Things I Like: Triggernometry

There’s an invader lurking beneath our feet. Slimy‚ slender‚ and faceless‚ they’ve colonized the soil of North America and have the potential to cause disruption. No‚ that’s not the plot of a low-budget sci-fi movie‚ but instead the story of non-native earthworms‚ which a new study suggests are an overlooked threat to native ecosystems.Though there’s only a small number of studies that have reported on this alien invasion in detail‚ according to the new research‚ there are at least 70 imported earthworm species in North America. To determine this and track their spread‚ the authors combined records on native and non-native earthworms dating from 1891 to 2021 with reports on US border interceptions of non-native earthworms documented between 1945 to 1975.A helping hand from machine learning revealed that alien earthworms could be found in 97 percent of the continent’s studied soils. In fact‚ it was estimated they represent nearly a quarter of North America’s 308 earthworm species‚ and in the US specifically‚ they beat out the number of invasive fish‚ mammal‚ and insect species by a pretty hefty margin.Whilst they can be found throughout North America‚ there also appears to be a pattern to alien earthworms’ distribution. The proportion of alien earthworms to native species was found to be at its highest in the northern regions of the continent and lower in the south and west.“These ratios are likely to increase because human activities facilitate the development of alien species that threaten native earthworm species‚ a phenomenon still largely overlooked‚” said study lead author Jérôme Mathieu in a statement.But what are the potential threats the authors are concerned about? After all‚ according to some‚ invasive species are “one of the five horsemen of the biodiversity apocalypse”.Non-native earthworm species have historically been introduced to enhance agriculture – though they’ve also been imported for fishing bait – as they aerate soil and‚ through their waste‚ provide it with nutrient-rich fertilizer.According to the researchers‚ however‚ alien earthworms can cause problems by outcompeting native species. Their introduction can also inadvertently impact the ecosystem as a whole; where alien earthworms have been introduced near sugar maple trees‚ it’s caused dieback and impacted the food chain. “This is most likely the tip of the iceberg‚” said study co-author John Warren Reynolds. “Many other soil organisms may have been introduced‚ but we know very little about their impacts.”With limited previous research‚ it’s difficult to know the true extent of invasive earthworms' impact thus far‚ but the researchers believe that their significant numbers and distribution across a wide range of habitats means we should be paying them much closer attention.“Earthworms tell the story of the Anthropocene‚ the age we live in‚” said study senior author Elizabeth Hadly. “It is a story of global homogenization of biodiversity by humans‚ which often leads to the decline of unique local species and the disruption of native ecosystem processes.”The study is published in Nature Ecology &; Evolution.

There’s a persistent myth that sex is a young person’s game – a myth that has been roundly debunked‚ we hasten to add. In fact‚ we know that age alone need present no barrier to a fulfilling and adventurous sex life‚ although some of the side-effects of aging can put a dampener on things in the bedroom. In recent years‚ researchers have coined the term “couplepause” to describe the combined impact of age-related sexual dysfunction on a couple’s sex life. But what can you do if you’d like to hit “play” again?What is a “couplepause”?Male or female‚ as we age our bodies go through a series of changes that can have a knock-on effect on sexual function.In 2018‚ scientists Emmanuele A. Jannini and Rossella E. Nappi conducted a review of studies into how aging can impact sex in relationships‚ and concluded that treatment is more effective if the needs of both partners are considered in tandem‚ rather than individually.“Therefore […] we introduce the concept of couplepause‚” they wrote‚ “and the need for a new diagnostic and therapeutic paradigm that addresses the sexual health needs of the aging couple as a whole rather than treating the individual patient in isolation.”Since both sexes can experience age-related hormonal changes affecting sexual function‚ same-sex and opposite-sex couples may be equally affected by this phenomenon.Menopause and andropauseMenopauseMenopause is effectively the reverse of female puberty‚ occurring naturally around the age of 45-55 in most people. Early menopause may also occur spontaneously‚ or as a result of surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries.The term “menopause” literally refers to the end of the monthly period‚ which may be the most obvious sign of the hormonal changes going on beneath the surface‚ but there are a range of symptoms that can arise in the several years leading up to menopause (called perimenopause) as well as afterward‚ many of which can impact sex life.Around half of post-menopausal people are thought to experience symptoms affecting the genitals‚ sexual functioning‚ and the urinary tract‚ collectively known as the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). The symptoms are caused by the sharp drop in estrogen levels that is seen during this time of life‚ and can include:Vaginal dryness/lack of lubricationDiscomfort/pain during sexIrritation or burning sensations around the genitalsRecurrent urinary tract infectionsPain/urgency with urinationIn addition to these physical symptoms that can make sex challenging‚ the menopause can also herald a decrease in libido. Some people experience a drop in their testosterone levels as well as estrogen‚ which can result in low mood and a lack of sexual desire.AndropauseThe term “andropause” is not as widely recognized as its female equivalent‚ as not all males will experience a drop in testosterone levels as they age. However‚ for those who do develop testosterone insufficiency‚ the symptoms can include both emotional and physical changes‚ such as:Low libidoImpaired ejaculationErectile dysfunctionErectile dysfunction is a fairly common problem in general‚ with some recent data suggesting as many as 322 million men worldwide will be affected by 2025. The risk increases with age – by age 70‚ it’s thought that 70 percent of people with penises are affected in some way‚ with around 15 percent unable to achieve an erection at all. It can have a substantial psychological impact on both partners in a couple.Couplepause: what can be done?In the case of a relationship where both partners are affected by some of the symptoms of menopause or andropause‚ it’s clear to see how their sex life can begin to suffer.Jannini and Nappi highlighted the need for physicians to consider a couple seeking treatment for these kinds of issues as a whole‚ for a number of reasons. For example‚ it minimizes the risk of one partner’s treatment having a negative impact on the other.In 2022‚ a working group was set up to help define the best way for healthcare providers to approach couplepause. The results of its first meeting‚ published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine‚ explain that breaking down barriers and opening up communication‚ both within the couple and with their physician‚ is a key part of the process.The paper emphasizes a need to define the midlife period as “a new beginning‚ promoting a healthy sex life and overall well-being.” It also highlights the importance of education – Jannini and Nappi’s original research uncovered gaps and disparities in how people of each sex view age-related hormonal changes in the other. More openness and understanding of the symptoms of menopause and andropause can only help with this.But the important message for those who may be in the midst of a couplepause of their own is that there is help out there – and sometimes‚ starting with the simple stuff is the best way.Speaking on a recent episode of the BBC Radio 4 program Woman’s Hour‚ therapist and writer Lucy Cavendish said‚ “If we have been in long-term relationships‚ what we all tend to do is we forget to do the work.”“What I ask my couples to do is to re-contract their relationship […] By the time they get to their late 40s‚ early 50s‚ most people have stopped being curious about the other person. It’s all gone a little bit humdrum. The idea of getting jiggy makes everybody think‚ ‘Uh‚ no I’d rather read a book.’”To counteract this‚ Cavendish suggests that couples start by gazing into each other’s eyes‚ and then by introducing more physical intimacy – holding hands‚ for example – and by actively being curious about their partner and having those deeper conversations that can fall by the wayside as we get older.As well as these therapeutic approaches‚ there may also be a need for medical intervention to treat some of the symptoms. A number of medications exist to help with erectile dysfunction‚ and many people experience relief from menopause symptoms by using hormone replacement therapy – these are just a couple of examples‚ and lots of other symptomatic treatments could be helpful.The main thing‚ as Jannini and Nappi stress‚ is that this whole process of seeking medical and psychological help be undertaken with both partner’s needs in mind. That way‚ a couplepause can be just that: a temporary pause in nocturnal activities‚ and certainly not the end of the story.All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing. Text‚ images‚ and links may be edited‚ removed‚ or added to at a later date to keep information current.The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice‚ diagnosis‚ or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

COVID-19 and long COVID could be detrimental to women’s sex lives. New research suggests that infection with coronavirus may be linked to sexual dysfunction in cisgender women – with levels of desire‚ arousal‚ lubrication‚ and satisfaction all appearing to be negatively affected.Plenty of studies have highlighted the impact that COVID can have on our health – from brain fog to purple legs to destroying our ability to exercise – but not so many have focused on our sexual health‚ particularly in women. In fact‚ the researchers believe this is the very first to highlight the effects of long COVID on women’s sex lives.Led by Amelia M. Stanton‚ an expert on sexual and mental health and assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University‚ the study recruited more than 2‚000 cisgender women‚ finding that having experienced COVID‚ and particularly long COVID‚ was associated with impaired sexual function.“If you’re sick with COVID‚ you’re probably less interested in sex and maybe your body is less prepared to have sex‚” Stanton said in a statement. “But what might be surprising to some folks is that long COVID symptoms really may have a physiological and psychological impact on sexual well-being for women.”The team compared the sexual function of women who had never had COVID‚ with those who had had COVID but not long COVID‚ and those who did have long COVID using an online survey called the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The quiz measures factors like arousal and satisfaction by asking questions such as: “Over the past four weeks‚ how often did you feel sexual desire?” Data from 1‚313 participants was included in the final analysis.In the group of women who’d had COVID‚ desire‚ arousal‚ lubrication‚ and satisfaction were all found to be lower than in the group who hadn’t‚ and this was even more extreme in the group who had long COVID.FSFI scores for orgasm were also significantly lower in the long COVID group than the only COVID group‚ while pain scores were higher.“Women with long COVID experienced incrementally more impaired sexual function than women with COVID-19 who did not develop long COVID‚” the researchers write in their paper‚ concluding that: “COVID-19 infection may be associated with impairment of both cognitive and physiological aspects of sexual function.”They also investigated whether long COVID symptoms and/or emotional distress mediate the relationship between COVID-19 history and sexual function‚ but they didn’t find any evidence to support this.While the study is purely correlational‚ and has a number of limitations‚ including the inclusion of only cisgender women and not transgender or gender-diverse people‚ for whom sexual function is “chronically understudied”‚ the team hopes that their findings will prove insightful‚ for both clinicians and patients.“Clinicians treating cisgender women who have COVID-19 should consider proactively discussing sexual function with their patients and offering available resources‚” they suggest. Meanwhile‚ Stanton added‚ “this offers something patients can bring to their providers and say‚ ‘This is going on for me‚’ and maybe create an open dialogue around sex.”Unfortunately‚ sex is still a relatively taboo subject‚ but researchers such as Stanton are working hard to change that.“I hope [our research] validating. If women type in ‘sex long COVID‚’ something will come up now.”The study is published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Worried about AI-generated voices being used to con you or your loved ones over the phone? The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled on February 8‚ effective immediately‚ that robocalls using AI voices fall under restrictions on “artificial or prerecorded voice” under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)‚ which also restricts telemarketing calls and automatic telephone dialing systems.“It seems like something from the far-off future‚ but it is already here. Artificial Intelligence-generated voice cloning and image creating tools are now more accessible and more likely to be used for fraud‚” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement.Callers using AI voices must first get consent before making a non-emergency call‚ and a real person selecting the AI-generated messages to be played “does not negate the clear statutory prohibition against initiating a call using a prerecorded or artificial voice‚” the declaratory ruling reads. As CNET notes‚ these calls can be reported using a form on the FCC’s website.These calls must provide identification and disclosure information about who is making the call. If the call falls under the umbrella of telemarketing or advertising‚ it must also offer an opt-out method.“This technology can confuse us when we listen‚ view‚ and click‚ because it can trick us into thinking all kinds of fake stuff is legitimate‚” Rosenworcel continued. “Already we see this happening with Tom Hanks hawking dental plans online‚ a vile video featuring Taylor Swift‚ and calls from candidates for political office that are designed to confuse us about where and when to vote.”“We also have stories of grandparents who are led to believe that it is really their grandchild on the phone begging for funds‚ only to learn later it was a bad actor preying on their willingness to forward money to family.”“In January‚ potential primary voters in New Hampshire received a call‚ purportedly from President Biden‚ telling them to stay home and ‘save your vote’ by skipping the state’s primary. The voice on the call sounded like the President’s‚ but of course it wasn’t. Those were voice cloning calls‚” added Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. “The use of generative AI has brought a fresh threat to voter suppression schemes and the campaign season with the heightened believability of fake robocalls.”This move follows a Notice of Inquiry launched in November 2023‚ which sought to better understand the impact AI could have when it comes to protecting consumers from “unwanted and illegal telephone calls and text messages under the TCPA”. As it turns out‚ using AI isn’t reserved for the bad guys: Rosenworcel explained that AI could help with pattern recognition to recognize AI robocalls.“Responsible and ethical implementation of AI technologies is crucial to strike a balance‚ ensuring that the benefits of AI are harnessed to protect consumers from harm rather than amplify the risks they face in an increasingly digital landscape‚” explained Commissioner Anna M. Gomez.“Now‚ with this Declaratory Ruling‚ we will have another tool to go after voice cloning scams and get this junk off the line‚” concluded Rosenworcel.

A timelapse of photos captured by NASA's Perseverance rover shows a spectacular solar eclipse as doomed moon Phobos crosses the Sun.Solar eclipses on Earth right now are spectacular to look at – we happen to be living at just the right moment in time to observe the Sun and the Moon appearing roughly the same size in the sky. While the Sun's diameter is about 400 times larger than the Moon's‚ it also happens to be about 400 times further away from the Earth‚ making them about the same size in the sky from our perspective. However‚ 4 billion years ago‚ before the Moon drifted to its current orbit‚ it would have appeared about three times as big as it is now in the sky – and around 600 million years from now‚ the Moon will drift too far to cover the Sun entirely.Any planet or minor planet with a moon can have an eclipse‚ with the worst (in the Solar System‚ that we know of) probably occurring on Pluto. There‚ the Sun appears like a bright star in the sky while its largest moon‚ Charon‚ looks about four times larger than our own. On other bodies‚ moons may be too small or distant to eclipse the Sun entirely‚ meaning they can only witness a partial eclipse. Mars‚ with two moons to choose from‚ still produces quite the spectacle. The Perseverance rover captured one such eclipse as Phobos transited the Sun on February 8‚ 2024.         IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites.        IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites.As well as being nice to gawp at‚ observing them closely can tell us about Mars and its moons."Each time these eclipses are observed‚ they allow scientists to measure subtle shifts in Phobos’ orbit over time‚" NASA explained after a previous eclipse in 2022. "The moon’s tidal forces pull on the deep interior crust and mantle of the Red Planet; studying how much Phobos shifts over time reveals something about how resistant the crust and mantle are‚ and thus what kinds of materials they’re made of."We now know that Phobos – the closest of Mars' two moons – is set to get ever closer to the planet‚ before crashing into Mars in 50 million years or breaking into a ring‚ while Deimos will drift ever outwards until it leaves Mars' orbit.

Imagine finding out that the first nuclear reactor was not built by humans‚ but by nature itself‚ two billion years ago. That’s exactly what happened in 1972‚ when a team of French scientists analyzed a sample of uranium ore from a mine in Oklo‚ Gabon‚ and discovered that it had a lower proportion of uranium-235 than normal. Uranium-235 is the isotope that can undergo nuclear fission‚ the process of splitting atoms to release energy. The scientists realized that the only possible explanation for this anomaly was that the uranium ore had been part of a natural nuclear reactor that operated in the distant past. “After more studies‚ including on-site examinations‚ they discovered that the uranium ore had gone through fission on its own‚” said Ludovic Ferrière‚ curator of the rock collection at Vienna’s Natural History Museum‚ where a part of the curious rock will be presented to the public in 2019. “There was no other explanation.” How did this natural nuclear reactor work? And what can we learn from it today? The Oklo reactor was one of 17 natural reactors that formed in a region of Gabon about two billion years ago‚ when the concentration of uranium-235 in the Earth’s crust was much higher than today. The reactors were located in a layer of sandstone that contained rich deposits of uranium ore. The sandstone also acted as a natural filter for groundwater‚ which played a crucial role in moderating the nuclear reaction. Water is a good moderator because it slows down the neutrons that are released during fission and makes them more likely to cause further fission in other uranium atoms. This creates a chain reaction that sustains the nuclear power generation. “Like in a man-made light-water nuclear reactor‚ the fission reactions‚ without anything to slow down the neutrons‚ to moderate them‚ simply stop‚” said Peter Woods‚ team leader in charge of uranium production at the IAEA. “The water acted in Oklo as a moderator‚ absorbing the neutrons‚ controlling the chain reaction.” However‚ if the water level is too high‚ it can also absorb too many neutrons and stop the reaction. This is what happened in Oklo‚ where the groundwater level fluctuated over time‚ creating a natural feedback mechanism that regulated the reactor’s power output. The Oklo reactor operated intermittently for hundreds of thousands of years‚ producing about 100 kilowatts of power‚ enough to light up 1‚000 light bulbs. The reactor’s power output varied depending on the water level‚ producing pulses of power every three hours on average. The reactor also generated various radioactive byproducts‚ such as plutonium‚ neodymium‚ ruthenium and xenon. Some of these byproducts were used as evidence to confirm the existence of the natural reactor‚ as they matched the expected fission products from a uranium-235 fuel. The Oklo reactor is not only a incredible example of nature’s ingenuity‚ but also a valuable source of information for modern nuclear science and engineering. One of the most important lessons we can learn from Oklo is how to safely store nuclear waste for long periods of time. The radioactive byproducts from the natural reactor have been remarkably well contained within the original ore deposit for two billion years‚ with minimal leakage or migration to the surrounding environment. This shows that geological formations can provide effective barriers for isolating nuclear waste from the biosphere. Another lesson we can learn from Oklo is how to design more efficient and sustainable nuclear reactors for the future. The natural reactor had a very high fuel utilization rate‚ meaning that it extracted most of the energy from the uranium ore before it became depleted. The natural reactor also had a very low environmental impact‚ as it did not produce any greenhouse gases or other pollutants. Moreover‚ the natural reactor was self-regulating and self-stabilizing‚ without requiring any human intervention or control systems. The Oklo reactor is a reminder that nature has been experimenting with nuclear energy long before we did‚ and that we can benefit from studying its secrets and solutions. The post The Mystery of a 2 Billion Year Old Nuclear Reactor in Africa appeared first on Anomalien.com.

There’s a certain magic in the air when animals from different species strike up a friendship. It’s a sweet reminder of nature’s unexpected surprises. While some might think these bonds are only formed in captivity‚ where animals have no choice but to mingle‚ the wild is also full of such heartwarming alliances. Nature photographers have... The post One-week-old foal melts hearts ‘challenging’ Sharpei puppy to play with him appeared first on Animal Channel.

A little dog named Pop-Tart‚ who had had so many tough years‚ finally experienced the joy of freedom for the first time. Her transformation from the gloom of neglect to the warmth of a loving home is so beautiful. This touching tale begins with Pop-Tart’s early days‚ confined in a dark‚ cramped cage‚ serving no... The post Caged dog can’t contain emotions when she tastes freedom for first time appeared first on Animal Channel.