In a stark update on the deteriorating condition of our planet, an international assembly of climate experts has reported that the Earth’s vital signs have declined to levels never before witnessed in human history. This critical state threatens the very fabric of life on our planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-scientific-consensus">Unprecedented scientific consensus</h2>



Led by William Ripple, a prominent figure from the Oregon State University <a href="https://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Forestry</a>, and Christopher Wolf, formerly associated with OSU, a team comprising 12 scientists has delivered a grim prognosis on Earth&#8217;s vital signs in their paper published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/biosci/biad080" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BioScience</a>. 



Titled &#8220;The 2023 State of the climate report: Entering uncharted territory,&#8221; the study underscores that a staggering 20 out of 35 planetary vital signs used as barometers for climate health have hit record extremes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-world-on-the-brink">World on the brink</h2>



&#8220;Without decisive steps to address the fundamental issue of humanity&#8217;s overconsumption of the Earth&#8217;s resources, we are navigating towards the potential disintegration of natural and socioeconomic systems,&#8221; Wolf stated, painting a picture of a future marred by intolerable heat, food scarcity, and water shortages.



The authors highlight alarming data from 2023, pointing out that numerous records related to climate and Earth&#8217;s vital signs have been shattered &#8220;by enormous margins.&#8221; This includes unprecedented ocean temperatures, drastic reductions in sea ice, and an extraordinary Canadian wildfire season contributing to record levels of carbon dioxide emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-echoes-of-past-warnings">Echoes of past warnings</h2>



This report is not the first of its kind. It follows a significant &#8220;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-pushed-earth-to-code-red/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency</a>&#8221; published four years ago, where Ripple, alongside other collaborators, received support from over 15,000 scientists from 161 countries. 



Despite these earlier calls to action, little progress has been made, with Ripple emphasizing, &#8220;Life on our planet is unmistakably under assault.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-climate-health-statistics">Alarming climate health statistics</h2>



The report lays bare several shocking statistics that outline why Earth&#8217;s vital signs are at an all-time low.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-chief-fossil-fuel-era-must-end-for-humanitys-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fossil fuel</a> subsidies saw a staggering increase from $531 billion to over $1 trillion between 2021 and 2022, incentivizing harmful emissions. </li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-amplify-risks-for-socially-vulnerable-populations-in-western-states/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wildfires</a> in Canada alone have already contributed more than 1 gigaton of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere in 2023, surpassing the nation&#8217;s total greenhouse gas emissions the previous year. </li>



<li>A concerning trend in global temperature rise, with 38 days already recorded where temperatures were more than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/limiting-global-warming-to-1-5-degrees-celsius-would-save-billions-of-lives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1.5 degrees Celsius</a> above pre-industrial levels. </li>



<li>July experienced the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/july-was-earths-hottest-month-in-120000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highest average</a> Earth surface temperature on record, likely the most extreme in the last 100,000 years.</li>
</ul>



Wolf expressed deep concern, stating, &#8220;As scientists, the sudden escalation in the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters is deeply unsettling.&#8221;



The study cautions that these disasters&#8217; frequency and intensity might even be accelerating faster than temperature rises. The paper forecasts a dire future, where 3 to 6 billion people will find themselves in uninhabitable conditions by the end of this century.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-vital-signs-need-transformative-policies">Earth&#8217;s vital signs need transformative policies</h2>



The scientific community is advocating for policies that address &#8220;ecological overshoot,&#8221; a scenario where humanity&#8217;s demands exceed the Earth&#8217;s capacity, resulting in numerous environmental crises, including a decline in biodiversity.



They argue that solutions focusing solely on carbon or climate will fall short of repairing Earth&#8217;s vital signs unless the overarching pressures on global systems are alleviated. As Ripple puts it, the scientific community has a &#8220;moral duty&#8221; to guide humanity away from potential existential threats and lead action-driven dialogues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steering-towards-a-just-sustainable-future">Steering towards a just, sustainable future</h2>



The paper calls for a comprehensive overhaul of global economic practices. The authors of the study urge a transition that foregrounds human well-being, curtails excessive consumption, and drastically reduces affluent populations&#8217; emissions.



Key policy recommendations to reverse the decline of Earth&#8217;s vital signs include:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Eliminating fossil fuel subsidies. </li>



<li>Encouraging shifts towards plant-based diets. </li>



<li>Amplifying efforts to protect global forest areas. </li>



<li>Establishing international treaties focused on eliminating coal and preventing new fossil fuel exploration.</li>
</ul>



The authors underscore the necessity for equity and social justice in all climate-related decisions. They clearly recognize the disproportionate impact of climate calamities on the world&#8217;s most impoverished populations, who have the smallest carbon footprints.



In a world where climate-related disasters are becoming the norm rather than the exception, this clarion call from the scientific community is more urgent than ever. It implores global leaders, decision-makers, and individuals alike to embark on a more sustainable path, with the understanding that the very future of life on Earth hinges on the actions humanity takes now.



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Life under siege: Earth’s vital signs reach an all-time low

For decades, biology textbooks have told us that axons - the threadlike extensions of nerve cells - are smooth, cylindrical tubes. These axons are responsible for ferrying messages between neurons at lightning speed, playing a critical role in everything from moving your fingers to forming memories. 



But new research suggests those tidy textbook images may be due for an update.



Using cutting-edge imaging methods, scientists discovered that axons don’t quite look like straight cables. Instead, they often appear as <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/brain-cells_neuron-structure_Axon-Pearls-on-a-String-Nanomorphology_Nature-Neuroscience_1m.webp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strings of tiny bubbles - like pearls on a string</a>. 



This surprising twist in what we thought was settled biology could reshape our understanding of how the brain’s wiring really works.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-axons-aren-t-just-tubes-but-pearls">Axons aren't just tubes, but pearls</h2>



What makes axons so important is their ability to rapidly transmit electrical signals, known as action potentials. These are brief bursts of electricity that allow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-blowing-discovery-humans-possess-over-3000-different-types-of-brain-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurons to communicate</a> across long distances. 



And speed matters - wider axons, like wider roads, help messages move faster. That’s why the shape of axons has long been thought to be smooth and uniform. 



But researchers noticed something odd: using a technique called high-pressure freezing electron microscopy - which freezes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-cells-develop-faster-in-space-than-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain cells</a> in their natural shape - they didn’t see smooth tubes. They saw repeated bulges and constrictions, giving the axons a bead-like look.



These bulges are now referred to as “non-synaptic varicosities.” They aren’t just random swellings or signs of disease. They appear in healthy neurons and could actually influence how quickly messages travel through the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-internal-skeleton-with-flex">An internal skeleton with flex</h2>



So what’s causing the pearling? Inside every axon is a structural framework called the membrane periodic skeleton, or MPS. 



Think of it like a flexible scaffold made of proteins such as actin and spectrin, arranged in a repeating pattern under the membrane. This skeleton gives the axon strength and elasticity.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-024-01813-1/figures/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/brain-cells_neurons_pearled-not-tubular_credit-Nature_1s.webp" alt="Axons are pearled, not tubular, under homeostatic conditions. Credit: Nature Journal" class="wp-image-1973077"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Axons are pearled, not tubular, under homeostatic conditions. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Nature Neuroscience</figcaption></figure>



But here’s the catch: it’s not tightly glued to the axon’s outer membrane. That means the axon surface can wobble and bulge while the internal skeleton holds everything together. 



When physical forces - like tension or pressure - change, those bulges can form naturally. It’s a well-known physical phenomenon called “pearling instability,” seen in materials ranging from soap bubbles to sausages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-see-axon-pearling-structure">How to see axon pearling structure</h2>



The research team, based at Johns Hopkins, used a freezing technique that avoids the common problem of cell distortion. 



“To see nanoscale structures with standard electron microscopy, we fix and dehydrate the tissues, but freezing them retains their shape - similar to freezing a grape rather than dehydrating it into a raisin,” said Shigeki Watanabe, Ph.D., associate professor of cell biology and neuroscience at the <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine</a>.



They looked at three types of mouse neurons: lab-grown cells, adult mouse brain tissue, and embryonic mouse neurons. All of them showed the same bubbly shape in their axons - in tens of thousands of images.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signals-speed-and-sugar">Signals, speed, and sugar</h2>



The team didn’t stop with just images. They wanted to understand whether these pearl-like shapes had any functional effects on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-cells-communicate-to-support-decision-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how neurons work</a>. 



Working with theoretical biophysicist Padmini Rangamani, Ph.D., from the <a href="https://medschool.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego School of Medicine</a>, they turned to mathematical models to test different conditions.



Changing the environment around the axons - like adjusting sugar concentration or membrane tension - altered the size of the pearls. 



Adding sugar made the pearls smaller, while relaxing the membrane tension had the same effect. It seems that both physical properties and the cellular environment influence how much pearling happens.



In another test, they removed cholesterol from the axon membranes, making them softer and more fluid. When they did this, there was less pearling and a noticeable drop in the axon’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/creating-lasting-memories-damages-dna-brain-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ability to carry signals</a>. 



“A wider space in the axons allows ions [chemical particles] to pass through more quickly and avoid traffic jams,” said Watanabe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stimulating-with-electricity">Stimulating with electricity</h2>



To push the idea further, the scientists applied high-frequency electrical stimulation to the mouse neurons. This made the pearl-like segments swell - on average, they grew 8% longer and 17% wider. 



These changes lasted at least 30 minutes and boosted the speed of electrical signaling. But if the membrane was cholesterol-depleted, the pearls didn’t swell, and the signaling speed didn’t improve.



That indicates a tight relationship between axon shape, membrane composition, and signal speed. It’s not just structural - it’s functional.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-024-01813-1/figures/6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/brain-cells_neurons_pearled-morphology-observed_all-axons_credit-Nature_1s.webp" alt="Pearled morphology is observed for all axons except after chemical fixation. Credit: Nature Journal" class="wp-image-1973075"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pearled morphology is observed for all axons except after chemical fixation. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Nature Journal</figcaption></figure>



Scientists have known that axon beading can happen in dying cells or in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. But seeing it regularly in healthy cells turns old assumptions on their heads. 



These axon pearl shapes may not be signs of damage but adaptive features that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/odors-prompt-brain-cells-to-make-decisions-before-you-know-whats-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">help neurons function</a> more efficiently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-the-textbooks">Rewriting the textbooks</h2>



“This study challenges a century of understanding about axon structure,” said Watanabe. 



Until now, biology has painted axons with a broad brush - as smooth tubes with occasional bulges at synapses. But these new observations show axons as more dynamic and flexible than anyone imagined.



And if structure affects function, then this pearl-like shape might hold answers to why brain signals move the way they do - or why they fail in disease.



The discovery isn’t just about changing a diagram in a textbook. It’s about revisiting the basic assumptions of neuroscience and asking what else we might be missing in the tiny, fragile cables that run our brains.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-024-01813-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Neuroscience</a>.



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Study debunks 100-year-old understanding of what brain cells look like, forcing rewrite of biology textbooks

For decades, biology textbooks have told us that axons -...

Whales are known to be intelligent. They use complex sounds, travel in social groups, and show strong memory. But what happens when they do something not tied to feeding or mating? Could they interact in a creative and playful way using bubble rings?



For the first time, researchers from the <a href="https://www.seti.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SETI Institute</a> and the University of California at Davis (<a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Davis</a>) have documented humpback whales producing bubble rings during friendly encounters with humans.



These bubble rings differ from the bubble nets used in hunting. They appear like spinning smoke donuts, rising gently from the deep.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-insights-into-nonhuman-creativity">Rare insights into nonhuman creativity</h2>



The scientists from <a href="https://bmccowanlab.com/current-research/humpback-whale-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WhaleSETI</a> recorded 39 bubble rings from 11 whales across 12 episodes. These were observed in Hawai'i, the Dominican Republic, Mo’orea, and off the U.S. Atlantic coast.



The study offers rare insights into nonhuman creativity, and suggests that ring creation could reflect play, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-helps-humans-have-20-minute-conversation-with-humpback-whale-named-twain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication</a>, or curiosity.



At least one whale was seen making a ring using only one nostril. This detail, revealed through frame-by-frame analysis, hints at fine motor control in these large mammals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-whales-create-bubble-rings">Why do whales create bubble rings?</h2>



“Because of current limitations on technology, an important assumption of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is that extraterrestrial intelligence and life will be interested in making contact and so target human receivers,” said <a href="https://www.seti.org/our-scientists/laurance-doyle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Laurance Doyle</a>, SETI Institute scientist and co-author on the paper.



“This important assumption is certainly supported by the independent evolution of curious behavior in humpback <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-predicts-whale-movements-to-reduce-deadly-ship-strikes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales</a>.”



Bubble rings were not released in the presence of prey or during fights. Instead, whales appeared relaxed and moved slowly. 



They often approached boats or swimmers before making a ring. In nine episodes labeled inquisitive, the whales ignored other whales and focused on nearby humans or vessels.



Seven of eight ring blowers swam close - within one body length - of boats or swimmers. In one case, a whale’s ring partially surrounded a swimmer at the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-play-or-signal-the-debate-continues">Play or signal? The debate continues</h2>



“Humpback whales live in complex societies, are acoustically diverse, use bubble tools and assist other species being harassed by predators,” said co-lead author Dr. Fred Sharpe. 



“Now, akin to a candidate signal, we show they are blowing bubble rings in our direction in an apparent attempt to playfully interact, observe our response, and/or engage in some form of communication.”



While bubble rings have been seen in dolphins and beluga whales, this is the first well-documented case in baleen whales. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/humpback-whales_bubble-smoke-rings_human-communication_montage_WhaleSETI_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/humpback-whales_bubble-smoke-rings_human-communication_montage_WhaleSETI_1s.webp" alt="Composite image of at least one bubble ring from each episode. Photo attributions are as follows: (a) D. Knaub, (b) F. Nicklen, (c) D. Perrine, (d) W. Davis, (e) G. Flipse, (f) A. Henry, (g) M. Gaughan, (h) H. Romanchik, (i) D. Patton, (j) D. Perrine, (k) S. Istrup, (l) S. Hilbourne." class="wp-image-1973059"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Composite image of at least one bubble ring from each episode. Photo attributions are as follows: (a) D. Knaub, (b) F. Nicklen, (c) D. Perrine, (d) W. Davis, (e) G. Flipse, (f) A. Henry, (g) M. Gaughan, (h) H. Romanchik, (i) D. Patton, (j) D. Perrine, (k) S. Istrup, (l) S. Hilbourne. Click image to enlarge. Credit: WhaleSETI</figcaption></figure>



Earlier drone surveys covering thousands of hours in Hawai'i, Alaska, Antarctica, and Bermuda found no rings when humans were absent. This suggests <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whales-in-hot-water-will-climate-change-disrupt-their-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humpbacks</a> may direct these displays at us, either playfully or communicatively.



According to the researchers, the bubble rings often came with slow rolling, head lifts, or spy-hopping. These playful actions support the idea that ring-blowing is not accidental. One whale even played with seaweed before producing a ring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-for-alien-intelligence">Searching for alien intelligence</h2>



“Humpback whales often exhibit inquisitive, friendly behavior towards boats and human swimmers,” said co-lead author Jodi Frediani. 



“We’ve now located a dozen whales from populations around the world, the majority of which have voluntarily approached boats and swimmers blowing bubble rings during these episodes of curious behavior.”



Most rings were generated using the blowhole, with no dramatic pre-ring gestures. Unlike dolphins that prepare visibly before blowing a ring, whales give no warning. The action appears smooth and sudden, with no body jerks or O-shaped naris.



The team suggests that humpbacks may be engaging in “play with a purpose.” Play could serve as a flexible behavior for testing environments, objects, and responses. It may also allow interspecies connection, much like a dolphin lifting a swimmer or a whale inspecting a human.



As with early efforts to classify alien signals, recognizing play and curiosity in other species teaches us how to listen. 



The WhaleSETI team believes behaviors like ring-blowing may serve as training data to improve algorithms for decoding unknown signals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-whale-bubble-rings-nbsp">Significance of whale bubble rings&nbsp;</h2>



The whales showed no signs of fear, annoyance, or aggression during these events. Many lingered after producing the ring, possibly watching our reactions. One whale made 11 rings in a single episode, suggesting intentional repetition.



Patterns of bubbles - rings, plumes, bursts - may form a continuum. Some bubbles might be failed rings. Others may convey intent or social cues. Documenting these actions and their contexts can improve how we understand other minds.



The researchers urge whale watchers, swimmers, and boaters to report such sightings. Include location, behavior, and if possible, visual proof. These citizen reports help build a richer picture of whale behavior and potentially interspecies connection.



Karen Pryor, a renowned animal trainer, noted that patterns of bubble production in cetaceans constitute a mode of communication not available to terrestrial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-patterns-in-whale-songs-predict-ecosystem-shifts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammals</a>.



If whales try to communicate with us through bubble rings, even playfully, we should be listening.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.70026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Mammal Science</a>.



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Scientists photograph whales blowing 'bubble smoke rings' to communicate with humans

Whales are known to be intelligent. They use complex sounds,...

The world’s oceans are home to some of the most iconic marine megafauna, including sharks, whales, turtles, and seals. These ocean giants sit at the top of ocean food webs, playing critical roles in keeping marine ecosystems healthy. 



But they face mounting threats as human pressures reshape the oceans they call home.



A major new study has tracked the movements of over 100 marine megafaunal species to pinpoint the most important areas in our oceans for urgent conservation.



The research, conducted by a global team including scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (<a href="https://www.whoi.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHOI</a>) and The Australian National University (<a href="https://www.anu.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ANU</a>), highlights where protective efforts must focus.



The study is part of the UN-endorsed MegaMove project, a massive collaboration involving nearly 400 scientists from more than 50 countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-marine-megafauna-the-basics">Understanding marine megafauna - the basics</h2>



Marine megafauna are the giants of the ocean - large animals like whales, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/offshore-wind-farms-are-now-habitats-for-sharks-and-rays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">giant rays</a>. These creatures play critical roles in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. 



For example, whales help circulate nutrients by diving deep and then surfacing to breathe, effectively stirring the ocean layers. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-sea-turtles-swim-and-choose-their-paths-instead-of-drifting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sea turtles</a> keep seagrass beds healthy by grazing, while sharks regulate the food web by preying on the sick and weak. 



These species aren't just beautiful and fascinating - they're essential. Their presence supports biodiversity and helps oceans function as stable, resilient systems.



Despite their importance, marine megafauna face mounting threats from human activity. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seamounts-face-severe-destruction-from-bottom-trawling/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Overfishing</a>, ship strikes, entanglement in plastic waste, noise pollution, and habitat loss all take a toll. 



Climate change compounds these challenges by warming waters and disrupting migration and breeding patterns. Many of these animals are long-lived and slow to reproduce, so their populations can't bounce back quickly once harmed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-highways-of-marine-megafauna">Hidden highways of marine megafauna</h2>



Currently, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-fall-short-on-2030-biodiversity-targets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine protected areas</a> (MPAs) cover just eight percent of the world’s oceans. However, the UN High Seas Treaty aims to expand that coverage to 30 percent. This new study shows that while the 30 percent goal is important, it may not be enough.



“The impacts of a changing ocean on marine megafauna are already evident,” said Camrin Braun, assistant scientist and ocean ecologist at WHOI. 



“Our recent work tracking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-marine-predators-may-suffer-massive-habitat-loss-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine predators</a>, including an earlier WHOI-led study, indicates changes in the ocean are expected to fundamentally alter the status quo for where these species are and how they live.”



The research team tracked animal movements to find areas critical for feeding, breeding, and migration.



“We found that the areas used by these animals overlap significantly with threats like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tuna-fishing-gear-is-harming-oceans-more-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fishing</a>, shipping, warming temperatures, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-is-changing-the-entire-earth-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic pollution</a>,” said Ana Sequeira, marine ecologist at ANU and the study’s lead author. 



“The 30 percent protection goal is seen as helpful but insufficient to protect all important areas, meaning that additional mitigation strategies are needed to alleviate pressures beyond areas that will be protected.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-effort-to-protect-marine-megafauna">Global effort to protect marine megafauna</h2>



The MegaMove project, launched by Sequeira in 2020, aims to unite the marine movement ecology community to confront the urgent challenges facing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cascading-oxygen-loss-could-endanger-our-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean life</a>.



“MegaMove brings together an international network of researchers to provide innovative research to advance the global conservation of marine megafauna,” Sequeira said.



The team emphasizes that while expanding protected areas is crucial, it’s equally important to tackle threats outside those zones.



“Our research shows that, in addition to protected areas, implementing mitigation strategies like changing fishing gear, using different lights in nets, and traffic schemes for ships will be key to alleviating current human pressure on these species,” Sequeira explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ranking-oceans-for-conservation">Ranking oceans for conservation</h2>



Study co-lead author Dr. Jorge Rodríguez, from Instituto de Física Interdisciplinar y Sistemas Complejos, shared new insights on how the team identified priority areas for marine megafaunal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-conservation-credit-system-could-reduce-costs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a>.



“We’ve outlined the top areas for 30 percent protection, ranking them based on their use by marine megafaunal species,” Rodríguez said.



“Our analysis identifies which areas in the global ocean these species are using as residencies or migratory corridors. We specifically focused on ranking higher those areas used for these important behaviors by the largest number of species.”



According to Sequeira, even if the whole 30 percent protection were selected in key areas used by marine megafauna, it would still not be enough to conserve them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-a-changing-ocean">Preparing for a changing ocean</h2>



Braun emphasized the need for flexibility in conservation strategies as ocean conditions continue to evolve.



“Adaptive management approaches, and stronger mitigation strategies are critical components of the coordinated international approach necessary to conserve these species into the future,” Braun said. 



“We need all the tools we can get if we are going to successfully balance conservation goals with human uses in a changing ocean.”



The study connects closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 14, which focuses on life below water.



By combining large-scale tracking data and coordinated international efforts, this research offers a clear path forward - a future where marine megafauna continue to thrive alongside a growing human presence on the seas.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl0239" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Marine megafauna face growing threats - despite global protections

The world’s oceans are home to some of the most...

Greenland’s eastern edge rarely causes a stir, yet instruments across the world lit up at the same time with a slow, steady beat that lasted nine full days. 



The pulse rose and fell every ninety-two seconds - far too sluggish for people to feel but strong enough to rattle bedrock from Alaska to Australia. No typical quake behaves that way.



Scientists soon linked the signal to Greenland's Dickson Fjord, a narrow inlet hemmed in by 3,000-foot cliffs. 



<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59851-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fresh satellite images</a> showed a new scar where a section of mountain had vanished. Something colossal had struck the water and set the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/mysterious-arc-joins-ice-on-a-fjord-in-western-greenland/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fjord in motion</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-falls-dickson-fjord-rises">Mountain falls, Dickson Fjord rises</h2>



On September 16, 2023, more than 25 million cubic yards of rock and ice - enough to fill 10,000 Olympic-size pools - broke loose and plunged into Dickson Fjord.



The impact hurled up a mega-tsunami wave, reaching about 650 feet high. 



The surge barreled down the two-mile corridor, bounced off the headland, and tore back again, wrecking roughly $200,000 in equipment at an empty research post on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Island" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ella Island</a>.



Water did not calm after the first pass. Instead, it began rocking from wall to wall, a motion known as a seiche. 



Computer models later showed the surface rising as much as 30 feet, then sinking the same amount in a steady rhythm that pressed on the seafloor like a giant piston.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unusual-heartbeat-in-the-crust">Unusual heartbeat in the crust</h2>



Seismic stations normally record frantic scribbles during earthquakes. This time, the trace formed smooth peaks spaced a minute and a half apart and barely weakened over the better part of two weeks. 



No seiche had ever produced such a persistent global signature. One modeling group pegged the slosh at about 8½ feet; a second group estimated 23 to 30 feet. 



The disagreement stemmed from different assumptions about the fjord’s shape, but both sets of simulations agreed on the source: the landslide-driven wave. 



“It was a big challenge to do an accurate computer simulation of such a long-lasting, sloshing tsunami,” said Alice Gabriel of UC San Diego’s <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigators-follow-the-clues">Investigators follow the clues</h2>



The mystery drew seventy-plus researchers from forty-one institutions. 



“When we set out on this scientific adventure, everybody was puzzled and no one had the faintest idea what caused this signal,” said Kristian Svennevig of the <a href="https://eng.geus.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland</a>. 



“All we knew was that it was somehow associated with the landslide. We only managed to solve this enigma through a huge interdisciplinary and international effort.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/greenland-mega-tsunami_dickson-fjord_landslide-location_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/greenland-mega-tsunami_dickson-fjord_landslide-location_1s.webp" alt="Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image of the Dickson Fjord in East Greenland. Credit: Thomas Monahan." class="wp-image-1972830"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image of the Dickson Fjord in East Greenland. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Thomas Monahan.</figcaption></figure>



Field teams measured fresh gouges high on the cliffs, while supercomputers recreated the avalanche’s path and the fjord’s response. 



“It was exciting to be working on such a puzzling problem with an interdisciplinary and international team of scientists,” said Robert Anthony of the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Geological Survey</a>. 



“Ultimately, it took a plethora of geophysical observations and numerical modeling from researchers across many countries to put the puzzle together and get a complete picture of what had occurred.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-s-silent-hand">Climate’s silent hand</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-ice-sheet-jakobshavn-glacier-seen-melting-in-real-time-from-earth-orbit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glacier ice</a> once buttressed the failing slope, but warming air and ocean water have eaten away at that natural brace. 



“Climate change is shifting what is typical on Earth, and it can set unusual events into motion,” Gabriel noted. 



Similar instability elsewhere triggered a deadly tsunami in <a href="https://esurf.copernicus.org/articles/8/1021/2020/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karrat Fjord</a> in 2017 that destroyed eleven houses and claimed four lives.



Dickson Fjord sits near a popular cruise route. Though no passengers were present last year, the episode highlights rising risks as Arctic travel grows. 



Authorities are now reviewing early-warning options that combine satellite feeds with real-time seismic data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-satellites-sharpen-the-picture">Satellites sharpen the picture</h2>



Conventional radar altimeters see only a thin line beneath each spacecraft. By contrast, the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (<a href="https://swot.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWOT</a>) mission launched in December 2022 maps a 30-mile-wide swath with 8-foot resolution. 



“Climate change is driving the emergence of unprecedented extremes, particularly in remote regions like the Arctic, where our ability to monitor conditions using traditional physical sensors is limited,” explained Thomas Monahan of the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>.



“SWOT represents a breakthrough in our ability to study oceanic processes in areas such as fjords - places that have long posed challenges for earlier satellite technologies," Monahan continued. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/greenland-mega-tsunami_dickson-fjord_landslide-location_Copernicus-Sentinel-2-data_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/greenland-mega-tsunami_dickson-fjord_landslide-location_Copernicus-Sentinel-2-data_1s.webp" alt="Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image of the Dickson Fjord in East Greenland with the observed sea-surface height measurements from the SWOT satellite of the Earth-shaking wave on October 11th overlaid. Credit: Thomas Monahan." class="wp-image-1972832"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image of the Dickson Fjord in East Greenland with the observed sea-surface height measurements from the SWOT satellite of the Earth-shaking wave on October 11th overlaid. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Thomas Monahan.</figcaption></figure>



"This research highlights how next-generation Earth observation satellites can transform our understanding of these dynamic environments."



Professor Thomas Adcock, also from Oxford, remarked, “This study demonstrates how advanced satellite data can finally illuminate phenomena that have eluded us for years.”



He added, “We’re now gaining new insights into oceanic extremes like tsunamis, storm surges, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-extreme-rogue-wave-recorded-in-the-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rogue waves</a>. To fully harness the potential of these new datasets, we’ll need to push the boundaries of both machine learning and our understanding of ocean physics.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-dickson-fjord">Lessons from Dickson Fjord</h2>



Researchers are now combing seismic archives for similar slow pulses. 



“This shows there is stuff out there that we still don't understand and haven't seen before,” said Carl Ebeling of Scripps. 



“The essence of science is trying to answer a question we don't know the answer to - that's why this was so exciting to work on.”



Every new discovery will refine models of how slope failure, fjord geometry, and water depth interact. 



Better forecasts could one day provide critical minutes of warning for ships and settlements in high-latitude waters - proof that even the quietest corners of the planet deserve a closer listen.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adm9247" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a> and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59851-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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650-foot mega-tsunami sends seismic waves around world and satellites captured the action

Greenland’s eastern edge rarely causes a stir, yet instruments across...

A team of engineers has recently revealed an innovative new tool for tracking stress: a modified dental floss device that can detect cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, in real time from saliva.



Constructed by scientists at <a href="https://www.tufts.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts University</a>, the device could offer a simple, inexpensive, and user-friendly alternative to traditional stress-monitoring methods. Those methods typically rely on self-reported questionnaires or costly psychiatric evaluations.



“It started in a collaboration with several departments across Tufts, examining how stress and other cognitive states affect problem solving and learning,” said Sameer Sonkusale, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and lead researcher on the project.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-stress-through-flossing">Measuring stress through flossing</h2>



Scientists have long recognized that stress can cause harmful long-term effects. Chronic exposure can increase blood pressure, suppress the immune system, and contribute to conditions like depression, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/practicing-mindfulness-can-quiet-the-noise-of-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a>, and cardiovascular disease. 



“We didn’t want to create an additional source of stress, so we thought, 'can we make a sensing device that becomes part of your day-to-day routine?' Cortisol is a stress marker found in saliva, so flossing seemed like a natural fit to take a daily sample," said Sonkusale



Despite its serious implications, monitoring stress levels over time remains a challenge. This new floss-based technology could change that.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-device-with-big-potential">Tiny device with big potential</h2>



The stress-sensing floss is designed to look and feel just like a standard plastic floss pick. The difference lies in the built-in electronics that sit in the handle. 



As a person flosses, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-use-saliva-sharing-to-infer-close-relationships/">saliva</a> wicks up through the floss via capillary action, traveling into the handle and across a sensor tab. Electrodes embedded in this tab then detect the presence and concentration of cortisol in the sample.



A technology called electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers, or eMIPs, powers the detection mechanism.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-approach-to-stress">A new approach to stress</h2>



Originally developed nearly 30 years ago, eMIPs work much like a mold. Researchers form a polymer around a target molecule - in this case, cortisol - and then remove the molecule, leaving behind an imprint.



This “mold” has both the physical and chemical shape needed to recognize and bind with free-floating cortisol molecules in new samples.



“The eMIP approach is a game changer,” Sonkusale said. “Biosensors have typically been developed using antibodies or other receptors that pick up the molecule of interest. Once a marker is found, a lot of work has to go into bioengineering the receiving molecule attached to the sensor.”



Electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers do not require extensive investments in developing antibodies or receptors. Instead, a polymer cast can be rapidly created whenever a new marker for stress, disease, or any condition is discovered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-versatile-health-tool">A versatile health tool</h2>



The floss sensor’s modular design and eMIP system can adapt to detect various biomarkers, not just cortisol. It could potentially track glucose for diabetes, estrogen for fertility monitoring, or other molecules linked to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-worsens-cardiovascular-health-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular health</a>, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.



There is also potential for integrating multiple sensing capabilities into a single device. A multi-biomarker floss sensor could deliver a more comprehensive view of a person’s health by detecting several chemical indicators simultaneously.



While still in development, the sensor has demonstrated accuracy comparable to the best stress-detection tools currently on the market. The Tufts team is now working to commercialize the technology via a startup for use in homes and clinics.



However, the researchers emphasize that people should use this tool for ongoing monitoring rather than for initial diagnoses.



“For diagnostics, blood is still the gold standard, but once you are diagnosed and put on medication, if you need to track, say, a cardiovascular condition over time, then monitoring with the sensor can be easy and allows for timely interventions when needed,” Sonkusale said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-chronic-stress">Managing chronic stress</h2>



One of the most striking aspects of this technology is its seamless integration into a daily routine. 



Unlike wearable trackers or bulky diagnostic tools, the floss device requires no new habits or specialized training. Users simply floss as usual and get an immediate snapshot of their stress levels.



Sonkusale and his research group developed the new device as part of a broader portfolio of thread-based sensor technologies. 



These include sensors embedded in clothing to detect motion, sweat metabolites, and environmental gases, as well as transistors for flexible electronics. The dental floss sensor, however, may be one of their most user-friendly innovations yet.



The research could help pave the way toward more personalized, real-time health monitoring. This innovation makes it easier for individuals to manage chronic stress and its long-term health effects with a simple swipe of floss.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.5c02988" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces</a>.



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Stress-detecting dental floss could revolutionize personal health

A team of engineers has recently revealed an innovative new...

The ocean is responsible for about half of the oxygen we breathe. Yet even before we understood this vital role of the ocean, we were captivated by it. World Oceans Day, celebrated each year on June 8, gives us a moment to reconnect with this immense, life-sustaining force.



This year’s global theme, “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” encourages deep appreciation and meaningful action. Wonder leads to care, and that care can change the course of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-seaweed-day-2025-saving-the-oceans-sustainable-powerhouse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oceans</a>’ future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oceans-as-climate-guardians">Oceans as climate guardians</h2>



The ocean isn’t just vast - it’s vital. Covering more than 70% of Earth’s surface, it stores 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere. Its currents regulate temperatures, transport nutrients, and carry warmth around the globe.



Beneath its surface lies not just coral reefs and mysterious trenches but also the very threads that tie climate systems together. 



Without <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darkening-oceans-are-shrinking-vital-marine-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oceans</a>, monsoons would collapse, winters would deepen, and summers would scorch. In short, Earth’s balance rests within saline waters that many of us have never even seen.



Yet, for all it gives, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ocean-animals-connect-countries-and-continents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> faces unprecedented threats. Climate change heats the seas and melts polar ice. Acidification weakens coral reefs. Oil spills, chemical runoff, and floating plastics choke marine life. Overfishing empties waters that once teemed with abundance. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theme-for-world-oceans-day-2025">Theme for World Oceans Day 2025</h2>



Certainly. Here's a revised version without the "soft and poetic" reference:



"Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us" implies a powerful truth: awe sparks responsibility. When we take time to truly wonder at something, we begin to care - and caring is what drives us to act.



This theme urges us to not just observe the ocean but to see it with renewed eyes. It asks us to listen to stories of fishermen, divers, coastal children, and scientists. It invites all generations to fall in love with the ocean again.



“Knowing is the key to caring, and with caring there is hope that people will be motivated to take positive actions,” said Professor Sylvia Earle, a world-renowned oceanographer. Her words resonate deeply in 2025. Wonder is no longer a passive feeling - it’s the first step toward protection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-efforts-to-protect-the-ocean">Global efforts to protect the ocean</h2>



The United Nations will host this year’s global celebration in Nice, France. The timing is symbolic. It coincides with the opening of the <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN Ocean Conference</a>, an international gathering committed to turning ocean promises into measurable outcomes.



At this event, world leaders, researchers, conservationists, and Indigenous voices will share ideas and announce commitments. 



Workshops will focus on deep-sea mining, marine pollution, coastal resilience, and the rights of small island states. Art exhibits and music performances will remind us of the ocean’s cultural power.



Virtual participation will allow anyone with an internet connection to join. Whether from the coast of Kerala or the heart of Kansas, the ocean will feel a little closer this June 8. The event’s hybrid nature mirrors the global truth: every community has a stake in the sea’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-ocean-currents-play-a-huge-role-in-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-world-oceans-day-urges-sustainable-fishing">World Oceans Day urges sustainable fishing</h2>



While the official UN theme centers on wonder, many environmental groups emphasize another vital topic: sustainable fishing. Their campaign tagline, “Sustainable Fishing Means More,” captures the urgent need to rethink how we extract food from the ocean.



Overfishing threatens food security and biodiversity. It harms traditional livelihoods and unravels ecological balance. 



Fish populations fall. Nets grow heavier with bycatch. Ocean floors are scraped and scarred. Yet, when managed wisely, fishing can coexist with marine conservation.



Sustainable practices ensure long-term abundance. They support coastal communities, protect young fish, and allow ocean ecosystems to recover. 



This secondary theme reminds us that sustainability isn’t just environmental - it’s economic, cultural, and moral.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-can-help-oceans-everyday">We can help oceans everyday</h2>



You don’t need to live near the sea to protect it. World Oceans Day&nbsp;reminds us that every action matters. What we do on land eventually affects the ocean. Pollution from cities, factories, and farms often travels through rivers into the sea. The things we buy, the food we eat, and even the way we vote all make a difference.



Loving sea turtles means protecting where they live. That means saying no to plastic, harmful chemicals, or seafood caught in damaging ways. Choosing what to support means choosing what survives.



Words matter too. When we talk about ocean problems, more people understand and care. Sharing stories, science, or even photos can inspire action. Watching ocean documentaries or supporting clean-up events helps people feel connected.



Real wonder turns into responsibility. Awareness is the first step toward saving the ocean - no matter where you live.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-world-oceans-day-calls-for-lasting-care">World Oceans Day calls for lasting care</h2>



World Oceans Day 2025 doesn’t end with a one-day celebration. Its message must live in classrooms, boardrooms, policy debates, and family dinners. It should guide how cities manage storm drains, how tourists behave on beaches, and how companies treat marine resources.



The ocean has always given more than it receives. Now, the tide is turning. We must choose respect over exploitation, wonder over indifference, and sustainability over short-term gain.



“Without the ocean, life on Earth would not exist,” says marine biologist Enric Sala. “If we lose the ocean, we lose ourselves.” 



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World Oceans Day 2025: Protecting the waters that sustain humanity and all life on Earth

The ocean is responsible for about half of the oxygen...

Plants suffer greatly during summer droughts, which can lead to billions of dollars in lost crops, and a higher demand for irrigation. This can cause a decline in productivity, resulting in food shortages and rising prices. It’s a familiar story - but one that might soon change.



Researchers from <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State University</a>, the University of Colorado, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have shown conclusively that plants can help themselves recover from severe drought, without outside intervention. 



This process, called “refilling,” has been debated by plant scientists for years. But the new research demonstrates that it can happen naturally in plants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-plant-recovery">The science behind plant recovery</h2>



When plants dry out, they suffer damage deep inside. Their water transport system, known as the xylem, becomes blocked by gas bubbles. These bubbles, called embolisms, prevent water from flowing. 



In many plants, recovery is difficult of even impossible once <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-trees-decide-between-growing-and-breathing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">embolisms</a> have formed. Scientists have long debated whether plants can clear these blockages on their own. Some experiments suggested they could, but the methods used raised doubts.



Traditional studies often involved cutting plants and forcing water back into the tissues under unnatural pressures. Critics pointed out that this could create “artifacts” - results that didn’t reflect what happens in nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-plant-recovery-in-real-time">Observing plant recovery in real-time </h2>



To settle the debate, the CSU, CU, and USDA team took a different approach. They used a micro-CT scanner, an advanced type of X-ray machine, to watch the plants without harming them. This machine allowed the researchers to observe internal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sensors-that-detect-plant-stress-could-revolutionize-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant processes</a> as they unfolded in real time.



What they found was striking. Within 24 hours of watering, a type of wild grass that had become dehydrated showed a complete reversal of embolism. Its water transport system - initially almost entirely blocked - returned to full function.



“This is the first convincing evidence of the reversal, or refilling, of embolism in a vascular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-plant-species-remain-unphotographed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant species</a>, with the plant regaining full functional recovery afterward,” said Sean Gleason, a researcher with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and a CSU affiliate.



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



The implications are significant. If scientists can understand the genetic mechanisms behind refilling, they might be able to breed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-cover-crops-may-be-the-future-of-sustainable-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crops</a> that can survive droughts more effectively.



The team has already started looking for other plants with this trait. The hope is to identify the genetic triggers that make refilling possible. Once found, these traits could be introduced into agricultural crops.



"If a plant can recover from drought quickly by refilling, then you might be able to recoup some losses during a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exquisite-mechanism-will-help-plants-survive-drought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a> year,” said Troy Ocheltree, a CSU associate professor in the Warner College of Natural Resources. 



“If plants can refill, this may allow flexibility in the amount and timing of irrigation, although additional work is required to identify how refilling would impact crop water use.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-resilient-plant-hiding-in-plain-sight">A resilient plant hiding in plain sight</h2>



The plant that proved the theory wasn’t found in a lush field or a greenhouse. It was discovered growing in a parking lot, thriving in the cracks of hot, dry asphalt.



The research team, including lead author Jared Stewart and graduate students Brendan Allen and Stephanie Polutchko, picked this grass because of its resilience. 



After a prolonged drought, the grass appeared dead and had up to 88% of its xylem blocked. But once watered, its vascular system bounced back overnight.



So far, this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-grass-could-protect-crops-against-deadly-pathogens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wild grass</a> is the only species known to refill naturally. However, the researchers believe others might exist.



“We don't know how common this is,” Ocheltree said. “But the fact that we found a plant in the parking lot that refills makes me think there's probably others out there that also refill. It shifts our mindset.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-equipment-behind-the-discovery">The equipment behind the discovery</h2>



A key part of the study’s success was access to a micro-CT scanner from CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. 



This specialized machine, which is typically used for small animals, emits lower radiation levels than standard CT scanners. It allowed the researchers to scan the plants repeatedly without causing harm.



Support from the lab’s staff was essential. Professor Nicole Ehrhart, director of CSU’s Center for Healthy Aging, and lab technician Laura Chubb played critical roles. Chubb initially scanned the plants and later trained Gleason to operate the machine.



“The resilience of this humble grass - reviving its vascular system overnight - was both surprising and deeply compelling,” Ehrhart said.



“Collaborations like this remind us how powerful it can be when tools developed for biomedical research are applied in new ways to answer fundamental questions about life. We were thrilled to contribute to such impactful science.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breeding-plants-to-resist-drought">Breeding plants to resist drought</h2>



The discovery opens the door to exciting possibilities. With further research, scientists might find more species capable of refilling. 



Experts can work toward breeding these drought-resistant traits into crops - a step that could improve food security and help farmers adapt to a changing climate.



For now, a scrappy little grass from a parking lot is showing the world that recovery from drought isn’t just possible - it’s real.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2420618122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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How a humble plant may help us save crops from drought

Plants suffer greatly during summer droughts, which can lead to...

Scientists and conservation groups are pushing for stronger safeguards for seamounts, which are underwater peaks that support sea life in astonishing ways. 



These submerged elevations can be pivotal feeding stations for marine animals, but they are at risk from a fishing practice known as bottom trawling, which involves scraping the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-new-underwater-map-reveals-nearly-100000-hidden-ocean-mountains-seamounts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> floor with heavy nets.



Leading marine researchers have emphasized these concerns at the <a href="https://ocean-climate.org/en/unoc2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Third United Nations Ocean Conference</a> in Nice. 



Dr. Lissette Victorero of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) explained that the clock is ticking to protect these environments before irreparable harm is done.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-seamounts-support-sea-life">How seamounts support sea life</h2>



Seamounts play a role in supplying shelter and resources for everything from coral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/axial-seamount-large-underwater-volcano-off-us-coast-will-likely-erupt-in-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communities</a> to whales. They also help certain fish species that rely on the gentle currents flowing around these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seamounts-are-gathering-hubs-for-ocean-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater</a> cliffs for breeding grounds and essential nutrients.



“These underwater mountains are biodiversity powerhouses, home to unique communities and vital habitats that are often older than our most ancient forests,” said Dr. Lance Morgan, president of the Marine Conservation Institute.



Scientists say losing these habitats would be a devastating blow, not only for <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> but for local economies that rely on sustainable fishing.&nbsp;



Seamounts are classified by the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations</a> as part of vulnerable marine ecosystems (<a href="https://www.fao.org/in-action/vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VMEs</a>), which means special attention is needed. Their fragile coral and sponge populations do not recover quickly once damaged, and bottom trawling can crush them in an instant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgent-concerns-about-carbon-emissions">Urgent concerns about carbon emissions</h2>



A new <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1125137/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> published January 17, 2024, found that bottom trawling is responsible for releasing an estimated 370 million metric tons of <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/carbon-dioxide/?intent=121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> into the atmosphere each year. 



Carbon stored in sediments for hundreds of years can be disturbed by the plowing effect of the trawls, sending a portion into surface waters.



“Global warming is like death by a thousand cuts. It’s lots of different sources producing CO2 emissions,” said Enric Sala, following a 2021 <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03371-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> he led.



The <a href="https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/15/5301/2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 Global Carbon Budget</a> shows the planet is already under pressure from rising CO2, so scientists argue that any additional source of emissions is too large to ignore.



<a href="https://usa.oceana.org/bottom-trawling/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seafloor nets</a> that are used by some operators can weigh over 11,000 pounds (nearly 5,000 kg). These nets have heavy chains that drag across the bottom of the ocean, stirring up sediments and releasing gases that might otherwise remain trapped for centuries. 



The disturbance is not limited to one location, as currents can carry sediments far away and spread the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seamounts-underwater-mountains-impact-ocean-circulation-climate-surprising-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-suggestions-to-protect-deep-sea-life">Suggestions to protect deep-sea life</h2>



Several groups, including the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (<a href="https://stateoftheocean.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IPSO</a>), see marine protected areas as a practical solution for curtailing the worst effects. 



Protecting critical sections of the deep ocean may allow key habitats to stay intact while also limiting extra carbon in the air.



A <a href="https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/tracking-bottom-fishing-in-eu-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> from the Marine Conservation Institute outlines that sustainable fishing approaches can keep local food supplies robust without flattening the seabed. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shielding-vulnerable-marine-ecosystems">Shielding vulnerable marine ecosystems </h2>



Some nations already ban bottom trawling in certain coastal areas and are studying whether to expand these restrictions.



“Never before have we known so much about seamounts and their importance for biodiversity, their vulnerability, and their essential role in keeping our ocean healthy,” said Dr. Victorero.&nbsp;



Conservationists mention that nations agreed in 2006 to shield vulnerable marine ecosystems from harmful fishing, yet the implementation has been scattered. 



The 2006 resolution aimed to protect vital seafloor terrains, but oversight varies from region to region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-seamounts-from-trawling">Protecting seamounts from trawling </h2>



Calls for immediate action have also been stirred by the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) <a href="https://www.thegef.org/what-we-do/topics/biodiversity-beyond-national-jurisdiction" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agreement</a>. 



The treaty seeks to close governance gaps for ocean areas that lie outside any single nation’s boundaries, yet final ratification may take time.



Groups such as the DSCC and IPSO encourage policymakers to block destructive fishing practices on seamounts now rather than wait for lengthy legal processes. This safeguard would complement efforts to reduce emissions from other sectors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heavy-trawling-and-seamount-damage">Heavy trawling and seamount damage</h2>



“Bottom trawling is the most damaging way to obtain food from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-satellite-is-rewriting-what-we-know-about-ocean-currents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a>. We know the ecological impacts are disastrous,” said Sala. 



Consumers sometimes feel obligated to avoid fish caught using trawls, though some experts see a policy-based route as more efficient.&nbsp;



International cooperation and local enforcement appear to be key. Countries with heavy trawling must collaborate with those whose waters receive these drifting sediments. 



The Marine Conservation Institute, established in 1996, highlights the value of well-managed marine protected areas for maintaining a balance between food supply and conservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-governments-fail-to-protect-seamounts">Governments fail to protect seamounts</h2>



“This letter is a call to action from the scientific community. States have the tools required to stop this destruction,” said Dr. Victorero.



Fishing councils in certain regions already restrict bottom gear usage in huge sections of the ocean floor. But many seamounts, trenches, and ridges remain open to industrial vessels, risking long-term damage for short-term catches.&nbsp;



Some scientists believe properly designed no-trawl zones around major seamount clusters would preserve essential habitats. The DSCC started in 2004 with more than 130 organizations determined to halt destructive fishing in the deep. 



Localized bans on bottom trawling in parts of the United States and Europe have served as test grounds, and have shown partial success in preserving important fish stocks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regulatory-shifts-to-save-seamounts">Regulatory shifts to save seamounts </h2>



Scientists also point to the possibility of more advanced gear that floats off the seafloor. But until research funding and industry support align, the simplest way to protect sensitive areas is often a firm ban. 



Observers note that the next few years will likely reveal whether these appeals spur significant regulatory shifts or remain pledges on paper.



Time is short for life that relies on these underwater structures. The DSCC, IPSO, and the Marine Conservation Institute encourage the international community to follow through on previous pledges and add new ones if needed. 



The goal is to eliminate the severe threat trawling poses to seamounts before irreversible damage is done.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1125137/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



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Seamounts face severe destruction from bottom trawling

Scientists and conservation groups are pushing for stronger safeguards for...

Mosquito,On,Kids,Skin.,Little,Boy,Attacked,By,Mosquitoes,In

Mosquito swarms may sound like chaos, but male mosquitoes are incredible listeners. Despite the noise, they can hear the faint sounds made by female wingbeats.



A new study from <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya University</a> uncovers how male mosquitoes hear across a wider range of frequencies than females, helping them locate mates in buzzing clouds while evading human defenses. These insights offer a fresh path toward smarter mosquito control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosquitoes-use-complex-acoustic-cues">Mosquitoes use complex acoustic cues </h2>



Scientists have long used sound traps to catch male <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-habitats-are-expanding-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosquitoes</a>. These traps mimic female wingbeat sounds to lure in males and then sterilize them. But in real-world settings, most of these traps underperform. 



Sound traps often catch only a few insects each day because they don’t match the complex acoustic cues that male mosquitoes truly seek.



The recent study has revealed that males don't just listen for one frequency. Their hearing is tuned to a wide and nuanced range of sounds.



These sounds include not only female wingbeats but also blended frequencies that are made when male and female wingbeats mix. The research could explain why simple traps fail to hold their attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-male-mosquitoes-process-sound">How male mosquitoes process sound</h2>



The researchers used calcium imaging to study brain activity in male and female <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-could-make-insect-repellents-less-effective/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosquitoes</a>. They examined responses in the <a href="https://www.virtualflybrain.org/term/antennal-mechanosensory-and-motor-center-ammc-bb4-neuron-fbbt_00111484/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AMMC</a> (antennal mechanosensory and motor center), a key hearing region in the mosquito brain.



“We found that male brains showed responses not only to the same frequencies of sound as female brains, but also to much higher frequencies,” noted Professor Matthew Su. 



“This finding shows the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquitoes-use-thermal-infrared-vision-to-track-and-bite-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex information processing</a> required for males to identify the location of females.”



In males, the AMMC showed activity across 150 to 500 Hz. Females mostly responded between 100 to 200 Hz. 



Males also showed four unique patterns of sound responses, whereas females showed two unique patterns and one shared with males. These clusters suggest that males process sound in more diverse ways than females.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-mosquito-sounds-and-human-traps">Female mosquito sounds and human traps</h2>



Strikingly, some male neurons showed negative responses. They reduced activity at 150 Hz. This pattern may help males tune out distractions or adjust sensitivity to specific tones. 



Another brain cluster responded to low-frequency sounds in both sexes. Researchers suggest this may help mosquitoes detect predators, like dragonflies. 



So, even as males evolved fine-tuned mating tools, both sexes may still use sound to stay safe.



To understand why male hearing is so sharp, the team examined the base of the antennae. 



They found males express more genes linked to cilia, which are tiny hairs that detect vibration. These include dynein genes that are already known to affect hearing in other insects.



“Cilia are thought to function to increase receptive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-people-are-mosquito-magnets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensitivity to certain sounds</a>,” explained Professor Azusa Kamikouchi. “This sound processing mechanism may be a specialized and sophisticated mechanism that is not found in other insects.”



A <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/fgfr3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene called fd3f</a>, which is known to guide cilia development, was also more active in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquitoes-bite-more-often-during-droughts-to-stay-hydrated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">males</a>. This suggests males are genetically wired for better hearing. 



Proteins from these genes were also found in greater amounts in males, strengthening the evidence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-better-sound-traps">Designing better sound traps</h2>



“Male mosquitoes rely on the sound of female wings to find mates. Therefore, mosquito hearing is a promising target for preventing the reproduction of mosquitoes,” noted Professor Kamikouchi.



With this deep understanding of how male mosquitoes hear, scientists could redesign traps that mimic the real complexity of female wingbeats. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/mosquitoes_males_find-females_avoid-traps_illustration_credit-Issey-Takahashi_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/mosquitoes_males_find-females_avoid-traps_illustration_credit-Issey-Takahashi_1s.webp" alt="How Male Mosquitoes Target Females—and Avoid Traps. Credit: Issey Takahashi" class="wp-image-1973044"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">How Male Mosquitoes Target Females—and Avoid Traps. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Issey Takahashi</figcaption></figure>



By copying not just one sound but many, perhaps even distortion products, these tools could catch more males and limit mosquito breeding more effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprisingly-complex-auditory-system">Surprisingly complex auditory system </h2>



This study significantly broadens and deepens how we think about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquitoes-listen-for-a-specific-buzz-to-find-mates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect</a> hearing. It goes beyond simply identifying differences between male and female mosquitoes. 



The research uncovers a highly specialized and surprisingly complex auditory system in males - one that appears to have evolved specifically to improve the chances of finding a mate in noisy environments.



Rather than relying on a single <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mating-secrets-of-mosquitoes-may-help-us-gain-control-of-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mating cue</a>, male mosquitoes interpret a rich variety of sound frequencies, including blended signals that form when male and female wingbeats overlap.



This suggests their hearing has been shaped by strong evolutionary pressure to succeed in mating within dense and chaotic swarms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-sound-as-a-survival-tool">Using sound as a survival tool</h2>



The study also revealed that certain parts of the mosquito’s hearing response are shared between males and females. These shared responses likely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mosquitoes-find-tasty-humans-from-hundreds-of-meters-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolved long ago</a>, before mating behavior became so specialized.



For example, both sexes respond to low-frequency sounds that mimic the wingbeats of dragonflies, one of their natural predators. 



This implies that parts of the mosquito’s hearing system originally developed as a survival tool to allow them to detect and escape from danger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosquitoes-sound-and-human-frustration">Mosquitoes, sound, and human frustration</h2>



While male mosquitoes have acquired new, advanced hearing abilities for mating, they still retain these older sensory features that help them stay alive.



The researchers believe that by fully understanding this dual function - mating and predator detection - we might find new ways to disrupt the mosquito life cycle.



If we can mimic or interfere with the sounds that mosquitoes depend on, we could reduce their ability to reproduce or survive. 



In doing so, we might finally quiet the constant buzz of mosquito swarms in places where they pose the greatest threat to human health.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads2689" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Scientists learn how mosquitoes outsmart and evade human defenses

Mosquito swarms may sound like chaos, but male mosquitoes are...

On May 7, 2025, satellites spotted something huge. A dense plume of Saharan dust blew off the west coast of Africa. It stretched across the Atlantic Ocean, covering about 150,000 square kilometers (57,915 square miles).



The Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite took an optical image. The plume appeared as a thick, orange cloud. In the top left corner, the Cabo Verde islands peeked through the dust.



Another satellite, Sentinel-5P, added more detail. It showed aerosol levels inside the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-storms-can-engulf-the-entire-planet-of-mars-but-how/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dust cloud</a>. Darker orange indicated higher concentration. Scientists used this data to study the size and strength of the storm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-saharan-dust-rises-and-spreads">How Saharan dust rises and spreads</h2>



Saharan dust <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/remarkable-dust-storm-over-the-arabian-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a> happen often because the desert is hot, dry, and has very loose sand. When strong surface winds blow across the ground, they pick up the fine sand and dust. 



These particles don’t just stay close to the ground. If the winds are strong enough and conditions are dry, the dust gets pushed high up into the atmosphere.



Once it reaches those higher altitudes, it can ride fast-moving winds called trade winds or jet streams. These upper-level winds carry the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-could-threaten-the-health-of-future-astronauts-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dust</a> across continents and even oceans. That’s how the dust sometimes reaches places as far away as the Americas.



This entire process creates what's known as the&nbsp;Saharan Air Layer - a dry, dusty air mass that forms above the Atlantic Ocean. It usually develops between late spring and early autumn, when weather conditions are just right. 



Some Saharan dust <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/blanket-of-dust-covers-chinas-tarim-basin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a> travel quickly and fade in a few days. Others can linger in the atmosphere for weeks, spreading across large areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-satellites-tell-us">What the satellites tell us</h2>



Together,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sentinel-3</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-5P" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sentinel-5P</a>&nbsp;give a fuller picture.&nbsp;Sentinel-3&nbsp;captures how the dust looks and Sentinel-5P&nbsp;reveals what it contains.



“Sentinel-5P is an important tool to monitor air pollution,” said European Space Agency (<a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>) scientists. “It helps us understand how airborne particles affect people and ecosystems.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Saharan-desert_dust-plume_ocean_left-image_Copernicus-ESA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Saharan-desert_dust-plume_ocean_Copernicus-ESA_1s.webp" alt="The Sentinel-3 optical image on the left shows a dense, orange plume of Saharan sand over approximately 150 000 sq km of the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The small islands of Cabo Verde peek out from beneath the clouds in the top left corner. Credit: ESA" class="wp-image-1972790"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Sentinel-3 optical image on the left shows a dense, orange plume of Saharan sand over approximately 150 000 sq km of the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The small islands of Cabo Verde peek out from beneath the clouds in the top left corner. Credit: ESA</figcaption></figure>



The Sentinel-5P satellite carries an instrument called Tropomi, which measures gases and aerosols. It’s accurate enough to detect even small changes in air quality. This helps researchers and weather agencies stay alert.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-saharan-dust-affects-air-quality">How Saharan dust affects air quality</h2>



When these storms move over land, they affect the air people breathe. The particles hang in the air and create haze. Visibility drops. Local weather stations often issue health warnings.



Breathing dust can cause problems. It may trigger asthma, irritate lungs, or worsen heart conditions. Even people far from the desert feel the impact. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/monster-storm-spawns-severe-weather-across-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a> can reach Europe, the Caribbean, or the Americas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasting-the-dust-s-path">Forecasting the dust’s path</h2>



Scientists use this data to build air quality models that estimate how the dust will move. The models help track when the dust will arrive, how thick it will be, and when it will clear.



The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service relies on this kind of input. It helps provide daily updates and long-range forecasts. Governments and cities use these forecasts to warn the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saharan-dust-may-help-the-environment">Saharan dust may help the environment</h2>



Dust <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/right-place-right-time-mars-rover-captures-dust-devils-eating-each-other/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a> do more than just cause breathing problems. They also help nature in a big way. Saharan dust isn’t just dry sand. It’s full of minerals like phosphorus and iron. 



These minerals are important for life. As the dust floats across the Atlantic Ocean, some of it falls into the water.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Saharan-desert_dust-plume_ocean_right-image_Copernicus-overlay_ESA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Saharan-desert_dust-plume_ocean_Copernicus-overlay_ESA_1s.webp" alt="A Sentinel-5P view has been overlaid on the Sentinel-3 image to show the concentration of aerosols in the dust plume: darker tones of orange denote denser aerosol concentrations. Sentinel-5P carries the state-of-the-art Tropomi instrument that maps a multitude of trace gases and can measure the aerosol index, which is an indicator of the presence and intensity of aerosols such as dust. Credit: ESA" class="wp-image-1972791"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A Sentinel-5P view has been overlaid on the Sentinel-3 image to show the concentration of aerosols in the dust plume: darker tones of orange denote denser aerosol concentrations. Sentinel-5P carries the state-of-the-art Tropomi instrument that maps a multitude of trace gases and can measure the aerosol index, which is an indicator of the presence and intensity of aerosols such as dust. Credit: ESA</figcaption></figure>



When that happens, the minerals act like fertilizer. They help phytoplankton in the ocean to grow.



Phytoplankton form the base of the ocean food chain. Fish, whales, and many sea animals rely on them to survive. So while dust storms may look like a threat, they also help feed life far from the desert.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saharan-dust-feeds-the-amazon-rainforest">Saharan dust feeds the Amazon rainforest</h2>



Some of the dust makes it even farther - to the Amazon rainforest. That dust fertilizes the soil. It brings in nutrients that the forest needs but can’t get easily from local sources.



The Sahara sends out these massive plumes each year. With modern satellites, we can now watch them form, grow, and move. The images help us understand both the risks and the benefits.



Dust clouds from the Sahara may cause air <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-innovation-takes-the-lead-in-environmental-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality</a> alerts, but they also feed the ocean and the forest. They cross continents, link ecosystems, and remind us that weather and climate don’t stop at borders.



Click here to compare the <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/06/Earth_from_Space_Saharan_dust_plume" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">images</a> from each satellite.



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Satellites capture an incredibly massive Saharan dust storm crossing the Atlantic Ocean

On May 7, 2025, satellites spotted something huge. A dense...

Chimpanzees have new companions in the world of yawning: androids. Researchers have discovered that chimpanzees not only yawn in response to a humanoid android’s yawn, but also exhibit restful behaviors like lying down.



The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, suggest a deeper behavioral and social link than mere imitation. This is the first real-time evidence of contagious yawning triggered by an inanimate humanoid model.



The study strengthens the idea that yawning can carry social meaning beyond automatic reflexes - even across <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-mix-vocal-calls-to-create-new-meanings-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> and material boundaries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimps-watched-a-robot-with-facial-motions">Chimps watched a robot with facial motions</h2>



Fourteen adult chimpanzees between 10 and 33 years old took part in the study. The chimps lived at the Fundació Mona Primate Sanctuary in Spain, and had been rescued from the entertainment and pet trades.



The researchers used a life-like android head, built with 33 servo motors, and capable of three facial conditions: yawning (mouth fully open to 5.5 cm or 2.17 inches), gaping (partially open to 1.5 cm or 0.59 inches), and closed-mouth neutrality.



Each condition lasted five minutes and was presented in a randomized order. The android performed each movement between 15 and 20 times. 



Meanwhile, cameras recorded the chimpanzees’ reactions. The team also measured how much time the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-select-the-best-materials-for-termite-fishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chimps</a> spent looking at the android and lying down after each display.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robots-can-make-chimpanzees-yawn">Robots can make chimpanzees yawn</h2>



Yawning frequency surged only during and after the yawning condition. Chimps yawned 22 times during android yawns and 23 times in the post-yawn phase. That totaled 45 yawns - three times more than for any other facial condition. 



No yawns occurred during the gaping or closed-mouth presentations. Only a handful of yawns were seen during baseline and post-close periods.



The response also extended to behavior. More chimps lay down after the android yawned, compared to after gape or closed-mouth conditions. They even gathered bedding materials - actions that were rarely seen during other conditions. 



The results suggest that yawns from the android didn’t just mimic biology. They served as contextual cues for rest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yawns-as-social-signals">Yawns as social signals</h2>



“Our findings show that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-are-genetically-adapted-to-thrive-in-their-local-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chimpanzees</a> exhibit yawn contagion when triggered by a non-biological inanimate agent, a humanoid android, that looks as if it is yawning,” said lead author Dr. Ramiro Joly-Mascheroni.



“Despite its elusive primary functions - we still don’t know exactly why we yawn, let alone why yawning is contagious - yawning may still have an evolutionarily old, non-verbal communicative role, and its contagious aspect may help us find out more about how humans and animals developed ways of communication and social interaction.”



This extends earlier findings about contagious yawning in dogs, bonobos, and elephants. It implies that even without familiarity or biological cues, chimpanzees pick up and respond to socially meaningful movements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-androids-can-help-us-study-empathy">Androids can help us study empathy</h2>



“Exploring the yawning responses of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-are-constantly-mastering-new-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primates</a> towards an artificial agent helps us to understand the mechanism of social cognition and interactions beyond humans," said Professor Calvo-Merino.



"This interdisciplinary research enhances the collaboration of disciplines such as psychology, robotics and zoology."



One interesting idea is that yawning may activate an embodied, perception-action coupling. The chimpanzees could be reacting automatically or making a deeper association - such as recognizing the android's yawn as a signal to rest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-instinctive-yawn-responses-of-chimps">Instinctive yawn responses of chimps</h2>



The findings suggest that a living, biological presence is not essential to trigger yawning in chimpanzees. An artificial agent - a robot with human-like features - can produce the same contagious effect. 



This challenges long-held assumptions that only animals or humans can evoke such deeply social and instinctive responses.



By showing that non-living entities can activate behaviors linked to empathy and relaxation, the study broadens the tools available for behavioral science. 



Researchers can now design more controlled experiments without needing a live yawn source. This helps isolate which visual or motion cues are truly responsible for triggering social responses.



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



The implications of the research extend beyond the yawning behavior of chimpanzees. Future studies might explore whether robotic agents can also provoke other reactions like mimicry, play gestures, or even emotional expressions. 



Understanding which cues matter most could improve our knowledge of social cognition in both humans and animals.



Ultimately, the study shows that chimpanzees do not need skin, muscle, or familiar faces in order to respond. A plastic android, with carefully programmed movements, can be enough to signal rest. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-98639-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Chimpanzees catch yawns from robots - and lie down to rest

Chimpanzees have new companions in the world of yawning: androids....

Microfilaments,,Mitochondria,,And,Nuclei,In,Fibroblast,Cells,,Impressionistic

Type 2 diabetes has affected millions across the world, with countless people experiencing daily blood sugar fluctuations and other health complications. Many individuals struggle with insulin resistance, which makes blood glucose levels hard to manage.



<a href="https://experts.umich.edu/5839-emily-walker" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emily M. Walker</a>, Ph.D, a research assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan, along with colleagues at <a href="https://www.michiganmedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan Medicine</a>, studied the root causes behind faulty energy production in mitochondria that ultimately affect insulin production, resulting in diabetes. 



They reported that halting a stress response inside cells may restore normal function, paving the way for treatments that could help reverse this metabolic disorder.



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



Mitochondria are essential organelles found in most eukaryotic cells, often referred to as the "powerhouses" of the cell. They generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that fuels nearly every cellular activity. 



Beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fueling-the-mind-new-map-reveals-where-the-brain-gets-its-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy production</a>, mitochondria also play crucial roles in regulating cell metabolism, calcium signaling, and even programmed cell death (apoptosis).



Structurally, mitochondria have a distinctive double-membrane design, with an outer membrane that encloses the organelle and a highly folded inner membrane that forms structures called cristae. These folds increase the surface area available for chemical reactions. 



Mitochondria also possess their own DNA, which allows them to produce some of their own proteins and replicate independently of the cell’s nucleus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-mitochondria-in-diabetes">Role of mitochondria in diabetes</h2>



Mitochondria hold a central spot in human biology because they <a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Mitochondria" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convert nutrients into energy</a>. When this conversion goes wrong, it can trigger a stress response that leads to poor insulin regulation and elevated blood sugar. 



Many people with diabetes have experienced this shortfall, but the steps leading up to it were less defined until now.



“We wanted to determine which pathways are important for maintaining proper <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/damaged-mitochondria-recycled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mitochondrial function</a>,” said Walker. 



The researchers identified a stress response that emerges from damaged mitochondria. By interrupting this stress response with a compound known as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30674674/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISRIB</a>, their results showed a marked improvement in blood sugar handling in mice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insulin-producing-β-cells">Insulin-producing β-cells</h2>



A <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10046343/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">β-cell</a> in the pancreas is responsible for releasing insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. 



These cells need high energy output from mitochondria to carry out their job. Weak energy conversion can disrupt insulin release, fueling the symptoms associated with <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/about-type-2-diabetes.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">type 2 diabetes</a>.



Some <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1104343" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earlier work</a> pointed to mitochondrial problems in diabetic patients, but more clarity was needed. 



The new observations suggest that damaged mitochondria trigger changes in gene activity, steering β-cells into a less mature condition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stressed-mitochondria-and-diabetes">Stressed mitochondria and diabetes</h2>



Investigators have also tested the same phenomenon in tissues like liver cells and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/brown-adipose-tissue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brown adipocytes</a>. The liver is a vital organ for glucose management, while brown adipocytes help regulate body temperature. 



In each case, the same mitochondrial stress response emerged, pushing cells away from their main functions.



“We haven’t tested all possible cell types. Losing your β-cells is the most direct path to getting type 2 diabetes,” said <a href="https://www.michiganmedicine.org/profile/104/scott-soleimanpour" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scott A. Soleimanpour, M.D.</a>, director of the Michigan Diabetes Research Center and senior author of the study. He noted the wide-ranging nature of diabetes in body systems. 



Blocking the damaging stress response opens up intriguing therapeutic angles. 



Restoring normal operation in cells that have not yet died offers a chance to shift type 2 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sugary-drinks-linked-to-millions-of-diabetes-and-heart-disease-cases/">diabetes</a> management away from just mitigating symptoms. By preserving the identity of β-cells, the overall insulin balance can improve significantly.



Many drugs now in use either target blood sugar directly or boost insulin output. A drug that protects β-cells by hindering the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mitochondria-cells-batteries-leaking-causes-inflammation-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cellular stress response</a> could complement existing approaches and lead to fewer side effects. 



Experts also continue to analyze how reversing cellular distress might apply to other chronic conditions that share similar mitochondrial problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spotlight-on-daily-management">Spotlight on daily management</h2>



While the study focused on laboratory models, findings that reestablish <a href="https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/medication/insulin-basics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insulin</a> production stand out in a field searching for long-term solutions. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/type-2-diabetes-heightens-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Type 2 diabetes</a> is heavily influenced by lifestyle choices, but some people still experience complications even with diet and exercise. 



A pharmaceutical that turns back the clock on β-cell health may help individuals who have not had success with current treatments.



Mounting evidence shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mitochondria-fling-dna-into-our-brain-cells-making-us-age-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cellular energy mishaps</a> are closely linked to insulin resistance. The body responds to irregular energy signals by reprogramming cells, which sets off a chain reaction. 



Researchers now have a better handle on why <a href="https://diabetesresearchcenter.wustl.edu/items/metabolic-tissue-function-core/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolic tissues</a> lose their maturity and how reversing that shift might stabilize blood sugar.



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



Efforts are underway to further map out the exact interactions between mitochondria and the nucleus. Learning how cells translate stress signals into changes in gene function could unearth additional treatment paths. 



Scientists also plan to test ISRIB-like drugs in human tissue samples, aiming for more options in real-world clinical settings.



In-depth genetic analyses may shed light on the subtler triggers behind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-diabetes-rate-has-doubled-reaching-over-800-million/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">type 2 diabetes</a>. Tests on how lifestyle factors and genetic predisposition interact with mitochondrial maintenance could expand the scope of these findings. 



For many people, new insights on restoring healthier β-cell operation are a welcome boost to ongoing research.



Researchers behind this project are optimistic that therapies designed to preserve β-cell integrity may alter the direction of diabetes care. 



By easing the damage to mitochondrial systems, those who struggle with type 2 diabetes may find their condition more manageable in the years ahead.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf2034" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Scientists identify a cellular 'switch' that could reverse type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has affected millions across the world, with...

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