<p>Today’s Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features an incredible phenomenon that was captured on the far outskirts of the Milky Way.</p>



<p>A young, massive star has announced its arrival with a dramatic display. It has fired off twin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-captures-a-young-stars-jet-colliding-with-space-dust/">jets</a> of gas so powerful they stretch across eight light-years - about twice the distance from our Sun to the Alpha Centauri system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These streams are confined to narrow beams by the star’s magnetic fields and launched along its spin axis.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-jets-of-a-young-star">The jets of a young star</h2>



<p>The James Webb Space Telescope captured the event in exquisite infrared detail, showing the jets carving their way through interstellar gas and dust.</p>



<p>The stellar outburst belongs to a rare class of cosmic displays known as Herbig-Haro objects. They form when material falling onto a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-star-wsb-52-fires-an-explosive-jet-that-crashed-back-into-its-own-planetary-disk/">newborn star</a> is shot back out into space at incredible speeds.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The star at the heart of this spectacle lies in a cluster about 15,000 light-years away. The star has a mass that is already ten times greater than the Sun’s.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The outflow is hurtling through space at hundreds of thousands of miles per hour, leaving behind a trail that astronomers can now study as a record of the star’s growth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unexpected-discovery">An unexpected discovery</h2>



<p>The discovery took astronomers by surprise, including Yu Cheng of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (<a href="https://www.nao.ac.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NAOJ</a>). </p>



<p>“We didn’t really know there was a massive star with this kind of super-jet out there before the observation. Such a spectacular outflow of molecular hydrogen from a massive star is rare in other regions of our galaxy,” said Cheng.&nbsp;</p>



<p>More than 300 Herbig-Haro objects are known, but most of them come from stars much smaller than this one. Webb’s sharp images reveal not just the scale but also the delicate structure of this jet, including knots, shocks, and filaments where the stream slams into surrounding material.</p>



<p>“I was really surprised at the order, symmetry, and size of the jet when we first looked at it,” said Jonathan Tan of the <a href="https://www.virginia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia</a>.</p>



<p>The perfect alignment of the opposite streams suggests the process fueling this star’s growth has been steady for more than 100,000 years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-massive-star-formation-nbsp">Mystery of massive star formation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The new <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/09/Immense_stellar_jet_in_Milky_Way_outskirts#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=0ad1e29a-3bb6-4b03-99c0-1f5c2ba20000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observation</a> has reopened one of the longest-running debates in astronomy: how do massive stars form? For decades, scientists have been split between two main ideas. </p>



<p>One theory suggests that stars this large form through a steady process called core accretion, where gas builds up in a stable disk and launches outflows in predictable directions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The other theory, known as competitive accretion, involves a chaotic tug-of-war in which streams of gas fall in from all sides, twisting the orientation of the jets.</p>



<p>The Webb data now tilt the balance toward the first explanation. The opposing jets are nearly 180 degrees apart, showing that the central disk has remained steady throughout the star’s lifetime.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“What we’ve seen here, because we’ve got the whole history - a tapestry of the story - is that the opposite sides of the jets are nearly 180 degrees apart from each other. That tells us that this central disc is held steady and validates a prediction of the core accretion theory,” said Tan.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conditions-of-the-early-universe-nbsp">Conditions of the early universe&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The star’s home lies in a cluster called Sharpless 2-284, a relatively pristine region on the galaxy’s periphery. Because it is far from the Milky Way’s busy center, its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-universes-first-molecule-helped-ignite-the-stars/">stars formed</a> in an environment low in heavy elements.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Astronomers call this property metallicity, and it mirrors the conditions of the early universe, before multiple generations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-discovery-twin-stars-with-parallel-disks-and-jets/">stars</a> had enriched space with the products of nuclear fusion.</p>



<p>“Webb’s exquisite data have also shown us that relatively more stars seem to form at lower masses in Sh2-284 than in closer, more metal-rich clusters. This cluster is an excellent region to help us understand star formation throughout the Universe,” said Morten Andersen of the <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Southern Observatory</a>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: ESA</p>



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Young star lights up the Milky Way with colossal jets

Today’s Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features an incredible phenomenon that was captured on the far outskirts of the Milky Way. A young, massive star has announced its arrival with a dramatic display. It has fired off twin jets of gas so powerful they stretch across eight light-years - about twice the distance from our Sun to the Alpha Centauri system.&nbsp; These streams are confined to narrow beams by the star’s magnetic fields and launched along its spin axis.&nbsp;...

<p>Today’s Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a dramatic view of dust sweeping across the Tarim Basin in western China - one of the dustiest places on Earth. </p>



<p>Spring and summer usually grab the headlines for dust activity, but that doesn’t mean the skies clear in the other months. <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154772/dust-in-the-eye-of-the-tarim-basin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Satellite data</a> and ground observations show that autumn brings its share of haze too. </p>



<p>Known for its unusual eye-like shape, the Tarim Basin is surrounded by mountains that often trap dust inside. This natural barrier keeps the fine particles from traveling far beyond the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/">desert</a> floor, creating persistent hazy conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-landscape-shaped-by-tectonic-power">A landscape shaped by tectonic power</h2>



<p>Look north and the “eyebrow” of the Tarim reveals striking ridges running east to west. These aren’t ordinary hills but part of the Kuqa fold-and-thrust belt.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Millions of years of tectonic forces pushed the Tarim Basin against its mountainous neighbors to the north, squeezing rock layers until they buckled and folded. The result is a series of wave-like formations called anticlines and synclines.</p>



<p>Over time, erosion has carved into these ridges, peeling back layers of red and green sandstones and pale limestones. From above, these colorful stripes stand out sharply against the muted tones of the desert around them.&nbsp;</p>



<p><a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154126/a-curtain-of-dust-over-the-tarim-basin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landsat images</a> have captured the intricate detail of this fractured geology, offering a glimpse into the dynamic forces that continue to shape the region.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-counting-the-dusty-days">Counting the dusty days</h2>



<p>Scientists studied more than 30 years of satellite records and found that the Tarim Basin averaged 60 dusty days a year. The month of September typically saw seven.&nbsp;</p>



<p>About 85 percent of those days fell into a category called “floating dust.” On such days, winds were light but visibility dropped below six miles as particles lingered in the air.</p>



<p>The rest of the time, conditions were harsher. On “blowing dust” days, moderate winds reduced visibility to less than three miles. The most extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-storms-are-a-surprising-source-of-deadly-air-pollution/">dust storms</a> cut visibility to under half a mile, carried by powerful gusts that scoured the landscape.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dust-size-tells-a-seasonal-story">Dust size tells a seasonal story</h2>



<p>Not all dust is the same. By comparing seasons, researchers found that larger particles show up most often in spring, fall, and winter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>NASA’s Terra satellite, using its Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer, provided the detail. These coarse grains likely lift when strong horizontal winds sweep across the desert.</p>



<p>Summer is different. Rising heat drives localized convection, creating dust whirls - sometimes called dust devils - that pull smaller, finer grains into the air.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These swirling columns may look less threatening than a full storm, but they can still loft material high into the atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The seasonal contrast shows how different forces, from heat to wind, work together to keep the basin’s air loaded with dust.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dust-from-the-tarim-basin-nbsp">Dust from the Tarim Basin&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Dust from the Tarim Basin doesn’t just linger over western China. Depending on weather patterns, it can drift across Asia, impacting air quality in major cities. In extreme cases, it may even cross <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atmospheric-dust-plays-surprisingly-crucial-role-in-stabilizing-ocean-ecosystems/">oceans</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These particles influence more than visibility. They affect climate by reflecting sunlight or trapping heat, and they alter ecosystems when they settle far from their source.</p>



<p>Understanding when and how dust moves is key for both health and climate research. The Tarim Basin offers a natural laboratory where scientists can track these processes in detail, thanks to decades of satellite coverage and on-the-ground measurements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-reminder-of-nature-s-reach">A reminder of nature’s reach</h2>



<p>The desert may seem remote, but its restless skies have a global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-is-an-understudied-contributor-to-climate-change/">footprint</a>. What satellites recorded in early September was just one episode in a cycle that repeats year after year.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Tectonic history, seasonal winds, and rising heat all converge in this basin to keep the air in motion.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For scientists, the Tarim continues to show how landscapes that appear still and silent are, in fact, alive with change.</p>



<p>The image was captured on September 1, 2025 by the NOAA-20 satellite.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;</p>



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China’s Tarim Basin: A desert that never sleeps

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

Crossing,By,Ferry,Boat,From,Macapa,To,Belem,By,Amazon

<div>Belém Brazil has 2,491,052 people living in its metropolitan region, with 1,499,641 inhabitants living in the capital city itself. Belém Brazil is the capital and largest city of the state of Pará in the country's north. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel%C3%A9m">Belém</a> is about 100 km upriver from the Atlantic Ocean, on the Pará River, which is part of the larger <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/earth-from-space-the-amazon-river/">Amazon River system</a>. In all but one month of the year, the city gets more than 60 mm of rain, so there's no dry season.</div>

Belém Brazil

Belém Brazil has 2,491,052 people living in its metropolitan region,...

Chocã³,,Quibdo,,Colombia.,March,4,,2020:,Malecon,Tourist.

Quibdó Columbia is the capital of the Chocó Department, in western Colombia, and is located on the Atrato River.&nbsp;There are no distinct seasons in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quibd%C3%B3">Quibdó Columbia</a> other than it having a very wet and cloudy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-data-reveals-vulnerable-tropical-forests-on-a-global-scale/">tropical rainforest climate</a>. Quibdó Columbia has the highest amount of rainfall in South America and of any city of its size or greater. The wettest city of larger size, Monrovia in Liberia, receives 3,050 millimeters (120 in) less rain annually than Quibdó.

Quibdó Colombia

Quibdó Columbia is the capital of the Chocó Department, in...

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Today's </span><b>Image of the Day</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> from </span><a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">NASA Earth Observatory</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> shows where a large fire has broken out in a rural area of central Spain about 75 miles west of Madrid. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The fire was ignited when a car burst into flames on a highway in the province of Ávila, and forced the evacuation of eight villages.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">According to NASA, the flames have scorched more than 40 square miles of woodlands, brush, and pastures across central Spain. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Extreme hot and dry conditions accelerated the spread of the fire. On August 14, which is the day the fire broke out, the Montoro-Vega Armijo weather station recorded the highest-ever temperature in Spain of 117 degrees Fahrenheit.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The image was captured on the afternoon of August 15, 2021 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8.</span>

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory </span></i>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">-</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">--</span>

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">By </span></i><a href="http://csexton@earth.com"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chrissy Sexton</span></i></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span></i><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earth.com</span></i></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Staff Writer</span></i>

Extreme heat and fire scorch central Spain

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

Least weasels have a lot of size variation across the species. The body of this species is slender and elongated, with short legs and tail. Color varies by region, along with tail length and pelage type. The Least weasel evolved when northern forests were replaced by open grassland 5–7 million years ago. These small <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodent">rodents</a> form the largest part of the least weasel's diet, but it also kills and eats <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rabbits-prefer-eating-plants-dna/">rabbits</a>, other mammals, and occasionally birds, birds' eggs, fish and frogs.

Least weasels

Least weasels have a lot of size variation across the...

<div>Monte iberia dwarf frog, also known as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Iberia_eleuth">Eleutherodactylus iberia</a>, is normally called by the scientific name. The Monte Iberia dwarf frog is critically endangered and endemic to rainforest in a small part of easternmost <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-caribbean-islands-of-cuba/">Cuba</a>. This cute little frog is the smallest frog in the Northern Hemisphere and the third smallest frog in the world.</div>


<p></p>

Monte iberia dwarf frog

Monte iberia dwarf frog, also known as the Eleutherodactylus iberia,...

Vaquita dolphin, also known as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaquita">Phocoena sinus</a>, is a species of porpoise endemic to the northern end of the Gulf of California in <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-coastline-of-baja-california-from-space/">Baja California, Mexico</a>. The smallest living cetacean, this one measures 150 cm (4.9 ft) (females) or 140 cm (4.6 ft) (males).

Vaquita dolphin

Vaquita dolphin, also known as the Phocoena sinus, is a...

The Dwarf lantern shark, also known as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_lanternshark">Etmopterus perryi</a>, is a little-known species of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shark-diversity-survived-the-dinosaur-extinction/">dogfish shark</a> in the family Etmopteridae and is the smallest shark in the world. The dwarf lantern shark reaches a maximum known length of 20 cm (7.9 in).

Dwarf lantern shark

The Dwarf lantern shark, also known as the Etmopterus perryi,...

The pygmy rabbit, also known as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_rabbit">Brachylagus idahoensis</a>, is a rabbit species native to the United States. It is also the only native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/washingtons-pygmy-rabbits-challenges/">rabbit</a> species in North America to dig its own burrow. The pygmy rabbit is the world's smallest leporid, with adults weighing between 375 and 500 grams (0.827 and 1.102 lb).

Pymgy rabbit

The pygmy rabbit, also known as the Brachylagus idahoensis, is...

Makemake,Dwarf,Planet,,Oil,Painting,Style,Image,Rendered.

<p>Makemake, one of the brightest icy bodies beyond Neptune, just joined an exclusive club. Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, experts have detected gas above its surface.</p>



<p>This is the second confirmed case of a trans-Neptunian object with gaseous material after Pluto. The culprit is methane, the same molecule that dominates Makemake’s frozen surface.</p>



<p>Study lead author Sylvia Protopapa  is a principal scientist at the Southwest Research Institute (<a href="https://www.swri.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SwRI</a>).</p>



<p>“Makemake is one of the largest and brightest icy worlds beyond Neptune, and its surface is dominated by frozen methane,” said Protopapa. "Methane is also present in the gas phase above the surface."</p>



<p>The findings show that Makemake is not an inactive remnant of the outer solar system, but a dynamic body where methane ice is still evolving.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methane-seen-in-new-light">Methane seen in new light</h2>



<p>At roughly 890 miles across - about two-thirds the size of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pluto-may-not-be-real-planet-but-has-real-big-ocean/">Pluto</a> - Makemake was long thought to lack a substantial global atmosphere. </p>



<p>Stellar occultations (brief events when the dwarf planet passes in front of a star) pointed to no more than a wisp of air.</p>



<p>Webb’s infrared spectra now add an important twist: the team sees methane in emission, excited by sunlight and re-emitted as a faint glow known as fluorescence.</p>



<p>That signal is key. Rather than seeing methane by the light it blocks - as in traditional transmission measurements - Webb picked up methane molecules that absorbed sunlight. </p>



<p>The molecules then re-radiated it at characteristic wavelengths. In the frigid outer solar system, that kind of fluorescent “whisper” is subtle - and squarely in Webb’s wheelhouse.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-thin-pluto-like-atmosphere">A thin, Pluto-like atmosphere</h2>



<p>What’s producing the methane glow? The data allow for two very different, but physically reasonable, scenarios.</p>



<p>One possibility is a wisp-thin, Pluto-like atmosphere in equilibrium with surface ices. As seasonal sunlight warms bright methane frost, a trickle of gas sublimates into the sky, drifting until cold patches on the surface refreeze it.</p>



<p>“This discovery raises the possibility that Makemake has a very tenuous atmosphere sustained by methane sublimation,” said Emmanuel Lellouch of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Observatory</a>.</p>



<p>Models point to gas temperatures around 40 Kelvin (–233 °C/–387 °F) and surface pressures of about 10 picobars - roughly 100 billion times lower than Earth’s sea-level pressure, and a million times more tenuous than Pluto’s.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explosive-plumes-from-below">Explosive plumes from below</h2>



<p>The other option is more dramatic: localized outgassing. “Another possibility is that the methane is being released in plume-like outbursts,” Protopapa noted.</p>



<p>In this picture, methane vents from hot spots or fractures at a rate of a few hundred kilograms per second - comparable to the water-rich plumes at Saturn’s moon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-alien-life-exists-on-enceladus-scientists-have-unambiguous-proof-they-will-find-it/">Enceladus</a> and far more vigorous than the faint vapor seen at Ceres.</p>



<p>Such activity would dovetail with earlier hints from thermal observations that some patches on Makemake’s surface are warmer or texturally unusual, potentially due to fresh deposits, rough terrain, or buried heat sources.</p>



<p>“While the temptation to link Makemake’s various spectral and thermal anomalies is strong, establishing the mechanism driving the volatile activity remains a necessary step toward interpreting these observations within a unified framework,” said Ian Wong from the <a href="https://www.stsci.edu/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Space Telescope Science Institute</a>.</p>



<p>“Future Webb observations at higher spectral resolution will help determine whether the methane arises from a thin bound atmosphere or from plume-like outgassing.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methane-cycles-reshape-makemake">Methane cycles reshape Makemake</h2>



<p>Whichever source proves correct, methane gas on Makemake is very significant. </p>



<p>It suggests that surface-atmosphere exchanges - processes that cycle ices into vapor and back again - are still active today far beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-object-is-moving-in-sync-with-neptune/">Neptune</a>. Pluto has been the standout example, but Makemake now looks poised to join it.</p>



<p>The research also tightens the link between chemistry and climate on distant dwarf planets. </p>



<p>Methane ice can brighten or darken surfaces depending on grain size and mixing. It can also alter thermal behavior. And when it vaporizes, it transports heat and material from one region to another.</p>



<p>Even a vanishingly thin atmosphere can smear frost from sunlit areas to shadowed ones, slowly repainting a world over seasonal timescales. </p>



<p>If plumes are involved, they could dust the surface with fresh, fine-grained frost, refresh colors, and even build subtle landforms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-complex-dwarf-planet-revealed">A complex dwarf planet revealed</h2>



<p>Makemake’s story has always hinted at complexity. Discovered in 2005 and notable for its high albedo and reddish tint (likely due to radiation-processed organics called tholins), it later surprised astronomers with the discovery of a small, dark moon.</p>



<p>Occultations suggested no thick blanket of air, yet infrared data - including Webb’s - have pointed to puzzling thermal anomalies and unusual characteristics of its methane ice. </p>



<p>The new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-methane-emissions-threaten-earths-habitability/">methane</a> fluorescence doesn’t settle every debate, but it provides a missing piece: gas is present, at least sometimes.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/makemake_dwarf-planet_gas-emissions-overlay_NASA_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/makemake_dwarf-planet_gas-emissions-overlay_NASA_1s.webp" alt="An SwRI-led team used Webb telescope observations (white) to detect methane gas on the distant dwarf planet Makemake. Sharp emission peaks near 3.3 microns reveal methane in the gas phase above Makemake’s surface. A continuum model (cyan) is overlaid for comparison; the gas emission peaks are identified where the observed spectrum rises above the continuum. An artistic rendering of Makemake’s surface is shown in the background. Credit: S. Protopapa, I. Wong/SwRI/STScI/NASA/ESA/CSA" class="wp-image-1985573"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>An SwRI-led team used Webb telescope observations (white) to detect methane gas on the distant dwarf planet Makemake. Sharp emission peaks near 3.3 microns reveal methane in the gas phase above Makemake’s surface. A continuum model (cyan) is overlaid for comparison; the gas emission peaks are identified where the observed spectrum rises above the continuum. An artistic rendering of Makemake’s surface is shown in the background. Click image to enlarge. Credit: S. Protopapa, I. Wong/SwRI/STScI/NASA/ESA/CSA</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-for-makemake-research">Next steps for Makemake research</h2>



<p>Webb detected the methane using its ultra-sensitive infrared spectrograph. It was able to tease out faint signatures of the gas against the dim, icy backdrop nearly 40–50 astronomical units from the Sun.</p>



<p>The team’s ability to detect fluorescence highlights both the telescope’s power and the lofting of methane molecules above the surface.</p>



<p>To pin down the source, higher-resolution spectra will be crucial. If Makemake hosts a bound atmosphere, Webb can look for telltale line shapes and ratios that betray gas temperature and pressure, and perhaps the presence (or absence) of other volatiles like nitrogen or carbon monoxide.</p>



<p>If plumes are the source, repeated observations might catch variability - brief brightenings as vents turn on, or regional differences tied to specific terrains. </p>



<p>“Future Webb observations at higher spectral resolution will help determine whether the methane arises from a thin bound atmosphere or from plume-like outgassing,” Wong said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-makemake-isn-t-frozen-after-all">Makemake isn’t frozen after all</h2>



<p>Either outcome will sharpen our picture of Makemake’s volatile cycle and, by extension, the behavior of other methane-rich worlds that orbit in the deep freeze beyond Neptune.</p>



<p>For a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-on-the-dwarf-planet-ceres/">dwarf planet</a> once pegged as a quiet, frozen leftover, Makemake is suddenly looking lively&nbsp; - and that’s good news. </p>



<p>It means the outer solar system is not just a museum of icy planets, but a place where sunlight, chemistry, and geology still conspire to keep tiny worlds active.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.06772" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Astrophysical Journal Letters</em></a>.</p>



<p>Image credit: NASA Visualization Technology Applications and Development</p>



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Activity detected on dwarf planet Makemake, once thought to be a frozen wasteland

Makemake, one of the brightest icy bodies beyond Neptune, just...

<p>Climate action is falling short, and we’re nowhere close to meeting the promises made to limit global warming. </p>



<p>Under the <a href="https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Agreement</a>, each country is expected to do its “fair share” to cut greenhouse gas emissions. </p>



<p>But new research says the way we’ve been measuring that fair share has a serious flaw - and it’s letting big polluters off the hook.</p>



<p>For years, studies have been comparing countries based on their current <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-carbon-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/">emissions</a>, not what they’ve actually contributed to the climate crisis over time. </p>



<p>This shifts responsibility away from those who’ve done the most damage - and pushes the burden onto countries that have done the least.</p>



<p>The research argues that we’ve been using a biased method that “rewards high emitters at the expense of the most vulnerable ones.” The authors say it’s time to stop letting powerful countries rewrite the rules.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-today-s-climate-math-is-unfair">Why today’s climate math is unfair</h2>



<p>The current system for judging countries’ climate efforts starts from today’s emissions levels, not the bigger picture. </p>



<p>That means it ignores decades - or even centuries - of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-is-everywhere-even-in-newborns-and-getting-worse/">pollution</a> from rich countries. It also quietly allows emissions to rise before action is taken.</p>



<p>This creates a moving target. If a country pollutes more today, then starts cutting later, the system might still label them “ambitious.” But that’s not ambition - that’s a delay.</p>



<p>Instead, the researchers say we should hold countries accountable right now by using a method based on each country’s historical emissions and financial capacity. </p>



<p>That would reset the playing field. No more coasting for countries that waited too long to start cutting.</p>



<p>It’s a major shift. If applied today, some rich countries would face steep, immediate cuts - not slow and gradual ones. </p>



<p>And since many of them can’t make those cuts fast enough at home, they’d need to fund <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/">climate action</a> in poorer countries to make up the difference.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-needs-to-do-more">Who needs to do more?</h2>



<p>When this new method is applied, the rankings change. High-income countries like the U.S., Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia show the biggest gaps between what they’re currently promising and what would actually be fair.</p>



<p>Even among wealthy countries, some are putting in more effort than others. But under the current system, those doing less still come out looking good. This study shows how the math hides that inequality.</p>



<p>The team behind the research is based at <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a>, led by Yann Robiou du Pont. They propose removing the reward for inaction by changing how we calculate “fair shares.” </p>



<p>It’s not just a technical tweak - it could change how international climate negotiations are judged, and who is seen as doing enough.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/national-climate-pledges_NDCs_carbon-budgets_map_Nature-Communications_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/national-climate-pledges_NDCs_carbon-budgets_map_Nature-Communications_1s.webp" alt="The figure shows how national climate pledges (NDCs) compare with global pathways that would limit warming to between 1.5°C and 4°C. Under the approach as proposed in the research, global emissions are divided up in a way that reflects fairness and equity. The colors show whether a country's pledge is strong enough to match a 1.5°C pathway or instead lines up with weaker pathways (2°C, 3°C, or 4°C). Credit: Yann Robiou du Pont, et al., Nature Communications." class="wp-image-1985570"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The figure shows how national climate pledges (NDCs) compare with global pathways that would limit warming to between 1.5°C and 4°C. Under the approach as proposed in the research, global emissions are divided up in a way that reflects fairness and equity. The colors show whether a country's pledge is strong enough to match a 1.5°C pathway or instead lines up with weaker pathways (2°C, 3°C, or 4°C). Click image to enlarge. Credit: Yann Robiou du Pont, et al., Nature Communications.</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-action-and-human-rights">Climate action and human rights</h2>



<p>Countries have made lots of promises. But what happens when they don’t keep them?Increasingly, courts are stepping up. </p>



<p>They’re becoming an unexpected but powerful player in global climate action. This kind of research plays a key role in those legal battles.</p>



<p>One example is the KlimaSeniorinnen case, where a group of senior women in Switzerland challenged the government over its weak <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-arent-u-s-climate-policies-effective/">climate policies</a>. </p>



<p>The European Court of Human Rights agreed that failing to take strong climate action is a violation of human rights. Courts now require governments to explain how their pledges are fair and ambitious.</p>



<p>“This strengthens and underscores the growing role of courts in enforcing climate justice,” said Robiou du Pont.</p>



<p>In a major ruling on July 23, 2025, the International Court of Justice confirmed that countries are legally required to prevent serious harm to the climate system. It also said they must act together - and with urgency.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paying-for-a-fairer-climate-future">Paying for a fairer climate future</h2>



<p>The idea that rich countries should do more isn’t new. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-dont-know-what-climate-justice-is-but-support-it-anyway/">Climate justice</a> groups and researchers have been saying it for decades. But this study backs that argument with hard numbers.</p>



<p>The basic message is clear: wealthier countries with the largest carbon footprints need to make deeper cuts and pay more into climate finance. That includes funding renewable energy, climate resilience, and emission cuts in developing countries.</p>



<p>Right now, we’re not seeing that. The lack of fair commitment and financial support from the countries most able and responsible is undermining effective global action.</p>



<p>If those with the most resources refuse to act fairly, it’s unlikely the world will hit its targets. But if fairness becomes the foundation - if efforts and finance are shared based on responsibility and capability - the chances of meaningful progress go up.</p>



<p>This study doesn’t just explain what’s wrong. It shows a way forward that’s more honest, more just, and more effective. And that might be exactly what’s needed to break the current climate deadlock.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62947-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Climate justice: How current targets let big polluters off the hook

Climate action is falling short, and we’re nowhere close to...

<p>Cannabis carries two faces in today’s world. On one side, it’s medicine. On the other, it’s a drug with unknown costs. Many women turn to it for nausea, stress, or pain relief. Yet scientists are raising alarms about what it might be doing to eggs inside the ovary.</p>



<p>A new study shows <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-in-any-form-directly-linked-to-significant-risk-of-heart-damage/">THC</a>, the compound that makes people feel high, can seep into the follicular fluid where eggs grow. </p>



<p>Once there, it doesn’t just sit quietly. It changes how eggs mature and may set the stage for genetic mistakes. That raises hard questions about fertility, miscarriages, and the health of future children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thc-found-in-ovaries">THC found in ovaries</h2>



<p>The research team collected more than a thousand samples of follicular fluid from women in fertility clinics. About six percent contained THC, even though most of these patients hadn’t reported cannabis use. That means eggs were exposed to cannabis whether the women realized it or not.</p>



<p>Eggs from THC-positive patients matured faster. At first glance, that sounds like a good thing. But the study showed a twist. Those same patients produced fewer embryos with the right number of chromosomes. Faster wasn’t better - it was riskier.</p>



<p>“The findings of this study are concerning and highlight the importance of a cautious approach in using cannabis when planning to conceive,” said Dr. Jamie Lo, an obstetrician at <a href="https://www.ohsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon Health &amp; Science University</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-cannabis-may-affect-fertility">How cannabis may affect fertility</h2>



<p>Ovarian follicles are tiny sacs that prepare eggs for fertilization. The timing of this process matters. Rushing it can leave the egg unprepared. </p>



<p>THC appears to trigger early changes by interacting with cannabinoid receptors. This likely lowers levels of cyclic AMP, a molecule that normally prevents eggs from maturing too soon.</p>



<p>When eggs race ahead, chromosomes don’t always line up properly. Under the microscope, THC-exposed eggs showed spindles that were broken, misplaced, or multipolar. </p>



<p>These are the very structures that should guide chromosomes during division. When they fail, the result is aneuploidy - embryos with missing or extra chromosomes.</p>



<p>“This is a hypothesis, and the worst thing I would want is for the public to read this and become fearful. More studies are needed to verify our findings and determine how or even if the changes we observed affect reproduction,” noted study lead author Cyntia Duval.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifts-in-gene-activity">Shifts in gene activity</h2>



<p>The team also examined which genes switched on or off inside eggs exposed to THC. They found hundreds of changes. Many genes tied to inflammation, cell structure, and embryo survival showed altered activity.</p>



<p>One important example is MMP9, a gene critical for breaking down tissue so embryos can implant. THC exposure reduced its expression. </p>



<p>Other signals, like interleukin-33 and interferon-gamma, also dropped. These molecules help prepare the uterus for implantation. Without them, the odds of miscarriage climb.</p>



<p>Eggs rely on precise gene activity to build reserves of RNA and proteins before fertilization. If THC scrambles that preparation, embryos may falter in the first days of life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-and-fertility-treatments">Cannabis and fertility treatments </h2>



<p>In real fertility treatments, the impact was clear. Women with THC in their ovarian fluid had fewer healthy embryos to transfer. </p>



<p>For those trying naturally, this might mean longer waits to conceive, more miscarriages, or fewer chances of success.</p>



<p>“The finding that exposure to higher levels of THC could be associated with worsened fertility and increased reproductive complications may help patients that cannot abstain from cannabis with a harm-reduction strategy,” Lo said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cannabis-potency-problem">The cannabis potency problem</h2>



<p>Potency has changed the landscape. Decades ago, marijuana contained about three percent THC. Today, dispensaries sell strains that easily top 30 percent. Extracts and concentrates climb past 40 percent.</p>



<p>“However, certain types of cannabis are typically more potent than others - cannabis extracts are typically more potent than cannabis flower,” said Tom Freeman, a professor of psychology at the <a href="https://www.bath.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bath</a>.</p>



<p>People often try to adjust by smoking less or inhaling lightly. But as Freeman pointed out, these efforts rarely balance the equation. “Higher potency products still deliver a larger dose of THC to consumers than lower potency products,” he said.</p>



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



<p>Eggs are not renewable. Women are born with all they will ever have. Damage to these cells carries lasting consequences. </p>



<p>Unlike sperm, which regenerate daily, eggs cannot be replaced. If THC harms them, the effects echo across fertility and pregnancy outcomes.</p>



<p>“Because it’s hard to know the specific level of THC in various cannabis products on the shelves, I advise my patients to consider safer alternatives to treat the symptoms they’re using cannabis for or at least try to reduce the frequency of their use," said Lo.</p>



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



<p>This study doesn’t close the book. It opens it. The findings highlight real risks, but more work is needed to prove direct cause and effect. </p>



<p>Scientists need larger samples, longer follow-ups, and data from natural conceptions, not just fertility clinics.</p>



<p>Still, the warning is clear. THC speeds egg maturation, disturbs chromosomes, and alters gene activity. It may not stop conception entirely, but it may lower the odds of healthy embryos. For women planning pregnancies, this information could make all the difference.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63011-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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Cannabis may cause unexpected fertility issues in women

Cannabis carries two faces in today’s world. On one side,...

<p>Seven ceramic funerary urns were found beneath the roots of a toppled tree in a remote floodplain of the Brazilian Amazon, according to a report. The largest measured nearly 3 feet across and weighed about 770 pounds.</p>



<p>Bones from people, fish, and turtles lay inside several vessels. Archaeologist <a href="https://mamiraua.academia.edu/M%C3%A1rcioAmaral" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Márcio Amaral</a>, of the <a href="https://mamiraua.org/the-institute" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development</a>, helped lead the work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urns-under-a-fallen-amazon-tree">Urns under a fallen Amazon tree</h2>



<p>The tree fell at Lago do Cochila near the city of Fonte Boa, on an island raised by past Indigenous residents to keep homes dry during seasonal floods. </p>



<p>The urns sat about 16 inches below the surface, tucked into the floodplain soils where people once lived.</p>



<p>“They are large in size, with no visible ceramic lids,” said <a href="https://mamiraua.academia.edu/GeorgeaLaylaHolandaHolandaAraujo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geórgea Layla Holanda</a>, a researcher on the team. </p>



<p>The design points to sealing with organic materials that have since broken down, and to careful placement beneath household floors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-artificial-islands-matter">Why artificial islands matter</h2>



<p>Archaeologists have long documented engineered floodplain settlements along the Solimões and Negro rivers, where communities built up living platforms with earth and ceramic debris, a pattern linked to the <a href="https://granda.com/en/polychromy-the-art-of-giving-color-to-art/?srsltid=AfmBOoojK2oMmS3bfCh_ALl50Ti2M29ZBhHEH-z-zAQa201uvzxt6sVf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Polychrome Tradition</a> and related lifeways. </p>



<p>These elevated sites allowed year round housing, storage, and gatherings despite the river’s rise.</p>



<p>Far from empty rainforest, much of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-rings-show-amazon-rainfall-is-getting-more-extreme/">Amazonia</a> preserves traces of planned earthworks, roads, and mounds, with thousands of structures recently detected using airborne laser mapping. </p>



<p>Finding urns under a tree in the Amazon's Cochila region fits this broader picture of people shaping watery landscapes to thrive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-in-the-amazon-urns">Clues in the Amazon urns</h2>



<p>Human remains in the vessels connect the site to multistep funerary rites practiced in parts of lowland South America, where bones were cleaned and gathered after initial burial or exposure. </p>



<p>The presence of fish and turtles hints at feasting or offerings that marked these transitions, and it raises new questions about ritual timing and meaning.</p>



<p>“They were buried 40 cm deep, likely beneath old houses,” Holanda noted in field updates. That depth matches domestic floors and suggests the urns stood within everyday life, not in a separate cemetery.</p>



<p>Extracting the heavy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/etruscan-tomb-sealed-for-2600-years-reveals-more-than-100-intact-artifacts/">ceramics</a> required a scaffold of wood and vines roughly 10.5 feet above the ground. The platform let the team brace against the root ball without crushing fragile walls or losing context.</p>



<p>“It was a completely collaborative and unprecedented effort,” said Amaral. The crew worked slowly to free the largest urn, then stabilized it with wrap, plaster bandage, and wood cradles before transport.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-this-fits-amazon-history">How this fits Amazon history</h2>



<p>Local fisher alerted leaders after hearing about the exposed pots, then mobilized neighbors for the trek by canoe and footpaths. His wife, organized meals while crews camped near the site.</p>



<p>Their precision and patience helped the urns arrive intact at the institute’s lab in Tefé, about 118 miles away as the crow flies, after a river journey that can take 10 to 12 hours.</p>



<p>Ceramics in the Amazon change through time in recognizable ways, which helps researchers track movements and contacts among peoples.</p>



<p><a href="https://revistas.usp.br/revmae/article/view/89974" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scholars</a> describe a shift from earlier rim incised styles to the polychrome forms that spread widely after about A.D. 750. on Central Amazon traditions.</p>



<p>Those later polychrome wares often display white slips with red or black painting, and sometimes stepped profiles or mid body flanges. </p>



<p>The Cochila pieces share some techniques, yet they do not map neatly onto known phases, which is why the team calls the set unprecedented for the Middle Solimões.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ceramic-urns-and-amazon-cultures">Ceramic urns and Amazon cultures</h2>



<p>Fragments show a rare greenish clay in the mix, along with red bands and engobes, the thin clay coats applied to alter surface color. </p>



<p>The urns appear rounder than typical regional funerary forms and lack visible ceramic lids.</p>



<p>That combination could signal a previously undocumented local tradition or a distinct community style within a broader network. </p>



<p>It may also reflect choices about performance and symbolism specific to households on these raised islands.</p>



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



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-is-drying-the-amazon-more-than-climate-change/">Amazon</a> archaeology has shifted from seeing floodplains as temporary camps to recognizing dense, long lived settlements tied together by waterways. </p>



<p>The Cochila urns underscore that change, showing people who invested in place, built engineered islands, and honored their dead at home.</p>



<p>The work also models scientific partnerships that respect the knowledge of those who live on the river today. Local leadership shaped the logistics, season, and safety of a complex excavation in a challenging setting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-comes-next">What comes next</h2>



<p>Lab teams will clean sediments inside the vessels and study bone fragments to learn age, diet, and practices. </p>



<p>Microscopic residues and stable isotope tests can help tell whether feasting foods were present, and whether offerings matched season or status.</p>



<p>Results will not answer every question, but they will anchor this discovery within a long timeline of settlement along the Solimões. </p>



<p>Each shard and scrap adds a piece to how communities built, ate, grieved, and remembered in a landscape of water and clay.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://mamiraua.org.br/documentos/30fe56931f7ff06537993df385009b13.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Anuário Antropológico</em></a>.</p>



<p>Image credit: Geórgea Holanda - Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute (<a href="https://www.mamiraua.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IDSM</a>).</p>



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Unusual artifacts found under a tree in the Amazon rainforest surprised archaeologists

Seven ceramic funerary urns were found beneath the roots of...

<p>When we talk about sleep, most people think of rest, dreams, and maybe hitting the snooze button. But once your head hits the pillow, your body shifts into high gear. One of its biggest tasks? Releasing growth hormone, which is crucial for muscle, bone, metabolism, and even thinking clearly the next day.</p>



<p>So, what really controls this nighttime hormone boost? And why does missing sleep mess it up? A new study finally uncovers what’s happening deep inside the brain - and how sleep and hormones stay in balance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-the-human-growth-hormone">The role of the human growth hormone</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/love-hope-and-happiness-help-children-grow-taller/">growth hormone</a> does more than just help kids grow taller. It builds muscle and bone, burns fat, and supports repair throughout the body. It also plays a major role in how the body handles sugar and fat, with links to diabetes, obesity, and heart problems.</p>



<p>That’s why athletes love <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sleep-clears-toxic-waste-from-the-brain/">deep sleep</a> - it’s during non-REM sleep, the first and deepest stage of sleep, that the body releases the most growth hormone. </p>



<p>Teenagers also need it for proper height and development. But until now, scientists weren’t exactly sure how this system worked.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-brain-circuit-behind-the-scenes">The brain circuit behind the scenes</h2>



<p>A team in the lab of Yang Dan at UC Berkeley wanted to go beyond just measuring blood hormone levels. The researchers directly recorded brain activity in mice using electrodes. This made it possible to watch neurons firing off during sleep.</p>



<p>The key players in this brain network are located deep in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that existed in the earliest mammals. </p>



<p>Two types of hormones run the show: growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), which tells the body to make growth hormone, and somatostatin, which puts the brakes on it.</p>



<p>These two signals aren’t always working the same way. During <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-disruptions-could-signal-the-onset-of-alzheimers/">REM sleep</a> - when dreams happen - both GHRH and somatostatin surge. During non-REM sleep, somatostatin backs off and GHRH ramps up, helping growth hormone levels rise. But that's not the end of the story.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-feedback-loop-in-the-brain">A feedback loop in the brain</h2>



<p>Once growth hormone is released, it doesn’t just float around helping bones and muscles. It actually loops back into the brain and affects a region called the locus coeruleus. </p>



<p>This brainstem hub controls alertness, focus, and how the brain responds to new things. It’s also tied to mental health and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-deprivation-impairs-the-brain-potentially-causing-neurological-disorders/">neurological disorders</a>.</p>



<p>“Sleep drives growth hormone release, and growth hormone feeds back to regulate wakefulness, and this balance is essential for growth, repair and metabolic health,” said study co-author Daniel Silverman.</p>



<p>Growth hormone slowly stimulates the locus coeruleus to prepare the brain for wakefulness. But if this region gets too revved up, it can flip the switch and cause sleepiness instead — a weird but fascinating twist.</p>



<p>“This suggests that sleep and growth hormone form a tightly balanced system: Too little sleep reduces growth hormone release, and too much growth hormone can in turn push the brain toward wakefulness,” Silverman said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growth-hormone-supports-focus">Growth hormone supports focus</h2>



<p>Growth hormone’s benefits go beyond the body. A growing collection of evidence suggests it may also help with mental sharpness.</p>



<p>“Growth hormone not only helps you build your muscle and bones and reduce your fat tissue, but may also have cognitive benefits, promoting your overall arousal level when you wake up,” said Xinlu Ding, &nbsp;first author of the study.</p>



<p>This helps explain why people who don’t sleep enough often feel foggy and struggle to focus - not just because they’re tired, but because their brain chemistry is off balance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-paths-for-better-sleep">New paths for better sleep </h2>



<p>Understanding how these brain circuits work could lead to new treatments. For people with sleep issues tied to diabetes or conditions like Parkinson’s or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/17-year-old-man-breaks-the-world-record-for-early-onset-alzheimers-disease/">Alzheimer’s</a>, targeting this system might help rebalance hormones and restore better sleep patterns.</p>



<p>“There are some experimental gene therapies where you target a specific cell type. This circuit could be a novel handle to try to dial back the excitability of the locus coeruleus, which hasn’t been talked about before,” Silverman said.</p>



<p>The team's use of advanced brain mapping and live recordings in mice shows just how much more we can learn when we look directly at brain activity rather than just measuring hormones in the blood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-isn-t-passive-it-s-powerful">Sleep isn’t passive - it’s powerful</h2>



<p>Sleep is more than rest. It’s a tightly managed biological system that controls everything from growth and metabolism to brain power and mood. </p>



<p>If you’ve ever been told to get a good night’s sleep before a big day, now you know why: your brain is literally setting the stage for how you’ll feel, think, and grow tomorrow.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00626-9?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867425006269%3Fshowall%3Dtrue">Cell</a></em>.</p>



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Sleep isn’t just rest - it’s the body’s secret growth formula

When we talk about sleep, most people think of rest,...

<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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



<p>Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



<p>The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-monitoring-networks">Scientific monitoring networks</h2>



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.</p>



<p>The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



<p>This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.</p>



<p>The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.</p>



<p>The full study was recently published in <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a></em>.</p>



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



<p>Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



<p>A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.</p>



<p>Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.</p>



<p>Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents".  In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively.   MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.</p>



<p>MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization.  The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



<p>Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.</p>



<p>Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



<p>The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.</p>



<p>A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



<p>Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.</p>



<p>This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



<p>The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.</p>



<p>PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



<p>AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.</p>



<p>In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



<p>The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.</p>



<p>As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.</p>



<p>The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.</p>



<p>For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.</p>



<p>The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.</p>



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<p>MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a></p>



<p>Dominnus: <a href="https://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.dominnus.com</a></p>

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



<p>The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-microbial-partnerships">The science behind microbial partnerships</h2>



<p>Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.</p>



<p>The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-food-security">Implications for global food security</h2>



<p>The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



<p>While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



<p>As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



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<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

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