<p>var icx_publication_id = 14770;<br />
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What is Cadmium?

<p>The U.S. Space Force has set a new record by launching a satellite into orbit with a mere 27 hours' notice. Unfortunately, Earth's ionosphere was damaged by the launch. </p>



<p>This unexpected and swift action took place on September 14th with the launch of the <a href="https://fireflyspace.com/missions/victus-nox/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Victus Nox mission</a> from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a Firefly Alpha rocket. This rapid deployment showcases the United States’ capacity to respond and augment its space capabilities with minimal notice.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-setting-deployment">Record-setting deployment</h2>



<p>The Victus Nox, Latin for "conquer the night," managed to shock the space exploration community due to the lack of prior announcement regarding the timing and the absence of live streaming of the event. </p>



<p>The rush from approval to launch was a staggering and unprecedented 27 hours, highlighting the agility and responsiveness of the nation’s space endeavors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mission-goals-and-observations">Mission goals and observations</h2>



<p>Victus Nox is set to conduct "space domain awareness" operations, aimed at enhancing the Space Force's ability to monitor the orbital environment, playing a critical role in overseeing space activities and potential threats. </p>



<p>The launch drew notable attention, not only for its rapid execution but also due to the enormous exhaust plume it produced, which was visible from more than 1,000 miles away. This visibility, marked by a lingering faint red glow in the sky, indicated that the rocket likely pierced the Earth's ionosphere during liftoff.</p>



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



<p>The ionosphere, situated between 50 and 400 miles above Earth’s surface, is a region of the atmosphere where gases undergo ionization. Ionospheric holes are formed where rocket fuel combusts within this layer, around 125–185 miles above the Earth. </p>



<p>The exhaust, comprising carbon dioxide and water vapor, causes ionized oxygen atoms to recombine into oxygen molecules, releasing energy as light in the process.</p>



<p>Such interactions are not unprecedented, with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket having created a similarly expansive red patch earlier this year. Importantly, these ionospheric holes pose no threat to terrestrial life and naturally close after a few hours when the recombined gases revert to their ionized state.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behind-the-scenes">Behind-the-scenes</h2>



<p>Firefly Aerospace, having secured the Victus Nox contract in October 2022, was prepared to launch the satellite with less than 24 hours' notice, which was specified at the time of the agreement. </p>



<p>The launch team efficiently executed all necessary preparations, including software updates, satellite encapsulation, transportation, mounting, and final inspections within the stringent timeframe. However, inclement weather conditions necessitated a slight delay in the launch.</p>



<p>Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough of the Space Force's Space Systems Command emphasized the mission's importance, stating it was designed to "demonstrate the United States' ability to rapidly place an asset in orbit when and where we need it," underlining the strategic flexibility and enhanced operational capability offered by such rapid deployment options.</p>



<p>In summary, the unanticipated and swift launch of the Victus Nox mission by the U.S. Space Force has set a new benchmark in space mission execution, illustrating the United States’ capability to fortify its space assets rapidly and efficiently. </p>



<p>This development, coupled with the public visibility of the launch’s interaction with the ionosphere, has highlighted the dynamism and strategic evolution within modern space exploration and military operations.</p>



<p>---</p>



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U.S. rocket launch ripped a hole in Earth's ionosphere

The U.S. Space Force has set a new record by...

Hubble’s Crisp New Image of Jupiter and Europa

<p>At a glance, it seems rather perplexing: five months post-launch and the spacecraft named Juice has covered 370 million kilometers, which represents a mere 5% of its journey to Jupiter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To explain the extended timeline, the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> breaks down the science of flight dynamics and orbital mechanics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-dance-of-planets">Complex dance of planets</h2>



<p>Every celestial body in our universe - planets, moons, stars, or galaxies - orbits another entity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Earth orbits the Sun at a 30 km/s. When a spacecraft is launched from our planet, it inherits this orbital energy, effectively placing it in a similar orbit around the Sun as Earth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-for-juice-nbsp">Challenges for Juice&nbsp;</h2>



<p>One might assume the most efficient route to Jupiter would be a straight line, but this approach has its challenges.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Not only would it require immense fuel to propel the spacecraft in such a direction, but an even greater fuel reserve would be essential to decelerate and orbit Jupiter upon arrival, lest the spacecraft overshoot its target.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-targets">Moving targets</h2>



<p>Earth and Jupiter, in their eternal celestial journey around the Sun, are constantly changing positions relative to each other.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their distance varies, reaching a maximum of 968 million kilometers and a minimum of just under 600 million.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Given this perpetual motion, aiming a spacecraft directly at Jupiter is not feasible.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Instead, flight engineers must anticipate where Jupiter will be when the spacecraft arrives.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The planets are all moving at different rates in their orbits around the Sun," said ESA.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Imagine throwing a ball at a moving target from a moving vehicle. Engineers must calculate the ideal time to make the jump on a circular path from Earth’s orbit to where Jupiter will be when the spacecraft arrives, not where it is when the spacecraft leaves Earth."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flyby-missions">Flyby missions</h2>



<p>Historically, missions like Voyager, Pioneer, and New Horizons have managed to reach Jupiter in under two years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, these missions were mere flybys, using Jupiter as a gravitational slingshot to other destinations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy-and-mass">Energy and mass</h2>



<p>To maintain an extended presence around Jupiter, the approach must be slower.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A spacecraft's mass plays a pivotal role here. More mass implies more fuel, which in turn affects the launch complexity. Juice, weighing in at over 6,000 kg, is one of the heaviest interplanetary probes to date.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Even with the immense power of the Ariane 5 rocket, a direct two-year trajectory to Jupiter wasn't viable.</p>



<p>The solution lies in gravity-assist or flyby maneuvers. These maneuvers utilize the gravitational pull of celestial bodies to boost the spacecraft's speed, a cosmic dance that trades energy between the spacecraft and planets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trading-energy-nbsp">Trading energy&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Juice's itinerary includes a series of flybys involving Earth, the Moon, and Venus. These maneuvers will position it for its grand rendezvous with the Jovian system in July 2031.</p>



<p>The journey, filled with an unprecedented 35 flybys of Jupiter's moons, will end with Juice entering the orbit of Ganymede, marking a historic first for humankind.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-precise-maneuvers-nbsp">Precise maneuvers&nbsp;</h2>



<p>But such intricate space choreography is not without challenges. Every maneuver must be precise.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Even slight miscalculations could lead to the probe being lost in space or requiring extensive fuel to correct its course.</p>



<p>The overarching goal of Juice's mission is to study the potentially life-harboring oceans beneath the icy surfaces of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Through this grand exploration, insights into the formation of planets and moons across the universe might be gleaned.</p>



<p>For updates, you can follow the mission's progress on Twitter via @ESAJuiceBar.</p>



<p><em>Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p>—-</p>



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Why is our trip to Jupiter taking so long?

At a glance, it seems rather perplexing: five months post-launch...

<p>UPDATE: NASA's OSIRIS-REx, the inaugural mission from the U.S. to retrieve a sample from an asteroid, is set to return to Earth on September 24, 2023, carrying materials from asteroid Bennu. Upon arrival, the spacecraft will dispatch the sample capsule, ensuring a secure landing in the Utah desert. The untouched materials from Bennu – consisting of rocks and dust gathered from the asteroid’s surface in 2020 – will provide future scientists insights into the period approximately 4.5 billion years ago when the Sun and planets were in their formative stages.</p>



<p>NASA’s live coverage&nbsp;of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OSIRIS-REx</a>&nbsp;sample capsule landing starts at 10 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. MDT) and will air on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NASA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fb.me/e/2VE7EwfNp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21X5lGlDOfg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twitch.tv/nasa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitch</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/#public" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA TV</a>, the NASA app, and the&nbsp;<a href="http://nasa.gov/live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agency’s website</a>.</p>



<p>Watch live coverage&nbsp;Spanish on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/nasa_es">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NASAes/">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/nasa_es">YouTube</a>.</p>



<p>----</p>



<p>NASA is edging closer to the conclusion of its ambitious seven-year mission, aiming to prevent a catastrophic collision of a massive asteroid named <a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-and-meteors/asteroids/101955-bennu/overview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bennu</a> with Earth. Recent findings have indicated that there's a 1 in 2700 chance of Bennu slamming into Earth on September 24, 2182.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-menace-of-asteroid-bennu">The menace of asteroid Bennu</h2>



<p>Roughly the size of the iconic Empire State Building, Bennu spans about a third of a mile wide. The potential aftermath of its predicted collision with Earth could equate to the explosive energy of 22 atomic bombs. </p>



<p>The asteroid makes its presence felt by passing Earth approximately every six years. However, scientists anticipate that its most perilous close encounter could be a mere 159 years away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OSIRIS-REx mission</h2>



<p>In a proactive move, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> dispatched a spacecraft to Bennu in 2016. This mission was crucial for collecting samples and advancing the agency's strategy to stave off a doomsday-like asteroid deflection scenario.</p>



<p>"It feels very much like the last few miles of a marathon, with a confluence of emotions like pride and joy coexisting with a determined focus to complete the race well,” expressed an impassioned Rich Burns, the project manager for OSIRIS-REx at NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Historic sample collection</h2>



<p>In October 2020, NASA's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/osiris-rex-is-bringing-an-asteroid-sample-back-to-earth-this-month-worrying-many-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OSIRIS-REx</a> spacecraft made history by alighting on Bennu's surface and procuring a chunk of rocky material. Weighing in at approximately 8.8 ounces (250 grams), this represents not only NASA's inaugural asteroid sample but also the largest ever extracted from space.</p>



<p>Come this Sunday, September 24 at around 10:42 AM U.S. Eastern Time, the world will watch with bated breath as the OSIRIS-REx mission dispatches this precious sample <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/OSIRIS-REx_mission_infographic_2big-scaled.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">back to Earth</a>. When the spacecraft is roughly 63,000 miles from Earth, it will jettison the sample-return capsule, roughly the size of a mini-fridge.</p>



<p>Entering Earth's atmosphere at an intense 28,000 mph, enduring temperatures akin to double that of lava, the capsule's descent will be <a href="https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/20381/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tempered using parachutes</a>. This will ensure a controlled landing in the Great Salt Lake Desert, Utah, marking the culmination of the OSIRIS-REx's monumental seven-year odyssey.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deciphering the secrets of the solar system</h2>



<p>These asteroid fragments are expected to furnish scientists with a rare peek into the planet formation phenomena that created our solar system approximately 4.5 billion years ago.</p>



<p>"Pristine material from asteroid Bennu will help shed light on the formation of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago and perhaps even on how life on Earth began,” elucidated Nicola Fox, an associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Origin of asteroid Bennu's name</h2>



<p>Discovered in September 1999 by the <a href="https://www.ll.mit.edu/impact/watch-potentially-hazardous-asteroids" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research</a> (LINEAR) survey, the asteroid initially bore the moniker 1999 RQ36. It wasn't until 2013 that a nine-year-old from North Carolina christened it Bennu. Following his triumph in the 'Name that Asteroid!' competition, he drew inspiration for the name from an ancient Egyptian deity.</p>



<p>As NASA approaches the final leg of this critical mission, the world watches in anticipation, rooting for its success and the vast potential knowledge it promises to unravel about our universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-asteroid-bennu">More about asteroid Bennu</h2>



<p>As mentioned above, asteroid Bennu stands as one of the most intriguing celestial bodies in our solar system. This near-Earth asteroid, discovered in 1999, presents scientists with both a chance to study the early solar system and an opportunity to better understand potential asteroid threats.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-formation-and-composition">Formation and composition</h3>



<p>Bennu originated from the primordial debris that helped form our solar system about 4.5 billion years ago. This diamond-shaped rock measures about 500 meters in diameter. This is roughly equivalent to the height of the Empire State Building. Researchers believe that Bennu offers insights into the raw materials present during the solar system's early days because of its rudimentary nature.</p>



<p>When scientists examine Bennu's surface, they find a dark and rocky world. The asteroid's rough landscape consists primarily of boulders and rocks, with very few flat areas. The darkness of Bennu's surface comes from its carbon-rich composition, indicating that organic molecules, which form the basis for life as we know it, might exist there.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-path-and-potential-threat">Path and potential threat</h3>



<p>Bennu orbits the Sun on a trajectory that occasionally brings it close to Earth. While currently it poses no direct threat, its orbit intersects with Earth's, which classifies Bennu as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA). </p>



<p>As mentioned previously, researchers estimate that there is a 1 in 2,700 chance of Bennu impacting Earth in the late 22nd century. However, scientists constantly monitor its trajectory to ensure we have an accurate understanding of any future threat.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-osiris-rex-a-truly-groundbreaking-mission">OSIRIS-REx: A truly groundbreaking mission</h3>



<p>The allure and potential importance of Bennu led NASA to launch the OSIRIS-REx mission in 2016. This spacecraft aimed to approach, study, and collect a sample from Bennu's surface. The mission achieved multiple milestones. These include the detailed mapping of the asteroid's surface, gaining insights into its geology, and understanding its rotational dynamics.</p>



<p>In 2020, a significant achievement for the mission occurred when OSIRIS-REx touched Bennu's surface and successfully collected samples. The spacecraft will return these samples to Earth on September 24, 2023, offering scientists a pristine piece of the early solar system to analyze.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-the-future">Implications for the future</h3>



<p>Understanding Bennu serves a dual purpose. On one hand, its study aids our comprehension of the origins of life on Earth. The presence of organic molecules on Bennu could provide clues about the building blocks of life and their distribution throughout the solar system. </p>



<p>On the other hand, understanding the properties and trajectories of near-Earth asteroids like Bennu is crucial for planetary defense. This knowledge enables us to predict and possibly mitigate potential future impacts.</p>



<p>In summary, Bennu represents more than just a floating rock in space. It's a bridge to our past, a beacon for scientific discovery, and a reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system. Through the combined efforts of observational astronomy and space missions like OSIRIS-REx, we continue to unveil the secrets Bennu holds.</p>



<p>---</p>



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Mission to prevent Earth collision with asteroid Bennu lands in Utah today. Watch it live

UPDATE: NASA's OSIRIS-REx, the inaugural mission from the U.S. to...

<p>World Gorilla Day marks its 7th anniversary today, pushing for greater awareness and investment in gorilla conservation.</p>



<p>Since its inauguration in 2017, World Gorilla Day has served as a focal point for people worldwide to celebrate these magnificent creatures and commit to their protection. </p>



<p>While it is clear that collective action and awareness-raising have been making a difference, much more work remains to be done.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-legacy-of-dian-fossey">The legacy of Dian Fossey</h2>



<p>The celebration of World Gorilla Day coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Karisoke Research Center, founded by the late primatologist Dian Fossey.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As the longest-running gorilla field study site, Karisoke continues to focus on the research, conservation, and protection of gorillas in Africa. However, despite the dedication of numerous organizations and individuals, there is a need for increased investment and public awareness to bolster the survival chances for gorillas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-state-of-mountain-gorillas">Critical state of mountain gorillas</h2>



<p>The mountain gorilla, living in high-altitude mountain and bamboo forests, remains critically endangered. With just around 880 of them left in the wild, their habitat is constantly threatened by human activities.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For example, mining for coltan, a mineral used in small electronic devices, has led to significant habitat destruction in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, displacing or even killing gorillas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recycle-old-cell-phones">Recycle old cell phones</h2>



<p>The annual “Gorillas on the Line…Answer the Call” campaign focuses on recycling small electronic devices to decrease the demand for coltan and preserve gorilla habitats.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Recycling old cell phones and other devices helps reduce the negative impact of coltan mining on gorilla habitats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-help-support-virunga-national-park">Help support Virunga National Park</h2>



<p>Protecting gorillas in conflict zones, particularly in Virunga National Park, is a monumental task that requires the tireless efforts of over 770 Rangers. Their unyielding spirit and determination are a testament to the significance of conserving this endangered species.</p>



<p>Over the past year, the security situation at Virunga National Park has become extremely dangerous, with rebel groups controlling the Park’s southern sector – an area which spans the endangered mountain gorilla habitat and Park headquarters. </p>



<p>"Tragically, ten of our brave Rangers have lost their lives in unprovoked attacks in 2023 alone," the park said on its <a href="https://virunga.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a>. "With the support of local communities, dedication of our Rangers and adoption of new technologies, we are persisting in our efforts to preserve the Park’s rich biodiversity."</p>



<p><a href="https://virunga.org/support-us/donate/#:~:text=Over%20the%20past%20year%2C%20the,unprovoked%20attacks%20in%202023%20alone." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Your donation</a> will help us stand strong in the midst of these challenging circumstance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adopt-a-gorilla">Adopt a gorilla</h2>



<p>World Wildlife Fund (WWF) provides us with the opportunity to symbolically <a href="https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Gorilla.aspx?sc=AWY2204OQ19293A01785RX&amp;gad=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwvL-oBhCxARIsAHkOiu1Re3bdC-CalTNUixRz80rUioRz6FHZwKsfYJTd5pgGOe5egKnUikMaAgL6EALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adopt a gorilla</a> to support their conservation efforts. </p>



<p>"For more than 60 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. WWF works in nearly 100 countries and is supported by 1.3 million members in the United States and more than 5 million members globally," the organization says on its website.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Your donation provides general support and makes you a member. 83% of spending is directed to worldwide conservation activities."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-gorillas">More about gorillas</h2>



<p>Gorillas are the largest of the great apes and are divided mainly into two species: the Eastern gorilla and the Western gorilla. Each of these species has two subspecies.&nbsp;</p>



<ul>
<li>Eastern gorilla: The subspecies are the Mountain gorilla and the Eastern Lowland gorilla.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Western gorilla: The subspecies are the Western Lowland gorilla and the Cross River gorilla.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat">Habitat</h3>



<p>Mountain gorillas are found in the cloud forests of Central Africa, specifically in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They live at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 13,000 feet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Western Lowland gorillas inhabit the rainforests of Central and West Africa, including countries like Gabon, Cameroon, and the Republic of the Congo.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-structure-and-behavior">Social structure and behavior</h3>



<p>Gorillas live in groups called troops, which typically consist of one dominant male, known as the silverback, along with multiple females and their offspring. The silverback serves as the protector and decision-maker of the troop.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Gorillas communicate through vocalizations, body postures, and facial expressions. Their social structure is remarkably intricate, built on strong family ties and relationships.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diet">Diet</h3>



<p>Gorillas are primarily herbivorous, relying on leaves, shoots, and stems as their main food sources. They also eat fruits, small insects, and, occasionally, small vertebrates. Their diet varies by habitat and availability of food sources.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-and-conservation-efforts">Threats and conservation efforts</h3>



<p>The survival of gorillas is increasingly threatened due to habitat loss, poaching, and disease. For instance, diseases transmitted by humans, such as respiratory infections, have become a significant concern. Illegal hunting for bushmeat and capture for the illegal pet trade also puts pressure on gorilla populations.</p>



<p>Efforts to conserve gorillas include establishing and maintaining national parks and reserves, implementing anti-poaching measures, and community engagement programs to encourage local populations to become stewards of gorilla conservation. Initiatives like World Gorilla Day play a crucial role in raising awareness and funds.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecosystem-health">Ecosystem health</h3>



<p>Gorillas have a multifaceted role in maintaining the health and stability of their ecosystems. Their decline or extinction would have cascading effects, potentially leading to reduced biodiversity, compromised forest health, and weakened ecosystem services, emphasizing the importance of their conservation.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seed-dispersal">Seed dispersal</h4>



<p>Gorillas have a primarily vegetarian diet, which includes a variety of fruits. After consuming these fruits, they excrete the seeds in different locations. This seed dispersal is vital for forest regeneration and increasing plant diversity. Many of the plants they consume rely on gorillas to help their seeds spread and germinate.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutrient-recycling">Nutrient recycling</h4>



<p>By feeding on vegetation and subsequently excreting waste, gorillas play a part in recycling vital nutrients in the forest ecosystem. Their waste enriches the soil, promoting plant growth.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-health-and-dynamics">Forest health and dynamics</h4>



<p>Gorillas, particularly the Western Lowland gorilla, are known to clear vegetation in areas where they nest each night. This seemingly small act has a cumulative effect, creating clearings in forests that allow new plants to grow and letting sunlight penetrate deeper into the forest. This dynamic action affects forest composition and structure over time.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-control-of-herbivore-populations">Control of herbivore populations</h4>



<p>While gorillas are herbivores, their presence can influence the density and behavior of other herbivorous animals in the ecosystem due to competition for food resources.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bioindicator-species">Bioindicator species</h4>



<p>Gorillas, being at the top of their food chain and reliant on a specific habitat, can serve as an indicator of the overall health of their ecosystem.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If gorilla populations are thriving, it often indicates that the lower levels of the food chain are in balance and that the habitat is healthy. Conversely, declining gorilla populations might indicate problems in the ecosystem.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-and-cultural-importance">Economic and cultural importance</h4>



<p>While not a direct ecological role, gorillas play a crucial role in the local economy and culture of regions where they inhabit.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Gorilla trekking and ecotourism attract thousands of visitors, providing significant revenue and jobs. These tourism activities often fund conservation projects which benefit not only the gorillas but the broader ecosystem.</p>



<p>As we celebrate World Gorilla Day, it is essential to recognize their intrinsic value as unique and complex creatures, as well as their significance to ecosystems. The plight of the gorilla is more than a conservation issue; it is a call to uphold the interconnectedness of life on Earth.</p>



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World Gorilla Day: Supporting the guardians of the forest

World Gorilla Day marks its 7th anniversary today, pushing for...

<p>The Biden administration has announced that starting next week, every US household can request up to four free at-home Covid tests.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This initiative is an effort to prevent a potential winter surge in Covid cases, especially with the emergence of the Eris and BA.2.86 variants.</p>



<p>The $600 million program was initiated in early 2022, a period when retailers experienced a shortage of tests.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When the Covid public health emergency was declared over in May, the program to distribute Covid tests was suspended.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-free-tests">Free tests</h2>



<p>To date, over 755 million free Covid tests have been distributed across the US by the Biden administration.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These tests, as clarified by the Health and Human Services (HHS), are intended for use throughout the remainder of the year. Detailed instructions regarding the checking of expiration dates will be included.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recent-surge">Recent surge</h2>



<p>In recent months, there have been a surge in Covid infections and hospitalizations. Across hospitals in the United States, the data shows 20,538 Covid admissions in the week leading up to September 9. </p>



<p>This figure indicates a 7.7% week-on-week rise in hospital admissions - representing the slowest increase since early July, a time when hospitalizations were at an all-time low.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covid-deaths">Covid deaths</h2>



<p>In addition, Covid-related deaths are beginning to plateau, with 844 recorded in the week leading up to August 19.</p>



<p>Despite the introduction of updated vaccines and the current wave being relatively mild, disruptions could continue, possibly due to reasons such as staff absences.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wastewater-monitoring-nbsp">Wastewater monitoring&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Dr. Amy Kirby, who leads the CDC's <a href="https://wastewaterscan.org/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=search&amp;utm_content=adgroup1&amp;utm_campaign=wastewaterscan&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwmbqoBhAgEiwACIjzEMS_xAkXS55BDNX45aCEJE6vPjs3KxjsO5z2StMQbepQ13aHRNAL8BoC6ugQAvD_BwE">wastewater monitoring program</a>, emphasized the uncertainty, stating it's "really too early to tell" if a significant winter surge would materialize.</p>



<p>Wastewater monitoring has emerged as a crucial indicator of the virus's prevalence. The CDC's recent surveillance of Covid wastewater indicates declines in mid-Atlantic states like Virginia and Maryland.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the Midwest and Northeast show a consistent increase in Covid traces, especially with school reopenings.</p>



<p>Marlene Wolfe, program director for WastewaterSCAN, mentioned that their findings point towards a "flattening out" of Covid spread. WastewaterSCAN currently tracks 183 sites across 36 states.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Bill Hanage of <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a> also emphasized the importance of wastewater surveillance, especially now that public health officials are not actively tracking individual Covid cases. </p>



<p>The wastewater monitoring method, likened to weather forecasts, provides an indication of the virus's spread even before individuals show symptoms.</p>



<p>As the nation faces the possibility of another Covid surge in the winter, the Biden administration's free testing initiative and wastewater surveillance remain crucial tools.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While current data may be encouraging, experts like Dr. Kirby warn that it is essential for the public to remain vigilant and proactive, especially with the unpredictability of the virus.</p>



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Free Covid tests may help combat winter surge in the US

The Biden administration has announced that starting next week, every...

<p>In a recent opinion paper, a team of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fibonacci-spirals-an-unexpected-twist-in-plant-evolution/">plant</a> scientists has introduced a novel method to sequester carbon dioxide by "re-greening" arid regions, without competing with agriculture or food production.</p>



<p>This innovative solution was proposed by a research team led by Heribert Hirt from the <a href="https://www.kaust.edu.sa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King Abdullah University of Science and Technology</a>.</p>



<p>Their report, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2023.08.009" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Trends in Plant Science</em></a>, suggests that deserts could be transformed into carbon sinks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-climate-challenge">The climate challenge</h2>



<p>As carbon dioxide (CO2) levels rise, the race is on to find solutions beyond merely cutting emissions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"With greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations at the highest level for 2 million years, humanity is facing an unprecedented challenge from climate change," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"Consequently, average temperature increases, ice sheet melting, ocean/sea level increases, and extreme weather patterns are becoming routine. These changes threaten the foundations of human civilization."</p>



<p>Capturing and storing vast amounts of CO2 already in the atmosphere has become crucial. Reforestation is considered to be an ideal approach, but often clashes with agricultural needs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-deserts-into-carbon-sinks">Turning deserts into carbon sinks</h2>



<p>The researchers propose that we could transform arid ecosystems into efficient carbon-capture systems with improved soil health, enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, and larger root biomass by engineering ideal combinations of plants, soil microbes, and soil type.</p>



<p>“Re-greening deserts by restoration of ecosystem functions, including carbon sequestration, should be the preferential approach,” wrote the researchers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The advantage of reclaiming arid regions for re-greening and carbon sequestration is that they do not compete with lands used in agriculture and food production.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arid-regions">Arid regions</h2>



<p>Arid regions cover approximately one-third of our planet's land surface. These areas typically support minimal vegetation due to water scarcity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet, certain plants, adapted to these harsh conditions, have evolved ways to survive.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some use unique photosynthesis methods, others have special root systems, and a few even produce oxalates which can convert into water during droughts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-oxalate-carbonate-pathway">The oxalate-carbonate pathway</h2>



<p>Oxalates are ions made up of carbon and oxygen. Soil microbes consume these oxalates as their primary carbon source.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Upon doing so, they release carbonate molecules into the soil. These molecules can react with calcium in calcium-rich and alkaline soils, forming stable calcium carbonate deposits.</p>



<p>This biogeochemical process can be enhanced in arid lands to transform them from barren stretches into thriving carbon sinks, complete with healthy soils and plants.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Overall, in this form of carbon sequestration, one out of every sixteen photosynthetically fixed carbon atoms might be sequestered into carbonates,” wrote the study authors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fertility-islands">Fertility islands</h2>



<p>To initiate this transformation, the authors propose the creation of "fertility islands."&nbsp;</p>



<p>These are small pockets of revived habitat where plants and microbes can flourish and eventually spread, creating a blanket of vegetation across the arid landscape.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-future-directions">Challenges and future directions</h2>



<p>Despite its promise, this method also has some challenges. Arid conditions naturally mean slower plant growth, which could limit the pace of carbon sequestration.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, the adoption and effectiveness of this technology rely heavily on the financial and political will of countries with arid regions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>As the global community searches for ways to tackle the impending climate crisis, re-greening arid lands could offer a solution.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Not only could this method sequester vast amounts of carbon, but it could also restore ecosystems, bringing life back to some of the most barren places on Earth.</p>



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Deserts as carbon sinks? Study reveals potential for greening arid regions

In a recent opinion paper, a team of plant scientists...

Photovoltaics,And,Wind,Turbines,Generating,Electricity,In,Solar,Power,Station

<p>A new comprehensive assessment led by <a href="https://www.portlandrealestate.com/">Portland Real Estate</a> has recently revealed how states fare on their green initiatives.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The analysis considered various components such as emission types and amounts, accessibility to nature for residents, air and water quality, use of green transportation options, fossil fuel production, and overall energy usage.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Based on these parameters, an environmental impact score was derived for each state. Here are the top 10 least <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-foods-are-healthy-and-environmentally-friendly/">environmentally friendly</a> states:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-mississippi-33-7-100-nbsp">1. Mississippi (33.7/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Mississippi struggles most with its green initiatives, securing the lowest spot. It faces serious challenges in transportation, evidenced by the lack of hybrid or electric vehicles.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Only 0.23 percent of its population uses public transport. Its water efficiency and sustainability score are dismal, at just 2/100, attributed to the high number of residents accessing contaminated water facilities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-louisiana-34-6-100-nbsp">2. Louisiana (34.6/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Louisiana, though slightly ahead of Mississippi, has the nation’s poorest nature score at 20.7 out of 100. The state has a mere 50 square miles dedicated to parks and is significantly lacking in hiking trails.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, its substantial contribution of 183.3 million tons to national CO2 emissions cannot be overlooked.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-new-mexico-35-2-100-nbsp">3. New Mexico (35.2/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>New Mexico’s lower ranking arises from concerns related to water quality, with 1.1 million residents depending on unreliable water sources.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The state also has the 13th poorest air quality and is a significant producer of coal, with an annual production close to 9,265 thousand short tons.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-alabama-35-8-100-nbsp">4. Alabama (35.8/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Alabama’s low score stems from transportation challenges, with just 1.53 percent of its vehicles being electric or hybrid.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The state’s score also lags due to a mere 75 square miles being covered by parks. Additionally, it ranks 13th in the country for CO2 emissions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-north-dakota-36-3-100-nbsp">5. North Dakota (36.3/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>North Dakota’s environmental challenges are accentuated by its high emissions rate, rising to 3.32kg of black carbon per person annually.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Its transportation metrics are also concerning, with a mere 0.19 percent of vehicles being green. Furthermore, the state is a significant producer of fossil fuels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-west-virginia-37-5-100-nbsp">6. West Virginia (37.5/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>West Virginia faces significant water quality challenges, with 934,993 residents depending on compromised water facilities. Its CO2 emissions also stand out, rising up to 76.9 million tons annually.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-oklahoma-38-8-100-nbsp">7. Oklahoma (38.8/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Oklahoma’s low score is due to transportation and nature-related challenges. The state has a limited number of electric or hybrid vehicles and lacks expansive green spaces, with only 88 square miles dedicated to parks. Additionally, its annual CO2 emission stands at 63.1 million tons.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-alaska-39-6-100-nbsp">8. Alaska (39.6/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Alaska, despite its vast natural landscapes, has the second-highest emissions score.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The state produces 36 million tons of CO2 yearly. Its fossil fuel production is also significant, and only a small percentage of its vehicles are green.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-texas-40-7-100-nbsp">9. Texas (40.7/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Texas, a significant contributor to CO2 emissions, produces a staggering 624 million tons annually. Its fossil fuel production is also substantial, and it ranks low in air quality metrics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-kentucky-41-6-100-nbsp">10. Kentucky (41.6/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Kentucky’s challenges revolve around water quality and transportation. It has a low percentage of green vehicles, and its annual CO2 emissions reach 101.9 million tons.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-highlight-oregon-51-6-100-nbsp">Highlight: Oregon (51.6/100)&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Oregon ranks as the 20th greenest state. Its transportation score is commendable, with 8.42 percent of vehicles being hybrid or electric. However, it struggles with emissions, producing 9.25 tons of CO2 per person annually.</p>



<p>“It is interesting to see how each state has scored in the various factors that contribute to a less green environment. When deciding where to live or buy a home, a greener environment is a deciding factor for many,” a spokesperson from Portland Real Estate concluded.&nbsp;</p>



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Going green: Which U.S. states are the least environmentally friendly?

A new comprehensive assessment led by Portland Real Estate has...

<p>The quest to understand the origins of life and the potential for its existence elsewhere in the universe has taken a monumental leap. A team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin–Madison</a>, led by NASA-supported astrobiologist <a href="https://www.kacarlab.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Betül Kaçar</a>, has published a "chemical cookbook" that compiles hundreds of recipes with the potential to give rise to life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-chemical-cookbook-of-life-s-origins">The chemical cookbook of life's origins</h2>



<p>The study, published in the Journal of the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.3c07041" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Chemical Society</a>, offers a comprehensive "chemical cookbook" that details the combination of molecules — involving atoms from all groups and series across the periodic table — capable of initiating autocatalytic reactions. </p>



<p>These are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-in-a-galaxy-12-billion-light-years-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical reactions</a> that sustain themselves by producing molecules that encourage the same reaction to happen again and again.</p>



<p>“The origin of life really is a something-from-nothing process,” says Kaçar. “But that something can’t happen just once. Life comes down to chemistry and conditions that can generate a self-reproducing pattern of reactions.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-on-comproportionation-reactions">Focus on comproportionation reactions</h2>



<p>One of the fascinating aspects of this research lies in the team's focus on comproportionation reactions. In these particular types of reactions, two compounds that include the same element but in different reactive states combine to create a new compound. This new compound then has the element in a state that is between the original states.</p>



<p>For a chemical reaction to be autocatalytic, the outcome must also provide starting materials for the reaction to happen again. "So the output becomes a new input," explains <a href="https://geoscience.wisc.edu/people/adams-zach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zach Adam</a>, a co-author of the study and a UW–Madison geoscientist. </p>



<p>This creates a self-perpetuating cycle of reactions, almost like a growing population of rabbits: a pair produces a litter, and the new rabbits grow up to create more litters, rapidly increasing the population.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-the-search-for-extraterrestrial-life">Implications for the search for extraterrestrial life</h2>



<p>This new "chemical cookbook" could significantly narrow the search for life elsewhere in the universe. By identifying the most likely conditions under which these autocatalytic reactions could occur, scientists can specify which planetary environments to focus on in their search for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shock-discovery-saturns-moon-enceladus-has-all-of-the-ingredients-necessary-for-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extraterrestrial life</a>.</p>



<p>Kaçar suggests that, although we may never know exactly how life originated on Earth, experiments could be conducted under various planetary conditions to understand better how life could arise elsewhere. </p>



<p>"We will never definitively know what exactly happened on this planet to generate life. We don't have a time machine,” Kaçar says. “But, in a test tube, we can create multiple planetary conditions to understand how the dynamics to sustain life can evolve in the first place.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-research-muse-consortium">The future of research: MUSE consortium</h2>



<p>Betül Kaçar leads a NASA-supported consortium called <a href="https://museastrobiology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MUSE</a> (Metal Utilization &amp; Selection Across Eons). The lab will particularly focus on reactions involving the elements molybdenum and iron. </p>



<p>However, the researchers are equally enthusiastic about the potential discoveries that could come from the most peculiar and unusual parts of their new "chemical cookbook."</p>



<p>In concluding her remarks, Kaçar referenced Carl Sagan: "Carl Sagan said if you want to bake a pie from scratch, first you must create the universe. I think if we want to understand the universe, first we must bake a few pies."</p>



<p>As researchers continue to delve into this new compilation of chemical reactions, the answers to some of the most fundamental questions about life's origins and its possibility elsewhere in the universe may be closer than ever before.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-ingredients-for-life-as-we-know-it">More about the ingredients for life as we know it</h2>



<p>Life, as we know it on Earth, requires a specific concoction of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-discovery-about-earths-formation-raises-probability-of-finding-life-on-other-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ingredients to thrive</a>. Understanding these components not only deepens our comprehension of life on our planet, but it also aids in our quest for extraterrestrial life. Let's delve into the primary ingredients essential for life:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water">Water</h3>



<p>Water tops the list. Every living organism on Earth depends on water, making it a fundamental ingredient for life. It serves as a solvent, facilitating biochemical reactions, and plays a crucial role in regulating temperature.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon">Carbon</h3>



<p>Carbon is the backbone of organic molecules, including DNA, proteins, fats, and sugars, which are essential for life. Its unique capability to form four bonds makes it exceptionally versatile, allowing for a vast array of complex molecules.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutrients">Nutrients</h3>



<p>Every organism needs a source of nutrients to fuel its activities. This includes essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. While plants obtain nutrients from soil and sunlight, animals derive them by consuming plants or other animals.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy">Energy</h3>



<p>Life requires energy. On Earth, this energy primarily comes from the Sun. Plants capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Animals, in turn, consume plants or other animals to obtain this energy.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atmosphere">Atmosphere</h3>



<p>An atmosphere provides gases essential for life. Humans and many animals need oxygen, while plants require carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. The Earth's atmosphere also offers protection from harmful solar radiation.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature">Temperature</h3>



<p>For biochemical reactions to occur efficiently, an optimal temperature range is crucial. On Earth, this range allows for liquid water, a vital component for life. Extremes in temperature can disrupt cellular processes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-and-rna">DNA and RNA</h3>



<p>These molecules store and transmit genetic information, guiding the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms. DNA provides the blueprint, while RNA acts as the messenger, ensuring proteins are made correctly.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cell-membranes">Cell membranes</h3>



<p>Life, as we understand it, is cellular. Cell membranes, composed mainly of lipids, separate the interior of the cell from the external environment, regulating the exchange of substances.</p>



<p>In summary, while the universe is vast and diverse, the fundamental ingredients for life remain consistent. As we search for life beyond Earth, these components serve as our guide, prompting us to explore places where they might coexist.</p>



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Scientists create "chemical cookbook" with recipes that will create life

The quest to understand the origins of life and the...

<p>A new study led by the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a> is shedding light on a concerning issue that many may have overlooked. The researchers have determined that sewage pollution is more detrimental to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hypoxia-is-a-serious-problem-in-rivers-worldwide/">rivers</a> than agriculture.</p>



<p>The study was launched ahead of World Rivers Day, which is celebrated on September 24th.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers found that even when sewage undergoes treatment, its discharge into rivers affects water quality far more than runoff from surrounding land use.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experts took into consideration three pollution sources: treated sewage discharge, agriculture, and urban run-off.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team tested four rivers in England both up- and downstream of sewage discharge points across three different months.</p>



<p>While water companies in the UK have the green light to release treated wastewater into rivers, untreated wastewater can also be released during heavy rainfalls, a phenomenon termed as storm overflow.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This not only leads to significant ecological ramifications but can also jeopardize human health if that water is utilized for drinking, recreational, or agricultural activities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-from-the-study">Key findings from the study</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sewage-is-a-primary-pollutant">Sewage is a primary pollutant</h3>



<p>Sewage, whether treated or untreated, is responsible for the spike in nutrients, algae, and sewage fungus in rivers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Moreover, it severely alters the ecosystem by changing the composition of plant, animal, and microbial communities in the water.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shift-in-river-communities">Shift in river communities</h3>



<p>Downstream of sewage input, rivers exhibited a noticeable shift in macroinvertebrate and algae communities.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The surge in resilient groups like cyanobacteria and worms is especially alarming. Cyanobacteria are infamous for releasing toxic chemicals that can be lethal to many aquatic species.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agriculture-s-role">Agriculture's role</h3>



<p>Though sewage discharge is a dominant threat, agricultural run-off also contributes to the degradation of water quality, especially harming specific sensitive insect groups such as mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-issue">Addressing the issue</h2>



<p>“Our study highlights the disproportionate impact that sewage discharge has on river quality, presenting an urgent need for a comprehensive action plan targeting the sewage discharge problem," said study lead author Dr. Dania Albini.</p>



<p>"Improvements to waste water plants should be implemented along with more regulations. These efforts are crucial in safeguarding the integrity and safety of our rivers - fundamental elements of both ecosystems and human wellbeing.”</p>



<p>Ecological state of UK waterways</p>



<p>The revelations from the study are timely, especially considering the deteriorating state of the UK's waterways.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With over 90% of freshwater habitats in England's vital rivers being affected by various pollutants, a holistic strategy addressing pollution is imperative for the well-being of both the environment and its inhabitants.</p>



<p>“There is ongoing debate about the cause of the poor ecological state of many rivers in the UK because it is difficult to disentangle different pollution sources," said study senior author Dr. Michelle Jackson.</p>



<p>"Here, we show that even treated sewage appears to have a stronger influence on river communities than pollution from the surrounding land. This important information should be used to prioritize the management and conservation of our rivers moving forward.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>James Wallace, CEO of the UK-based charity River Action, said the research demonstrates yet again the damage from unregulated water companies and agriculture.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"In addition to the catastrophic impact on wildlife from nutrient pollution, the public should be aware that sewage systems do not remove dangerous bacteria such as E.coli and intestinal enterococci from treated sewage," said Wallace.</p>



<p>"For instance, recent citizen science on the River Thames found that Thames Water’s outflows often have four to five times the safe levels of bacteria, that has likely caused serious illness in swimmers and rowers."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"When will the government make water companies and farms clean up their act, especially in places where human lives and sensitive protected habitats are threatened?”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-detection-system">Early detection system</h2>



<p>The researchers have also developed a new method to detect potentially dangerous "sewage fungus" outbreaks.</p>



<p>This mix of fungus, algae, and bacteria causes unpleasant smells and severely reduces oxygen levels, which can cause mass fish mortality.</p>



<p>"Rapid identification of sewage fungus pollution events will allow early intervention which would help prevent any potential negative consequences for local wildlife," said Dr. Jackson.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16934"><em>Global Change Biology</em></a>.</p>



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Sewage pollution is a greater threat to rivers than agriculture

A new study led by the University of Oxford is...

<p>A recent study from <a href="https://www.elte.hu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eötvös Loránd University</a> has explored the question of why flat-faced dogs are so popular despite their major health risks.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The results of the study suggest that flat-faced dogs such as pugs and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/english-bulldogs-are-suffering-from-poor-breeding-practices/">bulldogs</a> have infant-like traits and behaviors that humans find irresistible.</p>



<p>"Infant-like traits may be present not only in appearance but also in behavior in brachycephalic breeds, eliciting caring behavior in owners," wrote the study authors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-issues">Health issues</h2>



<p>Pugs and French bulldogs, with their wrinkled faces and flat noses, have charmed their way into the hearts of many dog lovers</p>



<p>However, these brachycephalic breeds are also prone to severe health issues, raising questions about the seemingly paradoxical rise in their popularity.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-are-brachycephalic-dogs-so-popular">Why are brachycephalic dogs so popular?</h2>



<p>The term "brachycephalic" refers to breeds of dogs that have flattened faces and shortened muzzles, a result of selective breeding rather than natural evolution.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Despite the known health risks, such as breathing and skin problems, these breeds have witnessed an unprecedented rise in ownership in recent years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Kennel Club reported a 2,747-percent increase in registered French Bulldogs since 2004 in the UK alone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-brachycephalic-paradox">The brachycephalic paradox</h2>



<p>The researchers aimed to understand the so-called "brachycephalic paradox" - why these breeds continue to gain popularity despite well-documented welfare issues, high veterinary costs, and shorter lifespans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The focus of this paper is the ‘kindchenschema’ effect (also known as the cute effect); a well-studied phenomenon in psychological research in which infantile features in images of both children and animals are regularly found to provoke positive and affectionate feelings in human observers, and to prompt careful and nurturant behaviors," wrote the study authors.</p>



<p>"Our aim here is to discover whether relative muzzle shortening across a range of dog breeds is linked to the key facial features known to be appealing to, and to elicit nurturant behaviors in, human observers."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Specifically, we sought to discover whether muzzle shortening in the sagittal plane of dogs’ heads (i.e. in profile) is statistically associated with known ‘kindchenschema’ features in the coronal plane (i.e. fronto-facial features such as the relative size of eyes and forehead)."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team used a unique experiment to compare 30 flat-faced dogs, including 15 English bulldogs and 15 French bulldogs, and 13 Hungarian Mudis, a breed with mid-length muzzles.</p>



<p>The dogs were presented with three boxes with different opening mechanisms, each containing a sausage.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The animals had two minutes to open the boxes while both the experimenter and the owner stood out of direct sight.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Interestingly, Mudis were much more adept at solving the task, but the brachycephalic breeds were 4.5 times more likely to look back at the human observers for help.</p>



<p>This suggests that short-faced dogs have a tendency to seek out human assistance when faced with problems. As a result, the dogs may be perceived as helpless - forging a stronger bond with their owners. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-kindchenschema-effect">The kindchenschema effect</h2>



<p>Furthermore, the assistance-seeking behavior of these dogs seems to be tied to the kindchenschema effect, just as the researchers had hypothesized.</p>



<p>The experts also confirmed that the short muzzle length in brachycephalic dogs correlates with more infant-like facial proportions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-basic-human-instincts">Basic human instincts</h2>



<p>Despite the public's understanding of the adverse health impacts, the study suggests that the innate human tendency to care for creatures that appear helpless or childlike may override cognitive reasoning.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The behaviors of flat-faced dogs that people interpret as helplessness and help- seeking - together with childlike looks - seem to activate our basic nurturing instinct.</p>



<p>"Humans find it very difficult to cognitively override strong instinctive predispositions and still choose brachycephalic breeds, disregarding future health and welfare issues," wrote the researchers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paradoxical-appeal-nbsp">Paradoxical appeal&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This brings to light the ethical dilemma surrounding the demand for these breeds. While their "cute" features may be compelling, they also set the stage for a range of health problems.</p>



<p>"Recent research has indicated that many owners understand that brachycephalia can have adverse consequences for health but choose to keep such breeds anyway," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"This may be partly due to the perceived positive behavioral traits of some of these breeds, with owners’ denial of their dogs’ health problems, or with the paradoxical appeal of disabled dogs."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Either way, there is little doubt that some aspects of the appearance of brachycephalic animals is also a crucial driver of ownership."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study forces us to confront questions about responsible pet ownership and ethical breeding practices.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Going forward, increased awareness and education are crucial for prospective pet owners to make informed decisions that consider the well-being of these beloved animals.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-41229-8#:~:text=Owners%20might%20interpret%20these%20behaviours,eliciting%20caring%20behaviour%20in%20owners." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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Flat-faced dogs have childlike traits that humans cannot resist

A recent study from Eötvös Loránd University has explored the...

<p>In a revolutionary discovery that further intensifies the debate surrounding extraterrestrial life, astronomers utilizing NASA’s <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a> have detected the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Europa_carbon-discovery-image_JWST_1big.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> on Jupiter’s moon, Europa. </p>



<p>This vital find opens the gateway to a plethora of speculations and possibilities regarding the existence of conditions conducive to life, considering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stealth-ocean-discovered-on-one-of-saturns-moons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa</a> is one of the few worlds in our solar system believed to potentially harbor life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beneath-the-icy-crust-a-saltwater-ocean">Beneath the icy crust: A saltwater ocean</h2>



<p>Previous studies highlighted the existence of a salty ocean beneath <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Europa_closeup_NASA_1medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa’s water-ice crust</a>, concealing a rocky seafloor. However, what eluded scientists was the confirmation of whether this ocean housed life-essential chemicals, specifically carbon. </p>



<p>The breakthrough findings from the Webb have now identified <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Europa_carbon-discovery-image_JWST_2big.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> in a region known as Tara Regio on Europa's icy surface, an area also known for its “chaos terrain” due to the disrupted surface ice and indications of material exchange between the ocean and the surface.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-source-of-carbon-an-internal-gift">Source of carbon: An internal gift</h2>



<p>Analysis reveals this identified carbon likely originates from the subsurface ocean and is not a product of external entities like meteorites, dismissing prior uncertainties regarding its origin. Its presence in a geologically young area suggests its deposition on a relatively recent timescale, adding a crucial layer to our understanding of Europa’s potential habitability.</p>



<p>“Understanding the chemistry of Europa’s ocean will help us determine whether it’s hostile to life as we know it, or if it might be a good place for life,” stated Geronimo Villanueva of NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a>, the lead author of one of the illuminating papers describing the findings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-extraterrestrial-life">Implications for extraterrestrial life</h2>



<p>These revelations bear immense significance as they not only strengthen the claims of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-confirms-an-ocean-on-europa-may-be-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa’s ocean</a> potentially being a refuge for life but also help to decipher the intricate chemical composition of the ocean. </p>



<p>Carbon, being the backbone of life as we comprehend it, its presence and origin in Europa provide pivotal insights into the conditions and possibilities of life on this distant moon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-ocean-surface-connection">Insights into ocean-surface connection</h2>



<p>There has been extensive debate among scientists about the extent of connectivity between Europa’s ocean and its surface. </p>



<p>“This suggests that we may be able to learn some basic things about the ocean’s composition even before we drill through the ice to get the full picture,” Villanueva added.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-s-near-infrared-spectrograph">Webb's Near-Infrared Spectrograph</h2>



<p>The utilization of the integral field unit of Webb’s <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/content/observatory/instruments/nirspec.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Near-Infrared Spectrograph</a> (NIRSpec) enabled astronomers to pinpoint the location of specific chemicals, giving an unprecedented glimpse into the chemical localization on Europa’s surface.</p>



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



<p>The discoveries not only shape the direction of future research endeavors but also form the basis for upcoming missions, notably NASA’s <a href="https://europa.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa Clipper</a> spacecraft, set to launch in October 2024. It is designed to perform numerous close flybys of Europa to delve deeper into its potential to support life. </p>



<p>Additionally, these findings will significantly inform ESA’s forthcoming <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Juice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer</a> (JUICE) mission.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plume-activity-a-continuous-enigma">Plume activity: A continuous enigma</h2>



<p>While the new data does not reveal any evidence of plume activity, it does establish a stringent upper limit on the rate of material potentially being ejected. However, the non-detection of plumes doesn’t conclusively rule out their existence. </p>



<p>“All we can say with 100% confidence is that we did not detect a plume at Europa when we made these observations with Webb,” stated Heidi Hammel from the <a href="https://www.aura-astronomy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy</a>.</p>



<p>In summary, the revelation of carbon dioxide on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jupiters-moons-are-warming-each-other-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa’s surface</a> is a monumental stride in our pursuit of extraterrestrial life, enriching our understanding of this distant moon and its ocean’s chemistry. As researchers continue to unravel Europa’s mysteries, the knowledge acquired will be pivotal for forthcoming missions and explorations, potentially rewriting our understanding of life in the universe. </p>



<p>The publication of these findings in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg4270" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two separate</a> studies in <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg4155" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a></em> stands as a testament to the unrelenting human endeavor to reach beyond the known and explore the unseen realms of our universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-europa">More about Europa</h2>



<p>Jupiter's moon, Europa, draws attention as one of the most intriguing celestial bodies in our solar system due to its potential to harbor life. With its icy façade and underlying mysteries, Europa kindles curiosity and exploratory fervor among scientists and space enthusiasts.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concealed-oceanic-wonder">Concealed oceanic wonder</h3>



<p>Beneath its icy shell, Europa conceals a vast ocean of salty liquid water. Scientists believe that this ocean harbors twice the amount of water found on Earth, making it a prime location in the search for extraterrestrial life. The icy crust encapsulating this ocean possibly ranges from 10 to 30 kilometers in thickness, acting as a shield against Jupiter's harsh radiation belts.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tantalizing-geology">Tantalizing geology</h3>



<p>Europa presents a dynamic and complex geological surface. It possesses a predominantly water-ice surface, intertwined with a myriad of fractures and ridges. Some areas, known as "chaos terrains," exhibit disrupted and restructured ice, indicative of potential exchanges between the subsurface ocean and the surface, a phenomenon that further fuels scientific inquiries into Europa's internal activities.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-field-mysteries">Magnetic field mysteries</h3>



<p>The magnetic field measurements taken by the Galileo spacecraft hint at the existence of a subsurface conductive layer, speculated to be Europa's salty ocean. This presumed ocean could be a host to hydrothermal vents on the seafloor, which, on Earth, support diverse and robust ecosystems, fostering hopes for the presence of life in Europa's dark, submerged world.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radiation-scarred-surface">Radiation-scarred surface</h3>



<p>Europa endures a relentless bombardment of intense radiation from Jupiter’s magnetic field, which scars its surface and creates a hostile environment. However, this radiation also interacts with the icy surface to produce oxidants, compounds that could potentially fuel life in the subsurface ocean.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-for-astrobiology">Potential for astrobiology</h3>



<p>The presence of essential elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, and now, as recent discoveries suggest, carbon dioxide, elevate Europa's status as a prime candidate in the search for life beyond Earth. Scientists postulate that the interplay between the irradiated surface and the concealed ocean could generate the chemical energy necessary for life to thrive.</p>



<p>Europa, with its concealed ocean and compelling geological features, stands as a beacon in our pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. The prospect of life in its hidden, watery realms propels scientific investigations and explorations, seeking to expand our knowledge of our solar system and life's existence within it. As advancements in technology pave the way for more in-depth explorations, Europa continues to tantalize our imaginations and beckon us closer to uncovering its secrets.</p>



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Alien life on Jupiter's moon Europa just became a very likely scenario

In a revolutionary discovery that further intensifies the debate surrounding...

Farmer,Plantation,Checking,Quality,By,Tablet,Agriculture,Modern,Technology,Concept.

<p>Researchers have ushered in a new era in plant science by creating a technology that brings the once-fictitious idea of human-plant communication to reality. This recently developed technology enables humans to ‘talk’ to plants and receive communication back from them, using light-based messaging. This incredible breakthrough was achieved by a team of scientists from the <a href="https://www.slcu.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University</a> (SLCU) </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-initiating-plant-defense-mechanisms">Initiating plant defense mechanisms</h2>



<p>The experiments conducted by Alexander Jones’ research team at the university involved using light as a messenger to talk to plants. The light activates the natural defense mechanisms in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tobacco-and-zinnia-can-thrive-in-polluted-land/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tobacco plants</a> (<em>Nicotiana benthamiana</em>), showcasing that light can be a stimulus triggering plants’ immune responses. </p>



<p>This implies that light, a universal medium of communication for humans, can now serve as a bridge for interspecies interaction between humans and plants.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-highlighter-created-to-talk-to-plants">Highlighter: Created to talk to plants</h2>



<p>Before this discovery, the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> team engineered fluorescent light-based biosensors that could visually communicate real-time cellular activities in plants, revealing dynamics of critical plant hormones and how plants react to environmental stresses, effectively allowing plants to ‘talk’ to humans.</p>



<p>The latest development, Highlighter, is a tool documented in <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002303" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Biology</a> that uses specific light conditions to activate the expression of a target gene in plants, allowing humans to trigger defense mechanisms in plants. </p>



<p>Dr. Jones explains, “If we could warn plants of an impending disease outbreak or pest attack, plants could then activate their natural defense mechanisms to prevent widespread damage.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-agricultural-challenges">Addressing agricultural challenges</h2>



<p>This innovation holds promise for revolutionizing agricultural practices and humanity's relationship with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-pass-down-memories-to-help-offspring-survive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>. It could allow warning plants about approaching extreme weather events or pest attacks, enabling them to adjust growth patterns, conserve water, or activate defense mechanisms. </p>



<p>This advanced communication with plants can lead to more sustainable and efficient farming practices, reducing dependency on chemicals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-of-optogenetics">Science of optogenetics</h2>



<p>Bo Larsen, the engineer behind Highlighter, has incorporated a light-controlled gene expression system or optogenetics system from a prokaryotic system into a eukaryotic system tailored for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fibonacci-spirals-an-unexpected-twist-in-plant-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>. </p>



<p>Optogenetics uses light stimuli to control specific processes, enabling scientists to control biomolecular processes at a cellular level. It has revolutionized several fields, including neuroscience, by isolating the functions of individual neurons. </p>



<p>However, applying optogenetics to plants has been challenging due to plants' inherent abundance of photoreceptors and their need for a wide spectrum of light for growth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-development-of-highlighter">Development of Highlighter</h2>



<p>In the creation of Highlighter, collaboration with experts like J. Clark Lagarias from <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Davis</a> and others from the <a href="https://www.npl.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Physical Laboratory</a> was crucial to overcome challenges and to refine the technology. The system developed is minimally invasive, using light signals for activation and inactivation, unaffected by the usual light-dark cycling in growth chambers.</p>



<p>This technology has already demonstrated control over plant immunity, pigment production, and a yellow fluorescent protein. Dr. Jones emphasized that “Highlighter is an important step forward in the development of optogenetics tools in plants,” and it opens new avenues for crop improvement and research in plant biology.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-talking-to-plants-what-the-future-holds">Talking to plants -- what the future holds</h2>



<p>The ramifications of this development are profound. A growing toolbox for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-distribute-enormous-amounts-of-co2-to-mycorrhizal-fungi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>, with diverse optical properties, not only answers fundamental plant biology questions but also unlocks potential opportunities for crop improvement. </p>



<p>Dr. Jones visualizes a future where different light conditions could trigger various responses, such as immune response or precise timing of specific traits like flowering or ripening, in plants.</p>



<p>The innovations emerging from the Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University are propelling us into a future where humans and plants coexist in a symbiotic relationship of mutual communication and understanding, optimizing agricultural practices and revealing unexplored facets of plant biology. </p>



<p>This breakthrough in human-plant communication signifies a monumental leap in our quest for harmonious coexistence with the plant kingdom, pointing towards a future where sustainable and efficient farming becomes a global reality.</p>



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New invention enables humans to 'talk' to plants using light

Researchers have ushered in a new era in plant science...