4/5/24: Bioluminescence, two neurotoxic chemicals, and 5X your garden

Planet Health

🦗 CICADA PARTY: For the first time since 1803, two large broods of cicadas will emerge simultaneously in what entomologists are saying is a "once-in-a-generation spectacle—even better than April’s total solar eclipse," and it's taking place in Illinois, U.S.A. this summer. If you or someone you know lives anywhere from Nebraska to New York, use this cicada mapping site to learn more. Cicada bodies will serve as powerful biodiversity magnifiers, "feeding microbes in the soil and helping plants grow larger."

🐧 NO FISHING ZONES: In the South Sandwich Islands near Antarctica, over 64k square miles of existing marine protected area has been declared a "no-fishing zone" to protect fin whales, penguins, blue whales, and other krill-dependent species. Krill is a keystone species, meaning other creatures' survival depends on its population.

☀️ VIRGINIA SOLAR: The second largest U.S. solar fleet has been approved for several massive solar projects in Virginia, which could power 200k homes in an outage. This series of solar installations will create 1.6k jobs and benefit the state's economy by more than $570M, according to this report from EcoWatch.

Human Health

🧠 CHEMICAL STUDY: Brain cells that generate the myelin sheaths which protect our nerves are easily damaged by common chemicals which a new study says "could lead to neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions, such as autism-spectrum conditions, attention deficit disorders and multiple sclerosis." Of the 1.8k chemicals tested, 292 were cytotoxic— they killed the oligodendrocyte cells— and 47 inhibited oligodendrocyte generation. Click here to learn more about the two chemicals identified in the study (commonly found in electronics, personal-care products, and disinfectants.)

🌿 TIME ABUNDANCE: Could spending time in nature shift and slow down how we perceive time? "People are more likely to perceive a walk in the countryside as longer than a walk of the same length in the city," according to this fascinating discovery behind "time abundance," or the perception of having "more time" related to reduced stress, anxiety, and fear while immersed in nature.

👟 EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION: A new meta-analysis of 200+ studies and 14k participants revealed exercise that gets you "out of breath and sweaty"—like walking, jogging, strength training and yoga— are effective treatments for depression! “The benefits were bigger than we expected. Exercise was as good as therapy and drugs," says the lead study author. "A key finding of the study was the proportional relationship between the intensity of the exercise prescribed and the reduction in depression symptoms. This suggests that more vigorous activities could potentially offer greater benefits."

Creature Feature

🦈 NEW SHARK: Off the coast of New Zealand last week, a new shark species was determined. Covered in rough spike-like skin, photos of these "large" sharks describe 200 teeth that are "constantly visible." If that's not terrifying enough, they live at depths between 2.2k and 3.9k feet beneath the surface and have never been identified properly until now. (What do you think?! Cool or creepy?)

Nutrition 101

🍇 SEA BUCKTHORN: Potent with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, polyphenols, and vitamins E, B, and A, sea buckthorn has been used for centuries in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine to address issues with digestion, skin, circulation, and ulcers. These hearty coastal-growing shrub berries are having a moment in modern medicine as researchers just discovered the berries can be used for treating diabetes and obesity during in vitro tests. Learn more about the study here.

Last poll’s results

Do you look for non-GMO products?

 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes, I pay close attention (83.8%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Honestly, I don't look too closely (16.2%)