Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the Cat's Paw Nebula - a massive, active star-forming region in the constellation Scorpius. Also known as NGC 6334, the nebula is located about 4,000 light-years away from Earth.



The nebula’s name comes from its appearance. When viewed in visible or infrared light, it resembles a cat’s paw with bright lobes that look like giant toe beans.



“To celebrate the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope’s third year of highly productive science, astronomers used the telescope to scratch beyond the surface of the Cat’s Paw Nebula (NGC 6334), a massive, local star-forming region,” said <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images">ESA</a>.



“This area is of great interest to scientists, having been subject to previous study by NASA/ESA’s Hubble and retired NASA Spitzer Space telescopes, as they seek to understand the multiple steps required for a turbulent molecular cloud to transition to stars.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-activity-in-the-cat-s-paw-nebula-nbsp">Activity in the Cat’s Paw Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



The Cat’s Paw Nebula is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/80-million-pixels-reveal-the-brilliance-of-a-star-cluster/">stellar nursery</a>, teeming with young, hot stars that are still forming from clouds of gas and dust. It spans roughly 50 light-years across and glows red, primarily due to the presence of ionized hydrogen gas illuminated by ultraviolet radiation from the newborn stars.&nbsp;



Much of the star formation remains hidden in visible light because of dense dust clouds, but observations in infrared and radio wavelengths have revealed an incredible amount of ongoing activity beneath the surface.



NGC 6334 is particularly rich in massive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-forming-disks-surrounding-stars-often-last-much-longer-than-expected/">stars</a>, including some that are over ten times the mass of the Sun.&nbsp;



Because of this, it's often used by astronomers to study the early stages of high-mass star formation, which are less understood than the processes that form lower-mass stars.&nbsp;



The region is also home to a number of protostars and clusters still wrapped in dusty cocoons, making it a dynamic and evolving part of our galaxy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-details-in-the-cat-s-paw-nebula-nbsp">New details in the Cat’s Paw Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



“With its near-infrared capabilities and sharp resolution, the telescope 'clawed' back a portion of a singular 'toe bean,' revealing a subset of mini toe bean-reminiscent structures composed of gas, dust, and young stars,” noted ESA.



“Webb’s view reveals a chaotic scene still in development: massive young stars are carving away at nearby gas and dust, while their bright starlight is producing a bright nebulous glow represented in blue.”&nbsp;



Although only recently recognized in modern astronomy, the Cat’s Paw Nebula has become iconic - not just for its curious shape, but also for the insight it offers into how massive stars form in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-thin-disk-is-billions-of-years-older-than-we-thought/">Milky Way</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-scorpius-nbsp">The constellation Scorpius&nbsp;</h2>



Scorpius is one of the most striking constellations in the night sky, especially visible during the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere and lower latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.&nbsp;



Its shape is unusually recognizable, forming a long, curving line that resembles a scorpion with a curled tail and extended claws.&nbsp;



In mythology, Scorpius is often associated with the story of Orion, the great hunter. According to one version of the myth, Orion boasted that he could kill all the animals on Earth, which angered the goddess Artemis. To punish him, she sent a giant scorpion to defeat him.&nbsp;



After a fierce battle, both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-solar-system-once-drifted-through-orions-star-forming-region/">Orion</a> and the scorpion were placed among the stars on opposite sides of the sky. To this day, Orion sets as Scorpius rises, as if the hunter is still fleeing from the celestial scorpion.



Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is a red supergiant whose name means "rival of Mars" due to its reddish hue and brightness. Antares serves as the scorpion's heart and is one of the most prominent stars in the night sky.&nbsp;



Because Scorpius lies along the plane of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-map-reveals-that-the-milky-ways-dust-has-very-unusual-properties/">Milky Way</a>, it is filled with dense star fields and deep-sky objects. This part of the sky is exceptionally rich in detail, offering a glimpse into the crowded heart of our galaxy.



Image Credit: ESA



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Webb reveals the Cat's Paw Nebula in stunning detail

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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Young stars illuminate the constellation Taurus 

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a large phytoplankton bloom in the Gulf of Maine.



The image was captured on June 21, 2025, by the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) on NASA’s PACE satellite.&nbsp;



“In summer 2025, waters in the Gulf of Maine popped with vivid swirls of blue and green. The cause was a massive bloom of phytoplankton - microscopic plant-like organisms that often float near the ocean surface,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154472/a-booming-bloom-returns-to-the-gulf-of-maine">NASA</a>.



“Scientists say it was one of the largest blooms of its kind to show up in the Gulf’s waters in recent years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bloom-in-the-gulf-of-maine">Bloom in the Gulf of Maine </h2>



Catherine Mitchell is a satellite oceanographer at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. She noted that the Gulf of Maine bloom contained coccolithophores, a type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-phytoplankton-that-feed-ocean-life-are-rapidly-disappearing/">phytoplankton</a> that makes the water appear milky blue.



“The tiny organisms, along with other types of phytoplankton, including diatoms that bloom here in spring, lie at the base of the marine food web,” explained NASA.



“Their presence - or absence - in Gulf of Maine waters can affect the entire ecosystem, from finfish to shellfish, and the region’s fisheries that depend on them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-conditions-and-plankton-communities-nbsp">Shifting conditions and plankton communities&nbsp;</h2>



Mitchell said that coccolithophore blooms like this one became less common in the Gulf’s waters starting around 2010. But in recent years, they’ve started to come back.&nbsp;



Scientists have also seen more dinoflagellates (a type of phytoplankton that move with tiny tails) and an overall drop in phytoplankton productivity over the past few decades.



These changes in plankton are linked to shifting ocean conditions. For instance, heavy rainfall from 2006 to 2009 made the Gulf’s waters fresher. Then, starting in 2008, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invisible-forest-of-phytoplankton-thrives-in-a-warming-climate/">warm water</a> from deep in the North Atlantic began heating the Gulf from the bottom up.&nbsp;



However, by spring 2025, bottom-water temperatures were cooler than they’ve been in 20 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-research-efforts">Ongoing research efforts</h2>



“The relationship between these changing water conditions and phytoplankton communities in the gulf remains unclear, but ongoing research could begin to provide some answers,” noted NASA.



“In fact, Mitchell and colleagues scrutinized this PACE image just days before heading out on a research expedition to study the bloom and other ocean properties up close. The cruise, the third so far this year, offers scientists the chance to validate ocean color data collected by PACE with real-world ocean samples.”



Mitchell pointed out that a major benefit of the PACE satellite is its ability to “see the rainbow,” which makes it easier for scientists to distinguish between groups of phytoplankton.



“With our continuing field measurements, we will validate ocean color observations from PACE, enabling satellite observations in the Gulf of Maine and supporting the region’s fisheries and aquaculture industries.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vital-signs-of-ocean-health">Vital signs of ocean health</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/">Phytoplankton blooms</a> like the one captured in the Gulf of Maine are vital signs of ocean health. These microscopic organisms form the foundation of marine food webs, feeding everything from tiny zooplankton to large fish, whales, and seabirds.&nbsp;



When conditions are right - such as warm temperatures, abundant sunlight, and available nutrients - phytoplankton populations can grow rapidly, creating colorful blooms that are visible from space.



The Gulf of Maine is particularly sensitive to environmental change. Located at the intersection of cold northern currents and warmer waters from the south, it’s a dynamic ecosystem where small shifts in temperature or salinity can have outsized effects.&nbsp;



This region is also one of the fastest-warming ocean areas on the planet, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-are-rising-faster-than-expected-and-likely-to-accelerate/">temperatures</a> rising more than three times the global ocean average in some years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasting-changes-with-ocean-monitoring-nbsp">Forecasting changes with ocean monitoring&nbsp;</h2>



Changes in water temperature and salinity have ripple effects across the food chain. Warmer waters can favor certain types of phytoplankton over others, shifting the balance of species in ways that affect what fish and shellfish are available to predators - and to the region’s fisheries.&nbsp;



For example, coccolithophores may thrive in clearer, warmer waters, while traditional spring-blooming diatoms do better in colder, more nutrient-rich conditions.



Long-term monitoring is essential to understand and predict these shifts. Satellites like PACE provide a global view of ocean color, which reflects the presence and composition of phytoplankton.&nbsp;



By combining these observations with ship-based sampling, scientists can get a more complete picture of how plankton communities are evolving and how that affects everything from carbon cycling to fisheries sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-in-the-gulf-of-maine-nbsp">Warming in the Gulf of Maine&nbsp;</h2>



The Gulf’s warming trend has already caused noticeable ecological changes. Some species of fish have moved farther north or into deeper waters in search of cooler temperatures.&nbsp;



Lobsters, a key commercial species, have shifted their range as well. Meanwhile, harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-algae-in-lake-erie-may-be-hiding-toxic-deadly-compounds/">algal blooms</a> - caused by certain types of phytoplankton - have become more frequent in some parts of the Gulf, threatening shellfish harvests and public health.



Scientists are working to better predict how blooms will respond to future climate conditions.&nbsp;



Understanding which species are likely to dominate under warmer, fresher, or more acidic conditions can help predict changes in fish stocks, shellfish safety, and ecosystem stability.&nbsp;



This kind of forecasting is especially important in the Gulf of Maine, where marine resources are closely tied to local economies.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Giant bloom in the Gulf of Maine signals change

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

Today's Image of the Day from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope features the most detailed view to date of the planetary nebula NGC 1514.



The nebula sits about 1,500 light-years away in the Taurus constellation. Webb’s latest <a href="https://webbtelescope.org/contents/news-releases/2025/news-2025-118#section-id-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observation</a> reveals two dusty rings wrapped around a fading star system, surrounded by orange arcs and glowing gas. 



This scene isn’t new - it’s been evolving for at least 4,000 years. Until now, much of its structure remained hidden. Thanks to Webb’s powerful mid-infrared camera, scientists can finally see the full extent of the nebula’s complexity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dust-rings-and-broken-shells">Dust rings and broken shells</h2>



At the center of NGC 1514, two stars locked in a tight nine-year orbit are driving this dramatic display. One of them - formerly several times the mass of our Sun - has shed its outer layers as it reached the end of its life.&nbsp;



What’s left is a hot, compact white dwarf star blasting out faster, weaker winds that may have swept earlier material into thin, fragile shells.



What Webb has <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-telescope-may-have-just-found-its-first-planet/">uncovered</a> is a tangled mess of dust, much of which was invisible to previous telescopes. The rings now appear fuzzy and uneven, like clumps floating through space.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-material-ejected-from-a-dying-star">Material ejected from a dying star</h2>



Some areas show distinct holes near the center, marking where faster material appears to have punched through the older gas. The telescope also picked up signs of oxygen in the nebula’s pink core, especially around the edges of the holes.



“Before Webb, we weren’t able to detect most of this material, let alone observe it so clearly,” said Mike Ressler, a project scientist for Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.&nbsp;



Ressler first spotted the rings in 2010 using an earlier infrared mission, but they were faint and hard to analyze. “With MIRI’s data, we can now comprehensively examine the turbulent nature of this nebula,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-nebula-s-unusual-shape">The nebula’s unusual shape</h2>



Unlike the perfectly round shapes many might expect, NGC 1514 isn’t a sphere. Webb’s observations show that the whole formation is tilted at about 60 degrees - like a can being tipped over - but its true shape is more like an hourglass with the ends sliced off.&nbsp;



Subtle pinches of dust in shallow V-shapes give clues to this structure, particularly near the top left and bottom right of the image.



The bizarre shape may be due to the interaction between the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-map-twin-stars-to-discover-hidden-planets-with-unprecedented-accuracy/">two stars</a>. During the period when the larger star was losing its outer layers, its companion may have drifted extremely close.&nbsp;



“That interaction can lead to shapes that you wouldn’t expect,” said David Jones, a senior scientist who confirmed the central binary system in 2017. “Instead of producing a sphere, this interaction might have formed these rings.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patchy-rings-with-a-fuzzy-appearance-nbsp">Patchy rings with a fuzzy appearance&nbsp;</h2>



Between the rings, dim and semi-transparent clouds stretch through the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/">nebula</a>, adding body and giving hints at the object’s full three-dimensional shape.&nbsp;



The rings themselves aren’t evenly lit - they fade out toward the top right and bottom left. This patchiness, along with their fuzzy appearance, points to their makeup: very small dust grains.



“We think the rings are primarily made up of very small dust grains,” Ressler explained. “When those grains are hit by ultraviolet light from the white dwarf star, they heat up ever so slightly, which we think makes them just warm enough to be detected by Webb in mid-infrared light.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-simple-mix-of-ingredients">A simple mix of ingredients</h2>



Notably, the nebula lacks something usually seen in similar objects: carbon and its more complex molecules.&nbsp;



Most planetary nebulae contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - carbon-rich compounds that resemble soot. But <a href="https://webbtelescope.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Webb</a> didn’t find any trace of them in NGC 1514.



The absence of the molecules could be due to the swirling motion of the two central stars, which may have prevented more complex molecules from forming. This also allows more light from the stars to escape, helping to illuminate the faint, outer rings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glowing-shells-of-dying-stars">Glowing shells of dying stars</h2>



Astronomers have been studying NGC 1514 for centuries. Back in 1790, William Herschel described it as the first deep-sky object he saw that looked truly cloudy - not just a collection of stars. He couldn’t resolve it into individual points of light the way he could with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trio-of-star-clusters-may-be-the-same-system-at-different-ages/">star clusters</a>. 



That cloudy impression was one of the earliest clues pointing toward the existence of planetary nebulae - the glowing shells of gas that dying stars leave behind.



Now, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-telescope-uncovers-secrets-of-dark-matter-in-cosmic-collision-zone/">Webb</a> has revealed the full extent of the cloud Herschel saw. NGC 1514 has turned out to be a complex, dynamic structure still shifting over time.



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Michael Ressler (NASA-JPL), Dave Jones (IAC)



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Stellar farewell: The fading legacy of a dying star

Today's Image of the Day from NASA’s James Webb Space...

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

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/">European Southern Observatory</a> (ESO) features a stunning view of the Sculptor Galaxy, one of the brightest spiral galaxies visible from Earth.



The ultra-detailed image, which was captured using ESO’s Very Large Telescope, reveals features in the Sculptor Galaxy that have never been seen before.&nbsp;



ESO researcher Enrico Congiu led a new study on the Sculptor Galaxy that is published in the journal Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-galaxy-wide-view-of-sculptor-nbsp">A galaxy-wide view of Sculptor&nbsp;</h2>



The team observed the galaxy in thousands of wavelengths at once, collecting an immense amount of data from every point across its structure. This allowed them to build a comprehensive, galaxy-wide view of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-stars-may-be-billions-of-years-older-than-estimated/">stars</a> live and evolve within Sculptor.



"Galaxies are incredibly complex systems that we are still struggling to understand," said Congiu.



“The Sculptor Galaxy is in a sweet spot. It is close enough that we can resolve its internal structure and study its building blocks with incredible detail, but at the same time, big enough that we can still see it as a whole system.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thousands-of-distinct-colors-nbsp">Thousands of distinct colors&nbsp;</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxygen-detected-in-the-most-distant-and-primitive-galaxy-ever-analyzed/">Galaxies</a> span hundreds of thousands of light-years, yet their evolution is shaped by processes unfolding on much smaller scales.&nbsp;



The fundamental components of a galaxy - stars, gas, and dust - each emit light in distinct colors. The more shades of color captured in an image, the deeper the insight into a galaxy’s internal structure.&nbsp;



Traditional images typically contain only a few colors, but the new map of the Sculptor Galaxy includes thousands.&nbsp;



This rich spectrum provides astronomers with detailed information about the galaxy’s stars, gas, and dust - from their ages and chemical makeup to how they’re moving through space.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-the-sculptor-galaxy-nbsp">Mapping the Sculptor Galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



The research team spent more than 50 hours observing the Sculptor Galaxy using the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) on the Very Large Telescope.&nbsp;



To capture the full view - spanning roughly 65,000 light-years - they combined over 100 separate exposures into a single, detailed mosaic.&nbsp;



According to study co-author Kathryn Kreckel from Heidelberg University, Germany, this makes the map a potent tool.&nbsp;



“We can zoom in to study individual regions where stars form at nearly the scale of individual stars, but we can also zoom out to study the galaxy as a whole,” said Kreckel.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hundreds-of-planetary-nebulae-nbsp">Hundreds of planetary nebulae&nbsp;</h2>



In their initial analysis of the data, the team identified around 500 planetary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orion-nebula-destroys-an-oceans-worth-of-water-every-month/">nebulae</a> scattered throughout the Sculptor Galaxy.



Study co-author Fabian Scheuermann, a doctoral student at Heidelberg University, emphasized the significance of the discovery.&nbsp;



Scheuermann noted that when astronomers study galaxies outside of our own cosmic neighborhood, they normally detect fewer than 100 planetary nebulae in each one.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-galaxy-of-extremes">A galaxy of extremes</h2>



The Sculptor Galaxy, also known as NGC 253, is located about 11.4 million light-years away in the constellation Sculptor. It’s classified as a starburst galaxy, meaning it’s undergoing an exceptionally high rate of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/">star formation</a>.&nbsp;



This vigorous star-making activity is especially intense in its central regions, where dense clouds of gas and dust feed the birth of new stars.&nbsp;



The galaxy is tilted at a steep angle from our perspective, which gives it a striking, elongated appearance when viewed through telescopes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-notable-features-of-the-sculptor-galaxy-nbsp">Notable features of the Sculptor Galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



Discovered in 1783 by Caroline Herschel, the Sculptor Galaxy has become a popular target for both professional astronomers and amateur skywatchers due to its brightness and relative proximity.&nbsp;



It’s part of the Sculptor Group, one of the nearest groups of galaxies to our Local Group. Despite being rich in star-forming regions, much of its inner structure is veiled by thick dust lanes.&nbsp;



However, infrared and X-ray observations have helped scientists peer through the obscuring material to study the galaxy’s core, revealing a wealth of activity including supernova remnants and a possible central <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-ultramassive-black-hole-ever-seen-cosmic-horseshoe-lrg-3-757/">black hole</a>.



The Sculptor Galaxy is also notable for its extended halo of stars and gas, which suggests past interactions or mergers with smaller galaxies.&nbsp;



This halo, along with its active central region, makes NGC 253 a valuable subject for understanding how galaxies evolve, form stars, and recycle gas over time. Its combination of beauty and scientific richness continues to make it a focus of galactic studies.



Image Credit: European Southern Observatory&nbsp;



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Thousands of colors in the Sculptor Galaxy

Today's Image of the Day from the European Southern Observatory...

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 cluster is home to some of the oldest known stars

Today's Image of the Day from NASA features the spiral galaxy NGC 2566, which is located 76 million light-years away in the constellation Puppis. The image was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.



“A prominent bar of stars stretches across the center of this galaxy, and spiral arms emerge from each end of the bar. Because NGC 2566 appears tilted from our perspective, its disk takes on an almond shape, giving the galaxy the appearance of a cosmic eye,” said <a href="https://phys.org/news/2024-12-hubble-spies-spiral-galaxy-ngc.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



“As NGC 2566 appears to gaze at us, astronomers gaze right back, using Hubble to survey the galaxy's star clusters and star-forming regions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-appearance-of-ngc-2566">Complex appearance of NGC 2566</h2>



NGC 2566 lies at a considerable distance from Earth, making it a challenging object for amateur astronomers to observe in detail without powerful telescopes.&nbsp;



It can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere sky and is better observed from locations with minimal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-light-pollution-influences-interest-in-astronomy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light pollution</a>.&nbsp;



The galaxy's arms are populated with young, bright stars, regions of active star formation, and interstellar gas and dust - giving it a dynamic and complex appearance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-ages-of-stars">Measuring the ages of stars</h2>



According to NASA, data from Hubble is especially valuable for studying stars that are just a few million years old. “These stars are bright at the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths to which Hubble is sensitive.”



“Using these data, researchers can measure the ages of NGC 2566's stars, which helps piece together the timeline of the galaxy's star formation and the exchange of gas between star-forming clouds and the stars themselves.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-galaxies">Star formation in galaxies</h2>



Star formation in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> is a fascinating and complex process that unfolds over millions of years. It begins in vast clouds of gas and dust, known as molecular clouds, which are often found in the spiral arms of galaxies or in regions of irregular or starburst galaxies.&nbsp;



These clouds provide the raw material for star formation, consisting primarily of hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of heavier elements.



As the molecular clouds collapse under their own gravity, regions within them begin to condense and fragment, forming dense clumps. Within these clumps, protostars emerge. Their formation is driven by the gravitational pull drawing in surrounding gas.&nbsp;



During this process, the gas heats up due to increasing pressure, eventually igniting nuclear fusion in the core, signaling the birth of a new star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rates-of-star-formation">Rates of star formation</h2>



The rate of star formation varies across galaxies is influenced by numerous factors. In spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, star formation is most active in the spiral arms, where density waves compress gas and dust, triggering the collapse of molecular clouds.&nbsp;



Elliptical galaxies, which often have little cold gas and dust, typically exhibit low rates of star formation or none at all.



On the other hand, starburst galaxies experience episodes of exceptionally high star formation, often triggered by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-captures-a-galaxy-collision-with-a-radiant-smile/">galactic collisions</a> or interactions.



These events can funnel large amounts of gas into central regions, leading to intense star-forming activity. However, such bursts are usually short-lived on cosmic timescales, exhausting the available gas quickly.



The environment within a galaxy also plays a significant role. Stellar winds and supernova explosions from existing stars can both inhibit and promote star formation. They may disperse gas, preventing further collapse, or compress nearby clouds, triggering new star formation.&nbsp;



As galaxies evolve over time, the availability of gas diminishes, leading to a gradual decline in star formation activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-puppis-constellation-nbsp">The Puppis constellation&nbsp;</h2>



The Puppis constellation in the southern sky represents the stern of a ship. It was once part of a larger constellation known as Argo Navis, which depicted the mythical ship of Jason and the Argonauts.&nbsp;



However, Argo Navis was later divided into three separate constellations: Puppis, Carina (the keel), and Vela (the sails). Puppis is the largest of these three and contains many notable celestial objects.



This constellation is home to several bright stars, including Naos (Zeta Puppis), a hot, massive star that emits intense ultraviolet radiation. Puppis also hosts a wide variety of deep-sky objects, such as open <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-star-clusters-captured-in-the-extreme-outskirts-of-the-milky-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star clusters</a> and nebulae.&nbsp;



Among these, Messier 46 and Messier 47 stand out. Both are beautiful star clusters that are visible through binoculars or small telescopes. The region is dense with stars because it lies along the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-collision-may-change-everything-we-know-about-our-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, making it a prime area for stargazing and astrophotography. 



Image Credit: NASA



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Eye in the sky: A galaxy that appears to be gazing back

Today's Image of the Day from NASA features the spiral...

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

Ancient marine fossils from North Greenland have shed light on a major misidentification. A creature once thought to be an early squid relative is not a cephalopod at all. New research shows it is actually linked to arrow worms, or chaetognaths. These creatures swam in Earth's seas more than 500 million years ago.



The study was led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, the Korean Polar Research Institute, and the University of Copenhagen. 



The team examined 25 fossils of a mysterious creature called a nectocaridid. Once believed to be an ancient cephalopod, it had a squid-like shape that puzzled scientists for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arrow-worm-fossil-found-in-greenland">Arrow worm fossil found in Greenland</h2>



The fossils came from Sirius Passet, a site known for exceptional preservation. Located in North Greenland, this fossil bed holds delicate remains from the Early Cambrian period, around 518 million years ago.



“Sirius Passet is a treasure trove of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frozen-worm-comes-back-to-life-after-46000-years/">fossils</a> from the Cambrian Explosion. We not only find delicate soft-bodied fossils but also their digestive systems, musculature and sometimes even their nervous system,” noted Dr. Jakob Vinther from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>.



Fifteen years ago, a paper based on Burgess Shale fossils proposed that nectocaridids were cephalopods related to octopuses and squids. That claim confused many in the field.



“It never really made sense to me, as the hypothesis would upend everything we otherwise know about cephalopods, and their anatomy didn’t closely match cephalopods when you looked carefully,” said Dr. Vinther.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nervous-system-holds-the-answer">Nervous system holds the answer</h2>



As more fossils emerged, researchers noticed something unique. Many specimens had their nervous systems preserved in mineral form. This was a key breakthrough.



“We discovered our nectocaridids preserve parts of their nervous system as paired mineralised structures, and that was a giveaway as to where these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-worm-fossil-helps-solve-an-evolutionary-mystery/">animals</a> sit in the tree of life,” said Dr. Vinther.



Soon after, the team found fossils of arrow worms, which helped solve the mystery. One clear feature made the connection possible: the ventral ganglion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ganglion-links-to-arrow-worm-fossil">Ganglion links to arrow worm fossil</h2>



This ventral ganglion is a nerve mass found on the underside of living arrow worms. It is unique to their group and sometimes gets replaced with phosphate minerals during decay, making it fossilize well.



“These fossils all preserve a unique feature, distinct for arrow worms, called the ventral ganglion,” noted Dr. Tae-Yoon Park from the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Institute</a>.



That discovery gave the team the final clue they needed. “We now had a smoking gun to resolve the nectocaridid controversy. Nectocaridids share a number of features with some of the other fossils that also belong to the arrow worm stem lineage,” said Park.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arrow-worm-fossil-only-looked-like-squid">Arrow worm fossil only looked like squid</h2>



Despite their similarity to squids, nectocaridids were not related. Their streamlined shape was simply an adaptation to swimming. 



“Many of these features are superficially squid-like and reflect simple adaptations to an active swimming mode of life in invertebrates, just like whales and ancient marine reptiles end up looking like fish when they evolve such a mode of life,” Park explained.



This means evolution shaped their bodies for speed and stealth, and similarities with squids were not due to a shared ancestor or genetic heritage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eyes-antennae-and-stealth">Eyes, antennae, and stealth</h2>



One of their most remarkable features is their eyes. These ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worm-dna-is-changing-how-we-understand-evolution/">creatures</a> had complex eyes whereas today’s arrow worms can barely detect light direction.



“Nectocaridids have complex camera eyes just like ours. Living arrow worms can hardly form an image beyond working out roughly where the sun shines,” said Dr. Vinther. 



“Our fossils can be much bigger than a typical living arrow worm and, combined with their swimming apparatus, eyes and long antennae, they must have been formidable and stealthy predators."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-of-carnivorous-diet">Evidence of carnivorous diet</h2>



The team found direct proof of their predatory nature. Some fossils had remains of Isoxys, a type of swimming arthropod, in their digestive tracts. This shows they hunted and consumed other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-worms-feasted-on-the-bones-of-giant-marine-animals/">marine animals</a>.



The new species has been named&nbsp;Nektognathus evasmithae. It honors Professor Eva Smith, Denmark’s first female law professor and a defender of human rights.



“My decision to name our fossil after Eva, is that this animal was a smart and stealthy fighter just like she is,” Dr. Vinther concluded.



Ultimately, this discovery changes our view of early marine food webs and the evolution of modern sea predators.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu6990">Science Advances</a>.



Image Credit: Bob Nicholls



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Ancient 'squid' turned out to be something else entirely

Ancient marine fossils from North Greenland have shed light on...

Plastic bottles and caps clutter beaches up and down Latin America's Pacific coast. Most of them aren’t foreign - they’re local. And the bottles can often be traced back to three big names in the beverage industry: The Coca-Cola Company, Aje Group, and PepsiCo.



The coastlines hit hardest by this plastic waste are in Central America. That’s likely because of how common single-use bottles are, combined with poor waste infrastructure and the push of ocean currents. 



Meanwhile, island beaches - like those on the Galápagos and Rapa Nui - tend to collect more bottles from Asia, possibly dumped at sea and carried long distances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-trail-of-plastic-along-the-pacific">A trail of plastic along the Pacific</h2>



The findings come from a major study led by researchers at the <a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/home">University of Barcelona</a>. Their work covered more than 12,000 kilometers of Pacific coastline, spanning from Mexico to Chile. 



The research is the first regional effort of its kind, mapping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bottled-water-has-become-a-global-scourge-wreaking-environmental-havoc/">plastic bottle pollution</a> across 10 Latin American countries. The team studied 92 mainland beaches, 15 island beaches, and 38 coastal communities.



This wasn’t just a lab project. It was a massive collaboration. Between 2023 and 2024, more than 1,000 volunteers and 200 local leaders helped collect samples, making this a landmark example of citizen science in action.



The data shows a clear pattern. Most bottles were found in mainland urban areas, while island beaches often had older items, sometimes dating back over two decades. 



The oldest samples included a Powerade® bottle from 2001 found in Peru, and a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coca-cola-may-dump-1-3b-pounds-plastic-into-oceans-by-2030/">Coca-Cola</a>® bottle from 2002 on a Chilean island.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-bottle-labels-reveal">What bottle labels reveal</h2>



By reading the labels and engravings on bottles and caps, scientists were able to figure out where each item came from and how long it had been floating around.



Study co-author Miquel Canals is a professor in the Department of Earth and Ocean Dynamics.



“In addition to the great value of citizen science, a particularly remarkable element of the work carried out is the intelligent use of the information contained in the bottles and their caps (labels, engravings) to obtain key information about the manufacturer, and the date and place of manufacture, among others,” said Professor Canals. 



“This allowed us to identify the sources of this contamination and the route taken by individual items until they reach the beach or town where they were collected.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-the-plastic-bottles">Identifying the plastic bottles</h2>



Out of all the bottles collected, 59% were produced in Latin American Pacific countries. The most common types were for soft drinks, water, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/energy-drinks-linked-to-insomnia-among-college-students/">energy drinks</a> - most of them single-use and single-serve. 



In urban areas and on mainland beaches, 54.9% of the bottles were found without caps. On island beaches, 73.4% still had their caps attached. 



Researchers identified 356 brands from 253 companies, with The Coca-Cola Company, Aje Group, and PepsiCo appearing most frequently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-plastic-comes-from">Where the plastic comes from</h2>



While most bottles were locally produced, some came from farther away. A small but telling share were from Asia (1.8%), North America (0.3%), and Europe (0.04%). In nearly 39% of cases, the origin could not be determined.



“On the mainland beaches of Mexico, Guatemala and the southern countries - Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile - most of the bottles came from the same country," noted the researchers.



"In contrast, in the Central American countries - El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama - the percentages of locally sourced items were significantly lower, with those of external origin predominating."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-diversity-hotspots">Plastic diversity hotspots</h2>



Panama turned out to be a hotspot for diversity in plastic waste, with bottles coming from at least six different regions. 



On the islands, the situation shifted. Just 42.4% of bottles were from Latin America, and a large portion came from Asia.



“The distribution of bottle origins is not random, but geographically structured, with a predominance of specific countries of origin in specific environments and sub-regions, and also in specific countries, of course,” noted the study authors. 



“This trend would reflect the consumption habits, waste management practices (where they exist) and oceanographic transport processes that influence the distribution of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastics-supercharge-toxin-absorption-in-plants-and-humans/">plastic pollutants</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-plastic-becomes-habitat">When plastic becomes habitat</h2>



Plastic bottles don’t just float. Some become temporary homes for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-it-still-possible-to-save-the-ocean-from-plastic-pollution/">marine</a> organisms. Scientists found these “epibionts” - tiny creatures clinging to the plastic - on nearly 9% of bottles. 



The organisms showed up most often on mainland beaches in Central America. That supports the idea that some of this plastic arrives via ocean currents after spending time adrift.



Study lead author Ostin Garcés-Ordóñez is a member of the UB’s Consolidated Research Group in Marine Geosciences and the University of La Guajira.



“These findings point to a spatial pattern in the age of the items: the most recent ones predominate in human settlements, while the oldest ones are found on beaches, especially on the beaches of oceanic islands,” said Garcés-Ordóñez.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-beach-waste-into-policy-action">Turning beach waste into policy action</h2>



Tackling this issue isn’t just about cleaning up beaches. The study calls for better local waste management and pressure on companies to move toward reusable packaging.



“In the future, we want to analyze the impact of seasonal climatic variations, river inputs and tourist activity on the dynamics of plastic bottle and cap pollution on coasts and in coastal cities," said the researchers.



"Oceanographic modeling could also be integrated to track the transport trajectories of plastic litter in the ocean and thus identify distant sources of pollution."



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0959652625015847">Journal of Cleaner Production</a>.



Image Credit: Ostin Garcés



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Plastic bottles reveal the companies behind a Pacific litter crisis

Plastic bottles and caps clutter beaches up and down Latin...

The oceans did not behave normally in 2023. They got too hot, stayed hot too long, and covered almost the entire planet with heat. It wasn’t just a spike in temperature. Scientists think this might be the start of something bigger - a change in how Earth’s climate works.



A new study reveals that the marine heatwaves (MHWs) of 2023 broke every known <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oceans-are-rapidly-changing-colors-matching-climate-predictions/">record</a>. These heatwaves were stronger, lasted longer, and stretched across more ocean than ever before. It wasn’t one event. It was many, overlapping and spreading.



Marine heatwaves aren’t just warm patches in the sea. They are prolonged, intense spikes in sea temperature that can linger for months. And their impact is devastating - killing coral, driving fish away, and disrupting entire fisheries. 



Fueled by human-driven climate change, these events are becoming more frequent and more severe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oceans-signal-major-climate-change">Oceans signal major climate change</h2>



According to the study, 96% of the global ocean surface experienced heatwave conditions. Regions like the North Atlantic, North Pacific, Tropical Pacific, and Southwest Pacific endured the worst of it. Together, they made up 90% of the abnormal ocean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-oceans-day-2025-sustaining-what-sustains-us/">heating</a>.



The North Atlantic heatwave stretched on for 525 days, beginning in mid-2022 and refusing to let up. Meanwhile, the Southwest Pacific experienced a marine heatwave so vast and prolonged, it shattered previous records.



Then came the El Niño in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Ocean temperatures there peaked at 1.63 degrees Celsius above average. For marine life, that kind of heat isn’t a small deal. It changes everything. Movement, breeding, survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-caused-the-marine-heatwaves">What caused the marine heatwaves?</h2>



A team led by Tianyun Dong analyzed satellite data and high-resolution models like ECCO2 to conduct a global analysis. They used a technique to track how heat moved through the ocean’s top <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-last-ocean-crisis-wiped-out-coral-reefs-will-it-happen-again/">layers</a>.



The researchers found several causes for the 2023 marine heatwaves. In some areas, there was less cloud cover, allowing more sunlight to hit the water. Elsewhere, weaker winds led to less mixing, causing warm water to stagnate.



Ocean currents also shifted from their usual patterns, further contributing to the buildup of heat.



Different places had different triggers. But they all added up to the same thing - oceans that stayed hot far too long.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signs-of-a-climate-tipping-point">Signs of a climate tipping point</h2>



"The 2023 MHWs may mark a fundamental shift in ocean-atmosphere dynamics, potentially serving as an early warning of an approaching tipping point in Earth’s climate system,” wrote the study authors.



A climate tipping point means crossing a threshold where the system can’t recover on its own. For the oceans, that could lead to more frequent heatwaves, collapsing food webs, and dwindling fish populations. 



And the impact won’t stay confined to the sea. Warmer oceans hold less oxygen, disrupt the exchange of heat and moisture with the atmosphere, and help drive extreme weather - affecting everything from storms and rainfall to droughts on land.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intensifying-impacts-of-a-warm-climate">Intensifying impacts of a warm climate </h2>



The extreme marine heatwaves of 2023 did not provide closure. They opened a floodgate of questions. 



According to the researchers, the 2023 events highlight the intensifying impacts of a warm climate and the challenges in understanding extreme events.



Scientists now face the urgent task of monitoring how often these events occur, how they evolve over time, and whether they’re becoming harder to reverse.



The current tools are not enough. They need higher-resolution data, faster processing, and models that can better predict these complex changes across different regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tipping-point-for-the-climate">A tipping point for the climate</h2>



Policymakers, too, have work to do. They need access to clearer forecasts, localized ocean temperature warnings, and stronger coordination with climate scientists. Decision-making must move faster. 



Communities, especially those in coastal areas, cannot afford to wait. They must prepare for more frequent disruptions to fisheries, tourism, and marine ecosystems.



The ocean has long shielded us, absorbing more than 90% of the excess heat from global warming. But that protection isn’t limitless. In 2023, the ocean began to show the consequences of being pushed beyond its breaking point.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr0910" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Overheating oceans: Have we reached a climate tipping point?

The oceans did not behave normally in 2023. They got...

The "Iguanas from Above" project brought together nearly 14,000 volunteers to count endangered Galapagos marine iguanas. These reptiles, found only in the Galapagos Islands, are facing many threats. Counting them from the ground is difficult due to the inaccessible terrain.



To overcome this, researchers at <a href="https://www.uni-leipzig.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leipzig University</a> launched a drone-based survey. They then invited the public to analyze these aerial images online. 



“This expands the role of citizen science, provides significant support for researchers, and offers a valuable opportunity to actively engage people in conservation topics,” noted Dr. Amy MacLeod, who leads the campaign.



This effort resulted in more than 1.3 million classifications across nearly 58,000 images. Each image was reviewed up to 30 times. The goal was not just participation but reliable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iguanas-traveled-5000-miles-from-north-america-to-fiji/">population</a> estimates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-methods-for-counting-iguanas">Best methods for counting iguanas</h2>



To ensure reliability, scientists compared volunteer results with expert evaluations. A gold standard dataset of 4,345 images served as the benchmark. 



Volunteers achieved 68-94% detection accuracy. They were more likely to miss iguanas than to add extra individuals by mistake.



Rather than use a majority vote, the team applied a minimum threshold method. If five or more volunteers agreed on iguana presence, the count was accepted. This method improved accuracy, especially when images were complex or crowded.



Clustering methods, especially HDBSCAN, performed best for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-reptiles-are-more-colorful-in-open-habitats/">counting</a> iguanas. It grouped volunteer marks to identify individual iguanas more reliably than other approaches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accuracy-of-volunteer-counts">Accuracy of volunteer counts</h2>



The success of volunteer counts depended heavily on image quality. During the first project phase, drone images had poor focus and lighting. 



These issues led to frequent undercounting. Later phases used clearer images, which resulted in higher accuracy.



Volunteers had trouble distinguishing iguanas from dark volcanic rocks. This was especially true for small or well-camouflaged iguanas. When image quality was high, count differences between volunteers and experts narrowed considerably.



Even with better images, undercounting remained common. Researchers found that when many iguanas were in a single frame, volunteers often reported fewer than were actually there.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-made-people-join-or-quit">What made people join or quit</h2>



Not all volunteers contributed equally. Most submitted fewer than 50 classifications. But a small group, known as “super volunteers,” completed thousands. Some volunteers preferred staying anonymous, yet still showed high dedication.



Feedback from surveys revealed what discouraged participants. Blank images - photos without any iguanas - reduced motivation. Blurred images and difficult terrain also caused fatigue. Repetition made the task less engaging for some users.



Still, the volunteers’ dedication proved strong. One contributor analyzed every image in all three phases. Many were driven by the desire to help science rather than by any external rewards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-the-iguana-counts-reliable">Are the iguana counts reliable?</h2>



The research team tested whether removing inputs from anonymous or inexperienced users would improve results. They found it reduced the number of useful classifications and sometimes harmed accuracy.



While using more classifiers per image might seem helpful, it did not always increase reliability. The key was balancing quantity with quality and giving more weight to the counts of skilled participants.



The HDBSCAN method gave the most consistent results. It required fewer assumptions and handled spatial data better. It also offered a base for future machine learning models that could automate parts of the work.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toward-a-smarter-monitoring-system">Toward a smarter monitoring system</h2>



This project confirms that volunteers can help count iguanas, but still tend to undercount. The team plans to apply correction factors for future population estimates. They aim to use the data to update the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN Red List</a> and improve conservation plans.



They are also testing whether volunteers can identify reproductive behaviors, such as males in breeding colors or lekking sites. These insights could enrich understanding of marine iguana ecology.



Moving forward, the researchers will integrate machine learning into the workflow. AI models will be trained using volunteer data. These tools may help detect iguanas and filter out empty images. The hope is to create a semi-automated pipeline for faster and cheaper monitoring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wider-impacts-and-future-vision">Wider impacts and future vision</h2>



This method could apply to other hard-to-monitor species in remote areas. Online platforms like <a href="https://www.zooniverse.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zooniverse</a> show that people worldwide are eager to help <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-we-see-some-animals-as-more-human-than-others/">conservation</a> science.



The combination of drone surveys and crowdsourced analysis can reshape how we approach large-scale wildlife monitoring. According to the researchers, if experts alone had analyzed the images, it would have taken decades.



Now, with volunteer help and upcoming AI tools, they aim to complete a full population survey of the Galapagos marine iguana by 2026. The project is still live, and anyone can join to help protect this unique species.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-08381-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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People around the world are helping save Galapagos iguanas

The "Iguanas from Above" project brought together nearly 14,000 volunteers...

Hawaiian field crickets once relied on their mating calls to attract partners. Over recent decades, most males have lost this ability due to a mutation called “flatwing." The mutation changed the wing shape of males, silencing their songs. 



While this adaptation has helped the male crickets avoid a deadly parasitoid fly, the change has also reshaped their social interactions.



Previous research was focused on how the flatwing mutation affected male-male or male-female <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasitic-crickets-hide-in-ant-colonies-without-being-caught/">dynamics</a>. But recently, attention has shifted to the less studied space of female-female interaction. 



A new study published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2025.1007" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</a> explores what happens between females when song disappears.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interactions-of-female-crickets">Interactions of female crickets </h2>



In animal behavior studies, researchers often focus on male competition or female mate choice. In non-social insects like crickets, female-female interactions have long been overlooked. 



Yet these interactions can influence mating patterns, reproductive strategies, and even evolutionary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-juvenile-crickets-cannot-survive-the-strain-of-human-noise/">outcomes</a>. The new research highlights how females engage in social behavior beyond direct reproduction. 



Females in many species assess competitors, monitor social status, or respond to environmental cues. These patterns are complex and not limited to higher animals like primates or ants.



Crickets, although not social in the traditional sense, offer many opportunities for female interaction. Females often gather around calling males. This can lead to chance encounters, competition, or cooperation - depending on the context.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flatwing-affects-female-crickets-too">Flatwing affects female crickets too</h2>



The flatwing mutation only alters male wings but still influences females carrying it. Female carriers show changes in gene expression and physical condition. This suggests the mutation could influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-of-farming-insect-waste-reshapes-soil-health/">social behavior</a> indirectly.



The researchers, including study lead author Ana Drago, designed an experiment to explore this idea. They used pure-breeding lines of flatwing and normal-wing females. 



Pairs were matched or mismatched by genotype and observed under two conditions: presence or absence of male song.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-crickets-and-antennal-contact">Female crickets and antennal contact</h2>



Among all behaviors recorded, antennal contact was the most frequent. This gentle, investigative interaction involves using antennae to explore another cricket’s body. Females did this more often and for longer when male song was playing.



This pattern held even stronger when both females shared the same genotype. Flatwing pairs, in particular, showed a sharp rise in interaction under song. This suggests that both environmental and genetic factors shape social behavior.



"Intrasexual female social behavior was common, expressed by 86.5% of individuals. Females primarily engaged in antennal contact, which is reasonable to interpret as detection and assessment behavior," noted the study authors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-cricket-behavior">Changes in cricket behavior</h2>



Calling song is a key environmental signal. It can trigger phonotaxis (movement toward sound) and may raise general alertness. In the experiment, exposure to song led females to become more socially active.



This was not just a passive result of increased movement. Females maintained contact for longer durations, suggesting something more than mate search.



These interactions might help assess the partner’s condition or status. Chemical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-still-disappearing-and-there-are-hundreds-of-reasons-why/">cues</a>, such as cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), could play a role here. CHCs provide information about maturity, health, and mating history in many insect species.



CHC profiles in T. oceanicus are sexually dimorphic. Females may use them to determine the sex and fitness of another individual. If song primes females to expect mates nearby, it makes sense they would increase social investigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biting-and-mounting-are-rare">Biting and mounting are rare</h2>



Biting, a form of aggression, occurred in about 13% of female crickets. Song made biting more likely but did not increase its frequency. This suggests females escalate rarely, possibly only after extended interaction. 



Unlike males, females did not show pre-bite displays. They targeted legs and abdomens rather than heads.



Sexual behavior among two females was even rarer. Only two mounting attempts occurred, both under song and between same-genotype pairs. One was accepted. 



The low frequency may reflect the female’s stronger sex recognition or a lack of behavioral overlap with male courtship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genes-and-song-shape-interaction">Genes and song shape interaction</h2>



The researchers also investigated indirect genetic effects and genotype-by-environment interactions - situations where one individual’s genetic makeup influences the behavior of another. 



In pairs with the flatwing genotype exposed to song, female behavior showed greater variability, indicating this genotype may be more socially sensitive.



This aligns with previous research showing increased plasticity in flatwing males. The song environment interacted with both the focal and partner genotype. Together, these shaped how much and how long females interacted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-crickets-affect-male-success">Female crickets affect male success</h2>



Flatwing males avoid parasitism by staying silent. But their success depends on female choice. If <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-dominance-in-primates-is-more-common-than-we-thought/">female behavior</a> changes based on genotype and social context, it may affect male survival indirectly.



"The reproductive success of flatwing males is inherently tied to female mate choice, which has been suggested to potentially be a stronger factor than flatwing satellite behavior in reducing parasitism risk," explained the researchers.



"It is therefore possible that female-female social behaviors indirectly influence parasitism risk, though this requires further study."



In dense populations, where female encounters are more frequent, these patterns could have a major impact. 



The silence that protects males may also reduce the social complexity among females, reshaping communication and competition across generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-even-silent-crickets-stay-social">Even silent crickets stay social</h2>



Crickets may be quieter today, but their social worlds are not silent. Female-female cricket interactions, once ignored, now offer clues to how evolution plays out in subtle, indirect ways. 



By exploring these relationships, researchers uncover how behavior, genetics, and environment blend to shape even the smallest creatures’ lives.



"The results of this study urge that future research pays due attention to any sex that may be understudied in a given system. This is crucial to uncover intrasexual social, sexual and aggressive behaviors that may subsequently affect intersexual dynamics," concluded the researchers.



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When male crickets go silent: How females adapt and respond

Hawaiian field crickets once relied on their mating calls to...

The air we breathe may do more than harm our lungs - it could also be quietly raising our risk of dementia.



A global analysis of data from nearly 30 million people suggests that air pollution - particularly from vehicle exhaust - significantly increases the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-blood-test-can-track-the-progression-of-alzheimers/">Alzheimer’s</a> and vascular dementia.



Dementia currently affects over 57 million people. The number is projected to rise to almost 153 million by 2050. Although some areas such as Europe and North America are witnessing minor declines in prevalence, the global view is much less reassuring.



Researchers from the University of Cambridge’s <a href="https://www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/">Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit</a> took a closer look at the connection between pollution and dementia. 



By combining results from 51 studies conducted across several continents - 34 of which qualified for meta-analysis - the experts were able to draw on a larger and more dependable data pool.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-pollutants-raise-dementia-risk">Which pollutants raise dementia risk?</h2>



The analysis focused on three major air pollutants: PM2.5, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-nitrogen-oxide-pollution-could-boost-crop-yields/">nitrogen dioxide</a> (NO₂), and soot. 



PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, consists of tiny particles small enough to reach deep into the lungs. These particles are generated by sources such as vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, wood burning, and construction dust.



Nitrogen dioxide, a byproduct of burning fossil fuels, is commonly found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vehicle-emissions-are-the-biggest-source-of-ammonia-pollution/">vehicle emissions</a> - especially from diesel engines. This gas is known to worsen asthma and reduce lung function.



Soot comes from sources like diesel exhaust and wood fires. It not only harms the environment but can also reach deep into the lungs, contributing to respiratory and heart problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-s-role-in-dementia">Air pollution’s role in dementia</h2>



The findings were clear: for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) increase in PM2.5, the relative risk of developing dementia rose by 17 percent. For the same increase in NO₂, the risk increased by three percent. 



For each 1 μg/m³ rise in soot, the relative dementia risk rose by 13 percent. To put that in context, in 2023, the average roadside PM2.5 level in Central London was 10 μg/m³ - the same amount linked to a 17% higher dementia risk. 



London’s average NO₂ level stood at 33 μg/m³. Roadside soot levels were 0.93 μg/m³ in London, 1.51 μg/m³ in Birmingham, and 0.65 μg/m³ in Glasgow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tackling-air-pollution-for-public-health">Tackling air pollution for public health</h2>



“Epidemiological evidence plays a crucial role in allowing us to determine whether or not air pollution increases the risk of dementia and by how much,” said Dr. Haneen Khreis. 



“Our work provides further evidence to support the observation that long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution is a risk factor for the onset of dementia in previously healthy adults."



According to Dr. Khreis, tackling air pollution can deliver long-term health, social, climate, and economic benefits. "It can reduce the immense burden on patients, families, and caregivers, while easing pressure on overstretched healthcare systems.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-air-pollution-affect-the-brain">How does air pollution affect the brain?</h2>



The health impacts appear to go beyond just Alzheimer’s. The researchers found the association between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-people-die-from-air-pollution-each-year-yet-theres-still-a-lack-of-monitoring/">air pollution</a> and dementia was slightly stronger for vascular dementia, which is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. 



Around 180,000 people in the UK alone are affected by this type of dementia.



How does air pollution impact the brain? Researchers have identified several possible mechanisms.



The most widely supported theories involve inflammation and oxidative stress - both of which can damage cells, proteins, and even DNA. These processes are already linked to other chronic diseases. 



Pollutants may enter the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-air-pollution-impacts-brain-health/">brain</a> directly, or indirectly via the bloodstream, after first affecting the lungs or heart. Once in the brain, they can trigger the kind of inflammation known to contribute to dementia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-equity-gap-in-air-pollution-studies">Equity gap in air pollution studies</h2>



The review also highlighted a gap in the current research: most of the studies were conducted in high-income countries and focused on predominantly white populations. 



This matters because marginalized communities often face higher exposure to pollution, yet they remain underrepresented in research.



“Efforts to reduce exposure to these key <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cutting-super-pollutants-could-quickly-cool-the-planet/">pollutants</a> are likely to help reduce the burden of dementia on society,” said study co-first author Clare Rogowski. 



“Stricter limits for several pollutants are likely to be necessary targeting major contributors such as the transport and industry sectors. Given the extent of air pollution, there is an urgent need for regional, national, and international policy interventions to combat air pollution equitably.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-fixes-to-fight-dementia">Environmental fixes to fight dementia</h2>



The team argues that solutions can’t just come from doctors or healthcare workers. Urban design, environmental policy, and transportation planning all play a role.



“These findings underscore the need for an interdisciplinary approach to dementia prevention,” said Dr. Christiaan Bredell. 



“Preventing dementia is not just the responsibility of healthcare: this study strengthens the case that urban planning, transport policy, and environmental regulation all have a significant role to play.”



The message is clear: reducing air pollution isn't just a public health priority - it’s a critical step toward protecting brain health on a global scale.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(25)00118-4/fulltext">The Lancet Planetary Health</a>.



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Air pollution confirmed as a major risk factor for dementia

The air we breathe may do more than harm our...

New satellite data reveals a troubling truth: since 2002, Earth’s continents are drying rapidly. This is not a temporary drought but a global reconfiguration of freshwater balance. Climate change, groundwater misuse, and long droughts have driven this shift.



A study led by <a href="https://www.asu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arizona State University</a> highlights four massive “mega-drying” zones in the Northern Hemisphere. The researchers analyzed over 22 years of data from the GRACE and GRACE-FO satellites.



They found that these drying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-only-has-six-continents-not-seven-tectonic-plates-under-iceland-study/">regions</a> are expanding by about 831,600 km² [321,000 sq mi] each year. That is roughly twice California’s size.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-groundwater-loss-and-drying-continents">Groundwater loss and drying continents</h2>



The study found a major imbalance. Dry zones are drying faster than wet zones are gaining water. Since 2014, dry extremes have surged, rising one million square miles per year in non-glaciated areas. This points to a major climate-driven tipping point linked to mega El Niño events.



About 75% of humanity, over 6 billion people, live in 101 countries that have lost freshwater since 2002. This overlap of population growth and freshwater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/claim-earth-has-six-continents-not-seven-north-america-europe-connected/">decline</a> threatens global stability.



Groundwater accounts for 68% of the total land-based water loss. In drying regions, it now contributes more to sea level rise than Greenland’s glaciers. Surface <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-confirm-the-location-of-earths-missing-eighth-continent-zealandia/">water</a> (18%), soil moisture (9%), and snow water (5%) follow behind.



“These findings send perhaps the most alarming message yet about the impact of climate change on our water resources,” said Jay Famiglietti. “Continents are drying, freshwater availability is shrinking, and sea level rise is accelerating.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-four-huge-regions-are-drying">Four huge regions are drying</h2>



The study outlines four interconnected drying belts that now form vast, expanding zones of water loss across the Northern Hemisphere. In Northern Canada and Alaska, terrestrial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ocean-animals-connect-countries-and-continents/">water</a> storage is declining at a rate of −0.34 inches per year, excluding glaciers.



Northern Russia follows with a drop of −0.16 inches per year, driven by permafrost thaw and ongoing droughts. Southwestern North America and Central America show a combined decline of −0.30 inches per year, affecting major urban centers like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Mexico City.



The most severely impacted is the MENA and Pan Eurasia region, where the Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin is losing −0.43 inches per year, and the Caspian and Aral Seas show an even steeper decline of −1.18 inches per year. What were once isolated hotspots have now merged into broad, continental-scale drying belts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dry-continents-are-raising-sea-levels">Dry continents are raising sea levels</h2>



Before 2014, most extreme drying occurred in the Southern Hemisphere. After 2014, the trend reversed. Most dry extremes now occur in the North and last longer. This flip aligns with the strongest El Niño event on record.



While wet regions have shrunk, the tropics remain the exception. Wetting continues near the equator but less than expected by IPCC climate models.



The land now contributes 44% of mass-driven sea level rise. This is more than Greenland or Antarctica. The annual contribution from drying non-glaciated land regions is 0.04 inches in sea level equivalent. Groundwater alone contributes 68% of that.



These changes are long-lasting. Over 62% of drying areas show trends persistent across 22 years. In contrast, many wetting trends are less robust and driven by temporary wet events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-lost-faster-than-it-can-be-replaced">Water lost faster than it can be replaced</h2>



Regions already facing water stress, like the Indus Basin, North China Plain, and Central Valley, now experience 10% or more annual water loss compared to their renewable supply. Half of the world’s major aquifers are depleting fast.



Groundwater systems are like ancient trust funds. Once drained, they cannot be restored in human timeframes.



"It is striking how much non-renewable water we are losing," said Hrishikesh A. Chandanpurkar, lead author of the study and a research scientist at ASU.



"Glaciers and deep groundwater are sort of ancient trust funds. Instead of using them only in times of need such as a prolonged drought, we are taking them for granted. Also, we are not trying to replenish the groundwater systems during wet years and thus edging towards an imminent freshwater bankruptcy."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-wake-up-call">A global wake-up call</h2>



Famiglietti warns that continuing this path will undermine food and water security for billions. But there is a path forward.



“This research matters. It clearly shows that we urgently need new policies and groundwater management strategies on a global scale,” noted Famiglietti.



Urgent actions must focus on reducing groundwater overuse, boosting recharge, and protecting aquifers. Coordinated international efforts could slow drying and reduce sea level rise.



The findings from this study will inform an upcoming World Bank report on the water crisis. It will offer practical solutions to governments facing water scarcity.



Until then, the message is clear. Earth’s continents are drying. Water is vanishing faster than nature can replace it. The time to act is now.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adx0298" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Vanishing freshwater: Earth's continents are rapidly drying out

New satellite data reveals a troubling truth: since 2002, Earth’s...

Hands,Of,Little,African,Child,Girl,And,Father,Holding,Soil

Transform bad garden soil into black gold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnGVGFtkRrY Successful food gardening begins beneath the surface, where proper...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

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Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

<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/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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