Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the spiral galaxy NGC 5643, which is located roughly 40 million light-years away in the constellation Lupus.&nbsp;



NGC 5643 belongs to the Hubble classification SBc, indicating that it is a barred spiral galaxy with loosely wound arms.&nbsp;



Its orientation, nearly face-on to Earth, provides astronomers with an exceptional view of its detailed spiral structure and central bar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ngc-5643-a-grand-design-spiral-nbsp">NGC 5643: A grand design spiral&nbsp;</h2>



“NGC 5643 is what’s known as a grand design spiral, referring to how the galaxy’s two large, winding spiral arms are clear to see,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images">ESA</a>. “The spiral arms are defined by bright blue stars, lacy reddish-brown dust clouds and pink star-forming regions.”



“As fascinating as the galaxy appears at visible wavelengths, some of NGC 5643’s most interesting features are invisible to the human eye.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intense-activity-in-ngc-5643">Intense activity in NGC 5643</h2>



This galaxy is notable for its Seyfert 2 nucleus, a type of active galactic nucleus (AGN). The intense activity in its core is powered by a supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/awakening-of-a-black-hole-witnessed-for-the-first-time/">black hole</a> that accretes surrounding material, emitting energy across a wide range of wavelengths.&nbsp;



“When a supermassive black hole ensnares gas from its surroundings, the gas collects in a disc that heats up to hundreds of thousands of degrees. The superheated gas shines brightly across the electromagnetic spectrum, but especially at X-ray wavelengths,” said ESA.



Observations have revealed jets and outflows of material emanating from the nucleus, likely driven by the black hole’s activity.&nbsp;



NGC 5643’s AGN has been studied extensively for its role in galactic evolution, particularly in how its energetic processes interact with the galaxy’s interstellar medium.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mystery-of-ngc-5643-x-1">The mystery of NGC 5643 X-1</h2>



ESA pointed out that NGC 5643’s active galactic nucleus isn’t the brightest source of X-rays in the galaxy. 



“Researchers using ESA’s XMM-Newton discovered an even brighter X-ray-emitting object, called NGC 5643 X-1, on the galaxy’s outskirts. What could be a more powerful source of X-rays than a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-black-holes-become-supermassive/">supermassive black hole</a>?”&nbsp;



“Surprisingly, the answer appears to be a much smaller black hole! While the exact identity of NGC 5643 X-1 is not yet known, evidence points to a black hole that is about 30 times more massive than the Sun.”&nbsp;



“Locked in an orbital dance with a companion star, the black hole ensnares gas from its stellar companion, creating a superheated disc that outshines the galactic center,” said ESA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-5643">Star formation in NGC 5643</h2>



NGC 5643 also exhibits prominent regions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/">star formation</a> within its spiral arms. These areas are rich in gas and dust - the raw materials for birthing new stars - and glow brightly in ultraviolet and infrared light.&nbsp;



Observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and the Very Large Telescope (VLT) have helped uncover the complex interplay between star formation and the galaxy's central activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extended-ionized-gas-regions-nbsp">Extended ionized gas regions&nbsp;</h2>



A defining feature of NGC 5643 is the presence of its extended ionized gas regions, which are shaped by the galaxy's AGN activity and star-forming regions.&nbsp;



These structures have been mapped through optical spectroscopy, revealing intricate patterns that help astronomers understand the physical conditions of the gas, such as density, temperature, and composition.



The galaxy also has a dust lane that crosses its nucleus, partially obscuring direct observations of the central region in visible light.&nbsp;



Overall, NGC 5643 offers a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of barred <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-mesmerizing-beauty-of-spiral-galaxies/">spiral galaxies</a> with active nuclei, serving as a valuable resource for studying the interactions between supermassive black holes, star formation, and galactic evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-lupus">The constellation Lupus</h2>



Lupus is a constellation located in the southern sky, its name meaning "wolf" in Latin. It has been known since antiquity and was cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy.&nbsp;



Once part of the larger constellation Centaurus, Lupus was later recognized as a distinct constellation. It is relatively faint but holds historical significance in mythology, often associated with a sacrificial wolf in ancient stories.



Lupus is bordered by other constellations like Scorpius, Centaurus, and Libra. Its stars do not form a particularly striking pattern, but it contains a variety of interesting astronomical features. Among them are numerous double stars, globular clusters, and other deep-sky objects, visible through telescopes.&nbsp;



For observers in the Southern Hemisphere, Lupus is best seen in the winter and spring months, while it appears closer to the horizon for those in northern latitudes.



This constellation also lies along the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stars-at-the-edge-of-our-milky-way-galaxy-travel-more-slowly/">Milky Way</a>, offering a rich field of stars and nebulae for stargazers. Despite its modest brightness, Lupus holds a special place in the science of astronomy.



Image Credit: NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope



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Secrets of a spiraling galactic powerhouse

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the spiral galaxy NGC 5643, which is located roughly 40 million light-years away in the constellation Lupus.&nbsp; NGC 5643 belongs to the Hubble classification SBc, indicating that it is a barred spiral galaxy with loosely wound arms.&nbsp; Its orientation, nearly face-on to Earth, provides astronomers with an exceptional view of its detailed spiral structure and central bar. NGC 5643: A grand design spiral&nbsp; “NGC 5643 is what’s known as a grand design...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 1333, a reflection nebula located in the Perseus molecular cloud about 960 light-years away from Earth. The photo is a mosaic of images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.



“Webb’s superb sensitivity allows astronomers to investigate young objects with extremely low masses. Some of the faintest ‘stars’ in the picture are in fact newly born free-floating brown dwarfs with masses comparable to those of giant planets,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



The same cluster was featured in the 33rd anniversary image of the Hubble Space Telescope in April 2023. 



According to ESA, Hubble’s image just scratched the surface of this region, because clouds of dust obscure much of the star formation process. 



"Observing with larger aperture and in the infrared part of the spectrum, Webb is capable of peering through the dusty veil to reveal newborn stars, brown dwarfs and planetary mass objects."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-s-view-of-ngc-1333">Webb’s view of NGC 1333</h2>



ESA noted that the center of the image presents a deep peek into the heart of the NGC 1333 cloud.&nbsp;



“Across the image we see large patches of orange, which represent gas glowing in the infrared. These so-called Herbig-Haro objects form when ionized material ejected from young stars collides with the surrounding cloud. They are hallmarks of a very active site of star formation."



The disks of gas and dust that surround the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a> in this image may eventually produce planetary systems.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stars-in-the-sun-s-birth-cluster">Stars in the Sun's birth cluster</h2>



“Similar to the young stars in this mosaic, our own Sun and planets formed inside a dusty molecular cloud, 4.6 billion years ago. Our Sun did not form in isolation but as part of a cluster, which was perhaps even more massive than NGC 1333,” explained ESA.



Over time, the stars in the Sun's birth cluster would have drifted apart due to gravitational interactions and the dispersion of gas in the region.



Astronomers have been studying certain clues, such as isotopic signatures in meteorites, that hint the Sun may have formed near massive stars. These stars likely produced supernovae, which could have influenced the early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-objects-spotted-in-the-outer-solar-system-beyond-pluto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a> by injecting heavy elements like iron-60.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-1333">Star formation in NGC 1333</h2>



NGC 1333 is a vibrant example of a stellar nursery, where active <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-stars-release-sneezes-of-gas-and-dust-as-they-develop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> is ongoing. It is known for its chaotic appearance, shaped by the interactions between newborn stars and the surrounding material.



Within NGC 1333, astronomers have observed a high level of turbulence, which makes the region dynamic and complex. 



These disturbances are caused by the outflows of young stars as they eject material into their surroundings, creating shock waves and influencing further star formation.&nbsp;



These outflows are often seen as jets, which are visible in multiple wavelengths of light, especially infrared, as the surrounding dust absorbs visible light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-stages-of-planet-formation">Early stages of planet formation </h2>



NGC 1333 is also an area of interest for studying the early stages of star and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a>, as many of the stars within the cluster are in their infancy.



These stars are still in the process of gathering material and developing protoplanetary disks. 



In images, NGC 1333 is marked by bright patches of blue and red, representing reflection <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebulae</a> and the ionized gas created by energetic young stars.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-perseus-molecular-cloud-nbsp">The Perseus molecular cloud&nbsp;</h2>



The Perseus molecular cloud is a vast region of cold gas and dust located about 600 light-years away from Earth in the constellation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/1500-billion-orphan-stars-discovered-in-the-perseus-galaxy-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseus</a>.&nbsp;



It is one of the most studied star-forming regions in our galaxy due to its relative proximity and the diversity of its young stellar objects. This cloud spans several hundred light-years and contains dense pockets of gas where new stars are actively forming.&nbsp;



These areas are often enshrouded in thick dust, which obscures them in visible light but allows astronomers to study them using infrared and radio wavelengths.



The Perseus molecular cloud is particularly interesting because of the chemistry taking place within it, including the formation of complex organic molecules that could be precursors to life.&nbsp;



Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA



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Stellar nursery shines in the Perseus cloud

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

Hubble Captures the Supernova Remnant 1E 0102.2-7219

Supernova explosion lit up the sky 1,700 years ago. Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the remains of a supernova that exploded in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our Milky Way that is located about 200,000 light-years away.

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope captured this striking photograph of the supernova remnant, named E0102. Researchers are using this and other observations by Hubble of E0102 to gain a better understanding of the supernova event. 

For example, the scientists set out to accurately estimate the timing of the blast. The new estimates indicate that light from the blast arrived at Earth 1,700 years ago, during the decline of the Roman Empire. Supernova explosion lit up the sky 1,700 years ago

According to the ESA, the gaseous knots in this supernova remnant are moving at different speeds and directions from the explosion, with those moving toward Earth appearing blue and the ones moving away appearing red. 

The image shows the streams of gas speeding away from the explosion site at an average speed of 3.2 million kilometers per hour. If humans could travel at this rate of speed, we could travel to the Moon and back in 15 minutes.

Image Credit: ESA 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Supernova explosion lit up the sky 1,700 years ago

Supernova explosion lit up the sky 1,700 years ago. Today's...

Tropical Cyclone Eloise in the Mozambique Channel Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows Tropical Cyclone Eloise as it approached East Africa on January 22, 2021.

The storm made landfall at 2:30 a.m. on January 23 in the coastal city of Beira, Mozambique with wind speeds of up to 99 miles per hour. 

Some low-lying buildings collapsed and cars were submerged in water. At least nine people were killed, and most of the victims were struck by falling trees.

There is an ongoing threat of severe flooding in Mozambique that could affect more than 200,000 people. Tropical Cyclone Eloise in the Mozambique Channel

The region was devastated two years ago, when Cyclones Idai and Kenneth killed around 600 people in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Severe Tropical Storm Eloise is a current tropical cyclone strengthening over the Mozambique Channel. It is likely to intensify as it heads towards Africa. The disturbance that spawned Eloise was first noted on 14 January, and it entered a region marginally favorable to development.Tropical Cyclone Eloise is a current tropical cyclone strengthening over the Mozambique Channel. It is likely to intensify as it heads towards Africa. The disturbance that spawned Eloise was first noted on 14 January, and it entered a region marginally favorable to development. The seventh tropical depression, fifth named storm, and third severe tropical storm of the 2020–21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, it developed into a tropical depression on 16 January, 

The image was captured by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Tropical Cyclone Eloise in the Mozambique Channel

Tropical Cyclone Eloise in the Mozambique Channel Today's Image of...

City lights surround the Persian Gulf. Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features a nighttime view of the coastal cities surrounding the Persian Gulf.

According to NASA, the lights represent the countries of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Along the southern and western coastlines, the major cities of Doha, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait City, and Dubai stand out with the brightest lights. On the northern coast, smaller port cities are visible. 

The coastal areas of the Persian Gulf, a shallow marginal sea of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/indian-ocean-tsunami-reshaped-the-coast-of-sumatra/">Indian Ocean.</a>

are considered to be the largest source of crude oil in the world.

Millions of barrels of crude oil and petroleum are shipped on a daily basis through the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. City lights surround the Persian Gulf.

The Persian Gulf was a battlefield of the 1980–1988 <a title="Iran–Iraq War" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_War">Iran–Iraq War</a>, in which each side attacked the other's <a title="Oil tanker" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_tanker">oil tankers</a>. It is the namesake of the 1991 <a title="Gulf War" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War">Gulf War</a>, the largely air- and land-based conflict that followed <a title="Iraq" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq">Iraq</a>'s invasion of <a title="Kuwait" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait">Kuwait</a>.

The Persian Gulf has many fishing grounds, extensive <a title="Reef" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reef">reefs</a> (mostly rocky, but also <a title="Coral reef" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reef">coral</a>), and abundant <a class="mw-redirect" title="Pearl oyster" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_oyster">pearl oysters</a>, but its ecology has been damaged by industrialization and <a title="Oil spill" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_spill">oil spills</a>.

The Persian Gulf is in the <a title="Persian Gulf Basin" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Gulf_Basin">Persian Gulf Basin</a>, which is of <a title="Cenozoic" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cenozoic">Cenozoic</a> origin and related to the subduction of the <a title="Arabian Plate" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabian_Plate">Arabian Plate</a> under the <a title="Zagros Mountains" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zagros_Mountains">Zagros Mountains</a>. The current flooding of the basin started 15,000 years ago due to <a title="Sea level rise" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_level_rise">rising sea levels</a> of the <a title="Holocene glacial retreat" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocene_glacial_retreat">Holocene glacial retreat</a>

The image was captured on August 31, 2020 by an astronaut onboard the International Space Station.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

City lights surround the Persian Gulf

City lights surround the Persian Gulf. Today's Image of the...

The northern highlands of Ecuador Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the northern highlands of Ecuador in South America. This region is part of the northern zone of the Andean Volcanic Belt.

The composite image was created by combining three Envisat radar passes from 2006 to 2010. According to the ESA, the vibrant colors across the highlands represent changes in the land’s surface over the years. 

The Antisana volcano is visible in the center of the right side of the photograph. From Antisana to the west, the area is generally colorful, which indicates ground movement. To the east, however, fewer colors indicate that the land is more stable.

The Andean Highlands or the Andes is a region in the central part of Ecuador. It extends from north to south. This region is Ecuador's most visited area. Home to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/lake-titicaca-in-the-andes-mountains/">Andes</a> Mountains , this region is known by locals as Sierra. Ecuador's Andes consist of two mountain ranges: Central and Western; separated by a narrow central valley. Welcome to Central Highlands. The rooftop of Ecuador offers up more adventure per square meter than most places on earth. This vast region cut from fire and ice inspires the imagination and offers a remarkable journey deep into the myth and beauty of the Andes. There are heavenly volcanoes, glacier-capped peaks, high-arching grassy plains, surprisingly quaint <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=colonial&amp;cvid=e82084f5997e4fb4bfbf72a77bd31292&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">colonial</a> cities

Image Credit: European Space Agency 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The northern highlands of Ecuador

The northern highlands of Ecuador Today's Image of the Day...

A perfect example of a barred spiral galaxy. Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features NGC 613, a galaxy that is located 67 million light years away in the southern constellation of Sculptor. 

The galaxy was first discovered by German-English astronomer William Hershel in 1798. This new image from the Hubble Space Telescope reveals the defined central bar and long arms of NGC 613, which is known as a barred spiral galaxy. A perfect example of a barred spiral galaxy

According to the ESA, about two thirds of spiral galaxies, including our own Milky Way, contain a bar. 

Scientists have recently determined that bars are more common in galaxies now than they were in the past. This discovery provides new insight into the formation and evolution of galaxies.Spiral galaxies form a class of galaxy originally described by Edwin Hubble in his 1936 work The Realm of the Nebulae and, as such, form part of the Hubble sequence. Most spiral galaxies consist of a flat, rotating disk containing stars, gas and dust, and a central concentration of stars known as the bulge. These are often surrounded by a much fainter halo of stars, many of which reside in globular clusters.

Image Credit: European Space Agency 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

A perfect example of a barred spiral galaxy

A perfect example of a barred spiral galaxy. Today's Image...

Mumbai on the western coast of India Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Mumbai, the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Mumbai is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It is located on the west coast of India at the mouth of the Ulhas River, and serves as an India's principal port on the Arabian Sea.

Across the water and to the west is one of the world’s largest planned townships, Navi Mumbai, which was developed to decongest Mumbai.

In 2020, Mumbai had an estimated population of 25 million people, which is up by 3 million since 2015.

The city is home to three UNESCO world heritage sites, including the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai. Mumbai is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second-most populous city in the country after Delhi and the seventh-most populous city in the world with a population of roughly 20 million. As per Indian government population census of 2011, Mumbai was the most populous city in India with an estimated city proper population of 12.5 million living under Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumba

Image Credit: European Space Agency 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Mumbai on the western coast of India

Mumbai on the western coast of India Today's Image of...

Stationary clouds over Antarctic mountains. Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features stationary clouds lingering over the Transantarctic Mountains in Antarctica.

The photo was taken over the Eisenhower Range, which is positioned between the Priestley Glacier to the north and the Reeves Glacier to the south.

According to <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=nasa&amp;cvid=695552dfda224a1cab88bf31e258650b&amp;pglt=43&amp;FORM=ANNTA1&amp;PC=HCTS">NASA,</a> the soft-edged clouds have the hallmarks of lenticular clouds that form along the crests of mountain waves. Lenticular clouds appear to defy strong winds and remain stationary for hours. In reality, the rising air that feeds into the clouds is continuous. Stationary clouds over Antarctic mountains

Lenticular clouds are common around the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/a-cloud-free-day-in-the-rocky-mountains/">Rocky Mountains</a>. They have been known to occur over Antarctic mountains as well, but are rarely seen firsthand. Some of the most picturesque Antarctica mountains can be found in the Ellsworth Range, which is approximately 200 miles long and 30 miles wide. The Ellsworth Mountains can be found at the base of the Antarctic Peninsula. The first person to climb the highest mountain in Antarctica did so in 1966.

The image was captured on December 29, 2020 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Stationary clouds over Antarctic mountains

Stationary clouds over Antarctic mountains. Today's Image of the Day...

Guinea-Bissau in West Africa. Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the coast of Guinea-Bissau, a tropical country on the Atlantic coast of West Africa.

The country’s capital city of Bissau is located on the Geba, which flows from the east into the ocean. 

An archipelago of over 80 islands and islets, the Bissagos Islands, are visible off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. In 1996, the archipelago was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The region is known for incredible wildlife, including rare species such as the Nile crocodile, hippopotamus, and the African manatee. The islands also serve as an an important site for endangered green sea turtles.

Guinea-Bissau was once part of the kingdom of <a title="Kaabu" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaabu">Kaabu</a>, as well as part of the <a title="Mali Empire" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali_Empire">Mali Empire </a> Parts of this kingdom persisted until the 18th century, while a few others were under some rule by the <a title="Portuguese Empire" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Empire">Portuguese Empire</a> since the 16th century. In the 19th century, it was colonised as <a title="Portuguese Guinea" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Guinea">Portuguese Guinea</a>. Upon independence, declared in 1973 and recognised in 1974, the name of its capital, <a title="Bissau" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bissau">Bissau</a>, was added to the country's name to prevent confusion with <a title="Guinea" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea">Guinea</a> (formerly <a title="French Guinea" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Guinea">French Guinea</a>). Guinea-Bissau has a history of political instability since independence, and only one elected president (<a title="José Mário Vaz" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_M%C3%A1rio_Vaz">José Mário Vaz</a>) has successfully served a full five-year term. The new president is <a title="Umaro Sissoco Embaló" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umaro_Sissoco_Embal%C3%B3">Umaro Sissoco Embaló</a>, who was elected on 29 December 2019

Image Credit: European Space Agency 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Guinea-Bissau in West Africa

Guinea-Bissau in West Africa. Today's Image of the Day from...

Underwater,Sea,Level,Split,Photo,Of,Beautiful,Paradise,Turquoise,Exotic

It’s a chilling thought - what would happen if every living thing in the ocean vanished? From microscopic plankton to blue whales, ocean life plays a huge role in how our planet stays in balance. 



A new study takes this thought experiment seriously and finds surprising insights into how the death of marine life can affect carbon absorption.



The scientists behind this research are from <a href="https://www.norceresearch.no/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NORCE</a> and the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research in Norway. Using the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM), they created detailed simulations to explore how the planet’s climate would respond without ocean life. 



Their goal was to figure out how much we depend on living organisms in the sea to manage carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ocean-s-role-in-carbon-storage">The ocean’s role in carbon storage</h2>



The ocean isn't just a body of water - it’s a carbon sponge. It soaks up about 25% of the carbon dioxide that humans release into the atmosphere each year. A big part of this carbon storage is thanks to life in the ocean. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-tiny-ocean-creatures-overlooked-critical-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiny plankton</a> consume carbon near the surface. When they die, they sink, carrying that carbon to the deep ocean. This process is known as the biological carbon pump. But what happens when you remove life from the equation?



In the study, researchers ran two versions of their simulation: one with marine life, and one without. When they took marine life out of the picture, they found that atmospheric CO2 levels jumped by about 50%.



“But the simulation showed that in a scenario where all marine life is eradicated, land ecosystems will absorb about half of the carbon that the ocean cannot take up without <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-impacting-marine-life-more-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>,” said study co-author Damien Couespel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-between-ocean-life-and-carbon">Link between ocean life and carbon</h2>



The researchers say this study reveals a missing piece in how we understand the climate system. For years, the focus has been on how the ocean's chemistry and temperature affect carbon absorption. But this study suggests that biology plays a much bigger role than previously recognized.



“We have long understood that the biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexpected-carbon-pump-found-in-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon pump</a> plays a crucial role in keeping atmospheric CO2 levels low. However, most studies have overlooked the interaction with Earth's ecosystems. Our research suggests that land ecosystems compensate if marine life is eradicated and the ocean's ability to absorb CO2 is thus limited,” said Jerry Tjiputra, lead author of the study.



The team didn’t stop there. They also simulated the Earth’s climate in two time periods: before humans started burning large amounts of fossil fuels (pre-1850) and in a high-emission future. Again, they ran the model with and without marine life.



“In all cases, much more CO2 will remain in the atmosphere if all marine life were removed. This is because, without living organisms consuming carbon at the ocean surface, the carbon content at the ocean surface is much higher. This limits the ocean's ability to absorb more CO2,” explained Tjiputra.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-how-the-ocean-works">Rethinking how the ocean works</h2>



The results challenge some long-standing ideas. "Our results thus challenge the paradigm that the ocean's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/methane-emissions-offset-carbon-uptake-by-macroalgae/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon uptake</a> is mainly driven by physical and chemical processes, rather than biological ones. An ocean without life would weaken its ability to absorb carbon emissions,” said Couespel.



If marine life disappeared, the world would likely warm faster. The ocean would lose its buffering capacity, and we might trigger even more feedbacks that drive temperatures higher.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-life-and-climate-change">Ocean life and climate change</h2>



No one expects the ocean to suddenly become lifeless. But this “what-if” exercise offers important lessons. The researchers believe it shows how marine and land ecosystems work together to manage our climate.



“We have learned that marine and terrestrial life work together to regulate our climate and that marine life is a key player in shaping the course of climate change. Our research clearly underscores that there is a link between the protection of marine ecosystems and combating climate change," said Tjiputra.



"A healthy ocean buys us time. Damage to marine ecosystems can significantly accelerate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human-caused climate change</a> and further challenge our ability to meet the goals in the Paris Agreement. Preserving the function of marine ecosystems is essential for mitigating climate change and its associated risks."



This simple yet startling study reminds us that life in the ocean isn’t just there for beauty or biodiversity - it’s helping stabilize the planet. And protecting it may be one of our best tools in the fight against climate change.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57371-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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What would happen if all ocean life disappeared? Scientists found out, and it's not good

It’s a chilling thought - what would happen if every...

Wild chimpanzees have surprised scientists again. They seem to combine single calls in ways that create new meanings for different situations.



In a new investigation led by Dr. Catherine Crockford of the <a href="https://www.eva.mpg.de/index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology</a>, researchers have found that chimpanzees can embed one vocal call into another to shift its message in several ways.



This approach sheds light on how meaningful combinations of sounds might not be an exclusively <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-share-alcoholic-fruit-to-increase-social-bonding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human trick</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimpanzee-calls-and-language-origins">Chimpanzee calls and language origins</h2>



Chimpanzees produce a set of pant calls, grunts, and hoos that can match specific events or contexts. Scientists studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-and-chimps-express-empathy-much-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primate</a> communication often focus on whether these calls can be recombined to express novel ideas.



“Generating new or combined meanings by combining words is a hallmark of human language, and it is crucial to investigate whether a similar capacity exists in our closest living relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, in order to decipher the origins of human language,” said Dr. Crockford. 



Observing apes in rich forest environments over many years helped researchers gather thousands of vocal utterances, matching them to various daily events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-chimpanzees-use-call-combinations">How chimpanzees use call combinations</h2>



Previous analyses suggested that primates usually rely on single calls. But chimpanzees in this project displayed a variety of two-call combinations that seemed to deliver more complex messages than either single call alone.



“Recording chimpanzee vocalisations over several years in their natural environment is essential in order to document their full communicative capabilities, a task that is becoming increasingly challenging due to growing human threats to wild chimpanzee populations,” said Roman Wittig, co-author of the study and director of the Taï Chimpanzee Project. 



Calls like hoo, pant, and grunt were often linked to feeding, traveling, approaching <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-select-the-best-materials-for-termite-fishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">companions</a>, or even building a nest.



Some paired calls strayed far from the meaning of either individual call. Others narrowed or clarified the meaning of one call by combining it with another.



Researchers also discovered that a pair of calls could add both meanings together. Sometimes, flipping the order of the same two calls changed which events triggered that combination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimp-calls-are-complex">Chimp calls are complex</h2>



“Our findings suggest a highly generative vocal communication system, unprecedented in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-chimp-nests-can-tell-us-about-early-independence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal kingdom</a>, which echoes recent findings in bonobos suggesting that complex combinatorial capacities were already present in the common ancestor of humans and these two great ape species,” said Cédric Girard-Buttoz, first author of the study. 



”This changes the views of the last century which considered communication in the great apes to be fixed and linked to emotional states.”&nbsp;



Humans rely on syntax to shift the message of a group of words by rearranging them. Chimpanzee call combinations seem to share a similar principle, at least in miniature form.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimp-calls-and-specific-events">Chimp calls and specific events</h2>



Scientists matched each vocal utterance to events such as resting, traveling, or social interactions. 



Earlier <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982205010407" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> found that certain hoo calls link with resting or feeding. This project took that approach further by analyzing two-call sequences in multiple communities of wild chimpanzees.



Some call pairs combined rest and social signals, while others popped up in contexts that had little to do with either call used alone. The addition or repositioning of a second call often changed the full vocal sequence’s event links.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimp-calls-hint-at-early-language">Chimp calls hint at early language</h2>



Human language can create countless meanings from a limited set of sounds. These chimpanzee findings point to a flexible communication system that can widen its meaning capacity using simple steps.



Researchers say it is possible that human ancestors carried similar abilities. Over time, these may have expanded into the more detailed language structures we know today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-researchers-still-need-to-learn">What researchers still need to learn</h2>



Questions remain about longer sequences that might chain three or more calls. Future studies may investigate how that chaining impacts clarity or social bonding among chimpanzees.



Scientists also want to see if other primates or animals use multiple call-combining strategies. Some suggest that more species might do the same if studied across enough time and daily contexts.



Experts emphasize that playback experiments could confirm how receivers interpret each combination. Wild animals rarely stand still for tests, but careful monitoring might reveal which part of a call they respond to.



There is also the question of whether some call pairs express reference to upcoming events. Knowing that certain sequences appear during, say, nest-building might help reveal how apes convey planning or intention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-data-is-needed">More data is needed </h2>



With more data, researchers hope to better map how these combinations relate to specific events or states. Each new finding challenges the idea that only humans generate layered meanings from limited vocal elements.



Spending years in the field was crucial. It took that long to observe enough high-quality instances of different chimp calls, especially for rarer behaviors like nest-building.



Many wonder if these chimp call strategies might extend to gestures or other signals. Studies of both vocal and non-vocal communication could fill in gaps that remain.



Efforts to protect wild populations are also vital. Researchers stress that deforestation or poaching will cut short our chance to learn more about ape communication in its natural setting.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adq2879" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Chimpanzees mix vocal calls to create new meanings, like humans

Wild chimpanzees have surprised scientists again. They seem to combine...

Argentina’s mining scene has surprised many observers with a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-white-gold-a-lithium-deposit-valued-at-1-5-trillion-has-been-discovered-in-the-u-s/">deposit</a> that sets a new high mark for precious and industrial metals. This find, located near the rugged Andean highlands, highlights a shift in the nation’s economic possibilities and introduces bold goals for its development.



<a href="https://lundinmining.com/about-us/leadershipteam/jack-lundin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack Lundin</a>, CEO of <a href="https://lundinmining.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lundin Mining</a>, enters this story with a renewed focus on how copper, gold, and silver resources may affect the future of South America’s mining sector. 



His organization is part of a joint team that uncovered a site carrying over 80 million ounces of gold and silver, along with more than 12 million tons of copper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-opening-economic-doors">Opening economic doors</h2>



The resource estimate points to new revenue streams for Argentina. Financial analysts foresee a ripple effect on job creation, trade numbers, and infrastructure growth, inspired by the sudden increase in proven reserves.



Local communities hope this discovery spurs balanced policies. If the government seizes this opportunity, the proceeds could fund schools, medical centers, and roads in remote regions that have historically lagged behind the country’s more populated areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spotlight-on-san-juan-province">Spotlight on San Juan province</h2>



The host region for this deposit has always been known for its scenic mountains. Yet now, that mountainous backdrop carries the potential to propel development and strengthen the country’s status in global copper production.



The significance of this reserve reshapes how the world sees Argentina. The nation, primarily considered an agricultural powerhouse, might vault into a leading position among copper exporters by the end of the next decade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-partnerships-and-local-collaboration">Partnerships and local collaboration</h2>



Two key players, BHP and Lundin Mining, operate under a joint entity called <a href="https://thelundingroup.com/lundin-group-of-companies/reports-from-the-field/vicuna-a-giant-district-in-the-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vicuña</a>. This partnership combines technical expertise and global reach, raising expectations for a modern and efficient mining operation.



Local authorities underline that constructive dialogue between officials, residents, and businesses is essential. They believe a spirit of cooperation fosters better environmental practices, improved worker safety, and responsible resource extraction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-metals-and-global-demand">Critical metals and global demand</h2>



The deposit includes high-value copper, which is crucial for green energy, electronics, and large-scale machinery. Experts note that surging electric vehicle manufacturing and renewable power installations will likely keep demand strong.



Traditional investors remain bullish on precious metals. Jewelry makers, chip manufacturers, and medical equipment producers worldwide rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invention-turns-toxic-e-waste-into-22-carat-gold-nuggets-instead-of-trash/">gold</a> and silver for conductivity and durability, tying Argentina’s fresh discovery to markets well beyond Latin America.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-words-from-the-project-leadership">Words from the project leadership</h2>



“We are in an excellent position to continue advancing the development of a mining district with great potential,” said <a href="https://vicuna.com/en/nosotros/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dave Dicaire</a>, Vicuña’s general manager. He emphasized that future plans call for carefully scaled production, using technology to ensure profitability and respect for local concerns.



Environmentalists are watching how these operations proceed. Green groups urge strict oversight, pointing to the delicate mountain ecosystems found along the Argentina-Chile border.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-impact-on-the-region">Possible impact on the region</h2>



Chile, Peru, and other neighbors in the Andean belt have long maintained a head start in copper extraction. This development might introduce fresh competition and encourage cross-border exchanges of knowledge, labor, and capital.



Argentina’s emergence in metals extraction could trigger regional realignments. Diplomatic ties may deepen, given the incentive for stable conditions and effective trade routes through the mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roads-ports-and-infrastructure">Roads, ports, and infrastructure</h2>



Shipping tons of ore demands updated logistics. <a href="https://lundinmining.com/news/lundin-mining-announces-initial-mineral-resource-a-123197/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Analysts</a> suggest that improved highways, rail networks, and modernized customs facilities would benefit regional commerce and everyday travel as well.



Companies eyeing expansion speak about reducing transit times and improving worker safety through better roads. They say these moves not only streamline mining operations but also offer local communities faster and safer connections to major cities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-respecting-cultural-heritage">Respecting cultural heritage</h2>



Indigenous groups inhabit sections of the Andes and have expressed concerns about large-scale projects. National laws mandate open consultations and fair treatment of ancestral lands, guiding how the deposit is managed.



Some communities see positives, like an uptick in public investment. Others raise questions about water usage, soil stability, and shifts in economic traditions that revolve around agriculture or tourism.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-broader-resource-strategy">A broader resource strategy</h2>



Argentina’s government envisions diversification away from reliance on one or two economic engines. Planners champion a balanced approach in which mining complements farming, tourism, and manufacturing.



Groups working on policy highlight that any instability in mineral prices can affect national budgets. They also promote sensible legislation that sets aside a portion of royalties for development programs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avoiding-environmental-pitfalls">Avoiding environmental pitfalls</h2>



Large-scale extraction carries challenges such as waste management and safeguarding aquifers. Engineers say advanced water treatment systems, tailings disposal methods, and real-time monitoring tools will be critical.



Companies stand under growing scrutiny to maintain transparency. Missteps in other regions have shown that toxic runoff can ruin ecosystems, so top-tier safety measures are expected from day one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upcoming-industry-trends">Upcoming industry trends</h2>



Global mining watchers predict that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/copper-industry-of-king-solomons-era-didnt-harm-the-environment/">copper</a> will remain central to clean energy pursuits. They see competition rising among producers, with developing nations trying to expand capacity to keep pace with international demand.



Investors exploring Argentina’s deposit remain optimistic. Some compare the current excitement to other legendary metal discoveries that propelled countries from local players to top exporters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-gains-beyond-the-border">Potential gains beyond the border</h2>



Mining executives mention better trade potential for advanced economies that rely on metals. Emerging markets also look for these resources to grow their digital infrastructure and expand health-care technology.



Economic observers say that if all goes well, Argentina stands to earn additional revenue. This could lift living standards and assist the state with foreign debt obligations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-and-technical-reports">Research and technical reports</h2>



Experts behind this find plan to release an integrated report that details technical parameters, capital expenditures, and sustainable extraction methods.



Comprehensive reviews typically steer how governments and communities react to large-scale projects.



Leaders in geology and metallurgy point out that the Andean chain has unique rock formations. This environment can hide more high-quality veins, fueling curiosity among global mining firms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-carefully-into-the-future">Moving carefully into the future</h2>



No one knows exactly how this deposit will shape Argentina’s long-term growth. Many people hold high hopes for an economic windfall, while some remain wary of environmental disturbances and displacement.



International groups stand ready to invest in technology, job training, and safety programs. Backers of the project seek a model that balances ambition with caution, ensuring local benefits without sacrificing sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-and-job-creation-angles">Social and job creation angles</h2>



Youth in the region see potential career paths in engineering, earth sciences, business, and support services. Educational institutions might adapt curricula to suit the specialized skills this sector demands.



Even small business owners sense prospects in hospitality, equipment sales, and transportation services. They count on steady cooperation among private industry, public officials, and community leaders to keep growth fair.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hopes-concerns-and-possibilities">Hopes, concerns, and possibilities</h2>



Global mining is known for its ups and downs. A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geologists-found-the-worlds-largest-iron-ore-deposit/">deposit</a> of this size may shift global supply lines, but it requires effort to avoid the classic pitfalls of boom-bust cycles.



Those connected to Argentina’s future emphasize the need for patience, accountability, and far-sighted planning. They want the wealth to trickle into everyday life, not just corporate ledgers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-horizons-for-argentina">New horizons for Argentina</h2>



Markets fluctuate, but large deposits can attract attention that spans multiple sectors. Renewable energy, technology, and heavy industry all rely on a stable supply of metals.



This discovery has already inspired calls for more exploration. Some specialists sense that the next big leap in knowledge, efficiency, and safety may emerge from Argentina’s newly energized mining sector.



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Geologists discover the largest copper, gold, and silver deposit in the last three decades

Argentina’s mining scene has surprised many observers with a deposit...

While myths about “left-brained” or “right-brained” personalities persist, one long-known division of labor in the brain turns out to be even more significant than people realize.



A new scientific review reveals how the brain maintains separate processing streams for the left and right sides of our visual field - and how it cleverly balances this split to avoid blind spots, all while giving us a seamless experience of the world.



Neuroscientists Earl K. Miller and Scott Brincat of <a href="https://picower.mit.edu/">MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory</a> have synthesized years of research into how this split processing works. Their insights clarify how the brain’s hemispheres divide up visual spatial perception, why this trade-off exists, and how the brain bridges the resulting gap.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hemisphere-myths-debunked">Hemisphere myths debunked</h2>



Study co-author Earl K. Miller is a professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT.



“People hear all these myths about the left brain being more analytical and the right brain being more artistic, or people being right-brained versus left-brained. Ninety-nine percent of that is nonsense,” said Miller. "You think with your whole brain.”



Despite this, visual spatial perception really is divided. The brain’s right hemisphere processes what we see on the left, and the left hemisphere processes the right. This separation persists even in high-level cognitive processes like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-stops-paying-attention-to-repeated-distractions/">attention</a> and working memory.



“It’s for good reason,” Miller said. “Perceptual capacity is limited - you can only take in so much at once. If your capacity is fully tied up on the right side of your gaze, you might miss a threat approaching on the left. Splitting resources between both sides helps avoid dangerous perceptual blind spots.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-brain-splits-vision">How the brain splits vision</h2>



When Miller was a student, he learned that information from the left and right visual fields was neatly split between brain hemispheres until reaching the prefrontal cortex, where it was believed to be fully integrated. 



But two decades of research, including Miller and Brincat’s own studies, have painted a more nuanced picture.



Contrary to earlier assumptions, even in the prefrontal cortex, neural activity shows a strong bias toward the “contralateral” hemisphere - the side opposite to where an object appears in view. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bilateral-advantage">The bilateral advantage </h2>



Brain wave measurements, particularly in the gamma frequency range, reveal that neurons in the frontal cortex show increased activity when attending to stimuli on the opposite side.



“As a result, the two hemispheres appear to function surprisingly independently, even for high-level cognitive functions like attention and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pupils-enlarge-dilate-when-working-memory-engaged-focused-on-task/">working memory</a>,” wrote the researchers.



This is why, for example, people and animals can remember more items if those items are presented on both sides of their visual field, rather than all on one side - a phenomenon known as the “bilateral advantage.”



But this advantage has limits. People still track multiple objects less effectively than a single object, even if those objects are split between both sides of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blinking-plays-crucial-role-vision-human-perception/">vision</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-brain-does-share">What the brain does share</h2>



The brain’s division of labor, however, applies only to spatial information - the “where” of visual objects.



Other aspects, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-retinal-cells-explain-complex-color-perception/">color</a> and shape, are processed across both hemispheres. This selective separation allows the brain to maximize its limited perceptual capacity for spatial awareness without compromising recognition of what objects are.



Interestingly, people also show individual differences in their visual capacity across the field of view. To explore this variability, Miller has founded a startup called <a href="https://splitsage.com/">SplitSage</a>, aimed at helping people optimize performance in visually demanding tasks by measuring these perceptual differences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-the-brain-gap">Bridging the brain gap</h2>



Given the persistence of this division, why don’t we encounter any problems when, for instance, a bird flies from the left to the right side of our gaze? Why doesn’t the handoff between hemispheres disrupt our perception of a seamless world?



Studies show that as an object approaches the midline of vision, the hemisphere about to “receive” it ramps up neural activity in anticipation, while the “sending” hemisphere continues to track it for some time after.



“As a tracked target approaches the visual midline, the hemisphere about to receive the target shows a ramp-up of activity well before the crossing time, as if it is anticipating the target,” the experts wrote.



“Further, activity in the sending hemisphere remains high well after the crossing. Thus, for up to a second or more, neural signals reflecting the target are shared across both hemispheres. It is as if both hemispheres are holding the baton.”



This mechanism ensures continuity, much like how a mobile phone switches between cell towers without dropping a call. However, there is a small but measurable performance cost during this “handoff.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-division-and-disorders">Brain division and disorders</h2>



The ability to synchronize hemispheres is crucial. Disruptions in interhemispheric connectivity and synchrony have been linked to neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, depression, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-use-linked-to-higher-risk-of-schizophrenia/">schizophrenia</a>, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and autism spectrum disorders.



“A foundational understanding of interhemispheric processing, combined with interventions translatable to human patients, offers hope for developing novel network-level treatments,” the authors wrote.



The better scientists understand how the brain manages this division and handoff, the better equipped they are to develop treatments for disorders where this process breaks down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-halves-one-picture">Two halves, one picture</h2>



The brain’s strategy of splitting visual spatial perception across hemispheres is an elegant solution to a capacity problem.



By managing each side independently, the brain maximizes awareness and minimizes blind spots. And thanks to its anticipatory handoff system, it stitches both halves of the world into the seamless, unified experience we take for granted.



While pop culture myths about “right-brained artists” and “left-brained analysts” remain oversimplified, the real story of how the hemispheres divide and collaborate is far more interesting - and far more relevant to both neuroscience and human health.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028393225000880?via%3Dihub">Neuropsychologia</a>.



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How the brain splits vision and puts it back together

While myths about “left-brained” or “right-brained” personalities persist, one long-known...

When we think of wildlife conservation, vultures rarely top the list. Yet these birds - often misunderstood and overlooked - may be more essential to public health and ecosystems than we ever imagined.



A recent study out of Costa Rica has uncovered just how vital they are, especially when it comes to getting rid of dead animals quickly and safely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-vultures-speed-decay">How vultures speed decay</h2>



Scientists from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>, working in collaboration with OSA Conservation in Costa Rica, designed a simple but revealing experiment. 



The team set out to observe how animal carcasses decomposed with and without vultures present. Using domestic pig carcasses, they monitored the decomposition process across forest and grassland settings between September 2023 and June 2024.



The researchers left half the carcasses in the open for all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/believe-it-or-not-scavengers-are-picky-eaters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scavengers</a> to access. They placed the other half inside cages that prevented vultures and other large animals from reaching them. Cameras and insect traps were installed at each site to track both animal activity and insect populations.



The findings were both surprising and concerning. In the open sites where vultures had access, the pig carcasses lost an average of 9.5 kilograms per day. 



In contrast, the protected carcasses - off-limits to vultures - decomposed at only 4.8 kilograms per day. That’s a dramatic difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flies-thrive-without-cleanup-birds">Flies thrive without cleanup birds</h2>



As carcasses lingered without vultures, one thing became clear: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flies-respond-to-danger-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flies</a> moved in to fill the gap.



Sites where vultures were excluded saw fly populations nearly double. Dung beetle numbers stayed the same, and the researchers rarely observed larger vertebrate scavengers like pumas, ocelots, caimans, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hunting-coyotes-may-be-fueling-their-population-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coyotes</a> were rarely observed.



“This research underlines the unique and irreplaceable role that vultures play as nature's cleanup crew,” said Julia Grootaers, co-author and Behavioral Ecologist at the University.



The study showed that other scavengers simply weren’t stepping in. Without vultures, decomposition slowed down significantly, giving flies more time to reproduce and mature. And this has health implications.



“These apex scavengers have specialized and highly acidic digestive systems that can destroy many of the pathogens found in carrion, thus mitigating the spread of disease from carcasses to other wildlife, livestock, and humans,” Grootaers said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-risks-without-vultures">Health risks without vultures</h2>



According to the researchers, the extra time it takes for a carcass to decompose in the absence of vultures can increase the chances of disease transmission. 



Flies that breed in these carcasses can carry harmful bacteria like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-treatment-protects-tomatoes-from-salmonella-and-e-coli/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">E. coli</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-salmonella-outsmarts-our-gut-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salmonella</a>. They may also become vectors for diseases such as botulism and anthrax.



“Our results demonstrate that intact scavenger communities, with vultures, invertebrate and microbial decomposers, efficiently decompose carcasses at double the rate compared to when it is insects and microbes alone,” said Dr. Chris Beirne, Director of Wildlife Programs at OSA Conservation.



“And it's apparent that in Costa Rica, other large vertebrate scavengers do not drive decomposition in the food chain and that is consistent with what we see in other regions, including Kenya and northern Spain.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vanishing-vulture-populations">Vanishing vulture populations</h2>



While there’s been widespread attention on vulture declines in Africa, Asia, and Europe, the Americas have largely flown under the radar. That needs to change.



Many species in North, Central, and South America are now facing growing threats from habitat loss, poisoning, and human disturbance. Without proper monitoring, their populations could plummet before we fully understand the consequences.



“While dramatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fewer-vultures-more-wild-dogs-linked-to-greater-disease-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vulture declines</a> have already been documented across Africa, Asia, and Europe, this study raises concerns about the overlooked vulnerability of their American counterparts,” said Greta Hernandez of Universidad de Panamá. 



“And the findings highlight the urgent need for deeper research into vulture population trends in the Americas, the critical ecosystem services they provide, and the conservation action needed to safeguard these silent stewards of the environment.”



The takeaway is simple but powerful: vultures aren’t just scavengers - they’re a key line of defense against disease and environmental decay. Losing them means losing one of nature’s most efficient recycling systems - with real consequences for the world we share.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71408" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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Vanishing vultures may threaten public health

When we think of wildlife conservation, vultures rarely top the...

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.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

Secrets of a spiraling galactic powerhouse

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