Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features an astronaut view of Mount Nemrut, a volcano located in eastern Turkey near Lake Van.



Mount Nemrut is notable for its immense caldera, which was formed through a series of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-eruptions-play-an-overlooked-role-in-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eruptions</a>. The caldera, one of the largest in the world, now contains several lakes such as Lake Nemrut.&nbsp;



"The eastern half of the caldera is partially filled by solidified lava flows from past eruptions. Snow cover present at the time of this photo accentuates pressure ridges that formed as the lava was flowing and cooling," noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



"These pressure ridges vary in size, thickness, and orientation due to the varying viscosity and flow direction of the lavas during eruptions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-formation-of-lake-nemrut">Formation of Lake Nemrut</h2>



"Lake Nemrut (Nemrut Gölü) occupies the western half of the caldera, creating a rough crescent shape that partially submerges the old lava flows," said NASA.



"This freshwater lake, reaching up to 176 meters deep, is accompanied by a smaller lake at the upper-center of the caldera."



The lake was formed after the collapse of the Nemrut volcano's summit. This collapse created a massive crater, which gradually filled with water over time, forming the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-study-most-of-the-worlds-largest-lakes-are-quickly-losing-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unesco-world-heritage-site">UNESCO World Heritage Site </h2>



Mount Nemrut and its surroundings are part of a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their ecological and geological significance.



The site is home to diverse wildlife, including various bird species that use the lake as a stopover during migration. The caldera also contains smaller lakes and wetlands, adding to the area's biodiversity.



Lake Nemrut is a popular destination for tourists, hikers, and nature enthusiasts, offering stunning views of the volcanic landscape.



Despite its popularity, the lake remains relatively remote and unspoiled, contributing to its appeal as a natural wonder.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mount-nemrut-has-shaped-the-landscape">Mount Nemrut has shaped the landscape</h2>



Geologically, Mount Nemrut is interesting because its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-enhances-predictions-on-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eruptions</a> have played a key role in shaping the local landscape. 



Its last major eruption occurred around 1441 AD, which indicates that it's not currently active but is considered dormant.



The area around Nemrut is known for its geothermal activity, including hot springs and fumaroles, suggesting that there is still significant heat beneath the surface.



Over thousands of years, various civilizations have inhabited the region around Nemrut, leaving behind a wealth of archaeological sites.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tribute-to-a-king">Tribute to a king</h2>



The summit of Mount Nemrut is dominated by a vast funerary mound constructed by King Antiochus I Theos, who ruled the Kingdom of Commagene in the 1st century BCE. 



The site was intended to serve as his tomb sanctuary and a place to commemorate the king's vision of divine kingship and unity between Eastern and Western cultures.



The mound, made of loose crushed stones, measures about 50 meters (164 feet) in height and spans a diameter of 150 meters (492 feet), creating an imposing feature visible from afar.



Surrounding the mound are terraces on the eastern, western, and northern sides, each adorned with colossal statues and reliefs. The statues, ranging in height from 8 to 10 meters (26 to 33 feet), represent various deities, including Zeus, Apollo, Hercules, and the goddess Tyche, alongside King Antiochus himself. 



The heads of the statues, many of which have toppled over due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-map-shows-75-percent-of-the-u-s-at-risk-of-damaging-earthquakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earthquakes</a> and erosion, lie scattered around the site, creating an iconic and enigmatic scene.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiritual-and-religious-practices">Spiritual and religious practices</h2>



In addition to the statues, inscriptions at Mount Nemrut provide valuable historical information about the kingdom, the king's lineage, and the religious practices of the time.



The site is not only a marvel of ancient engineering but also a spiritual and astronomical center. Scholars believe the terraces were aligned with celestial events, serving as an observatory for solstices and equinoxes.



In addition to its natural and historical significance, the Nemrut volcano has been the subject of scientific study, as researchers aim to understand more about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-eruptions-play-an-overlooked-role-in-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic activity</a> in the region, the history of its eruptions, and the potential risks it may pose in the future.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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Mount Nemrut: Ancient mysteries and natural marvels 

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) features the Dark Wolf Nebula, located around 5,300 light-years from Earth in the constellation Scorpius.



According to ESO, this image of the dark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-reveal-the-ring-nebula-as-it-has-never-been-seen-before/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebula</a> creates the illusion of a wolf-like silhouette against a colorful cosmic backdrop.&nbsp;



“This image takes up an area in the sky equivalent to four full Moons, but is actually part of an even larger nebula called Gum 55. If you look closely, the wolf could even be a werewolf, its hands ready to grab unsuspecting bystanders,” noted <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESO</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-dark-nebulae">Observing dark nebulae </h2>



Dark nebulae are dense regions in space filled with gas and dust that absorb visible light, making them appear as dark patches against brighter backgrounds.&nbsp;



Unlike emission or reflection nebulae, dark nebulae do not glow on their own. Instead, they obstruct and obscure the light from stars and other objects lying behind them.&nbsp;



This characteristic makes them challenging to observe using visible-light telescopes, as they absorb and scatter light rather than reflecting or emitting it.&nbsp;



However, when viewed in infrared, where their obscuring effect is reduced, dark nebulae reveal intricate details about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-in-the-perseus-cloud/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molecular clouds</a> they contain.



According to ESO, astronomers study these clouds of frozen dust because they often contain new stars in the making.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-wolf-nebula-nbsp">Dark Wolf Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



The Dark Wolf Nebula is part of a larger complex known as the Lupus Molecular Cloud, one of several significant star-forming regions close to Earth.&nbsp;



Inside of dark nebulae, the conditions are prime for star formation. The dense gas and dust clump together under gravitational forces. As these clouds contract, they heat up, eventually igniting nuclear fusion and forming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-molecule-detected-in-space-where-stars-are-born/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new stars</a>.



The Dark Wolf Nebula is known for revealing young, low-mass stars - or T Tauri stars - which are in the early stages of their evolution. These stars are still surrounded by disks of material that may eventually form new planets.



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



Scorpius is one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky. It resembles a scorpion with a long, curved tail and stinger.&nbsp;



Located in the southern sky, Scorpius is especially visible during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere and during the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere. 



The constellation is often associated with the story of Orion in Greek mythology. According to legend, the scorpion was sent by the goddess Artemis to kill Orion, the great hunter, either as punishment for his arrogance or to protect her animals, depending on the version of the tale.&nbsp;



The gods later placed both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orion-nebula-destroys-an-oceans-worth-of-water-every-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orion</a> and Scorpius in the sky, but in opposite parts of the heavens so they would never be seen together - as Scorpius rises in the east and Orion sets in the west.



Scorpius contains several notable stars and deep-sky objects. Its brightest star, Antares, is a red supergiant often referred to as the "heart of the scorpion" due to its reddish hue and central position. 



Antares is one of the largest visible stars in the sky and has a luminosity that is tens of thousands of times greater than that of our Sun. 



Scorpius is located close to the core of the Milky Way, making it a rich region for star clusters and nebulae. Among these are the Butterfly Cluster and the Ptolemy Cluster - both of which are visible to the naked eye under dark skies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-image-of-the-dark-wolf-nebula">Image of the Dark Wolf Nebula </h2>



“This image shows in spectacular detail how the dark wolf stands out against the glowing star-forming clouds behind it,” noted ESO.



“The colorful clouds are built up mostly of hydrogen gas and glow in reddish tones excited by the intense UV radiation from the newborn stars within them.”



The picture was created from images taken at different times. Each of the images has a filter that makes a different color of light visible.&nbsp;



Observations of the Dark Wolf Nebula provide astronomers with valuable information about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-star-redefines-our-understanding-of-stellar-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution of stars</a> and the environments in which they form.



The image was captured by the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile.



Image Credit: ESO/VPHAS+ team



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Dark Wolf Nebula in the constellation Scorpius

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76, located in the constellation Perseus 3,400 light-years away from Earth.



Astronomers captured this image of the Little Dumbbell Nebula to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope, a joint venture between NASA and the European Space Agency (<a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>).



The snapshot provides not only a breathtaking view, but also deep insights into the life cycle of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-stars-scientists-discover-a-new-type-of-star-powered-by-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a> and the dynamic processes within nebulae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-messier-76">Understanding Messier 76</h2>



Messier 76 is categorized as a planetary nebula - a term which refers to its round, planet-like appearance when viewed through early, low-power telescopes. 



However, the term is somewhat misleading as planetary nebulae have no connection to actual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-finds-17-exoplanets-that-have-oceans-and-possibly-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a>.&nbsp;



Instead, they represent an expansive shell of luminous gases expelled by a dying red giant star, which subsequently collapses into a dense, hot white dwarf. 



This transformation marks the late stages of stellar evolution for medium to low-mass stars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structure-of-messier-76">Structure of Messier 76</h2>



The structure of Messier 76 is particularly notable. It includes a central ring, giving the appearance of a bar-like feature, with two distinct lobes emanating from either side. 



This formation is believed to be the result of materials ejected by the star during its red giant phase, possibly sculpted by interactions with a companion star.&nbsp;



Although this binary companion is not visible in current Hubble images, its presence is inferred from the thick disk of dust and gas aligned with its orbital plane. 



The phenomenon of the companion star potentially being absorbed by the primary star, a process akin to stellar cannibalism, is a captivating aspect of the nebula's history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dynamic-environment-of-the-nebula">The dynamic environment of the nebula</h2>



At the core of the nebula, the primary star, now collapsing into a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-stars-may-be-billions-of-years-older-than-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf</a>, reaches extreme temperatures. This heat is estimated to be 120,000 degrees Celsius - about 24 times hotter than the surface of our Sun.&nbsp;



This intensely hot remnant is visible as a small, bright point at the center of the nebula. Directly below this, another star can be seen; however, it is merely aligned with the nebula by chance and is not a part of it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-glow-of-messier-76">Powerful glow of Messier 76</h2>



The dynamics within Messier 76 are driven by powerful forces. The central disk seems to constrict the material, creating two lobes of gas escaping along the rotational axis of the star, perpendicular to the disk.&nbsp;



The lobes are propelled outward by a potent stellar wind, moving at a staggering two million miles per hour. This rapid movement is sufficient to travel the distance from Earth to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/timeless-mystery-solved-scientists-uncover-what-is-inside-the-moons-core/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon</a> in just over seven minutes.&nbsp;



The collision of the fast-moving gas with older, slower-moving material ejected during the star’s red giant phase results in the stunning glowing effect seen in the nebula. 



The glow, ignited by the ultraviolet radiation from the white dwarf, is a spectacle of colors with red emanating from nitrogen and blue from oxygen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-cosmic-moment-in-time">A cosmic moment in time</h2>



Despite its current brilliance, the existence of the Little Dumbbell Nebula is fleeting on a cosmological scale. It is expected to last only about 15,000 years - a mere moment in the lifespan of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-is-ripping-the-universe-apart-but-we-arent-sure-how/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.&nbsp;



This brief period highlights the transient nature of such cosmic phenomena, which, while short-lived, provide crucial insights into the mechanics of stellar evolution and the complex interactions within these celestial sculptures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-messier-76">More about Messier 76</h2>



Messier 76 was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780. It was later cataloged by Charles Messier, who included it in his famous list of nebulous objects.



The nebula's faintness and small size require a good telescope to be observed effectively, with larger telescopes able to reveal more of its fine details and structure.



Studying Messier 76 helps astronomers understand the life cycle of stars and the processes that occur during the late stages of stellar evolution. 



The materials expelled by planetary nebulae like Messier 76 eventually contribute to the interstellar medium, from which new stars and planetary systems may form.



Image Credit: ESA Space Agency&nbsp;



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Secrets of the Little Dumbbell Nebula  

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features Westerlund 1 - a young star cluster located in the Milky Way galaxy.&nbsp;



Discovered by Swedish astronomer Bengt Westerlund in 1961, the cluster is composed of thousands of stars - many of which are supergiants - and contains some of the most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-stars-shape-planetary-systems-like-ours-with-ultraviolet-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">massive stars</a> ever observed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-image-of-westerlund-1">Webb image of Westerlund 1</h2>



“The open cluster Westerlund 1, showcased in this new Webb Picture of the Month, is located roughly 12,000 light-years away in the southern constellation Ara (the Altar) where it resides behind a huge interstellar cloud of gas and dust,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“Westerlund 1 is an incomparable natural laboratory for the study of extreme stellar physics, helping astronomers to find out how the most massive stars in our galaxy live and die.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-special-about-westerlund-1">What is special about Westerlund 1?</h2>



According to ESA, the unique draw of Westerlund 1 is its large, dense, and diverse population of massive stars. The star cluster is unparalleled in the known <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-galaxy-is-surrounded-by-massive-magnetic-fields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> galaxy in terms of the number of stars and the richness of spectral types and evolutionary phases.&nbsp;



“All stars identified in this cluster are evolved and very massive, spanning the full range of stellar classifications including Wolf-Rayet stars, OB supergiants, yellow hypergiants (nearly as bright as a million Suns) and luminous blue variables. Because such stars have a rather short life, Westerlund 1 is very young, astronomically speaking,” said ESA.



“Astronomers estimate the cluster’s age to be somewhere between 3.5 and 5 million years (its exact age is still a matter of debate), making it a newborn cluster in our galaxy.”



Westerlund 1 is expected to gradually evolve from an open cluster to a globular cluster - a spherical collection of stars that are tightly bound together by gravity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-the-milky-way-galaxy-nbsp">Star formation in the Milky Way galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



The Milky Way <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stars-at-the-edge-of-our-milky-way-galaxy-travel-more-slowly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a> forms roughly 1 to 2 stars per year on average. This star formation rate is relatively moderate compared to more active galaxies, which can produce dozens or even hundreds of stars annually.



The Milky Way galaxy used to produce many more stars, likely hitting its peak about 10 billion years ago. At that time, dozens (or possibly even hundreds) of stars were created in the Milky Way each year.&nbsp;



“Astronomers think that most of this star formation took place in massive clusters of stars, known as ‘super star clusters.’ These are young clusters of stars that contain more than 10,000 times the mass of the Sun, packed into an unbelievably small volume. They represent the most extreme environments in which stars and planets can form,” said ESA.&nbsp;



“Only a few super star clusters still exist in our galaxy - of which Westerlund 1 is one - but they offer important clues about this earlier era when most of our galaxy’s stars formed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impressive-example-of-a-star-cluster-nbsp">Impressive example of a star cluster&nbsp;</h2>



ESA noted that Westerlund 1 is an impressive example of a super star cluster because it contains hundreds of very massive stars. Some of these stars shine with the brilliance of almost a million suns, while others are two thousand times larger than the sun. 



“Indeed, if the Solar System was located at the heart of this remarkable cluster, our sky would be full of hundreds of stars as bright as the full Moon."



The large population of massive stars in Westerlund 1 indicates that it will greatly influence its surroundings, noted ESA. With such a high concentration of these stars, the cluster is expected to host over 1,500 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernovae</a> within the next 40 million years. 



This "super" star cluster offers astronomers a rare glimpse into one of the most extreme environments in the Universe. 



Westerlund 1 is set to play a key role in advancing our understanding of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a>, particularly massive ones, are formed.



The image was captured as part of The Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey (EWOCS) with Webb’s Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam). 



Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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Westerlund 1: Stars with the brilliance of a million suns

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and STScI



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Hubble captures a stunning stellar nursery

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a pair of interacting spiral galaxies known as the Antennae Galaxies. They are located approximately 45 million light-years away in the constellation Corvus.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antennae-galaxies-in-a-deadly-embrace">Antennae Galaxies in a deadly embrace </h2>



“The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has snapped the best ever image of the Antennae Galaxies. Hubble has released images of these stunning galaxies twice before, once using observations from its Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) in 1997, and again in 2006 from the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS),” noted <a href="https://esahubble.org/images/potw1345a/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The galaxies - also known as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 - are locked in a deadly embrace. Once normal, sedate spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, the pair have spent the past few hundred million years sparring with one another.”



According to ESA, the clash of the Antennae Galaxies is so violent that stars have been ripped from their host <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxy-collision-2-million-mph-stephans-quintet-captured-unprecedented-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> to form a streaming arc between the two.&nbsp;



The name "Antennae" comes from this long stream of stars and gas, which resembles insect antennae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intense-bursts-of-star-formation-nbsp">Intense bursts of star formation&nbsp;</h2>



The collision has triggered intense bursts of star formation, making the Antennae Galaxies one of the nearest and most dramatic examples of a starburst galaxy.&nbsp;



Many of the newly formed stars are concentrated in massive star clusters, some of which are expected to evolve into globular clusters over millions of years.



“This new image of the Antennae Galaxies shows obvious signs of chaos. Clouds of gas are seen in bright pink and red, surrounding the bright flashes of blue star-forming regions - some of which are partially obscured by dark patches of dust,” explained ESA.



“The rate of star formation is so high that the Antennae Galaxies are said to be in a state of starburst, a period in which all of the gas within the galaxies is being used to form stars.”&nbsp;



“This cannot last forever and neither can the separate galaxies; eventually the nuclei will coalesce, and the galaxies will begin their retirement together as one large elliptical galaxy.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-antennae-galaxies">Significance of the Antennae Galaxies</h2>



The Antennae Galaxies are one of the most well-studied examples of galaxy collisions, offering insight into the processes that shape galaxies over time.



Astronomers study the Antennae Galaxies using a range of telescopes across different wavelengths, including visible light, infrared, and X-rays.&nbsp;



Observations in X-rays have revealed evidence of supernovae and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-may-talk-to-galaxies-through-energetic-winds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a>, while infrared studies highlight regions of dust and star formation.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-milky-way-s-collision-course-nbsp">The Milky Way's collision course&nbsp;</h2>



The Antennae Galaxies provide a glimpse into the future of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uma3-u1-faintest-star-system-found-orbiting-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, which is expected to eventually merge with the Andromeda Galaxy - our closest spiral galaxy neighbor.



The cosmic collision course of the Milky Way and Andromeda will reshape both galaxies over billions of years. 



This event is expected to occur in about 4.5 billion years. Both galaxies are part of the Local Group, a cluster of galaxies bound together by gravity. Their mutual gravitational pull is drawing them closer at a speed of approximately 110 kilometers per second.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-birth-of-an-elliptical-galaxy-nbsp">The birth of an elliptical galaxy&nbsp;</h3>



When the two galaxies collide, their individual stars will largely avoid direct collisions due to the vast distances between them. However, the gravitational forces involved will create dramatic effects.&nbsp;



These forces will distort the galaxies' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shapes</a>, triggering intense bursts of star formation as gas clouds collide and compress. Over time, the galaxies will settle into a new, larger elliptical galaxy often referred to as "Milkomeda" or "Milkdromeda" by astronomers.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-merger-and-the-solar-system">Galaxy merger and the solar system</h3>



Despite the seemingly destructive nature of the collision, the solar system is unlikely to face direct harm. Our Sun may find itself flung into a new orbit within the merged galaxy or even cast into intergalactic space.&nbsp;



The merger will also significantly alter the night sky, with the Andromeda Galaxy becoming increasingly prominent before blending into the unified structure.



This event is part of the natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-are-much-bigger-than-we-originally-believed-gas-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution of galaxies</a> and serves as a fascinating reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the universe. 



While the collision is still billions of years away, studying it helps astronomers understand galactic interactions and the long-term future of our cosmic neighborhood.



Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA



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The violent clash of the Antennae Galaxies  

Six years after NASA’s Dawn mission concluded its remarkable exploration of the asteroid belt’s largest bodies, Ceres and Vesta, new findings continue to reshape our understanding of these celestial objects. 



While Vesta has faded from the spotlight, Ceres, a water-rich dwarf planet, remains the center of scientific intrigue.



Recent research led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (<a href="https://www.iaa.csic.es/en">IAA-</a><a href="https://www.iaa.csic.es/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C</a><a href="https://www.iaa.csic.es/en">SIC</a>) has identified 11 previously unknown regions on Ceres, hinting at an internal reservoir of organic materials.



Published in&nbsp;The Planetary Science Journal, the study draws on Dawn mission data and innovative analysis methods to deepen our understanding of this enigmatic dwarf planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origin-of-organic-matter-on-ceres">Origin of organic matter on Ceres</h2>



In 2017, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>’s Dawn spacecraft detected organic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-matter-in-a-crater-sparks-new-questions-about-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compounds</a> near the Ernutet crater in Ceres’ northern hemisphere, igniting debates over their origin. 



The prevailing hypothesis suggested an exogenous origin, where organic materials were delivered by impacts from organic-rich comets or asteroids. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ceres_organic-matter_water_Ernutet-crater_Dawn-spacecraft_credit-NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ceres_organic-matter_water_Ernutet-crater_Dawn-spacecraft_credit-NASA_1s.webp" alt="Data from the Dawn spacecraft show the areas around Ernutet crater where organic material has been discovered (labeled 'a' through 'f'). The intensity of the organic absorption band is represented by colors, where warmer colors indicate higher concentrations. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/ASI/INAF/MPS/DLR/IDA" class="wp-image-1953030"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Data from the Dawn spacecraft show the areas around Ernutet crater where organic material has been discovered (labeled 'a' through 'f'). The intensity of the organic absorption band is represented by colors, where warmer colors indicate higher concentrations. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/ASI/INAF/MPS/DLR/IDA</figcaption></figure>



However, the new study explores an alternative scenario - that these organic materials formed within Ceres itself, and have been preserved in a subsurface reservoir that is shielded from solar radiation.



"The significance of this discovery lies in the fact that, if these are endogenous materials, it would confirm the existence of internal energy sources that could support biological processes," explains Juan Luis Rizos, lead author and researcher at <a href="https://www.iaa.es" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IAA-CSIC</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-ceres-the-basics">Understanding Ceres -- the basics</h2>



With a diameter of over 930 kilometers, Ceres is a fascinating dwarf planet nestled in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and is the most water-rich body in the inner <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biggest-known-space-cloud-of-life-building-complex-chemicals-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a> after Earth.



Discovered way back in 1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi, Ceres was the first asteroid to be identified and later reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006. 



It’s the largest object in the asteroid belt, making up about a third of its total mass. Ceres has a rocky core surrounded by a mantle of water ice, which hints that it might have a subsurface ocean. 



This possibility has scientists buzzing because it raises questions about whether Ceres could support some form of life or at least have the right ingredients for it.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ceres_dwarf-planet_water-rich_organic-matter_possible-life_1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ceres_dwarf-planet_water-rich_organic-matter_possible-life_1s.webp" alt="Ceres, considered a dwarf planet, lies in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1953528"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ceres, considered a dwarf planet, lies in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Credit: NASA</figcaption></figure>



As a dwarf planet, it bridges the gap between smaller asteroids and fully-fledged planets, showcasing characteristics of both. 



Its abundance of water ice and potential liquid water beneath the surface place it among the solar system’s ocean worlds and make it a tantalizing target for astrobiological research.



Additionally, Ceres’ composition links it to carbonaceous chondrites, a type of meteorite that is rich in carbon compounds. 



Such meteorites are considered relics of the material that formed the solar system 4.6 billion years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ceres-surface-and-organic-materials">Ceres’ surface and organic materials</h2>



The study employed a unique approach to analyze Ceres’ surface and organic material distribution. Using Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA), the researchers characterized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/land-degradation-severely-threatens-planetary-boundaries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compounds</a> near the Ernutet crater.



They then used high-resolution spatial images from Dawn’s Framing Camera 2 (FC2) to systematically scan the entire surface. 



This dual approach enabled the identification of 11 new regions potentially rich in organic compounds.



Many of these areas are near the equatorial region, where prolonged solar radiation exposure has degraded organic materials. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ceres_water_Ernutet-crater_Dawn-spacecraft_credit-NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ceres_water_Ernutet-crater_Dawn-spacecraft_credit-NASA_1s.webp" alt="This color composite image, made with data from the framing camera aboard NASA's Dawn spacecraft, shows the area around Ernutet crater. The bright red parts appear redder than the rest of Ceres. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA" class="wp-image-1953032"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This color composite image, made with data from the framing camera aboard NASA's Dawn spacecraft, shows the area around Ernutet crater. The bright red parts appear redder than the rest of Ceres. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA</figcaption></figure>



Despite this degradation, high-resolution spectral analysis using Dawn’s VIR imaging spectrometer confirmed the presence of organic compounds, particularly in a region between the Urvara and Yalode basins. 



Here, the organic materials appear within geological features formed by impacts, suggesting they originated from deeper subsurface layers.



"These impacts were the most violent Ceres has experienced, so the material must originate from deeper regions than the material ejected from other basins or craters," clarifies Rizos. 



"If the presence of organics is confirmed, their origin leaves little doubt that these compounds are endogenous materials."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-should-we-care-about-this">Why should we care about this?</h2>



These findings align with a related study by Italian collaborators, who demonstrated that organic compounds degrade more rapidly under solar radiation than previously estimated. 



The observed quantities and degradation levels suggest that vast reservoirs of organic material likely exist beneath the surface of Ceres.



"The idea of an organic reservoir in such a remote and seemingly inert location like Ceres raises the possibility that similar conditions could exist on other solar system bodies," Rizos concludes. 



"Without a doubt, Ceres will be revisited by new probes in the near future, and our research will be key in defining the observational strategy for these missions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-ceres">What's next for Ceres?</h2>



As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of Ceres, its significance in planetary science and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/land-degradation-severely-threatens-planetary-boundaries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space exploration</a> grows. 



The potential presence of internal organic reservoirs not only sheds light on the dwarf planet’s geologic and chemical evolution but also enhances its appeal as a target for future missions. 



With its unique characteristics and abundant resources, Ceres stands as a key destination in humanity’s journey to understand the solar system’s past and secure its future in space exploration.



"Ceres will play a key role in future space exploration. Its water, present as ice and possibly as liquid beneath the surface, makes it an intriguing location for resource exploration," predicts Rizos.



"In the context of space colonization, Ceres could serve as a stopover or resource base for future missions to Mars or beyond."



All these features make Ceres a key player in our understanding of the early solar system and the potential for habitable environments beyond Earth.



The research is published in the journals <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/ad86ba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Planetary Science Journal</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp3664" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Ocean world Ceres is full of organic matter that may support life

Six years after NASA’s Dawn mission concluded its remarkable exploration...

Gut-brain,Connection,Or,Gut,Brain,Axis.,Concept,Art,Showing,A

Many people have felt a twist in their stomach when emotions run high. It can happen during tense or stressful moments, and when sadness or depression makes a person lose interest in eating. 



This everyday experience points to connections inside the body, between the mind and the gut, that aren't always obvious and are often overlooked.



For years, treatments that affect the brain have been used to lift spirits. Yet new research suggests a different path -- focusing on that "gut feeling."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-treatment-not-brain-treatment">Gut treatment, not brain treatment</h2>



A recent animal study explored the idea of focusing treatments for depression and anxiety to cells inside the gut rather than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/memory-isnt-only-stored-in-our-brains-other-cells-can-remember-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain cells</a>.



This shift may help people feel better without the unwelcome side effects that can come with drugs affecting the entire body.



These findings were led by Mark Ansorge, associate professor of clinical neurobiology at Columbia University <a href="https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vagelos College</a> of Physicians and Surgeons, and Kara Margolis, Director of the <a href="https://dental.nyu.edu/research/pain-research-center.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NYU Pain Research Center</a> and an associate professor of molecular pathobiology in the <a href="https://dental.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NYU College of Dentistry</a>. 



They looked closely at how treatments often used for depression and anxiety might work differently when kept mostly in the intestines.



“Antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-gut-brain-communication-affect-emotional-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raise serotonin levels</a> are important first-line treatments and help many patients but can sometimes cause side effects that patients can’t tolerate," Ansorge explains.



"Our study suggests that restricting the drugs to interact only with intestinal cells could avoid these issues."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ssri-treatment-in-the-gut">SSRI treatment in the gut</h2>



The standard approach to dealing with persistent sadness or worry has long involved drugs called SSRIs. They affect serotonin, a chemical known to help messages <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mitochondria-fling-dna-into-our-brain-cells-making-us-age-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">move around in the brain</a>. 



The problem is that these treatments spread everywhere, not just in the head. Changing that could make a big difference.



“But not treating a pregnant person’s depression also comes with risks to their children,” Ansorge says. “An SSRI that selectively raises serotonin in the intestine could be a better alternative.”



For decades, no one gave much thought to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dopamine-and-serotonin-shape-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">serotonin outside the brain</a>. Yet there is a lot of it sitting right in the intestines. 



“In fact, 90% of our bodies’ serotonin is in the gut”, says Margolis, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics and cell biology at <a href="https://med.nyu.edu/our-community/about-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NYU Grossman School of Medicine</a>.



This inside story may explain why some people experience stomach upset along with mood issues. 



If balancing serotonin only in the intestines can influence a person’s feelings, then future treatments might avoid the usual problems linked to current medications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-study-was-done">How the study was done</h2>



To explore this, researchers worked with mice. They used genetic engineering, surgery, and drugs to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/swallowing-food-triggers-feel-good-hormones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increase serotonin signaling</a> in the gut but not in other parts of the body. 



The question was simple: Would these changes help the mice behave in ways that suggest relief from anxiety or low mood?



“These results suggest that SSRIs produce therapeutic effects by working directly in the gut,” Ansorge says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-did-they-learn">What did they learn?</h2>



The results were surprising. The mice acted calmer and less down, yet they did not show the usual side effects often tied to SSRIs that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-fat-diets-cause-high-anxiety-through-changes-in-gut-bacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">affect the entire body</a>. 



“Based on what we know about interactions between the brain and gut, we expected to see some effect. But to see enhanced serotonin signaling in the gut epithelium produce such robust antidepressant and anxiety-relieving effects without noticeable side effects was surprising even to us,” Ansorge enthused.



“There may be an advantage to targeting antidepressants selectively to the gut epithelium,” adds Margolis. “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-microbiome-trillions-of-bacteria-unique-like-your-fingerprint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Systemic treatment</a> may not be necessary for eliciting the drugs’ benefits.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-brain-connection">Gut-brain connection</h2>



This approach did not just help the mood of the mice. It also revealed something new about how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-do-some-foods-seem-irresistible-the-answer-is-in-your-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">body’s internal wiring</a> works. 



Signals going from the gut up to the head seem to matter. The vagus nerve, known for carrying messages between these regions, was key.



Instead of the brain telling the belly what to do, the gut’s signals played a role in shaping mood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-vagus-nerve-the-basics">Understanding the vagus nerve -- the basics</h2>



The vagus nerve is like your body’s superhighway for communication between your brain and various organs. It’s one of the longest nerves in your body, stretching from your brainstem all the way down to your abdomen. 



Think of it as a major player in your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-has-its-own-mini-brain-that-controls-its-beat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autonomic nervous system</a>, which controls things you don’t have to think about, like your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-feel-our-emotions-through-our-heart-rate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart rate</a>, digestion, and breathing. 



When you take a deep breath, feel your heart beat, or even swallow your food, that’s the vagus nerve doing its job. 



It helps keep everything running smoothly by sending signals back and forth, ensuring your body responds appropriately to different situations.



But the vagus nerve does more than just manage basic functions -- it also plays a role in your mood and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-has-the-power-to-change-the-mood-of-our-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overall sense of well-being</a>. 



Stimulating the vagus nerve, whether through activities like deep breathing, meditation, or even certain medical treatments, can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. 



This nerve is involved in the “rest and digest” response, helping to calm your body after you’ve been stressed or active.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pregnancy-concerns">Pregnancy concerns</h2>



Problems can arise when certain drugs cross the placenta. Past work has linked these exposures with issues in children. 



The researchers studied more than 400 mothers and babies and found that children exposed to these antidepressants were 3 times more likely to develop constipation in their first year of life.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-pregnancy-changes-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maternal depression</a> and anxiety can have many unwanted effects on fetal and child development and must thus be treated and monitored adequately to the benefit of both mother and child,” says Ansorge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drugs-guts-brains-and-the-future">Drugs, guts, brains, and the future</h2>



The team is now working to create an SSRI that stays in the gut. If they succeed, it might change how doctors help people dealing with serious sadness and worry.



This approach could matter especially for those expecting a child, since it would mean addressing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/link-between-sleep-and-mood-explains-the-wrong-side-of-the-bed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mood concerns</a> without running the risks that come with the usual treatments.



Keeping these treatments focused on the intestines might give people a better shot at feeling like themselves again. 



For many, this line of thinking stands as a reminder that what happens inside the body often comes down to more than what goes on in the head. 



It suggests a future where relief could come without the troubles that keep so many from getting the help they need.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0016508524057512" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gastroenterology</a>.



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Drugs targeting gut cells for depression and anxiety work better than those targeting brain cells

Many people have felt a twist in their stomach when...

Soil, often perceived as lifeless dirt, is a dynamic ecosystem teeming with bacteria, many of which naturally carry antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). These tiny genetic codes enable bacteria to resist antibiotics, posing a significant challenge when they spread to harmful bacteria capable of infecting humans.&nbsp;



Human activities like pollution and land-use changes disturb soil ecosystems, facilitating the transfer of these genes from soil bacteria to pathogens, which could exacerbate the global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antimicrobial-resistance-could-cause-39-million-deaths-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotic resistance</a> crisis.



Jingqiu Liao, an assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering, has led a new study to understand how soil bacteria contribute to the growing issue of antibiotic resistance.&nbsp;



The findings emphasize that once bacteria acquire ARGs, they can rapidly transmit them to other species. This process transforms antibiotic resistance into an escalating public health concern.&nbsp;



By deciphering these mechanisms, scientists hope to develop strategies to control ARG spread, protecting human health and preserving antibiotics' efficacy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-threat-of-antibiotic-resistance-in-soil-nbsp">The threat of antibiotic resistance in soil&nbsp;</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-soil-bacteria-contribute-to-atmospheric-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soil</a> is a vibrant environment filled with diverse bacterial communities. While some bacteria naturally carry ARGs as a defense mechanism against antibiotics, the situation becomes dangerous when these genes spread to pathogenic bacteria. 



Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium found in soil, exemplifies this threat. When it infiltrates the food chain, it can cause listeriosis, a severe illness with fatality rates of 20–30% in vulnerable populations.&nbsp;



The ability of listeria to spread ARGs and infect humans makes it a critical model for studying the dynamics of antibiotic resistance in soil and its potential to spread to other environments.



According to Liao, soil is a crucial reservoir for ARGs, with environmental factors such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-pollution-is-harming-worms-and-bugs-to-an-unknown-degree/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> and land use amplifying their prevalence. These factors create conditions that promote the survival, spread, and exchange of ARGs among bacteria. 



However, the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms driving ARG dynamics in soil remain poorly understood. To address this gap, her team used listeria as a model organism to unravel the emergence and development of ARGs in soil ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antibiotic-resistance-in-listeria">Antibiotic resistance in listeria</h2>



Liao’s team comprises a multidisciplinary group of researchers, including doctoral student Ying-Xian Goh, the study’s lead author.&nbsp;



Supported by <a href="https://infectiousdisease.fralinlifesci.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech’s Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens</a> Interdisciplinary Team-building Pilot Grant, the team is conducting comprehensive genetic and ecological analyses of ARGs. 



This project builds on earlier research, such as Liao’s previous study published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-021-00935-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Microbiology</a>, which analyzed nearly 600 listeria genomes from soil samples across the United States.



The findings identify five primary ARGs prevalent nationwide and shed light on how these genes spread between bacteria.&nbsp;



Transformation, a process where bacteria acquire free-floating DNA containing ARGs from their environment, plays a key role.&nbsp;



Once a bacterium picks up an ARG, it can pass it to others, even across species. This rapid transfer of resistance genes underscores the urgency of the antibiotic resistance problem.&nbsp;



By studying ARG transmission in listeria, the team gained crucial insights into how resistance develops and propagates through ecosystems.



Liao highlighted the relevance of listeria as a model organism. Although clinical cases of listeria with antibiotic resistance remain low, the bacterium naturally resists several <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nanoplastics-can-alter-the-course-of-antibiotics-within-our-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotics</a> and is showing signs of increased resistance. This makes it an ideal candidate for tracking ARG development before it becomes a widespread clinical issue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-impact-of-soil-and-land-use">The impact of soil and land use</h2>



The study also examined how soil properties and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/40-percent-of-earths-land-has-became-permanently-drier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">land</a> use shape ARG diversity and distribution. For instance, soils rich in aluminum tend to encourage greater ARG diversity. 



Aluminum stress may prompt bacteria to retain resistance genes. In contrast, magnesium-rich soils seem to reduce ARG diversity, likely by lowering bacterial competition.&nbsp;



Wildlife presence in forested areas contributes to higher ARG prevalence as animals introduce these genes into the environment. Conversely, agricultural activities can alter soil composition and microbial communities, influencing ARG dynamics in bacteria like listeria.



Liao underscored the importance of minimizing activities that disturb soil conditions, such as improper waste disposal that may lead to metal contamination. She advises practicing good sanitation after activities like gardening to avoid potential exposure to ARGs and resistant bacteria in soil.&nbsp;



Understanding how environmental factors affect ARG spread is critical for developing strategies to mitigate antibiotic resistance and protect public health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-combating-antibiotic-resistance">The future of combating antibiotic resistance</h2>



The study highlights the vital role of protecting natural ecosystems to curb ARG spread. Soil health preservation not only benefits the environment but also plays a crucial role in safeguarding future medical care.&nbsp;



Building on these findings, Liao aims to explore new strategies for controlling antibiotic resistance, ensuring that antibiotics remain effective against infections for generations to come.



Liao believes that a deeper understanding of the ecological drivers of ARGs in soil is essential to tackling this urgent global health threat.&nbsp;



“Establishing a fundamental understanding of the ecological drivers of these bacteria in the soil could help us better understand the emergence, evolution, and spread of antibiotic resistance,” she concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-54459-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Soil plays an overlooked role in antibiotic resistance

Soil, often perceived as lifeless dirt, is a dynamic ecosystem...

Household plumbing systems often teem with microbial life, most of which is harmless. However, scientists have yet to fully document the bacterial communities living within people’s homes. 



While the Safe Drinking Water Act ensures monitoring by public water utilities, this surveillance stops at the property line. 



Once water enters a home, its microbial makeup can change significantly, evolving in ways that remain largely unmonitored and misunderstood.



Fangqiong Ling, an assistant professor of energy, environmental, and chemical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, is conducting research to address this knowledge gap.



Together with her team, Ling aims to improve understanding of household water microbiomes and their potential implications for public health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-household-plumbing-microbial-communities">Household plumbing microbial communities</h2>



In a paper published in the journal Nature Water, Ling and her colleagues detailed findings from a study that sampled bathroom faucets in eight households in the St. Louis metro area.



Over a seven-day period, they tracked the flow and evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/city-microbes-are-finding-surprising-new-ways-to-survive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacterial populations</a>. While all houses shared major bacterial categories, there was considerable variation at the species level from one household to another.



“The houses have their own unique signature compared to the rest,” Ling explained.



Despite the rigorous treatment and disinfection protocols applied to public tap water, the researchers identified small yet resilient microbial populations. 



These microbes often carry antibiotic resistance genes - a phenomenon the researchers anticipated. Using the same disinfectants across systems creates an environment where certain microbes develop resistance and form what scientists call a “resistome.”



The study revealed patterns of these resistomes across households but left questions about species-level variation unanswered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-in-plumbing-and-public-health">Microbes in plumbing and public health</h2>



The researchers used computer modeling to explore how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-microbes-discovered-in-2-billion-year-old-rocks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial communities</a> establish themselves. 



The findings suggest that both deterministic factors (such as water chemistry) and stochastic processes (random events) influence community formation. Variables like the timing of microbial arrivals, growth dynamics, and as-yet-unknown factors contribute to the observed diversity.



Ling’s work aims to anticipate and prevent outbreaks of opportunistic pathogens and disease-causing bacteria. While similar monitoring is under development for hospitals and other large institutions, individual household systems remain understudied.



“Houses are still the place where the majority of our interactions with water take place, so we want to study households,” Ling emphasized.



Though the study detected illness-causing bacteria in small quantities, this doesn’t necessarily indicate that household water is unsafe. However, Ling believes public health regulators should pay closer attention to the potential risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-science-and-crowdsourcing-data">Community science and crowdsourcing data</h2>



Lin Zhang, a Ph.D. student and the lead author of the&nbsp;paper, led efforts to expand the study’s reach.



By involving high school students as “community scientists,” the team collected samples from about 100 households in the St. Louis metro area. These contributions are now part of Zhang’s final Ph.D. project, which analyzes household-specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mouth-microbes-reflect-your-lifestyle-choices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbiome signatures</a> and their shared resistomes.



“I like that we were able to give high school students a glimpse into real-world research and the scientific method. Hopefully, this might motivate them to pursue a future in environmental engineering,” said Zhang.



The research highlights the importance of studying household plumbing microbiomes. While most bacteria are harmless, the resistance genes they carry can transfer to pathogens, especially when individuals undergo antibiotic treatments. 



Understanding these dynamics is crucial, given the frequent human interaction with these microbes through daily activities like showering and cooking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-infrastructure-upgrades-and-future-monitoring">Infrastructure upgrades and future monitoring</h2>



Just a few months ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a new rule requiring municipalities to replace lead plumbing pipes within the next decade.



This infrastructure overhaul could also provide opportunities to enhance monitoring of household water systems. Beyond dealing with metals, new plumbing systems might also focus on mitigating the presence of microplastics, and better understanding microbiomes.



Professor Dan Giammar is leading projects to improve drinking water quality. He highlighted the challenges of tracking water quality changes from treatment plants to household taps.



“Aspects of drinking water quality that can change between the treatment plant and the customer’s tap have been frustratingly difficult to monitor,” said Professor Grammar. 



“This innovative work provides new insights into how microbes grow and what microbes are present in premise plumbing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-microbiome-of-plumbing">Understanding the microbiome of plumbing</h2>



Ling and Zhang’s research continues to unveil the diversity of household <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-have-emerged-as-major-source-of-methane-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbiomes</a>. With every additional house sampled, more microbial variety emerges - presenting new questions for scientists to tackle.



Understanding the microbiome and resistome of household plumbing systems is critical for preventing health risks and improving water quality. 



The collaborative efforts of researchers, students, and community scientists are paving the way for a safer, more informed approach to managing water systems in our homes.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-024-00345-z">Nature Water</a>.



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Household plumbing is full of microbial life that might be a health hazard

Household plumbing systems often teem with microbial life, most of...

Nothing sets the tone of your day better than breakfast. It is far more than just a meal; it's a base for your body's vibrancy and long-term wellness.



While&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;knows&nbsp;that a good breakfast&nbsp;gives&nbsp;you&nbsp;the energy you need to conquer the day, most people don't&nbsp;know that the quality of breakfast&nbsp;consumed might&nbsp;be&nbsp;the key to&nbsp;combating cardiovascular disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-a-healthy-breakfast">The power of a healthy breakfast</h2>



In a recent study, experts at the <a href="http://Hospital del Mar Research Institute +34 933 16 04 00 https://g.co/kgs/ZjWpvfE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hospital del Mar Research Institute</a> investigated the link between breakfast quality and heart health.



The researchers tracked 383 participants in the PREDIMED-Plus project. The goal was to examine the impact of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-diet-can-lead-to-longer-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mediterranean diet</a> coupled with physical activity on heart disease - compared to the impact of dietary recommendations alone.



"Breakfast is a pivotal meal because it breaks the longest fasting time in the day. According to dietary recommendations, an adequate breakfast provides 20–25% of energy intake," wrote the study authors. 



"Skipping breakfast has been associated to higher prevalence of obesity, risk of diabetes, and metabolic conditions. On the contrary, eating breakfast has been associated with a better quality of the whole diet."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research">Focus of the research </h2>



The study was focused on two primary aspects. First, the researchers considered the energy derived from breakfast as a proportion of the daily total energy intake. Here, they differentiated between an adequate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-caloric-restriction-help-you-live-longer-its-complicated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calorie intake</a> (20-30% of the total daily intake) and other levels.



Second, the effects of consuming a high-quality breakfast with a perfect balance of proteins, fats, fiber, and other key nutrients were analyzed.



The findings revealed that a proper breakfast, packed with high-quality food and adequate energy, considerably reduces cardiovascular risk factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakfast-energy-intake-and-heart-disease">Breakfast energy intake and heart disease</h2>



The three-year-long study was focused on participants aged between 55 and 75 who were all overweight or obese. 



The researchers accounted for several <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-century-of-progress-in-the-fight-against-cardiovascular-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular</a> risk factors. These included weight, waist circumference (an indicator of abdominal obesity), lipid profile, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and diabetes indicators.



The study revealed that participants who consumed 20-30% of their daily energy intake at breakfast showed promising health outcomes. They had a more favorable body weight evolution compared to those who consumed more or less energy in the morning.



These participants ended the study with a 2-3.5% lower body mass index and a 2-4% smaller waist circumference. Plus, their triglyceride levels were significantly lower (9-18% reduction), and their HDL cholesterol levels were commendably high (4-8.5% increase).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakfast-quality-why-it-matters">Breakfast quality: Why it matters</h2>



While adequate energy intake plays a crucial role, the quality of breakfast also counts when it comes to heart health.



Those who had a high-quality breakfast ended up with a waist circumference that was 1.5% smaller, with 4% lower triglycerides, and an increase of 3% in HDL cholesterol levels.



A good breakfast should be rich in protein, beneficial fats, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium and iron, while keeping the added sugars and saturated fats at bay.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maintaining-better-health-with-breakfast">Maintaining better health with breakfast</h2>



Álvaro Hernáez, a key researcher at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, emphasized the importance of breakfast in maintaining health.



“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what and how you eat it matters. Eating controlled amounts - not too much or too little - and ensuring good nutritional composition is crucial," said Hernáez.



"Our data show that quality is associated with better cardiovascular risk factor outcomes. It's as important to have breakfast as it is to have a quality one.”



Additionally, Dr. Montse Fitó noted that both energy adequacy and quality have a role in preventing cardiovascular risk.



“We have confirmed that dietary recommendations about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diet-quality-briefly-improved-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food quality</a> have been effective in improving risk factor evolution over time in adults at high cardiovascular risk,”&nbsp;said Dr. Fitó.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-step-toward-healthy-aging">A step toward healthy aging</h2>



“Promoting healthy breakfast habits can contribute to healthy aging by reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome and associated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic diseases</a>, thereby improving quality of life,” concluded Karla-Alejandra Pérez-Vega.



Having a good breakfast won't just power you through the morning, but will also arm you against health risks.



This is especially important for adults who are at high cardiovascular risk. So, the next time you plan your breakfast, remember to choose quality and control quantity. 



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1279770724004949" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Journal of Nutrition Health &amp; Aging</a>.



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Breakfast: A delicious way to start your day and combat heart disease at the same time

Nothing sets the tone of your day better than breakfast....

Woman,Wearing,Brainwave,Scanning,Headset,Sits,In,A,Chair,In

It has been known for nearly 20 years that slow, synchronous electrical waves in the brain during deep sleep support the formation of memories. However, the reason for this has remained unclear. 



Now, a team of researchers from <a href="https://www.charite.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin</a> have found an explanation. According to the study, the slow waves make the neocortex, the location of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-our-brain-form-long-term-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-term memory</a>, especially receptive to information.&nbsp;



The findings could help to optimize the treatment approaches that are intended to support memory formation from outside.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slow-waves-and-memory-consolidation">Slow waves and memory consolidation</h2>



How do permanent memories form? Experts believe that while we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cleaning-the-brain-neurons-flush-out-waste-while-we-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>, our brains replay the events of the day, moving information from the location of short-term memory, the hippocampus, to the long-term memory located in the neocortex.&nbsp;



“Slow waves” are especially key to this process: slow, synchronous oscillations of electrical voltage in the cortex that occur during the deep sleep phase.&nbsp;



They can be measured using an electroencephalogram (EEG). The waves originate when the electrical voltage in many neurons rises and falls simultaneously once per second.



“We’ve known for many years that these voltage fluctuations contribute to the formation of memory,” explained senior author Jörg Geiger, the director of the Institute of Neurophysiology at Charité.&nbsp;



“When slow-wave sleep is artificially augmented from outside, memory improves. But what we didn’t know until now was what exactly is happening inside the brain when this occurs, because it is extremely difficult to study the flows of information inside the human brain.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slow-waves-enhance-synaptic-connections">Slow waves enhance synaptic connections</h2>



Geiger and his team have now used intact human brain tissue, which is extremely rare, to clarify the processes that are very likely to underlie the formation of memory during deep sleep.&nbsp;



According to their findings, the slow electrical waves influence the strength of synaptic connections between the neurons in the neocortex – and thus their receptivity.



For their study, the team of researchers investigated intact neocortical tissue samples taken from 45 patients who had undergone neurosurgery to treat epilepsy or a brain tumor at Charité, the <a href="https://evkb.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel (EvKB) hospital</a>, or the <a href="https://www.uke.de/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf </a>(UKE).&nbsp;



The researchers simulated the voltage fluctuations typical of slow brain waves during deep sleep in the tissue and then measured the nerve cells’ response. To achieve this, they used glass micropipettes positioned precisely down to the nanometer.&nbsp;



To “listen in” on the communications among multiple nerve cells connected through the tissue, they used up to ten “pipette feelers” at once – an extra-large number for this method, which is known as the multipatch technique.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-optimizing-timing-for-memory-formation">Optimizing timing for memory formation</h2>



The experts discovered that the synaptic connections between neurons in the neocortex are maximally enhanced at a very specific point in time during the voltage fluctuations.&nbsp;



“The synapses work most efficiently immediately after the voltage rises from low to high,” explained lead author Franz Xaver Mittermaier, a researcher at the Institute of Neurophysiology at Charité.



“During that brief time window, the cortex can be thought of as having been placed in a state of elevated readiness. If the brain plays back a memory at exactly this time, it is transferred to long-term memory especially effectively. So, slow-wave sleep evidently supports <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-is-essential-for-memory-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory formation</a> by making the neocortex particularly receptive for many short periods of time.”



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



This newfound understanding could have important practical applications. With the knowledge of precisely when the neocortex is most receptive, scientists and clinicians may be able to refine techniques that stimulate slow-wave activity.&nbsp;



Such stimulation can be achieved using subtle electrical impulses (transcranial electrostimulation) or through acoustic cues timed to slow waves during deep sleep.&nbsp;



“Right now, though, these stimulation approaches are being optimized through trial and error, which is a laborious and time-consuming process,” Geiger said.



Armed with these fresh insights, researchers can now work toward a more targeted development of external stimuli to enhance memory formation.&nbsp;



For people with mild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/even-mild-covid-can-cause-prolonged-cognitive-impairment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive impairment</a> or age-related memory decline, carefully timed interventions during deep sleep might strengthen or restore certain aspects of memory. This line of inquiry can also guide future studies into conditions where deep sleep or slow-wave activity is disrupted, such as in patients with neurodegenerative disorders.



In essence, this research clarifies a long-standing mystery: how deep sleep’s slow waves aid in consolidating memories.&nbsp;



By illuminating the precise timing and mechanism by which the neocortex becomes primed to receive and integrate information from the hippocampus, the study stands to refine therapeutic strategies aimed at improving memory function and potentially help those facing cognitive challenges.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53901-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Deep sleep: How slow brain waves boost memory formation

It has been known for nearly 20 years that slow,...

Scientists say they have identified the largest iron ore deposit ever recorded. They point to an area in Western Australia that contains a staggering amount of metal worth billions. They have tested samples, analyzed isotopes, and drawn conclusions that may reshape the way many see <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iron-meteorites-reveal-unexpected-metal-distribution-in-solar-system/">iron</a> on our planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-understanding-of-iron-resources">A new understanding of iron resources</h2>



Geologists have uncovered an iron deposit of a scale that none had previously documented. At an estimated value of $5.9 billion, this discovery is more than a lucky strike. 



According to <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/geologicalsciences/liam-courtney-davies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr Liam Courtney-Davis</a> at <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curtin University</a>, this find suggests that entire chapters of mineral formation and large-scale geological processes may need rewriting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fresh-look-at-mineral-formation">A fresh look at mineral formation</h2>



In the province of Hamersley, researchers have confirmed the presence of around 55 billion tons of iron. They say this gigantic amount holds a value of around 5.6 billion euros.&nbsp;



The size and worth of the deposit have geologists and economic experts discussing what it might mean for resource exploration. The team explains that previous estimates of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-secret-role-of-seawater-in-gold-formation/">mineral formation</a> timelines did not align with these findings.&nbsp;



The research involves studying uranium and lead isotopes to establish that these minerals appeared 1.4 billion years ago, not the 2.2 billion years once assumed.



According to the scientists, this updated timeframe challenges conventional wisdom about how iron deposits form. It also highlights new connections to the movements and changes of supercontinents.&nbsp;



One of the study’s co-authors stated, "The discovery of a link between these giant iron ore deposits and changes in supercontinent cycles improves our understanding of ancient geological processes."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeking-new-exploration-routes-and-methods-to-reveal-hidden-histories">Seeking new exploration routes and methods to reveal hidden histories</h2>



This work has sparked interest among those who look for new deposits. One statement adds, "It improves our ability to predict where we should explore in the future .&nbsp;



The energy from this epic geological activity likely triggered the production of billions of tonnes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iron-was-lifes-first-essential-metal-and-shaped-early-evolution/">iron-rich rock</a> in the Pilbara," indicating that the data gathered from these formations may guide future prospecting efforts.



The team has used techniques that focus on isotopic dating and chemical analysis. These approaches shine a light on the path iron took as it changed from 30% to more than 60% iron concentration.&nbsp;



“The exact timeline of the change of these formations from 30% iron as they were originally, to more than 60% iron as they are today, was not clear,” Associate <a href="https://staffportal.curtin.edu.au/staff/profile/view/martin-danisik-b20e9bfb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Martin Danisík</a> explained.



The researchers note that this knowledge gap made it hard to "understand the processes that led to the formation of the largest mineral deposits in the world."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-the-focus-to-broader-implications">Shifting the focus to broader implications</h2>



This discovery, though clearly significant for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/23-million-people-are-exposed-to-toxic-waste-from-mining-activities/">mining sector</a>, signals much more than an economic opportunity. The details shared show that geology is not only about predicting natural disasters or mapping the ground beneath our feet.



Such discoveries break old assumptions and encourage new ways of interpreting the landscape, its minerals, and the shifts in ancient continents.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-hamersley-deposit-matters">Why the Hamersley deposit matters</h2>



The region’s rich geological history has long attracted attention. The level of iron now verified at this location places it in a category of its own.&nbsp;



These results suggest that mineral formation involves complex natural processes that do not follow simple timelines. Some observers say that figuring out how these colossal mineral bodies came into being may help solve puzzles about the early Earth and its tectonic adventures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-means-for-future-research">What this means for future research</h2>



These findings are expected to inspire new projects. Researchers might now direct their efforts toward areas that seemed uninteresting or too difficult to evaluate before.&nbsp;



A greater understanding of ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/claim-earth-has-six-continents-not-seven-north-america-europe-connected/">geological processes</a> can lead to more targeted drilling and analysis. It may encourage mining companies and governments to update their strategies, potentially leading to more efficient and less wasteful resource extraction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historic-perspective-on-iron">Historic perspective on iron</h2>



Iron has long played a crucial role in human civilization. It helped build cities, forged tools, and fueled industrial progress. Before advances in modern geology, people relied on trial and error to find iron-rich sites.&nbsp;



Now, detailed studies and isotope analysis show patterns that were never suspected. This shift from guesswork to data-driven investigation can result in more sustainable use of natural resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-technology-reshapes-geology">How technology reshapes geology</h2>



In the past, identifying and analyzing massive mineral deposits was more guesswork than science. Current methods let experts determine how minerals have changed over billions of years.&nbsp;



Such approaches can influence not just how companies invest but also how scientists interpret <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-discovery-about-earths-formation-raises-probability-of-finding-life-on-other-planets/">Earth’s formation</a>. Reliable data removes old uncertainties and suggests that other surprises may remain hidden beneath the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-the-global-mining-landscape">Implications for the global mining landscape</h2>



Australia already dominates the iron industry. Adding a discovery of this magnitude may confirm its position. This does not only matter for export numbers or stock prices.



It may influence trade deals, global supply chains, and the stability of prices. When basic assumptions about resource formation shift, it can have effects that ripple through multiple industries.



No one is claiming to have all the answers. In fact, the researchers emphasize that they are still putting pieces of the puzzle together. They have shown that what was once considered standard geological knowledge needs rethinking.



With new data, people who study the planet’s past might draw clearer pictures of how continents shifted, how resources formed, and how life adapted along the way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-glimpse-of-what-is-still-unknown">A glimpse of what is still unknown</h2>



There could be more hidden stories waiting. New methods, fresh approaches, and an openness to challenging old ideas might reveal more giant deposits or explain perplexing geological patterns.&nbsp;



Each fresh insight could shape <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-gene-families-pangenome-influence-called-revolutionary/">how science evolves</a> and how societies approach the resources that support everyday life.



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Geologists found the world's largest iron ore deposit

Scientists say they have identified the largest iron ore deposit...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> 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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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.

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

Meanwhile, Crosby loved having her around. He was becoming more and more like the joyful, goofy pup Miller knew him to be. But still, Miller never really wanted a cat, so he asked the vet about taking her to the shelter.
It broke his heart, but he was determined. Little did he know, the universe was working in Crosby’s favor. Photo Credit: The Mercury News

The Final Straw