Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Tropical Cyclone Sean, which brought record-breaking rainfall to the Pilbara region of Western Australia.



“On January 17, 2025, a tropical low formed over the Indian Ocean off Western Australia. By January 19, the storm had strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Sean - the second tropical cyclone of Australia’s 2024–2025 season,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/153852/tropical-cyclone-sean-lashes-western-australia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



“The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this image at about 10 a.m. local time (02:00 Universal Time) on January 20, 2025. Later that afternoon, the cyclone had reached its peak strength as a Category 4 storm.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-tropical-cyclone-sean-nbsp">Impacts of Tropical Cyclone Sean&nbsp;</h2>



Despite not making landfall, Sean's proximity to the coast brought record-breaking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-is-increasingly-unpredictable-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a> and strong winds to the Pilbara region. Karratha experienced its heaviest recorded daily rainfall of 10.8 inches in a 24-hour period. 



According to NASA, the storm flooded roads and homes, damaged power infrastructure, and prompted the closure of several ports.&nbsp;



“However, the storm also brought some relief from hot and humid conditions, according to news reports. Looking ahead, the abundant water could aid cattle station managers, allowing them to return their animals to grazing," noted NASA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-australia-s-tropical-cyclone-season">Australia's tropical cyclone season</h2>



Australia's tropical cyclone season typically peaks from November to April, coinciding with the warmer months in the Southern Hemisphere. This period is characterized by increased atmospheric instability and warm <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-are-substantially-changing-the-seasons-of-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea surface temperatures</a> - both of which are essential for cyclone formation. 



The region includes the waters surrounding northern Australia, encompassing the Indian Ocean, Coral Sea, and the Timor Sea.



Cyclones during this season can vary in intensity, ranging from low-category systems that bring heavy rainfall and minor winds to severe storms with destructive winds, storm surges, and extensive flooding.&nbsp;



The northern regions of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland are most affected, with the Pilbara Coast being particularly vulnerable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cyclone-impacts-in-australia-nbsp">Cyclone impacts in Australia&nbsp;</h2>



The impacts of these cyclones are diverse. Coastal areas often face significant storm surges, where sea levels rise and flood low-lying areas.&nbsp;



Cyclones can lead to widespread <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flooding</a>, particularly when systems move slowly or interact with other weather patterns. Wind damage to infrastructure, homes, and vegetation is also a common concern. 



Cyclones provide much-needed rainfall to some areas, replenishing water supplies and sustaining ecosystems, but they can also cause severe disruptions to communities and industries, such as agriculture and mining.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-cyclone-activity">Monitoring cyclone activity</h2>



Australia uses advanced monitoring and forecasting systems to track cyclones, issuing timely warnings through the Bureau of Meteorology. These systems are vital for mitigating risks and aiding in disaster preparedness.&nbsp;



Community awareness campaigns and evacuation plans further help to minimize the loss of life and property during cyclone events.



Climate patterns such as La Niña and El Niño also influence cyclone activity. La Niña years typically bring more frequent and intense cyclones due to warmer waters around northern Australia, while El Niño years may suppress cyclone development.&nbsp;



Australia's preparedness for cyclones is supported by resilient building codes, emergency management practices, and community education. However, the increasing complexity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-experience-more-rainfall-than-surrounding-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urbanization</a> and environmental challenges requires ongoing adaptation to reduce the vulnerability of affected regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-cyclones">Climate change and cyclones</h2>



Recent research suggests that climate change could alter the dynamics of cyclone activity, potentially increasing the intensity of these storms even as their overall frequency may decline. This trend is primarily attributed to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pacific-ocean-temperatures-highest-in-650-years-greatly-harming-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming of ocean waters</a>, which provides more energy to fuel cyclones. 



Warmer sea surface temperatures can lead to more moisture in the atmosphere, intensifying the rainfall associated with these storms and amplifying their destructive potential. In addition, higher ocean heat content can result in stronger wind speeds, making cyclones more severe and capable of causing extensive damage to coastal and inland areas.



Furthermore, shifts in atmospheric circulation patterns driven by climate change could influence the regions where cyclones form and make landfall. 



For example, some studies predict that the tropics may see a slight contraction, pushing cyclone activity closer to subtropical regions. This shift could expose new areas to significant storm risks, particularly those less equipped to handle such events.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Tropical Cyclone Sean brings record rainfall to Australia 

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a Copernicus Sentinel-2 photograph of Lake Maracaibo, located in the northwestern part of Venezuela. The lake is a significant geographical and ecological feature of South America. 



Lake Maracaibo is often considered more of a tidal bay due to its direct connection to the Caribbean Sea through the Tablazo Strait. It is one of the oldest lakes on Earth, formed approximately 36 million years ago.



"With an area of over 13,000 sq km, Lake Maracaibo is generally considered the largest lake in South America, although by some estimates it should be considered an inlet of the Caribbean Sea since much of its water is brought in by its direct connection to the ocean," explained <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



"As a result, the water in the northern part of the lake is rather brackish, while the southern waters are fresh, owing to the many rivers that flow into the lake. The biggest, the Catatumbo River, can be seen entering the lake from southwest, where a large amount of sediment carried by the river appears as a yellowish plume."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-catatumbo-lightning">The Catatumbo lightning</h2>



The lake is renowned for a unique weather phenomenon - the Catatumbo lightning. This natural spectacle occurs primarily where the Catatumbo River meets the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-has-affected-almost-every-lake-in-north-america/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake</a>.



Known as the most persistent lightning storm in the world, it produces frequent and dramatic flashes of lightning, illuminating the night sky for an average of 260 nights per year.



These storms generate thousands of lightning strikes in a single night, making the region one of the most electrified places on the planet. 



The phenomenon is so intense that it has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the place with the highest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-on-earth-can-influence-the-weather-in-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lightning</a> activity.



Scientists believe the lightning is influenced by the area's geography and climate, including the warm air rising from the lake and its surrounding mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economical-significance-of-lake-maracaibo">Economical significance of Lake Maracaibo </h2>



Home to one of the world's largest oil and gas reserves, Lake Maracaibo plays an important role in Venezuela’s economy.



The discovery of petroleum in the early 20th century transformed the region into a major oil-producing area, leading to the establishment of numerous oil rigs and platforms. 



However, this economic activity has come at a cost. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-of-the-worlds-largest-lakes-are-losing-their-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pollution</a> from oil spills, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff has significantly degraded the lake's ecosystem.



The appearance of a green, slimy algae known as Lemna has further exacerbated environmental concerns, threatening marine life and the livelihoods of local communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-ties-to-lake-maracaibo">Cultural ties to Lake Maracaibo </h2>



The cultural significance of Lake Maracaibo is deeply rooted in the traditions and lifestyle of the Indigenous Añu people, who have inhabited its shores for centuries. The Añu, also known as Paraujano, are known for their distinctive stilt houses, called palafitos.



These wooden structures are built directly over the water, connected by walkways or small boats, allowing the Añu to live harmoniously with their aquatic environment. The architectural style of these stilt houses inspired the early Spanish explorers to nickname the region "The Venice of the Americas."



The Añu's way of life is closely tied to the lake. They rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-fishing-must-be-redefined-to-halt-ocean-destruction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fishing</a> as a primary source of food and income, using traditional methods passed down through generations.



For the Añu, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-significantly-impacts-lake-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake</a> is more than a resource - it is the spiritual and cultural foundation of their identity and daily lives. However, modernization and environmental challenges have disrupted this traditional lifestyle. 



The oil industry’s expansion around Lake Maracaibo has led to significant environmental degradation, which threaten the lake's biodiversity and the Añu’s primary sources of sustenance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lake-maracaibo-and-venezuelan-history">Lake Maracaibo and Venezuelan history</h2>



Lake Maracaibo also played a pivotal role in Venezuelan history, particularly during the Battle of Lake Maracaibo in 1823. 



This naval battle was a decisive conflict in Venezuela’s war for independence from Spain and marked one of the final military engagements of the South American liberation movements led by figures like Simón Bolívar.



Today, the lake represents a remarkable blend of natural beauty, industrial significance, and cultural heritage. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-conservation-efforts">Ongoing conservation efforts </h2>



The need to protect the extraordinary environment of Lake Maracaibo is widely acknowledged. Ongoing efforts aim to harmonize ecological conservation with economic development.



Efforts to preserve the Añu culture and the lake's ecosystem have been initiated by local and international organizations. These initiatives focus on promoting sustainable development, preserving Indigenous languages and traditions, and mitigating the environmental damage caused by industrial activities. 



Despite these challenges, the Añu have shown remarkable resilience, maintaining their cultural identity and advocating for their rights and the health of their ancestral lands.



Image Credit: ESA



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Lake Maracaibo: The lightning capital of the world

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features an incredible image of the Crab Nebula in bright neon colors. 



“The unusual image was produced by combining data from telescopes spanning nearly the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to X-rays,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.&nbsp;



Colored in red, the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) provided information about the nebula gathered in the radio regime.



NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope took infrared images, which appear yellow, while the NASA/ESA <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-captures-another-cosmic-masterpiece-in-galaxy-ngc-2217/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble</a> Space Telescope provided images made in optical wavelengths, colored in green.&nbsp;



Blue colors represent ultraviolet observations made by ESA’s XMM-Newton telescope, and the purple colors are X-ray radiation data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-about-the-crab-nebula-nbsp">About the Crab Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



The Crab Nebula, located in the constellation Taurus, contains the remnants of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova explosion</a> first observed on Earth in 1054 AD. This explosion was recorded by Chinese astronomers and possibly by Native American rock art.&nbsp;



The nebula spans about 11 light-years across and lies approximately 6,500 light-years away from Earth. It is one of the most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unraveling-the-mysterious-origins-of-the-crab-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studied objects</a> in the sky, largely due to its status as a bright and dynamic supernova remnant.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-crab-pulsar">The Crab Pulsar</h2>



The Crab Nebula contains a pulsar at its center, which is a rapidly rotating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slow-spinning-neutron-star-completely-defies-our-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neutron star</a> that emits pulses of radiation. This pulsar, known as the Crab Pulsar, spins about 30 times per second and is a significant source of gamma rays and other forms of high-energy radiation.&nbsp;



The nebula itself is a complex structure of filaments and synchrotron radiation. The filaments are remnants of the original star's outer layers, while the synchrotron radiation emerges from electrons spiraling in the magnetic fields produced by the pulsar.



“Surrounding the pulsar lies a mix of material; some of it was originally expelled from the star before it went supernova, and the rest was ejected during the explosion itself,” explained ESA.&nbsp;



“Fast-moving winds of particles fly off from the neutron star, energizing the dust and gas around it. These different layers and intricacies of the nebula can be observed in all of the different wavelengths of light.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crab-nebula-observations">Crab Nebula observations </h2>



Throughout its history, the Crab Nebula has provided critical insights into the processes of stellar death, the behavior of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pulsars-are-helping-astronomers-pinpoint-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pulsars</a>, and the mechanics of supernova remnants.&nbsp;



Its continuous observation has revealed changes over time, such as the expansion of its filaments and variations in its brightness, offering a dynamic laboratory for astrophysical studies.



Overall, the Crab Nebula is a highly energetic and object, providing valuable insights into the processes following a supernova explosion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-facts-about-nebulae">Fascinating facts about nebulae</h2>



Nebulae are some of the most breathtaking and intriguing structures in the universe. They are vast clouds of gas and dust, often considered stellar nurseries where new stars are born. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colors-of-nebulae">Colors of nebulae </h3>



One of the most fascinating aspects of nebulae is their ability to glow in different colors. This occurs because they either reflect the light of nearby stars or emit light due to the ionization of gases within them, particularly hydrogen. 



Some nebulae, like the famous Orion Nebula, are visible to the naked eye and serve as one of the nearest regions of active star formation.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planetary-nebulae">Planetary nebulae </h3>



Stars are born in dense regions of nebulae, and when they die, some will expel their outer layers, creating stunning structures known as planetary nebulae. The colorful clouds left behind can shine brightly for thousands of years. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massive-size">Massive size</h3>



Another amazing fact is that some nebulae are so vast that light can take years to travel from one side to the other, stretching across hundreds of light-years.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-remnants">Star remnants </h3>



Perhaps even more mind-boggling is the fact that nebulae are the remnants of previous generations of stars. Supernova explosions of massive stars can create these glowing clouds of gas and dust, seeding the cosmos with the elements necessary for the formation of new stars and planets.



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, G. Dubner (IAFE, CONICET-University of Buenos Aires) et al.; A. Loll et al.; T. Temim et al.; F. Seward et al.; VLA/NRAO/AUI/NSF; Chandra/CXC; Spitzer/JPL-Caltech; XMM-Newton/ESA; and Hubble/STScI



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Crab Nebula: The remains of a massive star explosion

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 6744 - a large, barred spiral galaxy located approximately 30 million light-years away in the constellation Pavo.&nbsp;



The galaxy is often considered a close analog to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uma3-u1-faintest-star-system-found-orbiting-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> due to its similar structure and size, spanning about 175,000 light-years across.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-euclid-space-mission-nbsp">Euclid space mission&nbsp;</h2>



The image was captured by the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid</a> space telescope. NGC 6744 stands out as a prime example of the galaxies currently forming the majority of stars in the nearby universe, making it an ideal subject for study with the Euclid mission.&nbsp;



Euclid’s extensive field-of-view allows it to capture the entire galaxy, showcasing not only its large-scale spiral structure but also revealing intricate details on smaller scales across various wavelengths. These details include feather-like dust lanes, known as “spurs,” emerging from the spiral arms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-6744">Star formation in NGC 6744</h2>



Euclid's observations enable scientists to count individual stars within NGC 6744, trace the distribution of stars and dust throughout the galaxy, and map the dust associated with the gas that fuels the development of new stars. 



<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 a key process in the growth of galaxies, making these studies crucial for understanding galaxy evolution.



Researchers are utilizing Euclid’s data to explore the relationship between dust, gas, and star formation; to map the distribution of different stellar populations and identify regions of active star formation; and to investigate the underlying physics of spiral galaxy structures.&nbsp;



Spiral arms play a significant role in star formation by compressing gas, yet the precise mechanisms behind this process are still unclear. The presence of “spurs” along NGC 6744’s spiral arms offers valuable insights into the dynamics of star formation within these structures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-new-dwarf-galaxies-nbsp">Discovering new dwarf galaxies&nbsp;</h2>



Additionally, Euclid's dataset will help scientists identify clusters of old stars (globular clusters) and discover new dwarf galaxies around NGC 6744. Remarkably, Euclid has already identified a new dwarf satellite galaxy of NGC 6744 - a surprising discovery given that the galaxy has been studied extensively.



With Euclid’s detailed observations, scientists are gaining a deeper understanding of the processes shaping galaxies, providing essential clues to the evolution and appearance of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universes-expansion-rate-hubble-tension-puzzles-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-ngc-6744">More about NGC 6744</h2>



NGC 6744's disk is rich in star-forming regions and contains numerous young, bright blue stars. The galaxy's nucleus is slightly elongated and has a bar structure, which influences the motion of the stars and gas within it.&nbsp;



The spiral arms of NGC 6744 are well-defined and extend outward, wrapping around the central bar. Additionally, NGC 6744 has a smaller companion galaxy, NGC 6744A, which is interacting with it, adding to the complexity and interest of this distant system.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiral-galaxies">Spiral galaxies</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-mesmerizing-beauty-of-spiral-galaxies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spiral galaxies</a> are one of the most common types of galaxies in the universe, characterized by their distinct, spiral-shaped structure.&nbsp;



The galaxies typically consist of a flat, rotating disk containing stars, gas, and dust, along with a central concentration of stars known as the bulge. This bulge is often surrounded by a halo of older stars.&nbsp;



The spiral arms, which extend from the central bulge, are regions of active star formation and are rich in young, hot stars, giving them a bright, bluish appearance.&nbsp;



These arms are also sites where interstellar gas and dust are concentrated, leading to the formation of new stars.&nbsp;



Spiral galaxies are classified into different types based on the tightness of their spirals and the size of their central bulge, with classifications ranging from tightly wound arms in Sa galaxies to more loosely wound arms in Sc galaxies. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-amount-of-dark-matter-may-be-missing-from-the-milky-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, our home galaxy, is a prime example of a spiral galaxy.



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



Pavo, which means "peacock" in Latin, is a constellation in the southern sky. It was named by the Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius in the late 16th century, based on observations made during the Dutch explorations of the southern hemisphere. 



Pavo is one of the 12 constellations created by Plancius from the records of explorers Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman. 



The constellation is known for its distinctive shape, resembling a peacock with a long, curved tail. Pavo is not visible from most of the northern hemisphere, but it can be seen from the southern hemisphere, particularly during the winter months.



The constellation contains several interesting celestial objects, including the star Peacock, also known as Alpha Pavonis, which is the brightest star in the constellation. This star is a blue-white subgiant located about 179 light-years from Earth.



Image Credit: <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA&nbsp;



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Spiral galaxy NGC 6744 in the constellation Pavo

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the Fedchenko Glacier in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan. It is one of the world's longest glaciers outside of the polar regions.&nbsp;



“An astronaut aboard the International Space Station took this photo of glaciers in the high-elevation valleys of the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia. The upper portion of Fedchenko Glacier crosses the center of the scene.”



NASA noted that most of the larger glaciers in the image show a prominent pattern of light- and dark-brown parallel lines.&nbsp;



“The darker ‘streamlines,’ known as medial moraines, give a sense of the direction of flow of the ice down the valleys. These are concentrations of debris that has been eroded by the glacier from the adjacent mountainsides or a rocky outcrop,” said NASA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fedchenko-a-high-altitude-glacier">Fedchenko: A high-altitude glacier</h2>



Fedchenko Glacier stretches for approximately 48 miles and covers an area of around 270 square miles. This massive glacier is a critical source of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellites-reveal-a-sudden-drop-in-global-freshwater-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">freshwater</a>, feeding several rivers and influencing the region's hydrology.



Fedchenko Glacier lies at high altitudes, with its origins in the high peaks of the Pamirs, where snow accumulates heavily. Despite being situated in a relatively arid region, the glacier's significant size and volume are maintained by substantial snowfall.&nbsp;



Named after Alexei Pavlovich Fedchenko, a Russian explorer and naturalist, the glacier was first surveyed in 1928 during Soviet-era expeditions. It plays a crucial role in climate studies, as changes in its length and mass provide insights into the effects of global warming in Central Asia.&nbsp;



The glacier is also part of a spectacular and remote landscape, surrounded by towering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-preferred-the-mountains-and-it-changed-our-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountains</a> and rugged terrain, making it a key feature of the Pamirs' natural beauty.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-glaciers-worldwide">Threats to glaciers worldwide</h2>



Like many glaciers worldwide, Fedchenko faces the threat of retreat due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peru-has-lost-over-half-of-its-glaciers-in-six-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>, raising concerns about water availability and ecosystem changes in the region.



Rising global temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions are the primary driver of glacier melting. Warmer temperatures not only melt glacier surfaces but also increase the flow of meltwater beneath them, accelerating their disintegration.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-activities-and-pollution-nbsp">Human activities and pollution&nbsp;</h3>



Deforestation and urbanization exacerbate these effects by reducing reflective snow cover and increasing heat absorption in nearby areas.&nbsp;



Airborne pollutants like soot and black carbon darken glacier surfaces, reducing their ability to reflect sunlight and speeding up the rate of melting. 



Industrial activities and tourism in glacier regions add physical stress and pollution, further degrading these fragile ecosystems.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-supplies">Water supplies</h3>



The loss of glaciers has far-reaching consequences. It disrupts freshwater supplies for millions of people who depend on glacial runoff for drinking water, agriculture, and hydropower.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-sea-levels">Rising sea levels</h3>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-unleash-invasive-species-into-unexpected-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melting glaciers</a> contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems worldwide. Additionally, the loss of glaciers impacts biodiversity, as many species rely on cold, glacial habitats for survival.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-glaciers">Protecting glaciers</h3>



Efforts to mitigate these threats focus on reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-are-hidden-sources-of-greenhouse-gases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas</a> emissions, protecting glacier regions from industrial exploitation, and promoting sustainable tourism practices.&nbsp;



However, without urgent action, the continued decline of glaciers will have profound implications for the planet's climate, water systems, and ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pamir-mountains-nbsp">The Pamir Mountains&nbsp;</h2>



The Pamir Mountains, often called the "Roof of the World," are a vast and rugged mountain range located in Central Asia.&nbsp;



They span across Tajikistan, Afghanistan, China, and Kyrgyzstan, forming a vital part of the junction where the Himalayas, the Tian Shan, the Karakoram, the Kunlun, and the Hindu Kush converge.&nbsp;



With peaks soaring over 7,000 meters, including Ismoil Somoni Peak, the range is home to some of the highest altitudes on Earth.



The Pamir Mountains have been central to trade and cultural exchange for centuries, serving as a critical segment of the ancient Silk Road.&nbsp;



Today, the mountains are a popular destination for trekkers and explorers drawn by their breathtaking beauty and challenging terrain.



The Pamirs are not only a natural wonder but also a biological treasure trove, supporting unique wildlife that is adapted to extreme altitudes.&nbsp;



Culturally, the mountains are home to diverse communities, each with its unique traditions and ways of life, shaped by the harsh but majestic environment.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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Fedchenko Glacier in the Pamir Mountains

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a satellite view of retreating glaciers in Alaska, where meltwater is rapidly expanding glacial lakes. The image was captured on August 4, 2024 by the Landsat 8 satellite.



“In parts of Alaska, water is replacing ice. As glaciers thin and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-images-reveal-hidden-retreat-of-arctic-glaciers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retreat</a>, meltwater collects at their fronts, forming proglacial lakes. According to an analysis by Mauri Pelto, a glaciologist at Nichols College, three such lakes in the southeastern part of the state have grown rapidly in recent decades,” said <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-retreating-glaciers-in-alaska">Retreating glaciers in Alaska</h2>



“A trio of glaciers - Yakutat, Alsek, and Grand Plateau - descend from inland mountains and flow onto the coastal plain southeast of Yakutat borough, ending at Harlequin Lake, Alsek Lake, and Grand Plateau Lake,” noted NASA.&nbsp;



The retreat of the glaciers, as well as the growth of the lakes, are visible in the image. When compared to an <a href="https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/153000/153638/fastestlake_tm5_19840705_lrg.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">image</a> captured by Landsat 5 in the summer of 1984, the changes are even more evident.



NASA elaborated on the extent of the glacier retreat from 1984 to 2024. “During this period, Yakutat Glacier’s main arm retreated 4.3 miles, while Alsek Glacier’s northern and southern arms retreated 3.3 miles and 3.4 miles, respectively. Grand Plateau Glacier’s northern arm lost the most, retreating 4.8 miles.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacial-lakes-doubled-in-size-nbsp">Glacial lakes doubled in size&nbsp;</h2>



“Collectively, the three lakes more than doubled in size over 40 years. In 1984, they covered about 50 square miles. By 2024, they spanned 90 square miles. That’s an area larger than Seneca Lake (67 square miles) - one of the Finger Lakes in New York, which also have a glacial origin,” said NASA.



Pelto noted that the lakes forming in this region are immense - starting at the mountains and spreading toward the coast - making this a new lake district that is unique in our nation.



“Millions of other lakes, named and unnamed, dot the state. But this system has grown fast, so much so that Pelto thinks it might represent the fastest lake growth in the United States this century,” said NASA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-glacier-retreat-nbsp">Understanding glacier retreat&nbsp;</h2>



Glacier retreat is a significant phenomenon driven primarily by global warming the results from rising greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a>.&nbsp;



As temperatures rise, glaciers lose more ice during the summer melt than they can regain in winter snowfall, causing them to shrink over time. This process has profound implications for ecosystems, water resources, and global sea levels.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacial-lakes">Glacial lakes</h3>



When glaciers retreat, they often leave behind depressions in the landscape that can fill with meltwater, forming glacial lakes. These lakes are typically bounded by natural dams made of rock, ice, or moraine - accumulations of debris left behind by the glacier's movement.&nbsp;



Over the past century, the number and size of glacial lakes worldwide have increased significantly due to the accelerating pace of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-glaciers-offer-a-glimpse-of-our-harsh-climate-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glacier</a> retreat. This trend is especially evident in high-altitude regions like the Himalayas, the Andes, and the Alps, as well as in polar areas such as Alaska and Greenland.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-positive-and-negative-impacts-nbsp">Positive and negative impacts&nbsp;</h3>



Glacial lakes can have both positive and negative impacts. They provide critical water sources for downstream communities, support biodiversity, and sometimes offer opportunities for hydropower development or tourism.&nbsp;



However, they also pose serious risks. The dams holding back these lakes can fail suddenly, causing glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). These catastrophic events can devastate downstream areas, destroying infrastructure, agricultural lands, and habitats while endangering human lives.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-changes">Monitoring changes</h3>



Understanding glacier retreat and glacial lake formation requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining climate science, hydrology, and geology.&nbsp;



Monitoring these changes is essential to mitigate associated risks and adapt to the evolving landscape shaped by a <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.earth.com%2Fnews%2Fperu-has-lost-over-half-of-its-glaciers-in-six-decades%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming planet</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacier-retreat-worldwide">Glacier retreat worldwide</h2>



Studies and satellite observations show that most glaciers in almost all regions of the world are shrinking.&nbsp;



Melting glaciers contribute significantly to global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emergency-meeting-reveals-the-alarming-extent-of-antarcticas-ice-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level rise</a>, which threatens coastal communities and ecosystems.



The retreat of glaciers is considered one of the clearest indicators of climate change.&nbsp;Some glaciers are retreating at unprecedented rates, indicating accelerating climate impacts.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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Retreating glaciers and expanding meltwater lakes in Alaska

Top-down control is when predators who sit atop the food chain assist with the regulation of the animals who are beneath them. That's exactly what happened when the wolves were reintroduced. With deer numbers dwindling, the vegetation flourished. Photo credit: U.S. Marines

Plants are Back

West Greenland is renowned for its blue lakes that supply drinking water and help sequester atmospheric carbon.&nbsp;



However, following two months of record heat and heavy rainfall in fall 2022, researchers discovered that an estimated 7,500 of these lakes turned brown, began emitting carbon, and suffered a decline in water quality.&nbsp;



This dramatic change, reported in a study published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2413855122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a> (PNAS), underscores how extreme climate events can push <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-lakes-produce-less-methane-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic lakes</a> past critical tipping points.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-changes-in-a-short-time">Unprecedented changes in a short time</h2>



Led by Fulbright Distinguished Arctic Scholar Jasmine Saros of the <a href="https://climatechange.umaine.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maine Climate Change Institute</a>, an international team investigated the rapid transformation of these lakes. 



By July 2023, less than a year after the extreme fall weather, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the lakes had undergone widespread alterations - changes that would normally unfold over centuries.



“The magnitude of this and the rate of change were unprecedented,” said Saros, who also serves as a professor of paleolimnology and lake ecology at UMaine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-climate-extremes-affected-greenland-lakes">How climate extremes affected Greenland lakes</h2>



Greenland typically sees snowfall in the fall, but record temperatures turned precipitation into rain. This shift, combined with the heat, caused <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/permafrost-is-no-longer-permanent-arctic-communities-in-danger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">permafrost</a> - frozen soil rich in organic carbon and minerals - to thaw. 



As rainwater washed through the thawing ground, it carried an abundance of carbon, iron, magnesium, and other elements into the lakes, turning their waters brown.



The influx of dissolved organic carbon and nutrients fueled bacterial growth, affecting the lakes’ taste, odor, and color. Increased metals in the water raised health concerns as well.



“The increased dissolved organic material can interact with drinking water treatment processes to produce chlorination byproducts called trihalomethanes, which may be carcinogenic,” Saros explained.



Such changes not only impact water quality but also have broader implications for local communities relying on these lakes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disrupted-ecosystems-and-the-carbon-cycle">Disrupted ecosystems and the carbon cycle</h2>



As the lakes turned brown, water transparency declined, reducing light penetration and altering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-at-risk-global-warming-threatens-the-oceans-lifeline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plankton</a> dynamics. Reduced light hindered phytoplankton that normally absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, while organisms that break down organic matter increased. 



This shift transformed the lakes from carbon sinks into significant sources of carbon dioxide, with emissions rising by 350%.



“Because the lakes turned so brown, it reduced the light coming into the system, which tends to favor organisms that use organic carbon pathways instead of photosynthesis,” Saros said.



This change in plankton behavior and carbon cycling has major ramifications for the Arctic carbon budget and local biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-atmospheric-rivers">The role of atmospheric rivers</h2>



The researchers pinpointed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atmospheric-rivers-will-become-more-intense-as-temperatures-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric rivers</a> - long, narrow streams of water vapor - as the likely cause of the extreme weather. These phenomena brought record-breaking heat and rainfall to the region. 



The <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) predicts that atmospheric rivers will become much more frequent in Greenland and other parts of the world by the end of the century, potentially leading to more events like those of fall 2022.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-will-the-lakes-of-greenland-recover">Will the lakes of Greenland recover?</h2>



The abrupt transformation raises pressing questions about recovery: Will the lakes return to their former blue state, or will changes persist?&nbsp;



“It was such an overwhelming climate force that drove all the lakes to respond in the same way. When it comes to recovery, will it be the same across lakes or different?” Saros pondered.



Ongoing monitoring and additional research are crucial. The team’s work relied on long-term observations, including annual water sampling and year-round remote sensors, which allowed them to capture the rapid changes caused by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-in-2024-what-have-we-learned/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme climate event</a>.



“Our study demonstrates the power of long-term observation. I’ve been working in this area since 2013, and have worked on many projects here. But in the background, my colleagues and I have been trying to maintain a consistent data set of observations,” Saros said.&nbsp;



“That’s how we were able to capture and quantify the effects of this extreme climate event.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-greenland-lakes">Future research on Greenland lakes</h2>



The study was made possible through extensive collaboration among researchers from UMaine, NOAA, and various international institutions, as well as contributions from numerous PhD students.&nbsp;



This collective effort has provided valuable insights into how extreme weather events can drastically alter lake ecosystems and carbon dynamics.



As atmospheric rivers become more frequent, understanding their impact on Arctic lakes like those in West Greenland is essential.&nbsp;



Further research into how these lakes recover and how similar events affect other regions will help scientists develop strategies to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.



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Thousands of lakes in Greenland have crossed a tipping point

West Greenland is renowned for its blue lakes that supply...

For over a decade, complexity scientist Peter Turchin and his collaborators have worked to compile an unparalleled database of human history - the Seshat Global History Databank. Recently, Turchin and computer scientist Maria del Rio-Chanona turned their attention to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, questioning whether these advanced models could aid historians and archaeologists in interpreting the past. 



The study, which is the first of its kind, evaluates the historical knowledge of leading <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-ai-models-pose-an-existential-threat-to-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI models</a> such as ChatGPT-4, Llama, and Gemini.



The results, presented at the <a href="https://neurips.cc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NeurIPS conference</a>, reveal both potential and significant limitations in AI’s ability to grasp historical knowledge, especially at the nuanced, expert level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limited-historical-competence-in-ai">Limited historical competence in AI</h2>



“Large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, have been enormously successful in some fields - for example, they have largely succeeded by replacing paralegals," said Turchin, who leads the <a href="https://csh.ac.at/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Complexity Science Hub</a>’s (CSH) research group on social complexity and collapse.



"But when it comes to making judgments about the characteristics of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-levels-linked-to-the-rise-and-fall-of-early-human-societies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">past societies</a>, especially those located outside North America and Western Europe, their ability to do so is much more limited.” 



The study’s findings highlight that AI’s capabilities are domain-specific. While LLMs excel in some applications, they struggle with expert-level historical analysis. GPT-4 Turbo, the best-performing model, achieved a balanced accuracy of just 46% on a four-choice question test. 



This result, though an improvement over random guessing (25%), underscores the substantial gaps in AI’s understanding of global history.



“I thought the AI chatbots would do a lot better,” said del Rio-Chanona, corresponding author of the study and assistant professor at <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College London.</a> “History is often viewed as facts, but sometimes interpretation is necessary to make sense of it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-does-ai-understand-expert-level-history">Does AI understand expert-level history?</h2>



The study leveraged the <a href="https://seshat-db.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seshat Global History Databank</a>, a comprehensive resource documenting historical data from 600 societies worldwide, encompassing over 36,000 data points and 2,700 scholarly references. Using Seshat as a benchmark, researchers tested LLMs on questions requiring graduate or expert-level knowledge.



“We wanted to set a benchmark for assessing the ability of these LLMs to handle expert-level history knowledge,” explained first author Jakob Hauser, a resident scientist at CSH.&nbsp;



“A key component of our benchmark is that we not only test whether these LLMs can identify correct facts, but also explicitly ask whether a fact can be proven or inferred from indirect evidence.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regional-and-temporal-disparities">Regional and temporal disparities</h2>



The study revealed that AI performance varied significantly across time periods and geographic regions. LLMs demonstrated greater accuracy when addressing questions about ancient history, particularly between 8,000 BCE and 3,000 BCE, but struggled with more recent events, especially from 1,500 CE to the present.



Geographically, OpenAI models like GPT-4 performed better for regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean, while Llama models excelled in Northern America. However, both systems underperformed in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Llama also showing weaker results for Oceania.&nbsp;



These disparities highlight potential biases in training data, which may prioritize certain historical narratives while neglecting others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-depth-in-ai-models">Lack of depth in AI models</h2>



LLMs performed best on questions related to legal systems and social complexity, but they struggled significantly with topics such as discrimination and social mobility.



“The main takeaway from this study is that LLMs, while impressive, still lack the depth of understanding required for advanced history,” said del Rio-Chanona. “They're great for basic facts, but when it comes to more nuanced, PhD-level historical inquiry, they're not yet up to the task.”



Among the tested models, GPT-4 Turbo ranked highest with 46% accuracy, while Llama-3.1-8B scored the lowest at 33.6%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-dataset-and-reducing-bias">Expanding the dataset and reducing bias</h2>



The researchers aim to address the shortcomings revealed in this study by expanding the dataset and refining the benchmark. Hauser emphasized plans to incorporate more data from underrepresented regions, especially in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-green-spaces-are-urgently-needed-across-the-global-south/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global South</a>, and to include more complex historical questions.



“We also look forward to testing more recent LLM models, such as o3, to see if they can bridge the gaps identified in this study,” Hauser said.



The team believes the findings are valuable not only for AI developers but also for historians and archaeologists.&nbsp;



For academics, understanding AI’s limitations can guide its use in research, while for developers, the study highlights areas for improvement, such as addressing regional biases and enhancing models’ capacity for handling nuanced historical evidence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-ai-s-understanding-of-history">Improving AI’s understanding of history</h2>



The study highlights both the potential and the current limitations of AI in historical research. While LLMs have proven valuable for generating basic historical facts, they fall short when tasked with interpreting complex and nuanced historical contexts.&nbsp;



For researchers and developers alike, these findings offer a roadmap for improving AI’s understanding of global history, paving the way for tools that better support scholarly inquiry into the past.



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AI struggles to understand human history and fails miserably when tested

For over a decade, complexity scientist Peter Turchin and his...

A study led by Tel Aviv University has revealed alarming insights into how microplastic particles are transformed within marine ecosystems, posing new challenges to the health of the ocean’s food web.&nbsp;



The research highlights how filter-feeding marine organisms alter the behavior and composition of microplastics, creating unforeseen risks for marine environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigating-microplastic-pollution">Investigating microplastic pollution</h2>



While previous research has documented the dangers of marine animals ingesting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-are-steadily-increasing-in-freshwater-environments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a>, this study goes a step further, exploring how these particles change after passing through the digestive systems of filter feeders.&nbsp;



Conducted by PhD student Eden Harel, Professor Noa Shenkar, and Professor Ines Zucker from <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tel Aviv University</a>, the study focused on ascidians - marine animals that efficiently filter tiny particles from water.&nbsp;



The findings reveal how the interaction between filter feeders and microplastics contributes to the spread and transformation of these particles.



“We aimed to examine whether and how plastic changes after passing through the digestive system of a marine organism and how this process affects the presence of plastic and its availability to other organisms,” Shenkar explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-filter-feeders-transform-microplastics">How filter feeders transform microplastics</h2>



Using a controlled laboratory experiment, the researchers simulated seawater environments containing ascidians and introduced two types of microplastic particles.



These particles included polystyrene (PS), a common conventional plastic, and polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable bioplastic marketed as environmentally friendly. The team monitored the filtration, digestion, and excretion processes over 48 hours.



The results showed stark differences between the two types of plastic. Ascidians removed 90% of polystyrene particles from the water within two hours, but these particles were reintroduced to the water after 48 hours following digestion.



Polylactic acid particles, on the other hand, decreased significantly in concentration and remained at low levels. Larger PLA particles appeared to break down during digestion - likely returning to the water as smaller, undetectable nanoparticles.



These findings reveal that while some microplastics persist in their original form, others may fragment into smaller particles, potentially amplifying their environmental impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-disguised-as-organic-matter">Plastic disguised as organic matter</h2>



To understand the changes microplastics undergo during digestion, the team used Raman spectroscopy to analyze particles excreted by the ascidians.&nbsp;



The analysis revealed a surprising transformation: the plastic particles were no longer identifiable as plastics. Instead, they appeared to be organic matter due to a fecal coating acquired in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-humans-have-shockingly-different-digestive-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digestive system</a>.



“Our findings revealed that microplastic particles are excreted from the ascidian’s digestive system coated with a fecal layer, and it is likely that the marine environment also identifies these particles as this organic material,” Harel said.



This transformation increases the likelihood of these particles being ingested by other marine animals that feed on feces, further embedding microplastics into the food web.&nbsp;



The fecal coating also facilitates bacterial colonization and the adhesion of pollutants like heavy metals and residual organic compounds, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotic-resistance-could-cause-a-health-crisis-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotics</a>, making these particles even more hazardous.



According to Zucker, plastic particles undergo many transformations in the environment, from weathering to digestive processes, turning them into carriers of pollutants and diseases within the food web.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-microplastics-on-feces">Impacts of microplastics on feces</h2>



In addition to examining how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-jawless-fish-rhinopteraspis-dunensis-filter-feeders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">filter feeders</a> transform microplastics, the study explored how these particles affect the physical properties of feces - a vital nutrient source for many marine organisms. Feces containing microplastics displayed significant changes in behavior.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-sinking">Rapid sinking</h3>



Unlike normal feces, which sink slowly and provide sustenance to organisms along their descent, feces containing microplastics sank rapidly to the seafloor. This deprives marine organisms in the water column of a crucial food source.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-localized-accumulation">Localized accumulation</h3>



The faster sinking caused feces and microplastics to accumulate on the seafloor near the filter feeders, instead of dispersing evenly. 



This buildup can lead to increased carbon and nitrogen levels, fostering algal blooms that disrupt marine ecosystems.



“This accumulation can increase carbon and nitrogen levels on the seafloor and trigger algal blooms, representing another critical impact of microplastics on the balance of the marine food web,” Harel explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-microplastic-pollution-nbsp">Complexity of microplastic pollution&nbsp;</h2>



The study highlights the complexity of microplastic pollution, showing that the problem goes far beyond the particles themselves. 



Their transformation through biological processes and environmental exposure creates unexpected and far-reaching consequences.



“The most alarming conclusion is that the microplastic problem is far more complex than initially thought,” said the researchers.&nbsp;



“Plastic pollution in the marine environment has many unexpected dimensions, and its complexities continue to grow. Sometimes, neither we nor the environment can even recognize it as plastic.”



The findings emphasize the urgent need for better technologies and strategies to mitigate the spread and impact of microplastics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-microplastics-crisis">Addressing the microplastics crisis</h2>



As microplastic pollution continues to infiltrate marine ecosystems in unpredictable ways, this study reveals just how urgent the issue has become. 



With microplastics transforming into carriers of pollutants, altering the balance of marine food webs, and contributing to environmental degradation, addressing this crisis is essential.



“As time goes on, plastic continues to harm more and more marine ecosystems,” the researchers concluded. “It is our duty to develop new technologies to mitigate this dangerous phenomenon.”



This research provides a crucial step toward understanding the hidden dimensions of microplastic pollution and calls for global action to protect marine life and the delicate ecosystems that sustain it.



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These creatures eat, excrete, and transform microplastics into a much bigger threat

A study led by Tel Aviv University has revealed alarming...

Astronomers have uncovered a remarkable&nbsp;wind phenomenon&nbsp;on WASP-127b, a&nbsp;gas giant planet&nbsp;that is more than&nbsp;500 light-years&nbsp;from Earth.



Using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT) in Chile, scientists have detected&nbsp;supersonic jetstream winds&nbsp;hurtling around the planet’s equator at astonishing speeds of&nbsp;33,000 km/h (20,500 mph). 



This discovery marks the fastest jetstream ever measured on any known planet and sheds new light on the complex and extreme weather patterns of exoplanets beyond our Solar System.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giant-puffy-planet-with-extreme-weather">Giant "puffy" planet with extreme weather</h2>



WASP-127b has fascinated scientists since its discovery in 2016. The planet is slightly larger than Jupiter but has a much lower mass, making it a "puffy" <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/potential-signs-of-life-found-on-nearby-exoplanet-wasp-107b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gas giant</a>. Its low density suggests that its atmosphere is vastly extended, allowing astronomers to study its composition and climate with relative ease.



Unlike Earth, where storms and winds are driven by temperature differences and planetary rotation, the weather on WASP-127b is governed by far more extreme forces. 



The planet is expected to be&nbsp;tidally locked&nbsp;to its host star, meaning one side permanently faces the star while the other remains in perpetual darkness. 



This setup leads to dramatic atmospheric conditions, including&nbsp;intense winds that redistribute heat around the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/morning-evening-atmosphere-detected-exoplanet-wasp-39b-for-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a>. However, the sheer velocity of these winds came as a complete surprise to researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fastest-winds-on-a-distant-planet">Fastest winds on a distant planet</h2>



“Part of the atmosphere of this planet is moving towards us at a high velocity while another part is moving away from us at the same speed. This signal shows us that there is a very fast, supersonic, jet wind around the planet’s equator,” noted Lisa Nortmann, a scientist at the <a href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Göttingen</a> in Germany and lead author of the study.



The winds reach a staggering speed of&nbsp;9 kilometers per second, which is nearly&nbsp;six times faster than the expected rotation speed of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-weather-exoplanet-wasp-121-b-has-a-dynamic-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a>. 



In comparison, the fastest wind speed recorded in the Solar System was observed on Neptune, where atmospheric winds reach "only"&nbsp;1,800 km/h (1,118 mph).



WASP-127b’s winds far surpass this, moving at speeds so extreme that they rival the velocity of some of the fastest meteoroids in our Solar System.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-an-alien-atmosphere">Mapping an alien atmosphere</h2>



To measure these winds, the research team used the&nbsp;CRIRES+ instrument&nbsp;on ESO’s VLT. This advanced tool allows scientists to analyze the atmosphere of distant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-glory-lights-effect-seen-exoplanet-wasp-76b-baffling-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a> by studying how starlight filters through the gases surrounding them. 



By measuring the specific wavelengths of light absorbed and emitted by molecules in the planet’s upper atmosphere, the team was able to identify&nbsp;water vapor and carbon monoxide molecules&nbsp;in WASP-127b’s air.



But it was the motion of these molecules that provided the most shocking revelation. When the researchers analyzed their speed, they noticed something unexpected - a&nbsp;double peak in the data, showing that one side of the planet’s atmosphere was moving toward Earth while the other was moving away.



This indicated that high-speed jet-stream winds were racing&nbsp;around the equator, rather than simply moving from the day side to the night side as previously expected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-weather-system">Complex weather system</h2>



Beyond detecting the equatorial jetstream, the research team also found intriguing variations in the planet’s temperature. The poles appear&nbsp;cooler than the rest of the planet, suggesting that heat distribution is not uniform. 



There is also a noticeable temperature difference between the planet’s&nbsp;morning and evening sides, which hints at&nbsp;complex atmospheric dynamics similar to those found on Earth and other planets in our Solar System.



“This shows that the planet has complex weather patterns just like Earth and other planets of our own system,” noted Fei Yan, a professor at the <a href="https://en.ustc.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Science and Technology of China</a> and co-author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-the-exoplanet-weather-research">Advancing the exoplanet weather research </h2>



Until recently, studying the atmospheres of exoplanets was an&nbsp;impossible challenge. For years, astronomers could only determine a planet’s&nbsp;mass and radius, which gave them little information about its climate or atmospheric composition.



However, thanks to powerful ground-based telescopes like&nbsp;ESO’s <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VLT</a>, researchers can now&nbsp;map weather systems&nbsp;on distant planets and study their&nbsp;wind patterns, temperature gradients, and even cloud formations.



“Understanding the dynamics of these exoplanets helps us explore mechanisms such as heat redistribution and chemical processes, improving our understanding of planet formation and potentially shedding light on the origins of our own Solar System,” noted David Cont, a co-author of the paper from the <a href="https://www.lmu.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich</a>.



Surprisingly, this level of precision is only possible with ground-based telescopes. Current&nbsp;space telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope (<a href="https://webbtelescope.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>), do not yet have the required&nbsp;velocity precision&nbsp;to detect wind speeds like those observed on WASP-127b. 



This means that facilities on Earth remain essential for&nbsp;pushing the boundaries of exoplanet research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-patterns-on-planets">Wind patterns on planets </h2>



With the discovery of supersonic winds on WASP-127b, astronomers are now looking forward to even&nbsp;more detailed investigations&nbsp;into the atmospheres of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/interior-core-cotton-candy-exoplanet-wasp-107-b-revealed-webb-telescope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">distant worlds</a>. The upcoming&nbsp;ESO Extremely Large Telescope (<a href="https://elt.eso.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ELT</a>), currently under construction in Chile, will play a crucial role in these studies. 



Equipped with the&nbsp;ANDES instrument, the ELT will allow scientists to&nbsp;detect even finer details&nbsp;in the wind patterns of exoplanets and&nbsp;expand this research to smaller, rocky planets.



“This means that we can likely resolve even finer details of the wind patterns and expand this research to smaller, rocky planets,” Nortmann concluded.



The discovery of&nbsp;supersonic jetstream winds on WASP-127b&nbsp;is a milestone in exoplanetary science. As telescopes become more advanced, scientists may soon be able to&nbsp;track storm systems, measure rainfall, and even identify weather cycles on distant worlds. 



Each new finding brings us one step closer to&nbsp;understanding the diverse and dynamic nature of planets beyond our own Solar System.



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



Image Credit: ESO/L. Calçada



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Supersonic winds on a nearby exoplanet break all speed records

Astronomers have uncovered a remarkable&nbsp;wind phenomenon&nbsp;on WASP-127b, a&nbsp;gas giant planet&nbsp;that...

Cells in the human body have distinct roles - some remain stationary, while others move to perform critical functions. Migratory cells rely delicate, finger-like protrusions called filopodia that extend from the cell membrane and allow the cell to sense and navigate its environment.



In healthy cells, filopodia play a vital role in processes like the immune response, where they help immune cells reach infection sites swiftly.



However, filopodia also contribute to disease, particularly in cancer. Metastatic cancer cells exploit these structures to invade new tissues, facilitating the spread of cancer throughout the body.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cracking-the-filopodia-code">Cracking the filopodia code</h2>



A long-standing question in cell biology has been how filopodia’s protein bundles form and function. For over forty years, researchers have sought to understand the structural mechanics behind these cellular extensions. 



Now, scientists at <a href="https://www.rockefeller.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rockefeller University</a>’s Laboratory of Structural Biophysics and Mechanobiology have made a recent discovery that may help solve a major piece of this puzzle.



The study, published in&nbsp;Nature Structural &amp; Molecular Biology, sheds light on how the protein scaffolding in filopodia is assembled at the atomic level. These findings could play a crucial role in refining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-activated-molecules-kill-cancer-cells-with-precision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer treatments</a> that are designed to halt metastasis.



"Understanding the structure of filopodia and the changes they undergo may help to refine these therapies or inspire new ones,"&nbsp;said Rui Gong, the study's first author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-filopodia-in-cancer">Complexity of filopodia in cancer</h2>



Filopodia rely on hexagonal bundles of actin filaments, strengthened and reinforced by a crucial protein called fascin. 



Actin, a fundamental component of the cytoskeleton, is responsible for maintaining a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ketogenic-diet-may-help-the-body-kill-cancer-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cell</a>’s shape and enabling movement. However, actin alone is weak and ineffective. A single actin filament cannot support a structure or drive movement.



"It’s like a floppy noodle,"&nbsp;explained Gregory M. Alushin, head of the Rockefeller Lab.&nbsp;"It’s not very strong, and it can’t do anything. Actin filaments have to be gathered into higher-order assemblies such as bundles to carry out any useful job."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascin-key-to-filopodia-s-strength">Fascin: Key to filopodia’s strength</h2>



Fascin plays a critical role in stabilizing these actin bundles, bridging the filaments together and forming the strong yet flexible structures required for filopodia to function. 



These bundles must strike a delicate balance: they need enough strength to protrude from the cell membrane, yet they must also remain flexible enough to move and respond to environmental stimuli.



"They hit a sweet spot between strength and flexibility,"&nbsp;explained Alushin.



Despite the known importance of fascin, the precise mechanics of how it assembles actin bundles into filopodia have remained elusive for decades. The challenge has been in visualizing this process at a molecular level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenge-in-understanding-fascin">Challenge in understanding fascin</h2>



For years, scientists struggled to understand how fascin assembles filopodia’s hexagonal bundles. Early experiments in the 1970s attempted to model this process using wooden dowels to represent actin filaments, and small wooden pieces as fascin-like bridges.



However, researchers found it impossible to create stable bundles without distorting the fascin structures.



In recent years, advances in imaging technologies such as cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and tomography provided the first glimpses of filopodia’s internal architecture. 



However, these images were blurry and lacked sufficient resolution to reveal the intricate details of how fascin interacts with actin filaments.



Now, the Rockefeller team has made a significant breakthrough. Using an advanced computational image analysis technique, the researchers achieved the first&nbsp;clear, atomic-level images&nbsp;of fascin proteins bridging actin filaments. 



This represents a major leap forward in understanding how the scaffolding of filopodia is constructed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-filopodia-assembly-and-cancer-cells">Filopodia assembly and cancer cells</h2>



By refining their computational image analysis method, first developed in 2022, the researchers were able to remove noise from their images and reveal an unprecedented level of structural detail.



"We saw real bundles composed of thousands of fascin molecules and hundreds of actin filaments, and we were able to map their spatial positioning,"&nbsp;Gong explained.&nbsp;"We saw how the structure of fascin gives rise to its function as an actin bundler and figured out the detailed chemistry of its actin binding sites."



One of the most surprising findings was the discovery of fascin’s&nbsp;high degree of flexibility and adaptability. Unlike other proteins that follow rigid assembly patterns, fascin is remarkably improvisational. 



Instead of adhering to a single binding strategy, it can adjust its position and shape depending on the arrangement of the actin filaments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-versatility-of-fascin-molecules">Fascinating versatility of fascin molecules</h2>



Fascin appears to have evolved this versatility as a way to accommodate actin filaments, which are naturally&nbsp;twisted and uneven. Since actin filaments are not ideal building materials for creating firm, uniform structures, fascin overcomes this challenge by acting as a molecular hinge.



"A fascin protein can accommodate all kinds of imperfections. It acts like a molecular hinge that can hold a number of intermediary positions between open and closed. It can also rotate its position for a better fit,"&nbsp;said Alushin.



Despite being a relatively small and simple protein, fascin exhibits highly complex physical behaviors. Its ability to shift and adapt its binding positions allows it to form the strong yet flexible hexagonal bundles necessary for filopodia to function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-filopodia-fascin-and-metastatic-cancer">Filopodia, fascin, and metastatic cancer</h2>



Fascin plays a crucial role in cancer’s ability to spread in the body. In migratory cells, an&nbsp;overabundance of fascin leads to an uncontrolled filopodia-building process, which accelerates metastasis.



In stationary cells, such as epithelial cells, excessive fascin expression can give them an abnormal ability to move - causing them to&nbsp;break away from their normal environment and invade other tissues.



"When this over-expression happens in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-coffee-reduces-the-risk-of-certain-cancers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells</a> that should be locked into place, such as epithelial cells, they can build filopodia, which they’re not supposed to have,"&nbsp;Alushin explained.&nbsp;"Then they can crawl away from their neighbors and in the process abandon their regular cellular functions."



Because of its role in cancer progression, fascin has become a key target for cancer therapies. Several fascin inhibitors are currently in clinical trials, with the aim to prevent cancer cells from forming filopodia and migrating.



The Rockefeller team’s findings could improve the design of these inhibitors. Previously, researchers believed that these drugs worked by&nbsp;blocking fascin’s actin binding sites. 



However, the new study suggests a different mechanism: these inhibitors prevent fascin from undergoing the&nbsp;shape changes required to fit into its binding location.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-cancer-therapies">Future cancer therapies</h2>



This new understanding of fascin’s structural behavior may lead to more effective cancer treatments. By preventing fascin from adapting and forming stable filopodia bundles, scientists may be able to&nbsp;halt metastatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/molecular-fingerprints-could-be-key-to-early-cancer-detection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer cells</a> in their tracks.



"We’ve been able to detail essential design principles for the bundles, which could be really helpful information for finding new ways to interfere with their construction," noted Alushin.



Beyond cancer, this research opens the door for further exploration of other cellular processes that rely on actin bundling. 



The ability to&nbsp;visualize complex protein networks at an atomic level&nbsp;represents a major technological leap, providing new tools for scientists studying cell movement, immune responses, and even neurological functions.



With this newfound clarity, researchers can now&nbsp;develop more precise strategies&nbsp;for targeting fascin and preventing the metastasis of cancer cells.



By continuing to investigate the forces that drive cellular movement, scientists may unlock new ways to stop cancer from spreading, which would bring hope for more effective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-the-next-frontier-in-cancer-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treatments</a> in the future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41594-024-01477-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Structural &amp; Molecular Biology</a>.



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Breakthrough discovery about cell migration may finally help us defeat cancer

Cells in the human body have distinct roles - some...

Truffles have long captivated the senses, with their tantalizing aroma and elusive nature keeping the culinary world on its toes. To the gastronome, they are an exotic culinary delight; to the mycologist, they present an intriguing species subject of study.



Now, this enigmatic world has become even more fascinating with the discovery of two new truffle species, which add another layer of intrigue to the legacy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-found-by-truffle-dogs">Species found by truffle dogs</h2>



The discovery was led by two enthusiastic truffle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trained-dogs-can-sniff-out-invasive-pests-in-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a>, Luca and Monza.



The find? A hitherto unknown pair of truffles, christened as Tuber canirevelatum and Tuber cumberlandense.



The former, aptly named the "dog-found" truffle, pays homage to the canine detectives and their tireless work. The latter derives its name from the Cumberland Plateau, where it was found.



Guiding the canine sleuths were citizen scientists Lois Martin and Margaret Townsend. After the initial discovery, and eager to unveil the mystery of their find, they reached out to the experts.



Michigan State University (<a href="https://msu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MSU</a>) and the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a> became the primary research hubs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-truffle-mystery">Unraveling the truffle mystery</h2>



At MSU, the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences took the baton from the truffle dogs. 



The team, led by associate professor Gregory Bonito and undergraduate student Alassane Sow, used DNA analyses to identify the specimens and position them on the tree of life.



”Receiving these samples was very exciting, especially because they looked very similar to the well-known edible <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-truffle-industry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European truffles</a> Tuber macrosporum and Tuber aestivum,” said Sow.



“We hope that by describing both of these species there will be increased interest in cultivating North American truffles. Our analyses show that each has aromatic compounds found in some of the most valuable truffle species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-truffles-a-culinary-goldmine">Truffles: A culinary goldmine</h2>



The world of fine dining celebrates truffles for their rarity and enticing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/growing-environment-impacts-the-aroma-of-beer-and-hops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aroma</a>. And the discovery of these new species may have just expanded the potential for gastronomic innovation. 



These species could hold tremendous economic potential due to their aromatic compounds.



Now, imagine a plate of gourmet truffle-infused pasta, accompanied by a glass of whiskey - a fine blend of the robust, earthy flavours of truffles and oaky whiskey. 



That's just what Maker’s Mark, a distiller from Kentucky, hopes to provide. 



They are exploring the cultivation of the native T. cumberlandense, and aim to introduce a uniquely infused whiskey to the market soon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aromatic-appeal-of-truffle-species">Aromatic appeal of truffle species</h2>



The culinary appeal of truffles mainly lies in the unique aroma they produce. Each species emits a distinct fragrance, which contributes to its culinary potential and, therefore, its value.



MSU’s professor Randy Beaudry from the Department of Horticulture worked with Bonito and Sow to identify these aroma-producing compounds. 



Using gas chromatography, they discovered that T. canirevelatum was rich in compounds that give it a savory garlic aroma.



On the other hand, T. cumberlandense contained compounds found in the revered Périgord black truffle and the Piedmont white truffle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-truffle-dogs">Significance of the "truffle dogs"</h2>



This significant discovery highlights the importance of trained truffle dogs in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crops-of-the-future-potatoes-that-thrive-in-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tuber</a> research and farming. 



"We suspect many native tuber species remain to be discovered and described. This task will be enhanced through the continued collaboration between mycologists (scientists who study fungi), the public and trained truffle dogs,” concluded Bonito.



As the quest for novel species continues, it is clear that the world of truffles holds more delectable secrets yet to be unearthed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-truffle-cultivation-and-species-conservation">Truffle cultivation and species conservation</h2>



As truffle discoveries continue to emerge, the focus is shifting toward sustainable cultivation and conservation efforts. 



Truffles, often associated with European fine dining, have long been harvested from wild forests, making them susceptible to environmental changes and overharvesting. 



The discovery of native species like Tuber cumberlandense opens up new possibilities for domestic cultivation, thus reducing reliance on imported varieties and supporting local economies.



These newfound species also offer exciting opportunities for cultivation under controlled conditions, potentially ensuring their long-term availability and contributing to ecosystem health.



This includes studying optimal soil compositions, climate conditions, and symbiotic relationships with host trees. 



Cultivating these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-all-fungi-matter-not-just-mushrooms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> not only presents an economic opportunity but also has ecological benefits, as they contribute to soil health and biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-truffle-discovery">Sustainable truffle discovery</h2>



Furthermore, the role of citizen scientists and trained truffle dogs continues to be vital in locating and documenting species in diverse environments. 



As research efforts expand, collaborations between mycologists, farmers, and culinary experts could pave the way for a sustainable truffle industry where these culinary treasures are both abundant and are grown in an environmentally responsible manner.



The discovery of the new species is detailed in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00275514.2024.2407755#:~:text=Tuber%20canaliculatum%20is%20sometimes%20wild,Berch%202020%3B%20Fortier%20et%20al.&amp;text=2022).,-Members%20of%20the">Mycologia</a>.



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Two new truffle species discovered with the help of special 'truffle dogs'

Truffles have long captivated the senses, with their tantalizing aroma...

Who knew that bathroom habits could reveal something profound about primate behavior? A recent study published in the journal Current Biology&nbsp;has uncovered an intriguing social phenomenon among chimpanzees - one that links social dynamics to urination.



The study has revealed a peculiar behavior among chimpanzees that researchers are now calling “contagious urination.”



The study, which was focused on 20 captive chimpanzees at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan, revealed that when one chimp pees, others nearby are more likely to do the same.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contagious-urination-in-chimpanzees">Contagious urination in chimpanzees</h2>



“In humans, urinating together can be seen as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-feel-the-pressure-to-perform-with-an-audience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social</a> phenomenon,” noted Ena Onishi of <a href="https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyoto University</a>.



“An Italian proverb states, ‘Whoever doesn’t pee in company is either a thief or a spy’ (Chi non piscia in compagnia o è un ladro o è una spia), while in Japanese, the act of urinating with others is referred to as ‘Tsureshon’ (連れション)," she remarked.



“This behavior is represented in art across centuries and cultures and continues to appear in modern social contexts. Our research suggests that this phenomenon may have deep evolutionary roots. We found that chimpanzees, our closest relatives, tend to urinate in response to the urination of nearby individuals,” added Onishi.



This unexpected discovery highlights the social nature of what is usually considered a purely physiological behavior. 



The researchers became curious about the possibility of synchronized urination after noticing that the chimpanzees often relieved themselves at the same time. They wondered whether this could be comparable to contagious yawning, a well-documented phenomenon in both humans and animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synchronized-urination-in-chimpanzees">Synchronized urination in chimpanzees</h2>



To test their theory, researchers meticulously observed the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-pass-tool-use-skills-across-generations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chimpanzees</a> for over 600 hours, documenting 1,328 urination events. 



Their analysis confirmed that urination was significantly more synchronized than would be expected by chance. The likelihood of a chimpanzee urinating increased if they were in close physical proximity to another chimp who had just started peeing.



One of the most surprising findings was the role of social hierarchy in this behavior. Lower-ranking individuals were more likely to urinate after others, suggesting that peeing patterns are influenced by dominance structures within the group.



“We were surprised to discover that the contagion pattern was influenced by social rank,” Onishi explained.



“Since there were no prior studies on contagious urination in any species, we drew parallels to contagious yawning, another semi-voluntary physiological behavior. Based on this, we initially expected that any social influences might resemble those seen in yawning - such as stronger contagion between socially close pairs.



“However, our results showed no evidence of effects related to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzee-cultures-are-more-complex-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social</a> closeness. Instead, we observed a clear influence of social rank, with lower-ranking individuals being more likely to follow the urination of others.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-this-happen">Why does this happen?</h2>



The underlying reasons for contagious urination remain unclear, but researchers believe it could serve important social functions.



“This was an unexpected and fascinating result, as it opens up multiple possibilities for interpretation,” commented Shinya Yamamoto of Kyoto University.



“For instance, it could reflect hidden leadership in synchronizing group activities, the reinforcement of social bonds, or attention bias among lower-ranking individuals. These findings raise intriguing questions about the social functions of this behavior.”



If urination serves a social purpose in chimpanzees, it could play a role in maintaining group cohesion, facilitating coordination, or reinforcing social bonds - similar to how synchronized behaviors like grooming or yawning contribute to social structure in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-and-bees-are-capable-of-complex-social-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primates</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-other-animals-do-this">Do other animals do this?</h2>



This discovery opens the door for further research into contagious urination in species other than chimpanzees. Could similar patterns be found in other primates or even non-primate animals? 



Understanding the social dynamics behind this behavior could shed new light on the evolution of group coordination and hierarchy in social animals.



For now, the study highlights that even the most mundane aspects of life - like peeing - can have surprising social significance. As research continues, we may find that synchronized bathroom breaks are not just a human quirk but a deeply rooted evolutionary behavior.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)01594-X?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Urination, like sneezing, is 'contagious' in primates, including humans

Who knew that bathroom habits could reveal something profound about...

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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...

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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



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.

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



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.

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



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.

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

Day and night, the battle ensued, and the wolves were the victors nearly every time. This relationship between the wolves and deer is known as &#8220;top-down control.&#8221;

Top-Down

Now, the deer were suddenly thrust back into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-predators-trapped-by-trying-to-adapt-to-climate-change/">predator </a>versus prey world, and even though there were far fewer wolves than deer, the wolves were fearsome hunters. They welcomed the challenge.