told Space.com. "Recent modeling work suggests that this is very likely an overestimate, but even in this most optimistic scenario, there is not enough organics moving into Titan's ocean to support life there."

There may be other possibilities. On Europa, where there are very few organic molecules on the surface, it is postulated that hydrothermal vents may exist on the seafloor where the ocean comes into contact with the moon's rocky core. These vents would spew all kinds of molecules and trigger complex chemical reactions that could support life.

Further evidence for carbon in Europa's ocean has been discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope. The JWST identified carbon dioxide that has welled up from the ocean onto Europa's surface.

So, could the same happen on Titan, with organic material coming from the moon's interior, rather than its surface?

Neish doesn't rule it out, saying that colleagues such as Kelly Miller at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, are investigating the possibility — but Neish does highlight one particular caveat.

"One concern that has come up is whether the organics sourced from the interior would be useful for life," she said. "We think they may be primarily aromatic compounds, and it is difficult to form biomolecules — such as amino acids — from such compounds."

While we are still some ways away from being able to probe the oceans of these icy moons directly to say for certain whether they contain life or not, Neish's research does raise some promising opportunities for NASA's Dragonfly mission to Titan, on which Neish is a co-investigator.

Originally published on https://www.space.com

COMING UP!!

(Wednesday, July 10th, 2024)

"WILL HUMANS EVER GO TO MARS??"

[mindblowingscience]

NASA's delayed Dragonfly drone mission to Saturn's largest moon Titan is on track to launch in July 2028, the space agency confirmed late Tuesday (April 16). The highly anticipated decision greenlights the mission team to proceed to final mission design and testing in preparation for the revised launch date. The car-sized Dragonfly, which is being built by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, will reach Titan in 2034. For the next 2.5 years, the nuclear-powered drone is expected to perform one hop every Titan day — 16 days to us Earthlings — hunting for prebiotic chemical processes at various pre-selected locations on the frigid moon, which is known to contain organic materials. 

Continue Reading.

[scifigeneration]

Carl Sagan’s scientific legacy extends far beyond ‘Cosmos’

by Jean-Luc Margot, Professor of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles

On Nov. 9, 2024, the world will mark Carl Sagan’s 90th birthday – but sadly without Sagan, who died in 1996 at the age of 62.

Most people remember him as the co-creator and host of the 1980 “Cosmos” television series, watched worldwide by hundreds of millions of people. Others read “Contact,” his best-selling science fiction novel, or “The Dragons of Eden,” his Pulitzer Prize-winning nonfiction book. Millions more saw him popularize astronomy on “The Tonight Show.”

What most people don’t know about Sagan, and what has been somewhat obscured by his fame, is the far-reaching impact of his science, which resonates to this day. Sagan was an unequaled science communicator, astute advocate and prolific writer. But he was also an outstanding scientist.

Sagan propelled science forward in at least three important ways. He produced notable results and insights described in over 600 scientific papers. He enabled new scientific disciplines to flourish. And he inspired multiple generations of scientists. As a planetary astronomer, I believe such a combination of talents and accomplishments is rare and may occur only once in my lifetime.

Scientific accomplishments

Very little was known in the 1960s about Venus. Sagan investigated how the greenhouse effect in its carbon dioxide atmosphere might explain the unbearably high temperature on Venus – approximately 870 degrees Fahrenheit (465 degrees Celsius). His research remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of fossil fuel emissions here on Earth.

Sagan proposed a compelling explanation for seasonal changes in the brightness of Mars, which had been incorrectly attributed to vegetation or volcanic activity. Wind-blown dust was responsible for the mysterious variations, he explained.

Sagan and his students studied how changes to the reflectivity of Earth’s surface and atmosphere affect our climate. They considered how the detonation of nuclear bombs could inject so much soot into the atmosphere that it would lead to a yearslong period of substantial cooling, a phenomenon known as nuclear winter.

With unusual breadth in astronomy, physics, chemistry and biology, Sagan pushed forward the nascent discipline of astrobiology – the study of life in the universe. Together with the research scientist Bishun Khare at Cornell University, Sagan conducted pioneering laboratory experiments and showed that certain ingredients of prebiotic chemistry, called tholins, and certain building blocks of life, known as amino acids, form naturally in laboratory environments that mimic planetary settings.

He also modeled the delivery of prebiotic molecules to the early Earth by asteroids and comets, and he was deeply engaged in the biological experiments onboard the Mars Viking landers. Sagan also speculated about the possibility of balloon-shaped organisms floating in the atmospheres of Venus and Jupiter.

His passion for finding life elsewhere extended far beyond the solar system. He was a champion of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, also known as SETI. He helped fund and participated in a systematic search for extraterrestrial radio beacons by scanning 70% of the sky with the physicist and electrical engineer Paul Horowitz.

He proposed and co-designed the plaques and the “Golden Records” now affixed to humanity’s most distant ambassadors, the Pioneer and Voyager spacecrafts. It is unlikely that extraterrestrials will ever find these artifacts, but Sagan wanted people to contemplate the possibility of communication with other civilizations.

Carl Sagan, offering his unique commentary in a scene from ‘Cosmos.’

Advocacy

Sagan’s scientific output repeatedly led him to become an eloquent advocate on issues of societal and scientific significance. He testified before Congress about the dangers of climate change. He was an antinuclear activist and spoke out against the Strategic Defense Initiative, also known as “Star Wars.” He urged collaborations and a joint space mission with the Soviet Union, in an attempt to improve U.S.-Soviet relations. He spoke directly with members of Congress about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and organized a petition signed by dozens of prominent scientists urging support for the search.

Carl Sagan, speaking out against the use of nuclear weapons, at the Great Peace March in 1986. Visions of America LLC/Corbis via Getty Images

But perhaps his most important gift to society was his promotion of truth-seeking and critical thinking. He encouraged people to muster the humility and discipline to confront their most cherished beliefs – and to rely on evidence to obtain a more accurate view of the world. His most cited book, “The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark,” is a precious resource for anyone trying to navigate this age of disinformation.

Impact

A scientist’s impact can sometimes be gauged by the number of times their scholarly work is cited by other scientists. According to Sagan’s Google Scholar page, his work continues to accumulate more than 1,000 citations per year.

Indeed, his current citation rate exceeds that of many members of the National Academy of Sciences, who are “elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research,” according to the academy’s website, and is “one of the highest honors a scientist can receive.”

Sagan was nominated for election into the academy during the 1991-1992 cycle, but his nomination was challenged at the annual meeting; more than one-third of the members voted to keep him out, which doomed his admission. An observer at that meeting wrote to Sagan, “It is the worst of human frailties that keeps you out: jealousy.” This belief was affirmed by others in attendance. In my opinion, the academy’s failure to admit Sagan remains an enduring stain on the organization.

No amount of jealousy can diminish Sagan’s profound and wide-ranging legacy. In addition to his scientific accomplishments, Sagan has inspired generations of scientists and brought an appreciation of science to countless nonscientists. He has demonstrated what is possible in the realms of science, communication and advocacy. Those accomplishments required truth-seeking, hard work and self-improvement. On the 90th anniversary of Sagan’s birth, a renewed commitment to these values would honor his memory.

[kryptonbabe]

What does a 90's Superboy comic book has to say about the biochemical evolution of early life on Earth

I love bad science in comic books and I'm glad there's so much to choose from, from the 1940s to today. Even though I'm a biology teacher and usually dislike when media gets Evolution so wrong, spreading disinformation about an already complex scientific theory, I still have a soft spot for these comics that try to implement evolutionary concepts and fail. And this Superboy issue does just that, but in such an entertaining way, I had a few good laughs and saw it as a learning opportunity.

In this issue there's a Superboy "animated series" pilot being produced featuring the real Kon el and his entourage, this is a brain child of Rex Leech, Superboy's manager at this time in the comics. We see the "animation" as the characters watch it in the comic. In the pilot episode Rex reveals that his daughter, Roxy, was turned into "primordial slime" (panel above) by a villain. This is a reference to the "primordial soup" concept from the heterotrophic theory proposed by the scientists Oparin and Haldane. They stated that a prebiotic liquid with lots of elemental molecules evolved into organic molecules due to the intense conditions the primitive Earth faced (thunderstorms, volcanic activities, asteroid bombardment etc). Then, said organic molecules later grouped in cell-like structures (coacervates) capable of replication, thus creating a primitive form of life.

Roxy IS that prebiotic soup, a slime contained in a glass, that tragically gets shot during the pilot, leaking into an underground pool of undetermined origin water (in which Superboy says he occasionally bathes in).

Behold then, that by the end of the pilot (panel right above), Rex, Conner and Dubbilex discover the pool of mysterious water changed, now that Roxy was mixed into it... EVOLVING into algae (according to Dubbilex) and a fungus (according to an emotional Rex - happy to see his daughter once again alive in the form of this green goop). To be clear, algae and fungi are as different as insects are from trees, they're not only into separate biological kingdoms, but while algae has a machinery to make photosynthesis and produce their own food, fungi cells need to extract their energy from their surroundings (soil, trees, animals, you and me) and they have a cell wall made of the same material as insects exoskeletons! So, pretty different...

But the most insane thing about this development in the story is the implied idea that Roxy is evolving, going from organic slime to unicelular algae to fungi and... what's next? According to Rex (in the panel below - when the animation episode ends and real life Roxy is upset about being turned into a fungus) - A slug - oh yes, the next big step in evolution.

This was so funny to me because it's a different way to portray that old and very wrong idea that the evolutionary process is like a set of stairs in which life is slowly going up, higher and higher, getting "better and better", step by step. While truly, a more realistic view of evolution would look like a twisted tree of ramifications, some going nowhere, some staying apparently the same, and some getting more and more twisted by the minutes (yes, those would be bacteria).

Evolution is not a progression from less complex to more complex, evolution is simply changing, adapting, transforming through time. Birds would consider humans lesser beings for our lack of wings the same way most of us consider flatworms lesser for their lack of, well, lots of stuff, arms, backbone, blood, a respiratory system. And yet, we're all equally well adapted to our respective habitats, we are on the same level because we are alive and thriving, there's no hierarchy in evolution.

To think that Roxy would go from primordial slime to algae to fungi until potentially reach the complexity level of a human being is, as Dubillex put it in that panel above: bad science. However I had so much fun reading this story. I don't know if it's right as a biology teacher to have such an enthusiasm for bad science in comics, but I refuse to deny Art! I'd love to bring this issue to my students so we could read it in group and interpret together the message implied in Roxy's "evolution", and what is wrong about it. It would be a nice way to make the students read the comics I enjoy and learn something about real science.

My favorite thing about this issue is that the butt of the joke does not seem to be the theory of Evolution, but the distorted view someone can have of it. I didn't highlight it here, but in the end, there was a lot comically wrong with the pilot besides the Roxy "evolution" plot. So when Dubillex acknowledges to Rex that his pilot episode is not educational, but presents poor science, it's clear to me we're laughing at Rex's perception of scientific ideas and not at the ideas themselves. Which is refreshing. Yes, this is my favorite issue of this Superboy run so far and yes I'm biased. Thanks for reading this!

From Superboy #4 (1994) by Karl Kesel, Tom Grummett & Mike Parobeck

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Rocks collected on Mars hold key to water and perhaps life on the planet. Bring them back to Earth.

Only Earth-based analysis of sediments gathered by rover can retrieve clues to Mars' water history

Over the course of nearly five months in 2022, NASA's Perseverance rover collected rock samples from Mars that could rewrite the history of water on the Red Planet and even contain evidence for past life on Mars.

But the information they contain can't be extracted without more detailed analysis on Earth, which requires a new mission to the planet to retrieve the samples and bring them back. Scientists hope to have the samples on Earth by 2033, though NASA's sample return mission may be delayed.

"These samples are the reason why our mission was flown," said paper co-author David Shuster, professor of earth and planetary science at the University of California, Berkeley, and a member of NASA’s science team for sample collection. "This is exactly what everyone was hoping to accomplish. And we've accomplished it. These are what we went looking for."

The critical importance of these rocks, sampled from river deposits in a dried-up lake that once filled a crater called Jezero, is detailed in a study to be published Aug. 14 in AGU Advances, a journal of the American Geophysical Union.

"These are the first and only sedimentary rocks that have been studied and collected from a planet other than Earth," said paper co-author David Shuster, professor of earth and planetary science at the University of California, Berkeley, and a member of NASA’s science team for sample collection. "Sedimentary rocks are important because they were transported by water, deposited into a standing body of water and subsequently modified by chemistry that involved liquid water on the surface of Mars at some point in the past. The whole reason that we came to Jezero was to study this sort of rock type. These are absolutely fantastic samples for the overarching objectives of the mission."

Shuster is co-author of the paper with first author Tanja Bosak, a geobiologist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge.

"These rock cores are likely the oldest materials sampled from any known environment that may have supported life," Bosak said. "When we bring them back to Earth, they can tell us so much about when, why and for how long Mars contained liquid water, and whether some organic, prebiotic and potentially even biological evolution may have taken place on that planet."

Significantly, some of the samples contain very fine-grained sediments that are the most likely type of rock to retain evidence of past microbial life on Mars — if there ever was or is life on the planet.

"Liquid water is a key element in all of this because it is the key ingredient for biological activity, as far as we understand it," said Shuster, a geochemist. "Fine-grained sedimentary rocks on Earth are those that are most likely to preserve signatures of past biological activity, including organic molecules. That's why these samples are so important."

NASA announced on July 25 that Perseverance had collected new rock samples from an outcrop named Cheyava Falls that also might contain signs of past life on Mars. The rover's scientific instruments detected evidence of organic molecules, while "leopard spot" inclusions in the rocks are similar to features that on Earth are often associated with fossilized microbial life.

In a statement, Ken Farley, Perseverance project scientist at Caltech, said, “Scientifically, Perseverance has nothing more to give. To fully understand what really happened in that Martian river valley at Jezero crater billions of years ago, we’d want to bring the Cheyava Falls sample back to Earth, so it can be studied with the powerful instruments available in laboratories.”

Sediments hold the answers

Shuster noted that Jezero and the fan of sediments left behind by the river that once flowed into it likely formed 3.5 billion years ago. That abundant water is now gone, either trapped underground or lost to space. But Mars was wet at a time when life on Earth — in the form of microbes — was already everywhere.

"Life was doing its thing on Earth at that point in time, 3.5 billion years ago," he said. "The basic question is: Was life also doing its thing on Mars at that point in time?"

"Anywhere on Earth over the last 3.5 billion years, if you give me the scenario of a river flowing into a crater transporting materials to a standing body of water, biology would have taken hold there and left its mark, in one way or another," Shuster said. "And in the fine-grained sediment, specifically, we would have a very good chance of recording that biology in the laboratory observations that we can make on that material on Earth."

Shuster and Bosak acknowledge that the organic analysis equipment aboard the rover did not detect organic molecules in the four samples from the sedimentary fan. Organic molecules are used and produced by the type of life we're familiar with on Earth, though their presence is not unequivocal evidence of life.

"We did not clearly observe organic compounds in these key samples," Shuster said. "But just because that instrument did not detect organic compounds does not mean that they are not in these samples. It just means they weren't at a concentration detectable by the rover instrumentation in those particular rocks."

To date, Perseverance has collected a total of 25 samples, including duplicates and atmospheric samples, plus three "witness tubes" that capture possible contaminants around the rover. Eight duplicate rock samples plus an atmospheric sample and witness tube were deposited in the so-called Three Forks cache on the surface of Jezero as a backup in case the rover suffers problems and the onboard samples can't be retrieved. The other 15 samples — including the Cheyava Falls sample collected July 21 — remain aboard the rover awaiting recovery.

Shuster was part of a team that analyzed the first eight rock samples collected, two from each site on the crater floor, all of which were igneous rocks likely created when a meteor impact smashed into the surface and excavated the crater. Those results were reported in a 2023 paper, based on analyses by the instruments aboard Perseverance.

The new paper is an analysis of seven more samples, three of them duplicates now cached on Mars' surface, collected between July 7 and November 29 of 2022 from the front of the western sediment fan in Jezero. Bosak, Shuster and their colleagues found the rocks to be composed mostly of sandstone and mudstone, all created by fluvial processes.

"Perseverance encountered aqueously deposited sedimentary rocks at the front, top and margin of the western Jezero fan and collected a sample suite composed of eight carbonate-bearing sandstones, a sulfate-rich mudstone, a sulfate-rich sandstone, a sand-pebble conglomerate," Bosak said. "The rocks collected at the fan front are the oldest, whereas the rocks collected at the fan top are likely the youngest rocks produced during aqueous activity and sediment deposition in the western fan."

While Bosak is most interested in possible biosignatures in the fine-grained sediments, the coarse-grained sediments also contain key information about water on Mars, Shuster said. Though less likely to preserve organic matter or potential biological materials, they contain carbonate materials and detritus washed from upstream by the now-vanished river. They thus could help determine when water actually flowed on Mars, the main emphasis of Shuster's own research.

"With lab analysis of those detrital minerals, we could make quantitative statements about when the sediments were deposited and the chemistry of that water. What was the pH (acidity) of that water when those secondary phases precipitated? At what point in time was that chemical alteration taking place?" he said. "We have this combination of samples now in the sample suite that are going to enable us to understand the environmental conditions when the liquid water was flowing into the crater. When was that liquid water flowing into the crater? Was it intermittent?"

Answers to these questions rely upon analyses of the returned materials in terrestrial laboratories to uncover the organic, isotopic, chemical, morphological, geochronological and paleomagnetic information they record, the researchers emphasized.

"One of the most important planetary science objectives is to bring these samples back," Shuster said.

TOP IMAGE: Red hexagons mark the four sites where the Perseverance rover collected rock samples around the sediment fan in Jezero crater in 2022. Credit NASA

LOWER IMAGE: NASA’s Perseverance rover puts its robotic arm to work around a rocky outcrop called “Skinner Ridge” in Mars’ Jezero Crater. Composed of multiple images, this mosaic shows layered sedimentary rocks in the face of a cliff in the delta, as well as one of the locations where the rover abraded a circular patch to analyze a rock’s composition. Credit NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

[oddman-the-oldman]

Pre-packaged individual servings of Biodegradable goodness

Organic food for my organic garden

here you go you fat little microbes

eat some more,

you love it and you know it

[tomasorban]

Apple cider vinegar, or ACV, has been touted for its numerous health benefits for centuries. Here are some of the most well-researched benefits:

Digestive aid: ACV contains acetic acid, which helps break down proteins and carbohydrates, reducing symptoms of indigestion and bloating. Why: Acetic acid's pH level helps to balance the body's natural digestive processes.

Weight loss: ACV contains pectin, a soluble fiber that helps reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness. Why: Pectin slows down the absorption of glucose and insulin, leading to weight loss.

Lower blood sugar levels: ACV contains acetic acid, which has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce glucose production in the liver. Why: Acetic acid's ability to improve insulin sensitivity helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Heart health: ACV contains polyphenols, such as quercetin and epicatechin, which have antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Why: Polyphenols' antioxidant properties protect against cardiovascular disease by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Antimicrobial properties: ACV contains acetic acid, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help combat infections. Why: Acetic acid's antimicrobial properties make it effective against a wide range of microorganisms.

Anti-inflammatory: ACV contains polyphenols, such as quercetin and epicatechin, which have anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate symptoms of conditions like arthritis and gout. Why: Polyphenols' anti-inflammatory properties reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.

Improved dental health: ACV contains acetic acid, which helps reduce tooth decay and gum disease by killing bacteria and acid-producing microbes in the mouth. Why: Acetic acid's antibacterial properties eliminate harmful bacteria that contribute to tooth decay.

Lower cholesterol levels: ACV contains acetic acid, which has been shown to inhibit the production of cholesterol in the liver. Why: Acetic acid's ability to inhibit cholesterol production reduces LDL cholesterol levels.

Improved gut health: ACV contains prebiotic fibers like pectin, which help promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Why: Prebiotic fibers feed beneficial bacteria, supporting a healthy gut microbiome.

Antioxidant-rich: ACV contains antioxidants like quercetin and epicatechin, which help protect against oxidative stress and cell damage caused by free radicals. Why: Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and cell damage.

be cautious about quality/quantity vinegar consumption.

Use organic, unfiltered, unprocessed apple cider vinegar, which is cloudy, meaning it contains the “mother.”

Two teaspoons to two tablespoons is the general dosage recommendation. If you want to drink it, dilute it with water or your favorite juice or tea.

Oral: For diabetes, dilute 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water daily. For weight loss, drink diluted dose with high carbohydrate meals.

super detailed chemical content of ACV >here<

read research article >here<

external options of using ACV >here<

comparison of multiple brands >here<

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Ello! Do you have any idea of how autism correlates with food? Like I know we tend to be picky eaters, but is there something about craving more sugar than the average person? Or do I just have a very sweet tooth lmao, thank you! Have a nice day! /Lh

Hi there,

Sorry I just got to this. I also have a sweet tooth and can eat an entire box of lofthouse cookies. Lol. I didn’t find some interesting information from an article. Here are some excerpts:

“Sugar cravings and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - two things that shouldn't go together, but often do. Have you ever wondered why cravings exist in the first place? Well, it all starts with cells in our body sending signals to our brain, asking for food. And it's not just our own cells, but also the microbes that reside within us.

These tiny organisms have a big influence on our cravings, especially when they all have a sweet tooth. Microbes outnumber human cells by tenfold, and if they all prefer sugar, you can bet your cravings will be off the charts.”

“Research has shown that Autistic Children tend to have less diverse communities of gut microbes compared to neurotypical children. And we know that a healthy gut is crucial for healing Autism. So, how do we improve gut health? Well, it starts with the right kind of food.

Foods that require a community of microbes to digest, like complex fibres and prebiotics, are essential. On the other hand, foods that can be easily digested by a single strain of yeast or bacteria, such as sugar, contribute to an unhealthy gut.”

The full article will be below:

Here’s a discussion thread. Other than that, all the information I found was about food insecurities. I hope this helps answer you’re question. Thank you for the inbox. I hope you have a wonderful day/night. ♥️

[theclovisculture]

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[vu-thanh]

Sarah's Story

Sarah, a 35-year-old woman, had always prided herself on her good health. But after months of stress from work and balancing family life, she began to notice changes. She often felt bloated, her digestion was off, and she even started experiencing some discomfort related to her vaginal health. Each day became more challenging as Sarah felt increasingly fatigued and low on energy.

Desperate for a solution, Sarah came across Garden of Life Once Daily Dr. Formulated Probiotics for Women. The product, which contains 50 billion CFU with 16 probiotic strains, is specifically designed to support digestive, vaginal, and immune health for women. With organic prebiotics and a dairy-free formula, Sarah felt confident that this was the right choice for her daily regimen.

In just a short time, Sarah began to notice a significant difference. The discomfort in her stomach subsided, her vaginal health improved, and she felt more energized each day. Now, Sarah not only maintains good health but also enjoys life to the fullest.

Garden of Life Once Daily Dr. Formulated Probiotics for Women has become an essential part of Sarah's life.

[archiveofkloss]

As a busy mom of two, Karlie Kloss has a long list of professions. No matter the project—investor, entrepreneur, supermodel, activist, publisher, or philanthropist—as Kloss shared with us, she has a steadfast goal: To “be the best version” of herself. This week, she’s teaming up with Thorne for its Find Your Way campaign, which “showcases personalized solutions to help individuals optimize their health and wellness at every age and life stage.” We recently caught up with Kloss to talk supplements, skin care and why walking in New York just might be the ultimate wellness hack.

Q: What made you decide to do this partnership?

A: Thorne is really best in class. I have been a long-time super fan. I was introduced to the products years ago by a nutritionist, during one of the many times where I feel like I just burnt myself out from working and traveling too much. I am so honored to be a part of this campaign because the whole theme of the campaign is Find Your Way, and everyone’s way to wellness looks different. We all have different day-to-day stressors and things that we’re carrying or loved ones we’re taking care of.

I was super honored to, one, work with a company that I respect and appreciate so much. Also, I’m so excited for more people to learn about their brand and their products because it really is such an accessible luxury in a lot of ways. Being able to take time—even if it’s just a minute in the morning to take supplements that are going to be making you feel better all day long—is self-care. I really see supplements as self-care. It’s like an initial upfront investment of time.

That’s at least the way that I’ve approached this—doing my diligence upfront, really learning about all the products, understanding what my needs really are. On Sunday night, I sit down and put all my little vitamins into my kit here, and then just set it and forget it, and the rest of the week is ready. Life gets so busy…it gets so crazy for all of us, but I do feel like this is something that I can rest assured that I’m doing for myself. If I can feel better in my own skin, then I can show up better for my job, and for my loved ones.

Q: That’s great that it’s organic for you. This might be tough, but do you have one hero product that you really love?

A: Well, just one is tough, but I’ll say one that’s really special is the Memoractiv. It is a mix of all sorts of fancy things I cannot pronounce. Ashwagandha is a great one. I also take all the other basics that I love—vitamin C, basic vitamin B complex, but the PharmaGABA and the Memoractiv are two really special Thorne products that I would highly recommend.

I’ve had two babies in the last three years, so I’m a big fan of their Basic Prenatal as well. Then I’d say, also, for those of us who live in New York and are crazy-going, I like to throw their prebiotic in my bag as I’m running out the door. You just put it into a glass of water. It’s an easy, tasty way to take care of yourself.

Q: Living in New York, what does your day-to-day look like for wellness? 

A: One thing I love about New York is just discovering great little hole-in-the-wall restaurants and fitness studios. I’m always trying to explore different Pilates classes or different types of classes. I love that. I love the class group workout. You can do pretty much anything in New York. You can scream and dance and cry. There’s something for everyone here, which I love.

Most recently, I’d say I have been enjoying going to a few of the Pilates studios down here in SoHo. I love to put my headphones in or listen to a podcast and just walk and walk and walk. Late at night, my husband and I walk and walk and walk and just enjoy the chaos of New York. It’s good exercise, and it’s good entertainment!

Q: Since we are a beauty magazine, we have to ask: What are your all-time favorite beauty products?

A: Ooh, good question. I love the Living Proof shampoo and conditioner. My hair is quite fine, and especially post-baby has become even finer, so I try and take good care of it. K18 is this really great product for dead ends. Love that product. Estée Lauder has this PowerFoil Face Mask that makes you look like Iron Man for a minute, but it’s the most amazing face mask. Definitely a go-to. Then in New York, I love going to Tracie Martyn—it’s a really great classic facial go-to. I feel like I should be asking you these tips though! But, specially pre-red carpet, their facials are really spectacular!

[skin-care-news]

Skin Health Starts from Within: The Importance of Diet in Dermatology

When it comes to skincare, we often focus on topical treatments, serums, and moisturizers to achieve that radiant and youthful appearance. While these external factors play a significant role, we must not overlook the fundamental influence of our diet on skin health. The adage "you are what you eat" holds true, and in dermatology, it couldn't be more accurate. The food we consume impacts our skin's appearance, texture, and overall health, making it essential to recognize the critical link between nutrition and skincare.

Understanding the Skin's Role in Health

Before we delve into the relationship between diet and skin health, it's crucial to understand the skin's role in maintaining overall well-being. The skin is the largest organ in the human body, acting as a protective barrier against environmental factors, pathogens, and harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Additionally, the skin plays a vital role in regulating body temperature, maintaining hydration, and synthesizing vitamin D.

The Epidermal-Nutrient Connection

The epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, is a complex structure composed of cells that continuously regenerate to maintain its integrity and function. The nutrients we consume from our diet contribute to the growth, repair, and renewal of these skin cells. Some key nutrients play a significant role in skin health:

Antioxidants: Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as other antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts, help protect the skin from free radicals and oxidative stress, which can lead to premature aging and skin damage.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, omega-3 fatty acids help maintain the skin's moisture barrier, reducing dryness and inflammation.

Collagen-Boosting Nutrients: Foods rich in vitamin C, zinc, and copper aid in collagen synthesis, essential for skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Hydration: Adequate water intake is crucial for maintaining skin hydration, preventing dryness, and promoting a healthy complexion.

The Gut-Skin Axis

The gut-skin axis is a term used to describe the interconnected relationship between the gut microbiome and skin health. Emerging research suggests that a healthy gut plays a vital role in promoting clear, radiant skin. A balanced gut microbiome helps to reduce inflammation, regulate the immune system, and improve nutrient absorption, all of which can have a positive impact on the skin.

Certain foods can either promote or disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, affecting the skin's condition. A diet rich in fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics supports gut health and can lead to a healthier complexion. Conversely, a diet high in processed foods, sugary treats, and unhealthy fats may contribute to gut dysbiosis, leading to skin issues like acne, eczema, or rosacea.

Inflammation and Skin Conditions

Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection. However, chronic inflammation caused by a poor diet can contribute to various skin conditions. Foods high in refined sugars, saturated fats, and processed carbohydrates can trigger an inflammatory response, exacerbating acne, psoriasis, and eczema. On the other hand, an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help soothe and prevent skin inflammation.

The Role of Hydration

Hydration is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Drinking an adequate amount of water helps to flush out toxins, maintain skin elasticity, and improve overall complexion. Dehydrated skin can appear dull, dry, and prone to premature aging. While hydrating skincare products can help externally, it is equally important to hydrate from within by consuming enough water and water-rich foods.

The Impact of Diet on Aging

As we age, our skin naturally undergoes changes, including a decrease in collagen production and cell turnover. While we cannot stop the aging process, we can slow it down by adopting a diet rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients. Antioxidant-rich foods neutralize free radicals, protecting the skin from oxidative stress and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

In conclusion, the link between diet and dermatology is undeniable. The saying "you are what you eat" perfectly captures the importance of nourishing our bodies with wholesome, nutrient-rich foods to promote healthy and radiant skin. A balanced diet, along with proper hydration and a healthy gut, forms the foundation for achieving optimal skin health. Remember, while skincare products can enhance our beauty externally, true skin health starts from within.

As with any medical or dermatological concerns, it is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist to tailor a diet and skincare regimen suitable for individual needs and specific skin conditions. By prioritizing our diet and making conscious choices to fuel our bodies with the right nutrients, we can embark on a journey towards glowing skin and overall well-being.