A new study from <a href="https://www.osu.edu/">Ohio State University</a> reveals what is going on inside of your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-brain-interactions-have-an-influence-on-diseases/">brain</a> when you get lost in a fictional fantasy. The experts discovered that the more immersed we become in the lives of our favorite characters of fiction, the more our brain activity reflects how much we identify with them.
&#8220;When they think about a favorite fictional character, it appears similar in one part of the brain as when they are thinking about themselves,&#8221; said study lead author Timothy Broom.
The research was focused on self-described fans of the HBO series &#8220;Game of Thrones.&#8221; The individuals were instructed to think about themselves, nine of their friends, and nine characters from the drama series. The participants also reported on which character they felt closest to and liked the most.
According to Broom, Game of Thrones was ideal for this study because it attracted a devoted fan base and the large cast presented a variety of characters that people could become attached to.
One of the key findings involved participants who scored highest on &#8220;trait identification.&#8221; These individuals agreed most strongly with statements like &#8220;I really get involved in the feelings of the characters in a novel.&#8221;
&#8220;People who are high in trait identification not only get absorbed into a story, they also are really absorbed into a particular character,&#8221; said Broom. &#8220;They report matching the thoughts of the character, they are thinking what the character is thinking, they are feeling what the character is feeling. They are inhabiting the role of that character.&#8221;
The researchers used an fMRI machine to measure activity in various parts of the brain through small changes in blood flow. As the participants&#8217; brains were scanned, they were evaluating themselves, their friends, and Game of Thrones characters. 
A part of the brain called the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) is known to show increased activity when people think about themselves and, to a lesser extent, when they think about close friends.
While in the fMRI, the individuals were shown a series of names &#8211; including themselves, friends, or characters &#8211; along with a trait, such as lonely, sad, trustworthy, or smart. The participants simply said &#8220;yes&#8221; or &#8220;no&#8221; to imply whether the trait fit the person.
As expected, the vMPFC was most active when people were evaluating themselves, less active when they evaluated friends, and least active when they evaluated characters from Game of Thrones.
However, among those who were high in trait identification, the vMPFC was more active when they thought about the fictional characters than it was for participants who identified less with the characters. This region of the brain was particularly active when the individuals evaluated the character they identified with the most.
Study co-author Dylan Wanger said the findings help explain how fiction can have such a big impact on some people.
&#8220;For some people, fiction is a chance to take on new identities, to see worlds though others&#8217; eyes and return from those experiences changed,&#8221; said Wagner.
&#8220;What previous studies have found is that when people experience stories as if they were one of the characters, a connection is made with that character, and the character becomes intwined with the self. In our study, we see evidence of that in their brains.&#8221;
The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/scan">Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience</a>.
&#8211;&#8212;
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

What happens in your brain while you're lost in fiction

Pangolins in Nigeria’s Cross River forests are in trouble. Most are killed for supper, not for overseas trade in their scales. A new field survey shows that nearly every pangolin taken from the wild ends up in a cooking pot.



Scientists from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> spent three years talking with more than 800 hunters and traders across 33 villages. 



The team estimates that about 21,000 pangolins die each year in the region. Hunters rarely set out to look for them. They pick the animals up by hand while checking snares or working in farm plots. 



Almost three-quarters of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-meat-paradox-people-care-about-animals-but-still-eat-meat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meat</a> is eaten by the hunters’ own families, and the rest is sold locally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meat-is-the-motive-for-killing-pangolins">Meat is the motive for killing pangolins </h2>



Study lead author Dr. Charles Emogor conducted the research while pursuing his PhD in the Department of Zoology at Cambridge.



“Thousands of kilos of pangolin scales are seized at Nigeria’s ports, creating the impression that the international demand for scales is behind pangolin exploitation in West Africa,” said Dr. Emogor.



"When we spoke to hunters and traders on the ground around the Cross River forest, the largest stronghold for Nigeria’s pangolins, it was obvious that meat was the motivation for almost all of the pangolin killings.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pangolin-scales-often-hit-the-bin">Pangolin scales often hit the bin</h2>



Less than a third of the scales from those animals ever reach a trader. Most are tossed aside. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-hunting-fishing-connect-humans-with-nature-or-reinforce-superiority-complex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hunters</a> said meat earns three to four times more money per animal than scales do in local markets.



“We found that dedicated pangolin hunts are virtually non-existent. Most pangolins are killed by hunters out for any type of game,” said Dr. Emogor. 



"Around a third of pangolins are caught opportunistically, often while people are working in the fields. Pangolins curl into a ball when threatened, which sadly makes them easy to catch.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-prized-taste-and-old-beliefs">A prized taste and old beliefs</h2>



Pangolin meat is considered more flavorful than beef, chicken, or even antelope in many villages. It’s sometimes prepared for pregnant women, based on the belief that it promotes strong, healthy babies. 



This cultural value, combined with the species’ slow reproductive rate, puts intense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-mammals-show-how-humans-influence-animal-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pressure</a> on the animal's survival.



“Pangolins face a lethal combination of threats,” said Dr. Emogor. “Pangolins are easy to hunt, breed slowly, taste good to humans, and are falsely believed to have curative properties in traditional medicines. In addition, their forest habitat is being destroyed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-solutions-to-save-pangolins">Local solutions to save pangolins </h2>



Because food is the real pull, the researchers argue that local solutions - better patrols, new bylaws, and help with food security - may cost less and work faster than trying to police international trafficking alone.



“Clearly in designing any intervention we need good information on what’s motivating the hunters,” said study co-author Professor Andrew Balmford. “That’s why studies such as this are vital for effective conservation of endangered species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-losing-80-million-years-of-evolution">Losing 80 million years of evolution</h2>



Dr. Emogor now runs Pangolino, a volunteer network that helps villages write and enforce pangolin-friendly rules. His motivation is personal as well as scientific.



"If we lose the pangolin, we lose 80 million years of evolution,” said Emogor. “Pangolins are the only mammals with scales, and their ancestors existed when dinosaurs still roamed the planet."



Cameroon, Gabon, and other nations show similar habits: people value pangolins mainly for food. Until diets change or enforcement improves, Africa’s only scaly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mammals-have-evolved-over-66-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammals</a> will keep slipping toward extinction - one meal at a time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-pangolins-and-forest-life">Protecting pangolins and forest life</h2>



Efforts to save pangolins must go beyond curbing international trade. Protecting these animals - and the ecosystems they live in - means addressing the local drivers of hunting. 



That includes improving food security, offering economic alternatives to bushmeat, and increasing public awareness about the role pangolins play in forest health.



Education and outreach are key. Many hunters don’t realize pangolins are at risk. Some may not know the animals help control insect populations and support ecological balance. 



Wildlife conservation groups are working to spread this knowledge, while local governments and partners explore ways to boost law enforcement in remote areas.



Ultimately, protecting pangolins also helps safeguard other species that share their shrinking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/north-americas-mammals-are-seeking-refuge-in-forest-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitats</a>. When forests are preserved and hunting is managed sustainably, entire ecosystems stand a better chance of survival.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02734-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Pangolins in West Africa are hunted for meat, not medicine

Pangolins in Nigeria’s Cross River forests are in trouble. Most...

Human evolution is not only about bones. It is about the forests, soils, and climates that supported early apes long before the first hominin walked upright. 



Though great apes diverged from other primates around 25 million years ago, our own lineage did not appear until roughly 5 million years ago. In that immense stretch of time, forests rose and fell, volcanoes erupted, and ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-our-power-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> adapted to the world around them.



One place where this deep story unfolds is western Kenya’s Koru 16. This fossil site captures a snapshot of life during the early Miocene, around 20 million years ago. Preserved by ash from the long extinct Tinderet Volcano, Koru 16 is a rich and complex time capsule. 



New research led by Venanzio Munyaka reveals that the story of ape evolution cannot be told without understanding the ecosystems they called home. The study adds fresh insight to a region already steeped in fossil history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ape-fossils-reveal-evolutionary-activity">Ape fossils reveal evolutionary activity</h2>



Koru 16 has drawn scientific interest for nearly a hundred years. The site’s first primate fossils were discovered in 1927, and legendary anthropologist Louis Leakey led several excavations in the decades that followed. 



While those early efforts laid important groundwork, the last decade brought new urgency and better tools for understanding its full ecological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/apes-can-tell-when-humans-dont-know-something/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">context</a>.



Between 2013 and 2023, Munyaka and colleagues carried out a detailed investigation at two subsites. They recovered nearly 1,000 fossil leaves and a wealth of vertebrate remains. 



The bones came from 25 different species, including pythons, rodents, and three types of apes. These included Proconsul africanus, Proconsul major, and a newly identified large bodied nyanzapithecine.



These discoveries make Koru 16 the most ape rich site within the wider Tinderet group. The presence of multiple ape species in a single forested environment suggests the region played a key role in early ape evolution. But it was not just the bones that told a story.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-forests-shaped-how-early-apes-lived">Changing forests shaped how early apes lived</h2>



The team used a combination of paleosol chemistry, leaf structure, and tree stump fossils to reconstruct what Koru 16 looked like millions of years ago. Their results point to a warm, wet tropical forest, interrupted frequently by natural disturbances. 



Volcanic eruptions from the Tinderet complex blanketed the land with ash. Wildfires and seasonal floods added further stress.



Yet through all this, life thrived. Soil analyses indicate the region received about 2,000 mm of rainfall per year, with temperatures likely above 25°C. These conditions are similar to modern tropical forests in Africa, though the vegetation was slightly different. Koru 16’s forest likely had more deciduous trees, with plants that dropped their leaves seasonally.



“By studying the soil, fossils, and tree stumps, we could recreate the forest's climate,” said Munyaka. The climate was not stable. Instead, it was a shifting mosaic of dense forest, open patches, and recently disturbed areas. This landscape would challenge and shape the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-animal-will-replace-humans-as-earths-dominant-species-this-scientist-has-an-idea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> living there.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leaves-light-and-forest-layers">Leaves, light, and forest layers</h2>



Plant fossils offered a vivid picture of this forest. From the two subsites, researchers cataloged 18 distinct leaf morphotypes. These belonged to plants that likely had short lifespans and fast growth cycles. 



Such traits suggest a forest marked by high turnover, where plants quickly colonized open areas after fires or ashfalls.



Most of the fossilized leaves came from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-innovation-takes-the-lead-in-environmental-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> adapted to both shaded understories and sunlit clearings. This indicates a mixed canopy, with parts of the forest densely shaded and others exposed. The forest structure would have influenced how apes moved, fed, and nested. 



Some leaves had characteristics similar to those found in modern forests in Uganda and Madagascar, places where rainfall is seasonal and disturbance is common.



The researchers also found casts of fossilized tree stumps. In one subsite, stumps stood close together, suggesting a mature, shaded forest. In the other, stumps were widely spaced, hinting at a more open, disturbed area. 



These contrasts imply that even within a small region, early Miocene forests were ecologically diverse and constantly in flux.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-apes-among-the-ash">Apes among the ash</h2>



The fauna found alongside the plants reinforce this view. Apes were not alone. The site also yielded fossils of large pythons and several rodent species. The dominance of rodents reflects a rich, layered ecosystem. 



Most importantly, the three ape species discovered show that such forests supported a range of primate forms, including some of our most ancient relatives.



“The forest was not a quiet, uniform place,” said one researcher. “It was full of challenges that spurred change.” These challenges likely encouraged the development of new behaviors. Apes may have moved more on the ground, adapted their diets to seasonal food, or evolved new social habits to cope with ecological instability.



This type of environment, warm, seasonal, and disturbed, would have offered opportunities and obstacles. Forest fragmentation and frequent change may have nudged primates toward flexibility in how they lived, moved, and survived. In that sense, the forest itself became an evolutionary partner.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-roots-of-evolution">Ecological roots of evolution</h2>



Koru 16 forces a shift in how we think about ape origins. Rather than emerging in calm, unchanging rainforests, early apes lived in dynamic, fractured landscapes. 



These habitats were shaped by fire, flood, and ash. The soil, climate, and plants constantly shifted, creating a stage that demanded adaptability.



The presence of multiple ape species in this kind of forest suggests that environmental variability did not limit primate evolution. It may have energized it. The ability to navigate change, rather than thrive in stability, might have been a key evolutionary trait.



Through its ancient layers of ash and soil, Koru 16 gives us something rare. It offers a full picture of the world early apes inhabited. It tells a story not just of bones, but of climate, ecology, and survival. 



The research reminds us that the journey to becoming human began not just in upright steps but in leafy canopies, open glades, and the fertile ash beds of a forest always on the move.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025PA005152" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Early apes lived in a constantly changing world of fire and ash

Human evolution is not only about bones. It is about...

Most people savor a cup of coffee with hopes of an energetic start to the day. Recent findings suggest there may be more going on than just a morning jolt.



Experts have been discussing how this popular beverage is linked with lower chances of certain diseases. A 2025 meta-analysis found that individuals with diabetes who consumed one to four cups a day lowered their risk of heart-related issues and mortality.



<a href="https://faculty.smhs.gwu.edu/leana-sheryle-wen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Leana Wen</a>, an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at <a href="https://www.gwu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">George Washington University</a>, says coffee’s place in a balanced routine is worth considering.



“The evidence is quite strong,” said Dr. Wen, who has seen interest grow around simple lifestyle tweaks that might benefit both the heart and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-this-amount-of-water-per-day-helps-control-blood-sugar-levels-in-people-with-diabetes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood sugar regulation</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-s-protective-side">Coffee’s protective side</h2>



Some researchers have observed that those who regularly drink moderate amounts could experience lower overall mortality. 



The same review linked coffee with lessened odds of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/morning-coffee-drinkers-have-a-lower-risk-of-heart-disease-and-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular events</a>. Scientists point to antioxidant components in coffea arabica that may play a role in shielding cells from stress.



Certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-flavor-can-be-improved-with-a-simple-trick/">coffee</a> varieties contain substances that might help the body manage cholesterol. These natural agents may also support insulin activity, which is a factor in maintaining healthy glucose levels. 



When combined with sensible meal choices, a few cups could support broader metabolic balance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-coffee-moderation-is-key">Why coffee moderation is key</h2>



A safe <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much">limit</a> for most healthy adults is around 400 milligrams of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-has-a-protective-effect-on-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">caffeine per day</a>, which is roughly four 8-ounce cups. 



If someone goes beyond that, issues such as sleeplessness or jitteriness can appear. Tracking how much caffeine is in each cup keeps things under control.



People with heart conditions may want to watch for symptoms like <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-palpitations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">palpitations</a> if they consume several cups. 



Others might find that too much caffeine upsets digestion or nerves. A balanced approach helps keep potential downsides in check.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-coffee-interacts-with-the-body">How coffee interacts with the body</h2>



Caffeine stimulates the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542179/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">central nervous system</a>, which can temporarily boost alertness and focus. It blocks the effects of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep, helping people feel more awake.



Coffee also triggers the release of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-changes-from-cannabis-last-at-least-one-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dopamine</a> and norepinephrine, chemicals tied to mood and energy. 



While these effects are often seen as positive, they can lead to restlessness or irritability in sensitive individuals, especially if consumed in excess.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-affects-blood-sugar-and-insulin">Caffeine affects blood sugar and insulin</h2>



Moderate coffee intake has been linked with improved <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323027" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insulin sensitivity</a>, which helps the body move glucose from the blood into cells more efficiently. 



This effect may reduce the risk of developing <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21501-type-2-diabetes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">type 2 diabetes</a> and help those with the condition manage blood sugar better.



Caffeine can also affect <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6544578/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glucose metabolism</a> differently in each person. In some, it may slightly raise blood sugar for a short time. The impact seems to depend on genetics, caffeine tolerance, and what’s eaten with or after the coffee.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-benefits">Who benefits</h2>



Most adults can enjoy a moderate coffee habit. <a href="https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2010/08/moderate-caffeine-consumption-during-pregnancy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pregnant women</a>, on the other hand, need to limit daily caffeine intake to under 200 milligrams to reduce potential concerns. 



It's also important for parents to remember that the <a href="https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Caffeine_and_Children-131.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Academy of Pediatrics</a> suggests children under 12 avoid caffeine entirely.



Adults with type 2 diabetes appear to gain some pluses from moderate coffee consumption. 



In a large survey, those reporting a few cups daily had lower rates of complications compared to non-drinkers. If someone experiences anxiety or insomnia, it’s wise to reassess caffeine’s part in the overall diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tea-s-place">Tea’s place</h2>



Tea shares similarities with coffee, offering bioactive compounds that may support cardiovascular health. <a href="https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/camellia-sinensis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Camellia sinensis</a> leaves have polyphenols, which can help lower inflammation. 



These may be especially relevant for individuals watching their blood sugar.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-foods-might-work-like-medicines-to-lower-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Green tea</a> tends to have lower caffeine levels than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-every-day-proven-studies-to-delay-biological-aging-in-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black tea</a>. Unsweetened versions sidestep extra calories. 



The analysis found that individuals with diabetes who drank up to two cups a day saw favorable trends related to heart disease and mortality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-energy-drinks-and-sodas">What about energy drinks and sodas?</h2>



Not all caffeinated beverages are equal. While coffee and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-every-day-proven-studies-to-delay-biological-aging-in-humans/">tea</a> may offer potential health benefits, energy drinks and many sodas come with risks that often outweigh any positive effects of caffeine.



Energy drinks can contain up to 300 milligrams of caffeine per can, along with large amounts of added sugars and artificial additives. 



Regular consumption has been <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4682602/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">linked</a> with increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and in some cases, hospitalization. For people with diabetes, the sugar content alone makes these drinks problematic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-staying-mindful">Staying mindful</h2>



Many coffee and tea beverages come packed with sugar, syrups, or whipped toppings. These extras can increase calorie load and may undo the potential protective aspects. 



An approach that keeps sugar minimal might allow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-coffee-may-help-women-stay-sharp-and-strong-as-they-age/">coffee</a> or tea to retain their possible health benefits.



People sensitive to caffeine might try decaffeinated options. These still contain various phytochemicals that could help the body. 



A measured intake can be tailored to individual needs, particularly when combined with professional medical advice.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1570644/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Nutrition</a>.



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/"> EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Scientists say drinking this amount of coffee helps prevent heart disease and diabetes

Most people savor a cup of coffee with hopes of...

Sea-level rise isn't always slow and steady. Fossil corals from the Seychelles show that it has surged in quick bursts in the past - rising much faster than most people would expect. 



The fossilized corals, once living just below the surface, captured a snapshot of a world much like today, but with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-sea-levels-spiked-dramatically-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oceans</a> jumping higher in sudden leaps.



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin–Madison</a> and the University of Florida led the project, working with colleagues at the University of Sydney, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 



“This is not good news for us as we head into the future,” said Andrea Dutton, a professor of geoscience at Wisconsin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-level-climbed-in-bursts-not-gradually">Sea level climbed in bursts, not gradually</h2>



The team studied two dozen fossil corals lodged at different heights above present sea level. Because these corals only grow in shallow, sun-lit water and the Seychelles sit far from ancient ice sheets, the skeletons provide clean snapshots of past oceans. 



Precise dating shows the peak of the Last Interglacial high stand came 122,000 - 123,000 years ago - when global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-are-rising-faster-than-expected-and-likely-to-accelerate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperatures</a> resembled those we see now.



The surprise lay in how the sea level reached that peak. The record shows three bursts of rapid rise, each followed by a drop, over just 6,000 years.



“That says there's potential for this very rapid, dynamic change in both ice sheet volume and sea level change,” said Dutton. “This is hugely important for coastal planners, policy makers and those in the business of risk management.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-sheets-out-of-step">Ice sheets out of step</h2>



The sea-level swings hint that Greenland and Antarctic ice did not melt in sync. According to Professor Dutton, the swings suggest that the polar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-patterns-point-to-rapid-melting-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice sheets</a> were growing and shrinking out of phase with each other as a result of temperature changes in the two hemispheres that were not aligned.



“So even though sea level rose at least several meters higher than present during this past warm period, if temperature rises simultaneously in both hemispheres as it is today, then we can expect future sea level rise to be even greater than it was back then," explained Professor Dutton.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-contribution-from-antarctica">Hidden contribution from Antarctica </h2>



One pulse matches the collapse of the last fragments of the North American ice sheet, based on earlier Atlantic Ocean studies. 



“But if ice was still present in North America several thousand years into this past warm period, then some of the rise we've documented would have required more meltwater from another ice sheet, such as Antarctica,” said Dutton. 



“This would suggest that Antarctica was even more sensitive to warming than we previously recognized, because the full extent of sea-level rise flowing from the continent was masked by a remnant ice sheet in North America.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-corals-predict-greater-sea-level-rise">Corals predict greater sea level rise </h2>



Together, the coral data indicate that today’s warming could lock in far <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-did-sea-levels-rise-after-the-last-ice-age-alarming-new-clues-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher seas</a> than current forecasts.



“We could be looking at upward of 10 meters of global average sea-level rise in the future just based on the amount of warming that has already occurred,” noted Professor Dutton. 



“The more we do to draw down our greenhouse gas emissions, and the faster we do so, could prevent the worst scenarios from becoming our lived reality."



Cutting emissions now cannot freeze the oceans in place, but it can slow the pace - and give coastal planners, and the millions who live near the shore, a fighting chance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dangers-of-sea-level-rise">The dangers of sea level rise</h2>



The danger of rising sea levels isn’t just theoretical - it’s already becoming a reality for millions of people. 



Coastal cities and island nations are seeing higher tides, more frequent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flooding</a>, and increased erosion. In some places, communities are being forced to relocate as seawater creeps further inland.



These changes also put critical infrastructure at risk. Roads, power plants, ports, and wastewater systems in low-lying areas weren’t built to withstand repeated saltwater exposure. 



When sea level rises even a small amount, it raises the baseline for storm surges, making hurricanes and typhoons more destructive than they used to be. The economic impact is massive. Flood insurance costs are climbing, while property values in vulnerable areas are falling. 



Governments are spending billions on sea walls, drainage systems, and other short-term fixes. If the past is any indication - as the fossil coral record shows - sea levels may not rise slowly enough for these defenses to keep up.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu3701" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Fossil corals reveal that sea-level rise occurs in rapid bursts

Sea-level rise isn't always slow and steady. Fossil corals from...

In the dense green heart of the Amazon, a silent conversation takes place between trees and sunlight. From space, this conversation appears as a faint glow, a shimmer given off by leaves. 



This glow, called solar-induced fluorescence (SIF), has helped scientists estimate how much photosynthesis is happening on Earth. The brighter the forest glows, the healthier it appears. But new research warns that this glow may not always tell the full truth.



As climate change makes dry seasons longer and harsher, researchers are looking closer at how the Amazon canopy responds. What they have found could change how we read satellite data and rethink what we know about forest health. 



A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-part-of-the-climate-solution-but-not-the-whole-answer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree</a> may shine brightly but still struggle to breathe, grow, and store carbon. The Amazon, often described as the lungs of the planet, may be gasping in ways we fail to see from above.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-trees-glow-and-handle-sunlight">How trees glow and handle sunlight</h2>



To understand how this vast forest manages sunlight, scientists at <a href="https://msu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan State University</a> took their work into the forest. Led by doctoral candidate Leonardo Ziccardi, the team climbed trees nearly 60 meters tall in the central Amazon. 



Armed with a handheld device called the MultispeQ, the researchers measured how leaves absorb, use, and release sunlight.



“It’s been a long journey,” said Ziccardi. “Since 2019, we’ve run multiple field campaigns across seasons, climbing giant trees in the heart of the Amazon to understand how these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-trees-decide-between-growing-and-breathing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> respond to environmental changes." 



"We’ve spent hundreds of hours up in the canopy doing measurements, some of the most intense and rewarding work I’ve ever done.”



Over 3,000 leaf measurements showed how leaves manage energy in changing light, height, and moisture conditions. The team explored three energy paths: photosynthesis (ΦPSII), heat dissipation (ΦNPQ), and steady-state fluorescence (ΦNO).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drought-unmasks-a-complex-dance">Drought unmasks a complex dance</h2>



In dry seasons, sunlight floods the upper canopy. But instead of boosting photosynthesis, this intense light overwhelms the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-have-unique-fungi-partnerships-that-help-them-survive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaves</a>. 



As a defense, the leaves channel more energy into heat (ΦNPQ) and emit more fluorescence (ΦNO). Meanwhile, actual photosynthesis (ΦPSII) drops.



The researchers found a striking pattern. In dry conditions, photosynthesis and fluorescence first track together, then split, and finally oppose each other. 



This "triphasic" behavior means fluorescence can increase even as photosynthesis crashes. The phenomenon creates a major red flag for interpreting satellite SIF readings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-glow-shifts-across-canopy-layers">Tree glow shifts across canopy layers</h2>



Each forest layer has its own light and stress profile. The lower canopy, shaded and cooler, showed higher ΦPSII and ΦNO but lower ΦNPQ. 



Upper layers, exposed to harsh light, had the opposite pattern. They showed lower photosynthesis and more heat loss.



Interestingly, the strongest SIF signals came from these shaded, lower <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-may-overestimate-how-much-carbon-trees-release/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaves</a>. That means satellites may often be “listening” to the quieter, protected parts of the forest rather than the sun-drenched treetops.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-matter-more-than-expected">Species matter more than expected</h2>



Different tree species do not respond to environmental stress in the same way. The study revealed that the fluorescence signal known as ΦNO varied strongly between species, particularly in the sun-exposed upper canopy during the dry season. 



This means that some trees, under intense light and water stress, increased their fluorescence output more than others, depending on how they manage excess energy. 



The species-level differences suggest that even if two forest regions appear to glow equally bright from a satellite’s perspective, their actual rates of photosynthesis and their ability to take in carbon could be very different.



In other words, the same level of fluorescence does not guarantee equal productivity. The forest’s composition, the types of trees present and how they deal with light, plays a crucial role in shaping what those glow signals really mean. 



Remote sensing tools must account for these biological differences to avoid drawing misleading conclusions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-glow-can-confuse-satellite-readings">Tree glow can confuse satellite readings</h2>



SIF still offers a powerful tool, but it must be used carefully. The researchers recommend accounting for leaf age, species, and height. 



Models that ignore these factors risk overestimating how much carbon forests absorb, especially during drought.



The study highlights how the Amazon's structure, with its dense lower canopy and diverse species, complicates the reading of satellite data. Signals from above might miss crucial internal forest dynamics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-research-goes-from-here">Where research goes from here</h2>



This work lays the foundation for smarter GPP models (gross primary productivity). By capturing the vertical, seasonal, and species-specific nuances of energy flow, it helps scientists avoid mistaking plant glow for plant growth.



Ziccardi’s team shows that to understand forest photosynthesis, we must look beyond surface signals. Forests whisper complex stories in light, and it’s time we listen closely.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.70183" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Amazon trees glow more under stress but photosynthesize less

In the dense green heart of the Amazon, a silent...

In the race to slow global warming, scientists have turned to the ocean. As the planet’s largest carbon sink, the ocean absorbs around a quarter of human-made CO₂ emissions. This vast system offers potential solutions to reduce atmospheric carbon and possibly restore declining oxygen levels.



Yet, as new research shows, not all solutions help the ocean itself. In fact, some of the most widely discussed marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) techniques could worsen one of the ocean's most urgent problems: deoxygenation.



Oceans are losing oxygen at a startling rate. Since the 1960s, global oceans have shed about two percent of their oxygen inventory. This trend is not just statistical. It plays out in rising fish mortality, biodiversity loss, and shrinking habitats for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-oceans-day-2025-sustaining-what-sustains-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>. 



Global warming, which causes warmer water and stronger layering, reduces the ocean's capacity to circulate oxygen to deeper layers. But what if the very methods designed to slow warming make this loss worse?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unintended-impacts-of-carbon-removal">Unintended impacts of carbon removal</h2>



A new study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters&nbsp;confronts this question directly. Led by Dr. Andreas Oschlies of <a href="https://www.geomar.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GEOMAR</a> Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, the research team analyzed several mCDR methods.



These included ocean fertilization, macroalgae farming, artificial upwelling, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-dolphin-day-2025-honoring-the-oceans-most-playful-minds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> alkalinity enhancement, and others. Using idealized global simulations, they examined both the direct and indirect effects of these techniques on ocean oxygen.



“What helps the climate is not automatically good for the ocean,” said Oschlies. His team collaborated with the UNESCO Global Ocean Oxygen Network (GO2NE), comparing how each method balances the goal of carbon removal against its unintended oxygen impacts.



The study shows that many biotic mCDR methods, especially those involving biomass production and sinking, can cause severe oxygen losses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-fertilization-s-deep-drawbacks">Ocean fertilization’s deep drawbacks</h2>



Among the oldest proposed mCDR methods is ocean fertilization. It involves adding nutrients, usually iron, to stimulate phytoplankton growth in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-seaweed-day-2025-saving-the-oceans-sustainable-powerhouse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> surface. 



These microscopic plants absorb CO₂ and then sink after death, carrying carbon to deeper waters. But as the phytoplankton decay, they also consume oxygen.



Model simulations show that 100 years of continuous Southern Ocean fertilization would deplete the region's oxygen by about three percent globally. That is more than double the oxygen loss caused by warming alone. 



In some areas beneath the fertilized zones, oxygen levels could drop by over 50 micromoles. These changes mirror or exceed the deoxygenation seen under high-emission climate scenarios.



Simulations also reveal that any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darkening-oceans-are-shrinking-vital-marine-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxygen</a> gains from reduced global warming, thanks to this carbon removal, are dwarfed by the losses from biomass decomposition. 



“Our model simulations show that such approaches could cause a decrease in dissolved oxygen that is four to 40 times greater than the oxygen gain expected from reduced global warming,” said Oschlies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seaweed-solution-and-its-limits">Seaweed solution and its limits</h2>



Macroalgae farming has gained popularity as a promising mCDR strategy. Seaweeds grow quickly, require no freshwater, and absorb large amounts of carbon. But once again, what happens after growth determines its environmental impact. 



If macroalgae is sunk into the deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ocean-animals-connect-countries-and-continents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a>, it will eventually decompose, just like fertilized plankton. Complete remineralization of sunk macroalgae could reduce global ocean oxygen by more than ten percent within a century. 



Even if only a portion of it breaks down, the oxygen impact is still severe. These results raise red flags for projects proposing large-scale open-ocean kelp sinking as a climate fix.



Yet, there is one version of this method that does not harm oxygen levels. When seaweed is harvested and removed, either used in products or stored safely, oxygen is spared. No decomposition occurs in the ocean, and the removal of nutrients even reduces oxygen use elsewhere. 



Model results show that harvesting could boost global ocean oxygen by over two percent. In fact, this gain is ten times larger than the benefit from reduced warming alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooler-surface-deeper-damage">Cooler surface, deeper damage</h2>



Artificial upwelling is another mCDR idea. It involves pumping cold, nutrient-rich deep water to the surface to stimulate photosynthesis. 



While this can help absorb CO₂, it also increases organic matter production. That biomass, once it sinks, consumes oxygen as it breaks down.



Simulations show that artificial upwelling can lower oxygen by around 1.5 Pmol, less than some other methods, but still significant. The impact is concentrated in the upper few hundred meters, especially in tropical and subtropical zones already vulnerable to oxygen decline. 



Some areas may see oxygen levels fall by ten percent. Worse, if used alongside macroalgae farming, it could intensify the oxygen drain even further.



Cooling effects from upwelling do offer minor gains in oxygen solubility. But these benefits are offset by biomass decay. As the study notes, upwelling could even lead to more warming in the long term if not managed carefully.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daily-oxygen-cycles-in-the-ocean">Daily oxygen cycles in the ocean</h2>



Some proposals involve sinking land-based biomass like wood or crop waste into the ocean. In this case, the ocean acts as a storage site, not a carbon producer. Depending on the composition of the biomass, oxygen consumption could be slower than with marine material. 



But if nutrients from this decay reach the surface, they might fertilize surface waters and trigger the same oxygen-consuming cycle seen in ocean fertilization.



Blue Carbon Ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds, also receive attention in mCDR strategies. They absorb CO₂ and store it in sediments. Oxygen impacts in these zones are complex. Photosynthesis boosts oxygen during the day, but respiration reduces it at night. 



These systems can develop intense daily oxygen cycles, which may stress marine life in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor phases. While small in global area, their local oxygen dynamics deserve careful monitoring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geochemical-option-with-fewer-risks">Geochemical option with fewer risks</h2>



Not all mCDR methods worsen oxygen loss. Ocean alkalinity enhancement, or OAE, stands out for its minimal oxygen impact. This method involves adding alkaline substances like ground limestone to seawater. It changes ocean chemistry to absorb more CO₂ without stimulating biomass production.



Model results show that large-scale OAE could slightly increase global ocean oxygen. The rise is modest, about 0.5 Pmol, but consistent. 



Unlike biotic methods, OAE does not add nutrients that might fuel oxygen-consuming decay. For now, this makes it one of the safer marine carbon strategies from an oxygen standpoint.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxygen-tracking-and-ocean-carbon-removal">Oxygen tracking and ocean carbon removal</h2>



The research concludes with a strong recommendation. Any mCDR project, whether a small-scale trial or a full deployment, must measure oxygen from start to finish. 



“The ocean is a complex system which is already heavily under pressure,” said Oschlies. “If we intervene with large-scale measures, we must ensure that, no matter how good our intentions are, we are not further threatening marine environmental conditions that marine life depends on.”



Oxygen is one of six Essential Climate Variables already tracked for ocean health. It links directly to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, ecosystem services, and carbon storage. Yet, it is often overlooked in carbon removal proposals.



Monitoring oxygen is not only about detecting harm. In some cases, oxygen increases, like those from macroalgae harvesting, could signal co-benefits. In others, it could reveal unintended risks in vulnerable areas. 



Either way, oxygen provides a critical feedback on whether our climate fixes help or harm the sea.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-removal-must-protect-ocean-oxygen">Carbon removal must protect ocean oxygen</h2>



Carbon dioxide removal is no longer optional. Even the most ambitious emission cuts will leave behind some unavoidable emissions. To meet net-zero goals, we must pull carbon from the air. The ocean, with its scale and buffering power, seems like an obvious partner.



But solutions must be judged on more than their climate impact. They must protect marine life, support biodiversity, and avoid causing further damage. 



This study makes clear that biotic mCDR strategies must be handled with care. Without oxygen, marine ecosystems collapse. And a climate solution that empties the ocean of life is no solution at all.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ade0d4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Ocean climate fixes could worsen the oxygen crisis

In the race to slow global warming, scientists have turned...

Scientists have revealed a new biometric marker: your nasal breathing pattern. This is uniquely yours. According to new research, nasal airflow can identify individuals with 96.8% accuracy. That is on par with voice recognition.



The discovery came from a team at the <a href="https://www.weizmann.ac.il/pages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weizmann Institute of Science</a>. They created a wearable device that tracks nasal breathing patterns over 24 hours. Unlike short clinical tests, this method captures long-term characteristics.



“You would think that breathing has been measured and analyzed in every way,” said Noam Sobel. “Yet we stumbled upon a completely new way to look at respiration. We consider this as a brain readout.”



The study involved 97 participants and used 24 specific features extracted from their breathing patterns. Each feature remained stable over months, even up to two years. This suggests it comes from the brain’s respiratory <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breathing-rhythms-help-strengthen-memories-during-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">network</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-wearable-breathing-pattern-tracker">A wearable breathing pattern tracker</h2>



Participants wore a silicone-encased device on their neck all day. It connected to a nasal cannula with separate tubes for each nostril. This setup recorded every breath in real time, logging airflow asymmetries and temporal pauses.



Researchers used AI models to analyze features like inhale volume and duty cycles. With just one hour of breathing data, they could still identify about 43% of participants during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-prepares-the-brain-for-the-future-while-protecting-memories-of-the-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>. When they tested data across months, accuracy remained high: 95% during waking hours and over 70% during sleep.



Importantly, they ruled out motion as a confounding factor. Position sensors built into the device could only identify people with 37% accuracy. The breathing pattern did far better.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breathing-patterns-and-mental-health">Breathing patterns and mental health</h2>



The study didn’t just identify people. It predicted health and emotional traits. Breathing patterns reflected body mass index, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-quality-could-be-the-key-to-better-metabolic-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> quality, and mental health. For example, those with higher anxiety scores had shorter inhales and more varied pauses during sleep.



These effects were not linked to illness. All participants were healthy and had no clinical diagnoses. Yet their breathing revealed differences tied to depression, anxiety, and even traits linked to autism. 



“Perhaps the way you breathe makes you anxious or depressed,” said Sobel. “If that’s true, we might be able to change the way you breathe to change those conditions.”



Researchers used a technique called canonical correlation analysis. It showed a strong link between breathing patterns and psychological traits, with a correlation of 0.87 across multiple tests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breathing-data-predicts-mood-behavior">Breathing data predicts mood behavior</h2>



Using nasal airflow data, researchers could predict BMI with strong accuracy. Tidal volume and exhale volume during sleep both correlated with higher BMI. Interestingly, even nasal cycle features, like airflow differences between nostrils, predicted BMI. That suggests brain-driven breathing control is involved.



In those with higher depression scores, the study found faster airflow and longer exhale pauses during wakefulness. For anxiety, shorter inhales and less stable breathing occurred during sleep. Even those with higher autism trait scores showed longer inhale pauses and more variable patterns during sleep.



These findings suggest that breathing patterns reflect both state (like stress or sleep) and trait (like body composition or emotional tendencies).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-and-challenges">Next steps and challenges</h2>



Despite the promise, the device has limitations. The nasal cannula, often associated with illness, may discourage everyday use. It also doesn’t track mouth breathing and sometimes slips during sleep. Soroka and Sobel plan to improve the device's design.



Still, the potential is big. A nasal breathing pattern reader could someday be used to track well-being, monitor mental health, or guide therapies. “We definitely want to go beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-bacteria-breathe-by-creating-electricity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diagnostics</a> to treatment, and we are cautiously optimistic,” stated Sobel.



Even now, the researchers can identify you by your breathing pattern. Soon, they might help you breathe your way to better health.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00583-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Study shows that our breathing pattern is as unique as our fingerprints

Scientists have revealed a new biometric marker: your nasal breathing...

Dinosaurs have long captivated human imagination. From towering giants to quick-footed hunters, these creatures ruled the prehistoric world for millions of years. Each fossil discovery brings new understanding. 



A recent find has added a key piece to the tyrannosaur story. Named Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, this newly identified dinosaur sheds light on how smaller predators evolved into giants like Tyrannosaurus rex.



This breakthrough comes from a global research team led by Jared Voris and Dr. Darla Zelenitsky of the <a href="https://ucalgary.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Calgary</a>. Their findings appear in the journal Nature. 



Khankhuuluu lived about 86 million years ago during a time of rapid change.



As other large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossilized-guts-reveal-the-eating-habits-of-sauropod-dinosaurs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators</a> vanished, new ones took their places. Khankhuuluu stood at the crossroads of this transition. The species bridges the gap between earlier swift hunters and the colossal bone crushers that followed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-khankhuuluu-came-before-t-rex">Khankhuuluu came before T. rex</h2>



Khankhuuluu means “prince of dragons” in Mongolian. The name hints at its importance. It was not yet king, but it was certainly part of a royal bloodline.



This dinosaur is now seen as the closest-known ancestor of the tyrannosaurs. Unlike its massive descendants, Khankhuuluu weighed only about 750 kilograms (1,600 pounds). That is similar to the size of a modern horse.



“This new species provides us the window into the ascent stage of tyrannosaur evolution; right when they’re transitioning from small predators to their apex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-fossils-reveal-cancer-clues-for-modern-medicine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator</a> form,” explained Jared Voris, the study’s first author and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Calgary.



Khankhuuluu rose to prominence after the extinction of many other large carnivores. It seized the opportunity and evolved new traits that would eventually lead to its dominance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fast-agile-and-built-to-pursue">Fast, agile, and built to pursue</h2>



Khankhuuluu was not a brute force <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-footprints-reveal-a-dinosaur-that-changed-pace-while-walking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator</a>. It had a long, shallow skull that lacked the bone-crushing strength of a T. rex. Instead, it relied on its long legs for speed, and its sharp senses. Scientists describe it as a mesopredator, similar in role to a coyote. 



This means it likely preyed on small animals and used agility to avoid larger threats.



One of its most notable features was a pair of tiny horns above its eyes. These were likely used for mating displays or to intimidate other dinosaurs.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/dinosaur_t-rex-cousin_Khankhuuluu-mongoliensis_credit-UCalgary_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/dinosaur_t-rex-cousin_Khankhuuluu-mongoliensis_credit-UCalgary_1s.webp" alt="This artist's illustration shows the newly discovered dinosaur species Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, an ancestor of Tyrannosaurus Rex. Misidentified bones actually belong to a new species of tyrannosaur which rewrites the family history of the mighty T-Rex. Credit: University of Calgary" class="wp-image-1973997"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This artist's illustration shows the newly discovered dinosaur species Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, an ancestor of Tyrannosaurus Rex. Misidentified bones actually belong to a new species of tyrannosaur which rewrites the family history of the mighty T-Rex. Click image to enlarge. Credit: University of Calgary</figcaption></figure>



Later species such as Albertosaurus and Gorgosaurus would develop larger and more ornate versions of these horns. 



In Khankhuuluu, however, the structures were still in early development. These subtle differences mark it as a transitional figure in tyrannosaur history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-khankhuuluu-was-misidentified">Khankhuuluu was misidentified</h2>



The bones that identified Khankhuuluu were not newly dug from the ground. They were actually collected in the 1970s by paleontologist Altangerel Perle in the Bayanshiree Formation in southeastern Mongolia. 



At the time, the fossils were thought to belong to a dinosaur called Alectrosaurus that was more commonly found in nearby China. That assumption held for decades.



Then in 2023, Voris traveled to Mongolia to study the fossils in detail. While examining the material at the Institute of Paleontology, he noticed key differences. These included unique features in the skull and limbs. 



These observations confirmed that the fossils belonged to a new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/archaeopteryx-fossil-soft-tissue-flight-evolution-proves-darwin-right/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>. What had once been misidentified was now recognized as a pivotal ancestor of the tyrannosaurs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-tyrannosaur-that-crossed-continents">The tyrannosaur that crossed continents</h2>



Khankhuuluu's legacy is not limited to Mongolia. Its lineage spread far beyond Asia. 



“Khankhuuluu, or a closely related species, would have immigrated to North America from Asia around 85 million years ago. Our study provides solid evidence that large tyrannosaurs first evolved in North America as a result of this immigration event,” Dr. Darla Zelenitsky noted.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/dinosaur_t-rex-cousin_Khankhuuluu-mongoliensis_paleontologists_credit-UCalgary_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/dinosaur_t-rex-cousin_Khankhuuluu-mongoliensis_paleontologists_credit-UCalgary_1s.webp" alt="Darla Zelenitsky, a paleontologist and associate professor in the Faculty of Science, and Jared Voris, a Ph.D. candidate, have identified a new species of dinosaur named Khankhuuluu. They, along with a team of international scientists, have published a paper in the journal, Nature, about the evolution of Tyrannosaurs. Credit: Riley Brandt/University of Calgary" class="wp-image-1974000"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Darla Zelenitsky, a paleontologist and associate professor in the Faculty of Science, and Jared Voris, a Ph.D. candidate, have identified a new species of dinosaur named Khankhuuluu. They, along with a team of international scientists, have published a paper in the journal, Nature, about the evolution of Tyrannosaurs. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Riley Brandt/University of Calgary</figcaption></figure>



This migration shaped the history of dinosaurs on both continents. Once in North America, tyrannosaurs began to grow larger and more specialized. Over time, they became the most dominant predators in their environments. 



The journey of Khankhuuluu set this in motion. It is a clear example of how species movement influences evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-tyrannosaurs-split">How tyrannosaurs split</h2>



Once in North America, the tyrannosaurs evolved along two main paths. One group became massive apex predators like Tyrannosaurus rex. 



These were the bone crushers, armed with powerful jaws and deep skulls. Another group developed long snouts and stayed medium-sized. Scientists call them “Pinocchio rexes” because of their distinctive faces.



Both branches trace back to Khankhuuluu or a very similar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-extinction-theories-are-challenged-by-new-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancestor</a>. This new discovery shows that the migration from Asia was not just a one-time event. It reveals a pattern of interaction and development that shaped dinosaur evolution.



These findings change the way scientists view the rise of tyrannosaurs. The journey was not linear. It involved branching, mixing, and adapting over millions of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-chapter-in-the-tyrannosaur-story">Next chapter in the tyrannosaur story</h2>



Though Khankhuuluu has answered many questions, it has also raised new ones. Researchers now want to explore earlier stages of tyrannosaur evolution. 



What came before the dragon prince? What traits defined the first members of this mighty family? The answers may lie buried in rocks still waiting to be exposed.



For now, Khankhuuluu stands as a symbol of change. It was not the biggest or most fearsome predator. But it played a critical role in the story of Earth's past. 



As the dragon prince, it holds the key to understanding how some of the most iconic creatures in history came to rule the land.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08964-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Meet the "prince of dragons," closest T-rex relative that started the tyrannosaur dynasty

Dinosaurs have long captivated human imagination. From towering giants to...

Two small cubs that died more than 14,000 years ago, were initially considered to be early domesticated dogs. New findings now confirm that these so-called "puppies" were actually wolf cubs. Their final nap, curled up in their den, turned them into scientific time capsules.



Their frozen remains - discovered in northern Siberia - were so well preserved that researchers could study what they ate, how they lived, and how they died.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-wolf-cubs-were-found">Where the wolf cubs were found</h2>



The cubs were found about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the village of Tumat in Siberia. One was unearthed in 2011 and the other in 2015, at what is now known as the Syalakh site.



Both were buried deep within frozen soil layers, preserved by permafrost alongside <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/woolly-mammoth-fossil-freeze-dried-skin-active-dna-chromosomes-52000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammoth</a> bones that showed signs of having been burned and butchered.



This unusual combination of human activity and frozen remains sparked early speculation. Some believed the cubs might have been <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-wolves-to-dogs-did-domestication-begin-without-human-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early dogs</a>, living among humans or scavenging near human settlements. 



The fact that their fur was black - a trait once thought to be unique to domesticated dogs - added fuel to the theory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-university-of-york-sheds-new-light">University of York sheds new light</h2>



But new research from the <a href="https://www.york.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of York</a> tells a different story. Scientists studied genetic material from the cubs’ stomachs, along with chemical signals in their bones, teeth, and tissue. 



The data pointed not to early dogs, but to wolves - wolves that had lived wild and free during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-were-likely-the-leading-cause-of-megafauna-extinctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pleistocene</a>.



The cubs were about two months old and still nursing. But they were also eating solid food, including meat from a wooly rhinoceros and, in one case, a small bird called a wagtail. 



The presence of undigested rhino skin in one cub’s stomach points to how recently they had eaten, and how abruptly their lives had ended.



“It was incredible to find two sisters from this era so well preserved, but even more incredible that we can now tell so much of their story, down to the last meal that they ate,” said Anne Kathrine Runge from the University of York’s Department of Archaeology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sister-wolf-cubs-lost-in-a-collapse">Sister wolf cubs lost in a collapse</h2>



The cubs showed no signs of injury or attack. Researchers believe they were resting in their den, possibly after feeding, when a landslide or collapse trapped them. 



“Whilst many will be disappointed that these animals are almost certainly wolves and not early domesticated dogs, they have helped us get closer to understanding the environment at the time, how these animals lived, and how remarkably similar wolves from more than 14,000 years ago are to modern day wolves," explained Runge.



"It also means that the mystery of how dogs evolved into the domestic pet we know today deepens, as one of our clues - the black fur color - may have been a red herring given its presence in wolf cubs from a population that is not related to domestic dogs,” she added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-in-a-rich-landscape">Life in a rich landscape</h2>



Inside the wolf cubs’ stomachs were fossilized remains of plants such as prairie grasses, willow twigs, and leaves from Dryas shrubs. This suggests they lived in a varied and rich ecosystem, full of edible plants and animals.



Despite their proximity to mammoth bones, there was no sign that the cubs ate mammoth meat. Instead, researchers found clear evidence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-hunted-woolly-rhinoceros-to-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wooly rhinoceros</a> in their diet.



Although a fully grown rhino would be far too large for a cub - or even a single adult wolf - to bring down, scientists think the prey was likely a young calf taken down by the pack and shared with the cubs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-wolves-bigger-prey">Bigger wolves, bigger prey?</h2>



The idea of wolves hunting wooly rhinos, even young ones, has raised questions. Could these ancient wolves have been larger and more powerful than today’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gray-wolves-survived-the-ice-age-by-changing-their-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gray wolves</a>?



Dr. Nathan Wales, also from the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, explained further. 



“We know grey wolves have been around as a species for hundreds of thousands of years, based on skeletal remains from palaeontological sites, and researchers have done DNA testing of some of those remains to understand how the population changed over time," he shared. 



He added that the soft tissues preserved in the Tumat cubs gives another, fascinating way of investigating the wolf evolutionary line. 



“We can see that their diets were varied, consisting of both animal meat and plant life, much like that of modern wolves," he said, "and we have an insight into their breeding behaviors too. The pair were sisters and likely being reared in a den and cared for by their pack – all common characteristics of breeding and raising of offspring in wolves today."



It is common for modern wolves to have larger litters than two, and it is possible that the Tumat cubs had siblings that escaped the fate of the unfortunate sisters. Or perhaps there will be more of the litter hidden in the permafrost nearby. 



Dr. Wales also commented on the fact that wooly rhinoceros remains were found in the cubs' stomachs. 



“The hunting of an animal as large as a wooly rhinoceros, even a baby one, suggests that these wolves are perhaps bigger than the wolves we see today, but still consistent in many ways, because wolves still tend to hunt easy prey while some of the pack is engaged in cub rearing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dog-puzzle-remains">The dog puzzle remains</h2>



This study does more than shed light on two ancient cubs. It also leaves an open question: When and where did dogs emerge from their wolf ancestors?



So, while the Tumat "puppies" are not the key to unlocking the origin of domestic dogs, they are a vital piece of the puzzle. And somewhere, buried in the frost or hidden in ancient sediments, the first true dog still waits to be found.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/quaternary-research/article/abs/multifaceted-analysis-reveals-diet-and-kinship-of-late-pleistocene-tumat-puppies/B4DC077D8A6C18FD96F7E8E0D3428A46" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quaternary Research</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Famous 'ice-age puppies' are not actually dogs, according to new study

Two small cubs that died more than 14,000 years ago,...

Most galaxies we see today are quiet, well-structured, and orderly. But not all play by those rules. Some are wild, chaotic, and packed with stars that are forming at a furious pace. 



These rare, chaotic galaxies give astronomers a glimpse of what the universe looked like billions of years ago - and perhaps a hint of what's in store for our own Milky Way.



Astronomers from the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a> have taken a detailed look at these unusual chaotic galaxies, also known as luminous and ultra-luminous infrared galaxies, or LIRGs and ULIRGs. 



These are incredibly bright in the infrared spectrum and are often caught in the middle of a galactic collision.



This study, part of a larger project called the Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey (GOALS), includes data from space telescopes such as Spitzer, Hubble, Chandra, and GALEX - and now, for the first time, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) as well.



The results of the study were presented during a press briefing at the <a href="https://aas.org/meetings/aas246" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">246th meeting of the American Astronomical Society</a> on June 11. 



According to Sean Linden, a research associate at the University of Arizona <a href="https://astro.arizona.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steward Observatory</a>, the findings will be published in an upcoming edition of the Astrophysical Journal. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-collisions-cause-chaotic-galaxies">Cosmic collisions cause chaotic galaxies</h2>



LIRGs and ULIRGs are not common in the universe close to Earth. Only 202 have been found within 1.3 billion light-years of us. What makes them special is that they are actively merging. 



Two galaxies smash together, forming bizarre structures - double galactic centers, long tails of stars and, most notably, star-forming clumps that are far larger than anything in our galaxy.



"These galaxies are very clumpy, very different from the beautiful spiral galaxies that we see now, such as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-galaxy-shows-us-what-the-early-milky-way-looked-like/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>," said Linden. "And we know from cosmological simulations that these clumps were the building blocks of galaxies in the early universe."



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/milky-way_andromeda_merger_illustration_UArizona_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/milky-way_andromeda_merger_illustration_UArizona_1s.webp" alt="This artist's illustration shows a stage in the predicted merger between our Milky Way galaxy and the neighboring Andromeda galaxy, as it will unfold over the next several billion years. In this image, representing Earth's night sky in 3.75 billion years, Andromeda (left) fills the field of view and begins to distort the Milky Way with tidal pull. Credit: NASA; ESA; Z. Levay and R. van der Marel, STScI; T. Hallas; and A. Mellinger" class="wp-image-1974007"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This artist's illustration shows a stage in the predicted merger between our Milky Way galaxy and the neighboring Andromeda galaxy, as it will unfold over the next several billion years. In this image, representing Earth's night sky in 3.75 billion years, Andromeda (left) fills the field of view and begins to distort the Milky Way with tidal pull. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NASA; ESA; Z. Levay and R. van der Marel, STScI; T. Hallas; and A. Mellinger</figcaption></figure>



In our galaxy, the largest clumps of new stars weigh about 1,000 solar masses. In LIRGs and ULIRGs, a single clump can hold a million times the mass of our Sun. And there are hundreds of thousands of these clumps in each galaxy.



"You can imagine a million Suns forming in one small, compact region, and within one of those galaxies, there are hundreds of thousands of such clumps," Linden explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chaotic-galaxies-act-as-star-factories">Chaotic galaxies act as star factories </h2>



Galactic mergers are messy. But in that chaos, galaxies give birth to stars at a much higher rate than usual. When two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxy-collision-2-million-mph-stephans-quintet-captured-unprecedented-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies collide</a>, gas clouds compress, temperatures soar, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> kicks into overdrive.



"These clumpy structures build up over time until they become incredibly massive, and if we want to understand them and how they actually contribute to galaxies evolving throughout cosmic time, we need to study them in detail," Linden said.



This is exactly what the new JWST data makes possible. Earlier telescopes, like Hubble, had already spotted some of these clumps. But thick clouds of dust made it impossible to see what was going on inside them. 



JWST's infrared vision has now peeled back those layers, giving researchers their best look yet at the internal workings of these star factories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-chaotic-galaxies-crashed-and-clumped">When chaotic galaxies crashed and clumped</h2>



The universe used to be a more violent place. Billions of years ago, galaxies were packed closer together and collided more frequently. That meant more clumps, more chaos, and more extreme star formation.



"The universe used to be much more violent and extreme in the past, and it's now settling down," Linden said. "That's why these rare examples of extreme galaxies no longer exist in the local universe, because, by and large, most galaxies have settled down as well."



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/galaxies_interacting_IRAS-09111-1007_UArizona_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/galaxies_interacting_IRAS-09111-1007_UArizona_1s.webp" alt="Two interacting luminous infrared galaxies, designated as IRAS 09111-1007, from the survey. The galaxies already passed through each other once and are coming back on a second approach. Credit: Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey" class="wp-image-1974005"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Two interacting luminous infrared galaxies, designated as IRAS 09111-1007, from the survey. The galaxies already passed through each other once and are coming back on a second approach. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey</figcaption></figure>



Even so, these rare chaotic galaxies offer astronomers a chance to study a phenomenon that has mostly disappeared from the modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universe-is-expanding-faster-than-science-can-explain-hubble-tension-physics-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>. They serve as a kind of time machine - letting us peek into how galaxies like ours might have looked long ago.



"In a sense, you look at the local universe, and it gives you information about what would have happened 10 billion years ago," said Linden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-the-milky-way-meets-andromeda">When the Milky Way meets Andromeda</h2>



These observations might not just be a look into the past. They could also foreshadow the future. 



The Milky Way is on a slow-motion collision course with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/andromeda-galaxy-shows-signs-of-violent-past-collisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andromeda</a> galaxy. That merger will happen several billion years from now but, when it does, our quiet and orderly galaxy could roar back to life.



"As Andromeda gets closer and the pressure in the interstellar medium goes up, all of a sudden, the clumps that you will find that the Milky Way is forming will be more and more massive," Linden noted.



The survey also confirmed long-held predictions from computer simulations. Disk-shaped galaxies like the Milky Way form stars in small, scattered clumps. But when galaxies merge, they create larger clumps and more intense star-forming regions.



"We're now finding these massive clumps in the local universe," Linden said. "We are beginning to complete the picture by comparing, for the first time, observations of massive clumps from both the nearby and the distant universe."



These rare chaotic galaxies, once hidden behind thick veils of dust, are now offering scientists a clearer view of how cosmic structures behave under extreme conditions. 



Furthermore, with the help of JWST, researchers are uncovering how collisions and chaos shaped the universe we see today - and how they might shape what comes next.



Information from a University of Arizona <a href="https://news.arizona.edu/news/belly-beast-massive-clumps-reveal-star-factories-bygone-era-cosmos">press release</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Chaotic galaxies are star factories from another time

Most galaxies we see today are quiet, well-structured, and orderly....

For as long as humans have been observing the Sun, we’ve seen it from roughly the same perspective - head-on, along its equator. That’s because Earth, all the other planets, and every spacecraft we’ve ever launched orbit the Sun in the same flat plane, known as the ecliptic. 



But this view is incomplete and has left one part shrouded in mystery: the Sun's poles. That’s beginning to change.



Thanks to a shift in its orbit, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/widest-high-resolution-photo-of-the-sun-ever-captured-solar-orbiter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solar Orbiter</a> has become the first spacecraft to capture images of the Sun’s poles from outside the ecliptic. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-view-of-the-sun-s-pole">First view of the Sun's pole</h2>



On March 23, 2025, Solar Orbiter reached an angle of 17° below the Sun’s equator. From that position, it could look directly at the Sun’s south pole. 



Over the next several years, the spacecraft will gradually increase its orbital tilt, offering even clearer views.



“Today we reveal humankind’s first-ever views of the Sun’s pole,” said ESA's Director of Science, Prof. Carole Mundell. 



“The Sun is our nearest star, giver of life and potential disruptor of modern space and ground power systems, so it is imperative that we understand how it works and learn to predict its behaviour. These new unique views from our Solar Orbiter mission are the beginning of a new era of solar science.”



The images captured on March 16–17, just before reaching that maximum tilt, came from three different instruments: the Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI), the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI), and the Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE). Together, they provide a multi-layered look at the Sun.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-instruments-saw">What the instruments saw</h2>



Each instrument offers a distinct glimpse into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunspot-sketches-from-1607-unlock-secrets-of-solar-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar activity</a>. PHI images the Sun in visible light and maps its surface magnetic field. 



EUI picks up ultraviolet light from the hot outer atmosphere, revealing the structure of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-is-the-suns-corona-hotter-than-its-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sun’s corona</a>. SPICE captures emissions from different temperature zones above the surface, painting a layered picture of solar gas movements.



“We didn’t know what exactly to expect from these first observations - the Sun’s poles are literally terra incognita,” said Prof. Sami Solanki, who leads the PHI instrument team.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_gets_world-first_views_of_the_Sun_s_poles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Solar-Orbiters_world-first-views_of_Suns-south-pole_ESA_1s.webp" alt="This composite image from the ESA-led Solar Orbiter mission showcases the Sun observed across eight different wavelengths, each revealing distinct layers and temperatures of the solar atmosphere. The top row presents the Sun’s photosphere in visible light, a magnetic field map, and the corona in extreme ultraviolet. The bottom row spans ultraviolet observations from 10000 °C to over 1.2 million °C, highlighting emissions from hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, neon, and magnesium. These multi-wavelength views help scientists understand the Sun’s complex structure and dynamic behavior across its outer layers. Credit: ESA" class="wp-image-1974014"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This composite image from the ESA-led Solar Orbiter mission showcases the Sun observed across eight different wavelengths, each revealing distinct layers and temperatures of the solar atmosphere. The top row presents the Sun’s photosphere in visible light, a magnetic field map, and the corona in extreme ultraviolet. The bottom row spans ultraviolet observations from 10000 °C to over 1.2 million °C, highlighting emissions from hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, neon, and magnesium. These multi-wavelength views help scientists understand the Sun’s complex structure and dynamic behavior across its outer layers. Click image to enlarge. Credit: ESA</figcaption></figure>



When these different data sets are combined, they tell a much fuller story. Scientists can track how material moves through the Sun’s outer layers.



 They’re even beginning to spot swirling patterns that may resemble polar vortices that are similar to phenomena seen on Venus and Saturn.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-chaos-at-the-sun-s-pole">Magnetic chaos at the Sun's pole</h2>



Among the most surprising early findings is the disordered state of the magnetic field near the Sun’s south pole. Normally, a magnetic field has a clear north and south orientation. But the PHI instrument detected both polarities at the same pole.



This mixed state occurs only briefly during the peak of the solar cycle, known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-sun-has-officially-reached-its-solar-maximum-period-in-this-solar-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar maximum</a>, when the Sun’s magnetic field flips. 



After this period, one magnetic polarity typically becomes dominant at each pole, reaching a stable state during solar minimum.



“How exactly this build-up occurs is still not fully understood, so Solar Orbiter has reached high latitudes at just the right time to follow the whole process from its unique and advantageous perspective,” noted Prof. Solanki.



PHI's global view of the magnetic field shows the most intense activity occurring in bands around the Sun's equator. These areas, marked in deep red and blue, are where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-sunspot-archipelago-15-times-wider-than-earth-spotted-by-nasa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sunspots</a> appear. Meanwhile, the poles are speckled with patches of mixed polarity, a sign of the Sun’s ongoing magnetic upheaval.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spice-tracks-movement-for-the-first-time">SPICE tracks movement for the first time</h2>



Another milestone for Solar Orbiter comes from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-orbiter-spacecraft-sees-the-sun-through-three-different-lenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SPICE instrument</a>, which has begun tracking motion in the Sun’s atmosphere. 



SPICE has already been capturing light from elements like hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. Now, scientists have used it to measure how quickly these particles are moving - something known as Doppler velocity.



This kind of tracking works the same way a siren changes pitch as it speeds past. The velocity map produced by SPICE shows how particles in a narrow atmospheric layer move toward or away from the spacecraft.



Comparing this velocity data with intensity maps helps pinpoint where and how gas is flowing. For instance, dark blue and red areas show faster movement - likely caused by small jets or plumes.



These measurements are critical for understanding how the Sun generates solar wind, one of the Solar Orbiter’s core objectives.



“Doppler measurements of solar wind setting off from the Sun by current and past space missions have been hampered by the grazing view of the solar poles. Measurements from high latitudes, now possible with Solar Orbiter, will be a revolution in solar physics,” said SPICE team leader, Frédéric Auchère from the <a href="https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Paris-Saclay</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-mysteries-of-the-sun-s-poles">Unlocking mysteries of the Sun’s poles</h2>



These initial observations are only a small part of what Solar Orbiter is set to deliver. The full dataset from this pole-to-pole journey will arrive on Earth by October 2025. 



Over time, all ten of the spacecraft’s instruments will continue to collect more data, offering even sharper and more detailed observations.



“This is just the first step of Solar Orbiter's "stairway to heaven": in the coming years, the spacecraft will climb further out of the ecliptic plane for ever better views of the Sun's polar regions. These data will transform our understanding of the Sun’s magnetic field, the solar wind, and solar activity,” noted ESA’s project scientist, Daniel Müller.



The Sun’s poles may have been hidden from us until now, but Solar Orbiter is finally pulling back the curtain. What it finds could help us understand everything from the next solar flare to the larger rhythms of space weather - and perhaps even help protect the technology we rely on here on Earth.



-----



The mission is led by the European Space Agency (<a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>), in collaboration with scientific teams from institutions such as the Max Planck Institute for <a href="https://www.mps.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solar System Research</a>, the <a href="https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Paris-Saclay</a>, and others.



Information based on a <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_gets_world-first_views_of_the_Sun_s_poles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release</a> of the ESA.



Image credit: European Space Agency/Reuters



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Solar Orbiter mission captures images of the Sun's south pole for the first time ever

For as long as humans have been observing the Sun,...

Planet formation begins around young stars, inside swirling disks of gas and dust. A new analysis of data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) shows that the gas in these disks fades faster than the dust - reshaping ideas about how and when planets take shape.



The new work comes from the ALMA Survey of Gas Evolution of PROtoplanetary Disks (AGE-PRO) - a project led by scientists at the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a> and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.



“Now we have both, the gas and the dust,” said Professor Ilaria Pascucci. "Observing the gas is much more difficult because it takes much more observing time, and that's why we have to go for a large program like this one to obtain a statistically significant sample.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-close-look-at-planet-forming-disks">A close look at planet-forming disks</h2>



AGE-PRO examined 30 disks around Sun-like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-stars-may-be-billions-of-years-older-than-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a> in three star-forming regions that span one to six million years in age. 



These disks were studied not only for their dust properties, as in previous research, but also for their gas mass and size - providing the first robust look at how gas content evolves throughout a disk’s lifetime.



The most surprising result of the study was that gas and dust do not vanish together. Large amounts of gas blow away early, then leak more slowly as the disk grows older. Dust, however, tends to persist.



The researchers also found that the gas-to-dust mass ratio evolves over time - and not necessarily in the way earlier models predicted. 



Smaller disks weren’t shedding their gas faster, as previously assumed. Instead, the gas-to-dust ratio appeared surprisingly consistent across disks of different sizes, a twist that hints at deeper complexities in disk evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-means-for-planet-birth">What this means for planet birth</h2>



If gas leaves early, giant planets like Jupiter must form rapidly before the disk’s supply runs out. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rocky-planets-a-new-target-in-the-search-for-extraterrestrial-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rocky planets</a>, by contrast, may continue building over a longer timeline, supported by lingering dust.



Ke Zhang of Wisconsin-Madison, principal investigator of AGE-PRO, noted that some older disks still carry more gas than expected. This unexpected retention suggests a wider variety of evolutionary paths - and potentially more diverse planetary systems - than previously assumed.



The disk’s initial mass, size, and angular momentum also influence the types of planets it can form - whether gas giants, icy giants, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-planet-named-enaiposha-is-unlike-anything-in-our-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mini-Neptunes</a> - as well as their migration patterns after formation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-the-faintest-signals">Finding the faintest signals</h2>



ALMA’s sharp vision enabled the team to detect faint “fingerprints” of cold gas in the form of molecular spectral lines. 



While carbon monoxide (CO) is the most commonly used gas tracer, AGE-PRO went further - adding diazenylium, formaldehyde, methyl cyanide, and even molecular species containing deuterium, a rare hydrogen isotope. These additional tracers significantly improved the accuracy of gas mass estimates.



This marks the first large-scale chemical survey of planet-forming disks across multiple evolutionary stages, made possible by ALMA’s sensitivity and long integration times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eyes-on-planet-forming-regions">Eyes on planet-forming regions</h2>



The researchers focused on three nearby regions where stars and planets are currently forming: Ophiuchus, Lupus, and Upper Scorpius. 



These regions represent different stages in the evolution of protoplanetary disks - with Ophiuchus being the youngest (around 1 million years old).



Lupus is in the middle (1–3 million years), and Upper Scorpius is the oldest (about 5–6 million years). This range allowed the team to observe how gas and dust behave over time as disks age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radio-signals-and-planet-forming-disks">Radio signals and planet-forming disks </h2>



Dingshan Deng, a graduate student at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, handled the painstaking data reduction for the Lupus region. 



The task involved turning raw <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-detect-more-than-20-mysterious-radio-signals-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radio signals</a> into detailed images of the disks, a step essential for measuring gas mass.



“Thanks to these new and long observations, we now have the ability to estimate and trace the gas masses, not only for the brightest and better studied disks in that region, but also the smaller and fainter ones,” said Deng. 



“Thanks to the discovery of gas tracers in many disks where it hadn't been seen before, we now have a well-studied sample covering a wide range of disk masses in the Lupus star-forming region.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-legacy-for-future-work">A legacy for future work</h2>



According to Professor Pascucci, it took years to figure out the proper data reduction approach and analysis to produce the images used in this paper for the gas masses and in many other papers of the collaboration.



The AGE-PRO data create a public spectral-line library covering key stages of disk evolution. Astronomers worldwide can now compare young and old disks using the same observational foundation. 



The team hopes this resource will fuel new models of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a>, offering insights into how worlds emerge and migrate inside their dusty cradles.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.10734" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>.



Image Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/S.Dagnello



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Young planet-forming disks lose gas faster than expected

Planet formation begins around young stars, inside swirling disks of...

Mammoth Cave in Kentucky stretches for more than 420 miles (675 kilometers) below the surface of the ground and is often described as the world’s largest cave system. Recent explorations there uncovered two new fossil sharks that once roamed shallow coastal waters more than 325 million years ago.



Ancient shark specialist John-Paul (JP) Hodnett of the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (<a href="https://www.mncppc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MNCPPC</a>) worked with the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/index.htm">National Park Service Paleontology Program</a> to identify the fossils. 



These finds have everyone buzzing because they offer a glimpse into marine habitats that thrived when parts of what is now eastern North America were covered by a warm sea.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prehistoric-shark-fossil-puzzle">Prehistoric shark fossil puzzle</h2>



The newly documented sharks are Troglocladodus trimblei and Glikmanius careforum, and they are from a group known as <a href="https://www.uky.edu/KGS/fossils/fossil-month-cten.php">ctenacanth</a> sharks. 



They both measured about 10–12 feet (3–3.6 meters) long, which is similar in size to an oceanic whitetip shark.



The shark fossils were collected from various limestone formations, which were deposited during the Middle to Late <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/mississippian-period.htm">Mississippian Period</a>. 



The bigger picture is that these habitats were once submerged under shallow seas and supported a wide range of fish life. Researchers have now identified more than 70 ancient fish species in the cave system.



A partial set of jaws belonging to a young <a href="https://shark-references.com/species/view/Glikmanius-careforum">Glikmanius careforum</a> revealed fresh details about cartilage, which rarely fossilizes well. 



Cartilaginous remains of sharks are often fragile and easily destroyed by erosion, so finding them preserved in a protected space is especially rewarding.



Experts note that this newly identified material adds depth to ongoing discussions of how shark groups diversified while the supercontinent <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-was-pangea">Pangea</a> was taking shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborations-and-fieldwork">Collaborations and fieldwork</h2>



“Every new discovery at Mammoth Cave is possible due to collaborations,” said park superintendent <a href="https://www.nps.gov/maca/learn/management/index.htm">Barclay Trimble</a> of Mammoth Cave National Park. 



Researchers and volunteers have explored hidden passages, river channels, and even narrow crawlways in search of key fossils.



Members of the <a href="https://www.cave-research.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cave Research Foundation</a> also took part in these efforts. The name Glikmanius careforum was chosen to honor that organization’s valuable support in the field.



The partial cartilage from this genus points to a short head with a strong bite, possibly used to feed on smaller fish and <a href="https://www.geo.mtu.edu/KeweenawGeoheritage/HoughtonEC/Orthocones.html">orthocones</a>, which are squid-like creatures with elongated shells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossils-help-trace-evolutionary-change">Fossils help trace evolutionary change </h2>



Troglocladodus trimblei stands out for its branching tooth design that helped it secure prey in the Mississippian seas. 



This prehistoric hunter probably shared a coastal environment with G. careforum, in waters that covered modern-day Kentucky and Alabama.



Researchers say these sharks likely thrived in nearshore habitats that teemed with bony fish, shelled organisms, and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cocaine-sharks-brazilian-waters-sharpnose-sharks-rhizoprionodon-lalandii-ocean-pollution/">marine creatures</a>.



Tracing these fossils across multiple rock layers provides insights into how the environment changed over time. 



Coastal waters rose and fell as landmasses drifted toward each other, gradually merging into a single continent. 



These broader patterns helped shape the distribution and evolutionary paths of ancient sharks like T. trimblei and G. careforum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-preserve-shark-fossils">How to preserve shark fossils</h2>



Field teams spent long hours underground carefully mapping and collecting small fragments of teeth. A single <a href="https://www.npca.org/articles/7703-the-unveiling-of-mammoth-cave-s-history">tooth</a> from T. trimblei sparked initial interest when Superintendent Trimble first discovered it on a 2019 trip. 



Seasoned cavers and geologists coordinated to ensure safe retrieval of each piece, knowing that one misstep could damage the delicate remains.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ctenacanth-sharks_cave-discovery_325-million-years-ago_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ctenacanth-sharks_cave-discovery_325-million-years-ago_1s.webp" alt="A reconstruction of the new Middle to Late Mississippian ctenacanth sharks from Mammoth Cave National Park and northern Alabama. Glikmanius careforum is seen swimming in the foreground with two Troglocladodus trimblei swimming above. Artwork by Benji Paynose" class="wp-image-1973763"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A reconstruction of the new Middle to Late Mississippian ctenacanth sharks from Mammoth Cave National Park and northern Alabama. Glikmanius careforum is seen swimming in the foreground with two Troglocladodus trimblei swimming above. Click image to enlarge. Artwork by Benji Paynose</figcaption></figure>



Research at Mammoth Cave has led to conversations about how best to preserve fragile fossils within difficult-to-access passages. Experts say stable cave temperatures help keep these discoveries in good condition. 



Park managers have also integrated these new data into guidelines for future research so that more clues to marine life from 325 million years ago may be found.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-these-shark-fossils-matter">Why these shark fossils matter</h2>



Scientists use these finds to compare local fossil collections with specimens from similar periods in other parts of the world. 



Documenting body sizes, tooth arrangements, and skeletal details helps researchers build a clearer timeline of shark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shark-skeletons-could-lead-to-technological-innovations/">evolution</a>.



These comprehensive studies uncover shifts in fish diversity that occurred as oceans changed and landmasses joined together. 



Experts also link fossil data with knowledge from bony fish records, coral structures, and other sea life. This combined approach paints a full picture of ancient marine habitats and shows how some species adapted while others vanished. 



The two new fossil sharks at Mammoth Cave highlight that even well-known geologic areas can hold <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopus-caught-riding-on-the-back-of-the-worlds-fastest-shark-in-the-open-ocean/">surprises</a> for many years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-cave-explorations">Future cave explorations</h2>



Mammoth Cave continues to yield glimpses into a vanished coastline that spanned what is now Kentucky, Europe, and northern Africa. 



T. trimblei and G. careforum are just two recent additions to an ever-expanding fossil catalog, reminding everyone that exploration still brings answers and new questions.



In many ways, these ancient sharks highlight how puzzle pieces of geologic history keep fitting together. Field teams are now eager to see what lies in deeper chambers or behind the narrow channels.



The next phase of study may involve more advanced imaging and careful excavation in lesser-known passages, guided by new mapping techniques. 



Findings like these spur a broader appreciation for the cave system’s scientific value, well beyond its length or visual features.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377873693_NEW_CTENACANTH_SHARKS_CHONDRICHTHYES_ELASMOBRANCHII_CTENACANTHIFORMES_FROM_THE_MIDDLE_TO_LATE_MISSISSIPPIAN_OF_KENTUCKY_AND_ALABAMA">Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology</a>.



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/"> EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Two prehistoric sea monsters found after 325 million years in the world’s largest cave

Mammoth Cave in Kentucky stretches for more than 420 miles...

The subtropical jet stream - a fast-moving air current high above the Earth - is behind a dramatic drop in primary production in the northwestern Mediterranean.



According to a recent study, the drop in productivity is linked to a gradual northward shift in this high-altitude wind belt, which regulates weather and drives the upwelling of nutrient-rich water.



The research was conducted by experts at the <a href="https://web.ub.edu/web/ub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Barcelona</a> and the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC). 



The team paired satellite data on ocean color with atmospheric observations. The analysis revealed that a subtle change in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-westerly-winds-are-changing-and-the-consequences-are-unknown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind patterns</a> can ripple through the water column and reshape an ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-jet-stream-on-the-move">A jet stream on the move</h2>



The surface atmospheric circulation and associated marine dynamics are the processes most affected by the northward displacement of the jet stream, noted study co-author Professor Miquel Canals. 



"Northerly winds drive the upwelling of nutrient-rich deep waters, so the alteration of their behavior has considerably weakened the intensity of this upwelling and, therefore, has reduced the supply of nutrients to the sea surface," explained Professor Canals. 



“Deep water reaching the ocean surface is essential to nourish <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-phytoplankton-that-feed-ocean-life-are-rapidly-disappearing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton</a>, which is the basis of the marine food web. Consequently, the weakening of upwelling at the regional level has directly impacted marine primary production, causing a decline of up to 40% in just over two decades."



When those winds weaken, the supply of nutrients from the deep slows down - a change that hits phytoplankton hardest. The entire food web, from tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zooplankton-are-rapidly-escalating-the-threat-of-nanoplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zooplankton</a> to commercially valuable fish, feels the squeeze.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jet-stream-changes-and-marine-life">Jet stream changes and marine life</h2>



Earlier studies hinted at falling productivity in parts of the Spanish Mediterranean. Julia Crespín, first author of the current study, noted that the previous research confirmed similar losses - but not related to the phenomenon of jet currents. She added that the broader literature is mixed. 



“Apart from that, several studies deal with the relationship between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-accelerate-jet-stream-winds-and-airplane-turbulence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> and marine primary production with contradictory results: while some point to a decrease in primary production, others indicate an increase,” said Crespin.



The new work links the dots by focusing on the jet stream’s drift - a trend also seen in other climate records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-wind-water-and-life">Tracking wind, water, and life</h2>



To tease out the link between a drifting jet stream and marine life, the researchers tracked four key variables. According to study co-author Jordi Solé, these variables included the position of the jet stream in the study area and the Ekman transport - a wind-induced movement of water mass towards the surface.



The team also tracked northerly wind stress on the sea surface, which is a determining factor for the formation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-winds-support-the-worlds-most-productive-ocean-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">upwelling</a> in the study area, and the depth-integrated chlorophyll concentration.



Chlorophyll levels in the water serve as an indicator of phytoplankton abundance, and therefore reflect marine primary production.



"With these variables, we have established relationships between changes in the atmosphere and the biological response of the surface ocean, which has helped us to better understand how the jet stream ultimately affects marine primary production," said Solé.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cost-of-a-moving-jet-stream">The cost of a moving jet stream</h2>



Less phytoplankton means the ocean absorbs less carbon dioxide, so the atmospheric budget worsens. Fisheries may also struggle as lower rations at the base of the web work their way up the chain.



“Our study provides a new perspective by showing that, at least in the northwestern Mediterranean, the northward shift of the jet stream is weakening the mechanisms and interactions that drive upwelling, which has contributed to a significant decline in marine primary production," explained the researchers.



“We consider that the change in the wind pattern is the factor that conditions the behavior of the ecosystem, beyond dichotomies about its intensification or the effect of temperature." 



"Thus, we point to a totally new factor that focuses especially on the dynamic behavior of both the atmosphere and the ocean (and their interaction) as the key to understanding its future evolution."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-the-mediterranean">Looking beyond the Mediterranean</h2>



The Mediterranean is a semi-enclosed basin with unique winds and currents, so the team cautions against a one-size-fits-all conclusion. Still, the jet stream is drifting in many regions, and similar studies may reveal comparable effects on marine life elsewhere.



The researchers emphasized that today’s tools - from satellites to high-resolution climate models - are finally catching up with the complexity of ocean-atmosphere systems.



“Never before has there been as much data as there is today, or as powerful tools to manage, analyze and interpret it as there are today." 



"In this context, it is crucial to continue research in this line of work, combining data from in situ observation, from remote sensors such as those installed on satellites, and from high-resolution climate models to better understand the physical and biological mechanisms involved, the interactions created, the interannual variability and the potential effects they generate."



The experts also noted that these interactions may not be constant year-to-year, and their global relevance is still unfolding.



“It will also be necessary to further study interannual variability and the mechanisms that explain why this connection is stronger in some years than in others, as well as to explore how such changes may affect other marine regions around the world," the researchers concluded. 



"We understand this is a line of work that promises major advances in the coming years."



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079661125000825?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Progress In Oceanography</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

How a wandering jet stream is draining marine life in the Mediterranean Sea

The subtropical jet stream - a fast-moving air current high...

Tiny mammals that weigh less than an ounce should not outlive German shepherds, yet many bats routinely do. Some even clock nearly thirty-five years in the wild, a lifespan that maps to about 180 human years and comes with an astonishing lack of tumors.



A <a href="https://www.rochester.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rochester</a> team set out to uncover why, zeroing in on four bat species spanning both major bat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-surf-the-winds-of-storms-during-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lineages</a>. 



Their findings point to a finely tuned partnership between an overachieving tumor suppressor gene, self-renewing chromosomes, and an immune system that fights hard but rarely overreacts.



The work was led by Vera Gorbunova and Andrei Seluanov of the <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/cancer-institute">Wilmot Cancer Institute and Department of Biology</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bats-defy-aging-and-cancer-patterns">Bats defy aging and cancer patterns</h2>



Cancer risk usually rises with age because every round of cell division adds another chance for DNA damage, a pattern known as <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3060950/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peto's paradox</a>. 



Across most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-bats-navigate-noisy-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammals</a> the equation holds, but bats are clear outliers, with at least four separate bat lineages independently evolving extreme <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30966896/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longevity</a>.



The new study shows that the “little brown” bat (<a href="https://www.fws.gov/species/little-brown-bat-myotis-lucifugus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Myotis lucifugus</a>) carries two working copies of the key tumor suppressor gene <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22268/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">p53</a>, while humans carry only one. 



“High levels of p53 in the body can kill cancer cells before they become harmful in a process known as <a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/apoptosis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apoptosis</a>,” said Gorbunova.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-myotis-lucifugus-the-basics">Understanding Myotis lucifugus - the basics</h2>



Better known as the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus is one of the most widespread and familiar bat species in North America. You’ll often find them roosting in attics, barns, caves, and trees - basically anywhere cozy and dark. 



These bats are tiny, weighing less than half an ounce, but they pack a punch when it comes to eating insects. In a single night, one little brown bat can devour hundreds of mosquitoes and other bugs, making them natural pest controllers.



They usually hibernate during the winter, often gathering in large colonies where the temperature stays just right. Sadly, their populations have taken a major hit due to white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that’s devastated colonies across the continent. 



Scientists and conservationists are working hard to figure out how to protect them, since losing these bats would ripple through entire ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bats-use-extra-p53-to-stop-cancer">Bats use extra p53 to stop cancer</h2>



Duplicating p53 is not unique to bats; <a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/11994" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elephants</a> stockpile roughly twenty versions of the same gene and show remarkably low cancer rates. 



Bats, however, balance extra p53 with regulatory tweaks so it prunes precancerous cells without wiping out healthy ones.



“Our animals can tolerate faster cell growth because their p53 is ready to pull the plug when things look suspicious,” said Seluanov. 



The Rochester team found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-bats-navigate-rush-hour-without-crashing-into-each-other/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bat</a> cells need only two genetic “hits” to turn cancerous in a dish, far fewer than human cells, but the boosted p53 swiftly orders those rogue cells to self-destruct. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-endless-telomeres-controlled-chaos">Endless telomeres, controlled chaos</h2>



Bats also keep their chromosome tips long thanks to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12034875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">constitutive telomerase</a>, an enzyme most adult human tissues silence. 



Earlier work in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29441358/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Myotis</a> bats revealed that telomeres hardly shorten with age, helping tissues regenerate without sliding toward crisis.



Unfettered telomerase can fuel tumors in other species, yet bats avoid that pitfall. When telomere-powered cell divisions pick up speed, the same hyper-alert p53 system steps in, neutralizing any cell that crosses the line. 



“If cells divide uncontrollably, the higher p53 activity in bats compensates and can remove cancerous cells,” noted Seluanov.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-bats-fight-disease">How bats fight disease</h2>



A third line of defense comes from a bat immune network that spots danger quickly but stays unusually calm. 



<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-03128-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bats</a> mute the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-019-0165-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NLRP3 inflammasome</a> and tone down <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nri3787" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">type I interferon</a> storms, preventing <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic inflammation</a> that often seeds cancer in aging tissues.



This balanced <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/immunosurveillance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immune surveillance</a> means viruses are cleared efficiently and damaged cells are flagged for destruction, yet surrounding tissue is spared collateral damage. 



Researchers also report expanded natural killer cell receptor families in several bat genomes, hinting at a surveillance squad that never sleeps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-bats-can-teach-us-about-treating-cancer">What bats can teach us about treating cancer</h2>



Several experimental drugs already seek to boost human p53 activity in stubborn tumors, and the bat data give that strategy an evolutionary vote of confidence. 



Others aim to reactivate telomerase in aged tissues; the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-have-acoustic-mental-maps-to-navigate-total-darkness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bat</a> blueprint suggests that pairing such therapies with stronger p53 safeguards could keep runaway cell growth in check.



<a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The National Institute on Aging</a> funded the study because it touches on two grand challenges: healthy longevity and cancer prevention. 



If scientists can replicate the bat trio of robust p53, restrained inflammation, and prudent telomerase, future therapies might tackle both aging and malignancy in one stroke.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-other-animals-can-teach-us">What other animals can teach us</h2>



Scientists have long looked to other long-lived animals for answers. 



<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10492090/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Naked mole rats</a>, <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11580846/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bowhead whales</a>, and elephants each have their own anti-cancer tricks, ranging from extra copies of tumor suppressor genes to unique cell death responses. 



Bats now join this elite group, and their diverse adaptations offer a different evolutionary path toward disease resistance.



These findings also support the case for cross-species genetic studies in humans. 



If p53 enhancements or telomerase tuning can be translated safely, it could lead to preventive therapies for high-risk populations or those with inherited cancer mutations. 



What bats seem to offer is not a miracle gene, but a blueprint for managing cellular risk while still allowing the body to repair, grow, and age slowly.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59403-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Bats don't get cancer, now scientists think they know the reason

Tiny mammals that weigh less than an ounce should not...

A turtle’s head seems simple: a hard beak, two bright eyes, and a quilt of scales that protect the skull. Look closer and a mystery appears, because the polygons across the crown don’t line up with the neat rows along the cheeks.



A team at the <a href="https://www.unige.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Geneva</a> reports that the crown and the cheeks form in totally different ways. The study combines <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/dna-profiling" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic profiling</a>, 3D microscopy, and computer models to show that turtles first lay down chemical cues, then let physics crease the remaining skin.



According to researchers, the split strategy provides a window into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-turtle-day-2025-ancient-creatures-with-modern-challenges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turtle</a> ancestry and perhaps even the faces of dinosaurs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turtle-cheeks-follow-a-genetic-pattern">Turtle cheeks follow a genetic pattern</h2>



In most vertebrates, appendages such as feathers, hair, and ordinary body scales begin in tiny thickened patches called <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3607644/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">placodes</a>. These patches appear when a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-60853-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reaction-diffusion system</a> nudges neighboring cells to switch certain genes on and off, spacing the primordia like points on graph paper.



Because each placode runs its own mini-program, the final pattern is orderly, and the resulting scales, follicles, or feathers sit in tidy ranks. That tidy plan applies to the edges of a turtle’s head, too. 



The Geneva team found clear <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-turtles-use-earths-magnetic-field-like-an-invisible-map/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene</a> activity: <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3578394/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">β-catenin and sonic hedgehog</a> in those peripheral zones match the classic placode signature.



Once a placode finishes its job, chemistry rests, keratin hardens, and the skin in that area stops changing shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turtle-crown-scales-form-by-folding">Turtle crown scales form by folding</h2>



Crocodiles break the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39663449/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">placode rule</a>. Their head scales arise when faster-growing surface skin buckles against slower bone, a purely mechanical fold that needs no gene switch. 



The same kind of buckling sculpts the folds of the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1406015111" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammalian brain</a>, where expanding gray matter crumples against the white-matter core.



“Patterns that rely on physics can vary from side to side in the same <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-sea-turtles-swim-and-choose-their-paths-instead-of-drifting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a>,” explained Rory Cooper, a postdoctoral researcher at Geneva and lead author of the study. 



Mechanical folding follows rules of thickness, stiffness, and relative growth, so tiny shifts in any layer produce new polygons, rivulets, or wrinkles.&nbsp;That variability makes a crocodile’s faceprint unique enough for field biologists to use like a fingerprint.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turtles-use-two-methods-for-head-scales">Turtles use two methods for head scales</h2>



Turtles, it turns out, run chemistry along the cheeks and jaws, then hand the baton to mechanics on the crown. Gene markers vanish from the top of the head just as the skull bone stiffens underneath, and the skin above starts to thicken.



“This mechanical folding explains the asymmetrical shapes of the scales on the top of the head,” said Cooper. 



Study co-author Ebrahim Jahanbakhsh noted that even the left and right sides of a single turtle rarely match, a hallmark of spontaneous folding.



Finite-element simulations that tweak skin stiffness, growth speed, and bone anchoring replay the exact ridges seen in sulcata, Greek, and marginated tortoises.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-scale-patterns-fail">Where scale patterns fail</h2>



Most reptiles rely on consistent scale formations for protection and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beating-the-heat-how-sea-turtles-cope-with-warming-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> identification. But when patterning becomes unpredictable, as it does on the top of a tortoise’s head, it raises questions about function versus aesthetics.



In these regions, the irregular folds likely don’t impact survival but instead represent a byproduct of how the skin and skull grow. 



These unpredictable folds might offer minor benefits like increased flexibility or abrasion resistance, but researchers say there's no evidence they serve a specialized purpose.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comparing-species-and-scale-styles">Comparing species and scale styles</h2>



Not all tortoises use mechanical folding to the same extent. The sulcata tortoise shows deeply creased central scales, while the marginated tortoise has smoother, simpler head patterns.



These variations suggest that species-specific differences in skin stiffness, skull growth rate, or layer thickness shape the final outcome. 



This diversity means researchers can use head scale patterns not only to explore mechanics but also to better understand how evolution tweaks physical properties without rewriting genetic code.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turtle-head-scales-linked-to-dinosaurs">Turtle head scales linked to dinosaurs</h2>



Crocodiles and turtles sit on neighboring branches of the reptile tree, with birds perched a step away. Finding the same mechanical folding in both turtles and crocodiles implies that their common ancestor, likely a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/triassic-reptiles.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Triassic reptile</a>, already used this trick.



“Mechanical patterning is an ancient trait that birds later lost,” noted study co-author Michel Milinkovitch. 



If so, dinosaurs may have carried random polygonal head scales that formed without placodes - a detail never preserved in fossils but now hinted at in living cousins.



That insight reshapes how paleontologists imagine soft-tissue textures on extinct archosaurs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-research">Broader implications of the research</h2>



The study also feeds the growing field of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10204470/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biomimetics</a>. Nature often solves mechanical problems with minimal materials, and engineers copy those solutions into flexible electronics, shock-absorbing panels, and adaptive building skins.



A scale network that emerges from simple growth stresses, without a genetic template, offers a blueprint for surfaces that morph on their own when conditions change. 



Architects already explore folding façades that open like pinecones or wrinkle like leaves; turtle crowns add a new motif where randomness is a feature, not a flaw.



Regenerative-medicine researchers see a parallel in wound healing, where guiding skin to buckle or relax could help close irregular gaps. Even 3D-printing specialists may adapt the Geneva algorithms to program self-folding films for soft robots.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2589004225009459" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Turtle heads reveal an ancient reptilian secret

A turtle’s head seems simple: a hard beak, two bright...

Should humans ever pull the plug on a living species? Advances in genome editing make that possibility concrete, and a recent study asks when, if ever, such power is justified.



The researchers weighed the suffering caused by pests against the intrinsic worth of <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/what-is-biodiversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, setting a high bar for intentional wipeouts. Their conclusion is that genetically erasing a species might be acceptable, but only under exceptional, tightly bounded circumstances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-erasing-a-species-feels-necessary">When erasing a species feels necessary</h2>



“This question keeps conservationists up at night,” said Dr. Clare Palmer of <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M University</a> after helping draft the report. She and colleagues argue that an animal’s capacity to cause widespread agony can, in rare cases, outweigh its right to persist.



Ethicists usually treat biodiversity as a moral good, yet real-world conflicts force tough trade-offs. When an insect’s life hinges on a calf’s ability to survive, abstract principles meet muddy pens and medical bills.



Most philosophies rank individual suffering above abstract species value once pain passes a certain threshold. Even ecologists concede that leaving sentient creatures to suffer avoidable harm strains any theory of non-intervention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-cases-in-focus">Three cases in focus</h2>



The parasitic screwworm (<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/screwworm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cochliomyia hominivorax</a>) burrows into the flesh of livestock and wildlife, killing thousands of animals every year before treatment can begin. The United States eliminated native populations in 1966 using the Sterile Insect Technique (<a href="https://www.iaea.org/topics/sterile-insect-technique" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SIT</a>).



Mosquitoes of the species <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/anopheles-gambiae" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anopheles gambiae</a> spread <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">malaria</a>, a disease that took an estimated 597,000 lives in 2023 alone - most of them children under five.



Those numbers eclipse fatalities from many better-publicized illnesses and keep public-health agencies searching for stronger tools.



On South Africa’s Marion Island, the humble house mouse (<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=info&amp;id=10090" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mus musculus</a>) has started gnawing seabird chicks alive, pushing several albatross species toward local collapse. Conventional traps fail on rugged slopes, and poison risks collateral damage to native invertebrates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-scientists-can-erase-species">How scientists can erase species</h2>



The Sterile Insect Technique remains the standard for humane pest control. Irradiated males mate but produce no viable young, gradually crashing the target population without pesticides.



A newer option, the <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2019.1606" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene drive</a>, moves lethal or sex-skewing genes through wild populations so quickly that normal inheritance rules break down. 



Researchers working with rodents have already demonstrated systems that turn almost every embryo male, guaranteeing eventual collapse.



For mosquitoes, scientists can now couple a drive to a gene that blocks parasite replication, reducing disease transmission rather than eliminating the insect outright. Palmer’s team notes that such restraint might satisfy the same moral aims with less ecological upheaval.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-killing-pests-sometimes-gains-approval">Killing pests sometimes gains approval</h2>



“Together, we argue, these cases suggest that deliberate full extinction might occasionally be acceptable, but only extremely rarely,” the authors wrote. Where pests impose unrelenting misery on humans or endangered wildlife, even cautious ethicists lean toward eradication.&nbsp;



In farm economies, screwworm outbreaks once cost ranchers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. 



The <a href="https://www.ncba.org/news-media/news/details/43094/ncba-pushes-for-domestic-sterile-fly-facility-to-eradicate-new-world-screwworm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sterile-fly program</a> reduced those losses while sparing cattle surgeries and antibiotic use, making SIT a textbook case of net welfare gain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-and-safeguards">Risks and safeguards</h2>



No <a href="https://bmcmedethics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12910-021-00588-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drive</a> can be recalled once released. If a sex-skewing construct escaped from an island to a mainland, the entire species could vanish before regulators reacted. That possibility drives calls for redundant containment layers and staged testing.



Wild genomes hold surprises such as mating behavior, migration corridors, or hidden ecological roles. 



Removing a dominant mosquito might allow a harder-to-control sibling species to fill the gap, canceling health gains while shackling communities to continuous editing cycles.



Governance frameworks must also weigh cultural values. Some communities view rats as food, while others see them as vermin. A one-size rule will not work in global treaties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-should-decide-to-erase-a-species">Who should decide to erase a species?</h2>



Palmer and colleagues insist that village councils, livestock owners, conservation NGOs, and public health officials should share equal seats at the table. Only broad consent can legitimize an action that removes a lineage that is millions of years old.



The study suggests that formal benefit-harm ledgers need to be updated as new data emerge. There is also a need for sunset clauses that halt projects if early milestones falter. Robust monitoring budgets must be in place before the first transgenic egg hatches.



Funding streams pose another dilemma. Genome projects often depend on philanthropic donors from far away. Affected regions need guaranteed control over long-term stewardship, including the power to veto deployment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fast-pace-of-technology">The fast pace of technology </h2>



Current international regulations lag behind the pace of synthetic biology. While conventions like the <a href="https://bch.cbd.int/protocol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cartagena Protocol</a> aim to manage genetically modified organisms, they do not directly address deliberate extinction by gene drive.



This leaves a grey area where cross-border impacts, like species drifting across national boundaries, may not fall under clear legal control. Coordinated policy development is needed to prevent gaps that bad actors or accidents could exploit.



The World Health Organization and United Nations Environment Programme have both called for more robust oversight. However, the tools available for enforcement are often limited to guidance rather than mandates, leaving implementation up to individual nations.



The researchers say it’s critical to close these gaps before large-scale extinction drives become common, especially given how rapidly the technology is evolving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-gene-drives">The future of gene drives</h2>



<a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/CRISPR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CRISPR</a> keeps shrinking the cost and time required to build custom drives, so ethical debates must stay a step ahead of lab capacity. 



Palmer hopes that clear rules will prevent both reckless releases and sweeping bans that deny relief to suffering animals. She sees the conversation itself as a sign of progress. 



Past generations used lead arsenate or DDT with little scrutiny. Today, genetic strategies face hard questions before a single insect leaves quarantine.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adv4045" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Extinction by design: Should we genetically erase harmful species?

Should humans ever pull the plug on a living species?...

Biodiversity is declining across Japan’s countryside, even as villages empty and young people move to the cities. Many would expect birds, insects, and native plants to return when humans leave. A new study shows that’s not happening.



The research team examined land-use change, temperature records, and nearly two decades of citizen-science observations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-population-loss-doesn-t-equal-biodiversity-gain">Population loss doesn’t equal biodiversity gain</h2>



The researchers mapped population change across rural Japan and overlaid 1.5 million sightings of 464 animal species and 2,922 plant species collected between 2004 and 2021. 



Shrinking towns did not rebound ecologically. Instead, abandoned rice fields turned into either housing estates or weed-choked lots. Both outcomes hurt wildlife.



Study co-author Dr Peter Matanle is a senior lecturer in Japanese Ssudies at the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sheffield</a>.



“Japan is one of many countries whose demographic trends point to long-term population loss. We call it a 'Depopulation Vanguard Country' because it presages losses in similar neighboring countries such as South Korea and China," said Dr. Matanle.



“We find that expected biodiversity gains from fewer people may not be occurring, and that losses are continuing. This indicates possible similar effects in other world regions such as Southern Europe, with Italy as its DVC, and Eastern Europe, with Bulgaria and Latvia as its DVCs. 



Dr. Matanle noted that his team would like to study other regions in the future such as Europe and Latin America to find out if similar effects are being felt there.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-citizen-scientists-fill-the-data-gap">Citizen scientists fill the data gap</h2>



Volunteers across Japan recorded birds, butterflies, fireflies, frog spawn, and local flora. Their notebooks and apps supplied one of the richest ecological datasets on Earth. 



The study shows how community monitoring can spot silent declines that official surveys might miss.



The study suggests that modest, steady farming often supports more life than sudden abandonment. When fields are left untended, invasive weeds can outcompete native plants. Without people to manage canals and paddies, wetlands dry out and the species they harbor disappear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traditional-practices-support-biodiversity">Traditional practices support biodiversity </h2>



“Japan’s biodiversity has long been sustained by traditional rural livelihood practices such as wet rice agriculture, forest and soil management, and the maintenance of rural landscapes. These human activities have shaped and supported ecological richness for centuries," said Kei Uchida, an associate professor at Tokyo City University.



“Even as populations decline, human interventions continue in some areas, while others are left to ecological succession. This uneven pattern of change produces a mosaic landscape which is accelerating the degradation of rural environments and undermining the biodiversity they support."



According to Professor Uchida, the research has implications for maintaining biodiversity in other depopulating countries in East Asia, and contributes to knowledge about the outcomes of human depopulation worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-population-loss-is-a-global-issue">Population loss is a global issue</h2>



The United Nations expects 85 countries to decline in population by 2050, including much of Eastern and Southern Europe. The researchers urge governments to blend rewilding with rural job programs so that landscapes do not slide into neglect.



Shorter workweeks for farmers, subsidies for low-impact cultivation, and support for local wildlife groups are among the proposed ideas.



The lesson is clear: people leaving an area can harm nature as easily as they can help it. Careful planning is needed to tip the balance toward recovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-population-and-biodiversity-loss">Population and biodiversity loss</h2>



Biodiversity loss is not just a local issue - it’s a global concern that affects ecosystems, economies, and everyday life. The decline of species, whether plants, insects, or animals, disrupts food chains, weakens soil health, and reduces the resilience of natural systems. 



When biodiversity shrinks, the services ecosystems provide - like pollination, water purification, and climate regulation - begin to break down.



In Japan, the study highlights how biodiversity continues to decline even as people leave rural areas. But similar trends are being seen worldwide, in both developed and developing regions. 



Land-use change, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, and climate change all contribute to the problem. Even regions experiencing depopulation are not immune - sometimes, they’re more vulnerable if the land is mismanaged or neglected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-strategies-to-protect-wildlife">New strategies to protect wildlife</h2>



This research adds to the growing body of evidence that simply removing human pressure isn’t always enough. 



Without intentional support, many landscapes fail to recover. Rewilding, conservation, and traditional ecological practices all have a role to play in reversing the loss. 



As countries face changing demographics and population loss, preserving biodiversity will require new strategies that account for both ecological and social realities.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01578-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Sustainability</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Population loss in Japan's countryside linked to declining biodiversity

Biodiversity is declining across Japan’s countryside, even as villages empty...

Dogs aren’t just companions who brighten our daily routines. They may also be key players in monitoring how Valley fever moves through certain regions in the United States.



This disease, also called coccidioidomycosis, involves inhaling fungal spores found in dry soil conditions. 



<a href="http://vetmed.ucdavis.edu/faculty/jane-sykes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jane Sykes</a>, lead author of a recent <a href="https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Davis</a> study, worked with her team to see how information from dog infections could apply to humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-valley-fever">Understanding Valley fever</h2>



When disturbed by wind, construction, or agricultural activity, the spores of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/coccidioides-immitis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coccidioides immitis</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/coccidioides-posadasii" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coccidioides posadasii</a> can ride on dust particles and travel into the lungs.



Some pets like to dig into dirt, creating an ideal chance to breathe in fungal particles. These Valley fever spores thrive in the Western parts of the country, often in places with specific soil moisture levels.



Though many people who are exposed may not experience symptoms, those who do often report flu-like illness, including fatigue, cough, fever, chest pain, and muscle aches.



In some cases, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems, Valley fever can become severe, spreading from the lungs to other parts of the body such as the skin, bones, joints, or even the brain, where it may cause <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harmful-microbes-persist-on-hospital-surfaces-after-disinfection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meningitis</a>. 



Diagnosis is typically confirmed through blood tests or imaging, and while mild cases often resolve without treatment, antifungal medications like fluconazole are prescribed for moderate to severe infections.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unusual-canine-clues">Unusual canine clues</h2>



The researchers discovered patterns by checking large collections of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lost-in-translation-how-we-misread-our-dogs-emotions/">dog</a> blood tests. 



They found that most positive results are linked to certain states with known contamination zones, but they also noticed smaller clusters appearing in locations not typically flagged for this infection.



“Dogs are sentinels for human infections,” said Jane Sykes. 



Her team collected blood test data in different areas to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever/about/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">identify rising trends</a> and potential health concerns for people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-puts-dogs-at-risk">What puts dogs at risk</h2>



Some vets <a href="https://vfce.arizona.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">note</a> that certain breeds may be more prone to lung ailments, but any fungus exposure can be an issue. 



This might involve dusty backyards, fields, or construction sites, where spores in the soil can become airborne.



In regions with droughts or strong winds, soil dryness allows fungal particles to swirl into the air. Intense rainfall can also boost <a href="https://today.ucsd.edu/story/dangerous-airborne-fungus-boosted-by-california-droughts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungal growth</a>, which further contributes to sporadic spikes in infection.



Researchers see these canine cases as indicators for possible spread in the broader population. Common symptoms in people include fatigue, cough, and sometimes sore joints.



Health agencies note that valley fever can become serious for those with weakened immune systems. Because dogs are tested more readily in certain regions, their results may warn us before human cases spike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-valley-fever-in-new-zones">Mapping valley fever in new zones</h2>



Scientists have spotted positive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uncovering-the-truth-the-reality-behind-canine-dna-testing/">canine</a> cases outside historically recognized areas. Jane Sykes explained that pockets of infection can appear in nearby states that might be overlooked.



“We should be closely watching those states because there could be under-recognition,” she said. This under-recognition means some doctors in these regions may not be aware of the disease and could miss early signs in humans.



Decades of shifting <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/climate/climate-change-impacts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate patterns</a> have altered soil conditions. Over 130 places in the United States have recorded heavier bursts of rain in recent years, raising concerns about potential fungal growth when storms finally soak the land.



As new weather extremes develop, the fungus might have more opportunities to spread. Researchers keep emphasizing how environmental changes can shift the boundaries of diseases, leading to surprises in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-virus-can-remain-in-sperm-months-after-infection/">infection</a> data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-yourself-and-your-pet">Protecting yourself and your pet</h2>



Many dog owners wonder if this infection is preventable. Avoiding areas with visible dust clouds is one measure, though it can be tough when your pet loves running outdoors.



Some <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30690600/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vets</a> provide guidance on ways to limit exposure if your area is known for this fungus. 



Though these spores are hard to avoid entirely, regular checkups and early tests may help pets and owners stay aware of new health risks.



Veterinarians who live in spots with many valley fever cases watch for respiratory problems in dogs. A sudden cough or limp can signal hidden issues, prompting tests that reveal infection.



If caught early, there are antifungal treatments that can relieve symptoms. The goal is to manage lung damage and reduce further spread.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-valley-fever-and-the-future">Dogs, valley fever, and the future</h2>



Researchers who track these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-infection-equips-the-body-to-fight-off-the-flu/">infections</a> see a bigger picture beyond local hotspots. They hope more states will gather accurate data so public health teams can warn residents who may be at risk.



Better knowledge about where the spores hide allows for timely alerts. Clear communication between veterinarians and medical professionals could help limit the toll on both animals and people.



Trends linked to heavy rain, population growth, and soil changes highlight the complexity of valley fever. Officials suggest that improved teaching for doctors could keep illness from going unnoticed.



Dogs may help identify emerging dangers because their health data can fill the gaps where human data are patchy. Scientists remain hopeful that continued studies will keep the public informed about this evolving fungal risk.



The study is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/231/5/e986/8108831?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Infectious Diseases</a>.



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/"> EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Scientists discover that dogs can alert humans to this quickly-spreading disease

Dogs aren’t just companions who brighten our daily routines. They...

Among tens of thousands of ant species, many show complex behaviors like agriculture and tool use. Longhorn crazy ants add a new twist to that story. Their brains are minuscule, but they manage coordinated, goal-oriented actions. 



A recent study shows that these ants can clear obstacles from a path before a food load even arrives. This action seems to require planning, yet it emerges without any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-you-give-caffeine-to-ants-many-interesting-things-happen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ant</a> holding a clear mental map.



Dr. Ehud Fonio, a scientist at the <a href="https://www.weizmann.ac.il/pages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weizmann Institute of Science</a>, is the lead author of the study.



“Here we show for the first time that workers of the longhorn crazy ant can clear obstacles from a path before they become a problem - anticipating where a large food item will need to go and preparing the way in advance," said Dr. Fonio.



"This is the first documented case of ants showing such forward-looking behavior during cooperative transport."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-plan-ahead-for-obstacles">Ants plan ahead for obstacles </h2>



The team made their discovery during fieldwork at the Weizmann Institute. Ants were seen removing pebbles before a food-carrying group arrived. This suggested some form of anticipation.



“When we first saw <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-any-point-in-time-total-number-is-astounding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ants</a> clearing small obstacles ahead of the moving load we were in awe. It appeared as if these tiny creatures understand the difficulties that lie ahead and try to help their friends in advance,” said Dr. Ofer Feinerman, co-author of the study.



This chance observation led to a large-scale experiment involving 83 trials. The team replaced pebbles with plastic beads and placed cat food as bait. 



Ants cleared beads that blocked the path between food and nest, but only when the food was intact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crazy-ants-clear-the-way-for-big-food">Crazy ants clear the way for big food</h2>



The ants cleared beads mainly when a single large pellet was present. With crumbs, they rarely cleared anything. This shows context sensitivity. Bead clearing happened only when it helped the group.



Ants transported the beads short distances, around 50 millimeters. They placed them away from the nest-food corridor. This effort reduced the food transport time by up to 15 times.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/longhorn-crazy-ants_carrying-bead_credit-Alessandro-Crespi_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/longhorn-crazy-ants_carrying-bead_credit-Alessandro-Crespi_1s.webp" alt="Worker of longhorn crazy ant clearing a bead. Credit: Alessandro Crespi" class="wp-image-1973861"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Worker of longhorn crazy ant clearing a bead. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Alessandro Crespi</figcaption></figure>



When large pellets were pinned down and could not be moved, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-ants-have-found-a-new-way-to-spread-across-the-globe-on-cars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ants</a> still cleared obstacles. But they ignored beads completely when no food or only crumbs were present.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-respond-to-scent-not-sight">Ants respond to scent, not sight</h2>



The study’s most surprising finding was that ants began clearing without even seeing or touching the food. The trigger? Fresh pheromone markings left by recruiters.



Even without food, these chemical signals caused some ants to start clearing beads. Of 155 observed ant-bead interactions, 97.2 percent were preceded by a nearby scent mark.



Direct contact with food was not necessary. Just encountering a pheromone trail within a 20 mm radius of a bead triggered clearing. This suggests that the behavior is socially driven, not based on internal plans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collective-intelligence-of-ant-colonies">Collective intelligence of ant colonies</h2>



The experts discovered that crazy ants use a decentralized form of cognition. Instead of individual planning, their colony acts like a brain. 



Each ant is a unit responding to chemical cues. Together, they clear obstacles as if they understand the goal.



“Taken together, these results imply that our initial impression was wrong: in reality, individual workers don’t understand the situation at all. This intelligent behavior happens at the level of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/paleontologists-found-the-oldest-ant-species-on-earth-113-million-years-old-with-scythe-like-jaws/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colony</a>, not the individual," explained study co-author Dr. Danielle Mersch.



"Each ant follows simple cues - like fresh scent marks left by others - without needing to understand the bigger picture, yet together they create a smart, goal-directed outcome."



“We find this to be even more awe-inspiring than our initial guess,” said Feinerman.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simple-rules-for-complex-behavior">Simple rules for complex behavior </h2>



Interestingly, some ants cleared multiple beads in sequence. One ant removed 64 beads. These "serial clearers" often focused on the same sector around the food, repeatedly working in the same direction.



Some switched sectors but returned to old ones. This pattern hints at possible short-term memory or chemical trail-following. Researchers suggest these ants could be following pheromone gradients repeatedly.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/longhorn-crazy-ants_intelligence_swarm_credit-E-Fonio_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/longhorn-crazy-ants_intelligence_swarm_credit-E-Fonio_1s.webp" alt="Examples of experimental set-up and close-up of collective transport of prey and of obstacle-clearing behavior. Credit: E Fonio, D Mersch, O Feinerman" class="wp-image-1973864"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Examples of experimental set-up and close-up of collective transport of prey and of obstacle-clearing behavior. Click image to enlarge. Credit: E Fonio, D Mersch, O Feinerman</figcaption></figure>



The research shows how complex behavior emerges from simple rules. It also highlights the power of external memory. Pheromone trails serve as shared information banks etched into the environment.



In this system, memory and action are collective. No single ant plans ahead. Yet their joint behavior gives the illusion of foresight. This mirrors how neurons form intelligent thought in the human brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-ant-intelligence">Significance of ant intelligence </h2>



This work changes how we think about planning in nature. It shows that meaningful coordination does not require conscious intent. 



In ants, intelligent-seeming food-related outcomes arise from distributed actions and shared cues. These findings deepen our understanding of swarm behavior. 



The study also suggests new directions for robotics, where machines could collaborate without central control by using simple signals.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2025.1533372/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Swarm intelligence: Ants can anticipate obstacles and plan ahead

Among tens of thousands of ant species, many show complex...

When scientists on a <a href="https://www.hi.no/en/hi/news/2021/october/after-being-trapped-in-norway-by-the-pandemic,-dr.-fridtjof-nansen-is-once-again-heading-out-into-the-world">research vessel</a> off the northwestern coast of Africa hauled in their catch, they were surprised to find an unusual eel that did not match any known species. The 2-foot (0.6 meter) curiosity had fang-like teeth and a pointed head that set it apart.



It has now been identified it as a spoon-nose eel from the genus Mystriophis, and it has been named Mystriophis caboverdensis. It remains the only documented example of its kind.



According to <a href="https://www-iuem.univ-brest.fr/paddle/project/team/da-luz-alciany" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Alciany Nascimento da Luz</a>, who was part of an international team collaborating with marine research institutes in Cabo Verde, this eel marks a special moment for local biodiversity efforts. 



The discovery also highlights how careful observation can reveal new life forms in waters that scientists survey for resource management.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cataloging-eel-species">Cataloging eel species</h2>



The expedition team aboard the research vessel called <a href="https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/Norway-and-FAO-launch-unique-state-of-the-art-oceanic-research-ship/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Fridtjof Nansen</a> focused on studying fishing resources and ocean life around the <a href="https://nha.org/research/nantucket-history/history-topics/cape-verde-archipelago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cabo Verde Archipelago</a>. 



Researchers took samples at varying depths to map habitats and document marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/serpent-like-eel-named-after-hades-god-of-the-underworld/">diversity</a>.



Their work included cataloging eels and other underexplored species in the Eastern Central Atlantic. During these trawls, the spoon-nose eel surfaced and initially passed as an already known specimen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-features-of-new-eel-species">Unique features of new eel species</h2>



Closer analysis showed a short, blunt snout, large eyes, and a body length of about 28 inches (0.7 meters). The dorsal fin sits in a slightly advanced position compared to its closest relatives.



“It co-occurs in the tropical eastern Atlantic with two similar looking species,” wrote Dr. Nascimento da Luz. Another trait setting it apart is the arrangement of teeth, which appear fang-like near its pointed head.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-peek-into-eel-diversity">A peek into eel diversity</h2>



These tooth structures place the eel in the family <a href="https://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/sftep/en/thefishes/taxon/356" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ophichthidae</a>, which is known for species sometimes referred to as worm or snake eels. The family has an array of body shapes, snout types, and feeding strategies.



Scientists found that differences in fin placement and specific head ratios made it clear that this fish deserved its own name. “We have no doubt as to its uniqueness,” stated Dr. Nascimento da Luz, the lead researcher on this project.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-from-a-single-specimen">Clues from a single specimen</h2>



Though only one individual has been found, the data collected was surprisingly rich. 



Scientists used detailed morphometrics, measuring things like fin position, head-to-body ratio, and tooth shape, to distinguish it from known relatives.



DNA analysis added another layer of certainty. Researchers found a 3.6% genetic difference from its closest cousin, Mystriophis crosnieri, enough to classify it as a separate species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-spoon-nose-eel-species-matter">Why spoon-nose eel species matter</h2>



Spoon-nose <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sushi-of-the-future-the-first-ever-lab-grown-eel-is-a-success/">eels</a> help researchers understand how fish evolve in deep-sea environments where visibility is low and prey is scarce. Their body shape, hunting tools, and fin placement all offer clues to how species adapt over time.



Because they tend to live in deeper waters, they are rarely seen. Each new find adds to the scientific puzzle of how life functions in low-light, high-pressure ecosystems that are still largely unexplored.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-impact-in-cabo-verde">Local impact in Cabo Verde </h2>



Discoveries like this bring global attention to regions like Cabo Verde, encouraging investment in local marine research and training. 



They can also strengthen partnerships between local scientists and international teams working on conservation.



Increased biodiversity awareness can lead to better protection of vulnerable ecosystems. 



As more species are found in these waters, there’s growing incentive to preserve Carbo Verde habitats before they’re impacted by overfishing or climate shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-quest-for-new-species">Global quest for new species</h2>



Experts estimate that thousands of organisms are described every year, yet many more wait to be documented. 



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eel-trade-is-pushing-another-species-to-the-brink/">eel</a> underscores how ocean surveys can uncover unexpected finds that broaden our knowledge of marine life.



Researchers named the new species after Cabo Verde to honor the location where it was discovered. Such tributes often highlight the importance of local ecosystems and their protection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



The exact habits, diet, and reproduction of the new eel species remain mysteries. The single specimen was enough for analysis of morphology, DNA sequencing, and comparisons with related species.



This discovery prompts a deeper look at the region’s underwater habitats. Further expeditions may reveal whether more spoon-nose <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electric-eels-have-a-secret-weapon-to-generate-electricity/">eels</a> inhabit neighboring waters or if this new find is actually incredibly rare.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-of-deep-sea-discovery">Challenges of deep-sea discovery</h2>



Finding new species like Mystriophis caboverdensis isn’t easy. Deep-sea trawling requires expensive equipment, <a href="https://www.hi.no/en/hi/news/2021/october/after-being-trapped-in-norway-by-the-pandemic,-dr.-fridtjof-nansen-is-once-again-heading-out-into-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long expeditions</a>, and cooperation between countries and institutions.



Even when a sample is collected, identification can take years. Subtle features must be compared across museum records, and genetic testing depends on funding and lab availability.



The fact that Mystriophis caboverdensis remained unnoticed until now raises questions about how many other species slip through the cracks. Even with decades of ocean exploration, large parts of the sea remain poorly studied.



Scientists say continued investment in <a href="https://www.msc.org/en-au/what-we-are-doing/oceans-at-risk/marine-biodiversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine biodiversity</a> research could uncover even more undocumented species. Each new find helps paint a clearer picture of how ecosystems work and how they’re changing.



The study is published in <a href="https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5632.2.4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zootaxa</a>.



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/"> EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Scientists discover a new eel species with fang-like teeth

When scientists on a research vessel off the northwestern coast...

In the waters of Lake Malawi, a single group of fish has evolved into over 800 different species in just a few million years. This rapid and concentrated evolutionary explosion has long puzzled scientists.



Now, researchers have uncovered a powerful genetic mechanism that may explain how such extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-mitigation-strategies-may-be-endangering-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> can arise so quickly.



A recent study led by scientists from the Universities of <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambridge</a> and <a href="https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antwerp</a> reveals that large chunks of reversed, or “flipped,” DNA in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiosity-of-cichlid-fish-boosts-biodiversity-in-lake-tanganyika/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cichlid fish</a> act like evolutionary accelerators.



These chromosomal inversions preserve key genetic traits across generations and help fish adapt swiftly to new habitats - fueling the formation of new species at remarkable speed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-shortcut-in-our-genes">The shortcut in our genes</h2>



“Why are there so many different kinds of animals and plants on Earth?” is a question that has guided evolutionary biology for centuries.



In the case of Malawi’s cichlids, all 800-plus species share a common ancestor. Yet they’ve diversified into everything from algae-grazers to sand-sifters to open-water predators - all within the confines of one lake.



To understand this phenomenon, the researchers examined the genomes of over 1,300 individual cichlids. Some species had flipped DNA sections across five chromosomes - a genetic anomaly called a chromosomal inversion.



“We discovered that, in some species, large chunks of DNA on five chromosomes are flipped - a type of mutation called a chromosomal inversion,” said senior author Hennes Svardal from the University of Antwerp.



Ordinarily, recombination reshuffles <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-human-dna-ever-found-tells-story-of-lost-branch-on-human-neanderthal-family-tree/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> each generation by mixing genetic material from both parents.



But inside these chromosomal inversions, the structure blocks recombination. As a result, organisms inherit linked gene sets together, preserving adaptations that function effectively as a group.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fish-supergenes-lock-in-traits">Fish supergenes lock in traits</h2>



“It’s sort of like a toolbox where all the most useful tools are stuck together, preserving winning genetic combinations that help fish adapt to different environments,” said Moritz Blumer from Cambridge’s Department of Genetics.



These preserved gene clusters, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supergenes-drove-the-rapid-spread-of-common-ragweed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supergenes</a>, help explain how diverse cichlid fish evolve while sharing the same lake. In sandy lake beds, inversions limit gene mixing, helping preserve each species’ unique adaptations despite a lack of barriers.



The supergenes govern traits essential to survival: vision, hearing, feeding behavior, and more. For instance, fish that live in the lake’s deep waters - some as far down as 655 feet (200 meters) - require specialized vision to navigate dim light.



They also need unique diets to survive in the nutrient-poor depths and physiology to withstand high pressure. Their supergenes lock in those abilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supergenes-in-fish-interbreeding">Supergenes in fish interbreeding</h2>



Another advantage of these DNA inversions is that they can transfer wholesale between species when different cichlids <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/28000-year-old-hybrid-child-confirms-interbreeding-between-humans-and-neanderthals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interbreed</a>. This spreads entire suites of beneficial traits in one stroke.



“When different cichlid species interbred, entire inversions can be passed between them - bringing along key survival traits, like adaptations to specific environments, speeding up the process of evolution,” Blumer said.



This genetic mechanism lets adaptations transfer between species, speeding evolution without needing to evolve traits independently each time.



Researchers found these inversions often act as sex chromosomes, determining whether a fish develops as male or female. Because sex chromosomes drive speciation, this finding adds complexity to how cichlids diversify so rapidly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-going-beyond-fish">Going beyond fish</h2>



“While our study focused on cichlids, chromosomal inversions aren’t unique to them,” said co-senior author Richard Durbin, a professor at Cambridge’s Department of Genetics.



“They’re also found in many other animals - including humans - and are increasingly seen as a key factor in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-not-as-random-as-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a> and biodiversity.”



These findings reveal new ways to study the genetics of speciation. This applies not just to fish, but across all branches of the tree of life. Supergenes and inversions may be more than just quirks of DNA - they could be among evolution’s most powerful tools for generating new forms and functions.



“We have been studying the process of speciation for a long time,” Svardal said. “By understanding how these supergenes evolve and spread, we’re getting closer to answering one of science’s big questions: how life on Earth becomes so rich and varied.”



The study shows how a DNA twist can speed evolution, offering a key clue to the mystery of biodiversity. It also reveals that sometimes, nature hides its most elegant solutions in its smallest structures.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Genetic ‘supergenes’ power explosive evolution in some fish

In the waters of Lake Malawi, a single group of...

Mercury levels in Arctic animals keep climbing even though the world has reduced new emissions. A new study shows that mercury already in the ocean is drifting northward on century-long currents and silently refueling pollution.



Researchers from <a href="https://international.au.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a> and the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> analyzed more than 700 samples collected across Greenland.



The experts compared modern tissues from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-polar-bear-day-keeping-moms-and-cubs-safe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar bears</a>, seals, fish, peat, and even 40-year-old archives, then matched each sample’s six mercury isotopes - slight atomic variants that act like barcodes - to known ocean pathways.



“These isotope signatures act like fingerprints, revealing the sources and transport pathways of mercury,” explained lead author Jens Søndergaard, a senior researcher at Aarhus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-emissions-ride-ocean-loops">Old emissions ride ocean loops</h2>



When smokestacks or gold mines release mercury, the vapor can circle the globe for a year before it falls out of the air. Once it sinks into seawater, however, the metal can linger for three hundred years.



The new study shows that this “legacy mercury” is now the main supplier to the Arctic. Water entering central West Greenland rides the North Atlantic’s Irminger Current and arrives with a different isotopic stamp than water feeding the north and east coasts, which drifts down from the Arctic Ocean.



In regions swept by the Atlantic branch, animals carry less total mercury but show higher values of the heavy isotope δ202Hg. Farther north and east, concentrations are higher and the isotope mix points to older Arctic stores.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mercury-climbs-in-arctic-predators">Mercury climbs in Arctic predators</h2>



Scientists have tracked Arctic mercury since the late 1970s, hoping to see a decline after many countries ratcheted down pollution.



Instead, concentrations in polar bears and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-species-of-toothed-whale-is-the-earliest-ancestor-of-modern-dolphins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toothed whales</a> are now twenty- to thirtyfold above pre-industrial levels.



“We’ve monitored mercury in Arctic animals for over 40 years. Despite declining global emissions since the 1970s, we see no corresponding decrease in Arctic concentrations - on the contrary,” said senior author Rune Dietz, an ecologist at Aarhus.



The new isotope data show why: mercury carried by currents can take up to a century and a half to reach Greenland.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isotopes-trace-mercury-s-path">Isotopes trace mercury's path</h2>



Mercury atoms come in several naturally occurring forms that differ slightly in mass. Industrial smokestacks, volcanic plumes, rivers, and ocean chemistry each leave a characteristic mix.



By scanning these mixes in muscle, fur, and ancient peat layers, the team drew a map of hidden routes. In central West Greenland the isotope blend matches Atlantic inflow; in north-eastern sites it matches the high-mercury Arctic Basin.



The peat cores also tell a time-lapse story: layers laid down in recent centuries hold heavier isotopes than layers deeper in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/permafrost-thaw-is-a-rising-threat-to-arctic-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">permafrost</a>, confirming that modern pollution is still piling up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-impacts-of-mercury">Health impacts of mercury</h2>



“Mercury affects the immune system, reproduction, and possibly sensory functions in animals, which can impact their survival,” said co-author Christian Sonne, a professor at Aarhus.



Seals, polar bears, and seabirds already harbor levels linked to suppressed immunity and hormonal disruption. 



Indigenous communities that rely on marine mammals for food face the same toxic threat. With mercury reservoirs still drifting north, even the toughest emission cuts may not deliver quick relief.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-slow-to-reflect-progress">Arctic slow to reflect progress</h2>



The <a href="https://minamataconvention.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations Minamata Convention</a> aims to curb new mercury emissions. The Danish team’s work explains why Arctic numbers refuse to fall despite progress elsewhere.



Ocean inventories of legacy mercury - much of it released during the 19th- and 20th-century coal age - are simply too vast and too slow-moving. Any evaluation of the treaty’s success, the authors warn, must account for that time lag.



The group is expanding its isotope surveys through the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-awakening-arctic-food-webs-are-transforming-from-green-to-brown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GreenPaths project</a> and collaborating with international programs such as WhaleAdapt to follow mercury’s course through other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-awakening-arctic-food-webs-are-transforming-from-green-to-brown/">Arctic food webs</a>.



By stitching together isotope records from peat, glaciers, rivers, and marine life, they hope to predict hotspots years before the pollutant arrives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-be-done-now"><a></a>What can be done now?</h2>



Reducing modern mercury still matters; every gram kept out of the water is one less gram entering the conveyor belt.



But policymakers must pair emission goals with long-term monitoring, dietary guidance for northern communities, and studies on how climate-driven shifts in currents could speed or slow the toxic flow.



The lesson is stark: once mercury reaches the sea, it becomes a traveler with no passport expiry. And as the new isotope “fingerprints” show, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-threaten-arctic-wildlife-and-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic’s wildlife</a> - and the people who depend on it - will keep feeling the aftershocks of 19th- and 20th-century pollution well into the 22nd.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-60356-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Mercury pollution rides ocean currents north, threatening Arctic wildlife

Mercury levels in Arctic animals keep climbing even though the...

The Karoo stretches across more than 150,000 square miles of semi-arid South Africa, a place where sun-bleached soil keeps secrets older than dinosaurs. Wander its stony flats and you’ll see ridges of exposed rock that look like the pages of a giant book. 



The “chapters” span hundreds of millions of years, each one packed with fossilized bone and impressions of vanished forests. For anyone fascinated by life’s backstory, the Karoo is irresistible.



Long before geology students arrived with measuring tapes and plaster, Indigenous families lived among those same outcrops. 



The San, sometimes called the /Xam, camped at waterholes, painted hunting scenes on sandstone walls, and passed down tales of shape-shifting serpents that brewed thunderstorms. 



Their art survives in shallow caves and overhangs, capturing the everyday and the uncanny with equal care.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dicynodont-art-painted-in-caves">Dicynodont art painted in caves</h2>



The Karoo’s fossil fame rests on creatures named dicynodonts - chunky plant-eaters about the size of pigs, sporting a beak and two downward-pointing tusks. 



They ruled the Permian Period more than 250 million years ago, well before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-did-dinosaurs-come-from-missing-fossils-hold-the-secret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first dinosaur hatched</a>. 



Because the region is dry and wind-scoured, dicynodont skulls often erode straight out of hillsides; a passerby can spot the ivory-colored bone from yards away. 



It’s not hard to imagine early herders stumbling upon those skulls and weaving them into local lore.



<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_people" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The San</a> also left thousands of charcoal and ochre paintings. Some show antelope and giraffes, others depict trance dances where healers slip into the spirit world. 



Among the most intriguing images appears on a wall known as the Horned Serpent panel, created between 1821 and 1835. 



One painted figure stretches like a slender <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crocodile-evolution-was-influenced-by-environmental-factors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crocodile</a> but displays a pair of tusks that bend toward the ground - no living African animal matches that appearance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tusks-on-the-rock-wall">Tusks on the rock wall</h2>



When researchers first cataloged the panel, they guessed the creature might be a rain-making spirit. That interpretation fit San cosmology, where serpents often control clouds. 



Yet even a mythic animal usually borrows details from reality: hoof shapes, horn curls, or in this case, tusks. The puzzle lingered for decades.



A fresh investigation recently took a different angle. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/cave-art_south-africa_1800s_dicynodont-extinct_credit-Julien-Benoit_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/cave-art_south-africa_1800s_dicynodont-extinct_credit-Julien-Benoit_1s.webp" alt="Painting of the dicynodont made by the San in the early 1800s. Credit: Julien Benoit" class="wp-image-1973469"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Painting of the dicynodont made by the San in the early 1800s. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Julien Benoit</figcaption></figure>



After carefully comparing the painted outline with dozens of Karoo fossils, a paleontologist noticed striking overlap - head shape, tusk angle, and body proportions mirrored those of a typical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gordonia-traquairi-pig-like-creature-discovered-roamed-earth-250-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dicynodont skeleton</a>. 



The artist seems to have sketched what looks like a fossil skull still embedded in rock, then fused it with a serpent’s sinuous torso.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-for-answers">Searching for answers</h2>



The idea gains strength from archaeology. Dig sites near San shelters have yielded chipped stone tools alongside fossil fragments carried from distant outcrops. 



That means people collected ancient bones, perhaps as curios or ritual objects. 



Oral traditions recorded in the late 1800s even speak of colossal beasts that once walked the land before “the ground dried and cracked.” Those tales echo the fossil record’s story of extinction during the end-Permian mass die-off.



If the cave art painting really captures a dicynodont, it predates formal paleontology. Western science first named a species in 1845, yet the Horned Serpent panel was finished no later than 1835. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/cave-art_south-africa_1800s_dicynodont_horned-serpent-panel_credit-Julien-Benoit_1s.webp" alt="The Horned Serpent panel. A, general view of the Horned Serpent panel photographed in 2024 by the author. B, close up of the section figured in Stow and Bleek's plate 39. C, close up of the tusked animal. D, close up of the warriors painted below the Horned Serpent panel. E, close up of the warriors painted to the right of the panel. Credit: Julien Benoit, 2024, PLOS ONE" class="wp-image-1973466"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Horned Serpent panel. A, general view of the Horned Serpent panel photographed in 2024 by the author. B, close up of the section figured in Stow and Bleek's plate 39. C, close up of the tusked animal. D, close up of the warriors painted below the Horned Serpent panel. E, close up of the warriors painted to the right of the panel. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Julien Benoit, 2024, PLOS ONE</figcaption></figure>



“The painting was made in 1835 at the latest, which means this dicynodont was depicted at least ten years before the western scientific discovery and naming of the first dicynodont by Richard Owen in 1845," noted Julien Benoit of the <a href="https://www.wits.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Witwatersrand</a>, author of this study. 



"This work supports [the fact] that the first inhabitants of southern Africa, the San hunter-gatherers, discovered fossils, interpreted them and integrated them in their rock art and belief system.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deciphering-the-dicynodont-art">Deciphering the dicynodont art</h2>



Benoit and colleagues photographed the panel under varying light, traced outlines digitally, and matched them with museum specimens. 



The correlation, they argue, is too tight to be chance. Their work joins a handful of cases worldwide - China, Australia, North America - where Indigenous art may double as the earliest depiction of extinct animals.



The research also nudges scientists to widen their lens. Fossil discovery stories often center on explorers in pith helmets, but communities living alongside outcrops have noticed, collected, and wondered about old bones for millennia. 



Recognizing that legacy broadens the history of paleontology and honors knowledge systems that predate universities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Beyond scholarly credit, the find invites fresh partnerships. Rock art sites need protection from erosion, vandalism, and mining. 



By linking paintings to fossils, heritage managers can argue for preserving whole landscapes rather than isolated walls. That approach safeguards both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-played-a-spiritual-role-in-prehistoric-cave-art/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cultural memory</a> and the deep-time record locked in nearby strata.



The study also sparks questions for educators. Imagine guiding school groups to a shelter where a dicynodont skull rests at the foot of a painted serpent. 



Students could trace a line from 250-million-year-old mud to a 19th-century brushstroke, then to modern CT scans revealing bone microstructure. 



Such encounters make earth science tangible and show that curiosity about ancient life is a shared human trait, not an imported discipline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-is-this-dicynodont-art-possible">How is this dicynodont art possible?</h2>



Evidence that the San looked at fossils and painted what they saw does more than solve an art mystery. It stitches together culture, geology, and memory across staggering spans of time. 



In the Karoo, one can touch Triassic bone, read a 19th-century pigment trail, and hear present-day scholars debating both. Each element enriches the others. 



The Horned Serpent panel stands as a quiet reminder that the urge to understand our planet’s past didn’t begin in lecture halls - it began wherever someone knelt beside a curious rock and started to wonder.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0309908" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Cave art discovery depicts an animal that went extinct 280-million-years ago, baffling scientists

The Karoo stretches across more than 150,000 square miles of...

A herd of mastodons, rhinoceroses, and giant deer once roamed freely across Earth. Their lives shaped landscapes for tens of millions of years. In a sweeping new study, scientists examined fossil records from more than 3,000 large herbivores to see how their world shifted, and how it didn’t.



An international team of researchers led by Fernando Blanco at the <a href="https://www.gu.se/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a> discovered that herbivore <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-herbivore-extinctions-drastically-affect-forest-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> remained surprisingly steady for long stretches. But they also pinpointed two pivotal moments where the balance flipped.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-herbivores-shifted-during-climate-change">Herbivores shifted during climate change</h2>



The first ripple hit around 21 million years ago. A land bridge emerged as the ancient Tethys Sea closed. Suddenly, elephants and relatives could walk from Africa into Eurasia. Other hoofed animals, deer, pigs, rhinos, joined them.&nbsp;



“The environmental pressure was so great that the entire system underwent global reorganization,” noted Blanco. At this point, hoofed communities didn’t collapse, they reassembled. 



Larger brows­ing species with mid‑to‑high crowned molars became dominant. Network analyses of those fossil data reveal a shift to a new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-with-high-body-temperatures-often-become-herbivores/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">system</a> across continents, the first major global transformation in herbivore functional types.



Roughly ten million years later, another reinvention unfolded, this time silently. A cooling, drying climate expanded grasslands worldwide. Forest‑dwelling browsers declined. Grazers equipped with tougher teeth spread.



A functional tipping point followed, reshaping the roles of herbivores again. Grazers and mixed feeders dominated, equipped with both high‑ and low‑crowned teeth. From then on, functional diversity began a long decline, a trend scientists trace onward through the <a href="https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/quaternary/ple.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pleistocene</a> and beyond.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-species-same-ecosystem-structure">Different species, same ecosystem structure</h2>



“It’s like a football team changing players during a match but still keeping the same formation. Different species came into play but they fulfilled similar ecological roles, so the overall structure remained the same,” explained Ignacio A. Lazagabaster of CENIEH in Spain. 



Despite these transformations, the ecosystem backbone remained intact. Even as mastodons, woolly mammoths, and giant rhinos disappeared in the last 129,000 years, the roles they played weren’t lost. 



The network models show that after these extinctions, community configurations, known as continental functional faunas, remained remarkably consistent.



That consistency holds through the last 4.5 million years, reflecting resilience through ice ages and environmental upheavals. Still, the team warns that modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tricking-animals-with-odor-could-save-plants-from-browsing-damage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> loss is happening much faster - and could trigger a third tipping point before ecosystems can adjust.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-these-transitions-matter-now">Why these transitions matter now</h2>



Functional diversity began declining around 10 million years ago, during the spread of C4 grasses and shrinking forests. As herbivores with specialized teeth rose to dominance, the global count of functional roles dropped by about 65 percent in roughly 5 million years.&nbsp;



The drop intensified around 2.5 million years ago with glacial cycles and major biotic exchanges, like <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2987556/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Great American Interchange</a>.



Still, the overall shape of ecosystems held firm. The continents shared similar functional configurations even as roles vanished. But today, the authors caution, biodiversity is receding much faster. They warn that another irreversible reorganization may soon be triggered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-herbivores-and-modern-changes">Herbivores and modern changes</h2>



<a href="https://stri.si.edu/story/hungry-megaherbivores" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Megaherbivores</a>, those weighing more than a ton, have largely vanished. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/proboscidean" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proboscideans</a>, which once numbered up to 33 species, now survive as just a handful. Yet scientists estimate that they comprised only about 15-18 percent of functional types in most regions. Their loss reduces ecosystem richness but didn’t break the system.



“We may soon reach a third global tipping point, one that we’re helping to accelerate,” said Juan L. Cantalapiedra of Spain’s <a href="https://www.mncn.csic.es/es" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MNCN</a>.



The study highlights the importance of large herbivores in ecosystem function. Conservation efforts that protect or reintroduce them could help restore key ecological roles lost in recent millennia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signals-from-the-fossil-record">Signals from the fossil record</h2>



The fossil record offers a rare, long-term perspective on ecological resilience. By tracking traits like <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1349007922000895" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tooth morphology</a> and body size across thousands of extinct herbivores, the researchers built a detailed picture of how animals responded to shifting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-grazers-secretly-shape-plant-growth-and-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environments</a> over time. 



The team's data-driven approach captured how new species stepped into familiar roles, even after dramatic losses. The research reveals a disconnect between species loss and system collapse. 



While many individual species disappeared, their ecological roles often lived on through new players. That buffering capacity is what kept herbivore ecosystems functionally stable for 60 million years. The question now is whether that same resilience can hold under today’s faster pace of change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-the-roles-of-herbivores">Protecting the roles of herbivores</h2>



Ancient ecosystem changes took thousands to millions of years to unfold. Humans are transforming biodiversity on century scales. This study shows that large herbivore communities can adapt to change - but only up to a point.



If current declines continue, we risk triggering a shift beyond recovery. Protecting the functional diversity of herbivores is as crucial as protecting population numbers. 



Restoring or preserving herbivore populations may help systems stay resilient as conditions continue to change.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59974-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Herbivores survived millions of years of change - but now face a modern crisis

A herd of mastodons, rhinoceroses, and giant deer once roamed...

A year-long experiment on a Central Valley dairy farm has confirmed that sealing manure lagoons under gas-tight tarps can trap roughly 80 percent of the methane they would otherwise release.



By capturing the gas and sending it to fuel markets, the system turns a potent climate threat into a usable resource.



Led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> (UCR), the study gives the first independent, year-over-year check on dairy “digesters” that California regulators have counted on to meet aggressive methane-cutting goals.



More than 130 such systems already dot the state’s milk belt. Until now, officials had relied mainly on engineering models to judge their effectiveness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capturing-methane-gas-on-a-dairy-farm">Capturing methane gas on a dairy farm</h2>



The test site sits in Tulare County, the nation’s top milk-producing region. Hot summers keep open manure ponds bubbling like low-grade cauldrons, releasing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ai-can-help-reduce-methane-emissions-from-cows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane</a> that warms the planet more than 80 times faster than carbon dioxide over two decades.



Engineers solved the problem by floating a heavy, flexible cover across the lagoon and piping the captured gas through scrubbers before sending it to truck fleets as a low-carbon diesel replacement.



“The digesters can leak, and they sometimes do,” said Francesca Hopkins, the UCR climate scientist who led the work. “But when the system is built well and managed carefully, the emissions really drop. That’s what we saw here.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-invisible"><a></a>Measuring the invisible</h2>



Hopkins’ team set up mobile gas analyzers inside a white research van. For 12 months before construction and twelve months after, they drove grid patterns around the dairy, logging hundreds of methane readings under different winds and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-fuels-dangerous-methane-feedback-loop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperatures</a>.



The before-and-after comparison showed an 80 percent decline in methane drifting off the property once the cover and piping were in place.



That figure lines up closely with the reduction assumed in California’s official climate inventory.



Most earlier studies had relied on short snapshots or on-site sensors. The new roaming approach captured seasonal swings, day-night cycles, and operational hiccups, providing a more realistic picture of performance over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leaks-fixes-and-fast-improvements"><a></a>Leaks, fixes, and fast improvements</h2>



During early tests the team picked up sudden methane spikes. They alerted <a href="https://calbioenergy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Bioenergy</a>, the company that built and operates the digester. Technicians located torn seams and loose joints, repaired them, and the plumes vanished on subsequent drives.



“This was a textbook case of adaptive management,” Hopkins said. “The partnership between scientists, the company, and the farmer really made a huge difference.”



The episode underlines a broader lesson: digesters work best when operators monitor them closely and move quickly to plug leaks.



California’s new fleet of methane-tracking satellites could help, flagging large plumes so ground crews can respond in days instead of months.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-pollutants-remain-untouched">Other pollutants remain untouched</h2>



Digesters leave other pollution untouched. They do not curb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-green-tech-ammonia-fertilizer-production-using-earths-natural-forces/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ammonia</a>, a lung-irritating gas, or tiny airborne particles that can hang over dairy counties on still summer days. 



The hardware is also expensive. Farmers need permits, financing, and maintenance contracts to keep covers inflated and engines running.



“They’re not for every farm,” Hopkins said. “But for dairies that can make it work, this is one of the most cost-effective ways we have to cut these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2023-climate-change-report-record-high-temperatures-greenhouse-gases-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a>.”



California’s climate program helps in this regard by awarding low-carbon fuel credits for each ton of methane kept out of the air. Those credits, sold to oil companies that need to hit clean-fuel targets, can repay installation costs in a few years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slashing-methane-emissions-from-dairy-farms">Slashing methane emissions from dairy farms</h2>



State agencies plan to slash dairy methane 40 percent below 2013 levels by 2030. The new study suggests that target remains within reach if existing digesters keep performing and more come online. 



The research also shows that rigorous, transparent monitoring can build confidence among regulators, industry, and local communities.



“There’s so much division in the climate space,” Hopkins said. “But this is a real example of cooperation that leads to measurable results.”



Digesters will not solve every problem tied to large-scale dairying, yet the Tulare County project proves they can deliver the climate benefit promised on their labels.



With careful design, vigilant upkeep, and open data, farms can turn what was once a methane plume into fuel for trucks, revenue for operators, and progress toward a lower-carbon future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcbb.70047">Global Change Biology Bioenergy</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Dairy farms can join the climate fight by trapping methane

A year-long experiment on a Central Valley dairy farm has...

Researchers have launched a database that tracks the maximum body size of over 85,000 marine animal species. This resource spans creatures from tiny zooplankton to massive whales.



“Put simply, biologists have tended to focus on bigger organisms. And as a result, a lot of our understanding of how marine food webs and ecosystems work is based on knowledge of these larger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ocean-animals-connect-countries-and-continents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>,” said study co-author Dr. Tom Webb from the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sheffield</a>.



For decades, marine science has placed the most emphasis on large species. Now, smaller species are getting some attention. Including them matters because they make up most of marine biodiversity and play vital ecosystem roles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-size-matters-in-marine-species">Why size matters in marine species</h2>



Body size shapes how ocean creatures live and interact. It influences where they feed, how they move, and their chances of surviving environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-oceans-day-2025-sustaining-what-sustains-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a>.



Research confirms that size patterns help predict the ecological impact of marine species. Studies show ecosystems are organized by size, with bigger animals eating smaller ones.



Missing size data has hindered climate and conservation models. With 40% of marine species now included, scientists can make stronger predictions. They expect coverage to rise to 75% in the next two years.



The project is led by Dr. Craig R. McClain at the <a href="https://louisiana.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Louisiana</a>, working with experts from Sheffield, Tufts, Stanford, Hawaiʻi, and Virginia Tech.



“Body size isn’t just a number - it’s a key to how life works,” said Professor McClain. "This database fills a critical information gap and offers a fresh perspective on ocean biodiversity."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-tech-helped-gather-size-data">How tech helped gather size data</h2>



The creation of MOBS relied on automated data mining tools that pulled species measurements from thousands of publications and records.



Advances in machine learning helped standardize inconsistent formats and reduce manual entry time.



The researchers also used global taxonomy systems like <a href="https://www.marinespecies.org/about.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WoRMS</a> to verify species names and classifications. This integration ensured that their data could be reliably linked with other major marine datasets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-massive-marine-dataset">A massive marine dataset</h2>



Known as <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.70062" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MOBS</a> (Marine Organismal Body Size Database), it records maximum measures like length, width, and height - standardized across 30 marine animal phyla. The initial release includes 85,204 species and over 181,000 size entries.



The data draws from scientific literature, museum records, and online repositories. It’s open source and freely available through <a href="https://github.com/crmcclain/MOBS_OPEN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GitHub</a>.



With size data spanning tens of thousands of species, scientists can now explore how body size evolved across different lineages. 



They can test long-standing theories about how environmental pressures, such as ocean depth or temperature, shaped the evolution of size in marine animals.



The database also enables comparisons between extinct and living species. By integrating fossil records, researchers can trace size shifts over time and investigate extinction patterns related to body size across evolutionary history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smaller-species-bigger-blind-spots">Smaller species, bigger blind spots</h2>



Scientists are already using MOBS to explore biases in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-dolphin-day-2025-honoring-the-oceans-most-playful-minds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> documentation. Smaller marine species often get overlooked in biodiversity surveys, raising questions about conservation priorities.



Researchers are also analyzing how body size changes with climate shifts. Since size affects metabolism and vulnerability, this insight is critical for forecasting ecosystem responses.



This database has real-world implications. Fishing large species disrupts food webs, and those effects ripple down to smaller prey.



Now models can account for these interactions accurately. Insights from birds show larger species face higher extinction risk. A robust marine size dataset may reveal similar trends, improving risk assessment and policy interventions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-small-vulnerable-species">Protecting small, vulnerable species</h2>



Policymakers and fisheries managers can use size data from MOBS to better regulate marine harvests. Knowing the size structure of species helps design catch limits that maintain ecological balance and prevent overexploitation.



The database also supports marine spatial planning. Regions with high concentrations of small or vulnerable species can be prioritized for conservation zones, improving how resources are allocated for ocean protection.



The project aims to integrate with <a href="https://obis.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OBIS</a> (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and other marine data platforms, enabling spatial and ecological mapping.



With open-source access, the database invites global contributions. Scientists worldwide can suggest updates, correct errors, and share measurements, promoting a community-based science model.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-education-and-citizen-science">Marine education and citizen science</h2>



The open-access nature of the MOBS database also opens doors for educators and citizen scientists. Teachers can use real species data in classrooms to introduce students to marine biology, ecology, and data science.



Citizen science groups can incorporate the database into biodiversity monitoring projects. Having access to maximum body size info helps with field identification, ecosystem modeling, and community-led marine conservation initiatives.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sand-extraction-is-an-overlooked-threat-to-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean ecosystems</a> face mounting stress. Climate change, overfishing, and habitat damage threaten marine life.



This dataset gives conservationists better tools to understand and protect ocean biodiversity. By grounding strategies in data that span tiny plankton to whales, MOBS bridges ecological gaps and supports stronger conservation efforts.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.70062" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Ecology and Biogeography</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Body size of 85,000 marine species mapped in new database

Researchers have launched a database that tracks the maximum body...

Measuring around 1 inch in length with a wingspan of approximately 2.7 inches, an ancient cicada <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-discovery-pushes-back-reptile-evolution-by-40-million-years/">fossil</a> has captured attention for preserving detailed wing veins. Researchers suggest it was part of a family of “true” singing <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/animals-we-protect/what-to-know-about-brood-x-cicadas/">cicadas</a> that are still common across many warm regions today.



Experts were intrigued by the fossil’s nearly complete form. Its wings, pressed against stone, showed patterns seldom seen in insects so old. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-cicada-fossil-was-found">How the cicada fossil was found</h2>



The study was led by <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Hui-Jiang-2134327699" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Hui Jiang</a> at the <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bonn</a> in Germany.



Their team examined layers of rock at the <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/720/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Messel Pit</a> in Germany. This site is famous for producing remarkable fossils of birds, mammals, and insects.



Scientists say the rocks where the insect was found date to about 47 million years ago. They report that the cicada’s wings and body were flattened in the sediment, leaving behind fine details.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connecting-to-an-older-lineage">Connecting to an older lineage</h2>



Researchers identified this fossil as part of the tribe <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/335506-Platypleurini" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Platypleurini</a>, which usually thrives in tropical and subtropical regions across Africa and Asia. 



The presence of this group in ancient Europe challenges previous ideas about how these insects were distributed.



Some investigators think this newly described species, Eoplatypleura messelensis, shared characteristics with modern relatives that sing loudly during summer. That links its lineage to cicadas found in similar climates where humidity and warmth are typical.



“We can’t know the exact song,” said Dr. Hui Jiang. His team proposes the ancient cicada likely produced sounds using <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/tymbal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tymbals</a>, structures that vibrate to create loud calls.



Because the fossil’s body appears a bit broader than most living cicadas, the males (though not found in these particular specimens) might have produced especially powerful tones. It is possible they reached volumes as high as today’s species or even beyond.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cicada-fossil-was-in-a-volcanic-lake">Cicada fossil was in a volcanic lake</h2>



Scientists explain that an ancient volcanic lake once covered the Messel Pit. Its lower layers had very low oxygen levels, which helped preserve organic material without rapid decay.



Sediments in the lake bed were so fine that delicate features, including wing veins, could fossilize. Research teams have uncovered many insects here, yet this cicada stands out for its intact body and wings.



Prior to this find, the earliest recognized members of this singing-cicada family were traced to other regions tens of millions of years ago. 



This fossil’s age adjusts the timeline for when these creatures established themselves outside Africa and Asia.



“Such discoveries would assist in providing better calibrations for determining a more realistic evolutionary rate,” said <a href="https://naturalhistory.si.edu/staff/conrad-labandeira" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Conrad Labandeira</a> from the <a href="https://naturalhistory.si.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian Museum of Natural History</a>. That might reshape estimates of when and where these insects roamed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-filling-evolutionary-gaps">Filling evolutionary gaps</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tooth-enamel-analysis-suggests-early-eurasians-were-multiple-species-paranthropus-robustus/">fossil</a> record for cicadas is surprisingly limited considering how widespread and noisy they are today. 



Only 44 confirmed Cicadidae fossils have been documented, making each new discovery a valuable puzzle piece for tracing their origins.



Fossils like Eoplatypleura messelensis serve as time markers for refining evolutionary trees. They help researchers test models built from molecular data and revise estimates about when key traits (like singing) first appeared.



Modern cicadas in the Platypleurini tribe often dwell in lush forests and shrubby regions with abundant moisture. The Messel region during the Eocene likely had a warm, humid climate, making it a suitable home for this insect.



By comparing wing structure and overall morphology, researchers suggest Eoplatypleura messelensis belonged to a group that probably relied on strong flight. 



This flight, combined with its potential for loud calls, would have helped it find mates and avoid predators in a dense forest canopy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-cicada-cousins">Modern cicada cousins</h2>



One modern relative, the African cicada <a href="https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/walker/ufbir/chapters/chapter_24.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brevisana brevis</a>, reaches almost 107 decibels. That is close to a jet taking off. In eastern North America, periodical cicadas often reach 90 to 100 decibels, which is about the roar of a subway.



Next year, <a href="https://cicadas.uconn.edu/broods/brood_14/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brood XIV</a> will emerge in the eastern United States. Its members appear every 17 years in billions, stirring excitement among enthusiasts who gather to witness the spectacle. 



Whether Eoplatypleura messelensis made a similar commotion remains unknown, but the findings hint at a shared ancestry for ear-splitting calls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-climates-shrinking-ranges">Shifting climates, shrinking ranges</h2>



This Messel Pit cicada might inspire deeper questions about cicada movements across continents. Scientists are eager to find more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/archaeopteryx-fossil-soft-tissue-flight-evolution-proves-darwin-right/">fossil</a> material that could reveal how these insects adapted through changing climates.



They also hope that additional specimens from Messel will confirm how early European populations compared to their modern kin in Africa and Asia. That information might illuminate how cyclical Earth events influenced cicada journeys over time.



As Earth cooled after the Eocene, the once-humid regions that supported insects like Eoplatypleura messelensis began to dry and cool. 



This shift likely forced many species southward or into extinction, helping explain why today’s Platypleurini are mostly found in tropical zones.



Evidence suggests that ancient Europe supported a much richer variety of Cicadidae species than it does today. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/romers-gap-in-the-fossil-record-now-filled-in-with-tetrapod-discovery-westlothiana-lizziae/">fossil</a> record, especially from Messel and other European sites, shows a stark contrast to the low cicada diversity now seen in regions like Germany.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-94099-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/"> EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Scientists find a 47-million-year-old cicada fossil that has even preserved the details of its wings

Measuring around 1 inch in length with a wingspan of...

Having itchy skin is a familiar annoyance for some families, and certain children seem to be hit harder than others. Why do these youngsters develop <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/">atopic eczema</a> when their friends do not - especially if they share similar environments?



A research team has been looking into whether a child’s genetic profile influences the risk of eczema. 



After reviewing a set of data involving children from several countries, the experts uncovered hints that a household <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-puppy-day-2025-where-happiness-meets-responsibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a> might help offset some of the genetic factors behind itchy skin irritation.



Professor Sara Brown from the University of Edinburgh’s <a href="http://The Institute of Genetics and Cancer https://g.co/kgs/DQMJEzs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Genetics and Cancer</a> and Dr. Marie Standl from <a href="https://www.helmholtz-munich.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helmholtz Munich</a> contributed to this work and brought fresh insight into how these influences might unfold for families everywhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-eczema-in-children">Understanding eczema in children</h2>



Eczema involves red, inflamed patches that can be difficult to soothe. This condition arises from a blend of inherited makeup and influences such as early-life bacterial contact or exposure to specific animals. 



Having a family history of dry skin issues does not guarantee a child will develop it, but it raises the odds.



Scientists have wondered why certain kids with a genetic variant live free of symptoms while others encounter a lifetime of creams and lotions. 



Studies from the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db460.htm#Key_finding" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> note that 7.3% of adults aged 18 and over have eczema.



Experts have long suspected that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-dogs-replacing-children-how-modern-society-is-changing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> might play a protective part for some children, and this new investigation adds support to that theory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-may-protect-children-from-eczema">Dogs may protect children from eczema</h2>



Families with a pet dog often report that their kids seem to have fewer episodes of skin flare-ups. The researchers wanted to see if this pattern held up at a molecular level. 



They focused on a segment of DNA near the interleukin-7 receptor (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17660817/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IL-7R</a>), which helps the body regulate immune cells.



“We know that genetic make-up affects a child’s risk of developing eczema and previous studies have shown that owning a pet dog may be protective,” said Professor Brown. 



One part of the study found that children with a slight twist in that gene could sidestep the usual risk for eczema if they had a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-our-relationships-with-dogs-matter-so-much/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a> in their household early in life.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-siblings-might-help-reduce-eczema-risk">Siblings might help reduce eczema risk</h2>



Scientists have also noticed that having older brothers or sisters might offer some protection. Observations point to a possible link between exposure to unique bacteria from siblings and a child’s reaction to environmental triggers. 



Further research is needed to confirm how varied bacterial environments influence the genetic component of eczema.



“Not every preventive measure works for everyone, and that’s precisely why gene-environment studies are crucial,” said Dr. Standl. 



Families sometimes consider adding a second child or adopting a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-suffer-from-the-january-blues-just-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a> to reduce eczema risk. Not every measure works for everyone.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-don-t-work-for-every-eczema-case">Dogs don’t work for every eczema case</h2>



Scientists emphasize that having a dog from day one does not guarantee eczema-free skin. The recent work did not examine the effects of dogs on treating existing cases of eczema. 



Many professionals caution that introducing an animal might irritate symptoms that are already present.



The researchers suggest that contact with dog-related bacteria might shape a child’s immune response in ways that shift how that interleukin-7 receptor behaves. 



Though this gene variation is not the only cause of eczema, it appears to be important in controlling inflammation. Early-life dog exposure could modify that gene’s effect so the skin’s defensive barriers stay in better shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-diversity-in-research-matters">Why diversity in research matters</h2>



The latest findings draw primarily from white European participants, prompting calls for more studies in other populations. 



Eczema affects millions of people <a href="https://nationaleczema.org/eczema-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worldwide</a>, including groups with differing genetic backgrounds. A broader pool of participants will help clarify how these discoveries apply to families everywhere.



Parents often wonder if a dog in the home might lower the odds of their child facing red, itchy skin every night. These early results support the idea that dog ownership might help in specific genetic situations. 



More data from a wider range of people will show whether the same pattern exists in other populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eczema-genetics-and-the-future">Eczema, genetics, and the future</h2>



Experts continue exploring the interplay between genetic traits and outside factors to better understand why some children develop eczema. They aim to refine the science so parents have straightforward answers about potential lifestyle steps. 



Future work may also investigate whether other pets or environmental exposures shape this immune balance.



The study team believes that continuing to map the roles of various gene variants could open the door to targeted prevention. 



Parents can stay alert to new findings on additional ways to keep a child’s skin barrier strong. They may also want to consult a pediatrician before making major decisions, especially if a youngster already struggles with chronic irritation.



This study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.16605" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Allergy</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Dogs might protect children from developing this chronic and common condition

Having itchy skin is a familiar annoyance for some families,...

With names like the blue jay and the mallard, birds are among the most familiar wildlife to the general public. Yet bird naming - where the names come from, what they mean - has remained surprisingly underexplored.



A new study offers the most detailed look yet into this world, revealing patterns that stretch from biology to mythology - and even mistaken medieval beliefs.



Researchers from <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/">New York University</a> (NYU) and the <a href="https://nhm.org/">Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County</a> have compiled a massive database of nearly 11,000 English bird names. The findings show that nearly 90 percent are based on physical or ecological traits, while just 11 percent honor people.



The project is one of the first to quantify the structure and sources behind bird naming. It comes at a time when ornithology is reexamining how these names shape public understanding and whose stories they preserve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-comprehensive-naming-atlas"><a></a>A comprehensive naming atlas</h2>



Erin Morrison is a professor in Liberal Studies at NYU and is co-lead author of the study. "Until this database, there was no quantitative way to analyze the current state of terms in English bird names,” she said. 



“In addition to showing that a very small percentage of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-birds-one-tree-complete-evolutionary-map-reveals-hidden-links/">birds</a> are named after people, the database reveals some of the terminology we use to name birds is very specialized."



"It points towards an issue with how accessible these names are, such as the isabelline shrike and the diademed sandpiper-plover, even to native English speakers.”



The resource, called the <a href="https://sites.google.com/nyu.edu/avianlexiconatlas/home">AvianLexiconAtlas</a>, includes every known English-language bird species name. It categorizes the main descriptive term into one of ten thematic groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-bird-names-reveal">What bird names reveal</h2>



The categories range from physical characteristics, like the black-capped chickadee, to natural history traits, such as the rock pigeon. They also include cultural references and geographic ties, like the European <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/starlings-are-independent-navigators-not-copycats/">starling</a>.



Some names are straightforward: the yellow-rumped warbler clearly reflects a visual trait. Others, like Wilson’s warbler or Bonaparte’s gull, reference historical figures. 



These names often reflect who discovered or classified the species more than the birds themselves. Still others - such as the barnacle goose, once thought to hatch from barnacles - have roots in outdated folklore.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-renaming-effort-underway">Renaming effort underway </h2>



Allison Shultz is co-lead author and curator of ornithology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.



“The work gives us a rich insight into how birds are named overall,” she said. “Those naming processes can reflect all the strangeness and specificity of the people naming them, their culture, and their history - things that wouldn’t help tell you what a bird looks like.”



This disconnect between name and meaning is central to growing debates in ornithology. Names that once honored explorers or scientists are now being reconsidered. Institutions like the <a href="https://americanornithology.org/">American Ornithological Society</a> are moving to rename all species currently named after people.



The new study offers hard data to guide that shift, revealing just how few species actually fall into that category.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-how-we-name-birds">Changing how we name birds</h2>



Common names are often the public’s main entry point to a species. Just as “California <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-animals-feel-the-beat-ronan-the-sea-lion-might-just-prove-it/">sea lion</a>” or “brown bear” might quickly convey meaning, bird names should do the same - but many don’t.



“In ornithology, there has been significant reflection among both professional researchers and amateur naturalists about what the terminology in regionally standardized English-language common names should communicate about species of birds,” Morrison noted.



The database could help guide future renaming decisions. It offers a consistent reference for how names are formed, what they signal, and whether they help or hinder understanding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-classroom-idea-becomes-global-tool">Classroom idea becomes global tool</h2>



The project began in Morrison’s Life Science class at NYU in fall 2022, when students identified what type of descriptor formed the basis of a bird’s name.



They examined thousands of names and sorted them into categories: size, behavior, habitat, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-dinosaurs-to-birds-the-mysterious-origin-of-feathers/">plumage</a>, geography, or human reference.



“We found that 1,000 of the 11,000 species were named after male-only plumage, but just 20 were named after female-only plumage,” Shultz said. "The orange-bellied antwren is one of the few."



Students and faculty from NYU’s Liberal Studies program contributed to the final dataset and co-authored the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-names-more-inclusive">Making names more inclusive</h2>



The research team hopes that the AvianLexiconAtlas will serve as a foundational tool for both scientists and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birdwatching-can-significantly-improve-students-mental-health/">birdwatchers</a>. It includes not only the core dataset but also a glossary and a gazetteer to decode unfamiliar terms.



That may be especially helpful in parsing names like the Pincoya storm-petrel - named for a Chilean sea spirit said to dance on the waves - or the obscurely labeled baglafecht weaver.



“In the future, we look forward to combining what we learned with rich sources of data like our bird collections to understand the connections between birds and people better,” Shultz said. 



“Overall, this work provides valuable insights in helping develop approachable names that help strengthen this connection and ultimately help protect birds and nature.”



With names playing a central role in how people relate to the natural world, the project encourages a more thoughtful approach to how species are introduced, remembered, and preserved.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0325890">PLOS One</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Origins and oddities of bird names mapped for the first time

With names like the blue jay and the mallard, birds...

Acute diarrhea affects nearly 1 in 12 dogs annually in the UK. This stat comes from a new analysis of over 2.2 million vet health records. 



Led by Dan O’Neill at the <a href="https://www.rvc.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Veterinary College</a>, this study uncovers which dogs are most at risk, what symptoms they show, and how vets treat them.



“Experiencing the dreaded ‘poonami’ with your dog is one of those events any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-may-respond-to-each-other-through-blinking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a> owner fears. This new study shows that diarrhea events are very common in dogs but that owners should not panic - no matter how bad the deluge, most dogs will recover in a few days after veterinary treatment,” Dr. O’Neil noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-breeds-and-diarrhea-risk">Dog breeds and diarrhea risk</h2>



Some dogs are significantly more likely to suffer from diarrhea. The top at-risk <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-compares-dna-of-chernobyl-dogs-to-canines-living-outside-the-radiation-zone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breeds</a> include Cavapoo, Maltese, Miniature Poodle, German Shepherd, Yorkshire Terrier, and Cockapoo. 



Cavapoos had the highest annual incidence risk at nearly 15 percent, followed closely by Maltese and Miniature Poodles.



Why these breeds? Genetics may play a role, but it’s also possible that lifestyle and owner behavior matter. For example, owners of popular designer crossbreeds like Cavapoos may visit vets more often, leading to more diagnoses. 



Still, even accounting for this, the odds ratios point to real predispositions, especially in Miniature Poodles and their crossbred descendants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designer-breeds-face-higher-diarrhea-odds">Designer breeds face higher diarrhea odds</h2>



Designer crossbreeds like Cockapoos and Cavapoos showed a higher risk than general crossbreeds or purebreds. 



This challenges the idea that hybrid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-understand-words-even-in-monotone-speech/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> always benefit from hybrid vigor. Owners should be aware that these trendy dogs might need more digestive care than expected.



Interestingly, Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas had lower odds of being diagnosed. These findings might help inform breed-specific guidance and early prevention efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-affects-dog-diarrhea-risk">Age affects dog diarrhea risk</h2>



Age stood out as a major factor. Dogs under 3 years and over 9 years had significantly higher odds of diarrhea. Puppies may eat things they shouldn’t. Older dogs might suffer due to weakened gut health or age-related illness.



The researchers found that very young dogs (under the age of one) had 2.4 times the odds of diarrhea compared to middle-aged dogs. Dogs over 14 had nearly 2.6 times the odds. For both groups, careful diet and close monitoring are key.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-common-symptoms-and-what-to-expect">Common symptoms and what to expect</h2>



For most of the dogs in the study, diarrhea was accompanied by other symptoms. Vomiting was seen in 44 percent of cases. Reduced appetite affected 28 percent, and 24 percent were lethargic. A smaller group of dogs (about 13 percent) showed signs of abdominal pain.



Roughly 29 percent of the cases were classified as hemorrhagic (bloody). Surprisingly, blood in stools did not increase the likelihood of lab testing on the first vet visit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simple-care-for-dog-diarrhea">Simple care for dog diarrhea</h2>



Most cases were managed with supportive care. Probiotics were used in 60 percent of cases. Dietary changes were prescribed in 44 percent. 



Antibiotics, though discouraged for mild cases, were still used in 38 percent of all cases. The most common was oral metronidazole.



Even more striking, 59 percent of hemorrhagic cases were treated with antibiotics, despite guidelines saying they usually should not be. These decisions seem driven by concern for the dog’s well-being and owner anxiety, not always evidence-based need.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-antibiotic-overuse-a-problem">Is antibiotic overuse a problem?</h2>



Veterinary experts have warned about this for years. Antibiotics should not be the go-to for uncomplicated diarrhea. 



Overuse of antibiotics heightens the risk of resistance and gut microbiome imbalance. Yet, fear of client dissatisfaction and ingrained habits keep antibiotics in play.



A recent European panel strongly advised against giving antibiotics to dogs with mild or moderate diarrhea, even if it’s bloody. They emphasize fluid therapy and dietary support instead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-should-dog-owners-do">What should dog owners do?</h2>



Don't panic. Over 80 percent of diarrhea cases resolved with just one vet visit. Most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-our-relationships-with-dogs-matter-so-much/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> got better within a few days, even without lab tests or medication.



But stay alert if your dog is very young, elderly, or from a high-risk breed. Monitor for repeated episodes, especially if blood is present or other symptoms appear.



This study gives vets and owners something rare: data from real dogs, in real clinics, across the UK. The message is clear. Diarrhea is common, but most dogs recover fast. Awareness, not alarm, is the best first step.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0324203" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Some dogs have a higher risk of digestive problems like diarrhea

Acute diarrhea affects nearly 1 in 12 dogs annually in...

Life almost ended 252 million years ago. The end-Permian mass extinction wiped out 81% of marine life and over half of land-based <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-lizards-help-keep-madagascars-forests-alive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>. But not everything perished. Among the survivors were the archosauromorphs, small early reptiles that would later give rise to crocodiles, dinosaurs, and birds.



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-found-to-have-a-sixth-sense-gecko-hearing-vibrations-changing-science-view-of-sound/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> were not supposed to survive the intense heat of the early Triassic tropics. Scientists considered this zone nearly lifeless. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-reptiles-crossed-deadly-zones">Ancient reptiles crossed deadly zones</h2>



New research published in the journal Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution&nbsp;reveals that archosauromorphs did more than endure the deadly zone. They moved through it.



Using a modeling system called TARDIS, which maps dispersal across time and space, researchers estimated the migration routes of 392 archosauromorph species. 



The model linked fossils with landscape data and climate reconstructions, exposing hidden paths through so-called inhospitable regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-adaptability-and-niche-expansion">Climate adaptability and niche expansion</h2>



The study showed that these reptiles had much wider climate tolerances than fossil <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reptile-ancestors-appeared-40-million-years-earlier-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> alone suggested. They adapted to extreme environments, including hot and dry zones with high temperature seasonality and low rainfall.



This ability to cross geographic and climatic barriers helped them enter new ecological niches. These movements likely shaped the evolutionary path that led to the rise of dinosaurs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-ancient-reptiles-outlived-extinction">How ancient reptiles outlived extinction</h2>



“Amid the worst climatic event in Earth’s history, where more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-discovery-pushes-back-reptile-evolution-by-40-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> died than at any period since, life still survived," said Dr. Joseph Flannery-Sutherland from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a>, who led the study.



"We know that archosauromorphs as a group managed to come out of this event and over the Triassic period became one of the main players in shaping life thereafter."



“Gaps in their fossil record have increasingly begun to tell us something about what we weren’t seeing when it comes to these reptiles. Using our modeling system, we have been able to build a picture of what was happening to the archosauromorphs in these gaps and how they dispersed across the ancient world."



According to Dr. Flannery-Sutherland, the results of the study suggest that these reptiles were much hardier to the extreme climate of the Pangaean tropical dead zone, able to endure these hellish conditions to reach the other side of the world. 



"It’s likely that this ability to survive the inhospitable tropics may have conferred an advantage that saw them thrive in the Triassic world," he noted. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-evolutionary-radiation">Tracking evolutionary radiation</h2>



The paper describes how the reptiles’ dispersal began in the northern supercontinent Laurasia. Over time, they crossed Central Pangaean mountains and entered southern Gondwana. 



By the Wordian stage, long-distance movements had begun. These ancient reptiles not only traveled across land but also ventured into regions that lacked any fossil record. These regions were once thought off-limits.



The team found that climate conditions during these travels included both very high temperatures and arid environments. Their movement wasn’t random. It often followed low-elevation coastal routes, sometimes aided by monsoon-like humidity along ancient seashores.



“The evolution of life has been controlled at times by the environment, but it is difficult to integrate our limited and uncertain knowledge about the ancient landscape with our limited and uncertain knowledge about the ecology of extinct organisms," noted Professor Michael Benton, senior author of the study.



"But by combining the fossils with reconstructed maps of the ancient world, in the context of evolutionary trees, we provide a way of overcoming these challenges.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capturing-the-full-story-of-reptiles">Capturing the full story of reptiles</h2>



The oldest fossils were found in Europe, but that may reflect better sampling rather than true origins. The study's models show that archosauromorphs could have existed elsewhere long before they appeared in the fossil record. 



In fact, dispersal paths into South America and North America predate the oldest known fossils there by up to 15 million years.



By measuring climate variables along these ancient migration routes, the researchers captured broader ecological diversity than fossils alone could show. This reveals how species adapted as they moved through different environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-other-ancient-animals">Tracking other ancient animals</h2>



The authors suggest that similar modeling approaches could apply to other ancient lineages with poor fossil records. By coupling evolutionary trees with climate and terrain data, scientists can rebuild missing chapters of evolutionary history.



These early reptiles didn’t just bounce back from catastrophe. They reshaped their world through resilience and movement. Their journey laid the groundwork for the age of dinosaurs and ultimately modern birds and crocodiles.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02739-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Reptiles survived 'hellish' conditions during Earth's worst climate crisis

Life almost ended 252 million years ago. The end-Permian mass...

The Cambrian period, around 520 million years ago, was an age of experimentation. Life in the seas was trying out every possible body plan, searching for combinations that worked. 



One line of creatures, the euarthropods, hit on a winner: segmented bodies, paired jointed limbs, and a knack for tweaking those limbs into claws, feelers, and walking legs. That design still powers today’s insects, spiders, and crabs.



Until now, most clues to the early stages of that success came from flattened impressions squeezed by eons of mud and rock. They showed outlines but kept their secrets sealed. 



A newly described fossil larva named Youti yuanshi no bigger than a poppy seed and preserved in three dimensions, has flung those doors open.



This research was led by Dr. Martin Smith from <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Durham University</a>. His expertise and intuition led to this exceptional discovery, which is considerably reshaping our understanding of insect evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-youti-yuanshi-and-insect-evolution">Youti yuanshi and insect evolution</h2>



The fossil in focus, Youti yuanshi, takes us on a thrilling journey back to the Cambrian period, a time when the major animal groups we know today were <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-both-predictable-and-random/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first evolving</a>.



This fossil falls under the group of arthropods, which includes modern insects, spiders and crabs. 



What sets this fossil apart is its exceptional preservation of internal organs, offering a close-up view of life forms from a time unimaginable to us.



Using the cutting-edge synchrotron X-ray tomography at <a href="https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diamond Light Source</a>, the UK's national synchrotron science facility, the research team was able to generate 3D images of this miniature marvel.



They unveiled brain regions, digestive glands, a rudimentary circulatory system and even traces of nerves supplying the larva’s simple legs and eyes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3d-view-of-youti-yuanshi-guts">3D view of Youti yuanshi guts</h2>



This research allows us to see inside one of the earliest arthropod ancestors. It's a revelation of sort: these early arthropod-relatives had an unexpectedly advanced anatomy.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07756-8/figures/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/euarthropod-larva_youti-yuanshi_fossil_guts-preserved_credit-Nature_1s.webp" alt="Anatomical overview of Youti yuanshi - organs of a Cambrian euarthropod larva. Credit: Nature" class="wp-image-1973987"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Anatomical overview of Youti yuanshi - organs of a Cambrian euarthropod larva. Click image for more details. Credit: Nature</figcaption></figure>



"When I used to daydream about the one fossil I’d most like to discover, I’d always be thinking of an arthropod larva, because developmental data are just so central to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-flight-is-powered-by-an-extraordinary-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding their evolution</a>. But larvae are so tiny and fragile, the chances of finding one fossilized are practically zero - or so I thought!" Dr. Smith enthused.



"I already knew that this simple worm-like fossil was something special, but when I saw the amazing structures preserved under its skin, my jaw just dropped - how could these intricate features have avoided decay and still be here to see half a billion years later?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overview-of-insect-evolution">Overview of insect evolution</h2>



Dr. Katherine Dobson from the <a href="https://www.strath.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Strathclyde</a>, another key contributor to this study, shared her amazement at the near-perfect preservation of the ancient larva.



"It’s always interesting to see what’s inside a sample using 3D imaging, but in this incredible tiny larva, natural fossilization has achieved almost perfect preservation," she states.



This ancient larva holds the key to solving a myriad of questions on the evolution of multi-limbed creatures. 



For instance, the fossil reveals an ancestral ‘protocerebrum’ brain region that was pivotal in our journey towards complex, segment-headed creatures.



The observations from this fossil help trace the path that led modern arthropods to gain their remarkable anatomical complexity and diversity. 



Moreover, these findings fill a crucial gap in our understanding of how the arthropod body plan originated during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-exist-today-ediacaran-period-earth-weak-magnetic-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambrian Explosion of life</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



The discovery of Youti yuanshi not only sheds light on the evolution of early arthropods but also prompts broader reflections on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nighttime-buzz-insect-activity-increases-by-31-4-at-night/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> itself.



Understanding the anatomical features and adaptations of extinct species provides context for the diverse forms of life we observe today. 



This fossil acts as a reminder of the intricate web of evolutionary relationships that has shaped the myriad species inhabiting our planet.



As we explore these connections, we deepen our appreciation for the resilience and adaptability of life throughout the ages, underscoring the importance of preserving our current ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-insect-evolution">Future research on insect evolution</h2>



The insights from Youti yuanshi are opening up exciting new paths for research, especially in fields like evolutionary biology, paleontology, and developmental biology.



Researchers are eager to dig deeper into Cambrian period fossils, hoping to find more specimens that shed light on the complex details of early life forms. 



Plus, the techniques used in this study, like synchrotron X-ray tomography, could be applied to other fossils, helping us discover even more about the milestones in the tree of life. 



This poppy-seed fossil proves that even the tiniest finds can overturn years of assumption. 



Future digs, armed with ever-sharper imaging tools, will no doubt uncover more diminutive ambassadors from deep time, each ready to whisper another chapter of our planet’s earliest animal saga.



The fossil is now housed at <a href="https://english.ynu.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yunnan University</a> in China, its original discovery site. This eye-opening research emphasizes the crucial role of fossils in understanding our roots and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-life-and-environment-co-evolved-over-500-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution of life on Earth</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07756-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

520-million-year-old fossil discovered with brains and guts still intact, stunning the lead scientist

The Cambrian period, around 520 million years ago, was an...

Sea anemones look like simple, radial animals. Yet their bodies hide a front-to-back plan that mirrors the layout seen in animals with heads and tails. 



A new study shows that the cells of these soft-bodied creatures read chemical hints to decide which side becomes “back” and which becomes “belly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-between-sea-anemones-and-humans">Link between sea anemones and humans </h2>



Scientists at the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a> found that sea anemones rely on a process called BMP shuttling to organize their developing bodies. 



This same biological mechanism is responsible for shaping the body axes in many familiar animals from insects to vertebrates, including humans.



The discovery pushes the origin of this cellular traffic system back more than 600 million years, suggesting it was already present in a common ancestor of nearly all modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-share-hidden-behavior-patterns-across-continents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>.



This finding not only highlights the deep evolutionary connection between simple and complex organisms but also opens up new ways of thinking about how body plans are genetically encoded and inherited across generations. 



The research suggests that what we see in modern animals may be built upon a remarkably ancient and shared developmental toolkit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signals-that-guide-developing-cells">Signals that guide developing cells</h2>



Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are signals that guide developing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-first-cells-life-form-on-earth-scientists-think-they-finally-figured-it-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells</a>. A partner molecule, Chordin, can both block these signals and move them to new spots.



The moving act - shuttling - creates precise highs and lows of BMP activity. Early cells read these highs and lows like a map, turning into skin, nerve tissue, or other organs.



The researchers worked with Nematostella vectensis, a small sea anemone commonly used in laboratory studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-body-development-in-sea-anemones">Body development in sea anemones </h2>



To understand how Chordin functions, they first blocked its production in developing sea anemone embryos. As a result, BMP activity came to a halt, and the second body axis failed to form.



To test Chordin’s role further, the team introduced two different forms of the molecule: one that was fixed in place and could not move, and another that was free to drift through the embryo. 



Only the free-moving version was able to restore BMP signaling on the opposite side of the embryo. This result showed that Chordin does more than just block BMPs - it actively shuttles them across the developing body.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-matters-for-evolution">Why this matters for evolution</h2>



David Mörsdorf is the first author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology at the University of Vienna.



"Not all Bilateria use Chordin-mediated BMP shuttling, for example, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frogs-and-toads-face-new-risks-as-their-habitats-dry-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frogs</a> do, but fish don't, however, shuttling seems to pop up over and over again in very distantly related animals making it a good candidate for an ancestral patterning mechanism," said Mörsdorf.



"The fact that not only bilaterians but also sea anemones use shuttling to shape their body axes, tells us that this mechanism is incredibly ancient. It opens up exciting possibilities for rethinking how body plans evolved in early animals."



Grigory Genikhovich, senior author of the study, added that experts might never be able to exclude the possibility that bilaterians and bilaterally symmetric cnidarians evolved their bilateral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/500-million-year-old-fish-armor-may-be-the-reason-your-teeth-hurt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">body plans</a> independently.



"However, if the last common ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria was a bilaterally symmetric animal, chances are that it used Chordin to shuttle BMPs to make its back-to-belly axis. Our new study showed that," said Genikhovich.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-clues-in-simpler-creatures">Future clues in simpler creatures</h2>



The work suggests that a single, ancient blueprint guided the rise of complex body shapes across many animal lineages. Future studies may search for BMP shuttling in even older or simpler groups, testing just how deep this shared strategy runs in the history of life.



Understanding BMP shuttling in sea anemones doesn’t just tell us about the past - it could also shape the future. 



Because BMP signals are important in how all kinds of animals develop their bodies, including humans, this research could help scientists better understand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-nose-shapes-could-help-explain-human-birth-defects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birth defects</a>, tissue growth, and even how to guide stem cells into becoming the right types of tissue.



By studying these simple creatures, researchers may unlock clues about how to repair or regrow parts of the human body. And by tracing the history of how body plans evolved, scientists can more confidently predict which genes or molecules are truly essential across all animal life.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu6347" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/">Er</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">i</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/">c Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Sea anemones share a biological trick with humans

Sea anemones look like simple, radial animals. Yet their bodies...

species in Belomitridae

News coming your way