Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features shows wildfire smoke from Canada pouring into the northeastern United States.



"Winds typically move smoke from fires in Quebec toward the east and out to sea. But in June 2023, a persistent coastal low centered near Prince Edward Island instead steered smoke south into the United States. This image, from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 16 (GOES-16), shows smoke sweeping into New York and Pennsylvania on the morning of June 7, 2023," says NASA.



"Smoke reaching the northeastern United States from Canada in 2023 from fires raging in western Canada has mostly arrived at fairly high altitudes. But since the fires in Quebec are relatively close to the northeast U.S., a much larger proportion of the smoke arrived in surface-level air."



"Around the time of the image, AirNow air quality monitors measured levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) soaring above 400 micrograms per cubic meter of air in Syracuse, New York - the highest on record for the city since routine measurements began in 1999."



Ryan Stauffer, an atmospheric scientist based at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, noted that the smoke pollution from New York to the D.C. region is the most significant since at least July 2002, when a similar situation occurred with nearby fires in Quebec. “This event is rivaling, and in some cases will likely surpass the observed 2002 smoke pollution.”



According to Stauffer, the air quality index for PM2.5 in New York City surpassed 175 (code red) on June 6, topping the previous record of 167 from 2002. On June 7, “the D.C. region joined New York City and experienced some of its most smoke-polluted air in the past 25 years,” he said.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Smoke from Canada pours into New York and Pennsylvania

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the largest man-made reservoir in California, Lake Shasta, which filled to nearly 100 percent capacity in May 2023. This is the highest level that Shasta has reached in four years.&nbsp;



"Since 2019, a prolonged period of extreme drought resulted in dwindling reservoir levels. In the early months of 2023, heavy rains and meltwater from an above-average mountain snowpack caused a notable turnaround," said NASA.



"Lake Oroville, the state’s second-largest reservoir, was also near capacity on May 29, at 97 percent full. Both Lake Oroville and Shasta Lake are critical not only for water storage, but also for flood control, recreation, irrigating cropland in the Central Valley, and preventing saltwater intrusion into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta."



NASA noted that full reservoirs do not ensure plentiful water for years into the future, and that the past four years are a testament to how drastically reservoirs can change in a short amount of time.&nbsp;



"The California DWR is collaborating with other agencies to incorporate better forecasting and observation technologies in order to optimize water releases."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Lake Shasta reaches nearly 100 percent capacity

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Quebec, where about 160,000 hectares have burned since the start of the year.



"An unusually intense start to Canada’s wildfire season filled skies with smoke in May 2023. Then, at the beginning of June, scores of new fires raged in the central Canadian province of Quebec, some of which were ignited by lightning," says NASA.



"The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this view of smoke billowing from the fires on June 3. Shortly after the fires started, about 5,000 residents were ordered to evacuate near the city of Sept-Îles in the province’s east."&nbsp;



"As the fires grew, evacuations were extended to an additional 9,000 people in surrounding communities and in western Quebec’s Val-d’Or and Normétal municipalities. As of June 5, more than 150 wildfires were active in Quebec."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Forest fires rage in Quebec

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the west coast of South America. The photo was captured by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station while orbiting over the Atacama Desert and Central Andes Mountains near the border of Bolivia, Peru, and Chile.



"Over the Pacific Ocean, marine stratocumulus clouds develop over cold water that rises from the ocean depths as the Peru current (Humboldt current) flows north along the west coast of South America," says NASA. "The coastline is marked by low mountains that are dissected by canyons carved by rivers that flow down the western side of the Andes."



The Atacama Desert receives less than 0.2 inches of rain per year on average. According to NASA, this dry environment provides an ideal setting to conduct Mars analog studies.



"Active and inactive volcanoes comprise the Central Andean Volcanic Arc within the Atacama Desert and Andes Mountains. One of the inactive volcanoes visible in this photo is Bolivia’s Nevado Sajama, which has a maximum elevation of 6,542 meters (21,463 feet). Nevado Sajama and other volcanoes in the region often have glaciers and snow cover due to their high elevation."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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The west coast of South America

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Cape Cod peninsula, located in the easternmost portion of Massachusetts. The peninsula extends into the Atlantic Ocean and is a significant feature of the East Coast of the United States.



Cape Cod peninsula is characterized by its beaches, villages, and seafood. It's a popular tourist destination, particularly in the summer months, with people visiting for its beautiful landscapes and unique culture.



Cape Cod consists of 15 towns, including Provincetown, Hyannis, Falmouth, and Chatham. Each town has its own distinctive character and attractions. For example, Provincetown, located at the tip of the peninsula, is known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, while Hyannis is famous as a ferry gateway to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.



The Cape Cod National Seashore, a national park covering much of the Outer Cape, including the entire east-facing coast, provides opportunities for hiking, biking, and beachgoing.



Historically, Cape Cod was a landmark for early explorers of the Americas. It was among the first places settled by the English in North America in the Pilgrim Fathers' era, and it played a key role in the early history and development of the United States.&nbsp;



Today, the Cape's history is preserved in numerous museums, historic sites, and lighthouses. In addition, a variety of wildlife can be found in the region, such as whales, seals, and many species of birds.



"The variety of ecosystems within Cape Cod National Seashore sustain over 450 species of amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, and mammals, including 32 species that are rare or endangered," says NASA. "One of those species is the American oystercatcher, a large shorebird that uses a knife-like bill to eat shellfish."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Cape Cod peninsula in the northeastern United States

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Amundsen Gulf in northern Canada, where ice is typically covered with ice that is fastened to surrounding coastlines. According to NASA, the breakup of this ice tends to be rapid when the melting season arrives in spring.



"Patches of fast ice remained in the eastern part of the gulf in late May, but summer weather will ultimately clear it away as well. The Amundsen Gulf, the western entrance to the Northwest Passage, is usually ice-free by August," says NASA.



Walt Meier, a senior research scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, said that winds play an important role in the breakup of the ice. He noted that an area of low pressure centered south of the gulf prior to the breakup fueled strong easterly winds and large waves that broke up the ice and sent chunks of it drifting west.&nbsp;



This year's spring breakup occurred earlier than usual, which aligns with the overall trend in the Beaufort Sea region in recent decades, noted NASA.



“Over a period of two decades, the Amundsen Gulf had the highest interannual variability of anywhere across the entire Northwest Canadian Arctic,” said Eleanor Wratten, a researcher at Northumbria University and the lead author of an analysis of decades of MODIS observations of fast ice in the Northwest Canadian Arctic.&nbsp;



“We saw the timing of breakup change considerably from one year to the next, but the general pattern looked similar to what you see here. Ice usually remains in the southern bays the longest, with breakup veering toward the strait in the southeastern portion of the gulf.”



The image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite on May 30, 2023.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Spring ice breakup in the Amundsen Gulf

El Niño has arrived. The last month has seen an atmospheric shift in response to the unusually warm surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;



The <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) forecasts that these conditions will extend into the winter season. The likelihood of this developing into a potent event stands at a solid 56%, with an 84% chance for at least a moderate event.



El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño-La Niña climate oscillation. This meteorological phenomenon alters global atmospheric circulation in predictable ways, helping us anticipate potential future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-climate-change-affect-extreme-weather-events/">weather</a> and climate patterns. As El Niño strengthens, its impact on global temperature, precipitation, and other patterns become increasingly evident.



<h2 id="h-what-to-expect-from-the-weather">What to expect from the weather</h2>



Take the monthly Niño-3.4 index, for example. This measures the temperature of the tropical Pacific Ocean's surface. It has been observed to be 0.5 °Celsius (0.9 ˚Fahrenheit) higher than the long-term average (1991–2020), according to the OISSTv2.1 monthly dataset.&nbsp;



A 0.5 °C anomaly signifies the arrival of El Niño, marking a remarkable transition from the recent La Niña phase. The NOAA recorded a temperature anomaly of 0.8°C over the last week, further signifying an upward trend.



These conditions, in line with climate model predictions and current tropical Pacific conditions, are expected to remain above the El Niño threshold for the next several months. This marks the fulfillment of the first two criteria of El Niño.



<h2 id="h-disrupting-normal-atmospheric-patterns-and-trade-winds">Disrupting normal atmospheric patterns and trade winds</h2>



The third criterion involves the indication of a weaker Walker circulation, which refers to the typical atmospheric pattern over the equatorial Pacific. Under normal conditions, warm western Pacific waters fuel rising air and storms, with winds blowing from the west to east high in the atmosphere. These give rise to surface winds known as trade winds that blow from east to west, maintaining the concentration of warm water in the western Pacific.



El Niño disrupts this system. Its warm surface waters shift rainfall and convection towards the central and eastern Pacific, which weakens the trade winds, allows further warming, and results in a backflow of warmer water to the east, reinforcing the El Niño sea surface temperature pattern. This feedback loop is a crucial sign of El Niño.



Recent evidence of this disrupted Walker circulation includes weaker trade winds over the western Pacific and increased cloud cover and rainfall over the equatorial Pacific. Reduced convection over Indonesia is another characteristic indicative of a weaker Walker circulation.



<h2 id="h-how-el-nino-is-measured">How El Niño is measured</h2>



To measure the atmospheric component of El Niño, the NOAA employs the Equatorial Southern Oscillation Index (EQSOI) and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). Both of these indexes compare the surface atmospheric pressure in the western Pacific to that in the eastern Pacific.&nbsp;



In May, they measured -1.0 standard deviations, meaning these indexes were lower than about two-thirds of all measurements. This implies a significant indication of the weaker Walker circulation and evidence that the ocean-atmosphere system has coupled, marking the development of El Niño conditions.



<h2 id="h-why-forecasters-sound-the-alarms-for-el-nino">Why forecasters sound the alarms for El Niño</h2>



Why all this focus on El Niño (and La Niña)? Their impact on atmospheric circulation has global implications. Warm air rising near the equator moves towards the poles high in the atmosphere, descending near 30 °N and 30 °S, in a pattern known as the Hadley circulation. This process affects jet streams over the middle to high latitudes, which guide storms worldwide and separate cold and warm air masses.



As El Niño warms the atmosphere over the central and eastern tropical Pacific, it strengthens the Hadley circulation and alters the jet streams. For instance, an El Niño winter tends to bring more storms across the southern US and warmer air to the northern half of North America.



Given that El Niño can usually be predicted months in advance, the NOAA can anticipate these changes and their potential impacts. When this weather pattern intensifies, warming the sea surface temperature significantly above average, it wields greater influence on global circulation, making the impact patterns more likely.



<h2 id="h-expect-the-unexpected">Expect the unexpected</h2>



However, Mother Nature never fails to surprise. While El Niño increases the likelihood of certain patterns, exact predictions are elusive. In the words of two poignant post titles: "Not what I ordered: How El Niño is like a bad bartender," and "No, you can't blame it all on El Niño… but it's still a seasonal forecaster’s best friend."



Adding to the atmospheric signs, the subsurface ocean also lends support to the persistence of El Niño. Currently, the Pacific holds significantly warmer-than-average water beneath the surface. This is due to the passage of one downwelling Kelvin wave (an area of warm water that moves from west to east under the surface) and the emergence of another.&nbsp;



In fact, the average subsurface temperature for May 2023 was the fourth-warmest May value on record (1979–2023). This isn't a guaranteed predictor of a strong El Niño, but it certainly is suggestive. The top two May values were in 1997 and 2015, both of which preceded strong El Niño events, but the third in 1980 did not.



As always, nature's unpredictability makes it challenging to forecast several months ahead. Even though El Niño conditions have formed, there's a slim chance (4-7%) that it might fizzle out. NOAA considers this unlikely but not impossible. The global oceans' unprecedented warmth could throw us off track. Another potential, though less probable, outcome is a weak El Niño, with a 12% chance.



In the upcoming months, updates on this El Niño's development will be provided. We'll delve deeper into some of the impacts of El Niño, including a post on El Niño's interaction with global temperature in a couple of weeks. As noted in the previous month, global temperatures are significantly above average and have been steadily rising. Thank you for joining us on this journey into the heart of our changing climate!



<h2 id="h-a-summary-and-exact-explanation-of-an-el-nino-event">A summary and exact explanation of an El Niño event</h2>



 El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters along the tropical west coast of South America. It's part of what's known as the Southern Oscillation, a larger climatic phenomenon encompassing both the ocean and the atmosphere. Together, they're often referred to as ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation).



Typically, trade winds in the Pacific blow from east to west, pushing warm surface water towards Indonesia. When this happens, cold water from deep in the ocean rises up to replace it along the west coast of South America, a process known as upwelling. This cool, nutrient-rich water supports a rich ecosystem, including a thriving fishing industry.



During an El Niño event, the trade winds weaken or may even reverse direction. This change allows the warm water that was "piled up" in the western Pacific to slosh back towards the east. With the retreat of cooler water, sea surface temperatures along the western coast of South and Central America can rise significantly.



This significant warming of ocean water has substantial effects on global weather and climate patterns due to the large amount of heat energy transferred from the ocean to the atmosphere. For instance, it can lead to increased rainfall across the southern tier of the US and in Peru, which has caused destructive flooding, and drought in the West Pacific, affecting Australia and Indonesia.



These effects can also disrupt the marine ecosystem. The warmer surface waters of the Pacific Ocean during an El Niño can deplete the nutrients in the water, disrupting the food chain from its very base. For example, the anchovy industry in Peru and Ecuador can suffer during El Niño years as the anchovies, which prefer cooler water, disappear from their usual coastal habitats.



The frequency and intensity of these events vary. They tend to happen every two to seven years and can last anywhere from nine months to two years. Some can be more intense than others, and their effects can vary accordingly. However, predicting the exact timing and details of these events remains a significant scientific challenge.



On the flip side of El Niño is La Niña, which is essentially the opposite phase of ENSO. During La Niña, the trade winds are stronger than usual, pushing more warm water towards the west and causing cooler waters to rise along the eastern Pacific. This scenario leads to weather patterns that are generally the reverse of those during El Niño events.



It's important to note that while we understand the general patterns of El Niño and La Niña, each event is unique and can bring its own surprises, which makes studying and predicting them an ongoing endeavor for climatologists.



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Forecasters warn of weather chaos as El Niño arrives early

El Niño has arrived. The last month has seen an...

In a shocking study, Faysal Bibi of the <a href="https://museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/">Museum für Naturkunde</a> in Berlin and Juan L. Cantalapiedra of the University of Alcalá have unlocked key insights into the history of African large mammals.&nbsp;



Using measurements from thousands of fossilized teeth, the researchers have reconstructed the size and population data of these mammals over the past 10 million years. The task was not without its difficulties, especially due to the various uncertainties inherent to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earliest-gibbon-fossil-discovered-in-china/">fossil</a> preservation.&nbsp;



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



However, despite these challenges, their research has identified a significant correlation between the size of an animal and its population, a relationship which remains consistent across both fossil and extant communities. This discovery suggests that the same fundamental ecological principles shaping living communities today are also echoed in the ancient fossil record.



In creatures exceeding 45 kg, Bibi and Cantalapiedra uncovered evidence for a decrease in population density correlating with an increase in size. This finding corresponds with the known "rule of metabolic scaling," where larger species tend to have lower population densities compared to their smaller counterparts.



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



Interestingly, the experts discovered that mammals ranging between approximately 15 to 45 kg were less abundant than predicted, in both living and fossil communities. This unexpected observation, according to the researchers, is likely due to these species' rarity in savanna habitats, an ecosystem where monkeys and small forest-dwelling antelopes are scarce.



A major revelation came when they investigated how the relationship between size and abundance has evolved over time. Earlier communities, particularly those older than about 4 million years, displayed a markedly higher number of large individuals. Furthermore, a higher proportion of total biomass was found in larger size categories compared to younger communities.



This abundant presence of large mammals in ancient African ecosystems - some elephants weighed in at over 10 tons - is an extraordinary phenomenon seldom seen in today's ecosystems.&nbsp;



Over time, there has been a steady disappearance of large individuals from the fossil record. This slow loss reflects the long-term decline of large mammal diversity since the late Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs, leading to the smaller and less diverse communities we observe today.



<h2 id="h-african-megafauna-began-vanishing-much-earlier-than-believed">African megafauna began vanishing much earlier than believed</h2>



This study bolsters recent arguments suggesting that the massive loss of African megafauna began significantly earlier than previously thought, challenging the prevalent belief that humans were the primary drivers of these declines.&nbsp;



While the dispersion of humans worldwide during the late Pleistocene and Holocene epochs coincides with significant extinction events, this new research supports the idea that megafaunal losses in Africa began as early as 4 million years ago, much before humans developed efficient hunting strategies. Instead, the researchers identify environmental factors, such as a decrease in global temperatures and the growth of tropical grasslands, as potential triggers for megafaunal extinctions.



Bibi and Cantalapiedra also found that the gradual disappearance of larger mammals and the consequent shift in biomass distribution could be associated with a reduction in primary productivity. Using a well-established relationship between mammalian tooth morphology and current plant productivity, they estimated past productivity for African communities.&nbsp;



The findings suggest a significant, approximately two-thirds decrease in productivity since the Late Miocene epoch, more than 5 million years ago. This global trend could have substantially reduced the carrying capacity of large mammal communities, thereby accelerating the decline of large species diversity and hastening their extinction.



<h2 id="h-ecosystem-dynamics-are-incredibly-complex">Ecosystem dynamics are incredibly complex</h2>



This research provides a fresh perspective on ecosystem dynamics and the complex interplay between individuals, species, and their environment. It demonstrates how using fossil abundance data and size-based methodologies can offer invaluable insights into the ecological factors driving extinction.



The findings of this study represent a significant step forward in our understanding of African megafaunal extinctions and the evolution of ecosystems over geological time. The research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.add8366">Science</a>, has the potential to shape future conservation strategies and enhance our capacity to predict and manage biodiversity loss in response to environmental shifts.&nbsp;



The study emphasizes the deep-time origins of African megafaunal losses, challenging conventional wisdom and presenting a new timeline for these declines.



<h2 id="h-using-these-findings-to-slow-this-rapid-decline">Using these findings to slow this rapid decline</h2>



Understanding how environmental changes impacted past ecosystems can help predict how current and future shifts might affect biodiversity. The data provided by Bibi and Cantalapiedra's study may inform conservation efforts, highlighting the potential consequences of losing large individuals from our ecosystems.&nbsp;



The work provides a sobering reminder of the cascading effects environmental changes can have on biodiversity and the overall health of our planet. This study also highlights the importance of paleontological research in conservation science.&nbsp;



By peering into the past, scientists can gain a better understanding of how ecological communities are structured and how they respond to large-scale changes. This knowledge can, in turn, provide valuable insights for managing the impacts of ongoing environmental changes on our ecosystems.



In conclusion, the research has opened new avenues for understanding the dynamics of ecosystems and the complex interactions between individuals, species, and their environment. Their findings offer fresh perspectives that can contribute to mitigating the impact of biodiversity loss.&nbsp;



This in-depth exploration into the life and death of ancient African megafauna offers valuable lessons for the present and future, showing how vital it is to preserve our planet's biodiversity for generations to come.



<h2 id="h-more-about-african-megafauna">More about African megafauna&nbsp;</h2>



African megafauna refers to the continent's large animals, typically weighing over 100 pounds or around 45 kilograms. This group includes a diverse range of animals, from large herbivores like elephants and giraffes to large carnivores like lions and hyenas. It also includes a variety of lesser-known, yet equally impressive species such as the hippopotamus, rhinoceros, and the Cape buffalo.



The term "megafauna" is often associated with animals from a previous geological era, notably the Pleistocene epoch which ended around 11,700 years ago. During this time, Africa was home to a number of species that are now extinct, such as various species of proboscideans (the group that includes elephants and their extinct relatives) and the saber-toothed cat.



Africa is unique in that it's the only continent that has preserved a diverse range of megafauna to the present day. For instance, in many parts of the world, megafauna such as mammoths, mastodons, and giant sloths went extinct at the end of the Pleistocene, an event known as the Quaternary extinction. However, Africa retained much of its large mammalian biodiversity, with the extant fauna including charismatic species like elephants, rhinos, and big cats.



That said, Africa's megafauna has not been immune to decline. Many species have seen their ranges shrink and populations dwindle due to human activity such as habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change. Even animals that are seemingly plentiful, like elephants, face significant threats that could lead to their extinction if not properly addressed.



Furthermore, the research conducted by Bibi and Cantalapiedra suggests that this trend is not entirely new. Their findings indicate that the loss of megafauna in Africa started around 4 million years ago, far earlier than the spread of humans. They argue that changes in climate and habitat, rather than human hunting, initiated this gradual decline in megafauna diversity and abundance.



Understanding Africa's megafauna and their history is crucial for conserving these magnificent animals and the ecosystems they inhabit. These creatures play vital roles in their environments, influencing everything from vegetation patterns to the behavior of other animals. Their loss would drastically alter African ecosystems and could have far-reaching impacts on global biodiversity.



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Vanishing giants: Study reveals shocking decline of large mammals in Africa

In a shocking study, Faysal Bibi of the Museum für...

The global COVID-19 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-pandemic-affect-young-peoples-mental-health/">pandemic</a> and subsequent lockdowns led to a substantial shift in human behavior. As people huddled indoors, it appeared that land mammals seized the opportunity to explore more freely and widely, as per a recent study conducted by Marlee Tucker of <a href="https://www.ru.nl/en/home-basis-seo">Radboud University</a> and his team of 174 colleagues.



In the first few months of the pandemic, when most countries were in stringent lockdown, reports of wildlife reclaiming spaces in urban areas began to circulate. One could spot cougars strolling down the streets of Santiago, Chile.&nbsp;



However, Tucker questioned, "Is there any evidence of this? Or were people simply paying more attention to everything while being at home?" This doubt inspired a global investigation into the behavioral changes of land mammals.



<h2 id="h-studying-the-movements-of-mammals-worldwide">Studying the movements of mammals worldwide</h2>



To dig deeper into the phenomenon, the team, which included members of the COVID-19 Bio-Logging Initiative, embarked on a mission to analyze GPS tracking data of land mammals worldwide.&nbsp;



They collected and scrutinized data from a diverse array of 43 different species, ranging from elephants and giraffes to bears and deer. The team studied more than 2,300 individual mammals in all.



The data under scrutiny was specifically from the first period of lockdowns, spanning from January to mid-May 2020. The team then compared these figures to movement data from the same months the previous year. The patterns they discovered were intriguing.



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



The research,&nbsp; published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abo6499">Science</a>, revealed that animals traveled up to 73% longer distances within a span of 10 days during the strict lockdown period, compared to the same time the previous year when no lockdown was in place.&nbsp;



Additionally, animals were found to be on average 36% closer to roads. "This is probably because those roads were quieter during strict lockdowns," explained Tucker.



Fewer people outside, especially in heavily urbanized areas, offered animals an unprecedented opportunity to explore new territories. However, the results varied in regions with less stringent lockdown measures.



"In contrast, in areas with less strict lockdowns, we saw that animals traveled shorter distances," said Thomas Mueller of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre and Goethe University Frankfurt, who co-designed the study with Tucker.



"This may have to do with the fact that during those lockdowns, people were actually encouraged to go into nature. As a result, some nature areas were busier than before COVID-19."



<h2 id="h-unique-opportunity-for-study-that-may-not-happen-again">Unique opportunity for study that may not happen again</h2>



The unique circumstances presented by the pandemic lockdowns allowed the researchers to observe the immediate effects of a sudden change in human presence on wildlife behavior.



"Our research has shown that animals can respond directly to changes in human behavior. This offers hope for the future, because in principle this means that making some adjustments to our own behavior could have a positive effect on animals," said Tucker.



This intriguing study provides crucial insights into how human activity impacts wildlife, potentially guiding our path towards more sustainable cohabitation with the natural world.



<h2 id="h-what-happens-when-mammals-lose-their-habitat-to-humans">What happens when mammals lose their habitat to humans</h2>



When humans encroach on the habitats of land mammals, it can lead to a variety of negative impacts on these animals and their environments, as well as potential negative effects on human populations. Here are several key issues:



<h3 id="h-habitat-loss-and-fragmentation">Habitat Loss and Fragmentation</h3>



When humans convert forests, grasslands, or other natural habitats into residential areas, commercial zones, farms, or roads, this results in habitat loss for many species. Furthermore, remaining natural areas often become fragmented, isolating wildlife populations. Fragmented habitats can prevent animals from moving freely to find food, mates, or new territory, leading to declines in population size and potentially even extinction.



<h3 id="h-conflict-with-humans">Conflict with Humans&nbsp;</h3>



As human settlements expand into wild areas, the potential for human-wildlife conflict increases. For instance, animals such as bears, coyotes, or elephants can encroach on human settlements in search of food, which can result in property damage or even human injuries or deaths. Conversely, humans may kill or injure animals perceived as threats or nuisances.



<h3 id="h-spread-of-diseases">Spread of Diseases</h3>



Encroachment can also facilitate the spread of diseases between wildlife and human populations. For example, the Ebola virus is believed to have jumped from wildlife to humans in areas where humans are encroaching on previously undisturbed habitats.



<h3 id="h-decreased-biodiversity">Decreased Biodiversity&nbsp;</h3>



Human encroachment can lead to decreased biodiversity as habitats are destroyed or altered, and certain species may not be able to adapt to the changes. This can result in a loss of species richness and an imbalance in ecosystems, which can lead to a decrease in ecosystem health and resilience.



<h3 id="h-disruption-of-animal-behavior">Disruption of Animal Behavior</h3>



Human encroachment can cause changes in animal behavior. For example, it can change migration patterns or feeding habits, causing stress to the animals and potentially impacting their survival. Animals might also start to avoid areas populated by humans, resulting in a reduced habitat area.



<h3 id="h-overexploitation-of-resources">Overexploitation of Resources</h3>



Humans often exploit natural resources within animal habitats, such as water, timber, or mineral resources. This exploitation can alter or destroy habitats and leave fewer resources available for animal populations.



Ultimately, the encroachment of human activities into animal habitats poses a significant threat to wildlife. It highlights the importance of sustainable development practices, habitat conservation, and coexistence strategies to mitigate these impacts.



—-



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Behavior of land mammals changed dramatically during COVID-19 lockdowns

The global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns led to a...

In a breakthrough study led by <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/">Columbia</a> researchers and involving a global team of aging experts, a discovery reveals that the nutrient taurine, which is naturally produced within our bodies and also found in various foods, has a significant role in driving the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-intelligence-identifies-new-anti-aging-compounds/">aging</a> process in animals.&nbsp;



The researchers also found that supplements of taurine could potentially slow down this process. The evidence suggests a notable impact on the healthy lifespans of middle-aged mice, worms, and monkeys, with an increase of up to 12% observed.



Dr. Vijay Yadav, who led the study, is an assistant professor of Genetics and Development at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He noted that the science community has been on a 25-year quest to identify factors that don't merely increase lifespan, but also enhance healthspan – the period of time that an individual maintains good health in old age. "This study suggests that taurine could be an elixir of life within us that helps us live longer and healthier lives," said Dr. Yadav.



<h2 id="h-many-anti-aging-molecules-are-within-us">Many anti-aging molecules are within us</h2>



The last two decades have seen a surge in efforts to identify interventions that could enhance health in old age. This has been fueled by the increase in human longevity and the growing understanding that the aging process can be manipulated.&nbsp;



Numerous studies have connected various blood-carried molecules with aging, but it's unclear whether these molecules actively control the aging process or are just passengers going along for the ride.



Taurine caught Dr. Yadav's attention during earlier osteoporosis research that highlighted the nutrient's role in bone-building. At the same time, other researchers started associating taurine levels with various aspects of health such as immune function, obesity, and nervous system functions. These findings made the team wonder whether taurine levels in the bloodstream might influence overall health and lifespan.



<h2 id="h-taurine-declines-naturally-with-age">Taurine declines naturally with age</h2>



The researchers initially investigated taurine levels in the bloodstream of mice, monkeys, and humans, discovering a substantial decrease with age. In humans, taurine levels in individuals at the age of 60 were only around a third of those found in 5-year-olds. This discovery prompted the question, is a deficiency of taurine a driver of aging?



The researchers then began a large experiment with nearly 250 mice, which were about 14 months old (equivalent to approximately 45 human years). Every day, half of the mice received taurine supplements. After concluding the experiment, the researchers found that taurine extended average lifespan by 12% in female mice and 10% in males. For the mice, this translated to an additional three to four months, which would equate to seven or eight human years.



<h2 id="h-taurine-supplement-experiments-improved-health-in-old-age">Taurine supplement experiments improved health in old age</h2>



To delve deeper into how taurine affects health, additional researchers were brought in to investigate the nutrient's impact on health and lifespan across various species. The results were astonishing; mice that were given taurine for a year were found to be healthier in nearly all aspects compared to their untreated counterparts at the age of two (or 60 in human years).



The health benefits of taurine supplementation ranged from suppressing age-associated weight gain and increasing energy expenditure, to improving muscle strength and endurance, reducing insulin resistance, and promoting a more youthful immune system.



The study also showed that taurine improves many cellular functions that typically deteriorate with age. For instance, taurine reduced the number of “zombie cells,” which are old cells that linger instead of dying and subsequently release harmful substances. Taurine also improved the performance of mitochondria and reduced DNA damage.



The promising results extended to middle-aged rhesus monkeys, which showed improved health indicators after receiving daily taurine supplements for six months. The monkeys experienced reduced weight gain, lower fasting blood glucose, fewer liver damage markers, and improved immune system health, among other benefits.



Dr Yadav and his team are careful to note, however, that while these results are promising, they do not yet know if taurine supplements will improve health or increase longevity in humans.



Nevertheless, the team has conducted two human-based experiments which suggest taurine may have potential. The first analyzed the relationship between taurine levels and approximately 50 health parameters in over 12,000 European adults aged 60 and above.&nbsp;



Overall, those with higher taurine levels were generally healthier, with fewer cases of type 2 diabetes, lower obesity levels, less hypertension, and reduced inflammation levels. "These are associations, which do not establish causation. But the results are consistent with the possibility that taurine deficiency contributes to human aging," explained Dr. Yadav.



In a second experiment, the researchers studied whether taurine levels would respond to an intervention known to improve health: exercise. After a strenuous cycling workout, taurine levels were measured in a variety of male athletes and sedentary individuals, both before and after exercise.&nbsp;



The findings were consistent across all groups – taurine levels significantly increased post-exercise. "This suggests that some of the health benefits of exercise may come from an increase in taurine," said Dr. Yadav.



<h2 id="h-randomized-clinical-trials-are-next">Randomized clinical trials are next</h2>



However, Dr. Yadav is clear that a randomized clinical trial in humans is the only way to definitively determine if taurine has genuine health benefits. Trials are currently underway for obesity, but none of them are designed to measure a wide range of health parameters. Other potential anti-aging drugs, including metformin, rapamycin, and NAD analogs, are being considered for testing in clinical trials.



"I think taurine should also be considered," said Dr. Yadav. "It has some advantages: Taurine is naturally produced in our bodies, it can be obtained naturally in the diet, it has no known toxic effects, and its levels can be boosted by exercise."



Ultimately, Dr. Yadav concludes that restoring taurine to youthful levels in old age might be a promising anti-aging strategy, given that taurine levels decrease with age. His team's research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abn9257">Science</a>, could potentially revolutionize our understanding of the aging process and how we can manipulate it for a healthier, longer life.



<h2 id="h-more-about-anti-aging-research">More about anti-aging research&nbsp;</h2>



Anti-aging research is a rapidly growing field dedicated to understanding the molecular and physiological mechanisms that contribute to aging. The goal is to develop interventions that can delay, stop, or even reverse the aging process, thereby extending both lifespan (how long we live) and healthspan (how long we live in good health). Here are some promising molecules that have been identified in this field:



<h3 id="h-taurine">Taurine&nbsp;</h3>



As discussed in the study led by Dr. Vijay Yadav, taurine, a naturally produced nutrient, could potentially have a significant role in slowing down the aging process.



<h3 id="h-metformin">Metformin&nbsp;</h3>



Originally a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, metformin has shown promising results in extending lifespan and healthspan in multiple animal models. It's believed to work by increasing insulin sensitivity, decreasing oxidative stress, and possibly by modifying the microbiome. The "Metformin in Longevity Study" (MILES) is one such trial examining the effects of metformin on aging in humans.



<h3 id="h-rapamycin">Rapamycin</h3>



This is a compound originally discovered in soil bacteria and now used as an immunosuppressant in organ transplantation. In mice, rapamycin has been shown to extend lifespan, possibly by inhibiting a cellular pathway involved in cell growth and proliferation called mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). Clinical trials are underway to test the effects of rapamycin and related compounds on aging in humans.



<h3 id="h-nad-precursors">NAD+ precursors</h3>



NAD+ (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a critical coenzyme found in every cell in your body and plays a significant role in energy metabolism. Aging, in part, has been considered a result of decreasing NAD+ levels over time. To combat this, precursors such as Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) are being investigated for their potential to replenish NAD+ levels and possibly slow down the aging process.



<h3 id="h-senolytics">Senolytics</h3>



Senescent cells, often referred to as "zombie cells," stop dividing but don't die. They accumulate with age and secrete inflammatory molecules that can harm nearby cells. Senolytics are a class of drugs designed to target and eliminate these cells, potentially reducing inflammation and other negative effects of aging. Initial trials in mice have shown promising results.



<h3 id="h-resveratrol">Resveratrol&nbsp;</h3>



This naturally occurring compound, found in foods like grapes and berries, has been shown to have several health benefits, including anti-aging effects. Resveratrol is thought to activate certain pathways in the body that help combat aging, although results from human studies have been mixed.



<h3 id="h-caloric-restriction-mimetics-crms">Caloric Restriction Mimetics (CRMs)</h3>



Dietary restriction without malnutrition (or caloric restriction) is the most robust intervention known to increase lifespan in a variety of organisms. CRMs are compounds that can mimic the biochemical effects of a low-calorie diet, thereby promoting a longer, healthier life. Examples include the diabetes drug metformin, rapamycin, and resveratrol.



It's important to note that while these substances show promise, most are still in the early stages of research and have not been conclusively proven to slow human aging. The best-proven methods to promote a longer, healthier life remain a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and regular medical care.



—-



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Taurine: Natural anti-aging supplement may hold the key to a longer life

In a breakthrough study led by Columbia researchers and involving...

Brave,Astronaut,At,The,Spacewalk,On,The,Moon.,This,Image

The final frontier of space travel unveils a new mystery - the human brain, and its reaction to prolonged absence from Earth's gravity. A recent study suggests those who frequently embark on longer journeys should wait approximately three years after each mission, allowing time for the physiological changes in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-delays-visual-inputs-by-15-seconds-to-keep-us-stable/">brains</a> to reset.



A team of researchers meticulously analyzed the brain scans of 30 astronauts, taken before and after their extraterrestrial voyages. The findings, released today in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33331-8">Scientific Reports</a>, unveils a startling observation.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-brain-ventricles-take-years-to-recover-if-at-all">Brain ventricles take years to recover, if at all</h2>



The astronauts' brain ventricles experienced significant expansion post-travel, especially in those who had undertaken missions spanning at least six months. This raises concerns since less than three years post-mission may not provide enough time for the ventricles to fully recover.



Understanding what these ventricles are is vital. They're essentially cavities nestled within the brain, housing cerebrospinal fluid responsible for the brain's protection, nourishment, and waste removal.&nbsp;



In the grip of Earth's gravity, our bodies have finely tuned mechanisms that distribute fluids evenly. But in space, where gravity is absent, these fluids shift upwards, nudging the brain higher within the skull and leading to ventricular expansion.



“The more time people spent in space, the larger their ventricles became,” explains Rachael Seidler, a professor of applied physiology and kinesiology at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a> and one of the authors of the study.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-serious-implications-for-long-term-space-missions">Serious implications for long-term space missions</h2>



According to Seidler, the implications are significant for astronauts who have been to space more than once. The findings suggest that it takes approximately three years between flights for the ventricles to fully recover. Seidler affirms that this ventricular expansion is the most enduring brain change observed as a result of spaceflight.&nbsp;



The full implications of this phenomenon remain a mystery. “We don’t yet know for sure what the long-term consequences of this is on the health and behavioral health of space travelers,” says Seidler. Yet, prudence dictates that allowing the brain adequate time to recover seems like a sound strategy.



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



In their study, the researchers scrutinized the scans of astronauts from different mission durations - eight of them embarked on two-week missions, 18 spent six months in space, while four journeyed for approximately a year. Interestingly, the rate of ventricular enlargement appeared to taper off after six months.



Seidler points out, “The biggest jump comes when you go from two weeks to six months in space.” Evidently, there's no measurable change in the ventricles' volume after a brief two-week stint. This observation carries good news for the budding space tourism industry. Shorter space trips appear to trigger minimal physiological changes to the brain.



Furthermore, Seidler finds it encouraging that ventricular expansion seems to plateau after six months, despite not yet having data from astronauts in space for significantly longer periods. “We were happy to see that the changes don’t increase exponentially, considering we will eventually have people in space for longer periods."



This intriguing study, supported by <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>, has the potential to significantly shape future decision-making concerning crew travel and mission planning, according to Seidler. As humanity edges closer to becoming an interplanetary species, it's clear that understanding the physiological effects of space travel on the human body will remain an area of intense research.



<h2 id="h-more-about-impact-of-space-travel-on-the-human-body">More about impact of space travel on the human body&nbsp;</h2>



Space travel represents one of the most extreme environments humans have ever encountered, and as such, it brings a range of unique effects on the human body. The microgravity environment, increased exposure to radiation, and the psychological stress of confinement and isolation all contribute to a variety of health effects.



<h3 id="h-microgravity-effects">Microgravity Effects&nbsp;</h3>



One of the most striking effects of space travel is the impact of microgravity on the body. In space, the lack of gravity causes a redistribution of bodily fluids, leading to a puffy face and bird-leg syndrome. More seriously, the body begins to lose bone and muscle mass without the regular resistance of gravity. Astronauts can lose up to 1-2% of bone mass per month in space, particularly in the lower body and spine, a condition similar to osteoporosis. Muscle mass also decreases, especially in the muscles used for posture and movement on Earth.



Microgravity also affects the cardiovascular system. The heart doesn't need to work as hard in space, which can cause a decrease in heart muscle size. Some astronauts experience orthostatic intolerance - dizziness and fainting when standing - upon their return to Earth as a result of these cardiovascular adaptations.



The recent findings about the brain's ventricles expanding during prolonged space travel (as in the press release you provided) represent another facet of microgravity's effects.



<h3 id="h-radiation">Radiation&nbsp;</h3>



Space travel exposes astronauts to higher levels of radiation, which can increase the risk of cancer. Outside the protective layer of Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field, astronauts receive more than ten times the radiation than people experience on average on Earth. This exposure increases the risk of developing cancer and may also have unknown effects on the nervous system.



<h3 id="h-psychological-stress">Psychological Stress</h3>



The psychological impact of space travel can also be significant. Isolation and confinement can lead to sleep disturbances, circadian rhythm disruptions, and behavioral and emotional difficulties. Astronauts also commonly report vision changes, and ongoing research suggests that these changes may be related to both microgravity and increased CO2 levels on the International Space Station.



<h3 id="h-other-health-concerns">Other Health Concerns&nbsp;</h3>



Some other health concerns related to space travel include the risk of kidney stones, damage to the eyes and vision (known as Visual Impairment Intracranial Pressure Syndrome), immune system dysregulation, and balance and coordination difficulties upon return to Earth. There are also significant concerns about the potential for serious medical emergencies in space, as our current ability to provide advanced medical care in a microgravity environment is limited.



As humanity aims for longer-duration space travel, such as missions to Mars, understanding these effects and developing ways to mitigate them will be vital. It's an active area of research, and organizations like NASA are working to ensure the safety and health of astronauts venturing into the unknown.



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Astronauts get brain damage from space travel that often never heals

The final frontier of space travel unveils a new mystery...

The stark escalation of human-induced global warming from greenhouse gas emissions, progressing at a "unprecedented rate," has echoed a pressing alarm, as declared by 50 preeminent scientists. They report that the increase in the global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-struggling-to-maintain-oxygen-as-temperatures-rise/">temperature</a> is an immediate result of human activities, and it is surging faster than previously anticipated.



Their timely revelation, a "wake-up call," comes at a critical juncture as climate experts convene in Bonn. Their meeting is the prelude to the major COP28 climate conference in UAE, slated for December. The conference will assess global efforts to keep the temperature increase below 1.5°C by 2050.



However, the swift pace of climatic changes makes access to robust scientific evidence crucial for informed decisions. Policymakers, climate negotiators, and civil society groups need this data to effectively respond to the climate crisis.



The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is recognized as a reliable source of scientific information. However, their major assessments typically take five to ten years to complete, creating a critical "information gap" during this rapidly changing climate scenario.



To bridge this gap, scientists from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a> have launched a novel open-data, open-science platform — the Indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC). This online resource, available at <a href="https://igcc.earth/">https://igcc.earth/</a>, will provide annual updates on key climate indicators and greenhouse gas emissions.



<h2 id="h-critical-decade-for-future-of-our-planet">Critical decade for future of our planet</h2>



Professor Piers Forster, the coordinator of the project and Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures at Leeds, emphasizes the importance of this decade for climate change. He states, "Decisions made now will have an impact on how much temperatures will rise and the degree and severity of impacts we will see as a result."



According to Professor Forster, there is already evidence that greenhouse gas emissions are slowing down, despite current warming rates being at an all-time high. This highlights the need for nimble policy-making, responsive to the latest evidence about the state of the climate system. "Time is no longer on our side. Access to up-to-date information is vitally important," he warns.



The scientists' revelations in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-2295-2023">Earth System Science Data</a> also show how key indicators have evolved since the publication of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Working Group 1 report in 2021.



<h2 id="h-updated-indicator-findings-on-greenhouse-gas-emissions">Updated indicator findings on greenhouse gas emissions</h2>



Recent data reveals that human-induced warming, predominantly due to fossil fuel burning, averaged at 1.14°C for the last decade (2013-2022) above pre-industrial levels. This is a rise from 1.07°C between 2010 and 2019. Now, the pace of increase is over 0.2°C per decade.



Additionally, greenhouse gas emissions have reached an all-time high, with human activities releasing approximately 54 (+/-5.3) billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually over the last decade (2012-2021).



While there has been a move away from coal burning, it has ironically added to global warming by reducing particulate pollution in the air, which usually has a cooling effect.



Professor Maisa Rojas Corradi, Chile's Minister of the Environment, an IPCC author and scientist involved in this study, emphasizes the importance of regularly updating global change indicators. She says this is critical for maintaining urgency in addressing the climate crisis, allowing for informed decision-making, and fine-tuning national policies.



<h2 id="h-remaining-carbon-budget-has-reached-dire-level">Remaining carbon budget has reached dire level</h2>



A critical insight from the analysis is the rapid decline in the remaining carbon budget, which is the estimate of carbon that can be released into the atmosphere to maintain a 50% chance of keeping the global temperature rise within 1.5°C.



As of 2020, the IPCC calculated the remaining carbon budget to be around 500 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide. By early 2023, this figure had halved to about 250 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide. This precipitous drop is due to the persistent greenhouse gas emissions since 2020, compounded by updated estimates of human-induced warming.



Professor Forster warns, "Even though we are not yet at 1.5°C warming, the carbon budget will likely be exhausted in only a few years as we have a triple whammy of heating from very high CO2 emissions, heating from increases in other GHG emissions and heating from reductions in pollution."



<h2 id="h-public-must-be-kept-informed-of-key-indicators">Public must be kept informed of key indicators</h2>



If we aim to keep the 1.5°C goal within our reach and not just a fleeting image in our rearview mirror, we must work relentlessly and urgently to bring down emissions. The Indicators of Global Climate Change project aims to aid this endeavor by ensuring key players have timely and up-to-date data at their disposal.



Dr Valérie Masson-Delmotte, from the Université Paris Saclay, who co-chaired Working Group 1 of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment report and was involved in the climate indicators project, shared a similar sentiment.&nbsp;



She said, "This robust update shows intensifying heating of our climate driven by human activities. It is a timely wake up call for the 2023 global stocktake of the Paris Agreement - the pace and scale of climate action is not sufficient to limit the escalation of climate-related risks."



It's important to remember that every incremental increase in global warming intensifies climate extremes. This includes heightened frequency and intensity of hot extremes, heavy rainfall, and agricultural droughts.



The Indicators of Global Climate Change (<a href="https://igcc.earth/">https://igcc.earth/</a>) aims to keep this information on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change accessible and up-to-date. The platform will provide annual updates on greenhouse gas emissions, human-induced global warming, and the remaining carbon budget.



Inspired by the financial industry's approach to information presentation, software developers expanded on a successful climate dashboard, the Climate Change Tracker, to build the IGCC website. This interface allows the public to digest complex climate data in a user-friendly format, further enabling informed climate action worldwide.



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-climate-change-tipping-point">More about the climate change “tipping point”&nbsp;</h2>



A tipping point in the context of climate change refers to a threshold or a point of no return in the climate system. When this point is crossed, drastic and potentially irreversible changes occur.&nbsp;



This phenomenon is a product of positive feedback loops in the climate system, where a change in one aspect, like greenhouse gas emissions, can amplify other aspects, leading to accelerated warming or climatic shifts.



Several key tipping points have been identified by scientists. Here are some of them:



<h3 id="h-melting-of-polar-ice-sheets">Melting of Polar Ice Sheets</h3>



The polar ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica have a considerable effect on the global climate. Once these ice sheets start to melt, a feedback loop can begin where melting ice reduces the Earth's albedo (reflectivity), which means more sunlight is absorbed, leading to more warming and thus more ice melting. If all of the Greenland ice sheet were to melt, it could lead to a global sea-level rise of about 7 meters.



<h3 id="h-thawing-of-permafrost">Thawing of Permafrost</h3>



Large areas of the Arctic are covered in permafrost - ground that remains frozen throughout the year. This permafrost contains vast amounts of carbon. As the world warms, this permafrost thaws, releasing this carbon as greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane), which in turn accelerates global warming.



<h3 id="h-dieback-of-forests">Dieback of Forests</h3>



The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth", is another potential tipping point. Deforestation and rising temperatures could cause a significant portion of the forest to die back and transition into savannah, releasing massive amounts of CO2 stored in the forest biomass and reducing the amount of CO2 that the forest can absorb.



<h3 id="h-disruption-of-ocean-currents">Disruption of Ocean Currents</h3>



The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major ocean current system, plays a key role in regulating the global climate. Increased freshwater from melting ice can disrupt this system, leading to potentially severe consequences for weather patterns, particularly in Europe and North America.



Crossing any of these tipping points could lead to severe and rapid changes in the global climate system. Many scientists believe that we are already close to or have crossed some of these tipping points, but there is ongoing debate over precisely when and how these thresholds will be breached.&nbsp;



Understanding and predicting these points is a major focus of climate research and adds urgency to the need for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.



—-



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Scientists beg the public to "wake up" as greenhouse gas emissions reach another all-time high

The stark escalation of human-induced global warming from greenhouse gas...

Top athletes know that nutrition, which includes eating carrots, is a critical component of their training regimen. A recent study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.uga.edu/">University of Georgia</a> is now suggesting that a diet supplemented with an array of colorful fruits and vegetables could enhance an athlete's visual range, a key advantage in competitive sports.



This compelling research was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000318">Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews</a>. The study takes a deep dive into the benefits of certain plant compounds known as macular pigments. These pigments accumulate in the retina, playing a significant role in promoting eye health and improving functional vision.



<h2 id="h-how-carrots-and-colorful-fruits-improve-vision">How carrots and colorful fruits improve vision</h2>



The dynamic duo behind many previous studies on this topic, UGA researchers Billy R. Hammond and Lisa Renzi-Hammond, discovered that foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, such as dark leafy greens, yellow and orange <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-vegetables-often-harbor-human-pathogens/">vegetables</a> such as carrots, boost eye and brain health. These plant compounds are the primary constituents of the macular pigments under investigation.



Jack Harth, lead author of the paper and a doctoral candidate at UGA's College of Public Health, noted, “A lot of the research into macular lutein and zeaxanthin has focused on health benefits. But from a functional perspective, higher concentrations of these plant pigments improve many aspects of visual and cognitive ability. In this paper, we discuss their ability to improve vision in the far distance or visual range.”



The visual range, essentially the clarity with which one can see a target over distance, is indispensable for elite athletes across most sports. This ability can be compromised as objects become harder to see and seem fuzzier when viewed from a distance, primarily due to the effects of blue light.



Harth explains this phenomenon by using the example of a center fielder in baseball: “If that ball's coming up in the air, it will be seen against a background of bright blue sky, or against a gray background if it's a cloudy day. Either way, the target is obscured by atmospheric interference coming into that path of the light.”



<h2 id="h-focus-on-nutrition-and-ditch-the-sunglasses">Focus on nutrition and ditch the sunglasses</h2>



It's common for athletes to attempt to mitigate the impact of blue light through tools such as eye black or blue blocker sunglasses. Yet, an increase in lutein and zeaxanthin intake could naturally enhance the eye's ability to cope with blue light exposure.



These compounds in carrots and other fruits and vegetables, when consumed, accumulate as yellow pigments in the retina and serve as a filter, preventing blue light from penetrating the eye. This theory is not new; research in the 1980s investigated the visual range ability of pilots and drew similar conclusions.



Recent studies led by Hammond and Renzi-Hammond have delved into how macular pigment density, or the level of yellow pigment buildup in the retina, correlates with numerous measures of eye health and functional vision tests.



“In a long series of studies, we have shown that increasing amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina and brain decrease glare disability and discomfort and improve chromatic contrast and visual-motor reaction time. Supplementing these compounds also facilitates executive functions like problem-solving and memory. All of these tasks are particularly important for athletes,” explains Billy R. Hammond.



The current paper brings the latest research on macular pigment and functional vision into focus. It questions what the evidence implies about enhancing athletic performance.



Harth added, “We're at a point where we can say we've seen visual range differences in pilots that match the differences found in modeling. We've also seen it in laboratory tests. A future goal would be to bring people outside and measure their ability to see contrast over distance through real blue haze and in outdoor environments.”



<h2 id="h-not-all-people-achieve-the-same-results">Not all people achieve the same results</h2>



However, Harth warns that individual responses may vary due to differences in how our bodies absorb and utilize lutein and zeaxanthin. It's not as simple as just starting to eat kale and immediately observing improvements in your game.&nbsp;



Individual biological variations mean that lutein and zeaxanthin absorption and usage may differ from person to person. Furthermore, it might take some time before any changes, if any, become noticeable.



Despite these variables, the research team insists that there's more than enough evidence to support the general health benefits of consuming more lutein and zeaxanthin. There's no harm in bringing more color to your diet with fruits and vegetables rich in these compounds, such as carrots and spinach.



“We have data from modeling and empirical studies showing that higher macular pigment in your retina will improve your ability to see over distance. The application for athletes is clear," says Harth.&nbsp;



The research into this field is ongoing, and while it's not a guarantee that these pigments will transform every person into a superior athlete, it's an exciting development in understanding how diet can impact not only health, but potentially performance as well. Athletes and non-athletes alike can all benefit from the added incentive to load up their plates with more colorful fruits and vegetables.



<h2 id="h-more-about-carrots-and-vision">More about carrots and vision</h2>



Carrots are perhaps best known for their association with good eye health, and this reputation isn't undeserved. They are packed with beta-carotene, a type of carotenoid which gives carrots their vibrant orange color. Once consumed, beta-carotene gets converted in the body into vitamin A, an essential nutrient known for its critical role in maintaining and improving eye health.



Vitamin A is a key ingredient of a protein called rhodopsin, which the retina needs to absorb light. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to several eye-related health problems.&nbsp;



The most severe is xerophthalmia, a condition that can result in night blindness – difficulty seeing in low light or darkness – and, in extreme cases, may cause the cornea to become dry and damaged, which can lead to blindness.



That said, while carrots contribute to overall eye health due to their vitamin A content, they're not a cure-all for vision problems. The belief that eating a lot of carrots will allow one to see in complete darkness is a myth, albeit a persistent one.&nbsp;



This notion likely originated during World War II when the British spread rumors that their pilots had exceptional night vision because they ate lots of carrots. In reality, the Royal Air Force's improved hit rate was due to advances in radar technology, but attributing it to carrot consumption was a convenient cover story.



While the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A does support eye health, it's also worth noting that other fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens, also contain important nutrients for eye health.&nbsp;



For example, lutein and zeaxanthin, as mentioned in the press release you provided, are two such nutrients. They are found in high quantities in leafy greens like spinach and kale, and also in yellow and orange vegetables, including, to a lesser extent, carrots.



These nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin, are concentrated in the macula, a part of the retina, where they protect the eye from harmful blue light, improve visual acuity, and may even help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.



So, while carrots do support eye health due to their high vitamin A content, a balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables can provide a more comprehensive range of nutrients for optimal eye health.



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Mom was right: Eating carrots and colorful veggies really can improve your eyesight

Top athletes know that nutrition, which includes eating carrots, is...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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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

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After a failed mission, they headed back to Kris&#8217; truck. When the dog, now more comfortable, nuzzled up to his hero, Kris knew he had no choice but to take the dog to work. He couldn&#8217;t deny he was looking forward to having an office buddy. Photo Credit: Radioactiveman25 / Reddit

Office Dog