Rodielon Putol

United States

Staff Writer at Earth.com

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Articles

Why some people actually prefer to be the subject of gossip

4 days ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

Gossip is something most of us think about – especially when we’re not in the room. What are people saying? Are they saying anything at all? Would you rather be the subject of gossip – even if it’s behind your back – or be so invisible that no one mentions you? This isn’t a question from a philosophy class. It’s one that researchers at the University of Mississippi, Duke University, and the University of Kaiserlautern-Landau set out to explore.
New device instantly detects dangerous street drugs

4 days ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

A new handheld device is giving drug-checking services a faster, easier, and more affordable way to detect dangerous street drugs – even in tiny amounts. Designed to be portable and easy to use, this device can identify harmful substances in seconds with just the press of a button. Currently being tested in the U.K., Norway, and New Zealand, the device is the product of research from scientists at the University of Bath.
Search for the mythical Asian unicorn: New genetic clues emerge

4 days ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

In the remote, misty highland forests straddling Vietnam and Laos, a rare creature may still roam unseen. Known as the saola, this elusive animal was only discovered by scientists in 1992 and has since earned the nickname “Asian unicorn” due to its near-mythical status. The saola looks like an antelope but is more closely related to cattle. Both males and females have a pair of long, straight horns that may be reminiscent of a unicorn’s single spike, when seen side on.
Curiosity might help you stay sharp as you age

5 days ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

What’s the secret to aging well? It might be curiosity. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys learning new things, you’re already on the right path. Recent research shows that some types of curiosity not only persist into old age – they can actually grow stronger. This is important because it could help protect your brain. Older adults who stay curious and actively seek knowledge – especially about things they care about – may lower their risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
COVID virus spread too quickly for bats alone to be responsible

5 days ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

A virus doesn’t need wings to travel. It just needs a ride – and sometimes, that ride is a cage packed into the back of a truck. That’s what scientists are now suggesting about the ancestor of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic. New research suggests that the ancestor of this virus likely originated in Western China or Northern Laos.
Beauty in art lifts the mind and awakens higher thought

5 days ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

05-09-2025Beauty has long captured our attention. From ancient times to modern life, people have turned to art for more than decoration. Now, there’s scientific evidence that stopping to appreciate beauty – really stopping to take it in – can help us think beyond the moment. A new study from the University of Cambridge shows that reflecting on beautiful works of art can push our minds into a different gear.
Genetically enhanced crops could help fight climate change

6 days ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

05-08-2025Crops with genetically enhanced root systems could potentially help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The idea seems simple: grow crops with bigger roots that can store more carbon dioxide under the soil. But can this actually help with the fight against climate change? A new study says yes – but with some caveats.
Why your gut can’t heal on a Western diet

6 days ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

The gut takes a direct hit from the Western-style diet, which is heavy on processed foods, red meat, dairy, and sugar – and low on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This way of eating reduces the variety of microbes living in the digestive system, weakening the gut’s resilience. That microbial decline can interfere with how the body responds to antibiotics and makes it harder for the immune system to fight off disease.
Cutting emissions could save 250,000 lives a year in Europe

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

05-08-2025Emissions don’t just warm the planet – they’re also costing lives. By 2050, up to 250,000 deaths linked to air pollution could be prevented every year in central and western Europe. But this outcome hinges on one thing: strong action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That’s the key takeaway from a new study by atmospheric scientists at the University of Leeds. The research shows that the health benefits of climate action stretch well beyond lowering carbon footprints.
Termites play an unexpected role in rainforest revival

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

Termites are often overlooked in rainforest restoration, where the focus is usually on planting trees. But what if the key to a thriving forest lies not in the canopy above, but in the soil below – and in the insects that crawl through it? A new study reveals that termites, often seen as pests, might actually be essential allies in helping young rainforests flourish.