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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Hemoglobin and other blood molecules found preserved in dinosaur fossils

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

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-have-a-better-quality-of-life-if-you-play-with-them/">Cats</a> have captivated our attention for their wide range of vocalizations, from meows to screeches. However, it's their mysterious purring that has been a subject of fascination and study for many years.&nbsp;



Cats are not the only animals that purr, as once believed. Some wild cats, mongooses, hyenas, guinea pigs, and raccoons also purr.



Interestingly, purring and roaring are mutually exclusive. This means that cats that purr (such as mountain lions) can’t roar, while cats that roar (such as tigers) can’t purr.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-cats-purr">How do cats purr?</h2>



A new study led by Austrian voice scientist Christian T. Herbst at the University of Vienna is challenging long-standing beliefs surrounding the mechanics of cat purring.&nbsp;



Contrary to previous understanding, the study reveals that the generation of cat purrs does not rely on cyclic muscle contractions - a perspective held by the scientific community for over fifty years.



"We propose that the ability to produce self-sustained oscillation at purring-like frequencies is facilitated by a special anatomical adaptation," wrote the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cat-vocalizations">Cat vocalizations</h2>



Cats produce various sounds, including meows and screeches. These sounds were not previously considered unique from a voice production standpoint as they originate in the cat's larynx, or "voice box." This mechanism is shared with humans and many other mammals.&nbsp;



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



However, cat purrs were believed to be different. They were thought to be produced through continuous cyclic contractions and relaxations of muscles in the vocal folds in the larynx, which would require consistent neural input and control from the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-viewpoint-nbsp">A new viewpoint&nbsp;</h2>



The study led by Herbst introduces a different viewpoint. According to the findings, cyclic muscle contractions are not imperative for the production of cat purrs.&nbsp;



Through controlled laboratory experiments, the researchers observed that the domestic cat larynx could yield low-pitched sounds characteristic of purring without the need for cyclical neural input or repetitive muscle contractions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-findings-nbsp">Unexpected findings&nbsp;</h2>



These findings reveal an unexpected similarity between the sound production mechanism of cat purring and the human “creaky voice” or “vocal fry.”&nbsp;



The data shows that cats can produce purring sounds at extraordinarily low frequencies (20-30 Hz), which is surprising considering their small size and weight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-anatomical-adaptation-nbsp">Unique anatomical adaptation&nbsp;</h2>



“Anatomical investigations revealed a unique ‘pad’ within the cats’ vocal folds that may explain how such a small animal, weighing only a few kilograms, can regularly produce sounds at those incredibly low frequencies (20-30 Hz, or cycles per second) – far below even than lowest bass sounds produced by human voices," said Herbst.



While the study does not entirely debunk the older theory, it shows that our current understanding of cat purring is incomplete and further investigation is needed.&nbsp;



The more we learn about the mechanisms and functions of purring, the better we can protect the well-being of our cats and accommodate their needs.



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



Some researchers believe that purring helps cats heal. The low frequency of purrs causes a series of related vibrations within their body, which can:



<ul>
<li>Heal bones and wounds.</li>



<li>Build muscle and repair tendons.</li>



<li>Ease breathing.</li>



<li>Reduce pain and swelling.</li>
</ul>



Kittens start to pur when they are a few days old during nursing, which could be a way of communicating relaxation and contentment to their mothers. Adult cats also purr when they feel safe and comfortable.



Cats may also purr during stressful or painful moments, like while visiting a vet or during illness. This is believed to release endorphins, which can relieve pain.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.014" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Cat purring remains a mystery that we don't fully understand

Cats have captivated our attention for their wide range of...

The,Monk,Parakeet,(myiopsitta,Monachus),,Also,Known,As,The,Quaker

If you have ever been mesmerized by a parrot's ability to mimic sounds or words, you are not alone. Their vocal flexibility, or "voice print," has always sparked curiosity, leading to questions about how these birds maintain their unique identity within the cacophony of flock calls.



However, recent findings by the <a href="https://www.ab.mpg.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior</a> and Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona might provide a clue. The secret, it appears, lies in a distinct voice print, akin to the one we humans have.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-parrot-s-voice-print">A parrot's voice print</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smart-parrots-need-more-stimulation-in-captivity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parrots</a> are renowned for their expansive vocal repertoire, which they can extend and modify throughout their lives. But with such dynamic vocal changes, how do they remain identifiable in a noisy flock? This conundrum led researchers to the monk parakeets of Barcelona.



Through an in-depth study, Simeon Smeele from the Max Planck Institute proposed that these birds might possess an individualized 'voice print' that stays consistent, irrespective of the sounds they produce.



Humans, despite their versatile vocal abilities, have always been identifiable through their unique voice tones. This voice print ensures that our vocal tract leaves a signature. Our voice makes us distinguishable even if we change what we're saying or how we're saying it.



It's known that many social animals, like dolphins and bats, have specific "signature calls" that make them recognizable within their groups. Yet, unlike the broad vocal range in humans, these signature calls are often limited to one type. This revelation presented a void in understanding: could other animals possibly have a voice print like humans?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-monk-parakeets-voice-print">The monk parakeets' voice print</h2>



Simeon Smeele embarked on this research with a particular interest in parrots. This is mainly because they utilize their tongue and mouth to modulate calls. This modulation gives their sounds a more 'human' feel compared to other birds. The bustling parrot flocks in Barcelona, with their fluid membership, provided a perfect backdrop for this exploration.



With the assistance of <a href="https://museuciencies.cat/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona</a>, which has identified over 3000 individual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monk-parakeets-lose-social-standing-if-they-take-long-vacations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monk parakeets</a> over 20 years, Smeele and his team recorded calls from hundreds of these birds. Their extensive collection of over 5000 vocalizations made this the largest study of individually-marked wild parrots to date.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analyzing-thousands-of-parrot-voice-prints">Analyzing thousands of parrot voice prints</h2>



The team then analyzed these calls to detect individual recognition patterns. They were particularly intrigued by the “contact call”, a call previously believed to be stable and unique for each bird. However, their observations revealed otherwise, hinting that another mechanism might be at play for individual recognition.



Smeele turned to a machine learning model, commonly used in human voice recognition. By training the model on "tonal" calls from specific parrots and then testing it on a different "growling" call set, the team sought to determine the consistency of the voice print. The results were promising: the model identified individual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-red-crowned-parrots-are-thriving-in-urban-texas-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parrots</a> three times better than random chance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next">What’s next?</h2>



While these findings hint at the existence of a voice print in monk parakeets, the team remains cautiously optimistic. Smeele emphasizes the need for more comprehensive data and further validation. Alongside this, an ecological study is also on the horizon. In the new study, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-have-relocated-caribbean-parrots-for-thousands-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parrots</a> will be tagged with GPS devices to understand their movements and interactions.



Juan Carlos Senar from the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona highlights the significance of these findings. Juan Carlos says that understanding the individual discrimination of calls can shed light on the species' unique vocal abilities.



If these parakeets indeed have a voice print, it not only answers the riddle of their vocal flexibility but could also reshape our understanding of animal communication. Smeele says the implications would go beyond parrots, too. “I hope that this finding prompts more work to uncover voice prints in other social animals that can flexibly modify their vocalization, such as dolphins and bats,” he says.



In a world filled with diverse sounds and calls, it's fascinating to think that each voice, be it human or bird, carries its unique signature, echoing its distinct identity.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.230835" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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Parrots have a unique voice print similar to humans

If you have ever been mesmerized by a parrot's ability...

A new study published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002269">PLOS Biology</a> suggests that female animals may establish their mate preferences by noting the distinct traits selected by experienced females within their community.&nbsp;



The researchers, led by Emily DuVal at Florida State University, used a mathematical model to understand why females select certain mates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inferred-attractiveness-nbsp">Inferred attractiveness&nbsp;</h2>



"Sexual selection by mate choice is a powerful force that can lead to evolutionary change, and models of why females choose particular mates are central to understanding its effects," wrote the study authors.



"Predominant mate choice theories assume preferences are determined solely by genetic inheritance, an assumption still lacking widespread support."



"Here, we propose a new model that explains this mate choice complexity with one general hypothesized mechanism, 'Inferred Attractiveness.'"&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observational-learning">Observational learning</h2>



According to the model, younger females may observe the choices made by mature counterparts, eventually developing a preference for traits that are rare among males but are indicative of success.&nbsp;



The selected traits are not necessarily the focal points for the older females, but the younger observers may misconstrue them as desirable.&nbsp;



Through generations, as these distinctive traits become prevalent among males, they gradually lose their allure. This continuous shift in mate preferences helps sustain a diversity in male traits over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sexual-selection-nbsp">Sexual selection&nbsp;</h2>



The process of sexual selection, whereby traits gain popularity and become common due to their appeal, results in the emergence of unusual and often exaggerated characteristics in males, like extensive antlers, vibrant feathers, and extravagant courtship displays.&nbsp;



The precise reasons behind females favoring certain traits, however, remain elusive and complex. Preferences vary not only across different generations but also among individuals within the same generation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traditional-theories-nbsp">Traditional theories&nbsp;</h2>



Traditional theories offer a few explanations. Some suggest that females might be inclined to seek out traits that signify superior genetic quality, while others propose that a positive feedback loop exists between male traits and female preferences.&nbsp;



Another perspective suggests that females’ sensory biases draw them towards specific traits.&nbsp;Despite these theories, none comprehensively explain the diverse range of traits and preferences observable in nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-preferences-nbsp">Female preferences&nbsp;</h2>



The FSU study introduces an innovative viewpoint, proposing that females learn to discern attractive traits through observation. This observational learning plays a crucial role in the decision-making process.&nbsp;



Over time, the inferred attractiveness of specific traits influences the mate selection, resulting in the evolution and persistence of diverse male traits and female preferences within populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



This research not only sheds light on the intricate dynamics of mate selection but also on the rapid evolutionary changes and the enduring variation in traits and preferences seen in the animal kingdom.&nbsp;



The findings suggest that the process of mate selection is not merely about imitation but involves a complex interplay of observation, learning, and interpretation.



“While scientists have known for a long time that females can copy each other’s choice of mates, no one has previously considered that these copying females aren’t mind-readers," wrote the study authors.



"When we considered that females can make mistakes in identifying what traits others find attractive, we found this produces patterns that have long puzzled biologists, for example maintaining variety in male traits and female preferences over time.”



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Female animals may acquire mate preferences through observation

A new study published in the journal PLOS Biology suggests...

The impacts of 20th-century commercial whaling continue to linger today, according to research led by by Angela Sremba of Oregon State University (OSU). The study reveals a significant loss in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-species-diversity-makes-forests-more-productive/">genetic diversity</a> among surviving whales.&nbsp;



"The 20th century commercial whaling industry severely reduced populations of great whales throughout the Southern Hemisphere. The effect of this exploitation on genetic diversity and population structure remains largely undescribed," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Over 2 million whales were killed by commercial whalers in the Southern Hemisphere during the 20th century. This included 345,775 Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia), 215,848 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), and an astounding 726,461 fin whales."



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



The researchers set out to investigate genetic diversity changes among great whales in the South Atlantic. They examined DNA from whale bones found near abandoned whaling stations on South Georgia Island.



The bones, some of which are over a century old, were compared to DNA from contemporary whale populations. The study showed a pronounced loss of maternal DNA lineages among blue and humpback whales.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loss-of-cultural-memories">Loss of cultural memories</h2>



“A maternal lineage is often associated with an animal’s cultural memories such as feeding and breeding locations that are passed from one generation to the next. If a maternal lineage is lost, that knowledge is likely also lost," said Sremba.



South Georgia Island, situated approximately 800 miles southeast of the Falkland Islands, was an active hub for whaling from the early 1900s to the 1960s. The aftermath of this extensive hunting is still visible, with the island scattered with whale bones, preserved due to the region’s cold temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rediscovering-their-habitat">Rediscovering their habitat</h2>



Although commercial whaling has ceased, and South Atlantic whale populations are gradually recovering, the number of whale sightings near South Georgia is notably low. This indicates possible localized extinction, or extirpation, in the area's whale populations, according to study co-author Scott Baker, associate director of OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute.



“For 60 years, the whales have been absent from the South Georgia feeding grounds, suggesting that cultural memory was lost.” However, Baker noted that there are signs of whales gradually returning to the region, potentially “rediscovering” the habitat after the loss of cultural memory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-analysis">DNA analysis</h2>



To assess the impact on genetic diversity, Sremba extracted and analyzed DNA from whale bones on South Georgia Island, comparing the findings to genetic data from current whale populations.&nbsp;



The analysis, encompassing humpback, blue, and fin whales, showed that while there is still high genetic diversity, there is evident loss of maternal DNA lineages in blue and humpback whales. The team couldn't discern diversity differences in fin whales due to the scarcity of post-whaling samples.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maternal-lineages-nbsp">Maternal lineages&nbsp;</h2>



Sremba, now affiliated with the Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, emphasized that some whales alive today might have lived during the whaling era, given their lifespan can reach a century.&nbsp;



As these older whales pass away, further maternal lineages could be lost. Thus, preserving current genetic information is crucial.



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



“It’s remarkable these species survived. In another 100 years, we don’t know what might change, and we can’t measure any change now if we don’t have a good understanding of the past," said Sremba.



The research offers valuable insights into the history and losses of whale populations due to whaling.



Baker noted that rising temperatures due to climate change could also lead to deterioration of the DNA in the bones on South Georgia Island. “This work is a way to preserve this history indefinitely."



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esad048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Heredity</a>.



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.

Echoes of the past: Whaling's long-term impact on genetic diversity

The impacts of 20th-century commercial whaling continue to linger today,...

In 2018, underwater photographer Ryo Minemizu spotted an alien-like sea creature swimming off the coast of Okinawa. When the images were posted online, hundreds of exports struggled to identify the bizarre animal.&nbsp;



Minemizu collected a single sample of the animal and stored it in a formaldehyde solution at room temperature. Two years later, an international team of scientists performed morphological and genetic studies to identify the area creature, which was about the size of a ladybug.&nbsp;



The experts, led by neurobiologist Igor Adameyko of the University of Vienna, have finally solved the mystery. The team determined that the animal, Cercariae, was actually a colony of two types of parasitic worms swimming as one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cercariae-parasitic-flukes">Cercariae - Parasitic flukes</h2>



"After microscopy-assisted exploration of the unstained specimen, we established that the aggregate is composed of two types of cercariae, which are henceforth referred to as the “sailors” (large ones) and the “passengers” (small ones)," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"The single aggregation we studied included about 20 sailors and over 1,000 passengers. Passenger cercariae were arranged in a hemisphere, with their tails forming the bulk and their bodies at the periphery. The tail tips of the sailor cercariae were anchored at the flattened side of the hemisphere, resembling snake hair on the Gorgon’s head."&nbsp;



"The passengers were much smaller volume-wise, as compared to large sailors. The aggregate resembles a colony, being finely structured and optimized for functional performance at different levels."



According to the researchers, the parasites had essentially created a prey-like swimmer that would infect the intestines of an unsuspecting host (see <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/strange-sea-creature_credit-Ryo-Minemizu_2medium.jpg">image</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-aggregation-nbsp">Moving aggregation&nbsp;</h2>



"It is the sailor cercariae that provide the movement of the aggregation by wiggling their huge tails with wide lateral fin-folds," explained the experts.&nbsp;



"At the initiation of swimming, only one or few sailors start to wiggle tails, and the others join them soon after. Sailors have different collective activity regimes, as they can beat their tails in synchrony, causing pulsing or jumping movements of the aggregate, or asynchronously via alternating beating, which provides for a smooth motion without jumping patterns."



"The beating activity of sailors involves coordinated relaxation phases that occur in cercariae located exclusively at one specific side of the aggregate. When some of the sailor cercariae do not move, they are stretching behind, and their tails appear relaxed. Thus, the activity of sailors on one side and their inactivity on the opposite side can define the directionality of swimming."&nbsp;



"Altogether, the aggregate acts like a heteromorphic colony with integrated structure and coordinated behavior. We should note that studying a single specimen does not allow us to estimate the variations in locomotion patterns or in proportion between sailor and passenger cercariae."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cercariae-have-astonishing-strategies">Cercariae have astonishing strategies </h2>



The researchers pointed out that parasites have evolved a variety of astonishing strategies to survive within their hosts. 



They noted that the discovery described in this study provides a unique example of how morphologically and functionally heterogeneous individuals of the same species cooperate to build colonial organisms for the purpose of infection.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(23)01170-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



Image Credit: Ryo Minemizu



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Bizarre sea creature, Cercariae, is actually a colony of hundreds of parasitic worms

In 2018, underwater photographer Ryo Minemizu spotted an alien-like sea...

German,Shepherd,Smiling,And,Looking,Happy,Standing,On,Top,Of

Gut microbes from wild wolves might be the solution for a severe gastrointestinal problem prevalent among domestic dogs. This new research from <a href="https://osucascades.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University – Cascades</a> is a significant stride towards resolving canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).



Canine IBD is a chronic disorder marked by symptoms like vomiting, diminished appetite, weight reduction, flatulence, stomach rumbling, and abdominal pain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-cure-for-canine-ibd">No cure for canine IBD</h2>



Bruce Seal, from OSU-Cascades’ biology program, shed light on the gravity of this issue, stating, “At present there is no known cure for this ongoing dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal tract, and there are limited options for treatment.” 



The root causes span from an animal's genetics and environmental factors to the immunological state of the GI tract and notably, an altered gut microbiome.



This study is the result of a partnership between scientists at OSU-Cascades and Oregon State’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine. It signifies a move towards a food supplement or additive that can guide a domestic dog's gut microbiome back to its ancestral state, resembling that of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-and-wolves-have-social-learning-ability-and-can-remember-where-people-hid-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wolf</a>.



“The modern dog diet, high in carbohydrates, does not mirror a wolf’s diet. For instance, starches in processed dog food are indigestible, adversely affecting the microbial community in a dog's GI tract and consequently its gastric physiology,” Seal emphasized, shedding light on the drastic shift from the dietary habits of their wild ancestors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-research-team-learned">What the research team learned</h2>



The crucial data for this research came from the gastrointestinal content of a deceased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eastern-wolves-and-grey-wolves-evolved-separately/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wolf</a>, which had tragically died from car-inflicted injuries. This specimen allowed the scientists to isolate 20 unique gut bacteria. 



Preliminary genetic examinations hinted at their probiotic properties. The study zoomed in on a newfound <a href="https://microbialcellfactories.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12934-016-0603-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paenibacillus</a> strain, completing its whole genome sequencing.



Seal elaborated on the significance of this bacterium: “It encodes enzymes adept at digesting complex carbs such as starches. Moreover, it possesses gene systems that express antimicrobials.” 



These non-toxic, spore-forming bacteria have the potential to foster anti-inflammatory responses in the gut and restrict pathogen growth. Seal concluded, “Considering all these factors, this bacterial isolate might emerge as an invaluable probiotic for our domesticated canine companions.”



In a promising direction, Seal divulged that the team is gearing up to undertake whole genome sequencing for another four or five bacterial species among the isolated 20.



The full study from the was published in journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applmicrobiol">Applied Microbiology</a>.



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Wolves have gut bacteria that can help dogs with canine IBD

Gut microbes from wild wolves might be the solution for...

Waters near the Antarctic contain high levels of dissolved salt and can remain just above, or even below, freezing points. However, certain organisms, like Antarctic octopus species, have evolved to thrive in these challenging conditions. This cold environment would be fatal to species accustomed to the warmer climes of the north. However, nature has a way of adapting to extremities.



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



A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.mbl.edu/">Marine Biological Laboratory</a> (MBL) has investigated the cold adaptations of an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-social-mdma/">octopus</a> species residing in the Southern Ocean, a region surrounding Antarctica.&nbsp;



The experts examined how extreme cold had influenced a pivotal enzyme in the octopus’s nervous system, offering new insights into the vast array of adaptations that enable life in extreme settings.



“We looked in real detail at a very important enzyme for the nervous system, the sodium-potassium pump, and we asked, ‘Where do we see most of these sites of adaptation?,’” said Joshua Rosenthal, a senior scientist at MBL.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enzyme-activity-nbsp">Enzyme activity&nbsp;</h2>



For all living organisms, temperature plays a significant role since enzymes, which initiate myriad biochemical reactions, rely on thermal energy or heat. As temperatures drop, enzyme activity diminishes, coming to an eventual standstill.



Unlike some animals, such as humans, that can generate heat internally, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secret-garden-thermal-springs-accelerate-octopus-egg-hatching-by-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">octopuses</a> lack this capability. 



Yet, these marine creatures have managed to exist in Antarctic waters, where the cold reduced the rate of their enzymatic reactions up to 30-fold. This poses a challenge for their nervous systems, which depend on a series of well-synchronized reactions.&nbsp;



“When you slow them all down to such a degree, it’s a big question: How do they adapt?” Rosenthal pondered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctic-octopus-cold-adaptation">Antarctic octopus' cold adaptation</h2>



While scientists have previously explored cold adaptation in numerous proteins, they often overlooked those embedded in cellular membranes.&nbsp;



These proteins are crucial for tasks like ion transport within cells. The focal protein of this study, the Na+/K+-ATPase, plays a role in maintaining electrical gradients essential for neuron communication.



In past studies, Rosenthal, alongside Miguel Holmgren from the <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke</a> and a summer Whitman investigator at MBL, discovered that the sodium-potassium pumps of an Antarctic octopus (genus Pareledone) were less hindered by cold compared to those of the two-spot octopuses (Octopus bimaculatus) living in temperate regions, such as near California.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amino-acid-variations">Amino acid variations</h2>



The researchers compared the amino acid composition of the two pumps to identify differences. They pinpointed specific amino acid variations, assessing their significance by exchanging them between pumps. This exchange revealed three pivotal variations enabling the pump to function efficiently in nearly freezing conditions.



One specific variation, termed L314V, emerged as particularly crucial. Modifying this amino acid could eliminate the pump’s cold-resilient nature.



Upon examining these variations within the pump’s structure, the scientists found them located at the protein’s edge, adjacent to the lipid-rich membrane. For instance, the L314V variation might optimize the pump’s movement against the membrane, thus enhancing its efficiency.



“It makes sense to us” that the interface between the protein and the membrane would be a site for such adaptations, Holmgren explained. “Once we have studied more membrane proteins, I think we will see more examples of this.”



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



Image Credit: Tom Kleindinst/Marine Biological Laboratory



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Antarctic octopus has special cold adaptations in their nervous systems

Waters near the Antarctic contain high levels of dissolved salt...

During a recent deep-sea dive off the coast of Hawaii, scientists encountered a rare and mesmerizing ocean creature known as the “Dumbo octopus."&nbsp;



This remarkable sighting occurred approximately a mile below the ocean's surface, on an unnamed seamount located within the <a href="https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Papahānaumokuākea</a> Marine National Monument.



The expedition was funded by the <a href="https://nautiluslive.org/video/2023/09/27/cute-dumbo-octopus-eyes-rov-hercules">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association</a> (NOAA).&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dumbo-octopus">Dumbo octopus</h2>



The Dumbo octopus, also known as Grimpoteuthis, belongs to the umbrella <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopus-and-squid-senses-linked-to-human-brain-evolution/">octopus</a> family. The nickname "Dumbo" comes from its resemblance to the character in Disney's 1941 film, due to the prominent ear-like fins situated on top of its head. The octopus utilizes these fins to gracefully propel itself through the water, as it searches for food.



The Dumbo <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secret-garden-thermal-springs-accelerate-octopus-egg-hatching-by-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">octopus</a> is usually found in the deep waters of the central Pacific at depths ranging from 1,300 to 13,000 feet. However, some of these intriguing animals have been found as deep as 23,000 feet.&nbsp;



Because they live in such deep, dark environments, their coloration can vary, often appearing in shades of red, pink, brown, or white.



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



The footage of the Dumbo octopus was captured by the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus, providing a unique opportunity to observe the creature as it effortlessly drifts in the ocean's depths.&nbsp;



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="9KGzHmAd5J-3029266-12187" type="single"]</div>



The crew aboard the E/V Nautilus was fortunate enough to witness not just one, but five of these creatures in a single night.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-beautiful-experience">A beautiful experience</h2>



Jaina Galves, a video engineer intern who played a role in this discovery, shared her excitement about the experience.



“Each time, you’re kind of just roaming around with the ROV,” said Galves. “Somebody’s like, wait, what is that in the corner, and then everybody starts to gasp, everybody starts to freak out. And everybody’s like Dumbo octopus!"



"So we take the ROV over, we go, and we follow them. They move very slowly and very gracefully, so we get to follow them for quite a while.”



“It depends on what we’re doing and how long we can hang out. But for one of them, we just got to stay for quite a while. Just watched it kind of glide through the water, and it was beautiful.”



Galves told ABC News: “When I saw it on the screen, I couldn’t even say anything. My jaw was just on the floor.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-characteristics">Unique characteristics</h2>



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



Overall, scientists have discovered more than a dozen species of dumbo octopuses. The largest individual captured on film was nearly six feet long, according to the environmental group Oceana, but most are much smaller, with an average length of 8 to 12 inches.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-appearance">Appearance</h3>



Dumbo octopuses are characterized by their unique umbrella-shaped appearance when their arms are spread. They possess a soft, gelatinous body, which is an adaptation to the deep-sea environment.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diet">Diet</h3>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/are-octopuses-smart/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">octopuses</a> feed on crustaceans, benthic worms, and other small organisms found on the ocean floor. They often swallow their prey whole.



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



Unlike many other octopus species, Dumbo <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-octopuses-dream-a-recent-study-shows-octopuses-sleep-is-very-similar-to-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">octopuses</a> do not have a defined breeding season. They can lay eggs at any time, and the young are developed enough to survive on their own immediately after hatching. While their exact lifespan is unknown, it is believed to be about 3 to 5 years.



The species is known for its gentle and passive demeanor, and since it inhabits regions difficult for humans to access, it has not been extensively studied, and much about it remains a mystery.



The E/V Nautilus, owned by the nonprofit organization <a href="https://nautiluslive.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Exploration Trust</a>, is currently exploring the expansive Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. This protected marine area spans over 500,000 square miles in the Pacific, making it larger than all U.S. national parks combined.



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Video and image credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute



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.

Rare "Dumbo octopus" captured on film and video in Hawaii

During a recent deep-sea dive off the coast of Hawaii,...

Woman,With,Her,Dog

Researchers at <a href="https://www.gwu.edu/">George Washington University</a> have explored the unspoken language of loyal companionship shared between humans and their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-do-small-dogs-live-longer-than-large-breeds/">dogs</a>. The study reveals intriguing insights about how dogs' facial markings can be indicative of the depth of their bonds with their human owners.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-canine-communication-nbsp">Canine communication&nbsp;</h2>



Over 65 million households in the United States currently enjoy the love and dedication of canine companions, as reported by Statista. These beloved pets are famous for their affectionate and loyal nature. Yet, the essence of the powerful connection formed between humans and dogs has remained a mystery.



The new study sheds light on this mystery by delving into the possible implications of dogs’ facial markings on human-canine relationships.&nbsp;



The report suggests that dogs with simpler facial markings, such as those with a single color or without any patterns and spots, tend to be more expressive when interacting with humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-dogs-facial-markings">Studying dogs' facial markings</h2>



Expressiveness in dogs refers to the various ways dogs communicate with both humans and other animals through physical gestures, facial expressions, vocalizations, and body language.&nbsp;



This ability plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining strong bonds between dogs and their owners.



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



For the investigation, the researchers observed 100 dogs along with their respective owners across four different scenarios.&nbsp;



Each dog's behavior was scrutinized using the Dog Facial Action Coding System (DogFACS). This innovative system enables researchers to quantify and evaluate the dogs’ facial markings and expressions.



The results showed a remarkable degree of accuracy among owners of middle-aged dogs (aged two to seven years) in interpreting their pets' expressiveness, particularly if the dogs had simple facial markings.



Participants were also surveyed about various dog demographics and their aptitude at discerning their pet’s expressions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-welfare">Dog welfare</h2>



“As dogs become more and more integrated into human society, it’s important that we understand how they communicate with us and how we can better communicate with them,” said study lead author Courtney Sexton.



“If we think about this in terms of welfare contexts, or dogs in shelters, or working dogs and service animals, or interactions with dogs in your neighborhood or people at a dog park, knowing what dogs are trying to tell us and what they might be thinking or feeling can really enhance both their experience and ours when we’re together.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers noted that senior dogs tend to be less expressive toward their human partners.&nbsp;



According to Sexton, this may be attributed to the established rapport older dogs share with their owners, reducing the need for overt expressiveness to communicate effectively.&nbsp;



By contrast, working dogs and those with extensive training were observed to be more expressive, likely because clear communication is imperative in their roles.



Understanding canine expressiveness can immensely benefit both dogs and their human companions by promoting better communication and stronger bonds.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expressiveness-in-dogs">Expressiveness in dogs</h2>



Understanding a dog’s expressiveness is important for responsible pet ownership as it helps in interpreting the animal’s needs, emotions, and well-being accurately.&nbsp;



By paying close attention to a dog’s various forms of expression, owners can build stronger, more empathetic relationships with their furry companions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facial-markings-of-dogs">Facial markings of dogs</h3>



Dogs have an array of facial expressions that they use to convey different emotions and intentions. For instance, the raising of eyebrows, exposing teeth, and movements of the ears can all signal different states of mind, ranging from excitement and contentment to anxiety and aggression.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vocalizations">Vocalizations</h3>



Dogs communicate vocally through barks, whines, growls, and howls. Each vocalization can carry different meanings depending on its pitch, duration, and frequency.&nbsp;



For example, a high-pitched bark might indicate excitement or attention-seeking, while a low growl could signal discomfort or warning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-body-language">Body language</h2>



Dogs utilize their entire body to communicate. The position of the tail, the stiffness or relaxation of the body, and the way a dog approaches or avoids something all provide crucial cues about what the dog is feeling or intending.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-humans">Learning from humans</h3>



Research shows that dogs are adept at reading human emotions and facial expressions. Dogs can understand human smiles, frowns, and even the direction of a person’s gaze, adjusting their behavior in response to these cues.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-variations-in-expressiveness">Variations in expressiveness</h3>



Different breeds and individual dogs can vary significantly in their levels of expressiveness. For example, some breeds are known for being more vocal, while others are renowned for their expressive eyes or energetic body language.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-training-and-socialization">Training and socialization</h3>



A dog’s expressiveness can also be shaped by training and socialization. Dogs that have been well-socialized from a young age are typically more comfortable expressing themselves and are better at interpreting the expressions and cues of others.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-related-changes">Age-related changes</h3>



As dogs age, there might be changes in their expressiveness. Senior dogs may not be as energetically expressive as their younger counterparts, but they often develop a deep understanding and communication rhythm with their owners, as noted in the study.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-implications">Health implications</h3>



Changes in a dog’s normal expressive behavior can also be indicative of health issues. For instance, a usually expressive and energetic dog becoming suddenly withdrawn and quiet might be experiencing pain or discomfort.



The research is published in the journal Animals.



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Dogs’ facial markings influence how they bond with humans

Researchers at George Washington University have explored the unspoken language...

Climate change has brought about various significant shifts in the global environment, and one such change has been the early onset of spring. This phenomenon is impacting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/migratory-birds-have-new-strategy-to-cope-with-climate-change/">migratory birds</a>, which are struggling to keep pace with the changes in their natural environment.&nbsp;



In Sweden and its surrounding regions, migratory birds are arriving later than the peak availability of caterpillars, their primary food.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flight-adjustment">Flight adjustment</h2>



Researchers from Lund, Sweden, and the Netherlands have found a potential solution to this pressing issue: encouraging migratory birds to fly further north.&nbsp;



The experts believe that by directing these birds slightly further north, it could offer their offspring a more favorable start in life.



"We thought that perhaps the migratory birds could fly further north until they find a place with suitable well-developed caterpillars," said study co-author Jan-Åke Nilsson from <a href="https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lund University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-declining-food-supply">Declining food supply</h2>



Due to warmer springs, caterpillars now hatch, grow, and enter the pupal stage sooner than they did a few decades ago. This poses a significant challenge for birds that rely on these caterpillars as a primary food source, as they cannot consume them once they've entered the pupal phase.&nbsp;



The declining food supply leads to an increasing number of chicks starving during their crucial breeding season. This issue is particularly pronounced for migratory birds that winter in Africa, as they remain unaware of the early spring onset in places like Sweden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-impact-of-early-spring">Studying the impact of early spring</h2>



While non-migratory birds seem to adjust to this change to some extent due to their continuous presence and innate ability to sense early spring's arrival, migratory birds don't share this advantage.



To investigate whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-rely-on-an-inner-compass-to-guide-long-migrations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory birds</a> could simply fly further north to find caterpillars, the research team embarked on an experiment with Pied Flycatchers. 



These birds, which had arrived pre-breeding in the Netherlands, were captured and transported overnight to Vombs Fure, a pine forest region in Skåne. Notably, this area experiences its caterpillar food peak about two weeks later than the Netherlands.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promising-results">Promising results</h2>



Given the Pied Flycatcher's ability to cover the 600-kilometer distance from Lund to Skåne in just two nights, the results of the experiment seem to be promising.



"The birds that were given a lift from the Netherlands to Skåne synchronized very well with the food peak! As they started to breed about 10 days earlier than the 'Swedish' Pied Flycatchers they had a dramatically better breeding success than the Swedish ones as well as a better success than the Pied Flycatchers that remained in the Netherlands," said Nilsson.



The offspring of these assisted Pied Flycatchers, when returning from their maiden spring migration, bypassed the Netherlands altogether, instead making their way to their birthplace outside Lund. These chicks consequently had a higher number of well-fed chicks the subsequent year.



"The number of small birds, particularly migratory birds, has decreased drastically throughout Europe," said Nilsson. "By flying a little further north, these birds, at least in principle, could synchronize with their food resources and there is hope that robust populations of small birds can be maintained, even though springs are arriving ever earlier."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-impact-of-early-spring">More about the impact of early spring</h2>



Early spring wields a substantial impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/how-does-the-climate-affect-the-behavior-of-migratory-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory birds</a>, influencing their migration patterns, breeding behaviors, and access to food resources. The occurrence of early spring implies a faster arrival of warmer temperatures, leading to a chain of environmental changes.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alteration-in-migration-timings">Alteration in migration timings</h3>



Firstly, early springs trigger migratory birds to commence their journeys sooner. Birds rely predominantly on the availability of food, and a premature spring ensures a quicker abundance of resources. 



The change in climate cues such as temperature and food availability lead birds to alter their migration timing. For example, some species, like the Eurasian Blackcap, advance their migration schedules to exploit the early abundance of food and establish territories, and optimize breeding opportunities.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-spring-and-breeding-behaviors">Early spring and breeding behaviors</h3>



The breeding behaviors of migratory birds also experience modifications due to early springs. Birds like the Pied Flycatcher, mentioned previously in this article, might start their breeding season earlier to synchronize with the early availability of caterpillars, their primary food source during breeding. 



This alteration in breeding times ensures that the young ones have ample food, leading to higher survival rates. However, if the birds do not adjust their breeding times appropriately, they might face a scarcity of food resources, which can impact the survival rate of the offspring.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-on-food-resources">Impact on food resources</h3>



Furthermore, early spring affects the abundance and availability of food resources for migratory birds. Many birds feast on insects that are also responding to the early arrival of spring. 



The insects might peak earlier, and if birds do not adjust their migration timings correctly, they can miss this abundance of food. For instance, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/migratory-birds-have-new-strategy-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic shorebirds</a> that fail to sync their arrival with the peak in food resources might face nutritional stress, affecting their reproduction and survival.



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



The impacts of early spring are not isolated to migratory birds alone. They reverberate throughout the ecological web. Predators and competitors of these birds also experience the effects of their altered behaviors. An early migration and breeding might lead to higher competition for nesting sites and food among different species, leading to shifts in species dominance and potentially altering ecosystem structures and functions.



In summary, early spring ushers in a cascade of changes that critically impact migratory birds. The alterations in migration timings and breeding behaviors are imperative for the birds to align with the availability of food resources. While some species successfully modify their schedules and reap the benefits of early springs, others might struggle to adapt, facing nutritional deficiencies and reduced survival rates. 



Additionally, the repercussions of these shifts are intricate and extend to other species in the ecosystem, highlighting the interconnectedness of all living organisms. The profound impacts of early spring accentuate the importance of studying climate changes and implementing conservation strategies to protect migratory birds and maintain ecological balance.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02191-w">Nature Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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Migratory birds can learn to adjust to early spring

Climate change has brought about various significant shifts in the...

The long-held belief that jellyfish are simple creatures with limited cognitive abilities has been dramatically overturned.&nbsp;



A new study from the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> reveals that Caribbean box jellyfish are far more advanced than previously thought, displaying complex learning abilities despite their rudimentary nervous systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-so-simple-nbsp">Not so simple&nbsp;</h2>



While jellyfish have inhabited our planet for over 500 million years, their reputation has mostly been that of uncomplicated beings.&nbsp;



This notion has been largely based on their primitive nervous systems, particularly when compared to organisms with advanced centralized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nutrition-for-neurons-the-role-of-breast-milk-in-shaping-our-brains/">brains</a>. The research, however, challenges this perspective.



"It was once presumed that jellyfish can only manage the simplest forms of learning, including habituation – i.e., the ability to get used to a certain stimulation, such as a constant sound or constant touch," said study co-author Professor Anders Garm.



"Now, we see that jellyfish have a much more refined ability to learn, and that they can actually learn from their mistakes. And in doing so, modify their behavior."



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



The focus of this research was the Caribbean box jellyfish, Tripedalia cystophora. Despite having only about a thousand nerve cells, these jellyfish displayed sophisticated learning mechanisms that allowed them to adapt their behavior based on experiences. Remarkably, they achieve this advanced learning at a rate similar to that of fruit flies and mice.



The team's experiments highlighted how these jellyfish use visual contrasts to gauge their distance from mangrove roots, enabling them to avoid potential harm.&nbsp;



What's even more fascinating is their ability to adjust their behavior based on changes in contrast conditions due to various environmental factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-associative-learning-nbsp">Associative learning&nbsp;</h2>



"Our experiments show that contrast, i.e., how dark the root is in relation to the water, is used by the jellyfish to assess distances to roots, which allows them to swim away at just the right moment. Even more interesting is that the relationship between distance and contrast changes on a daily basis due to rainwater, algae and wave action," said Professor Garm.



"We can see that as each new day of hunting begins, box jellyfish learn from the current contrasts by combining visual impressions and sensations during evasive maneuvers that fail."



"So, despite having a mere one thousand nerve cells – our brains have roughly 100 billion – they can connect temporal convergences of various impressions and learn a connection – or what we call associative learning. And they actually learn about as quickly as advanced animals like fruit flies and mice."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



This research is redefining our understanding of the capabilities of simple nervous systems. It presents the intriguing idea that advanced learning might have been a fundamental evolutionary advantage from the very inception of nervous systems.



"For fundamental neuroscience, this is pretty big news. It provides a new perspective on what can be done with a simple nervous system. This suggests that advanced learning may have been one of the most important evolutionary benefits of the nervous system from the very beginning," said Garm.



Further studies are now focusing on identifying the specific nerve cells responsible for this learning in jellyfish.&nbsp;



This knowledge could ultimately lead to a broader understanding about memory processes across different species and might even contribute to our comprehension of complex conditions like dementia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-supermodel-system-nbsp">A supermodel system&nbsp;</h2>



The research team has also shown where the learning is happening in these box jellyfish. This has given them the unique opportunity to study the precise changes that occur in a nerve cell when it is involved in advanced learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



"We hope that this can become a supermodel system for looking at cellular processes in the advanced learning of all sorts of animals," said Professor Garm.



"We are now in the process of trying to pinpoint exactly which cells are involved in learning and memory formation. Upon doing so, we will be able to go in and look at what structural and physiological changes occur in the cells as learning takes place."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-how-memory-works-nbsp">Learning how memory works&nbsp;</h2>



Professor Garm said that the team will eventually look for the same mechanisms in other animals, to see if this is how memory works in general.&nbsp;



"Understanding something as enigmatic and immensely complex as the brain is in itself an absolutely amazing thing. But there are unimaginably many useful possibilities."&nbsp;



"One major problem in the future will undoubtedly be various forms of dementia. I don’t claim that we are finding the cure for dementia, but if we can gain a better understanding of what memory is, which is a central problem in dementia, we may be able to lay a building block to better understand the disease and perhaps counteract it."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.056" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Jellyfish can learn from past experiences - even without a central brain

The long-held belief that jellyfish are simple creatures with limited...

Scientists have recently discovered the massive fossil of a trapdoor spider in Australia, providing significant insights into the ancient arachnids’ history and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-practices-could-greatly-reduce-species-extinction-risk/">extinction</a> patterns in the region.



The fossil was unearthed at a site in the Central Tablelands in New South Wales. It represents the second-largest spider fossil ever found.&nbsp;



The astonishingly large spider, which has been named Megamonodontium mccluskyi, was more than five times the size of its modern relatives.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dismal-fossil-record">Dismal fossil record</h2>



The researchers explained that it has been challenging to piece together the intricate history of Australian spiders.&nbsp;



"Mygalomorph spiders have been present on the Australian landmass since before the break-up of Gondwana. Today, mygalomorphs are represented on the continent by a diverse fauna of 12 families," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Despite this extensive evolutionary history, only one fossil mygalomorph spider has been found in Australia: Edwa maryae from the Triassic of Queensland."



"Presumably, this dismal fossil record is the result of a combination of the fragility of the animals and the tendency of females to stay within burrows, both of which prevent many spiders from entering the fossil record."&nbsp;



"The lack of fossils from Australia has made it difficult to decipher the evolutionary history of the group."



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



Matthew McCurry, a palaeontologist at UNSW, noted that only four spider fossils have previously been discovered in Australia.



“This discovery is so significant, it reveals new information about the extinction of spiders and fills a gap in our understanding," said McCurry. “The closest living relative of this fossil now lives in wet forests in Singapore through to Papua New Guinea."



“This suggests that the group once occupied similar environments in mainland Australia but have gone extinct as Australia became more arid.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-megamonodontium-mccluskyi">Megamonodontium mccluskyi</h2>



Notably, Megamonodontium mccluskyi shares a resemblance with the present-day brush-footed trapdoor spiders found in western New South Wales. It marks an essential milestone for researchers studying the ancient biodiversity and ecological shifts in Australia. The newfound fossil is believed to be between 11 to 16 million years old.



The fossilized spider draws its name from Dr. Simon McClusky, the scientist credited with its discovery. This monumental finding is the result of the collaborative efforts of scientists from ANU, UC, and UNSW.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brush-footed-trapdoor-spiders">Brush-footed trapdoor spiders</h2>



"Brush-footed trapdoor spiders (Araneae: Barychelidae) are a diverse clade of mygalomorph spiders that have evolved several features, including tufts of setae that allow them to climb smooth surfaces," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Furthermore, their spinnerets are fairly short, which distinguishes them readily from the larger sympatric tarantulas (Theraphosidae). Australia is currently home to 10 genera of brush-footed trapdoor spiders, a center of biodiversity, if not also their origin."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-significance">Global significance</h2>



Robert Raven, a Queensland Museum arachnologist and the supervising author of the research, offered further context on the discovery’s global significance.&nbsp;



"Not only is it the largest fossilized spider to be found in Australia but it is the first fossil of the family Barychelidae that has been found worldwide," said Raven.&nbsp;



"There are around 300 species of brush-footed trapdoor spiders alive today, but they don't seem to become fossils very often. This could be because they spend so much time inside burrows and so aren't in the right environment to be fossilized."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-site">Discovery site</h2>



The spider fossil is now part of the Australian Museum’s palaeontology collection and is accessible online for research purposes, further facilitating the study of ancient arachnids. 



Interestingly, the discovery site, known as McGraths Flat near Gulgong, has also been identified as the location where a new fossilized jumping spider was recently found.



The research is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/advance-article/doi/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad100/7274985">Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society</a>.



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Prehistoric trapdoor spider was five times bigger than its modern relatives

Scientists have recently discovered the massive fossil of a trapdoor...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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