11/8/24: 🦠 Bacteria, sugar ration, and badger friend

Happy Friday my friend,

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ECL TRIVIA: What is the largest land animal on Earth? (Answer below)

🌎 Planet Health

🦠 CO2 BACTERIA: This newly discovered strain of Chonkus bacteria— prevalent at underwater volcanic vents— shows promising results in a new study where it “presented rapid growth” in the presence of carbon dioxide, indicating it could be useful in mitigating excess carbon pollution. To learn more about the potential for carbon sequestration using bacteria, click here.

🗑 ELECTRO-TRASH: A town in Colorado just unveiled America’s first 100% electric garbage truck fleet. Silently whirring through neighborhoods, the EV vehicles are sleek and state-of-the-art, and ready for recycling, compost, and landfill pick-ups. A partnership design with Republic Services, the City of Louisville “exemplifies how we can contribute to a more sustainable world.”

🗣 CLEANER CLASS: A Connecticut fifth-grader helped design a filtration system that eliminates over 99% of airborne viruses, prompting a $11.5M implementation of her system in schools statewide from the Connecticut State Bond Commission. To find out what four simple materials her prototype started with, click here to read more.

🧑‍⚕️ Human Health

🧠 BOOST: Want to be able to recall memories, plan, and multi-task at a higher level? Small bursts of exercise like 10 minutes of HIIT or cycling have the ability to improve cognitive function. The “biggest brain gains were found in exercises less than 30 minutes in duration, and also when cognition was tested after exercise rather than during the workout itself.” Learn more about this study here.

👶 FIRST 1K DAYS: Did you know 1950s sugar rationing in the UK was a time when risk of obesity declined? Scientists say “reducing sugar in the first 1k days after conception might significantly lower a child’s risk of chronic illnesses later in life.” Click here for tips on reducing sugar intake and why the study author says “we should also hold companies accountable to reformulate baby foods with healthier options.”

🚰 GUT HEALTH: PFAS exposure in young adults is linked to reduced gut health, which may lead to kidney disease later in life. These forever chemicals disrupt gut bacteria, causing inflammation, “which down the line can increase the risk of the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.” Read more here about how this highlights our society’s urgent need to reduce PFAS production and exposure, and increase public awareness.

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Creature Feature

🦊 BADGER & FOX FRIENDSHIP: A badger gets saved by a fox from being eaten alive by a snake, and they become friends— seen on camera at various times traveling and hunting together as the cutest furry companions. Watch the 1-min version of their friendship story.

Nutrition 101

🥜 ARGININE: Arginine is an amino acid that plays a crucial role in several bodily functions, including the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. This can benefit heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease. Learn more benefits and food sources HERE.

😊 Conscious Corner

Other earth-conscious stories you may have missed…

🏛️ ABANDONED BEAUTY: 10 cities left empty but with gorgeous architecture (more)

🦋 MESMERIZING MONARCHS: This migration video from a TED talk is wondrous (more)

📖 CAUTIONARY PAGE-TURNER: Are antique books containing hidden toxins? (more)

🐻 WILD DEFENSE: Why do animals attack people in the wild? (more)

💨 AIRBORNE: New method to detect PFAs in the air (more)

💬 Poll

⬅️ Last poll’s results

Do you own any products that have the CA Prop 65 warning?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes (32.9%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Not that I know of (67.1%)

COMMUNITY RESPONSE:

“I've seen the warning on dozens if not hundreds of products purchased and tend to ignore it. It's unavoidable. So much of our lives, our world is being poisoned it seems almost hopeless.” - Dan

“My essential oil company divulges that info when you order their products. They are fruit / plant based so I have no idea what the crazy state of Cali finds wrong with it. Meanwhile half the crap in the grocery store is poison and that has no warnings. ” - Dawn

Last chance to share our free Earth Conscious Life newsletter with at least one person using your link below, and receive immediate access to our curated list of the top 45 Essential Reads for Planet, Human, and Spiritual Health - and be entered for the $100 regenerative coffee!

Trivia Answer:

The African elephant is the largest land animal on Earth, which can weigh over 13k lbs!

To a healing future,

— Rob

P.S. AnnMarie’s Clean Beauty Trial has several top products for under $20. It’s worth considering. Learn more HERE.