Massive Monolith Found in the Waters of Papahānaumokuākea
The Papahānaumokuākea region is an amazing place. Located off the northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the vast archipelago has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world, and it is an absolute treasure trove of wonderfully interesting things.
The researchers were part of a mission called 'Beyond the Blue: Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping,' which aims to 'map, explore, and characterize ecologically and economically important unexplored deepwater regions of Papahānaumokuākea.'
The scientists, for most of the dive, found what they were expecting. As they were thinking about calling it for the day, a volcanic dike loomed out of the darkness.
'This community was relatively consistent throughout, until the end of the dive when we found a large solitary dike feature that was nearly 15 meters (49 feet) of shear vertical wall running for over 11 meters (36 feet) in length but only four meters (13 feet) wide,' the dive log reads. 'The up-current side of this wall hosted numerous large Hemicorallium colonies with several large Primnoids corals interspersed.'
Volcanic dikes are formed when magma finds its way into a crack in older rock. This particular one was nearly 7,000 feet down, and was covered in all manner of life.
'The waters in the Pacific Islands region span a diverse range of ecosystems and dynamic geological environments,' NOAA researchers wrote. 'They contain some of the last relatively pristine marine ecosystems on the planet and harbor numerous protected species, wondrous geological formations, and undiscovered shipwrecks. Papahānaumokuākea is a place of extraordinary beauty, known by a single name that commemorates the union of two Hawaiian ancestors – Papahānaumoku and Wākea – who gave rise to the Hawaiian Archipelago, the taro plant, and the Hawaiian people.'
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bad news: Study finds French fries can raise risk of this serious health condition by 20%
A new study published in the BMJ found that a regular French Fry habit can raise your type 2 diabetes risk by up to 20 percent. Harvard Public Health researchers found that the way potatoes are prepped makes a big difference in risk; those who ate baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes didn't see a big change in risk. Potatoes themselves are nutrient-dense, say experts, so it's best to consume them in the context of balanced meals. French fries are technically made from a vegetable, putting them in a weird grey zone of health. But while diving into a basket of fries has arguable mental health perks, it's probably not doing your physical health any solids. Now, brand new research suggests that fries could negatively impact your health in a very specific way. The study, which was recently published in The BMJ, found that a regular French fry habit can raise your risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 20%. While preparing potatoes differently than the fried version was better for type 2 diabetes risk, the researchers still found potatoes aren't the best starch for your health. While this doesn't mean you should never, ever have fries or potatoes again (thankfully!), experts say it's a good idea to keep a few things in mind about the taters going forward. Meet the experts: Christoph Buettner, MD, PhD, is chief of the division of endocrinology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Jessica Cording, RD, CDN, is author of The Little Book of Game-Changers; Mir Ali, MD, is medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA What exactly did the study find? For the study, Harvard Public Health researchers looked at detailed information on the diets and health status of more than 205,000 people who participated in three longitudinal studies in the US. Those studies tracked their information for more than 30 years, and included details on how much they ate of French fries, baked, boiled, and mashed potatoes, and whole grains. During the 30-year study period, more than 22,200 people were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. And, when the researchers drilled down on the data, they found that those who ate three servings of fries a week had a 20% higher risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. On the flip side, people who consumed baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes didn't see a big impact on their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. One more thing to point out: people who had whole grains (think: farro, whole grain pasta, and whole grain bread) instead of baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes had a 4% lower risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. And when people had whole grains instead of fries, that risk dropped by 19%. Okay, but what's wrong with fries? The study didn't determine the exact reason this link exists, but there are a few things that could be behind this. One is that eating a lot of fries could lead to weight gain, which is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes, says Jessica Cording, RD, CDN, author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. 'Due to their high palatability, it's easy for many people to eat a large serving very quickly,' she points out. It's also possible that people who eat a lot of fries have other dietary habits that can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, including a lot of foods that are high in refined starches, fats, and sugars, says Christoph Buettner, MD, PhD, chief of the division of endocrinology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. 'So, the issue is less about French fries specifically, and more about the broader dietary context in which they're often consumed,' he says. Cording agrees. 'There is something to be said for context – what other foods and beverages are most commonly consumed with fries compared to what someone might have with whole grains or with boiled, baked, or mashed potatoes?' she says. It's hard to say for sure what's behind this, says Mir Ali, MD, medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. 'Frying changes the nutritional quality of the potatoes and undoes the benefits of potatoes,' he says. 'Deep frying also creates chemicals that are less healthy for you. It's probably a combination of all of these.' So are potatoes healthy? These findings don't mean you shouldn't touch a potato again. 'Potatoes are actually inherently very nutrient dense,' Cording says. 'They contain vitamin A and potassium, for example.' But she suggests enjoying potatoes in the context of a balanced meal that provides protein, healthy fats, and high-fibre, non-starchy vegetables. 'While an occasional serving of French fries isn't something I'd tell someone to worry about, the majority of the time, I'd encourage reaching for roasted or baked potatoes,' she says. Buettner agrees. 'It's fine to eat a few French fries with a lot of vegetables and some protein,' he says. 'But you should not eat them by itself or as snacks.' You Might Also Like 13 Buys To Help You Feel Great From £5 16 Speedo Swimsuits that Won't Flash Your Bum When Getting Swim-fit 11 Best Gym Trainers for Different Types of Workouts
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Scientists make crucial discovery that could help protect key element of food supply: 'These results provide valuable insights'
Scientists make crucial discovery that could help protect key element of food supply: 'These results provide valuable insights' Despite all we've learned about the natural world, there's still plenty of mystery out there. That applies especially to rice, a global staple. A group of researchers from the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) dialed into an important puzzle that could facilitate more sustainable agriculture. They sought to answer how and why the crop can thrive in some areas without fertilizer, while requiring copious quantities in others. Their multiyear study was published in Plant and Cell Physiology, and the team summarized their results in a press release. The scientists' starting point was the importance of plant root microbes in aiding plant health in areas with poor soils. Those microbes form symbiotic relationships, but many of the details with rice are currently unknown. The scientists chose an ideal canvas to discover insights by comparing and contrasting two fields in close proximity. One of the fields had 70 years of rice growth without added fertilizers or pesticides. Despite the lack of chemical inputs, the field produced 60-70% of the output of a fertilized field, per the researchers. The other nearby field was conventionally fertilized. Over a period of one to four years, the scientists took samples during the growing season and dove into the microbial DNA in the roots of the Japanese rice cultivars. The research uncovered a number of insights. One was that, as the plants mature, microbial diversity ramps up. In the unfertilized field, nitrogen-fixing bacteria appeared to take the place of conventional fertilizer by taking atmospheric nitrogen and making it into a usable form. Another takeaway was that, in the roots of rice from the unfertilized field, a gene responsible for nitrogen fixation was found in greater numbers. Lastly, the scientists learned about the differing types of bacteria in the growing stage. While anaerobic bacteria were prominent in the early stages, aerobic and microaerophilic bacteria took on a greater role in the reproductive and maturation stages. The researchers connected that phenomenon to soil oxygen availability, which is impacted by growing practices like draining water. "These results provide valuable insights into the assembly of the rice root microbiome in nutrient-poor soil," the researchers declared. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The team's work comes at a critical time for rice, as the crop faces a host of climate challenges. Malaysia is just one of many countries dealing with rice shortages, as rising temperatures and unpredictable weather wreak havoc on the crop. Disease is also posing a major threat to the crop in India. Unsurprisingly, there are multiple efforts to bolster the crop. One includes putting zinc oxide nanoparticles to help the rice withstand higher temperatures. Another effort takes on the exact opposite problem, addressing rice's resilience in cold temperatures. The team is also not alone in looking into the genomes of rice to try to generate crop improvements. The NAIST team believes their work could eventually boost rice's sustainability. "Looking ahead, isolating these beneficial bacteria and utilizing them in customized microbial blends could pave the way for sustainable rice farming," said study leader Yusuke Saijo. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Alarming new study reveals overlooked factor that can lead to brain tumors: 'These findings point to a possible link'
Alarming new study reveals overlooked factor that can lead to brain tumors: 'These findings point to a possible link' Harmful gases can pose even more serious health concerns than respiratory problems. Researchers have found a link between exposure to ultrafine particles and aggressive brain tumors. What's happening? According to Euronews, a study by researchers from the Danish Cancer Institute indicates that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, elemental carbon, nitrogen dioxide, and ultrafine particles contributes to the development of a common brain tumor. "While research on the health effects of ultrafine particles is still in its early stages, these findings point to a possible link between traffic-related ultrafine particle exposure and the development of meningioma," said Ulla Hvidtfeldt, one of the authors of the study. Though meningiomas are not typically cancerous, they cause neurological symptoms that impair brain function. The findings echo earlier reports, such as one linking PM2.5 exposures to brain damage, cancer, and premature death, and another tying toxic airborne substances to higher dementia risk. Why is this discovery important? This research shows how polluting particles affect more than just our lungs — they can harm the brain too. What makes this especially concerning is that these pollutants come from common sources such as traffic exhaust, smoke, and even ordinary household products, meaning regular, long-term exposure is more common than we realize. Children, older adults, and low-income communities face the greatest risks because of long-term exposure and limited access to clean-air infrastructure. Left unaddressed, this could translate into more cases of brain disease, rising health care costs, and irreversible neurological damage — all driven by an invisible yet largely preventable threat in the air we breathe. What's being done about the issue? While there are no findings that suggest cleaner air reduces the risk of brain tumors, improving air quality could still have public health benefits. That's why efforts to clean up the air, including advocacy within workplaces, are increasingly urgent. Do you worry about the quality of the air inside your home? Yes — often Yes — but only sometimes Only when it's bad outside No — I never do Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Governments around the world are taking steps to reduce air pollution. Europe is pursuing an action plan to reach a 55% decrease in premature deaths caused by air pollution, per the European Environment Agency. In Asia, countries are implementing air quality monitoring solutions, as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation reported. Individuals can take local action and support community initiatives to improve air quality. People can also help reduce harmful gases in the air by choosing electric vehicles, using public transit, and installing solar panels at home. As scientists continue to investigate the connection between air quality and brain health, this study serves as a crucial reminder: A cleaner environment isn't just better for the planet — it may also help protect our brains. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
