<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Bermejo River and the Río Grande de Tarija, which flow through Argentina and Bolivia in South America. The photograph was captured by an astronaut onboard the International Space Station.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meandering-rivers">Meandering rivers</h2>



<p>“The meandering rivers in this image are sourced in the Andes Mountains and generally flow southeast through valleys in the foothills - the region between the high mountains and plains. The Iruya River deposits particles of silt and clay as it flows into the valley centered in this image,” said NASA.</p>



<p>“Visible indications of the rivers’ shifting channels include river islands, point bars (on the inside curve of streams), and several meander scars. Such scars form when a river gets cut off from the main flow and fills in with sediment, soil, and vegetation.”</p>



<p>“Sediment from the adjacent highlands filled valleys that were formed by tectonic forces driving uplift of the Andes. These deposits are subsequently carried by rivers, such as the Iruya, along with new sediment to form the light-toned braided channels and the adjacent darker-toned floodplains. Nutrient-rich floodplain soils provide fertile ground for agricultural fields.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bermejo-river">Bermejo River</h2>



<p>The Bermejo River originates in the Bolivian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-hotspots-are-shrinking-in-the-andes-mountains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andes</a> and flows into Argentina. It plays a crucial role in the geographical and ecological landscape of the region. The river's course is characterized by its meandering path through the Gran Chaco plain, making it a significant river in the region's hydrological system.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-importance">Economic importance</h3>



<p>The Bermejo River is vital for agriculture, providing essential water resources for irrigation. It also has potential for hydroelectric power generation.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-nbsp">Biodiversity&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The diverse habitats created by the Bermejo River, including its riverbanks, floodplains, and adjacent forests, support rich biodiversity. However, the wildlife in this region faces threats from habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, making conservation efforts critical for their survival.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jaguars-in-the-amazon-are-threatened-by-climate-extremes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jaguars</a> are the apex predators of this region, and are occasionally spotted along the riverbanks, where they hunt. Large, herbivorous mammals called tapirs are found in the forests around the Bermejo River. They often visit the river to drink and cool off.</p>



<p>Capibaras, the world’s largest rodents, are commonly found in the wetlands and along the river edges.</p>



<p>Jabirus, the tallest flying birds in South and Central America, can often be seen in wetlands along the Bermejo River. Toco toucans, known for their colorful bills, can be found in the forested areas near the river.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rio-grande-de-tarija">Río Grande de Tarija</h2>



<p>The Río Grande de Tarija, also known in its lower stretches as the Guadalquivir, flows primarily within Bolivia. It is a critical watercourse in the Tarija Department, contributing significantly to the region's agriculture and livelihoods.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-importance-0">Economic importance</h3>



<p>This river is essential for irrigation, supporting a variety of crops and contributing to the local economy. The surrounding lands are fertile and productive, thanks to the river's water.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges">Challenges</h3>



<p>Similar to other rivers, the Río Grande de Tarija faces challenges such as water management issues, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-the-effects-of-pollutants-on-river-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a>, and the impacts of climate change on its flow and health.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-in-bolivian-rivers">Wildlife in Bolivian rivers</h3>



<p>River basins in Bolivia are home to a wide range of bird species, including various species of herons, egrets, kingfishers, and perhaps even some rarer species like the wattled jacana or the sunbittern. The diverse birdlife is attracted to the abundance of fish and the relatively untouched natural habitats along the river.</p>



<p>The Characidae family includes many fish species that are commonly found in South American rivers, such as tetras. They are known for their diversity and are a key part of the river's ecosystem, serving as both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diving-to-extremes-predatory-fish-frequent-the-oceans-twilight-zone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator</a> and prey.</p>



<p>Cichlids are another diverse group of fish that can be found in South American rivers. They play significant roles in their ecosystems as both predators and herbivores.</p>



<p>The rivers of Bolivia are also home to various catfish species, which are well adapted to life in muddy and turbulent waters. These include the armored catfish, which are often found clinging to rocks and logs.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/ ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility/ Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp">&nbsp;</h3>

The Río Grande de Tarija and Bermejo River in South America

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

<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> features the Columbia Glacier, a tidewater glacier located in Prince William Sound on the south coast of Alaska. It is one of the most rapidly changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-pose-great-threat-to-biodiversity-in-mountain-ranges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glaciers</a> in the world and has been closely studied for the insights it provides into glacial mechanics and climate change impacts. </p>



<p>"Since the early 1980s, the Columbia Glacier has retreated more than 20 km and lost about half of its total volume. This one glacier accounts for nearly half of the ice lost in the Chugach Mountains," noted ESA.</p>



<p>"The changing climate is thought to have caused its retreat. Until 1980, when its rapid and constant retreat began, the glacier’s terminus was observed at the northern edge of Heather Island, which lies near the end of Columbia Bay, the inlet into which the glacier currently flows before draining into Prince William Sound."</p>



<p>"This satellite image, acquired in September 2023, shows instead the deep mostly ice-free Columbia Bay dotted with numerous icebergs and fragmented sea-ice."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dramatic-calving-events">Dramatic calving events</h2>



<p>The Columbia Glacier is known for its dramatic calving events, where large chunks of ice break off from the glacier's terminus and fall into the sea, becoming icebergs. This process has been particularly active as the glacier has retreated, contributing to hazards for shipping in Prince William Sound.</p>



<p>The glacier has been the focus of extensive scientific research, serving as a case study for understanding the dynamics of tidewater glaciers and their responses to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/preparing-for-ocean-acidification-a-silent-killer-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. Studies have used satellite imagery, field observations, and modeling to track its changes over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-impact-on-the-columbia-glacier">Climate impact on the Columbia Glacier</h2>



<p>"Columbia is just one of the many glaciers suffering from the effects of climate change. Most of the glaciers around the world are losing mass. However, before the advent of satellites, measuring their retreat and studying their vulnerability to climate change was difficult considering their size, remoteness and rugged terrain they occupy," said ESA.</p>



<p>"Different satellite instruments now can gather information systematically and over large areas, providing an effective means to monitor change, keep track of all calving stages and quantify the melting rate and their contribution to sea-level rise."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More about Columbia Glacier&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Columbia Glacier flows from the Chugach Mountains into Columbia Bay. It was once one of the largest contributors to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-cost-coastal-cities-over-1-trillion-in-damages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level rise</a> due to its significant ice loss. </p>



<p>The glacier's dynamics are influenced by its interaction with water, where the terminus meets the ocean. As the glacier flows into the sea, large chunks of ice calve off the front, leading to dramatic scenes of ice crashing into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shelf-sediment-ocean-composition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a>. This process has been intensifying due to warmer temperatures and changes in water circulation, which undermine the ice from below.</p>



<p>Columbia Glacier's retreat has significant implications for marine navigation and local ecosystems. The increase in icebergs calving into the bay poses hazards to ships, while the fresh meltwater impacts local water temperatures and salinity, affecting the habitat of fish and other marine life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Melting glaciers and ocean composition&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Glaciers, which are large masses of accumulated snow and ice, store about 69 percent of the world's fresh water. As the climate warms, these glaciers increasingly melt and release freshwater into nearby seas and the ocean at large.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Influx of freshwater</h3>



<p>This influx of freshwater from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-pose-great-threat-to-biodiversity-in-mountain-ranges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting glaciers</a> alters the salinity (salt concentration) of the ocean water. Since freshwater is less dense than saltwater, its addition can lead to stratification in which lighter, less salty water layers on top of denser, saltier water. </p>



<p>This stratification can disrupt ocean currents, which are driven in part by differences in water density and temperature. These currents are crucial for regulating global climate by distributing heat and nutrients around the planet.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Changes in salinity&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Furthermore, changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-induced-changes-in-ocean-salinity-threaten-biodiversity-and-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salinity</a> can affect marine life, which often has narrow salinity tolerance ranges. For example, shifts in salinity can impact breeding cycles, migration patterns, and the availability of nutrients. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Global carbon cycle</h3>



<p>As the ocean's composition changes, its capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere could also be altered, affecting the global carbon cycle and, by extension, climate change feedback mechanisms.</p>



<p>The melting of glaciers contributes to more pronounced changes in ocean conditions, impacting everything from global climate systems to local ecosystems in marine environments.</p>



<p>Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;</p>



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Columbia Glacier on the south coast of Alaska

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

<p>Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features a 9.5-mile section of Pangong Lake on the western end of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/temperatures-are-rising-unexpectedly-fast-on-the-tibetan-plateau/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tibetan Plateau</a>. The image was captured on January 25, 2024 by a crew member aboard the International Space Station. </p>



<p>“In this winter scene, a sheet of cracked ice tops part of the lake,” noted NASA. “On the left side, open water appears blue. Shallow water offshore of a delta, formed by a small, winding river, appears green.</p>



<p>Parallel lines along the coastlines of bays are visible in the high-resolution version of this image. These lines indicate raised beaches, which formed in the past when lake levels were higher.”</p>



<p>“Several roads cut across the landscape, including one with switchbacks that ascends a steep slope. These roads facilitate tourist travel from both India and China.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-migratory-birds-at-pangong-lake-nbsp">Migratory birds at Pangong Lake&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Pangong Lake and its surroundings are home to numerous bird species, particularly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/migratory-birds-burn-unexpected-amounts-of-protein/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory birds</a>. Visitors can spot various waterfowl and waders that are rarely seen elsewhere.</p>



<p>“During the summer, species such as bar-headed geese and Brahminy ducks attract bird watchers to the lake, which is a major breeding ground for migrating birds,” said NASA.</p>



<p>Pangong Lake is one of the few places in India where the endangered Black-necked crane is found during its breeding season. Ruddy shelduck and brown-headed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gulls-are-shifting-their-habitats-to-urban-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gulls</a> are also frequently spotted around the lake. The ruddy shelduck is known for its striking orange-brown body and creamy white head, while the Brown-headed gulls are often seen flying or swimming in the lake.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pangong-lake-nbsp">Pangong Lake&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Pangong Lake is a stunning high-altitude lake situated in the Himalayas, extending from India to the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. It is renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic setting, with the lake lying at an elevation of about 4,350 meters. One of the most distinctive features of Pangong Lake is its changing colors, ranging from shades of blue to green and even red, influenced by the sky's reflection and the lake's mineral content.</p>



<p>This saline water lake is approximately 134 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide at its broadest point, despite its considerable size, it's relatively shallow.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The lake gained additional popularity after being featured in several Indian films, most notably the Bollywood hit "3 Idiots." Its remote location requires a permit for visitors, especially due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control between India and China. Despite the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding its location, Pangong Lake remains a favorite among tourists for its unparalleled natural beauty and serene environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-altitude-lakes">High-altitude lakes</h2>



<p>High-altitude lakes are unique bodies of water found at elevations typically above 3,000 meters (about 10,000 feet) in mountain ranges like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/himalayan-glaciers-retreating-threat-is-much-worse-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Himalayas</a>, Andes, and Rockies. These lakes are formed either by glacial activity, where glaciers erode the earth to create depressions that fill with melted snow and rainwater, or when natural dams created by landslides or moraines trap water in valleys.</p>



<p>The conditions at high altitudes make these lakes distinct in several ways. The climate is typically colder and harsher, with significant temperature variations between day and night. This extreme environment affects both the physical characteristics of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-study-most-of-the-worlds-largest-lakes-are-quickly-losing-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lakes</a> and the types of ecosystems they support. For example, due to lower atmospheric pressure, the boiling point of water is reduced, which can affect the type of life that can survive in these regions.</p>



<p>Biologically, high-altitude lakes often have limited biodiversity because only certain types of plants and animals can tolerate the cold temperatures and lower oxygen levels in the water. Despite this, these lakes are crucial habitats for some unique species of fish, birds, and other wildlife. They also serve as important indicators of climate change, as variations in their water levels and temperatures can reflect environmental shifts.</p>



<p>These lakes are often clear and pristine, due to the low density of human populations in these areas and minimal industrial activity, making them significant for ecological studies and attractive for tourism. However, they are sensitive ecosystems, and increased tourist activity brings challenges like pollution and habitat disruption.</p>



<p>High-altitude lakes are not only beautiful and scientifically significant but also hold cultural importance for local communities, often considered sacred and associated with historical and spiritual significance.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;</p>



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Pangong Lake in the Himalayas

<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> features Messier 82, a starburst galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ceers-2112-ancient-galaxy-looks-strikingly-similar-to-ours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a> is actively forming new stars at a rate ten times that of the Milky Way.</p>



<p>In a groundbreaking study using the <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a> (JWST), an international team of astronomers has taken an unprecedented look at Messier 82 (M82), revealing intricate details about its frenzied star formation. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-nircam-and-infrared-observations">The power of NIRCam and infrared observations</h2>



<p>The study, led by Alberto Bolatto, utilized Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) to penetrate the thick dust and gas veiling the galaxy's core, a region critical to understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-stars-release-sneezes-of-gas-and-dust-as-they-develop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>. </p>



<p>"M82 has garnered a variety of observations over the years because it can be considered as the prototypical starburst galaxy," noted Bolatto. “With Webb’s size and resolution, we can look at this star-forming galaxy and see all of this beautiful new detail.”</p>



<p>Webb's NIRCam has proven crucial for observing areas like M82’s center, where layers of dust typically obscure the view in other wavelengths. The camera's ability to capture infrared light allows it to reveal the galaxy's core and its dynamic processes.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-messier-82-image-shows-the-power-of-webb-nbsp">Messier 82 image shows the power of Webb&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“This image shows the power of Webb. Every single white dot in this image is either a star or a star cluster. We can start to distinguish all of these tiny point sources, which enables us to acquire an accurate count of all the star clusters in this galaxy,” noted study second author Rebecca Levy from the University of Arizona.</p>



<p>One of the NIRCam's innovative features is its mode that prevents bright sources from overwhelming the detector, which was particularly useful in studying the intensely active center of Messier 82.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the image, the dark brown tendrils of dust weave through the galaxy's glowing white core, interspersed with small green specks that represent concentrated areas of iron from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> remnants. Red patches highlight regions where molecular hydrogen is illuminated by the radiation from nearby young stars.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-galactic-winds">Insights into galactic winds</h2>



<p>The study also focused on understanding how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spin-of-a-new-black-hole-is-unlocking-galactic-mysteries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galactic wind</a>, driven by the rapid rate of star formation and subsequent supernovae, influences M82’s environment. The NIRCam images showed clumpy tendrils of gas, appearing in red, which extend above and below the galaxy's plane, marking the path of this wind rushing out from the starburst's core.</p>



<p>A key revelation came from the NIRCam’s tracing of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), sooty chemical molecules that map out the structure of the galactic wind. To the surprise of researchers, the PAH emissions closely resembled the patterns of the hot, ionized gas, suggesting a more complex interaction within the wind than previously understood.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"It was unexpected to see the PAH emission resemble ionised gas," said Bolatto. "PAHs are not supposed to live very long when exposed to such a strong radiation field, so perhaps they are being replenished all the time. It challenges our theories and shows us that further investigation is required."</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-observations-of-messier-82">Future observations of Messier 82</h3>



<p>The findings from Webb are just the beginning. The team plans to further analyze Messier 82 with additional data, including spectroscopic observations, to determine the ages of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxy-collisions-hubble-spots-a-string-of-pearls-star-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star clusters</a> and the duration of each star formation phase within the starburst environment. </p>



<p>These observations will also assist in a broader understanding of similar processes in early galaxies, which were common in the young universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study">Broader implications of the study</h2>



<p>Study co-author Torsten Böker of the European Space Agency (ESA) emphasized the broader implications of these findings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“With these amazing Webb images, and our upcoming spectra, we can study how exactly the strong winds and shock fronts from young stars and supernovae can remove the very gas and dust from which new stars are forming,” explained Böker.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“A detailed understanding of this ‘feedback’ cycle is important for theories of how the early universe evolved, because compact starbursts such as the one in M82 were very common at high redshift.”</p>



<p>The study not only illuminates the specific mechanics of star formation in M82 but also enhances our general understanding of galactic evolution and the lifecycle of galaxies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA</p>



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Messier 82: Unlocking the mysteries of star formation

<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> features the spiral galaxy IC 5332, which is located over 29 million light-years away from Earth and spans approximately 66,000 light-years in diameter. This makes it notably smaller than our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-amount-of-dark-matter-may-be-missing-from-the-milky-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, which is about a third larger.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-look-at-ic-5332">Unprecedented look at IC 5332</h2>



<p>In a stunning photo release by NASA and ESA in 2022, the spiral galaxy IC 5332 was presented in an unprecedented level of detail in images captured by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/james-webb-captures-incredible-new-image-of-uranus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a>.</p>



<p>This feat was made possible through the use of the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI), which captures images in the mid-infrared spectrum.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-perspective-from-earth">Unique perspective from Earth</h2>



<p>One of the most striking features of IC 5332, as revealed by these observations, is its almost perfect face-on orientation relative to Earth. </p>



<p>This unique perspective allows astronomers to clearly observe and admire the symmetrical arrangement of its spiral arms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-unveils-ic-5332-in-new-light">Webb unveils IC 5332 in new light</h2>



<p>The clarity of these images represents a significant advancement over previous observations made by the Hubble Space Telescope, which imaged IC 5332 in ultraviolet and visible light.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While Hubble’s images revealed the galaxy’s symmetrical spiral arms, James Webb’s MIRI has unveiled these structures as a complex web of gas that emits infrared light at various temperatures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-miri-instrument-on-james-webb-nbsp">The MIRI instrument on James Webb&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Capturing this range of infrared light is no simple task. It requires highly specialized instruments that must be maintained at extremely cold temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The MIRI instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope is specifically designed for this purpose and performs exceptionally well. Its capabilities allow astronomers to see aspects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/james-webb-captures-galaxies-that-are-too-old-to-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> that are otherwise hidden in other wavelengths.</p>



<p>The detailed images provided by MIRI offer more than just a visual spectacle; they provide valuable data about the composition and temperature of the gases that make up the spiral arms of IC 5332. This can help scientists understand the processes of star formation within the galaxy and how these processes compare to those in our own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stars-at-the-edge-of-our-milky-way-galaxy-travel-more-slowly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-finds-hidden-features-of-the-universe-nbsp">Webb finds hidden features of the universe&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Moreover, the images of IC 5332 serve as a critical test of the James Webb Space Telescope’s capabilities in observing the universe in infrared light. As astronomers continue to deploy Webb’s full suite of instruments to explore the cosmos, it is expected that many more hidden features of the universe will be revealed.</p>



<p>The information provided by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-telescope-discovers-second-most-distant-galaxy-in-pandoras-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a> not only expands our understanding of the cosmos but also enhances our appreciation for the complex and beautiful structures that exist in our universe.&nbsp;</p>



<p>We can anticipate many more insights from Webb that will deepen our understanding of the fundamental processes governing galaxies and the broader universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-spiral-galaxies-like-ic-5332">More about spiral galaxies like IC 5332</h2>



<p>Spiral galaxies are some of the most visually striking objects in the universe, characterized by their rotating arms that extend from a central nucleus, giving them a distinct spiral appearance.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These galaxies are primarily made up of a flat, rotating disk containing stars, gas, and dust, and a central concentration of stars known as the bulge. These are often surrounded by a much fainter halo of stars, many of which reside in globular clusters.</p>



<p>Spiral galaxies differ from other galaxy types, such as elliptical and irregular galaxies, in their structure and content. The spiral arms are sites of ongoing star formation and are brighter than the rest of the disk because of the young, hot stars that are typically found there. The arms appear distinct because of their density waves, which compress the gas and dust, leading to star formation.</p>



<p>The rotation of the spiral arms also contributes to the galaxy's flat shape due to the centrifugal forces acting on the disk. The central bulge can vary in size and often contains older, red stars.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barred-spiral-galaxies-nbsp">Barred spiral galaxies&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Some spiral galaxies have a bar-shaped structure that extends from the central bulge, making them barred spirals. This bar affects the motion of stars and gas within the galaxy and can influence star formation activity.</p>



<p>The Milky Way, where our solar system resides, is an example of a barred spiral galaxy. Spiral galaxies are an important focus of study because they contain a significant amount of visible matter and play a crucial role in understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their distinct features also make them particularly useful for studying the laws of physics under extreme conditions, such as high densities and velocities.</p>



<p>Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA, J. Lee and the PHANGS-JWST and PHANGS-HST Teams</p>



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Webb unveiled spiral galaxy IC 5332 in new light

<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Corbassière glacier, a high-altitude glacier in Switzerland. The glacier originates on the northern slope of the Grand Combin, which is one of the highest peaks in the Pennine Alps.</p>



<p>Collectively, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alpine-glaciers-will-lose-half-of-their-volume-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alpine glaciers</a> of Switzerland have lost more than half of their volume since the 1930s.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-archives-of-past-climate">Natural archives of past climate </h2>



<p>"Glaciers are natural archives of past climate. In their frozen layers lies evidence of Earth’s changing temperature and atmospheric composition. But as the climate warms, some of the longest records of our changing planet are melting away," said NASA.</p>



<p>"In just over two decades, Corbassière has shrunk in area and surface mass. The glacier was darker in 2023 due to lack of snow, and the glacier’s tongue had retreated."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-cores-from-the-corbassiere-glacier">Ice cores from the Corbassière glacier</h2>



<p>To reconstruct past concentrations of atmospheric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-aerosols-impact-the-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aerosols</a>, a team of scientists analyzed ice cores that were collected from the Corbassière glacier in 2018 and 2020. </p>



<p>Aerosols are tiny airborne particles that are deposited in the ice. "Such information from glaciers around the world can provide clues about past environmental conditions thousands of years ago," noted NASA.</p>



<p>"Ice cores contain ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate ions - signatures of aerosols lacing the snow that’s deposited on glaciers year after year. Ion concentrations are lower in winter than in summer because less polluted air can rise from the valley when the air is cold."</p>



<p>When the researchers analyzed the ice core from 2018, they found seasonal fluctuations in the amount of ion deposits - which is what they expected to find.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"But when we went to core the glacier in 2020, we noticed melting on the surface right away,” said Margit Schwikowski, an environmental chemist at <a href="https://www.psi.ch/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paul Scherrer Institute</a> in Switzerland.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-surface-melting-on-corbassiere-glacier">Rapid surface melting on Corbassière glacier</h2>



<p>The experts determined that melting on the glacier's surface likely penetrated the glacier layers below and carried away the aerosol ions. "This melting rendered the core unusable in the team’s research, and other attempts to core the glacier had the same result. The valuable information stored in the ice was destroyed," explained NASA.</p>



<p>Schwikowski has joined a team of other experts in an effort to preserve cores from the last remaining glaciers. Led by the <a href="https://www.ice-memory.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ice Memory Foundation</a>, the goal of the project is to obtain ice cores from 20 endangered glaciers around the world in 20 years and collect them in a global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-ice-has-a-history-of-rapid-and-unexpected-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate archive</a>.</p>



<p>“Glaciers are retreating worldwide, and we may find similar issues at other sites,” said Schwikowski. She added that even at the highest altitudes in the Alps, "glaciers are on the verge of becoming unsuitable as natural paleo-archives."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More about the Corbassière Glacier</h2>



<p>The Corbassière Glacier is a captivating natural feature located in the Swiss Alps, part of the canton of Valais. This glacier stretches over approximately 9 kilometers, making it one of the significant glaciers in the region. It originates from the Grand Combin, an imposing mountain massif that reaches heights of over 4,300 meters, contributing greatly to the glacier's nourishment through snow and ice accumulation.</p>



<p>A distinct feature of the Corbassière Glacier is its accessibility and the dramatic scenery it offers, which attracts many hikers and nature enthusiasts. One of the most notable attractions near the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/doomsday-glacier-seems-to-have-lost-its-ability-to-recover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glacier</a> is the Corbassière footbridge, a 210-meter long suspension bridge that provides stunning views of the glacier and the surrounding peaks. </p>



<p>This bridge not only enhances the experience for visitors but also serves as a crucial observation point for scientists studying glacier dynamics and the effects of climate change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Swiss Alps&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The Swiss <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-cover-in-the-alps-could-soon-be-cut-in-half/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alps</a> are a majestic and expansive mountain range that stretches across the southern part of Switzerland, forming a part of the greater Alpine region that spreads across several countries in Europe. </p>



<p>Renowned for their stunning beauty and formidable peaks, the Swiss Alps are not just a geographical landmark but also a cultural symbol of Switzerland, epitomizing its identity as a nation of scenic landscapes and outdoor adventure.</p>



<p>The region is famous for its dramatic scenery, including towering mountains, pristine lakes, and picturesque valleys. Among these peaks are some of the highest in Europe, such as the Dufourspitze, part of the Monte Rosa massif, which is the highest point in Switzerland. </p>



<p>The Matterhorn, perhaps the most iconic of all Swiss mountains, is celebrated for its unique, pyramid-like shape and is a magnet for climbers and tourists alike.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory</p>



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Corbassière glacier: Earth's climate archives are melting away

<p>But the zoo was quick to defend the actions of its keepers, and many conservationists came out in support of the decision. Even renown primatologists Jane Goodall agreed that, given the circumstances, putting Harambe down was the only option.  Photo credit:   WLWT / YouTube</p>

Only Option

<p>As the world witnesses the impacts of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-shelves-will-struggle-to-recover-from-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming climate</a>, Antarctic ice shelves face a precarious future. Recent research led by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (<a href="https://cires.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIRES</a>) has uncovered alarming evidence on how these ice structures are not just bending under pressure but are actively fracturing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-shelves-under-pressure">Ice shelves under pressure</h2>



<p>Floating ice shelves in Antarctica act as critical barriers, holding back glacier ice from spilling into the ocean. However, when air temperatures rise, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-arctic-glaciers-are-releasing-a-new-source-of-potent-methane-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting glacier</a> ice forms pools on these shelves, significantly weighing them down. </p>



<p>This increased weight causes the ice to bend and, as newly observed, to fracture dramatically. Such fractures can lead to the eventual collapse of these ice shelves, further exacerbating sea level rise - a concerning prospect for global coastal regions.</p>



<p>Alison Banwell, a CIRES scientist at the Earth Science and Observation Center and lead author of a recent study, emphasized the critical role of ice shelves in maintaining the stability of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-was-more-dynamic-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic Ice Sheet</a>. </p>



<p>"Ice shelves are extremely important for the Antarctic Ice Sheet’s overall health as they act to buttress or hold back the glacier ice on land," Banwell explained.</p>



<p>This study, which marks the first field-based observation of its kind, confirms longstanding theoretical models that predicted the susceptibility of ice shelves to fracturing due to surface meltwater.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctic-ice-shelves-fracturing">Antarctic ice shelves fracturing</h2>



<p>Banwell, along with her team from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>, <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>, and <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a>, conducted field research on the George VI Ice Shelf, located on the Antarctic Peninsula. </p>



<p>In November 2019, the team set up camp around a known depression in the ice, a site prone to collecting meltwater. Equipped with high-precision GPS stations, water-pressure sensors, and a timelapse camera system, they meticulously recorded the changes occurring on the ice surface.</p>



<p>Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team resumed their work in November 2021. They found that the remaining instruments had captured significant ice movements and the formation and drainage of a meltwater lake during the record-high melt season of 2019/2020. </p>



<p>The data revealed that the ice in the lake's center flexed downward by approximately a foot due to the weight of the accumulated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-glacial-meltwater-sea-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meltwater</a>, while the horizontal distance between the lake's edge and center also increased, indicating the formation and widening of circular fractures on the ice shelves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-shelves-fractures-and-chain-reaction-of-collapse">Ice shelves fractures and chain reaction of collapse</h2>



<p>These observations provide crucial insights into the mechanics of ice shelf disintegration. "This is an exciting discovery," Banwell stated. "We believe these types of circular fractures were key in the chain reaction style lake drainage process that helped to break up the Larsen B Ice Shelf." </p>



<p>Her reference to the abrupt collapse of Larsen B in 2002, which saw thousands of meltwater lakes abruptly drain, underscores the potential for similar events to occur if current trends continue.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-insights-and-global-implications">Practical insights and global implications</h2>



<p>The results of this research are not just academic; they have practical implications for improving models that predict the stability of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-ice-shelves-are-dwindling-at-a-startling-pace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic ice shelves</a>. </p>



<p>By understanding the specific conditions that lead to ice shelf fracture, scientists can better forecast which shelves are most vulnerable to collapse. This knowledge is vital for anticipating the impacts of these collapses on global sea levels.</p>



<p>Furthermore, as the evidence mounts, the urgency to address the underlying causes of climate change becomes even clearer. </p>



<p>Antarctic ice shelves serve as a stark reminder of the broader environmental challenges that lie ahead, and the need for sustained scientific inquiry and environmental stewardship to mitigate these global threats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Antarctic ice shelves&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Antarctic ice shelves are massive floating platforms of ice that form where the continent’s ice sheets meet the sea. These shelves are fed by the slow flow of glaciers and thick ice from the interior of Antarctica. They are critical components of the Earth's climate system because they act as barriers that regulate the flow of ice into the ocean.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stability of ice shelves&nbsp;</h3>



<p>When ice shelves are stable, they slow down the discharge of ice from glaciers. However, if they thin or break up, this can lead to a faster flow of ice into the ocean, which contributes to sea-level rise.</p>



<p>The stability of ice shelves is influenced by both atmospheric and oceanic temperatures. Warmer air can melt the surface of the shelves, while warmer ocean currents can erode their underbellies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This dual assault can make them vulnerable to break-up and disintegration. Events like the dramatic collapses of the Larsen A and B ice shelves in 1995 and 2002 respectively, highlight the susceptibility of ice shelves to changing climate conditions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ecological role</h3>



<p>Moreover, Antarctic ice shelves are also important for their ecological role. The underside of these ice platforms supports a unique ecosystem that includes algae, krill, and various fish species, which in turn are crucial for larger predators like whales and seals.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Polar research&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Scientific studies of these ice shelves are crucial for understanding not only the mechanisms of their change but also the broader implications for global sea levels and climate feedback loops. As such, they are a focal point of polar research, often involving satellite monitoring, field expeditions, and advanced climate modeling.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <em><em><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-glaciology/article/observed-meltwaterinduced-flexure-and-fracture-at-a-doline-on-george-vi-ice-shelf-antarctica/EAAD863418F572E9F5DF781FF85EFD77" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Glaciology</a></em></em>.</p>



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Antarctic ice shelves are fracturing from meltwater weight

As the world witnesses the impacts of a warming climate,...

<p>In the last week, weather authorities across the U.S. have reported over 100 tornadoes tearing through central and southern regions, leading to significant destruction of homes and infrastructure from Oklahoma to Nebraska and Iowa. A particularly severe tornado struck Oklahoma in the middle of night, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals and injuries to over 300 due to severe thunderstorms and high winds.</p>



<p>As states like Colorado enter their severe weather season, Andrew Winters, an assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado, Boulder</a> provided insights into the formation of tornadoes, the potential impacts of climate change on these severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radar-signature-will-improve-tornado-forecasting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather events</a>, and strategies for better preparation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zones-of-strong-wind-shear-nbsp">Zones of strong wind shear&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Tornadoes are rapidly spinning air columns connected to severe thunderstorms. They often develop in zones of strong “wind shear,” where wind direction and speed sharply change with altitude. These shears are drawn into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thunderstorms-are-becoming-more-intense-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thunderstorms</a>, helping to spin up the air and form tornadoes that reach the ground.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tornado-risk-in-the-united-states-nbsp">Tornado risk in the United States&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The U.S. hosts an environment highly conducive to tornadoes, more so than most other places worldwide, though they also occur in South America and parts of Europe.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The highest risk is in the central and southeastern states where warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico meets dry air from the Rockies, creating instability and promoting strong upward air motions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-surge-in-tornado-activity-nbsp">Surprising surge in tornado activity&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Tornado season typically kicks off in March in the southeastern U.S. and moves westward to the central and southern plains by late spring. By June, severe weather including tornadoes, strong winds, and hail shifts to higher latitudes such as Colorado.</p>



<p>However, the recent surge in tornado activity is somewhat unexpected, especially coming out of a strong <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-event-may-push-earth-towards-its-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">El Niño</a> winter, which usually correlates with reduced severe weather in the Central Plains. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-frequent-tornadoes-in-the-coming-months">More frequent tornadoes in the coming months</h2>



<p>While it is too early to accurately predict future tornadoes, ongoing activity in the subtropical jet stream could signal more frequent tornadoes in the coming months.</p>



<p>The impact of climate change on tornadoes is still unclear due to the high resolution required by climate models to accurately simulate these events. However, shifts in atmospheric conditions could move tornado activity eastward from the traditional Tornado Alley to areas like the Mississippi River Valley.</p>



<p>Thus, enhancing awareness and improving severe weather communication is necessary to avoid the risks associated with tornadoes.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-multiple-warning-systems">Importance of multiple warning systems</h2>



<p>Winters emphasized the importance of multiple warning systems, including emergency notifications on phones and following local weather services on social media. Preparation also involves planning safe spaces in homes or community shelters for rapid access during a tornado.</p>



<p>As communication methods evolve, it is crucial to ensure that weather warnings reach diverse audiences through accessible and multilingual formats. The community and meteorological experts are focusing on refining these strategies to better prepare populations for the threats posed by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-extreme-weather-impact-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">severe weather</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-tornadoes-nbsp">More about tornadoes&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Tornadoes are among the most violent and unpredictable natural phenomena on Earth. They are rapidly rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground and are capable of immense destruction due to their high winds.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The formation of tornadoes typically involves a severe thunderstorm, known as a supercell, which contains a rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. Under the right conditions, this mesocyclone can tighten and intensify, potentially lowering a funnel cloud that becomes a tornado once it touches the ground.</p>



<p>Tornadoes are rated based on their intensity and the damage they cause, using the Enhanced Fujita scale, which ranges from EF0 for the weakest to EF5 for the most powerful. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-climate-change-affect-extreme-weather-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a> can uproot trees, destroy buildings, and hurl objects and debris at high speeds, making them highly dangerous. </p>



<p>The central United States, particularly in an area known as Tornado Alley, is famously prone to tornadoes, but they can occur almost anywhere in the world under the right meteorological conditions.&nbsp;</p>



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U.S. tornado outbreak: 100 storms touched down in a week

In the last week, weather authorities across the U.S. have...

<p>Scientists have always been fascinated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/powerful-magnetic-fields-may-be-key-features-of-black-holes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a>, the cosmic behemoths that devour everything in their path. But a specific subset of black holes has posed a particular puzzle. This mystery involves supermassive black holes found in distant quasars - blazing beacons marking the very early universe.</p>



<p>How did these monstrous black holes become so massive in the relatively short time since the universe was born? Thanks to a groundbreaking study by <a href="https://www.mit.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a> astronomers and the powerful James Webb Space Telescope (<a href="https://webb.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>), we may finally be inching closer to an explanation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quasars-and-supermassive-black-holes">Quasars and supermassive black holes</h2>



<p>Quasars are energetic giants that reside at the hearts of galaxies. These celestial powerhouses outshine all the combined light emitted by the billions of stars within their host galaxies. The source of this phenomenal luminosity lies in a supermassive black hole lurking at the quasar's core. </p>



<p>This monstrous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colossal-black-hole-found-in-our-galaxy-is-33-times-the-suns-mass/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a> isn't passive; it actively devours a colossal amount of surrounding gas and dust. As this material falls towards the black hole's immense gravity, it gets crushed and heated to unimaginable temperatures. </p>



<p>This extreme environment triggers the release of tremendous energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation, making quasars some of the brightest objects in the observable universe.</p>



<p>The immense distances across the cosmos act as a natural time machine. Since light travels at a finite speed, the farther we look into space, the further back in time we see. This makes quasars invaluable tools for astronomers. </p>



<p>Because of their incredible brightness, quasars are visible from vast cosmic distances, allowing us to observe them as they existed billions of years ago, during the very early stages of the universe's formation. Studying these distant beacons offers unique insights into the processes that shaped galaxies and the universe as we know it today.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-searchlight">Cosmic searchlight</h2>



<p>The fundamental challenge in studying quasars lies in the overwhelming brilliance emitted by the central supermassive black hole. This intense light completely washes out any subtler signals, effectively masking the presence of other objects within the quasar's host galaxy. </p>



<p>The surrounding stars, despite numbering in the billions, become virtually invisible. Efforts to study the properties of these host galaxies have been largely unsuccessful - until now.</p>



<p>MIT astronomers have leveraged the unparalleled capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This revolutionary instrument offers extraordinary sensitivity and resolution. It allows scientists to dissect celestial light sources with unprecedented detail. </p>



<p>With meticulous analysis of JWST data, the researchers pierced through the quasar's blinding glare. In a recent achievement, they've started to detect the faint traces of starlight from the ancient galaxies hosting these early supermassive black holes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-traveling-discovery">Time-traveling discovery</h2>



<p>The latest findings from MIT astronomers completely upend our previous understanding of supermassive black holes. By meticulously studying three extremely distant quasars, they've peered back in time over 13 billion years. </p>



<p>These ancient quasars harbor supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-closest-black-hole-has-been-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a> that are significantly more massive in comparison to their host galaxies, compared to what we observe in present-day galaxies within our own observable universe. </p>



<p>This striking difference suggests a crucial fact: in the very first stages of the universe's existence, supermassive black holes must have grown at an extraordinarily rapid rate. This discovery throws open new questions about the formation and early growth mechanisms of these cosmic giants.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-hole-s-monster-seeds-of-quasar">Black hole's monster seeds of quasar</h2>



<p>So, how did these titans get so big so fast? "After the universe came into existence, there were seed black holes that then consumed material and grew in a very short time," noted study co-author Minghao Yue.</p>



<p>The key might lie in the size of these "seed" black holes. Think of it like this: to build a skyscraper, you need a strong foundation. Likewise, perhaps early supermassive black holes may have started out from more massive and denser seeds than what exists later in the universe's history.</p>



<p>"These black holes are billions of times more massive than the sun, at a time when the universe is still in its infancy," explained study co-author Anna-Christina Eilers. "Our results imply that in the early universe, supermassive black holes might have gained their mass before their host galaxies did, and the initial black hole seeds could have been more massive than today."</p>



<p>The James Webb Space Telescope is transforming how we view the cosmos. It allows us to see fainter and further back in time than ever before. This study is just one example of how the JWST promises to shift our understanding of the universe's earliest years and illuminate the mysteries swirling around the cosmic giants that reside within them.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad3914" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a></em>.</p>



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Ancient black holes and quasars grew faster than their galaxies

Scientists have always been fascinated by black holes, the cosmic...

<p>In the digital age, understanding how teenagers interact with technology is crucial for fostering positive development and online success. A new study provides insights into the myriad ways <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/digital-media-use-affects-children-in-different-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">media</a> influences adolescents, ranging from character development to overall well-being. </p>



<p>By exploring the nuanced roles of both new and traditional media, the research illuminates how these platforms impact emotions, prosocial behavior, and happiness in teenagers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-digital-communication-landscape">Exploring the digital communication landscape</h2>



<p>The study focuses on how adolescents perceive and interact with digital communication platforms.</p>



<p>The researchers examined various aspects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/internet-addiction-where-do-you-fall-on-the-spectrum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">online behavior</a>, including feelings of connectedness, positive social comparisons, authenticity in self-presentation, civic participation, and self-control. </p>



<p>Through its comprehensive approach, the research aims to unravel the complex computer-based landscape that today's youth navigate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-parental-involvement-in-online-success">The role of parental involvement in online success</h2>



<p>One of the study's key findings is the crucial role of parental mediation. Teenagers who experience positive online interactions typically have parents who are not only technologically savvy but also actively involved in guiding their online activities. </p>



<p>This support is instrumental in helping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-issues-have-increased-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">young individuals</a> use digital media to enhance their communication skills and emotional well-being.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-in-digital-engagement">Challenges in digital engagement</h2>



<p>However, not all adolescents are thriving online. The researchers found that those who struggle with digital engagement often lack sufficient self-control in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-you-use-social-media-affects-your-sense-of-happiness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">online interactions</a>. </p>



<p>This can lead to less positive experiences and reduced well-being over time. To address these challenges, the experts suggest targeted interventions that focus on boosting adolescents' control over their online interactions. </p>



<p>Encouraging active parental involvement can also play a significant role in enhancing online success. By fostering a supportive environment, parents can help their teens navigate the complexities of digital communication more effectively.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-digital-impact-on-youth">Exploring digital impact on youth</h2>



<p>Sophie Janicke-Bowles, an associate professor in the School of Communication at <a href="https://www.chapman.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chapman University</a>, reflected on the significance of the study. "This was such an amazing research study to be part of as we all are craving more nuanced answers on how digital technologies affect our children."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-directions-in-digital-youth-development">Future directions in digital youth development </h2>



<p>Looking ahead, Sophie Janicke-Bowles and her research team are set to deepen their investigation into interventions that promote digital flourishing among youth. </p>



<p>With the sustained backing of academic institutions and funding bodies, including a significant $1.9 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation, they are well-equipped to expand their pivotal work on enhancing digital experiences for adolescents.</p>



<p>This study not only progresses our comprehension of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/digital-media-distract-drain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital media</a>'s role in youth development but also underscores the critical role of supportive parenting in aiding adolescents to effectively navigate their online environments. </p>



<p>By cultivating better digital habits, there is hope to improve the digital well-being of future generations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Online success in the work force</h2>



<p>The rise of the internet has opened up many opportunities for teenagers to achieve online success. Here are a few areas where teens have been particularly successful:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Social media</h3>



<p>Many teenagers have become influential on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, gaining large followings by creating content that resonates with their peers.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Entrepreneurship</h3>



<p>The digital world allows teens to start their own businesses with relatively low startup costs. This includes selling products, services, or digital content online.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Creative arts</h3>



<p>Platforms like Etsy and DeviantArt provide spaces for teens to sell artwork, crafts, and other creative projects.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Technology development</h3>



<p>Some tech-savvy teens develop apps or software, either as a hobby or a business venture, which can sometimes lead to significant opportunities and recognition.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Educational content creation</h3>



<p>Teens also contribute to educational platforms, helping others learn through tutorials and study guides.</p>



<p>These avenues not only help teenagers earn money but also build skills, confidence, and a professional network from an early age.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Online challenges for teens</h2>



<p>However, achieving online success also presents significant challenges. Excessive screen time, for instance, can lead to negative health outcomes such as poor sleep and stress, making it crucial for teens to manage their time online effectively.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, they must navigate risks such as cyberbullying and privacy issues, which can pose serious barriers to their success and well-being.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, the pressure to succeed and maintain a certain image online can profoundly affect mental health. Overall, while the internet opens up many avenues for success, it's vital for teens to approach these opportunities with knowledge and support.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/cdev.14101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD)</a></em></p>



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Digital success: How teenagers thrive online

In the digital age, understanding how teenagers interact with technology...

<p>Scientists at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a> and <a href="https://www.princeton.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Princeton University</a> have used a unique tool to detect the tell-tale signs of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reprogramming-the-immune-system-to-attack-cancer-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a> – and it's all about tiny atoms. In this research, medicine and Earth science have collided, revealing that the fingerprint of cancer cells looks different from healthy tissue. </p>



<p>This could open up exciting possibilities in our fight against this complex disease, including new ways to understand cancer behavior and potentially even detect it earlier.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydrogen-atoms">Hydrogen atoms</h2>



<p>The key to this discovery lies in hydrogen, one of the most fundamental elements in the universe. Hydrogen exists in two naturally occurring forms called isotopes: the common hydrogen and a slightly heavier version known as deuterium. </p>



<p>Though less abundant, deuterium plays a crucial role in scientific investigations. By analyzing the varying ratios of these hydrogen isotopes, scientists gain valuable insights into a wide range of phenomena, including the Earth's past climates and complex biological processes.</p>



<p>Inspired by the diverse applications of isotope analysis, a team led by CU Boulder geochemist Ashley Maloney explored a novel idea: studying hydrogen isotopes may illuminate the inner workings of cells and potentially distinguish between healthy and diseased states.</p>



<p>The focus was on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cancer-thrives-on-human-stress-as-it-spreads-throughout-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a>, a disease characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth, and the unique ways in which cancer cells may use hydrogen.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-turns-metabolism-upside-down">Cancer turns metabolism upside down</h2>



<p>Cells, the fundamental units of life, constantly require energy to carry out their functions. The primary method for generating this energy is cellular respiration, a process that utilizes oxygen to efficiently break down fuel sources like glucose.</p>



<p>However, certain cells – particularly rapidly dividing cancer cells – exhibit a remarkable metabolic flexibility. To sustain their uncontrolled growth, they can switch to a different energy-generating pathway called fermentation. Unlike respiration, fermentation does not require oxygen. This alternative pathway provides a quick energy boost but is less efficient overall.</p>



<p>Scientists have long been intrigued by the metabolic adaptations of cancer cells. Understanding how these shifts in energy production occur could offer valuable insights into the mechanisms driving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/you-can-reduce-your-risk-of-cancer-with-just-4-5-minutes-of-daily-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a> growth. This is where the research on hydrogen tracking comes in – it aims to uncover whether the metabolic changes characteristic of cancer leave a traceable signature at the atomic level.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atomic-fingerprints-of-cancer">Atomic fingerprints of cancer</h2>



<p>To investigate their hypothesis, Maloney and her team conducted a series of experiments. They cultured yeast and mouse liver cells in a laboratory setting. These cell cultures included both healthy and cancerous samples. </p>



<p>The researchers specifically targeted fatty acids, which are essential building blocks within cells. Following this, they employed a technique to analyze the specific composition of hydrogen isotopes present within these fatty acids.</p>



<p>The results were indeed striking. “When we started the study, I thought, ‘Ooh, we have a chance to see something cool.' It ended up creating a huge signal, which I didn’t expect,” said Maloney.</p>



<p>The analysis revealed a significant difference in the ratio of hydrogen isotopes between fermenting yeast cells, which mimicked rapid cancerous growth, and regular yeast cells. </p>



<p>The fermenting yeast cells exhibited a roughly 50% depletion of deuterium atoms compared to their healthy counterparts. This remarkable change suggested a potential cancer fingerprint at the atomic level, potentially linked to the altered metabolic state associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-type-of-sugar-that-kills-honeybees-could-help-fight-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancerous</a> or fast-growing cells.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fingerprints-for-fight-against-cancer">Fingerprints for fight against cancer</h2>



<p>"This study adds a whole new layer to medicine, giving us the chance to look at cancer at the atomic level," said Maloney.</p>



<p>It's crucial to remember that these findings represent the initial stages of a promising new line of research. While the results are undeniably exciting, further investigation is needed to fully understand the implications of this discovery.</p>



<p>The potential impact, however, is significant. If this distinctive atomic signal, linked to altered cellular metabolism, can be reliably detected through a simple blood test, it has the potential to revolutionize how we approach early cancer detection. </p>



<p>It could provide physicians with a valuable tool to identify potential abnormalities, prompting further investigation and ultimately leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment. "Your chances of survival are so much higher if you catch cancer early on," said study co-author Sebastian Kopf.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaboration-and-inspiration">Collaboration and inspiration</h2>



<p>The genesis of this work underscores the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Maloney's expertise in analyzing isotopes within algae, coupled with her father's clinical experience as a dermatologist treating skin cancer, ignited an intriguing question: could the tools used to study natural systems provide insights into disease processes within the human body? </p>



<p>This exemplifies how diverse scientific fields can intersect, driving innovation and potentially leading to significant breakthroughs.</p>



<p>While further studies are essential to validate these initial findings, this discovery offers a promising avenue for understanding the complex mechanisms underlying cancer development. The potential applications extend beyond early detection; this research could contribute to designing new therapeutic strategies targeted at the unique metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells. </p>



<p>The team remains optimistic about the future, recognizing the far-reaching impact their work could have on countless lives touched by cancer. "Cancer, and other illnesses, are a huge theme in many people's lives. I hope to see this area expand," said Zhang.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2310771121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a></em>.</p>



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Unique atomic fingerprint of cancer cells discovered in hydrogen atoms

Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder and Princeton University...

<p>A team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a> (CU Boulder) has found why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-hellish-planet-venus-can-help-us-find-alien-life/">Venus</a>, Earth's nearest planetary neighbor, is so devoid of moisture. The experts delved deep into what they term “the water story on Venus,” revealing that Venus loses about twice as much water into space each day than previously thought.</p>



<p>The phenomenon occurs through a process known as “dissociative recombination,” in which hydrogen atoms from Venus’s atmosphere are lost to space.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-retention-and-loss-across-planets">Water retention and loss across planets</h2>



<p>By using computer simulations, the experts hope to shed light on water retention and loss across many planets in the galaxy, enhancing our understanding of planetary climates and their capability to support life.</p>



<p>“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-finds-a-water-rich-planet-with-a-steamy-atmosphere-named-gj-9827d/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Water</a> is really important for life,” said co-lead author Eryn Cangi, a research scientist at the <a href="https://lasp.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics</a> (LASP) at CU Boulder. “We need to understand the conditions that support liquid water in the universe, and that may have produced the very dry state of Venus today.” </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-versus-venus">Earth versus Venus</h2>



<p>Contrasting Venus with Earth highlights the stark differences in water abundance. “Venus has 100,000 times less water than the Earth, even though it’s basically the same size and mass,” explained co-lead author Michael Chaffin, a research scientist at LASP.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If Earth's water were evenly distributed across its surface, it would form a layer about three kilometers deep. In contrast, Venus would have a shallow pool of just three centimeters deep.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-water-loss-from-venus-nbsp">Rapid water loss from Venus&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team utilized advanced computer models to simulate the complex chemical processes occurring in Venus's dense and turbulent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-atmosphere-is-expanding-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere</a>. </p>



<p>The research pointed to a molecule known as HCO+, an ion consisting of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen, as a key player in the rapid loss of water from Venus. This molecule forms high in the atmosphere and facilitates the escape of hydrogen atoms into space.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planetary-changes-and-their-outcomes-nbsp">Planetary changes and their outcomes&nbsp;</h2>



<p>For Cangi, who completed her doctorate in astrophysical and planetary sciences at CU Boulder in 2023, the study not only fills a significant gap in our understanding of Venus's climate history but also illustrates how minor planetary changes can lead to dramatic environmental outcomes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We’re trying to figure out what little changes occurred on each planet to drive them into these vastly different states,” she said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-water-loss-on-venus">Ancient water loss on Venus</h2>



<p>Reflecting on Venus’s past, the researchers suggest that it once harbored as much water as Earth. However, a catastrophic escalation in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/runaway-greenhouse-effect-could-turn-earth-into-an-uninhabitable-hell/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gasses</a> led to runaway temperatures, vaporizing all its water, which then was lost to space. </p>



<p>This ancient water loss does not fully account for Venus's current dryness, which led the scientists to explore ongoing atmospheric processes.</p>



<p>“As an analogy, say I dumped out the water in my water bottle. There would still be a few droplets left,” Chaffin said. On Venus, even those residual droplets have disappeared, a mystery that the study attributes to the elusive HCO+ molecule.</p>



<p>Chaffin and Cangi pointed out that while many missions have explored Mars, Venus has seen fewer scientific visitors, which has limited our understanding of its atmospheric composition.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“One of the surprising conclusions of this work is that HCO+ should actually be among the most abundant ions in the Venus atmosphere,” Chaffin remarked.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-missions-to-venus">Future missions to Venus</h2>



<p>Looking ahead, the researchers are enthusiastic about upcoming missions to Venus, such as <a href="https://ssed.gsfc.nasa.gov/davinci/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA's Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gasses, Chemistry, and Imaging</a> (DAVINCI) mission, which will probe the planet's atmosphere down to the surface. Although DAVINCI won't detect HCO+ directly, it represents a step forward in collecting data that could confirm their findings and enhance our understanding of Venus.</p>



<p>“There haven’t been many missions to Venus. But newly planned missions will leverage decades of collective experience and a flourishing interest in Venus to explore the extremes of planetary atmospheres, evolution, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-habitability-of-a-planet-is-affected-by-the-location-of-its-land/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitability</a>,” Cangi concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07261-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Venus has lost almost all of its water, but why did it disappear?

A team of researchers led by the University of Colorado...

<p>In the mid-20th century, the ocean off the Los Angeles coast became a disposal site for significant quantities of the pesticide Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), due to the activities of the largest DDT manufacturer in the nation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This chemical, notorious for its persistent toxicity, continues to impact the marine environment of L.A. more than 50 years later. Although legal at the time, the full scale of this pollution at an offshore dump site near Catalina Island, 15 miles offshore, only came to broader public attention in 2020, raising substantial concern among scientists and the public alike.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ddt-chemicals-in-deep-sea-fish">DDT chemicals in deep-sea fish</h2>



<p>Recent findings from researchers at UC San Diego’s <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a> and <a href="https://www.sdsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">San Diego State University</a> (SDSU) have shown that deep-sea fish and sediments near the Catalina Island dump site are still laden with DDT-related chemicals, indicating that DDT-related chemicals discarded into the ocean decades ago continue to influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-restructures-marine-food-webs-in-unexpected-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine food webs</a>.</p>



<p>Since the rediscovery of this dump site near Catalina Island, scientists have endeavored to determine the current scope and severity of the contamination. It remains a critical concern whether these old chemicals, now settled on the ocean floor, are confined to the seabed or are circulating through marine ecosystems, potentially endangering wildlife and human health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ddt-contamination-in-marine-food-webs">DDT contamination in marine food webs</h2>



<p>“These are deep-sea organisms that don’t spend much time at the surface and they are contaminated with these DDT-related chemicals,” said co-author Lihini Aluwihare, a professor of ocean chemistry at Scripps.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Establishing the current distribution of DDT contamination in deep-sea food webs lays the groundwork for thinking about whether those contaminants are also moving up through deep-ocean food webs into species that might be consumed by people.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-montrose-chemical-corporation">Montrose Chemical Corporation</h2>



<p>From 1948 to at least 1961, barges hired by Montrose Chemical Corporation would journey from the Port of Los Angeles towards Catalina, discharging waste containing sulfuric acid and up to 2% pure DDT directly into the Pacific.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This practice, which was legal until 1972, largely went unnoticed, overshadowed by another disposal method used by Montrose: discharging a more dilute acidic slurry that also contained DDT into the ocean off Palos Verdes through L.A. County sewers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Palos Verdes Shelf, where an estimated 100 tons of DDT accumulated in sediments, was declared an underwater Superfund Site by the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Protection Agency</a> in 1996, and in 2000, Montrose was ordered to pay $140 million for environmental restoration.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Research has linked DDT pollution in this area to health issues in local sea lions, dolphins, bottom-feeding fish, and even coastal California <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/california-condors-are-threatened-by-organic-contaminants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">condors</a>, likely affected by consuming contaminated marine animals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toxic-legacy-of-offshore-dumping-nbsp">Toxic legacy of offshore dumping&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The rediscovery of Montrose’s offshore dumping near Catalina, now known as Dumpsite 2, was made by <a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Barbara</a> researcher David Valentine using an undersea robot. This discovery gained significant public exposure in 2020 through a series of investigative reports by the Los Angeles Times, highlighting the toxic legacy of offshore dumping in the region.</p>



<p>Valentine and Scripps researchers have since mapped extensive DDT contamination across an area of the seafloor larger than San Francisco. The ongoing challenge is to determine whether this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-pollution-threatens-the-health-of-more-than-three-billion-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> remains localized or if it is migrating through the marine environment in ways that could harm aquatic life or humans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extent-of-the-ddt-contamination-nbsp">Extent of the DDT contamination&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In 2021, Aluwihare, SDSU’s Eunha Hoh, and their team began addressing two crucial questions: Are the DDT-related chemicals on the seafloor near Dumpsite 2 entering the food chain? Can they develop a unique chemical fingerprint for the contamination from Dumpsite 2 to distinguish it from pollution emanating from the Palos Verdes Shelf?</p>



<p>Sediment and deep-sea animal samples collected near Dumpsite 2 revealed the presence of an extensive array of DDT-related chemicals, previously identified in the blubber of dolphins off Southern California’s coast. This broader spectrum of DDT compounds, known as DDT+, is critical for understanding the full extent of contamination.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ddt-related-compounds-in-fish">DDT-related compounds in fish</h2>



<p>Analysis of these samples showed that 215 fish across three species near Dumpsite 2 contained 10 DDT-related compounds, all present in the sediment samples.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Two fish species were collected from depths between 546 meters (1,791 feet) and 784 meters (2,572 feet), and a third species ranged from these depths up to the surface. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dietary-shift-to-forage-fish-could-prevent-millions-of-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fish</a> from shallower waters had lower contaminant levels and lacked two of the DDT-related compounds found in deeper-dwelling fish.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-were-the-fish-exposed-to-ddt">How were the fish exposed to DDT?</h2>



<p>“None of these fish species are known to feed in the sediment of the seafloor. There must be another mechanism that is exposing them to these contaminants,” said co-author Anela Choy, a biological oceanographer at Scripps.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“One possibility is that physical or biological processes are resuspending sediments around Dumpsite 2 and allowing these contaminants to enter deeper water food webs.”</p>



<p>While it’s not yet possible to definitively exclude the Palos Verdes Superfund Site as a contamination source, the study’s findings - including the specific contaminants identified and their distribution across different species and depths - suggest that pollution from the seafloor could be infiltrating the marine food chain.</p>



<p>“This is evidence that DDT compounds are making their way into the deep ocean food web,” said lead author Margaret Stack, an environmental chemist at SDSU. “That is cause for concern because it’s not a big leap for it to end up in marine mammals or even humans.”</p>



<p>This “will help us figure out what to do as far as mitigation and what not to do in terms of offshore development that could make this problem worse by stirring up these contaminants,” Hoh added.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



<p>Aluwihare highlighted the need for further research to identify the source of the DDT contaminants found in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-deep-sea-fish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep-sea fish</a> and to determine whether similar contamination affects larger, open-ocean fish species consumed by people.</p>



<p>As the investigation continues, the researchers are analyzing samples from fish species targeted by recreational anglers and commercial fisheries, including basses and sanddabs. Comparing these findings with sediment samples from the Palos Verdes Shelf and Dumpsite 2 may help pinpoint the source of the toxins.</p>



<p>“We are still seeing this DDT contamination in deep-sea organisms and ocean sediments more than 50 years after they were dumped there. I’m not sure if that company expected the consequences of their pollution to last this long, but they have,” Hoh concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00115" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Environmental Science &amp; Technology Letters</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Toxic legacy: Decades-old DDT found in deep sea fish

In the mid-20th century, the ocean off the Los Angeles...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.</p>



<p>"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."</p>



<p>"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."</p>



<p><em>Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.</p>



<p>In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. </p>



<p>Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.</p>



<p>Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. </p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.</p>



<p>“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. </p>



<p>The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.</p>



<p>“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”</p>



<p>The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois</em></p>



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



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...


<p>Following the release of a video of the incident, animal-rights activists came out in full force to condemn the zoos decision to kill Harambe. Criticism was also directed at the boy&#8217;s parents, whose negligence they claimed was the direct cause of the ape&#8217;s death.  Photo credit:   WCPO 9 / YouTube</p>


An Uproar

<p>Fearing for the child's safety, the zoo had no choice but to kill the gorilla, firing a single shot to put the great ape down. But although the boy came away from the incident without major injury, the killing of Harambe would soon make national headlines.  Photo credit:   Inside Edition / YouTube</p>