Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Typhoon Mawar, also known as "Betty," which is the first typhoon of the season in the northwest Pacific. The intense storm struck Guam and the Philippines before heading toward Taiwan and southern Japan.



"With sustained winds that reached 295 kilometers (185 miles) per hour on May 25, the super typhoon grew to be one of the strongest May storms on record," says NASA.&nbsp;



"The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this natural-color image of Mawar at 05:20 Universal Time on May 30, 2023. Though the storm appeared to be bearing down on Taiwan, it was in the process of turning north and away from the island."



"After rapidly intensifying between May 24 and 25, Mawar then weakened significantly as it encountered cooler water temperatures and less favorable wind shear conditions as it neared Taiwan."



NASA reports that although Mawar did not strike the Philippines or Taiwan directly, the outer bands of the storm brought heavy rains to northern Luzon and rough seas to the eastern coast of Taiwan.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Typhoon Mawar is one of the strongest May storms on record

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Messina Strait, a channel in the Mediterranean Sea that separates Sicily and Calabria. The photograph was captured by an astronaut onboard the International Space Station



The Messina Strait is 20 miles long with a depth of 820 feet, and joins the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north and the Ionian Sea to the south.&nbsp;



"Waves that follow the tide from west to east are visible in the right half of the photo. These are caused by internal waves, a process where stratified water layers of changing density and increasing depth horizontally propagate beneath the water surface. The waves are illuminated by sunglint—an optical phenomenon that occurs when sunlight is directly reflected off the water and into a satellite’s sensor, or in this case, the astronaut’s camera," explains NASA.



"Alternating currents, relatively low water temperature, and high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen contribute to the region’s aquatic biodiversity. The strait hosts several deep-sea fish species such as Sloane’s viperfish (a predatory dragonfish) as well as commercially valuable fish like yellowtail and snapper. On the left side of the image, thin, white lines are likely ship wakes, some of which may belong to fishing boats."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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Messina Strait in the Mediterranean Sea

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Amazon River in Brazil. This particular stretch of river is located near the port city of Parintins.



"The river is the largest on Earth and allows seagoing ships to reach Parintins even though it is 800 kilometers (500 miles) inland from the Atlantic Ocean," says NASA.



"Seagoing ships can progress 3,600 kilometers (2,200 miles) up the Amazon River - more than halfway across the South American continent - to the port of Iquitos in Peru."&nbsp;



The muddy color of the river is tied to the Andes Mountains, a major source of sediments and mineral nutrients. According to NASA, the sediment erodes from the Andes Mountains located to the west and is carried generally eastward toward the ocean.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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The lower Amazon River in Brazil

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, a group of islands located in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, off the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.&nbsp;



"Sunglint reflects off the water surface, accentuating wave movement, ship wakes, and cloud shadows," said NASA. "The islands appear rust-colored due to previous tectonic and volcanic activity that deposited layers of black lava and pink volcanic ash."



"The Baja Peninsula acts as a natural wind and wave break that protects islands in the Gulf of California from erosion. Slowed erosion has resulted in the preservation of rock shelters and caves."



"Exploration and excavation of these shelters contribute to understanding the geomorphology, geology, and ancient human patterns on the islands. Archeologists have found human artifacts artifacts dating back approximately ten thousand years, providing evidence of human activity on the islands."



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago is part of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and consists of several islands, the largest and most well-known of which is Isla Espíritu Santo. The other main islands in the archipelago are Isla Partida, Los Islotes, and a few smaller islets.



Espíritu Santo and its surrounding islands are known for their stunning natural beauty, featuring dramatic cliffs, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters. The region is home to a rich diversity of marine life, including sea lions, manta rays, whale sharks, and various species of whales and dolphins. It also supports a variety of bird species, such as blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans, making it a popular destination for birdwatching.



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Mexican Protected Natural Area, which helps to preserve its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Ecotourism is popular in the area, with visitors participating in activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and wildlife watching.



The islands are accessible by boat from the nearby city of La Paz, which is the capital of Baja California Sur. There are numerous tour operators that offer day trips and multi-day excursions to the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, allowing visitors to explore the islands and their remarkable natural features.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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Espíritu Santo Archipelago in the Gulf of California

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Dark Canyon Complex, which is a rugged, remote area in southeastern Utah. It's part of the larger Cedar Mesa Plateau and includes both the Dark Canyon Wilderness and Dark Canyon Primitive Area.&nbsp;



These are areas of steep canyons, high plateaus, and rock formations that are characteristic of the Colorado Plateau.



"Deep, meandering canyons cut through the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah in this photograph, taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station on April 6, 2023," says NASA.



"These canyons, known as the Dark Canyon complex, have distinctive geology, ecology, and archeology. They are some of the only intact protected canyons in the United States."



"This rugged and remote landscape has been shaped by erosion. Over thousands of years, the Colorado River and smaller tributaries have eroded winding, steep-walled canyons into the sedimentary rock. Dark Canyon - one of seven canyons within the complex - cuts diagonally across the photo."



"Within this canyon, sandstone walls tower up to 3,000 feet, shading visitors from morning and afternoon sun - hence its name. The canyon’s steep walls expose roughly 250 million years of geologic history and contain deposits from the Permian period. Cockleshell and crinoid stem fossils have been found in the area."



The astronaut photograph is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by a member of the Expedition 69 crew.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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The Dark Canyon Complex in southeastern Utah

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, and its surroundings. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on February 21, 2023.



"Situated some 50 km south of the North Korean border, the metropolitan area of Seoul appears as the grey area in the centre of the image," says ESA.



"The Han River runs through the city, and to the right of the image it can be seen partly covered by ice. It is one of the biggest rivers in the Korean peninsula. It flows westward through Seoul into the Yellow Sea, named so because of the yellowish sand that colours its water."



"Seoul is surrounded by forested mountains, which appear brown in this wintery image. Bukhansan National Park lies just north of the city. The park is like an island, acting as a big green lung for the surrounding urban environment."



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Seoul, South Korea 

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

Wild hog in the Namib desert in Namibia Photo Credit: Photofex-AUT

Wild Hog

Several studies have already shown that what we eat is associated with changes in our sleep. However, research examining how diet itself directly affects sleep has been scarce.&nbsp;



According to a new study led by <a href="https://www.uu.se/">Uppsala University</a> in Sweden, one way to overcome this limitation is to have the same participant consume different types of diets in a randomized order.&nbsp;



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



By enrolling a cohort of 15 healthy participants and asking them to alternate between a healthy and unhealthy diet, the experts found that consumption of junk food led to a deterioration in the quality of participants’ <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sleep-helps-us-process-our-emotions/">deep sleep</a>.



“Both poor diet and poor sleep increase the risk of several public health conditions. As what we eat is so important for our health, we thought it would be interesting to investigate whether some of the health effects of different diets could involve changes to our sleep. In this context, so-called intervention studies - designed to allow the mechanistic effect of different diets on sleep to be isolated - have so far been lacking,” said senior author Jonathan Cedernaes, a professor of Medical Cell Biology at Uppsala.



While previous epidemiological studies have shown that diets with higher sugar content, for instance, are associated to poorer sleep, they failed to take into account the full complexity of sleep as an interplay of different physiological states, each marked by different types of electrical activity in the brain.&nbsp;



“Our sleep consists of different stages with different functions, such as deep sleep which regulates hormonal release, for example. Furthermore, each sleep stage is hallmarked by different types of electrical activity in the brain. This regulates aspects such as how restorative sleep is, and differs across different brain regions. But the depth or integrity of the sleep stages can also be negatively affected by factors such as insomnia and ageing. Previously, it has not been investigated whether similar changes in our sleep stages can occur after exposure to different diets,” Cedernaes explained.



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



The study sessions involved several days of monitoring in a sleep laboratory of 15 healthy individuals with normal sleep habits (an average of seven to nine hours of sleep per night). In random order, the participants were given both a healthy and unhealthy diet containing the same number of calories.&nbsp;



The unhealthy diet consisted of a higher sugar and saturated fat content and more processed food items. Each diet was consumed for a week, while participants’ sleep, activity, and meal schedules were monitored at an individual level. After each diet, participants’ sleep patterns were monitored in a sleep laboratory.



The investigations revealed that participants slept the same amount of time when they consumed the two diets and spent the same amount of time in different sleep stages. However, their deep sleep – particularly their slow-wave activity, a measure reflecting how restorative deep sleep is - appeared to be significantly affected by the unhealthy diet.



“Intriguingly, we saw that deep sleep exhibited less slow-wave activity when the participants had eaten junk food, compared with consumption of healthier food. This effect also lasted into a second night, once we had switched the participants to an identical diet. Essentially, the unhealthy diet resulted in shallower deep sleep. Of note, similar changes in sleep occur with ageing and in conditions such as insomnia. It can be hypothesized, from a sleep perspective, that greater importance should potentially be attached to diet in such conditions,” Cedernaes reported.



<h2 id="h-more-research-is-needed">More research is needed&nbsp;</h2>



Further research is needed to clarify how long-lasting the sleep effects of unhealthier diets may be, and how various functions that are regulated by deep sleep are altered by diet-induced shallower sleep.&nbsp;



Moreover, since previous studies have shown that memory is also regulated to a large extent by sleep, functional tests examining how memory processes are affected by reduced sleep quality due to unhealthy diets are necessary. Finally, it is not yet clear which substances in the unhealthy diet – and in what quantities - worsen the quality of deep sleep.



“As in our case, unhealthy diets often contain both higher proportions of saturated fat and sugar and a lower proportion of dietary fiber. It would be interesting to investigate whether there is a particular molecular factor that plays a greater role. Our dietary intervention was also quite short, and both the sugar and fat content could have been higher. It is possible that an even unhealthier diet would have had more pronounced effects on sleep,” Cedarneas concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/oby.23787">Obesity</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Junk food consumption impairs deep sleep

Several studies have already shown that what we eat is...

In the harsh saltpans of North Africa, a unique breed of ants displays remarkable navigational prowess. These desert ants, known as Cataglyphis fortis, traverse vast expanses of desert to gather food for their colonies, journeying far from their nests into this barren and hostile terrain.&nbsp;



The real challenge, however, begins once the ants find food - typically a deceased insect - and must promptly navigate back to their nest through the extremely hot and desolate environment.



Marilia Freire, the lead author of a recent study published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.019">Current Biology</a>, spoke about the impressive orientation abilities of these insects. "The desert ant Cataglyphis fortis stands out due to its exceptional ability to navigate and forage in the harshest environments," she said.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-ants-have-a-fascinating-internal-navigation-system">Ants have a fascinating internal navigation system</h2>



According to Freire, these ants employ an innate navigation mechanism known as path integration, using a sun compass and step counter to track their covered distances. The ants also use both visible and olfactory cues, an ability likely refined through evolution in their arduous habitat, resulting in a navigation system unparalleled in precision.



The research team, observing these ants in Tunisia, noted an intriguing aspect of their nest structures. The nests situated in the center of the saltpans, where landmarks are sparse, had high mounds at their entrances.&nbsp;



Conversely, nests closer to the shrub-laden edges of the saltpans boasted less pronounced or barely discernible hills. This led the researchers to question if these distinct differences were aiding the ants in homing back to their nests.



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



Markus Knaden of the <a href="https://www.ice.mpg.de/">Max Plank Institute for Chemical Ecology</a> described the goal of the study: "It's always challenging to determine if an animal's behavior is purposeful or coincidental. The high nest mounds in the saltpan's center could be an outcome of varying soil structures or wind conditions. For our study, we devised a plan to remove these mounds. We then provided some nests with artificial landmarks and left others without, closely observing the resultant behavior."



The researchers tracked the ants' movements using a GPS device. This method allowed for detailed monitoring of the ants' paths to the saltpans and their journeys back home.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned</h2>



Freire revealed a surprising discovery: "We noted that desert ants can travel much farther distances than we previously thought, with the longest single distance being over two kilometers. However, we also found a high mortality rate, with around 20% of foraging ants failing to return home after long journeys, succumbing to the harsh conditions. This phenomenon underscores the extreme selective pressure for superior orientation."



Further experiments indicated the vital role of nest hills as visual cues. The researchers painted a grid on the floor, which helped track the ants' movements accurately during their final approach to the nest.&nbsp;



When the nest hills were removed, fewer ants were able to find their way back. Simultaneously, their colony members began rebuilding nest mounds as quickly as possible.&nbsp;



Interestingly, when artificial landmarks - small black cylinders - were placed near the nest entrances from which the researchers had removed mounds, the ants did not invest in constructing new ones, suggesting the cylinders were adequate for orientation.



<h2 id="h-many-questions-left-unanswered">Many questions left unanswered</h2>



In ant colonies, work is divided among the members. Older and more experienced ants typically undertake foraging, while younger ants are tasked with building.&nbsp;



Thus, there must be some communication flow between these groups, though the researchers are still unclear about how this is accomplished. Freire speculated that ants inside the nest might notice fewer foragers returning home, prompting an increase in hill-building activities at the nest entrance.



Markus Knaden, who has been studying desert ants for a quarter of a century, continues to be captivated by their extraordinary capabilities. "These ants, despite their small brains, can learn visual and olfactory cues."



<h2 id="h-more-about-ants">More about ants&nbsp;</h2>



Ants are an integral part of the insect family Formicidae and belong to the order Hymenoptera, which also includes bees and wasps. They are known for their complex social structures and exceptional survival skills. Ant colonies can be found almost everywhere, except Antarctica and a few islands.



Ants come in a wide range of sizes and colors, from as small as 0.03 inches to as large as 2 inches in length. Their colonies are organized with various roles including the queen, workers, soldiers, and in some species, drones. Each caste has a specific duty within the colony.



<h3 id="h-ants-have-a-caste-system">Ants have a caste system</h3>



The queen is the primary reproducing female, usually the largest in the colony, responsible for laying all of the eggs. Some colonies have multiple queens.&nbsp;



The workers, which are typically sterile females, perform tasks like food gathering, nest maintenance, and brood care.&nbsp;



The soldiers are larger workers who defend the colony. Drones are the male ants, whose primary purpose is to mate with the queen.



<h3 id="h-communication-and-diet">Communication and diet</h3>



Ants have a unique form of communication involving pheromones. These chemical signals allow them to leave trails that other ants can follow, alert colony members to danger, and even guide them to food sources.



Their diet varies widely and can include seeds, nectar, fungus, or even other insects and small animals. Some species, like leafcutter ants, farm their own food. They cut pieces of leaves and carry them back to their colony to cultivate a special type of fungus that they eat.



<h3 id="h-extraordinary-strength">Extraordinary strength</h3>



One fascinating aspect of ants is their strength. They can carry objects 50 times their own body weight. This is due to their small size, which allows them to produce more force relative to their body weight.



<h3 id="h-impressive-construction-ability">Impressive construction ability</h3>



Ants are also known for their complex mound-building behaviors, creating intricate underground tunnel systems. Some species, like the red harvester ant, build their nests in a way that helps regulate temperature, humidity, and gas exchange.



<h3 id="h-important-role-in-earth-s-ecosystems">Important role in Earth’s ecosystems</h3>



The study of ants, known as myrmecology, has provided important insights into topics like social organization, navigation, and symbiosis. Ants often form symbiotic relationships with other insects, plants, and even fungi. Their success as a species is often attributed to their social structure, adaptability, and ability to modify habitats.



Despite being small, ants play a crucial role in the environment. They turn and aerate the soil, allowing water and oxygen to reach plant roots. They also help control pests by preying on eggs, larvae, and adults of various pest species.



There are more than 12,000 described species of ants. However, scientists believe there are many more still undiscovered, particularly in tropical areas. Ants have survived on Earth for over 100 million years, which speaks volumes about their adaptability and resilience.



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Ants build higher nests when there are no visible landmarks

In the harsh saltpans of North Africa, a unique breed...

Once threatened by disease and predators and experiencing massive population declines in the 1990s, the tiny foxes inhabiting the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California (Urocyon littoralis) were saved from extinction in 2016 by the Endangered Species Act.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, a team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.usc.edu/">University of Southern California</a> (USC) has now found that this species is now facing another threat which could possibly jeopardize their survival and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/">biodiversity</a> of their habitats: a marked decrease in their genetic diversity.



“The findings of this study highlight the alarming fact that the foxes currently inhabiting six of the Channel Islands possess extremely low genetic diversity, rendering them potentially more susceptible to dangers such as disease outbreaks and climate-induced environmental shifts,” said senior author Suzanne Edmands, a professor of Biological Sciences at USC.



<h2 id="h-significance-of-the-study">Significance of the study</h2>



As the largest native land animals on the Channel Islands, these bushy-tailed, big-eared foxes play a critical role in regulating plant and animal populations, by feeding upon a variety of food sources, such as fruit, insects, snails, lizards, birds, and rodents. In fact, many plant species heavily rely on them to distribute their seeds through their scat.



“The importance of these animals to the overall biodiversity of the island can’t be over-emphasized. Without them, we could lose other species as well,” Edmands said.&nbsp;



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



By comparing historic museum specimens and modern blood samples, the experts discovered that the foxes exhibited an extremely low genetic variation even before their population declines. This variation has further dropped since their population numbers fell, particularly on the islands of San Miguel and Santa Rosa. Other islands, such as Santa Cruz and Santa Catalina, where populations fell moderately, displayed mixed changes in genetic diversity metrics.



Although placing the foxes on the endangered species list from 2004 to 2016 played a major role in their population recovery – with increase from 100 specimens to over 2,000 on Santa Catalina, and from 15 to 1,200 on Santa Rosa – their low genetic diversity continues to hinder their ability to adapt to future challenges, such as climate change and introduced diseases.



However, the researchers also discovered a reasonably good diversity within the foxes’ gut microbiome, which helps boosting immunity and well-being. “This discovery suggests that the foxes may have developed an alternative mechanism to cope with changing environmental conditions,” Edmands explained.



<h2 id="h-what-is-the-best-conservation-strategy">What is the best conservation strategy?</h2>



The analysis also revealed an increased divergence between the six islands over time, a feature complicating the possible conservation strategy of moving foxes between islands to increase genetic variation. Such a method could inadvertently disrupt local adaptation by producing offspring that are less fit and adapted to their specific environments.



Due to their limited capacity to respond to new challenges, long-term monitoring of their populations is crucial, including non-invasive monitoring by sequencing bacterial communities in their scat.



“The recovery of fox population numbers is an incredible conservation success, but their fragile genetic condition means that continued vigilance is critical to ensure their survival,” Edmands concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.17025">Molecular Ecology</a>.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Channel Island foxes threatened by low genetic diversity

Once threatened by disease and predators and experiencing massive population...

As the world heats up, climatic changes are becoming more noticeable. A new study out of <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/">Dartmouth</a> suggests that the Northeast United States, a region known for its varied seasons and unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-weather-is-becoming-more-difficult-to-predict/">weather</a> patterns, is set to experience more extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall due to rising temperatures.&nbsp;



The study, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-023-03545-w">Climatic Change</a>, predicts an increase in heavy rainfall events by as much as 52 percent by the end of this century. These extreme precipitation events are characterized as days with 1.5 or more inches of heavy rainfall or melted snow.



According to study first author Christopher J. Picard, the logic behind the forecast is pretty simple: as climate change ramps up the heat, more water vapor saturates the atmosphere. This elevated moisture sets the stage for an uptick in extreme precipitation.



<h2 id="h-broader-focus-of-the-study">Broader focus of the study</h2>



The focus of the study is not just on the increased volume of precipitation. "Our findings show that this increase in extreme precipitation will be primarily driven by more frequent heavy rainfall events, not by the intensity of such events," explained Picard. The expectation is not that each storm will be more powerful, but rather, that there will simply be more days of heavy rainfall.



Looking deeper into the seasons, the study notes that winter and spring are expected to bear the brunt of this change, contributing significantly to the predicted 52 percent surge in extreme precipitation by 2070 to 2099. These seasons may see increases in extreme precipitation of 109&nbsp; and 89 percent, respectively.



Jonathan Winter, the senior author of the study and an associate professor of Geography at Dartmouth, has a history of examining heavy rainfall trends in the Northeast. His earlier work, which looked at data from 1901 to 2014, found a 50 percent increase in extreme precipitation events from 1996 to 2014.&nbsp;



According to Professor Winter, this sharp uptick in extreme weather events has clear ties to climate change. "Building on our earlier work, we were particularly interested in determining how much extreme precipitation is expected to change across the Northeast in the future."



<h2 id="h-where-the-study-was-focused">Where the study was focused</h2>



The study specifically focused on thirteen Northeast states and Washington, D.C. When breaking down the regional impact, the researchers predict that extreme precipitation increases will be most noticeable in West Virginia, certain parts of Pennsylvania, central New York, and northeastern Maine. The areas expected to see comparatively less of an increase are those along the Atlantic coast and south of Lake Ontario.



To conduct the study, the team employed a regional climate model from the <a href="https://ncar.ucar.edu/">National Center for Atmospheric Research</a>. This model helped simulate precipitation for two periods: a historical one from 1996 to 2005 and a projected one from 2070 to 2099.&nbsp;



The experts cross-referenced their results with simulations from other regional climate models and found a high degree of agreement. These models predict increases in heavy rainfall ranging from 58 to 169 percent.



<h2 id="h-grave-implications-of-the-study-s-results">Grave implications of the study’s results</h2>



The implications of this anticipated upsurge in extreme weather events are grave. "Extreme precipitation events can pose threats to life, property, infrastructure, and the environment," warns Winter.&nbsp;



Prior studies have revealed the destructive effects of such occurrences. They can lead to flooding, landslides, and erosion, which in turn can wipe out roads, instigate agricultural runoff of pollutants, and damage recreational areas.&nbsp;



"So, understanding where the flood plain is actually located, having the right sized culverts or green infrastructure in place, and properly designing roads and bridges, are important to managing the extra water that we're likely to encounter in the future," said Winter.&nbsp;



The research shines a spotlight on the unfolding realities of climate change and their likely impact on our daily lives. As we move toward the end of the century, more frequent days of heavy rainfall will likely become a commonplace event in the Northeast, a direct consequence of the rising global temperatures.



<h2 id="h-prepare-for-a-future-filled-with-extreme-weather">Prepare for a future filled with extreme weather</h2>



As Picard, Winter and colleagues demonstrate, a future with more extreme weather events isn't just a possibility - it's a likelihood. While this research gives us a glimpse of what lies ahead, it also underscores the need for greater resilience and adaptation in the face of climate change.&nbsp;



This means understanding where flood plains are actually located, investing in appropriately-sized infrastructure, and designing roads and bridges with these changing conditions in mind.



As we continue to observe the effects of climate change, studies like this one from Dartmouth are invaluable in shaping our understanding and response to these global changes. With this research, we gain more insight into the climate of the future - allowing us to better prepare and adapt to a world where the weather promises to be far more unpredictable than we've ever known.



<h2 id="h-how-climate-change-impacts-extreme-weather-events">How climate change impacts extreme weather events</h2>



Climate change is transforming our planet in profound and wide-ranging ways, influencing the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme weather events. These changes are due to the warming effect of increased greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide and methane, trapping more heat in the Earth's atmosphere.



Here's a breakdown of some ways climate change influences extreme weather:



<h3 id="h-heatwaves">Heatwaves&nbsp;</h3>



As global temperatures rise, heatwaves have become more frequent and intense. These prolonged periods of excessively hot weather can lead to droughts, wildfires, and significant impacts on human health and agriculture.



<h3 id="h-heavy-rainfall-and-flooding">Heavy Rainfall and Flooding</h3>



Climate change intensifies the water cycle. Warmer air can hold more moisture, which can result in more intense rainfall, leading to an increased risk of flooding. This was precisely the conclusion of the Dartmouth study we previously discussed.



<h3 id="h-droughts">Droughts&nbsp;</h3>



While some areas experience increased rainfall, others undergo prolonged periods of dryness. Changes in weather patterns and decreased rainfall can lead to severe droughts. These droughts can harm agriculture, deplete water sources, and create conditions ideal for wildfires.



<h3 id="h-hurricanes-and-tropical-storms">Hurricanes and Tropical Storms</h3>



As the ocean's surface temperature rises, hurricanes and tropical storms can become more intense. Warm water fuels these storms, so higher temperatures can lead to storms with stronger winds and heavier rainfall.



<h3 id="h-wildfires">Wildfires&nbsp;</h3>



Increased temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns can make forests drier and more susceptible to wildfires. When combined with extended periods of drought, the risk of wildfires significantly increases.



<h3 id="h-snowstorms-and-cold-waves">Snowstorms and Cold Waves</h3>



Although climate change generally leads to warmer temperatures, it can also cause extreme cold events. This happens because warming in the Arctic can disrupt the polar vortex, a large area of cold air and low pressure at the North Pole, causing frigid air to spill into lower latitudes.



<h3 id="h-sea-level-rise">Sea-Level Rise</h3>



While not a weather event, the melting of polar ice caps due to rising global temperatures results in a rise in sea levels. This increases the risk of coastal flooding, particularly during storms.



It's important to understand that climate change doesn't create extreme weather events out of thin air, but instead, it modifies existing weather patterns, making them more severe, more frequent, or both.&nbsp;



These shifts in weather patterns can have profound effects on ecosystems, agriculture, infrastructure, and human life, making it critical for us to understand and mitigate the impact of climate change.



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Heavy rainfall events in the Northeast are set to increase by over 50 percent

As the world heats up, climatic changes are becoming more...

Scientists exploring the evolution of bipedal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-humans-walking-upright/">walking</a> have long assumed that the raised arch of the foot helps humans walk by acting as a lever that propels the body forward. However, a new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1155439">Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology</a> has found that the recoil of the flexible arch repositions the ankle upright for more effective walking.&nbsp;



In running, these effects are even greater, suggesting that the ability to run efficiently may have been a selective pressure for a flexible arch which made walking more efficient too. Besides shedding new light on human evolution, these findings could have medical applications, by helping doctors improve treatments for patients’ locomotory problems.



“We thought originally that the spring-like arch helped to lift the body into the next step,” said study lead author Lauren Welte, an associate research fellow in Foot Biomechanics at the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/">University of Wisconsin-Madison</a> who conducted the research during a postdoctoral fellowship at <a href="https://www.queensu.ca/">Queen’s University</a>. “It turns out that instead, the spring-like arch recoils to help the ankle lift the body.”



The evolution of the raised medial arch sets us apart from great apes, and is crucial for our capacity for bipedal walking. Although the precise mechanisms by which it operates are still unclear, this arch is thought to give hominins more leverage when walking, and to make them more efficient runners by propelling the center mass of the body forward, or by making up for mechanical work that muscles would otherwise have to do.



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



To test these hypotheses, the scientists enrolled seven participants with varying arch mobility, and asked them to walk or run while their feet were filmed by high-speed x-ray motion capture cameras.&nbsp;



To examine the effect of arch mobility on adjacent joints, the researchers created rigid models and compared them to the measured motion of the foot bones. In addition, they measured which joints contributed the most to arch recoil, along with the contribution of arch recoil to center of mass and ankle propulsion.



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



Contrary to their expectations that arch recoil would assist in lifting the body by acting as a rigid lever, the experts found that a rigid arch lacking recoil led to early detachment of the foot from the ground. This early detachment likely decreased the efficiency of the calf muscles.&nbsp;



Alternatively, the absence of arch recoil caused the ankle bones to lean excessively forward, resembling the posture seen in walking chimpanzees rather than the upright stance characteristic of human gait. By contrast, a flexible arch played a crucial role in realigning the ankle to an upright position, enabling more effective leg push-off from the ground.&nbsp;



This effect was even more pronounced during running, indicating that efficient running may have exerted evolutionary pressure in favor of the flexible arch. Finally, the scientists discovered that the joint between two bones in the medial arch – the navicular and the medial cuneiform – was crucial to the arch’s flexibility.



“The mobility of our feet seems to allow us to walk and run upright instead of either crouching forward or pushing off into the next step too soon,” explained senior author Michael Rainbow, an associate professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Queen’s University.



<h2 id="h-future-implications-of-the-study">Future implications of the study</h2>



These findings could open therapeutic pathways for people whose arches are rigid due to injury or illness. In such cases, supporting the flexibility of the arch could help improve overall mobility.&nbsp;



“Our work suggests that allowing the arch to move during propulsion makes movement more efficient. If we restrict arch motion, it’s likely that there are corresponding changes in how the other joints function,” Welte explained.



“At this stage, our hypothesis requires further testing because we need to verify that differences in foot mobility across the population lead to the kinds of changes we see in our limited sample. That said, our work sets the stage for an exciting new avenue of investigation,” Rainbow concluded.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Flexible foot arch makes humans better runners

Scientists exploring the evolution of bipedal walking have long assumed...

How do flying insects like important <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/south-african-daisy-creates-fake-flies-to-attract-pollinators/">pollinators</a> locate odor sources in the great outdoors, despite encountering highly variable wind conditions? They use odor plumes - which travel like smoke and form when the wind blows odor molecules from their source - to track down sources such as flowers or pheromones.



But wind tunnels are typically unable to replicate realistic outdoor wind conditions. A study published in the AIP journal&nbsp;<a href="https://pubs.aip.org/pof">Physics of Fluids</a> explores microscale wind conditions in various outdoor environments to investigate what flying insects might experience while tracking odor plumes.



Study co-authors Jaleesa Houle and Floris Van Breugel from the <a href="https://www.unr.edu/">University of Nevada at Reno</a> assessed the mechanical turbulence produced by ambient wind flowing over surface roughness elements such as buildings, trees, and fences and its role in odor plume tracking.



“Since we’re studying wind dynamics within the surface roughness sublayer, most known atmospheric similarity theories that describe properties of the wind profile are not applicable,” said Houle. “So, we use statistical analysis to find both spatial and temporally significant correlations between wind measurements for various sites where we collected data.”



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers collected near-surface wind data from several sage steppe (shrub-filled grassland), forest, and urban areas in Northern Nevada and discovered near-surface wind direction is often highly variable over timescales of less than 10 minutes. They also found wind direction variability to be consistently higher in environments with greater surface complexity (urban areas) and lower at higher wind speeds.



“This is important because insects are typically tracking odor plumes in lower wind speeds, which indicates they are somehow making sense of the high directional variability they encounter,” said Houle. “Turbulence intensity is strongly correlated with standard deviations in wind direction, which might be useful for future wind tunnel experimental designs aimed at recreating more ‘natural’ winds.”



<h2 id="h-what-the-experts-learned">What the experts learned&nbsp;</h2>



Based on their findings, Houle and van Breugel hypothesize an optimal range of wind speed and environmental surface complexity may exist to help insects locate an odor source.



“Further experiments will be needed to test our hypothesis and may help us better understand the implications of land fragmentation on the success of ecologically significant plume tracking insects, such as pollinators,” said Houle.&nbsp;



“Beyond this, our results give a compelling reason for researchers to focus on increasing directional variability in wind tunnel studies if they want to uncover plume tracking behaviors that more closely resemble what we might see in nature.”



Next, the researchers will apply their findings to plume tracking wind tunnel experiments and a series of outdoor studies.



“During the summer, we plan to test our hypothesis regarding the types of wind conditions insects might prefer while tracking odor plumes,” said Houle. “In the lab, we’re actively looking for ways to create greater directional variability to better mimic natural wind.”



<h2 id="h-more-about-how-insects-fly">More about how insects fly</h2>



 Insect flight is a remarkable natural phenomenon that has intrigued scientists for centuries. Despite their seemingly erratic patterns, insects are actually incredibly skilled fliers, capable of executing complex maneuvers that even our most advanced aircraft can't duplicate.



At the heart of an insect's flying ability are its wings, which are made of a thin, flexible cuticle - the same material that makes up the insect's exoskeleton. The wings are incredibly light, yet strong enough to withstand the rapid, vigorous beating required for flight.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-two-pairs-of-wings">Two pairs of wings&nbsp;</h3>



Insects typically have two pairs of wings, although in some species, like flies (Diptera), the second pair of wings has evolved into structures known as halteres that help in balance and navigation.



Insect flight involves two primary wing-beating patterns: the figure-eight and the clap-and-fling.



<h4 id="h-figure-eight-pattern">Figure-eight pattern&nbsp;</h4>



This is the most common pattern and is employed by bees, flies, and many other insects. The insect moves its wings in a figure-eight pattern, creating a swirl of air (vortex) above the wing that produces lift. It's an efficient way of flying that allows insects to hover in place, fly backward, and quickly change direction.



<h4 id="h-clap-and-fling-pattern">Clap-and-fling pattern</h4>



In this method, used by smaller insects like thrips and some kinds of beetles, the insect claps its wings together above its body and then flings them apart. When the wings fling apart, the air rushes in to fill the void, creating a vortex that generates lift.



One of the major differences between insect flight and bird or plane flight is how lift is created. Birds and airplanes create lift by moving forward, with air flowing faster over the top of the wing than the bottom due to its shape (an effect described by Bernoulli's principle). Insects, on the other hand, generate lift by flapping their wings back and forth at high frequencies.



Insects are also able to control the angle at which their wings beat, known as the "angle of attack," allowing them to change direction quickly or hover in place. They have an incredible amount of control over their flight, capable of near-instant changes in speed and direction.



The ability of insects to fly has played a critical role in their success as a group, aiding in food acquisition, escape from predators, and dispersion to new habitats. Despite their small size, insects have evolved one of the most effective forms of flight in the animal kingdom.



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How do flying insects fight the wind to reach food?

How do flying insects like important pollinators locate odor sources...

When we think about pollutants spewed from our daily commute, exhaust fumes tend to be the first thing that springs to mind. But a startling new study from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> challenges this assumption, spotlighting an underappreciated source of vehicular emissions: windshield washer fluid.



This study suggests that windshield washer fluid's alcoholic content contributes significantly more to real-world vehicle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-emissions-from-fertilizers-could-be-cut-by-80-percent/">emissions</a> than previously thought. The researchers argue that even as more and more drivers switch from gasoline to electric vehicles, the emission levels of these non-fuel-derived gases will likely remain consistent.



Over the past two decades, average carbon dioxide emissions from cars have seen a marked decrease. A report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicates a 25 percent drop since the early 2000s. However, carbon dioxide is merely one component of the emissions problem.



The villainous roster of pollutants also includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs, a category of carbon-based molecules that easily vaporize, contribute significantly to ozone formation. Although exhaust gases emit some VOCs, car-care products, including windshield washer fluid, are another significant source.



Existing estimates from a comprehensive inventory of manufacturer statistics in the U.K. indicate that these car-care products may be a more substantial source of VOCs than exhaust. Yet, until now, no experimental verification existed.&nbsp;



Samuel Cliff and his team decided to fill this gap by measuring the vaporized windshield washer fluid ingredients emitted by cars on real-world roads, comparing these figures to the existing inventory estimates.



The team, equipped with several instruments including a mass spectrometer, stationed a van near a busy roadway to record the VOCs released by passing vehicles. They compared these readings to measurements taken at a university site with minimal traffic to calculate the average amount of vapor emitted per car for each kilometer traveled for key VOCs.



Their observations painted a fascinating picture. The measurements for aromatic compounds, which are commonly monitored and regulated, matched the inventory estimates.&nbsp;



However, the alcohol readings, critical components in windshield washer fluid, surpassed the inventory figures. The released amounts of two alcohols, ethanol and methanol, were almost double that of all VOCs emitted through exhaust.



This stark discrepancy in alcohol emissions suggested that including solvents from car-care products in inventory estimations could lead to a more accurate assessment of vehicle-derived pollutants. This would, therefore, indicate that these products are a significant, if overlooked, source of vehicular pollutants.



This revelation has profound implications for future regulatory policy. Electric vehicles might emit fewer fuel-derived pollutants, but windshield washing is an unavoidable part of vehicle maintenance. Therefore, car care products' emissions will persist, demanding attention and suitable regulatory measures.



The study, which is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c00845">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>,&nbsp; received funding from the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council and the Panorama Natural Environment Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership.



<h2 id="h-more-about-windshield-wiper-fluid">More about windshield wiper fluid</h2>



Windshield wiper fluid, also known as windshield washer fluid or wiper fluid, is a liquid used in conjunction with the wiper blades of a vehicle to clean the windshield. This fluid helps to remove dirt, insects, bird droppings, and other debris that may accumulate on a windshield during travel.



The fluid's primary components include water, alcohol such as methanol, ethylene glycol, or ethanol, and detergents. Some variations may also include antifreeze components for use in cold climates, where it's important that the fluid doesn't freeze upon contact with the windshield or within the reservoir of the vehicle.



The alcohol content in windshield washer fluid serves as both a cleaning agent and an antifreeze agent. Methanol and ethanol help to break down grime and dirt while preventing the fluid from freezing in cold conditions.



<h3 id="h-use-caution-with-wiper-fluid">Use caution with wiper fluid</h3>



Despite its usefulness, it's important to handle windshield wiper fluid carefully. For instance, methanol, a common ingredient, is considered toxic and can be harmful or fatal if ingested. It can also irritate the skin and eyes, which is why it's recommended to use caution when filling up your car's wiper fluid reservoir.



As highlighted by the study in your previous question, windshield wiper fluid can also contribute to environmental pollution. When used, the alcohol and other volatile organic compounds in the fluid can evaporate into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution.



Lastly, given its potential environmental impact, some manufacturers are now producing "eco-friendly" windshield washer fluids. These use plant-derived ingredients and avoid harmful substances like methanol. While they may not always be as effective in extreme weather conditions, they provide a more sustainable option for drivers concerned about their environmental footprint.



<h2 id="h-about-the-acs">About the ACS</h2>



The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS’ mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news periodical&nbsp;Chemical &amp; Engineering News.&nbsp;



ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.



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Windshield wiper fluid accounts for large percentage of toxic vehicle emissions

When we think about pollutants spewed from our daily commute,...

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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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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Black Widow Spider -Female, male and egg sac Photo Credit: Mark_Kostich

Black Widow Spider

Close-up of dangerous horned viper in the sahara Photo Credit: acceptphoto