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...

The impact of pollution and climate change on global ecosystems remains a complex, underexplored field. A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.uta.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at Arlington</a> offers new insights, particularly concerning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-of-the-worlds-bird-species-are-now-in-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird populations</a> on islands, suggesting that our understanding may be more limited than previously recognized. 



“Anthropogenic activities have reshaped biodiversity on islands worldwide. However, it remains unclear how island attributes and land-use change interactively shape multiple facets of island biodiversity through community assembly processes,” wrote the study authors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-discovery-among-island-birds">Surprising discovery among island birds </h2>



By examining bird populations from the Zhoushan Archipelago (China’s largest island chain), the experts were surprised to find more bird species in agricultural areas than in forested regions.



“Usually, one predicts that there should be fewer species of birds living in agricultural areas where trees have been removed and the land manipulated than in natural habitats like forests,”&nbsp; said co-author Luke O. Frishkoff, an assistant professor of biology at UT Arlington.&nbsp;



“But strangely, on the islands we studied off the coast of China, we found opposite patterns with the communities of birds under examination - there were more bird species in agriculture than in forested areas.”



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



The research team, including collaborators from <a href="https://english.ecnu.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">East China Normal University</a> in Shanghai, the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a> in the United Kingdom, and the <a href="https://www.upmc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pittsburgh Medical Center</a>, chose islands for their study due to their ecological significance: while islands constitute only 5% of the Earth's land mass, they support 20% of its animal species.



Over two years, the scientists conducted four surveys during the breeding season across 34 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-types-of-islands-attract-migratory-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">islands</a>, ranging from forested to farmed, and from isolated to more accessible. Their findings challenged preconceived notions about habitat preference among birds. 



“Human activities have extensively modified habitats on three-quarters of all the Earth’s surface worldwide, and islands are no different,” Frishkoff said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-island-bird-populations-nbsp">Island bird populations&nbsp;</h2>



The data revealed that bird populations on smaller, more isolated islands were more evolutionarily similar than those on larger, less remote islands. This observation was contrary to the team's initial hypothesis that forested areas would harbor more diverse and numerous bird species than agricultural settings.



“All this is suggesting that there are some fundamental principles of ecology that we don’t yet understand, and that there is perhaps something special about islands that affects species that can tolerate human environments differently than species that require natural ecosystems for survival,” said Friskhoff.&nbsp;



“We need additional research to better understand why bird evolution, and the evolution of species in general, is different on islands so that we can better protect and sustain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> in other human-dominated ecosystems,” he concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-island-bird-diversity">Island bird diversity</h2>



Island bird diversity is a fascinating and unique aspect of ecology, primarily because islands act as isolated laboratories of evolution.&nbsp;



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



The limited geographic scope of an island, along with its distinct environmental characteristics, often leads to a high rate of endemism - many species found on islands are found nowhere else on Earth.&nbsp;



This phenomenon is exemplified by famous examples such as the finches of the Galápagos Islands, studied by Charles Darwin, which have evolved a variety of forms and functions suited to their specific island environments.



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



The isolation of islands means that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-can-switch-their-perception-of-earths-magnetic-field-on-and-off/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> that arrive, whether by flight or accidental means such as drifting on vegetation, often diverge significantly from their mainland ancestors. 



Over generations, these birds can evolve to exploit different ecological niches. For instance, some may become flightless if there are no predators, or develop unique feeding techniques tailored to the resources available on the island.



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



However, this remarkable diversity is also coupled with vulnerability. Island birds are often more susceptible to extinction due to limited population sizes, restricted habitats, and a reduced genetic pool.&nbsp;



Moreover, they are particularly vulnerable to human impacts - such as habitat destruction, introduced species, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/body-sizes-and-shapes-of-birds-are-shrinking-as-the-earth-warms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> - which can rapidly and irrevocably alter their limited habitats. Conservation efforts are therefore critical to preserve the unique bird populations that contribute to the rich biodiversity of the world’s islands.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.2245" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</a>.



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Island bird communities are changing in unexpected ways

The impact of pollution and climate change on global ecosystems...

In the heart of South Africa, researchers have made a remarkable revelation about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/african-leopards-have-surprisingly-high-genetic-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leopards</a> that challenges our previous understanding of their genetic diversity. 



This discovery highlights significant genetic richness, altering perceptions of leopard populations in the area. It underscores the critical importance of ongoing conservation efforts to protect these majestic creatures and their habitat.



Declan Morris, a PhD candidate at the <a href="https://www.adelaide.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Adelaide</a>'s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, led a pivotal research project. His work revealed a surprising level of genetic diversity among leopards in South Africa's Highveld region. 



This significant finding illuminates the complex evolutionary history of these leopards. It also underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to safeguard their future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-lineages-one-region">Two lineages, one region</h2>



The newfound genetic diversity in Highveld <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-clouded-leopard-day-the-fight-to-protect-an-elusive-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leopards</a> stems from the convergence of two distinct maternal lineages. One lineage spans the majority of the African continent, showcasing a broad genetic base. 



The other is more localized, found primarily in South Africa's Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga. This unexpected overlap in the Highveld region forms a unique genetic melting pot, enriching the genetic diversity of the local leopard population.



"We compiled the most comprehensive mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data set to date to explore the trends and leopard genetics on a continental scale," Morris explains. 



"The results of our analysis, using a combination of mtDNA, microsatellites, and comparisons with results of other published studies, is what enabled us to determine that the leopard population in the Highveld of Mpumalanga had the highest levels of genetic diversity in the country."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-leopard-s-genetic-diversity-matters">Why leopard's genetic diversity matters</h2>



Genetic diversity is a critical factor in the long-term survival of any species. It serves as a reservoir of adaptability, enabling populations to cope with environmental changes, diseases, and other challenges. In the case of leopards, high genetic diversity translates to a greater ability to adapt to shifting climates, habitat alterations, and emerging threats.



"High genetic diversity increases the ability for a species to adapt to a changing environment around it; therefore, it can make species more resilient to events such as climate change or the introduction of new diseases," says Morris.



"The discovery that the leopards in the Highveld have the highest recorded levels of genetic diversity in South Africa is significant as it places a high conservation priority for the population in the region."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leopard-divergence-and-genetic-reunion">Leopard divergence and genetic reunion</h2>



Researchers believe the two leopard lineages diverged between 960,000 and 440,000 years ago. They attribute this separation to the aridification of the Limpopo Basin, which likely served as a barrier between the two groups.



Now, after hundreds of thousands of years, these lineages are reuniting in the Mpumalanga Province, where Morris's research was conducted. This unexpected reunion highlights the dynamic nature of leopard populations and the interconnectedness of their habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-assumptions-and-embracing-connectivity">Challenging assumptions and embracing connectivity</h2>



The discovery of high genetic diversity in the Highveld leopards challenges previous assumptions about their isolation. Initially, researchers hypothesized that the fragmented nature of the region would lead to genetic isolation. 



The findings from the study reveal a surprising degree of connectivity between the Highveld leopards and those in the Lowveld areas and Kruger National Park. Despite geographical separations, these populations maintain genetic links, indicating a more interconnected ecosystem than previously thought. This connectivity enhances the genetic flow and diversity among the leopard populations across these regions.



"We had originally hypothesised that the Highveld leopards would be isolated as they exist in a highly fragmented region, but this discovery shows us that it's not as isolated as we thought," says Morris.



"Gene flow is occurring with Lowveld areas and Kruger National Park. We found an unexpected level of connectivity, even across landscapes highly modified by humans."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-implications">Conservation implications</h2>



The implications of this discovery for leopard conservation are profound. By recognizing the Highveld's exceptional genetic diversity, conservationists and policymakers can better prioritize their efforts. This may involve habitat preservation, anti-poaching initiatives, and community engagement programs.



"One of the biggest measures that could protect leopards in the Highveld is community engagement. Building better, stronger relationships between the community, government, researchers, and conservation organisations allows for efficient, targeted management programs to be designed," notes Morris.



The research highlights the critical role of scientific inquiry in understanding and conserving our planet's biodiversity. The unexpected genetic diversity of South African leopards reminds us that nature can connect and adapt even in fragmented landscapes. 



By continuing to explore the intricate relationships between species and their environments, we gather valuable insights. These insights guide us toward a more sustainable future for all living beings.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/17018/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeerJ</a>.



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South Africa's leopards have the highest genetic diversity

In the heart of South Africa, researchers have made a...

Researchers can use portable ultrasound on boats to detect and treat gas emboli in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-plastic-items-found-in-deceased-sea-turtles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea turtles</a>, significantly improving their rehabilitation. These ancient mariners, gracing our oceans for over 100 million years, are now struggling for survival. 



Six out of seven species are endangered, and human activities carry a heavy responsibility. While plastic pollution and habitat destruction often steal the headlines, a lesser-known threat lurks beneath the waves: decompression sickness, also known as "the bends."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underwater-life-of-sea-turtles">Underwater life of sea turtles</h2>



Sea turtles, like many marine creatures, are adapted to life underwater. They can hold their breath for extended periods, diving to depths where the pressure is much higher than at the surface. However, this ability to withstand pressure becomes a liability when they are unexpectedly brought to the surface. 



When a sea turtle is caught in a fishing net, it ascends too quickly. Its body can't adjust fast enough. The rapid ascent decreases pressure, causing gases like nitrogen in its tissues to form bubbles. This is similar to opening a soda bottle, where a sudden pressure drop makes the carbon dioxide fizz and bubble up.



These gas bubbles can obstruct blood vessels, damage tissues, and disrupt organ function. The effects can range from mild discomfort to severe illness, even death. In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/leatherback-sea-turtles-where-the-worlds-largest-turtles-go-to-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turtles</a>, symptoms of decompression sickness might include lethargy, disorientation, buoyancy problems, and visible bubbles under the skin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ultrasound-impact-on-sea-turtles">Ultrasound impact on sea turtles</h2>



Veterinarians are teaming up with fishers in a unique collaboration. Armed with portable ultrasound machines, they examine sea turtles accidentally caught in fishing nets.



"Veterinarians can examine whole-body MRI or X-ray scans and find specific bubbles in a variety of different organs," explains Katherine Eltz, a doctoral student at the <a href="https://www.unc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill</a>. 



"The benefit of ultrasound is that we can see bubbles flowing through vessels or stationary in tissues. The portability of ultrasound means that it can be brought onto fishing boats, which we took advantage of to collect half of the data used in this project.”



Researchers take ultrasound images in real-time, directly on fishing boats. They can observe gas bubbles in the turtles' hearts, livers, and kidneys. This method allows scientists to assess the severity of the bends in each turtle. The experts can then determine the best course of action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brightness-as-a-barometer">Brightness as a barometer</h2>



One of the most exciting findings of this research is the development of a new way to quantify the amount of gas in a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-one-million-sea-turtles-poached-in-the-last-three-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turtle's</a> body. "The brightness from the ultrasounds taken from the groups is a valuable quantitative metric to separate each ultrasound by grade," Eltz explains. 



In other words, brighter ultrasound images mean more gas bubbles. More gas bubbles mean worse decompression sickness. This simple yet powerful metric has the potential to transform how veterinarians treat sea turtles with decompression sickness. 



Veterinarians can quickly gauge the severity of the condition using this metric. This rapid assessment enables them to make informed decisions about the turtle's care. Depending on the findings, they can determine if a turtle requires specialized treatment or can be safely released.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-problem-with-local-solutions">A global problem with local solutions</h2>



Decompression sickness in sea turtles is a widespread problem, affecting these animals in oceans around the world. The research conducted by Eltz and her colleagues, incorporating data from diverse locations like Brazil, Italy, and Spain, highlights the global nature of this issue. This is largely due to the vast migratory patterns of sea <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracking-leatherback-sea-turtle-migration-along-the-u-s-coast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turtles</a> and the ubiquity of commercial fishing activities.



Addressing this problem requires a coordinated global effort. Fortunately, the response to this challenge has been met with international collaboration. A collaborative approach is essential for developing effective conservation strategies that can be implemented on a global scale. They can ultimately protect these ancient mariners for generations to come.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-turtle-care">The future of turtle care</h2>



The work of Eltz and her colleagues is still ongoing, but the results so far are promising. The development of the ultrasound brightness metric marks a significant advancement in diagnosing and treating decompression sickness in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-sea-turtle-day-a-tribute-to-resilience-and-conservation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea turtles</a>. 



This metric enhances our capacity to accurately identify the condition in affected turtles. It also improves the effectiveness of the treatments we administer. This breakthrough aids in the precise assessment and management of the health issues sea turtles face when they suffer from decompression sickness.



"The largest task still at hand is to work towards standardizing the acquisition of the ultrasound data collected for this project," Eltz says. "Now, I can work with veterinarians to help adjust their methods, including improved image processing to standardize the data in post-processing."



With ongoing research and collaboration, we can anticipate a future where sea turtles receive better protection from the hidden dangers beneath the waves. Continued efforts will enhance our ability to safeguard these marine creatures. 



Together, we can develop more effective strategies to shield sea turtles from unforeseen threats in their natural habitat.



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Ultrasound helps save sea turtles from fishing nets

Researchers can use portable ultrasound on boats to detect and...

A recent study led by <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a> has investigated the complex vocal patterns of Bornean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/already-endangered-orangutans-now-face-new-threats-from-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orangutans</a>, offering fresh insights into their communication skills. 



Conducted under the guidance of Dr. Wendy Erb from the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the research revealed significant diversity and variability in the long call vocalizations of these apes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bornean-orangutan-communication-nbsp">Bornean orangutan communication&nbsp;</h2>



Known for their intricate social behaviors and vocal abilities, the Bornean orangutans of Southeast Asia have always intrigued scientists.&nbsp;



In this innovative research project, Erb and her colleagues aimed to decode the vocal intricacies of orangutans in order to shed new light on how these fascinating creatures communicate.



“Our research aimed to unravel the complexities of orangutan long calls, which play a crucial role in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orangutan-communication-uses-consonants-like-human-speech/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication</a> across vast distances in the dense rainforests of Indonesia. Over the course of three years, we accumulated hundreds of long call recordings, revealing a fascinating array of vocal diversity,” Erb explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



The experts used a multidimensional approach, blending traditional audio-visual techniques with advanced machine learning tools.&nbsp;



By analyzing the long calls of 13 individual orangutans, the researchers sought to categorize the pulse types within these vocalizations and assess their variations.



“Through a combination of supervised and unsupervised analytical methods, we identified three distinct pulse types that were well differentiated by both humans and machines,” Erb said.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-step-forward-in-understanding-orangutan-communication-nbsp">Step forward in understanding orangutan communication&nbsp;</h2>



“While our study represents a significant step forward in understanding orangutan communication, there is still much to uncover. Orangutans may possess a far greater repertoire of sound types than we have described, highlighting the complexity of their vocal system.”



“This study represents the culmination of months of hard work and collaboration, demonstrating the power of collective effort in advancing our understanding of nature's intricacies. We hope that our findings inspire further exploration of vocal complexity across different species and pave the way for future discoveries in animal communication,” noted Erb.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-the-system">Complexity of the system</h2>



“We found low inter-observer reliability and poor classification accuracy using supervised approaches, indicating that pulse types were not discrete,” noted the study authors.&nbsp;



“We propose a new pulse type classification scheme that is highly reproducible across observers and exhibits high classification accuracy using support vector machines. Although the low number of call types suggests long calls are fairly simple, the continuous gradation of sounds seems to greatly boost the complexity of this system.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-orangutan-communication-nbsp">More about orangutan communication&nbsp;</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-orangutan-treats-his-facial-wound-with-a-healing-plant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orangutan</a> communication involves a variety of vocalizations, gestures, and facial expressions. One of the most distinctive vocalizations is the "long call," used primarily by male orangutans to attract mates and assert dominance, effectively communicating across the dense forests they inhabit.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gestures-and-facial-expressions">Gestures and facial expressions</h3>



Additionally, orangutans use a range of gestures - both subtle and overt - to convey messages. These can be as simple as a pointing gesture to direct the attention of others or as complex as pretending to be hurt to gain sympathy.&nbsp;



Facial expressions are also vital, with different configurations of the eyes, eyebrows, and mouth conveying emotions such as happiness, surprise, or aggression.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mother-orangutans-nbsp">Mother orangutans&nbsp;</h3>



Interestingly, mother orangutans also communicate with their offspring through gentle touches and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orangutans-can-produce-two-different-sounds-simultaneously/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sounds</a>, guiding and teaching them as they grow. This communication is essential for the survival skills the young orangutans need to acquire. 



Communication among orangutans is deeply intertwined with their social structure and environmental interactions, showcasing their intelligence and adaptability.



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



Orangutans are somewhat unique among great apes due to their semi-solitary nature. Unlike the more social chimpanzees and gorillas, adult <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/illicit-hunting-remains-a-major-threat-to-orangutans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orangutans</a> tend to spend a lot of their time alone. However, this doesn't mean they lack social interactions or complex social lives.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-orangutans-nbsp">Female orangutans&nbsp;</h3>



Female orangutans are often accompanied by their young. Mothers are highly nurturing, investing a significant amount of time in their offspring - orangutan infants stay with their mothers for up to eight years, one of the longest dependencies in the animal kingdom.&nbsp;



During this period, mothers teach them essential skills for survival, such as foraging and nest building.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-male-orangutans-nbsp">Male orangutans&nbsp;</h3>



Male orangutans, on the other hand, are more solitary but not completely devoid of social connections. They interact with females for mating purposes and may engage with other males in displays of dominance, especially when it comes to establishing territory.&nbsp;



The interactions among males can range from aggressive confrontations to more passive avoidance.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-group-gatherings">Group gatherings</h3>



Social interactions also occur more frequently during periods of high fruit abundance, when orangutans might temporarily converge in small groups. These gatherings allow for social play among juveniles and social learning opportunities.&nbsp;



Communication during these times is crucial and can be quite sophisticated, involving a variety of vocalizations, gestures, and body language.



While orangutans may not form the tight-knit groups seen in other primate species, their social lives are rich and complex, characterized by deep maternal bonds, occasional social gatherings, and significant interactions that shape their behavior and survival strategies in the wild.



The Cornell study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17320" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeerJ</a>.



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Experts unlock the mysteries of orangutan communication

A recent study led by Cornell University has investigated the...

The global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fishing-communities-cooperate-to-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fishing</a> industry is facing a crisis. Overfishing, climate change, and other environmental stressors are threatening fish populations worldwide, putting our food security and ocean ecosystems at risk. But what if the solution to sustainable fishing lies not in nets and quotas, but in the very DNA of the fish themselves?



A team of researchers at <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M University</a>, led by Dr. Leif Andersson, is pioneering an approach to fisheries management that leverages the power of population genomics. This cutting-edge field involves analyzing the genetic makeup of entire fish populations to gain unprecedented insights into their biology, ecology, and vulnerabilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-blueprint-for-sustainable-fishing">Genetic blueprint for sustainable fishing</h2>



At the core of this innovative method is the reference genome. Scientists sequence the DNA of a fish to create a genetic blueprint that shows each gene's function. This blueprint helps to clarify genetic diversity within and between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fishing-levels-can-destroy-or-save-coral-reef-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> populations which is essential for effective management.



"The first step is to create a reference genome, which shows the function of each gene on each chromosome as completely as possible. Genes are significant because they determine everything from physical features – like scale color – to complex systems – like the immune system," notes Dr. Andersson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-the-movements-of-fish">Mapping the movements of fish</h2>



Once a reference genome is established, scientists examine DNA from various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-fleets-hidden-industrial-fishing-activity-exposed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> populations. They identify genetic variations that show unique adaptations and migration patterns. This data is crucial for understanding connections between fish populations, their spawning locations, and their responses to environmental changes.



"Step two is figuring out where the fish are spawning; you need to know where the population that you want to monitor is reproducing," explains Dr. Andersson. "Once you know that, you have to take samples of fish at the spawning point and sequence their DNA. Then you can compare the population's DNA to the reference genome and see the differences."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-genetic-diversity-via-sustainable-fishing">Preserving genetic diversity via sustainable fishing</h2>



Population genomics offers a unique window into the genetic health of fish populations, allowing scientists to quantify the degree of genetic variation present within a species. This genetic diversity, often referred to as the species' gene pool, is a critical factor in its ability to thrive and adapt to changing environmental conditions.



A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-with-higher-genetic-variation-are-much-more-adaptable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diverse gene pool</a> equips a fish population with a wide array of genetic traits. These traits can include variations in disease resistance, temperature tolerance, growth rates, and reproductive capabilities. When faced with environmental challenges such as rising temperatures, pollution, or the emergence of new diseases, a genetically diverse population is more likely to possess the necessary traits to survive and reproduce.



Conversely, populations with low genetic diversity are inherently vulnerable. With a limited range of genetic variations, they are less equipped to cope with environmental stressors and are more susceptible to diseases. This vulnerability can lead to population declines and, in severe cases, even extinction.



By using population genomics, scientists can pinpoint fish populations with low <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/channel-island-foxes-threatened-by-low-genetic-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic diversity</a>. This identification allows fishery managers to act protectively. They can enforce stricter fishing rules, create marine protected areas, or start breeding programs to boost genetic diversity and protect these vulnerable fish groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tailoring-strategies-for-each-population">Tailoring strategies for each population</h2>



Armed with a wealth of genetic data, fishery managers can develop highly targeted and effective management plans for each distinct fish population. These plans may include measures such as adjusting fishing quotas, establishing marine protected areas, and implementing habitat restoration projects.



Dr. Andersson is optimistic about the potential of population genomics to transform fisheries management. "This kind of analysis would be valuable all over the world," he says. 



"Fish are important to our planet's marine ecosystems, and they're also a healthy source of protein for humans. But many populations of fish depend on regional and seasonal factors that haven't been well-understood until recently."



"We hope that population genomics can become a powerful tool for assessing and maintaining biodiversity, not just for fish, but for many species."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-sustainable-fishing-and-seafood">Future of sustainable fishing and seafood</h2>



Integrating population genomics into fisheries management is not a complete solution, but it marks a major advance in sustainable ocean use. This approach allows for more informed decisions by utilizing genetic information. 



This research highlights the interconnectedness of science, conservation, and industry. As we move towards a more sustainable future, collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and fishing communities will be essential to ensure that the benefits of population genomics are fully realized.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-animal-021122-102933" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annual Review of Animal Biosciences</a>.



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Sustainable fishing gets a boost from genomics roadmap

The global fishing industry is facing a crisis. Overfishing, climate...

A new study led by <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a> has found that the giant hummingbird, previously thought to be a single species across western South America, is actually comprised of two distinct species.



The experts differentiated between the northern and southern populations of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hummingbirds-have-more-colors-than-all-other-birds-combined/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hummingbirds</a>, with the former residing year-round in the high Andes and the latter migrating from sea level up to 14,000 feet during non-breeding months. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-differences-in-giant-hummingbirds-nbsp">Significant differences in giant hummingbirds&nbsp;</h2>



Despite their identical appearances, genetic and behavioral analyses indicate significant differences.



“They’re about eight times the size of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird,” said lead author Jessie Williamson, a postdoctoral fellow at Cornell. “We knew that some giant hummingbirds migrated, but until we sequenced genomes from the two populations, we had never realized just how different they are.”



Senior author Chris Witt, a biologist at the University of New Mexico, highlighted the extent of their difference: “They are as different from each other as chimpanzees are from bonobos. The two species do overlap on their high elevation wintering grounds.”&nbsp;



“It’s mind-boggling that until now nobody figured out the giant hummingbird mystery, yet these two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hummingbird-species-newly-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> have been separate for millions of years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-migratory-paths-of-hummingbirds-nbsp">Tracking the migratory paths of hummingbirds&nbsp;</h2>



The discovery was initially part of a project to trace the migratory paths of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hummingbirds-deal-with-their-need-for-flight-speed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hummingbirds</a>, using geolocators and satellite transmitters to track individual birds. 



Remarkably, the researchers documented one of the longest hummingbird migrations in the world, with birds traveling up to 5,200 miles from the Chilean coast to the Andes of Peru and back.



Speciation appears to have been driven by shifts in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/migratory-behaviors-are-shaped-by-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory behavior</a>, though it is unclear whether this trait was gained or lost. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northern-and-southern-giant-hummingbird-nbsp">Northern and southern giant hummingbird&nbsp;</h2>



Previously, the giant hummingbird was the only recognized species on this branch of the hummingbird family tree, which contrasts sharply with its closest relatives that have diversified into 165 distinct species.



The researchers have proposed naming the two species the northern giant hummingbird and southern giant hummingbird, with the latter retaining the Latin name Patagona gigas and the former newly dubbed Patagona chaski, "chaski" being a Quechua word meaning “messenger.”



The study benefited significantly from the support and local knowledge of communities in Peru and Chile, particularly the village in Peru where co-author Emil Bautista resides. Capturing these birds for study proved to be exceptionally challenging due to their keen awareness and territorial behavior.



Despite these difficulties, both populations of the giant hummingbird are currently stable and are commonly seen within their ranges, sometimes even visiting backyard nectar feeders.&nbsp;



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



Going forward, the team plans to investigate the interactions between these two species, particularly in their shared wintering grounds.



“We have to figure out where these two forms come together and how they interact,” Witt said. “Do they compete, is one dominant over the other, how might they partition resources, and do they mix or spatially segregate within the winter range? Lots of interesting questions to pursue!”



“I’m really interested in how southern giant hummingbirds make such dramatic shifts in elevation during migration. They travel from sea level to the high Andes in just a few weeks. They’re like miniature mountain climbers. How do they change their physiology to facilitate these movements?” Williamson concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-giant-hummingbirds-nbsp">More about giant hummingbirds&nbsp;</h2>



Giant hummingbirds, known scientifically as Patagona gigas, hold the title of the largest member of the hummingbird family. They can reach a length of about 23 centimeters, making them considerably bigger than the more typically sized hummingbirds most are familiar with.&nbsp;



Native to the Andes Mountains, they thrive in environments ranging from semi-desert to mountainous areas in countries like Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wing-beats">Wing beats</h3>



These birds are distinct not only for their size but also for their relatively slow wing beats, especially when compared to their smaller counterparts who are known for their rapid flapping.&nbsp;



Giant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hummingbirds-adjust-their-wings-to-fly-through-very-tiny-spaces/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hummingbirds</a> can beat their wings at a rate of about 12 to 15 times per second, which is leisurely by hummingbird standards. This wing beat allows them to hover effectively, a trait synonymous with hummingbirds, as they feed on nectar from a variety of flowers.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-body-size">Body size</h3>



Their larger body size also impacts their feeding habits. Giant hummingbirds consume more nectar than the average hummingbird to sustain their energy levels.&nbsp;



Moreover, they have adapted to a high-altitude environment, which affects the types of flowers they pollinate and their overall role in the ecosystem.&nbsp;



Despite their size, they maintain the iridescent plumage characteristic of hummingbirds, although their colors might not be as vibrant as some of the more tropical species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-role">Ecological role</h3>



Giant hummingbirds also produce a distinctive, buzzing call that can be heard over long distances, a feature that makes them quite noticeable in their natural habitat. They play a crucial role in their ecosystems, pollinating plants that are adapted to their presence and size.&nbsp;



Like all hummingbirds, they are vital for the health of their native habitats, contributing to the biodiversity that sustains these environments.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2313599121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Giants hummingbirds are not just one, but two species

A new study led by Cornell University has found that...

The recent finding that pasteurized milk in the United States is no longer suspected of harboring the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-bird-flu-outbreak-requires-urgent-coordinated-response/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">H5N1 avian influenza</a> virus has alleviated some public health concerns. However, the persistence of the bird flu virus in the U.S. cattle population is alarming experts who fear that cattle could become a lasting reservoir for the virus. 



This scenario provides the virus with more opportunities to mutate and potentially jump to humans. Research indicates that the virus can be transmitted between birds and cows, suggesting it could disseminate across extensive geographic regions. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-bird-flu-in-cattle">Detecting bird flu in cattle</h2>



Unlike other mammals that succumb to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-flu-is-killing-thousands-of-seals-and-sea-lions-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">virus</a>, most cows carrying the virus do not show severe symptoms or die, making it difficult to detect infected animals without specific testing. 



Additionally, a single cow might carry multiple flu viruses, raising the possibility of these viruses exchanging genetic material and creating new strains more capable of infecting humans.



“Eventually the wrong combination of gene segments and mutations inevitably comes along. Whatever opportunity we may have had to nip it in the bud we lost by a really slow detection,” said Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-escalating-concerns-about-human-transmission-nbsp">Escalating concerns about human transmission&nbsp;</h2>



The virus is not new; different forms of H5N1 have been in circulation since the 1990s, with a particularly lethal variant identified in 1996. While this variant has decimated millions of birds and affected various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-flu-is-killing-thousands-of-seals-and-sea-lions-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammals</a>, cows were not previously recognized as hosts until recently. 



Following the discovery of H5N1 in U.S. cattle on March 25, with 36 herds in 9 states testing positive by May 7, concerns have escalated.



“Every time it gets a new mammalian host species, like cows, there’s more risk of human transmission and reduced human immunity,” said Jessica Leibler, an environmental epidemiologist at <a href="https://www.bu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boston University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effective-mixing-vessels-nbsp">Effective mixing vessels&nbsp;</h2>



Genomic analysis by the <a href="https://www.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a> suggests that the virus transitioned from wild birds to cattle in late 2023. Thus, cows appear to be “effective mixing vessels” where the virus can exchange genetic material with other viruses, significantly enhancing the risk of developing a strain that can efficiently infect humans.



“If you have a virus that’s hopscotching back and forth between cows, humans and birds, that virus is going to have selective pressures to grow efficiently in all those species,” said Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the <a href="https://www.usask.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Saskatchewan</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-will-bird-flu-become-endemic-in-cattle">Will bird flu become endemic in cattle?</h2>



Gregory Gray, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at the <a href="https://www.utexas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas</a>, pointed out the potential for H5N1 to become endemic in cows, a situation complicated by the impracticality of culling infected cattle. 



The constant interaction between humans and these vast numbers of animals makes cattle an extremely concerning reservoir for bird flu.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-airborne-transmission-nbsp">Airborne transmission&nbsp;</h2>



The transmission mechanisms of the virus remain under investigation, with wild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-bird-flu-outbreak-requires-urgent-coordinated-response/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> suspected as a primary vector. Concerns also exist about airborne transmission, which could explain the spread between dairy farms. 



Current regulatory measures include mandatory testing of cows before interstate transport, which helps researchers track the virus's spread but may not halt it. However, given the potential for airborne transmission, vaccinating cattle against H5N1 might become necessary.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-the-risk-to-humans-nbsp">What is the risk to humans?&nbsp;</h2>



Current information on the transmission of the virus between humans is limited. A recent study published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3007.240508%20(2024)" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New England Journal of Medicine</a> on May 3rd confirmed that a dairy worker in Texas was infected, showing only mild symptoms. However, tests have not been conducted on others who live and work with this individual.



Although there have not been many reported deaths or severe cases among humans, suggesting that the virus may not be highly transmissible or lethal, exposure among farm workers may be quite common.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-flu-may-be-undetected-in-other-species">Bird flu may be undetected in other species</h2>



“When you see symptomatic patients, that’s the tip of the iceberg,” Liebler said. She fears that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gentoo-penguins-are-the-latest-victims-of-bird-flu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">virus</a> could remain undetected in various species for an extended period, potentially mutating and setting the stage for a future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-global-failures-to-control-the-covid-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pandemic</a>. “We have an awareness now from the COVID pandemic of how devastating that could be,” she added.



The experts are advocating for public health initiatives to commence testing on workers and their families to ensure any human transmission of the virus is promptly identified. “H5N1 is with us. It’s not a virus that’s going to disappear by any means,” Liebler concluded.



The continued presence of H5N1 in cattle poses significant risks, necessitating urgent and comprehensive measures to understand and mitigate its impact. As Leibler remarked, "H5N1 is with us. It’s not a virus that’s going to disappear by any means."



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Cattle may become a permanent host for bird flu

The recent finding that pasteurized milk in the United States...

In a significant shift, Japan’s Fisheries Agency has proposed the inclusion of fin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-alarming-decline-and-hopeful-recovery-of-fin-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales</a> in its commercial whaling activities - a move that extends beyond the current catch of three smaller whale species. 



This announcement marks another step in the country's contentious journey with whaling, particularly since resuming commercial operations within its exclusive economic zone after exiting the International Whaling Commission in 2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A tradition revisited</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/japan-commercial-whaling/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Commercial whaling</a> resumed after Japan withdrew from international oversight, ending three decades of what was termed "research whaling." This practice was heavily criticized by global conservation communities, condemned as a guise for commercial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-whaling-wiped-two-species-of-whales-in-the-eastern-atlantic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whaling</a>, which had been prohibited since 1988. 



Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized the cultural significance of whaling in Japan. "Whales are an important food resource and we believe they should be sustainably utilized just like any other marine resources, based on scientific evidence. It is also important to carry on Japan's traditional food culture."



The Fisheries Agency is now soliciting public feedback on this proposal until June 5, aiming for approval in the mid-June review meeting. 



According to the agency, extensive stock surveys have indicated a sufficient recovery of the fin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fin-whales-are-finally-rebounding-in-the-antarctic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale population</a> in the North Pacific, supporting the case for their inclusion in commercial whaling quotas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-the-proposal">Implications of the proposal</h2>



Despite the inclusion of fin whales, Japan's agency emphasized that this expansion is not aimed at significantly increasing the supply of whale meat. Additionally, whalers targeting fin whales will not be subject to a specific quota.



For context, the quota for the other three species this year is set at 379, following a year in which only 294 whales were caught. 



This catch is well below the allocated quota and much less than the numbers previously harvested in Antarctic and northwestern Pacific operations under the guise of research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-and-economic-perspectives">Cultural and economic perspectives</h2>



The evolution of Japan's relationship with whale meat has been marked by necessity and cultural shifts. Post-World War II, whale meat was a critical, affordable protein source, with consumption peaking at 233,000 tons in 1962. 



However, as other meats became available, whale meat’s popularity waned, with recent consumption dwindling to approximately 2,000 tons per year. 



Despite this decline, some local voices, like Hideyuki Saito from Saitama, express a desire for a resurgence in popularity. "I want more people to appreciate the taste of whale," said Saito.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Global reactions to fin whale hunting</h2>



Internationally, the practice of whaling, particularly the inclusion of fin whales, remains highly controversial. 



For instance, Shirley Bosworth from Australia opposes whaling, highlighting the need for protection of these majestic creatures, which are often helped back to sea by communities when beached on Australian shores. 



On the innovation front, <a href="https://www.kyodo-senpaku.co.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyodo Senpaku Co.</a>, a leading whaling company, has introduced whale meat vending machines and recently unveiled a new mother ship costing 7.5 billion yen, promising a commitment to sustainable whaling practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The future of fin whale hunting in Japan</h2>



As Japan navigates the complexities of cultural heritage and global conservation efforts, the balance between traditional practices and ecological sustainability continues to be a pivotal challenge. 



The proposal by the Fisheries Agency to include fin whales reflects a nation’s attempt to honor its past while engaging with the present - a conversation that remains as dynamic as the seas from which these debates have sprung.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More about fin whales&nbsp;</h2>



Fin whales are the second-largest species of whale, closely following the blue whale in size. They can reach lengths of up to 85 feet and are known for their incredible speed and agility in the water, earning them the nickname "the greyhound of the sea."&nbsp;



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-whales-contribute-to-carbon-capture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales</a> have a distinctive asymmetrical head coloring, with the right lower jaw being bright white and the left side dark. They are baleen whales, using their fringed plates to filter small fish, squid, and krill from the ocean.&nbsp;



Found throughout the world's oceans, from polar to tropical waters, fin whales prefer deep, offshore environments. Despite their vast range, they are listed as vulnerable due to past whaling practices which drastically reduced their numbers.&nbsp;



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Japan seeks to include fin whales in commercial hunts

In a significant shift, Japan’s Fisheries Agency has proposed the...

Evolution, the cornerstone of biological diversity, has captivated scientists since Charles Darwin's remarkable theory. The intricate mechanisms behind how species change over generations remain a source of intrigue. 



For years, a pressing question has lingered: can the processes driving short-term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-evolution-may-be-the-biggest-roadblock-to-solving-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a> within a species, known as microevolution, shed light on the grander scale of macroevolution, which unfolds over thousands or even millions of generations?



A recent study has provided a resounding answer: yes. The research reveals that a population's ability to adapt rapidly over short periods, termed "evolvability," holds the key to understanding the long-term evolutionary trajectories of species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-evolution-across-time-scales">Species evolution across time scales</h2>



By meticulously compiling and analyzing vast datasets encompassing both living species and fossils, the researchers have made a remarkable discovery. 



The evolvability responsible for microevolutionary changes in various traits, such as beak size, number of offspring, and flower size, can actually predict the degree of divergence observed between populations and species separated by a staggering one million years.



"Darwin suggested that species gradually evolve, but what we found is that even though populations rapidly evolve over the short term, this (short-term) evolution doesn't accumulate over time," explained Christophe Pélabon, a professor at NTNU's <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/biology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Biology</a> and the senior author of the paper. 



"However, how divergent populations and species are, on average, over long periods of time still depends on their ability to evolve on the short term."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolvability-and-species-adaptation">Evolvability and species adaptation</h2>



The researchers' approach involved constructing an extensive database containing evolvability measures for living populations and species, gleaned from publicly available sources. They then plotted evolvability against population and species divergence for a multitude of traits. 



Additionally, the experts delved into fossil records from 150 distinct lineages, where previous researchers had documented changes in morphological traits over periods ranging from a mere 10 years to an impressive 7.6 million years.



The findings were striking: traits exhibiting higher <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-not-as-random-as-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolvability</a> displayed greater divergence among existing populations and species. Moreover, these highly evolvable traits were more prone to differentiation between successive fossil samples. Conversely, traits with limited evolvability or variability remained relatively unchanged between populations and fossil samples.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-fluctuations">Environmental fluctuations</h2>



But what fuels this rapid change in traits with high species evolution? Pélabon attributes it to their enhanced responsiveness to environmental shifts. 



The environment, encompassing factors like temperature, food availability, and other elements vital for survival and reproduction, serves as the driving force behind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-evolution-was-shaped-by-competition-not-just-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary</a> change. Populations strive to adapt to their surroundings, which typically fluctuate from year to year or decade to decade while maintaining stable averages.



Highly evolvable traits react swiftly to these fluctuating selection pressures, resulting in significant variations over time. In contrast, traits with low evolvability also fluctuate, but at a slower pace and with less pronounced changes.



"Populations, or species, that are geographically distant from each other are exposed to environments whose fluctuations are not synchronized," explained Pélabon. "Consequently, these populations will have different trait values, and the size of this difference will depend on the amplitude of the trait's fluctuation, and therefore on the evolvability of the trait."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-biodiversity-in-a-changing-world">Implications for biodiversity in a changing world</h2>



The findings have profound implications, suggesting that environmental conditions have remained relatively stable in the past. However, with the emergence of climate change, our world is rapidly transforming, predominantly in a single direction. 



This dramatic shift could significantly impact patterns of selection and species' ability to adapt to fluctuating environments where the optimal conditions are no longer stable, even over a few decades.



"How much species will be able to track these optima and adapt is uncertain, but most likely this will have consequences for biodiversity, even on a short timescale," noted Pélabon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-species-and-evolution-perspective">New species and evolution perspective</h2>



This study has illuminated a crucial connection between short-term adaptability and long-term species evolution. By unraveling the secrets of evolvability, scientists have gained invaluable insights into the intricate dance between organisms and their ever-changing environments. 



As our planet undergoes unprecedented transformations, understanding the dynamics of evolution becomes increasingly vital for preserving biodiversity and ensuring the survival of countless species.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi8722" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Quick species adaptability shapes long-term evolution

Evolution, the cornerstone of biological diversity, has captivated scientists since...

Recent research has revealed a fascinating phenomenon: bioluminescence is more prevalent among deep-sea shrimp than previously recognized. The study has identified 157 species with the ability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-green-glowing-light/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emit light</a>, expanding our understanding by 65% compared to earlier estimates. 



These shrimp illuminate the ocean depths in various ways - some by ejecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-plankton-glow-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glowing</a> secretions, others through sophisticated organs in their bodies designed specifically for light production, and a few employing both methods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-roles-of-bioluminescence-in-shrimp">The roles of bioluminescence in shrimp</h2>



The purpose behind these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescent-gene-identified-that-makes-sea-pickles-glow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">luminous displays</a> is as varied as the methods themselves. Bioluminescence serves multiple functions, according to Stormie Collins, a Ph.D. student at <a href="https://www.fiu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIU</a>, and her mentor, Professor Heather Bracken-Grissom.



For some shrimp, it's a form of camouflage; for others, a means of defense; and for many, it's a way to communicate in the pitch-black environment of the deep sea.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Adapting to the darkness of the deep sea</h2>



“The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth, comprising over 99% of all habitable space on the planet, of which most is dark, expansive, and structured only by chemical and physical properties of the water column,” wrote the study authors.



“The deep sea begins in waters 200–1000 m in depth, known as the mesopelagic or twilight zone. The twilight zone is an extremely light-limited environment, as downwelling sunlight attenuates rapidly with depth.”



“Waters below 1000 m are referred to as the bathypelagic or midnight zone due to the complete absence of downwelling sunlight. Survival in the deep sea has resulted in the evolution of a suite of morphological features, for example, the ability to produce light through a process called bioluminescence.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-known-range-of-bioluminescence">Expanding the known range of bioluminescence</h2>



The researchers utilized a combination of direct observation during deep-sea expeditions, literature review, and accounts from other studies. 



“We report bioluminescence in 157 species of decapod shrimps spanning 12 families - an increase in bioluminescent decapod species of 65% from a previous review which reported 55 species spanning five families,” noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-source-of-bioluminescence-in-shrimp">Source of bioluminescence in shrimp</h2>



Previously, it was thought that shrimp primarily used luminous secretions for bioluminescence. The new data, however, show a shift towards more species utilizing light organs embedded within their tissue, known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/scary-sea-monsters-that-are-actually-real/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photophores</a>.



“We report photophores in the family Pasiphaeidae based on personal observations of light organs in live specimens, making this the first record of dermal light organs in this family, and increasing the number of representative caridean families with dermal photophores,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



“Previously, luminous secretions were thought to be the most common form of bioluminescence in decapod shrimps. By contrast, we find dermal photophores to be the most common light organ type across decapod species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mystery-and-beauty-of-bioluminescence">The mystery and beauty of bioluminescence</h2>



Despite these advances, much about bioluminescence remains enigmatic, particularly among deep-sea creatures. 



"Bioluminescence is the universal language of light in the deep sea," explained Bracken-Grissom. She emphasized the importance of continued research to unravel how these creatures use light to survive in such an extreme environment. 



Each sea expedition brings to light new and exciting discoveries, enriching our understanding of one of nature's most mysterious phenomena.



Bracken-Grissom and her team are committed to developing innovative research methods to further explore and appreciate the complex beauty of bioluminescent shrimp. 



This commitment not only advances the field of sensory biology but also fosters a deeper appreciation for these creatures beyond their culinary delights.



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



This latest inquiry into the luminous life of deep-sea shrimp illustrates the vast potential and imperative need for ongoing studies in this area. 



The research builds on previous findings and significantly increases the known diversity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescence-emerged-in-animals-540-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioluminescent life forms</a>. The scientists believe there are still more species waiting to be discovered.



"We are learning that bioluminescence is much more common than previously thought, not only within shrimps but across all deep-sea animals," said Collins.



“Future research directions include experimental studies investigating the visual capacity of deep-sea shrimps, phylogenetic studies investigating the evolution of bioluminescence across decapod taxa, and molecular studies investigating extraocular photosensitivity,” concluded the study authors.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/brv.13093" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biological Reviews</a>.



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Bioluminescence is common in deep-sea shrimp

Recent research has revealed a fascinating phenomenon: bioluminescence is more...

The Sonoran Desert <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brazilian-flea-toad-worlds-smallest-vertebrate-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toad</a>, also known as the Colorado River toad, is infamous for its psychedelic venom. While the venom's hallucinogenic properties are well-documented, scientists have recently uncovered a potential new application: a treatment for depression.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toad-venom-for-depression">Toad venom for depression</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-drugs-secreted-from-toad-skin-greatly-improve-cognitive-functioning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Psychedelics</a>, known for their mind-altering properties, have a complex interaction with the brain, particularly with serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter crucial in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite.



Researchers have traditionally focused on the 5-HT2A receptor, which is primarily responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of psychedelics. However, a team led by Dr. Daniel Wacker from the Icahn School of Medicine shifted their attention to the 5-HT1A receptor, a subtype of serotonin receptor also known to play a significant role in mood regulation and anxiety.



To investigate the potential of the 5-HT1A receptor in mood disorders, the team modified a compound found in the venom of the Sonoran Desert toad. This modification allowed the compound to specifically target the 5-HT1A receptor without activating the 5-HT2A receptor responsible for hallucinations.



The modified compound was then administered to mice exhibiting signs of stress and depression. The results were promising, as the mice showed a significant reduction in anxiety and depression-like behaviors. 



Notably, the mice did not experience any hallucinogenic effects, indicating that targeting the 5-HT1A receptor could be a viable strategy for developing new antidepressants without the unwanted side effects associated with psychedelics. 



The treated mice showed more social interaction and favored sweet treats. These behaviors support the idea that the compound improved their mood and well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antidepressant-treatment">Antidepressant treatment</h2>



"Frankly, that’s what we hope to see," said Audrey Warren of <a href="https://www.mountsinai.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mount Sinai</a> Hospital. "It’s our hope that down the line, someone could use the findings of our study to help design novel antidepressants for humans, but that’s certainly a long way out.”



The excitement around a potential antidepressant derived from toad venom is growing. However, more research is needed to assess its effectiveness and safety in humans. Nonetheless, this discovery opens up a new avenue for exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.



Clearly, the toad venom compound may not be available as a depression treatment anytime soon. However, its discovery marks a significant step forward in antidepressant research. It highlights the importance of exploring diverse compounds and their interactions with different brain receptors.



The research on psychedelics is challenging our understanding of mental health and offering new hope for individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. As scientists continue to delve into the intricacies of the brain, we can anticipate more innovative and effective treatments on the horizon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychedelics-a-paradigm-shift-in-mental-health">Psychedelics: A paradigm shift in mental health</h2>



The landscape of mental health treatment is undergoing a significant shift with the increasing interest in and research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain types of mushrooms, has emerged as a promising candidate for treating various mental health conditions, particularly treatment-resistant depression.



Clinical trials and studies have shown that psilocybin, when administered in a controlled therapeutic setting, can induce profound psychological experiences that may lead to lasting reductions in depressive symptoms. 



The ability of psilocybin to facilitate emotional breakthroughs, promote self-reflection, and alter ingrained thought patterns has made it a potential game-changer for individuals who haven't responded to conventional antidepressant medications or therapies.



The increasing evidence supporting psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA's effectiveness is challenging traditional views on mental health treatment. These substances show potential to treat conditions resistant to current treatments, driving research and clinical exploration. This wave could revolutionize psychiatry and offer hope to millions worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caution-in-using-toad-venom-for-depression">Caution in using toad venom for depression</h2>



While the potential of psychedelics is undeniable, it's crucial to approach their use with caution. These substances should only be used under the guidance of medical professionals and in controlled settings. More research is needed to fully understand their long-term effects and potential risks.



The Sonoran Desert <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-toad-species-madagascar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toad</a>'s psychedelic venom may seem like an unlikely source for a groundbreaking antidepressant. However, this unexpected discovery underscores the importance of scientific curiosity and exploration. As we continue to unlock the secrets of nature, we may find that the most potent medicines are hidden in the most unexpected places.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01296-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>. 



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Psychedelic toad venom has potential to treat depression

The Sonoran Desert toad, also known as the Colorado River...

Malaria remains a devastating problem in Africa. It is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. In the fight against this climate-sensitive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-infectious-disease-landscape-is-changing-and-we-must-prepare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vector-borne disease</a>, experts have developed a novel model that could revolutionize how we predict and respond to malaria transmission. 



The research incorporates comprehensive climatic and hydrological models, marking a significant advancement over traditional methods which primarily relied on rainfall totals to gauge potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-borne-diseases-are-a-growing-threat-in-a-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosquito breeding</a> sites.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predictive-model-for-malaria">Predictive model for malaria</h2>



Traditionally, predicting malaria transmission involved estimating surface water presence from rainfall data. This method does not account for the complex behaviors of water, such as evaporation and river flow. 



However, the new study utilizes a variety of models to create a more detailed understanding of where conditions are ripe for malaria. 



"Changes in climate shift the geographic locations that are suitable for malaria transmission because of the thermal constraints on vector&nbsp;Anopheles&nbsp;mosquitos and&nbsp;Plasmodium&nbsp;spp. malaria parasites and the lack of availability of surface water for vector breeding," wrote the study authors. 



"Previous Africa-wide assessments have tended to solely represent surface water using precipitation, ignoring many important hydrological processes." 



"Here, we applied a validated and weighted ensemble of global hydrological and climate models to estimate present and future areas of hydroclimatic suitability for malaria transmission."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environments-that-foster-malaria">Environments that foster malaria </h2>



By factoring in real-world processes, the researchers have painted a clearer picture of the environments that foster malaria across the African continent.



For instance, the role of significant waterways like the Zambezi River has been brought to light, revealing that almost four times as many people live in high-risk malaria zones for up to nine months a year than previously estimated. 



This nuanced understanding of water dynamics and their effect on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-malaria-colder-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">malaria transmission</a> is a pivotal component of the study.



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



Dr. Mark Smith, an associate professor in Water Research at the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a> and the lead author of the study, emphasized the practical applications of these insights. 



"This will give us a more physically realistic estimate of where in Africa is going to become better or worse for malaria," explained Dr. Smith. 



With more precise data on water flows, interventions can be better prioritized and tailored - an invaluable advantage given the often limited health resources.



The study projects a net decrease in regions suitable for malaria transmission starting from 2025 due to hotter and drier conditions brought about by climate change. Consequently, this shift presents both challenges and opportunities for public health strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ripple-effects">The ripple effects</h2>



The research has implications beyond malaria prevention. The team also explored how fluctuations in water availability could influence other significant health risks, such as dengue fever.



Professors Chris Thomas and Simon Gosling, contributors to the study, highlighted the enhanced capabilities of their models to track water movements beyond initial rainfall areas. This helps identify extended breeding grounds for malaria-carrying mosquitoes along significant river floodplains.



Professor Gosling highlighted the complex interplay of surface water flows and malaria risk, enhanced by a major global hydrological modeling initiative. 



"Although an overall reduction in future risk of malaria might sound like good news, it comes at a cost of reduced water availability and a greater risk of another significant disease, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-may-slow-the-spread-of-dengue-fever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dengue</a>," said Professor Gosling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-malaria-modeling">The future of malaria modeling</h2>



The researchers are optimistic about the potential for even more refined models that could detail specific water body dynamics, aiding national malaria control strategies. 



Dr. Smith shared his enthusiasm for future advancements. "We're getting to the point soon where we use globally available data to not only say where the possible habitats are but also which species of mosquitoes are likely to breed where, and that would allow people to really target their interventions against these insects."



This study represents a significant leap forward in our understanding of how environmental factors influence malaria transmission in Africa. 



By integrating sophisticated hydrological data, the researchers are paving the way for more effective and targeted malaria interventions, promising a new era of disease control on the continent.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk8755" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Revolutionary model predicts malaria trends in Africa

Malaria remains a devastating problem in Africa. It is responsible...

<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.

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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.

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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...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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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

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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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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