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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: NASA



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Cosmic eye in the Puppis constellation

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features UGC 5460, a spiral galaxy that is located about 60 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major.&nbsp;



“This image combines four different wavelengths of light to reveal UGC 5460’s central bar of stars, winding spiral arms and bright blue star clusters. Also captured in the upper left-hand corner of this image is a far closer object: a star just 577 light-years away in our own galaxy,” said <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“UGC 5460 has hosted two recent supernovae named SN 2011ht and SN 2015as. It’s because of these two stellar explosions that Hubble targeted this galaxy, collecting data for three observing programmes that aim to study various kinds of supernovae.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-core-collapse-supernova-nbsp">A core-collapse supernova&nbsp;</h2>



SN 2015as is an example of a core-collapse supernova. This type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> occurs when the core of a massive star - typically with more than 8 times the mass of the sun - can no longer support its own gravity after exhausting its nuclear fuel. 



This causes the core to collapse under its own weight, leading to an extremely violent explosion. The collapse triggers the release of an enormous amount of energy, expelling the outer layers of the star into space.



In the aftermath of the explosion, a dense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shockingly-bright-carbon-monoxide-detected-in-supernova-remnant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remnant</a> is created. This is often a neutron star or black hole, depending on the mass of the original star. Core-collapse supernovae are some of the most powerful events in the universe.



According to ESA, Hubble observations of SN 2015as will help researchers understand what happens when the expanding shockwave of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-dandelion-year-1181-leaves-behind-zombie-star-defying-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> collides with the gas that surrounds the exploded star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-stars-with-large-eruptions-nbsp">Rare stars with large eruptions&nbsp;</h2>



“SN 2011ht might have been a core-collapse supernova as well, but it could also be an impostor called a luminous blue variable. Luminous blue variables are rare stars that experience eruptions so large that they can mimic supernovae,” noted ESA.



“Crucially, luminous blue variables emerge from these eruptions unscathed, while stars that go supernova do not. Hubble will search for a stellar survivor at SN 2011ht’s location, and the explosion’s identity may be revealed at last.”



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



Spiral galaxies are some of the most recognizable and beautiful structures in the universe. They are known for their distinctive arms that spiral outward from a central bulge.&nbsp;



These galaxies are typically composed of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. The arms are often sites of intense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>, where clouds of gas collapse to form new stars. 



In the center of a spiral galaxy lies a dense concentration of older stars and, often, a supermassive black hole.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structure-of-a-spiral-galaxy-nbsp">Structure of a spiral galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



The structure of a spiral galaxy is generally divided into three main components: the disk, the bulge, and the halo.&nbsp;



The disk is where the spiral arms are located and contains most of the galaxy's visible stars and interstellar medium.&nbsp;



The bulge is a tightly packed region of older stars at the core, and the halo consists of a sparse collection of stars and globular clusters that surround the galaxy.&nbsp;



Spiral galaxies can be classified into different types based on the tightness and number of their spiral arms, as well as the size of their central bulge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-milky-way-galaxy">The Milky Way galaxy</h2>



Our solar system is located within a large spiral galaxy known as the Milky Way. The name refers to its appearance as a dim, milky band of light stretching across the night sky.&nbsp;



The term "Milky Way" comes from ancient Greek mythology, where it was associated the goddess Hera's milk spilling into the sky. In Greek, it was called "Galaxias Kyklos," meaning "milky circle."&nbsp;



Spanning about 100,000 light-years in diameter, the Milky Way is composed of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. The galaxy has a distinct disk shape with spiral arms that wind outward from a central bulge, which houses a supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-black-hole-unleashes-mysterious-flares/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a>. 



Our sun is located in one of the spiral arms - known as the Orion Arm - positioned roughly halfway from the center to the outer edge.&nbsp;



The Milky Way is part of a small group of galaxies called the Local Group, which includes the Andromeda Galaxy and several smaller galaxies.



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Hubble views a spiral galaxy with stellar explosions

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

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a satellite view of retreating glaciers in Alaska, where meltwater is rapidly expanding glacial lakes. 



“In parts of Alaska, water is replacing ice. As glaciers thin and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-images-reveal-hidden-retreat-of-arctic-glaciers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retreat</a>, meltwater collects at their fronts, forming proglacial lakes. According to an analysis by Mauri Pelto, a glaciologist at Nichols College, three such lakes in the southeastern part of the state have grown rapidly in recent decades,” said <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-retreating-glaciers-in-alaska">Retreating glaciers in Alaska</h2>



“A trio of glaciers - Yakutat, Alsek, and Grand Plateau - descend from inland mountains and flow onto the coastal plain southeast of Yakutat borough, ending at Harlequin Lake, Alsek Lake, and Grand Plateau Lake,” noted NASA.&nbsp;



The retreat of the glaciers, as well as the growth of the lakes, are visible in the image. When compared to an <a href="https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/153000/153638/fastestlake_tm5_19840705_lrg.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">image</a> captured by Landsat 5 in the summer of 1984, the changes are even more evident.



NASA elaborated on the extent of the glacier retreat from 1984 to 2024. “During this period, Yakutat Glacier’s main arm retreated 4.3 miles, while Alsek Glacier’s northern and southern arms retreated 3.3 miles and 3.4 miles, respectively. Grand Plateau Glacier’s northern arm lost the most, retreating 4.8 miles.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacial-lakes-doubled-in-size-nbsp">Glacial lakes doubled in size&nbsp;</h2>



“Collectively, the three lakes more than doubled in size over 40 years. In 1984, they covered about 50 square miles. By 2024, they spanned 90 square miles. That’s an area larger than Seneca Lake (67 square miles) - one of the Finger Lakes in New York, which also have a glacial origin,” said NASA.



Pelto noted that the lakes forming in this region are immense - starting at the mountains and spreading toward the coast - making this a new lake district that is unique in our nation.



“Millions of other lakes, named and unnamed, dot the state. But this system has grown fast, so much so that Pelto thinks it might represent the fastest lake growth in the United States this century,” said NASA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-glacier-retreat-nbsp">Understanding glacier retreat&nbsp;</h2>



Glacier retreat is a significant phenomenon driven primarily by global warming the results from rising greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a>.&nbsp;



As temperatures rise, glaciers lose more ice during the summer melt than they can regain in winter snowfall, causing them to shrink over time. This process has profound implications for ecosystems, water resources, and global sea levels.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacial-lakes">Glacial lakes</h3>



When glaciers retreat, they often leave behind depressions in the landscape that can fill with meltwater, forming glacial lakes. These lakes are typically bounded by natural dams made of rock, ice, or moraine - accumulations of debris left behind by the glacier's movement.&nbsp;



Over the past century, the number and size of glacial lakes worldwide have increased significantly due to the accelerating pace of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-glaciers-offer-a-glimpse-of-our-harsh-climate-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glacier</a> retreat. This trend is especially evident in high-altitude regions like the Himalayas, the Andes, and the Alps, as well as in polar areas such as Alaska and Greenland.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-positive-and-negative-impacts-nbsp">Positive and negative impacts&nbsp;</h3>



Glacial lakes can have both positive and negative impacts. They provide critical water sources for downstream communities, support biodiversity, and sometimes offer opportunities for hydropower development or tourism.&nbsp;



However, they also pose serious risks. The dams holding back these lakes can fail suddenly, causing glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). These catastrophic events can devastate downstream areas, destroying infrastructure, agricultural lands, and habitats while endangering human lives.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-changes">Monitoring changes</h3>



Understanding glacier retreat and glacial lake formation requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining climate science, hydrology, and geology.&nbsp;



Monitoring these changes is essential to mitigate associated risks and adapt to the evolving landscape shaped by a <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.earth.com%2Fnews%2Fperu-has-lost-over-half-of-its-glaciers-in-six-decades%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming planet</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacier-retreat-worldwide">Glacier retreat worldwide</h2>



Studies and satellite observations show that most glaciers in almost all regions of the world are shrinking.&nbsp;



Melting glaciers contribute significantly to global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emergency-meeting-reveals-the-alarming-extent-of-antarcticas-ice-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level rise</a>, which threatens coastal communities and ecosystems.



The retreat of glaciers is considered one of the clearest indicators of climate change.&nbsp;Some glaciers are retreating at unprecedented rates, indicating accelerating climate impacts.



The image was captured on August 4, 2024 by the Landsat 8 satellite.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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Retreating glaciers and expanding meltwater lakes in Alaska

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 1333, a reflection nebula located in the Perseus molecular cloud about 960 light-years away from Earth. The photo is a mosaic of images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.



“Webb’s superb sensitivity allows astronomers to investigate young objects with extremely low masses. Some of the faintest ‘stars’ in the picture are in fact newly born free-floating brown dwarfs with masses comparable to those of giant planets,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



The same cluster was featured in the 33rd anniversary image of the Hubble Space Telescope in April 2023.&nbsp;



According to ESA, Hubble’s image just scratched the surface of this region, because clouds of dust obscure much of the star formation process. 



"Observing with larger aperture and in the infrared part of the spectrum, Webb is capable of peering through the dusty veil to reveal newborn stars, brown dwarfs and planetary mass objects."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-s-view-of-ngc-1333">Webb’s view of NGC 1333</h2>



ESA noted that the center of the image presents a deep peek into the heart of the NGC 1333 cloud.&nbsp;



“Across the image we see large patches of orange, which represent gas glowing in the infrared. These so-called Herbig-Haro objects form when ionized material ejected from young stars collides with the surrounding cloud. They are hallmarks of a very active site of star formation."



The disks of gas and dust that surround the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a> in this image may eventually produce planetary systems.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stars-in-the-sun-s-birth-cluster">Stars in the Sun's birth cluster</h2>



“Similar to the young stars in this mosaic, our own Sun and planets formed inside a dusty molecular cloud, 4.6 billion years ago. Our Sun did not form in isolation but as part of a cluster, which was perhaps even more massive than NGC 1333,” explained ESA.



Over time, the stars in the Sun's birth cluster would have drifted apart due to gravitational interactions and the dispersion of gas in the region.



Astronomers have been studying certain clues, such as isotopic signatures in meteorites, that hint the Sun may have formed near massive stars. These stars likely produced supernovae, which could have influenced the early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-objects-spotted-in-the-outer-solar-system-beyond-pluto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a> by injecting heavy elements like iron-60.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-1333">Star formation in NGC 1333</h2>



NGC 1333 is a vibrant example of a stellar nursery, where active <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 ongoing. It is known for its chaotic appearance, shaped by the interactions between newborn stars and the surrounding material.



Within NGC 1333, astronomers have observed a high level of turbulence, which makes the region dynamic and complex. 



The disturbances are caused by the outflows of young stars as they eject material into their surroundings, creating shock waves and influencing further star formation. 



These outflows are often seen as jets, which are visible in multiple wavelengths of light, especially infrared, as the surrounding dust absorbs visible light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-stages-of-planet-formation">Early stages of planet formation </h2>



NGC 1333 is also an area of interest for studying the early stages of star and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a>, as many of the stars within the cluster are in their infancy.



These stars are still in the process of gathering material and developing protoplanetary disks.&nbsp;



In images, NGC 1333 is marked by bright patches of blue and red, representing reflection <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebulae</a> and the ionized gas created by energetic young stars.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-perseus-molecular-cloud-nbsp">The Perseus molecular cloud&nbsp;</h2>



The Perseus molecular cloud is a vast region of cold gas and dust located about 600 light-years away from Earth in the constellation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/1500-billion-orphan-stars-discovered-in-the-perseus-galaxy-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseus</a>.&nbsp;



It is one of the most studied star-forming regions in our galaxy due to its relative proximity and the diversity of its young stellar objects. This cloud spans several hundred light-years and contains dense pockets of gas where new stars are actively forming.&nbsp;



These areas are often enshrouded in thick dust, which obscures them in visible light but allows astronomers to study them using infrared and radio wavelengths.



The Perseus molecular cloud is particularly interesting because of the chemistry taking place within it, including the formation of complex organic molecules that could be precursors to life.&nbsp;



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



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Stellar nursery shines in the Perseus cloud

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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Messier 78: Young stars shine through dense dust

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



NGC 2899 was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on March 2, 1835, during his survey of the southern skies from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Herschel cataloged many deep-sky objects in the southern hemisphere, contributing significantly to the New General Catalogue (NGC) compiled later by John Louis Emil Dreyer.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: ESA



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Planetary nebula with ethereal wings captured by Hubble

Featuring three miles of pink sand and clear, turquoise water, Pink Sands Beach is a heavenly escape. The ocean is warm year-round, making it is the perfect spot for swimming.

Pink Sands Beach    Harbour Island, Bahamas

Many people might shudder at the idea of coming into contact with a venomous snake. One man, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/health/snakes-universal-antivenom-tim-friede.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tim Friede</a>, deliberately allowed himself to be bitten more than 100 times by cobras, mambas, and other lethal species.



His actions were part of a personal quest to develop immunity that could save others from the effects of severe envenomation. The effort caught the attention of <a href="https://www.centivax.com/jake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Jacob Glanville</a> from Centivax, Inc., who decided to investigate the unique antibodies Tim had produced.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-snakebites-do-to-the-body">What snakebites do to the body</h2>



Every venomous snake has a cocktail of toxic proteins that harm the body in various ways. These <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9917609/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toxins</a> can disrupt nerve signals, break down tissues, or prevent blood from clotting.



<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/neurotoxin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurotoxins</a> interfere with the nerve impulses that allow muscles to move, which can lead to paralysis or even breathing difficulties. This often results in swift and life-threatening complications if not treated promptly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-in-existing-snakebite-treatments">Challenges in existing snakebite treatments</h2>



<a href="https://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/department-of-biochemistry-and-pharmacology/engage/avru/discover/what-is-antivenom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antivenom</a> is traditionally manufactured by injecting horses or sheep with a specific type of snake venom, then collecting the antibodies they produce. This approach can be time-consuming and may offer limited coverage for different species.



Statistics from the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/snakebite-envenoming" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a> show that snakebites kill thousands of people each year, with many more left disabled. In countries where multiple venomous snakes roam, a single product rarely provides adequate protection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-bold-path-to-immunity">A bold path to immunity</h2>



“What was exciting about the donor was his once-in-a-lifetime unique immune history,” says Glanville. Tim Friede took a radical approach by letting his body learn to fight off venom from a range of snakes.&nbsp;



Instead of focusing on one species, Tim built antibodies that recognized toxins found in several. He became a living source of broad protection, which captured the interest of scientists aiming to craft a universal treatment formula.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-a-single-snakebite-therapy">Building a single snakebite therapy</h2>



The research team analyzed Tim’s blood to isolate antibodies that latch onto venom from various snake families. By targeting core toxic structures, these antibodies offer a more <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867425004027" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universal defense</a> than older, region-specific remedies.



They also added a small molecule that blocks certain harmful enzymes, further preventing damage to muscle and nerve tissues. With these components combined, the therapy showed remarkable potential against multiple venoms in preclinical models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-it-works-in-tests">How it works in tests</h2>



Trials in mice demonstrated that the blend could neutralize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rattlesnakes-develop-simpler-venom-when-living-on-bigger-islands/">venom</a> from black mambas, king cobras, and other snakes notorious for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-species-of-tree-snake-with-completely-black-eyes-is-discovered/">rapid fatalities</a>. The fewer active ingredients made it simpler to fine-tune each dose.



Researchers plan to test the treatment on animals in clinics, particularly in areas like Australia where contact with venomous snakes is common. This approach is seen as a possible stepping stone to human trials.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



Work is already underway to adapt the technique for vipers, which account for many bites in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Government agencies, philanthropic foundations, and pharmaceutical firms will be essential in making large-scale production a reality.



Many rural regions have scarce healthcare facilities, making snakebite injuries extremely dangerous. A widely accessible antivenom could reduce fatalities and long-term disabilities for <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0000569" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vulnerable populations</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-and-logistic-hurdles">Economic and logistic hurdles</h2>



Creating antivenom requires specialized facilities, trained staff, and reliable access to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primate-brains-have-evolved-to-rapidly-detect-snakes/">venomous</a> snakes, which can drive up production expenses. Even when an effective product exists, high costs and poor infrastructure can keep it out of reach in low-income areas.



In rural clinics, limited refrigeration and sporadic electricity can further complicate the storage of serums or specialized medical supplies. These bottlenecks lead to delays in treatment when every moment can be critical.



Transporting heavy or fragile products over unpaved roads adds another hurdle. Some public health programs lack consistent funding, so stable distribution networks are hard to maintain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-call-to-action">Global call to action</h2>



International organizations, including the World Health Organization, have emphasized the need for <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2577696/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coordinated strategies</a> to reduce snakebite deaths. They stress educational outreach, better funding, and improved production methods to meet urgent demands.



This universal antivenom initiative could spark interest among nonprofits looking to lessen the burden of neglected tropical diseases. Collaboration across multiple sectors might help accelerate trials and reach real-world patients faster.



Some regions have already introduced better training for healthcare workers, so they can recognize venomous bites quickly. Others are exploring mobile clinics and telemedicine to guide first responders in remote settings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-and-utililization">Future research and utililization</h2>



Researchers still need to explore how different immune systems might respond to this approach. Rare side effects or unexpected interactions with other medications could require careful study.



Additionally, producing enough consistent human-derived antibodies might pose unique difficulties. Monitoring long-term immunity and ensuring stable shelf life are also on the to-do list for scientists.



With continued cooperation and research, Tim Friede’s unorthodox immunization journey might lead to a single product that tackles multiple venom types in one go. This may mean that fewer lives would be lost to a global threat that frequently goes unnoticed until it is too late.



Researchers remain optimistic about the promise of broad-spectrum protection against snake <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snake-evolution-legless-lizards-into-slithering-snakes-100-million-years/">venom</a>. Although more work lies ahead, this collaborative effort could offer new hope where it is needed most.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(25)00402-7?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867425004027%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a>.



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Man is bitten over 100 times by cobras and mambas, leading to the creation of a universal antidote

Many people might shudder at the idea of coming into...

Bacteria,Bifidobacterium,,Gram-positive,Anaerobic,Rod-shaped,Bacteria,Which,Are,Part,Of

Life in orbit has always intrigued scientists, but few expected to find a microbe that had never been seen on Earth. A bacterium named niallia tiangongensis has popped up aboard China’s Tiangong station, sparking curiosity and concern.



The new species was identified by Dr. Junxia Yuan, from the <a href="https://www.cast.cn/3g/english/channel/wid/1823" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group</a> in Beijing, following detailed genetic and biochemical tests. 



Early research suggests that this tiny organism is well suited to the environment hundreds of miles above Earth’s surface and might offer fresh perspectives on how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-have-become-immune-to-radiation-and-live-in-microwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes</a> adapt to low gravity and high radiation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-space-bacteria-was-discovered">How the space bacteria was discovered</h2>



Space stations host people, plants, and countless <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/enough-water-to-fill-trillions-of-earths-oceans-found-circling-black-hole-quasar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes</a>. Many come from crew members or cargo, so it can be tough to figure out if a microbe has simply stowed away or developed new traits during the mission.



This odd finding has prompted more investigation into whether the microbe was originally part of Earth’s enormous microbial pool. 



Experts say that the next step is to confirm if it acquired extra survival skills once exposed to orbital conditions.



There’s a lot of interest in how microorganisms behave when contained in a sealed cabin with limited resources. Crew members took swab samples back in May 2023 for the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program (CHAMP). 



Scientists hope these samples will explain how bacteria adjust to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-travel-has-unexpected-effects-on-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microgravity</a> and whether such shifts could pose hazards in the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strange-traits-help-the-bacteria-survive">Strange traits help the bacteria survive </h2>



The microbe is microscopic and rod-shaped, but that’s not the only special quality it has. The bacteria appears to form spores, which are resilient structures known to help some organisms get through harsh conditions. 



"This aids their survival in the space environment,” wrote the authors of the study.



According to the researchers, the bacteria also breaks down gelatin in a unique way, which might be critical in nutrient-poor environments.



Experts looking at microbial behavior on crewed space stations have examined how certain species can form <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2732559/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biofilms</a>. These structures can make the bacteria more resistant to stress.



One NASA-led <a href="https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-015-0116-3">study</a> on the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Space Station</a> showed how microbes sometimes endure high radiation levels in orbit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-bacteria-may-affect-astronaut-health">Space bacteria may affect astronaut health</h2>



Space travelers already face risks from radiation, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microgravity-causes-big-problems-with-human-gene-expression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microgravity-induced</a> health problems, and psychological stress. The presence of new microbes with uncertain health implications adds another layer of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronauts-microbiome-health-is-crucial-to-future-space-exploration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complexity</a>.



Some strains might be harmless, but scientists worry about infections if a species learns to thrive in low-gravity settings. 



Future missions to the Moon or Mars could last for months or even years, so it’s crucial to understand any microbial surprises that might appear along the way.



Investigations into the microbe’s genetic profile suggest it is akin to a known bacterium called <a href="https://microbe-canvas.com/Bacteria/gram-positive-rods/cells-with-spores/facultative-anaerobic-1/lecithinase-negative/bacillus-circulans.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">niallia circulans</a>, which can cause sepsis in immunocompromised individuals. It remains unclear whether the variant on China's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiangong_space_station" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiangong Space Station</a> carries the same risks.



Researchers plan to compare genetic data, growth patterns, and resilience to radiation in both microbes. The hope is to figure out if the station-based bacterium has gained additional traits that make it more threatening.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-effects-on-spacecraft-systems">Potential effects on spacecraft systems</h2>



Past missions have shown that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-says-the-international-space-station-is-too-clean-add-microbes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria on station surfaces</a> can hinder machinery. Equipment may be exposed to microbial films that could degrade important materials and introduce safety issues.



Maintaining reliable cleaning processes becomes essential in confined habitats. If this new microbe proves challenging to remove, engineers might have to rethink how surfaces and components are protected.



Experts say <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronauts-will-search-the-exterior-of-the-space-station-for-living-microbes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consistent surveillance</a> and swift responses are vital. Identifying and isolating unfamiliar species prevents damage and reduces any potential health hazards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questions-for-upcoming-missions">Questions for upcoming missions</h2>



No one is sure if niallia tiangongensis emerged spontaneously in space or hitchhiked from Earth. The bacteria's robust nature suggests it might survive more than just a few weeks in orbit.



This uncertainty highlights how little we know about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-travel-has-unexpected-effects-on-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">huge array of microorganisms</a> around us. Tens of thousands of bacterial species have been cataloged, but billions more remain undiscovered.



Scientists also wonder what happens when humans travel beyond low-Earth orbit. If longer missions encounter microbes that adapt quickly, protocols for disinfection and waste management will need serious upgrades.



The next generation of space explorers might deal with concerns involving multiple resistant bacteria. Studies like this aim to stay ahead of potential surprises.



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



Investigations plan to zero in on the bacterium’s stress response and its ability to repair radiation damage. One part of the research covers how certain proteins may help these cells handle oxidative challenges.



Researchers are also analyzing how the bacterium’s unique gelatin-hydrolyzing properties could be harnessed. If this trait has commercial applications, there might be spinoffs for biotechnology here on Earth.



“It is still too early to determine whether the space bacterium poses any danger to taikonauts aboard Tiangong,” stated the original press release. Its full significance will likely become clearer when scientists complete further assessments of its virulence.



Nonetheless, space agencies around the globe will keep watching such developments. The safety of astronauts and station hardware is on the line.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-more-strange-bacteria-in-space">Finding more strange bacteria in space</h2>



Experts predict more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conan-the-bacterium-can-endure-extreme-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unusual microbes</a> turning up as space exploration advances. Closed-loop living quarters and reliance on limited resources create a setting where bacteria can mutate in unexpected ways.



Efforts like CHAMP are part of a broader plan to gather data on microbial diversity during missions. Observing these organisms throughout long flights should clarify how they adapt and evolve.



Better detection tools and advanced gene sequencing help scientists act quickly once a newcomer is spotted. Quick responses might prevent problems if the microbe turns out to be invasive or harmful.



For now, the story of niallia tiangongensis stands as a reminder that space remains full of puzzles. The research is still unfolding, and more surprises may lie ahead.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/ijsem.0.006693" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology</a>.



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Bacteria found on Chinese space station has never been seen on Earth or anywhere else

Life in orbit has always intrigued scientists, but few expected...

Cells rely on <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.biochem.66.1.679" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ribosomes</a> to translate genetic messages into proteins, a job that underpins everything from metabolism to growth. Researchers have long believed that when ribosomes encounter an obstacle on an RNA template, they promptly stall and get removed.



These assumptions shaped how we interpret protein production, but a fresh perspective has begun to form. The details suggest that ribosomes might be more resourceful than previously imagined.



This new view arises from recent work by <a href="https://oncodeinstitute.nl/research/groups/marvin-tanenbaum-group" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Marvin Tanenbaum’s group</a> at the Hubrecht Institute. Shortly after reviewing their findings, <a href="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5277-4240" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Maximilian Madern</a>, affiliated with the same institute, highlighted a surprising form of teamwork among ribosomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revealing-a-hidden-collaboration">Revealing a hidden collaboration</h2>



By watching ribosomes inside living cells with advanced microscopy, the team noticed an unexpected dynamic. Ribosomes seemed to collide but still continued working instead of triggering any cleanup systems.



“We found that brief collisions do not immediately trigger the cell’s quality control mechanisms,” states Madern. When these collisions ended quickly, the usual surveillance pathways never stepped in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-speed-limit-for-some">No speed limit for some</h2>



“We observed that individual ribosomes move at slightly different speeds and sometimes pause for extended periods,” explains <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Sora-Yang-2053478865" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sora Yang</a>, the study’s second lead author. This observation challenged the idea that all ribosomes traverse RNA at a uniform pace.



Slower ribosomes can be nudged from behind when a faster one catches up. That bump temporarily forms a collision, yet the lagging ribosome often recovers without being recycled.



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



Persistent stalling can still provoke a quality control response if a ribosome remains stuck for several minutes. Although short collisions fly under the radar, prolonged ones do not.



Separate experiments revealed that collisions lasting a while prompt the cell to dismantle problematic complexes. Ribosomes dwelling too long at a snag are removed before they can finish translating the protein.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ribosome-cooperativity-explained">Ribosome cooperativity explained</h2>



One intriguing takeaway is that two ribosomes can cooperate to overcome a tricky <a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Ribonucleic-Acid-RNA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RNA</a> region. If the front ribosome hesitates, the trailing one can ease that delay by helping shift it forward.



This phenomenon, described as ‘ribosome cooperativity,’ contrasts with the conventional notion that crowded ribosomes simply cause production hiccups. In certain situations, working side by side actually speeds up <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meat-protein-boosts-survival-but-plants-boost-longevity/">protein</a> synthesis.



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



Such <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23178123/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synergy</a> could keep cells efficient, preventing minor hitches from becoming severe slowdowns. It may also explain how cells handle segments of RNA that were deemed troublesome.



Rather than frequently scrapping stalled ribosomes, cells might lean on their ability to nudge each other. With that push, the entire protein-making process stays on track.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-for-disease-research">Potential for disease research</h2>



Defects in ribosome function have been linked to various disorders, including certain neurodegenerative diseases. Insights into how ribosomes work together might open new paths for therapies.



If an underlying issue alters ribosome speed control, treatments might target these collisions to restore balance. More investigation will reveal whether this strategy translates into real-world interventions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-path-to-deeper-understanding">A path to deeper understanding</h2>



Scientists see new imaging methods as a promising way to investigate translation in real time. Observing subtle differences among ribosomes in living cells is a crucial next step.



Each discovery shifts our perspective of genetic expression, highlighting how small changes can echo across entire systems. The remarkable part is how swiftly cells adapt when confronted with obstacles.



Researchers anticipate more surprises as these techniques evolve, possibly uncovering hidden layers of regulation. The interplay between multiple ribosomes may hold lessons for everything from viral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-model-esm3-creates-new-protein-that-simulates-500-million-years-of-biological-evolution/">protein</a> production to personalized medicine.



Working ribosomes are no longer viewed as identical machines trudging along at a single pace. They display unique rhythms, and under certain conditions, they even join forces to keep protein synthesis flowing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-watch-for-fresh-inquiries">Keeping watch for fresh inquiries</h2>



Studies on translation have already spurred interest in fields like <a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106648" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synthetic biology</a>. Applying these insights might help design better ways to harness protein production in laboratory settings.



Even small adjustments in ribosome arrangement could improve yields of valuable compounds, including enzymes and vaccines. Researchers might soon capitalize on this newfound appreciation for ribosome teamwork to optimize industrial processes.



Another angle involves potential connections to gene regulation beyond obstacles on mRNA. Future projects might reveal whether subtle collisions guide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/klotho-s-kl-protein-discovered-boosts-lifespan-muscle-brain-power-with-one-dose/">protein</a> folding or localization.



Cross-disciplinary approaches, combining cell biology and computational modeling, stand to deepen our grasp of these processes. Understanding pause points in translation might explain how errors lead to disease.



Much remains unknown about the precise signals that separate harmless collisions from harmful ones. As methods become more refined, the next wave of insights could refashion classic views on gene expression.



Before these findings, collisions were often seen as purely negative events. Now, evidence suggests that momentary bumps can keep protein synthesis chugging along with minimal disruption.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00045-5?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867425000455%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a>.



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Ribosomal cooperativity that prevents pauses in protein synthesis observed for the first time

Cells rely on ribosomes to translate genetic messages into proteins,...

Kirlian,Effect,Of,Electric,Current,Passed,Through,Five,Different,Types

In recent years, Kirlian photography has drawn considerable attention for its dramatic images that seem to show the "aura" of people and plants. 



Many enthusiasts claim these vibrant outlines capture the life force or aura of plants, animals, and people.



Much of this fascination began with photos that appeared to show glowing silhouettes around organic objects. These images sparked debates about hidden energies and unseen spiritual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-ever-3d-map-of-the-universe-lets-us-travel-back-11-billion-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">qualities</a>.



“No, Kirlian photographs do not show the soul of an organism,” said Christopher S. Baird, associate professor of physics at <a href="https://www.wtamu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Texas A&amp;M University</a>. 



Baird has scrutinized Kirlian photography's claims with a scientific lens. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kirlian-auras-and-electricity">Kirlian auras and electricity</h2>



Kirlian photography involves sending high-frequency electricity through an object, which is often placed on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-captured-in-true-color-like-youve-never-seen-the-red-planet-before/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photographic</a> plate. The energized air around the object glows, forming the bright outlines that some have called “auras.”



This process relies on a well-known effect called <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/corona-discharge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corona discharge</a>, where electrified air molecules emit light as they gain and lose electrons. 



Neon signs and fluorescent bulbs work in a similar way, although they typically rely on specific gases at lower pressures.



Researchers often highlight that living leaves and metal objects can produce comparable glows under similar conditions. 



That fact challenges any claim that the glow comes from an invisible soul, since even coins and nails can generate the same luminous borders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-parts-of-leaves-show-an-aura">Why parts of leaves show an aura</h2>



Some experiments drew attention to a curious event called the <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/24080008" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phantom leaf effect</a>, where part of a leaf is removed but still shows up in a Kirlian image. This was perplexing to observers back in the day.



“It is clearly a real phenomenon in need of explanation,” observed William A. Tiller of <a href="https://www.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a> in 1976. Reputable voices within academia called for investigation.&nbsp;



“A normally undetected phantom ‘structure,’ possibly evidence of the biological field, can persist in the area of an amputated leaf section,” wrote <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25603488/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John Hubacher</a> in 2015, resurfacing the topic for the scientific world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moisture-and-ions">Moisture and ions</h2>



Some argued that residual moisture and <a href="https://www.chemicool.com/definition/ion.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ions</a> on the glass cause these partial outlines. Others point out that local humidity or temperature changes can set off new electrical pathways that trace the leaf’s original shape.



Kirlian photography <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1975-28921-001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pioneers</a> Semyon D. Kirlian and his wife Valentina K. Kirlian found that non-electrical features of a subject can sometimes be converted into electrical signals under high-frequency currents. 



This transformation may give leaf remnants or moisture traces a chance to appear as hazy extensions in the final photograph.



Electrical experts say the discharge can get influenced by minuscule <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-magnetic-fields-leave-marks-on-nuclear-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">variations in conductivity</a>. If a leaf’s torn edge retains fluid, those molecules might continue conducting electricity in the missing region, at least for a short time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-for-proof">Searching for proof</h2>



Researchers who study these images confirm that small adjustments in voltage, humidity, or temperature can alter the glow. Shapes and brightness hinge on physical factors, not on an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-have-a-communications-system-that-closely-resembles-mental-telepathy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unseen essence</a>.



Investigations with coins and nails that produce similar glows underline the purely electrical roots of Kirlian images. The photos do not differentiate between living and non-living materials when it comes to bright outlines.



Some have tried connecting these outlines to ideas about <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/qi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">qi or other energy fields</a>, but repeated tests show that the effects vanish if the conditions change. 



That leads scientists to emphasize that the glow is not tied to any emotional or mystical energy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questions-still-remain">Questions still remain</h2>



Even though many see Kirlian photography auras as a sign of hidden forces, critics remain cautious. Researchers note that rigorous protocols are crucial because contamination or leftover ions can create misleading outlines.



“The phantom leaf effect seen in Kirlian photography may help researchers better understand near-death and out-of-body experience,” wrote James Pace and Debora Drumm in 1992. 



Some investigators still find the phantom leaf effect intriguing because it has been linked to questions about near-death or out-of-body <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01074166" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiences</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-tests-suggest-the-aura-is-physical">New tests suggest the aura is physical</h2>



Discussions continue on whether something more than raw physics might cause these faint outlines. A few researchers have speculated about <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830721000781" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">morphogenetic field</a> concepts as proposed by <a href="https://www.sheldrake.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rupert Sheldrake</a>, though that remains controversial.



Many modern studies lean toward purely physical explanations, such as conduction pathways formed by torn leaf sap or subtle air ionization. 



The complexity of the effect suggests that even the smallest variables, like how fast the leaf was cut or how the glass was cleaned, can influence results.



Scientists who test phantom leaves often repeat the experiment under different settings to confirm that consistent outcomes are not guaranteed. 



Some get the faint outline, while others see nothing, hinting that it might be a fleeting alignment of conditions rather than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proof of a life force</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kirlian-auras-linked-to-electricity">Kirlian auras linked to electricity</h2>



Kirlian photography creates striking visuals by using high voltage and electrified air. 



Although some believe these colorful borders reveal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-power-plants-impact-climate-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hidden energies</a>, most evidence points to well-known electrical discharges that rely on moisture, conductivity, and the environment.



In cut-leaf images, the missing segment sometimes lights up because of leftover liquids or temporary conduction bridges. Yet this effect does not happen every time, highlighting the unpredictable nature of electrical microcurrents.



Critics have repeatedly shown that coins and other non-living items produce a similar glow, which means there is no special link to an organism’s vitality. 



If a so-called aura depended on a living essence, inanimate objects would not create the same effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kirlian-photography-nature-and-auras">Kirlian photography, nature, and auras</h2>



Researchers across physics, biology, and alternative medicine still test new hypotheses about Kirlian photography. Many focus on how voltage pulses, moisture, and gases shape these images, rather than invoking a spirit or soul.



Evidence to date favors the idea that these glowing outlines arise from physical forces. The sparks, arcs, and discharges are fascinating, but they do not confirm the presence of a spiritual aura. Kirlian photographs show us how easily human perception can mistake natural effects for supernatural ones. They remind us why careful science still matters when beauty and mystery collide.



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Scientific proof that auras exist? Examining the "phantom leaf effect"

In recent years, Kirlian photography has drawn considerable attention for...

Caribbean,Sea,Covered,By,Sargasso,Algae.,Seaweed,Top,View

The Atlantic Ocean holds a secret: a patch of calm water ringed by swift currents, sitting about 590 miles east of Florida yet never touching land. Known as the Sargasso Sea, sailors have crossed it for centuries, but few notice the border when they slip into glassy indigo waters. 



Those who linger find the surface scattered with golden-brown seaweed - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-drives-the-great-atlantic-sargassum-belt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sargassum</a> - named for the Portuguese word sargaço, a type of grape-like algae. The plants bob in slow motion, rolling gently like tumbleweeds on a prairie of water.



Within minutes, the stillness feels uncanny. No surf pounds. No gulls scream from cliffs. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sargassum-seaweed-a-growing-problem-could-become-a-sustainable-solution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The seaweed</a>, however, bursts with residents: shrimp the size of rice grains, neon juvenile fish, porcelain-white crabs, and even young loggerhead turtles paddling their first miles of life. 



This floating cover grows so thick that early Spanish crews feared their wooden caravels would halt and “never again feel a breath of wind,” as Christopher Columbus wrote in 1492.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-sargasso-sea-holds-a-drifting-forest">The Sargasso Sea holds a drifting forest</h2>



Strip away the romance, and the Sargasso Sea looks like an 800-mile-wide nursery. Scientists call the drifting mats “habitat islands,” and for good reason. Hatchling turtles hide here until their shells harden.



Porbeagle sharks cruise the shade below, while Bermuda storm-petrels skim the fringe, plucking shrimp in mid-dive.



Researchers have counted more than 100 invertebrate species clinging to the weed—tiny colonists that hitch a ride for years before the mats eventually break apart.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-cycles-in-migration">Life cycles in migration</h2>



European and American eels begin their lives beneath these mats, no bigger than clear threads. They drift west or east on ocean currents, slip into rivers as far inland as Indiana, then, after decades in freshwater, swim back the entire 3,000-mile journey to spawn once and die. 



How they locate the same watery cradle baffles zoologists. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-humpback-whales-are-born-in-places-we-didnt-expect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humpback whales</a> also cross the sea each spring, and high-speed tuna streak through on their way to spawning grounds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-climate-engine-calls-the-shots">Unique climate engine calls the shots</h2>



Longtime observers quickly learn that calm water masks heavy lifting. In summer, the surface warms to about 82–86 °F; in winter, it cools to roughly 64–68 °F. 



Those seasonal swings drive mixing that helps push warm, salty water northward and return cooler water south - a conveyor that steadies weather patterns on both sides of the Atlantic. 



The open water also pulls carbon dioxide from the air, locking it into plankton shells that eventually snow to the seafloor.



Only after two years of sampling did chemical oceanographer Nicholas Bates and colleagues at the <a href="https://bios.asu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences</a> realize just how much heat the sea was absorbing. 



“The ocean is the warmest it’s been for ‘millions and millions of years,’” he told LiveScience, warning that the trend could reshape “where it rains or where it doesn’t.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-problems-threaten-the-sargasso-sea">Human problems threaten the Sargasso Sea</h2>



Jules Verne once called the Sargasso “a perfect lake in the open Atlantic.” Today that lake collects trash from four converging currents: the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Atlantic Current</a>, Canary Current, North Equatorial Current, and Antilles Current. 



Those loops act like a mile-wide drain, funneling plastic bags, bottle caps, and ghost fishing gear into a slowly rotating slick. 



One survey estimated roughly 200,000 pieces of debris per square kilometer - about 518,000 pieces per square mile - spreading for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-hotspots-currents-identified-cleanup-efforts-great-pacific-garbage-patch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">several hundred miles</a>.



Underwater microphones pick up the growl of cargo vessels cutting straight through mats. Propellers shred the weed; paint chips flake from hulls, releasing copper and zinc. 



Noise can mask the low-frequency calls of sperm whales passing beneath. Meanwhile, floating nets entangle juvenile turtles exactly where they once found refuge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-change-through-decades">Tracking change through decades</h2>



Researchers have monitored these waters near Bermuda since 1954, recording temperature, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caribbean-salt-affects-global-climate-study-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salinity</a>, dissolved oxygen, and pH every month. 



Instruments show that winter water is slightly saltier than summer water, thanks to dry winds that whisk moisture off the surface, while rainfall each June and July freshens the mix. 



Since the 1980s, the average temperature has climbed roughly 1 °C - a small number that packs a punch. Warmer layers resist vertical mixing, starving deeper water of oxygen and hoarding nutrients that would normally rise to feed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plankton blooms</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sargasso-sea_map-location_credit-Bates-Johnson_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sargasso-sea_map-location_credit-Bates-Johnson_1s.webp" alt="Location map of the island of Bermuda and two ocean time-series (Hydrostation S, 1954 to present; and the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series, BATS, 1988 to present) sites. The position of the Ocean Flux Program (OFP, 1978 to present; deep ocean sediment trap program) is also shown. Ruth Curry is thanked for the main panel figure which is modified here. Credit: Bates and Johnson" class="wp-image-1970759"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Location map of the island of Bermuda and two ocean time-series (Hydrostation S, 1954 to present; and the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series, BATS, 1988 to present) sites. The position of the Ocean Flux Program (OFP, 1978 to present; deep ocean sediment trap program) is also shown. Ruth Curry is thanked for the main panel figure which is modified here. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Bates and Johnson</figcaption></figure>



Scientists have developed new metrics, such as “salinity anomaly” maps and basin-scale alkalinity indices, to compare one year to the next. 



Paired with drifting Argo floats and satellite color scans, the 60-year record has become a gold standard for tracking ocean acidification.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-race-against-warmth">Race against warmth</h2>



<a href="https://www.sargassoseacommission.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sargasso Sea Commission</a>, an intergovernmental body formed in 2014, calls the region a “haven of biodiversity” and urges countries to designate shipping lanes that skirt dense mats. 



Marine protected area status remains complicated; no nation owns the sea, and enforcement on the high seas is costly. 



Yet conservationists note that simple steps - rerouting tankers by 50 miles or banning longline fishing during peak turtle season - could preserve critical habitat without hampering trade.



Policy moves slowly, while climate shifts quickly. 



Between stronger hurricanes and hotter summers, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robot-discovers-surprising-food-source-sargassum-for-deep-ocean-creatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sargassum</a> now grows so prolifically in the Caribbean that beach resorts hire bulldozers to clear it. Excess weed sinks, rots, and releases greenhouse gases, turning a carbon sink into a source. 



Paradoxically, the very organism that lends the sea its name may become a casualty of warming if rising acidity weakens its holdfasts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-protecting-the-sargasso-sea">Importance of protecting the Sargasso Sea</h2>



If we lose the Sargasso Sea, rivers from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexico would send eels searching in vain for a birthplace erased by heat. 



Humpbacks might arrive in spring to find the larder bare. Storm tracks over Europe could drift, and the Atlantic might store even more of the planet’s excess heat, accelerating feedback loops we scarcely understand.



Governments are now weighing a treaty to curb plastic discharge at sea and expand no-take zones around key migratory corridors. 



Shipping firms experiment with quieter propeller designs and biodegradable packing bands. None of these fixes alone will restore the Sargasso, but together they could keep the floating forest alive long enough for cooler heads - and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-hidden-skin-could-protect-us-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cooler oceans</a> - to prevail.



For something that looks like an empty patch of blue on a map, the Sargasso Sea manages to knit continents together, nourish creatures halfway across the world, and offer humanity a running log of planetary change. 



The still water speaks softly, but its message rings clear: protect the calm, or brace for the storm that follows.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1289931/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



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There is one sea on Earth that touches no land, because it has no shore

The Atlantic Ocean holds a secret: a patch of calm...

Scenery,Of,The,Ice,Floe,Area,Of,The,Arctic,Ocean,

For years, climate scientists have struggled to explain the warming of the Arctic and why it is heating up three to four times faster than the planet as a whole. 



Traditional climate models capture some of that “Arctic amplification,” but they still fall short of the temperature spikes involving clouds which have been recorded in recent decades.



A new study from Kyushu University points the finger at an unlikely culprit: mixed-phase <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-and-arctic-ice-clouds-an-unexpected-connection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clouds</a> that behave like a thermal blanket during the polar night, trapping more heat than most models assume.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-arctic-s-thermal-blanket-matters"><a></a>Why the Arctic’s thermal blanket matters</h2>



Mixed-phase clouds - low-lying decks that contain both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-dust-plays-a-hidden-role-in-accelerating-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice crystals</a> and supercooled liquid droplets - dominate Arctic skies. 



In summer, when the sun never sets, they act like a parasol, reflecting incoming sunlight back into space and slowing surface warming.



In winter, when sunlight fades for weeks, those same clouds flip their role. With no solar rays to reflect, they trap long-wave radiation emitted by the ice and ocean below and reradiate it downward, warming the surface.



“However, how well these mixed-phase clouds trap heat depends on their ratio of ice to liquid,” explained lead author Momoka Nakanishi, a graduate researcher at <a href="https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyushu University</a>.



“The more liquid water the clouds contain, the better they are at trapping heat. But many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperature-increase-2023-blew-past-all-climate-models/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate models</a> have a large bias in representing this ratio, causing incorrect predictions.”



Nakanishi and her adviser, associate professor Takuro Michibata of Kyushu University’s Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, suspected that inaccurate cloud physics might be hiding a large chunk of the Arctic’s missing heat.



To test the idea, they examined 30 leading climate models and compared their simulated wintertime cloud properties with a decade of satellite observations over the polar seas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-heavy-models-miss-today-s-heat"><a></a>Ice-heavy models miss today’s heat</h2>



The comparison yielded a stark result: 21 of the 30 models over-predicted the proportion of ice crystals relative to liquid droplets in Arctic winter clouds. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-new-class-of-ice-called-ice-0/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ice-heavy clouds</a> emit less infrared radiation back to the surface than liquid-rich ones, so models with too much ice systematically underestimate the present-day greenhouse effect of clouds.



“These ice-dominant models are not properly accounting for the present-day warming potential of the clouds during the winter. That’s why they cannot account for the rapid warming we are currently seeing,” Nakanishi said.



By adjusting the models to match observed ice-to-liquid ratios, the researchers closed much of the gap between simulated and observed warming. 



The finding suggests that fine-scale cloud microphysics - droplet nucleation, crystal growth, and the freezing of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexpected-beauty-revealed-in-ice-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">super-cooled water</a> - hold outsized influence over regional climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-arctic-clouds-on-the-ceiling">Warming Arctic: Clouds on the ceiling</h2>



Paradoxically, the same modeling error means many simulations may overstate future warming. In a warmer Arctic, mixed-phase clouds naturally shift toward higher liquid content, enhancing their heat-trapping ability in a mechanism known as cloud emissivity feedback.



But there is a ceiling: once a cloud becomes mostly liquid, it behaves like a near-perfect blackbody, fully absorbing and re-emitting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earthcare-reveals-the-power-of-clouds-and-aerosols/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thermal radiation</a>. Beyond that point, additional warming does not greatly increase its greenhouse effect.



Many of the surveyed models, because they start out too icy, anticipate a larger future shift toward liquid content than observations justify. 



They therefore project a stronger, longer-lasting emissivity feedback and exaggerate the Arctic’s eventual temperature rise. Correcting present-day biases narrows that projection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-climate-prediction"><a></a>Implications for global climate prediction</h2>



Cloud processes remain one of the largest uncertainties in climate science. “The biggest uncertainty in our forecasts is due to clouds,” Michibata said. 



“Fixing these models is essential not just for the Arctic, but for understanding its impact on weather and climate change across the globe.”



The stakes extend well beyond the high latitudes. A warmer Arctic can warp the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-accelerate-jet-stream-winds-and-airplane-turbulence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jet stream</a>, influencing extreme weather events in North America, Europe, and Asia - involving much more than clouds.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-loss-alters-the-color-of-ocean-light-and-life-struggles-to-adapt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sea-ice losses</a> accelerate, opening shipping routes but also exposing darker ocean water that absorbs more heat. 



Permafrost thaws, releasing carbon and methane that further amplify warming. Getting cloud physics right will sharpen projections for all these knock-on effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cloud-radar-helps-prevent-arctic-warming">Cloud radar helps prevent Arctic warming</h2>



The team drew on satellite data from NASA’s <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/cloudsat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CloudSat</a> and <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/calipso/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CALIPSO</a> missions, which use radar and lidar to distinguish ice and liquid layers inside clouds.



They then compared these observations with outputs from models participating in the <a href="https://wcrp-cmip.org/cmip-phases/cmip6/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6</a> (CMIP6), the same ensemble that informs the <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> reports.



By ranking models according to their liquid-fraction bias, the researchers could quantify how that bias translated into temperature error.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-toward-better-microphysics"><a></a>Next steps: Toward better microphysics</h2>



Fixing the problem will require both new observations and refined parameterizations of microphysical processes inside model grid cells.



Small-scale experiments using aircraft and ground-based lidar could reveal how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-small-aerosols-influence-cloud-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aerosols</a>, humidity, and temperature cooperate to keep droplets liquid at −20 °C or colder - a common state in the Arctic. 



Incorporating those insights into global models could, in turn, tighten projections for mid-latitude storm tracks and even tropical rainfall.



For now, the study delivers a clear message: the Arctic’s runaway warming cannot be understood - or slowed - without an accurate account of what happens inside its low, grey winter clouds. Addressing that microscopic uncertainty could make a macroscopic difference for the entire planet.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/olar.0089" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research</a>.



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Clouds also fuel Arctic warming, not just carbon emissions

For years, climate scientists have struggled to explain the warming...

Robots that rely only on cameras or LiDAR (light detection and ranging) can stumble when foliage hides the trail, mud muffles their steps, or dense underbrush blocks their line-of-sight.



To overcome this problem, a research team from <a href="https://duke.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke University</a> has created a framework called WildFusion. It equips a four-legged robot with the additional senses of vibration and touch, enabling it to build richer maps and choose safer footholds in real forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfusion-expands-robot-senses">WildFusion expands robot senses</h2>



Conventional outdoor robots treat the world as a set of points captured by spinning LiDAR or a stereo camera. This sparse view breaks down whenever vegetation hides a path or when reflective surfaces confuse laser returns.



“Typical robots rely heavily on vision or LiDAR alone, which often falter without clear paths or predictable landmarks,” said Yanbaihui Liu, the lead student author and a second-year Ph.D.&nbsp;student at Duke.



“Even advanced 3D mapping methods struggle to reconstruct a continuous map when sensor data is sparse, noisy, or incomplete, which is a frequent problem in unstructured outdoor environments. That’s exactly the challenge WildFusion was designed to solve.”



WildFusion combines the usual RGB camera and LiDAR with contact microphones near each footpad, force-sensitive tactile skins on the limbs, and an inertial measurement unit.



As the machine trots, microphones record the unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/acoustic-echoes-may-have-inspired-prehistoric-rock-art/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acoustic</a> signatures of every step - the crunch of dry twigs, the thud of exposed roots, the squish of saturated moss.



Tactile sensors log the pressure profile so the controller knows immediately if a foothold is solid or slippery. The inertial unit reports pitch, roll, and yaw, giving the controller a sense of whether the chassis is tilting dangerously.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-map-in-the-robot-s-head">A map in the robot’s head</h2>



Each sensory stream passes through a dedicated neural encoder that condenses raw values into a compact vector.



Those vectors are fused inside a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revolutionizing-aerodynamics-airplane-emissions-ai-deep-learning-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep learning</a> architecture that represents the environment not as disconnected dots, but as a smooth mathematical field - a technique known as an implicit neural representation.



Because the model fills gaps between sparse observations, the robot can infer obstacles hidden behind branches or predict sinkholes obscured by leaves.



“WildFusion opens a new chapter in robotic navigation and 3D mapping,” said Boyuan Chen, a professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, electrical and computer engineering, and computer science at Duke.



“It helps robots to operate more confidently in unstructured, unpredictable environments like forests, disaster zones, and off-road terrain.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-wildfusion-in-real-terrain">Testing WildFusion in real terrain</h2>



To test the system outside the lab, the team marched its quadruped through Eno River State Park in North Carolina. The course included dense laurels, sandy creek beds, gravel service roads, and tangles of woody debris.



Vision alone proved unreliable when dappled sunlight fooled depth estimates, yet WildFusion’s fused map still predicted stable footholds.



“Watching the robot confidently navigate terrain was incredibly rewarding,” Liu said. “These real-world tests proved WildFusion’s remarkable ability to accurately predict traversability, significantly improving the robot’s decision-making on safe paths through challenging terrain.”



Chen likens the process to human intuition. “Think of it like solving a puzzle where some pieces are missing, yet you're able to intuitively imagine the complete picture,” he explained. 



“WildFusion’s multimodal approach lets the robot ‘fill in the blanks’ when sensor data is sparse or noisy, much like what humans do.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robots-map-the-woods">Robots map the woods</h2>



Although demonstrated in a state park, the architecture is modular. The researchers plan to bolt on thermal imagers, humidity probes, or chemical sensors so future versions can detect heat from survivors in collapsed buildings or gauge soil moisture for agricultural scouting.



With minimal wiring changes, the same fusion core could also guide tracked vehicles across rubble or aerial drones beneath canopies where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-is-shifting-and-putting-navigation-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GPS</a> signals fades.



“One of the key challenges for robotics today is developing systems that not only perform well in the lab but that reliably function in real-world settings,” Chen said. “That means robots that can adapt, make decisions, and keep moving even when the world gets messy.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-humans-can-t-go">When humans can't go</h2>



Robots outfitted with WildFusion could reduce risk in hazardous jobs - from scouting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-seasons-are-now-overlapping-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfire</a> perimeters to inspecting aging power lines that snake through thick forests.



If a landslide blocks a road after an earthquake, a multisensory robot could hike in, map the debris, and relay data before human crews arrive.



Offshore wind farms and mountain pipelines, often shrouded in fog or framed by moving foliage, pose similar navigation challenges that a vibration-savvy machine could handle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robots-that-feel">Robots that feel</h2>



The project underscores a broader trend in robotics: giving machines bodies that truly feel the world. Engineers have long taught algorithms to see, but as WildFusion shows, layering subsurface vibrations and tactile feedback can elevate robotic intuition.



“It helps robots to operate more confidently in unstructured, unpredictable environments,” Chen noted.



With its ability to fuse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-that-sense-the-world-through-sound-are-more-human-like/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sound</a>, touch, vision, and motion into one seamless environmental model, WildFusion pushes robots a step closer to the nuanced perception humans deploy on a casual weekend hike. 



This amazing technology opens the door to operations in the many places where clear paths and predictable landmarks are the exception, not the norm.



Click here to <a href="https://youtu.be/yA_GgW_QJe8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watch a video of WildFusion in action...</a>



The study will be presented at the <a href="https://2025.ieee-icra.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation</a> (ICRA 2025) in Atlanta.



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New robots can use multisensory perception to map rugged terrain

Robots that rely only on cameras or LiDAR (light detection...

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

[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

A stunning beach close to the city with with iconic Tabletop Mountain and the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range towering behind it.

Camps Bay Cape town, South Africa

Known for peace and quiet, Grace Bay Beach is widely considered the best beach in the world. Grace Bay Beach has turquoise waters and soft white sand that stretches out for 12 miles.

Camps Bay Cape town, South Africa

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