In the natural world, family often defines survival strategies. Across species, cooperation among relatives has evolved into a powerful tool to ensure success in challenging environments. Yet few creatures embody this principle so intricately as the long-tailed tit.



Found flitting through British gardens, these small birds reveal extraordinary loyalty to their kin. Far from fleeting connections, long-tailed tits show unwavering commitment to family, even during the upheaval of migration. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooperation-in-animal-societies">Cooperation in animal societies</h2>



Recent research from the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sheffield</a> brings the hidden social lives of long-tailed tits into sharp focus, offering new insights into how cooperation shapes animal societies.



Decades of careful observation and rigorous analysis culminated in a study that redefines what we know about the evolution of social behaviors. 



Through the lives of these tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-adapt-their-survival-strategies-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>, we glimpse powerful lessons about kinship, resilience, and the surprising complexity of animal communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-tailed-tits-stay-loyal-to-family">Long-tailed tits stay loyal to family</h2>



The study, published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, draws on an extraordinary 30-year dataset. It confirms that long-tailed tits retain strong family bonds throughout migratory movements - a phenomenon never before documented so consistently in cooperative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/big-brains-and-wide-ranges-cant-save-birds-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>.



Long-tailed tits migrate not as isolated individuals but as tightly knit family units. This behavior ensures that when they arrive at new locations, they are surrounded by familiar, trusted kin ready to support each other.



"This 30-year study is unique in its depth and has allowed us to understand the evolution of cooperation in a way that would not have been possible otherwise. The discovery of family ties persisting through migration is particularly exciting," noted Dr. Jennifer Morinay, co-lead author of the research.



"These tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> essentially travel with their support network, ensuring that when they reach their new location, they have their kin ready to assist. It highlights the profound importance of family in their social structure."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-groups-survive-together">Family groups survive together</h2>



The research identifies several intertwined processes that create and sustain these family structures. Limited natal dispersal ensures many young birds settle close to their birthplace. Even when they do move, long-tailed tits often migrate alongside their siblings, keeping family bonds intact across vast distances.



At the same time, environmental pressures, particularly high predation rates, play a significant role. Frequent nest failures result in clusters of surviving families, making the presence of close kin nearby more likely. Together, these ecological and demographic factors form what scientists term "kin neighborhoods."



Incredibly, even migratory long-tailed tits, such as those studied in Estonia, preserve these ties during long journeys. Studies found that 82% of migratory flocks included at least one first-order relative. These findings challenge longstanding assumptions that migration disrupts social cohesion among birds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-roots-of-helping-behavior">Evolutionary roots of helping behavior</h2>



Long-tailed tits do not only stick close to their families; they actively help them. When breeding attempts fail, many individuals redirect their efforts to assist <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-birds-are-at-great-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">relatives</a> raising broods. This redirected helping strengthens the survival chances of their kin’s offspring, ultimately boosting their own inclusive fitness.



"The push and pull between cooperation and competition is something we readily recognize in our own lives. This study demonstrates that these same fundamental tensions are at play in the social dynamics of long-tailed tits and likely many other species," noted Professor Ben Hatchwell, co-lead author of the study.



"Our long-term research provides significant insights into the ecological and social conditions that favour cooperative behaviour and the evolutionary forces that sculpt these intricate social interactions."



Helping decisions are not random acts of kindness. They are influenced by various factors including the bird’s own breeding success, its relatedness to nearby individuals, and the strength of prior social bonds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mistakes-in-kin-recognition">Mistakes in kin recognition</h2>



Despite their strong social instincts, long-tailed tits sometimes help unrelated individuals. 



About 30% of helpers were found assisting nests of non-kin. Scientists believe this stems from errors in kin recognition rather than a deliberate choice.



The birds rely heavily on learned acoustic cues to identify relatives. Calls learned during the nestling stage help them recognize kin, but these vocal cues are not always completely reliable. Studies show overlap in call similarities between kin and non-kin, leading to occasional misdirected care.



Efforts are ongoing to determine whether other cues, such as olfactory signals, also influence how long-tailed tits recognize their family and make crucial helping decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environment-shapes-cooperation">Environment shapes cooperation</h2>



The study also shows how environmental pressures influence the rates of cooperation. Moderate levels of nest predation foster the highest levels of helping behaviour. 



If predation is too low, there are fewer failed breeders needing alternative strategies. If too high, there are simply fewer successful nests available to help.



Shorter breeding seasons similarly encourage cooperation. With less time to attempt new broods after failure, many birds abandon independent breeding and instead opt to help their kin.



Interestingly, overall population density did not seem to impact cooperation rates, suggesting that the quality of family connections matters more than simple numbers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choosing-where-to-live">Choosing where to live</h2>



Where a bird chooses to settle has long-term fitness consequences. Males who stay close to their natal territory accrue higher indirect fitness by helping relatives. Conversely, males who disperse far have fewer opportunities to help and lower overall inclusive fitness.



Females experience a different dynamic. Those who disperse farther tend to achieve slightly better direct reproductive success, likely because dispersal reduces inbreeding risks.



These differing pressures create a fascinating tug-of-war, shaping dispersal behaviours across generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-ties-of-long-tailed-tits">Family ties of long-tailed tits </h2>



Perhaps the most striking revelation is that migration, once believed to hinder the evolution of cooperation, does not necessarily break social bonds. Long-tailed tits maintain their family ties even after traveling hundreds of kilometres.



This finding challenges traditional theories and highlights the incredible flexibility of social strategies in the natural world. Stable territorial groups are not the only route to successful cooperation. 



Dynamic, migratory species can also evolve and sustain sophisticated social systems based on family loyalty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-long-tailed-tits-recognize-family">How do long-tailed tits recognize family?</h2>



Looking ahead, the researchers aim to untangle the specific mechanisms that allow long-tailed tits to recognize and remember their kin.



Current efforts focus on understanding the role of calls, scents, and social associations built during early life stages. Scientists are investigating whether maintaining winter flock associations with relatives influences recognition in later breeding seasons.



These studies promise to deepen our understanding of how cooperation, kinship, and social cognition evolve across species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-birds-with-mighty-hearts">Tiny birds with mighty hearts</h2>



Through the lives of long-tailed tits, we see how powerful, enduring, and flexible family bonds can be, even in a world full of risks and change.



The study from Sheffield shows that nature’s loyalty is not reserved for mammals or large social species alone. In every tiny flutter of a long-tailed tit’s wing, there lies a rich story of kinship, survival, and the enduring power of cooperation.



The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.14237" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Animal Ecology</a>. 



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Long-tailed tits migrate in family units and maintain lasting bonds

In the natural world, family often defines survival strategies. Across species, cooperation among relatives has evolved into a powerful tool to ensure success in challenging environments. Yet few creatures embody this principle so intricately as the long-tailed tit. Found flitting through British gardens, these small birds reveal extraordinary loyalty to their kin. Far from fleeting connections, long-tailed tits show unwavering commitment to family, even during the upheaval of migration. Cooperation in animal societies Recent research from the University of Sheffield brings the hidden social lives of long-tailed...

Mice sometimes surprise researchers in the lab. When a young mouse spots another lying still, it may paw at its comatose friend, chew on its snout, or even yank its limp tongue aside.



<a href="https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/li-zhang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Li Zhang</a> at the University of Southern California and his colleagues have been looking into these interactions. 



They captured <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq2677" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">footage</a> of lab mice confronting a familiar cage mate that had been anesthetized and was unresponsive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rescue-behavior-in-mice">Rescue behavior in mice</h2>



“They start with sniffing, and then grooming, and then with a very intensive or physical interaction,” related Li Zhang.



Scientists observed grooming and mouth-focused nibbling. Some mice targeted the unmoving partner’s mouth area, pulling its tongue out in an attempt to clear the airway. 



These same actions occasionally turned up in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deer-mice-shed-light-on-adaptive-evolution/">mice</a> that were interacting with companions that had passed away.



Researchers noticed how these stereotypical gestures tapered off once the still mouse revived and regained motion. 



They also found that a mouse gave more attention to an unresponsive peer that was recognizable than to one that was a stranger. 



This distinction suggests that familiarity plays a role in prompting these rescue-like behaviors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insight-from-other-animals">Insight from other animals</h2>



Large mammals such as chimpanzees, dolphins, and elephants have been recorded aiding group members that are in trouble. 



Some dolphins have guided a distressed pod mate to the surface so it could breathe, which has long intrigued scientists who study social behaviors in marine animals. 



Elephants have also been known to support injured relatives. These examples suggest that lending a helping hand isn’t always limited to humans.



Rodents, however, can be trickier to monitor in the wild. Mice prefer concealed spaces and often scatter at the slightest hint of danger. That makes it challenging to film them tending to an ailing group member outside the lab.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-oxytocin-in-rescue-behavior">Role of oxytocin in rescue behavior</h2>



These rescue-like gestures appear linked to the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-is-crucial-beyond-its-role-as-the-love-hormone/">oxytocin</a>, a hormone that influences bonding in many species. The new study detected active oxytocin-releasing neurons in the amygdala and hypothalamus. 



These brain regions, known to handle emotion and social behavior, lit up when mice recognized a cage mate in distress. 



“If we extended the observation window, maybe the success rate could be even higher,” said team member <a href="https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/huizhong-tao/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huizhong Tao</a>, also from USC.



Additional evidence showed that turning off these neuron signals or blocking their ability to dispatch oxytocin reduced the mice’s apparent attempts to help. 



Activating the same neurons produced more grooming and nibbling.



The link between this hormone and nurturing conduct has come up in past research, supporting the view that many mammals share some wiring for caring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-for-group-survival">Importance for group survival</h2>



Scientists think these behaviors might help keep social groups together and improve survival. Young <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mice-pass-the-mirror-test-does-that-mean-they-are-self-aware/">mice</a> that responded to a motionless mate saw that partner bounce back to normal sooner than those left alone. 



That small difference might affect how groups function in their natural habitats, where every second can be a matter of life or death.



Some researchers say caution is needed when drawing big conclusions. Animals often do things that look human-like, but motives can be complicated. 



Still, these lab findings give hints that even small creatures might care more about their companions than we once believed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-picture">Bigger picture</h2>



Many animals rely on social bonds for carrying out different activities, from defense to nurturing infants. 



This study raises the possibility that more species have built-in behaviors that benefit the whole community. 



Researchers suspect that similar patterns might exist in other species but remain unnoticed because of how tough it is to observe these moments in the wild.



Oxytocin is a hormone found in many vertebrate species and the researchers suggest that it could underpin an innate emergency response to assist an unresponsive group member. 



This revival behavior may thus be widely present, particularly among social animals.



The discovery that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-mice-turn-to-female-mice-to-avoid-fights-keep-social-peace/">mice act as tiny caregivers</a> prompts new questions. Scientists plan to test if there are variations among different strains of mice. 



Some want to see if environmental factors, such as stress or crowding, affect how likely mice are to step up for a comatose mate.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq2677" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Mice offer first aid to unconscious companions

Mice sometimes surprise researchers in the lab. When a young...

The world's appetite for seafood is growing, and the industry is racing to keep up. 



A new study suggests that farming seafood from the ocean - known as mariculture - could be expanded to feed more people while reducing harm to marine biodiversity at the same time. However, success depends on careful planning.



The researchers found that the locations and ways in which mariculture is expanded will determine whether it helps or harms the environment.



The findings, published in the journal Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution, highlight both the risks and opportunities of growing this industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-of-sustainable-mariculture">The science of sustainable mariculture</h2>



The study was led by Deqiang Ma, who conducted the research as a postdoctoral scholar at the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a>.



“We can achieve this sustainable mariculture development,” said Ma. "With strategic planning, we can achieve the goal of conserving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-news-ocean-oxygen-loss-may-ultimately-reverse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a> while meeting the global demand for the expansion of mariculture.”



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mariculture-is-highly-sustainable-and-climate-friendly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mariculture</a> is a type of aquaculture focused on farming saltwater seafood, such as fish and shellfish. In 2020, it contributed about 20% of the seafood consumed globally, providing a critical source of protein for billions of people.



As the demand for seafood production increases, mariculture is expanding rapidly. To understand its impact, Ma and an international team of researchers developed a model to analyze the potential effects of mariculture growth on over 20,000 marine species.



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



The team’s model created a baseline for mariculture’s current impact and simulated how it could change by 2050 under different scenarios. 



The researchers also factored in two climate change models - RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 - which assume varying levels of warming and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a>.



In the best-case scenario, where new farms are built in areas with the least environmental impact, seafood production could soar.



“Bivalve production could increase by 2.36-fold and finfish could increase by 1.82-fold compared to current production - projections of what is needed to meet global demand - but the global mariculture impacts would decrease by up to 30.5% under the best-case scenario,” Ma said.



However, the worst-case scenario painted a starkly different picture. If new farms are built in the most ecologically sensitive areas, the damage to marine biodiversity could be more than four times worse than if farms were placed randomly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-importance-of-smart-expansion">The importance of smart expansion</h2>



This study highlights the need for thoughtful planning, said senior study author Neil Carter, an associate professor at the University of Michigan.



“It is critically important to leverage the growing insights across disciplines, whether it’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clear-and-dynamic-visuals-are-important-when-presenting-climate-change-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change science</a> or economics or marine production,” Carter said. “All these different facets had to come together from other sources in order to make these forecasts.”



The research team included experts from the University of Washington, the University of Freiburg in Germany, Hokkaido University in Japan, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. 



Their collaborative effort highlights the complexity of mariculture expansion and the need for coordinated decision-making.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-seafood-farming">Expanding seafood farming</h2>



Large-scale studies like this come with challenges, noted co-author Benjamin Halpern, a professor at UCSB. “But I’ve done this kind of work a lot in my career, and the payoffs can be enormous."



“The cross-disciplinary nature of the questions that can be addressed and the ability to look at them for every patch of ocean in the world makes the research much more relevant and impactful to society and the scientific community.”



The researchers emphasize that this study is just the beginning. More data and refined models will be needed to fine-tune sustainable mariculture strategies for the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-approach-varies-by-region">Best approach varies by region</h2>



One key takeaway is that there is no universal solution. The best approach varies by region. What works in the South Pacific may not be ideal for coastal Europe.



Additionally, even the best-case scenario has trade-offs. In all scenarios examined, mariculture expansion negatively impacted some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-mammals-in-the-us-are-highly-vulnerable-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine mammals</a>, such as whales, seals, and sea lions. 



Understanding these trade-offs is essential for policymakers who must balance food security with conservation goals.



“With these insights, we can see that it’s not a foregone conclusion that the expansion of an industry is always going to have a proportionally negative impact on the environment,” Carter said. 



“So the next part of this is getting policymakers and communities to interact with each other to figure out how we can actually implement some of these ideas to reduce those impacts and to prioritize marine biodiversity.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02650-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Boosting seafood production while protecting biodiversity

The world's appetite for seafood is growing, and the industry...

Birds have long been symbols of freedom and resilience, soaring through the skies and thriving in diverse environments. From the icy tundras to tropical rainforests, birds have developed survival strategies that allow them to endure the challenges of their surroundings. 



Some species live at a rapid pace, reproducing as quickly as possible before their short lives end. Others take a slower approach, prioritizing longevity over frequent reproduction. 



These strategies have evolved over millions of years, but the accelerating impacts of climate change could alter the balance.



A recent study led by Michigan State University (<a href="https://msu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MSU</a>) scientists explores how environmental conditions shape bird behavior. By analyzing nearly 7,500 non-migratory species, the researchers uncovered patterns that link climate variability to survival choices.



The study raises important questions about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> will navigate a future defined by rising global temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-use-strategies-based-on-climate">Birds use strategies based on climate</h2>



Every bird species faces unique challenges depending on where it lives. In regions with extreme seasonal fluctuations, birds must act fast to ensure their lineage continues. 



These species, including finches and cardinals, reproduce quickly, placing more energy into raising offspring than into their own long-term survival. Their strategy relies on numbers - if enough young birds make it to adulthood, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-flightless-birds-are-more-intelligent-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> persists despite high mortality rates.



On the other hand, birds that inhabit areas with gradual, long-term climate variations tend to play a different game. These species, such as the sulfur-crested cockatoo, prioritize endurance. 



They live longer, often skipping breeding during harsh years, knowing they will have opportunities to reproduce when conditions improve. This approach allows them to hedge their bets, ensuring that their offspring have a better chance of survival.



Study lead author Casey Youngflesh is a former postdoctoral researcher in MSU’s Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program.



“A lot of factors drive key components of life history,” said Youngflesh. “We wanted to synthesize these global data resources to see what environmental factors shape biodiversity.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-analysis-of-bird-survival">Global analysis of bird survival</h2>



To understand these patterns, the research team compiled a vast dataset of bird species from across the world. This effort represents one of the most comprehensive studies of resident <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-extinctions-shatter-the-harmonious-balance-of-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>, offering insights into how they respond to different environmental conditions. 



By examining temperature variability across both short and long timescales, the researchers could determine which birds were more likely to take risks and which played the long game.



Birds in highly unpredictable climates, where temperatures shift dramatically within a single year, tend to invest in reproduction as soon as possible. 



They cannot afford to wait for better conditions because the future remains uncertain. These birds live by a philosophy of seizing the moment, ensuring their genetic legacy continues despite the risks.



Conversely, birds facing climate changes that unfold over decades or centuries adapt in a more measured way. They rely on longevity as their advantage, opting to survive tough periods rather than gamble on uncertain reproduction. 



This trade-off highlights the diversity of evolutionary strategies in response to environmental challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-pace-of-climate-change">Alarming pace of climate change </h2>



Although long-lived birds can withstand bad years by delaying reproduction, they also face a significant drawback. Their ability to adapt is slower than that of short-lived <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earliest-modern-bird-lived-in-antarctica-69-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>. 



Climate change is happening at an unprecedented pace, raising concerns about whether these survival strategies of birds will remain effective.



“If you only live a couple years, one bad year isn’t a big problem,” Youngflesh said. “But if you have two or more bad years in a row, you are in trouble. In variable, unpredictable environments, it may pay to live a long time.”



If extreme weather events become more frequent and erratic, even birds with historically successful strategies may struggle to keep up. The question remains: will evolution be fast enough to match the speed of environmental change?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patterns-across-ecosystems">Patterns across ecosystems</h2>



The study’s findings extend beyond any single region, revealing broad trends across different ecosystems. 



Birds in boreal forests, grasslands, and tropical jungles all show similar responses to climate variability. Whether in dense forests or open plains, the balance between risk-taking and patience plays a crucial role in shaping survival.



Phoebe Zarnetske of the director of the Institute for Biodiversity, Ecology, Evolution, &amp; Macrosystems (<a href="http://Institute for Biodiversity, Ecology, Evolution, &amp; Macrosystems (IBEEM)" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IBEEM</a>) at MSU. She emphasized the importance of these global patterns.



“This study provides important insights about the roles that climate change and variability have in shaping the patterns of life on Earth,” said Zarnetske, noting it was a prime mission behind IBEEM’s funding of the study.



“Importantly, an interdisciplinary approach - combining insights from ecology and climate science - was key to uncovering how organisms respond to climate variability.”



The research raises new questions about how different bird populations will survive in the future. If some species struggle to adapt, their ecosystems could undergo significant shifts, altering food webs and interactions among species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-extreme-weather-events">Role of extreme weather events</h2>



Interestingly, the study revealed that precipitation did not play a major role in determining birds’ survival strategies. However, co-author and climate scientist Lala Kounta pointed out that more extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and droughts, could add new pressures that researchers need to explore further.



“You have to understand these foundational theories before you can predict how things are going to change,” said IBEEM data scientist Kelly Kaspar. 



“Seeing through all the noise and finding patterns is critical, and this has been a rare opportunity to work with different disciplines – I’m in fisheries and wildlife, others are in integrated biology, geography, climate studies. There’s a lot of different expertise here.”



By integrating data from various fields, researchers can gain a clearer picture of how climate affects biodiversity on a global scale.



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



The study sheds light on the intricate relationship between climate change and bird survival <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitat-and-evolution-shape-the-unique-sounds-of-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategies</a>. While some species may adapt quickly, others could face significant challenges as their traditional behaviors become less effective. 



Scientists continue to explore these patterns, hoping to predict which species will thrive and which may struggle to keep pace with rapid environmental shifts.



Birds have adapted to changing conditions for millions of years, but the coming decades will test their resilience like never before. As climate change accelerates, their ability to make strategic decisions will determine their fate in an unpredictable world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ele.70077" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology Letters</a>.



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Birds adapt their survival strategies to climate change

Birds have long been symbols of freedom and resilience, soaring...

The Arctic’s frozen expanse is home to one of nature’s most awe-inspiring creatures - the polar bear. For thousands of years, these formidable hunters have roamed the ice, perfectly adapted to their brutal environment.



But today? Survival has never been harder for polar bears. Climate change, melting ice, and human activity threaten their very <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-suffering-from-an-energy-deficit-due-to-lack-of-food-access/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">existence</a>.



Each year on February 27, International Polar Bear Day serves as a wake-up call. Founded by Polar Bears International in 2011, this day isn’t just about admiration - it’s about action. 



The timing of Polar Bear Day isn’t random. It aligns with a crucial period when mother bears and their newborn cubs rest in dens, preparing for their first steps into a world that’s changing too fast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-harsh-start-to-life">A harsh start to life</h2>



Deep beneath the Arctic snow, polar bear mothers curl around their newborn cubs, shielding them from the cold. Cubs arrive helpless - blind, tiny, barely weighing a pound. Their survival depends entirely on the warmth and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-doesnt-stick-to-polar-bear-fur-but-why/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safety</a> of the den.



Spring brings their first test. Emerging into the Arctic, they face an environment shifting under their paws. 



Rising temperatures, erratic weather, and encroaching human activity make survival even more precarious. Many of the safe denning sites of the past no longer exist.



“Keeping moms and cubs safe while also addressing climate change is a critical part of our work on behalf of polar bears - and your support can make a real difference,” noted officials from <a href="https://polarbearsinternational.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Polar Bears International</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-polar-bear-habitats">Protecting polar bear habitats</h2>



Scientists and conservationists race to safeguard these bears, but challenges mount. Research is vital - tracking den locations, monitoring bear movements, and identifying emerging threats. 



One of the most pressing concerns is industrial expansion. Oil and gas operations, road construction, and increased shipping traffic disrupt denning mothers.



 The consequences may be devastating. If disturbed too soon, a mother may abandon her cubs - leaving them to perish.



And here’s the shocking part: current industry surveys fail to detect more than half of active dens. That means countless mothers and cubs remain at risk.



New technology offers hope. Researchers are testing advanced thermal imaging and AI-driven mapping to pinpoint hidden dens with greater accuracy. If successful, these innovations could protect critical habitats before it’s too late.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-international-polar-bear-day-matters">Why International Polar Bear Day matters</h2>



International Polar Bear Day isn’t just another “awareness day.” It’s a demand for change. Today is about supporting research, pushing for stronger environmental policies, and educating people about the harsh reality of climate change.



Polar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-struggling-to-survive-longer-summers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bears</a> have walked a thin line between survival and extinction before. Scientists believe they evolved around 150,000 years ago, perfectly adapted to their icy world. But humans nearly wiped them out.



For millennia, Indigenous Arctic communities coexisted with polar bears, hunting them sustainably. That balance was shattered in the 1700s when European, Russian, and North American hunters arrived. Unchecked slaughter pushed the species toward collapse.



By the mid-20th century, another enemy emerged: fossil fuel-driven climate change. Despite repeated warnings, industrial expansion continued unchecked. The ice melted, and the Arctic landscape transformed.



In 1973, a turning point arrived - the United States, Denmark, Norway, and the former USSR signed the International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears. The treaty banned commercial hunting and marked the first step toward protecting these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bear-conservation-leaps-forward-with-new-tracking-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>. But was it enough?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-science-tells-us-now">What science tells us now</h2>



Decades of research have deepened our understanding of polar bears. Long-term studies in Alaska and Svalbard reveal alarming trends - rising cub mortality rates, shrinking sea ice, and increased human-wildlife conflict.



One study looked at how mothers respond to disturbances. The results? Even minor disruptions can cause a denning mother to flee, dooming her cubs. 



Another investigation exposed the failure of oil industry surveys to locate active dens, raising concerns about drilling projects in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-part-of-a-bigger-fight">Part of a bigger fight </h2>



There’s still time to make a difference. If we reduce carbon emissions now, sea ice can regenerate, giving polar bears a chance to recover and thrive in their natural habitat.



Polar bears aren’t just symbols of the Arctic. They are keystone predators, essential to the region’s delicate balance. 



Their disappearance would ripple through the ecosystem, impacting other species and Indigenous communities who have lived alongside them for generations.



But let’s be real - this isn’t just an Arctic problem. The loss of sea ice accelerates global warming. Less ice means less sunlight reflected away from Earth, which raises temperatures worldwide. Rising seas threaten coastal cities.



Unstable weather patterns disrupt food supplies. Protecting polar bears is part of a much bigger fight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-action-on-polar-bear-day">Take action on Polar Bear Day</h2>



International Polar Bear Day isn’t about feeling helpless - it’s about action. Raising awareness is a powerful first step. Conversations spark change, and education fuels advocacy. Sharing information keeps the urgency alive.



Supporting conservation efforts strengthens long-term solutions. Donations help fund critical research and protection programs. Every contribution - big or small - plays a role in safeguarding these animals.



Reducing carbon footprints is another way to make a difference. Adjusting thermostats, choosing energy-efficient appliances, and driving less all contribute to lower emissions.



Advocacy remains crucial. Understanding environmental policies and demanding accountability from leaders can help to ensure that conservation stays a priority. Public support influences stronger legislation to protect Arctic wildlife and combat climate change.



The Arctic is changing fast, but there’s still hope. Through science, conservation, and global collaboration, we can make a difference. 



For millennia, polar bears have thrived in one of the harshest environments on Earth, adapting to extreme conditions. But this challenge is beyond adaptation - they can’t face it alone. Their future hinges on the choices we make now.



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International Polar Bear Day: Keeping moms and cubs safe

The Arctic’s frozen expanse is home to one of nature’s...

Animal emotions can be difficult to decipher, but advances in technology may bring them into clearer focus. A new machine-learning model suggests it can distinguish between positive and negative emotional states in various animals.



These findings could change how we handle livestock and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-and-possibly-even-insects-have-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>. After meticulously analyzing distinct calls from cows, pigs, and other relatives, the team realized that certain acoustic signals indicate mood shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-voice-patterns-and-animal-emotions">Voice patterns and animal emotions</h2>



A research team led by Professor Élodie F. Briefer at the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> introduced artificial intelligence to a large library of farm-animal sounds, hoping to identify subtle clues that reveal emotional states.



Machine learning is a computational approach that learns from examples. In this project, the technology compared audio features like pitch and loudness across different calls.



Trained on thousands of recordings, the system recognized which sounds relate to pleasant or unpleasant experiences. The technology reached 89.49% accuracy in discerning the emotional expressions of seven ungulate species.



These animals produce vocal cues that sometimes share evolutionary roots. Researchers suggest that certain voice patterns have remained stable over time, shedding light on how communicative signals might develop across related creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-ai-distinguishes-animal-emotions">How AI distinguishes animal emotions</h2>



The researchers noticed that vocal changes often accompany shifting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chick-emotions-shed-new-light-on-animal-welfare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional conditions</a>. They found that duration, pitch range, and energy distribution were particularly telling.



For example, a short call might hint at excitement, while a slower call might reflect unease. This approach could help veterinarians and caretakers catch early warning signs of stress.



“This breakthrough provides solid evidence that AI can decode emotions across multiple species based on vocal patterns. It has the potential to revolutionise animal welfare, livestock management, and conservation, allowing us to monitor animals’ emotions in real time,” said Briefer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-identifying-animal-emotions">Benefits of identifying animal emotions</h2>



Farm operators face recurring health and behavioral problems in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-emotions-evoke-different-responses-in-dogs-and-pigs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herds</a>. They may observe restlessness, poor feeding, or other signals that something is wrong.



“Understanding how animals express emotions can help us improve their well-being. If we can detect stress or discomfort early, we can intervene before it escalates,” said Briefer.



The new system could streamline daily observations. Advanced software might track changes automatically and alert staff when animals require a closer look.



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



Some studies link emotional sounds in other mammals to evolutionary communication patterns. Darwin once discussed how shared traits might hint at common expressions of fear or pleasure in various creatures.



Finding parallels across different calls could offer insights into the building blocks of human language. It might illustrate how emotional intonation became a key ingredient in social bonding.



Investigators view this data as a starting point for ongoing research on animal emotions. It could spark fresh perspectives on how animals form social bonds or defend territories.



“We want this to be a resource for other scientists. By making the data open access, we hope to accelerate research into how AI can help us better understand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-animal-rights-day-2024-honoring-animals-with-justice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> and improve their welfare,” concluded Briefer.



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



These findings rely on carefully curated audio samples. Not every farm or field environment has perfect recording conditions.



Background noise, overlapping calls, and varying mic quality might hamper real-world performance. Researchers are working to refine the model for practical settings.



Experts also emphasize that decoding emotion is only part of the story. True well-being involves physical health and social needs.



Some farm scenarios involve high-density housing or specialized feeding routines. Technology that provides real-time feedback could help address issues before they become critical.



Future studies may explore if similar approaches apply to other groups, such as primates or marine mammals. Broader comparisons could test the limits of animal emotions and vocal expression similarities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-better-grasp-on-animal-emotions">A better grasp on animal emotions</h2>



Industry leaders show interest in solutions that simplify monitoring. Automation might give them more time for direct interaction with animals.



The technology could be adapted for sanctuaries, zoos, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recognizing-emotions-in-horses-can-improve-their-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> reserves. Each environment poses different hurdles in terms of space and animal grouping.



A better grasp of emotional signals might also shape ethical guidelines. Stakeholders can decide if certain practices are beneficial or harmful based on real-time metrics.



Artificial intelligence has come a long way in analyzing patterns. This venture into animal emotions might be another step that redefines how we see other beings.



The outcome might encourage more humane systems that appreciate the subtle ways that animals express themselves.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422500094X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Animal emotions can be decoded through voice recognition

Animal emotions can be difficult to decipher, but advances in...

Young salmon swimming through the San Joaquin River make vital adjustments in their route and timing to improve their odds of surviving a perilous journey. 



Recent research has uncovered how these young fish exploit different parts of the river at specific times of day to avoid predators and cut down on energy costs.



The study was led by Mike Gil, an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a>. The findings reveal the dynamics behind the adaptive behaviors of juvenile salmon.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-decline-in-salmon-numbers">A decline in salmon numbers</h2>



“The salmon fishery in the San Joaquin River delta area is on the verge of collapsing,” said Gil, the paper’s first author. 



“We know these juvenile salmon are getting wiped out on their migration to sea. We need to know why and how this is happening, and if there are opportunities to leverage conservation practices.”&nbsp;



Many of these salmon endure their first year in a portion of the river where they were born, and then <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-unpredictable-effects-on-salmon-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migrate</a> hundreds of miles to reach the ocean’s richer feeding grounds.&nbsp;



Later, as adults, they retrace their path upstream to spawn, perpetuating a cycle that has long supported both the fish population and local fisheries.



According to the <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Department of Fish and Wildlife</a>, the number of Chinook salmon migrating in the fall through the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems has plummeted from 872,669 in 2002 to 79,985 in 2022, reflecting an alarming 90% decline in just twenty years.



While elevated water temperatures, poor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-at-risk-climate-change-is-diminishing-global-water-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water quality</a>, and the presence of dams all pose significant risks, humans have also introduced non-native predators - namely striped and largemouth bass - that claim a large percentage of juvenile salmon.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-journey-of-young-salmon">Tracking the journey of young salmon</h2>



In an effort to discern how these fish respond to their numerous threats, Gil’s team placed tracking devices in 424 juvenile Chinook salmon, along with 23 striped bass and 17 largemouth bass.&nbsp;



They lined the riverbanks with detection gear to monitor the fish’s activities over two months, capturing a detailed view of predator attacks, salmon movement patterns, and how these two forces interact.



From this data, the researchers confirmed that salmon move farther at night than during daytime - a pattern that had previously been noted but not deeply explained.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-salmon-modify-their-routines">Young salmon modify their routines</h2>



The team’s tracking revealed the reason behind this nocturnal tendency. By day, the predatory bass prefer to patrol the middle of the river, which also happens to be where salmon can ride the strong current downstream and conserve the most energy.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, the fish also face greater danger there when the sun is up, as hungry bass congregate in that mid-river channel to intercept them.&nbsp;



Faced with that threat, young salmon have modified their routine: they cover greater distances mid-river only when it’s dark, taking advantage of lower predator activity.&nbsp;



During the day, these vulnerable fish swim closer to the riverbanks - even though the weaker currents in shallow water mean they expend more than twice as much energy to make progress.&nbsp;



“Intuitively, one would think these fish should just be taxiing right down the middle of the river all the time, so they can get out to the ocean and get away from all these terrifying predators as fast as possible. But that’s not what we saw,” said Gil.&nbsp;



“Our study suggests that bass activities are forcing these fish to adopt a different strategy.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facing-predators-at-dawn-and-dusk-nbsp">Facing predators at dawn and dusk&nbsp;</h2>



Another noteworthy finding was that predator attacks peaked around dawn and dusk. “These fish seem to really pick up on changes in ambient lighting,” Gil said.&nbsp;



Because striped bass have relatively large eyes, they maintain a visual edge in dim conditions, while salmon, with smaller eyes, struggle to see well in twilight.&nbsp;



As a result, these early-morning and late-evening hours become particularly dangerous for juvenile salmon seeking to slip by their hunters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-for-salmon-conservation">Insights for salmon conservation</h2>



Protecting salmon in the San Joaquin River is paramount, especially given the historic collapse in salmon populations that is unfolding.&nbsp;



Understanding the fish’s nuanced responses to predator behavior can help direct conservation efforts.&nbsp;



Even small adjustments in human management strategies, such as limiting light pollution around the river corridor at night, could offer salmon a stronger advantage in moving under cover of darkness.&nbsp;



“We as humans are quite limited in our understanding of how animals in the wild behave. By better understanding this, we can make the most informed decisions about how to keep these species around,” Gil said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-picture-of-coping-strategies-nbsp">Complex picture of coping strategies&nbsp;</h2>



One avenue for improvement lies in examining whether minor changes in water flow or releases from dams can shift the timetable of salmon migration, potentially helping the fish slip through the delta under conditions that reduce bass predation.&nbsp;



Resource managers and conservationists can also investigate the impact of removing or reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-have-become-one-of-the-worlds-most-invasive-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive predators</a> in targeted areas. Each approach, if carefully assessed, could raise survival rates enough to keep the population from collapsing further.



By unraveling the timings and tactics underlying salmon migration, this study paints a more complex picture of how an imperiled species copes with multiple stressors.&nbsp;



The fish must contend not only with environmental hurdles - such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising temperatures</a> - but also with an altered predator landscape shaped by human intervention.&nbsp;



Their strategy of traveling under the cover of night is a stark example of adaptation, but it also illuminates just how fragile the balance between predator and prey has become.&nbsp;



With salmon runs hanging in the balance, measures to synchronize conservation goals with the fish’s finely tuned behaviors may be the key to reversing the ongoing decline.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ele.70068" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology Letters</a>.



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Young salmon outsmart predators on their journey to the sea

Young salmon swimming through the San Joaquin River make vital...

Our planet is full of life, and among its tiniest inhabitants, nematode worms play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.



A recent study has shed light on the surface chemistry of these worms, providing us with an image of how these creatures interact with their environment and each other.



The research could potentially lead to a better understanding of evolutionary adaptations. The study may also be instrumental in countering parasitic infections.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nematodes-at-the-molecular-level">Nematodes at the molecular level</h2>



Scientists in the School of Pharmacy at the <a href="https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nottingham</a> have taken a closer look at nematodes under the magnifying glass.



Using a powerful new mass spectrometry imaging system, they focused on Caenorhabditis elegans and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-worms-can-make-complex-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pristionchus pacificus</a>, two species of nematode worms.



The researchers sought to analyze the worm's distinctive surface chemistry and evaluate how its skin influences its physiology and behavior.



The results showed that nematode surfaces are primarily oily or lipid-based, and form a complex chemical landscape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-creatures-with-big-scientific-value">Tiny creatures with big scientific value</h2>



Nematode <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-discovered-worms-that-kill-tarantulas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worms</a>, as unsightly as they might seem to some, inhabit almost every environment known to us, from soil and water to plants, seeds, and even humans and other animals.



Nematode infections can lead to severe cases with serious health complications.



“Nematodes are an excellent model for human biology and are considered to be some of the most completely understood animals on the planet – especially in terms of genetics, neurology and developmental biology," said Dr. Veeren Chauhan, the lead researcher for this study.



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



Dr. Chauhan noted that we share around 60-70% of our DNA with these worms, so any new discoveries about them can significantly enhance our understanding of human biology and can contribute towards solving global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-fossils-could-inspire-advancements-in-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human health</a> challenges.



"Using world-leading mass spectrometry facilities, we studied the surface chemical properties of nematodes throughout their development," said Dr. Chauhan.



"This allowed us to track molecular changes in detail and observe how surface chemistry differs during development, varies between species, and, importantly, influences their interactions with one another."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-in-chemical-imaging">Breakthrough in chemical imaging</h2>



The 3D-OrbiSIMS instrument was critical in this research because it provided an unprecedented level of molecular detail.



As one of the most advanced tools for high-resolution chemical imaging, it enables scientists to analyze biological surfaces with extraordinary precision.



The University of Nottingham was one of the first institutions in the world to obtain a 3D-OrbiSIMS instrument, solidifying its role in pioneering molecular imaging research. 



This cutting-edge technology allows mass spectral molecular analysis across a wide range of materials, including both hard and soft matter, biological cells, and tissues.



By combining high surface sensitivity, mass resolution, and spatial precision with a depth profiling sputtering beam, 3D-OrbiSIMS has transformed our ability to study microscopic organisms. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-composition-of-nematode-skin">Composition of nematode skin</h2>



The study revealed that lipids make up approximately 70-80% of the molecular composition of nematode surface skin.



Furthermore, the researchers found that nematode surface chemistry changes over time, as the worms go through different life stages.



These findings offer new insights into nematode biology and the interactions of these worms with their environment. The results would not have been possible without the power of advanced chemical imaging.



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



Beyond their structural role, the surface lipids of nematodes are proving to be central to their survival and interactions. 



“Discovering that these worms have a predominantly oily, or lipid-based, surface is a significant step in understanding their biology. These lipid surfaces help maintain hydration and provide a barrier against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-and-imprint-new-era-dna-transformation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a>, which are essential for their survival," noted Dr. Chauhan.



"What is also very interesting is that these lipids appear to serve as chemical cues that influence interspecies interactions, such as predation." 



"For example, the predatory behavior of Pristionchus pacificus is guided by physical contact with the surface lipids of its prey, Caenorhabditis elegans, and alterations in these lipids can increase the susceptibility of the prey to predation."



Dr. Chauhan noted that gaining this level of understanding of the surface chemistries of these worms and how they influence interaction and survival opens up new areas of scientific discovery and could ultimately help in developing strategies to fight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/declining-moose-populations-linked-to-brain-eating-parasitic-worms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parasitic worms</a> and the diseases that they cause.



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



The findings extend beyond fundamental biology, opening new avenues for applied research in parasitology, agriculture, and medicine.



Understanding the chemical makeup of nematode surfaces could lead to innovative strategies for disrupting parasitic life cycles, protecting crops from harmful nematodes, and even developing biomimetic materials that replicate their lipid-based defenses. 



As scientists continue to explore these microscopic yet complex organisms, their unique surface chemistry may hold the key to addressing significant challenges in human and environmental health.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.4c12519" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JACS</a>.



Image Credit: University of Nottingham - Veered Chauhan



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Nematodes use chemistry to survive and communicate

Our planet is full of life, and among its tiniest...

We all dread the arrival of mosquito season, with their buzzing antennae heralding the irritating prick and maddening itch that haunt countless nights. Yet, could this much-maligned insect hold the key to a major advance in disaster response?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosquito-signals-pioneer-disaster-detection">Mosquito signals pioneer disaster detection</h2>



A multidisciplinary team of scientists from <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University</a> is now turning the tables on our understanding of mosquitoes.



Specifically, the team is conducting an in-depth look at the tiny creature's antennae and their sensitivity to vibrations, which may prove pivotal in predicting natural disasters such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earthquakes-have-long-lasting-impacts-on-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earthquakes</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tsunamis-are-preceded-by-changes-in-magnetic-fields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tsunamis</a>.



"We’re still in the early stages but we’re pretty optimistic that we’ll at least learn a great deal," says Professor Pablo Zavattieri from Purdue's College of Engineering who conducted the investigation along with Jerry M. and Lynda T. Engelhardt.



"Taking inspiration from nature and using it to advance scientific research has been a core feature of engineering since the very beginning," he explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cracking-the-code-of-mosquito-hearing">Cracking the code of mosquito hearing</h2>



Mosquitoes, most of which are without traditional ears, rely heavily on their antennae to "hear" their way through life. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-device-identifies-mosquitoes-using-only-sound/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antennae</a> help them locate critical sounds, even amid the distracting noises of their own wingbeats.



The research has focused on the arrangement, morphology, and sensory hairs on these antennae. These adaptations are thought to enhance a mosquito's auditory sensitivity and selective response to environmental cues.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/mosquito-antennae_ct-scan_credit-Purdue_1s.webp" alt="This CT scan is a close-up of the structural features of a male mosquito's antennae. Purdue University researchers are studying these features to see if they could inform the design of acoustic sensors. Credit: Purdue University / Phani Saketh Dasika" class="wp-image-1960778"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This CT scan is a close-up of the structural features of a male mosquito's antennae. Purdue University researchers are studying these features to see if they could inform the design of acoustic sensors. Credit: Purdue University / Phani Saketh Dasika</figcaption></figure>



“Using advanced micro-CT imaging to create high-fidelity CAD models for finite element analysis, we found that the architectural features of mosquito antennae enable species- and sex-specific acoustic target detection, even amid nontarget signals like their own wingbeats,” researcher Phani Saketh Dasika said.



“Our findings also suggest that mosquito antennae are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquitoes-use-thermal-infrared-vision-to-track-and-bite-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">capable of detecting</a> a broader range of frequencies than previously thought, though not all of these may be actively utilized.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-big-ears-of-the-urban-jungle">The big ears of the urban jungle</h2>



The team’s efforts to mimic the responses of antennae from different mosquito species to varying sounds have led to more revealing discoveries.



"By modeling and contrasting the response of the antenna of species of mosquito using sound for different purposes - hearing mates or eavesdropping on frogs - we were able to tease apart features modulating hearing sensitivity and tuning," explained Professor Bernal of Purdue's College of Science. 



"Understanding how these structures work is the first step toward developing acoustic sensors inspired by their sensitive antennae," she added. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-mosquito-antennae-sensors-matter">Why mosquito antennae sensors matter</h2>



But it's not just about acoustic sensors. The research has a broader societal impact. 



Professor Zavattieri believes that the insights gained from examining mosquito antennae could inform the development of smart noise-canceling materials. 



These could range from soundproofing panels for buildings to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-artificial-intelligence-noise-canceling-headphones-listen-one-voice-crowd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noise-canceling headphones</a>, and even acoustic cloaking devices.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/mosquito-antennae_mosquito-head-antennae_3d-printed_credit-Purdue_1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/mosquito-antennae_mosquito-head-antennae_3d-printed_credit-Purdue_1s.webp" alt="Purdue University professor Pablo Zavattieri holds a 3D-printed mosquito head. His team is recreating mosquito antennae to better study their sensitivity to vibrations, which may improve how natural disasters are monitored and detected. Credit: Purdue University / Drew Stone" class="wp-image-1960780"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Purdue University professor Pablo Zavattieri holds a 3D-printed mosquito head. His team is recreating mosquito antennae to better study their sensitivity to vibrations, which may improve how natural disasters are monitored and detected. Credit: Purdue University / Drew Stone</figcaption></figure>



“Imagine urban environments equipped with bio-inspired sensors, akin to ‘big ears,’ capable of discerning specific sounds amid the hustle and bustle of city life,” said Zavattieri.



“In times of crisis - such as earthquakes or other disasters - these sensors become invaluable, swiftly detecting faint signals of distress and guiding rescue efforts to those in need.”



The team currently focuses on developing antennae through 3D printing, using a range of materials and sizes for frequency testing. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosquito-antennae-and-the-future">Mosquito antennae and the future</h2>



Building on these groundbreaking insights, the research team is taking the next steps in transforming laboratory discoveries into practical, life-saving technologies. 



Their innovative approach may not only enhance existing earthquake and tsunami detection methods but also transform crisis response in densely populated areas.



The vision is to equip urban buildings and public spaces with sensors that are modeled after mosquito antennae, and are capable of continuously monitoring subtle vibrations and detecting potential disaster events well before conventional methods.



Collaborations with technology developers and urban planners would be necessary to prototype these sensor networks under controlled conditions. 



Moreover, the insights derived from studying mosquito acoustics hold promise for advancing noise-cancellation technology and acoustic cloaking devices, thus broadening the impact of this research even further.



As the project moves forward, the humble mosquito is set to evolve from a common nuisance into a symbol of innovative progress and resilience, offering new hope for disaster preparedness and urban safety.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1742706124007414?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Acta Biomaterialia</a>.



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Mosquito antennae inspire next-gen natural disaster sensors

We all dread the arrival of mosquito season, with their...

Honeybees are renowned for their intricate waggle dance, a specialized form of communication that directs nestmates to valuable food sources.&nbsp;



The basic idea is simple: after returning to the hive, a forager bee performs a dance in which the angle of movement indicates the direction of food, and the duration of the “waggle run” conveys the distance.&nbsp;



If the display succeeds, observer bees become recruits, flying out to locate the advertised resources.&nbsp;



However, despite millions of years of evolutionary refinement, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-perform-waggle-dance-to-share-the-location-of-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waggle dance</a> does not always work. Researchers have long been puzzled by why some recruited bees fail to find the food their nestmates enthusiastically promote.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-honeybee-dance-nbsp">Studying the honeybee dance&nbsp;</h2>



In a recent study, a team led by associate professor Margaret Couvillon from <a href="https://www.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a>’s Department of Entomology set out to investigate what drives waggle dance success or failure. 



Working with co-researcher and former PhD student Laura McHenry, they uncovered new insights into the role that individuality plays in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-cause-of-honeybee-mortality-can-be-easily-reduced/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honeybee</a> communication. 



By analyzing how unique dance styles can affect the outcome of foraging missions, the scientists found that variety - not uniformity - often leads to better recruitment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-some-waggle-dances-fall-short">Why some waggle dances fall short</h2>



Although the waggle dance has been studied for over 80 years, many facets of it remain mysterious. Bees move through the hive with excitement, shaking their abdomens and buzzing their wings to “tell” others where to go.&nbsp;



Yet the precision of this communication can sometimes leave much to be desired. Even if the directions appear clear, it is common for newly recruited foragers to miss the target. What might be causing these failures?



“Although the waggle dance itself is fascinating, my lab has additionally been intrigued about waggle dance miscommunication, or the hows and whys behind the failure of the dance recruitment,” Couvillon said.&nbsp;



This line of inquiry motivated her and McHenry to design experiments that tracked individual bees, their dance styles, and how these styles translated into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-foraging-behavior-changing-climate-warming-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foraging</a> success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-up-the-experiment">Setting up the experiment</h2>



To unravel the secrets of honeybee miscommunication, Couvillon and McHenry devised a controlled setup using clear-walled observation hives.&nbsp;



By making the hive walls transparent, the researchers could capture high-definition video of the dance floor. Individual bees were tagged so the team could monitor which foragers arrived at the food source, watched a dance, and later performed their own version of the waggle dance for others.



First, certain bees were trained to gather from an artificial feeder placed at a known distance and direction from the hive. These trained bees returned to share their discovery, dancing in front of others to highlight precisely where the recruits should fly.&nbsp;



If a new, tagged bee reached the feeder after viewing a dance, the researchers examined the video footage to identify which dancer had successfully recruited them. Step by step, the investigators could pinpoint the specific waggle run that led to a forager’s triumph.



Initially, Couvillon hypothesized that bees whose dance styles closely matched each other might generate more consistent, accurate directions.&nbsp;



Under that scenario, recruits would easily interpret similar movements and glean an unambiguous sense of distance. But what the data revealed was something else entirely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overshooting-the-mark">Overshooting the mark</h2>



When the team reviewed the footage, they discovered that successful foraging recruits often came from dances that overshot the true distance.&nbsp;



Instead of telling nestmates to stop exactly where the food was located, these dances had slightly lengthier waggle runs.&nbsp;



The result? Recruits traveled past the feeder, then had a second opportunity to notice it on the way back. This “double chance” approach appeared to boost the overall likelihood of success.



By contrast, bees that performed dances describing the precise distance did not always see such robust success.&nbsp;



The research suggests that in a dynamic and unpredictable environment, a little extra distance in the waggle run might be an advantage, increasing the chance that bees will encounter the resource eventually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honeybee-dance-diversity">Honeybee dance diversity</h2>



Overall, these findings highlight how unique individual styles benefit the colony. Far from undermining communication, variation in waggle dance expression may improve group outcomes.&nbsp;



If every bee performed the dance identically, the success rate might drop, as foragers would rely on one strict formula. But with multiple interpretations and slight “errors” in distance, recruits gain repeated opportunities to locate the food.



“We’ve known for a while that behavioral and genetic diversity benefit honeybees, allowing for superior thermoregulation, disease resistance, growth, and foraging,” said Couvillon. “Now we have also seen that diverse communication enhances recruitment success.”



This discovery adds another layer to the importance of individual variation in social insects. Much like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-asexual-ants-maintain-genetic-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic diversity</a> provides resilience against disease, communication diversity can enhance how effectively colonies exploit their environment. 



In the end, a colony filled with slightly different dance styles stands a better chance of finding the best resources consistently - and ensures fewer bees come back empty-handed.



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



The results open new avenues of investigation into honeybee communication and social organization. Future research could examine exactly which factors lead some bees to overshoot the target, or how colonies adjust dance strategies under changing conditions, such as resource scarcity. 



Could environmental stressors push bees toward more conservative or more exaggerated dances? Do certain hive conditions encourage either uniformity or diversity in waggle dance expression?



Whatever scientists uncover, one thing seems clear: the honeybee waggle dance remains a marvel of collective intelligence.&nbsp;



By embracing the quirks and individualities of each dancer, honeybee colonies harness the power of distinct signals to enhance foraging success.&nbsp;



Through dance, they build resilience and adaptability, ensuring that the next generation can keep the colony humming along - one step, one waggle at a time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982224017159" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>. 



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Honeybees use creative dance moves to help others find food

Honeybees are renowned for their intricate waggle dance, a specialized...

A branching coral under pressure from heat and physical damage appears to gain crucial support from a particular reef-dwelling crab, offering fresh insight into how positive species relationships can shield corals from multiple hazards.&nbsp;



These findings reveal a protective role for the crustaceans when corals face intense stress, highlighting the possibility that cooperative interactions may bolster the resilience of vulnerable reef habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reef-dwelling-crabs-and-foundation-corals">Reef-dwelling crabs and foundation corals </h2>



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.2936" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal B Biological Sciences</a>, the study emphasizes that corals are what ecologists call “foundation species,” forming the bedrock of entire ecosystems.&nbsp;



Study first author Julianna Renzi conducted the research as a graduate student at the Duke University Marine Laboratory, part of the <a href="https://nicholas.duke.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nicholas School of the Environment</a>.



“Foundation species like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breaks-in-ancient-coral-growth-reveal-earths-climate-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corals</a> create the base of an ecosystem: They form structures that other species use for shelter, they modify the local environment, and they provide food for other organisms,” said Renzi.



“Learning how these species respond to stress can help us design better strategies to conserve them - and, in turn, other species that rely on them - in an era of global change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mutualism-and-overlapping-stressors">Mutualism and overlapping stressors </h2>



Renzi concentrates on the concept of mutualism, in which two species each benefit from interacting with the other. Much existing research focuses on how one beneficial partnership mitigates a single threat, such as higher ocean temperatures. 



However, few studies have explored whether such alliances can ease multiple overlapping stressors. 



In this case, the team selected a branching coral known as Acropora aspera from a research zone in Australia’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-bleaching-has-reached-catastrophic-levels-on-the-great-barrier-reef/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Barrier Reef</a> during a period of elevated water temperatures.&nbsp;



Within controlled seawater tanks, the scientists subjected coral samples to different stress combinations, including physical wounding, harmful algae, and the presence of Cyclodius ungulatus (the hoof-clawed reef crab).&nbsp;



Coral tissue loss over a month served as the main measure of coral health, allowing the team to see precisely which factors worsened damage and which helped the coral endure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-benefits-for-wounded-corals">Unexpected benefits for wounded corals</h2>



The data indicated that high temperatures alone instigated tissue loss, but the extent depended heavily on other conditions. 



Corals placed alongside harmful algae were six times more likely to suffer serious tissue loss, while those housed with reef crabs had more than a 60% lower chance of severe damage. 



Even more unexpected was how strongly the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-crab-diversity-discovered-in-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crabs</a>’ presence helped corals that had sustained wounds. Those corals displayed significantly less tissue loss than uninjured corals sharing tanks with crabs, and also less tissue loss than wounded corals without crab companions.&nbsp;



While corals lacking crabs sometimes saw injuries expand, corals with crab neighbors rarely experienced further deterioration around the wounds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reef-crabs-removing-algae">Reef crabs removing algae</h2>



To unravel what motivated the crabs to linger near wounded coral, the researchers examined their behavior in more detail. They noticed that, in laboratory tests, the crustaceans avoided live coral tissue, instead feeding in regions where tissue had recently been lost.&nbsp;



Observations on the reef revealed that areas of algae disappeared faster around corals with wounds, leading the investigators to suggest that reef crabs and other organisms might be methodically removing algae in these damaged spots, effectively tidying up the coral surface.



Another key question arose: what attracts crabs to fresh wounds in the first place? Renzi and colleagues propose that the injured coral releases a nutritious mucus that proves enticing.&nbsp;



“Corals probably experience small wounds, like the ones we used in this study, relatively frequently from fish bites and physical abrasion. These wounds are probably not super detrimental, but they may be enough to release this mucus and attract coral-associated organisms, like C. ungulatus,” said Renzi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mutualism-and-heat-stress-resistance">Mutualism and heat stress resistance</h2>



The conclusions back an ecological view that beneficial interspecies interactions, or mutualisms, can become particularly vital when the environment imposes significant hardships.&nbsp;



“This work challenges a paradigm about corals,” said Brian Silliman, Rachel Carson Distinguished Professor of Marine Conservation Biology at the Nicholas School, who advised Renzi during her master’s work.&nbsp;



“The temperature at which corals succumb to heat stress is generally thought to be innate and inflexible. But this work shows that an intricate biological partnership greatly increases the ability of corals to resist heat stress. The crabs don’t affect heat tolerance directly - rather, they appear to remove the stress of injury by cleaning coral wounds.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reef-crabs-working-under-pressure">Reef crabs working under pressure </h2>



The researchers note that these discoveries hold promise for coral reef restoration, since introducing mutualistic crabs to newly planted colonies could reduce tissue loss from infection and disease. 



One broader lesson is that nature sometimes operates more cooperatively than commonly assumed. 



“We often think of the world as ‘dog-eat-dog’ and assume organisms are constantly competing against each other in effort to survive,” Renzi said. “But in cases like these, positive species interactions may be really important for survival. Evolutionarily, looking out for number 1 may also mean looking out for number 2.”



Altogether, this study suggests that reef-dwelling crabs could prove key to helping certain branching corals remain healthy, even under the combined pressures of heat and injury. 



By highlighting such mutually beneficial partnerships, the findings pave the way for innovative approaches to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protecting-coral-reefs-is-a-matter-of-humans-rights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef conservation</a> and underline the value of collaborative ties in the marine realm.



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Reef crabs help heat-stressed corals survive

A branching coral under pressure from heat and physical damage...

Understanding the apparent paradox of "stress as a strength" has led to a recent discovery that could well change the way we perceive biological communities and their resilience.



In a world characterized by rapid environmental change, comprehending the complex relationship between genetic diversity and environmental stress is more critical than ever.



The breakthrough challenges conventional views by suggesting that, under certain conditions, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-plants-thrive-under-environmental-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> may actually drive the adaptive processes essential for survival.



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



A recent study from <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/desautels/programs/mba-programs/mba?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=mba_2024-25&amp;utm_content=nb-search-brand&amp;creative=720501009342&amp;keyword=mcgill%20mba&amp;matchtype=b&amp;network=g&amp;device=c&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAq-u9BhCjARIsANLj-s2zcKyoTmLixLDaGTe-hOEDSqn0KcUGuoz5SBQTqcaJKl4gd6N4jPQaApjyEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a> has explored the complexities of how natural communities react and adapt to changing environmental scenarios. The research was led by Professor Rowan Barrett and Charles Xu, a recent PhD graduate.



The results indicated that not all stress is harmful. In fact, a moderated level of environmental stress equips these communities with a robust defense mechanism against severe threats.



This newfound understanding may turn out to be a crucial factor in managing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> amid growing anthropogenic stressors, such as pollution and climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-environmental-stress">What is environmental stress?</h2>



Environmental stress is defined as external forces that disturb the balance of biological processes.



The stressors are either natural in origin - such as high temperatures, droughts, and flooding - or anthropogenic, such as pollution, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation</a>, and global warming.



Understanding these environmental stressors is crucial for identifying the challenges an ecosystem faces and developing effective conservation and management strategies to safeguard biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulating-environmental-stress">Simulating environmental stress </h2>



The experiment was conducted at a special site known as the Large Experimental Array of Ponds (LEAP), which is located within the university’s nature reserve.



The team exposed microbial communities to a progressive acidification process, thus emulating the type of environmental stressors found in real-world <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/silent-invasion-how-microplastics-are-disrupting-land-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>.



The study revealed that prior exposure to mild stressors served as a protective shield against subsequent stress.



Communities previously exposed to low-level stressors demonstrated impressive survival rates, maintaining a diverse pool of species, even under more severe stress conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-selection-and-evolutionary-change">Natural selection and evolutionary change </h2>



At the heart of this study lie the processes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifes-rules-natural-selection-change-significantly-often-daphnia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural selection</a> and evolutionary change in freshwater bacterial communities.



Natural selection ensures survival and success of the individuals within a species that are best adapted for a particular environment.



Evolutionary change, on the other hand, involves genetic modifications (over generations) that result in new variants or species that can thrive in their specific habitats.



The scientists used metagenomic analysis to track changes that occurred within the microbial communities.



The findings indicated that the toughest species, the ones that survived the stress, evolved over time to become even stronger against stress.



This dual process guarantees the survival and diversity of the community under conditions of extreme stress.



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



"This research underscores the need to consider both ecological and evolutionary forces when predicting how natural communities will respond to environmental stress," said Barrett.



Incorporating these evolutionary responses into models can significantly improve predictive accuracy concerning changes in biodiversity, and thereby enhance conservation efforts.



With this new knowledge in hand, the research team plans to investigate the long-term evolution of these microbial communities and assess the impact of different environmental stressors on genetic adaptation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-stress-and-ecosystem-health">Environmental stress and ecosystem health</h2>



The results provide a new perspective on the mechanisms that can lead to ecosystem resilience from environmental stress.



Further research may enhance our knowledge about whether such adaptability is replicated in different types of biological communities and environmental scenarios.



By extending research into such dynamics, researchers will be able to reveal overall principles that inform useful conservation and management strategies.



While the mechanisms behind these adaptive responses continue to be investigated, the study serves as a reminder that not all stress is harmful.



These emerging insights encourage a reevaluation of how stress might be integrated, in a controlled manner, into broader efforts to preserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.



The research highlights the potential for leveraging natural adaptive processes to enhance ecosystem health and paves the way for innovative conservation efforts.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982225000673" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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How environmental stress strengthens ecosystems

Understanding the apparent paradox of "stress as a strength" has...

Birds and feathers are closely tied together - feathers enable flight, provide insulation, and make courtship displays possible. Yet the origin of these remarkable structures predates birds.



Feathered dinosaurs were first reported in the 1990s, but many mysteries remain about how and when feathers emerged. Did all dinosaurs share a feathered ancestor, or did feathers appear multiple times in different lineages?&nbsp;



A new study co-authored by Paul Barrett and Xu Xing from the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural History Museum</a> attempts to consolidate the latest knowledge and move us closer to an answer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feathers-of-the-distant-past">Feathers of the distant past</h2>



Fossil evidence has revealed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/modern-bird-feathers-contain-traces-of-dinosaur-feathers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feathers</a> are not exclusive to modern birds and their immediate relatives. Dinosaurs with feathers existed in the distant past, showing that these structures are much more ancient than once believed.&nbsp;



However, broad questions endure: Are feathers found only in meat-eating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-theropod-dinosaurs-thrived-in-polar-environments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theropods</a> close to birds, or could they have been more widespread across the dinosaur family tree?



“While dozens of feathered dinosaurs have been identified since Sinosauropteryx was first unveiled in the 1990s, they’re mainly meat-eaters that are close relatives of birds,” Barrett explained. 



“Everyone agrees that these dinosaurs had feathers, but there’s little consensus beyond that.”



“To settle these disagreements, we need more fossils and to define what a feather is. If we can sort this out, it could reveal where feathers first came from and whether they predate the dinosaurs themselves.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflicting-theories-on-feather-origins">Conflicting theories on feather origins</h2>



Some scientists propose that feathers originated in a common ancestor of dinosaurs and pterosaurs, suggesting all later descendants inherited the potential to grow feathers - though some lost it over time.&nbsp;



Others argue that pterosaurs did not have true feathers, meaning the structures observed on them might be something else. 



A third viewpoint holds that feathers emerged solely within theropods, the group that includes well-known predators like Velociraptor and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-rex-may-have-had-brains-and-brawn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tyrannosaurus</a>.



To resolve these debates, better fossil evidence from earlier time periods is essential. Most known feathered dinosaur fossils date to the Cretaceous, yet feathers may have evolved well before then.&nbsp;



Finding older specimens could clarify whether feathers appeared at the dawn of dinosaur evolution or surfaced in only one branch of the family tree.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-did-early-dinosaurs-have-feathers">Did early dinosaurs have feathers?</h2>



Professor Barrett emphasized the importance of discovering prehistoric remains from much earlier geological periods.&nbsp;



“We need to find new sites with fossilized feathers, particularly from the Jurassic and the Triassic,” he said. “The Triassic is especially important, as finding feathered dinosaurs at this early time in dinosaur evolution would suggest that all dinosaurs had an ancestor with feathers.”



“If feathered dinosaurs aren’t found among early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-evolved-feathers-for-much-more-than-just-flying/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a>, then it makes it more likely feathers were an innovation among later groups.”



Such discoveries could shift perceptions of the entire dinosaur lineage. Were feathers a universal trait that some species shed over time, or did they evolve independently in separate groups?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defining-a-true-feather">Defining a "true feather"</h2>



Another challenge paleontologists face involves the definition of a “true feather.” 



Modern bird feathers have distinct chemical and structural characteristics, including growth from a follicle in the skin. Ancient dinosaur feathers may have looked different, reflecting earlier evolutionary stages.



“To identify a true feather from a living bird, we’d look to see what it’s made out of, and its structure,” Barrett explained. “One of the characteristics we have to identify is that the feather grows out of a follicle in the skin.”



“It’s possible, however, that follicles and other modern characteristics might not have been present in all dinosaur feathers. Detailed anatomical work at a microscopic level to compare preserved skin and feathers with examples from living birds could help to resolve this.”



Fossilized skin can also offer important clues. Some specimens display bird-like tissues, hinting that the common ancestor of certain dinosaurs and birds shared these traits.&nbsp;



But other dinosaurs show more reptilian textures, indicating the possibility that feathers evolved separately in multiple lineages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-history-of-feathers">Unraveling the history of feathers</h2>



For the moment, experts remain divided on how feathers took hold in dinosaur evolution. The challenge lies in discovering enough well-preserved fossils from the right time periods and reaching a clear consensus on what counts as a feather.&nbsp;



From tantalizing glimpses in existing fossils to ongoing searches in promising new sites, researchers continue to piece together this ancient puzzle.



Ultimately, answers about the origins of feathers may transform how scientists understand dinosaur evolution - and the emergence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>.&nbsp;



Until then, paleontologists will continue to search the world for the fossils which can finally settle this decades-old debate. 



Each new find has the potential to reshape our perception of the prehistoric world and the ancestors of the birds we see in our skies today.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0517" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology Letters</a>.



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From dinosaurs to birds, the origin of feathers remains a mystery

Birds and feathers are closely tied together - feathers enable...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" 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.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" 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> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



"With more than 370,000 miles of coastline on Earth, there are plenty of places where epic waves build up, curl over, and hurtle toward the shore.- much to the thrill of surfers," says NASA. "There are some places where these waves are so magnificent that they can be seen from space."



"With the broad perspective of satellites, we can see how these iconic waves develop into the world’s tallest, longest, fastest, and heaviest."



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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