Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Lake Chad in central Africa. The photograph was taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station.



According to <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154407/lake-chads-water-wetlands-and-dunes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, Lake Chad once ranked among the largest natural lakes in the world. It was a critical resource for millions of people and animals, supporting agriculture and fishing across the region.&nbsp;



Lake Chad straddles the borders of Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. The shallow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-warming-toward-the-point-of-no-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake</a> is primarily fed by the Chari River, which brings water from the Central African Republic.&nbsp;



The water levels are also influenced by seasonal rainfall. The rainfall patterns vary significantly across the basin but generally follow a wet-dry seasonal cycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-decline-and-shrinkage-nbsp">Environmental decline and shrinkage&nbsp;</h2>



From the 1960s to the early 2000s, the lake lost more than 90 percent of its surface area. It transformed from a vast expanse of open water into a patchwork of wetlands, reed beds, and scattered pools.&nbsp;



This environmental decline has had severe consequences for local communities, leading to food and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-water-security-relies-on-the-origins-of-rainfall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water insecurity</a>, loss of livelihoods, and increasing competition over scarce resources.



“Ongoing droughts and the rising demand for fresh water have shrunk the lake to less than a tenth of the area it covered in the middle of the last century,” noted NASA.



“Although the lake has experienced dry and wet periods for thousands of years, there has been a significant decline in the amount of lake water available since the 1960s.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflict-culture-and-economy">Conflict, culture, and economy</h2>



Lake Chad is a geopolitical hotspot. The region has been affected by conflict, including the insurgency led by Boko Haram, which has displaced millions and further complicated efforts to manage and protect the lake’s fragile ecosystem.&nbsp;



Despite these challenges, regional governments and international organizations are working to restore and sustain the lake, including ambitious proposals to divert water from the Congo River basin.



Culturally and economically, Lake Chad remains vital. It is a hub for trade and social exchange among diverse ethnic groups and continues to provide fish and fertile land despite its reduced size.&nbsp;



The future of Lake Chad hinges on sustainable water management, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-alter-how-sunlight-travels-through-clear-lakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> resilience, and political cooperation across national boundaries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-lake-chad-nbsp">Evolution of Lake Chad&nbsp;</h2>



According to NASA, the evolution of Lake Chad has been documented by astronaut photography over the past 60 years.&nbsp;



“During the Apollo 7 mission in 1968, an astronaut acquired an oblique <a href="https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=AS07&amp;roll=8&amp;frame=1932" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photograph</a> of the lake as one large body of water. In 1982, another <a href="https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=STS005&amp;roll=39&amp;frame=1022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photo</a> from the space shuttle mission STS-5 recorded receding water levels and encroaching sand dunes.”



“A <a href="https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=ISS042&amp;roll=E&amp;frame=244403" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photo</a> taken in 2015 during space station Expedition 42 captured the lake’s remaining waters and wetlands in dark green, blue, and brown, contrasting with the sandy shades of the surrounding land.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-of-lake-chad">Wildlife of Lake Chad</h2>



Lake Chad still supports wildlife, though species diversity and abundance have declined significantly due to ecosystem degradation



The lake and its surrounding wetlands are home to several species of fish, including tilapia, catfish, and Nile perch, which are important both ecologically and economically.&nbsp;



These fish support a major regional fishing industry, although overfishing and changes in water conditions have put pressure on fish populations.



Birds are another key component of the ecosystem. The lake serves as a crucial habitat and stopover point for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-may-be-using-quantum-physics-for-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory birds</a> traveling along the African-Eurasian flyway.&nbsp;



Species such as herons, storks, ducks, and geese can be found in the region, especially during the wet season when parts of the lake flood and create rich feeding grounds.



Mammals that depend on the surrounding floodplains and wetlands include hippos and various antelope species, yet their numbers have declined.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts-and-challenges">Conservation efforts and challenges</h2>



Reptiles like Nile crocodiles and turtles also inhabit the lake's waters and marshy areas. In the past, larger wildlife such as elephants and lions may have roamed the wider Lake Chad basin, but they are now mostly gone from the immediate lake area due to habitat loss and human activity.



Despite these challenges, Lake Chad remains an important, yet increasingly fragile, refuge for wildlife in a region where water and natural habitats are becoming more scarce.&nbsp;



Conservation efforts aim to balance the needs of people and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-freshwater-species-are-threatened-with-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>, but the success of such efforts depends on managing the lake’s limited resources in the face of climate change, political instability, and population growth.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Lake Chad: A vanishing lifeline in Central Africa

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Lake Chad in central Africa. The photograph was taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station. According to NASA, Lake Chad once ranked among the largest natural lakes in the world. It was a critical resource for millions of people and animals, supporting agriculture and fishing across the region.&nbsp; Lake Chad straddles the borders of Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. The shallow lake is primarily fed by the Chari River, which brings...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features smoke hovering over the Butler Fire in Six Rivers National Forest. The fire was sparked by lightning on July 1 before quickly spreading to the east of Orleans, California.&nbsp;



By July 16, the Butler Fire had burned more than 9,000 acres and was zero percent contained.&nbsp;



Fueled by triple-digit temperatures and low humidity, the fire produced massive smoke plumes that drifted westward, impacting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-are-changing-the-quality-of-our-air/">air quality</a> across the region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-california-fires-ignited-by-lightning">California fires ignited by lightning</h2>



About 75 miles southeast of the Butler Fire, the Green Fire has been burning for weeks near the Pit River arm of Shasta Lake. The fire was also ignited by lightning.&nbsp;



By mid-July, the Green Fire had scorched over 15,000 acres and was only 13 percent contained.&nbsp;



According to <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154554/wildfire-smoke-billows-over-northern-california">NASA</a>, the fire’s rapid spread was driven by similarly extreme conditions - temperatures above 100°F and humidity levels below 20 percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-california-s-intense-2025-fire-season">California’s intense 2025 fire season</h2>



California’s 2025 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-seasons-are-now-overlapping-worldwide/">wildfire season</a> started early - and with alarming intensity. In January, Southern California endured destructive fires that were fueled by strong Santa Ana winds.&nbsp;



Most notably, the Palisades and Eaton Fires burned over 57,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes, and resulted in around 30 fatalities.&nbsp;



Through mid-July, more than 4,195 wildfires had scorched over 201,000 acres statewide. This is nearly triple the area burned in the same period in 2024 and well above the five-year average.&nbsp;



Among these fires, the massive Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County alone had burned more than 80,000 acres by early July, making it the largest wildfire of the season.



California is entering the peak of its fire season amid worsening climate-driven hot and dry weather, with fire agencies forecasting above-normal fire potential through August and September.&nbsp;



Firefighters and communities are facing increasingly complex and dangerous conditions, including extreme heat, dry vegetation, and low humidity. These factors are making wildfires harder to predict and control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-intense-fire-seasons-ahead">More intense fire seasons ahead</h2>



Looking ahead, California’s wildfire seasons are expected to grow longer and more intense as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">climate change</a> continues to reshape the landscape. 



Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and shrinking snowpacks are drying out forests and grasslands earlier in the year, creating dangerous conditions months before the traditional fire season.&nbsp;



Scientists warn that even in wetter years, vegetation growth can provide abundant fuel that dries out quickly under warming trends. This increases the risk of fast-moving, high-intensity fires.&nbsp;



The state is also seeing more fire activity in regions once considered low risk, including coastal areas and higher elevations.



In addition to fueling larger and more frequent fires, climate change is complicating response and recovery efforts. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">Smoke</a> from massive wildfires can impact extensive regions, posing serious health risks and straining public health systems.&nbsp;



Ultimately, experts agree that without significant action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of global warming, wildfires will remain one of the most visible and destructive symptoms of a <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/earth/explore/wildfires-and-climate-change/">changing climate</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-with-fire">Living with fire</h2>



As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">wildfires</a> become a more permanent fixture of life in California, residents are adapting to new realities. From packing emergency “go bags” in spring to installing air purifiers and fire-resistant landscaping, preparedness is becoming part of everyday life.&nbsp;



Schools and workplaces now routinely factor wildfire smoke into closure plans, and emergency drills are no longer seasonal but year-round.



For people on the front lines - firefighters, emergency responders, and healthcare workers - demands will only get worse and more support is needed. Many are calling for improved pay and benefits, as well as mental health services to cope with repeated trauma.



Living with fire in California means balancing resilience with action. Communities must prepare for fire, recover from fire, and push for climate policies that may prevent a future defined by ever-worsening wildfire seasons.



The image was captured on July 13, 2025 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the <a href="https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/satellites/landsat-8/">Landsat 8 satellite</a>.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

California's extreme fire season rages on

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

Today, some San Francisco tour operators run trips out to the islands, allowing visitors to observe the wildlife that still thrives here – despite apparently radioactive waters. But even these are not easy journeys. Speaking to&nbsp;The New York Times&nbsp;newspaper in 2016 writer Bonnie Tsui recalled how she was instructed to “come dressed for the moon,” during one visit.&nbsp;Photo Credit: Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images

Dangerous trip

Today, some San Francisco tour operators run trips out to...

That journey, it seems, was plagued by seasickness and icy winds – conditions that must have plagued visitors to the Farallones for centuries. But according to Tsui, there was plenty to make the trip worthwhile. On the way out, the passengers followed in the wake of humpback whales, before spotting rare sea birds and elephant seals on the islands themselves. Photo Credit: Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images

Worth the struggle

That journey, it seems, was plagued by seasickness and icy...

In fact, despite their hostility to human life, the Farallones have become something of a haven for rare creatures. On Tsui’s visit, for example, she spotted a single gannet, the first bird of its kind known to have made its home in Pacific waters. Typically, they live in the North Atlantic, but experts believe that this one got lost and decided to stay. Photo Credit: Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images

Rare sighting

In fact, despite their hostility to human life, the Farallones...

Old,Faithful,Geyser,Eruption,In,Yellowstone,National,Park,At,Sunset

Yellowstone National Park

Located in the western United States and spanning Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, Yellowstone is the country’s oldest national park. And over the years, millions of visitors have flocked there to take in its dramatic vistas and marvel at its famous geysers. But sometimes, they have left more than footprints behind. Photo Credit: Linda Aileen Photography

The oldest national park in the US

Located in the western United States and spanning Wyoming, Idaho,...

Beautiful,Colors,Of,Ear,Spring,In,Yellowstone,National,Park,Of

In some parts of the park, geysers erupt multiple times a day while delighted tourists look on. But in others, these volatile vents lie dormant, waiting for their time to explode. And it was one such sleeping giant, known as Ear Spring, which boiled over in September 2018, sending a jet of water and debris high up into the air.

Ear Spring

In some parts of the park, geysers erupt multiple times...

Spectacular,Shot,Of,Norris,Geyser,Basin,After,Sunset

But as the geyser erupted in its most violent explosion for more than 60 years, something unexpected occurred. And before long, the area around Ear Spring was littered with strange relics. Lost at Yellowstone over the decades, they reappeared in dramatic fashion, revealing a fascinating glimpse into years gone by.

A Glimpse At The Past

But as the geyser erupted in its most violent explosion...

Steamboat,Geyser,In,Yellowstone,In,Wintertime

So what exactly was it that emerged from Ear Spring that day? Given the long and rich history of Yellowstone, there are plenty of contenders. Because this vast, 3,500-square-mile swathe of land is arguably the most ancient, as well as the oldest-official national park in America. And there’s little doubt that countless objects and artifacts have been lost there over the years.

What Came Out?

So what exactly was it that emerged from Ear Spring...

An exoplanet named WASP-127b just smashed the cosmic wind record. Astronomers clocked supersonic gales racing around its waist at about 20,500 miles (33,000 kilometers) per hour, which is seven times faster than fighter‑jet speed.



“There is an extremely fast circumplanetary jet wind found on the planet. The velocity of the winds is surprisingly high,” said <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lisa-Nortmann" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lisa Nortmann</a> of the <a href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Göttingen</a>, lead author of the discovery. 



The supersonic <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2502/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">streak</a> hugs the planet’s equator, which sits 520 light‑years from Earth in the constellation of <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble/fujii-constellation-image-of-virgocoma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virgo</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jet-streams-on-wasp-127b">Jet streams on WASP-127b</h2>



WASP‑127b is a <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/resource/hot-jupiter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hot Jupiter</a>, a gas‑rich world that roasts close to its parent star. Its diameter is 30 percent larger than Jupiter’s, yet its mass is only one‑sixth, giving it a marshmallow‑like density. 



That low weight lets starlight puff the atmosphere into a balloon thousands of miles deep, a feature that makes the planet easy to probe with modern telescopes.



Earth’s <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/global/jet-stream" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar jet stream</a> tops out near 275 mph (442 kph), and <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/neptune/neptune-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune’s</a> famous winds reach about 1,200 mph (1,930 kph). 



WASP-127b’s 20,500‑mph (33,000 kph) supersonic gales lap the globe in less than a day, making it the most extreme sustained wind yet measured on any planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chasing-the-jet-with-light">Chasing the jet with light</h2>



Scientists traced the wind using <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/03/Transmission_spectroscopy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transmission spectroscopy</a>. They watched the star’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-lighthouses-emanated-earliest-starlight-universe/">light</a> filter through the planet’s atmosphere during each four‑day orbit. 



Molecules of water and carbon monoxide left fingerprints that slid in wavelength as the air sped toward and away from us, revealing two clear Doppler peaks.



If the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-earth-toi-1846-b-possible-oceans-discovered-orbiting-red-dwarf-star/">planet</a> merely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-hidden-pattern-in-planet-orbits/">rotated</a> once per orbit, the equator would move around 1.6 kms-1 (1 mile s-1). Instead, the measured equatorial jet reaches about 9 km s‑1 (5.6 miles s-1), roughly six times that <a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2025/01/aa50438-24/aa50438-24.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“tidally locked”</a> pace. 



That translates to a Mach number near three, which is well above the local speed of sound in the 2,060°F (1,127 °C) hydrogen‑helium air.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wasp-127b-s-puffy-atmosphere">WASP-127b's puffy atmosphere</h2>



The inflated envelope means that light from the star penetrates deeply, driving huge temperature contrasts between day and night. 



Such contrasts push gas sideways, setting up the equatorial jet that now defines the planet’s climate.



More than 5,900 confirmed planets are cataloged today, but none show a wind like this. The result widens the gap between solar‑system weather and the extremes seen among <a href="https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fueling-wasp-127b-s-supersonic-winds">Fueling WASP-127b's supersonic winds</h2>



Researchers think <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/stellar-radiation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stellar irradiation</a> is the main power source. Air heated on the perpetual day side rushes eastward, overshooting the limb before it can cool. 



Modelers also point to the planet’s low gravity, which reduces friction and lets airflow accelerate to dizzying speeds.



The jet’s velocity wasn’t the only surprise. Researchers also found that the poles of WASP‑127b contribute almost nothing to the planet’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-k2-18b-strongest-evidence-yet-of-extraterrestrial-life-discovered-webb/">transmission spectrum</a>, suggesting they may be veiled by thick clouds or cooled significantly compared to the equator.



That drop in signal matches predictions from general circulation models, where high-latitude air remains colder and more stable while the equator churns with superheated motion. 



These regional differences matter, because they help scientists refine how heat and chemicals move across gas giants under extreme conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-weather-models">Lessons for weather models</h2>



Earth science uses jet streams to steer storms. On WASP‑127b the jet alone shapes global heat flow, suggesting that “superrotation” may be common on close‑in giants. 



Future climate codes must now reproduce both the speed and the double‑peaked pattern seen in the data.



The <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Very Large Telescope</a> in Chile, newly upgraded with the <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/vlt-instr/crires+/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CRIRES+ infrared spectrograph</a>, supplied the precision needed to isolate 10 kms-1 shifts. CRIRES+ can resolve one part in 140,000, turning subtle molecular lines into a speedometer for alien weather.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-standard-for-planetary-chemistry">New standard for planetary chemistry</h2>



Beyond wind speeds, the study locked in precise measurements of WASP‑127b’s <a href="https://fiveable.me/key-terms/astrophysics-ii/co-ratio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C/O ratio</a> and <a href="https://www.aanda.org/glossary/194-metallicity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metallicity</a>. Both values closely matched solar levels, contradicting earlier reports that suggested a carbon-depleted atmosphere.



That shift matters. Planetary formation theories often link atmospheric chemistry to where a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-announce-evidence-suggesting-that-our-solar-system-has-nine-planets-again/">planet</a> formed in its protoplanetary disk. 



<figure class="wp-block-embed 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/S84jjw__zlg?si=7M7BAQvEoocQagT0
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Extreme supersonic winds raging on WASP-127b. Credit: ESO</figcaption></figure>



The updated results mean WASP‑127b likely didn’t migrate as far as previously assumed, changing how scientists think hot Jupiters end up in such tight orbits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-other-planets-have-supersonic-gales">Do other planets have supersonic gales?</h2>



Next‑generation instruments will test whether cooler, more temperate planets hide slower winds or exhibit surprises of their own. 



For WASP‑127b, follow‑up work may track seasonal changes, map clouds at the poles, and refine the chemistry that rides the jet. &nbsp;



The study is published in <a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2025/01/aa50438-24/aa50438-24.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</a>.



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Supersonic winds blowing at 20,500 miles per hour detected on a giant planet

An exoplanet named WASP-127b just smashed the cosmic wind record....

In nature’s endless game of survival and attraction, appearances can deceive. A soft flutter of wings might signal prey, a wasp, or danger. A bright color could warn of poison or invite a mate. But in one curious case, a dancing jumping spider has taken deception to a whole new level.



Jumping spiders are not what people typically imagine when they think of showy, dramatic displays. Yet one species, the Maratus vespa, does something few creatures dare. This jumping spider imitates one of its biggest threats - a wasp.



This surprising performance raised a question that scientists at the University of Cincinnati couldn’t ignore: why would a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-legs-no-guts-sea-spider-genome-stuns-scientists/">spider</a> mimic a predator during something as important as courtship?



That question led to an experiment unlike most in behavioral biology. And the journey from simple curiosity to machine-aided discovery unveiled a strange and brilliant piece of evolutionary theater.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jumping-spiders-in-a-wasp-disguise">Jumping spiders in a wasp disguise</h2>



With travel restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, fieldwork came to a halt. But curiosity did not. Biologists at the <a href="https://www.uc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cincinnati</a> turned to computers, hoping to uncover the secrets behind the spider’s dramatic disguise.



Humans often see faces where none exist, on rocks, in tree bark, even in cloud formations. Scientists wondered if the spider’s “wasp face” was a real mimicry or simply a trick of human perception. 



To answer this question, the researchers needed a third party without such bias. They used computer vision techniques and machine learning. 



Neural networks were trained to identify and classify images of different insect and spider species based on patterns and shapes. The test included 62 species, from jumping spiders to flies and wasps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wasp-like-spiders-trick-algorithm">Wasp-like spiders trick algorithm</h2>



The results surprised the researchers. The artificial intelligence made classification errors nearly 12 percent of the time across all species. Thirteen species were identified correctly every single time. But others were harder to pin down.



“The original idea was inspired by one species, a peacock jumping spider called Maratus vespa, which is Latin for wasp,” said UC student and study lead author Olivia Harris.



In the case of Maratus vespa and a few other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiders-adapt-their-webs-to-filter-out-human-made-noise/">spiders,</a> the AI struggled more than usual. It misidentified these spiders as wasps more than 20 percent of the time. Even without human bias, the computer saw what looked like a wasp.



This revealed something important. The spider's mimicry may be strong enough to fool not just people but machines as well. If artificial intelligence gets confused, real predators might too.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spider-s-dance-looks-like-a-wasp">Spider’s dance looks like a wasp</h2>



Maratus vespa is no ordinary spider. During courtship, it performs an elaborate dance. It raises its abdomen to display bright, bold patterns. The colors echo those of a wasp’s body. But it doesn’t stop there.



This jumping spider also raises side flaps on its body. The added shape creates the outline of a wasp’s triangular face. 



The mimicry becomes more convincing with movement, colors, and structure. And this illusion, oddly enough, is used in one of the most vulnerable moments of its life, mating.



“That got us thinking,” Harris said. “Why would a spider want to look like a wasp, which is a predator of spiders, especially as a primary element of its courtship display?" The answer lies in attention, survival, and split-second timing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-male-jumping-spiders-seeking-attention">Male jumping spiders seeking attention</h2>



Jumping spiders are highly visual animals. They have multiple sets of eyes, each with different abilities. Females especially are careful observers. 



When they detect movement from afar, particularly something that resembles a predator, they freeze and focus.



It turns out, this reaction might give males a critical opening. If the female thinks a wasp is nearby, she becomes alert but still. That moment of pause may allow the male spider to begin his courtship display.



The study’s authors believe the male uses this mimicry as a tactic. It isn’t to scare her, but to capture her attention and hold it long enough to start the dance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiders-aren-t-the-only-tricksters">Spiders aren't the only tricksters</h2>



Nature is full of strange strategies when it comes to attracting mates. Some male<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moths-read-the-stars-to-complete-an-epic-migration/"> moths</a>, for example, imitate the ultrasonic calls of bats. This discourages females from flying away. 



In Africa, topi antelope bulls pretend to spot predators to stop females from leaving their territory.



“But this is the only case we’ve found of males mimicking a predator visually,” she said.



Visual mimicry as a courtship trick remains extremely rare. That makes the Maratus vespa spider an unusual and fascinating example. 



The study suggests this behavior represents a form of sensory exploitation. The male takes advantage of how the female processes visual information.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-limits-of-illusion">The limits of illusion</h2>



Professor Nathan Morehouse, who co-authored the study, explained that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shiny-animals-outwit-predators-with-optical-illusions/">illusion</a> works best from a distance or from the female’s side view.



These angles rely on her peripheral vision, which sees only in green. At that range, the bright pattern and angular shape suggest danger. But when the male moves closer, the illusion wears off.



“Females will not be fooled forever. If they were, they would be robbed of the ability to make mate choices, which would put the species at a long-term disadvantage,” Morehouse said. “It’s beneficial for the males to break the illusion.”



In other words, the mimicry is a tool to get noticed, not to deceive permanently. The female must still decide if the male is worthy. And once she’s focused, she uses her color-sensitive front eyes to make that decision.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jumping-spiders-posing-as-wasps">Jumping spiders posing as wasps</h2>



The team now hopes to follow up with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/science-behind-predicting-and-changing-human-behavior/">behavioral studies</a>. They want to test if live female spiders behave differently based on the strength of the male’s visual mimicry.



Do some jumping spiders copy wasps better than others? Do females prefer males with more convincing patterns? And can these differences affect which males succeed in passing on their genes?



These questions may reveal even more about how animals use deception not just for survival, but for love.



In the meantime, Maratus vespa continues to dance its strange, bright, and possibly risky dance in the wilds of Australia. A spider pretending to be its enemy, all in the name of romance.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/beheco/article-abstract/36/4/araf074/8203202?redirectedFrom=fulltext&amp;login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Behavioral Ecology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Why jumping spiders mimic wasps during mating dances

In nature’s endless game of survival and attraction, appearances can...

Life feels smaller when friends are far away. Now scientists have measured just how literally the brain itself can shrink due to social isolation when people spend a year cut off from the wider world.



Their new work follows 25 volunteers who “wintered over” at Concordia Station, an Antarctic outpost 685 miles from the nearest coast, enduring months of darkness and a chronic lack of rescue options. 



The findings come from Dr. Mathias Basner and Dr. David R. Roalf of the University of Pennsylvania <a href="https://www.med.upenn.edu/">Perelman School of Medicine</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctica-simulates-space-like-isolation">Antarctica simulates space-like isolation</h2>



Few spots on Earth mimic the deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-harms-health-more-than-alcohol-obesity-or-smoking/">isolation</a> astronauts will face on future Mars missions, yet Concordia comes close. Its altitude feels like 13,000 feet to the body, air temperatures plunge well below -70°F, and the Sun disappears for weeks. 



Those stressors force crews to rely solely on one another, providing a rare, ethically acceptable model for studying chronic social separation.



Earlier Antarctic MRI work hinted that solitude can sap regions linked to memory and navigation, but sample sizes were tiny and scans happened long after crews returned. 



Basner’s team scanned participants before they left Europe, within 16 days of touchdown back home, and again five months later, capturing changes while they were still fresh.



The volunteers served as their own controls, and four “flying phantom” participants were scanned at every site to align machines. A matched group in Germany, who never left home, offered a reality check against normal aging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolation-causes-brain-shrinkage">Isolation causes brain shrinkage</h2>



High‑resolution MRI revealed that total <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-experiences-trigger-lasting-changes-in-brain-structure/">gray matter</a> fell in the temporal and parietal lobes as well as in deep structures such as the hippocampus, pallidum, and thalamus. 



Ventricular spaces holding cerebrospinal fluid expanded at the same time, suggesting tissue gave way to fluid. Virtually all of those losses reversed after five months except in the thalamus, a hub for sensory relay.



Parietal lobe volume dropped about 0.4 standard deviations immediately post‑mission, while lateral ventricles swelled by a similar margin.



Control participants showed no such pattern, implying that cold, confinement, and social deprivation, not calendar time, drove the shift.



While discussing Mars travel earlier this year, Basner warned that “something quite bad is happening in the brain” during lengthy expeditions. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-good-sleep-and-exercise-protect-brain">Good sleep and exercise protect brain</h2>



Sleep logs and wrist‑worn actigraphs painted a clear picture: crew members who slept longer and more efficiently lost less gray matter in the temporal cortex and hippocampus. 



Laboratory <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10281670/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> back the idea, linking deep sleep to the glymphatic system that clears metabolic waste and guards neurons.



Gym visits mattered, too. Time spent lifting weights or cycling correlated with healthier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-for-hours-daily-shrinks-your-brain-even-if-you-exercise/">brain volumes</a>, echoing decades of research on exercise‑induced neurogenesis. 



Thus, the polar crew’s cramped fitness room served not just morale but measurable neuroprotection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolation-harms-the-brain">Isolation harms the brain </h2>



Antarctica may seem far from daily life, yet social isolation is rising worldwide and carries similar neurological fingerprints. 



A Neurology <a href="https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000207602" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> of 8,896 Japanese seniors found that those with the least contact had total brain volumes 0.5 percent lower than their most connected peers and smaller hippocampus and amygdala volumes.



Systematic reviews tie chronic loneliness to thinning of anterior hippocampal tissue, reduced cortical thickness, and weaker white‑matter efficiency. 



These civilian data reinforce the Antarctic results: whether you are on a frozen plateau or an urban block, prolonged disconnection chips away at brain real estate involved in memory, mood, and orientation.



Animal work supports the link. Rodents housed alone show dendritic pruning in hippocampal neurons, mirroring the human MRI findings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-it-means-for-future-space-travel">What it means for future space travel</h2>



NASA and ESA advisors now rank safeguarding brain health among the top 14 research goals before any multiyear mission beyond low Earth orbit. In microgravity, fluid shifts already enlarge ventricles and raise intracranial pressure, adding social <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-isolation-and-loneliness-trigger-changes-in-blood-proteins/">isolation</a> could amplify risk.



Countermeasures under study include structured exercise, regulated light cycles that protect sleep, and virtual reality visits with family. 



The Concordia data hint that such steps are not optional extras but necessities if crews are to think clearly by the time they reach Mars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolation-as-a-brain-health-issue">Isolation as a brain health issue</h2>



For public health officials, the Antarctic story demonstrates the need to treat loneliness as a biological threat, not just an emotional one. 



Simple interventions, encouraging community ties, securing access to green spaces, prescribing exercise with social components, might slow neural wear.



Meanwhile, Basner and Roalf plan to track a new Concordia cohort using portable low‑field scanners, hoping to capture changes in real time. Broader samples, including more women and older adults, will test how universal the brain‑shrink response really is.



Policy makers could also draw lessons about elder‑care design. Housing that fosters hallway chats or communal meals might buffer the brain much like gym sessions did for the polar explorers. 



Regions with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aging-populations-have-less-cohesive-social-networks/">aging populations</a> may see cognitive dividends from investments that fight isolation.



Finally, ordinary readers can take a cue from the ice: protect your sleep, keep moving, and stay socially engaged. The brain, it seems, is as hungry for company as it is for oxygen.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41526-025-00497-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">npj Microgravity</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Long periods of social isolation can physically shrink the brain

Life feels smaller when friends are far away. Now scientists...

Animals are constantly fighting over food, shelter, mates, or space. Most studies judge those clashes in the moment - by who won, who lost, and who got hurt. Two behavioral ecologists argue that this snapshot view misses the bigger evolutionary picture. 



To understand why, when, and how animals choose to fight or flee, the researchers say we have to track the long arc of costs and payoffs across an individual’s whole life. That includes how conflict shapes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scents-of-survival-how-plant-aromas-shape-insect-diets/">survival</a> and the number of offspring left behind.



The study, led by Paulo Enrique Cardoso Peixoto from the <a href="https://ufmg.br/international-visitors">Federal University of Minas Gerais</a> in Brazil, lays out a path for linking contest behavior to fitness.



“By linking individual contests to lifetime <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reproductive-success-of-southern-white-rhinos-linked-to-gut-microbiome/">reproductive success</a>, we can understand how different contexts and environmental situations could favor the evolution of decision strategies in different species,” Peixoto said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-animals-fight-often">Why animals fight often</h2>



Displays, jousts, and all‑out fights occur across the animal kingdom. Sometimes they are ritualized shows of strength; sometimes they involve real blows, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-body-connection-wounds-heal-faster-if-we-think-more-time-has-passed/">wounds</a>, and death.



Even symbolic standoffs drain energy reserves. Because conflicts can bring both rewards and risks, natural selection should shape decision rules: when to escalate, when to back off, and when to never engage.



Value matters. A top‑tier resource - prime territory, a critical shelter site, or a receptive mate - might justify bigger risks. Lesser resources may not. The type of damage matters, too.



“If snapping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrimp-crisis-alarming-virus-threatens-global-seafood-supplies/">shrimp</a> lose a claw during a fight, it can regrow, so it’s not a total loss because they can recover and fight subsequent contests,” Peixoto said. 



“If a beetle breaks a horn during a fight, it will not regrow, so that individual will be unable to fight again. Since they often fight for female access, this means they will be unable to reproduce anymore.”



A recoverable cost and an irreversible cost have very different consequences for lifetime breeding success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaps-in-animal-conflict-research">Gaps in animal conflict research</h2>



To see how biologists have been scoring these bouts, the authors reviewed 73 field and lab studies covering 62 species.



They tallied 24 types of contest cost and folded them into six broader themes. These included elevated metabolic expenditure, stress responses tied to weakened immunity, and risks like injury or death. 



Other costs were lost foraging time, reduced vigilance to predators, and cutbacks in parental care.



Different research traditions focus on different angles. Work on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-invasive-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-mediterranean/">crustaceans</a> and fishes often zeroes in on metabolism. Insect studies tend to document broken body parts. That patchwork makes cross‑species comparisons tough.



“There is huge variation in the measurements researchers take,” Peixoto said. Variation itself is fine; the trouble is that without some common yardsticks, we cannot ask whether, say, crabs and beetles pay similar average prices for fighting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-our-view-of-animal-conflict">Expanding our view of animal conflict </h2>



Short‑term metrics also dominate. Many experiments measure what happens minutes or hours after a contest and stop there. 



Yet the most meaningful cost might unfold weeks later if an injured animal skips a breeding season, or years later if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chronic-stress-disrupts-gut-bacteria-and-fuels-cancer-progression/">chronic stress</a> cuts lifespan.



So what should come next? “We need to link the average cost in a single contest to the individual’s longevity or lifetime reproductive success,” Peixoto said.



“For example, are there contexts that favor individuals that always fight and are more aggressive, and other situations that favor more cautious individuals that only fight weaker rivals to increase their chances of winning?”



The answer likely differs by species, habitat, and the reliability of signals about opponent strength.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-fights-across-lifetimes">Tracking fights across lifetimes</h2>



The researchers propose starting by identifying the cost that matters most for the focal species - irreparable injury, energy drain, or lost breeding time. 



Next, measure how that cost accumulates within a contest relative to baseline. Finally, scale up: track how often individuals engage in fights over a lifetime and tally their reproductive output.



“By knowing the average number of fights that different individuals are involved in and their lifespans, we can estimate whether individuals who fight more or less have better lifetime reproductive success,” Peixoto said.



“This connection would allow us to gain deeper insights into the evolutionary dynamics of animal contests and the trade-offs individuals face.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-research">Broader implications of the research </h2>



Wildlife managers, conservation biologists, and evolutionary theorists all stand to benefit from a better understanding of animal conflict. 



If escalating human disturbance changes how often animals must fight for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-heat-shrinking-habitats-insects-face-hidden-threats/">shrinking resources</a>, the lifetime toll could ripple through populations.



Standardizing how we track contest costs - and extending those measures over years - will reveal when aggression pays and when it backfires. It will also show how natural selection calibrates the will to fight across the tree of life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0169534725001533">Trends in Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Wild animal fights can harm a species for generations

Animals are constantly fighting over food, shelter, mates, or space. Most...

Many people trust dogs' instincts when it comes to another person's character. When a dog greets someone warmly, it’s seen as a good sign - but when a dog keeps its distance, this can cause suspicion. Still, the question remains: do dogs actually evaluate humans?



Scientists have long explored whether animals, especially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-puppy-day-2025-where-happiness-meets-responsibility/">dogs</a>, can socially judge humans. Previous studies showed mixed results, and the newest research deepens the mystery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-dogs-might-judge-people">Why dogs might judge people</h2>



Reputation in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-suffer-from-the-january-blues-just-like-humans/">animals</a> means recognizing others based on past behavior. Some animals learn through direct experience. Others can eavesdrop and learn by watching others. This ability, called third-party evaluation, can help animals choose helpful social partners.



Dogs, as domesticated companions, seemed like strong candidates for such skills. They were bred to work with humans. So, researchers expected them to notice human behavior differences - but the data doesn't always agree.



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



Researchers tested 40 pet dogs of various ages. Dogs either watched two humans interact with another dog, or interacted directly with the humans themselves. One person was generous, offering food, while the other withheld it.



Dogs were split into age groups - young, adult, and senior. Each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-may-respond-to-each-other-through-blinking/">dog</a> was exposed to both the generous and selfish person multiple times. 



The researchers carefully controlled the setup, ensuring consistency across trials. They also ran control sessions to rule out effects like clothing color or position preference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-don-t-seem-to-judge-people">Dogs don't seem to judge people</h2>



In both the observation (eavesdropping) and direct interaction tests, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-understand-words-even-in-monotone-speech/">dogs</a> showed no consistent preference. They did not favor the generous partner more than the selfish one. This pattern held across all age groups and both experimental conditions.



"It's clear that reputation formation may be more complex than previously thought, even for animals like dogs that closely cooperate with humans," said corresponding researcher Hoi-Lam Jim, who recently joined the faculty at <a href="https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyoto University</a>.



Even dogs with more life experience didn’t do better. Older dogs didn’t show stronger preferences. The generous partner’s kind actions didn’t lead to more trust or affection, even after repeated encounters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-in-social-evaluation">Complexity in social evaluation</h2>



While earlier studies claimed dogs could form reputations, this study addressed key flaws in those designs. Many past results may have stemmed from bias, such as dogs simply responding to visible cues or choosing based on location.



This new research controlled for those factors. The researchers accounted for side preference, controlled for experimenter visibility, and extended trial numbers to give dogs more learning opportunities.



Still, most dogs did not show learning over time. Only three dogs in the entire sample developed a clear preference - two for the generous person, and one for the selfish person.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-may-struggle-to-judge-people">Dogs may struggle to judge people</h2>



Several factors may explain the findings. Pet dogs often encounter friendly strangers, which might reduce their need to quickly assess people’s behavior. 



Since the dogs were not hungry during the study, their motivation to respond to food-based generosity may have been low.



The outdoor setting introduced natural distractions such as sun and shade, and over a third of the dogs displayed side biases that could have influenced their choices. 



The visible presence of food may also have shifted their attention away from evaluating human behavior.



Even chimpanzees, despite their high intelligence, have struggled in similar tests, often requiring dozens of repetitions before showing a consistent preference.



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



The study suggests that forming reputations may require more nuanced setups. The calm and trusting lives of pet dogs may reduce their need to judge unfamiliar people. Free-ranging dogs or working dogs might respond differently.



"It is possible that methodological challenges in the experimental design, particularly the use of a two-choice test, may explain our negative findings, rather than an absence of capacity," said Jim.



Future studies might vary social cues, increase emotional contrast, or test dogs in environments where outcomes matter more - like food security or social belonging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-may-not-judge-people-as-we-expect">Dogs may not judge people as we expect</h2>



Dogs may not judge us in the way we assume. While they thrive on routine, affection, and social bonds, they might not socially evaluate strangers after just a few interactions.



This doesn’t mean dogs lack intelligence or emotional insight. But reputation-building, it seems, is a more complex process than we once believed.



For now, we may need to rethink the idea that "dogs always know who to trust."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-025-01967-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animal Cognition</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Do dogs actually judge people? It's not as simple as we thought

Many people trust dogs' instincts when it comes to another...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

<figure class="wp-block-embed 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/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



-----

What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

<figure class="wp-block-embed 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/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

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...

Lake Chad: A vanishing lifeline in Central Africa

News coming your way