🦦Tiniest otter on Earth, nature beats tech, sleep drug fail

aHappy Friday my friend,

If you want to see this week’s wildlife in photos, here’s an amazing collection of a tiny mammal never photographed alive until now, a pair of deer playing with a Christmas tree, and the delicate swirl of a robin’s warm breath visible in cold weather.

ECL TRIVIA: What is the name of the world's largest coral reef system? (Answer below)

🌎 Planet Health

🌲 REFORESTATION REPAIRS: In a brand new study of land-based carbon capture and storage (CCS) strategies, Princeton University researchers discovered that of the three popular methods, “reforestation is the only option that, along with effectively sequestering carbon, actively boosts biodiversity rather than potentially harms it.” Click here to read about why reforestation boosts diversity, and more about the other two methods studied— afforestation and bioenergy cropping.

🚙 RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD: Through testing samples taken from high-altitude glaciers, scientists say vehicle tires are responsible for the majority of nanoparticle plastic pollution in the high Alps. How might this be affecting the way glaciers feed our freshwater rivers, lakes, and coasts? Find out more about the abundance of polymers discovered in the study.

🦦 OTTER COMEBACK: Last spotted in 1839, this tiny otter is finally making a comeback in Nepal. Of the 13 known otter species, this is the tiniest otter on earth, the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). “This is an incredibly significant finding,” says a representative of the Otter Specialist Group. Click here to see a photo and learn more about this small (and adorable) otter.

🧑‍⚕️ Human Health

💊 SLEEP SUPPRESSION: Could a commonly prescribed sleep aid actually be disrupting restoration? The “cleaning” system that is responsible for removing waste from the brain is called the glymphatic system, and for the first time, scientists are able to “describe the synchronized oscillations during sleep that power (it).” According to this study, a commonly prescribed sleep aid, zolpidem (aka Ambien) may “suppress those oscillations, disrupting the brain’s waste removal during sleep.”

💘 AMERICAN HEART MONTH: February is recognized in the U.S. as American Heart Month, so what ways can we improve the health of our heart? Eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and reducing alcohol intake are all wise ways to improve our cardiovascular health… click here for an article published this week with more tips.

💩 BENEFICIAL BACTERIA:  We know our diet impacts the quality of our gut bacteria, but how does fiber play a role? Over 12k people’s stool samples were analyzed across 45 countries, and scientists say “eating high-fiber foods such as vegetables, beans and grains might help protect against harmful bacteria,” noting that “faecalibacterium” was present in high quantities within individuals with a fiber-rich diet, and those people were “more likely to have low levels” of harmful bacteria like e-coli present. Click to learn more.

Magnesium

The more I learn about Magnesium (Mg), the more I realize how powerful it is.

Unfortunately, if you don’t supplement, it’s almost certain you’re under-consuming for optimal levels.

It can get a little confusing that many common nutrients actually have multiple forms of the vitamin or mineral – and each form has unique pros and cons.

Most Mg supplements have only 1 or 2 forms, but the variety of magnesium forms offers a wide spectrum of properties for supporting a multitude of bodily functions.

I take 7 forms in 1 from BiOptimizers, and it’s led to noticeable improvements in workouts, stress, sleep, energy, brain fog, focus, and more.

Always check with your doctor before adding in new supplements, but if you want to test this out and rebuild your magnesium levels and reserves…

…Use code ROB10 for 10% off Magnesium Breakthrough by clicking HERE.

Photo of the week

😊 Conscious Corner

Other earth-conscious stories you may have missed…

🌊 FLOOD SOLUTION: New Jersey transforms flood-prone areas into innovative playgrounds that capture stormwater (more)

🌾 RICE ART: Thai farmers create stunning agricultural art in rice fields depicting dragons and deities (more)

🐍 VENOM BREAKTHROUGH: AI helps develop new antitoxins against cobra venom, promising faster treatment development (more)

😴 SLEEP SCIENCE: New research reveals the pros and cons of sleep tracking technology (more)

🦅 BIRD WATCH: New Zealand's royal albatross webcam offers rare glimpse into breeding season (more)

Trivia Answer:

The Great Barrier Reef. Located off the coast of Australia, it is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching for over 2,300 kilometers.

🎥 Our Festival Short Film “We Decided To Become Farmers”

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