<p>var icx_publication_id = 14770;<br />
var icx_content_id = 2575210;</p>


What is Cadmium?

<p>Around six hundred million years ago, our planet almost lost the invisible shield that keeps its surface hospitable. Earth's magnetic field, generated by whirling molten iron deep below our feet, faded until it was so weak it was barely detectable.</p>



<p>At the same moment, oxygen flooded the oceans and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nitrogen-was-plentiful-for-early-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere</a>, and curious soft-bodied creatures began sliding across the seafloor. The coincidence has fascinated geologists and biologists for decades.</p>



<p>Fresh measurements from ancient crystals now reveal just how close Earth came to a magnetic stall. They also strengthen the suspicion that a waning field set the stage for the rise of complex life. </p>



<p>The new data trace a dramatic drop in magnetic intensity and help explain why the field later rebounded, saving Earth from becoming a dry, radiation-blasted rock like Mars.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-ancient-magnetic-field">Earth's ancient magnetic field</h2>



<p>To read the planet’s magnetic diary, researchers collected grains of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-mantle-may-contain-a-wealth-of-green-metals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pyroxenite and gabbro</a> from South Africa, Brazil, and Canada.</p>



<p>Each mineral contains microscopic iron needles that froze in alignment with the ambient field when the rocks cooled. </p>



<p>By reheating single crystals in a carefully shielded furnace, the team coaxed out tiny magnetic signals that record field strength at the time of eruption.</p>



<p>After analyzing hundreds of crystals, <a href="https://www.rochester.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rochester</a> geophysicist John Tarduno and colleagues saw a clear pattern. </p>



<p>“In general, the field is protective. If we had not had a field early in Earth history, water would have been stripped from the planet by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/silent-storms-experts-identify-the-mysterious-source-of-solar-wind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar wind</a> (a stream of energized particles flowing from the Sun toward Earth),” Tarduno explained.</p>



<p>“But in the Ediacaran, we had a fascinating period in the development of the deep Earth when processes creating the magnetic field … had become so inefficient after billions of years that the field almost completely collapsed.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-very-weak-magnetic-field">Very weak magnetic field</h2>



<p>Crystals dated to 591 million years ago indicate a magnetic field about 30 times weaker than today - the most feeble long-term value ever measured. </p>



<p>Follow-up samples show the enfeebled state persisted for at least 26 million years.</p>



<p>Before and after that window, rocks more than 2 billion years old and younger than 565 million years record a field as sturdy as the modern one, revealing just how exceptional the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ecosystem-behavior-earth-first-sea-creatures-stirring-water-drove-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ediacaran lull</a> was.</p>



<p>During the low-field stretch, solar wind could punch far deeper into the atmosphere. Charged particles stripped away lightweight hydrogen, a process that left relatively heavy oxygen behind. </p>



<p>The timing lines up with multiple geochemical markers that show a sharp increase in oxygen levels, supporting the idea that the weakened shield helped push Earth past a threshold needed for the development of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-capture-a-turning-point-in-the-evolution-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large, mobile animals</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thinner-armor-richer-air">Thinner armor, richer air</h2>



<p>The atmospheric link also finds support from geobiologist Shuhai Xiao of <a href="https://www.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a>. </p>



<p>“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/earths-magnetic-field-origin-structure-and-impact-on-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetosphere shields the Earth</a> from solar wind, thus holding the atmosphere to the Earth. Thus, a weaker magnetosphere means that lighter gases such as hydrogen would be lost from the Earth’s atmosphere,” Xiao explained to CNN.</p>



<p>As hydrogen escaped, oxygen concentrations rose, allowing metabolism-hungry organisms to branch out.</p>



<p>Tarduno agrees that other processes - such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-oxygen-discovery-deep-ocean-no-photosynthesis-baffles-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthetic microbes</a> - were certainly at work.</p>



<p>“We do not challenge that one or more of these processes were happening concurrently. But the weak field may have allowed oxygenation to cross a threshold, aiding animal radiation (evolution),” he said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-field-and-earth-s-core">Magnetic field and Earth's core</h2>



<p>Rock records also solve a puzzle about when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-inner-core-is-not-solid-it-is-shape-shifting-time-for-textbooks-to-be-rewritten/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s inner core</a> began to form. Once field strength hit its nadir, it bounced back quickly.</p>



<p>“The observations appear to support the claim that the inner core first nucleated soon after this time, pushing the geodynamo (the mechanism that creates the magnetic field) from a weak, unstable state into a strong, stable dipolar field,” noted Peter Driscoll of the <a href="https://carnegiescience.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carnegie Institution for Science</a>. </p>



<p>A solid seed at the center released extra heat, turbocharging convection in the outer core and restoring the magnetic screen.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strange-seafloor-pioneers">Strange seafloor pioneers</h2>



<p>While the field flickered, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-first-animals-were-very-picky-about-where-they-lived/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ediacaran seas</a> hosted life forms unlike anything alive today.</p>



<p>Disk-shaped <em><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rewrite-the-textbooks-life-on-earth-did-not-arise-due-to-increased-oxygen-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dickinsonia</a></em> spread as wide as 4.6 feet (1.4 meters) across the mud; quilted fronds waved gently in the currents; and slug-like <em>Kimberella</em> scraped microbial mats for food.</p>



<p>These pioneers vanished before the Cambrian period began, around 539 million years ago, but their brief reign proved that multicellular bodies could flourish once oxygen climbed to breathable levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-if-it-happens-again">What if it happens again?</h2>



<p>Not every expert is convinced the magnetic dip directly influenced the course of evolution.</p>



<p>“It is hard for me to evaluate the veracity of this claim because the influence that planetary magnetic fields might have on climate is not very well understood,” Driscoll cautioned. </p>



<p>Untangling all the variables - solar activity, mantle chemistry, biological innovation - will take years of careful detective work.</p>



<p>For now, the crystal record points to a simple narrative: Earth’s shield weakened, gases escaped, oxygen levels increased, and life took a bold new turn.</p>



<p>By tracing that chain of events, scientists gain insight into how planets and biospheres interact, a lesson that will guide the search for living worlds far beyond our own.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01360-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications, Earth and Environment</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Complex life emerged on Earth 591 million years ago, scientists think they finally know how and why

Around six hundred million years ago, our planet almost lost...

<p>A shiny tree snake that is completely black and measures about four feet was recently spotted at a mining facility on a small island off Papua New Guinea’s southeastern coast. Its sleek color and large black eyes stopped researchers in their tracks, and inspired a closer.</p>



<p>This newly identified reptile, named <em>Dendrelaphis atra</em>, belongs to a group of tree-dwelling snakes with a history of murky classification. </p>



<p>It was described by Fred Kraus from the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan Ann Arbor</a> after he spent time surveying the local serpent population for a broader research project.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unusual-snake-discovery">An unusual snake discovery</h2>



<p>One specimen slithered along old building structures and well-trodden terrain, making the moment feel like a real needle in a haystack. Its strong yet subtle features hinted at a species that is different from the rest of its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-coral-snakes-caught-in-rare-food-fight-over-caecilian/">relatives</a>.</p>



<p>These snakes appear quite dark when older, a trait linked to ontogenetic <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/melanization" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melanization</a>, where color deepens over time.</p>



<p>A smaller, younger version displayed muted shades, revealing the striking contrast between juveniles and adults.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-setting-and-snake-biodiversity">The setting and snake biodiversity</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.undp.org/papua-new-guinea/environment-and-biodiversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Papua New Guinea</a> sits in the heart of a region that supports a vast range of unique endemic plants and animals. </p>



<p>The land and offshore islands host incredible numbers of reptiles, as well as other species that have yet to be fully cataloged. The presence of <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259869057_A_Guide_to_the_Snakes_of_Papua_New_Guinea_The_first_comprehensive_guide_to_the_snake_fauna_of_Papua_New_Guinea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more than 80 known snake species</a> in this country speaks to its natural abundance.</p>



<p>“Herein I examine the taxonomic status of <em>Dendrelaphis</em> specimens from outlying large islands in Milne Bay Province,” said Kraus, who authored the study. </p>



<p>The Milne Bay province, located in the southeastern tip of the country, consists of many scattered islands. Each major island has unique ecosystems that shelter creatures found nowhere else on Earth.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-snake-stands-out">Why this snake stands out</h2>



<p>Many members of this genus show lighter tones or distinct patterns. This one shows an almost uniform midnight color, especially as it matures. That difference sets it apart from its close relatives in the <em>D. punctulatus</em> group.</p>



<p>Scientists often rely on scale arrangement, body shape, and even snake genitalia to establish taxonomic differences. </p>



<p>This approach helped confirm that <em>D. atra</em> is a separate entity. The species takes its name from the Latin word for black, which reflects its appearance in adulthood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-hidden-snake-treasures">Other hidden snake treasures</h2>



<p>This black tree snake was not alone in being an unexpected find. Researchers who surveyed nearby islands in the Milne Bay province realized that each large island in the region seems to have its own native <em>Dendrelaphis</em> species. That pattern shows how island isolation can give rise to new and distinct lifeforms.</p>



<p>Kraus also turned up three other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-coffee-snake-discovered-in-the-cloud-forests-of-ecuador/">serpents</a> - each inhabiting a different island. Experts say it is a reminder that scattered landmasses create pockets of biodiversity that evolve in relative seclusion.</p>



<p>Much about these newly documented <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primate-brains-have-evolved-to-rapidly-detect-snakes/">reptiles</a> remains unknown, leaving room for fresh insights in the future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-shaped-habitat">Human-shaped habitat</h2>



<p>It is intriguing that the black tree snake first appeared in a degraded setting on a mining island. The site’s developed landscape had buildings, pathways, and other signs of heavy human activity. </p>



<p>Snakes often prefer wilder spots, yet this species was found thriving in altered environments as well.</p>



<p>Papua New Guinea’s island topography makes it tricky for outsiders to conduct wildlife surveys. Rugged terrain, dense vegetation, and unpredictable weather can limit reliable fieldwork. </p>



<p>These factors emphasize the importance of any documented sighting, especially when it leads to the classification of an entirely new species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bigger-picture">The bigger picture</h2>



<p>“The Milne Bay province has the richest habitat for endemic reptiles and amphibians on the planet,” Kraus said. </p>



<p>Multiple researchers have suggested that this corner of the Pacific holds many more undiscovered reptiles and amphibians. </p>



<p>That richness shows up in the form of unusual snakes, frogs, and lizards that can surprise even seasoned experts.</p>



<p>Biodiversity in this area supports local communities, influences the ecology, and expands our overall scientific understanding. </p>



<p>Each new species provides a clue about the evolutionary paths and environmental conditions that shape life in remote locales.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-things-go-next">Where things go next</h2>



<p>The specifics of <em>D. atra’s</em> diet, reproduction, and daily habits still remain to be established. Scientists usually piece together such details by observing the animals across seasons, and collecting data that confirm patterns in the wild. </p>



<p>For now, the presence of multiple, island-exclusive <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/26637-Dendrelaphis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Dendrelaphis</em> snakes</a> highlights the hidden variety waiting to be described.</p>



<p>Ongoing studies may reveal how these reptiles adapt to changes in their environment. Further findings might guide conservation strategies to ensure that future generations can appreciate the region’s diverse wildlife. </p>



<p>Fresh research could also spark collaboration with local groups that have long been aware of the extraordinary creatures in their midst.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5618.4.1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Zootaxa</em></a>.</p>



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New species of tree snakes with completely black eyes is discovered

A shiny tree snake that is completely black and measures...

<p>Consciousness is usually treated as a human problem, tied to brains and behavior. Yet for centuries some thinkers have quietly asked whether experience might reach far beyond our skulls, right down to the building blocks of matter. </p>



<p>That radical possibility - panpsychism - holds that every bit of the universe possesses a flicker of experience, however faint.</p>



<p>Interest in the idea has surged again as researchers wrestle with the “hard problem of consciousness,” the stubborn mystery of how physical stuff gives rise to subjective feeling. </p>



<p>If neurons alone cannot <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conscious-awareness-when-does-our-sense-of-purpose-emerge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fully explain awareness</a>, might awareness already be lurking everywhere, waiting to be arranged into minds like ours?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-panpsychism-through-the-ages">Panpsychism through the ages</h2>



<p>The question is older than science itself. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thales_of_Miletus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thales of Miletus</a>, puzzling over magnets in the 6th century B.C., claimed they must carry a soul because they move iron. </p>



<p>A generation later, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaxagoras" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anaxagoras</a> said that “everything contains a portion of mind,” foreshadowing today’s talk of micro-experiences combining into richer ones. </p>



<p>Greek Stoics spoke of the universe as a living creature animated by “logos,” the rational breath binding all things. This principle was thought to permeate all matter, giving rise to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-urgent-plea-sustainable-climate-solutions-save-earth-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interconnectedness</a> of all things.</p>



<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plotinus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plotinus</a> kept the thread alive in late antiquity, arguing that the cosmos emanates from a single living “One.” </p>



<p>His influence resurfaced in the Renaissance when <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/bruno/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giordano Bruno</a> pictured an infinite universe teeming with worlds, each ensouled. </p>



<p>Such views clashed with the mechanistic models that soon powered modern science, but they never disappeared.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-magnets-to-monads">From magnets to monads</h2>



<p>During the Enlightenment, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">René Descartes</a> sliced mind from matter, pushing consciousness into an immaterial corner. </p>



<p>Even so, <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leibniz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz</a> answered with “monads,” indivisible units that mirror the entire universe through their own tiny perception. </p>



<p>By the late 19th century, William James, Gustav Fechner, and Alfred North Whitehead were again arguing that feeling might be woven into nature’s fabric instead of perched on top of it.</p>



<p>Their intuition found fresh urgency once Charles Darwin showed that life, and by extension minds, evolve. If consciousness blooms gradually, perhaps it never strictly begins; perhaps it intensifies as matter organizes itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-meets-philosophy-today">Science meets philosophy today</h2>



<p>Modern neuroscience attacks the mystery head-on. <a href="https://www.psychiatry.wisc.edu/staff/tononi-giulio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giulio Tononi</a> at the University of Wisconsin put forward <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn.2016.44" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integrated Information Theory</a> (IIT) in 2004, claiming that a system’s consciousness equals the amount of integrated information it generates, a value symbolized by “Φ.” </p>



<p>High Φ signals a richer, more unified experience; low Φ signals a dim one. </p>



<p>Crucially, IIT treats consciousness as “intrinsic and independent of external observers,” meaning it could arise in any structure - animal brains, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-imaging-method-will-unravel-mysteries-of-neural-processes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial networks</a>, or, in principle, a block of silicon - if the informational web is tight enough.</p>



<p>Researchers are now testing IIT’s predictions with brain-stimulation experiments and computer models. </p>



<p>Some early results suggest that loss of consciousness, as in deep anesthesia, coincides with a sharp drop in measurable integration. The data are tentative, but they push the theory beyond armchair speculation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-information-integration">Inside information integration</h2>



<p>IIT also tries to map the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-reveals-common-altered-states-of-consciousness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality of experience</a>: different shapes of integrated information should correspond to different qualia, the raw feelings of color, taste, or pain. </p>



<p>That ambition draws praise for its clarity and criticism for its boldness. Skeptics note the difficulty of calculating Φ in real systems and ask whether the math truly captures subjective life. </p>



<p>Yet the framework has already inspired machine-consciousness tests, raising practical as well as philosophical stakes.</p>



<p>If IIT holds up, panpsychism gains a scientific foothold, because the theory does not limit consciousness to biology. Wherever the right informational architecture appears, experience could spark.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-puzzles-and-panpsychism">Quantum puzzles and panpsychism</h2>



<p>A more controversial route links mind to quantum mechanics. </p>



<p>Physicist Roger Penrose and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff propose the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1571064513001188" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orchestrated Objective Reduction</a> (Orch-OR) theory, which places quantum computations inside neuronal microtubules. </p>



<p>When enough microtubules entangle, they say, an “objective reduction” occurs, collapsing superposed states and producing a moment of awareness shaped by “quantum gravity.”</p>



<p>Many biophysicists argue that brains are too warm and noisy for prolonged quantum coherence and that microtubules are unlikely qubit hosts. </p>



<p>Supporters counter with new work on room-temperature <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum effects in photosynthesis</a>, suggesting nature might pull off similar tricks elsewhere. </p>



<p>So far, definitive evidence for Orch-OR is missing, but the debate keeps the link between physics and consciousness on the table.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



<p>Panpsychism alarms some thinkers who worry that ascribing feeling to atoms cheapens the concept of consciousness. </p>



<p>The main technical hurdle is the “combination problem”: even if electrons feel a whisper, how do countless whispers merge into the loud voice of human thought? No consensus mechanism exists.</p>



<p>Still, the position refuses to die because it offers a clean way around dualism. If experience is not tacked onto matter but rides with it from the start, the gap between mind and world may shrink. </p>



<p>Philosophers compare the shift to realizing that heat is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/no-electron-dancing-allowed-new-molecular-design-rules/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molecular motion</a> rather than an extra substance called caloric. Whether the analogy holds is an open question, yet it shows why the stakes are high.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-panpsychism">What's next for panpsychism?</h2>



<p>Future progress will rely on sharper experiments and clearer concepts. Neuroscientists are refining Φ-based metrics, while physicists hunt quantum signatures in biology. </p>



<p>Philosophers, for their part, are re-examining ancient ideas with modern logic, asking whether panpsychism is a genuine explanation or a verbal sleight of hand.</p>



<p>Wherever the search leads, it forces us to face an unsettling possibility: consciousness might be less a rare jewel than a basic note in the cosmic score. </p>



<p>If so, the challenge is not to grant minds to stones but to understand how nature composes simple tones into the symphony we call waking life.</p>



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What if everything, from animals to plants to atoms, has consciousness? This theory is gaining momentum

Consciousness is usually treated as a human problem, tied to...

<p>Scientists warn that two recently recognized forest frog species face precarious conditions. They live in a narrow sliver of high-elevation rainforest, and experts fear even one large disturbance may push them toward extinction.</p>



<p>Professor Michael Mahony from the <a href="https://www.newcastle.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Newcastle</a> has studied these amphibians and their limited habitats. Each population ekes out a living in cool, moist spots that are shrinking because of shifting weather patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolated-existence-in-upland-forest">Isolated existence in upland forest</h2>



<p>The Eungella Whirring Frog (<em><a href="https://www.frogid.net.au/frogs/litoria-eungellensis">Litoria eungellensis</a></em>) persists in fewer than eight square miles (21 square kilometers) of upland <a href="https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5584.3.1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queensland forest</a>. It tolerates a cooler environment than most other tree frogs in the area, but shifting temperatures and rainfall patterns will present new challenges.</p>



<p>The Atherton Whirring Frog (<em><a href="https://www.frogid.net.au/frogs/litoria-corbeni">Litoria corbeni</a></em>) occupies a separate section of the tropics, in northern Queensland, but also at higher elevations. Like its relative, it seems unable to adjust to warmer, drier conditions, which has conservationists concerned.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sudden-threats-could-be-devastating">Sudden threats could be devastating</h2>



<p>“One catastrophic event could wipe them out entirely,” said Luke Price, a researcher at the South Australian Museum. </p>



<p>These amphibians remain vulnerable to quick and catastrophic events. With habitats so restricted, any disaster in these cool enclaves could have devastating results.</p>



<p>Researchers note that increasing temperatures and less predictable rainfall might reduce the moist habitats on which these frogs depend. When water sources dwindle, the animals face an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/missing-frog-species-alsodes-vittatus-resurfaces-after-130-years/">existential crisis</a> that they may not survive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-traits-of-the-forest-frogs">Distinct traits of the forest frogs</h2>



<p>Each species emits a distinct call that sets it apart from more common frogs in eastern Australia. Slight contrasts in vocalizations, combined with deeper genetic evidence, helped scientists recognize them as separate species.</p>



<p>Their coloring ranges from mustard-like hues to flashes of red on the hind legs. These markings help camouflage them among leaves and tree bark, but they offer no protection against heat waves or wildfires.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-past-climates-matter">Why past climates matter</h2>



<p>The discovery of these frogs also sheds light on Australia’s ancient climate history. </p>



<p>According to Price, their presence in isolated highland pockets suggests they once occupied a much larger range of connected wet forests during cooler, wetter periods.</p>



<p>This wider historical distribution supports the idea that climate shifts tied to continental drift and global circulation changes - not just modern greenhouse gas emissions - have shaped where species live today. </p>



<p>The frogs’ survival may depend on understanding both ancient trends and present-day pressures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-worries-for-small-forest-frogs">Big worries for small forest frogs</h2>



<p>Low numbers and narrow territories qualify both frogs as highly threatened under the guidelines set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/">IUCN</a>). </p>



<p>Not only do they have minimal resilience to sudden habitat changes, but they also have no opportunities to migrate.</p>



<p>“The mantra of ‘adapt or perish’ doesn’t equally apply across species,” said Mahony. He pointed out that these highland frogs cannot move to cooler terrains any farther upslope.</p>



<p>In remote regions of Queensland, regular surveys are tough to coordinate. Gathering more data on frog numbers and breeding success takes time and resources, yet experts say such efforts are necessary for any hope of long-term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-mother-nature-have-rights-a-tiny-frog-has-joined-the-fight/">preservation</a>.</p>



<p>Fire management is especially difficult in mountainous rainforest. A wildfire in a unique gully or hillside might eliminate water sources and destroy frog refuges in one sweep, leaving no survivors to repopulate those areas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-sets-these-forest-frogs-apart">What sets these forest frogs apart</h2>



<p>Unlike many widespread <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frog-mating-calls-teach-bats-which-prey-to-avoid/">amphibians</a>, these whirring frogs show no signs of behavioral or ecological flexibility. </p>



<p>They are tightly tied to specific humidity levels, elevation zones, and vegetation types that can be lost quickly with even mild environmental shifts.</p>



<p>Researchers emphasize that while other species may bounce back or shift territory, these frogs lack both the numbers and the landscape corridors to do so. </p>



<p>That makes them much more vulnerable than most frogs in Australia’s lower altitudes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-frogs-take-time-to-adapt">Frogs take time to adapt</h2>



<p>Some amphibian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-frog-day-2025-protecting-natures-tiny-guardians/">populations</a> in other parts of the world have adapted to minor temperature shifts over thousands of years. However, rapid changes may prove too much for small groups that are isolated in tiny zones.</p>



<p>Scientists believe targeted protection of montane areas, along with active measures to maintain moisture levels, could buy these frogs more time. If reserves are created and carefully monitored, that might lessen the risk of sudden habitat loss.</p>



<p>Smaller species can vanish with little notice if they lack escape routes. Because these frogs can’t handle fluctuations in temperature or humidity, the strain of hotter days could tip the balance toward local extinctions.</p>



<p>Habitat restoration efforts and close watching by field biologists might help, but the situation remains tense. Their continued existence depends on coordinated steps that acknowledge the narrow margins in which they live.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://zoobank.org/References/C07BE8E9-713C-42E5-9D3F-5F6166C44C5A" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Zootaxa</em></a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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'Whistling' forest frogs recently discovered may be wiped out before we learn about them

Scientists warn that two recently recognized forest frog species face...

<p>Forests are not just a bunch of trees standing together. Beneath the ground, roots and fungi connect to share nutrients. This partnership, called symbiosis, helps trees survive in poor soils and tough conditions.</p>



<p>Some trees take this connection further. They link up with two different types of fungi at the same time. </p>



<p>Researchers at the University of Zurich (<a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UZH</a>) and Agroscope studied this strategy. They found that trees with dual fungal partners handle climate change better and spread into new areas more easily.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-fungi-are-better-than-one">Two fungi are better than one</h2>



<p>Some trees go beyond the usual single-fungus alliance. They partner with not one but two different types of mycorrhizal fungi. Why? It turns out that dual symbiosis means survival.</p>



<p>“Some woody plants form an alliance with two fungus types simultaneously,” noted study lead author Ido Rog from the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at UZH.</p>



<p>The researchers analyzed over 400 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-sync-up-their-communication-signals-before-a-solar-eclipse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree species</a>. They discovered that trees with two fungal partners could handle drought and nutrient scarcity better than those with just one. It’s like having two water wells instead of one - a backup when things get tough.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-help-trees-spread">Fungi help trees spread</h2>



<p>Rog calls it “bigamy,” and it’s a winning strategy. Trees with dual fungi reach farther and wider, colonizing places where other trees fail. Their expanded root systems access more nutrients and water, giving them a competitive edge.</p>



<p>“They thus are able to colonize a much larger territory than tree species that form a symbiosis with only one fungus type can,” said Rog.</p>



<p>The strategy works regardless of evolutionary history. It’s not about being a certain type of tree. Instead, it is about being adaptable. Trees that partner with two fungi create a safety net, thriving where single-fungus trees struggle.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-significance-of-dual-fungi">The significance of dual fungi</h2>



<p>Imagine a landscape dominated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-now-the-driving-force-behind-droughts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a> and soil cracks, where trees struggle to stay hydrated. But trees with dual fungal partners are better prepared. Their roots extend deeper, reaching untapped water reserves. They also access nutrients from diverse soil layers, widening their survival range.</p>



<p>“Our findings indicate that polygamy with two fungus varieties served as a strategy enabling trees to adapt to rougher environmental conditions,” noted study co-author Professor Marcel van der Heijden.</p>



<p>Trees with dual fungi grow where others can’t, thriving in rocky, nutrient-poor soil. This strategy doesn’t just keep them alive - it allows them to flourish.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-that-beat-the-heat">Trees that beat the heat</h2>



<p>Climate change is turning once-lush forests into dry, barren landscapes. Trees that can handle drought and nutrient scarcity may become the new standard in reforestation projects.</p>



<p>“In forestry, this knowledge could be helpful in the future for selecting tree species specialized in dual fungal associations,” explained Professor van der Heijden.</p>



<p>The idea is simple: choose trees that can do more with less. Trees that work with two fungi can stretch resources, endure droughts, and claim more territory. It’s not just survival - but dominance in a world where resources are shrinking.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-tree-fungi-partnerships">Understanding tree-fungi partnerships </h2>



<p>There is more to this story than individual tree survival. Trees that form dual partnerships with fungi also impact entire ecosystems.</p>



<p>They stabilize the soil, prevent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fighting-coastal-erosion-electricity-turns-sand-into-a-sea-wall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">erosion</a>, and create habitats for other organisms. These trees shape the landscape, turning barren ground into thriving ecosystems.</p>



<p>Trees with dual fungi don’t just survive. They change the game, creating new habitats and pushing ecological boundaries. </p>



<p>The implications are profound. As forests face increasing stress, understanding these fungal alliances could hold the key to saving them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-network-of-connections">Dynamic network of connections </h2>



<p>The study raises new questions. How many other tree species use dual partnerships with fungi? Could this strategy be applied to agricultural crops? And how do these fungi respond to extreme weather events?</p>



<p>Researchers are just beginning to unravel the complexities of these underground alliances. The answers could redefine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/success-story-reforestation-has-helped-keep-the-eastern-us-relatively-cool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reforestation</a> strategies, climate resilience plans, and agricultural practices.</p>



<p>The forest floor may look silent, but beneath the surface, a dynamic network of connections is at work that could hold the secret to thriving in a changing world.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ele.70132" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology Letters</a>.</em></p>



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Trees have unique fungi partnerships that help them survive

Forests are not just a bunch of trees standing together....

<p>A newly identified dinosaur has stirred attention among paleontologists worldwide. It lived about 94 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous epoch and has been hailed as the earliest known member of its family.</p>



<p>The fresh discovery is named <a href="https://dinoanimals.com/dinosaurdatabase/cienciargentina-sanchezi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cienciargentina sanchezi</em></a>, and it breaks previous records for the oldest known specimen of the rebbachisaurid group of plant-eating dinosaurs. </p>



<p>The announcement was described by <a href="https://unrn.academia.edu/leonardosalgado" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leonardo Salgado</a> from the Universidad Nacional de Río Negro-Conicet, in association with his colleague <a href="https://independent.academia.edu/Mar%C3%ADaEdithSim%C3%B3n" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">María Edith Simón</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncovering-a-sauropod-surprise">Uncovering a sauropod surprise</h2>



<p>The team uncovered fossilized bones in the <a href="https://www.argentina.travel/en/pr/neuquen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neuquén province</a> in Argentina, at the base of the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340720799_New_vertebrate_remains_from_the_Huincul_Formation_Cenomanian-Turonian_Upper_Cretaceous_in_Rio_Negro_Argentina" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huincul Formation</a>, which is an area famous for other dinosaur remains. </p>



<p>The remains suggested a dinosaur with a distinctive shape and size, and hinted at a creature that likely stood out among its neighbors.</p>



<p>They recognized that diplodocoid traits set this animal apart. Sauropods in this branch often present specialized vertebrae and unique skeletal structures, which are well-preserved in the remains found at the site.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-family-tree">Tracing the family tree</h2>



<p><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0123475" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Experts</a> see rebbachisaurids as a fascinating cluster of long-necked giants. They have turned up on multiple continents and show features not seen in other sauropods, especially in their teeth and vertebrae. In some species, those teeth formed tooth batteries, a trait more common in other dinosaur groups.</p>



<p>“This new species is added to the list of rebbachisaurid sauropods documented in the Huincul Formation,” said Salgado. He and Simón identified key skeletal features that confirm the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/research-ship-finds-palau-nautilus-sea-creature-untouched-since-dinosaur-times/">dinosaur’s</a> status as an early form of these long-necked herbivores.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-rebbachisaurid-traits">Early rebbachisaurid traits</h2>



<p>Researchers say the neck vertebrae suggest a structure that could have supported a long, flexible neck. The hind legs likely bore a significant amount of weight, which is typical for giants in this lineage. </p>



<p>Tiny details in the bones gave away this creature’s identity as a close relative of other known rebbachisaurids.</p>



<p>The sheer size probably helped in warding off predators. Plant-based diets would have been abundant near streams and floodplains, and the environment would have been favored by many sauropods.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-rebbachisaurid-find-matters">Why the rebbachisaurid find matters</h2>



<p>Paleontologists are often eager to fill gaps in dinosaur family trees, and an early rebbachisaurid is especially important. Each discovery shines a light on how these creatures evolved their body structures and feeding habits.</p>



<p>The findings help paint a broader picture of sauropod evolution in South America. </p>



<p>Researchers gain a clearer look at how different dinosaur groups adapted and survived in changing environments as the Cretaceous Period progressed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-short-quote-from-the-past">One short quote from the past</h2>



<p>“The first South American rebbachisaurid sauropods were recognized upon the basis of materials from the surroundings of Villa El Chocón, from the Candeleros and Huincul Formations,” said Salgado. Those early signs opened the door to later breakthroughs in identifying new species.</p>



<p>Cervical vertebrae in this new find lack the typical epipophyses seen in close relatives. </p>



<p>The dorsal vertebrae show amphicoelous to slightly opisthocoelous centers, a configuration that indicates how older rebbachisaurids may have branched off from later ones.</p>



<p>Spinal shapes also reflect a sturdier frame compared to certain younger species. Collectively, these traits confirm a pivotal spot for this dinosaur in the broader diplodocoid lineage.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-work-in-argentina">Ongoing work in Argentina</h2>



<p>Argentina is no stranger to major fossil revelations. Researchers keep combing sites for the next big puzzle piece that can clarify how giant herbivores roamed. Methods continue to evolve, allowing more precise dating of fossils.</p>



<p>Better technology also helps with reconstructions. Digital modeling can reveal how muscles attached to skeletons and how these animals may have moved about their ancient habitats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-about-changing-worlds">Clues about changing worlds</h2>



<p>Experts think the shift from earlier diplodocoid forms to other sauropod families signals environmental pressures that shaped survival strategies. Some lines thrived in broad, open areas, while others adapted to different landscapes. The presence of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dinosaur-extinction-influenced-fruit-evolution/">dinosaur</a> suggests transitions may have been more varied than once assumed.</p>



<p>These transitions illuminate broader ecological processes. Changes in climate, vegetation, and terrain likely steered dinosaur evolution in complex ways that are only now being pieced together.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-for-more-answers">Hope for more answers</h2>



<p>Fossils like these keep researchers on their toes. They also draw everyday folks into the excitement of uncovering vanished worlds. </p>



<p>Salgado and Simón see this as a cue for continued exploration, with the possibility that more early forms could still be out there.</p>



<p>Some experts think we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg in areas like the Neuquén province. New technology, fresh expeditions, and collaborations all pave the way for further discoveries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-links-no-more">Missing links no more</h2>



<p><em>Cienciargentina sanchezi</em> connects dots in rebbachisaurid history by sharing traits with both older and younger relatives. These insights will likely fuel future debates on how diplodocoids spread across ancient landmasses. </p>



<p>This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strange-case-of-the-two-clawed-dinosaur-duonychus-tsogtbaatari/">dinosaur’s</a> existence adds depth to our understanding of the Late Cretaceous. Each detail - whether from bones or footprints - challenges our assumptions about how these animals looked and behaved.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-for-the-community">Significance for the community</h2>



<p>Scientists collaborate across countries and institutions to analyze and verify these fossils. That teamwork helps ensure accurate identifications. It also makes it easier to compare new specimens with old finds from around the world.</p>



<p>These global partnerships are crucial in paleontology, where a single bone can trigger fresh perspectives on evolution. The story of <em>cienciargentina sanchezi</em> is yet another reminder that fresh insights come from all corners of the planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-final-note">The final note</h2>



<p>The importance of this 94-million-year-old sauropod lies in its status as a missing piece that enriches our knowledge of an entire family of dinosaurs. It also points to the significance of exploring less examined layers of rock, where new wonders may lie.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195667125000606" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cretaceous Research</em></a>.</p>



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The oldest known rebbachisaur has been found, dating back 94 million years

A newly identified dinosaur has stirred attention among paleontologists worldwide....

<p>When we picture the ocean, it’s often the massive waves that come to mind. But scientists are finding that some of the most important activity happens on a much smaller scale. </p>



<p>Thanks to a new satellite mission, researchers are now seeing the ocean’s tiny waves and swirling currents in clearer detail than ever before - and it’s changing the way we understand life in the sea.</p>



<p>In a recent study led by NASA and researchers at <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M University</a>, scientists used the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite to analyze ocean features too small for earlier satellites to detect.</p>



<p>These features, known as submesoscale eddies and waves, are often just a mile wide, but they play a powerful role in how heat and nutrients move throughout marine ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-ve-been-missing">What we’ve been missing</h2>



<p>For years, scientists have known about these small ocean features. <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/moon-landing-of-apollo-11-in-1969/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apollo</a> astronauts even spotted them from space nearly 50 years ago. </p>



<p>But the tools available - whether ship-based instruments or older satellites - could only capture bits and pieces. They either missed the full scale or couldn’t provide a global view.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-swot-satellite-mission-maps-earths-ocean-floors-from-space-in-stunning-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWOT</a> is filling that gap. A joint project between NASA and the French space agency CNES, the satellite collects detailed, two-dimensional images of the ocean surface. These images help researchers track how water is moving - and what it’s carrying - around the globe.</p>



<p>“The role that submesoscale features play in ocean dynamics is what makes them important,” said Matthew Archer, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.</p>



<p>“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceanic-intrusions-move-tiny-sea-life-to-the-deep-layers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vertical currents</a> move heat between the atmosphere and ocean, and in submesoscale eddies, can actually bring up heat from the deep ocean to the surface, warming the atmosphere."</p>



<p>That movement goes both ways. Just as heat can rise from deep ocean layers, nutrients can, too. These nutrients are critical to marine life, acting like food trucks arriving with supplies for surface-dwelling organisms.</p>



<p>“Not only can we see the surface of the ocean at 10 times the resolution of before, we can also infer how water and materials are moving at depth,” noted Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, SWOT program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-ocean-talks-to-the-sky">How the ocean talks to the sky</h2>



<p>The SWOT satellite doesn’t just map where the water is. It also measures the height of ocean surfaces. </p>



<p>From that data, scientists can estimate wave slopes and pressure levels, which reveal how strong the forces are in these currents. This helps to determine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atlantic-ocean-currents-slowing-as-water-temperature-rises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how fast water is moving</a> and how much heat, energy, or nutrients are being transported.</p>



<p>“Force is the fundamental quantity driving fluid motion,” said study co-author Jinbo Wang, an oceanographer at Texas A&amp;M University in College Station.</p>



<p>Scientists will now gain a better understanding of how the ocean and atmosphere interact. A small change in one can have a big effect on the other. For example, if warmer water reaches the surface, it can influence weather patterns and even climate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-ocean-currents">A closer look at ocean currents</h2>



<p>To test SWOT’s capabilities, scientists focused on two ocean features. One was a swirling eddy in an offshoot of the Kuroshio Current, a major Pacific Ocean current near Japan. </p>



<p>SWOT was able to spot the eddy and measure how fast water inside it was moving vertically. The estimate? Between 20 and 45 feet per day.</p>



<p>While the measurement may sound modest, capturing this kind of motion at a global scale is new - and vital. It’s the first step toward a better understanding of how deep-sea energy and nutrients reach the ocean surface.</p>



<p>The second example involved a different kind of submesoscale feature: an internal solitary wave. These waves form when tidal forces move water over underwater plateaus. </p>



<p>SWOT caught one of these waves in the Andaman Sea near Myanmar. When researchers did the math, they found that this single wave had at least twice the energy of a typical internal tide in the area.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-better-models-better-predictions">Better models, better predictions</h2>



<p>Information from SWOT will help researchers refine their models of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean circulation</a>. According to study co-author and project scientist Lee Fu, a lot of ocean models were trained to show large features, like eddies that are hundreds of miles across.</p>



<p>"Now they have to learn to model these smaller scale features. That’s what SWOT data is helping with," noted Lee.</p>



<p>Researchers have already started to incorporate SWOT ocean data into some models, including NASA’s ECCO (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean). </p>



<p>It may take some time until SWOT data is fully a part of models like ECCO. But once it is, the information will help researchers better understand how the ocean ecosystem will react to a changing world.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio</p>



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NASA satellite is rewriting what we know about ocean currents

When we picture the ocean, it’s often the massive waves...

<p>Seagrass meadows are a hidden treasure of Florida’s coastal beauty, often overlooked in favor of beaches and mangroves. Yet beneath the surface, these underwater fields quietly support marine life, stabilize shores, and protect coastal communities. </p>



<p>Along Florida’s Nature Coast, seagrass meadows are not just surviving - they’re thriving. A recent study reveals that seagrass ecosystems in this region have remained remarkably healthy and undisturbed for thousands of years - and this resilience is rare.</p>



<p>Globally, seagrass meadows are in trouble. Since 1879, nearly 30% have vanished. Between 1990 and 2009 alone, seagrass beds declined by an estimated 7% each year. Unlike many regions where seagrass meadow loss is the norm, Florida’s Nature Coast has become a rare refuge for these vital ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-past-seagrass-meadows">Lessons from past seagrass meadows</h2>



<p>Researchers from the Florida Museum of Natural History at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a> set out to understand how these meadows have endured. The common problem they faced is that we don’t really know what an untouched ecosystem looks like anymore.</p>



<p>“Nothing is really pristine today, because humans have altered all of Earth’s environments, but this is about as good as it gets,” said Michal Kowalewski, senior author of the study.</p>



<p>One major hurdle is the lack of long-term environmental data. “Most of the contemporary biological data we have postdates the Industrial Revolution,” Kowalewski explained. </p>



<p>“If you think about any type of real-time instrumentation that collects physical and chemical information about an environment, or if you think about the rigorous bio-inventory surveys, all of those things are from the last 50 to 100 years at most.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-clues-beneath-seagrass-meadows">Fossil clues beneath seagrass meadows</h2>



<p>In other words, humanity has been altering nature far longer than we've been systematically observing it. Luckily, Earth itself keeps a record - in the form of fossils.</p>



<p>This is where conservation paleobiology steps in. Scientists use the recent fossil record to reconstruct past ecosystems. </p>



<p>Seagrasses, unfortunately, don’t leave fossils. Their soft tissues decompose quickly. But the animals living in seagrass meadows - especially shell-bearing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mollusks-evolution-shishania-aculeata-spiny-armor-no-shells-500-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mollusks</a> - do leave lasting traces.</p>



<p>Kowalewski and his team have shown that mollusk fossils are reliable indicators of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/groundwater-plays-critical-role-ecosystem-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem health</a>. When mollusks thrive, it’s a good sign that the surrounding environment is in good shape, too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-florida-s-nature-coast">Studying Florida's Nature Coast</h2>



<p>For their study, the team sampled 21 sites across six estuaries along the Nature Coast. Using PVC hoses, they collected sediment from the seafloor, sifting through centuries of accumulated material.</p>



<p>“We collect sediment samples while scuba diving, and then we sieve those samples and extract all that we find in it,” Kowalewski said. “The samples are dominated by dead material, because it has accumulated there over many centuries. Typically, for every live bivalve or snail, we find thousands of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-are-very-reliable-fishing-grounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dead specimens</a>.”</p>



<p>Identifying and cataloging these specimens took years. But when the data was analyzed, the results were clear: mollusk diversity had barely changed in millennia. This suggests that the seagrass meadows they inhabit have remained stable, too.</p>



<p>“Only rarely do we find historical evidence that can make us optimistic about the current state of a local ecosystem,” Kowalewski said. </p>



<p>“Most conservation paleobiology studies tell depressing stories about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-heat-shrinking-habitats-insects-face-hidden-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shrinking habitats</a>, declining biodiversity and diminishing ecosystem services. For once, at least, this is not the case. What’s thrilling to me is we can show this system is still in very good condition, which makes it even more important to protect it.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-model-for-seagrass-restoration">A model for seagrass restoration</h2>



<p>This discovery is more than just a pleasant surprise. It provides a valuable reference point for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/without-tackling-climate-change-coral-restoration-efforts-are-insufficient/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">restoration efforts</a> elsewhere. Healthy seagrass meadows are disappearing, but Florida's Nature Coast shows us what these ecosystems should look like.</p>



<p>Elsewhere in Florida, seagrass has not been so fortunate. In Tampa Bay, nearly half of the seagrass was lost between 1950 and 1980 due to urban growth and pollution. </p>



<p>Although restoration efforts brought some recovery by 2018, recent declines have been noted again. On the state’s east coast, surveys show that up to 60% of seagrass has vanished in parts of the Indian River Lagoon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-nutrient-pollution">Hidden nutrient pollution</h2>



<p>Most of these losses stem from nutrient pollution. Runoff from farms and cities feeds algae and bacteria, creating dense blooms that cloud the water. This “marine cloud” blocks sunlight from reaching the seagrass below, starving them of the light they need to survive.</p>



<p>The Nature Coast has so far escaped this fate. In 2020, it was designated an aquatic preserve, helping protect its relatively undeveloped watersheds.</p>



<p>Study co-author Thomas Frazer is a dean at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science.</p>



<p>“There’s not a lot of development in those watersheds, particularly from the area around Weeki Wachee all the way up into the Panhandle, so the effects of excess nutrient delivery are not as pronounced as is in other places that have suffered as a consequence,” said Frazer.</p>



<p>However, this does not mean the threat has passed. <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1969992&amp;action=edit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Algal blooms</a> are now an annual event in many parts of Florida. Even Nature Coast seagrasses may be affected if water quality declines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-moving-species">Climate change and moving species</h2>



<p>Climate change adds another layer of complexity. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-and-extreme-rainfall-study-reveals-a-missing-link/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rising temperatures</a> are pushing temperate and subtropical species northward. Florida’s Gulf Coast, backed against the Panhandle, offers little room for further migration.</p>



<p>“There’s nowhere for them to go,” Frazer said. As marine life shifts, seagrass ecosystems may face new challenges. </p>



<p>A single blade of seagrass is home to countless organisms - hydroids, bryozoans, sea squirts, bacteria, and algae. </p>



<p>Normally, grazing fish and invertebrates keep these communities balanced. But if these grazers disappear or new species disrupt the balance, the health of the meadow could suffer.</p>



<p>“We’re already seeing range extensions of mobile fauna,” Frazer added. “A number of fishes, for example, are moving up north along the Gulf Coast, and they may either eat seagrass or consume grazers that help keep seagrasses clean of organisms that live on them.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-seagrasses-matter-so-much">Why seagrasses matter so much</h2>



<p>Seagrasses are ancient. They’ve been around longer than the dinosaurs and their benefits to both marine and human life are immense. Rachel Carson captured their importance in her 1955 book <em>The Edge of the Sea</em>. </p>



<p>“Thrusting their roots into the sand and shifting coral debris, the seagrasses achieve a firmer attachment than the rootless algae do; where they grow thickly, they help to secure the offshore sands against the currents, as on the land the dune grasses hold the dry sands against the winds," she wrote.</p>



<p>Seagrasses stabilize the seabed, prevent erosion, and are vital for marine biodiversity. Despite covering just 0.2% of the ocean floor, they are responsible for 50% of marine carbon burial. They provide food for sea turtles, manatees, and fish. For countless species, seagrass meadows are essential nurseries.</p>



<p>“They provide very important nursery habitat,” Frazer said. “In Florida alone, more than 80% of the fish caught by commercial fisherman and recreational anglers spend some part of their life history in those seagrass beds.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-seagrass-meadows">Protecting seagrass meadows</h2>



<p>Frazer noted that seagrasses serve as a front line for storm protection. Their dense underwater meadows reduce wave energy by up to 40% in shallow waters, acting as natural storm barriers.</p>



<p>Florida’s Nature Coast now holds the largest seagrass meadows bed in the Gulf of Mexico. With careful management and ongoing conservation, it has the potential to stay that way.</p>



<p>While much of the world races to restore what’s been lost, the Nature Coast reminds us of a simple truth: sometimes, the best thing we can do is protect what we already have.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v760/p71-86/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Ecology Progress Series</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Ben Jones / Ocean Image Bank</p>



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Seagrass meadows still thrive on Florida's Nature Coast

Seagrass meadows are a hidden treasure of Florida’s coastal beauty,...

Healthy,Vegetarian,Dinner.,Woman,In,Jeans,And,Warm,Sweater,Holding

<p>Aging can mean many things. It can mean slowing down, feeling less sharp, or facing more health issues. But it doesn’t have to. A new study suggests that what women eat in midlife could set the stage for how well they age. </p>



<p>Published in JAMA Network Open, the study from <a href="https://www.tufts.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts University</a> and <a href="https://hsph.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a> dives into the power of carbohydrates and fiber in shaping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> decades later.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-carbs-affect-aging">How carbs affect aging</h2>



<p>Not all carbs are equal. Some lift you up, while others drag you down.</p>



<p>“We’ve all heard that different carbohydrates can affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-old-are-you-really-new-tool-measures-aging-from-the-inside-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> differently, whether for weight, energy, or blood sugar levels. But rather than just look at the immediate effects of these macronutrients, we wanted to understand what they might mean for good health 30 years later,” said lead author Andres Ardisson Korat.</p>



<p>The study zeroed in on 47,000 women, ages 70 to 93. The researchers looked at what these women ate over a span of three decades, starting in 1984. They tracked their intake of refined carbs, high-quality carbs, and fiber. They wanted to see who aged well - and who didn’t.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-healthy-aging-looks-like">What healthy aging looks like</h2>



<p>Living past 70 doesn’t mean you’re aging well. The researchers defined <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiosity-might-help-you-stay-sharp-as-you-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy</a> aging as reaching 70 without major chronic diseases, keeping a sharp mind, staying physically capable, and feeling good mentally. Out of 47,000 women, only 3,706 fit that bill.</p>



<p>What did those women have in common? A diet rich in high-quality carbs and fiber. The more they ate from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, the better they aged.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-quality-carbs-boost-aging">High-quality carbs boost aging</h2>



<p>Eating more high-quality carbs wasn’t just good. It was transformative. Women who upped their intake of high-quality carbs by 10% had a 31% better chance of aging well. </p>



<p>The same couldn’t be said for refined carbs. Sugary snacks and white bread were linked to a 13% drop in the odds of healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-protein-that-reverses-cellular-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>. </p>



<p>“Our results are consistent with other evidence linking consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes with lower risks of chronic diseases, and now we see the association with physical and cognitive function outcomes,” said study senior author Qi Sun.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fiber-s-role-in-protecting-health">Fiber’s role in protecting health</h2>



<p>Fiber doesn’t just keep things moving. It protects your mind. It shields your body. For every one-standard-deviation bump in fiber intake, the odds of healthy aging shot up by 17 percent.</p>



<p>Fruit fiber boosted odds by 14 percent. Vegetable fiber added 11 percent. Even cereal fiber, often overlooked, contributed a 7% increase.</p>



<p>The benefits of fiber went beyond disease prevention. Women with higher fiber intake had stronger memories, better physical function, and fewer mental health problems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-all-carbs-affect-aging-differently">All carbs affect aging differently</h2>



<p>Glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) may sound like fancy terms, but they matter. Foods with a high GI hit blood sugar hard and fast. Not great for aging well.</p>



<p>High GL foods, on the other hand, had a surprising link to better mental health. But once the researchers factored in fiber intake, that connection weakened. The takeaway? Fiber might buffer some of the negative effects of high-GI foods.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-replacing-refined-carbs">Replacing refined carbs</h2>



<p>Imagine swapping out refined carbs for high-quality ones. What happens? Women who did had 8% to 16% better odds of aging well. That’s a big jump.</p>



<p>“Studies are starting to find an association between food choices in midlife and quality of life in later years. The more we can understand about healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>, the more science can help people live healthier for longer,” Korat said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-women-s-diets">Tracking women's diets</h2>



<p>This study tracked women’s diets for over 30 years. It connected their midlife eating habits to their health in their 70s and 80s. The findings suggest that small, consistent changes matter more than drastic diets.</p>



<p>The researchers saw that women who ate more whole grains, fruits, and veggies over time aged better than those who filled up on white bread and sweets.</p>



<p>The study mostly included white, educated health professionals. Participants reported their own dietary habits, which might not be completely accurate. And after three decades, memories can get hazy.</p>



<p>Still, the findings were clear. Eating more high-quality carbs and fiber in midlife made a noticeable difference. It wasn’t just beneficial - it was transformative.</p>



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



<p>Aging well isn’t just about avoiding illness. It’s about staying mentally sharp, physically active, and feeling good. The study suggests that what women eat in their 40s and 50s can impact their health decades later.</p>



<p>But it’s not just about eating fewer carbs. It’s about eating the right ones. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes gave women a better shot at aging well.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbs-and-fiber-shape-aging">Carbs and fiber shape aging</h2>



<p>The food choices women make in midlife are more than just meals. They’re investments. </p>



<p>High-quality carbs and dietary fiber aren’t just good for digestion. They’re linked to lower risks of chronic diseases, sharper minds, and better physical health in old age.</p>



<p>Aging doesn’t have to mean decline, and it doesn’t have to mean slowing down. For the women in this study, eating well decades earlier paid off in a big way. The lesson? It’s never too early to think about the future. And it’s never too late to make better choices.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2834202" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a>.</em></p>



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High-quality carbs in midlife linked to healthier aging

Aging can mean many things. It can mean slowing down,...

<p>In many places, men face a higher risk of disease but receive less timely care. These observations come from a broad international effort examining hypertension, diabetes, and HIV and aids.</p>



<p>Angela Chang from the <a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southern Denmark</a> led a team that gathered worldwide information on who falls ill and who actually receives help. The analysis pointed to important differences by sex, affecting disease rates and overall health <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcomes</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sex-differences-affect-health-outcomes">Sex differences affect health outcomes</h2>



<p>Males have higher rates of smoking in most nations according to the <a href="https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/343287" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a>. Smoking is a known factor for high blood pressure, making it a key contributor to heart problems. Females tend to lead in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322010249" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a> numbers in many regions, which can contribute to diabetes.</p>



<p>These diseases are not just about risk factors. The study shows that males often end up with higher mortality rates once they develop these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rats-are-spreading-a-deadly-disease-across-cities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>. </p>



<p>Many men <a href="https://menandhiv.org/publication/the-mens-health-gap-men-must-be-included-in-the-global-health-equity-agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fail to visit clinics</a> or hospitals as regularly as women, which could mean they don’t get diagnosed or treated when they need it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disease-risks-and-care-gaps">Disease risks and care gaps </h2>



<p><a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4314-hypertension-high-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hypertension</a>, commonly called high blood pressure, is often undetected. Men skip checkups more frequently, so signs that might be obvious in a routine exam can slip under the radar. If left unaddressed, this condition can lead to complications like stroke and heart failure.</p>



<p>Diabetes also showed worrying trends. In around half of surveyed countries, men were more likely to die from this disease than women. In a few areas, women had a greater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disease</a> burden, but men were still less likely to receive consistent care in those spots.</p>



<p>HIV and aids <a href="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2020_global-aids-report_en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data</a> revealed that in most places where statistics were available, men’s prevalence and death rates outpaced those of women. The research suggested that men often lagged behind in testing, treatment, and adherence to medication schedules.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-care-disparities-by-sex">Care disparities by sex</h2>



<p>“Without sex-disaggregated cascade data, we’re flying blind - unable to detect who is falling through the cracks in prevention, diagnosis, and care,” said Angela Chang, senior author of the study.</p>



<p>The team emphasized that many health policies and programs do not consider these persistent differences in how men and women seek health support.</p>



<p>The researchers pointed out that risk factors aren’t only rooted in biology. Gender norms and expectations can increase or lower the likelihood that a person will smoke, receive checkups, or follow a treatment plan.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-men-avoid-health-care">Why men avoid health care </h2>



<p>Many men report that they avoid medical care unless absolutely necessary. In <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263198588_Men_and_primary_care_Improving_access_and_outcomes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surveys</a> across different countries, common reasons include fear of diagnosis, lack of time, or the belief that symptoms will go away on their own.</p>



<p>Some researchers suggest that social norms around masculinity encourage toughness and discourage vulnerability. This can stop men from seeking care early, which delays diagnosis and worsens outcomes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-men-s-health-care-disparities">Men’s health care disparities</h2>



<p>“We have long advocated the benefits of publishing sex disaggregated data. Such data can reveal where the health journeys of men and women diverge, be it in relation to the risk factors they are exposed to, their health care seeking behaviors or their experiences in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-diseases-that-infect-humans-are-becoming-more-common-in-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> care systems,” said Professors Kent Buse at Global 50/50. </p>



<p>The experts emphasize that social constructs shape health as much as biology, suggesting that efforts to tackle these disparities should address cultural and systemic factors. The findings highlight the need for balanced health policies. </p>



<p>Certain measures might need to target men more aggressively, aiming to increase early screening, boost clinic attendance, and raise awareness around symptoms that men are less likely to act on promptly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaps-in-men-s-health-care">Gaps in men's health care</h2>



<p>Policymakers and health professionals may look at these gaps and explore fresh approaches to reach men. From workplace screening programs to flexible clinic hours, there are strategies that address the common reasons men often give for not seeking help.</p>



<p>Experts agree that looking at sex-disaggregated data is the first step toward making sure no one gets left behind. The focus is on gathering stronger, more detailed information. That way, actions can be tailored and effective, ensuring better health for all.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-problem-with-missing-data">The problem with missing data</h2>



<p>A major issue researchers faced was the lack of complete data for many countries. While the team found data on risk and death rates for over 200 countries, full care cascade data, especially broken down by sex, was often missing, particularly for diabetes and hiv and aids.</p>



<p>Without this information, it’s hard to see where and why people are dropping off the care pathway. This makes it more difficult to design effective solutions or understand how patterns differ across age, income, and region.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004592" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>PLOS Medicine</em></a>.</p>



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Men die more from preventable health issues but seek less care

In many places, men face a higher risk of disease...

<p>The Southern Ocean, vast and cold, swallows more carbon than its size suggests. It’s a carbon sink, a crucial one, pulling atmospheric carbon down into its icy depths. But what happens when the rules change?</p>



<p>New research from the University of East Anglia (<a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UEA</a>) takes a hard look at this question. The study warns that the ocean’s role in carbon absorption might weaken as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions climb.</p>



<p>The old driver, the ozone hole, might be stepping back. In its place? Rising emissions, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-crisis-what-if-the-ocean-lost-all-of-its-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming waters</a>, and unpredictable winds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ozone-depletion-s-reversible-impact">Ozone depletion’s reversible impact</h2>



<p>Back in the 20th century, the ozone hole ruled the Southern Ocean’s winds. It churned up the waters, dragging carbon-heavy currents to the surface. The result? The ocean became less capable of soaking up more carbon.</p>



<p>But now, the ozone hole is healing. And as it recovers, its grip on the winds is slipping. That might sound like good news, but there’s a catch.</p>



<p>Dr. Tereza Jarníková of the Tyndall Cente for Climate Change Research at UEA is the lead author of the study.</p>



<p>“An interesting, and hopeful, highlight of this work is that the effects of human-caused ozone hole damage on the winds, circulation, and carbon uptake of the Southern Ocean are reversible, but only under a lower scenario of greenhouse gas emissions,” noted Dr. Jarníková.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-patterns-in-the-southern-ocean">Wind patterns in the Southern Ocean</h2>



<p>In the 20th century, ozone depletion drove wind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-ocean-holds-carbon-hidden-mechanisms-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns</a> in the Southern Ocean. The stronger winds pulled carbon-laden waters to the surface, reducing the ocean’s carbon sink potential.</p>



<p>Now, as the ozone hole mends, those winds are calming down. But will that last? The study suggests it won’t. </p>



<p>Under a high-emission scenario, wind speeds could surge by 0.75 meters per second (2.46 feet per second) by the end of the century. In a low-emission world, the increase might hold at 0.35 meters per second (1.15 feet per second). In both cases, GHGs, not ozone, would be the dominant force behind the winds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-in-the-southern-ocean">Carbon storage in the Southern Ocean</h2>



<p>The ocean’s mixed-layer depth (MLD) tells a story of shifting currents. When the MLD deepens, carbon-rich waters rise to the surface, limiting how much more carbon the ocean can absorb.</p>



<p>Ozone depletion deepened the MLD in the past, slashing the Southern Ocean’s carbon sink capabilities. But as the ozone hole heals, the MLD could stabilize.</p>



<p>Still, there’s a new threat. Rising GHGs could keep pushing those waters up. In a high-emission scenario, MLD deepening could intensify, making it harder for the ocean to absorb atmospheric carbon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-currents-and-carbon-uptake">Ocean currents and carbon uptake</h2>



<p>Meridional overturning circulation (MOC) acts like a conveyor belt, carrying nutrient-rich waters to the surface. This process fuels biological productivity, pulling carbon down into the deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-weaker-ocean-will-release-more-carbon-into-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a>.</p>



<p>But the study finds that the MOC’s influence on carbon uptake is waning. Why? Rising surface temperatures are flattening the carbon gradient between surface and deep waters. The result is that less carbon gets absorbed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-the-new-carbon-thief">Temperature: The new carbon thief</h2>



<p>The Southern Ocean is warming. By 2100, surface temperatures could rise by 1.6°C under a high-emission scenario. Warm water holds less carbon, making it harder for the ocean to trap atmospheric CO2.</p>



<p>Even if winds intensify and the MLD deepens, the warming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-plays-a-major-role-in-global-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waters</a> might still win. The ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon is shrinking, driven by temperature increases that are now outpacing other factors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-scenarios-a-tug-of-war">Future scenarios: A tug of war</h2>



<p>The UEA team used the UK Earth System Model (UKESM1) to simulate three possible ozone futures. </p>



<p>In the first scenario, the ozone hole never forms, maintaining stable winds and circulation. In the second, the hole forms but gradually recovers after the 1987 Montréal Protocol. The third scenario envisions the ozone hole persisting at its 1987 size, continuing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influence</a> wind patterns and circulation.</p>



<p>Layered over these scenarios are two GHG pathways: one with emissions peaking and then falling, and another where emissions keep climbing. The results reveal a tug of war between ozone recovery and GHG-driven warming. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-loses-its-grip-on-carbon">Ocean loses its grip on carbon</h2>



<p>The Southern Ocean’s days as a reliable carbon sink may be numbered. The study suggests that by mid-century, GHG emissions will dominate wind patterns, mixed-layer depth, and overturning circulation.</p>



<p>In the past, ozone depletion drove the winds. It pushed carbon-rich waters to the surface, reducing the ocean’s capacity to absorb more carbon. </p>



<p>But as the 21st century unfolds, GHGs will take the lead. Temperature changes, not wind shifts, will determine how much carbon the ocean can hold.</p>



<p>The research delivers a clear message and the findings serve as a stark reminder. The Southern Ocean's ability to absorb carbon depends on emissions, temperature, and circulation. </p>



<p>The study was funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (<a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/nerc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NERC</a>) and the <a href="https://royalsociety.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society</a>. The findings are published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr3589" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>.</p>



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Rising emissions weaken carbon storage in the Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean, vast and cold, swallows more carbon than...

<p>You grab a snack, tear open the package, and munch away. But have you ever wondered what might be slipping into your food? Synthetic chemicals sneak in through packaging, processing, and storage. You can’t see these chemicals, but they are there, and they’re raising serious health concerns.</p>



<p>A study published in the journal <em>Nature Medicine</em> dives into the hidden world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-people-are-willing-to-switch-to-plant-based-food-to-save-the-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> contaminants. </p>



<p>The research was not just focused on preservatives and additives. The team studied chemicals that come from food packaging and contact materials - the plastics, metals, and papers that wrap, store, and process what we eat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synthetic-chemicals-in-food">Synthetic chemicals in food</h2>



<p>Synthetic chemicals are gatecrashers in our food <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coal-emissions-threaten-indias-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">system</a>. They don’t come from ingredients. They come from the packaging, the containers, and the processing equipment. </p>



<p>Bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS - these chemicals don’t just sit there. They migrate, moving from plastic wrap into your sandwich, from the can lining into your soup.</p>



<p>It turns out, the more ultra-processed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foods</a> you eat, the higher your exposure. These foods aren’t just packed with artificial flavors and preservatives. Ultra-processed foods are also packed in materials that leach synthetic chemicals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemicals-hidden-in-food-packaging">Chemicals hidden in food packaging </h2>



<p>Your meal passes through four critical stages before landing on your plate. The first stage is transportation, where food sits in containers lined with synthetic materials, allowing chemicals to leach into it.</p>



<p>Next comes processing. Here, machines made from plastic and metal come into direct contact with the food, increasing the risk of contamination.</p>



<p>The third stage is packaging. Plastic wraps and aluminum cans may seem harmless, but they can act as chemical conduits, allowing synthetic substances to migrate into the food.</p>



<p>Finally, there is preparation. Heating a plastic-wrapped <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vicious-cycle-food-systems-both-suffer-from-and-cause-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meal</a> in the microwave can exacerbate chemical leaching, effectively delivering those contaminants straight to your table.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synthetic-chemical-delivery-system">Synthetic chemical delivery system</h2>



<p>Ultra-processed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-waste-has-a-surprising-impact-on-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foods</a> are engineered for taste and convenience, but they’re also perfect carriers for synthetic chemicals.</p>



<p>Foods that come in contact with synthetic materials during every stage of production are more likely to end up with higher chemical loads. And that’s not all. </p>



<p>The study connects these contaminants to serious health issues - cancers, heart disease, metabolic disorders, and more.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-blind-spot">Public health blind spot</h2>



<p>Jane Muncke, the study’s lead author from <a href="https://foodpackagingforum.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food Packaging Forum</a> Foundation, said that the evidence is becoming more clear that today’s packaged ultra-processed foods contain many synthetic chemicals and microplastics from various sources.</p>



<p>The presence of these chemicals is well-documented, and their harmful effects are clear. Yet, regulatory frameworks remain inadequate, barely addressing the full scope of the problem.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdated-testing-methods">Outdated testing methods </h2>



<p>Testing for these chemicals isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. Most testing methods are outdated, designed for known contaminants. </p>



<p>But what about the ones we haven’t identified yet? The study pushes for more advanced testing methods that can catch emerging chemicals and microplastics before they slip through regulatory cracks.</p>



<p>Packaging is supposed to protect food. But what if it’s doing the opposite? Plastic containers, metal cans, and even paper wrappers can all leach chemicals into food. </p>



<p>Redesigning these materials for safety isn’t just a nice idea - it’s a necessity. The study urges policymakers to push for safer, more sustainable packaging alternatives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-food-safety">Rethinking food safety</h2>



<p>Muncke explained that there's a broader issue - one that extends beyond just individual chemicals. She noted that the health impacts of this type of food contamination are currently under-appreciated and under-studied. </p>



<p>"The scientific evidence shows a need for adopting a holistic approach to policymaking, that integrates considerations of planetary and human health, including hazardous FCCs and their impacts on health,<em>"</em> said Muncke.</p>



<p><em>"</em>All food packaging, processing equipment, and other food contact materials need to be adequately tested for their safety with regard to migrating food contact chemicals and microplastics using modern testing methods."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-we-go-from-here">Where do we go from here?</h2>



<p>If we keep eating ultra-processed foods, we keep ingesting synthetic chemicals. The study lays it out clearly - we need safer packaging, stricter testing, and stronger regulations. But we also need to rethink what we eat. </p>



<p>Ultra-processed foods might be convenient, but they come with invisible risks. Maybe it’s time to take a closer look at that snack in your hand and consider what may be hiding inside.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03697-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Medicine</a>.</em></p>



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Food packaging is leaking harmful chemicals into meals

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