Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the star-forming region NGC 604. The nebula is located 2.73 million light-years away from Earth in the Triangulum Galaxy (M33). 



By studying regions like NGC 604, astronomers can gain insights into the complex interactions between stars and the interstellar medium, as well as the conditions that lead to the birth of stars. This, in turn, helps in understanding the evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-like-our-own-milky-way-are-not-unique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> and the universe as a whole.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massive-stars-of-ngc-604">Massive stars of NGC 604</h2>



"Sheltered among NGC 604’s dusty envelopes of gas are more than 200 of the hottest, most massive kinds of stars, all in the early stages of their lives," said <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



"These types of stars are known as B-types and O-types, the latter of which can be more than 100 times the mass of our own Sun. It’s quite rare to find this concentration of them in the nearby universe. In fact, there’s no similar region within our own Milky Way galaxy."



According to ESA, this concentration of massive stars, combined with its relatively close distance, means that NGC 604 gives astronomers an opportunity to study these objects at a fascinating time early in their life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gigantic-region-of-ionized-hydrogen">Gigantic region of ionized hydrogen</h2>



NGC 604 is one of the largest known regions of ionized hydrogen, also known as an H II region. This nebula is significantly larger than the Orion Nebula, which is one of the most well-known H II regions in our own <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 galaxy</a>.&nbsp;



NGC 604 spans about 1,500 light-years across, making it one of the largest H II regions in the Local Group of galaxies. This group includes the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, and about 54 other smaller galaxies.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ngc-604-starburst-phenomenon">NGC 604 starburst phenomenon </h2>



Within NGC 604, there are hundreds of young, hot, massive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stars-at-the-edge-of-our-milky-way-galaxy-travel-more-slowly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a>. These stars have ionized the surrounding gas, causing it to glow and creating the nebula. The region is a prime example of a starburst phenomenon, where stars form at a much higher rate than in typical galactic conditions.



“The bright orange streaks in this image signify the presence of carbon-based molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs," explained ESA.



"As you travel further from the immediate cavities of dust where the star is forming, the deeper red signifies molecular hydrogen. This cooler gas is a prime environment for star formation. Ionized hydrogen from ultraviolet radiation appears as a white and blue ghostly glow."



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



Star formation is crucial for the evolution of galaxies and the synthesis of heavy elements. In the cores of stars, elements heavier than helium are created.



The elements are spread throughout the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-stars-shakti-shiva-shaped-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a> when stars reach the end of their lives and expel their material - either gently through winds or violently via supernova explosions. 



This enriching process allows for the formation of new stars and planets, and ultimately, the potential for life.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cloud collapse</h3>



The process begins when part of a molecular cloud becomes unstable and starts to collapse under its own gravity. This can be triggered by events like shock waves from nearby <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernovae</a>, galactic collisions, or the influence of other massive stars.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Formation of a protostar</h3>



As the cloud collapses, it fragments into smaller clumps. Each clump will eventually form one or more stars. 



The material within these clumps continues to fall inward, heating up as it does so, eventually forming a warm core called a protostar. At this stage, the protostar is not yet hot enough for nuclear fusion (the process that powers stars) to occur.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Accretion disk</h3>



Around the protostar, material from the surrounding cloud continues to fall inward, forming a rotating disk. This material slowly accretes onto the protostar, increasing its mass.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nuclear fusion begins</h3>



Once the core of the protostar reaches a high enough temperature and pressure, hydrogen atoms begin to fuse into helium, releasing energy in the process. This marks the transition from a protostar to a main sequence star, like our sun.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Main sequence and beyond</h3>



The star will spend the majority of its life in the main sequence stage, where it balances the gravitational forces trying to collapse it and the outward pressure from nuclear fusion. 



Eventually, the star will exhaust its hydrogen fuel. Its subsequent evolution will depend on its initial mass, leading to various end stages such as red giants, supernovae, neutron stars, or black holes.



Image Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope



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Young, massive stars in the Triangulum Galaxy

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

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features an astronaut view of Mount Nemrut, a volcano located in eastern Turkey near Lake Van.



Mount Nemrut is notable for its immense caldera, which was formed through a series of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-eruptions-play-an-overlooked-role-in-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eruptions</a>. The caldera, one of the largest in the world, now contains several lakes such as Lake Nemrut.&nbsp;



"The eastern half of the caldera is partially filled by solidified lava flows from past eruptions. Snow cover present at the time of this photo accentuates pressure ridges that formed as the lava was flowing and cooling," noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



"These pressure ridges vary in size, thickness, and orientation due to the varying viscosity and flow direction of the lavas during eruptions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-formation-of-lake-nemrut">Formation of Lake Nemrut</h2>



"Lake Nemrut (Nemrut Gölü) occupies the western half of the caldera, creating a rough crescent shape that partially submerges the old lava flows," said NASA.



"This freshwater lake, reaching up to 176 meters deep, is accompanied by a smaller lake at the upper-center of the caldera."



The lake was formed after the collapse of the Nemrut volcano's summit. This collapse created a massive crater, which gradually filled with water over time, forming the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-study-most-of-the-worlds-largest-lakes-are-quickly-losing-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unesco-world-heritage-site">UNESCO World Heritage Site </h2>



Mount Nemrut and its surroundings are part of a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their ecological and geological significance.



The site is home to diverse wildlife, including various bird species that use the lake as a stopover during migration. The caldera also contains smaller lakes and wetlands, adding to the area's biodiversity.



Lake Nemrut is a popular destination for tourists, hikers, and nature enthusiasts, offering stunning views of the volcanic landscape.



Despite its popularity, the lake remains relatively remote and unspoiled, contributing to its appeal as a natural wonder.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mount-nemrut-has-shaped-the-landscape">Mount Nemrut has shaped the landscape</h2>



Geologically, Mount Nemrut is interesting because its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-enhances-predictions-on-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eruptions</a> have played a key role in shaping the local landscape. 



Its last major eruption occurred around 1441 AD, which indicates that it's not currently active.



The area around Nemrut is known for its geothermal activity, including hot springs and fumaroles, suggesting that there is still significant heat beneath the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tribute-to-a-king">Tribute to a king</h2>



Over thousands of years, various civilizations have inhabited the region around Nemrut, leaving behind a wealth of archaeological sites.



The summit of Mount Nemrut is dominated by a vast funerary mound constructed by King Antiochus I Theos, who ruled the Kingdom of Commagene in the 1st century BCE. 



The site was intended to serve as his tomb sanctuary and a place to commemorate the king's vision of divine kingship and unity between Eastern and Western cultures.



The mound, made of loose crushed stones, measures about 50 meters (164 feet) in height and spans a diameter of 150 meters (492 feet), creating an imposing feature visible from afar.



Surrounding the mound are terraces on the eastern, western, and northern sides, each adorned with colossal statues and reliefs. The statues, ranging in height from 8 to 10 meters (26 to 33 feet), represent various deities, including Zeus, Apollo, Hercules, and the goddess Tyche, alongside King Antiochus himself. 



The heads of the statues, many of which have toppled over due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-map-shows-75-percent-of-the-u-s-at-risk-of-damaging-earthquakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earthquakes</a> and erosion, lie scattered around the site.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiritual-and-religious-practices">Spiritual and religious practices</h2>



In addition to the statues, inscriptions at Mount Nemrut provide valuable historical information about the kingdom, the king's lineage, and the religious practices of the time.



The site is not only a marvel of ancient engineering but also a spiritual and astronomical center. Scholars believe the terraces were aligned with celestial events, serving as an observatory for solstices and equinoxes.



In addition to its natural and historical significance, the Nemrut volcano has been the subject of scientific study, as researchers aim to understand more about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-eruptions-play-an-overlooked-role-in-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic activity</a> in the region, the history of its eruptions, and the potential risks it may pose in the future.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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Mount Nemrut: Ancient mysteries and natural marvels 

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the world's largest iceberg currently in existence, known as Iceberg A-23a. It is a colossal tabular iceberg that originated from Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf.&nbsp;



“The ice mass is currently lodged on the seabed 73 kilometers (45 miles) from the remote island of South Georgia, which can be seen just poking out from beneath the cloud cover,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/05/Earth_from_Space_World_s_biggest_iceberg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“Although the size of the island is not clearly visible in this image, it is only marginally bigger than the iceberg.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-largest-active-iceberg">Largest active iceberg</h2>



This massive chunk of ice initially calved off the ice shelf in 1986, making it not only the largest active iceberg today but also among the oldest still afloat.



For decades, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-iceberg-a23a-undergoing-major-erosion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A-23a</a> remained grounded in the Weddell Sea, lodged against the seafloor and relatively immobile. However, in recent years - particularly in 2020 - it began to drift again, having finally dislodged.&nbsp;



Since then, it has slowly but steadily been moving northward, driven by ocean currents and winds. By late 2023, A-23a had entered the open waters of the Southern Ocean and was heading toward the region around South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic - a typical path for icebergs from the Weddell Sea. 



This drift raised concerns about possible ecological impacts, especially if the iceberg were to run aground near South Georgia, potentially disrupting local marine ecosystems and wildlife, such as seals and penguins that rely on open access to the ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-enormous-chunk-of-ice">An enormous chunk of ice</h2>



A-23a is enormous in scale. At its peak size, it covered an area of around 3,900 square kilometers - that’s larger than the U.S. state of Rhode Island or roughly one-and-a-half times the size of Luxembourg.&nbsp;



It’s around 400 meters thick, about the height of the Empire State Building, and the portion visible above water represents only a fraction of its total size, as most of the iceberg lies below the surface.&nbsp;



“A23a has started to disintegrate and many smaller blocks of ice are visible in the dark blue ocean, particularly to the north of the berg. The disintegration is typical of icebergs that reach this far north and is caused by the warmer sea temperatures and weather conditions,” said ESA.



Despite these losses, however, it has retained much of its original bulk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-iceberg-a-23a-nbsp">Significance of Iceberg A-23a&nbsp;</h2>



Iceberg A-23a carries significance not just due to its size but also for what it tells scientists about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-losing-the-battle-against-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> and ocean dynamics.&nbsp;



Iceberg drift patterns are closely monitored via satellite imagery to study how changing climate conditions affect calving rates, iceberg longevity, and meltwater inputs into the ocean.&nbsp;



As it continues its journey, A-23a will gradually shrink, releasing vast quantities of freshwater into the sea, which can affect local salinity levels and nutrient distribution.



While icebergs this large are rare, they’re not unprecedented. In 2000, an even larger iceberg, B-15, broke away from the Ross Ice Shelf and initially covered more than 11,000 square kilometers. But that iceberg has long since broken into smaller fragments and dissipated.&nbsp;



What makes A-23a remarkable is its longevity and recent reactivation, allowing researchers to witness the slow transformation of a giant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-ecosystem-sea-creatures-never-before-seen-revealed-antarctica-iceberg-breakup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frozen relic</a> that had remained stationary for most of its existence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-icebergs-and-potential-collisions">Large icebergs and potential collisions</h2>



Large icebergs, particularly those calved from Antarctica’s vast ice shelves, can span hundreds to thousands of square kilometers and weigh billions of tons. When they break away, they typically drift into the Southern Ocean, carried by wind and powerful ocean currents like the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.&nbsp;



These icebergs gradually melt as they travel into warmer waters, but some, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-iceberg-a23a-breaks-free-from-ocean-cyclone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A23A</a> or the infamous B-15, can persist for years or even decades.



As they drift, large icebergs can become hazards - primarily to the environment but occasionally to shipping lanes. Potential collisions usually involve these ice masses grounding on continental shelves or crashing into islands or seafloor ridges.&nbsp;



When such collisions occur, they can damage benthic ecosystems, which are sensitive and often host slow-growing, endemic species. The scraping of a massive iceberg across the seabed disrupts sediments and organisms, potentially changing that habitat for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-chain-reactions">Ecological chain reactions</h2>



Additionally, when a large iceberg grounds near biologically rich areas like South Georgia Island, it can block access to feeding zones used by marine mammals and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nearly-all-seabirds-have-ingested-microplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seabirds</a>, forcing them to take longer, more exhausting foraging trips.&nbsp;



This can lead to increased mortality, especially during breeding seasons when animals are tethered to colonies or nurseries.&nbsp;



These disruptions highlight how icebergs, though natural parts of the cryosphere, can trigger ecological chain reactions as they interact with biologically productive and topographically complex regions.



The image was captured on April 5, 2025 by the Ocean and Land Color Instrument on <a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Copernicus Sentinel-3</a>.



Image Credit: ESA



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Satellite captures a glimpse of the world's largest iceberg

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features UGC 5460, a spiral galaxy that is located about 60 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major.&nbsp;



“This image combines four different wavelengths of light to reveal UGC 5460’s central bar of stars, winding spiral arms and bright blue star clusters. Also captured in the upper left-hand corner of this image is a far closer object: a star just 577 light-years away in our own galaxy,” said <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“UGC 5460 has hosted two recent supernovae named SN 2011ht and SN 2015as. It’s because of these two stellar explosions that Hubble targeted this galaxy, collecting data for three observing programmes that aim to study various kinds of supernovae.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-core-collapse-supernova-nbsp">A core-collapse supernova&nbsp;</h2>



SN 2015as is an example of a core-collapse supernova. This type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> occurs when the core of a massive star - typically with more than 8 times the mass of the sun - can no longer support its own gravity after exhausting its nuclear fuel. 



This causes the core to collapse under its own weight, leading to an extremely violent explosion. The collapse triggers the release of an enormous amount of energy, expelling the outer layers of the star into space.



In the aftermath of the explosion, a dense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shockingly-bright-carbon-monoxide-detected-in-supernova-remnant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remnant</a> is created. This is often a neutron star or black hole, depending on the mass of the original star. Core-collapse supernovae are some of the most powerful events in the universe.



According to ESA, Hubble observations of SN 2015as will help researchers understand what happens when the expanding shockwave of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-dandelion-year-1181-leaves-behind-zombie-star-defying-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> collides with the gas that surrounds the exploded star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-stars-with-large-eruptions-nbsp">Rare stars with large eruptions&nbsp;</h2>



“SN 2011ht might have been a core-collapse supernova as well, but it could also be an impostor called a luminous blue variable. Luminous blue variables are rare stars that experience eruptions so large that they can mimic supernovae,” noted ESA.



“Crucially, luminous blue variables emerge from these eruptions unscathed, while stars that go supernova do not. Hubble will search for a stellar survivor at SN 2011ht’s location, and the explosion’s identity may be revealed at last.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-spiral-galaxy">What is a spiral galaxy?</h2>



Spiral galaxies are some of the most recognizable and beautiful structures in the universe. They are known for their distinctive arms that spiral outward from a central bulge.&nbsp;



These galaxies are typically composed of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. The arms are often sites of intense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>, where clouds of gas collapse to form new stars. 



In the center of a spiral galaxy lies a dense concentration of older stars and, often, a supermassive black hole.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structure-of-a-spiral-galaxy-nbsp">Structure of a spiral galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



The structure of a spiral galaxy is generally divided into three main components: the disk, the bulge, and the halo.&nbsp;



The disk is where the spiral arms are located and contains most of the galaxy's visible stars and interstellar medium.&nbsp;



The bulge is a tightly packed region of older stars at the core, and the halo consists of a sparse collection of stars and globular clusters that surround the galaxy.&nbsp;



Spiral galaxies can be classified into different types based on the tightness and number of their spiral arms, as well as the size of their central bulge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-milky-way-galaxy">The Milky Way galaxy</h2>



Our solar system is located within a large spiral galaxy known as the Milky Way. The name refers to its appearance as a dim, milky band of light stretching across the night sky.&nbsp;



The term "Milky Way" comes from ancient Greek mythology, where it was associated the goddess Hera's milk spilling into the sky. In Greek, it was called "Galaxias Kyklos," meaning "milky circle."&nbsp;



Spanning about 100,000 light-years in diameter, the Milky Way is composed of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. The galaxy has a distinct disk shape with spiral arms that wind outward from a central bulge, which houses a supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-black-hole-unleashes-mysterious-flares/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a>. 



Our sun is located in one of the spiral arms - known as the Orion Arm - positioned roughly halfway from the center to the outer edge.&nbsp;



The Milky Way is part of a small group of galaxies called the Local Group, which includes the Andromeda Galaxy and several smaller galaxies.



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Hubble views a spiral galaxy with stellar explosions

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a blanket of dust over the Tarim Basin - a vast, arid region in northwestern China. 



Mountain peaks are visible through a break in the dust. These peaks are part of Tekilik Shan, a subrange of the Kunlun Mountains.



Though not as widely known as some other mountain ranges in the area, Tekilik Shan plays a significant role in shaping local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-weather-is-pushing-nature-toward-a-breaking-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather</a> patterns and geography.



Its snow-covered peaks can rise above 13,000 feet, contributing to the dramatic elevation differences that define the basin’s borders.



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



Spring marks the height of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sahara-desert-dust-storms-carry-harmful-bacteria-and-fungi-around-the-globe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dust storm</a> activity in the Tarim Basin, particularly in its southern region.&nbsp;



“It’s a time of year when regional wind patterns shift in ways that cause winds and storm systems to sweep in from the northwest,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154126/a-curtain-of-dust-over-the-tarim-basin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



“In early spring, when landscapes in this region are especially dry and have minimal vegetation, land surfaces warm rapidly under the Sun’s heat every morning, fueling convection that can help loft dust upward by the afternoon.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fingerlike-dust-formations-nbsp">Fingerlike dust formations&nbsp;</h2>



Satellite images revealed dust formations with fingerlike shapes that mirrored the landscape below. These projections aligned with valleys, which channeled and directed the airborne dust.&nbsp;



Ralph Kahn is an atmospheric scientist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder and scientist emeritus at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.



According to Kahn, the dust may have been “self-lofting.” In this process, sunlight heats recently stirred-up surface dust, creating pockets of convection that lift it even higher into the air.



This interpretation is supported by hourly observations from Japan’s Himawari-9 geostationary satellite, which showed dust gradually rising into the Tekilik Shan throughout the day. By late afternoon, the storm had grown dense enough to obscure the mountains.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decline-in-atmospheric-dust">Decline in atmospheric dust</h2>



Long-term satellite data from MODIS suggest that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-storms-in-the-gulf-of-alaska-help-shape-the-global-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric dust</a> levels in this region have declined by about 1.5 percent each year since the early 2000s.&nbsp;



NASA researcher Hongbin Yu attributes this trend mainly to springtime changes - such as altered wind speeds, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-soil-moisture-can-predict-severe-storms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soil moisture</a>, or vegetation cover - rather than shifts in other seasons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rainfall-in-the-tarim-basin-nbsp">Rainfall in the Tarim Basin&nbsp;</h2>



“The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Takla-Makan-Desert" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Takla Makan Desert</a> is one of the driest, most barren expanses on Earth. Flanked by mountain ranges on three sides and parched by the resulting <a href="https://glossary.ametsoc.org/wiki/Rain_shadow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rain shadow</a>, parts of the Tarim Basin receive no more than 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) of rain per year,” noted NASA.



“Dust storms can lead to public health problems in populated areas downwind by transporting small particles, bacteria, and viruses that infiltrate human respiratory systems.”&nbsp;



NASA added that dust storms can also affect Earth’s climate by scattering and absorbing incoming solar radiation and changing the properties of clouds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-landscape-of-the-tarim-basin-nbsp">Landscape of the Tarim Basin&nbsp;</h2>



The Tarim Basin is one of the largest endorheic basins in the world, meaning that its rivers do not drain into the sea but instead flow into interior lakes or evaporate.&nbsp;



The basin is encircled by three mountain ranges: the Tien Shan to the north, the Kunlun Mountains to the south, and the Pamirs to the west. These ranges create a powerful rain shadow effect, making the region exceptionally dry.



At the heart of the Tarim Basin lies the Taklamakan Desert, one of the most extreme deserts on Earth. The desert is known for its high dunes, intense temperature swings, and minimal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-rainfall-will-wreak-havoc-on-mountain-ranges-as-warming-climate-turns-snow-to-rain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-history-and-geology">History and geology</h2>



Despite its harsh environment, the basin has been historically significant. It was a key section of the ancient Silk Road, with several oases such as Kashgar, Khotan, and Loulan serving as vital trading and cultural centers for centuries.



Geologically, the basin is rich in natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas, and has become a focal point for China's energy exploration and development.&nbsp;



The region’s challenging climate and remote location, however, make infrastructure development and human habitation difficult.&nbsp;



The image was captured on March 27, 2025 by the Operational Land Imager instrument on Landsat 8.



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Blanket of dust covers China’s Tarim Basin

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 5335 - a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. 



The photo was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. According to <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/04/Barred_Spiral_Galaxy_NGC_5335" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>, thousands of distant galaxies are speckled throughout the image in a variety of colors.&nbsp;



Hubble is revealing how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-galaxies-discovery-would-upend-current-understanding-of-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> form, grow, and evolve over cosmic time by capturing detailed images of galaxies at various stages of development, from the nearby universe to billions of light-years away. 



Hubble images have shown us that galaxies collide and merge, that star formation varies across different types of galaxies, and that supermassive black holes often lie at their centers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-ngc-5335">Studying NGC 5335</h2>



The galaxy NGC 5335 lies approximately 160 million light-years from Earth. It is classified as an SB(s)bc type galaxy, indicating a well-defined bar structure across its center with less distinct spiral arms. The galaxy was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on May 13, 1793. 



Like many galaxies of its type, NGC 5335 features active <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/star-formation-reignited-in-the-galaxy-leo-p-after-billions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>, especially in its spiral arms, where interstellar gas and dust provide the raw material for new stars. 



Observations in different wavelengths, including infrared and ultraviolet, help astronomers study its stellar population and the dynamics of its central bar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-s-view-of-the-spiral-galaxy-nbsp">Hubble’s view of the spiral galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



“NGC 5335 is categorized as a flocculent spiral galaxy with patchy streamers of star formation across its disk. There is a striking lack of well-defined spiral arms that are commonly found among galaxies, including our Milky Way,” noted ESA.



“A notable bar structure slices across the center of the galaxy. The bar channels gas inwards toward the galactic center, fueling star formation.”&nbsp;



“Such bars are dynamic in galaxies and may come and go over two-billion-year intervals. They appear in about 30 percent of observed galaxies, including our Milky Way.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galactic-bar-in-the-milky-way-nbsp">Galactic bar in the Milky Way&nbsp;</h2>



The bar in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-found-something-strange-at-core-of-milky-way-galaxy-webb-meerkat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> is a vast, elongated structure composed mostly of stars, stretching across the galaxy’s central region. It is a key feature of our galaxy’s architecture, spanning about 27,000 light-years and oriented at an angle relative to the galaxy’s spiral arms.&nbsp;



Astronomers believe it plays a crucial role in the dynamics and evolution of the Milky Way by funneling gas inward toward the galactic center, which can feed star formation and fuel the supermassive black hole at the core.&nbsp;



The bar is thought to have formed from instabilities in the galactic disk and continues to influence the motion of stars and the overall gravitational balance of the galaxy.&nbsp;



Observations in infrared and radio wavelengths, which can pierce through the dust in the galactic plane, have helped scientists map the bar’s size, shape, and orientation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-virgo-nbsp">The constellation Virgo&nbsp;</h2>



Virgo is one of the most prominent and well-known constellations in the night sky, both astronomically and mythologically. It is the second-largest constellation by area and lies along the zodiac, making it one of the twelve constellations through which the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/team-creates-video-showing-the-sun-in-gamma-rays-over-a-14-year-period/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sun</a> appears to move during the year. 



Virgo is most visible in the evening sky in the Northern Hemisphere during spring, particularly in April and May. Its name means “virgin” in Latin.



Virgo is traditionally associated with various fertility and agriculture goddesses across different cultures, including the Greek goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, as well as the Roman goddess Ceres. 



In some myths, Virgo represents Astraea, the virgin goddess of justice who fled to the heavens during the corruption of mankind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-astronomical-significance-of-virgo">Astronomical significance of Virgo</h2>



Astronomically, Virgo is situated between Leo to the west and Libra to the east. One of its most notable stars is Spica, the brightest star in Virgo and one of the brightest in the night sky.&nbsp;



Spica is a blue-white giant, located approximately 250 light-years from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/was-early-earth-a-purple-planet-scientists-say-its-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>. It has been important for navigation and agriculture for centuries, marking planting and harvest times in ancient calendars.



Virgo is also of great interest to astronomers because it hosts the Virgo Cluster, a massive cluster of galaxies about 65 million light-years away.&nbsp;



This cluster contains more than 1,000 galaxies, and it's part of the larger Virgo Supercluster, which also includes our own Local Group of galaxies. This makes Virgo a key area for studying large-scale structures in the universe.



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Hubble spotlights galaxies in the constellation Virgo

It’s no secret that missing sleep can leave you feeling sluggish. But even just a few nights of poor rest may be silently working against your heart. 



A new study shows that limited sleep triggers changes at the molecular level, and that these are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.



Scientists from <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a> conducted the study in a carefully controlled laboratory environment. The goal was to uncover how sleep deprivation impacts specific proteins in the blood that are associated with inflammation and heart problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-sleep-and-heart-health">A closer look at sleep and heart health</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-twenties-can-make-or-break-your-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heart health</a> depends on many things - diet, exercise, stress, and sleep. While large studies have linked chronic sleep loss to heart attacks and strokes, it’s been harder to pin down exactly what happens inside the body when sleep is lacking.



The research team worked with 16 healthy young men, all of whom had a normal body weight and no known <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-problems-linked-to-higher-risk-of-stroke/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep problems</a>.



Over two sessions in a lab, participants were monitored under tightly controlled conditions. They ate identical meals, followed the same activity levels, and completed 30 minutes of intense exercise each session. 



The only difference was that one session included three nights of full sleep. The other allowed just four hours of sleep per night.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-body-s-reaction-to-sleep-loss">The body's reaction to sleep loss</h2>



By analyzing morning and evening blood samples, the team examined the levels of around 90 different proteins. What they found was striking.



The levels of many inflammatory proteins increased after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-deprivation-increases-the-risk-of-stroke-by-70-percent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep deprivation</a>. These same proteins have already been linked to heart conditions such as coronary artery disease and heart failure.



“Unfortunately, nearly half of all Swedes regularly experience disturbed sleep, and this is particularly common among shift workers," said Jonathan Cedernaes, a physician at Uppsala University who led the study.



"That is why we wanted to try to identify mechanisms that affect how lack of sleep can increase the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-century-of-progress-in-the-fight-against-cardiovascular-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a>. Ultimately, the purpose was to identify opportunities to address these problems."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-deprivation-and-heart-health">Sleep deprivation and heart health</h2>



The fact that these changes were found in young, otherwise healthy men after just a few nights of short sleep makes the finding even more significant.



Much of the research previously conducted on sleep deprivation and its impact on cardiovascular health has focused on older individuals who already have an increased risk. 



According to Cedernaese, this is why it was important to study levels of these proteins in younger individuals.



"It was interesting that the levels of these proteins increased in the same way in younger and previously perfectly healthy individuals after only a few nights of sleep deprivation," said Cedernaes.



"This means that it’s important to emphasise the importance of sleep for cardiovascular health even early in life."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-exercise">What about exercise?</h2>



The study also examined how physical activity affects the body under different rest conditions. Several proteins tied to the benefits of exercise increased regardless of rest levels. Still, the body's overall response to exercise showed some variation when rest was limited.



The researchers had already observed that working out without proper rest may place extra stress on heart muscle cells.



“With this study, we have improved our understanding of what role the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seven-hours-is-the-ideal-amount-of-sleep-from-middle-age-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amount of sleep</a> we get plays in cardiovascular health," said Cedernaes. 



"It’s important to point out that studies have also shown that physical exercise can offset at least some of the negative effects that poor sleep can cause. But it's also important to note that exercise cannot replace the essential functions of sleep." 



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



While this study was focused on young men, many questions remain. Could the same changes happen in women, older adults, or people with existing health issues?



“Further research is needed to investigate how these effects might differ in women, older individuals, patients with heart disease, or those with different sleep patterns," said Cedernaes.



"Our ongoing research will hopefully help to develop better guidelines on how sleep, exercise and other lifestyle factors can be harnessed to better prevent cardiovascular diseases.” 



In the meantime, the message is clear: getting enough sleep is not just about feeling well-rested - it could be one of the simplest ways to take care of your heart.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://biomarkerres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40364-025-00776-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biomarker Research</a>.



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Sleep deprivation has a bigger impact on heart health than expected

It’s no secret that missing sleep can leave you feeling...

Volcanic,Gas,Bubbles,Through,Porous,Rock,Near,The,Island,Of

Axial Seamount sits under the Pacific Ocean about 300 miles from the U.S. coast. Since 1997, scientists have kept a careful eye on it using instruments that measure pressure on the ocean floor. 



Data shows that the volcano has been swelling, with changing rates that hint at an upcoming eruption.



Its activity caught the attention of experts because it shows a pattern of erupting after reaching a particular level of inflation. 



Observers have noted that the volcano’s swelling slowed from 2015 to 2023, then sped up again in late 2023. By mid-2024, that rate hit 10 inches per year, while daily earthquakes soared into the hundreds.



Mark Zumberge, a geophysicist at <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a>, has described it this way: “It’s the most well-instrumented submarine volcano on the planet.” 



He and others use pressure sensors and AI-driven analysis to gauge shifts in earthquake patterns. William Chadwick of <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> once referred to a 2015 eruption forecast as their “best forecasting success.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-continental-plates-pull-apart">Where continental plates pull apart</h2>



Axial Seamount rises from the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/subduction-juan-de-fuca-plate-beneath-north-american-pla" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Juan de Fuca Ridge</a>, an underwater mountain range in the northeastern Pacific. 



At this ridge, the Earth’s crust pulls apart due to the motion of tectonic plates, allowing molten rock to rise up and shape new crust. 



Plates moving apart have built a chain of peaks called a mid-ocean ridge. These ridges rarely capture the public’s imagination, yet they form one of Earth’s largest continuous geological features.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/axial-seamount_underwater-geography_credit-UWashington_1m-1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/axial-seamount_underwater-geography_credit-UWashington_1s.webp" alt="Geography of the underwater volcano Axial Seamount, located in the Juan de Fuca Ridge, an underwater mountain range. Credit: University of Washington" class="wp-image-1955549"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Geography of the underwater volcano Axial Seamount, located in the Juan de Fuca Ridge, an underwater mountain range. Credit: University of Washington</figcaption></figure>



The ridge separates the Pacific Plate and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/claim-earth-has-six-continents-not-seven-north-america-europe-connected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North American Plate</a>. When those plates drift away from each other, magma surfaces and hardens. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supervolcano-italy-solfatara-crater-phlegraean-fields-shows-signs-of-waking-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Volcanic and seismic events</a> dot this region, including those at Axial. Repeated eruptions at this particular volcano have given researchers a real-time window into volcanic processes that most can only study from old rocks on land.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-axial-seamount-eruptions">Axial Seamount eruptions</h2>



Because Axial Seamount experiences frequent eruptions, it provides chances to fine-tune eruption predictions. 



Its swelling has reached levels that match those seen before past eruptions, prompting discussions about the next event possibly coming by the end of 2025.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/axial-seamount_underground-magma-system_credit-OregonStateU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/axial-seamount_underground-magma-system_credit-OregonStateU_1s.webp" alt="A schematic model of the magmatic system below Axial Seamount. Green, blue, and cyan polygons on the seafloor indicate 1998, 2011, and 2015 lava flows, respectively. The red star indicates the location of a revised prolate-spheroid inflation source for the 2015 eruption52, and the magenta cycles denote the hydrothermal vents. Black lines denote eruptive fissures identified during 2011 and 2015 eruptions. A thermally controlled permeability boundary layer separates the MMR from hydrothermal fluid circulation (cyan dashed lines with arrows) in the dike and lava section above13. White dashed lines denote the isotherms. Credit: Nature" class="wp-image-1955438"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A schematic model of the magmatic system below Axial Seamount. Green, blue, and cyan polygons on the seafloor indicate 1998, 2011, and 2015 lava flows, respectively. The red star indicates the location of a revised prolate-spheroid inflation source for the 2015 eruption52, and the magenta cycles denote the hydrothermal vents. Black lines denote eruptive fissures identified during 2011 and 2015 eruptions. A thermally controlled permeability boundary layer separates the MMR from hydrothermal fluid circulation (cyan dashed lines with arrows) in the dike and lava section above13. White dashed lines denote the isotherms. Credit: Nature</figcaption></figure>



Since these eruptions have been fairly similar each time, scientists are learning which signs point to magma movement and what those signals might mean for future activity.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hydrothermal-vents-earths-blueprint-for-finding-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hydrothermal vents</a> play a role in shaping local marine ecosystems. Lava flows and bursts of heated fluid feed specialized life, such as tube worms and clams, that flourish in dark, high-pressure environments. 



This small spot of deep-sea life is a reminder of how volcanic activity can spur biological communities in unexpected places.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-and-new-prediction-methods">AI and new prediction methods</h2>



A recent effort involves analyzing quake patterns prior to 2015. That study leverages machine learning to recognize signals that precede an eruption. 



Experts see these methods as a way to identify shifts in ground motion more quickly than manual approaches. 



As inflation picks up again, this automated tracking could help identify the precise moment when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexpected-molten-rock-layer-discovered-under-earths-crust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molten rock</a> nears the surface.



Zumberge and others draw on a network of sensors that map every tremor and change in ground tilt. “At Axial, we don’t have to worry about false alarms,” said Chadwick. 



Thanks to these tools, false starts - common in volcano monitoring - have not posed much confusion here.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-axial-seamount-s-slopes">Beyond Axial Seamount's slopes</h2>



Underwater eruptions may seem distant to folks on land, but they have global significance. The 2022 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tonga-eruption-had-the-energy-of-five-nuclear-explosions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hunga Tonga event</a>, for example, triggered a tsunami that caused an estimated $90 billion in losses. 



Though Axial Seamount itself poses little direct threat - shield volcanoes are less violent, and tremors here lack the force to create large waves - insights gained may aid efforts to forecast other, more hazardous sites.



“There’s no crystal ball,” noted volcanologist Valerio Acocella, from <a href="https://www.uniroma3.it/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University Roma Tre</a> in Italy, who studies both submarine and terrestrial volcanoes. 



That simple fact drives efforts to refine predictive science, using a wide range of data: ground deformation, quake frequency, and the chemistry of volcanic gases. 



Any improvement in these forecasts could limit harm in regions where eruptions might strike without warning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-models-with-real-time-data">Refining models with real-time data</h2>



When Axial erupts, molten rock pours out across the seafloor, and new vents appear. These events offer a direct look at how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crystals-can-help-predict-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magma moves underground</a>. 



Instruments feed constant streams of measurements to shore-based labs, revealing changes that happen within hours or even minutes. 



That trove of information helps experts see common threads that tie Axial’s predictable nature to more erratic volcanoes around the world.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/axial-seamount_seafloor-uplift_graph_credit-OregonStateU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/axial-seamount_seafloor-uplift_graph_credit-OregonStateU_1s.webp" alt="Cumulative seafloor uplift and detected earthquakes at Axial Seamount underwater volcano. The vertical axis shows the uplift since May 2015, and the horizontal axis shows the cumulative amount of earthquakes detected since May 2015. Credit: Oregon State University" class="wp-image-1955436"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cumulative seafloor uplift and detected earthquakes at Axial Seamount underwater volcano. The vertical axis shows the uplift since May 2015, and the horizontal axis shows the cumulative amount of earthquakes detected since May 2015. Credit: Oregon State University</figcaption></figure>



Each new episode produces extra details, clarifying where magma is stored and how it shifts in the days or weeks before an eruption. 



According to Acocella, “We need these ideal cases to understand how volcanoes work.” 



Because Axial has such robust instrumentation, these “ideal cases” are more complete than anything available from many land-based sites.



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



Even though the undersea location of Axial Seamount means there is minimal risk to nearby shorelines, scientists still keep track of everything that happens beneath the waves. 



If a future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underwater-volcanic-eruptions-are-more-harmful-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">submarine volcano</a> shows similar signals but lies closer to inhabited regions, the same methods could help governments plan. 



Real-time data streams might allow them to evacuate at-risk areas or safeguard critical infrastructure.



At Axial, repeated eruptions give a sense of certainty about what might unfold next. 



Unlike volcanoes that lie dormant for decades, this one reactivates on a cycle, creating a chance to track repeated patterns. That cyclical aspect has turned Axial into a natural classroom for geophysicists.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-impact-of-axial-seamount">Global impact of Axial Seamount</h2>



To sum it all up, technological advances have made it easier to keep watch on both shallow and deep sections of Earth’s crust. Long cables connect sensors, offering near-instant awareness of quake swarms and ground shifts. 



By combining those tools with AI algorithms, research teams spot subtle shifts that might have gone unnoticed in older data sets.



The anticipation of Axial’s next eruption has galvanized experts who study volcanic forecasting. 



Axial’s shield structure, real-time monitoring, and location on a mid-ocean ridge present a unique scenario where everything lines up for practical research. 



Overall, many specialists see this site as a key test bed for learning about submarine eruptions. 



Eruptions at Axial allow researchers to gather immediate, detailed data that refine future warnings and guide planning for potentially dangerous underwater volcanoes elsewhere.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49188-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



Image Credit: <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a>



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Mile-wide underwater volcano off the U.S. coast is expected to erupt at any time

Axial Seamount sits under the Pacific Ocean about 300 miles...

Seagrasses grow in shallow ocean waters and rarely grab headlines. Most people notice them only when their leaves wash up on the beach. Yet, those unassuming underwater plants, have a big role in the way our planet stores carbon.



Researchers have found that these coastal meadows <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-climate-solutions-enhancing-the-role-of-seagrass-meadows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trap</a> significant amounts of organic matter beneath their thin blades. They act like natural buffers against the rising levels of carbon dioxide in the air.



After several years of data gathering, they have drawn attention from experts worldwide, including the lead author, Dr. Johannes R. Krause from the <a href="https://www.fiu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida International University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-seagrass-matters-for-carbon-storage">Why seagrass matters for carbon storage</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-under-threat-herbivores-migrating-warm-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seagrasses</a> thrive close to shore, so they often face pollution, excessive nutrient runoff, and increased sediment in the water. Despite these challenges, they continue to draw in carbon and store it in their roots and the soil around them.



They also provide key habitats for fish and help shelter coastlines from erosion. Many ocean species depend on these meadows for breeding and feeding, which makes conservation efforts critical for biodiversity.



Seagrasses typically occupy only a small portion of the sea floor but hold a noteworthy share of carbon in their soils and biomass. One <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ngeo1477" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> showed that these plants are a major factor in global carbon burial, potentially storing more organic carbon than some forests on land.



Their presence under the waves keeps a portion of what would otherwise be released into the air locked away. It is a natural function that scientists are eager to protect in a warming world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-seagrass-stores-and-traps-carbon">How seagrass stores and traps carbon</h2>



“We now have comprehensive data to form a more complete and nuanced understanding of seagrass blue carbon,” said Dr. Krause. 



The assessment found that the top 12 inches of seagrass soil hold a median estimate of around 24.2 metric tons of <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/total_organic_carbon.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organic carbon</a> for every 2.47 acres.&nbsp;Researchers once believed these plants formed large storage banks only in certain regions or species. 



Data now show that even small or short-lived species can hide sizable amounts below the surface in some locations. That means protective measures cannot ignore areas with less dense or shorter <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-and-climate-change-an-uncertain-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grasses</a>.



The authors of the study highlight that persistent plants with robust below-ground systems often accumulate more buried carbon. However, fast-growing species in places with plenty of sediment can also collect notable soil carbon if conditions allow it to remain undisturbed.



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



Seagrass regions have faced declines worldwide. Coastal development, water pollution, and activities like <a href="https://www.msc.org/what-we-are-doing/our-approach/fishing-methods-and-gear-types/demersal-or-bottom-trawls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bottom trawling</a> disturb these meadows, which may trigger the release of <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355854254_Anthropogenic_pressures_and_life_history_predict_trajectories_of_seagrass_meadow_extent_at_a_global_scale" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> stored for centuries into the atmosphere.



When plants die off, their buried layers become exposed to waves and currents. This stirs up and oxidizes their trapped organic matter, leading to a spike in carbon dioxide flow out of the ocean. That jump could challenge efforts to slow greenhouse gas buildup.



If large-scale losses of these habitats continue, it could come with a substantial economic cost. By some estimates, the future release of carbon could run into the billions of dollars when the social cost of emissions is calculated.



Seagrass meadows store carbon while also supporting local economies and cultures reliant on healthy fisheries. Protecting these coastal habitats can reduce climate risks and sustain jobs and food sources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restoring-seagrass-habitats">Restoring seagrass habitats</h2>



Scientists agree that reliable mapping of seagrass <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-the-evolutionary-adaptations-of-seagrasses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">distribution</a> is vital. At times, meadows remain undiscovered in remote areas, and many species are only sparsely documented. A clearer picture could inform local managers seeking to protect vulnerable spots.



Restoration projects, where feasible, can help rebuild seagrass coverage in places where it has dwindled. Such work involves replanting healthy shoots and ensuring water conditions encourage stable growth. Patience is key, since soil carbon accumulates gradually.



Preserving these sites yields more than just carbon benefits. They also help stabilize shorelines and bolster local marine life populations. This combined payoff makes the case for addressing pollution, regulating damaging fishing methods, and encouraging ecotourism or other sustainable coastal activities.



Securing seagrass meadows can be a direct move toward meeting international climate targets. By curbing losses and letting soils remain intact, communities retain a nature-based ally in carbon management while protecting ocean resources for future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-seagrass-for-carbon-storage">Preserving seagrass for carbon storage</h2>



Every patch of seagrass harbors potential value, both as a haven for marine life and as a natural reservoir of organic carbon. Researchers stress that the top layer of soil is especially prone to being stirred up by human impacts, so it warrants close attention.



Decisions made now can either help these unassuming plant meadows remain a subtle carbon safeguard or push them to release what they have stored. Public awareness and supportive policies will shape how we handle these critical coastal zones moving forward.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59204-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Seagrass plays a major role in global carbon storage

Seagrasses grow in shallow ocean waters and rarely grab headlines....

Scientists recently snapped pictures of single, "free range" atoms as they move around freely through space - an achievement that has been impossible until now. 



This remarkable feat might rewrite our understanding of how minuscule <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-can-map-subtle-shifts-in-earths-gravity-using-atoms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> behave when they are left to roam without constraints.



These images shed light on interactions that experts predicted but have never witnessed up close. 



The breakthrough was led by Martin Zwierlein at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.mit.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>), marking a new milestone in the study of quantum behavior at the smallest scales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capturing-single-atoms">Capturing single atoms</h2>



The scientists employed <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-10281-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atom-resolved microscopy</a> to freeze motion within an <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/physics-and-astronomy/optical-lattice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">optical lattice</a>, which is a pattern of light that holds atoms in place.



This quick snapshot reveals each atom’s location at a precise moment, capturing an instant of genuine quantum dynamics.



Lasers illuminate the trapped atoms, allowing a camera to see them individually before they fade. 



The team carefully tuned the light to avoid overheating or scattering the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poorly-understood-force-helps-keep-atomic-nuclei-stable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atoms</a>, and ensured that the fleeting structure remained visible just long enough for documentation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atomic-scale-and-quantum-effects">Atomic scale and quantum effects</h2>



A <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/nanometer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nanometer</a> measures one-billionth of a meter, and a single atom often spans about one-tenth of a nanometer. 



This scale magnifies the quantum effects, since such tiny dimensions cause particles to follow rules that differ from everyday classical physics.



Earlier imaging methods gave a broad view of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-atomic-collisions-unleash-unexpected-energy-bursts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atomic</a> clouds but struggled to reveal each atom’s place. 



By identifying individual positions, researchers hope to confirm theories about how strongly interacting particles arrange themselves in near-zero temperature conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-single-atoms-of-bosons-behave">How single atoms of bosons behave</h2>



The group tested the method on bosons, a category of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/magnetar-flares-create-gold-platinum-uranium-in-seconds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> known to share identical quantum states. 



Under ultracold temperatures, the bosons displayed bunching, indicating that they overlap and move together in ways that challenge our usual sense of matter’s boundaries.



“We are able to see single atoms in these interesting clouds of atoms and what they are doing in relation to each other, which is beautiful,” said Zwierlein. 



One result showed sodium atoms merging into a single, wavelike entity, called a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/physics-and-astronomy/bose-einstein-condensate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bose-Einstein condensate</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fermion-pairs-and-superconductivity">Fermion pairs and superconductivity</h2>



Atoms with half-integer spin are fermions, which usually keep their distance from identical neighbors. 



In a rare twist, however, certain lithium fermions paired with different spin types, hinting at the same mechanism behind <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-025-05015-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superconductivity</a>, where electrons bind in pairs and are able to conduct electricity without loss.



This direct observation of fermion pairing in free space backs up theories of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-atoms-in-your-body-took-a-400000-light-year-journey-through-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> particles link up at low temperatures. It may also guide researchers seeking materials that carry current with minimal energy waste.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-single-atom-research-and-its-impact">Single atom research and its impact</h2>



<a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2001/ketterle/facts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wolfgang Ketterle</a> from MIT was awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the first Bose-Einstein condensate of sodium atoms. 



That achievement opened doors to exploring quantum gases in ways previously considered impossible.



His group now explores spin correlations in bosonic atoms, adding to the growing library of quantum snapshots that highlight unusual atomic alignments. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/atoms_free-range_single-atom-resolved-microscopy_credit-Sampson-Wilcox_051025_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/atoms_free-range_single-atom-resolved-microscopy_credit-Sampson-Wilcox_051025_1s.webp" alt="Using single-atom-resolved microscopy, ultracold quantum gases composed of two types of atoms reveal distinctly different spatial correlations — the bosons on the left exhibit bunching, while the fermions on the right display anti-bunching. Credits: Sampson Wilcox" class="wp-image-1969205"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Using single-atom-resolved microscopy, ultracold quantum gases composed of two types of atoms reveal distinctly different spatial correlations — the bosons on the left exhibit bunching, while the fermions on the right display anti-bunching. Click image to enlarge. Credits: Sampson Wilcox</figcaption></figure>



Researchers at other institutions, like École Normale Supérieure in Paris, are also racing to capture fermions and compare different interaction strengths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-hall-physics">Quantum Hall physics</h2>



Beyond bosons and fermions, scientists want to investigate <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.48.1559" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum Hall physics</a>, where charged particles display intricate choreography in a strong magnetic field. 



Observing electrons in that environment may clarify topological behaviors linked to advanced electronic devices.



Previous attempts to interpret these states relied on partial theories and crude sketches. Detailed images could confirm whether these pictures reflect reality or if entirely new frameworks are needed.



By snapping pictures at crucial moments, researchers might confirm whether exotic states truly arise when particles move together in tight quarters. 



The data could connect experiments with mathematical models, showing where popular assumptions might fall short.



Such insight might push the search for high-temperature <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/superconductivity-achieved-at-room-temperature-with-new-materials/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superconductors</a>, a field that aims to support electrical flow with almost no friction at workable temperatures. 



Although significant hurdles remain, every new finding brings fresh motivation to uncover practical quantum solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-single-atom-imaging">What's next for single atom imaging</h2>



Teams worldwide can now adapt this technique to a range of atoms and molecules, hoping to catch more elusive behaviors. 



Each success chips away at the enigma of quantum systems that have long tantalized scientists with their hidden rules.



By refining these methods, groups can capture sharper images and measure correlations with increasing precision. 



As they gather more data, patterns may emerge that guide the design of new materials and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-quantum-revolution-will-impact-all-aspects-of-society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum technologies</a>.



Curiosity about these interactions unites physicists across many fields. Each new picture of these atoms helps understand the unseen phenomena that might change what we know about quantum mechanics.



The study is published in <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.183402" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Letters</a>.



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Images of single atoms moving freely through space captured for the first time

Scientists recently snapped pictures of single, "free range" atoms as...

Most people worry about the gradual loss of stamina, strength, and mental sharpness that comes with aging. Scientists have been exploring new ideas to tackle these concerns and increase not just our years but also our quality of life. 



An international team has been testing a special approach that raises levels of a natural protein in the body.



Their research was led by Professor Miguel Chillón at the Institute of Neurosciences of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (<a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UB</a>), and it shines a light on what might someday help people stay healthier for a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longer period</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protein-s-kl-and-its-role-in-aging">Protein s-KL and its role in aging</h2>



The protein at the center of this work is <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41581-018-0078-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Klotho</a>, and the form used in the experiments is the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26599613/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">secreted version</a> known as s-KL. 



Some studies suggest that Klotho may influence a wide range of biological processes by managing signals that affect inflammation and cell aging.



The name Klotho first appeared in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/36285" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientific journals</a> in the late 1990s, when experiments showed that a deficiency of this protein made mice look older and more frail at younger ages.



"We have been working with the Klotho protein for some time, due to its therapeutic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-old-are-you-really-new-tool-measures-aging-from-the-inside-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential</a> for treating neurodegenerative diseases. 



In this study, we wanted to see whether s-KL could also be beneficial for healthy aging by examining a broad range of factors," explained Professor Chillón.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-differences-between-males-and-females">Differences between males and females</h2>



The effects of s-KL weren’t the same for male and female mice. Males showed clearer gains in lifespan and muscle strength, while females responded more strongly in measures of bone structure, especially when treated earlier in life.



These sex-based differences might be tied to how male and female bodies process viral vectors or express the s-KL protein. 



Hormonal factors could also play a role, suggesting future human trials may need sex-specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiosity-might-help-you-stay-sharp-as-you-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategies</a> to get the best results.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aging-improvements-with-s-kl-protein">Aging improvements with s-KL protein</h2>



Researchers noticed that mice given s-KL retained better muscle tissue composition, with less of the scarring often linked to older age. They also had stronger performance in tasks that tested endurance and coordination.



Weakened bones can be a big danger in older adults, so it was intriguing that s-KL seemed to keep the inner bone structure more intact. 



This finding aligns with earlier <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16436465/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observations</a> that Klotho influences mineral balance in bone and may reduce the chances of fractures.



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



Mice treated at 12 months old showed more pronounced improvements in longevity and physical health than those treated at 6 months. One reason could be that the aging mice produced higher levels of the s-KL protein after treatment, which may have amplified its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effects</a>.



This finding raises an important question: Could middle age be a better window for intervention than early adulthood? If so, the timing of s-KL therapy in humans could be just as critical as the treatment itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signs-of-brain-support">Signs of brain support</h2>



Aside from the physical improvements, the investigators measured changes in the hippocampus, a region crucial for memory and cognitive ability. 



They detected heightened markers of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4563705/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adult neurogenesis</a>, which is the process by which new neurons form in mature brains.



There was also evidence that key immune cells in the brain might be working in a more balanced way. This could help remove cellular waste and reduce the chronic inflammation tied to age-related brain diseases.



The researchers used gene therapy vectors that prompted cells to produce s-KL over an extended period. These vectors included genetic instructions, and once inside the mice, the cells took over production of the protein.



The approach was designed to boost s-KL levels in both the brain and other areas of the body. This helped ensure that many of the organs linked to muscle, bone, and memory got the extra support.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-s-kl-protein-and-human-aging">s-KL protein and human aging?</h2>



Although this study was done in mice, the results open the door to potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/defying-time-three-ways-to-slow-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therapies</a> for humans. 



Age-related decline in mobility, memory, and bone strength all contribute to lower independence and quality of life in older adults. A treatment that addresses these together could shift how we think about aging.



Many current drugs only target one issue at a time, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/outdoor-exercise-amplifies-physical-and-mental-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">osteoporosis</a> or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-sleep-may-predict-memory-loss-years-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory loss</a>. But the effects of s-KL span across systems. 



This points toward the possibility of a more unified strategy to aging - one that works with the body’s existing repair mechanisms rather than replacing them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-s-kl-protein-research">What’s next for s-KL protein research?</h2>



If we can find a viable delivery method, s-KL could make a significant contribution to improving people’s quality of life and helping to build the healthiest society possible.



Scientists continue to explore whether direct protein administration or refined gene-based aging options might work best for humans. They plan to keep studying how s-KL weaves into different biological pathways.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/molecular-therapy-family/molecular-therapy/fulltext/S1525-0016(25)00120-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Therapy</a>.



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Protein discovered that boosts lifespan, muscle, and brain power with just one dose

Most people worry about the gradual loss of stamina, strength,...

Drunk,Men,Deny,Drinking,More,Glass,Of,Whisky,By,Pushing

Weight loss drugs are grabbing headlines for their unintended alcohol-related side effects, but not in the way you’d expect. GLP-1 analogues, medications developed to treat obesity, are showing unexpected promise in helping people drink less alcohol.



Imagine shedding pounds and losing the urge to pour another <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohols-hidden-toll-on-the-brain-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drink</a> - all from the same prescription.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-toll-of-alcohol-use-disorder">Global toll of alcohol use disorder</h2>



Alcohol use <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-alcohol-in-moderation-does-not-prolong-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disorder</a> isn’t just about heavy drinking. It’s a relentless cycle, consuming lives and claiming 2.6 million victims annually. That’s 4.7% of global deaths. 



Despite a lineup of treatments - cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational counseling, medications like disulfiram and naltrexone - the odds are grim. Within a year, 70% of those who seek treatment relapse.



Enter GLP-1 analogues. Originally designed to regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss, these medications are now in the spotlight for another reason. Researchers have begun to notice an unexpected side effect: a significant drop in alcohol <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-americans-now-link-alcohol-consumption-to-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weight-loss-drugs-and-alcohol-cravings">Weight loss drugs and alcohol cravings</h2>



In a world where cravings often overpower intentions, GLP-1 analogues may offer a way to dial down the desire to drink. These drugs target the mesolimbic dopamine pathway - the brain’s reward circuit. 



By reducing dopamine release in response to alcohol, they may dampen the motivation to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-related-deaths-have-doubled-over-the-past-two-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drink</a>, steering behavior away from the bottle. Curious about this potential dual effect, Professor Carel le Roux and his team from <a href="https://www.ucd.ie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College Dublin</a> set out to investigate. 



The study involved 262 adults with a BMI over 27 kg/m² (over 59 lbs/ft²), primarily women, with an average age of 46. Participants were grouped based on their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-has-a-hidden-impact-on-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking</a> habits: non-drinkers, rare drinkers, and regular drinkers. Then came the GLP-1 analogue intervention.



Four months later, the findings were clear. Among the 188 participants who completed the follow-up, none reported drinking more than before. But their average alcohol intake plummeted from 11.3 units per week to just 4.3 units.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regular-drinkers-see-biggest-drop">Regular drinkers see biggest drop</h2>



For those who drank regularly, the results were even more dramatic. Their alcohol intake dropped by a staggering 68%, falling from 23.2 units per week to 7.8. 



“This reduction of 68% is comparable to that achieved by nalmefene, a drug used to treat alcohol use disorder in Europe,” noted Professor le Roux.



The findings echoed those in a broader 15-month study led by Maurice O’Farrell, Faisal I. Almohaileb, and Carel le Roux. Their research, spanning January 2023 to March 2024, followed patients treated with GLP-1 analogues in real-world settings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-intake-drops-weight-loss-increases">Alcohol intake drops, weight loss increases</h2>



The numbers tell a compelling story. Before the intervention, average alcohol intake hovered at 11.8 units per week. By the end, it had fallen to 4.3 units – a dramatic reduction mirrored across all drinking categories. 



Among those who drank less than 11 units per week, consumption decreased from 5.5 to 2.5 units. High consumers saw their weekly intake slashed from 23.2 to 7.8 units.



Both men and women showed significant drops in alcohol consumption. Women’s intake fell from 10.3 units per week to 3.9, while men reduced theirs from 13.4 to 5.8 units. The researchers found no significant difference in percentage reduction between the sexes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-between-alcohol-and-weight-loss">Link between alcohol and weight loss</h2>



As for weight loss, the study recorded a mean reduction of 7.7 kg over the four months. That’s impressive - but the correlation between alcohol reduction and weight loss was surprisingly weak (r = 0.24). 



In other words, dropping pounds and drinking less don’t necessarily go hand in hand. However, given the caloric load of alcohol, some degree of weight loss is to be expected. So, what’s the secret?



“The exact mechanism of how GLP-1 analogues reduce alcohol intake is still being investigated but it is thought to involve curbing cravings for alcohol that arise in subcortical areas of the brain that are not under conscious control. Thus, patients report the effects are ‘effortless’,” noted Professor le Roux.



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



The study had its limitations. Nearly one-third of participants dropped out before the follow-up. Data relied on self-reported alcohol intake, raising the spectre of recall bias. And without a control group, establishing causality remains tricky. 



The short study duration further complicates efforts to assess long-term effects. Yet, despite the limitations, the potential implications are hard to ignore. Imagine a single treatment that curbs both weight and alcohol cravings.



Ongoing clinical trials are already probing this dual effect, with early findings suggesting that GLP-1 analogues may indeed reduce alcohol cravings. The next step? Larger, longer-term studies with more diverse populations.



“GLP-1 analogues have been shown to treat obesity and reduce the risk of multiple obesity-related complications. Now, the beneficial effects beyond obesity, such as on alcohol intake, are being actively studied, with some promising results,” noted Professor le Roux.



If these findings hold, GLP-1 analogues could become a game-changer in treating both obesity and alcohol use disorder. Instead of separate treatment plans, patients may benefit from an integrated approach that targets metabolic health and addiction simultaneously.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-hope-for-a-healthier-life">New hope for a healthier life</h2>



The study opens a fascinating window into the broader potential of GLP-1 analogues. Could a medication originally designed to combat obesity also disrupt the cycle of alcohol use disorder?



If so, the implications could ripple across clinics, reshaping how we approach co-occurring metabolic and psychiatric conditions. 



While the data are promising, the road ahead is long. More research is needed to clarify the mechanisms at play, assess long-term effects, and explore optimal dosing strategies.



But one thing is certain - GLP-1 analogues are no longer just about weight loss. They may just be the unexpected key to a healthier, more balanced life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dom.16152" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism</a>.



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Weight loss drugs unexpectedly help people drink less alcohol

Weight loss drugs are grabbing headlines for their unintended alcohol-related...

Digger wasps exhibit remarkable memory skills when managing their nests. These wasps create separate burrows for each egg, storing food inside and returning after a few days to provide more. 



They can remember the locations of up to nine nests simultaneously, despite the chaotic surroundings filled with hundreds of other females' nests. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexpected-find-inside-the-eye-of-a-tiny-wasp-megaphragma-viggianii/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wasps</a> rarely make mistakes, ensuring that each offspring receives adequate nourishment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-digger-wasps-manage-multiple-nests">Digger wasps manage multiple nests</h2>



Mother <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasitic-wasp-had-a-flytrap-for-snatching-its-victims/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wasps</a> feed their young in age order, adjusting the sequence if one larva dies. 



They can also delay feeding larvae that received more food during the first visit. This intricate scheduling prevents starvation and ensures all larvae get sufficient food. 



“Our findings suggest that the miniature brain of an insect is capable of remarkably sophisticated scheduling decisions,” said Professor Jeremy Field, from the&nbsp;<a href="https://ecologyconservation.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centre for Ecology and Conservation</a>&nbsp;on Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall.



“We tend to think that something so small couldn’t do something so complex. In fact, they can remember where and when they have fed their young, and what they fed them, in a way that would be taxing even to human brains.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-episodic-memory-in-wasps">Episodic memory in wasps</h2>



Humans use episodic memory to recall past actions and adjust future plans. Professor Field suggests that wasps may use a similar mechanism to remember where and when they last fed each larva. 



Although the exact process remains unknown, the study indicates that these wasps can track multiple nests, the food given, and the timing of each feeding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caterpillar-hunting-and-feeding-strategy">Caterpillar hunting and feeding strategy</h2>



Digger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-wasp-species-named-after-famous-thieves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wasps</a> hunt caterpillars on heather plants, paralyzing them before placing them in burrows with eggs. The larva consumes the caterpillar as its first meal. 



Mothers then seal the burrow entrance and leave to either start a new burrow or continue feeding existing offspring. They return after two to seven days to check on the larvae. 



If a larva is dead, the mother lays a new egg and reorders the feeding schedule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-hundreds-of-nests">Navigating hundreds of nests</h2>



Despite nesting in nearly featureless sand with hundreds of other nests, mother wasps maintain exceptional spatial awareness. 



They use visual landmarks like stones to locate their nests with impressive accuracy. The study recorded just 1.5% of 1,293 food deliveries going to the wrong nest, emphasizing the precision of their navigation skills.



The researchers also tested the wasps by swapping caterpillars as mothers prepared burrows.



Wasps given larger caterpillars waited longer before providing more food, indicating a flexible feeding strategy based on larval needs. This adaptability helps manage resources effectively and supports the survival of the young.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wasp-memory-nests-and-scheduling">Wasp memory, nests, and scheduling</h2>



Professor Field noted that memory is energetically expensive, requiring neural machinery to store and process information.



While many lab-based studies explore memory in controlled settings, this study demonstrates the ecological relevance of memory in the wild, showing why natural selection may have favored these capabilities.



The researchers used various experiments to explore wasp memory and scheduling. One experiment involved replacing food items in nests, testing whether wasps adjusted feeding schedules based on food size. 



Mothers given larger prey items delayed further feeding, initiating new nests sooner. This behavior allowed them to increase reproductive output without compromising larval survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-wasps-adjust-after-losing-a-nest">How wasps adjust after losing a nest</h2>



Mothers could remember up to nine active nests and adjust feeding schedules without revisiting nests. 



However, when larvae died, mothers replaced them with new eggs, moving these nests to the back of the feeding order. This strategy minimized energy loss and prevented resource wastage.



Fieldwork at Witley Common, UK, revealed that digger wasps evolved cognitive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/an-8-year-olds-backyard-discovery-of-ants-wasps-changed-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategies</a> to counter parasitism and food scarcity. 



Parasitic flies pose a significant threat, laying eggs on wasp larvae. To minimize exposure, mother wasps avoid revisiting nests unless parasitism risk is low. This reduces the chances of parasites accessing vulnerable offspring. 



Additionally, food scarcity prompted wasps to develop efficient nest management. By remembering up to nine nests, mothers allocate food based on larval age without resampling, conserving time and resources. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-cognitive-traits">Evolution of cognitive traits </h2>



Researchers suggest that these memory and scheduling abilities may have laid the foundation for social behaviors seen in more advanced insect lineages. 



Managing multiple offspring, tracking nest locations, and adjusting feeding schedules align with the caregiving patterns observed in social insects like ants and bees. 



The study highlights how ecological pressures can drive the evolution of complex cognitive traits even in insects with tiny brains.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00509-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Wasp moms manage multiple nests with remarkable memory

Digger wasps exhibit remarkable memory skills when managing their nests....

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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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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It was an unbelievable series of events that had connected two families over many years and miles.

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