Two iconic dinosaurs - Tyrannosaurus rex and Brachylophosaurus canadensis - have yielded a fresh line of evidence that traces of their original biology can survive for tens of millions of years. 



In new work, researchers at <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina State University</a> identified hemoglobin - the oxygen-carrying protein in blood - and its iron-bearing heme group in bone extracts from both animals.



The finding strengthens a growing body of data showing that certain biomolecules can persist in exceptional fossils. It also clarifies how they change as fossils form.



Researchers have debated and re-examined soft, stretchy tissues from these same specimens for nearly two decades. 



Teams have used high-resolution imaging, antibodies, and protein sequencing to argue that the materials are genuine remnants of dinosaur biology rather than modern contaminants. The latest study adds another tool - and another confirmation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-unlocks-dinosaur-chemistry">Light unlocks dinosaur chemistry</h2>



The team turned to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/resonance-raman-spectroscopy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy</a>. In this method, laser light is tuned to a molecule’s electronic transitions. This causes only that molecule to “sing” back with a strong signal.



“Raman spectroscopy essentially uses light waves to identify a molecule’s energetic ‘fingerprint,’” said physicist Hans Hallen, the study’s corresponding author. 



“Resonance Raman, which we use here, takes that process one step further by using light already tuned to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seeking-the-origins-of-the-molecule-that-made-the-universe/">molecule</a> of interest - so only that type of molecule will resonate.”



That resonance dramatically boosts the signal from specific bonds - crucial when your targets are rare, damaged molecules embedded in a complex fossil matrix.



“This strong signal allows us to find the needle (hemoglobin remnants) in the haystack (messy fossil) to see how this molecule has changed from the functional living state, revealing the chemical changes molecules undergo in deep time,” Hallen added.



RR spectra from T. rex and Brachylophosaurus extracts showed signatures consistent with heme still bound to globin proteins. In addition, they indicated heme bound to goethite, an iron oxide mineral linked to oxidized iron.



The researchers cross-checked those signals against demineralized modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-of-a-cretaceous-ostrich-mexidracon-longimanus-with-extremely-long-arms/">ostrich</a> bone and human blood to anchor their interpretations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-molecules-traced-to-dinosaurs">Blood molecules traced to dinosaurs</h2>



Because Raman detects bonds rather than whole molecules, skeptics often point out that generic signals could arise from modern microbes or other contaminants. 



That’s where the extra selectivity of RR - and the structural information in the spectra - matters.



“RR identifies both bonds and structure," said paleobiologist Mary Schweitzer, a co-author on the work. 



"We know that heme is there and that it is still bound to hemoglobin protein - contaminants like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reusable-water-bottles-are-breeding-ground-for-strep-and-fecal-bacteria/">bacteria</a> don’t have those specific bonds, so we can say that the molecules are from the animal, or in this case, the dinosaur,”



The team also mapped how those spectral fingerprints shift as hemoglobin decays. After death, the protein breaks down, damaging the heme ring and oxidizing the iron inside it. 



RR data show that goethite forms on that iron, and the heme can bind to the mineral surface.



Tellingly, the researchers observed the early stages of the same degradation pathway in modern samples, suggesting that key steps happen relatively quickly and then stabilize.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinosaur-blood-survived-fossilization">Dinosaur blood survived fossilization</h2>



Beyond confirming what the molecules are, the spectral changes reveal a plausible route for how they survived. 



Goethite is a bio-related mineral - it often forms in association with biological activity - and the new data hint that it doesn’t just grow near proteins; it can latch onto and stabilize fragments. "We didn’t know that it could bind to and stabilize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-modified-plant-proteins-to-create-delicious-meat-alternatives/">protein</a> fragments,” Hallen said.



That matters because it shows a mechanism that locks delicate organics in place and protects them during fossilization. 



Researchers already know that heme persists in sediments far older than the age of dinosaurs, but the path from fresh blood to ancient rock has remained murky.



Pinning down the chemistry helps explain why hemoglobin, in particular, shows up as a survivor - and why some fossils preserve molecular vestiges while others do not.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-view-of-fossil-preservation">A new view of fossil preservation</h2>



The study reinforces a shift in paleontology: under the right conditions, original biochemistry can endure deep time, and modern tools can detect and interpret it. 



Instead of a binary “preserved or not,” researchers are piecing together degradation pathways, mineral partnerships, and microenvironments that favor survival.



For dinosaur biology, that means more than just curiosity. Hemoglobin and heme in blood play key roles in metabolism, oxygen transport, and overall physiology. 



Their presence, and the way they degrade, defines how tissues fossilize and what information we can still extract.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/dinosaur-bone_hemoglobin_preserved_NCSU_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/dinosaur-bone_hemoglobin_preserved_NCSU_1s.webp" alt="Vessels isolated from Tyrannosaurus cortical bone by demineralization in EDTA. Credit: NC State University" class="wp-image-1985867"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vessels isolated from Tyrannosaurus cortical bone by demineralization in EDTA. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NC State University</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-chemistry-spans-eons">Blood chemistry spans eons</h2>



For dinosaur fossil science, mineral–organic interactions like heme–goethite may help preserve blood proteins and molecular fragments throughout Earth’s history.



“Heme has been identified in sediments that are much, much older than dinosaurs, so we know that it persists,” Schweitzer noted. 



“Understanding why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-human-genetics-could-optimize-medical-care/">hemoglobin</a> preserves, and the role that heme plays in the process, is really important if we want to know how these ancient molecules survive through time.”



The upshot is both practical and provocative. Resonance Raman pinpoints specific ancient molecules within messy fossils, and the chemistry it reveals also serves as a preservation roadmap. 



That’s a powerful combination for anyone trying to read life’s oldest diaries written in stone.



The study is published in the <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspa.2025.0175" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Hemoglobin and other blood molecules found preserved in dinosaur fossils

Two iconic dinosaurs - Tyrannosaurus rex and Brachylophosaurus canadensis - have yielded a fresh line of evidence that traces of their original biology can survive for tens of millions of years. In new work, researchers at North Carolina State University identified hemoglobin - the oxygen-carrying protein in blood - and its iron-bearing heme group in bone extracts from both animals. The finding strengthens a growing body of data showing that certain biomolecules can persist in exceptional fossils. It also clarifies how they change as fossils form. Researchers...

The warm, familiar image of hedgehogs has now turned into an alarming symbol of the ecological crisis our planet is facing.



Hedgehogs, once common in Europe, are now <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-predict-a-new-mass-extinction-that-will-wipe-out-humans-and-all-mammals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">struggling to survive</a>. Their habitats have decreased as a result of urban growth, intensive farming, and roads.



The IUCN has labeled them "near threatened" due to a significant population decline of 30% in the last decade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sudden-disappearance-of-hedgehogs">Sudden disappearance of hedgehogs</h2>



Frenzied urban development hasn't been kind to hedgehogs. The concrete jungle and polluted air have made their existence an uphill battle, but that's just part of the problem. 



Our high-speed roads have morphed into death traps for these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-european-hedgehog-lived-in-denmark/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">critters</a> - who aren't known for their swift movements.



Even the rural landscapes, once considered safe havens, have become hostile territories. Technologically advanced farming techniques, especially the rampant use of pesticides, have not only eliminated insects - a primary food source for hedgehogs, but also pose a potential poison threat to the hedgehogs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threat-of-hedgehog-extinction">Threat of hedgehog extinction</h2>



Even after concerted efforts by <a href="https://iucn.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>, fully grasping the reasons behind the decline in hedgehog population remains a puzzle. 



“Unfortunately, evidence points towards a worrying and widespread downward trend. The red list assessment also highlights data uncertainties – for example, the limits of this species’ distribution are not entirely clear, and there are gaps in knowledge of its populations," said Abi Gazzard, a program officer at IUCN. 



"There is still a chance to halt the decline of the western European hedgehog, and we must aim to prevent any further worsening of status.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-hedgehogs-from-extinction">Saving hedgehogs from extinction</h2>



The Mammal Society is rallying the public to make their backyards and gardens more welcoming for hedgehogs. This could mean creating small passages in fences for their free movement, avoiding harmful pesticides, and setting up cozy shelters for them to rest.



“This decline will likely come as no surprise to the average person. When hedgehogs come up in conversation, it’s not long before someone says that they just don’t see them any more," said Hope Nothhelfer, a communications officer at the Mammal Society.



"The hope is that as hedgehogs become more and more like a distant memory from our childhoods, we will respond with action that will bring these memories back to life."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-list-revelations">Red List revelations</h2>



The hedgehog is not alone in its struggle. Many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-extinctions-shatter-the-harmonious-balance-of-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> worldwide are facing similar challenges. In fact, the IUCN's red list has been buzzing with shifts and changes.



The grey plover, for instance, has seen its population drop by over 30% since the late 1990s, landing it in the "vulnerable" category.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts-need-a-boost">Conservation efforts need a boost</h2>



With these distressing circumstances, global conservation efforts need a major revamp to save hedgehogs from extinction. 



Initiatives focusing on restoring habitats, legal protection drives, and public awareness programs are gaining momentum, as more and more people realize that preserving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-stop-the-extinction-of-north-atlantic-right-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> is critical. 



Education is a powerful weapon in the fight for conservation. By educating individuals about wildlife preservation, we equip them with the tools they need to actively contribute to the cause.



We have seen school curriculums and community workshops becoming more inclusive of modules on environmental awareness and biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-threat-to-trees">The threat to trees</h2>



If we want to help save hedgehogs, we must also turn our attention to trees. Hedgehogs rely on trees for shelter and nesting material. Trees also attract the insects that hedgehogs like to eat, such as beetles and caterpillars. 



The red list reveals that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-one-third-of-the-worlds-trees-face-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">38% of the world's tree species</a> are wavering on the brink of extinction. It is our job to ensure that we are planting at the same rate, if not more, at which we are felling these trees.



Our heavy-handed urbanization and agricultural expansion are directly responsible for the loss of tree habitats. Other threatening factors include invasive species, pests, and diseases.



The research reminds us that many of the decisions we make, such as paving a driveway or selecting a pesticide, directly impacts the habitats of animals - and therefore, their survival.



Though the consequences of our actions may not always be immediate and visible, they certainly have long-lasting effects. 



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Hedgehogs face extinction as their habitats vanish

The warm, familiar image of hedgehogs has now turned into...

Inspired by bird flight, engineers have recently enhanced remote-controlled aircraft performance by adding rows of covert-inspired flaps to airplane wings.&nbsp;



These flaps, modeled after the covert feathers birds deploy during certain maneuvers, help aircraft resist stalling and improve stability.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improvements-in-aviation-performance">Improvements in aviation performance</h2>



The research, led by Professor Aimy Wissa from <a href="https://www.princeton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Princeton University</a>, suggests significant improvements in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-jet-fuel-could-revolutionize-aviation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aviation</a> performance by using lightweight, low-cost modifications that require no additional power.



“These flaps can both help the plane avoid stall and make it easier to regain control when stall does occur,” Wissa said.&nbsp;



The technology echoes bird biology, specifically covert feathers that birds use when landing or facing turbulent winds.&nbsp;



Although biologists have observed these feather movements, no study has precisely quantified their aerodynamic effects on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-birds-brains-evolved-to-enable-them-to-fly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird flight</a>. This study, however, demonstrates how similar flaps might function on aircraft.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-inspired-flaps-boost-aerodynamics">Bird-inspired flaps boost aerodynamics</h2>



Postdoctoral researcher and first author of the study, Girguis Sedky, described the flaps as “an easy and cost-effective way to drastically improve flight performance without additional power requirements.”&nbsp;



The flaps mimic covert feathers by deploying in response to changing airflow, with no need for external control systems. When strategically placed, these flexible flaps enhance performance and stability in aircraft without complex machinery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teardrop-shape-of-bird-wings">Teardrop shape of bird wings</h2>



The principle behind the design lies in a wing’s teardrop shape, which accelerates airflow over the top, creating lift through a combination of low pressure above and upward force below.&nbsp;



Under certain flight conditions, particularly at steep angles, the aircraft can stall as lift decreases sharply. By adding covert-inspired flaps, researchers discovered they could counter this drop in lift, allowing the aircraft to maintain control.



Wissa’s team conducted wind tunnel tests at Princeton’s Forrestal Campus to observe how these covert-inspired flaps affect air movement around the wings.&nbsp;



“The wind tunnel experiments give us really precise measurements for how air interacts with the wing and the flaps,” Sedky explained. The setup included sensors that capture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revolutionizing-aerodynamics-airplane-emissions-ai-deep-learning-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aerodynamic</a> forces on the wings, as well as a laser and high-speed camera to record the airflow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-secrets-of-bird-wings-nbsp">Unlocking secrets of bird wings&nbsp;</h2>



Through their testing, the researchers identified two aerodynamic control mechanisms, one of which - called shear layer interaction - was previously unknown.&nbsp;



This interaction occurs when a flap near the front of the wing adjusts the flow of air, enhancing stability. When placed near the back, the flaps engage the second mechanism, further aiding in lift.



Testing various configurations, from single to multiple rows of flaps, revealed that a five-row setup increased lift by 45 percent and reduced drag by 30 percent.&nbsp;



“The discovery of this new mechanism unlocked a secret behind why birds have these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/modern-bird-feathers-contain-traces-of-dinosaur-feathers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feathers</a> near the front of the wings,” Wissa said. 



Adding more flaps near the front of the wing enhanced performance benefits, indicating that birds’ covert feathers likely play a crucial role in their aerodynamic control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-lab-to-field-real-world-testing">From lab to field: Real-world testing</h2>



Following the success of wind tunnel experiments, the team moved to field testing on Princeton’s Forrestal Campus.&nbsp;



They collaborated with Nathaniel Simon, a graduate student specializing in drone flight, to test the covert-inspired flaps on a radio-controlled (RC) plane equipped with an onboard flight computer.&nbsp;



Simon programmed the computer to repeatedly induce stall conditions, allowing the team to observe the flaps’ deployment and performance.



“It’s cool to be able to collaborate in the shared space at the Forrestal campus, and to see how many areas of research this project touched,” said Simon, describing the flaps’ in-flight effectiveness in reducing stall intensity.&nbsp;



The success in real-world conditions paralleled the wind tunnel findings, confirming that these flaps can significantly delay stall and stabilize flight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-applications-beyond-aviation">Future applications beyond aviation</h2>



Beyond aviation, the researchers believe these bioinspired insights could benefit other fields where airflow modification could improve performance.&nbsp;



“What we discovered about how coverts alter the airflow around the wing can be applied to other fluids and other bodies, making them applicable to cars, underwater vehicles, and even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-wind-turbines-impact-property-values-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind turbines</a>,” Sedky said.



The study also opens new doors for collaboration with biologists to deepen our understanding of covert feathers in bird flight. Wissa sees potential for advancing both engineering and biological research through these discoveries.&nbsp;



“That’s the power of bioinspired design. The ability to transfer things from biology to engineering to improve our mechanical systems, but also use our engineering tools to answer questions about biology,” she concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2409268121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Bird wings inspire improvements in airplane safety 

Inspired by bird flight, engineers have recently enhanced remote-controlled aircraft...

When it comes to our canine companions, their health matters to us just as much as our own. We often wish they could tell us when something is not right. But what if there was a way to listen to what dogs cannot say?



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> have developed a machine learning algorithm that can accurately detect heart murmurs - a key indicator of cardiac disease in dogs.



A regular feature in small breeds like King Charles Spaniels, cardiac disease is a serious issue that can significantly affect a dog's quality of life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-dog-health-connection">Human-dog health connection</h2>



“Heart disease in humans is a huge <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medium-sized-dogs-have-a-greater-risk-of-developing-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health issue</a>, but in dogs it’s an even bigger problem,” said first author Dr. Andrew McDonald from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering.



“Most smaller dog breeds will have heart disease when they get older, but obviously dogs can’t communicate in the same way that humans can, so it’s up to primary care vets to detect heart disease early enough so it can be treated.”



The solution? Technology that can. The team at Cambridge adapted an algorithm initially created for humans to effectively detect and grade heart murmurs in dogs. 



And the results are astonishing. With a sensitivity accuracy of 90%, the algorithm performs at par with expert cardiologists. So how does this actually work?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-algorithm-for-dogs-heart-health">Algorithm for dogs' heart health</h2>



At the core of this technology is a machine learning algorithm fine-tuned to replicate whether a heart murmur has been detected by a cardiologist. 



Initially created with a database of heart sounds from about 1,000 human patients, the algorithm was then adapted to be compatible with heart sounds from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-are-evolving-to-fit-the-modern-lives-of-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a>.



The data for this adaptation came from nearly 800 dogs who underwent routine heart examinations at four veterinary specialist centers in the UK. 



The ultimate goal? To make the innovative algorithm capable of distinguishing between murmurs associated with mild disease and those indicating advanced heart disease that requires further treatment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-dogs-heart-health">Protecting dogs' heart health</h2>



Professor Anurag Agarwal, who led the research, is a specialist in acoustics and bioengineering.



“Knowing when to medicate is so important, in order to give dogs the best quality of life possible for as long as possible,” said Professor Agarwal. "We want to empower vets to help make those decisions.”



And it is not just the vets who will benefit. For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/interacting-with-dogs-can-ease-physical-pain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a> owners, this technology could hold the key to extending their beloved pet's life with timely diagnosis and treatment.



“We can’t perform heart scans on every dog in this country&nbsp;- we just don’t have enough time or specialists to screen every dog with a murmur," noted study co-author Jose Novo Matos.



"But tools like these could help vets and owners, so we can quickly identify those dogs who are most in need of treatment."



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



Artificial intelligence (AI) is proving to be a transformative force in veterinary medicine, offering solutions that were deemed improbable not long ago. 



By bridging the communication gap between human caregivers and canine patients, AI technologies like the heart murmur algorithm not only enhance diagnostic precision but also expedite the decision-making process in clinical settings. 



This confluence of advanced technology and veterinary care illustrates the vast potential AI holds in revolutionizing animal healthcare. 



With further research and development, similar algorithms could emerge, specializing in detecting other common ailments in dogs, promising a new era of comprehensive and personalized vet care.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaboration-across-disciplines">Collaboration across disciplines</h2>



Looking ahead, the journey from academic research to practical applications in veterinary clinics highlights the importance of collaboration across disciplines. 



The partnership between engineers, veterinary experts, and technology developers underscores a collective commitment to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warning-dogs-drinking-from-public-water-sources-is-dangerous/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improving animal welfare</a>.



Continued collaboration is vital to refine and expand diagnostic tools that leverage machine learning, ensuring veterinarians are well-equipped to face the challenges of modern pet healthcare. 



As innovations like these continue to evolve, they pave the way for a more integrated approach to managing and enhancing the longevity of dogs beyond heart health, ultimately fostering a deeper human-dog connection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-canine-cardiology">Future of canine cardiology </h2>



The results not only present a promising future in canine cardiology but also set the stage for how machine learning can benefit healthcare beyond humans.



As we continue to explore the possibilities of machine learning, this study reaffirms our belief that technology, when used well, is not a threat but a tool.



"So many people talk about AI as a threat to jobs, but for me, I see it as a tool that will make me a better cardiologist,” said Novo Matos.



The research was supported in part by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, the Medical Research Council, and Emmanuel College Cambridge.



The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.17224" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine</a>. 



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/">Eri</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">c</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

AI can now ‘hear’ signs of heart disease in dogs

When it comes to our canine companions, their health matters...

In the endless dance of evolution, every species must continuously adapt to survive. A recent study focuses on the tale of ancient cicadas, who had to reshape their very wings under the pressure of predation.



It's a story of survival, revealing how the arrival of insect-eating birds shook the world of these noisy insects. It's a narrative that plays out over the span of millions of years, and today, we finally have the insights to understand it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-riddle-of-flight">Evolutionary riddle of flight</h2>



The quest to understand the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trillions-of-cicadas-set-to-emerge-in-historic-u-s-invasion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary history</a> of flight has been a longstanding pursuit – one spanning hundreds of years. 



But let's face it, it's not an easy task to trace the footprints of these fragile, fleeting features – the wings. Due to their delicate structure, wings rarely preserve well enough to become fossils. Consequently, despite our keen search, the evidence-base in this area has always been rather thin.



Enter the cicadas, these unique little creatures with some extraordinary wing characteristics that set them apart and make them a valuable subject of study. 



Cicadas offer a rare glimpse into the evolution of flight in insects as they have a history of preserving well, unlike most other winged creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-wings-of-cicadas">Changing wings of cicadas</h2>



The researchers in this study constructed a timeline showing the evolution of cicada wings over millions of years. By studying more than 80 species of cicada wings, they unveiled an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cicada-wings-inspire-new-antibacterial-technologies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interesting pattern</a>. 



Cicadas, it appears, went through some swift wing transformations in reaction to the rapidly evolving birds that preyed on them.



Life as an ancient cicada wasn't easy. Early cicadas had wingspans comparable to modern butterflies, some even measuring up to 6 inches. But as their predators - the birds - evolved to become swifter and more efficient hunters, the cicadas had to up their game.



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



Over approximately 160 million years, cicada wings evolved. They grew wider but slimmer. The ancient insects also packed on some serious wing muscle mass. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cicada-urination-defies-what-scientists-thought-was-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptations</a>, the researchers argue, would have boosted their flight speeds by up to 39 percent.



This evolution of wing structure and flight speed wasn't for mere showmanship. Survival is the name of the game, and cicadas had no choice but to become faster fliers. 



They were in a wingspan war, and getting faster was the key to escape the clutches of the birds that were evolving to catch insects mid-flight. Sure, this meant burning up more energy for flight, but what better reason to burn energy than to evade ending up as a bird’s snack?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environment-in-cicada-wing-evolution">Environment in cicada wing evolution</h2>



The environment played an indisputable role in shaping cicada wing evolution. Diverse ecological niches presented various challenges and opportunities that influenced these adaptive changes. 



The ancient landscapes, replete with dense foliage and a myriad of predators, required cicadas to innovate continually. 



Their newfound wing structures enabled better maneuverability amid trees and shrubs, providing strategic advantages for feeding and mating while also serving as a critical defense mechanism. 



Notably, these environmental pressures prompted a microcosmic arms race, where cicadas continually refined their flight mechanisms as both a response to threats and a means of exploiting new ecological opportunities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-modern-species">Implications for modern species</h2>



Understanding the evolutionary intricacies of cicada flight provides valuable insights into the broader concepts of adaptive evolution and survival strategies. 



This knowledge aids in deciphering the complex relationships between predators and prey, highlighting the dynamic interplay that drives evolution. These findings have profound implications, not only for the study of ancient species but also for contemporary biology.



For instance, they might offer clues into how current species could adapt in response to climate change and habitat disruption - a compelling reminder of evolution as a relentless, ongoing process.



As we go deeper into the story of cicadas and their evolutionary journey, we uncover layers that enrich our understanding of life's resilience and innovation.



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



This revelation about the interlinked evolution of cicadas and birds shows us once again how intricately connected all life forms are and how the struggle for survival drives evolutionary adaptation. 



Isn't it amazing how even creatures as small as <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/the-cicadas-are-coming-brood-x/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cicadas</a> have such dramatic stories of survival etched in their ancient wings?



The study was led by researchers from <a href="https://english.cas.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> and <a href="https://www.uni-jena.de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena</a>. 



The findings are published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr2201" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/">Eri</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">c</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Cicadas grew 'super wings' to dodge ancient birds

In the endless dance of evolution, every species must continuously...

The pursuit of energy efficiency is a constant endeavor in our modern world, and sometimes the best solutions come from the humblest sources. 



In this case, a team of scientists turned to the natural world to uncover how oscillating systems synchronize to maximize energy use. 



By studying natural rhythms, researchers hope to harness principles that could transform energy management in technology, from power grids to communication networks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synchronization-and-energy-efficiency">Synchronization and energy efficiency</h2>



Every day, we see examples of synchronization in nature - the rhythmic beating of our hearts in harmony with our lungs, or the mesmerizing flicker of fireflies in unison.



Inspired by these examples, researchers at <a href="https://engineering.unm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of New Mexico School of Engineering</a> studied natural rhythms to uncover hidden strategies that could enhance synchronization efficiency.



Their mathematical exploration of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-reveal-the-secrets-of-synchronization/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synchronization</a> uncovered that biological systems achieve efficiency by using distinct oscillation phases. If applied to human technology, this approach could yield substantial efficiency gains across various sectors.



"In terms of energy that is required for connected systems of oscillators to synchronize, our strategy shows we can have several orders of magnitude in energy savings," said Amirhossein Nazerian, a Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-inspired-energy-solutions">Nature-inspired energy solutions</h2>



The role of synchronization in biology isn't merely a fascinating phenomenon; it carries important implications for our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emerging-technologies-will-control-global-power-balance-usa-china/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">technological world</a>. 



The lessons learned from these natural, biological systems could help improve the design and management of various types of technology like power grids and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drones-reveal-hidden-biodiversity-in-rainforest-canopies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drones</a>, by enabling them to conserve energy during oscillation. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mimicking-the-energy-efficiency-of-nature">Mimicking the energy efficiency of nature</h2>



By mimicking the precise timing observed in nature, engineers could develop systems that operate more smoothly, efficiently, and sustainably - transforming how we approach energy management.



Francesco Sorrentino is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the lead researcher of the study. 



"We looked at this from a mathematical point of view and asked how systems in nature, in the human body, and in ecological and social systems synchronize. In nature, efficiency is very important, whether in animals or in cells, as these systems cannot afford to waste energy," said Professor Sorrentino.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-manipulating-coupling-strength">Manipulating coupling strength</h2>



In collaboration with Matteo Lodi at the University of Genoa and Joseph Hart at the U.S. Naval Research Lab, the UNM team made a remarkable discovery.



"Coupling strength" refers to how strongly components of an oscillating system communicate.



The researchers found that, by understanding the varied stages of oscillation in a system, they could manipulate its coupling strength - leading to a drastic reduction in energy expenditure.



This strategy involves dynamically adjusting the coupling strength depending on the phase of oscillation a system is in, allowing for precise energy control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maximizing-energy-efficiency">Maximizing energy efficiency </h2>



This innovative approach indicates that synchronization can be achieved more efficiently if the coupling between the oscillating systems is only activated when needed, significantly minimizing essential energy expenditure and preventing unnecessary power loss.



It's an intriguing finding that may ultimately lead to the development of more energy-efficient systems.



After all, if tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fireflies-use-social-cues-to-synchronize-their-lights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fireflies</a> can master the art of efficient synchronization, who's to say our power grids and advanced technologies can't do the same?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study">Broader implications of the study</h2>



The insights gained from nature’s synchronization methods offer promising applications across multiple industries, where even small improvements in efficiency can lead to significant energy savings. 



For instance, in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/renewable-energy-must-be-doubled-by-2030/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewable energy</a> systems like wind and solar farms, synchronization can help stabilize power fluctuations by aligning the output of multiple energy sources. When these systems work in harmony, the overall energy yield is maximized with less wasted power.



In transportation networks, synchronization techniques could make autonomous vehicle fleets more energy-efficient by coordinating traffic flows, reducing stop-and-start patterns, and lowering fuel consumption. 



Healthcare technology also stands to benefit, as medical devices, such as pacemakers or diagnostic equipment, could become more reliable and energy-efficient through synchronized oscillation methods. 



By mirroring nature’s finely tuned rhythms, researchers envision a future where industries can operate more sustainably, delivering better performance with reduced environmental impact.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52486-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Nature's rhythms inspire a new approach to energy efficiency

The pursuit of energy efficiency is a constant endeavor in...

A new camera system is making it possible for humans to see colors in the way animals do, opening up a vivid new perspective on the natural world.



Led by researcher Vera Vasas, who has spent years studying animal vision, this innovative project is changing how we understand what animals actually see. 



In collaboration with colleagues from the Hanley Color Lab at <a href="https://www.gmu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">George Mason University</a>, Vasas has developed a tool that lets us experience the world through the eyes of different species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-animals-see-color">How animals see color</h2>



Animals perceive color through photoreceptor cells in their eyes, and the number and type of these cells can vary widely among species.



While humans have three types of cone cells sensitive to red, green, and blue light, many animals have additional types that allow them to see colors <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/imaging-system-inspired-by-butterfly-vision-can-detect-cancer-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beyond our visible spectrum</a>.



Birds, for instance, often have superior color vision compared to humans. They possess tetrachromatic vision, which includes the ability to see ultraviolet light. 



This extra range is crucial for behaviors like selecting mates and finding food. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bee-vision-reveals-a-hidden-world-that-we-cannot-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Many insects, like bees</a>, also see ultraviolet light, helping them detect patterns on flowers that are invisible to us.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reds-greens-and-colors-different-animals-see">Reds, greens, and colors different animals see</h2>



On the other hand, mammals such as dogs and cats have dichromatic vision. They can't distinguish between red and green, much like humans with red-green color blindness. 



This reduced color perception limits their ability to see the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-retinal-cells-explain-complex-color-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">full spectrum of colors that we can</a>, affecting how they interact with their surroundings.



Understanding these differences isn't just fascinating trivia -- it's essential for studying animal behavior and ecology. But until now, visualizing how animals see the world has been a significant challenge.



False color imaging has offered glimpses into animal vision but comes with drawbacks. It's time-consuming, requires specific lighting conditions, and can't capture movement effectively.



These limitations have made it tough for scientists and filmmakers to represent animal vision accurately.



Addressing these hurdles, Vasas's team developed a <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article/figure/image?size=large&amp;download=&amp;id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002444.g004" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cutting-edge camera</a> and software system capable of recording and processing videos under natural lighting conditions. This means we can now see colors just as animals do, in real time.



"Our system records in four color channels: blue, green, red, and UV," explains Vasas. "It then converts this data into 'perceptual units' -- essentially translating it into a format that replicates animal vision based on known photoreceptor data."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-accuracy-and-practical-use">High accuracy and practical use</h2>



Impressively, when compared to traditional spectrophotometry methods, this new system boasts over 92% accuracy in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-monkeys-probably-see-color-differently/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predicting the colors</a> that animals perceive. 



That's a significant improvement, making the technology not just innovative but also reliable.



This opens up unprecedented avenues for scientific research. Scientists can now explore the dynamic, colorful world as seen by various species, leading to deeper insights into animal behavior and ecology.



Filmmakers stand to benefit immensely from this technology. They can create more accurate and engaging representations of animal vision, bringing audiences closer to understanding the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bull-ants-use-moonlight-for-nighttime-navigation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural world</a>. 



Imagine documentaries where viewers can experience the ultraviolet patterns that guide bees or the limited color palette seen by dogs.



"This technology bridges the <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article/figure/image?size=large&amp;download=&amp;id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002444.g001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gap between human and animal perception</a>," says Vasas. "It allows us to not only study animals more effectively but also to educate and inspire people by showing them a world they've never seen before."



One of the most impressive aspects of this system is its practicality. It's constructed from readily available commercial cameras, housed in a modular, 3D-printed casing. This makes it accessible for researchers and filmmakers without requiring specialized, expensive equipment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colorful-spectrum-seen-through-animal-eyes">Colorful spectrum seen through animal eyes</h2>



The way animals see and perceive color is more than just a scientific curiosity -- it's a key to understanding their survival strategies. 



For instance, the mantis shrimp has one of the most complex vision systems known, with twelve to sixteen types of photoreceptor cells. 



This allows them to detect polarized light and <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article/figure/image?size=large&amp;download=&amp;id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002444.g002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">see a spectrum far beyond human capability</a>, helping them spot prey and predators in the intricate underwater world.



Snakes use infrared vision to hunt warm-blooded prey in the dark, while reindeer see ultraviolet light to spot predators against the snowy landscape. 



These abilities aren't just interesting facts; they're essential adaptations that have evolved over millions of years.



Evolution has tailored the vision of each species to meet its specific needs. Animals develop unique color vision abilities based on their environment and survival challenges. This results in a rich diversity of visual capabilities across the animal kingdom.



"Understanding how animals see the world helps us make better decisions about conservation and habitat management," notes Vasas. "It can inform how we design buildings, roads, and even lighting to minimize negative impacts on wildlife."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-lens-on-the-natural-world">New lens on the natural world</h2>



To sum it all up, this new camera technology allows us to step into the shoes -- or rather, the eyes -- of other creatures. It's a tool that brings us closer to the natural world, fostering empathy and understanding. 



As we continue to explore these new perspectives, we gain not just knowledge but also a deeper connection to the diverse creatures that share our planet.



The possibilities are vast. From academic research to immersive educational experiences, this technology is set to transform how we see and interact with the animal kingdom. 



It's a reminder that even in our high-tech world, there's still so much to discover when we look through a different lens.



The full study was published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002444" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS Biology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

New camera lets us see the colors of the world through the eyes of animals

A new camera system is making it possible for humans...

New research reveals that owners who believe their horses experience emotions and treat them with care significantly improve the health of these animals.&nbsp;



For millions in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), working horses are essential to agriculture, transport, and household tasks. In these settings, healthy horses directly support livelihoods, emphasizing the mutual benefit of compassionate animal care.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-attitudes-toward-horse-emotions">Attitudes toward horse emotions</h2>



Conducted by the <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Portsmouth</a> and <a href="https://www.thebrooke.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooke</a>, a charity dedicated to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chick-emotions-shed-new-light-on-animal-welfare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal welfare</a>, this study examined 299 horse owners and their animals in Senegal’s regions of Diourbel, Louga, and Thiès. 



The researchers assessed owners’ attitudes towards their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-domestic-horses-have-ancestors-in-russia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">horses</a>, asking questions about their beliefs in the animals’ ability to feel emotions like pain. They then evaluated the horses’ welfare. 



The findings, published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309149" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>, highlight a powerful link between an owner’s empathy and their horse’s physical condition, suggesting that fostering compassionate care could enhance conditions for working horses globally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-horses-as-a-lifeline-for-communities">Horses as a lifeline for communities</h2>



Working horses and other equids are integral to household income in LMICs. Research by Brooke in Senegal showed that families with horses can increase agricultural production by up to 78% for certain crops, and similar findings exist across other countries. 



These animals are also critical for tasks like water transportation and livestock feeding.



A spokesperson for Brooke explained that the health and welfare of working equids is intimately linked to their owners.&nbsp;



“If animals become sick or injured and are unable to work, this has a direct impact on the income-generating opportunities and well-being of the communities who depend on them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-impact-of-empathy">The impact of empathy</h2>



Researchers discovered a clear relationship between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sports-coaches-are-more-effective-when-they-lead-with-empathy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">empathy</a> and animal welfare. 



Owners who believed in their horses’ capacity to feel emotions tended to provide more care in the form of nutrition and veterinary attention.&nbsp;



Horses of empathetic owners had healthier body conditions and overall improved welfare.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-of-the-study">Key findings of the study</h2>



The study revealed that owners who attributed sentience to their horses - recognizing their capacity for pain or emotion - had animals with better physical health, benefiting from consistent nutrition and proper housing.



In addition, higher household income and financial stability were associated with better care for animals. These households were more likely to provide adequate food, shelter, and medical support for their horses.



Furthermore, the researchers found that owners with positive attitudes toward their horses ensured better living conditions, showing that a compassionate approach to animal care directly contributes to improved welfare.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-socio-economic-and-cultural-ties">Socio-economic and cultural ties</h2>



The study highlighted that socio-economic stability is also essential to animal welfare. Households that could consistently meet their own needs were better able to invest in their animals’ needs.&nbsp;



This stability allows for consistent veterinary care, nutrition, and shelter. Financial support for these households, therefore, has the potential to improve animal welfare on a broader scale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-connection-with-horses">Emotional connection with horses</h2>



Study senior author Leanne Proops, a lead researcher at the University of Portsmouth, emphasized the strong link between owner empathy and horse welfare.



“Our research highlights the profound connection between human attitudes and animal welfare. When owners view their horses as sentient beings capable of feeling, they are more likely to invest in their care.”&nbsp;



Proops noted that this knowledge could guide welfare organizations toward fostering empathy in communities, as it directly enhances animal welfare.



She also pointed out that this relationship works in both directions: owners may downplay an animal’s capacity for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-have-healthier-lives-when-owners-acknowledge-their-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotions</a> to protect themselves from distress when they cannot fully care for them. 



Insights from this study could help drive policies that protect working animals, secure funding for welfare initiatives, and raise awareness about the benefits of empathetic care in improving both human and animal lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recognizing-horse-emotions">Recognizing horse emotions</h2>



The study offers a valuable perspective for welfare organizations, policymakers, and communities. Recognizing that animals are sentient beings deserving of care can improve their welfare and productivity, directly benefiting the people who rely on them.&nbsp;



Emphasizing this human-animal connection has the potential to foster sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships in low and middle-income countries where working animals are essential to community life.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Recognizing emotions in horses can improve their health

New research reveals that owners who believe their horses experience...

Do you ever wonder why we humans tend to like being around each other? It may seem like the hustle and bustle of everyday life might make us crave solitude, but a new study suggests otherwise. Being social might help you live longer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-together-living-longer">Living together, living longer</h2>



Being social equals living longer. This intriguing correlation was uncovered by researchers at the University of Oxford. 



They discovered animal species that are more social live longer and remain fertile for longer than their more solitary counterparts. From humans to jellyfish, this is a universal trend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-animals-live-longer-and-better">Social animals live longer and better</h2>



But what does it mean to be <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-expectations-of-men-are-bad-for-their-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social</a>? Well, social animals reap many benefits from living in groups, like sharing resources, better protection against predators, and support in raising offspring. 



Of course, everything has its downsides, including sociality. Living in close quarters can lead to disease spread, increased competition, and even conflicts and aggression.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facing-hardships-together">Facing hardships together</h2>



Moving beyond birds and mammals, researchers at <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxford</a> broadened their perspective, studying 152 animal species across different taxonomic groups. 



What they found was that more social species live longer, delay maturity, and have a higher chance of successful reproduction.



Despite certain challenges, it appears being social offers more good than bad. Social animals might struggle to adapt to rapidly changing environments, but they show remarkable resilience when facing hardships together. 



Being social comes with a few unavoidable costs, yet the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-bonding-can-positively-shape-the-success-of-a-group/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overall benefits</a> outweigh them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-influence-on-survival">Social influence on survival</h2>



Here's another interesting fact. The researchers found that being social can influence an animal's ability to reproduce or survive as they age, a phenomenon known as senescence. 



For instance, having social allies can fend off predators, extending lifespan, while the stress of social hierarchies could have the reverse effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-costs-and-benefits-of-being-social">Costs and benefits of being social </h2>



The study was led by Professor Rob Salguero-Gómez, an expert in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford.



“Sociality is a fundamental aspect of many animals. However, we still lack cross-taxonomic evidence of the fitness costs and benefits of being social," said Professor Salguero-Gómez. 



"Here, by using an unprecedented number of animal species this work has demonstrated that species that are more social (most monkeys, humans, elephants, flamingos, and parrots) display longer life spans and reproductive windows than more solitary species (some fish, reptiles, and some insects)."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sociality-as-a-spectrum">Sociality as a spectrum</h2>



Coming from the traditional binary perspective of social and non-social creatures, this study recognizes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-power-of-diversity-in-friendships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sociality</a> as a spectrum. That means there are intermediate levels of sociality found in species like wildebeests, zebras, and certain birds.



The data for this study were accessed from the open access COMADRE Animal Matrix Database, curated by Salguero-Gómez’s research team.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-benefits-beyond-living-longer">Social benefits beyond living longer</h2>



As we emerge from the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research reminds us of the tangible benefits of being social creatures. 



“In a post-COVID era, where the impacts of isolation have been quite tangible to humans (a highly social species), the research demonstrates that, across a comparative lens, being more social is associated with some tangible benefits," noted Salguero-Gómez.



While the findings are compelling, the researchers are not stopping here. They will expand the database and combine it with lab work and modeling to estimate how social populations buffer against (or fail to with) climate change.



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



The University of Oxford team is keen on transcending the present understanding of social animals by exploring new dimensions and emerging questions on living longer. 



Their future research will include probing the genetic basis of social behavior and its evolutionary implications. By integrating genomic data, the researchers aim to illustrate how genetic variants may influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-theory-enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend-proven-by-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social structures and behaviors</a> across species. 



This line of inquiry not only promises to reveal insights into the genetic underpinnings of sociality but also holds potential implications for conserving endangered social species by understanding the genetic threats they face in changing habitats.



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



The research highlights the essential nature of social connections in promoting longevity and resilience.



Policy-makers and community leaders can harness these insights to foster environments that encourage social interaction and community building as part of public health strategies. 



Initiatives focusing on reducing social isolation, particularly among vulnerable populations like the elderly, can directly impact health outcomes and enhance overall societal well-being. 



This study confirms the belief that social connectivity is not merely a preference but a biological necessity for thriving.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2022.0459" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B)</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Survival of the friendliest: Social animals live longer

Do you ever wonder why we humans tend to like...

Scientists often wonder how their ancestors took their first shaky steps from the watery realms onto the dry earth. A unique, interdisciplinary team of researchers led by the University of Cambridge used an innovative approach to explore this mystery. Their research involves studying fossils with the help of robots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-embracing-innovation">Embracing innovation</h2>



The best mysteries tend to have incomplete clues. The evolution of life from water to land is one of those mysteries. Our primary puzzle pieces? Limited fossil evidence.



This sparse evidence leaves researchers with an incomplete picture of how life transitioned from living in the water to thriving on land.



“Since fossil evidence is limited, we have an incomplete picture of how ancient life made the transition to land,” said lead author&nbsp;Dr. Michael Ishida&nbsp;from Cambridge’s <a href="https://www.eng.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Engineering</a>.



“Palaeontologists examine ancient fossils for clues about the structure of hip and pelvic joints, but there are limits to what we can learn from fossils alone. That’s where robots can come in, helping us fill gaps in the research, particularly when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-creatures-of-the-past-inspire-the-future-of-soft-robots/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studying major shifts</a> in how vertebrates moved.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robots-and-fossils">Robots and fossils</h2>



How do researchers fill in the gaps of an incomplete puzzle? Enter paleo-inspired robots and the modern-day "walking fish."



Nature inspired the works of scientists at the Bio-Inspired Robotics Laboratory at Cambridge, led by Professor Fumiya Iida.



Using a combination of modern creatures like the mudskipper and ancient fossil evidence, scientists designed robotic models to test the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-soft-robot-crawls-moves-like-origami-folds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theories</a> of early land movement mechanics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robots-expand-on-fossil-evidence">Robots expand on fossil evidence</h2>



The primary challenge these researchers face? The lack of comprehensive fossil records. 



“In some cases, we’re just guessing how certain bones connected or functioned,” said Ishida. “That’s why robots are so useful - they help us confirm these guesses and provide new evidence to support or rebut them.”



That's the beauty of using robots in this context. Robots don't need complete, perfectly preserved fossil evidence.



They support and validate those educated guesses about the missing pieces, offering evidence that either affirms or challenges <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robosapiens-ai-project-making-industrial-robots-more-free-thinking-adaptable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">existing theories</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-of-robots-in-paleontology">Potential of robots in paleontology </h2>



This blend of robotics and paleontology is a novelty in scientific circles. "There are only a few groups doing this kind of work,” said Ishida.



Robots provide insights into the mechanics of extinct animals that neither fossils nor modern species can achieve. They could hold the key to unlocking the secrets of long-extinct creatures' biomechanics.



As the researchers continue their work actively building their paleo-robots, they anticipate results within the coming year.



It's not just about deepening the understanding of evolutionary biology. They see potential for fostering collaborations between engineers and researchers from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mushroom-is-given-a-robot-body-and-runs-wild-in-fascinating-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diverse f</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mushroom-is-given-a-robot-body-and-runs-wild-in-fascinating-video/">ields</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology-and-evolutionary-biology">Technology and evolutionary biology</h2>



The interdisciplinary approach undertaken by the Cambridge team highlights the synergy between technology and evolutionary biology. By synthesizing insights from both fields, researchers explore ancient evolutionary paths with unprecedented precision.



Robots serve as proxies for extinct organisms. This allows scientists to experimentally validate hypotheses regarding limb functions and terrestrial locomotion in early vertebrates.



The dynamic interaction propels the understanding of evolution and advances the capabilities of robotic design by infusing them with adaptable, nature-inspired mechanisms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-science-and-beyond">Modern science and beyond</h2>



The implications of this research extend far beyond historical inquiry. As robotic technology evolves, its applications may expand into diverse fields such as medicine and environmental science.



Developing agile, efficient robots with adaptive traits derived from ancient life forms could revolutionize prosthetic designs or lead to innovative exploration tools for extreme environments on Earth and other planets.



By learning from the evolutionary past, scientists can address contemporary challenges and set the stage for future technological advancements guided by natural principles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robots-unraveling-fossil-evidence">Robots unraveling fossil evidence</h2>



This research offers a fresh perspective on how ancient life transitioned from water to land.



By bridging the gap between the past and the present with robotics, researchers provide a unique approach to studying evolution, one step at a time.



Professor Iida is a fellow of Corpus Christi College and Dr. Ishida is a postdoctoral research associate at <a href="https://www.cai.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gonville and Caius College</a>, Cambridge.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adn1125" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Robotics.</a>



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

When fossil evidence is limited, robots can help

Scientists often wonder how their ancestors took their first shaky...

Sparrows experience a dwindling social circle as they grow older, just as most humans do. It appears that sparrow friends tend to drift apart over time. But why does this happen?



A dedicated team of researchers has sought to decipher this intriguing phenomenon through a fascinating study that lends fresh insights into the social dynamics - not only of birds - but of aging individuals across species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-sociability-with-age">Changes in sociability with age</h2>



Older adults may reduce their social interaction due to being selective or because there are fewer companions of the same age. Here's the puzzling question though, are these same factors at play in the avian world?



To investigate, researchers from <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a> set out to study an isolated population of sparrows on Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel.



Unlike humans, with complicated, multifaceted social lives, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-bird-species-face-extinction-risks-in-the-neotropics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird population</a> offers a simpler way to unravel the reasons behind the changes in sociability that come with age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-lives-of-sparrows">Social lives of sparrows</h2>



The researchers studied the social networks of the sparrows on the island. The findings revealed that like humans, older sparrows showed a reduced number of friends.



The reason for this could be the lack of evolutionary pressure to maintain sociability. While friendliness helps younger birds survive and breed more successfully, the same isn't true for older <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-feeding-pollutes-local-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>.



"This evolutionary mechanism may also be at work in humans – it could be that older people are less inclined to new friends as they age," said lead researcher&nbsp;Dr. Julia Schroeder, an expert in the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial.



"Combined with fewer same-age potential friends available, this could be a factor in the loneliness crisis among older people.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aging-and-evolution">Aging and evolution</h2>



Dr. Schroeder suggests that this evolutionary mechanism might operate similarly in humans, leading to fewer social interactions as they age.



Combined with the decreasing number of potential friends of the same age, this factor heavily contributes to the increasing loneliness among the elderly.



“Our study is one of the first to suggest that birds, like mammals, also reduce the size of their social network as they age. Specifically, the number of friendships, and how central a bird is to the wider social network, declined with age,” said study co-author&nbsp;Dr. Jamie Dunning, now at the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sparrows-and-their-friends">Sparrows and their friends</h2>



Lundy Island is home to a closed population of sparrows, meaning that no individual arrives or leaves the island.



This unique characteristic enabled the research team to collect comprehensive and accurate data on the local sparrow population, including their ages, breeding success, and social networks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-lives-of-aging-sparrows">Social lives of aging sparrows </h2>



Previous research by the team had shown that a good social network proved beneficial to sparrows in successfully breeding. 



However, the current research focuses on whether friendliness continues to be advantageous at the other end of the life span. It seems that with age, not being friendly doesn't have a cost.



“’Friendliness’, at least for sparrows, may change with age. When they’re young, it helps them to make friends, giving them an evolutionary ‘benefit,'" noted Dr. Schroeder.



"But once they’ve reproduced, it seems like being unfriendly has no evolutionary ‘cost’ - there are no downsides that mean those genes wouldn’t be passed on."



The findings from this study might help us understand similar age-related conditions in humans.



“Ultimately, the study of friendliness with age - whether it be in sparrows or humans - may help us understand how to help older people make new friends, and reduce the burden of loneliness,” noted Dr. Schroeder.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-research">Broader implications of the research </h2>



The insights derived from studying the sparrows on Lundy Island extend beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-have-regional-accents-just-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">avian social dynamics</a>, offering broader implications for conservation efforts. 



Understanding the natural social structures and how they change with age can inform conservationists about the needs of older individuals in small, isolated populations. 



This knowledge is vital in making decisions about habitat management and the social environments necessary to support diverse age groups in conservation programs. 



Considering age-specific social requirements may improve efforts to maintain biodiversity and ensure the well-being of aging wildlife in their natural habitats.



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



The study on Lundy Island paves the way for future research to explore additional factors influencing social behavior in aging populations.



One promising avenue is to examine the role of environmental variables, such as changes in food availability or climate conditions, that might shape these social patterns. 



Additionally, extending similar studies to different species and ecosystems could unveil further correlations and differences, enriching our understanding of the evolutionary and ecological dimensions of aging across the animal kingdom. 



Ultimately, the study brings us a step closer to understanding the mechanisms at play in the evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-birds-commit-to-caring-for-young-males-abandon-family-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social behavior</a> with age.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rstb/2024/379/1916" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Sparrows have fewer friends as they age, just like people

Sparrows experience a dwindling social circle as they grow older,...

A team of paleontologists has made a significant discovery near Rangely, Colorado - unearthing a new species of fossil mammal about the size of a muskrat that lived during the age of dinosaurs.&nbsp;



Led by paleontologist Jaelyn Eberle from the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a>, the researchers published their findings in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310948" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-mammal-among-colorado-dinosaurs">Small mammal among Colorado dinosaurs</h2>



The fossil, identified from a jawbone fragment and three molar teeth, has been named Heleocola piceanus, which means “swamp dweller” in Latin.&nbsp;



This small mammal roamed Colorado roughly 70 to 75 million years ago, during a period when much of the American West was submerged under a vast inland sea.



“Colorado is a great place to find fossils, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-mammals-had-slower-growth-rates-and-lived-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammals</a> from this time period tend to be pretty rare,” said Eberle, who is also the curator of fossil vertebrates at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/cumuseum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CU Museum of Natural History</a>. “So it’s really neat to see this slice of time preserved in Colorado.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-find-in-a-familiar-fossil-landscape">Rare find in a familiar fossil landscape</h2>



While the fossils of massive Late Cretaceous dinosaurs like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-change-their-minds-about-tyrannosaurus-rex-dinosaur-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tyrannosaurus</a> and Triceratops ancestors dominate the era's narrative, the discovery of H. piceanus reveals that smaller creatures also thrived alongside these giants.&nbsp;



Despite its modest size compared to dinosaurs, H. piceanus was relatively large for mammals of that era, according to Eberle.



Eberle is particularly pleased to see this discovery come from Rangely, a small town in northwest Colorado near the Dinosaur National Monument.&nbsp;



“It’s a small town, but, in my experience as a paleontologist, a lot of cool things come out of rural environments,” she said. “It’s nice to see western Colorado have an exciting discovery.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snapshot-of-colorado-s-ancient-ecosystem">Snapshot of Colorado's ancient ecosystem</h2>



The discovery helps to reconstruct a picture of Colorado's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-river-landscape-lies-beneath-the-east-antarctic-ice-sheet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient landscape</a>, one that would be barely recognizable today.&nbsp;



Study co-authors John Foster and ReBecca Hunt-Foster have been exploring this part of Colorado for about 15 years. 



They describe the region from 70 million years ago as a boundary where land met water - teeming with life such as turtles, duck-billed dinosaurs, and large crocodiles in wetlands and estuaries.



“The region might have looked kind of like Louisiana,” said Hunt-Foster, a paleontologist at Dinosaur National Monument. “We see a lot of animals that were living in the water quite happily like sharks, rays, and guitarfish.”



Foster recalls the excitement of spotting the mammal jaw fragment within a slab of sandstone collected in 2016. 



“I said, ‘Holy cow, that’s huge,’” said Foster, a scientist at the <a href="https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/utah-field-house/">Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum</a> in Vernal, Utah.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-giant-among-its-peers">A giant among its peers</h2>



Before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nuclear-winter-dinosaurs-were-likely-killed-by-dust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction</a> event that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs around 66 million years ago, most mammals were relatively small, about the size of modern mice or rats.&nbsp;



Eberle, who typically identifies these ancient mammals by their tiny teeth, noted that H. piceanus was an outlier - likely weighing over two pounds, much larger than most other mammals from the same period. Its teeth suggest a diet of plants, supplemented by insects or other small animals.



While much attention is focused on dinosaurs, this discovery emphasizes the importance of ancient mammals in understanding ecosystems of the Late Cretaceous.&nbsp;



“They’re not all tiny,” Eberle said. “There are a few animals emerging from the Late Cretaceous that are bigger than what we anticipated 20 years ago.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-invertebrate-fossils">Preserving invertebrate fossils </h2>



Hunt-Foster highlighted the importance of the Mountain West for fossil enthusiasts and researchers, urging visitors to respect these historical treasures.&nbsp;



She advised people who come across vertebrate fossils, such as those of dinosaurs, to refrain from collecting them and instead document the location with a photo and inform a museum or public land agency.



“We have scientists that come from all over the world specifically to study our fossils,” she said. “We really are lucky.”



The discovery of Heleocola piceanus not only enriches our understanding of prehistoric Colorado but also serves as a reminder of the region's rich paleontological heritage and the need to protect it for future generations.



Image Credit: Brian Engh -LivingRelicProductions.com, courtesy of Utah Field House of Natural History



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

‘Swamp dweller’ found in Colorado lived among the dinosaurs

A team of paleontologists has made a significant discovery near...

When research scientist Gary Longo first analyzed the genomic data from sardine samples collected off the West Coast, he thought he had made a mistake.&nbsp;



Initially, it appeared that, besides the Pacific sardines that are common in the area, many of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dietary-shift-to-forage-fish-could-prevent-millions-of-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> were a different species. 



“It was a total shock,” Longo recalled. After further comparing the genetic code to other known species, he had a revelation: “That was the ‘aha moment’ when we realized we were looking at a second species of sardine.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mix-of-japanese-and-pacific-sardines">Mix of Japanese and Pacific sardines </h2>



The analysis revealed that in the 345 sardine samples collected during NOAA Fisheries’ 2021 and 2022 Coastal Pelagic Species Surveys, all of the samples from 2021 were Pacific sardines. 



However, the 2022 samples contained a mix of Pacific sardines and Japanese sardines. Further examination of 825 additional sardine samples collected the following year showed a similar result, with many being Japanese sardines - previously undocumented in this part of the ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-journey-of-japanese-sardines">Long journey of Japanese sardines </h2>



Japanese sardines were previously known only from the west side of the North Pacific Ocean near Asia. The findings, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17561" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Ecology</a>, showed that Japanese sardines have made their way to the waters off the United States. 



These sardines, which look nearly identical to their Pacific cousins, can only be distinguished through genetic analysis.&nbsp;



The team used advanced genomic sequencing techniques, analyzing millions of genetic markers and constructing full mitochondrial genomes to confirm the identity of the sardines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-testing-of-sardines">Genetic testing of sardines </h2>



In 2022 and 2023, Japanese sardines were found from Washington State to southern California, sometimes schooling with Pacific sardines.&nbsp;



The newcomers were typically one to three years old, common adult ages for sardines. Wondering if these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-foraging-behavior-changing-climate-warming-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> had been overlooked in previous surveys, the researchers turned to the genetic archives at the <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/southwest-fisheries-science-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southwest Fisheries Science Center</a>. 



Genetic testing of sardine samples collected between 2013 and 2021 showed no signs of Japanese sardines, suggesting that their arrival on the West Coast is a recent phenomenon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-ocean-conditions">Changing ocean conditions</h2>



The detection of Japanese sardines coincided with a period of low Pacific sardine populations, which may have made their presence easier to spot.&nbsp;



The 2022 NOAA Fisheries survey was the first to record Japanese sardines, suggesting that the species arrived around that time.&nbsp;



More were found in 2023, though it remains uncertain how long they have continued to move eastward. Researchers are currently analyzing samples from the 2024 survey to track their movements further.



The arrival of Japanese sardines raises many questions about the evolving conditions of the North Pacific.&nbsp;



Previous genetic studies estimated that Pacific and Japanese sardines diverged around 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, separated by glacial periods that cooled the North Pacific.&nbsp;



While there have been examples of western Pacific species reaching the U.S. coast - often transported by debris carried by currents - this appears different.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-japanese-sardines-leading-ecological-shifts">Japanese sardines leading ecological shifts</h2>



The study suggests that recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heatwaves-are-expanding-their-reach-across-the-globe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine heatwaves</a> warmed the North Pacific, creating a suitable habitat corridor that Japanese sardines may have followed across the ocean.



“Small coastal pelagic fish such as sardines are good indicators of change,” explained Longo. “Often they are the first ones we see responding to shifting temperatures because they have short generation times, are highly mobile, and can use a variety of habitats.”&nbsp;



According to the researchers, the Japanese sardines could represent the “leading edge” of broader ecological shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncertain-future-for-japanese-sardines">Uncertain future for Japanese sardines</h2>



The presence of Japanese sardines along the West Coast poses more questions than answers.&nbsp;



“A lot of fish distributions change as ocean conditions change. Now the question is whether Japanese sardines will die out over time, or will they persist in this new part of their range,” said co-author Matthew Craig, a research scientist at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center.



One crucial unknown is whether the two sardine species can interbreed, which would significantly affect their interaction in the California Current ecosystem.&nbsp;



Understanding these dynamics is key to determining how the influx of Japanese sardines could impact the management of sardine populations along the West Coast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-long-term-monitoring">Importance of long-term monitoring</h2>



Longo and Craig have returned to the lab to analyze around 700 new samples from the 2024 Coastal Pelagic Species Survey. They aim to sequence the DNA of these samples, tracing the ongoing presence and movement of Japanese sardines in the region.&nbsp;



The findings could reshape scientists’ understanding of sardine distribution and how changes in ocean conditions impact <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-disrupts-the-distribution-of-marine-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a>.



“This is one of those remarkable discoveries that never would have happened if scientists had not been out there, looking,” said Kristen Koch, director of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center. “The long-term records from earlier surveys also help us understand how unusual it is.”



The unexpected presence of Japanese sardines in the Pacific Ocean highlights the importance of continued monitoring and research, offering new insights into how marine species may respond to a rapidly changing world.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Japanese sardines may be signaling major shifts in the ocean

When research scientist Gary Longo first analyzed the genomic data...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



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



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



—–



Like what you saw and read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



—–



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>.



—–

Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cairo-forest-discovery">The Cairo forest discovery</h2>



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



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



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



-----

What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

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.



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



---



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.

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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.

Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



---



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.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"]</div>



Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



---



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



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.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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.

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



---



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.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



---



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.

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



---



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.

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

News coming your way