Latest news with #NaturalEnvironmentResearchCouncil
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Why rain might be the secret to a happier, healthier you
Rainy days, mainly carry a reputation for gloom, but for many people, they offer unexpected comfort. The gentle rhythm of falling rain, the cool breeze, and that familiar earthy scent can bring a sense of calm we didn't know we needed. While we may be tempted to stay indoors and label the day as dreary, rain can actually help us slow down and reflect. Science shows that rain affects our mood in real, measurable ways—easing stress, improving focus, and even promoting better sleep. Feeling calm after rain? Thank negative ions If you are also one of those who step outside after a rainfall and feel instantly refreshed, that uplifting sensation may be thanks to negative ions, which are tiny, invisible particles released when raindrops collide with hard surfaces like soil or pavement. According to Dr. Niek Buurma , a chemistry researcher at Cardiff University, these ions are formed when falling water picks up extra electrons, which are then transferred to oxygen molecules in the air. 'There are clear indications that people feel more positive after inhaling negative ions,' says Dr. Buurma. Hde further says that they may help reduce stress, lift mood, and increase energy levels, mainly in natural environments like waterfalls, oceans, or rainstorms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Although the exact reason is still uner research, studies have suggested that negative ions may mimic the effects of light therapy, commonly used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). They're believed to stimulate serotonin production in the brain, which plays a crucial role in mood regulation and emotional balance. This could explain why many people feel calmer, clearer, and more mentally 'reset' after a storm passes. So next time you're caught in the rain, take a deep breath—it might just be nature's version of a mental recharge. That earthy rain smell? Here's why it makes you feel good Almost everybody loves that familiar, earthy smell that fills the air after a rainfall. It's called petrichor—a term coined in 1964 by Australian researchers Isabel Joy Bear and R.G. Thomas. This scent arises when raindrops hit dry soil, releasing compounds like geosmin, a molecule produced by soil-dwelling bacteria such as Streptomyces. Geosmin is incredibly potent—even small traces are enough for the human nose to detect it. While there is limited clinical research on the direct psychological effects of petrichor, scholars suggest its scent can trigger relaxation, positive memories, and a sense of calm. According to Dr. Iain Fraser , a chemist at the UK's Natural Environment Research Council, petrichor often evokes nostalgia and emotional warmth, possibly because our brains associate the smell with the comfort of rain, greenery, and change. In a 2020 study published in Frontiers in Psychology , researchers highlighted how smells linked to nature (like rain, soil, and grass) can reduce stress by activating the brain's limbic system—the part responsible for emotion and memory. This supports why many people instinctively feel more at peace or 'refreshed' after smelling rain-washed air. So while petrichor may not yet be a certified therapy, it certainly acts like a natural form of aromatherapy, soothing the senses and uplifting the spirit—especially when we need a quiet moment of connection with nature. How rain sounds help your brain relax, according to science Listening to the sound of rain isn't just calming, it can actually change the way your brain works. A scientific study using EEG (brainwave analysis) found that rain sounds can increase something called alpha wave activity in the brain. These alpha waves are linked to a relaxed, peaceful state of mind, helping you feel less anxious or stressed. According to researchers, when people listened to rain and water sounds—especially in hot, humid environments—their brains showed more alpha wave activity. This means the rain sounds helped move their brains out of high-alert 'fight-or-flight' mode and into a more mindful and calm state. The researchers used a special technique called Fourier transform to break down the sound frequencies and found that natural rain and water sounds have patterns that actually soothe the brain. Why rain helps you think clearer and feel calmer The gentle sound of rainfall is more than just soothing—it actually activates relaxation pathways in the brain, helping to lower stress hormones like cortisol and support emotional balance. That's why rain sounds are so popular in mindfulness, meditation, and bedtime routines. But there's more: a fascinating study published in Psychology of Music explored how different background sounds—including rain—affect our ability to focus on tasks like solving maths problems. Researchers found that when participants had to solve difficult arithmetic problems, silence made them slower and less accurate, while rain sounds helped boost their focus and performance. Interestingly, introverts were generally faster than extroverts—except when it rained. The sound of heavy rain helped extroverts perform just as quickly, likely because the steady rhythm increased mental alertness without being distracting Make rain part of your self-care routine Play recordings of rain during focus work, meditation, or sleep. Step outside during a light drizzle and soak in the air and quiet. Open a window and breathe deeply. Let the natural pink noise relax you. Use rainy days to reflect, write, or rest, embracing the cozy slowdown. Rainy days may seem dreary, but science says they're anything but. From negative ions and calming sounds to fresh air and mindful immersion, rain is a natural mental-health ally. Also Read: Harvard experts share 10 amazing benefits of swimming lessons for kids
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Fossil from dinosaur the size of a pony pulled from cliff on Isle of Skye
A Jurassic dinosaur fossil, first discovered more than five decades ago, has finally been unearthed from a cliff base on the Isle of Skye. The fossil, dubbed the Elgol dinosaur, represents Scotland 's earliest recorded dinosaur, discovered near Elgol in the island's south in 1973. Despite its initial discovery, the fossil remained embedded in the cliff until a team led by Elsa Panciroli initiated an extraction effort in 2018. Early assessments suggested retrieval would be too challenging. However, with the crucial assistance of a local boat company, the team successfully extracted the fossil, raising hopes for further discoveries on Skye. Dating back to the Middle Jurassic period, the Elgol dinosaur is fragmented. Researchers have identified parts of the spine, ribs, and a hip bone, classifying it as the most complete dinosaur skeleton yet found in Scotland. Bone analysis has led researchers to believe it is an ornithopod dinosaur, a group which includes notable later dinosaurs such as Iguanodon, Parasaurolophus and Edmontosaurus. It is one of the earliest known ornithopod body fossils, as that group of dinosaurs became far more prominent in the later Cretaceous period. Analysis of the bone structure indicates the dinosaur, which would have been roughly the size of a pony, was at least eight years old. The new description of the Elgol dinosaur is published in the Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Ms Panciroli, the lead author and Natural Environment Research Council independent research fellow at National Museums Scotland, said: 'This was a really challenging extraction, in fact we'd previously felt it was too difficult to collect the fossil, but I thought it was really important to study it. 'I was able to persuade the team to give it a try. It took a lot of hard work from a lot of people, but we did it: finally we can confirm and publish Scotland's first recorded and most complete dinosaur, and that makes it all worthwhile.' The excavation was possible with the support of a specialist team from Research Casting International, based in Canada, while a crew from Elgol's Bella Jane Boat Trips piloted the rigid inflatable boat and dingy to the shore at the foot of the cliff, where the specimen was loaded and taken back to port. Stig Walsh from National Museums Scotland said: 'This is a wonderful addition to the rapidly growing set of Jurassic finds from the Isle of Skye which are enabling us to learn more and more about the rich ecosystem of the time. 'We've known there were dinosaurs there for a while, most obviously from the famous footprints at An Corran, Brother's Point and Duntulm and individual bones, but it's exciting to see a more complete, if still partial, skeleton. 'We're delighted to add it to the other amazing finds now in the national collection.' Other Jurassic discoveries from Skye include the description of adult and juvenile mammals of the same species, Krusatodon, which revealed the mammals grew more slowly than mammals today, and the world's largest Jurassic pterosaur fossil, Dearc sgiathanach. Professor Susie Maidment, of the Natural History Museum and the University of Birmingham, said: 'The Elgol dinosaur was a challenge to collect, and has proven perhaps an even bigger challenge to identify. Some aspects of the bones indicate that the specimen may be an ornithopod, a group of plant-eating dinosaurs that are best known from the Cretaceous. 'This specimen, however, would already have been a fossil by the time the better-known ornithopods like Iguanodon and Hypsilophodon were walking the Earth. 'Recent research on the fossils of Elgol has revealed a diverse ecosystem of extraordinarily preserved Middle Jurassic animals, and I'm sure there are more exciting discoveries to come.' Professor Rob Ellam, editor of Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, said: 'I would like to congratulate Dr Panciroli and her international team of co-authors. 'Having this exceptional piece of work on the Elgol dinosaur – both Scotland's earliest and most complete dinosaur fossil – in the pages of Transactions is a highlight for the journal. 'It is a privilege to be able to publish a world-class study led from Scotland which illustrates why the Scottish palaeontological community is held in such high esteem.'
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Elgol dinosaur fossil found in 1973 finally extracted from base of cliff on Skye
A Jurassic dinosaur fossil has been extracted from the base of a cliff on the Isle of Skye where it was found more than 50 years ago. The fossil known as the Elgol dinosaur was discovered in 1973 near Elgol, in the south of the island, and is Scotland's earliest recorded dinosaur. It was not fully identified and remained uncollected until a team led by Elsa Panciroli returned in 2018. Initially researchers believed it was too difficult to extract the fossil, however it has now been achieved with the help of a local boat company, and scientists are hopeful there will be further discoveries on the island. The Elgol dinosaur dates from the Middle Jurassic period and is preserved in fragments, but researchers have identified part of the spine, ribs and a hip bone, making it the most complete dinosaur skeleton found to date in Scotland. Bone analysis has led researchers to believe it is an ornithopod dinosaur, a group which includes notable later dinosaurs such as Iguanodon, Parasaurolophus and Edmontosaurus. It is one of the earliest known ornithopod body fossils, as that group of dinosaurs became far more prominent in the later Cretaceous period. Analysis of the bone structure indicates the dinosaur, which would have been roughly the size of a pony, was at least eight years old. The new description of the Elgol dinosaur is published in the Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Ms Panciroli, the lead author and Natural Environment Research Council independent research fellow at National Museums Scotland, said: 'This was a really challenging extraction, in fact we'd previously felt it was too difficult to collect the fossil, but I thought it was really important to study it. 'I was able to persuade the team to give it a try. It took a lot of hard work from a lot of people, but we did it: finally we can confirm and publish Scotland's first recorded and most complete dinosaur, and that makes it all worthwhile.' The excavation was possible with the support of a specialist team from Research Casting International, based in Canada, while a crew from Elgol's Bella Jane Boat Trips piloted the rigid inflatable boat and dingy to the shore at the foot of the cliff, where the specimen was loaded and taken back to port. Stig Walsh from National Museums Scotland said: 'This is a wonderful addition to the rapidly growing set of Jurassic finds from the Isle of Skye which are enabling us to learn more and more about the rich ecosystem of the time. 'We've known there were dinosaurs there for a while, most obviously from the famous footprints at An Corran, Brother's Point and Duntulm and individual bones, but it's exciting to see a more complete, if still partial, skeleton. 'We're delighted to add it to the other amazing finds now in the national collection.' Other Jurassic discoveries from Skye include the description of adult and juvenile mammals of the same species, Krusatodon, which revealed the mammals grew more slowly than mammals today, and the world's largest Jurassic pterosaur fossil, Dearc sgiathanach. Professor Susie Maidment, of the Natural History Museum and the University of Birmingham, said: 'The Elgol dinosaur was a challenge to collect, and has proven perhaps an even bigger challenge to identify. Some aspects of the bones indicate that the specimen may be an ornithopod, a group of plant-eating dinosaurs that are best known from the Cretaceous. 'This specimen, however, would already have been a fossil by the time the better-known ornithopods like Iguanodon and Hypsilophodon were walking the Earth. 'Recent research on the fossils of Elgol has revealed a diverse ecosystem of extraordinarily preserved Middle Jurassic animals, and I'm sure there are more exciting discoveries to come.' Professor Rob Ellam, editor of Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, said: 'I would like to congratulate Dr Panciroli and her international team of co-authors. 'Having this exceptional piece of work on the Elgol dinosaur – both Scotland's earliest and most complete dinosaur fossil – in the pages of Transactions is a highlight for the journal. 'It is a privilege to be able to publish a world-class study led from Scotland which illustrates why the Scottish palaeontological community is held in such high esteem.'
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Elgol dinosaur fossil found in 1973 finally extracted from base of cliff on Skye
A Jurassic dinosaur fossil has been extracted from the base of a cliff on the Isle of Skye where it was found more than 50 years ago. The fossil known as the Elgol dinosaur was discovered in 1973 near Elgol, in the south of the island, and is Scotland's earliest recorded dinosaur. It was not fully identified and remained uncollected until a team led by Elsa Panciroli returned in 2018. Initially researchers believed it was too difficult to extract the fossil, however it has now been achieved with the help of a local boat company, and scientists are hopeful there will be further discoveries on the island. The Elgol dinosaur dates from the Middle Jurassic period and is preserved in fragments, but researchers have identified part of the spine, ribs and a hip bone, making it the most complete dinosaur skeleton found to date in Scotland. Bone analysis has led researchers to believe it is an ornithopod dinosaur, a group which includes notable later dinosaurs such as Iguanodon, Parasaurolophus and Edmontosaurus. It is one of the earliest known ornithopod body fossils, as that group of dinosaurs became far more prominent in the later Cretaceous period. Analysis of the bone structure indicates the dinosaur, which would have been roughly the size of a pony, was at least eight years old. The new description of the Elgol dinosaur is published in the Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Ms Panciroli, the lead author and Natural Environment Research Council independent research fellow at National Museums Scotland, said: 'This was a really challenging extraction, in fact we'd previously felt it was too difficult to collect the fossil, but I thought it was really important to study it. 'I was able to persuade the team to give it a try. It took a lot of hard work from a lot of people, but we did it: finally we can confirm and publish Scotland's first recorded and most complete dinosaur, and that makes it all worthwhile.' The excavation was possible with the support of a specialist team from Research Casting International, based in Canada, while a crew from Elgol's Bella Jane Boat Trips piloted the rigid inflatable boat and dingy to the shore at the foot of the cliff, where the specimen was loaded and taken back to port. Stig Walsh from National Museums Scotland said: 'This is a wonderful addition to the rapidly growing set of Jurassic finds from the Isle of Skye which are enabling us to learn more and more about the rich ecosystem of the time. 'We've known there were dinosaurs there for a while, most obviously from the famous footprints at An Corran, Brother's Point and Duntulm and individual bones, but it's exciting to see a more complete, if still partial, skeleton. 'We're delighted to add it to the other amazing finds now in the national collection.' Other Jurassic discoveries from Skye include the description of adult and juvenile mammals of the same species, Krusatodon, which revealed the mammals grew more slowly than mammals today, and the world's largest Jurassic pterosaur fossil, Dearc sgiathanach. Professor Susie Maidment, of the Natural History Museum and the University of Birmingham, said: 'The Elgol dinosaur was a challenge to collect, and has proven perhaps an even bigger challenge to identify. Some aspects of the bones indicate that the specimen may be an ornithopod, a group of plant-eating dinosaurs that are best known from the Cretaceous. 'This specimen, however, would already have been a fossil by the time the better-known ornithopods like Iguanodon and Hypsilophodon were walking the Earth. 'Recent research on the fossils of Elgol has revealed a diverse ecosystem of extraordinarily preserved Middle Jurassic animals, and I'm sure there are more exciting discoveries to come.' Professor Rob Ellam, editor of Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, said: 'I would like to congratulate Dr Panciroli and her international team of co-authors. 'Having this exceptional piece of work on the Elgol dinosaur – both Scotland's earliest and most complete dinosaur fossil – in the pages of Transactions is a highlight for the journal. 'It is a privilege to be able to publish a world-class study led from Scotland which illustrates why the Scottish palaeontological community is held in such high esteem.'
