12/27/24: 🧬 GMO Salmon, body heat power, whales collide

Happy Friday my friend,

🕎 Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate, and here’s wishing you a relaxing end of 2024. Especially if your area is in winter, remember that rest is not being ‘unproductive’. It is an essential component for life to reemerge prepared to thrive.

ECL TRIVIA: What percent of the world’s water supply is usable freshwater? (Answer below)

🌎 Planet Health

🌸 PRAIRIE PRESERVATION: What’s a “prairie strip?” In Iowa, it’s a band of native plants strategically positioned within a row-crop field…. and the popularity (and known benefits) is increasing. “Converting as little as 10% of a corn or soya bean field into a prairie strip can reduce soil erosion by 95%,” as well as conserve soil nutrients, sequester carbon, and preserve habitats for pollinators and critical grassland birds and wildlife. Read more about prairie strips here.

🌳 CHINA'S GREEN BELT: China has completed a 3,000-kilometer "green Great Wall" in its western region, creating the world's largest artificial plantation. This massive afforestation project aims to combat desertification, improve air quality, and boost the local ecosystem. The green belt spans five provinces and autonomous regions so far, and the project will continue through 2050 with 100B trees planted. It's showing positive impacts for the environment and local communities, and demonstrates China's commitment to ecological restoration.

🐟 GE SALMON SHUTDOWN: AquaBounty Technologies, the company behind genetically engineered (GE) salmon, is closing its last facility and ending production of AquAdvantage® salmon. This decision follows years of controversy, market rejection, and legal challenges. Major retailers and food service companies refused to sell the GE salmon due to environmental and health concerns. The closure marks a significant victory for Indigenous groups, environmental organizations, and consumers who opposed the commercialization of GE animals for food production.

🧑‍⚕️ Human Health

🔋 BODY HEAT POWER: Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed an ultra-thin, flexible film that could power wearable devices using body heat, potentially eliminating the need for batteries. This breakthrough tackles a major challenge in creating flexible thermoelectric devices that convert body heat into power. The technology could also be used to cool electronic chips, improving the efficiency of smartphones and computers. The research, published in the journal Science, brings us closer to a future of self-powered wearable technology.

🍽 FDA UPDATES "HEALTHY" LABEL: The FDA has finalized a new rule updating the definition of "healthy" for food labels, aiming to help consumers identify nutritious foods and encourage manufacturers to develop healthier products. The updated criteria require foods to contain a certain amount from at least one food group while meeting limits on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. This voluntary claim is part of a broader effort to address diet-related chronic diseases in the U.S. The FDA is also developing a "healthy" symbol and plans to issue rules on front-of-package nutrition labeling, though the impact of these measures on consumer behavior and industry practices remains to be seen.

☕️ C-FIGHTING COFFEE: Can consuming caffeinated coffee and tea help lower your risk of cancer? In a 25k-person study published this week, the world’s 7th most common form was “significantly reduced” with drinking coffee and tea. Though more research is needed, click here for the 3-minute read about the groundbreaking study, the various impacts on disease mitigation, and types included in the research.

Are you too young to think about how you’re aging? Probably not.

Starting in our 30s, some key cellular processes begin to slow down, making us feel tired and weak over time. This decline affects not just our physical strength and endurance, but significantly reduces our quality of life making everyday activities harder to enjoy.

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Take aging into your own hands. Earth Conscious Life readers get 30% off with code NEWSLETTER30 for a limited time, while supplies last.

Photo of the week

Creature Feature

🐻 TARDIGRADES: Tardigrades, commonly known as water bears, are microscopic eight-legged animals renowned for their incredible resilience. These tiny creatures can survive extreme conditions, including freezing temperatures, intense radiation, and even the vacuum of space. Found in diverse habitats from mountaintops to deep oceans, tardigrades enter a state which allows them to withstand dehydration and other harsh environments by curling into a desiccated form known as a "tun." While their adorable appearance and remarkable survival skills make them fascinating subjects of study, questions remain about their ecological roles and the implications of their extreme endurance in changing environments.

Nutrition 101

🌱 APIGENIN: This uncommon flavonoid, primarily found in parsley, chamomile, and celery, has gained attention for its potential health benefits. Apigenin is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Research suggests that it may help reduce anxiety and promote sleep by interacting with neurotransmitter receptors. Additionally, apigenin has been studied for its ability to inhibit the growth of various cancer cells and may support heart health by improving blood vessel function. Incorporating apigenin-rich foods into your diet could provide health benefits.

😊 Conscious Corner

Other earth-conscious stories you may have missed…

🐳 WHALES COLLIDE: Study finds only 7% of global whale-ship collision hotspots have protective measures (more)

💧 BRINE MINING: Extracting minerals from desalination brine to combat water scarcity (more)

🎨 HOSPITAL ART: Artist transforms hospital rooms with inspiring nature views (more)

🌌 COSMIC DANCE: Researchers discover binary star system orbiting supermassive black hole (more)

🌿 FLOOD DEFENSE: Study shows natural ecosystems provide flood protection for Canadian cities (more)

💬 Poll

⬅️ Last poll’s results

Do you think transplanted organs could transfer memories?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes, there are mysteries modern science doesn't know (94.3%)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, that is too woo-woo (5.7%)

Trivia Answer:

Only 1% of the world's water supply is usable freshwater. The vast majority of Earth's water (about 97%) is found in the oceans as salt water, while another 2% is locked up in ice caps and glaciers. This leaves just 1% as accessible freshwater in rivers, lakes, and groundwater that can be used for human consumption and agriculture.

To a healing future,

— Rob

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