Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features an astronaut view of the Aladaghlar Mountains in northwestern Iran.



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-and-why-do-mountains-form-new-theories-for-an-age-old-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountains</a> are known for their strikingly colorful landscapes, which make them stand out among other mountain ranges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-landscape-of-the-aladaghlar-mountains">Landscape of the Aladaghlar Mountains</h2>



"Ridges cast shadows in the valleys and other low elevation areas, creating a three-dimensional appearance. Human alterations to the landscape are most evident in riverbeds, where the even topography is easier to build on and navigate," said <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



"Natural processes over millions of years have folded rock layers of various compositions and colors into the curved patterns seen here. These folds are produced by tectonic forces operating along the convergent plate boundary of the Arabia and Eurasia plates." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-rainbow-mountains">The Rainbow Mountains</h2>



One of the most remarkable features of the Aladaghlar Mountains is the vivid coloration of their slopes. 



The name "Aladaghlar" translates to "colorful mountains," which is a testament to their unique appearance.&nbsp;They are also known as the Rainbow Mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-of-the-aladaghlar-mountains">Wildlife of the Aladaghlar Mountains </h2>



The Aladaghlar Mountains are part of a larger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-ecosystems-are-in-urgent-need-of-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem</a> that includes forests, meadows, and rivers, contributing to a rich biodiversity. 



The region supports a variety of wildlife, including several species that are unique to the area. The diverse wildlife add to the natural beauty and ecological importance of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-and-why-do-mountains-form-new-theories-for-an-age-old-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountains</a>.



Among the larger mammals, the mountains host species such as brown bears, Persian leopards, and wild goats. The Aladaghlar Mountains also support smaller mammals, including foxes, hares, and various rodent species.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mountains-influence-bird-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birdlife</a> is abundant, including eagles, falcons, and a variety of songbirds. Reptiles like lizards and snakes are commonly found in the more humid areas, as well as amphibians.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-significance-of-the-region">Cultural significance of the region</h2>



In addition to their natural appeal, the Aladaghlar Mountains hold cultural significance. The region has a rich history, with evidence of ancient civilizations and historical sites. 



Local communities have their unique cultures and traditions, which have been influenced by the natural environment of the mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geology-of-the-aladaghlar-mountains-nbsp">Geology of the Aladaghlar Mountains&nbsp;</h2>



The geological history of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountains-both-carbon-sinks-and-carbon-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountains</a> is a fascinating tale of millions of years of natural processes.



The Aladaghlar Mountains are primarily composed of sedimentary rocks that have accumulated over millions of years. These sediments include sandstones, siltstones, shales, and conglomerates.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mineral-deposition-nbsp">Mineral deposition&nbsp;</h3>



The varying colors of the Aladaghlar Mountains are largely due to the presence of different minerals in the sedimentary layers. For example, red and orange hues are typically due to iron oxides, while greens can result from copper compounds.



These minerals were deposited in the sedimentary rocks through processes such as chemical precipitation, biological activity, and the weathering of parent rocks.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tectonic-activity">Tectonic activity</h3>



The region has experienced significant tectonic activity due to its location near the convergent boundary between the Arabian and Eurasian plates. This tectonic activity has caused the uplift and folding of the sedimentary layers, creating the mountain range.



The compression and folding associated with tectonic movements have also contributed to the exposure of the colorful strata that were originally deposited horizontally.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-erosion-and-weathering">Erosion and weathering</h3>



Over time, erosion and weathering processes have played a crucial role in shaping the Aladaghlar Mountains. 



Wind, water, and temperature variations have eroded the softer rock layers more quickly than the harder ones, creating the distinctive ridges and valleys seen today.



These erosive processes have also helped to expose the underlying layers, revealing the vibrant colors and intricate patterns that attract tourists and geologists alike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tales and legends</h2>



One of the most famous tales associated with the Aladaghlar Mountains is that of a hidden treasure buried deep within the mountains by an ancient Persian king.&nbsp;



According to legend, the treasure is guarded by mystical creatures and can only be found by someone pure of heart and brave enough to face the challenges of the mountain.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The shepherd and the fairy</h3>



Another local legend tells the story of a young shepherd who fell in love with a fairy he encountered in the Aladaghlar Mountains. The fairy granted the shepherd three wishes, but warned him that the wishes would come with consequences.&nbsp;



Despite the warning, the shepherd made his wishes, which ultimately led to his downfall, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The healing springs</h3>



The Aladaghlar Mountains are also said to be home to a spring with magical healing properties. According to folklore, those who bathe in the spring or drink its water are cured of all ailments.&nbsp;



However, the location of the spring is a closely guarded secret, known only to a few wise elders in the nearby villages.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The spirit of the mountain&nbsp;</h3>



Some locals believe that the Aladaghlar Mountains are inhabited by a protective spirit, who watches over the land and its people.&nbsp;



This spirit is said to bring good fortune to those who respect the mountain and its natural beauty, but misfortune to those who exploit or harm it.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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The Aladaghlar Mountains of northwestern Iran

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features an astronaut view of the Aladaghlar Mountains in northwestern Iran. These mountains are known for their strikingly colorful landscapes, which make them stand out among other mountain ranges. Landscape of the Aladaghlar Mountains "Ridges cast shadows in the valleys and other low elevation areas, creating a three-dimensional appearance. Human alterations to the landscape are most evident in riverbeds, where the even topography is easier to build on and navigate," said NASA. "Natural processes...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



NGC 2899 was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on March 2, 1835, during his survey of the southern skies from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. 



Herschel cataloged many deep-sky objects in the southern hemisphere, contributing significantly to the New General Catalogue (NGC) compiled later by John Louis Emil Dreyer.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: ESA



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Planetary nebula with ethereal wings captured by Hubble

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

Come out into the countryside and farmhouses like this are everywhere. But instead of having a red-brick office block sitting in the backyard, they’ll likely have a red barn. You can picture it can’t you: a quaint little white house next to a red barn. Oh, and there will probably be a windmill there, too. How idyllic. But have you ever stopped to think why these barns are red? The answer is fascinating. Photo Credit: kjghcoastal2017/Instagram

Traditional farm

Come out into the countryside and farmhouses like this are...

Looking first at barns, we might ask why farms even have them. Well, it isn’t just to charm people from the city who’re visiting on a daytrip! They have functions that are vital to farmers. Those functions have altered over the years, with advances in machinery and practice in the world of agriculture — but some things never seem to change. Photo Credit: JillWellington/Pixabay

Many barns

Looking first at barns, we might ask why farms even...

Barns have several uses. On a dairy farm, they’re central in keeping the animals out of bad weather and as places for milking. They’re areas for storing animal feed as well. On an arable farm, they’re also used to store crops. And it may not have been the case back in the day when they were first built, but nowadays, a barn’s a good place to keep vehicles. Photo Credit: Pascvii /Pixabay

Storage space

Barns have several uses. On a dairy farm, they’re central...

Farmers haven’t always restricted barns to one of these purposes, of course. For instance, a farmer might use a barn for milking, but then they’d keep hay on the upper level to feed the cows with. Another farmer might also house their horses in the same barn that they used for milking. Photo Credit: Pascvii /Pixabay

Milking area

Farmers haven’t always restricted barns to one of these purposes,...

You can imagine that the more purposes you’d have for a barn, the larger it’d have to be. So barns that were big would instill pride in their owners. People say that farmers of German origin, when they came to construct their farms, would focus on the barn before they even considered their house! Photo Credit:<a href="https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/amish-men-rebuild-barn-destroyed-by-arson-news-photo/525601038"> </a>Brooks Kraft LLC/Sygma via Getty Images

German pride

You can imagine that the more purposes you’d have for...

Some barns had more social uses. Carla Due explained this when speaking to Nebraska’s Wessels Living History Farm. “If they had a real nice barn, they would have a barn dance up in the haymow before they started putting up hay,” she recalled. “And those were wonderful because the whole neighborhood got together, just brought whatever you had and had lunch together.” Photo Credit: Warner Archive/YouTube

Socializing

Some barns had more social uses. Carla Due explained this...

Farmers didn’t have to stick to one barn, either. A lot of them would have a whole bunch of structures. This was increasingly true when mechanization started to be a bigger part of agriculture, as most farmers will store machines in sheds. And across the middle of the country, farmers mixed grain and stock-rearing, so they’d have little hog barns and chicken coops. Photo Credit: J. Irwin/ClassicStock/Getty Images

Machine sheds

Farmers didn’t have to stick to one barn, either. A...

So pretty much wherever you go in the United States, you’ll see barns, but they do differ from place to place. In the southern states, the warmer weather means there’s less of a requirement for big barns to keep the animals in. The animals just hang out in the open air instead. So you’ll tend to see smaller barns that have distinct functions, such as tobacco-curing. Photo Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

Smaller spaces

So pretty much wherever you go in the United States,...

Replanting the world’s forests could significantly reduce global warming, particularly in tropical regions, according to a new modeling study.



But even if every tree lost since the 19th century were replaced, the cooling impact would still fall short of reversing the full effects of human-caused <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-foundation-of-life-is-at-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. Emissions cuts, the authors stress, remain essential.



The study, led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a>, shows that restoring global forests to their preindustrial extent could lower average global temperatures by 0.34 degrees Celsius. That’s about one-quarter of the warming the planet has already experienced.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-climate-strategy-with-limits"><a></a>A climate strategy with limits</h2>



The modeling is based on a hypothetical increase in forest cover of 12 million square kilometers&nbsp;- about 135% the size of the United States. That estimate is roughly equivalent to the widely discussed goal of planting one trillion trees.



Scientists estimate that the Earth has lost nearly half of its trees - about three trillion - since the dawn of industrial society.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reforestation-cannot-offset-carbon-emissions-from-harvesting-wood/">Refores</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reforestation-cannot-offset-carbon-emissions-from-harvesting-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">t</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reforestation-cannot-offset-carbon-emissions-from-harvesting-wood/">ation</a> is not a silver bullet,” said Robert Allen, a climate scientist at UC Riverside and the study’s lead author. “It’s a powerful strategy, but it has to be paired with serious emissions reductions.”



While earlier studies have focused mostly on how trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, this research broadens the lens.



It accounts for chemical processes triggered by trees. These include the release of naturally occurring compounds called biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) that can enhance cooling in other ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-help-cool-the-atmosphere">Forests help cool the atmosphere</h2>



Trees, especially those in tropical regions, release BVOCs that interact with atmospheric gases to create particles that reflect sunlight and promote <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fire-and-ice-volcanic-ash-plays-a-surprising-role-in-cloud-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cloud formation</a>. Both effects have a net cooling influence on the planet’s climate. However, most climate models do not factor in these chemical interactions.



“When you include these chemical effects, the net cooling impact becomes more significant,” Allen said. “It’s a crucial part of the picture.”



The researchers found that tropical forests in particular offer a stronger cooling effect than those in other regions.



In the tropics, trees absorb more carbon, emit more BVOCs, and contribute less to the surface-darkening effect. When dark tree canopies replace snow-covered ground in high-latitude forests, this darkening effect actually increases warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-close-to-home">Climate change close to home</h2>



In addition to influencing global temperatures, planting trees has implications for local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-are-changing-the-quality-of-our-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air quality</a> and regional climates.



The team found that their restoration scenario led to a 2.5% reduction in atmospheric dust across the Northern Hemisphere. In tropical areas, BVOC emissions produced mixed air quality results - contributing to an increase in fine particles associated with poor health outcomes, while also reducing harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-ozone-layer-took-more-than-two-billion-years-to-stabilize/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ozone</a> levels.



These findings suggest that smaller-scale, localized reforestation efforts can still yield meaningful environmental benefits.



Antony Thomas is a graduate student in UC Riverside’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and co-author of the study.



“Smaller efforts can still have a real impact on regional climates,” he said. “Restoration doesn’t have to happen everywhere at once to make a difference.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-forests-and-farmland"><a></a>Balancing forests and farmland</h2>



Despite the model’s optimistic numbers, the researchers acknowledge that reforesting all previously wooded areas is highly unlikely. Much of that land is now used for farming, ranching, or urban development, raising difficult questions about land use and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vaccinating-plants-could-boost-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food security</a>.



“There are eight billion people to feed,” Allen said. “We have to make careful decisions about where trees are planted. The best opportunities are in the tropics, but these are also the areas where deforestation continues today.”



The team cites Rwanda as a case study for how conservation can coexist with development. In Rwanda, tourism revenues tied to forest protection are reinvested in local communities, giving people a financial incentive to preserve forests instead of cutting them down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-classroom-to-climate-research"><a></a>From classroom to climate research</h2>



The idea for the study began in a graduate-level climate modeling course at UC Riverside and eventually grew into a full-scale research project.



Using Earth system models and global land-use data, the team set out to evaluate just how much planting trees could move the needle on climate change.



The findings are cautiously hopeful: forest restoration is a valuable part of the climate solution, but it can’t do the job alone.



“Climate change is real,” Thomas said. “And every step toward restoration, no matter the scale, helps.”



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Trees are part of the climate solution - but not the whole answer

Replanting the world’s forests could significantly reduce global warming, particularly...

In coastal waters, hidden beneath the surface, seagrasses quietly play a vital role. They trap carbon dioxide more efficiently than tropical rainforests, acre for acre. 



Professor Ken Dunton, a marine biologist at <a href="https://www.utexas.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UT Austin</a>, has spent decades studying these coastal meadows. He noted that most of the biomass of a seagrass plant is below ground. "That’s where all the tissues store carbon."



The carbon is stored in roots and rhizomes buried in sediment. This makes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-plays-a-major-role-in-global-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seagrasses</a> natural carbon banks, especially useful in a world heating up from excess atmospheric carbon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-seagrass-carbon">Measuring seagrass carbon </h2>



To harness the carbon storage power of seagrass, we need accurate ways to measure it. Right now, measuring how much carbon seagrasses trap takes time and labor. 



Researchers must dig up sediment, haul it to a lab, and analyze it. It is expensive and cannot scale easily.



But there's good reason to want that data. Knowing how much carbon each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-still-thrive-on-floridas-nature-coast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seagrass</a> bed stores could influence how governments and businesses manage these ecosystems. In the future, they might even earn carbon credits for maintaining or restoring seagrass meadows.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-simpler-method-emerges">A simpler method emerges</h2>



With help from ARPA-E, Dunton and engineering professor Preston Wilson are trying something novel. They’re listening to bubbles. As seagrasses photosynthesize, they release oxygen, some of which forms bubbles. More bubbles mean more photosynthesis and more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-climate-solutions-enhancing-the-role-of-seagrass-meadows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> storage.



“So just like us in air, if I breathe out… you can hear me. Well when the seagrass breathes out under water, it makes bubbles, and the bubbles make noise,” Wilson explained.



This noise offers a clue. With underwater microphones, called hydrophones, scientists can record these tiny bubble sounds. Then, they use sound levels to estimate how much carbon the seagrasses are locking away.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collecting-mud-to-test-a-new-idea">Collecting mud to test a new idea</h2>



At East Flats near Port Aransas, Texas, the research team works waist-deep in water. They collect sediment cores using a tool called a vibracore. It takes several people to push a long plastic tube into the mud and pull it back up.



Once back at the lab, the team slices these cores into hockey puck-sized disks. Each disk undergoes detailed analysis, acoustic scanning, drying, grinding, burning, and chemical testing. These methods reveal how much carbon each layer holds.



“What we want to learn out of these cores is: ‘What are the relationships between organic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-and-climate-change-an-uncertain-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> in the sediment and the acoustic properties of the sediment?’” said Kevin Lee, from UT’s Applied Research Laboratories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bubble-sounds-and-seagrass-carbon">Bubble sounds and seagrass carbon</h2>



The lab work helps link bubble sound levels to carbon content. The sound profile of each core becomes a blueprint. Over time, scientists will calibrate models that predict carbon levels from sound alone.



It is like tuning a sensor. If a certain sound intensity equals a known amount of carbon, then future recordings can be read like a meter, with no digging needed.



“And to make a market, you need a meter. We would be the meter in a future global carbon market," noted Professor Wilson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-global-carbon-storage">Tracking global carbon storage</h2>



The ultimate goal of the research is to create low-cost hydrophone systems. These can stay underwater and record data continuously. The recordings could then be sent to computers onshore.



Study co-author Megan Ballard envisions a time when no one will need to visit the site just to check data.



“The whole goal of the project is to develop a low-cost network of sensors. We imagine something that can telemeter data back to shore,” said Ballard.



This would save time, reduce costs, and open the door to tracking carbon storage on a global scale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seagrass-and-the-future-of-carbon-markets">Seagrass and the future of carbon markets</h2>



Imagine a future where a company restores a seagrass bed and gets credit for every ton of carbon stored. That future needs tools. Dunton, Wilson, and their team are building one, quietly listening to nature’s own signals.



The research might soon turn seagrasses into verifiable, scalable allies in the fight against climate change. Hidden under the waves, a bubbling meadow might someday power a carbon market.



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Seagrass bubble sounds can be used to measure carbon storage

In coastal waters, hidden beneath the surface, seagrasses quietly play...

Every day starts the same for many of us. Open your eyes, reach for coffee and sip. That warm first gulp seems to shift your brain into gear. But what if it also helps you stay sharp and strong as you age?



That’s what new research suggests. Scientists followed almost 50,000 women for 30 years. They found something unexpected. Women who drank regular coffee during midlife were more likely to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">age</a> well - physically, mentally, and emotionally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drinking-coffee-linked-to-healthy-aging">Drinking coffee linked to healthy aging</h2>



The study focused on women aged 45 to 60. Researchers measured their caffeine intake and followed their health over the next three decades. The team wanted to know who would reach age 70 without serious disease, memory problems, depression, or physical decline.



By the end, 3,706 women met those goals. Most of them drank about 315 milligrams of caffeine per day. That’s roughly three small cups of coffee.



Tea, soda, and decaffeinated coffee didn’t show the same <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-biological-age-may-predict-dementia-risk-better-than-birth-date/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effect</a>. But with each extra cup of regular coffee, chances of healthy aging rose by 2 to 5 percent. The benefit topped out around five small cups a day - or 2.5 modern-sized mugs.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
“While past studies have linked coffee to individual health outcomes, our study is the first to assess coffee’s impact across multiple domains of aging over three decades,” said Dr. Sara Mahdavi, a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, <a href="https://www.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a>.



Dr. Mahdavi is also an adjunct professor at <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto</a>, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nutritional Sciences. “The findings suggest that caffeinated coffee - not tea or decaf - may uniquely support aging trajectories that preserve both mental and physical function,” said Dr. Mahdav.
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-all-coffee-helps-you-age-well">Not all coffee helps you age well</h2>



So, why coffee and not tea? Researchers aren’t sure yet. Coffee contains hundreds of compounds besides caffeine. Some of those might protect the brain, muscles, or metabolism. Or maybe it’s just the amount of caffeine people get from coffee.



But there’s a twist. Another study led by Dr. Mahdavi looked at how coffee affects the kidneys. This time, the answer depended on your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genes</a>.



In this second study, researchers tracked over 600 young adults in Italy. Everyone had early signs of high blood pressure. None were on medication. The scientists also looked at a gene called CYP1A2. This gene controls how fast your body breaks down caffeine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genes-decide-if-coffee-helps-or-harms">Genes decide if coffee helps or harms</h2>



Some people break down caffeine quickly. They have the AA version of the CYP1A2 gene. Others process it slowly - they have the AC or CC versions. This second group makes up nearly half the population.



For slow metabolizers, coffee came with risks. Heavy coffee drinkers in this group - those drinking over three cups a day - had a much higher chance of developing kidney problems as they <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-aging-how-some-people-live-past-100-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">age</a>.



Slow metabolizers were 2.7 times more likely to develop protein in their urine. Their risk of kidney hyperfiltration doubled. The chance of developing high blood pressure went up 2.8 times. Fast metabolizers? No extra risk. They seemed to tolerate coffee just fine, even at higher amounts.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
“In the present cohort study, caffeinated coffee intake was associated with increases in the risks of albuminuria, hyperfiltration, and hypertension only among slow metabolizers of caffeine, suggesting that caffeine may play a role in the development of kidney disease in susceptible individuals," said Dr. Mahdav.
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habits-shape-long-term-health">Habits shape long-term health</h2>



According to the researchers, this does not mean you should quit coffee. The risks apply mainly to people who metabolize caffeine slowly and drink large amounts. For most people, two cups a day should be safe - and possibly helpful.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
“These results, while preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health,” said Dr. Mahdavi. “Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, a healthy diet and avoiding smoking. 



“While this study adds to prior evidence suggesting coffee intake may be linked with healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/daily-doctor-recommended-regimen-that-could-slow-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>, the benefits from coffee are relatively modest compared to the impact of overall healthy lifestyle habits and warrant further investigation.”
</blockquote>



So, coffee is not a magic drink. It helps a little. Healthy habits matter more. Still, it’s good news if you already enjoy your daily brew.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-a-personalized-diet">Building a personalized diet</h2>



Dr. Mahdavi will present her findings at <a href="https://nutrition.org/meeting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NUTRITION 2025</a> in Orlando. Her team now plans to study how the chemicals in coffee interact with genes and aging pathways. The goal is to understand who benefits most and why.



In the future, your genes might help build a personalized diet. One that supports your brain, protects your kidneys, and keeps you moving as you age. Coffee might be part of that plan.



The next time you take that first sip of coffee in the morning, pause for a moment. That warm, familiar drink may be doing more than simply helping you shake off sleep or sharpen your focus for the day ahead. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daily-coffee-might-help-you-age-better">Daily coffee might help you age better</h2>



According to growing research, especially if it is caffeinated coffee, your daily cup might be quietly contributing to a healthier, stronger version of yourself in the years to come.



But before you start seeing coffee as a miracle cure, take a step back. Coffee can support well-being, but it is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. If you want to age well - staying active, mentally sharp, and free from chronic illness - then coffee alone won’t carry you there. 



You need to move your body regularly and need to eat meals that nourish, not just fill. You also need to understand how your body responds to substances like caffeine, because your genes play a role in how well coffee works for you - or whether it causes harm.



Healthy aging doesn’t come from a single habit, drink, or moment. It’s the result of years of daily decisions that seem small at the time. Over the decades, those small decisions build something powerful. Coffee can be one of them, but it is not the only one. Keep choosing well, one day at a time.



The blog is based on research presented at NUTRITION 2025 and a peer-reviewed study published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2800839" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a>.



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Study shows drinking coffee helps women stay mentally sharp and physically strong as they age

Every day starts the same for many of us. Open...

Young,Woman,Drinking,Water,From,Outdoor,Stream,With,Her,Hands

Waterways support everyday activities like washing clothes or watering vegetables. Yet many of these rivers now carry a hidden burden that may influence future health crises. An international study has brought attention to antibiotic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-antibiotics-detected-in-hundreds-of-rivers-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">residues</a> that slip into river systems in massive amounts. 



These residues come from human consumption and pass through wastewater treatment or end up in the environment with minimal filtration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humans-antibiotics-and-river-systems">Humans, antibiotics, and river systems</h2>



“While the amounts of residues from individual antibiotics translate into only very small concentrations in most rivers, which makes them very difficult to detect, the chronic and cumulative environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-in-glacier-meltwater-reveals-pollution-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exposure</a> to these substances can still pose a risk to human health and aquatic ecosystems,” said Dr. Heloisa Ehalt Macedo, a postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a>. 



According to new modeling data, antibiotic molecules can pass through people, slip by wastewater treatment, and arrive in rivers with the potential to affect both wildlife and communities. 



Researchers discovered that humans collectively emit thousands of tons of antibiotic residues each year. In some areas with limited wastewater treatment, levels are high enough to spark concern about resistant bacteria.



A 2018 <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1717295115" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">publication</a> found that antibiotic consumption soared by 65% between 2000 and 2015, driven largely by growing populations and increased access to health services. 



This spike parallels the concerns raised by researchers who see patterns of resistant bacteria rising in the same period.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangers-of-antibiotics-in-rivers">Dangers of antibiotics in rivers</h2>



“This study is not intended to warn about the use of antibiotics - we need antibiotics for global health treatments - but our results indicate that there may be unintended effects on aquatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-our-power-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environments</a> and antibiotic resistance,” said Bernhard Lehner, a professor in global hydrology at McGill.



Those effects include heightened risk for local wildlife and possible spillover of resistant microbes into drinking water.



One recent worldwide <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2113947119" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> revealed that antibiotic pollution touched rivers on every continent, with Asia showing the highest levels. Concern arises when these drugs spark bacterial survival tactics that block treatments.



<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/amoxicillin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amoxicillin</a> ranks among the most widely consumed antibiotics, raising alarms over its presence where treatment options are scarce. 



Streams in several nations without robust sanitation systems show elevated concentrations that may feed new waves of drug-resistant infections.



Some scientists warn that antibiotic-laden water may hamper <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beneficial-plant-bacteria-likely-to-decline-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beneficial microbes</a> that break down pollutants and recycle nutrients. 



Others note that once resistance genes emerge in a waterway, they can move into bacteria that infect humans or farm animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-antibiotic-pollution-in-rivers-threatens-health">Why antibiotic pollution in rivers threatens health</h2>



Drug-resistant bacteria can spread between humans, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dolphins-face-serious-threats-from-chemical-pollution-and-ocean-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>, and the surrounding environment, making water sources a key crossroads for these bugs. 



Repeated exposure to low levels of antibiotics in rivers may set the stage for more stubborn infections.



Some individuals rely on untreated river water for household needs, increasing their vulnerability to any resistant organisms present. 



Although advanced water systems remove or dilute many chemicals, older infrastructure can allow antibiotic residues to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-plays-an-overlooked-role-in-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remain in circulation</a>.



Economic strains can also mount when common treatments lose effectiveness against bacterial infections. 



Hospitals may spend more on stronger drugs, while individuals face longer recovery times and heightened risks of complications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-be-done-to-control-antibiotic-pollution">What can be done to control antibiotic pollution</h2>



“Monitoring programs to detect antibiotic or other chemical contamination of waterways are therefore needed, especially in areas that our model predicts to be at risk,” said <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/civil/jim-nicell-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Jim Nicell</a>, an environmental engineering expert at McGill. 



He highlights that untracked residues could turn into a global hazard if left unchecked.



Researchers are now urging governments to explore stricter guidelines for wastewater disposal, along with better testing systems for emerging contaminants. 



Others point toward balanced antibiotic use in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-antibiotic-found-in-soil-has-potential-to-fight-superbugs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human medicine</a>, reducing unnecessary prescriptions without restricting access.



Specialized filtration systems are under development to capture antibiotic residues before they reach rivers and open water. 



Alongside these technical fixes, many experts promote antibiotic stewardship campaigns to guide proper usage in clinics and communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communities-can-reduce-contamination">Communities can reduce contamination</h2>



Health authorities, including the <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/antimicrobial-resistance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a>, emphasize a One Health viewpoint that ties human, animal, and environmental health together. 



This perspective encourages cooperation among various sectors to address drug resistance on multiple fronts.



Local communities can play a part by learning how to dispose of unused medications properly. 



Some researchers suggest stronger public awareness campaigns to ensure antibiotics remain effective for serious infections instead of seeping unchecked into waterways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steps-to-prevent-antibiotic-resistance">Steps to prevent antibiotic resistance</h2>



Public health relies on safe water, yet the steady trickle of antibiotic residues in rivers raises new challenges for everyone. 



By taking precautionary steps now, societies can reduce risks, protect river ecosystems, and keep these lifesaving drugs effective for generations.



Experts hope this new evidence sparks broad changes in how wastewater is handled and how antibiotics are prescribed. Efforts to strengthen oversight may offer a path to healthier communities and cleaner rivers.



The study is published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/4/pgaf096/8113371?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS Nexus</a>.



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Human antibiotics are polluting Earth's rivers, helping bacteria develop the resistance they need to then kill humans

Waterways support everyday activities like washing clothes or watering vegetables....

Rising heat, relentless drought, violent downpours and a steadily thickening blanket of carbon dioxide are reshaping the planet on which agriculture depends.



In a recent review, <a href="https://illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a> plant biologist Stephen Long has surveyed that changing landscape and the research aimed at ensuring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/critical-food-crops-are-threatened-by-rising-temperatures-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food crops</a> can still thrive.



The picture he paints is sobering, yet not without hope, pointing to genetic discoveries that could keep crops productive even as the climate veers into unfamiliar territory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agriculture-is-strained-by-climate-shifts">Agriculture is strained by climate shifts </h2>



Long pointed out how quickly the air around us is changing. “By 2050-60, crops will experience a significantly different environment from today,” he said.



A key driver is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-carbon-dioxide-makes-crops-grow-bigger-but-less-nutritious/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a>, whose concentration has climbed far beyond the levels in which modern agriculture evolved. From a pre-industrial baseline near 280 parts per million, “atmospheric CO2 reached 427 ppm in 2024 and is projected to be about 600 ppm by 2050.”



That shift alone would alter plant metabolism, but it arrives alongside <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-weather-is-pushing-nature-toward-a-breaking-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather</a>. Intensifying heat waves can sterilize pollen or wither seedlings, while droughts cut yields outright. Swollen rivers drown fields, and storms topple grain at harvest.



Long noted that those converging stresses will reduce harvests across much of the world unless crops themselves change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeds-hold-key-to-resilience">Seeds hold key to resilience</h2>



Plant breeders have responded by scouring global seed vaults and wild relatives for crop varieties already carrying some climate resilience. 



For instance, the experts identified <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-quietly-making-rice-more-dangerous/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rice</a> lines that survive two weeks of total submergence, an asset in flood-prone deltas. They also found wheat strains that set grain under heat spikes that would devastate ordinary cultivars.



The underlying genes, once identified, can be bred into elite varieties or added directly with genome-editing tools.



Such work is painstaking. Researchers must link each trait to its genetic signature, cross or engineer it into agronomic lines, then test performance across years and regions. Even so, Long argued that tapping this standing diversity is one of the surest ways to buffer global harvests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taming-the-plants-thirst"><a></a>Taming the plants’ thirst</h2>



As temperatures climb, the atmosphere’s capacity to pull water from foliage rises too, forcing plants to close tiny pores called stomata to conserve moisture. That tactic, however, also limits the intake of CO2 for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revealing-the-secrets-of-photosynthesis-through-pep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>.



Several laboratories have engineered climate-resilient crops to finesse the trade-off. By boosting a sensor protein that tunes stomatal opening, field-grown tobacco cut water loss but maintained growth.



Separate experiments in rice and wheat reduced stomatal density, improving water-use efficiency by up to one-fifth without penalty to yield.



Although these demonstrations involve genetic engineering, Long noted that parallel gains might be possible through conventional breeding once the relevant genes are flagged.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-co2-fuels-growth-and-pests">CO2 fuels growth - and pests</h2>



Higher carbon dioxide, the very gas driving the crisis, can stimulate photosynthesis - up to a point. Yet it also upsets the balance of enzymes, sometimes depressing protein content or encouraging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pests-are-moving-to-cooler-regions-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pest</a> outbreaks.



Scientists have begun tweaking the regulators of rubisco, the key enzyme that captures CO2, so photosynthesis keeps pace with future atmospheres without unintended side effects.



Such molecular fine-tuning illustrates how adaptation must occur on several fronts at once: shielding plants from heat and drought, refining how they handle surplus CO2, and safeguarding nutritional quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-funding-gaps-threaten-agriculture-gains">Funding gaps threaten agriculture gains</h2>



Long cites U.S. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/maize-plant-genetics-shape-root-health-and-growth/">mai</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/maize-plant-genetics-shape-root-health-and-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">z</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/maize-plant-genetics-shape-root-health-and-growth/">e</a> as proof that breeding investments pay off. “Between 1980 and 2024, U.S. maize yields doubled while sorghum improved just 12%,” he said.



Maize benefited from vast private-sector spending on hybrid development, biotechnology, and agronomy. Sorghum, largely a public-sector crop in lower-income countries, lacked equivalent support.



That disparity, Long warns, could repeat across other staples - rice, wheat, cassava, legumes - unless governments and philanthropies step in. 



Private companies may not devote the required resources to crops grown mainly by smallholders or in poor regions, yet those crops undergird food security for billions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crop-innovation-vs-climate-clock">Crop innovation vs. climate clock</h2>



Even with ample funding, adapting crops is slow. A promising gene identified today may take a decade to reach farmers’ seed bags after regulatory review, field trials, and scale-up. 



That timeline collides with climate models showing sharp crop stress intensification in the 2030s and 2040s.



Long’s review thus serves as both roadmap and alarm, underscoring the urgency of accelerating research pathways and streamlining approval processes without compromising safety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-inside-the-genome"><a></a>Hope inside the genome</h2>



Despite the formidable challenge, Long’s synthesis is not fatalistic. It catalogs concrete advances - heat-tolerant rice, drought-savvy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-bread-wheat-gave-rise-to-civilization/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wheat</a>, water-frugal tobacco prototypes - that could be transferred across crop species.



With sufficient investment and international collaboration, the same engineering mindset that transformed maize could be deployed where it is now most needed.



The task, Long concluded, is to harness biology faster than climate pressures dismantle current production systems. His review makes clear that the science exists to do so. 



The remaining question is whether society will commit the resources and political resolve to bring those discoveries to scale before the planet’s pantries feel the full heat of global change.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2024.0229">Philosophical Transactions </a><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2024.0229" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">o</a><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2024.0229">f the Royal Society B</a>.



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Genetic fixes may save crops from climate stress

Rising heat, relentless drought, violent downpours and a steadily thickening...

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



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

The Aladaghlar Mountains of northwestern Iran

News coming your way