Yellowstone National Park

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the devastating floods that swept across Pakistan during the summer of 2025.&nbsp;



The <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154781/monsoon-rains-flood-pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">image</a>, captured by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) aboard NOAA’s polar-orbiting satellite, tells a stark story. Depicted in false color to highlight the presence of water, it reveals broad areas of Pakistan’s landscape drowned beneath muddy expanses. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-rivers-split-a-century-old-mystery-has-finally-been-solved/">Rivers</a> are indistinguishable from the surrounding countryside, demonstrating just how much territory has been lost to the flood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-deluge-that-overwhelmed-the-land">A deluge that overwhelmed the land</h2>



What began as a particularly strong monsoon season in late June has turned into one of the worst <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-floods-what-turns-a-rainstorm-into-a-catastrophe/">flood</a> events in living memory, with the eastern Punjab province seeing its most severe inundation in history.&nbsp;



Millions of people have been affected, with entire villages swallowed by rivers and farmland drowned under relentless rainfall.



By mid-August, torrential rains pounded the northern mountains, setting off destructive flash floods and landslides. Water surged downstream with little relief for communities in its path.&nbsp;



By the close of the month, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-atmosphere-has-a-memory-that-affects-the-timing-of-monsoons/">monsoon</a> rain totals across the country measured 21 percent higher than normal, and in Punjab the increase reached 36 percent.&nbsp;



These figures translated into staggering human consequences, with nearly four million people affected in eastern Punjab alone and close to two million forced to evacuate. About 4,000 villages were inundated as rivers overtopped their banks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-toll-of-pakistan-s-floods-nbsp">The human toll of Pakistan’s floods&nbsp;</h2>



In Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, the flooded Ravi River spilled into housing developments and submerged major roads.&nbsp;



To the south along the Chenab, the rising waters engulfed nearby villages and forced authorities to move more than 25,000 people - roughly half the population - from Jalalpur Pirwala by September 8.&nbsp;



In Sindh province, low-lying districts braced for similar outcomes. Evacuations were carried out in anticipation of floodwaters advancing along the Indus River.



The flood’s reach has gone far beyond homes and streets. According to reports, an estimated 75 percent of Pakistan’s farmland has suffered damage. Fields of rice, sugarcane, and cotton - the backbone of agricultural livelihoods - now lie underwater.&nbsp;



These losses will ripple across food security, household income, and the national economy for months, and possibly even years. Farmers who were already struggling with rising input costs now face the prospect of losing entire harvests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monsoon-floods-in-pakistan-nbsp">Monsoon floods in Pakistan&nbsp;</h2>



The numbers highlight how overwhelming this disaster has become. Evacuations on such a scale stretch emergency services to their limits.&nbsp;



Relief agencies have called the flooding in Punjab the worst in the region’s history, a sobering reminder of how vulnerable the densely populated plains are when the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-atmosphere-has-a-memory-that-affects-the-timing-of-monsoons/">monsoon</a> intensifies.



The unfolding tragedy recalls the catastrophic monsoon of 2022, when Sindh province bore the brunt of widespread inundation.&nbsp;



Flat, low-lying terrain makes this region particularly susceptible to prolonged flooding, with waters lingering for weeks.&nbsp;



In 2025, once again, Sindh has been hit hard. The difference now is the sheer magnitude of rainfall concentrated over a short span of time, overwhelming embankments and drainage systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recovery-resilience-and-responsibility">Recovery, resilience, and responsibility</h2>



As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/once-in-a-thousand-years-extreme-storms-are-becoming-much-more-frequent/">floodwaters</a> begin to recede in many regions, Pakistan enters a phase where recovery is urgent but complicated. Rebuilding homes, restoring roads, and clearing debris will take months.&nbsp;



Restoring basic services - clean water, electricity, healthcare - is critical. Farmers must assess ruined fields, decide whether to replant, and find seeds and supplies. Many will need financial help to get back on their feet.



Global climate scientists warn that this kind of extreme monsoon behavior is becoming more likely as the atmosphere warms. Infrastructure built for past rainfall patterns may no longer suffice.&nbsp;



In areas like Punjab and Sindh, better flood defenses, improved drainage systems, and early warning networks will be essential to reduce future devastation.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flood-fatalities-experts-reveal-the-hidden-health-impacts/">human cost</a> of this disaster is not over. Displaced families will need long-term support, including food and shelter. Mental health impacts from loss and upheaval may persist.&nbsp;



The scale of this disaster calls for more than short-term relief. It requires long-term solutions. Governments, aid organizations, and local communities share the responsibility to rebuild in ways that not only replace what was destroyed but also create stronger, safer, and more sustainable systems for the future.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Pakistan’s monsoon floods leave millions displaced

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the Butterfly Nebula, located about 3,400 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius.&nbsp;



It’s what astronomers call a planetary nebula - the brief phase when a dying star sheds its outer layers into space.



Despite the name, planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets. Early astronomers thought these glowing shells looked round, like distant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/">worlds</a> seen through primitive telescopes.&nbsp;



The name stuck, even though many nebulae are anything but round. The Butterfly Nebula, with its outstretched “wings” of gas and dust, is a perfect example.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-butterfly-with-a-hidden-heart">Butterfly with a hidden heart</h2>



At the center of this spectacular cloud lies the remnant of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sun-like-stars-release-massive-superflares-every-100-years/">Sun-like star</a>. It has burned through its fuel and shed most of its mass, leaving behind a blazing hot core.&nbsp;



The star energizes the nebula, making it glow across the spectrum. Yet until recently, the star itself remained hidden.



A dark band of dust and gas cuts through the nebula like the “body” of the butterfly. This band is actually a torus, a doughnut-shaped structure that blocks visible light.&nbsp;



The torus shapes the nebula by forcing gas outward in two opposite directions, creating the iconic bipolar wings. It also conceals the central star from optical view.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-telescope-brings-clarity">Webb telescope brings clarity</h2>



The <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a> has now pierced the dust with its Mid-Infrared Instrument, offering the sharpest view yet of the nebula’s core. 



By working in “integral field unit mode,” Webb captured <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Webb/Webb_investigates_complex_heart_of_a_cosmic_butterfly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">images</a> and spectra at multiple wavelengths simultaneously. The result is a detailed portrait of how the nebula looks in different slices of light.



The team also added data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in Chile, which revealed colder gas and dust.&nbsp;



Together, these instruments exposed a structure of extraordinary complexity, with nearly 200 spectral lines tracing atoms and molecules woven into layered shells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-central-star-revealed">The central star revealed</h2>



The Webb observations finally pinned down the location of the nebula’s hidden <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-stars-shape-planetary-systems-like-ours-with-ultraviolet-radiation/">star</a>. Its surrounding dust cloud glows brightly in mid-infrared light, betraying its position for the first time.&nbsp;



With a scorching temperature of 220,000 Kelvin - around 400,000 degrees Fahrenheit - this is one of the hottest known central stars in a planetary nebula.



That heat drives the nebula’s glow, but its power doesn’t escape evenly. The dense torus channels the outflow, creating the striking wings that stretch across space.&nbsp;



Webb data show that the torus contains crystalline silicates such as quartz, along with irregular grains about a millionth of a meter across. For cosmic dust, that’s relatively large, suggesting the particles have been accumulating for a long time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jets-layers-and-chemical-signatures">Jets, layers, and chemical signatures</h2>



Outside the torus, the nebula displays a multilayered design. Atoms that need the most energy to ionize cluster near the center. Those requiring less energy appear farther out.&nbsp;



Among the highlights are iron and nickel, which mark out two jets blasting away from the star in opposite directions. These fast-moving streams help sculpt the overall shape of the nebula.



The team also found evidence of carbon-based molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs.&nbsp;



On Earth, PAHs are common in soot from fires, exhaust fumes, and even burnt toast. In the Butterfly Nebula, they appear to form when bursts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracing-solar-wind-directly-to-its-source-for-the-first-time/">stellar wind</a> collide with the surrounding gas.&nbsp;



This could be the first time PAHs have been spotted forming in an oxygen-rich planetary nebula, offering a rare window into the chemistry of dying stars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fleeting-beauty-of-the-butterfly-nebula">Fleeting beauty of the Butterfly Nebula</h2>



The entire spectacle will not last long by cosmic standards. The planetary nebula stage endures only about 20,000 years - a brief flicker compared to a star’s lifetime of billions of years.&nbsp;



The Butterfly Nebula is a reminder of how short-lived and yet astonishingly beautiful the final chapters of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-star-redefines-our-understanding-of-stellar-evolution/">stellar evolution</a> can be.



The results of this study are <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/542/2/1287/8241385" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published</a> in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 



The research shows that even well-studied objects like the Butterfly Nebula can surprise us when viewed with fresh eyes.&nbsp;



Webb’s infrared vision has revealed not only the hidden star at the heart of the butterfly, but also the intricate chemistry that surrounds it - from crystalline dust to unexpected organic molecules.



Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA, J. Kastner, M. Zamani (ESA/Webb)



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Secrets of the Butterfly Nebula uncovered by Webb

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a stunning reflection nebula known as GN 04.32.8 in the constellation Taurus.



Reflection nebulae are cosmic clouds of fine dust that become visible not by producing their own light, but by reflecting the light of nearby stars.&nbsp;



Unlike emission <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/">nebulae</a>, which glow due to ionized gases radiating light, reflection nebulae shine more subtly.&nbsp;



The light from nearby stars strikes the dust particles within the cloud and scatters in many directions - especially shorter, bluer wavelengths. This scattering effect, similar to the way Earth’s sky appears blue, often gives reflection nebulae their characteristic bluish hue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-taurus-molecular-cloud">The Taurus Molecular Cloud</h2>



“GN 04.32.8 is a small part of the stellar nursery known as the Taurus Molecular Cloud. At only roughly 480 light-years from Earth in the constellation Taurus, it's one of the best locations for studying newly forming stars,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images">ESA</a>.



The Taurus Molecular Cloud is one of the closest and most extensively studied regions for low-mass star formation.&nbsp;



Unlike larger star-forming regions like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orion-nebula-destroys-an-oceans-worth-of-water-every-month/">Orion</a> that produce many high-mass stars, the Taurus Molecular Cloud is dominated by the formation of Sun-like and smaller stars, making it a prime analog for understanding the conditions that led to the birth of our own solar system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energetic-stars-in-the-constellation-taurus-nbsp">Energetic stars in the constellation Taurus&nbsp;</h2>



“This reflection nebula is illuminated by the system of three bright stars in the center of this image, mainly the variable star V1025 Tauri in the very center," ESA noted. 



“One of those stars overlaps with part of the nebula: this is another variable star that is named HP Tauri, but is classified as a T Tauri star, for its similarity to yet another variable star elsewhere in the Taurus Molecular Complex.”&nbsp;



T Tauri stars are young, energetic stars in the earliest stages of stellar evolution, just beginning their journey toward becoming stable main sequence stars like our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-sun-like-stars-with-secret-companions/">Sun</a>.&nbsp;



These stars are highly variable, often exhibiting strong stellar winds and flares as they settle into equilibrium. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-dynamic-star-system">A dynamic star system</h2>



In this case, the trio of T Tauri stars - named HP Tau, HP Tau G2, and HP Tau G3 - are believed to be gravitationally bound, forming a dynamic triple star system.



“Eagle-eyed viewers might notice the small, squashed, orange spot, just left of center below the clouds of the nebula, that’s crossed by a dark line. This is a newly-formed protostar, hidden in a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-forming-disks-surrounding-stars-often-last-much-longer-than-expected/">protoplanetary disc</a> that obstructs some of its light,” explained ESA.



“Because the disc is edge-on to us, it’s an ideal candidate for study. Astronomers are using Hubble here to examine it closely, seeking to learn about the kinds of exoplanets that might be formed in discs like it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-light-of-hot-young-stars">The light of hot, young stars</h2>



Reflection nebulae are usually found in regions where new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/10-billion-white-dwarf-stars-in-milky-way-galaxy-might-have-habitable-planets/">stars</a> are forming, often near or within dense molecular clouds.&nbsp;



Some reflection nebulae can span light-years across and serve as markers of stellar nurseries - places where future generations of stars are taking shape.



Reflection nebulae offer astronomers a valuable glimpse into the structure and composition of the interstellar medium and help trace the life cycles of stars from birth to maturity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examples-of-reflection-nebulae-nbsp">Examples of reflection nebulae&nbsp;</h2>



One well-known example is the reflection nebula surrounding the Pleiades star cluster, also called the Seven Sisters.&nbsp;



The Iris Nebula, located in the constellation Cepheus about 1,300 light-years from Earth, is a striking reflection nebula illuminated by the young star SAO 19158.



This nebula is a popular target for astrophotographers due to its vivid colors and intricate structure.



Found about 1,600 light-years away, M78 is the brightest reflection nebula in the Orion constellation and one of the easiest to observe with amateur telescopes. It’s illuminated by two young stars, HD 38563A and HD 38563B.&nbsp;



M78 is part of a larger complex of gas and dust that includes many other star-forming regions within the Orion Molecular Cloud.



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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Radiant young stars illuminate the constellation Taurus 

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a dazzling view of the globular cluster NGC 1786, which was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.&nbsp;



Unlike open <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trio-of-star-clusters-may-be-the-same-system-at-different-ages/">clusters</a>, which are younger and more loosely arranged, globular clusters are tightly concentrated and typically located in a galaxy’s halo.



The globular cluster NGC 1786 is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) - a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way about 160,000 light-years from Earth.&nbsp;



“NGC 1786 itself is in the constellation Dorado. It was discovered in the year 1835 by John Herschel,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images">ESA</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-globular-clusters-nbsp">Observing globular clusters&nbsp;</h2>



Globular clusters are densely packed, spherical groups of stars that orbit the cores of galaxies like satellites.&nbsp;



Each cluster can contain tens of thousands to millions of stars, all bound tightly together by gravity. These stars are generally very old - often over 10 billion years - making globular clusters some of the oldest known structures in the universe.



The image of NGC 1786 is part of a broader observing program aimed at comparing old globular clusters in nearby dwarf galaxies with those found in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-galaxy-may-be-inside-a-giant-void-in-the-universe-explains-hubble-tension/">Milky Way</a>.&nbsp;



“Our galaxy contains over 150 of these old, spherical collections of tightly-bound stars, which have been studied in depth - especially with Hubble Space Telescope images like this one, which show them in previously-unattainable detail,” said ESA.



“Being very stable and long-lived, they act as galactic time capsules, preserving stars from the earliest stages of a galaxy’s formation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stars-in-globular-clusters">Stars in globular clusters</h2>



For many years, astronomers believed that the stars in globular clusters all formed at roughly the same time. However, studies of Milky Way clusters have revealed multiple <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zhulong-spiral-galaxy-like-milky-way-discovered-at-edge-of-universe-should-not-exist/">stellar populations</a> of different ages.&nbsp;



To better understand how globular clusters form - and how they can be used to trace galactic evolution - researchers are now investigating whether clusters like NGC 1786 in external galaxies also show signs of multiple stellar generations.&nbsp;



This research sheds light on the origins and development of the Large Magellanic Cloud. It also helps scientists study the formation history of the Milky Way itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-magellanic-cloud-nbsp">Large Magellanic Cloud&nbsp;</h2>



The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is one of the most prominent and intriguing galaxies in our cosmic neighborhood. It is the largest satellite galaxy of the Milky Way and is visible to the naked eye from the Southern Hemisphere.&nbsp;



A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dozens-of-ghost-galaxies-may-be-orbiting-the-milky-way/">satellite galaxy</a> is a smaller galaxy that orbits a larger one due to gravitational attraction. Just as the Moon orbits the Earth, satellite galaxies are bound to larger galaxies and can slowly orbit them over billions of years. 



These satellites can range in size from relatively massive dwarf galaxies to tiny, faint collections of stars.



Though classified as a dwarf galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud spans roughly 14,000 light-years across and contains billions of stars, nebulae, and star clusters.&nbsp;



One of its most famous features is the Tarantula Nebula - the most active star-forming region in the entire Local Group of galaxies. This stellar nursery is so intense that it's forming some of the most massive stars ever observed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-interaction-with-the-milky-way-nbsp">Dynamic interaction with the Milky Way&nbsp;</h2>



The Large Magellanic Cloud is also of great interest to astronomers because of its dynamic relationship with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-solar-systems-journey-through-the-milky-way-may-have-altered-earths-climate/">Milky Way</a>. It’s not just a passive companion - it’s interacting gravitationally with both the Milky Way and the Small Magellanic Cloud, another nearby dwarf galaxy.&nbsp;



These interactions have created long streams of gas, such as the Magellanic Stream, that arc across the sky. In fact, recent studies suggest the Large Magellanic Cloud may be on its first infall into the Milky Way’s halo, rather than orbiting it for billions of years as once thought.&nbsp;



This motion could have significant effects on the structure of our galaxy, possibly even perturbing the Milky Way’s dark matter halo.



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



The detailed observations of NGC 1786 not only showcase the stunning capabilities of the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/">Hubble Space Telescope</a> but also deepen our understanding of how galaxies like the Milky Way and the LMC evolve over time.&nbsp;



By examining ancient globular clusters in both the Milky Way and its neighboring galaxies, astronomers are uncovering vital clues about star formation and the processes that shaped our universe.



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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Glittering time capsule: Hubble peers into a galaxy's past

Today’s Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features an incredible phenomenon that was captured on the far outskirts of the Milky Way.



A young, massive star has announced its arrival with a dramatic display. It has fired off twin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-captures-a-young-stars-jet-colliding-with-space-dust/">jets</a> of gas so powerful they stretch across eight light-years - about twice the distance from our Sun to the Alpha Centauri system.&nbsp;



These streams are confined to narrow beams by the star’s magnetic fields and launched along its spin axis.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-jets-of-a-young-star">The jets of a young star</h2>



The James Webb Space Telescope captured the event in exquisite infrared detail, showing the jets carving their way through interstellar gas and dust.



The stellar outburst belongs to a rare class of cosmic displays known as Herbig-Haro objects. They form when material falling onto a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-star-wsb-52-fires-an-explosive-jet-that-crashed-back-into-its-own-planetary-disk/">newborn star</a> is shot back out into space at incredible speeds.&nbsp;



The star at the heart of this spectacle lies in a cluster about 15,000 light-years away. The star has a mass that is already ten times greater than the Sun’s.&nbsp;



The outflow is hurtling through space at hundreds of thousands of miles per hour, leaving behind a trail that astronomers can now study as a record of the star’s growth.



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



The discovery took astronomers by surprise, including Yu Cheng of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (<a href="https://www.nao.ac.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NAOJ</a>). 



“We didn’t really know there was a massive star with this kind of super-jet out there before the observation. Such a spectacular outflow of molecular hydrogen from a massive star is rare in other regions of our galaxy,” said Cheng.&nbsp;



More than 300 Herbig-Haro objects are known, but most of them come from stars much smaller than this one. Webb’s sharp images reveal not just the scale but also the delicate structure of this jet, including knots, shocks, and filaments where the stream slams into surrounding material.



“I was really surprised at the order, symmetry, and size of the jet when we first looked at it,” said Jonathan Tan of the <a href="https://www.virginia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia</a>.



The perfect alignment of the opposite streams suggests the process fueling this star’s growth has been steady for more than 100,000 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-massive-star-formation-nbsp">Mystery of massive star formation&nbsp;</h2>



The new <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/09/Immense_stellar_jet_in_Milky_Way_outskirts#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=0ad1e29a-3bb6-4b03-99c0-1f5c2ba20000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observation</a> has reopened one of the longest-running debates in astronomy: how do massive stars form? For decades, scientists have been split between two main ideas. 



One theory suggests that stars this large form through a steady process called core accretion, where gas builds up in a stable disk and launches outflows in predictable directions.&nbsp;



The other theory, known as competitive accretion, involves a chaotic tug-of-war in which streams of gas fall in from all sides, twisting the orientation of the jets.



The Webb data now tilt the balance toward the first explanation. The opposing jets are nearly 180 degrees apart, showing that the central disk has remained steady throughout the star’s lifetime.&nbsp;



“What we’ve seen here, because we’ve got the whole history - a tapestry of the story - is that the opposite sides of the jets are nearly 180 degrees apart from each other. That tells us that this central disc is held steady and validates a prediction of the core accretion theory,” said Tan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conditions-of-the-early-universe-nbsp">Conditions of the early universe&nbsp;</h2>



The star’s home lies in a cluster called Sharpless 2-284, a relatively pristine region on the galaxy’s periphery. Because it is far from the Milky Way’s busy center, its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-universes-first-molecule-helped-ignite-the-stars/">stars formed</a> in an environment low in heavy elements.&nbsp;



Astronomers call this property metallicity, and it mirrors the conditions of the early universe, before multiple generations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-discovery-twin-stars-with-parallel-disks-and-jets/">stars</a> had enriched space with the products of nuclear fusion.



“Webb’s exquisite data have also shown us that relatively more stars seem to form at lower masses in Sh2-284 than in closer, more metal-rich clusters. This cluster is an excellent region to help us understand star formation throughout the Universe,” said Morten Andersen of the <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Southern Observatory</a>.



Image Credit: ESA



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Young star lights up the Milky Way with colossal jets

Today’s Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today’s Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a dramatic view of dust sweeping across the Tarim Basin in western China - one of the dustiest places on Earth. 



Spring and summer usually grab the headlines for dust activity, but that doesn’t mean the skies clear in the other months. <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154772/dust-in-the-eye-of-the-tarim-basin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Satellite data</a> and ground observations show that autumn brings its share of haze too. 



Known for its unusual eye-like shape, the Tarim Basin is surrounded by mountains that often trap dust inside. This natural barrier keeps the fine particles from traveling far beyond the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/">desert</a> floor, creating persistent hazy conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-landscape-shaped-by-tectonic-power">A landscape shaped by tectonic power</h2>



Look north and the “eyebrow” of the Tarim reveals striking ridges running east to west. These aren’t ordinary hills but part of the Kuqa fold-and-thrust belt.&nbsp;



Millions of years of tectonic forces pushed the Tarim Basin against its mountainous neighbors to the north, squeezing rock layers until they buckled and folded. The result is a series of wave-like formations called anticlines and synclines.



Over time, erosion has carved into these ridges, peeling back layers of red and green sandstones and pale limestones. From above, these colorful stripes stand out sharply against the muted tones of the desert around them.&nbsp;



<a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154126/a-curtain-of-dust-over-the-tarim-basin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landsat images</a> have captured the intricate detail of this fractured geology, offering a glimpse into the dynamic forces that continue to shape the region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-counting-the-dusty-days">Counting the dusty days</h2>



Scientists studied more than 30 years of satellite records and found that the Tarim Basin averaged 60 dusty days a year. The month of September typically saw seven.&nbsp;



About 85 percent of those days fell into a category called “floating dust.” On such days, winds were light but visibility dropped below six miles as particles lingered in the air.



The rest of the time, conditions were harsher. On “blowing dust” days, moderate winds reduced visibility to less than three miles. The most extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-storms-are-a-surprising-source-of-deadly-air-pollution/">dust storms</a> cut visibility to under half a mile, carried by powerful gusts that scoured the landscape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dust-size-tells-a-seasonal-story">Dust size tells a seasonal story</h2>



Not all dust is the same. By comparing seasons, researchers found that larger particles show up most often in spring, fall, and winter.&nbsp;



NASA’s Terra satellite, using its Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer, provided the detail. These coarse grains likely lift when strong horizontal winds sweep across the desert.



Summer is different. Rising heat drives localized convection, creating dust whirls - sometimes called dust devils - that pull smaller, finer grains into the air.&nbsp;



These swirling columns may look less threatening than a full storm, but they can still loft material high into the atmosphere.&nbsp;



The seasonal contrast shows how different forces, from heat to wind, work together to keep the basin’s air loaded with dust.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dust-from-the-tarim-basin-nbsp">Dust from the Tarim Basin&nbsp;</h2>



Dust from the Tarim Basin doesn’t just linger over western China. Depending on weather patterns, it can drift across Asia, impacting air quality in major cities. In extreme cases, it may even cross <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atmospheric-dust-plays-surprisingly-crucial-role-in-stabilizing-ocean-ecosystems/">oceans</a>.&nbsp;



These particles influence more than visibility. They affect climate by reflecting sunlight or trapping heat, and they alter ecosystems when they settle far from their source.



Understanding when and how dust moves is key for both health and climate research. The Tarim Basin offers a natural laboratory where scientists can track these processes in detail, thanks to decades of satellite coverage and on-the-ground measurements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-reminder-of-nature-s-reach">A reminder of nature’s reach</h2>



The desert may seem remote, but its restless skies have a global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-is-an-understudied-contributor-to-climate-change/">footprint</a>. What satellites recorded in early September was just one episode in a cycle that repeats year after year.&nbsp;



Tectonic history, seasonal winds, and rising heat all converge in this basin to keep the air in motion.&nbsp;



For scientists, the Tarim continues to show how landscapes that appear still and silent are, in fact, alive with change.



The image was captured on September 1, 2025 by the NOAA-20 satellite.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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China’s Tarim Basin: A desert that never sleeps

Today’s Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today’s Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Hurricane Kiko, spinning west across the Pacific Ocean toward the Hawaiian Islands.



Hurricane Kiko began as a tropical depression on August 31 in the eastern Pacific. Within days, it rapidly gained strength and climbed into major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-amplified-hurricane-strength/">hurricane</a> status. By early September, it was heading west with Hawaii in its path - raising concerns about what the islands might face.



The storm’s approach forced Hawaii to prepare for high surf, rip currents, and shifting forecasts. While the cyclone weakened as it neared land, the ocean did not quiet down, and warnings were issued for dangerous conditions along east-facing shores.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calm-beginnings-to-furious-winds">Calm beginnings to furious winds</h2>



Kiko’s early days followed the typical pattern of many Pacific hurricanes. Warm waters and unstable atmospheric conditions fueled its rise from depression to named storm, and then to hurricane.&nbsp;



At its peak, Kiko wavered between Category 3 and Category 4 strength. On September 4, its sustained winds reached 145 miles per hour, enough to rank it among the most powerful storms of the season.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-kiko-from-space">Observing Kiko from space</h2>



On September 7 at about 1:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, satellites offered a clear view of the storm.



Today’s featured <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154769/hurricane-kiko-nears-hawaii" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">image</a> reveals a vast spiral with a defined center. At this time, it was a Category 2 system with winds of 110 miles per hour. 



The photo was captured by instruments aboard the Suomi NPP satellite when Hurricane Kiko was about 600 miles east of Hilo. 



These satellite snapshots are crucial for monitoring storm size, cloud structure, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-causes-the-rapid-intensification-of-hurricanes/">intensity</a>. They help forecasters understand how the cyclone is evolving as it moves across the ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-storm-weakened">Why the storm weakened</h2>



Hurricanes thrive on warm water and favorable atmospheric conditions. But Kiko encountered hurdles that sapped its energy.&nbsp;



The National Hurricane Center noted that cooler water played a role in its decline. In addition, moderate vertical wind shear - the shifting of wind direction and speed with altitude - disrupted the storm’s internal structure. A dry surrounding environment further limited the fuel supply.



All of these factors caused Kiko to lose some of its punch as it pushed closer to Hawaii. Even so, the system remained large enough to stir up trouble in the seas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hurricane-kiko-forecasts">Hurricane Kiko forecasts</h2>



As of September 8, meteorologists expected Kiko to veer northwest, weaken to a tropical storm, and pass north of the Hawaiian Islands on September 9 and 10.&nbsp;



That track suggested the islands might avoid damaging winds and widespread heavy rainfall. But not every hazard depends on direct landfall.



The National Hurricane Center warned that east-facing coastal areas could see dangerous surf and rip currents. These hazards often linger long after the storm’s eye has passed, and they pose risks to swimmers, boaters, and anyone near the shoreline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hawaii-s-storm-history">Hawaii’s storm history</h2>



Hawaii sits in the middle of the Pacific, far from continental landmasses but not immune to tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/even-weak-storms-are-deadly-for-infants-in-developing-nations/">cyclones</a>. While direct hits are rare, the islands have experienced damaging storms in the past.&nbsp;



Hurricane Iniki in 1992 was the strongest to strike Hawaii in recorded history, causing widespread destruction on Kauai. More recently, storms like Lane in 2018 and Douglas in 2020 skirted the islands but still produced heavy rains and flooding.



Kiko fits into this long-running narrative: powerful systems often threaten Hawaii, and even near misses bring serious impacts. For residents and visitors alike, the warnings serve as reminders of the Pacific’s power.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-the-next-storm">Preparing for the next storm</h2>



Forecasting has improved in recent decades thanks to satellite technology, advanced computer models, and constant monitoring by meteorologists.&nbsp;



These tools give island communities more time to prepare for changing conditions. Emergency managers urge residents to take <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-hurricane-warnings-fail-to-convey-the-real-danger/">warnings</a> seriously, even if the storm’s center never crosses land.



High surf alone can be life-threatening, and rip currents claim lives every year. For island states like Hawaii, where the ocean defines daily life, respecting these warnings is vital.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Hurricane Kiko spins toward Hawaii 

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency showcases the striking beauty of the planetary nebula NGC 2899, which resembles a moth in flight. The photo was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.



“The planetary nebula NGC 2899 is shaped like a single macaroni noodle, with its edges pointed up, but its edge-on central torus is semi-transparent in the middle,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The top and bottom edges are thick and orange. The center is semi-transparent blue and green. The wider central region looks roughly like a moth, also filled with semi-transparent blue and green.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defining-features-of-the-planetary-nebula">Defining features of the planetary nebula</h2>



According to ESA, the nebula features a bipolar, cylindrical outflow of gas extending diagonally. The gas is driven by intense radiation and stellar winds from a central <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-planets-are-more-habitable-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf</a> with a scorching temperature of nearly 22,000 degrees Celsius. 



“In fact, there may be two companion stars that are interacting and sculpting the nebula, which is pinched in the middle by a fragmented ring or torus - looking like a half-eaten donut,” said ESA.



Streams of gaseous “pillars” extend outward, all pointing back toward the central source of energy. The vibrant colors in the image come from glowing hydrogen and oxygen gases.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-and-significance-of-ngc-2899">Discovery and significance of NGC 2899</h2>



NGC 2899 was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on March 2, 1835, during his survey of the southern skies from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. 



Herschel cataloged many deep-sky objects in the southern hemisphere, contributing significantly to the New General Catalogue (NGC) compiled later by John Louis Emil Dreyer.



NGC 2899 is located approximately 4,500 light-years from Earth in the southern constellation Vela, which is part of the larger Vela-Puppis-Carina region of the Milky Way known for its rich <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star-forming activity</a> and remnants of past stellar explosions.&nbsp;



Vela, whose name means "sails" in Latin, represents the sails of the ancient Greek mythological ship Argo Navis. This region of the sky is particularly abundant in nebulae, star clusters, and other deep-sky objects, making it a focal point for astronomical observations.&nbsp;



The nebula’s distance places it well within our galaxy, offering astronomers a valuable glimpse into the later stages of stellar evolution and the processes that sculpt and illuminate planetary nebulae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-planetary-nebula">What is a planetary nebula?</h2>



Nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust in space, often serving as the birthplaces or remnants of stars.&nbsp;



They come in various types, including emission nebulae that glow due to ionized gases energized by nearby stars, reflection nebulae that shine by scattering starlight, and dark nebulae that obscure light from background <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/runaway-star-may-be-dragging-a-planet-along-with-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a>.&nbsp;



Planetary nebulae form when dying stars shed their outer layers, creating colorful, often symmetrical shapes. Nebulae can span light-years across and are key to understanding the life cycles of stars and the structure of galaxies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fate-of-dying-stars">The fate of dying stars</h2>



Not all dying stars become planetary nebulae. In fact, stars much more massive than the Sun follow a very different and far more violent path.&nbsp;



These massive stars end their lives in dramatic supernova explosions, releasing tremendous energy and scattering heavy elements into space, which enriches the interstellar medium.&nbsp;



What remains after the explosion depends on the star’s mass. The collapsed core can form a neutron star - an incredibly dense object composed mostly of neutrons. Or, if the star was even more massive, it may create a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-confirm-lone-black-hole-wandering-through-our-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a>, where gravity is so intense that not even light can escape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examples-of-winged-nebulae-nbsp">Examples of “winged” nebulae&nbsp;</h2>



Several well-known nebulae are noted for their "winged" or symmetrical, wing-like appearances, often earning them evocative nicknames.&nbsp;



One of the most famous is the Butterfly Nebula, located in the constellation Scorpius. This planetary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragons-egg-nebula-is-a-truly-stunning-sight-to-behold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebula</a> displays two expansive lobes that resemble butterfly wings, shaped by fast stellar winds from a dying star.



The Omega Nebula (also known as the Swan Nebula) in the constellation Sagittarius is a bright star-forming region that has been said to resemble a swan in flight. It has broad, glowing "wings" formed by clouds of ionized hydrogen gas.&nbsp;



Similarly, the Eagle Nebula has an overall shape reminiscent of a bird with outstretched wings, which inspired its name. It is located in the constellation Serpens and home to the iconic "Pillars of Creation."



Image Credit: ESA



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Planetary nebula with ethereal wings captured by Hubble

The MODIS instrument, short for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, is a key instrument aboard the Terra and Aqua satellites. MODIS is playing a vital role in the development of Earth ecosystem models, able to predict global changes, which then assist policy makers in making informed decisions about the protection of the global environment.

Heavy snow and cloud cover in the Alps are seen in this Image of the day&nbsp;from the <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> and features a look at heavy snow and low clouds in the Alps. Wildlife such as ibex live in the higher peaks to elevations of 3,400 m (11,155 ft), and plants such as Edelweiss grow in rocky areas in lower elevations as well as in higher elevations.

Heavy snow and cloud cover in the Alps

Monitoring Earth Changes with MODIS

Aqua is a NASA scientific research satellite that studies precipitation, evaporation, and water cycles. Terra and Aura make up the Earth Observing System. It's the second component of the system.

A frozen Lake Erie in February Today’s Image of the Day comes from the <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> and features a look at a frozen <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/icy-lake-erie/">Lake Erie</a>, which is currently 93.3 percent iced over. A frozen Lake Erie in February
This false-color image was created using data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board the Aqua satellite to differentiate between snow, ice, and clouds.
Lake Erie /ˈɪəri/ (French: Lac Érié) is the fourth-largest lake (by surface area) of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the eleventh-largest globally if measured in terms of surface area.It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. At its deepest point Lake Erie is 210 feet (64 metres) deep. 
Situated on the International Boundary between Canada and the United States, Lake Erie&#8217;s northern shore is the Canadian province of Ontario, specifically the Ontario Peninsula, with the U.S. states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York on its western, southern, and eastern shores. These jurisdictions divide the surface area of the lake with water boundaries. 
The lake was named by the Erie people, a Native American people who lived along its southern shore. The tribal name &#8220;erie&#8221; is a shortened form of the Iroquoian word erielhonan, meaning long tail
&#8212;
By <a href="mailto:rarnold@earth.com">Rory Arnold</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
Image Credit: <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a>

A frozen Lake Erie in February

Aqua Earth Observing Satellite

This beautiful photo gallery contains 50 incredible images of Earth from Space. These images were taken by astronauts onboard the International Space Station, as well as by a multitude of NASA satellites orbiting the earth.

Today’s Image of the Day comes thanks to the <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=90654&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore">NASA Earth Observatory</a> and features a look at Super Typhoon Noru in the Pacific Ocean just south of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-blue-chrysanthemums-created/">Japan</a>.
This image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite on July 31, 2017. 
At the time the photo was taken, Typhoon Noru was located just 250 kilometers south of Iwo Jima. Maximum sustained winds hit 150 miles per hour.
The storm briefly became a category 5 on July 30, before being downgraded to a category 4 one day later.
&#8211;
By <a href="mailto:rarnold@earth.com">Rory Arnold</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
Source: <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=90654&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore">NASA Earth Observatory</a>

Super Typhoon Noru in the Pacific Ocean

Incredible Images of Earth from Space

Photos from the International Space Station are found in this awesome Earth.com image gallery. Flat-earthers won't agree, but these incredible photos of the Earth were taken by astronauts onboard the International Space Station. The International Space Station is a modular space station in low Earth orbit.

Northern Italy from the space station is seen here in this Image of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> (ESA). The view includes the top half of the Italian Peninsula, along with <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/wildfires-burn-northern-corsica/">Corsica</a> and Sardinia off the coast. This image was captured by ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli on his third and final mission to the Space Station.

Northern Italy from the Space Station

Photos from the International Space Station

Some cats in central Finland show a rare coat that fades from dark at the base of each hair to white at the tip. Locals noticed it in 2007, and the look later picked up the nickname salmiak, a nod to a salty licorice candy popular there.



Scientists set out to learn whether this look was just a quirky fluke or a trait tied to a specific change in DNA. They ended up finding a clear genetic sign and a story that connects pet cats to basic biology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-salmiak-cats-different">What makes salmiak cats different</h2>



In 2024, a peer reviewed study traced the salmiak pattern to a missing stretch of DNA about 95,000 bases long located roughly 65,000 bases beyond the <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/kit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KIT</a> gene. 



The work was led by <a href="https://www.wisdompanel.com/en-us/blog/contributor/heidi-anderson-phd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Heidi Anderson</a> of <a href="https://www.wisdompanel.com/en-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wisdom Panel</a> in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Helsinki</a>.



The pattern does not behave like the common tuxedo or white spotting most people know. Each hair in colored areas starts pigmented at the base and becomes unpigmented at the tip, and the tail often ends in near white.



It shows up on several background colors, including black, blue, brown tabby, and tortoiseshell. The look is present at birth and stays consistent as the cat grows.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-gene-clue-points">Where the gene clue points</h2>



KIT helps guide the development and survival of pigment cells called melanocytes, which supply melanin to hair and skin. Changes that alter KIT activity can change where melanocytes end up or how well they function.



In many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-some-cats-orange-scientists-have-finally-found-the-answer/">cats</a>, white or spotted coats are linked to insertions from a feline endogenous retrovirus (<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4199695/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FERV1</a>) that sits inside KIT and disrupts normal pigment distribution. 



Those insertions help explain both dominant white coats and the classic white spotting pattern.



The white paws seen in <a href="https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/gloves-birman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birman</a> cats come from a different change in the KIT gene that breeders can identify with a genetic test. 



Salmiak cats do not have any of those known changes, which is why the pattern remained a mystery to researchers for so long.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salmiak-cats-and-genetics">Salmiak cats and genetics</h2>



The team first genotyped salmiak cats for all known coat variants and saw nothing that explained the unusual white tipping. 



They then sequenced the whole genomes of two salmiak cats and spotted the 95 kb deletion downstream of KIT described above.



To check the match, they genotyped 183 Finnish domestic cats.



The team found the deletion was present in all five salmiak cats as two copies, present as a single copy in three non-salmiak cats, and absent in the other 175. 



That tight match points to a strong association between the deletion and the salmiak look.



The variant follows <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/genetics-dictionary/def/autosomal-recessive-inheritance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autosomal recessive inheritance</a>, so a kitten must receive the salmiak allele from both parents to show the coat. Cats with just one copy are carriers and usually look normal.



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



A recessive trait can persist quietly in a population because carriers are hard to spot. That makes the salmiak allele rare, and the study did not find it outside the Finnish domestic cat sample tested.



White spotting in other settings can be linked to hearing issues, especially when large areas lack pigment in the inner ear. 



A comprehensive review notes that pigment related deafness is most common in animals with solid white coats and blue eyes, and it is confirmed with a <a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/baer-brainstem-auditory-evoked-response" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BAER</a> test that measures brain responses to sound.



The salmiak <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-prefer-sleeping-on-their-left-side-for-faster-threat-response/">cats</a> in the study did not show signs of deafness, but the authors recommended BAER testing to be sure. That is a sensible step any time a new white pattern is involved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salmiak-cats-vs-other-patterns">Salmiak cats vs. other patterns</h2>



Two cats from Romania and the United Kingdom showed a similar coat pattern known as karpati, but genetic testing confirmed it was not linked to the salmiak gene. 



The karpati look has since been used to create the Transylvanian breed, though the exact genetic cause of the pattern is still unknown.



Salmiak and karpati both look similar to roan coloring seen in other animals, where white and colored hairs are mixed together. 



In farm animals like goats, changes near the KIT gene are also known to influence these kinds of patterns, with one <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1008536" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> linking them to solid white coats in one breed and white spotting in another.



That cross species echo matters because it points to a regulatory neighborhood near KIT that controls when and where pigment forms. Salmiak adds a feline example to that shared genetic map.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-matters-beyond-cats">Why this matters beyond cats</h2>



Patterns like salmiak help biologists see how small changes in noncoding DNA can shift gene expression without altering the protein itself. 



Here, the deletion sits outside the coding part of KIT, yet the effect on hair pigmentation is obvious in the mirror.



They also help vets and breeders make informed choices. As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cat-declawing-causes-permanent-nerve-damage/">cats</a> with salmiak are noticed and documented, testing can confirm carriers and avoid accidental loss of a rare variant.



“The discovery of the salmiak variant enriches our understanding of feline coat color genetics. This knowledge could also be valuable for breeding efforts, potentially contributing to the preservation of this trait in our feline companions in existing cat breeds,” Dr. Anderson concluded. 



The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/age.13438" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animal Genetics</a>.



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Genetic mutation in cats has given rise to a new coat color similar to salted licorice

Some cats in central Finland show a rare coat that...

Portrait,Of,A,Wild,Octopus,Under,Water.

The octopus is a creature that continues to surprise scientists and inspire engineers. With eight arms that move in ways no human limb can, it demonstrates flexibility and control that seem almost otherworldly. 



Each arm bends, twists, elongates, and shortens with unmatched precision, enabling these animals to hunt, hide, and explore with ease. 



Researchers hope that unlocking the secrets of these movements may guide the design of flexible robotic arms capable of lifesaving missions.



Imagine a robotic arm slipping through rubble after a building collapse, delivering food or medicine to someone trapped below. 



This vision has motivated scientists to study octopus arms in detail - both in the laboratory and in their natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-dumbo-octopus-species-carnarvon-flapjack-discovered-in-very-deep-ocean-waters/">environment</a>.



Until recently, most studies were limited to tanks, where behaviors may not reflect the complexity of life in the wild. That gap is now being addressed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-octopus-intelligence">Understanding octopus intelligence</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-could-dominate-earth-if-humans-vanish/">Octopuses</a> are some of the most intelligent invertebrates on Earth. Unlike most animals without backbones, they can solve puzzles, open jars, and even escape from aquariums by remembering routes back to the ocean. 



Their brains are incredibly complex, with about 500 million neurons - similar to a dog. What makes them even more fascinating is that two-thirds of those neurons are in their arms. 



This means each arm can sense, move, and even make decisions on its own while still communicating with the central brain. It’s like having eight mini-brains working together with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-are-tricked-by-the-rubber-hand-illusion-like-humans-suggesting-self-awareness/">one big brain</a>.



Their intelligence also shows up in how they hunt and survive. Octopuses use tools, like carrying coconut shells to hide inside when threatened, and they can change color and texture in an instant to camouflage perfectly against rocks or coral. 



They’ve been observed watching other animals and learning from them, which is rare in the animal kingdom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flexible-octopus-arms-inspire-robotics">Flexible octopus arms inspire robotics</h2>



A new study from the <a href="https://www.mbl.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Biological Laboratory</a> in Woods Hole and Florida Atlantic University has provided the most comprehensive analysis of octopus arm movements in natural habitats. 



Researchers recorded 25 wild octopuses in six locations, ranging from the Caribbean to Spain. The footage captured thousands of arm movements across a variety of behaviors, including foraging, locomotion, and even defense.



“I’ve been trying for a long time to work out the natural behavior of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-octopus-footage-could-revolutionize-flexible-robot-design-eyeris/">cephalopods</a> in their natural habitat,” said MBL Senior Scientist Roger Hanlon, who led the project. 



“Studying and recording octopus behavior from wild octopuses in the field gave us the opportunity to analyze a larger behavioral repertoire and further understand how they use their arms to achieve such complex behaviors,” added Chelsea Bennice, research fellow at <a href="https://www.fau.eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FAU</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guided-by-touch-not-sight">Guided by touch, not sight</h2>



Octopuses rely heavily on touch, guided by sensory organs in their arm suckers. “The octopus is a very tactile animal - it’s more tactile than visual,” said Hanlon. 



Each of their nearly 100 suckers per arm contains chemosensory-tactile receptors, combining functions similar to the human nose, lips, and tongue.



Finding octopuses to observe was not simple. Their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-squid-power-their-amazing-camouflage-abilities/">camouflage</a> skills make them almost invisible in coral reefs or sandy seabeds. Divers often relied on clues like discarded shells and food debris near their dens.



Once located, octopuses emerged briefly from hiding, offering precious opportunities to record their natural actions.



These moments revealed unique hunting strategies, arm movements, and subtle interactions with their environment otherwise impossible to witness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-arm-mechanics-of-octopuses">Complex arm mechanics of octopuses</h2>



The researchers identified 12 distinct arm actions across 15 behaviors, built from four fundamental deformations: shortening, elongating, bending, and torsion. They discovered a pattern of specialization within each arm. 



For instance, elongation and shortening were most common near the base, while bending occurred more at the tips. 



This functional partitioning allows octopuses to combine motions across arms for tasks like crawling, probing reef crevices, or launching sudden prey attacks.



“These are the actions that make up the whole complex of octopus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-and-squids-defy-the-slow-pace-of-evolution/">behaviors</a>,” said study co-author Kendra Buresch. 



In the wild, researchers observed octopuses using different combinations of arm actions - sometimes relying on a single arm for tasks like grabbing food, and other times coordinating multiple arms for behaviors such as crawling or launching a parachute attack.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavior-that-guides-technology">Behavior that guides technology</h2>



The findings go beyond understanding animal behavior. With nearly 7,000 observed arm deformations, the study highlights an extraordinary degree of control and flexibility. 



This knowledge may inform robotics research, where engineers seek to design soft, adaptable arms capable of both precise and exploratory tasks.



“Understanding these natural behaviors not only deepens our knowledge of octopus biology but also opens exciting new avenues in fields like neuroscience, animal behavior, and even soft robotics inspired by these remarkable creatures,” Bennice said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-in-flexibility-and-change">Lessons in flexibility and change</h2>



From the ocean floor to robotics labs, octopuses continue to inspire, offering lessons in both biology and technology. 



Their flexible arms not only influence the design of machines that could navigate disaster zones or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-bahamas/">deep-sea environments</a>, but also remind us how problem-solving in nature often leads to solutions with real-world applications.



Beyond robotics, their adaptability symbolizes the broader principle that survival depends on innovation and change, a message equally relevant to ecosystems, human health, and future technologies.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-10674-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Octopus arms are probably the most complex and flexible structures in nature

The octopus is a creature that continues to surprise scientists...

In 2019, a Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) dive turned up something no one recognized: a small, bubblegum–pink snailfish cruising just above the seafloor more than two miles down.



A research team led by the <a href="https://www.geneseo.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">State University of New York at Geneseo</a> has confirmed that the mystery fish is a new species to science and has given it a name as memorable as its look: the bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi).



<a href="https://www.mbari.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MBARI</a> Senior Scientist Steven Haddock, who led the expedition that filmed and collected the fish, sees this as exactly why sharing deep-sea data matters.



“We welcomed the opportunity to expand our understanding of life in the deep ocean, especially since documenting deep-sea <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ocean-day-a-unified-approach-to-protect-biodiversity/">biodiversity</a> is critical to detecting any changes that may be occurring in this environment,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapted-to-the-deep-sea">Adapted to the deep sea</h2>



Snailfishes (family Liparidae) are shape-shifters of the oceans, with more than 400 known species living everywhere from tidepools to trenches.



Many carry a suction disk on their bellies - handy for clinging to rocks, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-seaweed-day-2025-saving-the-oceans-sustainable-powerhouse/">seaweed</a>, or even hitching rides on larger animals. At depth, their bodies tend toward jelly-soft and loosely skinned, an anatomy built for cold, crushing pressure and perpetual night. A snailfish, in fact, holds the record for the deepest-dwelling fish ever seen.



Those extremes are what fascinate SUNY Geneseo biologist Mackenzie Gerringer, who studies how deep-sea fishes make a living under conditions that would crush almost anything else.



“The deep sea is home to an incredible diversity of organisms and a truly beautiful array of adaptations,” she said. “Our discovery of not one, but three, new species of snailfishes is a reminder of how much we have yet to learn about life on Earth and of the power of curiosity and exploration.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-dive-three-new-snailfish-species">One dive, three new snailfish species</h2>



Haddock and colleagues spotted the bumpy snailfish during a cruise aboard MBARI’s retired research vessel Western Flyer. They used the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Doc Ricketts to explore the outer reaches of Monterey Canyon about 62 miles off central California.



At 10,722 feet, a small pink fish swept past the cameras. The team collected the adult female - 3.6 inches long - for careful study back on shore.



That specimen joined two other puzzling finds from 2019. Researchers collected a pair of unusual snailfishes using the submersible Alvin. The dive took place near Station M, MBARI’s long-running abyssal study site around 13,100 feet down.



Together, the trio became the centerpiece of a taxonomic investigation by scientists from SUNY Geneseo, the <a href="https://www.umt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Montana</a>, and the <a href="https://manoa.hawaii.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa</a>.



The result is a three-for-one. Alongside Careproctus colliculi, the team formally describes the dark snailfish (Careproctus yanceyi) and the sleek snailfish (Paraliparis em). Each carries a distinct set of traits.



The bumpy snailfish is unmistakably pink, with a rounded head and prominent eyes. It also has broad <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bizarre-fish-can-walk-and-thrive-on-land/">pectoral fins</a> with elongated upper rays and textured skin that inspired its common name.



The dark snailfish is, as advertised, jet black, with a rounded head and horizontal mouth. The sleek snailfish lacks a suction disk. Its body tapers into a long, laterally compressed, black form capped by a sharply angled jaw.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-naming-life-from-the-deep">Naming life from the deep</h2>



Proving a species is new takes more than a striking color. The team combined high-resolution imaging and genetics to make its case. They used microscopy and micro-CT (micro–computed tomography) scans to map bones and soft tissues, and DNA sequencing to place each fish on the Liparidae family tree.



Subtle measurements - fin ray counts, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-jaws-twist-to-feed-more-effectively-on-coral-reefs/">jaw</a> angles, body proportions - stacked up with genetic differences to separate the newcomers from lookalikes.



In a nod to place, the species name Paraliparis em honors Station M and the community of programs and people behind it. Their 30-year record has reshaped how scientists understand abyssal ecosystems and their links to climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-a-deep-sea-snailfish-mystery">Tracking a deep-sea snailfish mystery</h2>



So far, Haddock’s 2019 encounter remains the only confirmed sighting of the bumpy snailfish, leaving its true range a mystery. But MBARI’s vast video archive may hold more clues.



A 2009 dive off Oregon shows a pink snailfish that could be C. colliculi - a clip previously logged as the related bigtail snailfish (Osteodiscus cascadiae). Re-examining older footage with fresh eyes is a quiet superpower of long-term ocean observatories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-naming-species-matters">Why naming species matters</h2>



New species descriptions can sound esoteric, but they are the scaffolding of conservation and climate science. 



Without a name and a diagnostic description, a species effectively doesn’t exist on paper. This absence makes it difficult to track shifts in distribution or declines in abundance. It also hinders recognition of changes in life history as deep-sea environments warm and acidify.



They also spotlight the tools that make discovery possible. ROVs like Doc Ricketts, deep-diving submersibles like Alvin, and time-series sites like Station M give researchers the repeated, close-up looks that the deep sea has long resisted.



The bumpy snailfish exists in the literature because a camera happened to be rolling in the right place at the right time. A specimen was also collected gently enough to survive the trip to the lab.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-partnership-fuels-ocean-science">Partnership fuels ocean science</h2>



MBARI’s approach - openly sharing dives, specimens, and know-how - helped turn a curious pink <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-are-quietly-battling-climate-change-on-the-seabed/">fish</a> into a formal snailfish species. 



That pipeline, from video archive to taxonomic paper, is becoming more important as interest grows in activities like deep-sea mining. Knowing who lives on the abyssal plain is the first step toward protecting it.



This encounter is the only confirmed observation of the bumpy snailfish. It’s a reminder that even in well-studied waters, one pass of an ROV can change what we think we know. 



With every dive and every partnership, the map of deep-sea life gains another dot - and another story worth telling.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/hwsl-ebVVoU?si=Ns9onwl4yAMksJzv
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">MBARI's advanced underwater robot reveals a new species of deep-sea snailfish</figcaption></figure>



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://asih.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/cope/113/3/article-p487.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ichthyology &amp; Herpetology</a>.



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Three new species of snailfish discovered in the deep Pacific Ocean

In 2019, a Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) dive...

Walking does not require a membership or fancy equipment, and the returns on the time and effort invested in walking are immediately reflected in better heart health. 



A steady, daily walk at a purposeful pace can trim real health risks without turning your life upside down.



A meta-analysis of 160,519 adults showed that those who walked at the fastest pace had a 46 percent lower risk of coronary artery disease events than those who walked the slowest. 



The study was led by<a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Zcvtm5wAAAAJ&amp;hl=id" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Yusuf Aji S. Nurrobi</a> of the Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine at <a href="https://rspb.ihc.id/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pertamina Hospital</a> in Balikpapan, Indonesia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walking-heart-health-and-longevity">Walking, heart health, and longevity</h2>



Genetics did not cancel out the effect of walking pace. In a large study, researchers found that people who moved at a slower pace and also carried a high polygenic risk score faced the greatest likelihood of developing coronary disease. 



The combination of sluggish gait and unfavorable genetic profile produced the highest risk levels, showing that these two factors reinforce each other rather than replace one another. 



At the same time, the results confirmed that both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-each-day-at-any-speed-lowers-the-risk-of-cancer/">walking pace</a> and genetic predisposition made independent contributions to risk prediction, which improves when walking pace is counted. 



This research highlights that lifestyle choices and inherited traits each matter when it comes to heart health.



A UK Biobank <a href="https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/publications/walking-pace-improves-all-cause-and-cardiovascular-mortality-risk-prediction-a-uk-biobank-prognostic-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> reported that walking pace improves heart and other early mortality risk predictions beyond common measures, which helps clinicians sort risk better.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-much-is-enough-for-real-life">How much is enough for real life</h2>



“Adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week, such as 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week,” stated the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDC</a> guidelines. A 20 to 30 minute brisk walk most days gets you there without scheduling gymnastics.



Moderate intensity means your breathing and heart rate are clearly up, but you can sustain the effort. Short on time, you can split walking into two 10 to 15 minute bouts and still check the box.



Daily routines are easier to keep than heroic goals. Pick a start time you can guard, like after lunch or before dinner, and make that slot non negotiable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walking-pace-and-heart-health">Walking pace and heart health</h2>



A systematic review of randomized trials in healthy adults found that exercise training increases heart rate variability, a marker of flexible autonomic control that is linked with better cardiac outcomes. 



Brisk <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/to-get-fit-and-stay-healthy-walk-this-exact-distance-every-day/">walking</a> is an aerobic stimulus that can nudge the heart and cardiovascular system in the right direction when practiced regularly.



A 2022 review found that physical activity serves as an effective strategy for lowering cortisol levels. Reduced cortisol is associated with steadier mood, improved sleep, and less strain on the body systems that manage stress.



Pace also shapes how your blood vessels behave and helps your muscles pull more sugar and fat out of the bloodstream. 



Over weeks, those changes support healthier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/standing-still-exercises-beat-running-for-blood-pressure-control/">blood pressure</a> and cholesterol profiles, which is one reason walking shows up in prevention and recovery plans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-risk-drop-is-plausible">Why the risk drop is plausible</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-walking-improves-mobility-and-prevents-falls-in-older-adults/">Walking</a> taps large muscle groups in a rhythmic way, so circulation becomes more efficient with practice. That consistency trains the vessels to relax more easily and the heart to do the same job with less strain.



Energy use rises during and after the walk. Over time, that improves insulin sensitivity, and better insulin signaling supports stable blood sugar and less inflammatory activity tied to artery damage.



The nervous system matters too. When heart rate variability improves, it signals a stronger parasympathetic brake and a calmer response to daily stress, which lowers strain on the heart.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-pace-without-gadgets">How to pace without gadgets</h2>



Use landmarks and a clock. If you are covering about a mile in 15 to 20 minutes and can hold that pace for your whole walk, you are in a useful zone.



Keep your stride relaxed and your arms moving naturally. If you notice your pace slipping near the end, shorten the stride a bit and stay smooth rather than pushing into a sprint.



Hills, stairs, and wind will change effort. Adjust your pace to keep effort steady across terrain, and let the tougher parts build fitness without forcing breathless bursts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-the-habit-when-life-is-messy">Keeping the habit when life is messy</h2>



Anchor the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walk-20-minutes-daily-to-boost-your-brain-power/">walk</a> to a daily cue, like finishing a morning coffee or closing your laptop at a set time. Habits tied to a cue survive busy days because you do not have to renegotiate them.



Have a bad weather plan. Indoor corridors, covered malls, or a safe loop near home keep the chain unbroken when the sky does not cooperate.



If you have chest pain, unexplained shortness of breath, or dizziness during exertion, talk with a clinician before pushing pace. The goal is steady practice, not heroics.



Pace and regularity are the levers you control. A brisk 20 to 30 minute walk most days can shift your odds in a meaningful way.



“Promoting a faster <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/squats-vs-walking-the-definitive-winner-for-reducing-blood-sugar/">walking</a> pace as a daily activity may effectively mitigate the burden of CAD,” wrote Nurrobi. The signal appears consistently across different groups and remains strong even after accounting for genetic risk.



The study is published in <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11043612/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cureus</a>.



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Cardiologist explains the easiest way to take care of your heart and live longer

Walking does not require a membership or fancy equipment, and...

In Florida, Burmese pythons swallow large animals whole, including deer and alligators. Scientists have now made a breakthrough discovery in their understanding of exactly how specialized cells in the guts of pythons are able to digest bones down to nothing.



The answer is a previously unknown intestinal cell that gathers calcium and phosphorus and helps push the excess out safely. That finding clarifies why bones never appear in python feces after a big meal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-python-gut-cells">Studying python gut cells</h2>



The work comes from <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jehan-Herve-Lignot" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jehan-Hervé Lignot</a> of the <a href="https://www.umontpellier.fr/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Montpellier</a>, with collaborators in France and the United States. 



The study on captive juvenile Burmese pythons compared meals with and without bones to track how the intestine responded.



The team used light and electron microscopy along the gut and measured blood levels of calcium and key hormones. 



When bones or calcium were present, a specialized cell produced particles rich in calcium, phosphorus, and iron.



These particles formed inside a small pocket within the intestinal lining. In fasting snakes or those fed boneless prey, the pockets stayed mostly empty.



The authors also identified the same type of cell in other snake species that feed on vertebrates. 



This finding points to a broader digestive strategy among reptiles that consume their prey whole, suggesting it may be more widespread in nature than previously recognized.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bones-disappear-without-a-trace">Bones disappear without a trace</h2>



The intestine completely dissolved bone so no fragments passed out in feces. The specialized cell then packaged extra minerals and moved them toward excretion.



In the experiments, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-snake-day-2025-protecting-natures-silent-guardians/">snakes</a> fed boneless prey did not produce the mineral particles. That pattern links the cell’s activity directly to dietary calcium and phosphorus.



“We wanted to identify how they were able to process and limit this huge absorption of calcium through the intestinal wall,” said Lignot summarizing the goal of the project.&nbsp;



He also noted that the discovery raises questions about other animals. Marine predators that consume bony fish or aquatic mammals are likely to encounter the same challenge, according to Lignot.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cells-in-python-intestines">Cells in python intestines</h2>



The new cell sits among enterocytes, the cells that normally absorb nutrients. Unlike typical enterocytes, it is slender with short microvilli and holds a central mineral core inside the crypt.



When calcium supplements were added to boneless prey, large particles filled the intestinal pockets. In snakes on low calcium diets, hormone levels also shifted as the body tried to adjust.



Those signals fit the body’s checks and balances for calcium handling. They also help explain how snakes avoid calcium overload after bone heavy meals.



The study outlines a clean path for excess mineral waste that keeps blood chemistry stable. That is essential for nerve and muscle function after a large meal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-mouths-bigger-meals">Big mouths, bigger meals</h2>



A 2024 <a href="https://journals.ku.edu/reptilesandamphibians/article/view/21867" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paper</a> measured maximal gape at 26 centimeters, about 10.2 inches, in huge pythons captured in Florida. It also documented a 35 kilogram white tailed deer that was 93 percent of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/34-million-year-old-snake-fossil-hibernophis-breithaupti-changes-our-understanding-of-evolution/">snake</a>’s maximal gape area.



In the field, biologists filmed a 14.8 foot, 115 pound female python consuming a 77 pound deer in the Everglades. That single observation helps anchor the upper limits of what a python can swallow.



Florida’s wildlife agency notes that Burmese pythons are an invasive predator and can consume meals equal to 100 percent of their body mass. Adults in the state often reach 6 to 9 feet, and some exceed 18 feet.



These numbers frame the demand that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-long-necked-dinosaurs-struggled-with-fatal-bone-disease/">bone</a> heavy meals place on the gut. Without a mineral handling system, the animals would risk dangerous spikes in blood calcium.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invasive-pythons-in-florida">Invasive pythons in Florida</h2>



Burmese pythons are firmly established across the Florida Everglades and in the wetlands and marshes that surround the area. 



They feed on wild mammals, many kinds of birds, and different reptiles, including some species that are legally protected.



Removal programs continue to expand. In 2025, the <a href="https://conservancy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservancy of Southwest Florida</a> reported a significant <a href="https://conservancy.org/conservancy-surpasses-20-ton-milestone-in-burmese-python-removal-sets-new-record-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">milestone</a> of more than 20 tons of captured snakes since 2013.



Biology drives policy. Knowing that these snakes can absorb skeletons and return excess calcium safely explains why large prey remains off the landscape after a predation event.



It also clarifies why control teams often find little trace of what was eaten. Bones do not linger to flag a kill site.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-scientists-want-to-learn-next">What scientists want to learn next</h2>



Researchers are asking how widespread the cell is across reptiles and birds that eat bone rich diets. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/34-inch-creature-with-mustache-found-in-brazil-new-snake-species-leptophis/">Species</a> such as bearded vultures would be informative tests.



They also want to trace how the particles exit the body and whether any end up in feces as stable crystals. Answers could guide new ways to detect heavy predation.



Another open question sits at the gene level. The team is exploring what turns the crypt cell on and off when calcium levels change.



Comparative work may map how the cell evolved in different lineages. That could show whether the trait arose once or many times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-findings-were-tested">How the findings were tested</h2>



The team fed whole rodents, boneless rodents, and boneless rodents injected with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-bacillus-megaterium-turns-co2-gas-into-calcium-carbonate-limestone/">calcium carbonate</a>. They mapped where particles formed along the small intestine and how fast they appeared.



Blood samples tracked calcium alongside hormones that regulate bone and mineral balance. The results fit the pattern of a system tuned to intercept and neutralize mineral surges from skeletal meals.



The work used juvenile snakes raised in controlled conditions. That choice removed confounding factors like prior diet and variable health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-cells-and-invasive-pythons">Gut cells and invasive pythons</h2>



Similar cells may exist in animals that consume bony fish or whole vertebrates. Pinpointing them could change how we read fecal mineral signatures in the wild.



If birds that rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-bone-tools-suggest-early-humans-were-smarter-than-we-thought/">bone</a> heavy diets show the same mechanism, ecologists could gain a noninvasive marker of diet. It may also inform how captive animals should be fed to avoid calcium stress.



The cell could even shape how toxins bound to bone are handled after a meal. That is a practical question for wildlife managers working in polluted wetlands.



The study is published in the <a href="https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/228/14/jeb249620/368391/Diet-dependent-production-of-calcium-and" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Experimental Biology</a>.



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Unknown cell type explains the 'supernatural' digestive power of invasive pythons

In Florida, Burmese pythons swallow large animals whole, including deer...

A new national map spotlights the locations where PFAS toxic chemicals, which have been tied to cancer, have turned up in the water sources that feed public taps. 



The chemicals sit under a big umbrella called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (<a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PFAS</a>), and scientists have not given them a clean bill of health.



One key correction matters here. Only some PFAS earn the Group 1 carcinogen label, which means they are carcinogenic to humans. 



The current consensus puts perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in that box, while perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is classified as possibly carcinogenic, and not proven in people,.



This is according to a summary by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (<a href="https://www.iarc.who.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IARC</a>) and a companion article in <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12183505/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet Oncology</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-map-tracks-pfas-in-drinking-water">Map tracks PFAS in drinking water</h2>



Graham F. Peaslee of the <a href="https://www.nd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Notre Dame</a> has tracked PFAS in real world settings for years. 



“For a lifetime of exposure at these concentrations in our drinking water, the risk of disease was unacceptably high,” Peaslee explains.



A new Waterkeeper Alliance <a href="https://waterkeeper.org/news/new-analysis-finds-pfas-in-98-of-tested-u-s-waterways-across-19-states/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> collected PFAS samples upstream and downstream of suspected sources in 19 states. 



It detected one or more PFAS in 98 percent of waterways tested, and it documented hotspots where levels of PFOA or PFOS exceeded federal limits.



Several cases stand out in the public data set. A Michigan waterway showed PFOA at 44 parts per trillion, and a South Carolina site measured PFOS at 30 parts per trillion. 



One North Carolina river reach posted PFOS at 23 parts per trillion with PFOA at 10 parts per trillion.



Sampling focused on places most likely to funnel <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pfas-forever-chemicals-in-tap-water-linked-to-33-percent-increase-in-cancer-rates/">PFAS</a> into rivers and creeks. That means reaches near a wastewater treatment plant and downstream fields where biosolids are applied as soil amendments. 



In these areas, PFAS can ride along in treated effluent and in sludge spread on land.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limits-on-pfas-levels-in-water">Limits on PFAS levels in water</h2>



In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/26/2024-07773/pfas-national-primary-drinking-water-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EPA</a>) finalized a national drinking water rule that sets legally enforceable maximum contaminant level limits for several PFAS. 



For PFOA and PFOS, the limit is 4 parts per trillion, and utilities originally had until 2029 to comply.



Those are tiny numbers, but they matter in risk terms. If a surface water source feeding a public system sits above those limits for PFOA or PFOS, the utility must monitor and, if needed, add treatment so that finished water meets the standard.



On May 14, 2025, the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-it-will-keep-maximum-contaminant-levels-pfoa-pfos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EPA</a> announced it would retain the PFOA and PFOS limits and give systems more time to meet them. 



At the same time, it would reconsidering standards for several other PFAS. The agency’s announcement also signaled an intent to extend compliance for PFOA and PFOS to 2031.



That decision drew strong reactions because it leaves many communities managing mixtures with less federal guardrail for the shorter chain compounds. 



It also means states and cities may need to decide how far to go on their own, and which technologies to buy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exposure-adds-up">Exposure adds up</h2>



PFAS do not readily degrade in the environment, and they can move from household goods to landfills to wastewater plants, then back into surface water used for drinking supplies. 



Even when concentrations are low, steady intake can increase body burdens over time.



“Ideally, we need to strengthen drinking water monitoring and treatment to reduce PFAS exposure through this route,” said Jennifer L. Freeman, a professor of toxicology at <a href="https://www.purdue.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University</a>. 



She added that the standards set in 2024 were a step in the right direction and should not be weakened.



A part per trillion is a measurement used for trace pollutants. It helps regulators set enforceable lines, at very low doses, for those contaminants that have health concerns. It also pushes laboratories and utilities to rely on highly sensitive methods to see what is present.



EPA Method 1633, which Waterkeeper’s lab used, reflects that push toward sensitive and standardized testing. It aims to give comparable results across states so a reading in one watershed means the same thing in another.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-water-utilities">Local water utilities</h2>



If your city relies on a river, reservoir, or well field flagged by the map, your water utility will be testing on a set schedule and reporting results to the public. 



You will see whether finished tap water meets federal limits, and what steps the utility is taking if it does not.



Treatment options exist, but they vary in cost and fit. Granular activated carbon, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis all remove <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-that-eat-forever-chemicals-discovered-in-contaminated-soil/">PFAS</a> to differing degrees. 



Utilities will need to match the options to source water chemistry, budget, and system scale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pfas-water-and-local-governments">PFAS, water, and local governments</h2>



Treating one pollutant at a time can miss a major opportunity to reduce overall cancer risk. A peer reviewed <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40541903/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> estimates that tackling multiple co-occurring contaminants together could prevent more than 50,000 lifetime cancer cases in the United States.



The logic is simple. Many water systems face several pollutants at once, and integrated treatment can reduce exposures more efficiently than piecemeal fixes.



Expect more state level rules and funding as federal timelines stretch and communities press for action. 



Some states have already set their own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-dietary-fiber-supplement-could-remove-pfas-forever-chemicals-from-the-body/">PFAS</a> limits or passed laws to curb the use of PFAS in consumer products, which reduces what ends up in wastewater and land.



Public water systems will continue the cycle of monitoring, reporting, and upgrading as needed. The best outcome is steady, measurable drops in PFAS at the tap, along with clear communication about progress.



The study is published in <a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6968b3fd79054a48b164f62c1e21a124" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research</a>.



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Map marks cities in the US where PFAS toxins were detected in drinking water

A new national map spotlights the locations where PFAS toxic...

Music often does more than entertain. It paints images in our minds, builds worlds, and stirs emotions we can’t always explain. A new study shows how even the tiniest human touches in sound can influence this inner world.



The findings from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/music/our-research/cross-disciplinary-research/sydney-music-mind-and-body-lab.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sydney Music, Mind and Body Lab</a>, reveal how subtle shifts in rhythm and tone may fuel imagination in ways technology alone cannot replicate. 



These delicate imperfections - tiny fluctuations in timing or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-and-the-mind-new-clues-about-how-we-experience-pleasure/">volume</a> - can transform repetitive beats into living experiences, sparking imagery that feels real and immersive.



Rather than simply hearing structured sounds, listeners create journeys filled with color, movement, and narrative. The study suggests that the human quality of music holds unique power to trigger creativity and emotional depth. 



The research also shows why live performances, with all their small variations, can feel more moving than flawless recordings, and why imagination often thrives when music carries traces of human touch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-musical-shifts-big-mental-impact">Small musical shifts, big mental impact</h2>



Researchers asked 100 participants to imagine a journey while listening to repetitive drumming. Some heard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-use-rhythmic-drumming-to-communicate-in-forests/">drumming</a> with random micro-variations in loudness and timing, while others heard perfectly uniform beats or silence.



Those who listened to music with micro-variations reported richer imagery, longer imagined journeys, and more lifelike scenes. 



They often described environments filled with movement, color, or emotion that felt authentic and dynamic, which suggests these subtle rhythmic details significantly influence how the brain constructs vivid inner experiences.



"What excites me is that these little details in music are something we can all feel, even if we don't always notice them consciously," said lead researcher Ceren Ayyildiz.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-touch-makes-rhythm-alive">Human touch makes rhythm alive</h2>



The study, published in Scientific Reports, relied on computer simulations of drum <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-music-tunes-the-emotions-in-our-memories/">sounds</a>. Researchers created two versions: one with flawless uniformity and another with tiny, natural shifts mimicking human performance.



They then analyzed participants’ mental imagery responses with Bayesian multilevel modeling. The results showed that small fluctuations, often unconsciously introduced by performers, significantly enhance imagination.



These subtle imperfections did not distract listeners; instead, they added depth and texture to the soundscape, making the music feel more organic. Participants reported that the variations encouraged richer narratives, longer journeys, and greater immersion in imagined experiences.



This demonstrates that even the smallest rhythmic nuances can transform sound from a mechanical sequence into something that resonates with the human mind, shaping how people visualize and emotionally respond to music.



"It's not just technical perfection but the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-touch-molecular-basis-elkin1-discovery/">human touch</a> that makes music feel more alive and sparks the imagination," Ayyildiz said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-musical-skills-amplify-imagination">Musical skills amplify imagination</h2>



Listeners with musical training or strong immersion ability experienced even more vivid mental imagery. For them, micro-variations brought authenticity and richness missing from machine-perfect sounds.



"One possible explanation for this finding is that listeners may perceive drumming with tiny random changes - a core component of human music performance - as more natural and organic," said Ayyildiz.



The study highlights how human imperfections in rhythm bring authenticity and create a sense of connection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-and-sound-variations-aid-therapy">Music and sound variations aid therapy</h2>



The insights also suggest therapeutic and practical applications. "Mental imagery already plays an important role in many cognitive therapies," said senior author Dr. Steffen Herff.



"Deliberately tailoring background music - for example through subtle changes in timing and loudness - could be used to either stimulate or dampen imagination depending on the specific therapeutic target," 



For audio engineers and producers, the study provides a new perspective. Micro-variations are already used in studio production as key aesthetic drivers in many forms of music including electronic dance music and hip-hop.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-expression-drives-connection">Human expression drives connection</h2>



For musicians, especially drummers, the findings emphasize the creative weight of subtle timing shifts. 



"This study demonstrates how the tiny details in rhythmic timing and expression can greatly alter our perceptions of music," said researcher Dr. Simon Barker.



"The relationship between micro-rhythmic variations and imagination, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/physicists-make-bold-claims-that-time-is-an-illusion-question-its-existence/">illusion</a>, and connection are at the core of the art of drumming, and this study is a lovely example of this central aspect of rhythmic expression and communication."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-s-power-comes-from-touch">Music’s power comes from touch</h2>



The study adds to a growing body of work exploring music’s role in imagination, connection, and even loneliness. 



Its message is clear: even in a world of machine-perfect precision, the smallest human variations breathe life into sound, reminding us of music’s timeless power to shape emotion, enrich creativity, strengthen bonds, and nurture a uniquely human sense of presence and belonging.



"Even tiny fluctuations can make music more meaningful," said Ayyildiz. "It's a reminder that the human feel still matters."



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/FEh_WfGeCTo?si=4ftg3JG20m5vyTxE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Here, tiny fluctuations in timing and loudness introduce a human touch that breathes life into the rhythm - the kind of nuance shown to spark richer mental imagery. Credit: University of Sydney </figcaption></figure>



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-12604-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.&nbsp;



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Tiny human touches can make music sound more powerful

Music often does more than entertain. It paints images in...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-threat-in-urban-air">Invisible threat in urban air</h2>



City dwellers face an unseen danger with every breath. New findings from Emory University researchers suggest that fine particulate matter from <a href="http://earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vehicle emissions may significantly elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease</a>. The study examined brain tissue samples from 224 individuals who had confirmed diagnoses and volunteered their brains for scientific research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-connections-emerge">Disturbing connections emerge</h2>



Scientists analyzed neuritic plaques — protein clusters that characterize Alzheimer's — while mapping each participant's exposure to PM2.5 particles based on residential location and surrounding traffic density. The correlation proved more alarming than anticipated. Individuals experiencing higher pollution exposure showed nearly double the likelihood of elevated plaque accumulation in brain tissue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-matters">Timing matters</h2>



The research team discovered that pollution exposure during the final year before death demonstrated the strongest association with brain changes. This timeline suggests relatively rapid impacts from environmental toxins on neural health. The connection remained robust even after accounting for various demographic and health factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-vulnerability-patterns">Genetic vulnerability patterns</h2>



Perhaps most concerning, people lacking the APOE gene—which naturally predisposes individuals to Alzheimer's — exhibited more than twice the susceptibility to pollution-related brain damage. Study author Dr. Anke Huels noted this indicates environmental elements like air contamination could trigger the disease in cases where hereditary factors don't explain.



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



These findings, published in <a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a>, underscore the critical importance of air quality regulations in urban planning. The research suggests that implementing stricter emission controls and promoting alternative transportation could serve as powerful tools in Alzheimer's prevention.



As cities worldwide grapple with growing traffic congestion and aging populations, this study highlights an urgent need for comprehensive approaches to environmental health that protect both our lungs and our minds.



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



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



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-earth-became-a-frozen-wasteland">When Earth became a frozen wasteland</h2>



Imagine Earth as a giant snowball, frozen solid from the North Pole to the equator. This wasn't the plot of a science fiction movie – it was our planet's reality 700 million years ago during an extreme ice age that has puzzled scientists for decades.



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



Australian researchers from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> have finally cracked one of geology's greatest mysteries: what caused the Sturtian glaciation and why it persisted for an unprecedented 57 million years. This period occurred long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when no complex plants or multicellular animals existed.



Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz, the study's lead author, describes a world completely unlike today's climate. "Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over," she explained. "The planet was blanketed in ice from poles to equator, and temperatures plunged."



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



The research team discovered that this massive freeze resulted from a "double whammy" of geological events. First, plate tectonic activity reduced volcanic carbon dioxide emissions to historically low levels. Volcanic activity typically releases CO2 into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect that keeps Earth warm.



Simultaneously, weathering of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada actively absorbed atmospheric CO2, further reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. When atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dropped below 200 parts per million – less than half of today's levels – glaciation engulfed the entire planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-climate-implications">Modern climate implications</h2>



Published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a>, this research provides crucial insights into Earth's climate system. While geological climate changes occur over millions of years, the study emphasizes that human-induced climate change is happening at a pace ten times faster than previously observed natural changes, highlighting the urgent need to understand our planet's delicate climate balance.



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY 57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-monitoring-networks">Scientific monitoring networks</h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.



The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.



The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.



The full study was recently published in <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.



Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.



Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents". In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively. MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.



MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization. The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.



Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.



A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.



This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.



PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.



In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.



As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.



The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.



For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.



The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.



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MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a>



Dominnus: <a href="https://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.dominnus.com</a>

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.



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



Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.



The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-food-security">Implications for global food security</h2>



The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

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