Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features Messier 78 (M78), a reflection nebula located in the constellation Orion about 1,350 light-years away from Earth.&nbsp;



This image was released as part of the initial series of observations from ESA's <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid space mission</a>.&nbsp;



All data collected during these early observations, including a series of incredible <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid/Euclid_s_first_images_the_dazzling_edge_of_darkness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new views</a> of the nearby universe, is available to the public.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-image-of-messier-78">Image of Messier 78</h2>



Messier 78 is a dynamic region of star formation that is obscured by cosmic dust in this high-resolution image captured by the Euclid space telescope.



This specific view highlights how young stars generate winds of charged particles, carving out “cavities” in the molecular clouds around them.&nbsp;



The blue hues in the image represent ionized atomic hydrogen, which is a primary component of the cloud, while the red indicates the absorption and scattering of light by dust particles.



The image captures hundreds of stars varying in brightness, illuminating their nebulous, purple surroundings. A dark, arch-like structure stretches from the upper left to the bottom right of the frame, merging into the densest, darkest clouds at the image’s base.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-active-site-of-star-formation-nbsp">Active site of star formation&nbsp;</h2>



Messier 78 is not just a single nebula but part of a larger complex of stars and nebulous regions in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orion-nebula-destroys-an-oceans-worth-of-water-every-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orion</a>, which includes various other objects like dark nebulae that are visible as patches blocking light from behind.



This region is an active site of star formation, featuring many young stars and protostars, which are stars in the early stages of formation.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viewing-messier-78">Viewing Messier 78</h2>



M78 is easily observable with small telescopes, and it appears as a hazy patch of light with two prominent stars near its center, which illuminate the surrounding dust.&nbsp;



The nebula is also a favorite among amateur astronomers for its beauty and relatively bright appearance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subject-of-scientific-interest-nbsp">Subject of scientific interest&nbsp;</h2>



Messier 78 is fascinating not only for its visual beauty but also for its scientific interest, particularly in the study of <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> and interstellar matter.&nbsp;



The nebula consists of dense, cold gas and dust, which are essential ingredients for the birth of new stars.&nbsp;



The intense blue light that characterizes M78 is due to the reflection of starlight off these dust particles - a process known as scattering.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-region-surrounding-messier-78-nbsp">Region surrounding Messier 78&nbsp;</h2>



The region surrounding M78 includes several other interesting features. For instance, there are Herbig-Haro objects within it, which are small patches of nebulosity associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-molecule-detected-in-space-where-stars-are-born/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newly born stars</a>.&nbsp;



These objects are formed when gas ejected by young stars collides with clouds of gas and dust at high speeds, creating shock waves that glow brightly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earliest-stages-of-star-development-nbsp">Earliest stages of star development&nbsp;</h2>



Additionally, infrared observations of M78 have revealed much about the dust and colder objects in the area, which are not visible in optical light.&nbsp;



The observations have helped astronomers identify numerous young stars and brown dwarfs (objects that are too large to be planets and too small to be stars) within the nebula.&nbsp;



This makes M78 a critical area for studying the earliest stages of star development and the properties of the interstellar medium.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-euclid-space-mission-nbsp">Euclid space mission&nbsp;</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-batch-of-brilliant-images-from-the-euclid-mission-live-up-to-the-hype/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid space mission</a> is designed to study the dark universe, particularly focusing on dark energy and dark matter. These components are believed to drive the accelerating expansion of the universe and shape its large-scale structure. 



The mission aims to map the geometry of the dark universe and better understand the physics of the cosmos.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-billions-of-galaxies-nbsp">Observing billions of galaxies&nbsp;</h3>



Euclid uses two primary scientific instruments: a visible light camera (VIS) and a near-infrared spectrometer and photometer (NISP).&nbsp;



These instruments will allow Euclid to measure the shapes and redshifts of galaxies at distances of up to 10 billion light-years. By surveying more than a third of the sky, the mission is expected to observe several billion galaxies.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-dark-universe-nbsp">Studying the dark universe&nbsp;</h3>



The data collected will help astronomers in studying the effects of dark matter and dark energy in depth, testing cosmological models, and exploring new theories about the nature of the universe.&nbsp;



The mission, named after the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid, seeks to address key questions related to the structure of the universe and the fundamental laws of physics governing its evolution and expansion.



Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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Young stars shine through dense dust

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the star-forming region NGC 604. The nebula is located 2.73 million light-years away from Earth in the Triangulum Galaxy (M33). 



By studying regions like NGC 604, astronomers can gain insights into the complex interactions between stars and the interstellar medium, as well as the conditions that lead to the birth of stars. This, in turn, helps in understanding the evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-like-our-own-milky-way-are-not-unique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> and the universe as a whole.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massive-stars-of-ngc-604">Massive stars of NGC 604</h2>



"Sheltered among NGC 604’s dusty envelopes of gas are more than 200 of the hottest, most massive kinds of stars, all in the early stages of their lives," said <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



"These types of stars are known as B-types and O-types, the latter of which can be more than 100 times the mass of our own Sun. It’s quite rare to find this concentration of them in the nearby universe. In fact, there’s no similar region within our own Milky Way galaxy."



According to ESA, this concentration of massive stars, combined with its relatively close distance, means that NGC 604 gives astronomers an opportunity to study these objects at a fascinating time early in their life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gigantic-region-of-ionized-hydrogen">Gigantic region of ionized hydrogen</h2>



NGC 604 is one of the largest known regions of ionized hydrogen, also known as an H II region. This nebula is significantly larger than the Orion Nebula, which is one of the most well-known H II regions in our own <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 galaxy</a>.&nbsp;



NGC 604 spans about 1,500 light-years across, making it one of the largest H II regions in the Local Group of galaxies. This group includes the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, and about 54 other smaller galaxies.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ngc-604-starburst-phenomenon">NGC 604 starburst phenomenon </h2>



Within NGC 604, there are hundreds of young, hot, massive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stars-at-the-edge-of-our-milky-way-galaxy-travel-more-slowly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a>. These stars have ionized the surrounding gas, causing it to glow and creating the nebula. The region is a prime example of a starburst phenomenon, where stars form at a much higher rate than in typical galactic conditions.



“The bright orange streaks in this image signify the presence of carbon-based molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs," explained ESA.



"As you travel further from the immediate cavities of dust where the star is forming, the deeper red signifies molecular hydrogen. This cooler gas is a prime environment for star formation. Ionized hydrogen from ultraviolet radiation appears as a white and blue ghostly glow."



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



Star formation is crucial for the evolution of galaxies and the synthesis of heavy elements. In the cores of stars, elements heavier than helium are created.



The elements are spread throughout the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-stars-shakti-shiva-shaped-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a> when stars reach the end of their lives and expel their material - either gently through winds or violently via supernova explosions. 



This enriching process allows for the formation of new stars and planets, and ultimately, the potential for life.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cloud collapse</h3>



The process begins when part of a molecular cloud becomes unstable and starts to collapse under its own gravity. This can be triggered by events like shock waves from nearby <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernovae</a>, galactic collisions, or the influence of other massive stars.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Formation of a protostar</h3>



As the cloud collapses, it fragments into smaller clumps. Each clump will eventually form one or more stars. 



The material within these clumps continues to fall inward, heating up as it does so, eventually forming a warm core called a protostar. At this stage, the protostar is not yet hot enough for nuclear fusion (the process that powers stars) to occur.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Accretion disk</h3>



Around the protostar, material from the surrounding cloud continues to fall inward, forming a rotating disk. This material slowly accretes onto the protostar, increasing its mass.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nuclear fusion begins</h3>



Once the core of the protostar reaches a high enough temperature and pressure, hydrogen atoms begin to fuse into helium, releasing energy in the process. This marks the transition from a protostar to a main sequence star, like our sun.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Main sequence and beyond</h3>



The star will spend the majority of its life in the main sequence stage, where it balances the gravitational forces trying to collapse it and the outward pressure from nuclear fusion. 



Eventually, the star will exhaust its hydrogen fuel. Its subsequent evolution will depend on its initial mass, leading to various end stages such as red giants, supernovae, neutron stars, or black holes.



Image Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope



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Young, massive stars in the Triangulum Galaxy

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 1792, a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Columba about 43 million light-years away from Earth.&nbsp;



This galaxy, discovered by British astronomer James Dunlop in 1826, is part of the larger NGC 1808 group of galaxies.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intimate-view-of-ngc-1792">Intimate view of NGC 1792</h2>



“An orange glow radiates from the center of NGC 1792, the heart of this stellar forge. Captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, this intimate view of NGC 1792 gives us some insight into this galactic powerhouse,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The vast swathes of tell-tale blue seen throughout the galaxy indicate areas that are full of young, hot stars, and it is in the shades of orange, seen nearer the center, that the older, cooler stars reside.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vigorous-star-formation-nbsp">Vigorous star formation&nbsp;</h2>



NGC 1792 is notable for its vigorous star formation, classifying it as a starburst galaxy. The high rate of star birth is thought to be triggered by gravitational interactions with neighboring galaxies, though the exact cause is still under study.



“Nestled in the constellation of Columba (The Dove), NGC 1792 is both a spiral galaxy, and a starburst galaxy,” said ESA. 



“Within starburst galaxies, stars are forming at comparatively exorbitant rates. The rate of star formation can be more than 10 times faster in a starburst galaxy than in the Milky Way.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fierce-bursts-of-star-formation">Fierce bursts of star formation</h2>



ESA noted that when galaxies have a large reservoir of gas, like NGC 1792, these short-lived starburst phases can be sparked by galactic events such as mergers and tidal interactions.&nbsp;



“One might think that these starburst galaxies would easily consume all of their gas in a large forming event. However, supernova explosions and intense stellar winds produced in these powerful starbursts can inject energy into the gas and disperse it.”&nbsp;



“This halts the star formation before it can completely deplete the galaxy of all its fuel. Scientists are actively working to understand this complex interplay between the dynamics that drive and quench these fierce bursts of star formation.”



Due to its distance and brightness, NGC 1792 can be observed with medium-sized telescopes under favorable conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-evolution-of-galaxies">The evolution of galaxies </h2>



Galaxy evolution refers to the process by which galaxies form and change over time. It begins in the early universe, shortly after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-observations-disprove-big-bang-theory-universe-began-tired-light-theory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Bang</a>, when small density fluctuations in the primordial gas led to the collapse of matter into the first galaxies.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-mergers">Galaxy mergers</h3>



Early galaxies were small and irregular, and were composed mostly of gas and dark matter. Over billions of years, galaxies grew larger by merging with one another and by accreting gas from the surrounding space.&nbsp;



These interactions often triggered bursts of star formation, and collisions between galaxies sometimes led to the creation of new, more massive galaxies.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structural-changes">Structural changes</h3>



As galaxies evolve, their morphology - shape and structure - can change. Early galaxies were often irregular or disk-shaped, but over time, many galaxies formed into the elliptical or spiral shapes we see today.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation">Star formation</h3>



Star formation is a key driver of galaxy evolution, but it gradually slows down as galaxies age. 



The gas that fuels <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-is-starving-its-host-galaxy-of-star-forming-fuel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> can be used up, or it can be heated and pushed out of galaxies by supernovae or black holes, reducing the galaxy's ability to form new stars.



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



The environment in which a galaxy resides also plays a role in its evolution. Galaxies in dense clusters are more likely to interact with their neighbors, which can alter their shape or trigger bursts of star formation.&nbsp;



In contrast, galaxies in more isolated regions of space evolve more slowly and without as many dramatic interactions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-matter">Dark matter</h3>



Dark matter also plays a crucial role in galaxy evolution. It provides the gravitational framework that holds galaxies together and influences their interactions with one another.&nbsp;



Supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=Galaxies%20merge&amp;start=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a>, found at the centers of most large galaxies, can also affect their evolution by releasing energy that impacts star formation and the movement of gas within the galaxy.



Overall, galaxy evolution is a complex and ongoing process driven by interactions between stars, gas, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-dark-matter-does-not-exist-and-the-universe-is-27-billion-years-old/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark matter</a>, and black holes, and shaped by both internal processes and external influences.



Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA, J. Lee



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Starburst galaxy in the constellation Columba

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a brilliant stellar nursery located about 163,000 light-years away.



According to ESA, the image is one of the most photogenic examples of the many stellar nurseries observed by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope during its 30-year lifetime. 



“The portrait features the giant nebula NGC 2014 and its neighbor NGC 2020 which together form part of a vast star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



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



Stellar nurseries are regions in space where new stars are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-stars-release-sneezes-of-gas-and-dust-as-they-develop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">born</a> - often within vast clouds of gas and dust called molecular clouds.&nbsp;



These areas are fascinating because they are cradles of stellar evolution, where gravity causes clumps of gas to collapse, eventually forming protostars.&nbsp;



Over time, the protostars will heat up and start the nuclear fusion process that powers a star.



One of the most well-known stellar nurseries is the Orion Nebula, which is visible to the naked eye and located about 1,350 light-years from Earth.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-nature-of-a-stellar-nursery-nbsp">Dynamic nature of a stellar nursery&nbsp;</h2>



Within these nurseries, the balance between gravity and pressure determines the types of stars that form, from massive, luminous stars to smaller, cooler ones like our Sun.&nbsp;



The environment is incredibly dynamic, with powerful winds from young stars shaping the clouds and triggering the birth of even more stars.



These regions are often illuminated by the light from massive newborn stars - creating stunning, colorful displays. The light reveals the intricate structure of the dust and gas, sculpted by the energy of young stars.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-stellar-nurseries-nbsp">Significance of stellar nurseries&nbsp;</h2>



Stellar nurseries are essential for understanding the early stages of planetary formation, as protoplanetary disks (the material from which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets form</a>) are often found around young stars in these regions.



Stellar nurseries play a crucial role in the ongoing evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-is-starving-its-host-galaxy-of-star-forming-fuel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a>. They are responsible for the continuous birth of new stars that enrich the interstellar medium with heavier elements. This constant recycling of material is key to the development of future generations of stars and planets.&nbsp;



Furthermore, the study of these regions helps astronomers understand the fundamental processes that govern the life cycles of stars and the overall dynamics of the universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-local-group">The Local Group</h2>



The Local Group is a collection of over 80 galaxies that includes the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Triangulum Galaxy, along with numerous smaller dwarf galaxies. These galaxies are bound together by gravity and span a region roughly 10 million light-years across.&nbsp;



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-thin-disk-is-billions-of-years-older-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> and Andromeda are the dominant members, with their respective satellite galaxies orbiting them.&nbsp;



The Local Group is part of a larger structure known as the Virgo Supercluster, and its galaxies are moving toward the gravitational center of the Local Group, contributing to its dynamic nature.&nbsp;



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



The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is the fourth largest galaxy in the Local Group and can be seen with the naked eye from the Southern Hemisphere.&nbsp;



This irregular dwarf galaxy is home to the Tarantula Nebula, one of the most active star-forming regions in our cosmic neighborhood.&nbsp;



The Large Magellanic Cloud played a key role in astronomical history, particularly when the supernova SN 1987A was observed, providing valuable insights into stellar evolution.&nbsp;



The LMC's interaction with the Milky Way, along with its own companion, the Small Magellanic Cloud, is believed to influence its shape and star formation activity. Its proximity and unique properties make it a crucial object of study for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-galactic-explosion-provides-clues-about-galaxy-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy evolution</a>, star formation, and the dynamics of interacting galaxies.



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and STScI



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Hubble captures a stunning stellar nursery

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1559, located around 35 million light-years away in the southern constellation Reticulum. The image was captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.&nbsp;



"The data featured in this portrait make use of two of Webb’s instruments: the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) and Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam)," noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



"Here MIRI captures the glow of interstellar dust grains, which trace out the interstellar medium, the fuel for future star formation. NIRCam shows the light from stars, even young stars hidden behind prodigious amounts of dust. NIRCam also captures emission from ionized nebulae around young stars."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-reveals-galaxies-in-new-light">Webb reveals galaxies in new light</h2>



According to ESA, the data was collected by the <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/phangs/home">PHANGS team</a> as part of a program in which Webb will observe 55 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/james-webb-captures-galaxies-that-are-too-old-to-exist/">galaxies</a> that have also been mapped by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope, and more.&nbsp;



"By combining Webb’s unprecedented view of the dust and stars with data from these other facilities, the team aims to obtain a new, highly detailed view of how stars are born, live, and die in galaxies across the Universe."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ngc-1559-a-loner-in-space">NGC 1559: A loner in space</h2>



Although NGC 1559 appears to sit close to one of our nearest neighbors in the sky - the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) - this is just a trick of perspective, noted ESA.



While it is part of the Reticulum constellation, NGC 1559 is not part of the Local Group of galaxies but instead resides in a more distant region of space.



"In reality, NGC 1559 is physically nowhere near the LMC in space; in fact it truly is a loner, lacking the company of any nearby galaxies or membership of any galaxy cluster," said ESA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-1559">Star formation in NGC 1559</h2>



NGC 1559 is notable for its active star formation and strong magnetic fields. It has also been the site of several <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernovae</a>, making it of particular interest to astronomers who study stellar evolution and the life cycle of stars.



The structure of NGC 1559 includes well-defined spiral arms that contain young, hot stars and regions of ionized gas, indicative of ongoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-is-starving-its-host-galaxy-of-star-forming-fuel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-extragalactic-wonder">An extragalactic wonder</h2>



Despite being relatively small compared to larger galaxies like the Milky Way, NGC 1559 is an important object for understanding how barred spiral galaxies evolve and the processes that trigger supernovae.



The galaxy’s remote location and active nature make it a fascinating subject of study in the field of extragalactic astronomy. 



The isolation of NGC 1559 allows for a clearer view of its structure without much interference from neighboring galaxies.



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



Barred spiral galaxies are a type of spiral galaxy characterized by a central bar-shaped structure composed of stars. This bar extends out from the core and connects to the galaxy's spiral arms, which swirl outward in a graceful pattern.



Scientists believe that the bar plays a crucial role in the evolution of the galaxy, funneling gas towards the core and potentially triggering star formation or feeding a central black hole. 



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, our own galaxy, is an example of a barred spiral. These galaxies are quite common in the universe, making up about two-thirds of all observed spiral galaxies.



The bar itself is thought to be a temporary feature, developing as the galaxy matures and possibly disappearing over time as the dynamics of the stars change. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-reticulum-constellation">The Reticulum constellation</h2>



Reticulum is a small, faint constellation in the southern sky. Its name means "the reticle" in Latin, which refers to the crosshairs in an eyepiece of a telescope.



The constellation was named in the 18th century by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille to honor the reticle he used in his scientific instruments. It is one of the 88 modern constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union.



Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA, A. Leroy, J. Lee and the PHANGS Team



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Spiral galaxy glows with young stars and interstellar dust

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 6744 - a large, barred spiral galaxy located approximately 30 million light-years away in the constellation Pavo.&nbsp;



The galaxy is often considered a close analog to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uma3-u1-faintest-star-system-found-orbiting-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> due to its similar structure and size, spanning about 175,000 light-years across.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-euclid-space-mission-nbsp">Euclid space mission&nbsp;</h2>



The image was captured by the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid</a> space telescope. NGC 6744 stands out as a prime example of the galaxies currently forming the majority of stars in the nearby universe, making it an ideal subject for study with the Euclid mission.&nbsp;



Euclid’s extensive field-of-view allows it to capture the entire galaxy, showcasing not only its large-scale spiral structure but also revealing intricate details on smaller scales across various wavelengths. These details include feather-like dust lanes, known as “spurs,” emerging from the spiral arms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-6744">Star formation in NGC 6744</h2>



Euclid's observations enable scientists to count individual stars within NGC 6744, trace the distribution of stars and dust throughout the galaxy, and map the dust associated with the gas that fuels the development of new stars.&nbsp;



<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> is a key process in the growth of galaxies, making these studies crucial for understanding galaxy evolution.



Researchers are utilizing Euclid’s data to explore the relationship between dust, gas, and star formation. The data can also be used to map the distribution of different stellar populations and identify regions of active star formation.



Spiral arms play a significant role in star formation by compressing gas, yet the precise mechanisms behind this process are still unclear. 



The presence of “spurs” along NGC 6744’s spiral arms offers valuable insights into the dynamics of star formation within these structures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-new-dwarf-galaxies-nbsp">Discovering new dwarf galaxies&nbsp;</h2>



Additionally, Euclid's dataset will help scientists identify clusters of old stars (globular clusters) and discover new dwarf galaxies around NGC 6744. 



Remarkably, Euclid has already identified a new dwarf satellite galaxy of NGC 6744 - a surprising discovery given that the galaxy has been studied extensively.



With Euclid’s detailed observations, scientists are gaining a deeper understanding of the processes shaping galaxies, providing essential clues to the evolution and appearance of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universes-expansion-rate-hubble-tension-puzzles-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-ngc-6744">More about NGC 6744</h2>



NGC 6744's disk is rich in star-forming regions and contains numerous young, bright blue stars. The galaxy's nucleus is slightly elongated and has a bar structure, which influences the motion of the stars and gas within it.&nbsp;



The spiral arms of NGC 6744 are well-defined and extend outward, wrapping around the central bar. 



Additionally, NGC 6744 has a smaller companion galaxy, NGC 6744A, which is interacting with it, adding to the complexity and interest of this distant system.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-types-of-spiral-galaxies">Types of spiral galaxies</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-mesmerizing-beauty-of-spiral-galaxies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spiral galaxies</a> are one of the most common types of galaxies in the universe, characterized by their distinct, spiral-shaped structure.&nbsp;



The galaxies typically consist of a flat, rotating disk containing stars, gas, and dust, along with a central concentration of stars known as the bulge. This bulge is often surrounded by a halo of older stars.&nbsp;



The spiral arms, which extend from the central bulge, are regions of active star formation and are rich in young, hot stars, giving them a bright, bluish appearance.&nbsp;



These arms are also sites where interstellar gas and dust are concentrated, leading to the formation of new stars.&nbsp;



Spiral galaxies are classified into different types based on the tightness of their spirals and the size of their central bulge, with classifications ranging from tightly wound arms in Sa galaxies to more loosely wound arms in Sc galaxies. The <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>, our home galaxy, is a prime example of a spiral galaxy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-pavo">The constellation Pavo</h2>



Pavo, which means "peacock" in Latin, is a constellation in the southern sky. It was named by the Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius in the late 16th century, based on observations made during the Dutch explorations of the southern hemisphere. 



Pavo is one of the 12 constellations created by Plancius from the records of explorers Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman. 



The constellation is known for its distinctive shape, resembling a peacock with a long, curved tail. It is not visible from most of the northern hemisphere, but it can be seen from the southern hemisphere, particularly during the winter months.



Pavo contains several interesting celestial objects, including the star Peacock, also known as Alpha Pavonis, which is the brightest star in the constellation. This star is a blue-white subgiant located about 179 light-years from Earth.



Image Credit: <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA&nbsp;



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Young stars illuminate a spiral galaxy in the constellation Pavo

Assateague Island is a 37-mile (60 km) long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the Delmarva Peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland while the southern third is in Virginia. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/assateague-island-national-seashore-maryland-2/">Maryland</a> section contains the majority of Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park. The Virginia section contains Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and a one-mile stretch of land containing the lifeguarded recreational beach and interpretive facilities managed by the National Park Service (or NPS). It is best known for its herds of feral horses, pristine beaches and the Assateague Lighthouse. The island also contains numerous marshes, bays, and coves, including Toms Cove.



Camping is available only in the Maryland district of Assateague Island. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15. Campsite reservations are available six months in advance.&nbsp; Oceanside Drive-in:&nbsp;Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring.&nbsp;Oceanside Walk-in:&nbsp;Tent-only sites, located 100-200 feet from centralized parking areas. Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Walk-in sites are closed from November 16 through March 14. Bayside Drive-in:&nbsp;Tents, trailers and recreational vehicles (no hookups). Sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. A Drive-In "Generator-Free Zone" is located in Bayside B Loop. Horse Camp:&nbsp;There are 2 campsites for horse camping available October 16 through April 14. Each site accommodates up to 6 people and 6 horses.&nbsp;Assateague has two oceanside and four bayside camping areas in Maryland for visitors who wish to backpack or paddle the island.

Assateague Island

Archaeologists recently uncovered a pebble that appears to show the oldest full human fingerprint ever recorded. Their investigations suggest it was made by Neanderthals, who may have used a red pigment on a rock to shape what looks like an artistic rendition of a facial figure from roughly 43,000 years ago.



Curiosity grew when <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12520-025-02243-1#Sec19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> noticed the pebble’s unusual shape and the red coloring placed where a nose might be. 



Questions emerged over whether it was a random stain or if someone had placed the pigment there on purpose.



Professor María de Andrés-Herrero from the <a href="https://www.ucm.es/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Complutense University</a> explained that the team soon realized the mark was distinct from other stones, prompting a deeper look into the paint’s composition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neanderthal-fingerprints-and-art">Neanderthal fingerprints and art</h2>



Researchers applied advanced imaging to identify whether the mark was simple residue. They found <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/dermatoglyphics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dermatoglyphic</a> details, which refer to the ridges present in human fingerprints. 



The imprint is thought to belong to an adult male who dabbed his finger on the pebble’s surface.



Experts ruled out accidental contact because the red pigment does not occur naturally in that location and appears specifically in the position of a nose-like feature.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/neanderthal_art_fingerprint_red-dot_rock_fingerprints_San-Lazaro_credit-UComplutense_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/neanderthal_art_fingerprint_red-dot_rock_fingerprints_San-Lazaro_credit-UComplutense_1s.webp" alt="A. Characteristic points detected by the ABIS system coinciding with the central part of a finger of a candidate. B. Characteristic points detected by the ABIS system coinciding with the palm of a candidate. Credit: University of Complutense" class="wp-image-1972082"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A. Characteristic points detected by the ABIS system coinciding with the central part of a finger of a candidate. B. Characteristic points detected by the ABIS system coinciding with the palm of a candidate. Click image to enlarge. Credit: University of Complutense</figcaption></figure>



These findings add new weight to discussions around Neanderthal creativity. 



<a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0914088107" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> indicate that communities of that era also painted cave walls and may have carried personal objects with symbolic markings. 



Although most portable art is attributed to later populations, this new discovery suggests Neanderthals played a part in early artistic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-theory-explains-why-neanderthals-vanished-and-homo-sapiens-are-alive-today/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">efforts</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-pigment-was-placed-on-purpose">Red pigment was placed on purpose</h2>



Some archaeologists initially wondered if the dot came from day-to-day tasks involving colored minerals. That explanation seemed unlikely because the pigment was deliberately placed and not randomly smudged.



Conclusive tests showed an <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/iron-oxide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iron-oxide</a>-based compound consistent with ochre. An X-ray fluorescence <a href="https://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/geochemsheets/techniques/XRF.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> confirmed that the red hue was foreign to the shelter, implying someone brought it from outside. 



A scanning electron microscope then revealed no other binding agents, supporting the idea that only natural pigment was used.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neanderthal-art-shows-early-creativity">Neanderthal art shows early creativity</h2>



Neanderthals have long faced questions about their capacity to think symbolically, but fresh <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aap7778">data</a> from multiple excavations is broadening that view. 



Earlier signs of symbolic behavior include shell collections, pierced animal teeth, and possible use of pigment.



This pebble from Segovia suggests Neanderthals may have marked objects with personal or communal meaning.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/neanderthal_art_fingerprint_red-dot_rock-zones_San-Lazaro_credit-UComplutense_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/neanderthal_art_fingerprint_red-dot_rock-zones_San-Lazaro_credit-UComplutense_1s.webp" alt="Sample zones in the red dot. Credit: University of Complutense/Pedro A. Saura Ramos" class="wp-image-1972086"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sample zones in the red dot. Click image to enlarge. Credit: University of Complutense/Pedro A. Saura Ramos</figcaption></figure>



Archaeologist <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Alvarez-Alonso" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Álvarez Alonso</a> believes the red dot’s strategic placement hints at an intentional choice. 



The entire rock was uncovered in a layer dated to the late <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/mousterian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mousterian period</a>. The occupant or occupants likely selected it for a reason unrelated to practical uses like pounding or cutting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-identification-details">Unique identification details</h2>



Once the fingerprint’s presence was confirmed by digital imaging, forensic specialists studied its ridge patterns. These ridges gave clues about the individual who made the mark.



Officials relied on modern comparative methods and concluded that although it aligns with male characteristics, there is no absolute way to confirm species-specific traits because no Neanderthal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/28000-year-old-hybrid-child-confirms-interbreeding-between-humans-and-neanderthals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reference</a> prints exist in modern databases.



Spanish official <a href="https://www.jcyl.es/web/jcyl/Portada/es/Plantilla100DirectorioPortada/1248366924958/0/1285157191862/DirectorioPadre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gonzalo Santonja</a> described the pebble as "the only object of portable art painted by Neanderthals," at a news conference updating locals on the find. 



The designation of "art" sparks debate, yet researchers argue that marking a found object suggests some level of abstract thinking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-neanderthal-art-matters">Why Neanderthal art matters</h2>



Many scientists now consider Neanderthals capable of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/inner-ears-of-neanderthals-reveals-catastrophic-population-event-during-their-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symbolic thought</a>. Their tool sets varied across regions, and some shaped pigments into lumps or used them for body decoration.



Although modern humans still produce the most recognizable forms of Paleolithic cave art, sites across Europe demonstrate that Neanderthals applied ochre in ways that go beyond simple functionality.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/neanderthal_art_fingerprint_red-dot_rock_San-Lazaro_credit-UComplutense_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/neanderthal_art_fingerprint_red-dot_rock_San-Lazaro_credit-UComplutense_1s.webp" alt="The object before being fully excavated; B. Once unearthed, it is possible to appreciate the three main cavities and the central position of the red dot. Credit: University of Complutense" class="wp-image-1972084"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The object before being fully excavated; B. Once unearthed, it is possible to appreciate the three main cavities and the central position of the red dot. Click image to enlarge. Credit: University of Complutense</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12520-025-02243-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Experts</a> hope that as more pieces turn up, the broader picture of these ancient populations will continue to evolve. 



The close examination of this rock has already prompted rethinking about how creativity might have manifested in everyday Neanderthal life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-still-so-much-to-learn">Still so much to learn</h2>



There may be disagreements over how to define art in prehistoric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-neanderthals-species-face-structure-evolved-differently/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contexts</a>, yet scholars increasingly see variety in Neanderthal expression. 



Specialists suggest that this Spanish pebble fits into a growing collection of objects that highlight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-neanderthals-species-face-structure-evolved-differently/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">personal agency and symbolic awareness</a> in the distant past.



Scientists caution that a single discovery rarely changes scientific consensus overnight. Still, the Spanish find is poised to spur ongoing study of subtle cues in future Neanderthal excavations. 



The presence of a deliberately placed pigment and a clear imprint is a strong indication that these individuals viewed their surroundings in complex ways.



"The pebble from San Lázaro rock-shelter presents a series of characteristics that render it exceptional. It represents the first known pigment-marked object in an archaeological context," said Andrés-Herrero at the end of an assessment with her team. 



This view reinforces the idea that Neanderthals participated in artistic ventures once thought to belong solely to more recent humans.



The study is published in <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12520-025-02243-1#Sec19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences</a>.



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Oldest known human fingerprint found on first confirmed Neanderthal artwork

Archaeologists recently uncovered a pebble that appears to show the...

The Cambrian period, around 520 million years ago, was an age of experimentation. Life in the seas was trying out every possible body plan, searching for combinations that worked. 



One line of creatures, the euarthropods, hit on a winner: segmented bodies, paired jointed limbs, and a knack for tweaking those limbs into claws, feelers, and walking legs. That design still powers today’s insects, spiders, and crabs.



Until now, most clues to the early stages of that success came from flattened impressions squeezed by eons of mud and rock. They showed outlines but kept their secrets sealed. 



A newly described fossil larva named Youti yuanshi no bigger than a poppy seed and preserved in three dimensions, has flung those doors open.



This research was led by Dr. Martin Smith from <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Durham University</a>. His expertise and intuition led to this exceptional discovery, which is considerably reshaping our understanding of insect evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-youti-yuanshi-and-insect-evolution">Youti yuanshi and insect evolution</h2>



The fossil in focus, Youti yuanshi, takes us on a thrilling journey back to the Cambrian period, a time when the major animal groups we know today were <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-both-predictable-and-random/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first evolving</a>.



This fossil falls under the group of arthropods, which includes modern insects, spiders and crabs. 



What sets this fossil apart is its exceptional preservation of internal organs, offering a close-up view of life forms from a time unimaginable to us.



Using the cutting-edge synchrotron X-ray tomography at <a href="https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diamond Light Source</a>, the UK's national synchrotron science facility, the research team was able to generate 3D images of this miniature marvel.



They unveiled brain regions, digestive glands, a rudimentary circulatory system and even traces of nerves supplying the larva’s simple legs and eyes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3d-view-of-youti-yuanshi-guts">3D view of Youti yuanshi guts</h2>



This research allows us to see inside one of the earliest arthropod ancestors. It's a revelation of sort: these early arthropod-relatives had an unexpectedly advanced anatomy.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07756-8/figures/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/euarthropod-larva_youti-yuanshi_fossil_guts-preserved_credit-Nature_1s.webp" alt="Anatomical overview of Youti yuanshi - organs of a Cambrian euarthropod larva. Credit: Nature" class="wp-image-1973987"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Anatomical overview of Youti yuanshi - organs of a Cambrian euarthropod larva. Click image for more details. Credit: Nature</figcaption></figure>



"When I used to daydream about the one fossil I’d most like to discover, I’d always be thinking of an arthropod larva, because developmental data are just so central to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-flight-is-powered-by-an-extraordinary-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding their evolution</a>. But larvae are so tiny and fragile, the chances of finding one fossilized are practically zero - or so I thought!" Dr. Smith enthused.



"I already knew that this simple worm-like fossil was something special, but when I saw the amazing structures preserved under its skin, my jaw just dropped - how could these intricate features have avoided decay and still be here to see half a billion years later?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overview-of-insect-evolution">Overview of insect evolution</h2>



Dr. Katherine Dobson from the <a href="https://www.strath.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Strathclyde</a>, another key contributor to this study, shared her amazement at the near-perfect preservation of the ancient larva.



"It’s always interesting to see what’s inside a sample using 3D imaging, but in this incredible tiny larva, natural fossilization has achieved almost perfect preservation," she states.



This ancient larva holds the key to solving a myriad of questions on the evolution of multi-limbed creatures. 



For instance, the fossil reveals an ancestral ‘protocerebrum’ brain region that was pivotal in our journey towards complex, segment-headed creatures.



The observations from this fossil help trace the path that led modern arthropods to gain their remarkable anatomical complexity and diversity. 



Moreover, these findings fill a crucial gap in our understanding of how the arthropod body plan originated during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-exist-today-ediacaran-period-earth-weak-magnetic-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambrian Explosion of life</a>.



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



The discovery of Youti yuanshi not only sheds light on the evolution of early arthropods but also prompts broader reflections on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nighttime-buzz-insect-activity-increases-by-31-4-at-night/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> itself.



Understanding the anatomical features and adaptations of extinct species provides context for the diverse forms of life we observe today. 



This fossil acts as a reminder of the intricate web of evolutionary relationships that has shaped the myriad species inhabiting our planet.



As we explore these connections, we deepen our appreciation for the resilience and adaptability of life throughout the ages, underscoring the importance of preserving our current ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-insect-evolution">Future research on insect evolution</h2>



The insights from Youti yuanshi are opening up exciting new paths for research, especially in fields like evolutionary biology, paleontology, and developmental biology.



Researchers are eager to dig deeper into Cambrian period fossils, hoping to find more specimens that shed light on the complex details of early life forms. 



Plus, the techniques used in this study, like synchrotron X-ray tomography, could be applied to other fossils, helping us discover even more about the milestones in the tree of life. 



This poppy-seed fossil proves that even the tiniest finds can overturn years of assumption. 



Future digs, armed with ever-sharper imaging tools, will no doubt uncover more diminutive ambassadors from deep time, each ready to whisper another chapter of our planet’s earliest animal saga.



The fossil is now housed at <a href="https://english.ynu.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yunnan University</a> in China, its original discovery site. This eye-opening research emphasizes the crucial role of fossils in understanding our roots and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-life-and-environment-co-evolved-over-500-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution of life on Earth</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07756-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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520-million-year-old fossil discovered with brains and guts still intact, stunning the lead scientist

The Cambrian period, around 520 million years ago, was an...

Take a sip of cabernet and your tongue might feel as if it's being scraped by coarse paper, while another vintage wine may glide across your mouth. According to chemists, this contrast in wine texture isn't just about how much tannin is present, but rather the exact molecular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wines-may-develop-new-tastes-as-climate-patterns-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">structure</a> of the tannins themselves.



The new <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40377541/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Condensed Tannin Fragmentation Fingerprinting method</a> tags every tannin fragment as it shatters inside a high‑resolution <a href="https://www.broadinstitute.org/technology-areas/what-mass-spectrometry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mass spectrometer</a>. The method transforms an invisible chemical jumble into a sortable library of flavor clues that winemakers can read like sheet music.



The peer‑reviewed study was directed by <a href="https://foodscience.psu.edu/directory/mtk5407" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Misha Kwasniewski</a>, associate research professor of fermented beverage science and technology at <a href="https://agsci.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tannins-affect-wine-texture">Tannins affect wine texture</h2>



<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12111099/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Procyanidins</a> are branched chains of the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/flavanols" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flavanol catechin</a> that can run from two to well over a dozen units, and the twists, bonds, and branching angles within those chains set how tightly the molecules clamp onto salivary proteins. 



Longer, more entangled chains strip away lubrication faster, so the same <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-grapes-became-wine-in-italy-over-7000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical</a> family can create either a silky glide or a chalky drag across the gums.



When tannins bind those proteins, the resulting complexes lose solubility and scatter light - roughening tissue surfaces and amplifying the tactile signal drinkers describe as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34796497/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">astringency</a>. 



The familiar sensation is therefore less about tongue chemistry than about the mechanical friction created once saliva’s slip layer has been thinned out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mixtures-of-taste-and-touch">Mixtures of taste and touch</h2>



Bitterness rides a different sensory pathway, relying on taste‑bud receptors that respond to specific tannin fragments floating free in the fluid rather than to whole chains. 



Two drinks can carry the same total tannin load yet, by favoring different fragment sizes, trigger strikingly different mixtures of taste and touch.



Climate compounds the story because cooler regions produce grapes with fewer skin tannins and shorter seed tannins. As a result, wines from Pennsylvania or Scandinavia often feel lighter than peers from California or Australia even when alcohol, color, and sugar match. 



This gap has long frustrated growers who cannot simply boost tannin numbers without upsetting balance elsewhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tannin-structure-and-wine-texture-details">Tannin structure and wine texture details</h2>



Similar <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32242660/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in‑source fragmentation</a> approaches are gaining traction across metabolomics because they deliver tandem‑level structural detail on instruments that usually collect only parent masses, saving both money and analysis time. 



The Penn State team adapted the trick for tannins by firing three voltage steps (gentle, moderate, and high) at each molecule. This ensured that dimers, trimers, and longer polymers all leave distinctive fingerprints.



The researchers validated the workflow on 19 lab mixtures whose tannin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wine-production-in-a-warming-world-the-winners-and-losers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recipes</a> were already known, deliberately mixing short and long chains to challenge the algorithm. 



The fingerprint report matched within two percentage points across the board, then repeated the performance on eight commercial ciders where the ingredient lists were revealed only after testing.



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



The precision of the tannin fingerprinting method matters because classic colorimetric or precipitation assays lump every tannin together, masking the structural fine print that drives texture and health activity. 



Without that information, winemakers have been forced to tweak fermentation time, barrel choice, or fining agents by taste alone and hope the chemistry followed.



“Sometimes that tannic element is really harsh, like dragging sandpaper across your tongue. Other times it is velvety or smooth,” said Kwasniewski.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-manipulating-the-texture-of-wine">Manipulating the texture of wine</h2>



Pennsylvania vintners often struggle to build the weightier mouthfeel associated with <a href="https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=vitis+vinifera" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vitis vinifera</a> harvested in warmer valleys where skins thicken and seeds ripen fully. 



With the new fingerprint in hand, they can select clones, tweak maceration length, or add oak alternatives in a more targeted quest for body.



Because the read‑out comes from a one‑minute <a href="https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Analytical_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Analytical_Chemistry)/Instrumentation_and_Analysis/Chromatography/Liquid_Chromatography" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">liquid‑chromatography</a> run, small wineries could check fermentations each morning, log the tannin profile, and steer punch‑downs or blending before irreversible changes set in. 



Kwasniewski’s group is beta‑testing a suitcase‑sized instrument that can plug into the hose manifold next to the press.



Cider makers and craft‑beer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/red-or-white-the-surprising-truth-about-wine-and-cancer-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brewers</a> have joined the conversation, chasing the sweet spot where bitterness perks up flavor without tipping into harsh drying. 



Early trials suggest they can tune ingredient blends to drop perceived bitterness by fifteen percent while keeping the bright snap consumers expect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tannin-structure-and-health-benefits">Tannin structure and health benefits</h2>



Beyond flavor, tannin architecture parallels antioxidant power in foods such as dark chocolate, where procyanidins shoulder much of the <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/free-radical" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">free‑radical</a> scavenging load. 



Early <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286302002152" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> shows that lengthening certain procyanidin chains can boost oxidative‑stress protection in tissue models without altering taste.



The Penn State fingerprint could therefore let nutrition researchers screen <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4696435/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cocoa</a> batches or tea harvests for the most potent molecular forms before those ingredients reach candy factories or teabags. Regulators in turn might rely on the data to validate label claims about flavanol content.



It could also clarify why some epidemiological reports tie moderate red‑<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-wine-consumption-reduces-cardiovascular-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wine</a> intake to vascular benefits while others find weaker links. Differentiating tannin shapes instead of measuring simple totals may reconcile those mixed results and point nutrition guidelines toward structure‑specific thresholds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-uses-of-tannin-fingerprinting">Future uses of tannin fingerprinting</h2>



The team now plans to push detection toward even larger tannin polymers that dominate age‑worthy reds - a task that may require higher voltages or alternative ionization modes to break the stubborn giants apart. 



Parallel work aims to translate the approach to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9796155/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white‑wine phenolics</a>, coffee, and even hops.



Collaborations with grape breeders are under way to evaluate experimental crosses for mouthfeel before full planting, turning sensory instinct into data that farmers can act on. 



If the project succeeds, future drink labels could list nuanced tannin fingerprints alongside alcohol percentage and acidity.



The study is published in the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c02379?goto=supporting-info" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry</a>.



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Hidden chemistry of wine: What actually shapes its texture?

Take a sip of cabernet and your tongue might feel...

Sea anemones look like simple, radial animals. Yet their bodies hide a front-to-back plan that mirrors the layout seen in animals with heads and tails. 



A new study shows that the cells of these soft-bodied creatures read chemical hints to decide which side becomes “back” and which becomes “belly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-between-sea-anemones-and-humans">Link between sea anemones and humans </h2>



Scientists at the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a> found that sea anemones rely on a process called BMP shuttling to organize their developing bodies. 



This same biological mechanism is responsible for shaping the body axes in many familiar animals from insects to vertebrates, including humans.



The discovery pushes the origin of this cellular traffic system back more than 600 million years, suggesting it was already present in a common ancestor of nearly all modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-share-hidden-behavior-patterns-across-continents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>.



This finding not only highlights the deep evolutionary connection between simple and complex organisms but also opens up new ways of thinking about how body plans are genetically encoded and inherited across generations. 



The research suggests that what we see in modern animals may be built upon a remarkably ancient and shared developmental toolkit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signals-that-guide-developing-cells">Signals that guide developing cells</h2>



Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are signals that guide developing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-first-cells-life-form-on-earth-scientists-think-they-finally-figured-it-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells</a>. A partner molecule, Chordin, can both block these signals and move them to new spots.



The moving act - shuttling - creates precise highs and lows of BMP activity. Early cells read these highs and lows like a map, turning into skin, nerve tissue, or other organs.



The researchers worked with Nematostella vectensis, a small sea anemone commonly used in laboratory studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-body-development-in-sea-anemones">Body development in sea anemones </h2>



To understand how Chordin functions, they first blocked its production in developing sea anemone embryos. As a result, BMP activity came to a halt, and the second body axis failed to form.



To test Chordin’s role further, the team introduced two different forms of the molecule: one that was fixed in place and could not move, and another that was free to drift through the embryo. 



Only the free-moving version was able to restore BMP signaling on the opposite side of the embryo. This result showed that Chordin does more than just block BMPs - it actively shuttles them across the developing body.



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



David Mörsdorf is the first author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology at the University of Vienna.



"Not all Bilateria use Chordin-mediated BMP shuttling, for example, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frogs-and-toads-face-new-risks-as-their-habitats-dry-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frogs</a> do, but fish don't, however, shuttling seems to pop up over and over again in very distantly related animals making it a good candidate for an ancestral patterning mechanism," said Mörsdorf.



"The fact that not only bilaterians but also sea anemones use shuttling to shape their body axes, tells us that this mechanism is incredibly ancient. It opens up exciting possibilities for rethinking how body plans evolved in early animals."



Grigory Genikhovich, senior author of the study, added that experts might never be able to exclude the possibility that bilaterians and bilaterally symmetric cnidarians evolved their bilateral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/500-million-year-old-fish-armor-may-be-the-reason-your-teeth-hurt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">body plans</a> independently.



"However, if the last common ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria was a bilaterally symmetric animal, chances are that it used Chordin to shuttle BMPs to make its back-to-belly axis. Our new study showed that," said Genikhovich.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-clues-in-simpler-creatures">Future clues in simpler creatures</h2>



The work suggests that a single, ancient blueprint guided the rise of complex body shapes across many animal lineages. Future studies may search for BMP shuttling in even older or simpler groups, testing just how deep this shared strategy runs in the history of life.



Understanding BMP shuttling in sea anemones doesn’t just tell us about the past - it could also shape the future. 



Because BMP signals are important in how all kinds of animals develop their bodies, including humans, this research could help scientists better understand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-nose-shapes-could-help-explain-human-birth-defects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birth defects</a>, tissue growth, and even how to guide stem cells into becoming the right types of tissue.



By studying these simple creatures, researchers may unlock clues about how to repair or regrow parts of the human body. And by tracing the history of how body plans evolved, scientists can more confidently predict which genes or molecules are truly essential across all animal life.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu6347" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Sea anemones share a biological trick with humans

Sea anemones look like simple, radial animals. Yet their bodies...

Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, which leads to a range of developmental differences. Researchers have long sought strategies to correct this duplication, because current interventions do not address the added genetic material at its source.



Recent work points to a promising approach with <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7508700/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CRISPR-based methods</a>. 



<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ryotaro-Hashizume-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ryotaro Hashizume</a> and colleagues from <a href="https://www.mie-u.ac.jp/en/R-navi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mie University</a> in Japan report that it is possible to cut away the surplus chromosome in affected cells, which appears to bring their behavior closer to typical function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-an-extra-chromosome-matters">Why an extra chromosome matters</h2>



<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Down syndrome</a> affects about 1 in 700 newborns in the United States. That added chromosome, known as <a href="https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/trisomy-21-down-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trisomy 21</a>, disrupts a range of important processes in the body, often resulting in learning difficulties, distinctive physical traits, and certain health concerns.



This additional genetic copy raises gene activity above normal levels. It pushes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-hidden-stem-cells-that-could-reactivate-hair-growth/">cells</a> to overwork, because they carry extra material that shifts how genes are used and how proteins are made.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crispr-and-down-syndrome">CRISPR and Down syndrome</h2>



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36171658/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CRISPR-Cas9</a> is a versatile gene-editing system that relies on an enzyme to recognize specific DNA sequences. Once the enzyme locates a matching site, it snips through the DNA strands.



Scientists carefully design CRISPR guides to target only the unwanted chromosome. This trick is called <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1225829" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">allele-specific editing</a>, and it helps steer the cutting enzyme to the right spot.



“Trisomic rescue via allele-specific multiple chromosome cleavage using CRISPR-Cas9 in trisomy 21 cells,” wrote Hashizume. 



Their group discovered that removing the unneeded copy often normalized gene expression in laboratory-grown cells.



The treated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cell-division-discovery-challenges-a-century-of-textbook-biology/">cells</a> reverted to typical patterns of protein manufacturing. They also showed better survival rates in certain tests, indicating that the excess genetic burden was successfully relieved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-for-neurons-and-beyond">Potential for neurons and beyond</h2>



The technique is still far from clinical use, so it will not show up in routine care anytime soon. However, scientists are considering whether similar edits might be done in cells that form the brain and other tissues.



The possibility of trimming excess genetic material in <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3070107/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nondividing cells</a> is also intriguing. 



Many cells in the body do not actively divide after maturing, yet the team’s findings suggest that these cells could still benefit from targeted chromosome removal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-karyotype-and-brain-related-genes">Karyotype and brain-related genes</h2>



In follow-up tests, researchers examined how gene activity changed after removing the extra chromosome. 



They noticed that genes tied to nervous system development became more active, while those linked to metabolism were dialed down.



This shift in gene expression could help explain how correcting the chromosomal imbalance affects the cell’s overall behavior. It also supports earlier <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3273608/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">findings</a> that extra copies of chromosome 21 disrupt brain development during early fetal growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tested-in-both-stem-and-skin-cells">Tested in both stem and skin cells</h2>



The researchers didn’t just test their approach on lab-grown stem cells. They also applied it to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/skin-fibroblast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skin fibroblasts</a>, which are more mature, non-stem cells taken from people with Down syndrome.



Even in these fully developed cells, the method successfully removed the extra chromosome in a significant number of cases. 



That result hints at broader possibilities for correcting the genetic issue in different cell types throughout the body.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-removal-improved-cell-health">Removal improved cell health</h2>



After removing the extra chromosome, the corrected cells grew slightly faster and had a shorter doubling time compared to untreated trisomy cells. 



These changes suggest that getting rid of the surplus chromosome may ease the biological stress that slows down cell growth.



The corrected cells also produced fewer <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/reactive-oxygen-species" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reactive oxygen species</a>, which are harmful byproducts linked to cell damage and aging. 



Lower levels of these molecules point to improved mitochondrial function and a general boost in cell fitness.



Some of the CRISPR cuts can affect healthy chromosomes. The researchers are addressing this by refining their guidance molecules, so they only latch onto the extra <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/chromosome/21/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chromosome 21</a>.



They are also investigating ways to keep the cell’s repair systems from reversing or botching the intended edits. With more work, the method might become safer and more efficient for a wide range of tissues.



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



If scientists confirm these early results in additional studies, they might one day design therapies that quiet the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-decipher-the-genetic-history-of-400-medieval-skeletons/">genetic</a> overload at its source. This approach could apply to lab-grown tissues or stem <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-build-their-cell-walls-is-seen-by-scientists-for-the-first-time-ever/">cells</a> aimed at regenerative treatments.



Experts emphasize that these findings do not guarantee a straightforward path to therapy. Still, the work highlights how CRISPR could assist in handling fundamental genetic hiccups that cause common conditions.



The project shows that CRISPR can remove an entire chromosome rather than making small fixes. That is a big jump in what genome editing can accomplish.



Researchers will likely continue analyzing the risks of widespread <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-from-9000-year-old-skeletons-disproves-migratory-waves-theory-from-south-africa/">DNA</a> changes. They will also check how these modified cells behave over longer periods and whether they stay healthy in real-world settings.



The study is published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/2/pgaf022/8016019?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS Nexus</a>.



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CRISPR used to remove extra chromosomes in Down syndrome and restore cell function

Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome...

Fungi,Aspergillus,,Black,Mold,,Which,Produce,Aflatoxins,And,Cause,Pulmonary

Imagine inhaling hundreds of invisible spores every day. Most float in and out without leaving a trace. Yet some belong molds that don't respect boundaries.



Some fungus species will infect lungs, spoil crops, and disrupt ecosystems all at the same time. In short, they can wreak massive havoc and leave death in their wake.



Most molds and fungi are helpful, but some fungus and mold will jump from hospital wards to honeybee hives, and the line between helpful recycler and harmful invader grows blurrier each year.



Most of the time, healthy immune systems swat away dangerous spores and fight off infection. Trouble arises when weakened defenses, rising temperatures, and heavy fungicide use tip the scales. 



Suddenly, the same fungus that quietly decomposes the fallen leaves in your yard can trigger relentless coughs, damage corn silos, and shrug off medicines that once kept it in check.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aspergillus-fungus-easily-adapts">Aspergillus fungus easily adapts</h2>



After studying fungal threats for years, Dr. Norman van Rhijn and colleagues at <a href="https://www.manchester.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Manchester</a> mapped how three notorious Aspergillus species - A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and A. niger - might spread through the end of the century. 



They fed climate change scenarios into global models and watched the virtual spores drift. One scenario (SSP585), which assumes a fossil-fuel-dependent future, paints an unsettling picture: habitats across Europe become markedly friendlier to these pathogens.



Aspergillus fungus thrives because its genome bends easily to new pressures. It lives on soil, grains, animal feathers, even coral skeletons. Out in the wild, it recycles nutrients, but on farms and in clinics, the story shifts. 



Farmers spray <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-fungus-is-among-us-drug-resistant-fungi-is-thriving-in-every-corner-of-the-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">azole fungicides</a> to protect wheat and peanuts; doctors use nearly identical azole drugs to save patients with lung infections. That overlap nudges Aspergillus toward drug resistance - similar to bacteria evolving against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-rivers-are-highly-saturated-with-human-antibiotics-helping-bacteria-develop-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotics</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-reshapes-global-mold-map">Climate reshapes global mold map</h2>



Temperature, humidity, and extreme weather events dictate where spores settle. 



“Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread,” said Dr. van Rhijn. 



“We’ve already seen the emergence of the fungus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-microbes-aerosols-can-travel-thousands-of-miles-through-the-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Candida auris</a> due to rising temperatures, but, until now, we had little information on how other fungi might respond to this change in the environment.” 



He added that fungi remain “relatively under-researched compared to viruses and parasites,” yet the new maps show they will likely reach “most areas of the world in the future.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Aspergillus_global-distributions_map_credit-MaxENT_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Aspergillus_global-distributions_map_credit-MaxENT_1s.webp" alt="MaxENT model accurate described Aspergillus global distributions. Credit: University of Manchester" class="wp-image-1973600"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">MaxENT model accurate described Aspergillus global distributions. Click image to enlarge. Credit: University of Manchester</figcaption></figure>



Those maps point to striking numbers. Under the high-emissions pathway, the range of A. flavus in Europe could jump about 16 percent, potentially putting another one million people at risk of infection. 



A. fumigatus - the chief culprit behind invasive aspergillosis - could expand its European footprint by 77.5 percent, threatening up to nine million more residents. 



In Africa, paradoxically, parts of the continent may become too hot for some fungi to survive, hinting at complex regional trade-offs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasting-aspergillus-fungus-spread">Forecasting Aspergillus fungus spread</h2>



Forecasting pathogens decades ahead may sound speculative, but it builds on earlier warnings. Hospitals already grapple with Aspergillus fungus outbreaks after building renovations or severe dust storms. 



Meanwhile, intensive-care units report stubborn cases in patients recovering from influenza or COVID-19. 



Rising outdoor spore loads could translate to more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-deadly-molds-attack-the-immune-system-of-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hospital admissions</a> and costlier treatments, especially because diagnostics for fungal infections lag far behind those for bacteria or viruses.



Mycotoxin contamination adds another layer. A single year of heavy Aspergillus growth can saddle the U.S. corn industry with losses topping $1 billion. 



Increased heat and humidity extend the window for mold growth in silos and fields, forcing farmers to discard grain or blend batches to dilute toxins - strategies that still carry economic and health risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-current-drugs-don-t-work">Current drugs don't work</h2>



Azole resistance has climbed steadily in Europe and Asia. Patients with resistant Aspergillus fungus infections face mortality rates exceeding 50 percent, partly because alternative drugs can damage the kidneys or liver. 



Each hectare treated with agricultural azoles raises the odds that environmental spores will carry resistance genes into hospitals. 



Public-health agencies now track these genes in soil and compost piles, hoping to spot trouble before it reaches intensive care.



Fungicide demand is also changing. As some African regions exceed the thermal limits for certain molds, farmers elsewhere may spray more to protect lengthening growing seasons.



That feedback loop - more fungicide, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-plays-an-overlooked-role-in-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stronger resistance</a> - complicates food security and patient care alike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farms-food-and-rising-bills">Farms, food, and rising bills</h2>



Aspergillus isn’t the lone shapeshifter. Fusarium, which devastates wheat and oat fields, and Cryptococcus, an opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients, also respond to warming climates. 



“Fungal pathogens pose a serious threat to human health by causing infections and disrupting food systems. Climate change will make these risks worse," explains Viv Goosens of <a href="https://wellcome.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellcome</a>.



"To address these challenges, we must fill important research gaps. By using models and maps to track the spread of fungi, we can better direct resources and prepare for the future.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aspergillus-fungus-and-human-health">Aspergillus fungus and human health</h2>



Fungi account for an estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million species, yet fewer than 10 percent carry official descriptions, and only a sliver have sequenced genomes. 



The scarcity of basic data hinders vaccine development and slows the hunt for safer drug targets. 



Recognizing this blind spot, the <a href="https://www.who.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a> added Aspergillus fungus and Candida species to its priority list for emerging threats in 2022.



Researchers now call for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-of-food-safety-ai-can-detect-contamination-early/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coordinated monitoring</a> - combining air quality sensors, agricultural sampling, and hospital surveillance - to trace spore movement in near-real time. 



Such efforts could flag hotspots, guide fungicide regulations, and spark investment in rapid diagnostics. Without them, today’s manageable mold may evolve into tomorrow’s silent pandemic.



No single fix will erase the risk. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions limits the environmental changes that favor Aspergillus fungus. 



Smarter fungicide policies slow resistance on farms. Better ventilation in buildings reduces indoor spore counts, while new antifungal classes extend doctors’ toolkits. 



Piece by piece, these steps can keep an ancient decomposer from becoming an outsized menace in a warming world.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6545782/v1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research Square</a>.



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Deadly fungus that can "eat you from the inside out" is quickly spreading around the world

Imagine inhaling hundreds of invisible spores every day. Most float...

Mammoth Cave in Kentucky stretches for more than 420 miles (675 kilometers) below the surface of the ground and is often described as the world’s largest cave system. Recent explorations there uncovered two new fossil sharks that once roamed shallow coastal waters more than 325 million years ago.



Ancient shark specialist John-Paul (JP) Hodnett of the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (<a href="https://www.mncppc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MNCPPC</a>) worked with the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/index.htm">National Park Service Paleontology Program</a> to identify the fossils. 



These finds have everyone buzzing because they offer a glimpse into marine habitats that thrived when parts of what is now eastern North America were covered by a warm sea.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prehistoric-shark-fossil-puzzle">Prehistoric shark fossil puzzle</h2>



The newly documented sharks are Troglocladodus trimblei and Glikmanius careforum, and they are from a group known as <a href="https://www.uky.edu/KGS/fossils/fossil-month-cten.php">ctenacanth</a> sharks. 



They both measured about 10–12 feet (3–3.6 meters) long, which is similar in size to an oceanic whitetip shark.



The shark fossils were collected from various limestone formations, which were deposited during the Middle to Late <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/mississippian-period.htm">Mississippian Period</a>. 



The bigger picture is that these habitats were once submerged under shallow seas and supported a wide range of fish life. Researchers have now identified more than 70 ancient fish species in the cave system.



A partial set of jaws belonging to a young <a href="https://shark-references.com/species/view/Glikmanius-careforum">Glikmanius careforum</a> revealed fresh details about cartilage, which rarely fossilizes well. 



Cartilaginous remains of sharks are often fragile and easily destroyed by erosion, so finding them preserved in a protected space is especially rewarding.



Experts note that this newly identified material adds depth to ongoing discussions of how shark groups diversified while the supercontinent <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-was-pangea">Pangea</a> was taking shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborations-and-fieldwork">Collaborations and fieldwork</h2>



“Every new discovery at Mammoth Cave is possible due to collaborations,” said park superintendent <a href="https://www.nps.gov/maca/learn/management/index.htm">Barclay Trimble</a> of Mammoth Cave National Park. 



Researchers and volunteers have explored hidden passages, river channels, and even narrow crawlways in search of key fossils.



Members of the <a href="https://www.cave-research.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cave Research Foundation</a> also took part in these efforts. The name Glikmanius careforum was chosen to honor that organization’s valuable support in the field.



The partial cartilage from this genus points to a short head with a strong bite, possibly used to feed on smaller fish and <a href="https://www.geo.mtu.edu/KeweenawGeoheritage/HoughtonEC/Orthocones.html">orthocones</a>, which are squid-like creatures with elongated shells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossils-help-trace-evolutionary-change">Fossils help trace evolutionary change </h2>



Troglocladodus trimblei stands out for its branching tooth design that helped it secure prey in the Mississippian seas. 



This prehistoric hunter probably shared a coastal environment with G. careforum, in waters that covered modern-day Kentucky and Alabama.



Researchers say these sharks likely thrived in nearshore habitats that teemed with bony fish, shelled organisms, and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cocaine-sharks-brazilian-waters-sharpnose-sharks-rhizoprionodon-lalandii-ocean-pollution/">marine creatures</a>.



Tracing these fossils across multiple rock layers provides insights into how the environment changed over time. 



Coastal waters rose and fell as landmasses drifted toward each other, gradually merging into a single continent. 



These broader patterns helped shape the distribution and evolutionary paths of ancient sharks like T. trimblei and G. careforum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-preserve-shark-fossils">How to preserve shark fossils</h2>



Field teams spent long hours underground carefully mapping and collecting small fragments of teeth. A single <a href="https://www.npca.org/articles/7703-the-unveiling-of-mammoth-cave-s-history">tooth</a> from T. trimblei sparked initial interest when Superintendent Trimble first discovered it on a 2019 trip. 



Seasoned cavers and geologists coordinated to ensure safe retrieval of each piece, knowing that one misstep could damage the delicate remains.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ctenacanth-sharks_cave-discovery_325-million-years-ago_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ctenacanth-sharks_cave-discovery_325-million-years-ago_1s.webp" alt="A reconstruction of the new Middle to Late Mississippian ctenacanth sharks from Mammoth Cave National Park and northern Alabama. Glikmanius careforum is seen swimming in the foreground with two Troglocladodus trimblei swimming above. Artwork by Benji Paynose" class="wp-image-1973763"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A reconstruction of the new Middle to Late Mississippian ctenacanth sharks from Mammoth Cave National Park and northern Alabama. Glikmanius careforum is seen swimming in the foreground with two Troglocladodus trimblei swimming above. Click image to enlarge. Artwork by Benji Paynose</figcaption></figure>



Research at Mammoth Cave has led to conversations about how best to preserve fragile fossils within difficult-to-access passages. Experts say stable cave temperatures help keep these discoveries in good condition. 



Park managers have also integrated these new data into guidelines for future research so that more clues to marine life from 325 million years ago may be found.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-these-shark-fossils-matter">Why these shark fossils matter</h2>



Scientists use these finds to compare local fossil collections with specimens from similar periods in other parts of the world. 



Documenting body sizes, tooth arrangements, and skeletal details helps researchers build a clearer timeline of shark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shark-skeletons-could-lead-to-technological-innovations/">evolution</a>.



These comprehensive studies uncover shifts in fish diversity that occurred as oceans changed and landmasses joined together. 



Experts also link fossil data with knowledge from bony fish records, coral structures, and other sea life. This combined approach paints a full picture of ancient marine habitats and shows how some species adapted while others vanished. 



The two new fossil sharks at Mammoth Cave highlight that even well-known geologic areas can hold <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopus-caught-riding-on-the-back-of-the-worlds-fastest-shark-in-the-open-ocean/">surprises</a> for many years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-cave-explorations">Future cave explorations</h2>



Mammoth Cave continues to yield glimpses into a vanished coastline that spanned what is now Kentucky, Europe, and northern Africa. 



T. trimblei and G. careforum are just two recent additions to an ever-expanding fossil catalog, reminding everyone that exploration still brings answers and new questions.



In many ways, these ancient sharks highlight how puzzle pieces of geologic history keep fitting together. Field teams are now eager to see what lies in deeper chambers or behind the narrow channels.



The next phase of study may involve more advanced imaging and careful excavation in lesser-known passages, guided by new mapping techniques. 



Findings like these spur a broader appreciation for the cave system’s scientific value, well beyond its length or visual features.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377873693_NEW_CTENACANTH_SHARKS_CHONDRICHTHYES_ELASMOBRANCHII_CTENACANTHIFORMES_FROM_THE_MIDDLE_TO_LATE_MISSISSIPPIAN_OF_KENTUCKY_AND_ALABAMA">Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology</a>.



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Two prehistoric sea monsters found after 325 million years in the world’s largest cave

Mammoth Cave in Kentucky stretches for more than 420 miles...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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.

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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;



"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.



"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."



"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."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day 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;



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;



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.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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;



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;



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. 



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.



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. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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.

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

Arches National Park&nbsp;is a&nbsp;national park&nbsp;in eastern&nbsp;Utah, United States. The park is adjacent to the&nbsp;Colorado River, 4 miles (6&nbsp;km) north of&nbsp;Moab, Utah. More than 2,000&nbsp;natural sandstone arches&nbsp;are located in the park, including the well-known&nbsp;Delicate Arch, as well as a variety of unique geological resources and formations. The park contains the highest density of natural arches in the world.



Devils Garden Campground is the only campground at Arches National Park. You can reserve campsites for nights between March 1 and October 31.&nbsp;During this busy season, the campground is usually full every night.&nbsp;If you're arriving at Arches without a reservation, you'll probably have to&nbsp;look for a campsite outside the park. Between November and February, campsites are first-come, first-served. You can backpack at Arches in a small number of designated sites and zones. Backpacking at Arches is more challenging than other places. It requires off-trail travel and route finding. Get a permit at the visitor center.

Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

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