Guestbook

Kevinprelp

09 Apr 2025 - 08:52 pm

A long time in the making
Curiosity landed in Gale Crater on August 6, 2012. More than 12 years later, the rover has driven over 21 miles (34 kilometers) to ascend Mount Sharp, which is within the crater. The feature’s many layers preserve millions of years of geological history on Mars, showing how it shifted from a wet to a dry environment.
cbridge
Perhaps one of the most valuable samples Curiosity has gathered on its mission to understand whether Mars was ever habitable was collected in May 2013.

The rover drilled the Cumberland sample from an area within a crater called Yellowknife Bay, which resembled an ancient lake bed. The rocks from Yellowknife Bay so intrigued Curiosity’s science team that it had the rover drive in the opposite direction to collect samples from the area before heading to Mount Sharp.
Since collecting the Cumberland sample, Curiosity has used SAM to study it in a variety of ways, revealing that Yellowknife Bay was once the site of an ancient lake where clay minerals formed in water. The mudstone created an environment that could concentrate and preserve organic molecules and trapped them inside the fine grains of the sedimentary rock.

Freissinet helped lead a research team in 2015 that was able to identify organic molecules within the Cumberland sample.

The instrument detected an abundance of sulfur, which can be used to preserve organic molecules; nitrates, which are essential for plant and animal health on Earth; and methane composed of a type of carbon associated with biological processes on Earth.

“There is evidence that liquid water existed in Gale Crater for millions of years and probably much longer, which means there was enough time for life-forming chemistry to happen in these crater-lake environments on Mars,” said study coauthor Daniel Glavin, senior scientist for sample return at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, in a statement.

Leonardfrise

09 Apr 2025 - 08:18 pm

Everyone is talking about Greenland. Here’s what it’s like to visit
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A few months ago, Greenland was quietly getting on with winter, as the territory slid deeper into the darkness that envelops the world’s northerly reaches at this time of year.

But President Donald Trump’s musings about America taking over this island of 56,000 largely Inuit people, halfway between New York and Moscow, has seen Greenland shaken from its frozen Arctic anonymity.

Denmark, for whom Greenland is an autonomous crown dependency, has protested it’s not for sale. Officials in Greenland, meanwhile, have sought to assert the territory’s right to independence.

The conversation continues to intensify. A contentious March 28 visit to a US military installation by Usha Vance, the second lady, accompanied by her husband, Vice President JD Vance, was the latest in a series of events to focus attention on Trump’s ambitions for Greenland.

The visit was originally planned as a cultural exchange, but was shortened following complaints from Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede.

Had the Vances prolonged their scheduled brief visit, they would’ve discovered a ruggedly pristine wildernesses steeped in rich Indigenous culture.

An inhospitable icecap several miles deep covers 80% of Greenland, forcing the Inuit to dwell along the shorelines in brightly painted communities. Here, they spend brutally cold winters hunting seals on ice under the northern lights in near perpetual darkness. Although these days, they can also rely on community stores.

The problem for travelers over the years has been getting to Greenland via time-consuming indirect flights. That’s changing. Late in 2024, the capital Nuuk opened a long-delayed international airport. From June 2025, United Airlines will be operating a twice-weekly direct service from Newark to Nuuk.

Two further international airports are due to open by 2026 — Qaqortoq in South Greenland and more significantly in Ilulissat, the island’s only real tourism hotspot.

Johnniecruri

09 Apr 2025 - 08:18 pm

Curiosity rover makes ‘arguably the most exciting organic detection to date on Mars’
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The NASA Curiosity rover has detected the largest organic molecules found to date on Mars, opening a window into the red planet’s past. The newly detected compounds suggest complex organic chemistry may have occurred in the planet’s past — the kind necessary for the origin of life, according to new research.

The organic compounds, which include decane, undecane and dodecane, came to light after the rover analyzed a pulverized 3.7 billion-year-old rock sample using its onboard mini lab called SAM, short for Sample Analysis at Mars.

Scientists believe the long chains of molecules could be fragments of fatty acids, which are organic molecules that are chemical building blocks of life on Earth and help form cell membranes. But such compounds can also be formed without the presence of life, created when water interacts with minerals in hydrothermal vents.

The molecules cannot currently be confirmed as evidence of past life on the red planet, but they add to the growing list of compounds that robotic explorers have discovered on Mars in recent years. A study detailing the findings was published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The detection of the fragile molecules also encourages astrobiologists that if any biosignatures, or past signs of life, ever existed on Mars, they are likely still detectable despite the harsh solar radiation that has bombarded the planet for tens of millions of years.

“Ancient life, if it happened on Mars, it would have released some complex and fragile molecules,” said lead study author Dr. Caroline Freissinet, research scientist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in the Laboratory for Atmospheres, Observations, and Space in Guyancourt, France. “And because now we know that Mars can preserve these complex and fragile molecules, it means that we could detect ancient life on Mars.”

Wilbertsmiff

06 Apr 2025 - 08:49 am

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington on Thursday. Leon Neal/Getty Images
CNN
—
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House on Thursday could be his final chance to convince a receptive American president of his country’s war aims.
megaweb10.at
The precise details of the “victory plan” Zelensky plans to present in separate meetings to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are unknown, having been closely held until they are presented to the American leaders.

But according to people briefed on its broad contours, the plan reflects the Ukrainian leader’s urgent appeals for more immediate help countering Russia’s invasion. Zelensky is also poised to push for long-term security guarantees that could withstand changes in American leadership ahead of what is widely expected to be a close presidential election between Harris and former President Donald Trump.

The plan, people familiar with it said, acts as Zelensky’s response to growing war weariness even among his staunchest of western allies. It will make the case that Ukraine can still win — and does not need to cede Russian-seized territory for the fighting to end — if enough assistance is rushed in.

That includes again asking permission to fire Western provided long-range weapons deeper into Russian territory, a line Biden once was loathe to cross but which he’s recently appeared more open to as he has come under growing pressure to relent.

Even if Biden decides to allow the long-range fires, it’s unclear whether the change in policy would be announced publicly.

Biden is usually apt to take his time making decisions about providing Ukraine new capabilities. But with November’s election potentially portending a major change in American approach to the war if Trump were to win, Ukrainian officials — and many American ones — believe there is little time to waste.
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Trump has claimed he will be able to “settle” the war upon taking office and has suggested he’ll end US support for Kyiv’s war effort.

“Those cities are gone, they’re gone, and we continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refused to make a deal, Zelensky. There was no deal that he could have made that wouldn’t have been better than the situation you have right now. You have a country that has been obliterated, not possible to be rebuilt,” Trump said during a campaign speech in Mint Hill, North Carolina, on Wednesday.

Comments like those have lent new weight to Thursday’s Oval Office talks, according to American and European officials, who have described an imperative to surge assistance to Ukraine while Biden is still in office.

As part of Zelensky’s visit, the US is expected to announce a major new security package, thought it will likely delay the shipping of the equipment due to inventory shortages, CNN previously reported according to two US officials. On Wednesday, the US announced a package of $375 million.

The president previewed Zelensky’s visit to the White House a day beforehand, declaring on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly his administration was “determined to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to prevail in fight for survival.”
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“Tomorrow, I will announce a series of actions to accelerate support for Ukraine’s military – but we know Ukraine’s future victory is about more than what happens on the battlefield, it’s also about what Ukrainians do make the most of a free and independent future, which so many have sacrificed so much for,” he said.

Donaldmek

06 Apr 2025 - 08:47 am

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington on Thursday. Leon Neal/Getty Images
CNN
—
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House on Thursday could be his final chance to convince a receptive American president of his country’s war aims.
megaweb4.at
The precise details of the “victory plan” Zelensky plans to present in separate meetings to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are unknown, having been closely held until they are presented to the American leaders.

But according to people briefed on its broad contours, the plan reflects the Ukrainian leader’s urgent appeals for more immediate help countering Russia’s invasion. Zelensky is also poised to push for long-term security guarantees that could withstand changes in American leadership ahead of what is widely expected to be a close presidential election between Harris and former President Donald Trump.

The plan, people familiar with it said, acts as Zelensky’s response to growing war weariness even among his staunchest of western allies. It will make the case that Ukraine can still win — and does not need to cede Russian-seized territory for the fighting to end — if enough assistance is rushed in.

That includes again asking permission to fire Western provided long-range weapons deeper into Russian territory, a line Biden once was loathe to cross but which he’s recently appeared more open to as he has come under growing pressure to relent.

Even if Biden decides to allow the long-range fires, it’s unclear whether the change in policy would be announced publicly.

Biden is usually apt to take his time making decisions about providing Ukraine new capabilities. But with November’s election potentially portending a major change in American approach to the war if Trump were to win, Ukrainian officials — and many American ones — believe there is little time to waste.
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Trump has claimed he will be able to “settle” the war upon taking office and has suggested he’ll end US support for Kyiv’s war effort.

“Those cities are gone, they’re gone, and we continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refused to make a deal, Zelensky. There was no deal that he could have made that wouldn’t have been better than the situation you have right now. You have a country that has been obliterated, not possible to be rebuilt,” Trump said during a campaign speech in Mint Hill, North Carolina, on Wednesday.

Comments like those have lent new weight to Thursday’s Oval Office talks, according to American and European officials, who have described an imperative to surge assistance to Ukraine while Biden is still in office.

As part of Zelensky’s visit, the US is expected to announce a major new security package, thought it will likely delay the shipping of the equipment due to inventory shortages, CNN previously reported according to two US officials. On Wednesday, the US announced a package of $375 million.

The president previewed Zelensky’s visit to the White House a day beforehand, declaring on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly his administration was “determined to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to prevail in fight for survival.”
megaweb8.at
“Tomorrow, I will announce a series of actions to accelerate support for Ukraine’s military – but we know Ukraine’s future victory is about more than what happens on the battlefield, it’s also about what Ukrainians do make the most of a free and independent future, which so many have sacrificed so much for,” he said.

Dannyamite

06 Apr 2025 - 08:46 am

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington on Thursday. Leon Neal/Getty Images
CNN
—
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House on Thursday could be his final chance to convince a receptive American president of his country’s war aims.
megaweb10.at
The precise details of the “victory plan” Zelensky plans to present in separate meetings to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are unknown, having been closely held until they are presented to the American leaders.

But according to people briefed on its broad contours, the plan reflects the Ukrainian leader’s urgent appeals for more immediate help countering Russia’s invasion. Zelensky is also poised to push for long-term security guarantees that could withstand changes in American leadership ahead of what is widely expected to be a close presidential election between Harris and former President Donald Trump.

The plan, people familiar with it said, acts as Zelensky’s response to growing war weariness even among his staunchest of western allies. It will make the case that Ukraine can still win — and does not need to cede Russian-seized territory for the fighting to end — if enough assistance is rushed in.

That includes again asking permission to fire Western provided long-range weapons deeper into Russian territory, a line Biden once was loathe to cross but which he’s recently appeared more open to as he has come under growing pressure to relent.

Even if Biden decides to allow the long-range fires, it’s unclear whether the change in policy would be announced publicly.

Biden is usually apt to take his time making decisions about providing Ukraine new capabilities. But with November’s election potentially portending a major change in American approach to the war if Trump were to win, Ukrainian officials — and many American ones — believe there is little time to waste.
megaweb7.at
https://megaweb-3at.com
Trump has claimed he will be able to “settle” the war upon taking office and has suggested he’ll end US support for Kyiv’s war effort.

“Those cities are gone, they’re gone, and we continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refused to make a deal, Zelensky. There was no deal that he could have made that wouldn’t have been better than the situation you have right now. You have a country that has been obliterated, not possible to be rebuilt,” Trump said during a campaign speech in Mint Hill, North Carolina, on Wednesday.

Comments like those have lent new weight to Thursday’s Oval Office talks, according to American and European officials, who have described an imperative to surge assistance to Ukraine while Biden is still in office.

As part of Zelensky’s visit, the US is expected to announce a major new security package, thought it will likely delay the shipping of the equipment due to inventory shortages, CNN previously reported according to two US officials. On Wednesday, the US announced a package of $375 million.

The president previewed Zelensky’s visit to the White House a day beforehand, declaring on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly his administration was “determined to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to prevail in fight for survival.”
megaweb13.com
“Tomorrow, I will announce a series of actions to accelerate support for Ukraine’s military – but we know Ukraine’s future victory is about more than what happens on the battlefield, it’s also about what Ukrainians do make the most of a free and independent future, which so many have sacrificed so much for,” he said.

Michaelgum

06 Apr 2025 - 06:53 am

Guatemala has pledged a 40% increase in deportation flights carrying Guatemalans and migrants of other nationalities from the United States, President Bernardo Arevalo announced Wednesday during a press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
kra34.cc
Guatemala has also agreed to create a task force for border control and protection along the country’s eastern borders. The force, composed of members of the National Police and army, will be tasked with fighting “all forms of transnational crime,” Arevalo said.
kra46 cc
Foreign nationals who arrive in Guatemala through deportation flights will be repatriated to their home countries, Arevalo said, adding that the US and Guatemala would continue to have talks on how the process would work and how the US would cooperate.
kra30.cc
Arevalo also said that Rubio has voiced his support for developing infrastructure projects in the Central American nation. He added that his government would send a delegation to Washington in the coming weeks to negotiate deals for economic investments in Guatemala – which he said would incentivize Guatemalans to stay in their home country and not migrate to the US.

Arevalo said Guatemala has not had any discussions about receiving criminals from the US as El Salvador’s president has offered. He also insisted his country has not reached a “safe third country” agreement with the United States, which would require migrants who pass through Guatemala to apply for asylum there rather than continuing to the US.
kra32.cc
https://kra-36.ru

Jerryuniob

06 Apr 2025 - 04:54 am

Моя мама, та ещё модница. Каждые выходные, её можно было найти в нашем Торговом Комплексе (ТК). Пропадая там часами и толком ничего не купив, за такое проведённое время, если только так по мелочи, у меня это вызывало недоумение. И тут же напрашивался, естественно закономерный вопрос. Что можно там делать, целый день?
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Конечно, я много раз навязывался на поход в ТК с мамой, объясняя разные причины, чтобы посетить, это «чудесное» заведение. Но каждый раз слышал, от неё только отказ.

Мама была у меня симпатичной женщиной с приличной грудью третьего размера, да и в меру обладая стройностью тела, выглядела в свои сорок лет, даже очень ничего. Многие мужчины, часто поглядывали в её сторону, на что мама строя им глазки, пыталась флиртовать с ними. Меня же это раздражало. Возможно во мне играла ревность, что не я центр её внимания.
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Но странное поведение мамы, вынуждало меня узнать всё таки истинную причину, её не обычного влечения к шопомании.

Заранее купив новой одежды, чтобы не быть узнаным, и облачившись в эти шмотки, изменив облик, а на глаза нацепив солнцезащитные очки с бейсболкой, я решил проследить за мамой, когда она в очередной раз, пошла за покупками в ТК.
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Неотступно ступая ей в след, я добрался с ней до ТК. Не распознав меня, хотя я перед мамой часто светился, проверяя свою маскировку, мы вошли во внутрь этого грандиозного здания. По началу она и вправду ходила по бутикам, оглядываясь не редко на мужчин, а с некоторыми даже беседовала, но коротко, перекидываясь всего парой фраз. Я не слышал о чем они говорили, но по виду мужчин, можно сказать, что оппоненты очень были заинтересованы в этом разговоре.

Спустя час, её брожения по лабиринтам этих бутиков, она остановилась в одном из них и выбрав какую-то блузку, двинулась в сторону кабинки. Подойдя к ней, она оглянулась по сторонам и еще раз взглянув на номер над шторкой и убедившись, что именно в эту примерочную ей надо, мама не суетясь зашла туда.

Подумав, что здесь нет ничего необычного, я приметил молодого человека, с которым мама останавливалась и разговаривала. Он бродил по бутику и высматривал вещи, всё время поглядывая на кабинки. Выбрав что-то из одежды, он подошёл именно к той самой примерочной, куда некоторое время назад зашла моя мама. На вид парень был, чуть старше меня и испуганно взирая по сторонам, открыв штору кабинки, прошёл не задерживаясь во внутрь.

Я глазам своим не мог поверить, что это происходит. Разные мысли в голове, стали меня посещать и в основном они были интимного характера. Неужели моя мама, встречается с этим юнцом и в тайне от отца, изменяет ему, таким способом в примерочной кабинке ТК.

Да, да. У мамы был муж, который приходился мне отцом. Но у меня и в мыслях не было, что мама может так незатейливо, наставлять ему рога, посреди бела дня, да ещё при скоплении множества народа.

Мне стало любопытно, что же они там делают, и я подошёл к кабинке поближе. Стоя у шторы и прислушиваясь, я ничего не мог расслышать. Вокруг голдели люди и звуки сливались, теряясь в пространстве. Смирившись с этим, я отошёл в сторону якобы высматривая, что купить, но неизменно поглядывая в сторону примерочных. Тут неожиданно я увидел ещё пару человек, с которыми мама разговаривала. Они тоже ходили по магазинчику и что-то выбирали, косясь на кабинки с соответствующим номером. Вскоре со временем у примерочной скопилось более пяти человек. И они тупо озираясь друг на друга, не понимали, что вообще происходит. Некоторые примерочные были пусты, но никто в них не заходил из парней, ждавшие не понятно чего, как мне казалось.

И вот, этот парень, что был первый, быстро вылетев из кабинки, как ошпаренный, тут же помчался прочь, поправляя на ходу свои штаны. Я не понимал, что твориться здесь, смотря ему в след, как он удаляется. И пока у меня в голове это переваривалось, в кабинку прошмыгнул следующий из очереди, что стихийно образовалась у заманчивой для них примерочной.
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https://www.woman.ru/psycho/career/thread/5332231/

Williekerge

06 Apr 2025 - 04:51 am

Моя мама, та ещё модница. Каждые выходные, её можно было найти в нашем Торговом Комплексе (ТК). Пропадая там часами и толком ничего не купив, за такое проведённое время, если только так по мелочи, у меня это вызывало недоумение. И тут же напрашивался, естественно закономерный вопрос. Что можно там делать, целый день?
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Конечно, я много раз навязывался на поход в ТК с мамой, объясняя разные причины, чтобы посетить, это «чудесное» заведение. Но каждый раз слышал, от неё только отказ.

Мама была у меня симпатичной женщиной с приличной грудью третьего размера, да и в меру обладая стройностью тела, выглядела в свои сорок лет, даже очень ничего. Многие мужчины, часто поглядывали в её сторону, на что мама строя им глазки, пыталась флиртовать с ними. Меня же это раздражало. Возможно во мне играла ревность, что не я центр её внимания.
Порно анал
Но странное поведение мамы, вынуждало меня узнать всё таки истинную причину, её не обычного влечения к шопомании.

Заранее купив новой одежды, чтобы не быть узнаным, и облачившись в эти шмотки, изменив облик, а на глаза нацепив солнцезащитные очки с бейсболкой, я решил проследить за мамой, когда она в очередной раз, пошла за покупками в ТК.
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Неотступно ступая ей в след, я добрался с ней до ТК. Не распознав меня, хотя я перед мамой часто светился, проверяя свою маскировку, мы вошли во внутрь этого грандиозного здания. По началу она и вправду ходила по бутикам, оглядываясь не редко на мужчин, а с некоторыми даже беседовала, но коротко, перекидываясь всего парой фраз. Я не слышал о чем они говорили, но по виду мужчин, можно сказать, что оппоненты очень были заинтересованы в этом разговоре.

Спустя час, её брожения по лабиринтам этих бутиков, она остановилась в одном из них и выбрав какую-то блузку, двинулась в сторону кабинки. Подойдя к ней, она оглянулась по сторонам и еще раз взглянув на номер над шторкой и убедившись, что именно в эту примерочную ей надо, мама не суетясь зашла туда.

Подумав, что здесь нет ничего необычного, я приметил молодого человека, с которым мама останавливалась и разговаривала. Он бродил по бутику и высматривал вещи, всё время поглядывая на кабинки. Выбрав что-то из одежды, он подошёл именно к той самой примерочной, куда некоторое время назад зашла моя мама. На вид парень был, чуть старше меня и испуганно взирая по сторонам, открыв штору кабинки, прошёл не задерживаясь во внутрь.

Я глазам своим не мог поверить, что это происходит. Разные мысли в голове, стали меня посещать и в основном они были интимного характера. Неужели моя мама, встречается с этим юнцом и в тайне от отца, изменяет ему, таким способом в примерочной кабинке ТК.

Да, да. У мамы был муж, который приходился мне отцом. Но у меня и в мыслях не было, что мама может так незатейливо, наставлять ему рога, посреди бела дня, да ещё при скоплении множества народа.

Мне стало любопытно, что же они там делают, и я подошёл к кабинке поближе. Стоя у шторы и прислушиваясь, я ничего не мог расслышать. Вокруг голдели люди и звуки сливались, теряясь в пространстве. Смирившись с этим, я отошёл в сторону якобы высматривая, что купить, но неизменно поглядывая в сторону примерочных. Тут неожиданно я увидел ещё пару человек, с которыми мама разговаривала. Они тоже ходили по магазинчику и что-то выбирали, косясь на кабинки с соответствующим номером. Вскоре со временем у примерочной скопилось более пяти человек. И они тупо озираясь друг на друга, не понимали, что вообще происходит. Некоторые примерочные были пусты, но никто в них не заходил из парней, ждавшие не понятно чего, как мне казалось.

И вот, этот парень, что был первый, быстро вылетев из кабинки, как ошпаренный, тут же помчался прочь, поправляя на ходу свои штаны. Я не понимал, что твориться здесь, смотря ему в след, как он удаляется. И пока у меня в голове это переваривалось, в кабинку прошмыгнул следующий из очереди, что стихийно образовалась у заманчивой для них примерочной.
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Peterelica

02 Apr 2025 - 04:14 pm

Exposure to phthalates during pregnancy can affect a newborn’s brain development, study finds
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Phthalates — the synthetic chemicals used in everyday products for food packaging, personal care, toys and more — have been linked to abnormal neurological development in infants.

Now, scientists may have discovered a biological pathway for how this phenomenon could occur. Researchers found that in utero exposure to phthalates is linked with altered metabolism of neurotransmitters and amino acids involved in brain maturation, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature Communications.

The report is the first to use untargeted metabolomics — the study of all small molecules or metabolites in a biological system — to connect a mother’s phthalate exposure to a newborn’s metabolites, and those metabolites to neurological development, said senior study author Dr. Donghai Liang via email.
“This represents an important step forward in understanding how prenatal chemical exposures shape infant development at the molecular level,” added Liang, an associate professor of environmental health at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta.

First introduced in the 1920s, phthalates are used to make plastics softer and more flexible, primarily in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products such as vinyl flooring, medical devices, children’s toys, food packaging or shower curtains. The chemicals also help lubricate substances and carry fragrances in various personal care products including deodorant; nail polish; perfumes; hair gels, sprays or shampoos; soaps; and body lotions.

Phthalates are also endocrine disruptors that have been linked to preterm birth, infant genital abnormalities, childhood obesity, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular issues, and low sperm count and testosterone in men.

“We conducted this study because phthalates are everywhere in our daily lives,” Liang said, hence their nickname “everywhere chemicals.”

Harming infant health
The findings are based on mother-newborn pairs enrolled in the Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort between 2016 and 2018. In urine samples collected from 216 mothers between eight weeks and 14 weeks of gestation at visit one and 145 participants between 24 and 30 weeks’ gestation at visit two, the authors measured eight phthalate metabolites. Participants were around age 24 on average, and their levels of some phthalate metabolites were higher than the average determined by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Within a day or two of birth, the authors collected the babies’ blood via a heel stick.

The team found prenatal phthalate levels were associated with lower levels of tyrosine, an amino acid and precursor to the thyroid hormone thyroxine. Thyroxine was also abnormally low in those with in utero phthalate exposure, and low thyroxine has been previously associated with greater vulnerability to illness and neurodevelopmental issues in newborns, the authors said. Tyrosine is also a precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, all of which partly contribute to the body’s fight-or-flight response. Low levels of these neurotransmitters can lead to various problems, including anxiety, depression and trouble focusing.

Prenatal phthalate exposure was also linked with lower levels of the essential amino acid tryptophan, which converts into 5-hydroxytryptophan (or 5-HTP), which then turns into serotonin. Both 5-HTP and serotonin were also low. Serotonin has several critical roles in the body, including mood regulation, sleep, learning, memory, digestion and the body’s response to stress. Previous research has linked low serotonin with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, sleep problems, and digestive issues.