Category Archives: Evolution

February 27, 2017

Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions involving abnormal folding of proteins, may help explain the emergence of lifeand how to create it.

Researchers at Emory University and Georgia Tech demonstrated this connection in two new papers published by Nature Chemistry: "Design of multi-phase dynamic chemical networks" and "Catalytic diversity in self-propagating peptide assemblies."

"In the first paper we showed that you can create tension between a chemical and physical system to give rise to more complex systems. And in the second paper, we showed that these complex systems can have remarkable and unexpected functions," says David Lynn, a systems chemist in Emory's Department of Chemistry who led the research. "The work was inspired by our current understanding of Darwinian selection of protein misfolding in neurodegenerative diseases."

The Lynn lab is exploring ways to potentially control and direct the processes of these proteinsknown as prionsadding to knowledge that might one day help to prevent disease, as well as open new realms of synthetic biology. For the current papers, Emory collaborated with the research group of Martha Grover, a professor in the Georgia Tech School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, to develop molecular models for the processes.

"Modeling requires us to formulate our hypotheses in the language of mathematics, and then we use the models to design further experiments to test the hypotheses," Grover says.

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is well-establishedorganisms adapt over time in response to environmental changes. But theories about how life emergesthe movement through a pre-Darwinian world to the Darwinian thresholdremain murkier.

The researchers started with single peptides and engineered in the capacity to spontaneously form small proteins, or short polymers. "These protein polymers can fold into a seemingly endless array of forms, and sometimes behave like origami," Lynn explains. "They can stack into assemblies that carry new functions, like prions that move from cell-to-cell, causing disease."

This protein misfolding provided the model for how physical changes could carry information with function, a critical component for evolution. To try to kickstart that evolution, the researchers engineered a chemical system of peptides and coupled it to the physical system of protein misfolding. The combination results in a system that generates step-by-step, progressive changes, through self-driven environmental changes.

"The folding events, or phase changes, drive the chemistry and the chemistry drives the replication of the protein molecules," Lynn says. "The simple system we designed requires only the initial intervention from us to achieve progressive growth in molecular order. The challenge now becomes the discovery of positive feedback mechanisms that allow the system to continue to grow."

Explore further: Provocative prions may protect yeast cells from stress

More information: Design of multi-phase dynamic chemical networks, Nature Chemistry, nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nchem.2737

Catalytic diversity in self-propagating peptide assemblies, Nature Chemistry, nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nchem.2738

Journal reference: Nature Chemistry

Provided by: Emory University

Prions have a notorious reputation. They cause neurodegenerative disease, namely mad cow/Creutzfeld-Jakob disease. And the way these protein particles propagategetting other proteins to join the pilecan seem insidious.

Nerve-damaging protein particles called prions have long been known to exist in mammals.

A team of scientists from the University of Alberta is examining compounds with anti-prion properties, which can alter the misfolding of proteins in rare but universally fatal prion diseases like Mad Cow and Creutzfeld-Jakob. ...

"When they are healthy, they look like tiny spheres; when they are malignant, they appear as cubes" stated Giuseppe Legname, principal investigator of the Prion Biology Laboratory at the Scuola Internazionale Superiore di ...

Emory University scientists have discovered that simple peptides can organize into bi-layer membranes. The finding suggests a "missing link" between the pre-biotic Earth's chemical inventory and the organizational scaffolding ...

It's a chicken and egg question. Where do the infectious protein particles called prions come from? Essentially clumps of misfolded proteins, prions cause neurodegenerative disorders, such as mad cow/Creutzfeld-Jakob disease, ...

The manufacture of cement, bricks, bathroom tiles and porcelain crockery normally requires a great deal of heat: a kiln is used to fire the ceramic materials at temperatures well in excess of 1,000C. Now, material scientists ...

New light on a key factor involved in diseases such as Parkinson's disease, gastric cancer and melanoma has been cast through latest University of Otago, New Zealand, research carried out in collaboration with Australian ...

A Washington State University research team has improved an important catalytic reaction commonly used in the oil and gas industries. The innovation could lead to dramatic energy savings and reduced pollution.

Manufacturing small proteins known as peptides is usually very time-consuming, which has slowed development of new peptide drugs for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and bacterial infections.

Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions involving abnormal folding of proteins, may help explain the emergence of lifeand how to create it.

It's not enough to design new drugs. For drugs to be effective, they have to be delivered safely and intact to affected areas of the body. And drug delivery, much like drug design, is an immensely complex task. Cutting-edge ...

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How protein misfolding may kickstart chemical evolution - Phys.Org

February 27, 2017 Credit: NASA, ESA and R. Kirshner (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation) and P. Challis (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)

Thirty years ago, on 23 February 1987, the light from a stellar explosion marking the death of a massive star arrived at Earth to shine in Southern Hemisphere skies.

Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, SN 1987A was the closest observed supernova to Earth since the invention of the telescope. Studying it for the last 30 years has revolutionised our understanding of the explosive death of massive stars.

In operation since 1990, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has observed the supernova remnant many times, as highlighted in this montage. The images show its evolution between 1994 and 2016, and highlight the main ring that blazes around the exploded star.

A new wide-field image was also taken by Hubble in January 2017 to mark the 30 year anniversary.

By observing the expanding remnant material over the years, Hubble has helped to show that the material within the ring was likely ejected 20 000 years before the actual explosion took place.

The initial burst of light from the supernova initially illuminated the rings. They slowly faded over the first decade after the explosion, until a fast-moving shell of gas ejected during the supernova slammed into the central ring, sending a powerful shockwave through the gas, heating it to searing temperatures and generating strong X-ray emission.

This caused clumps of denser gas within the ring to light up like a string of pearls, seen as the increasing number of bright spots, which are now fading again.

As the shock wave continues to move through the shells ejected by the dying star in its final throes of life, who knows what new details will be revealed?

Explore further: The dawn of a new era for Supernova 1987a (Update)

Three decades ago, astronomers spotted one of the brightest exploding stars in more than 400 years. The titanic supernova, called Supernova 1987A (SN 1987A), blazed with the power of 100 million suns for several months following ...

(PhysOrg.com) -- Using the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers are witnessing the unprecedented transition of a supernova to a supernova remnant, where light from an exploding star in a neighboring galaxy, the Large Magellanic ...

(PhysOrg.com) -- In 1987, light from an exploding star in a neighboring galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, reached Earth. Named Supernova 1987A, it was the closest supernova explosion witnessed in almost 400 years, allowing ...

This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image captures the remnants of a long-dead star. These rippling wisps of ionized gas, named DEM L316A, are located some 160,000 light-years away within one of the Milky Way's closest galactic ...

(PhysOrg.com) -- The delicate shell, photographed by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, appears to float serenely in the depths of space, but this apparent calm hides an inner turmoil. The gaseous envelope formed as the ...

Twenty years ago, astronomers witnessed one of the brightest stellar explosions in more than 400 years. The titanic supernova, called SN 1987A, blazed with the power of 100 million suns for several months following its discovery ...

Planets are thought to form in the disks of dust and gas found around young stars. But astronomers have struggled to assemble a complete theory of their origin that explains how the initial dust develops into planetary systems. ...

Evidence of planetary debris surrounding a double sun, 'Tatooine-like' system has been found for the first time by a UCL-led team of researchers.

When the universe was young, a supermassive black holebloated to the bursting point with stupendous powerheaved out a jet of particle-infused energy that raced through the vastness of space at nearly the speed of light.

(Phys.org)A team of astronomers led by Favio Faifer of the National University of La Plata, Argentina, has discovered the first ultra-compact dwarf (UCD) galaxy in an X-ray bright galaxy group designated NGC 5044. The ...

Hunting for habitable exoplanets now may be easier: Cornell University astronomers report that hydrogen pouring from volcanic sources on planets throughout the universe could improve the chances of locating life in the cosmos.

Astronomers based at the University of Sheffield have found evidence that stars are ripped apart by supermassive black holes 100 times more often than previously thought.

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Image: The evolution of supernova 1987A - Phys.org - Phys.Org

Dont worry these guys are sticking around. Photo: Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

Starbucks is finally pulling the plug on its attempt to clone Liquiteria. The ill-fated Evolution Fresh stores were part of the coffee chains plot to dominate the juicing craze; it bought that brand in 2011 from the Naked Juice creator, and by 2012 was building cafs where juice partners served cold-pressed, organic ginger and kale elixirs, plus a selection of healthy fare like wraps, grain bowls, and customizable salads. But they never caught on; the number of stores stalled before it even reached a half-dozen, all of them in the Seattle area or San Francisco. The remaining two are near downtown Seattle, and Seattle Met notes theyll both be closed by June.

Most Starbucks-goers are familiar with the Evolution Fresh bottles the chain stocks in cafs cold cases, though. Those debuted nationwide around the same time as the hapless juice-store concept, and their run was much more successful. The company not only plans to keep on selling them at supermarkets and cafs but its also about to expand the line to include four new superfoods flavors with ber-trendy ingredients like coconut milk and turmeric.

Peter Pan, Old Traditional Polish Cuisine, and more.

The chains future with cold-pressed sweet greens will live on in the supermarket bottles.

One reviewer called it horrifying and said his toothbrush even turned bright pink.

It technically owns the brand.

La Buvette, a beloved Parisian wine bar, is popping up in New York for one night only.

Totenko Co.s stocks jumped following a major mating announcement.

He slathered a $54 New York strip in ketchup.

Add to the already lengthy rsum.

He dined at the too cool Italian restaurant with Malia.

The problem starts way before food hits grocery stores or your plate.

So-called alcosynth would solve a lot of other problems associated with traditional booze, too.

A five-course dinner at the James Beard House.

Its like the Frappuccino version of Nutella.

The whole car now smells like freshly baked bread, and I reach inside and tear off the heel.

Although theres at least one other way to free birds from pain, injury, and disease.

Two former friends say the brothers stole ideas, threatened physical violence, and hoarded profits.

Find out where to eat in our weekly ranking of the citys most important restaurants.

A third of Americans are dining out less often than they were three months ago.

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Starbucks Is Closing Its Evolution Fresh Juice Chain - Grub Street - Grub Street

Forbes

Only One In A Thousand PokStop Drops Are Pokmon GO's New Gen 2 Evolution Items Forbes While your local area might be flooded with new Gen 2 Pokmon in the wake of Pokmon GO's latest update, you might be finding that you're missing a few key ingredients in pursuit of some specific evolutions. That would be a set of evolution items ...

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Only One In A Thousand PokStop Drops Are Pokmon GO's New Gen 2 Evolution Items - Forbes

When a scientific field reaches the stage in which constructed explanations are replaced with facts, it is a step forward. Of course, all sciences have their implicit epistemological framework. This is something that should be at least admitted, but there is a pressing specific issue: the projection of values onto evolution in both common understanding and serious discourse. It is important not to retain fiction when facts are available, especially when that fiction is dangerous.

There is no intention to evolutionary process. Nature is not an entity that intends in the way that we intend. Traits do not evolve for purposes, contrary to what we often project onto them. The traits are not means to behavioral ends, especially reproductive ends. By projecting means-to-reproduction narratives onto evolution, we strip away the beauty of life, rendering fascinating existences nothing but a nihilistic game of chemicals and competition. Beyond that, however, it is dangerous. Why? It is dangerous because it enables systemic hatred.

Lets start with the phrase survival of the fittest. What can you do with that phrase? Well, lets break it down. The most fit to survive will survive. It is ambiguous. It could mean that what tends to replicate itself and not get killed will be most abundant. This is fair, and it is no more political than saying radioactive elements will decay until they are stable. It is intuitive if it does not replicate itself, it will not be around long, and if it gets killed, it will not have the opportunity. This is how it should be interpreted, yet it is almost never stated in such a basic way. Even in biology, and especially in psychology and other health sciences, it gets twisted.

Lets go back to the most fit to survive will survive. What if it was just slightly tweaked: the best will survive, or the fittest should survive. Here, a value judgment was added. There is no best, no quality, if it is viewed as a statement of tendency, but there is if survival is seen as good rather than neutral. From here, simultaneously, one can interpret that survival is the end goal, rather than a statement of tendency. Then, retroactively, the constructed end goal of survival makes traits and behaviors a game of competition, in which the best gets to live.

This can adopt any prejudice one wants to incorporate. It can be turned into an argument for eugenics, for sexism or against the disabled. It can enable human-centrism if mental capacity is held as a measure of value. It can be turned into an argument for gender roles and heterosexuality by pitting men and women as inherently different (viewing gender as entirely nature and disregarding nurture), using selective biological facts as evidence and generalizing to such an extent that everything is binary with no middle ground. The middle ground, androgyny, is a deviation in this view. Relationships that do not lead to procreation are a deviation as well. And deviations do not lead to survival, do they?

It also makes the case for capitalism, perhaps explaining why the twisted interpretation of evolution is the prevailing one. By adopting the value-infused interpretation, you can absolve yourself of any guilt you might have about exploiting labor, concentrating power, hoarding wealth while the majority struggles to get by, pitting people against each other or devaluing expression in favor of anything that further increases your wealth and power. You do not have to feel bad about causing deaths, stripping creative joy from peoples lives and inhibiting mutual fostering and collective growth. You fought hard from the bottom and made it to the top. You earned it because you just had the ability. It is just facts; it is just how it is. You cannot be held responsible because it is nature.

This is why it is so important to understand the phrase survival of the fittest, and evolution in general, completely free of value judgments, even one as simple as survival is good, because from there, many flavors of hate and structural oppression can co-opt the concept of evolution to justify themselves. It may seem tedious to make that distinction, but in the grand scheme of things, our lives and livelihoods depend on it.

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We must redefine archaic evolutionary language - Virginia Tech Collegiate Times

Recent speculation has suggested a new stable will soon be coming to the WWE that could cause some problems to members of the Monday Night Raw roster.

The rumor indicates that Triple H will be starting up a new stable like Evolution on Raw, and the reported members so far are The Game, WWE Universal champion Kevin Owens, and Samoa Joe.

The original Evolution had four members; Triple H, Ric Flair, Randy Orton, and Batista. If the new Evolution is going to follow the same path with four members, here are three superstars who could fill up the last spot in the stable perfectly.

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Finn Balor has been out of action since SummerSlam last year when he injured his shoulder in a match against Seth Rollins for the Universal championship. However, it is speculated he could be making a return anytime soon, just in time for WrestleMania 33.

Balor's wrestling style is very different to that of Owens and Joe, which will help to create a dynamic to the stable, and his relationship with Triple H back in NXT will fit in well with what appears to be a trend with the rest of the group's members.

Article continues below

The Demon King's injury occurred during a match with Rollins last summer, and it looks like The Architect could be the first casualty of the new stable. This could be a good angle to turn Balor heel and add him to the group.

If WWE truly wants it to make it a new Evolution, a way of doing this would be to add Charlotte to the stable and reignite the Women's revolution in the process as well. She has the pedigree to be part of such a group as she is the daughter of The Nature Boy, Ric Flair.

Keeping a Flair in the stable would show its links to the past, and her in-ring ability shows she deserves to be part of what is bound to be a historic group under the leadership of The Game. It would also allow The Nature Girl to become an even more dominant figure in the Women's division than she already is.

When the original Evolution formed back in 2003, Randy Orton was the youngest member as he was only in his early 20s when the group came together. A current NXT superstar who could fill this role isPete Dunne, who is only 24-years-old.

Dunne made his name at theUK Championship Tournament that WWE held last month and only debuted in NXT earlier this week with a win againstMark Andrews. His inclusion in the new Evolution stable, however, would show the company's confidence in the British superstar and why they held a UK tournament in the first place.

The Bruiserweightcould be used in a similar fashion to what Orton was,using the group in order to climb up in the WWE. He has the charismato be a successful heel in the company, and the stable could be a good stepping stone for future success in the WWE.

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Three superstars that should be a part of Triple H's new Evolution stable - GiveMeSport

The latest evolution of the Park Hotel on the Capitol Square is ready for its formal dedication.

A ribbon cutting is planned for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday to mark the completion of the renovations.

More than a year of renovations to the 213-room hotel at the corner of South Carroll and West Main streets wrapped up in fall 2016 with about $8 million being spent to update the building's exterior, according to project documents filed with the city. Building permits filed with the city also show another nearly $4.9 million being spent on a complete interior renovation, though the number may be higher but the Mullins family, which owns the hotel, declined to disclose the total amount spent on the project.

George Wiesner, general manager of the Park Hotel, said the building's freshened outside look should have a lifespan of about 30 years, though interior amenities, including rooms, will be updated as needed to keep the hotel looking fresh.

Another major interior overhaul comparable to those just completed likely won't happen again for at least another decade, said Brad Mullins of the Mullins Group, a real estate and management firm. His family, which acquired the hotel then called the Park Motor Inn in 1976, began discussing renovating the property about four years ago.

"We wanted to reposition it again as a premier property on the square," Mullins said. "It is a legacy to our family and it was the first hotel on the Capital Square."

Wiesner said the Park Hotel, which carries the Best Western Premier brand, the hotel chain's top offering, is focusing on business customers as well as hosting events seeking full services including catering. The hotel provides lodging to about 100,000 guests and hosts about 400 events annually.

Wiesner said the hotel offers amenities sought by today's business travelers. He said guests have complimented the hotel on its updated offerings including ample ports in rooms to recharge portable electronics and fast, reliable wireless internet access.

No floor was untouched and the hotel remained open throughout the renovation. Elevators were updated and provide continuous service from the main floor through ninth floor of the hotel.

Wiesner said upper floor rooms were renovated first and work later moved onto the lower floors. The former Top of the Park restaurant on the eighth floor, which closed in 2001 and now is used primarily to host events, was expanded and can accommodate events of up to 120 people.

"The last part to get done was the lobby and bar," he said.

Mullins said building new is easier than renovating a property that remained open.

"It reflects out commitment to downtown Madison and to our employees who could keep working during the project," he said.

Some of the updates that won't be seen by guests include the new locker rooms for the hotel's 120 employees and a modernized heating and cooling system.

Wiesner is confident future guests will appreciate what has been done to the hotel.

"The work done here far exceeded our expectations," he said.

More here:

Latest evolution of Downtown Madison's Park Hotel has business customer in mind - Madison.com

February 26th, 2017 by Zachary Shahan

Miss some of our stories thispast week? Below were the 20 most popular, followed by my 30 favorites of the week. Also, remember, you can get our free daily newsletter to not miss anything oryou can get our free weekly newsletter to always catch these roundup posts.

How about my favorites? As always, its hard to decide, but here are 30:

100% wind electricity in Denmark is insane in such an awesome way.

Speaking of 100% renewables, gotta love the UKs Squeaky.

But Big Renewables are spreading all over the world now, not just in Europe, with this weeks biggest stories being a 1.8 gigawatt solar project in the UAEand an overall solar pipeline of 5.7 gigawatts in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Dereks review of the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electricwas superb definitely worth a read if you missed that.

I love Joses monthly electric car sales reports on Europe and China, and also thought Chinas electric bus sales update was stunning.

Norway is still in a league of its own relatively speaking, though, with 37% of new cars now being electric.

LG Chem lifting its battery production capacity is another good sign.

And I think I have to like my own original piece for EV-Boxs rEVolution blog, which is a preview of what I will talk about in Amsterdam next month.

The electric car revolution may be far ahead of the electric plane revolution, but its certainlyexciting to see the initial seeds of commercial electric airplanes.

A 100 car all-electric taxi fleet is hard to not get overly excited about as well, and that was matched by Maven getting 100 Chevy Bolts in LA, but both of thosewere beatenby Dubai ordering 200 Teslas for electric taxis.

Of course, the many Tesla quarterly updates, especially regarding Model 3, were interesting to read. Plus, there was that earlier cool news of Tesla hiring 150200 people a week at the Gigafactory.

Firstsolarwind hybrid power plant in US? What took so long?

Speaking of late arrivals, I also loved Susans take on renewable energy fromthe EU finally getting into Russia as well as her piece on who benefits if Russian oil sanctions end.

On the flip side, looking at oil & gas, fracking seems to be causing more leaks than expected, and oil & gas wells being linked to childhood leukemia is clearly depressing even if its not surprising.

Speaking of disturbing shit we have a White House that intends to destroy the state, a newhead of an EPA that used to copy & paste letters from the oil & gas industry as his states attorney general. Preterm births, deaths, and suffering are certain to rise under Trumps and Pruitts EPA.

TeslaMondo is maybe my favorite blog so funny and so good at pulling critical points out of the haze. This ones a must-read.

This is just awesome: $1.8 Billion Of Indias Coal Tax Invested In Renewable Energy So Far.

As is this: 7,000 Railways Stations In India To Go Solar.

Despite all of the wonderful stories above, this one might be my favorite of the week: Hidden Taxes.

Buy a cool T-shirt or mug in the CleanTechnica store! Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech daily newsletter or weekly newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.

Tags: Chevy Bolt, China, Denmark, Donald Trump, EPA, Europe, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Hyundai Ioniq Electric, India, Russia, Tesla, UK

Zachary Shahan is tryin' to help society help itself (and other species) with the power of the typed word. He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director and chief editor, but he's also the president of Important Media and the director/founder of EV Obsession, Solar Love, and Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and energy storage expert. Zach has long-term investments in TSLA, FSLR, SPWR, SEDG, & ABB after years of covering solar and EVs, he simply has a lot of faith in these particular companies and feels like they are good cleantech companies to invest in.

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7000 Solar Train Stations Self-Driving Car Evolution 100% Wind Electricity In Denmark Tesla Model 3 Updates ... - CleanTechnica

Science Daily

Study proposes new theory for evolution of infant-directed song Science Daily Music is a tricky topic for evolutionary science: it turns up in many cultures around the world in many different contexts, but no one knows why humans are the only musical species. Noting that it has no known connection to reproductive success ...

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Study proposes new theory for evolution of infant-directed song - Science Daily

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We are having a Solar Eclipse in Pisces on February 26th, 2017 at 2:58pm Universal Time. While itwill only be visible in parts ofSouth America and Africa, as withevery eclipse, the astrological significance will still affect the whole planet.

This is an annular eclipse, which is when the Sun is almost completely blocked from the Moon except for the outer edges. This is because the Moon is near its apogee, which is its furthest distance from the Earth. This type of eclipse is also referred to as a ring of fire,thanks to its unique appearance.

We also had a Lunar Eclipse in Leo a few weeks ago. Eclipse season, which occurs every six months, is a significant period of transitions thatcan start up to six weeks before eclipsesbeginand play out over the following months. However, this eclipse window isparticularlytransitional because we are shifting away from two years of Virgo-Pisces eclipses and into Leo-Aquarius ones.

Venus is slowing down to go retrograde on March 4th. Any changes or developments we have had since January 30th regarding love, relationships, pleasure, money, value(s), beauty/aesthetics, or art,will face a reflective and/or a reconsideration/adjusting phase over the next six to eightweeks. (Note: Join my mailing list here to be notified when that article will be published.)

We have had a series of eclipses in Pisces since March 2015, but this will be the final one. These have all been South Node eclipses, which shake up certain negative aspects of ourselves that are no longer serving us, depending on the sign theyre inand where it is in your personal birth chart. The Eclipse is aligned with Neptune, which is a modern ruler (or sub-ruler) of Pisces;therefore it amplifies the Piscean themes mentioned below.

We need to look at the negative traits of Pisces and Neptune energy and identify what areas of our lives they areplaying out in and what needs to change. It could be related to delusional behaviour or outlook, deception, escapism, carelessness, or avoiding our duties or physical health. This could also shake things up if we tend toself-sabotage, self-sacrifice, and/or if we have problems with drugs and alcohol.

For some people, there may be a direct connection between this eclipse and how the upcoming Venus retrograde will make changes in how theyapproach love relationships. For example, Pisces and Neptune expressed negatively can make us delusional about a person or relationship and not see the situation for what it is. Or if you have been treating a relationship as an escape while avoiding important duties/tasks, these upcoming months can shake that up as well.

Collectively, Neptune and Pisces are both associated with oil and the oil industry. It is very likely that during the upcoming six months we will see an escalation in problems and conflicts that arise as a result of the industry. However this plays out, it would clearly illustrate the need for us to abandon oil andmovetoward sustainable and clean energy sources.

Mars is in its own sign of Aries in a tight conjunction with Uranus. This can be an energy of surprising, innovative,or explosive action. It could manifest as breaking free, or even some sort of rebellion, attack, or shakeup. Both planets are in a challenging opposition with Jupiter in Libra, which wants to expand and teach us lessons in relating/diplomacy, relationships/partnerships, balance, justice, beauty, and art.

There is some potential for conflict here between these two sides. However, the initiating and assertive Mars in Aries will be making a harmonious trine to Saturn in Sagittarius that will be strongest from March 4th-6th. This is great for any sort of determined effort, and in some cases it could be connected to Sagittarian themes of travel, exploration, education, marketing, teaching, and publishing.

What negative Piscean-Neptunian traits do you need to let go of? Take a look at what camearound a year ago, and almost two years ago when those eclipses were also in the same sign. There could be a connection between what came upthen and now. If that is the case, these upcoming months are the time to make those changes, as the lunar nodes are in the final stretch the Pisces-Virgo polarity.

Another thing to consider is that we are transitioning to a push toward Leo energy, since the previous lunar eclipse was in that sign. One thing that Pisces and Leo have in common is that both signs can be very creative. Therefore, for those creative types who are being challenged by their own negative Piscean-type traits, this can be a excellent time to find greater fulfillment by shining in ones creative self-expression. If you wish to do any intentions it is best to do them within the first 24 hours following the eclipse.

The exact time and peak of this New Moon Lunar Eclipse is at 2:58pm Universal Time on February 28th. Click hereto find out what that is for your time zone.

What does this Lunar Eclipse mean for you specifically?Get a personalized reading with the author of this article based on your exact birth date, time, and location.Click here for more information.

Your life path number can tell you A LOT about you.

With the ancient science of Numerology you can find out accurate and revealing information just from your name and birth date.

Get your free numerology reading and learn more about how you can use numerology in your life to find out more about your path and journey. Get Your free reading.

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'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse In Pisces: What It Might Mean For You - Collective Evolution