Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory </a>&nbsp;features a fjord in western Greenland as the ice was joined by a mysterious arc.



"In summer, the fjords around Greenland are commonly littered with angular pieces of ice that have sloughed off from the island’s numerous outlet glaciers. But on August 3, 2023, the ice on a fjord in western Greenland was joined by a peculiar arc," said NASA.



"The thin, white feature spans much of Itilliarsuup Kangerlua, a tributary fjord of the Uummannaq Fjord system in Western Greenland. It extends about 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles) from the front of Kangilleq glacier."



While the origin of the arc remains unclear, experts have proposed some possible theories. Dan Shugar, a geomorphologist at the University of Calgary, suggests that the arc may be the result of a large iceberg that broke off from the front of the glacier.



"An iceberg breaking from the glacier - above or below the water’s surface - would displace water, creating a wave," explained NASA.



"Josh Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Mike Wood, a glaciologist at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, agree that a newly formed iceberg is a likely explanation."



The scientists also pointed to a different phenomenon that is known to displace water in the fjords around Greenland. According to Willis, there could be water pushing ice away from the glacier face caused by an underwater plume.



The image was captured by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Mysterious arc joins ice on a fjord in western Greenland

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Sahara Desert on the afternoon of May 3, 2023, as the International Space Station passed above. An astronaut captured this striking image of hills and sand dunes in southern Mauritania.&nbsp;



"A line of dark, flat-topped hills known as mesas dominate the view," said NASA. "The small town of Guérou is a faint gray patch on the banks of a small stream. The faint line of a road can be seen cutting through the landscape and connecting with Guérou."



"The mesas are remnants of a large Paleozoic Era sandstone formation. They rise steeply 300 to 400 meters (1,000 to 1,300 feet) above the surrounding plain."&nbsp;



"Rocky surfaces in deserts often appear dark-toned as a result of a thin layer of black rock varnish that develops on rock surfaces enriched in manganese."



Southern Mauritania is part of the vast Sahelian region, which serves as a transitional zone between the Sahara Desert to the north and the more fertile savannahs of West Africa to the south.&nbsp;



The southern part of Mauritania is generally flatter and has a semi-arid climate. It receives more rainfall than the northern regions, but it's still quite sparse. The Senegal River, which forms the border between Mauritania and Senegal, is one of the major rivers in West Africa and is crucial for agriculture in this region.



The area around the Senegal River is the most agriculturally productive part of Mauritania. Rice, millet, and other grains are commonly cultivated. Fishing in the Senegal River is also a significant activity. Despite these resources, southern Mauritania remains relatively poor and underdeveloped.



The region is home to a mix of ethnic groups, including the Moors (both Arab-Berber Moors and Black Moors or Haratin) and various black African ethnic groups such as the Wolof, Pular (or Fulani), and Soninke.



Southern Mauritania faces a variety of challenges. Periodic droughts can devastate local agriculture. There are also socio-economic issues, including poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to education and healthcare.



The Diawling National Park, located in the southwest corner of Mauritania near the Senegal River, is one of the country's premier protected areas. The park is known for its birdlife and serves as an important wetland habitat.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Hills and sand dunes of southern Mauritania

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

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a false-color image of Lake Abbe in northeast Ethiopia. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.&nbsp;



"Visible as the large round dark area, Lake Abbe, also known as Lake Abhe, straddles the border of Ethiopia to the west and Djibouti to the east. The lake is 19 km wide and 17 km long and is extremely salty. It is dotted with clusters of steaming limestone chimneys and surrounded by large salt flats, visible in white, and rift volcanoes," says ESA.



"The biggest volcano in the image is Mount Dama Ali, a dormant 25-km-wide shield volcano that rises on the northwest shore of the lake."



"Lake Abbe and Lake Afambo, which is visible at the top of the image, are part of a chain of six connected salt lakes, fed by the Awash River - one of Ethiopia’s biggest rivers.'



Copernicus Sentinel-2’s near-infrared channel highlights vegetation in bright red. This strategy makes it easy to spot algal blooms, such as the one that is visible in Lake Abbe. According to ESA, the light blue color on the west shore indicates sediment discharged into the lake.



"Because of its dry, desert, almost lunar landscape and the steaming, sulphuric vents, Lake Abbe is considered one of the most inaccessible areas on Earth," says ESA. "Earth observation satellites are key in these cases as they are particularly relevant for monitoring remote regions such as this."



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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Lake Abbe in northeast Ethiopia

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features vibrantly colored water near the coastline of Vancouver Island.



"The colorful plumes - which are likely comprised of both phytoplankton and sediment - stood out in this image, acquired by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite on July 26," said NASA.



"Clouds covered much of Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia at the time of this image. But coastal areas were cloud-free, exposing water that likely contained flourishing populations of phytoplankton - floating plant-like organisms that are the foundation of the aquatic food web."



During the summer in the northeast Pacific Ocean, phytoplankton blooms are frequent due to offshore winds pushing surface waters away from the coast. This leads to the upwelling of cooler, nutrient-rich waters from the depths, which fuels the growth of phytoplankton.&nbsp;



The Salish Sea plays a significant role in supplying nutrients through its circulation and upwelling, enhancing phytoplankton productivity along the continental shelf near Vancouver Island. Additionally, the bloom may also be fueled by nutrient-rich sediment runoff from the coast.



Vancouver Island is known for its lush landscapes, including mountains, forests, and stunning coastlines. The island is also home to the city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.&nbsp;



Vancouver Island offers various outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing, including opportunities to see whales and bears. The island has a rich Indigenous history, which is reflected in many of its local arts and cultural exhibits



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Vibrant colors off the coast of Vancouver Island

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory </a>&nbsp;features a massive smoky storm cloud that developed over Northwestern Canada on September 16, 2023.



"For much of summer 2023, fires burned through boreal forests in northern British Columbia and Alberta, and in the South Slave Region of the Northwest Territories. The blazes triggered evacuations as they approached towns and unleashed plumes of smoke that occasionally dipped south into the United States," said NASA.



"In mid-September, strong winds from a passing cold front interacted with some of the fires to create a vast smoke-infused cloud spiral. The smoky storm, which spanned hundreds of kilometers, is visible in this image captured by the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on the NOAA-20 satellite."



Wind gusts as high as 40 miles per hour intensified the fires and created towering “fire clouds” called pyrocumulonimbus clouds, which boosted smoke up into the storm clouds.&nbsp;



“We see dozens of pyrocumulonimbus clouds each year, but this was an impressive event,” said Colin Seftor, an atmospheric scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.&nbsp;



Seftor monitors the spread of the airborne aerosols within wildfire smoke using the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite sensor on the NOAA-NASA Suomi NPP satellite.



“After the smoke was lofted up and entrained within the circulation of a passing low-pressure system, it resulted in the highest aerosol measurements we’ve seen this year,” said Seftor. “We did see two other smoke events in Canada in mid-August and early September, when aerosol index values were nearly as high,” he added.



Atmospheric scientist Hiren Jethva analyzed data collected by a lidar sensor on NASA’s ICESat-2 to measure the height of the smoke plume. “ICESat-2 data show a rising smoke cloud ranging from 6 to 11 kilometers,” he said.&nbsp;



According to NASA, scientists track smoke heights as part of a broader effort to understand how aerosols within wildfire smoke affect the radiation budget and climate when they form smoke layers above clouds.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Smoke-infused storm cloud over the Northwest Territories 

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory </a>&nbsp;features the port city of Derna on the northeastern coast of Libya, where heavy rainfall caused catastrophic flooding that killed thousands of people.&nbsp;



"On September 10 and 11, over 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season," explained NASA.



"Floods triggered two dams along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea."



The image was captured by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18. It shows the eroded banks of Wadi Derna, and muddy water off the coast.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna," said NASA.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Aftermath of catastrophic flooding in Derna, Libya

Kings Canyon National Park&nbsp;is an American&nbsp;national park&nbsp;in the southern&nbsp;Sierra Nevada, in&nbsp;Fresno&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tulare Counties,&nbsp;California. Originally established in 1890 as General Grant National Park, the park was greatly expanded and renamed to Kings Canyon National Park on March 4, 1940. The park's namesake, Kings Canyon, is a rugged&nbsp;glacier-carved valley more than a mile (1,600&nbsp;m) deep. Other natural features include multiple 14,000-foot (4,300&nbsp;m) peaks, high mountain meadows, swift-flowing rivers, and some of the world's largest stands of&nbsp;giant sequoia&nbsp;trees. Kings Canyon is north of and contiguous with&nbsp;Sequoia National Park, and both parks are jointly administered by the&nbsp;National Park Service&nbsp;as the&nbsp;Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.



There are fourteen campgrounds in these parks, including three that are open year-round. Campgrounds require reservations in advance, and sites are usually full.&nbsp;

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

Female,Friends,Drinking,Beer,At,Music,Festival

Rising global temperatures may be fueling an unexpected health crisis - an increase in hospital visits due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-alcohol-consumption-does-not-increase-risk-of-early-death/">alcohol</a> and drug-related disorders. A study conducted by scientists at <a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/">Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health</a> has shed light on this alarming connection.



The study is possibly the first of its kind, offering a comprehensive look into the relationship between escalating temperatures and a subsequent rise in hospital visits.



"Our work highlights how hospital visits from alcohol- and substance-related disorders are currently impacted by elevated temperatures and could be further affected by rising temperatures resulting from climate change," wrote the study authors.



"Enhanced social infrastructure and health system interventions could mitigate these impacts."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-and-drug-disorders-nbsp">Alcohol and drug disorders&nbsp;</h2>



In recent decades, the U.S. has witnessed a concerning surge in cases of binge drinking, alcohol-induced illnesses, and fatalities, particularly among middle-aged to older citizens. 



Furthermore, drug overdose deaths have increased more than five times since the end of the 20th century.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



For the study, the team analyzed data from over 671,625 alcohol- and 721,469 substance-related hospital admissions spanning two decades in New York State. This data was cross-referenced with daily temperatures and humidity levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



One of the significant revelations was the correlation between elevated temperatures and an increase in alcohol-related hospital admissions.&nbsp;



Possible explanations could include increased outdoor activities during pleasant weather, higher substance consumption, dehydration due to sweating, or a rise in DUI incidents.



For drug disorders involving cannabis, cocaine, opioids, and sedatives, a similar pattern was observed, but only up to a specific temperature - 65.8°F. The findings suggest that individuals might be less likely to venture outdoors beyond this temperature threshold.



“We saw that during periods of higher temperatures, there was a corresponding increase in hospital visits related to alcohol and substance use, which also brings attention to some less obvious potential consequences of climate change,” said study first author Dr. Robbie M. Parks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers note that their study may underestimate the link between temperature rise and substance use disorders because the most severe disorders may have resulted in deaths before a hospital visit was possible.&nbsp;



In subsequent research, scientists could investigate the potential correlation between the number of deaths and hospital admission records to get a fuller picture of a patient's medical trajectory.



Experts could also explore the effects of pre-existing health conditions aggravated by substance use in conjunction with soaring temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-interventions-nbsp">Public health interventions&nbsp;</h2>



"Our findings suggest that rising temperatures, including those caused by climate change, may influence hospital visits for alcohol and other drugs, emphasizing the need for appropriate and proportionate social and health interventions, as well as highlighting potential hidden burdens of climate change," wrote the researchers.



There is an urgent need for public health officials and scientists to lead initiatives like public awareness drives to educate communities about the risks posed by warmer temperatures on substance abuse.



“Public health interventions that broadly target alcohol and substance disorders in warmer weather - for example, targeted messaging on the risks of their consumption during warmer weather - should be a public health priority,” said study senior author Dr. Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43856-023-00346-1">Communications Medicine</a>.



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Rising temperatures may amplify alcohol and drug disorders

Rising global temperatures may be fueling an unexpected health crisis...

Reindeer,Roaming,On,Svalbard,Meadow

The Svalbard reindeer, among all reindeer subspecies, stands out for its high level of inbreeding and notably low genetic diversity.



Around 7,000 to 8,000 years ago, the first <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reindeer-slowing-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reindeers</a> made their journey to Svalbard, likely traversing from Russia via Novaya Zemlya and the islands of Franz Josef Land. Starting perhaps with just a handful, their arrival on the Arctic archipelago might seem a precarious foundation based on evolutionary theory. 



High inbreeding rates can lead to an accumulation of damaging genetic mutations which can cause disease and decrease survival rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-rapidly-to-extreme-environments">Adapting rapidly to extreme environments</h2>



Nicolas Dussex, a postdoctoral researcher from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/inh/department-of-natural-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(NTNU) Department of Natural History</a>, studied this phenomenon more closely. Dussex noted that despite these initial challenges, the Svalbard reindeer has not only survived but thrived. Their population now exceeds 20,000 animals. 



Dussex highlights their remarkable evolution to adapt to the extreme Arctic conditions. Compared to other northern reindeer and caribou subspecies, they are smaller, have shorter legs, can digest mosses in the absence of lichens, and can adjust their circadian rhythm to suit the drastic seasonal changes of Svalbard.



A collaborative research initiative involving NTNU and other institutions has delved deeper into the genetic makeup of the Svalbard reindeer. By examining genetic samples from 91 reindeer, the study aimed to uncover differences between them and their mainland relatives. 



Professor Michael D. Martin, from NTNU’s Department of Natural History, remarked on the valuable insights that can be gleaned from studying such isolated populations, especially considering the Svalbard reindeer's history of near extinction in the early 1900s due to excessive hunting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-staving-off-extinction-by-inbreeding">Staving off extinction by inbreeding</h2>



This near brush with extinction, resulting in only a few survivors, is termed as a 'bottleneck' in population biology. Such a scenario typically spells doom for a species due to increased inbreeding. 



However, this inbreeding might have a silver lining. Known as 'purging', this process can potentially help eliminate harmful mutations. As harmful mutations manifest more rapidly in inbred populations, affected offspring tend to reproduce less, ensuring these damaging genes are less likely to be passed on. Dussex pointed out the paradox that, in the long run, inbreeding can have positive effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parallels-found-in-other-animal-species">Parallels found in other animal species</h2>



The research also drew parallels with New Zealand's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-insights-will-help-protect-the-kakapo-parrot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kakapo parrots</a>, which, after a long period of isolation and inbreeding, showed signs of harmful genetic variants being eradicated from their population.



Brage Bremset Hansen, a senior researcher at NTNU and the <a href="https://www.nina.no/english/Home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian Institute for Nature Research</a>, emphasized the significance of these findings for population management and broader genetic studies. He cited the good genetic health of the Svalbard reindeer, despite the potential harmful mutations.



However, Dussex shared that there remain unanswered questions regarding the speed at which these mutations are counteracted, either over short spans of centuries or over millennia. This is a research area they're keen to expand upon, utilizing DNA samples from ancient bone remains and antlers.



Moreover, the team is also invested in understanding the beneficial mutations that have allowed the reindeer to thrive in Svalbard's unique environment. Researcher Mathilde Le Moullec has been instrumental in this, gathering most of the bone samples from across Svalbard.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overcoming-speed-of-climate-change">Overcoming speed of climate change</h2>



A looming threat to these reindeers, however, is the accelerating pace of climate change. As Svalbard faces some of the fastest climate change rates worldwide, there's uncertainty over the reindeer's adaptability to the altered conditions. The rapid transformations in snow cover and vegetation could pose significant challenges.



Hansen warned that the adaptability the reindeers showcased after initially colonizing the islands might not extend to the current fast-paced warming. Their diminished genetic variation could be a stumbling block.



This situation could reflect the struggles of many terrestrial animals limited in mobility, as they grapple with the swift and disruptive changes caused by global warming. Yet, Martin remains hopeful, suggesting that this research lays a foundation for a deeper understanding of species adaptation capabilities in ever-shifting environments.



The full study was published at <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(23)01888-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-inbreeding">More about inbreeding</h2>



Inbreeding, the mating of close relatives, is a phenomenon observed throughout the animal kingdom. It profoundly influences species' genetic diversity and evolutionary trajectory. 



Inbreeding acts as a double-edged sword. It can both accentuate detrimental mutations and, paradoxically, can lead to the purging of these harmful alleles from the gene pool. This then enhances a species' adaptation and survival.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Biodiversity Crisis</h3>



Inbreeding typically occurs when populations become isolated or decrease in size, leading to reduced genetic diversity. It increases homozygosity, whereby offspring inherit identical alleles from both parents. 



This genetic similarity often brings recessive, harmful mutations to the forefront, causing a range of genetic disorders and decreasing overall fitness and survival rates. 



Many species, including the cheetah and the giant panda, are witnessing the detrimental impacts of inbreeding. This is due to their shrinking, isolated populations, and habitat loss. Reduced genetic diversity makes these species more susceptible to diseases and decreases their ability to adapt to environmental changes.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Purging and beneficial mutations</h3>



Conversely, inbreeding can also be a mechanism for genetic refinement. As harmful mutations become more pronounced, individuals carrying these mutations are less likely to reproduce, gradually eliminating these deleterious alleles from the population. 



As mentioned previously, this process is known as 'purging' and can theoretically lead to more robust populations in the long run. Instances of inbreeding, such as seen in the Svalbard reindeer, illustrate how isolated populations can survive and even thrive despite high levels of inbreeding. They owe their survival to the elimination of harmful genetic variants over time.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Adaptive evolution</h3>



Inbreeding may also expedite the fixation of beneficial mutations within a population, thereby fostering adaptive evolution. 



When beneficial alleles arise, inbreeding can help spread these favorable traits quickly throughout the population. This allows the species to adapt more rapidly to their environment. 



This is particularly significant in isolated or newly established populations, where rapid adaptation can be crucial for survival.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Inbreeding management</h3>



Recognizing the complex impacts of inbreeding is vital for conservation efforts and biodiversity management. Scientists actively study inbreeding patterns and their consequences to devise strategies for maintaining genetic diversity within endangered populations. 



In many cases, interventions like translocations are utilized to introduce new genetic material into inbred populations. This process enhances their genetic health and adaptive potential. 



Zoos and wildlife conservation programs often employ careful breeding strategies to prevent inbreeding depression and maintain the genetic vigor of endangered species.



In summary, inbreeding plays a complex, dual role in the animal kingdom. While it often leads to a decline in genetic diversity and can bring harmful mutations to the forefront, it also provides a pathway for the elimination of these deleterious alleles and the amplification of beneficial ones, fostering adaptive evolution. 



A nuanced understanding of inbreeding and its impacts is crucial for the effective conservation and management of biodiversity in a rapidly changing world.



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Inbreeding can actually be beneficial for some species in the long run

The Svalbard reindeer, among all reindeer subspecies, stands out for...

A recent study from the <a href="https://uconn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Connecticut</a> has revealed that a moderate increase in daily walking can have significant health benefits for older adults with hypertension. 



The findings suggest that an increase of merely 3,000 steps a day can help reduce high blood pressure in this demographic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hypertension">Hypertension</h2>



High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a growing concern in the United States, with an alarming 80% of older adults being affected.&nbsp;



It's a precursor to various life-threatening conditions like heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes. The importance of maintaining a healthy blood pressure level cannot be overstated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effects-of-daily-walking">Effects of daily walking</h2>



Under the guidance of Linda Pescatello, a distinguished professor of kinesiology, and in collaboration with experts like Elizabeth Lefferts and Duck-chun Lee from Iowa State University, the team examined the effects of daily <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-is-a-powerful-tool-to-boost-brain-health-and-overall-well-being/">walking</a> on older adults with hypertension.&nbsp;



“We’ll all get high blood pressure if we live long enough, at least in this country,” said Pescatello. “That’s how prevalent it is.”



Pescatello is an expert on hypertension and exercise. Her previous research has demonstrated that exercise can have an immediate and long-lasting impact on blood pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The research was focused on sedentary individuals between 68 and 78, with an average daily step count of around 4,000.&nbsp;



After a review of existing literature, Lee set a goal of 3,000 additional steps, bringing their total daily steps to 7,000. This aligns with the guidelines set by the American College of Sports Medicine.



Interestingly, the study was conducted during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant that traditional, in-person methods were replaced with remote tools. Participants were equipped with pedometers, blood pressure monitors, and step diaries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The results were striking. There was an average reduction in participants’ systolic and diastolic blood pressure by seven and four points, respectively.&nbsp;



To put this into perspective, such reductions could potentially lead to an 11% decrease in the risk of mortality, a 16% reduction in cardiovascular mortality, an 18% lower risk of heart disease, and a 36% reduction in the risk of a stroke.



“It’s exciting that a simple lifestyle intervention can be just as effective as structured exercise and some medications,” said Lefferts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-pressure-medication">Blood pressure medication</h2>



What's even more encouraging is the fact that these reductions rival those achieved through anti-hypertensive medications.&nbsp;



Of the participants, eight were already on such medications but still witnessed an improvement in their systolic blood pressure by simply walking more.



“In a previous study, we found that when exercise is combined with medication, exercise bolsters the effects of blood pressure medication alone,” said Pescatello.&nbsp;



“It just speaks to the value of exercise as anti-hypertensive therapy. It’s not to negate the effects of medication at all, but it’s part of the treatment arsenal.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-every-step-counts">Every step counts</h2>



Furthermore, the experts concluded that the number of steps mattered more than the speed or continuity of walking.&nbsp;



“We saw that the volume of physical activity is what’s really important here, not the intensity,” said Pescatello. “Using the volume as a target, whatever fits in and whatever works conveys health benefits.”



While this was a pilot study, the results are promising and highlight the undeniable power of physical activity, even if it's just walking.



The research is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcdd10080317" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease</a>.



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3,000 extra steps per day lowers blood pressure in older adults

A recent study from the University of Connecticut has revealed...

Healthy,Food,In,Heart,Diet,Concept,With,Stethoscope

In the relentless pursuit to enhance public health and curb escalating healthcare costs, experts are advocating the integration of targeted food and nutrition strategies into the national healthcare system. Educating the public that "food is medicine" would be incredibly beneficial to the health care system and human health in general.



A <a href="https://tuftsfoodismedicine.org/true-cost-fim-case-study-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comprehensive report</a> released today from the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University delineates the myriad health and economic benefits of such an approach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-nutritional-intervention">Benefits of nutritional intervention</h2>



The report, titled “The True Cost of Food: Food is Medicine Case Study”, elucidates the multifaceted benefits stemming from <a href="https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/initiative/food-is-medicine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food is Medicine</a> (FIM) efforts. These are defined as nutritional interventions within the healthcare system aimed at treating or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-diet-may-save-your-life-six-key-foods-lower-the-risk-of-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preventing</a> chronic diet-related diseases. 



The focus is not solely on amplifying nutritional uptake and enhancing health outcomes but also on alleviating food insecurity and propelling health equity forward.



Research indicates that FIM strategies, such as <a href="https://www.fimcoalition.org/our-model" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medically Tailored Meals</a> (MTMs), can play a pivotal role in averting nearly 1.6 million hospitalizations if nationally implemented in Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance schemes. 



This is especially true for patients grappling with diet-related conditions and constrained in performing daily living activities. Incorporating FIM strategies will not only cut the work for hospitals, but also lead to an estimated net saving of $13.6 billion in healthcare costs in the first year post-implementation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-augmenting-health">Augmenting health</h2>



Moreover, the initiation of produce prescription programs at a national level for patients battling diabetes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-infections-are-threatening-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food insecurity</a> has the potential to prevent around 292,000 cardiovascular events. This would ultimately result in an additional 260,000 quality-adjusted life years. 



The approach proves to be highly cost-effective from a health perspective, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $18,100/quality-adjusted life years. It also saves societal costs, registering a net savings of $-0.05 billion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-untold-impact-of-food-is-medicine">The untold impact of Food is Medicine</h2>



Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, the report’s senior author, a renowned cardiologist, and Director of the <a href="https://foodasmedicineinstitute.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food is Medicine Institute</a>, emphasized the profound impact FIM interventions can have on the escalating death toll, which is around 10,000 weekly in the U.S, and the colossal $1.1 trillion spent annually due to poor diets affecting healthcare and productivity. 



Mozaffarian mentioned, “Today’s report further underscores the profound significance of FIM interventions such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions, amalgamated with enhanced nutrition education for medical practitioners and insurance coverage for nutritional counseling spearheaded by a qualified dietitian."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comprehensive-approach">Comprehensive approach</h2>



This report underscores the pressing need to exploit the potential of FIM to its fullest. The research team proposed myriad national policy solutions focusing on the enhancement of infrastructure, creation of opportunities and funding, and bolstering of the <a href="https://www.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United States Department of Agriculture</a> nutrition programs.



Devon Klatell, Vice President, Food Initiative at The Rockefeller Foundation, accentuated the importance of comprehending the real costs of our food system, encompassing environmental, occupational, and health impacts, which are often overlooked. 



Klatell said, “This report can guide governments, corporations, and consumers in appreciating the worth of Food is Medicine interventions by contemplating not merely the price of food but also the return on investment in upgraded health outcomes."



In summary, the Food is Medicine initiative posits a revolutionary approach in intertwining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-in-nutrition-science-dna-barcoding-reveals-dietary-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrition science</a> with healthcare strategies, offering promise in improving quality of life, reducing hospital workloads, and cutting healthcare costs. 



It’s a call to action for governments, corporations, and consumers to reconsider food values and to embrace nutritional interventions for the betterment of public health and societal well-being. With concerted efforts from all sectors, the potential of Food is Medicine interventions can be unlocked, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable society.



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Food is Medicine education could save millions of lives and billions of dollars

In the relentless pursuit to enhance public health and curb...

In a study recently published by <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State University</a>, scientists have found that earthworms play a substantial role in the global production of grains and legumes.&nbsp;



According to the research, earthworms contribute to 6.5% of the worldwide grain yield, which is roughly equivalent to the annual cereal grain production of Russia, the fourth-largest producer globally.



“This is the first effort that I’m aware of that’s trying to take one piece of soil biodiversity and say, ‘OK, this is the value of it; this is what it’s giving us on a global scale,’” said study lead author Dr. Steven Fonte.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earthworms-boost-plant-productivity-nbsp">Earthworms boost plant productivity&nbsp;</h2>



Earthworms promote healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-diversity-increases-carbon-storage-in-forest-soils/">soils</a> in different ways. They enhance soil structure, optimize water retention, and enrich the soil by churning organic matter, making essential nutrients more accessible to plants.&nbsp;



In fact, the presence of earthworms has been linked to a surge in plant productivity by an estimated 25 percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The research was conducted by Dr. Fonte, Professor Nathan Mueller, and Marian Hsieh, a doctoral student at CSU.&nbsp;



The team arrived at these figures by analyzing various data, including maps that highlight earthworm abundance, soil attributes, fertilizer usage, and crop yields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grain-production-nbsp">Grain production&nbsp;</h2>



One particularly fascinating revelation was the pronounced influence of earthworms in the grain production of the global south.&nbsp;



Earthworms contribute to 10 percent of the grain yield in Sub-Saharan Africa and eight percent in Latin America and the Caribbean.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earthworm-contribution">Earthworm contribution</h2>



It’s likely the earthworms contributed more in those areas because farmers there tend to have less access to fertilizer and pesticides, explained Dr. Fonte.&nbsp;



Instead, they rely more on earthworm-rich organic matter like manure and crop residues, which help stimulate the beneficial effect earthworms have on plants. “Earthworms are contributing a lot in these areas where we have fewer chemical inputs."&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soil-biodiversity-nbsp">Soil biodiversity&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Fonte noted that soil biodiversity has historically been undervalued, and he hopes this work will bring more attention to how healthy soils can have positive, tangible impacts on crops.  &nbsp;



 “If we manage our soils in a more sustainable way, we can better harness or leverage this biodiversity and produce more sustainable agroecosystems,” said Dr. Fonte. “This work highlights that potential.” &nbsp;



Dr. Fonte also noted that other recent research has shown that soils contain as much as half the world’s biodiversity, a significant increase from previous estimates of approximately 25 percent.&nbsp;



“Soils are just such an intricate habitat,” he said. “But there’s really been very few efforts to understand what that biodiversity means to our global crop yields.”  &nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



According to Dr. Fonte, insights from this study could also have implications in future efforts to mitigate drought and erosion. For example, he said, earthworms can improve soil porosity, aiding in the beneficial capture and retention of water.  



The researchers emphasized that they are not advocating for anyone to transplant earthworms into places they do not already exist.&nbsp;



Dr. Fonte hopes this work shows how improved management of soil biology in places where earthworms already call home has the potential to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce our reliance on agrochemicals. He said the study marks an important first step.



 



“Soils are still this huge, big black box that we don’t fully understand,” said Dr. Fonte. “This work helps show that there’s a lot of opportunity that we’re just kind of ignoring. There are probably other soil organisms that are even more important, especially microbial communities.” &nbsp;



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41286-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Earthworms are important drivers of global food production

In a study recently published by Colorado State University, scientists...

Climate change is a pressing global concern that is pushing various plant and animal species towards the brink of extinction. A new study from <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/">UCLA</a> is focused on the survival of redwoods and oaks that thrive on California’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activity-impacts-97-percent-of-the-worlds-coastline/">coastline</a> and coastal mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-climate-crisis-nbsp">The climate crisis&nbsp;</h2>



California's iconic redwoods and oaks face increasing challenges due to alterations in temperatures and rainfall patterns that are associated with human-caused climate change. Many of these species are currently teetering on the edge of their endurance limits.



Identifying suitable new habitats will soon become a matter of life or death for some California native species, noted study senior author Professor Lawren Sack. But if those trees could talk, where would they say they wanted to live?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-the-language-of-plants">Decoding the language of plants</h2>



Professor Sack and his team of UCLA biologists sought answers within the plants themselves.&nbsp;



Their research unraveled a "language" embedded in the leaves and woody stems of plants, indicating their optimal habitats.&nbsp;



This discovery holds promise for conservationists to better locate new regions for plant relocation and provide more effective protection for their existing habitats.



Traditionally, determining the best environment for plants was primarily based on their current habitats. This approach often falls short, especially in places like California where agriculture, industrialization, and urbanization have reshaped the natural habitats.&nbsp;



In addition, climate change further complicates the relocation of these species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-scientific-model">New scientific model</h2>



The study, which is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14422">Functional Ecology</a>, used a statistical model to estimate the preferred climatic conditions for various plant species.&nbsp;



This estimation is derived from several plant parameters, such as height, leaf composition, wilting point, and wood density.



The model does not just reveal what conditions the plant can tolerate, but pinpoints the climate it prefers. This can provide vital information about how well-matched a plant is with its native environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-a-plant-prefers-to-live">Where a plant prefers to live</h2>



“Plant species can directly reveal to us their climate preference and their vulnerability to potential climate change in the ‘language’ of their leaves and wood,” said Professor Sack.



“Now that we know this, if you give us a leaf and a piece of wood, we can give a good scientific prediction of where the plant prefers to live."



“We are tuning in to what the plants are telling us about their preferences, in the language of their tissues and physiology, aiming to help them survive escalating climate challenges.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



Professor Sack collaborated with UCLA postdoctoral scholar Camila Medeiros and an international team of researchers.&nbsp;



The team analyzed 10 distinct leaf and wood traits from more than 100 species in a range of environments mostly within the University of California Natural Reserve System.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-variety-of-ecosystems-nbsp">Variety of ecosystems&nbsp;</h2>



The variety of ecosystems that were analyzed included desert, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, montane wet forest, mixed riparian woodland and mixed conifer broadleaf forest. These types of ecosystems cover about 70% of California’s land area.



“The correspondence of leaf and wood traits with species’ climates is striking,” said Medeiros.&nbsp;



For example, species native to warmer, drier climates tend to be shorter in stature, with thicker and denser leaves and lower wilting points - traits that enable them to continue photosynthesis when water is scarce and to grow faster when water is more readily available.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-physiology-and-climate-nbsp">Plant physiology and climate&nbsp;</h2>



“The reflection of species’ preferred climate in their wood and leaves evidently arose from millennia of evolution that matched plant physiology to climate across California,” said Medeiros.&nbsp;



“We also found that many plants in the ecosystems we sampled were occupying locations that differed in climate from what we estimated to be their optimal niche."&nbsp;



"As climate change ensues, we think this will tend to aggravate the sensitivity of many species, including common trees like the California buckeye and shrubs like the purple sage and California lilacs.”



The study is the first of its kind to determine whether plants’ functional traits can be used to accurately predict their climate preferences.



“Some previous studies analyzed individual approaches one by one, but our study was new in simultaneously applying all of them, and this gave us unprecedented predictive power,” said Medeiros.



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Plants have a way of telling us what climate they can survive in

Climate change is a pressing global concern that is pushing...

A team of astronomers led by the <a href="https://www.umontreal.ca/">University of Montréal</a> (UdeM) has recently made significant advancements in understanding the mysterious TRAPPIST-1 exoplanetary system, which was first discovered in 2016 and has sparked speculation regarding its potential to host human life.



Published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/acf7c4">Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>, the findings by astronomers at UdeM’s <a href="https://exoplanetes.umontreal.ca/en/">Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets</a> (iREx) and colleagues in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S. have shed light on the complex interplay between stellar activity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-class-of-exoplanets-discovered/">exoplanet</a> characteristics, underscoring the importance of parent stars in studying exoplanets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potentially-habitable-planets">Potentially habitable planets</h2>



Located about 40 light-years away from Earth, TRAPPIST-1 is a star much smaller and cooler than our sun.&nbsp;



The star has captured the attention of scientists and space enthusiasts alike with its seven Earth-sized exoplanets, three of which are within its habitable zone, fueling hopes of finding potentially habitable environments beyond our solar system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



The research, led by iREx doctoral student Olivia Lim, employed the powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe TRAPPIST-1 b, the exoplanet orbiting closest to the system’s star.&nbsp;



Their observations were collected as part of the largest Canadian-led General Observers (GO) program during the JWST’s first year of operations, which also included observations of three other planets in the system, TRAPPIST-1 c, g, and h, using the Canadian-made NIRISS instrument aboard the JWST.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-spectroscopic-observations">First spectroscopic observations</h2>



“These are the very first spectroscopic observations of any TRAPPIST-1 planet obtained by the JWST, and we’ve been waiting for them for years,” said Lim, the GO program’s principal investigator.



The experts used transmission spectroscopy to peer deeper into this distant world. By analyzing the central star’s light after it has passed through the exoplanet’s atmosphere during a transit, astronomers can identify the unique fingerprint left behind by the molecules and atoms found within that atmosphere.



“This is just a small subset of many more observations of this unique planetary system yet to come and to be analyzed,” said co-author René Doyon, the principal investigator of the NIRISS instrument. “These first observations highlight the power of NIRISS and the JWST in general to probe the thin atmospheres around rocky planets.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stellar-contamination-nbsp">Stellar contamination&nbsp;</h2>



A key finding of the study was the significant role of stellar activity and contamination in determining the nature of an exoplanet.&nbsp;



Stellar contamination refers to the influence of the star’s own features, such as dark spots and bright faculae, on the measurements of the exoplanet’s atmosphere.&nbsp;



The scientists found compelling evidence that stellar contamination plays a crucial role in shaping the transmission spectra of TRAPPIST-1 b and, likely, the other planets in the system.&nbsp;



This contamination can create “ghost signals” that may fool the observer into thinking they have detected a particular molecule in the exoplanet’s atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signatures-of-stellar-activity">Signatures of stellar activity</h2>



“In addition to the contamination from stellar spots and faculae, we saw a stellar flare, an unpredictable event during which the star looks brighter for several minutes or hours,” said Lim.&nbsp;



“This flare affected our measurement of the amount of light blocked by the planet. Such signatures of stellar activity are difficult to model but we need to account for them to ensure that we interpret the data correctly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



These findings highlight the importance of considering stellar contamination when planning future observations of all exoplanetary systems, particularly for systems like TRAPPIST-1, which is centered around a red dwarf star known for being particularly active with starspots and frequent flare events.



Based on the collected JWST observations, Lim and her team explored a range of atmospheric models for TRAPPIST-1 b, examining various possible compositions and scenarios. They found they could confidently rule out the existence of cloud-free, hydrogen-rich atmospheres, indicating that there appears to be no clear, extended atmosphere around TRAPPIST-1 b.&nbsp;



However, the data could not confidently exclude thinner atmospheres composed of pure water, carbon dioxide, or methane, nor an atmosphere similar to that of Titan, a moon of Saturn with its own atmosphere.



These results are consistent with previous JWST observations of TRAPPIST-1 b and confirm that Canada’s NIRISS instrument is a highly performing, sensitive tool able to probe atmospheres on Earth-sized exoplanets at impressive levels.



Image Credit: Benoît Gougeon, Université de Montréal



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JWST provides new insights into a distant star and its exoplanets

A team of astronomers led by the University of Montréal...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.



In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;



According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;



Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. 



Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.



Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

Sawtooth National Forest&nbsp;is a&nbsp;National Forest&nbsp;that covers 2,110,408 acres (854,052 ha) in the&nbsp;U.S. states&nbsp;of&nbsp;Idaho&nbsp;(~96 percent) and&nbsp;Utah&nbsp;(~4 percent). Managed by the&nbsp;U.S. Forest Service&nbsp;in the&nbsp;U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sawtooth National Forest offers facilities for recreation, with four ski areas,&nbsp;whitewater&nbsp;and&nbsp;flatwater&nbsp;boating, hunting, 81 campgrounds, and over 1,000&nbsp;mi (1,600&nbsp;km) of trails and roads for&nbsp;hiking,&nbsp;mountain biking, and&nbsp;all-terrain vehicle&nbsp;use, including two&nbsp;National Recreation Trails.&nbsp;



Sawtooth offers cabins, campgrounds, and dispersed camping. See the US Forest Service for more information.&nbsp;