For decades, reptiles - including tortoises - have lingered in the background of animal sentience discussions. Popular imagination often casts them as simple, instinct-driven beings - unfeeling and unaware. 



Unlike mammals and birds, they rarely show overt emotion, leading many to dismiss the idea that reptiles might feel in complex ways. 



But a new study from the <a href="https://www.lincoln.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Lincoln</a> has disrupted that belief, offering compelling evidence that red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) can experience long-term mood states.



Published in the journal Animal Cognition, the study reveals that tortoises can show optimism and pessimism depending on their environment. These emotional states then shapes their response to the world around them.



The implications are profound. If tortoises can feel mood shifts similar to mammals and birds, we must rethink how they are treated in captivity and reconsider their place in the story of animal consciousness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-moods-mean-in-animals">What moods mean in animals</h2>



Mood and emotion are not the same. Emotions are short-lived responses to immediate situations, like fear when chased or joy at finding food. Moods, on the other hand, linger. 



They form a kind of emotional background noise, influencing how an animal perceives new experiences. Scientists call these “free-floating” states, unattached to specific triggers but powerful in shaping behavior.



In humans and other mammals, we have tested mood using cognitive bias tasks. These tests explore how an individual interprets ambiguous situations. 



Someone in a good mood will expect a positive outcome, while someone in a bad mood will expect the worst. Until now, no study had used this method on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turtles-may-hold-the-secret-to-cancer-prevention/">reptiles</a>.



That gap has finally been closed. Researchers at Lincoln tested 15 red-footed tortoises to determine if they could exhibit mood-driven bias. Their approach was clear and controlled, building on established methods from mammal studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tortoises-respond-to-uncertainty">Tortoises respond to uncertainty</h2>



Each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turtle-heads-reveal-an-ancient-reptilian-secret/">tortoise</a> was trained in a simple spatial judgment task. A bowl placed in one spot always contained a food reward (rocket leaves). 



The same bowl, placed elsewhere, never had food. Once trained, tortoises were presented with the bowl at three new, in-between locations: one near the positive spot, one in the middle, and one near the negative.



How quickly a tortoise approached the bowl at each of these ambiguous points showed its expectation. Quick approach meant optimism. Hesitation meant doubt or pessimism. 



Every trial was carefully timed, filmed, and structured to avoid smell-based cues or random behavior. The test was fair.



Interestingly, the tortoises judged the near-positive and middle spots more optimistically. They moved faster toward these bowls, showing an “optimistic skew” similar to that seen in mammals and birds. This alone is a strong sign of mood in action. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anxiety-measured-in-action">Anxiety measured in action</h2>



To confirm that mood shaped behavior beyond just one task, the tortoises were also subjected to two classic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-do-fear-and-anxiety-reside-in-the-brain-new-cells-identified/">anxiety</a> tests: the novel object test and the novel environment test. 



These are used widely in animal cognition to assess emotional reactions to unfamiliar situations.



In the novel object test, each tortoise encountered an unusual item, a colorful bead coaster, inside a familiar arena. 



The researchers recorded how long it took the tortoise to approach the object, how far it extended its head, and how quickly it began to move. Confident, relaxed tortoises moved sooner and extended their heads farther.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tortoise-mood-affects-behavior">Tortoise mood affects behavior </h2>



The novel environment test changed the tortoises’ surroundings. Different textures, colors, and patterns created a new sensory world. 



Again, tortoises were watched for how they responded to unfamiliarity. The researchers noted that tortoises who showed optimistic bias in the earlier task also behaved with more confidence in these settings.



For example, tortoises that approached ambiguous bowls faster also reached new objects more quickly. 



Some even extended their heads farther in strange environments, indicating comfort and curiosity. These behavioral links show a deep connection between mood and action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-reptile-feelings">Rethinking reptile feelings</h2>



The authors of the study interpret these results as remarkable. The presence of a mood state in a tortoise means that reptiles do not simply react. They evaluate, anticipate, and feel. That changes the ethical landscape.



"Animal welfare concerns are reliant upon evidence that a given <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-turtle-day-protecting-turtles-tortoises-and-their-vanishing-habitats/">species</a> has the capacity to experience affective states," said Anna Wilkinson, a professor of Animal Cognition at the University of Lincoln. 



"With reptiles becoming increasingly common as pets, it is essential for us to study their moods and emotions to try to understand how captivity may impact them."



Professor Oliver Burman noted that the research represents a significant shift in our understanding of what reptiles can experience, with important implications for how we care for these animals in captivity and interact with them in the wild.



The researchers emphasized that these findings align reptiles more closely with mammals and birds in terms of emotional capacity.



While reptiles may lack certain emotional expressions seen in other animals, they still experience shifts in affective state. Their moods impact how they explore, respond, and behave.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tortoise-mood-and-the-roots-of-emotions">Tortoise mood and the roots of emotions</h2>



Reptiles diverged from mammals and birds hundreds of millions of years ago. That makes this discovery even more significant. If a tortoise, members of one of the oldest lineages of land animals, can experience mood, then the evolutionary roots of emotion run deeper than we thought.



The study references earlier research that found reptiles do show some emotional behavior, such as emotional fever and response to enrichment. 



But until now, no one had shown that they could experience long-lasting, mood-like states. These new results argue against the idea that reptiles have a narrow emotional spectrum.



They suggest that affective states, both emotional and mood-based, might be ancient features of vertebrate brains. These are not recent innovations. This insight matters for biology, psychology, and ethics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reptiles-need-more-than-basics">Reptiles need more than basics</h2>



The researchers argue for major changes in how we house and care for reptiles. Current enclosures often focus on physical health and basic habitat needs. 



But if tortoises have moods, then their emotional well-being must also be addressed. That means offering larger enclosures, complex terrain, opportunities for exploration, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-stimulation-could-change-the-future-of-math-education/">mental stimulation</a>.



According to the researchers, we should assume that they are not only capable of suffering but also experiencing enduring positive moods. Captive reptiles deserve spaces that support both.



The research also expands the toolkit for welfare assessments. Behavioral and mood-based testing can help zookeepers, researchers, and pet owners recognize when a reptile like a tortoise is distressed or thriving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-how-we-see-tortoises">Rethinking how we see tortoises</h2>



For too long, tortoises have been treated as slow-moving curiosities. But this new evidence invites us to see them differently. They can be optimistic, feel anxiety, and might even experience contentment.



This is not just about red-footed tortoises. It is about revising our relationship with all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reptile-ancestors-appeared-40-million-years-earlier-than-we-thought/">reptiles</a>. The cold-blooded no longer seem cold-hearted. They are thinking, feeling beings. And now we have the science to prove it.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-025-01973-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animal Cognition</a>.



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Grumpy tortoise? Reptiles can experience mood swings too

For decades, reptiles - including tortoises - have lingered in the background of animal sentience discussions. Popular imagination often casts them as simple, instinct-driven beings - unfeeling and unaware. Unlike mammals and birds, they rarely show overt emotion, leading many to dismiss the idea that reptiles might feel in complex ways. But a new study from the University of Lincoln has disrupted that belief, offering compelling evidence that red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) can experience long-term mood states. Published in the journal Animal Cognition, the study reveals that...

Bioluminescence, the remarkable ability of organisms to generate light through chemical reactions, originated in marine invertebrates known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-corals-and-reefs-are-showing-surprising-resilience-as-global-waters-warm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">octocorals</a> at least 540 million years ago, according to a new study by researchers at the <a href="https://naturalhistory.si.edu/%C3%B9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History</a>. 



These findings significantly predate previous records, which dated the earliest emergence of this luminous trait in animals to about 267 million years ago in ostracods, a type of small marine crustacean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-history-of-bioluminescence-nbsp">Evolutionary history of bioluminescence&nbsp;</h2>



This groundbreaking research not only revises the timeline of bioluminescence's evolutionary history but also opens new pathways to understanding why this ability developed.&nbsp;



“Nobody quite knows why it first evolved in animals,” said senior author Andrea Quattrini, the museum’s curator of corals. This mystery underscores the complexity and significance of bioluminescence, which has independently evolved at least 94 times across various species and plays crucial roles in behaviors such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-are-losing-their-camouflage-under-modern-street-lights/%C3%B9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">camouflage</a>, courtship, communication, and hunting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bioluminescent-group-of-corals-nbsp">Bioluminescent group of corals&nbsp;</h2>



The focus of the study was on octocorals - an ancient and frequently bioluminescent group that includes soft corals, sea fans, and sea pens. Unlike hard corals, octocorals consist of tiny colonial polyps that secrete a soft framework as their habitat.&nbsp;



These organisms often exhibit bioluminescence when disturbed, although the exact reasons for this trait remain somewhat elusive.



To determine the origins of bioluminescence in octocorals, the researchers, including lead author Danielle DeLeo, a former postdoctoral fellow and museum research associate, analyzed an evolutionary tree of octocorals developed by Quattrini and Catherine McFadden of <a href="https://www.hmc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvey Mudd College</a> in 2022. 



This tree, constructed using genetic data from 185 octocoral species, provided a detailed map of the evolutionary relationships within this group.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bioluminescence-in-the-ancestors-of-current-octocorals">Bioluminescence in the ancestors of current octocorals</h2>



By integrating two known-aged octocoral fossils into this group based on their physical features, the team was able to estimate the timeline of evolutionary splits within the octocoral lineage. They then mapped bioluminescent species onto this tree and applied statistical techniques for what is known as ancestral state reconstruction.&nbsp;



This analysis aimed to infer the likelihood of bioluminescence in the ancestors of current octocorals. “If we know these species of octocorals living today are bioluminescent, we can use statistics to infer whether their ancestors were highly probable to be bioluminescent or not,” Quattrini explained.



The results were striking: bioluminescence likely existed in the common ancestor of all octocorals around 540 million years ago, a significant advancement over the previous record held by bioluminescent ostracods. 



This early emergence suggests that bioluminescence has been a key trait contributing to the evolutionary success and long-term survival of octocorals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-bioluminescence-nbsp">Mystery of bioluminescence&nbsp;</h2>



The findings also raise further questions about the specific uses of bioluminescence in octocorals, prompting DeLeo and her colleagues to plan additional research. They are developing a genetic test to determine the presence of luciferase, an enzyme crucial for bioluminescence, in octocorals.&nbsp;



This tool will help identify which of the over 3,000 living octocoral species still possess this luminescent capability and which have lost it, potentially shedding light on the ecological factors influencing this trait.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-biological-trait-nbsp">Fascinating biological trait&nbsp;</h2>



Beyond its scientific implications, the study provides essential evolutionary context for the conservation and management of octocorals, which are increasingly threatened by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-study-provides-answers-to-how-coral-reefs-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> and human activities such as fishing, oil and gas extraction, and marine mineral mining. 



The research is part of the museum’s Ocean Science Center's mission to enhance global understanding of oceanic processes and challenges.



As this study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.2626" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Academy of Sciences</a>, redefines the ancient origins of bioluminescence, while highlighting the need for further exploration into why such a fascinating biological trait evolved and its role in the survival and adaptation of marine organisms over millions of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-of-bioluminescence-in-animals">Advantages of bioluminescence in animals</h2>



Bioluminescence offers several advantages in the natural world. Predominantly found in marine organisms, though also present in some terrestrial species, this fascinating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescent-gene-identified-that-makes-sea-pickles-glow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biological trait</a> serves various ecological roles. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-luring-prey-nbsp">Luring prey&nbsp;</h3>



For many deep-sea creatures, bioluminescence is crucial for attracting prey. The deep ocean is pitch dark, so any source of light is likely to draw attention. Organisms can use this to lure smaller creatures close enough to capture them.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defense-mechanism-nbsp">Defense mechanism&nbsp;</h3>



Moreover, bioluminescence is used for defense. Some species emit light to startle or distract <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-marine-predators-may-suffer-massive-habitat-loss-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators</a>, giving them a chance to escape. Others may use bioluminescence to camouflage themselves, blending in with light filtering down from the surface to erase their silhouette and confuse predators from below.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproduction-nbsp">Reproduction&nbsp;</h3>



In addition to predation and defense, bioluminescence plays a role in reproduction. Certain species emit specific light patterns to attract mates, ensuring that they can find one another in the vast and dark depths of the oceans.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communication">Communication</h3>



The light can also serve as a form of communication among members of the same species, helping them signal their location, maintain group cohesion, or even warn others of dangers.



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Bioluminescence emerged in animals 540 million years ago

Bioluminescence, the remarkable ability of organisms to generate light through...

Did you know you can read a chicken's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-can-now-decipher-the-emotional-states-of-chickens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotions</a>? It turns out our feathered friends have a surprising way of showing their feelings - their faces blush a deeper red when they're distressed. 



A revolutionary study has confirmed this, opening up new ways to understand how chickens feel and build better relationships with them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-chickens-express-their-emotions">How do chickens express their emotions?</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chicken-psychology-birds-smart-complex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chickens</a>, like many animals, experience a spectrum of emotions ranging from joy and excitement to frustration and fear. However, their ways of expressing these emotions differ from ours. They don't rely on facial expressions like smiling or frowning to communicate how they feel.



Instead, changes in chickens' facial coloration offer clues about their inner state. The skin around their faces, including the comb and wattle, is particularly sensitive. These areas maintain a lighter red hue when chickens are relaxed and content. 



When chickens experience negative emotions, the blood flow to these areas increases significantly. This causes a visible change as their faces become flushed with a much brighter scarlet shade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-chickens-blush">Why do chickens blush?</h2>



Researchers from <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">INRAE</a> (France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment) embarked on a detailed investigation to decipher how a chicken's blush reveals its emotions. They focused on Sussex hens, a popular breed of laying chickens. 



To ensure accuracy, the research team employed advanced camera technology and specialized software. This allowed them to precisely measure and analyze subtle changes in facial redness.



The researchers exposed hens to various stimuli and carefully documented the changes in coloration. When presented with appetizing feed such as mealworms, the hens did get a bit red but their entire face became scarlet red during negative experiences such as capture. This demonstrated a clear connection between the hens' emotional state and the intensity of their flushing.



Intriguingly, the study also shed light on how chickens perceive humans. Hens who had been gradually accustomed to the presence of a friendly researcher over time showed a reduced stress response. 



This was evident in their calmer demeanor and the less intense flushing of their faces in the researcher's presence. In comparison, hens without this positive exposure exhibited a more pronounced stress response when near humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotions-in-chickens-and-humans">Emotions in chickens and humans</h2>



The ability to accurately interpret chicken emotions provides invaluable insights for farmers, animal scientists, and veterinarians. Using this knowledge, they can tailor environments and care practices to promote positive emotional states in chickens. 



This includes minimizing stressful situations, providing opportunities for enrichment, and fostering a sense of security. Such changes in animal management can lead to improvements in overall chicken well-being and health.



While chickens and humans may seem worlds apart, this study highlights a shared emotional language. By learning to recognize the subtle cues chickens use to express their feelings, we can develop greater empathy and understanding towards them. 



This awareness can promote more respectful and compassionate interactions, potentially transforming our relationship with these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zebra-finches-use-both-calls-and-vision-to-coordinate-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> even in backyard settings or small-scale farming.



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



The study serves as a springboard for numerous exciting avenues of future research. Scientists are keen to delve deeper into the diverse ways chickens might communicate their emotions.



Beyond facial flushing, changes in the position or movement of head feathers could hold clues to a chicken's emotional state. For instance, during moments of excitement, a hen might rapidly raise and lower her head feathers. 



Conversely, fear or stress might be signaled by flattened or ruffled feathers. Careful observation and analysis are needed to decode this potential new emotional language.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tech-uses-chicken-feathers-to-generate-clean-electricity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chickens</a> live within complex social structures, often with clear dominance relationships. Researchers want to understand how emotional signals play a role in these interactions. 



For example, a dominant hen might display specific feather patterns or facial coloration changes to assert her position, while a subordinate hen might exhibit different signals to indicate submission. Understanding these nuances could unlock secrets about chicken communication and social dynamics.



The next time you see a chicken, take a good look at its face. Is it pale, relaxed, and content? Or is it flushed, indicating the chicken might be feeling stressed or worried?



Remember, our awareness and empathy can make all the difference in the lives of animals around us, even backyard chickens.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124001163?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applied Animal Behaviour Science</a>.



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Chickens' faces change color depending on their emotions

Did you know you can read a chicken's emotions? It...

In the Solomon Islands, a team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.unimelb.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Melbourne</a> has identified a swift and unusual type of evolutionary change among local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-secrets-how-bat-teeth-adapted-to-their-diverse-diets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bat</a> populations. The experts suggest that two distinct groups of leaf-nosed bats, initially thought to be different species due to their significant size differences, are actually proof of a rare case of parallel evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-sizes-similar-dna">Different sizes, similar DNA</h2>



Although these two species share the same environment, they have independently developed similar traits. The smaller species, Hipposideros diadema, is widespread, inhabiting not only the Solomon Islands but also regions in Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia. In contrast, the larger species, named Hipposideros dinops or the Fierce Leaf-Nosed Bat in 1905, is exclusive to the Solomon Islands.



“Although they are very different sizes, the bats’ DNA is very similar. They use very different sonar frequencies, they probably eat different food, and even when they live in the same cave together they don’t interbreed. That is why no one has ever really questioned whether they were different species,” explained lead author Tyrone Lavery, a mammalogist at the University of Melbourne.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-evolution-of-larger-bodied-bats">Rapid evolution of larger-bodied bats</h2>



According to the scientists, despite their independent origins, each group of larger bats has evolved to look the same, averaging more than double the weight of the small bat. “Our research suggests the rapid and repeated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vampire-bats-live-blood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a> of larger bodied bats from smaller bats, each happening independently on separate islands,” said Lavery.



“When we created family trees using the bats’ DNA, we found that what we thought was just one species of large bat in the Solomon Islands was actually a case where bigger bats had evolved from the smaller species multiple times across different islands.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parallel-bat-evolution-nbsp">Parallel bat evolution&nbsp;</h2>



This phenomenon of parallel evolution, where separated populations of the same species evolve similar traits in similar environments, is exceedingly rare and seldomly observed in real-time, especially among mammals.&nbsp;



The experts suggest that these larger bats might be evolving to exploit food sources not accessible to their smaller counterparts, although they are theoretically capable of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/interbreeding-survival-early-elephants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interbreeding</a>.



“Something very strong is pushing or selecting for these big bats, and it is strong enough for it to happen multiple times on different islands. We think these larger bats might be evolving to take advantage of prey that the smaller bats aren’t eating. Although they could probably interbreed, they don’t for some reason,” Lavery said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-dietary-preferences-nbsp">Diverse dietary preferences&nbsp;</h2>



The differences in sonar frequencies between the groups suggest diverse dietary preferences, with the larger bats likely targeting bigger prey such as larger insects or even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-frog-day-addressing-environmental-threats-to-frogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frogs</a>. 



The study, which included measuring 103 bat specimens from various international museums, confirmed no overlap in body size between the two groups, reinforcing their distinct developments despite genetic similarities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-islands-and-bat-evolution">Islands and bat evolution</h2>



According to Lavery, this pattern of parallel evolution in leaf-nosed bats has been observed in the Solomon Islands on Guadalcanal and in the Western Province, but more research is needed to see if the same pattern occurs on other islands.&nbsp;



“We may think of evolution as a very slow process, but it can happen rapidly when the conditions are right and two groups are separated and stop interbreeding. They can begin to evolve on different pathways,” he said.



“Islands are famous for helping us to observe and understand the processes for how species evolve in real time. They’re also places that are very vulnerable to the types of disturbance that humans create. It’s important that we look after these incredible landscapes in Solomon Islands before we lose these stories even before we find them,” he concluded.



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



Bats represent a remarkable example of mammalian evolution, having developed unique adaptations that allow them to thrive across diverse environments globally. The evolution of bats is particularly notable for their development of flight and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-share-social-information-through-echolocation-calls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">echolocation</a>, which have played crucial roles in their ability to occupy ecological niches that other mammals cannot.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-bats">Early bats</h3>



The fossil record suggests that bats first appeared at least 50 million years ago during the Eocene epoch. These early bats already possessed the wing structures necessary for flight, indicating that their ability to fly evolved quite rapidly in evolutionary terms.&nbsp;



This quick adaptation to flight is believed to have significantly contributed to their global spread and diversification.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-echolocation">Echolocation</h3>



Echolocation, the ability to navigate and find food using sound waves, is another key evolutionary development in bats, although it is not universal among all bat species.&nbsp;



Echolocation likely developed after flight, with different bat species evolving this ability independently. This suggests a strong evolutionary pressure to optimize feeding strategies in dark environments, like night skies or dense forests.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-convergent-evolution">Convergent evolution</h3>



Molecular studies have provided insights into bat phylogeny, showing that bats are divided into two main suborders: the largely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-fruit-bats-suffer-no-consequences-from-their-high-sugar-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fruit-eating</a> megabats and the echolocating microbats. 



Interestingly, some megabats have also developed echolocation, albeit through different mechanisms than microbats, showcasing convergent evolution - where different species independently evolve similar traits.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-morphological-changes-and-diet">Morphological changes and diet</h3>



Bats have also adapted to a wide range of dietary preferences, from insects and fruit to vertebrates and blood, each adaptation allowing bats to exploit new or underserved ecological niches. 



These dietary adaptations are accompanied by morphological changes, such as tooth and jaw structure, digestive enzymes, and flight adaptations, enabling them to specialize and thrive.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/evolut/qpae039" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evolution</a>.



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Rare type of parallel evolution found in island bats

In the Solomon Islands, a team of scientists led by...

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, complex and toxic compounds produced by various plant species, have historically posed significant risks to cattle due to their lethal nature. Despite their toxicity and the clear signals from plants that contain these alkaloids discouraging consumption, bella <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moths-may-struggle-to-move-in-response-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moths</a> (Utetheisa ornatrix) have uniquely adapted to not only consume these substances but also utilize them as a defense mechanism and a means to attract mates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-adaptations-of-bella-moths-nbsp">Genetic adaptations of bella moths&nbsp;</h2>



In a new study led by the <a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Museum of Natural History</a>, scientists have explored the genetic adaptations that allow bella moths to thrive on a diet rich in these dangerous compounds.&nbsp;



The research, which involved sequencing the bella moth genome and analyzing genetic data from over 150 museum specimens, some over a century old, aimed to discover the evolutionary origins of bella moths and their close relatives, as well as the development of their distinctive <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/butterflies-wing-patterns-colors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wing patterns</a>.



“We’ve managed to show that you can use museum specimens to answer genetic questions that normally require complicated laboratory techniques,” explained study co-author Andrei Sourakov, collections coordinator at the <a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/mcguire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity</a>. Sourakov, who has dedicated 15 years to studying bella moths, emphasized the significance of genome sequencing in advancing our understanding of these resilient insects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-survival-strategy-of-bella-moths">Unique survival strategy of bella moths</h2>



The findings reveal that bella moths, which inhabit regions across eastern North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, exhibit a unique survival strategy by being conspicuously visible during the day instead of hiding from predators.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deterring-predators-nbsp">Deterring predators&nbsp;</h3>



Their vibrant wing colors serve as a warning about their toxicity, effectively deterring potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predators-help-prevent-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators</a> such as spiders and birds.



“Banana spiders will cut them out of their webs,” Sourakov said, adding that wolf spiders and birds will avoid them. “When caught, they produce foaming liquid that tastes bad made almost entirely out of alkaloids.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-attracting-mates">Attracting mates</h3>



This defense mechanism is further found during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-moths-use-an-aphrodisiac-during-mating-to-feel-macho/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mating</a>, where females emit a plume of alkaloid-rich aerosols to attract males.&nbsp;



The mating process involves the male moth transferring not only sperm but additional alkaloids to the female, which she uses to protect her eggs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-evolutionary-process-nbsp">Complex evolutionary process&nbsp;</h2>



The study not only sheds light on the unique dietary adaptations of bella moths but also underscores the broader implications of their survival tactics. The discovery that bella moths possess multiple copies of the gene responsible for their alkaloid detoxification enzyme suggests a complex evolutionary process that may have involved gene duplication, a phenomenon observed in various other species as well.



According to the researchers, the interaction with pyrrolizidine alkaloids could be a key factor behind the bella moth’s unusually long lifespan, as the stress imposed by these toxins may activate biological mechanisms that contribute to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/certain-stress-boost-longevity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longevity</a>.



“Certain types of stress on biological systems result in a longer lifespan. It could be that the interaction bella moths have with alkaloids is not only the reason why it makes sense for them to live long lives, but also one of the mechanisms behind it,” Sourakov speculated.



This study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2319726121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, both deepens our understanding of the complex interplay between bella moths and their toxic environment and opens new avenues for research into how other species adapt to and exploit toxic substances within their ecosystems.



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



Bella moths are strikingly colored moths found primarily in the Americas. Their vibrant wings are a mix of pink, white, and yellow hues with black spots, serving as a warning to predators about their toxicity. This toxicity is derived from their larval diet of plants in the Crotalaria genus, which contain poisonous alkaloids that the larvae retain into adulthood.



The bella moth's life cycle is closely intertwined with its host plants. The female moth lays eggs on the underside of leaves, which hatch into larvae that feed on the toxic leaves, gaining their own chemical defenses against predators. This adaptation showcases a fascinating example of coevolution between the bella moth and the plants it depends on.



In addition to their ecological role, bella moths contribute to their ecosystem by participating in pollination. Their bright coloring not only warns predators but also attracts the attention of researchers and nature enthusiasts, making them a subject of interest in studies of evolutionary biology and ecology.



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Some moths use lethal toxins to deter predators and attract mates

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, complex and toxic compounds produced by various plant...

Parrots, renowned for their vibrant colors and remarkable imitative abilities, are increasingly targeted by illegal wildlife trade operations. A forensic project led by scientists at The Australian National University (<a href="https://www.anu.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ANU</a>) aims to bring perpetrators to justice, protect parrots, and safeguard global health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-toolkit-to-track-illegal-parrot-trade">DNA toolkit to track illegal parrot trade</h2>



Dr. George Olah, chief investigator at the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society, is leading the development of a comprehensive DNA database designed to revolutionize parrot conservation efforts. 



This database, drawing inspiration from INTERPOL's I-Familia (which utilizes kinship matching to identify missing persons), will provide authorities with the scientific tools necessary to dismantle illegal trafficking networks.



“This research project is like CSI, but for parrots,” said Dr Olah. “For traded wildlife, we don’t yet have a widely used DNA database like the one INTERPOL is using, for instance, to identify missing persons through international police cooperation. Once we have it, we can analyse the trade network, showing which birds are coming from which islands." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-illegal-parrot-trade">Identifying illegal parrot trade</h2>



The innovative process involves:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sample-collection">Sample collection</h3>



Scientists will focus on parrot species classified as threatened or endangered, such as the iconic Yellow-crested Cockatoo or the vibrantly colored Sumba Eclectus.



To minimize harm to the birds, researchers will collect either a single feather or a minuscule amount of blood (typically from a nestling). This contains the necessary biological material for DNA analysis.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-analysis">DNA analysis</h3>



Cutting-edge nanopore technology enables rapid and cost-effective DNA sequencing. This technology works by passing individual DNA strands through tiny pores and detecting changes in electrical current, allowing scientists to determine the precise sequence of the bird's genetic code.



The sequencing process generates a unique genetic profile for each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parrots-intelligence-longevity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parrot</a>, acting like a biological fingerprint that differentiates it from other individuals in its species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-database-development">Database development </h3>



Law enforcement agencies around the world can access these unique DNA profiles stored in a secure, centralized database.



When law enforcement intercepts suspected trafficked parrots, samples can be collected and analyzed in the same way. Investigators can potentially pinpoint where the seized birds were taken from in the wild by comparing their DNA against the database.



The database becomes a powerful reference tool, providing essential clues to help track criminal networks and identify smuggling hotspots involved in the illegal wildlife trade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-forensics-to-track-illegal-trading-of-parrots">DNA forensics to track illegal trading of parrots</h2>



This toolkit offers a two-pronged approach to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-zealand-worlds-largest-parrot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parrot</a> conservation:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combating-illegal-parrot-trade">Combating illegal parrot trade</h3>



Currently, limited information is available when parrots are confiscated from illegal traders. Using DNA analysis, law enforcement can match the seized birds with the database, tracing them back to their original geographic area.



This traceability creates a 'breadcrumb trail,' offering valuable insight into the routes used by smugglers and potentially revealing established trafficking networks.



As this knowledge base grows, authorities can implement targeted interventions, disrupting supply chains and leading to the identification and arrest of the individuals involved in poaching and trafficking activities.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facilitating-reintroduction">Facilitating reintroduction</h3>



Confiscated parrots from illegal trade often cannot be readily returned to the wild, as their exact origins are unknown. This creates issues if they are the wrong subspecies for the intended release area, potentially harming local populations.



DNA analysis solves this problem. Wildlife officials can pinpoint the origin of confiscated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-red-crowned-parrots-are-thriving-in-urban-texas-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parrots</a> to ensure their release. They can return them to their true homes - the correct habitats.



The reintroductions are critical for boosting wild populations, particularly of threatened or endangered species. The technology enables not just successful rescues, but supports long-term conservation efforts and the restoration of natural ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-parrots-protecting-public-health">Protecting parrots, protecting public health</h2>



The illegal wildlife trade poses a significant threat to biodiversity and global public health. Wildlife trafficking is a primary vector for the spread of zoonotic diseases, those capable of transmitting from animals to humans (as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic). 



“So if we know more about the illegal wildlife market, we can safeguard not only the wildlife but humans too,”&nbsp;explained Dr Olah.



While initially focusing on Indonesia, a hotspot for illegal parrot trade, this project holds the potential for global expansion. The team envisions collaborations with law enforcement agencies worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-you-can-get-involved">How you can get involved</h2>



In the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking, knowledge truly is power. Here's how to start arming yourself with the information you need:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-educate-yourself-and-others">Educate yourself and others</h3>



Actively seek information about the illegal parrot trade from reputable sources like scientific journals, conservation organization websites, and documentaries. Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step towards effective action.



The illegal parrot trade is just one part of the larger illegal wildlife trafficking industry. Learn about the broader trade in endangered species, its drivers, and its far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and biodiversity.



Share your knowledge with your friends, family, and online communities. Raising awareness sparks conversations and creates a ripple effect, inspiring others to take action.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-support-conservation-organizations">Support conservation organizations</h3>



Thoroughly research different conservation organizations dedicated to protecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parrots-colorful-feathers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parrots</a> and fighting wildlife trafficking. Examine their mission statements, track record, and financial transparency to ensure they align with your values and priorities.



Financial contributions can make a huge difference for conservation efforts on the ground. Choose organizations that use donations effectively and can demonstrate the impact of their work.



Many organizations welcome other forms of support. Volunteer your time and skills, participate in their campaigns, and spread the word about their work through your social networks.



This DNA-based conservation initiative represents a significant turning point in the fight to protect parrots and maintain a healthy, balanced world.



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Saving parrots in the illegal wildlife trade with DNA technology

Parrots, renowned for their vibrant colors and remarkable imitative abilities,...

Marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-microbe-may-help-in-the-fight-against-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes</a> have historically been less explored compared to animal and plant populations, which have significantly enriched our understanding of ecosystem processes and evolutionary adaptations. 



The difficulty in isolating, culturing, and analyzing the genetic material of marine microorganisms has meant their vast diversity has largely gone uncharacterized. 



However, the landscape is shifting due to advancements in molecular and computational methodologies. These technologies are unveiling the potential of marine microbes to act as indicators of global changes in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-color-has-changed-significantly-over-the-past-20-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oceans</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-shifts-in-marine-microbes">Genetic shifts in marine microbes</h2>



In a recent study, experts analyzed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-microbe-regulate-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine microbial</a> populations to gauge the impacts of global change. By examining the collective data on these populations and their ecological roles, the researchers have identified an important trend. They found that even minor genetic shifts among marine microbes correlate more directly with gradual environmental shifts than changes within larger species.



"Small genetic changes in these populations could be more directly correlated with the slight but continuous environmental changes associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-induced-changes-in-ocean-salinity-threaten-biodiversity-and-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global change</a>, than the analysis of species," said study lead author Ramiro Logares from the Institut de Ciències del Mar (<a href="https://www.icm.csic.es/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICM-CSIC</a>).



Furthermore, Logares attributes the insights to the advent of new molecular techniques. These techniques allow for a broader, more detailed genetic exploration of microbial communities directly in their natural habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technological-revolution">Technological revolution </h2>



The application of advanced techniques such as metagenomics and metatranscriptomics has revolutionized our ability to study these elusive populations. The methods allow scientists to conduct studies without the need for traditional culturing techniques.



As a result, scientists can directly extract and analyze genetic data from uncultured aquatic microbial species. This analysis has revealed significant genetic diversity and distinct patterns of adaptation and differentiation, influenced by environmental factors like temperature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-diversity-of-marine-microbes">Genetic diversity of marine microbes</h2>



For the extensive study, the researchers reviewed over 150 scholarly articles. The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of how the genetic variability of microbial populations is linked to broader ecosystem processes and adaptations.



Logares emphasized the importance of this research: "Knowing the genetic diversity and population dynamics of marine microbes allows us to obtain valuable information on their resilience or vulnerability to global change."



Understanding how microbial populations adapt to changing conditions is essential for assessing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-extreme-weather-impact-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystem</a> health and functionality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-marine-microbial-research">The future of marine microbial research</h2>



Logares advocates for continued exploration into population genomics to deepen our understanding of microbial diversity. He believes that this will not only shed light on the complex architecture and functioning of the marine microbiome, but will also enhance our ability to devise more effective management and conservation strategies.



"The ocean microbiome currently faces multiple challenges derived from anthropogenic-induced climate change. For example, sea-surface warming, decreasing O2 and increasing CO2 levels, acidification, changes in water circulation, changes in nutrient inputs, and other biotic factors (such as new parasites or predators). Thus far, relatively few studies have investigated the reaction of marine microbes to global change," wrote the researchers.



"Selective changes derived from global change can have significant consequences in microbial community structure, populations, evolution, and ultimately, in the biogeochemical cycles they mediate." 



"As a response to the changing oceanic conditions, microbes are anticipated to undergo shifts in their geographic distributions, alterations in community structure, modifications in gene expression - including epigenetic changes - and adaptations to the new environmental conditions."



"However, the relative significance of these mechanisms in shaping the overall response remains uncertain. Population genomics has the potential to provide new insights into the relative relevance of these processes in the reaction of microbes to a changing ocean."



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



Marine microbes are incredibly diverse microorganisms that inhabit ocean environments, ranging from the sunlit surfaces of the seas to the dark depths of the ocean floor. They include bacteria, archaea, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-algae-steal-beneficial-genes-from-bacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a>, protozoa, and fungi, each playing a crucial role in oceanic ecosystems. 



These tiny life forms are essential in cycling nutrients, breaking down pollutants, and supporting the marine food web through processes like photosynthesis and decomposition.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The planet’s atmospheric balance</h3>



Marine microbes are responsible for producing more than half of the Earth's oxygen, making them vital for maintaining the atmospheric balance. They also contribute significantly to the global carbon cycle, capturing vast amounts of carbon dioxide, thereby influencing climate patterns and the health of the environment.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Scientific research&nbsp;</h3>



Additionally, marine microbes have unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in extreme conditions, such as high pressure, low temperature, and varying salinity levels found in different parts of the ocean. This adaptability makes them an interesting subject for scientific research, potentially leading to breakthroughs in biotechnology, medicine, and environmental science.



Their genetic diversity and metabolic capabilities also make them a valuable resource for discovering new pharmaceuticals and enzymes that could have industrial applications. Despite their small size, marine microbes have a profound impact on the global ecosystem and human life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-024-01778-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microbiome</a>.



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Marine microbes can tell us about global changes in the ocean

Marine microbes have historically been less explored compared to animal...

Live,Blue,Mussels,Underwater,On,A,Rock,In,The,Ocean,

Mussel shells have been showing a troubling trend caused by climate change, as observed in recent findings by the American Museum of Natural History. 



Over the past century, these shells have become increasingly porous. This change in mussel shell structure is largely attributed to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-sea-temperatures-can-alter-dna-in-marine-invertebrates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising temperatures</a> of coastal waters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mussels-crucial-role-in-ecosystems">Mussels' crucial role in ecosystems</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-freshwater-mussels-are-threatened-by-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mussels</a> play an indispensable and multifaceted role within their ecosystems. They serve as both environmental stabilizers and critical contributors to marine biodiversity.



Leanne Melbourne, a Kathryn W. Davis postdoctoral fellow at the <a href="https://www.amnh.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Museum of Natural History</a>, explains the importance of mussels. 



"Mussels are vital for numerous reasons: they form habitats on reefs, filter water, shield coasts during storms, and have significant commercial value," said Melbourne.



"It's concerning to see how human-induced environmental alterations are jeopardizing the shell formation in mussels and other mollusks. Understanding the future risks this poses is imperative," she added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mussel-shells-reveal-climate-changes">Mussel shells reveal climate changes</h2>



The study utilizes the museum’s extensive bivalve collection, which dates back to the late 1800s. This allows researchers to track environmental impacts over time.



Previous research typically involved laboratory settings to understand how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-has-nearly-doubled-in-the-last-decade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean warming</a> and acidification affect mussels, known scientifically as Mytilus edulis. 



However, Melbourne leveraged these historical specimens to gain insights into changes under natural conditions.



Nathalie Goodkin, a curator at the museum, emphasizes the value of museum collections in ecological studies. 



"They are excellent for observing long-term changes. Natural environments expose organisms to gradual changes and multiple stressors, unlike laboratory conditions which can only isolate specific factors," Goodkin explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mussel-shells-comparison">Mussel shells comparison</h2>



The focus of Melbourne’s research was on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mollusk-shells-reveal-new-clues-about-past-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shells</a> collected from the early 1900s and 1960s. These specimens were gathered from five distinct locations, ranging from Nahant Bay in Massachusetts to New York Harbor.



Subsequently, Melbourne compared these historical samples with modern specimens from the same areas, assessing factors such as shell thickness, surface area, volume, and porosity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-porous-mussel-shells-from-climate-change">Porous mussel shells from climate change</h2>



The study clearly showed that modern mussel shells are markedly more porous than those from earlier decades. The research suggests that rising sea temperatures, which have increased by up to 3 degrees Celsius since 1902, might be contributing to this change.



However, factors such as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activity-is-rapidly-changing-weather-in-north-america/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Atlantic Oscillation</a>, which brought unexpectedly cold water temperatures in the 1960s, could also influence the variability in shell porosity.



Consequently, the increased porosity could compromise the structural integrity of the mussel shells, making them more prone to damage.



"The robustness of mussel shells is integral to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-mussels-are-ideal-for-ecosystem-restoration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem</a> services provided by mussel reefs. If their shells are weaker, they are more likely to break, potentially leading to the loss of these crucial organisms," Melbourne remarked. She stressed the need for further research to explore these effects at a material science level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-climate-change-on-mussels">Impact of climate change on mussels</h2>



Beyond making their shells more porous, climate change affects <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-create-robomussels-to-monitor-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mussels</a> in several other significant ways:



<ul>
<li>Reduced growth rates: Warmer waters can disrupt the growth patterns of mussels, leading to smaller sizes and less robust individuals.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Altered reproduction cycles: Temperature changes can impact the timing of reproductive cycles, potentially leading to mismatches in the availability of plankton needed by mussel larvae to survive.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Increased susceptibility to diseases: Higher temperatures can facilitate the proliferation of pathogens and parasites that can infect mussel populations, reducing their overall health and survival rates.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Changes in habitat: As ocean temperatures rise, the suitable habitat range for mussels can shift, forcing populations to migrate or face extinction in areas that become too warm.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Impact on shell composition: Apart from increased porosity, climate change can alter the chemical composition and strength of mussel shells, making them more vulnerable to predators and physical damage.</li>
</ul>



In summary, the study conducted by researchers at the American Museum of Natural History reveals a troubling trend in the increasing porosity of mussel shells along the U.S. East Coast over the past 120 years. 



The findings suggest that warming waters may be the primary culprit behind this phenomenon, which could have severe implications for mussel populations and the ecosystems they support. 



As climate change continues to alter marine environments, it is crucial that scientists conduct further research to better understand the specific effects of temperature change on these essential organisms and develop strategies to mitigate the potential risks to their survival and the services they provide.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0301874" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>.



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Mussel shells are becoming highly porous due to warming waters from climate change

Mussel shells have been showing a troubling trend caused by...

Remember the social media sensation that wasn't the catchy "Baby Shark" tune, but actual footage of a newborn great white shark spotted by a drone? That glimpse into the lives of these majestic creatures was just the beginning of an exciting scientific discovery.



Marine scientists at <a href="https://www.calstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California State University</a> have recently demonstrated that juvenile great white sharks predominantly inhabit warm, shallow waters close to the shore, specifically within one kilometer. 



This study significantly advances our knowledge of the habitat preferences of juvenile great white sharks. Understanding these preferences is crucial for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-need-better-protection-to-maintain-functional-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shark conservation</a> and public safety, especially as ocean temperatures continue to rise.



"Animals respond behaviorally to environmental conditions over a range of spatio-temporal scales, often in ways that shape their habitat use and movement patterns," wrote the study authors. 



"While seasonal environmental changes across a species’ entire range may dictate long-term migration patterns, many aquatic animals likely make movement decisions based on micro-scale differences in conditions which may vary based on ontogenetic stage."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-opportunity-to-study-juvenile-white-sharks">Unique opportunity to study juvenile white sharks</h2>



In a region off Padaro Beach near Santa Barbara, baby great white sharks, known as "pups," are found congregating in areas dubbed nurseries. These young sharks receive no care after birth and are left to thrive in the shallows unaccompanied by adult sharks. 



According to Dr. Christopher Lowe, this site provided a unique opportunity to study a large group of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-white-sharks-are-moving-north-to-find-suitable-habitat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">juveniles</a> in their near-shore environment. 



"This is one of the largest and most detailed studies of its kind,," said Dr. Lowe. "The dense congregation of juveniles around Padaro Beach allowed us to observe how environmental conditions affect their movement patterns."



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



From 2020 to 2021, Dr. Lowe's team equipped 22 juvenile white <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sign-of-the-times-solitary-orcas-are-hunting-great-whites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> (JWS), aged one to six, with sensor-transmitters. These devices tracked water pressure, temperature, and the sharks' locations using acoustic 'pings' to coastal receivers. Data collection paused in winter when the sharks migrated to deeper waters.



Additionally, an autonomous vehicle mapped the local water column's temperature, and artificial intelligence helped create a 3D model showing the juvenile white sharks' preferred temperatures and depths - enhancing our understanding of their behaviors in different conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daily-rhythms-of-juvenile-white-sharks">Daily rhythms of juvenile white sharks </h2>



The juvenile white sharks displayed distinct behavioral patterns. They dove deepest around dawn and dusk, likely for feeding, and stayed closer to the surface in the warmer afternoon sun, possibly to elevate their body temperatures.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="NACz7xCgbL-3569637-12187" type="single"]</div>



Emily Spurgeon, a research technician on Dr. Lowe's team and the study's first author, explained: "We found that juveniles adjust their vertical position to maintain a temperature range between 16 and 22 °C. Optimally, they stay between 20 and 22 °C to maximize growth efficiency within the nursery."



The study revealed that juveniles occupy much shallower waters than adult <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-whites-are-far-more-prevalent-than-expected-on-the-california-coast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">great whites</a>, who are seldom seen in nursery areas. The three-dimensional temperature variations significantly influence the juveniles' horizontal distribution. They move to deeper areas when seafloor temperatures rise and come closer together towards the surface as deeper waters cool.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-other-factors-in-shark-nursery-behavior">Exploring other factors in shark nursery behavior</h2>



While it's clear that temperature is a crucial factor attracting juvenile white sharks to these nursery areas, it's not the only consideration. "There are many locations along the California coast with similar environmental conditions, so temperature isn't the entire story," said Spurgeon. 



"While we do not know where JWS are predominantly foraging, it is likely that they are using particular areas within the aggregation site to increase their foraging success," noted the researchers.



"Tradeoffs must occur throughout JWS developmental period as individuals attempt to find and select areas with adequate environmental conditions to maintain efficient physiological performance, but also try to find sufficient food sources and avoid intra-specific conflicts." 



"They may therefore choose a micro-habitat that is a high prey resource environment to maximize their growth by speeding up their metabolic rate in warmer water."



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



Upcoming research will explore potential individual behaviors and relationships, such as whether some juveniles move among different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-ever-great-white-shark-fossil-nursery-found/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nurseries</a> together. As these studies progress, they not only help in shaping effective conservation strategies but also minimize human-shark interactions. 



"The results of this study may be used to inform and improve habitat suitability models and species distribution models within a specific location and help predict potential locations of new aggregation sites as well as advise beach public safety officials," wrote the researchers.



"Knowledge on how JWS respond to the environment is vital for management and future space use predictive models to understand how these patterns will transform as micro-habitat thermal patterns are altered due to climate change."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1290769/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



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Juvenile great white sharks prefer shallow coastal waters

Remember the social media sensation that wasn't the catchy "Baby...

Zebrafish stand out for their remarkable ability to regenerate heart tissue. This amazing capability starkly contrasts with their evolutionary cousin, the medaka fish, and humans, who suffer permanent scars from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-attacks-young-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart attacks</a>.



Zebrafish heart tissue regeneration is a captivating prospect for transformative advances in human cardiac care. A team of biologists at the <a href="https://www.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a> has explored the mechanisms underlying this fascinating regerative ability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cellular-secrets-of-zebrafish-heart-regeneration">Cellular secrets of zebrafish heart regeneration </h2>



"Adult humans respond to heart injury by forming a permanent scar, yet other vertebrates are capable of robust and complete cardiac regeneration," wrote the researchers.



"Despite progress towards characterizing the mechanisms of cardiac regeneration in fish and amphibians, the large evolutionary gulf between mammals and regenerating vertebrates complicates deciphering which cellular and molecular features truly enable regeneration."



By examining the cardiac injury responses of the zebrafish, known for its <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/organ-regeneration-offers-new-clues-about-the-immune-system/">regenerative capacity</a>, and the medaka, which lacks this ability, the researchers set out to uncover the underlying mechanisms of cardiac repair. 



"We thought by comparing these two fish that have similar heart morphology and live in similar habitats, we could have a better chance of actually finding what the main differences are," explained study co-author Clayton Carey, a postdoctoral researcher.



The research, although not conclusive, pinpoints several potential factors - particularly within the immune system - that may explain the regenerative capabilities of the zebrafish. "It told us these two hearts that look very similar are actually very different," noted Professor Jamie Gagnon, who led the research team



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-experimental-insights">Experimental insights</h2>



To mimic heart attack conditions, the researchers used a cryoprobe. They crafted this device from copper wire and cooled it to extreme temperatures to selectively damage the fish's heart tissue.



They then made observations at various intervals following the procedure to assess how each species responded to the injury.



In zebrafish, the researchers observed a vigorous immune response, similar to that seen during viral infections. This response was notably absent in medaka.



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



The study showed major differences in immune cell behavior. Specifically, macrophages migrated to the injury site in zebrafish much more than in medaka.



"Zebrafish have this immune response that is typical of what you might see during a viral infection, called an interferon response," said Carey. Consequently, this response promotes new blood vessel growth and the replacement of damaged muscle with new cells.



"Our approach revealed key differences in both pre- and post-injury hearts that may be responsible for the contrasting regeneration outcomes. We found differences in immune cell recruitment and behavior, epicardial and endothelial cell signaling, and alterations in the structure and makeup of the myocardium," wrote the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reflections-on-evolutionary-loss">Reflections on evolutionary loss</h2>



Gagnon speculated that the ability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zebrafish-regenerate-their-heart-tissue-after-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regenerate heart</a> tissue might have been a common ancestral trait among teleosts. This group of ray-finned fish includes both zebrafish and medaka.



"My hunch is the ancestor of all animals could regenerate its heart after an injury, and then that’s been repeatedly lost in different types of animals," said Gagnon. He expressed a desire to understand why such a beneficial trait would be lost over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-new-insights-into-zebrafish-heart-regeneration">Critical new insights into zebrafish heart regeneration </h2>



"Medaka and zebrafish have been used extensively as laboratory model vertebrates and have similar care requirements and body plans," wrote the study authors. "While it was known that medaka are incapable of heart regeneration, it could have been assumed that medaka as fellow teleost fish would only have minor differences in cardiac structure." 



"Our study found a surprising number of distinguishing characteristics of the medaka heart compared to zebrafish. These differences included not only changes in cellular behaviors but also substantial changes in the structure of the myocardium itself."



"Given the number of notable differences we observed between zebrafish and medaka, a wider phylogenetic survey of cardiac injury responses will be particularly useful to identify features that correlate with heart regeneration or non-regeneration across the teleost phylogeny." 



"These observations highlight how biodiversity within shorter evolutionary distances can enable comparative studies that reveal fundamental insights about the gain or loss of complex traits."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-toward-the-future">Looking toward the future</h2>



The ultimate goal of the research is to use insights from zebrafish to develop treatments for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/regeneration-human-heart/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human heart</a> conditions.



"The more we learn about how animals can regenerate tissues, how those features have been lost in us and other animals, that’s going to help us think about our limitations and how we might engineer strategies to help us overcome those," explained Gagnon.



The ongoing research opens new avenues for potential therapies in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/circadian-medicine-light-therapy-could-help-millions-of-heart-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human medicine</a>, perhaps even leading to a future where heart damage is fully reversible.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.biologists.com/bio/article/13/4/bio060156/346486/Distinct-features-of-the-regenerating-heart" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology Open</a>.



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Secrets of zebrafish heart regeneration could transform human cardiac care

Zebrafish stand out for their remarkable ability to regenerate heart...

Madagascar is famous for its lush rainforests, playful lemurs, and hidden dangers. Scientists have long known that even the top predators on this island are facing threats to their survival. But what they've recently discovered goes beyond the usual story of habitat loss. It's a hidden clash between endangered species, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lemurs-provide-a-window-into-the-evolution-of-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lemurs</a> and fosas, with shocking implications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fosa-and-lemurs">Fosa and lemurs</h2>



While fosas might resemble a small cat or an oversized weasel, don't be fooled. They're actually unique members of a mongoose-like family of carnivores found only in Madagascar. 



These predators are built for success in Madagascar's forests. Their slender bodies and long tails make them experts at navigating the treetops.



Lemurs are the cornerstone of a fosa's diet. Unfortunately, this puts them in direct conflict with conservation efforts, as most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mouse-lemurs-of-madagascar-are-threatened-with-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lemur</a> species are endangered or critically endangered.



Fosas typically rely on their stealth and ambush tactics to catch prey. This means scientists have had to piece together their diet from clues like leftover bones and poop.



Witnessing fosa hunts in action is incredibly rare and valuable for researchers. It helps them understand how these predators behave and the true impact they have on vulnerable lemur populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-madagascar-habitats">Madagascar habitats</h2>



Madagascar's <a href="https://www.madagascarfaunaflora.org/betampona-natural-reserve.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Betampona Strict Nature Reserve</a> is meant to be a haven for wildlife, but it's surrounded by farmland. This creates a habitat 'island' where animals are cut off from other populations of their own kind.



For the lemurs, isolation means their gene pool shrinks over time. This can lead to health problems and makes the population less resilient to changes in their environment.



With less ability to escape or find new resources, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lemurs-first-arrive-madagascar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lemurs</a> in Betampona could become easy targets for the fosas, putting even more strain on their survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-tactics-of-lemur-from-fosas">Survival tactics of lemur from fosas</h2>



Lemurs use two main forms of survival:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fight-or-flight-or-freeze">Fight or flight (or freeze)</h3>



We usually think of prey animals running for the hills when threatened. But in Betampona's small reserve, running might not be the best option.



Staying still and vigilant might confuse the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/domestic-animals-contributed-to-the-downfall-of-rare-species-in-madagascar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fosa</a>, making the lemur seem less like a meal. It could also help the lemur track the predator's movements in case it needs to make a quick escape.



This tactic highlights the difficult choices lemurs face in an isolated habitat. Without the ability to flee far, they must adapt their survival instincts.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolation">Isolation</h3>



Betampona's lemurs can't easily leave and find mates from other groups. This leads to them breeding with close relatives, a process called inbreeding.



Inbreeding weakens the population. Babies might be born with health problems or not survive at all. This makes it even harder for the species to bounce back from threats like fosa attacks.



A small, unhealthy lemur population is an easier target for predators. This puts even more pressure on their numbers, potentially pushing the species closer to extinction within the reserve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lemur-fosa-conservation">Lemur fosa conservation</h2>



"It's not that the fosa is the bad guy. It's also in need of conservation," says Giovanna Bonadonna, a researcher involved in the study. This is where things get tricky. It's a reminder of a key conservation concept: ecosystems.



Humans changing the landscape, even with the best intentions of creating protected spaces, can have unintended consequences. Every species is connected in a delicate web.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-be-done">What can be done?</h2>



Madagascar's wildlife is so unique and so threatened that it requires a team effort stretching far beyond the island itself.



Organizations like <a href="https://stlzoo.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Saint Louis Zoo</a>, <a href="https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Missouri Botanical Garden</a>, and the <a href="https://livingearthcollaborative.wustl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Living Earth Collaborative</a> bring different strengths to the table:



<ul>
<li>Zoos: Expertise in animal care, breeding programs, and educating the public.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Botanical Gardens: Knowledge of plants, which are the foundation of any ecosystem.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Collaborative Networks: Combine resources and coordinate large-scale conservation projects.</li>
</ul>



These organizations share a common goal: preserving Madagascar's incredible biodiversity for future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance">Study significance</h2>



This study about lemurs and fosas isn't just about those two species. It reveals how every creature, plant, and even the landscape itself are connected in a delicate web. True conservation means protecting habitats. That way, entire ecosystems can stay healthy and in balance.



We might picture an endangered animal, but this study forces us to look wider. A thriving ecosystem protects even the predators, because they play a vital role too.



The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11248" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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Endangered lemurs are now prey for equally endangered 'fosas'

Madagascar is famous for its lush rainforests, playful lemurs, and...

We all know how trees and other greenery help keep our planet healthy. They pull carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, out of the air and store it. But what about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-ecosystem-store-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>? Does a grazing cow or a hungry hippo actually affect how much carbon cycles our planet?



Scientists have recently created a new model that proves animals are key players in the global carbon cycle – and it's about time we paid attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-carbon-cycle">The carbon cycle</h2>



The carbon cycle describes how carbon moves around the Earth. It includes the following:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-capture-carbon">Plants capture carbon</h3>



Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it during photosynthesis to create the energy they need to survive. This process stores carbon within the plants' tissues.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals-consume-carbon">Animals consume carbon</h3>



Animals eat plants, taking in the carbon stored within plant material. Some of this carbon becomes part of the animal's body. The remaining carbon is released back into the environment.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-is-released">Carbon is released</h3>



Animals release carbon through several processes:



<ul>
<li>Exhalation: Animals breathe out carbon dioxide as a byproduct of respiration.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Waste: Animal waste products contain carbon, which decomposers break down.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Decomposition: When animals die, their bodies decompose thanks to microbes. This process releases carbon into the soil or the atmosphere.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cycle-repeats">The cycle repeats</h3>



Carbon released back into the atmosphere or soil becomes available for other organisms. Plants can then take it up again, beginning the carbon cycle anew.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-include-animals-in-carbon-models">Why include animals in carbon models?</h2>



For many years, scientists primarily focused on plants and microbes when developing models to predict how carbon cycles through ecosystems. This approach assumed that these two groups were the main players in carbon storage and release.



However, recent research has revealed a significant flaw in this approach. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grazing-animals-have-an-unexpected-role-in-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animals</a>, it turns out, play a surprisingly critical role in the carbon cycle. 



By excluding them from models, scientists were overlooking a major factor influencing how much carbon is stored and released within ecosystems.



"Future modeling of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountains-both-carbon-sinks-and-carbon-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dynamics</a>, important for understanding climate change and designing nature-based carbon sequestration projects, should take animals into consideration as well," the researchers explained. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-animals-help-in-carbon-cycle">How animals help in carbon cycle</h2>



Animals impact the carbon cycle in tons of ways, both directly and indirectly:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutrient-cycling">Nutrient cycling</h3>



Animal waste acts as a natural fertilizer. It contains essential nutrients that enrich the soil, promoting plant growth. Healthier and more abundant plants can absorb increased amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stimulating-plant-growth">Stimulating plant growth</h3>



Herbivores consume plant matter, but their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grazing-animals-play-a-key-role-in-stabilizing-soil-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grazing</a> also stimulates plant regrowth. This forces plants to work harder to rebuild their tissues, leading to increased photosynthesis and greater carbon dioxide uptake.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecosystem-disturbance">Ecosystem disturbance</h3>



Animals physically interact with their environment by trampling vegetation, digging, and wallowing. These actions disturb the soil, which can accelerate plant growth cycles and increase the rate at which dead organic matter decomposes. While decomposition releases some carbon, the overall effect boosts carbon storage due to the increase in plant growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-inclusion-in-carbon-cycle-models">Animal inclusion in carbon cycle models</h2>



The team led by Matteo Rizzuto from <a href="https://www.yale.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale University</a> conducted a crucial experiment, comparing a standard carbon cycle model with a modified one that factored in both herbivores and predators. The results were eye-opening.



On average, when the models included animals, ecosystems demonstrated a twofold increase in carbon sequestration. 



This means that ecosystems with animals were twice as effective at removing and storing carbon from the atmosphere compared to those models that didn't account for animals.



Interestingly, the highest carbon storage occurred in models with only herbivores present. When predators were introduced, the amount of stored carbon decreased. 



However, it's important to note that this level was still significantly higher than in models with no animals at all. 



This underscores the intricate relationships within ecosystems and how different animal groups influence carbon cycling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-animals-in-carbon-cycle-models">Significance of animals in carbon cycle models</h2>



By understanding the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-poop-stores-1-65-billion-tons-of-carbon-annually/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a> kingdom's role in the carbon cycle, scientists can refine existing climate models. These enhanced models give us a more precise prediction of how much carbon the Earth's ecosystems can naturally store.



This knowledge is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat climate change. It tells us where to focus conservation efforts to maximize the planet's natural ability to fight rising carbon dioxide levels.



The research confirms that maintaining healthy animal populations helps store carbon in ecosystems. This knowledge paves the way for innovative conservation strategies that act as natural carbon sinks.



Protecting animal habitats and supporting balanced ecosystems isn't just about biodiversity. It can also serve as a powerful tool in mitigating climate change, working alongside strategies like reforestation.



This research shows that from worms to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildebeest-suffer-genetically-from-blocked-migration-routes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildebeests</a>, every creature has its role. Taking care of wildlife is vital for the health of our planet. 



The study is published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024JG008026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences</a>.



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Including animals in carbon cycle models boosts ecosystem health

We all know how trees and other greenery help keep...

Ever watched a fly zoom past or a bee hover delicately over a flower, and wondered how they manage it? Unlike birds and other flying animals, <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/are-insects-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> don't have direct muscle control in their wings. 



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.caltech.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Institute of Technology</a> have delved deep into this question, revealing the complex mechanics behind insect flight, a capability that has profoundly influenced the evolution of life on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-secret-s-in-the-hinge">The secret's in the hinge</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-flying-insects-fight-the-wind-to-reach-food-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Insect</a> wings are attached to the body by a hinge that is far more complex than any simple joint. This specialized hinge facilitates subtle rotations, precise tilting, and intricate motions, granting the insect incredible agility during flight. 



Internal muscles control the hinge, acting in a concerted way to manipulate the wings. Each muscle receives direct commands from the insect's brain, resulting in coordinated and precise alterations in wing movement that dictate the insect's flight path.



"The fly wing hinge is perhaps the most mysterious and underappreciated structure in the history of life," explained Professor Michael Dickinson. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flying-is-an-insects-superpower">Flying is an insects superpower</h2>



Flight offers substantial benefits that have contributed significantly to the ecological success of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-feast-on-migrating-insects-in-the-pyrenees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a>. Here's how aerial movement impacts their lives:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhanced-foraging">Enhanced foraging</h3>



Taking to the skies vastly expands an insect's foraging range. They can quickly locate food sources that would be difficult or tedious to reach on foot, increasing their chances of finding a meal and boosting energy intake.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-dating-pool">Expanding the dating pool</h3>



The ability to fly makes it significantly easier for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-silent-language-decoding-the-chemical-signals-of-insects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> to locate potential mates. Individuals can cover vast distances and increase the odds of encountering a suitable partner, contributing to successful reproduction and species continuation.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improved-predator-avoidance">Improved predator avoidance</h3>



Flight provides insects with a swift escape route. They can rapidly gain altitude or outmaneuver predators, increasing their chances of survival and ultimately, reproductive success.



Unlike birds, bats, and pterosaurs, who evolved flight through the modification of their forelimbs, insects took a radically different approach. Their wings are not modified limbs, but unique outgrowths of their body wall. 



This unique evolutionary trajectory and specialized wing system is one crucial reason behind the incredible diversification and dominance of insects around the globe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-behind-insect-flight">Complexity behind insect flight</h2>



Scientists at Caltech are exploring the intricacies of insect flight, focusing on the remarkable aerial capabilities of the fruit fly. Their research reveals the complexity and precision of these small creatures’ flight mechanisms.



"We didn't want to just predict the wing motion; we wanted to know the role of the individual muscles," said study first author Johan Melis. "We wanted to tie together the biomechanics of the wing hinge to the neural circuits that control it."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanisms-behind-insect-flight">Mechanisms behind insect flight </h2>



In the wing hinge of a fly, a specific set of 12 muscles directly controls the movement of the wings. Each of these muscles receives signals directly from the fly's brain, guiding their precise and quick actions necessary for flight. 



To understand the significance of this, compare it to a hummingbird, which is also renowned for its agile flight. Despite its small size, a hummingbird relies on thousands of neurons to coordinate the complex movements needed for its flight maneuvers. 



Essentially, while both creatures are masters of flight, the fly achieves similar levels of control and agility with far fewer neural resources, indicating a highly efficient and specialized flight control system within these tiny insects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-machine-learning-and-insect-flight">Machine learning and insect flight</h2>



To better visualize these processes, the researchers engineered fruit flies with wing muscles that emit a glow when active. This genetic modification allowed clearer observation of muscle activity during flight.



The team used high-speed cameras and microscopes to gather extensive data, recording over 80,000 wingbeats from their test subjects. This highlights the dynamic and rapid nature of insect flight.



Finally, to manage and interpret this vast amount of information, machine learning algorithms were utilized. These tools analyze the data and generate detailed maps that show how the fly's muscles work together seamlessly to control flight, often making adjustments faster than the blink of an eye.



This exploration not only increases our understanding of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-insects-seem-to-be-attracted-to-light-has-long-been-a-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> fly but also enhances our appreciation for the complex biological systems that govern seemingly simple actions like flight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wing-movements-facilitated-by-the-insect-s-hinge">Wing movements facilitated by the insect's hinge</h2>



The ultimate objective of this research extends beyond simply understanding the intricate wing movements facilitated by the insect's hinge. Scientists strive to unravel how these complex wing motions are orchestrated by the insect's brain. 



The wing hinge, despite its remarkable design, is merely a tool – it's the brain that issues the commands and directs aerial maneuvers.



As some of the first creatures to take to the air, insects hold invaluable insights into the evolution of early flight control systems. Their brains contain the neural circuits that allowed for this remarkable adaptation, blueprints that offer a glimpse into the origins of flight.



Moreover, an insect's brain seamlessly coordinates flight and their numerous walking legs. This showcases an incredible ability to control vastly different movement systems, requiring sophisticated neural networks and information processing within their compact brains.



The connection between the physical structures that enable flight – like the hinge and muscles – and the neural commands that control them is fundamental to understanding the amazing aerial abilities of insects.



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



The Caltech team hopes to create intricate models that fully combine the muscle control, the mechanics of the hinge, the way air flows around the wings, and the fly's inner command center. 



By studying other insects like mosquitos and bees, they could reveal how different wing structures and brain systems give insects their unique flying styles.



"We want to understand the circuitry between the biomechanics and the neurobiology. Very few times in evolution has an animal had one very successful form of locomotion - walking - and simply added another one - flying. This means that the brains of insects must have all the circuitry to regulate to completely different means of moving," said Dickinson.



Understanding the incredible engineering that underpins insect flight is about more than just satisfying our curiosity. This research might ultimately lead to better flying robots – such as tiny drones with the adaptability of a housefly. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07293-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Insect flight is powered by an extraordinary structure

Ever watched a fly zoom past or a bee hover...

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

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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>.



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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.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> 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



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features 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



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



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

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

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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;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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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;



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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...

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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;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features 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



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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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



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



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

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

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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)



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



The map has been created over the last decade using observations of water-rich rocks and mineral deposits. The images were captured by ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.



"A big surprise is the prevalence of these minerals, with the map revealing hundreds of thousands of water-affected locations in the oldest parts of the planet," says ESA. "The new data will help answer exciting questions about Mars’ climate history, whether water was globally persistent or confined to short, intense episodes, and whether the conditions were ever suitable for life."



"Specifically, the map shows the locations and abundances of aqueous minerals. These are from rocks that have been chemically altered by the action of water in the past, and have typically been transformed into clays and salts."



According to John Carter of the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), our collective understanding of Mars has been oversimplified. He explained that planetary scientists have tended to think that only a few types of clay minerals on Mars were created during its wet period, then as the water gradually dried up, salts were produced across the planet.



The new map shows that the composition of Mars is much more complicated than what we thought. For example, while many salts formed after Martian clays, there are some salts that are presumed to be older than some of the clays.&nbsp;



“The evolution from lots of water to no water is not as clear cut as we thought, the water didn’t just stop overnight. We see a huge diversity of geological contexts, so that no one process or simple timeline can explain the evolution of the mineralogy of Mars. That’s the first result of our study. The second is that if you exclude life processes on Earth, Mars exhibits a diversity of mineralogy in geological settings just as Earth does,” said Carter.



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



The experts found that the muscle metabolism of cavefish has been genetically reprogrammed over time. As a result, the animals have experienced major changes in their morphology and behavior. Despite these changes, however, the cavefish remain healthy and fit.



The research may provide new clues about the evolutionary consequences of prolonged physical inactivity in humans.&nbsp;



“It’s no surprise that people are moving less and less as technology has advanced,” said Rohner. “With cavefish, we have a unique system where we can study what might happen if people remained couch potatoes over very, very long periods of time.”



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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