Portrait,Of,A,Wild,Octopus,Under,Water.

The octopus is a creature that continues to surprise scientists and inspire engineers. With eight arms that move in ways no human limb can, it demonstrates flexibility and control that seem almost otherworldly. 



Each arm bends, twists, elongates, and shortens with unmatched precision, enabling these animals to hunt, hide, and explore with ease. 



Researchers hope that unlocking the secrets of these movements may guide the design of flexible robotic arms capable of lifesaving missions.



Imagine a robotic arm slipping through rubble after a building collapse, delivering food or medicine to someone trapped below. 



This vision has motivated scientists to study octopus arms in detail - both in the laboratory and in their natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-dumbo-octopus-species-carnarvon-flapjack-discovered-in-very-deep-ocean-waters/">environment</a>.



Until recently, most studies were limited to tanks, where behaviors may not reflect the complexity of life in the wild. That gap is now being addressed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-octopus-intelligence">Understanding octopus intelligence</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-could-dominate-earth-if-humans-vanish/">Octopuses</a> are some of the most intelligent invertebrates on Earth. Unlike most animals without backbones, they can solve puzzles, open jars, and even escape from aquariums by remembering routes back to the ocean. 



Their brains are incredibly complex, with about 500 million neurons - similar to a dog. What makes them even more fascinating is that two-thirds of those neurons are in their arms. 



This means each arm can sense, move, and even make decisions on its own while still communicating with the central brain. It’s like having eight mini-brains working together with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-are-tricked-by-the-rubber-hand-illusion-like-humans-suggesting-self-awareness/">one big brain</a>.



Their intelligence also shows up in how they hunt and survive. Octopuses use tools, like carrying coconut shells to hide inside when threatened, and they can change color and texture in an instant to camouflage perfectly against rocks or coral. 



They’ve been observed watching other animals and learning from them, which is rare in the animal kingdom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flexible-octopus-arms-inspire-robotics">Flexible octopus arms inspire robotics</h2>



A new study from the <a href="https://www.mbl.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Biological Laboratory</a> in Woods Hole and Florida Atlantic University has provided the most comprehensive analysis of octopus arm movements in natural habitats. 



Researchers recorded 25 wild octopuses in six locations, ranging from the Caribbean to Spain. The footage captured thousands of arm movements across a variety of behaviors, including foraging, locomotion, and even defense.



“I’ve been trying for a long time to work out the natural behavior of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-octopus-footage-could-revolutionize-flexible-robot-design-eyeris/">cephalopods</a> in their natural habitat,” said MBL Senior Scientist Roger Hanlon, who led the project. 



“Studying and recording octopus behavior from wild octopuses in the field gave us the opportunity to analyze a larger behavioral repertoire and further understand how they use their arms to achieve such complex behaviors,” added Chelsea Bennice, research fellow at <a href="https://www.fau.eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FAU</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guided-by-touch-not-sight">Guided by touch, not sight</h2>



Octopuses rely heavily on touch, guided by sensory organs in their arm suckers. “The octopus is a very tactile animal - it’s more tactile than visual,” said Hanlon. 



Each of their nearly 100 suckers per arm contains chemosensory-tactile receptors, combining functions similar to the human nose, lips, and tongue.



Finding octopuses to observe was not simple. Their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-squid-power-their-amazing-camouflage-abilities/">camouflage</a> skills make them almost invisible in coral reefs or sandy seabeds. Divers often relied on clues like discarded shells and food debris near their dens.



Once located, octopuses emerged briefly from hiding, offering precious opportunities to record their natural actions.



These moments revealed unique hunting strategies, arm movements, and subtle interactions with their environment otherwise impossible to witness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-arm-mechanics-of-octopuses">Complex arm mechanics of octopuses</h2>



The researchers identified 12 distinct arm actions across 15 behaviors, built from four fundamental deformations: shortening, elongating, bending, and torsion. They discovered a pattern of specialization within each arm. 



For instance, elongation and shortening were most common near the base, while bending occurred more at the tips. 



This functional partitioning allows octopuses to combine motions across arms for tasks like crawling, probing reef crevices, or launching sudden prey attacks.



“These are the actions that make up the whole complex of octopus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-and-squids-defy-the-slow-pace-of-evolution/">behaviors</a>,” said study co-author Kendra Buresch. 



In the wild, researchers observed octopuses using different combinations of arm actions - sometimes relying on a single arm for tasks like grabbing food, and other times coordinating multiple arms for behaviors such as crawling or launching a parachute attack.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavior-that-guides-technology">Behavior that guides technology</h2>



The findings go beyond understanding animal behavior. With nearly 7,000 observed arm deformations, the study highlights an extraordinary degree of control and flexibility. 



This knowledge may inform robotics research, where engineers seek to design soft, adaptable arms capable of both precise and exploratory tasks.



“Understanding these natural behaviors not only deepens our knowledge of octopus biology but also opens exciting new avenues in fields like neuroscience, animal behavior, and even soft robotics inspired by these remarkable creatures,” Bennice said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-in-flexibility-and-change">Lessons in flexibility and change</h2>



From the ocean floor to robotics labs, octopuses continue to inspire, offering lessons in both biology and technology. 



Their flexible arms not only influence the design of machines that could navigate disaster zones or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-bahamas/">deep-sea environments</a>, but also remind us how problem-solving in nature often leads to solutions with real-world applications.



Beyond robotics, their adaptability symbolizes the broader principle that survival depends on innovation and change, a message equally relevant to ecosystems, human health, and future technologies.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-10674-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Octopus arms are probably the most complex and flexible structures in nature

The octopus is a creature that continues to surprise scientists and inspire engineers. With eight arms that move in ways no human limb can, it demonstrates flexibility and control that seem almost otherworldly. Each arm bends, twists, elongates, and shortens with unmatched precision, enabling these animals to hunt, hide, and explore with ease. Researchers hope that unlocking the secrets of these movements may guide the design of flexible robotic arms capable of lifesaving missions. Imagine a robotic arm slipping through rubble after a building collapse, delivering food...

Every year during the first week of July, a unique global event flickers to life - World Firefly Day.&nbsp;



This marks the perfect time to emphasize the importance of fireflies in our ecosystems and expose the ongoing threats they are facing, including habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-illuminate-your-knowledge-the-science-behind-fireflies">Illuminate your knowledge: The science behind fireflies</h2>



Fireflies, or lightning bugs as they are sometimes called, have a unique ability: they produce light through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescence-emerged-in-animals-540-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioluminescence</a> - a chemical reaction that takes place in their lower abdomen.&nbsp;



This isn’t just for show. Fireflies use their light to communicate, attract mates, and deter predators.



There are more than 2,000 classified species of fireflies, each with its own distinctive, mesmerizing light patterns and behaviors.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-stars-of-the-night-sky">Ancient stars of the night sky</h2>



Fireflies have existed on our planet for over 100 million years, dating back to the Cretaceous period. They witnessed the era of dinosaurs and triumphed over time, adapting and thriving in a range of climates.&nbsp;



The mating rituals of fireflies are nothing short of fascinating. Males fly around at dusk, emitting a specific flash pattern, while females remain stationary and respond with their own light signals if they are interested. 



The exchange of light signals allows the potential partners to find each other in the dark. Once a male and female have successfully communicated through their light signals, they meet and mate.



This bioluminescent courtship is not only mesmerizing to observe but also crucial for the reproduction and survival of firefly species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-importance-of-fireflies">Ecological importance of fireflies</h2>



Fireflies are more than just a beautiful sight in the sky. They actively contribute to maintaining a balanced ecosystem.&nbsp;



As larvae, fireflies feed on other insects, slugs, and snails - playing a key part in population control. As adults, they provide nourishment for various birds, amphibians, and other predators.



The presence of fireflies often indicates a healthy environment, as they thrive in habitats with clean water, minimal pollution, and undisturbed natural areas.&nbsp;



Fireflies also contribute to plant pollination. In fact, some daytime firefly species like the Flower Elf are very efficient pollinators.



By contributing to biodiversity and indicating ecological health, fireflies help maintain the stability and resilience of their habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fireflies-in-culture-symbols-of-transformation">Fireflies in culture: Symbols of transformation</h2>



Fireflies hold a significant place in various cultures around the world, often symbolizing beauty, mystery, and transformation.&nbsp;



In Japanese culture, fireflies are celebrated in literature and festivals, symbolizing the souls of the deceased and the fleeting nature of life. 



In other cultures, fireflies are associated with magical and enchanting qualities, often appearing in folklore and myths.&nbsp;They are also seen as symbols of hope and inspiration, with their lights representing guidance and enlightenment.&nbsp;



In Western literature and art, fireflies symbolize the wonder and beauty of summer nights. Their captivating glow has made them a source of fascination and inspiration in storytelling, poetry, and art across the globe. 



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



Unfortunately, fireflies face a host of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/firefly-populations-face-multiple-threats-across-north-america/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">threats</a>, all contributing to their declining populations. Habitat loss from urbanization, deforestation, and agriculture may be the greatest threat to the future of fireflies.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-at-night-interferes-with-firefly-mating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Light pollution</a> disrupts their mating signals, while climate change alters their habitats.&nbsp;Water pollution - especially in areas where many firefly larvae reside - also reduces the chances of firefly survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fight-to-save-fireflies-nbsp">The fight to save fireflies&nbsp;</h2>



Efforts to conserve fireflies are focused on protecting their natural habitats, including wetlands, forests, and grasslands. 



Minimizing light pollution is also critical, and fireflies could greatly benefit from reducing pesticide use, which can harm both larvae and adults.



Public awareness campaigns and community events can be used to promote firefly-friendly practices. For example, creating natural habitats in gardens and supporting local conservation initiatives are essential ways to support fireflies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-world-firefly-day-nbsp">World Firefly Day&nbsp;</h2>



World Firefly Day serves as an important reminder of the ecological benefits that fireflies offer, as well as the growing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-insect-decline-what-are-the-causes-and-consequences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">threats</a> they face.&nbsp;



By safeguarding fireflies, we also protect the natural areas that are crucial for overall ecological stability and resilience, which are essential for the well-being of both wildlife and humans.



The ultimate goal is to preserve the natural habitats of fireflies, so they may light up the world for many years to come.&nbsp;



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World Firefly Day: Honoring our ancient luminaries

Every year during the first week of July, a unique...

While the effects of wildfires on terrestrial ecosystems are well-documented, the impact of wildfire ash on aquatic life has only recently begun to be understood.&nbsp;



However, a team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.ualberta.ca/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Alberta</a> has now explored the deadly consequences of wildfire ash on Australian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-ecosystems-africa-hippos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water ecosystems</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-frequent-and-intense-wildfires">More frequent and intense wildfires</h2>



As climate change exacerbates the frequency and intensity of wildfires, Australia faces increased vulnerability to bushfires.&nbsp;



“Therefore, many Australian species may be threatened by fires,” said Jenelle McCuaig, a masters student at Alberta. “This is putting them at greater risk of endangerment and possible extinction.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contamination-from-wildfire-ash">Contamination from wildfire ash</h2>



Wildfires release ash that can enter aquatic environments directly or through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-increase-nitrogen-runoff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">runoff</a> during rainfall. 



“Once in the water, ash may leach metals and organic combustion products, where they can affect organisms, acquired by ingestion through intestines or respiration through gills,” McCuaig explained.&nbsp;



This contamination poses risks not only to aquatic life but also to human health, as freshwater ecosystems are vital sources of water and food.



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



McCuaig and her team concentrated their study on two common Australian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-bahamas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crustacean</a> species: a crayfish (Cherax destructor) and a shrimp (Macrobrachium australiense). 



The researchers exposed each species to varying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-ash-fertilizes-the-ocean-and-boosts-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ash</a> concentrations to assess their sensitivity and survival likelihood. McCuaig then measured oxygen consumption using a respirometry system and took tissue samples to analyze metabolic activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-wildfire-ash-nbsp">Impacts of wildfire ash&nbsp;</h2>



Their findings were alarming. Exposure to just 5g of ash per liter of water resulted in 100% shrimp mortality, while it required eight times this amount to achieve the same effect on crayfish. “The huge difference in sensitivity between the two species was much greater than I expected,” McCuaig said.



Thus, even closely related species can exhibit vastly different responses to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/determining-ecosystem-sensitivity-to-environmental-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental stressors</a> like wildfire ash. 



“Differences in body shape and gill structure, as well as habitat preferences, has allowed them to fulfill different niches. Crayfish demonstrated greater resilience to the ash exposure compared to the shrimp,” McCuaig added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-severe-physiological-stress-nbsp">Severe physiological stress&nbsp;</h2>



For the surviving crayfish and shrimp, those exposed to the highest ash concentrations exhibited the highest metabolic rates, indicating severe physiological stress.&nbsp;



“This is particularly concerning during ash exposure because increased ventilation means that the animals will be taking up more of the ash particles and leached contaminants from the water, further affecting their body systems.”



McCuaig emphasizes the importance of this research in identifying species most at risk from wildfires, which can guide breeding programs or relocation efforts. “When it comes to wildfires, resources are limited, so we must prioritize response actions,” she explained.



“Species conservation begins with wildfire prevention in the first place - it is incredibly important to be educated about, and to implement, fire-safety into our lives to mitigate human-caused wildfires,” she concluded.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2019-20-australian-bushfires">2019-20 Australian bushfires</h2>



<a href="https://wwf.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WWF Australia</a> noted that the 2019-20 Australian bushfires were catastrophic in scale and impact - for both people and nature.



“Up to 19 million hectares was burnt, with 12.6 million hectares primarily forests and woodlands. Nearly 3 billion animals were impacted by the blazes,” stated WWF Australia. “But even before the bushfires started, our native forests and wildlife were suffering due to deforestation and the impacts of climate change on the environment.”



“Australia is home to incredible biodiversity that is found nowhere else on the planet. But now, more than 1,700 species of plants, animals and ecological communities are officially listed as threatened. This includes nearly 500 species of wildlife. The bushfires during the summer of 2019-20 only made the situation worse.”



The University of Alberta study will be presented at the <a href="https://www.sebiology.org/events/seb-conference-prague-2024.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Society for Experimental Biology’s annual conference </a>in Prague.



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Wildfire ash threatens to wipe out many aquatic species

While the effects of wildfires on terrestrial ecosystems are well-documented,...

You probably know that our domestic dogs were once wild wolves, bred by our ancestors for docile behavior over many generations. But what about foxes? Unlike dogs, domesticating foxes is a relatively new phenomenon, and the research that unravels this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extinct-fox-may-have-once-been-mans-best-friend/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary mystery</a> is even fresher.



The study begins with the groundwork laid by a team of dedicated researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The starring scientist of the study is Halie Rando, a former doctoral student at the <a href="https://informatics.ischool.illinois.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Illinois Informatics Institute</a> and currently assistant professor at <a href="https://www.smith.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smith College</a>. 



Together with Anna Kukekova, a professor at the <a href="https://illinois.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois</a> Urbana-Champaign, she undertook the task of tracing the genetics of farmed foxes across the globe to decipher the secrets of their domestication.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fur-demand-and-domesticating-foxes">Fur demand and domesticating foxes</h2>



The catalyst for fox domestication was the increasing demand for silver fox fur in the late 19th century. Breeding these elusive, wild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-can-a-fox-dive-headfirst-into-snow-its-all-in-the-snout/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> in captivity was a tricky task. 



Imagine the jitters of the foxes, unaccustomed to the cage after living free in the wild. Early farmers faced considerable challenges, but their stubborn determination and skilled breeding practices prevailed.



The crux of the research, however, is not just the transformation of fox behavior but also the twist in their genetic tale. As they unraveled layers of genetic data, it was discovered that the foxes found in captive populations worldwide, had their genetic roots in the wild fox populations of North America. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-great-fox-export">The great fox export</h2>



The successful domestication of foxes in Canada led to an export frenzy. It was observed that no matter where you found a farmed fox - from the heart of North America to the distant lands of Eurasia - their ancestral DNA pointed towards North American wild foxes. It seems our foxes were quite the explorers.



In the wake of World War II, the fur demand collapsed in North America, but the USSR kept the industry alive, leading to a more stable and diverse genetic pattern in Eurasian fox populations.



“Some gene signatures were very rare and found only in certain Eurasian farm populations,” Rando said. 



“The presence of these rare signatures, along with more diversity overall in Europe, could be due to more stable population sizes there after World War II, whereas those rare types may have been lost when North American farms collapsed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breeding-for-domesticating-foxes">Breeding for domesticating foxes</h2>



The research also shed light on the famed Russian Farm Fox experiment started in 1959. In a bid to breed foxes as friendly as pet dogs, Russian scientists kickstarted an experiment that would span generations. 



Surprisingly, the genetic analysis found no unique genetic origins for the Russian foxes, suggesting that the potential for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chicken-domestication-humans-timeline-silk-road-evidence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">domestic</a> behavior possibly lies within all farm-bred foxes.



“This study helps to answer questions researchers have asked for years about the geographic origin and genetic background of these fox populations,” Kukekova said. 



“Furthermore, some farm foxes may have mixed with native foxes through release events over the years in different locations. Occasionally, unexpected gene signatures show up in native populations, so our study may help to explain where they’re coming from.”



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



The research paper, "Missing history of a modern domesticate: Historical demographics and genetic diversity in farm-bred red fox populations," has definitely made waves in the scientific community.



Isn't it fascinating to know how the actions of a few pioneering fox farmers from Prince Edward Island impacted the fox populations around the world? 



They inadvertently laid the foundation for a significant genetic diversity that enables scientists years later to study domestication and map gene networks leading to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-domestic-horses-have-ancestors-in-russia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tame</a> behavior.



So, the next time you see a fox, whether in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-wild-species-find-forbidden-love-domestic-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wild</a>, on a fur farm, or perhaps as a pet, remember the remarkable journey of its ancestors, from the wild frontiers of North America to the heart of Eurasia, and admire the paradox of nature and nurture entwining to shape the behavior of these magnificent animals. 



And who knows, perhaps in future, we would be throwing sticks for foxes in parks as they wag their bushy tails in excitement.



The study published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jhered/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jhered/esae022/7646377?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Heredity</a>.



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Some foxes can be domesticated, thanks to breeding

You probably know that our domestic dogs were once wild...

Human beings have long been considered the top of the heap when it comes to cognitive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bumblebees-showcase-smart-logical-reasoning-abilities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">abilities</a>. But it seems our supremacy is being threatened - by fruit bats. 



Researchers from <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tel Aviv University</a> have discovered that these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-bat-appreciation-day-the-crucial-role-of-bats-in-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agile winged creatures</a> possess remarkable thinking skills, previously thought to be present exclusively in humans.



The brain behind this seemingly incredible revelation is a team from the <a href="https://en-lifesci.tau.ac.il/zoology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Zoology</a> and <a href="https://en-sagol.tau.ac.il" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sagol School of Neuroscience</a> at Tel Aviv University. The research was helmed by Professor Yossi Yovel and Dr. Lee Harten.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bats-and-their-cognitive-abilities">Bats and their cognitive abilities</h2>



The research team decided to test the cognitive abilities of wild Egyptian fruit bats. The idea was to see if these bats could recall personal experiences (episodic memory) and plan ahead, something we humans frequently do. 



To make these observations, the researchers attached tiny GPS trackers to the bats to monitor their navigational and foraging routines.



"For many years the cognitive abilities to recall personal experiences (episodic memory) and plan ahead were considered exclusive to humans," noted Professor Yovel.



"But more and more studies have suggested that various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-and-bees-are-capable-of-complex-social-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> also possess such capabilities, but nearly all of these studies were conducted under laboratory conditions, since field studies on these issues are difficult to perform."



"Attempting to test these abilities in wild animals, we designed a unique experiment relying on the colony of free-ranging fruit bats based in TAU’s I. Meier Segals Garden for Zoological Research."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remembering-the-past">Remembering the past</h2>



The bats, it seems, are capable of mental "time travel." To test this, the scientists prevented the bats from leaving their colony for varying periods ranging from one day to a week.



"We wanted to see whether the bats could tell that time had elapsed and behave accordingly. We found that after one day of captivity, the bats would return to trees visited on the previous night," noted Dr. Harten.



"However, when a whole week had gone by, the older bats, based on past experience, avoided trees that had stopped bearing fruit in the interval."



"In other words: they were able to estimate how much time had passed since their last visit to each tree, and knew which trees bore fruit for a short time and were no longer worth visiting. Young, inexperienced  bats were unable to do this, indicating that this is an acquired skill that must be learned."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planning-for-the-future">Planning for the future</h2>



But that's not all. The bats are also skilled at planning ahead. Bats observed by the researchers often <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-bats-navigate-noisy-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flew</a> directly to a specific tree - an indication that they had decided on their food source even before leaving their lair.



Interestingly, the first bats to leave the colony chose trees bearing sugar-rich fruits, while bats that set out later were after proteins.



Isn't that interesting? These bats know where the party is at, when to hit it, and what to munch on.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cognitive-abilities-of-bats-and-humans">Cognitive abilities of bats and humans</h2>



This study sheds light on the fascinating cognitive abilities of animals, challenging the long-held notion that humans are the only creatures capable of such high-level thinking. 



"The cognitive gap between humans and animals is one of the most fascinating issues in science. Our study demonstrates that fruit bats are capable of quite a complex decision-making process involving the three questions indicative of cognitive abilities: Where? (each tree's location); When? (when the tree bears fruit); and What? (the nourishment it provides – sugar vs. proteins)," said Professor Yove.



"Once again we find that the gap is not cleat-cut, and that humans are not as unique as some might think. Apparently, humans and animals are all located on a spectrum, with almost any human ability found in animals as well."



So, have we underestimated our winged companions of the night? These findings suggest we have. It seems like we are all on a spectrum, with almost any human ability found in animals as well. Who knows what other surprises the animal kingdom may throw our way? Stay tuned for more such exciting discoveries.



The research team also included Xing Chen, Adi Rachum, Aya Goldstein from the School of Zoology, Lior de Marcas from the Sagol School of Neuroscience. Maya Fenigstein Levi and Shira Rosencwaig from the National Public Health Laboratory of <a href="https://www.health.gov.il" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Israel's Ministry of Health</a> were also part of this exploration of bat intelligence.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)00689-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Fruit bats can remember the past and plan for the future

Human beings have long been considered the top of the...

In the realm of paleontology, the recent discovery of the most well-preserved, three-dimensional trilobite fossils ever discovered is making waves in the global scientific community.



These 500 million-year-old treasures, hailing from the sweltering High Atlas of <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/saharan-dust-off-morocco/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Morocco</a>, are now making quite a splash in the scientific world. So striking is their preservation that scientists are terming them as “Pompeii” trilobites.



At the helm of this scientific bonanza is an international team of researchers led by Professor Abderrazak El Albani. This dynamic geologist originates from Morocco and is currently associated with the <a href="https://www.univ-poitiers.fr/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Poitiers</a>. 



The team was further enriched by Dr Greg Edgecombe, a seasoned paleontologist from the Natural History Museum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-of-ash-and-into-history">Out of ash and into history</h2>



Dr Greg Edgecombe, equipped with about four decades of experience in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-trilobites-adapted-to-survive-300-million-years-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studying trilobites</a>, shares his awe-inspiring encounter with these Moroccan fossils. 



“I’ve been studying trilobites for nearly 40 years, but I never felt like I was looking at live animals as much as I have with these ones. I’ve seen a lot of soft anatomy of trilobites, but it’s the 3D preservation here that is truly astounding,” iterates Edgecombe.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/trilobite-fossil_Gigoutella-mauretanica_credit-Arnaud-Mazurier_2m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/trilobite-fossil_Gigoutella-mauretanica_credit-Arnaud-Mazurier_2s.jpg" alt="Best-preserved trilobite fossils ever found, Gigoutella mauretanica, shake up the scientific community. Credit: Arnaud Mazurier" class="wp-image-1937825"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Best-preserved trilobite fossils ever found, Gigoutella mauretanica, shake up the scientific community. Credit: Arnaud Mazurier</figcaption></figure>



Elaborating on the significance of this research, Dr Edgecombe remarks, “An unexpected outcome of our work is discovering that volcanic ash in shallow marine settings could be a bonanza for exceptional fossil preservation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-trilobites">Understanding trilobites</h2>



Trilobites, or “sea bugs,” as they are often called, are extinct marine arthropods that first surfaced during the early Cambrian period and became extinct around 252 million years ago. 



With more than 20,000 species identified, they carry the mantle of being one of the earliest arthropods known to us.



The body structure of these ancient fellows was rather unique, a three-part deal: a cephalon (that's geek for the head), a thorax (the body), and a pygidium (tail). All these parts come together making a shape of three lobes, and that's where they got their name - with "tri" standing for three and "lobos" for lobe.



Why do we care about these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-worms-sparked-explosive-evolutionary-period-of-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-gone sea critters</a>, you ask? Well, trilobites are like time capsules carrying precious information about early sea life and arthropods' evolutionary history. 



Their exteriors, made up of calcite and chitin, have been perfectly fossilized, providing scientists with a wealth of data about their shapes, growth, and behavior.



In their heyday, trilobites came in all sizes, from as tiny as a few millimeters to as large as 70 centimeters. They braved various marine habitats, from the shallow coastlines to the murky ocean floors.



Trilobites reigned supreme in the marine food web, and holding positions both as the hunt and the hunted. Their remains are often used by paleontologists to identify the age of geological layers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-tale-of-gigoutella-mauretanica">Fascinating tale of Gigoutella mauretanica</h2>



Trilobites, marine animals captured in time due to their durable, calcified exoskeletons, are some of the best-studied fossils. Over two centuries, paleontologists have described more than 20,000 species of these ancient creatures.



A limitation, however, has been the lack of soft tissue preservation, leading to gaps in understanding the biodiversity of these organisms. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/trilobite-fossil_Gigoutella-mauretanica_illustration_credit-Arnaud-Mazurier_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/trilobite-fossil_Gigoutella-mauretanica_illustration_credit-Arnaud-Mazurier_1s.jpg" alt="Illustration showing habitat of trilobite species Gigoutella mauretanica. Credit: Arnaud Mazurier" class="wp-image-1937827"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Illustration showing habitat of trilobite species Gigoutella mauretanica. Credit: Arnaud Mazurier</figcaption></figure>



Here, the Moroccan trilobites make a noteworthy contribution -- encased in hot ash under seawater, they fossilized swiftly, capturing every minute detail of their bodies. 



From each body segment, legs, hair-like structures, to their digestive tract filled with ash -- the minutiae have been exquisitely preserved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossils-cast-new-light-on-trilobite-features">Fossils cast new light on trilobite features</h2>



Prof Abderrazak El Albani, the lead author, shares his enthusiasm, saying, “As a scientist who has worked on fossils from different ages and locations, discovering fossils in such a remarkable state of preservation within a volcanic setting was a profoundly exhilarating experience for me."



El Albani also highlights the immense potential these findings hold for future research. He suggests that pyroclastic deposits could be valuable sites for investigating ancient life, noting, "I think pyroclastic deposits should become new targets for study." 



The scientist explains that these formations have a remarkable capacity to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/using-ai-to-decode-the-legacy-of-the-roman-empire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preserve biological material</a>, including fragile soft tissues. 



El Albani expresses optimism about the impact of this research, stating that these findings are "anticipated to lead to significant discoveries about the evolution of life on our planet Earth."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionizing-trilobite-comprehension">Revolutionizing trilobite comprehension</h2>



Through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gordonia-traquairi-pig-like-creature-discovered-roamed-earth-250-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CT scanning</a> and computer modeling, the team discovered hitherto unnoticed details about trilobite anatomy. 



The Moroccan species in this study showed four pairs of head appendages behind their long antennae, contradicting the previously accepted model of three pairs. 



A labrum, a fleshy lobe covering the mouth, was identified for the first time in trilobites.



According to co-author Harry Berks from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, "The results revealed in exquisite detail a clustering of specialized leg pairs around the mouth, giving us a clearer picture of how trilobites fed."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trilobite-fossils-elevated-to-a-new-level">Trilobite fossils elevated to a new level</h2>



This important study breathes life into these ancient sea creatures known as the Moroccan "Pompeii" trilobites, giving us a unique window into the past. 



Many details about their structure and lifestyle, previously unknown, have been brought to light by the team led by Prof Abderrazak El Albani and Dr Greg Edgecombe.



These trilobite fossils, preserved in astonishing detail down to the finest structures, have the potential to significantly influence our understanding of early marine life and the evolution of Earth's biodiversity. 



By directing research towards volcanic settings and pyroclastic deposits, there is the promise of even more pioneering discoveries in the future. This is indeed a momentous step forward for the scientific world.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl4540">Science</a>.



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Best-preserved trilobite fossils ever found shake up the scientific community

In the realm of paleontology, the recent discovery of the...

Thousands of years ago, right before the dinosaurs roamed the earth, there lived a pig-like, tusked creature known as Gordonia traquairi, an ancient cousin of today's mammals. 



For the first time, experts can now dig deep into the anatomy and evolution of this species through hi-tech scanning of an ancient fossil, which was encapsulated in sandstone between 252–254 million years ago. 



This fascinating exploration of our evolutionary past was carried out by a team of experts led by the esteemed <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Edinburgh</a>, in collaboration with the <a href="https://naturalsciences.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences</a>, the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a>, and the <a href="https://hunterianmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hunterian Museum</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-elgin-marvel">The Elgin Marvel</h2>



An authority on paleontology, Hady George, from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a> and a former research student in paleontology and geobiology at the School of GeoSciences, shares his thoughts on this remarkable find. 



"The Elgin Marvel is a fascinating fossil of an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-mammals-bulked-up-to-deal-with-drastic-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient mammal</a> relative that is among the best-preserved of the world-renowned Elgin Reptiles," George says. 



"These famous fossils were mostly found over a century ago, and it's only now that new technologies are allowing us to finally reveal them in detail and glean valuable insights into their skull and brain anatomy as well as their genealogy."



The specimen under scanner, known as the Elgin Marvel, is amongst the best preserved from the series of fossils discovered near Elgin, in northeast Scotland. 



Although referred to as the Elgin Reptiles, some of them, including Gordonia, share a closer relationship with mammals. The Elgin Reptiles depict the only known example of this type of fossil in Western Europe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gordonia-traquairi-an-unconventional-mammal">Gordonia traquairi: An unconventional mammal</h2>



Gordonia traquairi hails from an extinct group of species called dicynodonts, celebrated for their squat bodies, beaks and tusks. 



Life on Earth looked significantly different during Gordonia's time, with all continents merged together forming a single land mass known as Pangea. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gordonia-traquari_ancient-mammal_250-million-years-old_illustration_Hady-George-UEdinburgh_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gordonia-traquari_ancient-mammal_250-million-years-old_illustration_Hady-George-UEdinburgh_1s.jpg" alt="Gordonia traquairi illustration. Credit: Hady George/University of Edinburgh" class="wp-image-1937798"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gordonia traquairi illustration. Credit: Hady George/University of Edinburgh</figcaption></figure>



Gordonia lived shortly before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-predict-a-new-mass-extinction-that-will-wipe-out-humans-and-all-mammals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Dying</a>, history's worst mass extinction event that wiped out much of life on our planet around 252 million years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-dicynodonts">Understanding dicynodonts</h2>



These creatures, whose name translates to 'two dog teeth', were a group of herbivorous therapsids, beings that bear an uncanny resemblance to mammals, yet graciously tread along the line of reptilian features as well. Their existence dates back to the Permian and Triassic eras, a period between 270 to 201 million years ago.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-secrets-revealed-about-the-evolution-of-mammal-tusks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dicynodonts</a> came in all sizes, some as small as a domestic dog while others grew as large as a cow. A distinctive feature that set them apart was their skull structure, reminiscent of a turtle's, complete with a beak-like mouth. 



This feature was used as a survival tool used for cropping vegetation. Many species also sported tusks, tools that were probably used for digging out food or as a means of defense.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dicynodonts-habitats-and-diet">Dicynodonts' habitats and diet</h3>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-mammal-reptile-elephant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dicynodonts</a> were all about adaptability. They thrived in diverse environments, from the arid extremities of deserts to the lush expanses of forested areas. 



Their diet mirrored nature's bounty as they primarily indulged in plant-based foods. Thanks to their unique jaws and beaks, dicynodonts could process a wide array of vegetation proficiently.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-significance">Evolutionary significance</h3>



Dicynodonts were the dominant herbivores of their time, a testament to their evolutionary prowess. In a constant display of adaptability, these creatures evolved and thrived in a variety of environments. 



It is believed that this trait played a key role in their extensive existence that spanned over 100 million years.



Sadly, like all good things, the reign of the dicynodonts came to an end by the close of the Triassic era. Although extinct, their legacy is far from forgotten. 



As part of the lineage that eventually evolved into modern mammals, they hold the secrets of the transition from reptilian ancestors to our very own species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-story-behind-the-gordonia-traquairi-fossil">Story behind the Gordonia traquairi fossil</h2>



This fossil tells a truly global story, sharing many physical characteristics with fossils found in China. This discovery indicates that the dicynodonts were expanding their presence across the globe just before the cataclysmic Great Dying.



The specialized team from the University of Edinburgh used micro-CT scans to <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/gordonia-traquari_ancient-mammal_ct-scan_250-million-years-old_UEdinburgh_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">render a high-resolution, 3D image</a> of a cavity created by the animal in sandstone before its bones degraded. 



This imaging technique offers a three-dimensional representation of the animal's skull and a peek into its brain. 



Learning from these details could lead to a better understanding of Gordonia's likely behaviors and the biology underlying them, offering invaluable insights into the evolution of this and other species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeing-the-future-through-the-past">Seeing the future through the past</h2>



"As hard as it is to imagine, around 250 million years ago Scotland was a desert covered in sand dunes, and ancient cousins of mammals such as Gordonia had dominion in this world. By studying them, we can learn about some of the earliest phases of our own evolution," says Professor Steve Brusatte, a professor of paleontology and evolution at the School of GeoSciences.



Increasing use of micro-CT scanning, in combination with an inclination towards open sharing of data, promises to add to the scientific discourse about our evolutionary past. 



This ever-evolving field continually reshapes our understanding of the world we inhabit today and lends itself to exciting new discoveries about where we came from.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-learned-from-gordonia-traquairi">Lessons learned from Gordonia traquairi</h2>



In summary, the scans of Gordonia traquairi give us an in-depth look at an ancient relative of mammals, revealing new details about its anatomy, evolution and behaviors. 



This research represents a remarkable scientific achievement and also a time capsule, providing a glimpse into ancient life on Earth, something that continually enhances our understanding of the world we inhabit today.



As we continue to explore our prehistoric past, the scans of the future promise to reveal even more secrets from these fossilized remnants of life from millions of years ago. 



The work done on the Elgin Marvel is a testament to how new technologies can enable us to delve deeper into our world's rich evolutionary history, guiding us towards a more complete understanding of the myriad forces that have shaped life as we know it.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/advance-article/doi/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae065/7694288?login=false">Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society</a>.



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250-million-year-old fossil unveiled by modern scanning techniques

Thousands of years ago, right before the dinosaurs roamed the...

The fight against climate change has taken the spotlight in recent years, as well as the vulnerability of our oceans' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-largest-coral-bleaching-event-is-now-underway/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reefs</a> to coral bleaching.



A group of international researchers recently discovered that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heat-waves-are-persisting-in-the-u-s-even-in-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine heatwaves</a> pose a much graver threat to these ecosystems than we initially thought.



The team found that marine heatwaves will not only last longer, causing prolonged periods of severe bleaching, but will also disrupt the coral spawning cycle - putting thousands of coral species at risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-onset-of-coral-bleaching">Early onset of coral bleaching</h2>



In a revolutionary study, Dr. Camille Mellin and her team from the <a href="https://www.adelaide.edu.au/environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute</a> used advanced climate modeling and supercomputing to anticipate future marine heatwaves.



The alarming results show that by 2080, coral bleaching is likely to commence in spring, rather than late summer.



The shift in timing could spell disaster for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-bleaching-hinders-reproduction-in-popular-reef-species/">coral reproduction</a>. In many regions, corals spawn once a year - precisely in spring. The overlap of bleaching with this crucial event could wreak havoc on a multitude of coral species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mechanism-behind-coral-bleaching">The mechanism behind coral bleaching</h2>



But what exactly is coral bleaching, and why does it matter? Corals bleach when they undergo stress - usually because of marine heatwaves - causing them to eject the beneficial algae living in their tissue. This process leaves <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-some-corals-more-resilient-to-climate-change-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corals</a> white, weakened, and more susceptible to disease.



It's worth noting that while widespread coral bleaching has only recently become a spotlight issue, four global mass bleaching events have occurred since 1998, with the most recent two events happening in this decade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-hotspot-of-risk-the-equator">A hotspot of risk: The equator</h2>



The projections also pointed to the equator as a hotspot for future bleaching risk, including areas home to the most biodiverse coral reefs. For example, regions like Indonesia’s Coral Triangle could face near-constant bleaching conditions by the end of the century.



This finding is particularly concerning because marine species in these regions are already living close to their upper tolerance levels for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-could-vanish-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature</a>.



These species won't be as well equipped to tackle accelerated climate change and, therefore, will be highly susceptible to extinction.



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



The ripple effect of this environmental threat extends to humans, too. Low-latitude coral reef regions are crucial for food and nutrition for millions worldwide. Local populations also depend heavily on coral reef fisheries for income.



These projections aren't just doom and gloom, though. They also offer a crucial tool for planning conservation strategies. By identifying regions of lower bleaching risk, resource managers can prioritize coral conservation actions to save as much of these vital ecosystems as possible.



Such preventative actions were emphasized by Professor Scott Heron, a co-author of the study. He stated that the validated projections of future coral bleaching risk, based on daily marine heatwave forecasts, represent a significant advancement over previous models.



These next-generation projections will be key to designing conservation strategies aimed at protecting and restoring coral reefs in regions at lesser risk of future climate change - areas where conservation success is most likely to be achieved.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adn9660" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Marine heatwaves escalate coral bleaching threats

The fight against climate change has taken the spotlight in...

When you hear the term "forever chemicals," the picturesque image of a wild boar trotting through a lush European national park isn't exactly what springs to mind, right? But that's exactly where this tale unfolds, and shockingly so, according to a recent study.



Here's where the story begins: at <a href="https://www.hutton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The James Hutton Institute</a> in Aberdeen and the University of Graz in Austria where researchers like Viktoria Müller have been unraveling the puzzling threads of PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in their respective labs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expert-eyes-on-the-prize">Expert eyes on the prize</h2>



PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals," have been linked to multiple health issues, including cancer, fertility problems, and liver damage. We usually find these chemicals in everyday household products. This pervasive presence makes them notoriously hard to avoid, and even harder to remove from our environment. Hence, the nickname.



So, when Viktoria Müller and her colleagues, as part of their research, noticed the wild boar in the Bohemian Forest National Park in the Czech Republic with PFAS levels nearly five times higher than the EU's permissible limit for meat, it was an alarming revelation. Especially since boar meat is regularly consumed by humans, this finding certainly raises a few eyebrows.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shocking-level-of-pfas-contamination">Shocking level of PFAS contamination</h2>



Müller, who conducted the study as part of her Ph.D. research, expresses concern over the level of contamination in the park's wild boar. While PFAS is found almost everywhere, finding it above the allowable levels for human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-source-water-exceeds-safe-drinking-limits-of-pfas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a>, especially in food, is indeed alarming.



To illustrate just how daunting these numbers are, let's delve into the details. The study involved testing the livers of 30 wild boar for 30 different PFAS. The median amounts discovered were approximately 230μg/kg, which is nearly five times the maximum permitted amount in game offal under EU laws regarding PFAS content in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seafood-is-underestimated-source-of-pfas-exposure-in-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a>.



In comparison to another study of wild boar in northeast Germany, these national park dwellers had twice the amount of PFAS. This is not just a statistic; it's a glaring red flag.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-causing-the-high-levels-of-pfas">What is causing the high levels of PFAS?</h2>



Given these startling findings, it's imperative to find the root cause. However, figuring out why the levels are higher in the park would require a more extensive study. 



The PFAS types found in the park match those usually found at 'background' levels, implying that they may be due to atmospheric deposition, such as rain and wind. But the unusually high concentrations suggest a deeper probe is indeed needed.



In the meantime, work by researchers at the Hutton Institute has uncovered PFAS on Austrian ski slopes and in the River Yangzte, primarily due to food <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-containers-may-release-forever-chemicals-into-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">packaging</a> and textile treatment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-background-levels-of-pfas">Background levels of PFAS</h2>



These findings open up a whole new dimension to the conversation around toxic "forever chemicals" and their presence in our natural world. 



"The level of contamination in the wild boar in the national park is a cause for concern. We are now finding PFAS everywhere, but that it's at levels above those allowed for&nbsp;human consumption&nbsp;in food - and wild boar meat and offal is consumed by humans - is a worry," said Müller.



"However, pinpointing why the levels were higher in the park would need a bigger study. The profile of the types of PFAS found in the park matched those generally found at 'background' levels, suggesting atmospheric deposition, from rain and wind for example. But the high concentrations we found suggest deeper investigation is needed."



Wild boar were studied because they provide a good indicator of "background" levels of PFAS in the environment. They eat most things, including plants and small animals. In addition, soil is a significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-are-an-underestimated-source-of-water-contamination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">source</a> of PFAS, which these creatures ingest while foraging for their food.



So, next time you're enjoying a tranquil walk in a national park or tucking into a piece of game meat, spare a thought for the wild boar. They have become unlikely bio-indicators of harmful chemicals in our environment, chemicals that might just stick around "forever."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724013263?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of The Total Environment</a>.



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Wild boars found to have alarming levels of 'forever chemicals'

When you hear the term "forever chemicals," the picturesque image...

About 10,000 years ago, a small population of woolly mammoths were isolated on Wrangel Island off the Siberian coast. This isolation was a result of rising sea levels, a phenomenon that's all too familiar today.&nbsp;



Within just two generations, the woolly mammoth population on Wrangel Island exploded from a mere eight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/woolly-mammoths-had-testosterone-driven-aggression-during-mating-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">individuals</a> to as many as 300 members.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contradicting-assumptions-about-woolly-mammoths-nbsp">Contradicting assumptions about woolly mammoths&nbsp;</h2>



In a fascinating study, a genomic analysis was conducted on these mammoths, dispelling the long-believed notion that inbreeding and low genetic diversity could be blamed for their ultimate demise.&nbsp;



Love Dalén, an evolutionary geneticist at the Center for Paleogenetics, a joint initiative of the <a href="https://www.nrm.se/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish Museum of Natural History</a> and Stockholm University, sheds light on this topic.



“We can now confidently reject the idea that the population was simply too small and that they were doomed to go extinct for genetic reasons,” said Dalén. “This means it was probably just some random event that killed them off, and if that random event hadn't happened, then we would still have mammoths today.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-woolly-mammoths-and-modern-conservation-nbsp">Woolly mammoths and modern conservation&nbsp;</h2>



The research does not just provide insights into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammoths-were-wiped-out-by-climate-change-not-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction</a> of woolly mammoths. It also holds valuable lessons for modern-day conservation strategies and the battle against the ongoing biodiversity crisis.



“Mammoths are an excellent system for understanding the ongoing biodiversity crisis and what happens from a genetic point of view when a species goes through a population bottleneck because they mirror the fate of a lot of present-day populations,” said study lead author Marianne Dehasque, also a scientist at the Center for Paleogenetics.



Dehasque and her team conducted extensive genomic analyses of 21 woolly mammoths, including 14 from Wrangel Island and 7 from the mainland that lived before the population bottleneck. Their analysis spanned roughly 50,000 years of mammoth <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-made-woolly-mammoths-unique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">history</a>, tracing the genetic diversity over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-genetic-journey">Tracing the genetic journey</h2>



The results of the analyses were intriguing. The Wrangel Island mammoths exhibited signs of inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity.&nbsp;



However, this decrease in diversity was a slow process, visible over the 6,000 years they inhabited the island. This suggests that the population remained stable until their sudden disappearance.



“If an individual has an extremely harmful mutation, it's basically not viable, so those mutations gradually disappeared from the population over time, but on the other hand, we see that the mammoths were accumulating mildly harmful mutations almost up until they went extinct,” explained Dehasque.&nbsp;



“It’s important for present day conservation programs to keep in mind that it’s not enough to get the population up to a decent size again; you also have to actively and genetically monitor it because these genomic effects can last for over 6,000 years.”



This gives us an important lesson for current conservation efforts, indicating it’s not just about increasing the population size, but also actively monitoring the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/south-africas-leopards-have-the-highest-genetic-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genomic health</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-the-mammoths">Mystery of the mammoths</h2>



The team didn’t include genomes from the final 300 years of the mammoths' existence in their study. However, they plan to sequence fossils from this period to understand the extinction event even better.



“What happened at the end is a bit of a mystery still - we don't know why they went extinct after having been more or less fine for 6,000 years, but we think it was something sudden,” said Dalén. “I would say there is still hope to figure out why they went extinct, but no promises.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.033" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a>.



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Genetic twist in the tale of the last woolly mammoths

About 10,000 years ago, a small population of woolly mammoths...

SuperAnimal, a revolutionary deep learning model, has been developed to detect animal motion across various species and environments.



Understanding animal behavior offers critical insights into their health and motivations. This "foundational model" is set to revolutionize animal conservation, biomedicine, and neuroscience research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-analyze-animal-behavior">Why analyze animal behavior?</h2>



Animal behavior, encompassing interactions with others, the environment, and different organisms, is a crucial field of study. 



This field explores activities such as foraging, mating, parenting, social interactions, and communication, all of which are shaped by genetic and environmental factors. 



Understanding these behaviors provides valuable insights into animal health,&nbsp;welfare,&nbsp;and ecological roles,&nbsp;enabling better conservation efforts and animal care practices.&nbsp;



Furthermore, research into animal behavior can&nbsp;ultimately improving human-animal interactions and promoting sustainable ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-animal-emotions-through-movement">Decoding animal emotions through movement</h2>



Animals can't verbally communicate their feelings, but their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-use-nearly-300-facial-expressions-to-communicate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">movements</a> tell a story. Imagine using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-monitor-biodiversity-through-animal-sounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> to analyze these movements for a wide range of animals, including cows, dogs, cats, and mice.



This would eliminate observer bias and enhance the accuracy and efficiency of behavioral analysis.



A team at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (<a href="https://www.epfl.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EPFL</a>), led by Dr. Mackenzie Mathis, has introduced a groundbreaking tool for posture analysis in behavioral phenotyping.



Detailed in a recent Nature Communications article, this open-source tool, named SuperAnimal, requires no human annotations to track <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-disturbances-are-globally-restructuring-animal-movement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal movements</a>.



It can automatically identify keypoints (joints) in over 45 animal species, including mythical ones, without human intervention.



"The current pipeline requires human effort to identify keypoints on each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-ai-system-detects-animals-on-roads-to-prevent-accidents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a>, creating a training set," explains Dr. Mathis.



"This results in duplicated labeling efforts and inconsistent semantic labels, complicating the training of large foundation models. Our new method standardizes this process and makes labeling 10 to 100 times more efficient than current tools."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-from-deeplabcut-to-superanimal">Advancing from DeepLabCut to SuperAnimal</h2>



SuperAnimal is an evolution of a pose estimation technique previously known as DeepLabCut.



The new tool compiles a large set of annotations from various databases, training the model to learn a harmonized language -- a process called pre-training the foundation model.



"Users can deploy our base model or fine-tune it with their data for further customization," says Shaokai Ye, a PhD student and first author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-superanimal-with-natural-language-interfaces">Enhancing SuperAnimal with natural language interfaces</h2>



SuperAnimal has a broad range of applications. Veterinarians and biomedical researchers, especially those studying laboratory mice, will find it invaluable. 



Its potential also extends to neuroscience and analyzing athletic performance in animals. Future versions of the model aim to include birds, fish, and insects.



"We plan to integrate these models with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-health-ai-can-identify-insects-based-on-their-sounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural language interfaces</a> to create more accessible next-generation tools," states Dr. Mathis.



"For instance, we recently developed AmadeusGPT, which allows for video data queries through written or spoken text. Expanding this capability for complex behavioral analysis is very exciting."



Now available to researchers worldwide through its open-source distribution, SuperAnimal promises to transform the field of automated animal behavior analysis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-applications-of-superanimal">Potential applications of SuperAnimal</h2>



SuperAnimal has diverse applications across multiple fields. In veterinary medicine, it can help monitor animal health and detect early signs of illness. Conservationists can study endangered species' behavior to develop better protection strategies. 



Additionally, neuroscientists may benefit by analyzing animal models to understand brain functions and behaviors. 



In agriculture, farmers can use it to monitor livestock, improving welfare and productivity. 



Sports scientists can analyze athletic performance in animals, leading to better training methods. 



In biomedical research, SuperAnimal can be used to enhance the accuracy of experiments with laboratory animals, reducing human error and improving data reliability, ultimately advancing various scientific and medical fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-more-about-earth-s-other-animals">Learning more about Earth's other animals</h2>



In summary, the integration of AI into behavioral studies represents a significant leap forward. Traditional methods rely heavily on human observation, which can introduce biases and inconsistencies.



SuperAnimal eliminates these issues by providing an objective, automated analysis of animal movements. This capability is especially valuable in large-scale studies where manual tracking would be impractical. 



With careful oversight, SuperAnimal could pave the way for a new era of ethical and effective animal research.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48792-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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AI tool 'SuperAnimal' can accurately analyze animal behavior

SuperAnimal, a revolutionary deep learning model, has been developed to...

“Climate change” is no longer a distant concept; it's an ongoing reality with tangible consequences. A manifestation of this can be seen in marine heatwaves that are altering the traditional coastal safe havens, making survival difficult for young Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cod-population-hit-hard-by-heat-waves-nbsp">Cod population hit hard by heat waves &nbsp;</h2>



With a focus on the marine heat waves in 2014-16 and 2019, researchers have discovered that young Pacific cod, who have traditionally found safety around Kodiak Island, no longer enjoy the defenses these near-shore nurseries used to offer.&nbsp;



Instead, they're undergoing significant alterations in their abundance, growth rates, and diet. It's estimated that only the top 15 to 25 percent of Kodiak Island's cod population with the largest size endured the summer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heat-waves-are-persisting-in-the-u-s-even-in-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat waves</a>. 



Even as temperatures recede, these cod are still struggling to return to their pre-heat wave size and diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unreliable-safe-havens-nbsp">Unreliable safe havens&nbsp;</h2>



Study lead author Hillary Thalmann is a graduate student in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences at <a href="https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a>. 



“These coastal habitats aren’t supporting fish in the same way that they used to as a result of marine heat waves,” said Thalmann.



“That’s a novel finding, because we don’t always look at the nurseries as a place where size-selective mortality could be occurring rapidly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-of-climate-change-nbsp">Ripple effects of climate change&nbsp;</h2>



The evidence gathered from these observations could potentially have widespread implications for marine fish populations across the globe, as climate change causes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heatwaves-are-causing-massive-seabird-mortality-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine heatwaves</a> to become lengthier and more frequent. 



The Pacific cod, a favorite choice for fish and chips, is the second-largest commercial groundfish fishery off the coast of Alaska.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-struggles-of-the-pacific-cod">Struggles of the Pacific cod</h2>



The coastal nurseries traditionally act as safe havens for young Pacific cod, who begin feeding and growing in these areas from around three months of age.&nbsp;



However, the heatwaves recorded water temperatures of 58 degrees Fahrenheit, nearly 6 degrees above normal, making survival a challenge. These two heatwaves are considered the most extreme warming events in the Northeast Pacific Ocean's records.&nbsp;



The impact on the cod population was so severe that the fishery had to close in 2020, leading to a federal disaster declaration in 2022.



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



In this study, the focus was on the physiological disruptions that young cod faced while inhabiting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-are-not-immune-to-ocean-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal nurseries</a>. 



To investigate, the researchers analyzed juvenile Pacific cod collected from 16 sites around Kodiak Island during the summers of 2006-2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size-selective-mortality-of-pacific-cod">Size-selective mortality of Pacific cod</h2>



The analysis of the samples revealed that the August fish were 30% larger than the projected size based on the July growth rate, with almost no small fish present in the August sample.&nbsp;



The only viable explanation for this was to consider only the top 15-25% of the July sample and project their growth to August. It's probable that the size-selective mortality was a significant factor in what the researchers witnessed.



“If we removed the little guys and grew the big guys - the top 15-25% - through to August based on the growth rates we saw earlier in the summer, then we got the size range that we see in those heat wave years,” noted Thalmann.&nbsp;



“It’s important to show that with heat events like this, size-selective mortality can continue in the cod population beyond just their early life in the open water.”



“We saw these differences in size in the nursery, and we tried to explain them with growth rates and tried to explain them with diet, but we couldn’t explain it all.”



“There was something out there, probably size-selective mortality, that was the major driver for what we were seeing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cautionary-tale-for-climate-change-nbsp">Cautionary tale for climate change&nbsp;</h2>



Changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frequent-heatwaves-have-become-the-norm-in-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean conditions</a> may result in Pacific cod moving further north to find suitable growth environments, or there may be a shift towards larger cod being the sole survivors who pass on their genetic information. 



“If the marine heat waves continue, there will probably be some changes in both the distribution and the quality of these populations,” said Thalmann. “I don’t think it’s the end of fish and chips, but I do think it’s a cautionary tale for climate change and the shifting dynamics of fisheries in warm temperatures.”



The study was a collaboration with co-authors Zoe Almeida, Kaitlyn Osborne, Kaylee Marshall, and Jessica Miller at the Oregon State University, and Benjamin Laurel at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Centre in Newport, Oregon.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63897-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Coastal safe havens may no longer protect Pacific cod

“Climate change” is no longer a distant concept; it's an...

In a discovery that's shaking up our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-reveals-the-first-ancestors-of-scorpions-and-spiders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient life</a>, scientists have unearthed incredibly well-preserved trilobite fossils in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. 



Due to their remarkable preservation in volcanic ash, scientists are calling them "Pompeii" trilobites, drawing parallels to the Roman city buried by Mount Vesuvius.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-of-trilobites">Record of trilobites</h2>



Trilobites lived in ancient oceans from around 521 to 252 million years ago. They ate a variety of foods, including plankton, algae, and small marine organisms. Some trilobites were scavengers, feeding on dead material, while others were predators, hunting small prey.



Trilobites shared their habitat with various marine life forms. They coexisted with early mollusks, brachiopods, sponges, and primitive fish. They lived on the sea floor, often burrowing into the sediment or crawling over rocks.



Trilobites had a wide range of sizes and shapes, allowing them to occupy different ecological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-dinosaur-species-discovered-zimbabwe-named-musankwa-sanyatiensis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">niches</a>. They played a crucial role in their ecosystems, contributing to the marine food web as both predators and prey.



The fossil record of trilobites helps scientists understand ancient marine environments, shedding light on the diversity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-with-huge-blade-like-horns-discovered-in-montana/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complexity</a> of early life on Earth. Their well-preserved fossils continue to fascinate researchers and collectors alike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paleozoic-era">Paleozoic Era</h2>



Trilobites were marine arthropods that thrived during the Paleozoic Era, a span of nearly 300 million years. Their remarkable diversity is evident in the over 20,000 identified species, highlighting their significance in Earth's ancient ecosystems.



While trilobites are well-represented in the fossil record due to their hard exoskeletons, these remains often offer limited insights into the intricacies of their anatomy and behavior. 



Crucial details about soft tissues and delicate appendages were often lost to decomposition, leaving scientists with an incomplete understanding of these fascinating creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-in-volcanic-ash-nbsp">Fossil in volcanic ash&nbsp;</h2>



The Moroccan trilobite fossils, in contrast, offer a level of preservation rarely seen. A volcanic eruption over 500 million years ago resulted in these creatures being encased in volcanic ash, leading to extraordinary preservation of their soft tissues and delicate appendages. 



This exceptional fossilization provides scientists with a wealth of information, allowing them to study the trilobites' legs, antennae, digestive systems, and even minute details like the tiny hairs that once lined their appendages.



"I've been studying trilobites for nearly 40 years, but I never felt like I was looking at live animals as much as I have with these ones. I've seen a lot of soft anatomy of trilobites, but it's the 3D preservation here that is truly astounding," said Dr. Greg Edgecombe, a trilobite expert at the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural History Museum</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trilobite-anatomy-and-behavior-nbsp">Trilobite anatomy and behavior&nbsp;</h2>



Using CT scanning and computer modeling,&nbsp;researchers have been able to digitally dissect these trilobite fossils,&nbsp;revealing details that were previously hidden from view.&nbsp;



They've discovered new appendages near the mouth,&nbsp;a fleshy lobe covering the mouth (called a labrum),&nbsp;and specialized leg pairs that give clues about how trilobites fed.



"The results revealed in exquisite detail a clustering of specialised leg pairs around the mouth, giving us a clearer picture of how trilobites fed. The head and body appendages were found to have an inward-facing battery of dense spines, like those of today's horseshoe crabs," noted Harry Berks from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanic-ash-a-goldmine-for-fossil-preservation-nbsp">Volcanic ash: A goldmine for fossil preservation&nbsp;</h2>



The discovery of these Pompeii trilobites fossil highlights volcanic ash's crucial role in preserving ancient life. While volcanic eruptions are typically seen as destructive, they can also create unique conditions for fossilization. 



When organisms are rapidly buried in ash, the details of their bodies are locked in before decay can set in. This rapid preservation process captures delicate features that would otherwise be lost over time. As a result, scientists gain valuable insights into the distant past. 



These well-preserved trilobites offer a rare glimpse into ancient ecosystems, allowing researchers to study the morphology and behavior of creatures that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. 



This find underscores the dual nature of volcanic activity, showcasing its ability to both destroy and preserve, contributing significantly to our understanding of Earth's prehistoric life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-chapter-in-the-fossil-record">New chapter in the fossil record</h2>



The study of these Moroccan fossils is just beginning,&nbsp;but it's already clear that they have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of trilobites and their place in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nothosaur-polar-sea-reptile-fossil-oldest-ever-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">history of life</a>.&nbsp;



By peering into this ancient Pompeii,&nbsp;we are gaining new insights into the anatomy,&nbsp;behavior,&nbsp;and evolution of these fascinating creatures.



"I think pyroclastic deposits should become new targets for study, given their exceptional potential for trapping and preserving biological remains, including delicate soft tissues," said study lead author Professor Abderrazak El Albani. 



"These findings are anticipated to lead to significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feathered-dinosaurs-had-scaly-skin-like-modern-day-lizards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discoveries</a> about the evolution of life on our planet Earth."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl4540" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



Image Credit: © Prof. A. El Albani, Univ. Poitiers.



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500-million-year-old trilobites fossils preserved in volcanic ash

In a discovery that's shaking up our understanding of ancient...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



-----



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.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?

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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

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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

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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"

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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

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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

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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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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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

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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"

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