Martindale and her research team, including Stéphane Bodin of Aarhus University, were exploring the rugged valley to study the ecology of ancient reef systems that once existed there when the area lay beneath the ocean. Reaching those reefs required crossing numerous layers of turbidites, sediments formed by dense underwater debris flows. Ripple patterns often appear on these deposits. However, Martindale noticed small ridges and wrinkles layered on top of the ripples that seemed unusual.

“As we’re walking up these turbidites, I’m looking around and this beautifully rippled bedding plane caught my eye,” says Martindale. “I said, ‘Stéphane, you need to get back here. These are wrinkle structures!'”

What Are Wrinkle Structures

Wrinkle structures are tiny ridges and pits ranging from millimeters to centimeters across. They develop when algae and microbial communities grow in mats across sandy seafloors. These delicate textures are rarely preserved in younger rocks because animals often disturb and destroy them. As a result, wrinkle structures are uncommon in rocks younger than about 540 million years old, when animal life rapidly diversified and began actively stirring ocean sediments.

Today, scientists typically find wrinkle structures in shallow tidal environments where sunlight supports photosynthetic algae.

Why These Wrinkles Should Not Exist

The wrinkle structures Martindale spotted appeared in rocks that formed far below the ocean surface. The turbidites where they were found had been deposited at depths of at least 180 meters, far too deep for sunlight to penetrate. This meant the structures could not have formed from the same sunlight dependent algae that create wrinkle patterns in shallow environments today.

Previous claims of wrinkle structures in deep water turbidite deposits have also been disputed. Another complication was the age of the rocks. At about 180 million years old, they formed during a time when animals were actively disturbing the seafloor worldwide, which normally erases delicate microbial textures. In other words, the wrinkle structures Martindale saw should not have been preserved at all.

Recognizing how unusual the find was, she set out to confirm whether her first impression was correct.

“Let’s go through every single piece of evidence that we can find to be sure that these are wrinkle structures in turbidites,” says Martindale, because wrinkle structures, usually photosynthetic in origin, “shouldn’t be in this deep-water setting.”

Evidence of Chemosynthetic Microbial Life

The research team carefully examined the surrounding rock layers and confirmed that the sediments were indeed turbidites. Next they investigated whether the unusual textures truly formed from biological activity.

Chemical testing provided a key clue. The sediment just beneath the wrinkles contained elevated carbon levels, which often indicate a biological origin. The team also looked to modern ocean environments for comparison. Footage from remotely operated submersibles exploring seafloors far below the photic zone revealed that microbial mats can develop there as well, but they are produced by chemosynthetic bacteria. These microbes obtain energy from chemical reactions instead of sunlight.

How Deep Sea Microbes Created the Wrinkles

By combining geological observations, chemical evidence, and modern examples from the deep ocean, the scientists concluded that they had discovered chemosynthetic wrinkle structures preserved in the rock record.

Turbidite flows likely played a critical role in creating the right conditions. These debris flows transport nutrients and organic material into deep water while also lowering oxygen levels in the surrounding sediments. Such conditions can support communities of chemosynthetic bacteria.

During quieter periods between debris flows, these bacteria can spread across the seafloor and form mats on top of the sediment. As the mats grow, they develop the wrinkled surface patterns that Martindale observed in the rocks of Morocco. In most cases, the next debris flow would erase the mat, but occasionally the structure becomes buried and preserved.

Expanding the Search for Ancient Life

Martindale now hopes to conduct laboratory experiments to better understand how wrinkle structures might develop within turbidite environments. She also hopes the discovery encourages scientists to rethink the long standing assumption that wrinkle structures are created only by photosynthetic microbial mats.

If chemosynthetic mats can also produce these features, geologists may begin searching for wrinkle structures in environments that were previously overlooked in the hunt for ancient life.

“Wrinkle structures are really important pieces of evidence in the early evolution of life,” says Martindale. By ignoring their possible presence in turbidites, “we might be missing out on a key piece of history of microbial life.”

Fibermaxxing refers to consuming at least the recommended daily amount of fiber for your body weight each day. The idea has gained traction across social media and traditional media this year.

Jennifer Lee is a scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. Her research focuses on how shifts in gut health and differences between sexes affect metabolism throughout a person’s life.

Lee says she is not surprised that fibermaxxing has become popular. In fact, she sees it as a sign that more people are recognizing an important distinction between lifespan and healthspan. Living longer does not necessarily mean living those years in good health, so many people are searching for ways to stay healthier as they age.

“There is a nine-year gap between living to a certain age in good health and then living in poor quality of health at the end of your life,” Lee added. “Behavioral or nutritional strategies that can keep someone healthy are very on trend right now.”

Research shows that consistently low fiber intake can contribute to metabolic and cardiovascular problems, including diabetes and obesity.

“If you’re not consuming a lot of fiber, you’re possibly consuming calories from other macronutrient groups, and they may be high in carbohydrates or fats, which can lead to weight gain,” Lee said. “Then, depending on a number of factors that may impact one’s cancer risk, a fiber deficiency may increase your risk for certain cancers, such as colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer.”

Overall, Lee explained that adding more fiber to your daily diet tends to produce wide ranging health benefits.

How Much Fiber Do I Need?

You can find a detailed recommendation for your personal nutritional intake via the USDA’s National Agriculture Library Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) calculator.

Meeting Daily Fiber Intake Recommendations

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and United States Department of Health and Human Services, adults should consume between 22 and 34 grams of fiber each day, depending on age and sex.

Lee also pointed to a simple guideline. For every 1,000 calories consumed, people should aim for about 14 grams of fiber. As people get older and typically eat fewer calories, their recommended fiber intake decreases accordingly.

“For someone between 19 and 30 years old, a female’s average recommended daily fiber intake would be 28 grams, based on a 2,000-calorie diet,” Lee said. “But for a male in that same age range, the recommended amount of fiber increases to 34 grams because they’re eating a little bit more.”

Soluble vs. Insoluble Fiber

Lee noted that dietary fiber falls into two main categories. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and slows digestion, while insoluble fiber helps move waste through the digestive tract.

“Soluble fiber attracts water into your gut and forms a gel-like substance,” Lee said. “It keeps you full, helps you feel satiated, and once it makes it into the colon, can provide or serve as a substrate for microbiota, meaning your microbiota can metabolize the food that you digest as well. So, this type of fiber serves as a beneficial food source for the microbes.”

Soluble fiber can also help regulate blood sugar by slowing digestion and reducing sudden spikes in glucose levels. It may also help lower cholesterol by preventing some cholesterol from being absorbed into the bloodstream.

Foods rich in soluble fiber include many fruits and vegetables, such as apples, avocados, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Legumes, beans, and oatmeal are also good sources. Insoluble fiber is commonly found in whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

“Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, cannot be dissolved and will not contribute to the calories you consume,” Lee said. “The body can’t take up energy from insoluble fiber, but it is critical to consume because it’s the bulk of substrate that helps you have a bowel movement. Because insoluble fiber bulks up your stool, it helps to prevent constipation.”

To maintain a healthy balance, Lee recommends consuming roughly twice as much insoluble fiber as soluble fiber each day. For example, if your daily goal is 30 grams of fiber, about 20 grams should come from insoluble fiber and 10 grams from soluble fiber.

How Can I Eat More Fiber?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put together a resource on how fiber can help to manage diabetes, which includes tips for adding more fiber to your diet by eating things like fiber-friendly breakfasts.

Fiber Supplements and Potential Side Effects

For people who struggle to get enough fiber through food alone, supplements may help fill the gap. Lee noted that many adults fall short of recommended fiber intake levels, making supplementation a practical option in some cases.

“The majority of adults are not meeting their dietary fiber intake levels, so generally supplementation is a good strategy to meet recommended levels.”

Fiber supplements are available as capsules or powders that can be mixed into drinks. However, Lee cautioned that increasing fiber intake too quickly can cause digestive issues while the body adjusts.

“You could run into the extremes of eating too much, where if you’re not drinking enough water to hydrate and exceed the amount of soluble and insoluble fiber, you can get constipated,” Lee said. “The other extreme is that some people respond differently to fiber and they run the risk of getting diarrhea. You really should check in with your body, since you know how your body is responding to what you’re challenging it with daily.”

• Adding satellite monitoring to bridge inspections reduces the number of structures labeled high risk by about one third.
• Among the bridges that still rank as high risk, roughly half could benefit from ongoing observations from space.
• The biggest gains could occur in regions such as Africa and Oceania, where bridge monitoring is currently limited or almost nonexistent.

A researcher from the University of Houston is helping identify vulnerable bridges across the planet and offering a new way to address potential failures before they become catastrophic.

In a global analysis of 744 bridges published in Nature Communications, Pietro Milillo and collaborators from several international institutions evaluated the condition of bridges around the world. Their results showed that bridges in North America are generally in the poorest condition, followed by those in Africa. The team also proposed a strategy that could transform how infrastructure is monitored worldwide by using satellites to track bridge stability and detect warning signs early.

Aging Infrastructure and a Growing Risk

Many of the bridges identified in the study are approaching the limits of their intended lifespan. Construction of bridges in North America surged during the 1960s, meaning many of these structures are now decades old and nearing or surpassing their original design life.

To address this challenge, researchers are turning to space based monitoring systems that rely on Synthetic Aperture Radar. This technology captures high resolution images frequently and covers large areas of the planet, while also providing access to extensive historical data.

“Our research shows that spaceborne radar monitoring could provide regular oversight for more than 60 percent of the world’s long-span bridges,” said Milillo, co author of the study and an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UH. “By integrating satellite data into risk frameworks, we can significantly lower the number of bridges classified as high-risk, especially in regions where installing traditional sensors is too costly.”

Detecting Tiny Movements From Space

The international research team included Dominika Malinowska from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and the University of Bath, Cormac Reale and Chris Blenkinsopp from the University of Bath, and Giorgia Giardina from TU Delft. They relied on a remote sensing method known as Multi-Temporal Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (MT-InSAR).

This technique can complement traditional inspections by identifying extremely small shifts in structures. The system can measure movements as small as a few millimeters caused by slow geological processes such as landslides or ground subsidence. It can also reveal unusual patterns across wide areas that might signal emerging structural issues.

Bridges represent some of the most fragile components of transportation systems, yet the current approaches used to monitor them have clear limitations. Visual inspections carried out in person can be costly and sometimes subjective. They are also typically performed only twice a year, which means early warning signs of deterioration may go unnoticed between inspections.

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) sensors provide a more continuous way to track structural performance. However, these systems are usually installed only on newer bridges or structures already known to have issues. According to the study, fewer than 20% of the world’s long span bridges are equipped with these sensors, leaving many structures without consistent monitoring.

A Satellite Based Monitoring Solution

“Remote sensing offers a complement to SHM sensors, can reduce maintenance costs, and can support visual inspections, particularly when direct access to a structure is challenging,” said Millilo. “For bridges specifically, MT-InSAR allows for more frequent deformation measurements across the entire infrastructure network, unlike traditional inspections, which typically occur only a few times per year and require personnel on the ground.”

Said Malinowska. “While using MT-InSAR to monitor bridges is well-established in academic circles, it has yet to be routinely adopted by the authorities and engineers responsible for them. Our work provides the global-scale evidence showing this is a viable and effective tool that can be deployed now.”

The researchers found that adding MT-InSAR data to bridge risk evaluations can improve accuracy. The technique analyzes satellite pixels known as persistent scatterers (PS), which have stable radar reflections. Using these signals reduces uncertainty and allows engineers to better prioritize which bridges require maintenance or closer inspection.

The approach proposed by the research team combines monitoring information from SHM sensors with satellite observations from systems such as the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 and the recently launched NASA NISAR mission. Integrating these data sources into a bridge’s structural vulnerability score allows engineers to receive more frequent updates than traditional inspection schedules provide.

With more consistent monitoring, authorities can gain a clearer picture of a bridge’s condition and make better decisions about maintenance and risk management.

Another major difficulty is detecting and predicting when ions move through crystals in a liquid-like manner. Standard computational techniques that attempt to calculate the properties of such dynamically disordered systems demand extremely high computing power, making large-scale studies impractical.

Machine Learning Predicts Raman Signals of Liquid-Like Ion Motion

To address these challenges, researchers developed a machine learning (ML) accelerated workflow that combines ML force fields with tensorial ML models to simulate Raman spectra. Their findings show that strong low-frequency Raman intensity can act as a clear spectroscopic indicator of liquid-like ionic conduction.

When ions move through a crystal lattice in a fluid-like way, their motion temporarily disturbs the lattice symmetry. This disturbance relaxes the usual Raman selection rules and produces distinctive low-frequency Raman scattering. These spectral signals can be directly connected to high ionic mobility.

The new approach allows scientists to simulate the vibrational spectra of complex and disordered materials at realistic temperatures with near-ab initio accuracy while significantly reducing computational cost. When applied to sodium-ion conducting materials such as Na₃SbS₄, the method revealed pronounced low-frequency Raman features. These signals arise from symmetry breaking caused by rapid ion transport and provide a reliable indicator of fast ionic conduction. The results also help explain earlier experimental observations and open the door to high-throughput screening for new superionic materials.

Raman Features Reveal Superionic Conductors

The researchers further tested the method using sodium-ion conducting systems. The workflow successfully identified Raman signatures linked to liquid-like ion motion. Materials that displayed strong low-frequency Raman features also showed high ionic diffusivity and dynamic relaxation of the host lattice.

By contrast, materials where ion transport occurs mainly through hopping between fixed positions did not produce these Raman signatures. This distinction highlights how Raman signals can reveal the underlying transport mechanism inside a material.

Accelerating Discovery of Advanced Battery Materials

By extending the breakdown of Raman selection rules beyond traditional superionic systems, the study provides a broader framework for interpreting diffusive Raman scattering across many classes of materials. The ML-accelerated Raman pipeline connects atomistic simulations with experimental measurements, allowing scientists to evaluate candidate materials more efficiently.

This strategy introduces a powerful new route for data-driven discovery in energy storage research. By helping researchers quickly identify fast-ion conductors, the method could accelerate the development of high-performance solid-state battery technologies.

The findings were recently published in the online edition of AI for Science, an international journal focused on interdisciplinary artificial intelligence research.