In a fascinating new study, scientists documented 34 attempts by wild killer whales to give food to humans. These rare cases spanned four oceans and 20 years. Some happened near boats, others in open water or even from the shore. 



The events highlight the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/killer-whales-use-kelp-to-massage-and-groom-each-other/">orcas</a>’ possible interest in humans and raise important questions about whale intelligence, communication, and social behavior.



“Orcas often share food with each other - it’s a prosocial activity and a way that they build relationships with each other,” said study lead author Jared Towers, of <a href="https://baycetology.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bay Cetology</a> in British Columbia, Canada. “That they also share with humans may show their interest in relating to us as well.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-orcas-gave-humans">What orcas gave humans</h2>



The 34 incidents involved six distinct populations of killer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-helps-humans-have-20-minute-conversation-with-humpback-whale-named-twain/">whales</a>. They offered humans a total of 18 species: six fish, five mammals, three invertebrates, two birds, one reptile, and even one piece of seaweed.



In 97 percent of these cases, the orcas waited for a human response. Some hovered for several minutes. 



On several occasions, they tried again when the humans ignored or returned the offering. In two especially curious cases, whales retrieved birds after humans returned them, only to offer them again.



This behavior could be a form of interspecies curiosity, communication, or even social learning. As the authors suggest, these events might represent "generalized altruism" - an advanced trait observed in only a few social animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploration-more-than-play">Exploration more than play</h2>



Though play was observed in 38 percent of the interactions, the researchers argue most cases were not playful. The age of the whales varied widely, and many offered whole, fresh prey. 



In over 75 percent of ignored cases, the whales later used the prey for themselves or their group. This suggests the offerings had purpose and value, not just entertainment.



Curiosity-driven behavior, distinct from play, seemed a stronger motivator. As the study explains, animals often explore to reduce uncertainty. 



Offering food to humans might help orcas learn how we respond, just as they would with unfamiliar members of their own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whales-blow-bubble-smoke-rings-near-humans-to-communicate/">species</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-social-intelligence-at-work">Deep social intelligence at work</h2>



Some whales returned the same item to humans multiple times. Others acted in pairs or small groups. 



Most of the 34 events involved a single whale separating from a larger group. This suggests the act was not for show. Rather, it might reflect the whale's individual decision to interact.



Interestingly, killer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dolphin-brains-evolved-to-see-underwater-by-using-sound-echolocation/">whales</a> have also been documented cooperating with human fishers in places like Australia and Russia. The authors noted that this history could influence modern interactions, especially as human activity increases near their habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-may-view-humans-as-companions">Whales may view humans as companions</h2>



Killer whales rank second only to humans in brain-to-body ratio. They also show advanced emotional and social behavior. 



These traits support complex social learning, reciprocal behavior, and possibly even empathy.



“Offering items to humans could simultaneously include opportunities for killer whales to practice learned cultural behavior, explore or play and in so doing learn about, manipulate or develop relationships with us,” the researchers wrote.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humans-should-not-approach-whales">Humans should not approach whales</h2>



Despite the remarkable nature of these encounters, the researchers urge caution. Orcas can show complex and sometimes unpredictable behavior. 



While no wild killer whale has killed a person, some interactions have been intense. They warn against seeking out such encounters or encouraging the behavior without proper permissions.



Most of these whales belonged to populations that hunt near the surface and share prey frequently. 



No deep-water, fish-only populations were involved. This suggests that cooperative surface hunting may lead to more frequent and visible interspecies interactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-minds-of-whales-and-humans">Complex minds of whales and humans</h2>



The findings challenge our assumptions about human-animal relationships. If orcas are experimenting with ways to relate to us, it means they recognize us not as threats, but as potential social partners.



These whales are not just predators. They are thinkers, observers, and maybe, in some way, explorers of culture, curiosity, memory, learning, and emotion. 



Their actions suggest complex minds in both whales and humans, capable of choice, empathy, and communication.



The study is published in the <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-29805-001.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Comparative Psychology</a>. 



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Killer whales may be trying to bond with humans

In a fascinating new study, scientists documented 34 attempts by wild killer whales to give food to humans. These rare cases spanned four oceans and 20 years. Some happened near boats, others in open water or even from the shore. The events highlight the orcas’ possible interest in humans and raise important questions about whale intelligence, communication, and social behavior. “Orcas often share food with each other - it’s a prosocial activity and a way that they build relationships with each other,” said study lead author Jared...

The Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) – also known as the Black Vulture and the Monk Vulture – is the largest bird of prey in Europe. Once abundant, its populations in Southern Europe have declined dramatically since the late 1800s. While globally, this vulture is classified as “Near Threatened,” in Bulgaria it has been considered extinct since 1985.



However, due to a re-introduction initiative started in 2015 by three Bulgarian non-governmental organizations - &nbsp;the <a href="https://greenbalkans.org/">Green Balkans</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fwff.org/">Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna</a>, and the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bpps.org/">Birds of Prey Protection Society</a> – the vulture is finally back in the country, with 72 individuals imported from Spain and European zoos and released in strategically-chosen locations in the Eastern Balkan Mountains and the Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park in northwestern Bulgaria.



While 63 juvenile vultures were brought from Spain, where they had been found in distress and rehabilitated in aviaries, nine were captive-bred in zoos and afterwards released by means of “hacking,” a process involving artificial nests from which fledglings can gradually get back to the wild.



In a new study published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.11.e100521">Biodiversity Data Journal</a>, scientists reported on and discussed the effectiveness and challenges of different release method, while offering new insights on the conservation and re-introduction of this iconic species. According to the experts, hacking proved ineffective for establishing an entirely new core population in the Balkan Mountains, and it did not work properly for supplementing a small settled group of individuals either. By contrast, the aviary method and delayed release – in which captive-bred birds are introduced to a new environment after a period of acclimatization – seems to be a much more efficient alternative.



“The Cinereous Vulture re-introduction establishment phase in Bulgaria in the two first release sites is running according to the plan, and the first results are satisfactory,” the authors wrote. “Two distinct nuclei are now created, and the species started breeding, which might be a reason to up-list it in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria from ’Extinct’ to ‘Critically Endangered.’”



These newly created nuclei in Bulgaria are the second and third of their kind in the entire Balkan Peninsula, after the breeding colony in the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park in northeastern Greece. Future exchanges between these three colonies will likely increase the regional population and ensure long-term stability of this species.



However, further monitoring and adaptive management are necessary for the long-term persistence of the new Black Vulture population. After the core breeding populations will start producing about ten chicks each year and the locally fledged individuals will begin reproducing on their own, it can be officially confirmed that this species has successfully re-established in the country.



&nbsp;—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Vulture reintroduced in Bulgaria after three decades

The Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) – also known as the...

An unusual parasite strain that has killed at least four sea otters may pose a threat to marine animals and humans, according to a study from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/">UC Davis</a>. The experts report that the animals died from an unusually severe form of toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the microscopic parasite Toxoplasma gondii.



The researchers noted that toxoplasmosis is common in sea otters, but the new Toxoplasma strain appears to be more lethal and capable of rapidly killing healthy adult otters.



The scientists warn that this rare form of toxoplasma infection, which has never been seen on the California coast before, could threaten both wildlife and humans if it contaminates the environment and the marine food chain.



“Because this parasite can infect humans and other animals, we want others to be aware of our findings, quickly recognize cases if they encounter them and take precautions to prevent infection,” said study co-author Melissa Miller. “We encourage others to take extra precautions if they observe inflamed systemic fat deposits in sea otters or other marine wildlife.”



Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite that infects most species of warm-blooded animals and causes toxoplasmosis. The sea otters that were found stranded with the new strain of Toxoplasma had severe inflammation of their body fat - a condition called steatitis. According to the researchers, this is a very unusual finding in sea otters with toxoplasmosis.



“The appearance of this lethal type of Toxoplasma in coastal California is concerning for two main reasons: First, because of potential population health impacts on a threatened species, and second, because this parasite could also affect the health of other animals that are susceptible to Toxoplasma infection,” said study co-author Devinn Sinnott of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.



Through microscopic examination, the experts found that the deceased otters had high numbers of Toxoplasma parasites in their tissues. However, the parasites were not present in the brain, which is usually affected in sea otters with fatal toxoplasmosis.



DNA tests revealed that the animals had been infected with a rare strain of Toxoplasma called COUG, which was first identified in 1995 in Canadian mountain lions.



“This was a complete surprise,” said study senior author Karen Shapiro of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. “The COUG genotype has never before been described in sea otters, nor anywhere in the California coastal environment or in any other aquatic mammal or bird.”



“I have studied Toxoplasma infections in sea otters for 25 years, and I have never seen such severe lesions or high parasite numbers,” said Miller. “We are reporting our preliminary findings to alert others about this concerning condition. Since Toxoplasma can infect any warm-blooded animal, it could also potentially cause disease in animals and humans that share the same environment or food resources, including mussels, clams, oysters, and crabs that are consumed raw or undercooked.”



According to Sinnott, larger-scale studies are needed to understand the potential impact of infection by the COUG Toxoplasma strain on sea otter populations, how geographically dispersed it is, how it is being introduced into the ocean, and what other animals might be affected.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1116899">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



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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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Sea otters killed by lethal strain of Toxoplasma 

An unusual parasite strain that has killed at least four...

Some pesticides – particularly a class called neonicotinoids – are known to have a significant impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-bees-struggle-to-recover-after-extreme-weather-events/">bees</a> and other insects, contributing to population declines. Yet, since bees’ responses to this threat across the globe often seems to vary, other factors might be at play.&nbsp;



Now, a team of scientists from <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/">Imperial College London</a> (ICL) has found that environmental temperature is one of these factors, influencing the degree to which pesticides alter a variety of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bumblebees-increasingly-stressed-over-the-past-century/">bumblebee</a> behaviors that are crucial for their survival and capacity to pollinate crops. These findings suggest that future global warming could increase the impact of pesticides in bee population and their pollination services.



The experts examined how six bumblebee behaviors were influenced by two widely used pesticides - the neonicotinoid imidacloprid and the sulfoximine sulfoxaflor - at three different temperatures (21, 27, and 30°C). The investigation revealed that four of these behaviors – responsiveness, likelihood of movement, walking rate, and food consumption rate – were affected by imidacloprid more strongly at lower temperatures, suggesting that cold snaps may increase pesticide toxicity on essential behaviors. However, a behavior highly important for pollination – how far the bees could fly – was most significantly affected by exposure to imidacloprid at the highest temperature.



“The drop-off in flight performance at the highest temperature suggests a ‘tipping point’ has been reached in the bees’ ability to tolerate the combined temperature and pesticide exposure. This seeming cliff-edge effect happens over the span of just three degrees, which changes our perception of pesticide risk dynamics given such temperature changes can commonly occur over the space of a day,” said study senior author Richard Gill, a senior lecturer in Life Sciences at ICL.



“Furthermore, the frequency to which bees will be exposed to pesticides and extreme temperatures under climate change are predicted to increase. Our work can help to inform the right concentrations and application times of pesticides across different climatic regions of the world to help safeguard pollinators, such as bees.”



The scientists stress that, although the tropics are hotter in general, since temperature ranges are larger in more temperate latitudes, pollinators may be affected more strongly in such regions. By quantifying the relationship between pollination services and pesticide impact, this study could play a significant role in assessing the risks of pesticides across different regions of the world as the climate continues to warm.



“These results are important for developing a toxicity forecast framework, allowing us to predict how bee populations will respond to climate change whilst living in intense agricultural landscapes,” concluded co-author Peter Graystock, an expert in Conservation Biology at ICL.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16671">Global Change Biology</a>.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Rising temperatures increase pesticide toxicity in bees

Some pesticides – particularly a class called neonicotinoids – are...

A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mam.12311">Mammal Review</a> has found that in South America,&nbsp; pinnipeds such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seals-can-perceive-rhythm-early-in-life/">seals</a>, sea lions, and fur seals are currently at significant risk from interactions with local fisheries and aquaculture. These animals often become entangled in nets or cages and, as a result, many of them drown.&nbsp;



By analyzing studies conducted over the past 25 years on operational and biological interactions between these marine mammals and South American fisheries and aquaculture activities, the researchers discovered that two species – the South American sea lion&nbsp;(Otaria flavescens)&nbsp;and the South American fur seal&nbsp;(Arctocephalus australis) – are involved frequently in such interactions. However, since the economic losses to fisheries and aquaculture related to sea lion depredation are rather low, no major actions to solve this problem have been undertaken. Moreover, while incidental capture and mortality of seals has been reported widely, the precise magnitude of this issue remains largely unknown.



According to the scientists, not much progress has been made to incorporate protective measures to mitigate such interactions, due to a variety of factors, including a poor understanding of ecosystem complexity, the costs of modifying fishing gear, and the scarcity of official fishing controls.&nbsp;



“Limited progress and inconsistency exist among the different countries of South America regarding conservation priorities and actions to reduce marine mammal bycatch and to manage pinniped-related damage and predation,” the authors wrote.



“The causes of the limited progress in the adoption of mitigation measures in South America are multiple, including ecological aspects that are unknown or that cannot be overcome with current technology; the high costs of modifying nests or incorporating acoustic deterrent devices; and the scarcity of fishing controls, particularly in the large artisanal fleets.”



In order to solve this problem and help with the conservation of these species, long-term education programs should be established among the fishing communities, teaching them about the critical roles these marine mammals play in their ecosystems and the negative impacts of their removal.



“This study provides a deep analysis on the interactions between pinnipeds and fisheries and aquaculture in South American waters, highlighting the need to improve policy and management relating to marine mammal interactions,” concluded corresponding author Maritza Sepúlveda, an expert in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the <a href="https://uv.cl/">University of Valparaíso</a> in Chile.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Fisheries endanger South American seals

A new study published in the journal Mammal Review has...

Experts at <a href="https://wustl.edu/">Washington University in St. Louis</a> are describing how hummingbirds use torpor, a hibernation-like state of inactivity, to survive harsh <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-dna-can-help-monitor-pollinators/">environments</a>. According to the study, hummingbirds use torpor in different ways depending on their physical state and the environmental conditions they are facing.&nbsp;



In collaboration with biologists in Colombia, the researchers caught 249 hummingbirds (29 different species) living in the middle to high altitudes of the Andes Mountains. The experts wanted to measure torpor under various semi-natural conditions.&nbsp;



“Torpor is somewhere between a power nap and hibernation,” said study first author Justin Baldwin. “Earlier research had suggested that torpor was a way of completely shutting metabolism down to minimal levels."



"Our findings join a growing body of evidence to suggest that when animals enter torpor, they have diverse options to calibrate aspects of torpor to their environment.”



The study revealed that hummingbirds can enter into deep or shallow torpor, and they can remain in this state for just a few hours or for the entire night. In addition, the birds can begin to emerge from torpor hours or just minutes before sunrise.&nbsp;



"Small birds were more likely to use torpor than large birds, but only at low ambient temperatures, where torpor was prolonged. We also found effects of proxy variables for body condition and energy expenditure on the use of torpor, its characteristics, and impacts," wrote the researchers.



Study co-author Gustavo Londoño is a professor at the Universidad Icesi in Cali, Colombia. He explained that torpor can be the difference between surviving through cold night-time temperatures encountered at high elevations, or dying trying to regulate their body temperature using fuel from their internal reserves.



“One of the new things we learned with this study is that hummingbirds start exiting torpor more or less one hour before sunrise,” said Professor Londoño. “Being out of torpor and ready to fly with the first sunlight is key to ensuring that their first meal will be from flowers that are full of nectar. The flowers then get depleted through the morning.”



By studying many hummingbird species at once, the researchers were able to analyze how torpor may have contributed to their evolution and colonization of harsh environments.



“Species that more readily deployed torpor at our study sites also occurred at higher elevations across the entire Andean region,” said Baldwin. “This is exciting, because it suggests that a characteristic of bird physiology can tell us something about their distribution across the entire continent."



“Even though we don’t know which came first - an increase in readiness to use torpor or the ability to persist at high elevations - we think that hummingbirds’ readiness to use torpor is likely tied to their evolutionary conquest of mountain habitats.”



&nbsp;The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.2099">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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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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Hummingbirds have evolved to survive harsh environments 

Experts at Washington University in St. Louis are describing how...

Besides warmer weather and blooming flowers, spring also brings the unfortunate re-emergence of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spotted-lanternflies-damage-young-maple-trees/">spotted lanternfly</a>, a prolific invasive insect originating from Asia that wreaks havoc on both forests and croplands. Since their initial detection in Pennsylvania in 2014, these insects have spread to over 100 counties across 14 states. 



Now, a study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25989-3">Nature Scientific Reports</a> has found that the spread of spotted lanternflies is largely due to human-mediated dispersal via transportation by cars, trucks, and trains.



“Spotted lanternflies can spread quickly into suitable habitat and have the potential to cause significant economic damage to crops and hardwood trees,” said study co-author Tara Trammell, an associated professor of Urban Forestry at the <a href="https://www.udel.edu/">University of Delaware</a>. “Studying potential dispersal mechanisms, such as human transportation, can help us develop management approaches to reduce further spread.”



To simulate spotted lanternfly spread dynamics, the experts used agent-based models incorporating information on life history, habitat suitability, movement, and natural dispersal behaviors. The analysis revealed an overwhelming effect of human-mediated dispersal that supports current observational data and could finally explain the mysterious long-distance jumps across states this insect has made. 



Human-mediated dispersal most likely occurs during the period between June and September, when both juvenile and adult lanternflies are present. This is also when mating and egg laying take place.&nbsp;



“The primary mode of human-mediated dispersal is still to be determined. For example, it could be egg masses laid on vehicles or gravid females hitchhiking on vehicles,” said study lead author Zach Ladin, a supervisory wildlife biologist at the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</a>.



“That would be a great follow-up experiment. Future studies could mark and track egg masses on train cars and measure egg mass survival, or mark and track hitchhiking nymphs and adults on tractor trailers.”&nbsp;



While proving the critical role of human behavior in the wide dispersal of this invasive species is a crucial first step, slowing their spread requires further public education and outreach. If measures to modify human behavior are not urgently taken, the spotted lanternflies will spread quickly to every suitable habitat across North America, with unpredictable economic and ecological impacts.



“The number one suggestion is to follow state recommended guidelines for monitoring vehicles. We suggest people in areas with established spotted lanternfly populations be vigilant when traveling across state lines and follow suggested protocols for monitoring their vehicles when going on long-distance trips,”&nbsp;Ladin advised.



Other measures could include the use of insecticides and traps in late spring, summer, and early fall, and scraping egg masses to prevent the next generation of lanternflies from hatching in winter and early spring.



“Additionally, management and removal of the suite of host trees that spotted lanternflies use to reproduce will help diminish the number of individuals on the landscape, which can lower the likelihood of spotted lanternfly hitchhikers and the establishment in previously unoccupied habitat,” Ladin concluded.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Spotted lanternflies are hitching rides to invade new places

Besides warmer weather and blooming flowers, spring also brings the...

Clown,Anemonefish,,Amphiprion,Percula,,Swimming,Among,The,Tentacles,Of,Its

A recent experimental study led by the <a href="https://www.oist.jp/">Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology</a> (OIST) in Japan has found that future ocean warming and marine heatwaves may impact the growth and development of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clownfish-adapt-their-size-to-fit-their-environment/">clownfish</a> (Amphiprion ocellaris) during their earliest life stages, with the larvae growing faster, having higher metabolic rates, and showing changes in the activity of certain genes in warmer temperatures.



During the first 20 days of their lives, clownfish pass through several developmental stages, marked by important environmental and behavioral changes in the wild. Soon after hatching, clownfish larvae are carried from their home reef to the open ocean where, after roughly ten days, they start to develop their iconic orange-white colors. Around day 14, they find a new reef where they seek out and settle into an anemone host.&nbsp;



To assess how warmer temperatures may impact this developmental timeline, the experts reared clownfish in captivity at water temperatures of either 28°C (the current summer ocean temperature in Okinawa) or 31°C (the estimated seawater temperatures triggered by global warming by the end of the century). The experiment revealed that the larvae reared at higher temperatures hit their developmental milestones around two days earlier than those reared at current temperatures, and exhibited higher metabolic rates, most likely driving their faster growth rates.&nbsp;



In addition, at each stage of their development, clownfish reared at 31°C showed either increased or decreased activity in over 450 genes, with several genes associated with heat-stress being more active from the earliest developmental stages, while genes involved in neurotransmission decreasing their activity at later stages, meaning that higher temperatures could lead to changes in clownfish cognition and behavior.



However, predicting how these metabolic and genetic modifications will impact the survival of clownfish under increased heat stress remains a major challenge. “On the one hand, the majority of clownfish do not survive the larval period due to predation, so shortening this time could increase their chances of survival and settlement. On the other hand, faster development may mean the clownfish disperse to new reefs less effectively, and the larvae may not be able to take in sufficient food to meet their increased energy demands,” explained lead author Billy Moore, a doctoral student in Marine Biology at OIST.



Finally, the experiments also revealed changes in the epigenome (the set of chemical compounds which modify the genome in ways “telling” it what to do, where to do it, and when to do it) of clownfish raised in warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



“We are now beginning experiments to study how the epigenome differs between clownfish raised at 31°C compared to 28°C. This could have really important implications as epigenetic changes laid down in the early stages of development impact how individuals respond to changes and stresses in the environment during their adult life,” Moore concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162296">Science of the Total Environment</a>.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Ocean warming impacts the development of clownfish

A recent experimental study led by the Okinawa Institute of...

During the past decades, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/southern-resident-killer-whales-are-undernourished/">Southern resident killer whale</a> populations in the Pacific Northwest have declined substantially, leading researchers to look for causes of this worrisome trend. Some of the threats that have been identified include fluctuations in salmon prey, exposure to toxic pollutants, and disturbance and noise from ships and other vessels.&nbsp;



Now, by combining modern genomics with decades of field observations, an international team of scientists has found that the small size and isolation of the endangered population of Southern residents in the Pacific Northwest have led to high levels of inbreeding. This phenomenon has significantly contributed to their decline.



“For a long time, we’ve struggled to understand why this population has consistently lower survival and birth rates than other killer whales in the region, and this research highlights a strong link between inbred individuals and increased risk of death,” said study co-author Eric Ward, a statistician at the <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/northwest-fisheries-science-center">Northwest Fisheries Science Center</a>. “It’s a view we’ve never had before, and it begins to fill a gap in our understanding.”



Killer whales reproduce for the first time at around ten years of age and reach their reproductive prime in their twenties. However, the researchers discovered that, compared to the least inbred whales, highly inbred ones had less than half the chance of surviving through those years to reach 40. While females with low levels of inbreeding usually live long enough to produce an average of 2.6 offspring during their lifespan, those with high levels of inbreeding produce an average of only 1.6 offspring during their significantly shorter lives – which is insufficient for animal populations to remain stable or increase.&nbsp;



Moreover, since inbreeding significantly limits the population’s growth and recovery, the whales become much more vulnerable to a variety of other threats, such as disease, limited prey, or exposure to contaminants and human disturbances.



“The whales are not necessarily dying of inbreeding itself, they are dying prematurely because inbreeding has set them up to be more vulnerable to diseases or other problems,” said co-author Bradley Hanson, a research scientist at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. “We need to minimize the potential for those factors to have an impact.”



“It would be a mistake to see this as inbreeding alone causing the decline. Over the last 50 years, this population has been impacted by multiple stressors, and the relative impact of various threats on the Southern resident population has fluctuated through time. These combined impacts, coupled with the mating system of killer whales—where only a few males are contributing to the gene pool—may have made inbreeding a more significant threat in recent years,” Ward concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-023-01995-0">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Southern resident killer whales endangered by inbreeding

During the past decades, Southern resident killer whale populations in...

All over the world, forests are being increasingly reduced by human activities to smaller remnants scattered among the agricultural lands that have often replaced them. This has a marked negative impact on the ecosystems previously supported by forests, including a variety of bird populations, with the majority of bird species now struggling to survive in an increasingly human-dominated environment.&nbsp;



According to a recent study led by the <a href="https://www.utah.edu/">University of Utah</a>, for birds which used to inhabit the vast forests of Central America, the massive replacement of forested land with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-plantations-tropical-birds/">coffee plantations</a> has significantly diminished the amount of their preferred foods, forcing them to change their diets and habitats in order to survive.



To examine changes in their diets, the researchers conducted isotope analyses of the feathers of four bird species (the orange-billed nightingale thrush, the silver-throated tanager, the white-throated thrush, and the ochre-bellied flycatcher) living in the land around the Las Cruces Biological Station in Costa Rica, whose previously luxurious forests have been largely replaced in recent years by coffee plantations.&nbsp;



Along with the radio tracking of their movements, the isotope analyses have revealed that birds eat fewer invertebrates in coffee plantations than in forests, suggesting that disruptions in their ecosystem significantly impacts their dietary options.



“Growing human ecological impact on the planet, especially via habitat loss and degradation and climate change, often impacts bird diets negatively as well,” said study lead author Çağan H. Şekercioğlu, a professor of Ecology and Ornithology at Utah. “These negative changes, including declines in key dietary resources like insects and other invertebrates can lead to reduced survival, especially of rapidly growing young, often leading to population declines and losses of these undernourished birds.”&nbsp;



To consume enough invertebrates – which offer them the necessary nutrients to survive – birds living in and around coffee plantations need to forage frequently in the small forest fragments and narrow forest corridors alongside rivers. While more mobile birds, such as the silver-throated tanager or the white-throated thrush move constantly to get their preferred, protein-rich food, less mobile species like the orange-billed nightingale thrush are forced to adapt to the poorer diets they can find in coffee plantations.&nbsp;



However, even for mobile birds, the situation is worse than it used to be. “These birds’ shifting their feeding to other places may result in new ecological interactions that can themselves have negative consequences,” Şekercioğlu explained. “For example, increased competition with birds in these new places or overpredation on a prey species that was formerly not consumed as much.”



To help protecting these bird populations, local governments in tropical regions should prioritize the conservation of intact forests, secondary growth forests, and strips of forest alongside rivers to increase the connectivity of forest remnants, while coffee-drinkers all around the world can choose to buy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.audubon.org/news/how-choose-bird-friendly-coffee">bird-friendly coffee</a> that is grown in plantations with more tree cover and forest remnants, which are beneficial for native birds.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1086616">Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Coffee plantations limit native birds’ diets

All over the world, forests are being increasingly reduced by...

California mountain lions continue to be threatened by human activities, despite being classified as specially protected mammals, according to a study led by the <a href="https://www.unl.edu/">University of Nebraska-Lincoln</a>.&nbsp;



The California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 made it illegal to hunt mountain lions, but the researchers have determined that human-caused mortality is still more common than natural mortality among these animals. The biggest threats were found to be vehicle collisions and conflict with humans over <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/livestock-are-reservoirs-for-antimicrobial-resistant-pathogens/">livestock</a>.



For the investigation, experts from multiple universities, government agencies, and private organizations tracked hundreds of mountain lions across the state of California. The animals were located in many different study areas, including the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the city of Los Angeles.



“Population dynamics of large carnivores operate at large scales, making it critical for researchers to collaborate across broad geographic regions that go beyond typical study areas to better understand population processes and connectivity,” explained study co-lead author Professor John Benson.



The analysis revealed that mountain lions were at greater risk of human-caused mortality when they were closer to rural development. Mountain lions were found to be less threatened in areas where more voters favored pro-environmental initiatives.



“Ecologists believe that human tolerance is critical to conserving large carnivores in landscapes shared with humans. However, it is rare that data on tolerance are included in the models we use to understand mortality risk,” said Professor Benson. “Of course, we acknowledge that voting records on environmental issues are not a direct reflection of this tolerance, but the strength of this result suggests that human mindset may be an important driver of mortality risk for mountain lions.”



According to the experts, the new research highlights the importance of understanding interrelationships between different populations across California for long-term conservation of the species.



“Young male mountain lions often move and breed long distances from where they were born, and are largely responsible for maintaining gene flow between populations,” said study co-lead author Kyle Dougherty. “Immigration of mountain lions from adjacent or more distant populations can also help compensate for high rates of human-caused mortality and maintain population persistence through a process known as ‘source-sink’ dynamics.”



“We tend to focus on survival of adult females because of their strong influence on growth or decline of individual populations,” said study co-author Justin Dellinger. “However, young males are the ones that move between populations meaning that their mortality, combined with barriers to movement imposed by roads and development, could limit the utility of seemingly healthy populations to act as ‘sources’ of new animals and genes for small, isolated populations.”



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



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California mountain lions are not fully protected from humans

California mountain lions continue to be threatened by human activities,...

Pet technologies have reached new heights in sophistication and pet owners can now purchase gadgets that monitor their pet’s activities, food intake, calorie use, sleep hours and location. Some of the apps allow the owner to observe the pet, talk to it in order to comfort it in their absence, or even activate toys that entertain it through the day. However, these apps may have a hidden cost in terms of cybersecurity.



Computer scientists from <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/">Newcastle University</a> and Royal Holloway, University of London, have evaluated the privacy and security status of 40 popular Android apps for pets, companion animals and farm animals. The team presented the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/3567445.3571102">results</a> at the&nbsp;2022 IEEE European Symposium on Security and Privacy Workshops conference, and published them in the Proceedings of this conference.



The researchers found that many of these apps, designed to put the minds of pet owners at ease, also put their privacy and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tighter-school-security-linked-to-lower-test-scores/">security</a> at risk in various ways by exposing their login or location details. The apps relate to the use of smart gadgets as diverse as cameras, water and food dispensers, GPS trackers, wearable devices that track pet activity, and toys that can be activated remotely. There are also apps and platforms that allow owners to track and manage their pets’ health records and connect with veterinary professionals.



Scott Harper is a PhD student at Newcastle University’s School of Computing and the lead author of the study. “Pet tech such as smart collars and GPS trackers for your cat or dog, is a rapidly growing industry and it brings with it new security, privacy, and safety risks to the pet owners," said Harper. "While owners might use these apps for peace of mind about the health of their dog or where their cat is, they may not be happy to find out about the risks the apps hold for their own cybersecurity.”



Password vulnerability&nbsp;was one of the areas exposed by the team. They identified three applications that had the user's login details visible in plain text within non-secure HTTP traffic.&nbsp;This means that anyone is able to observe the internet traffic of someone using one of these apps and will also be able to find out their login information. In addition to login information, two of the apps also showed user details, such as their location, which may enable someone to gain access to the devices and mount a cyber-attack.



Another area of concern identified in the study was the&nbsp;use of trackers.&nbsp;All but four of the applications were found to feature some form of tracking software.&nbsp;A tracker gathers information on the person using the application, on how they use it, or on the smartphone being used.



The scientists also warn that the apps perform very poorly in terms of notifying the user of their privacy policy. Their analysis shows that 21 of the apps are tracking the user in some way before the user even has a chance to consent to this, which violates current data protection regulations.



“We would urge anyone using these apps to take the time to ensure they are using a unique password, check the settings and ensure that they consider how much data they are sharing or willing to share,” said Harper.



“We are using modern technologies to improve several aspects of our lives. However, some of these (often) cheap technologies come at the price of our privacy, security, and safety," said study co-author Dr. Maryam Mehrnezhad. "Animal technologies can create complex risks and harms that are not easy to recognize and address. In this interdisciplinary project, we are working on solutions to mitigate such risks and allow the animal owners to use such technologies without risk or fear.”



In a second, related study, the research team surveyed almost 600 pet owners from the UK, USA and Germany. They asked questions about the technologies used, the incidents that have occurred or that participants believe may occur, and the methods used by participants to protect their online security and privacy and whether they apply these to their pet tech.



The results show that participants do believe they are vulnerable to a range of attacks that may target their pet tech. Despite this, they take few precautions to protect themselves or their pets from the possible risks and harms of these technologies.



“We would urge those developing these technologies to increase the security of these devices and applications to reduce risk of their personal information or location being shared," said study co-author Dr. Matt Leach.



The researchers also urge those who are using pet tech to ensure they are using a unique password, check the settings, and consider what data they are sharing. &nbsp;Users should be cautious about any new IoT (Internet of Things) devices they bring into their homes. They should download apps associated with animal tech from known app stores and constantly check the permissions of such apps and revoke any unnecessary permission from them. Guides such as&nbsp;<a href="https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/">Mozilla's `*Privacy Not Included' project</a>&nbsp;are available to help inform consumers of the potential security and privacy risks.



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Are our pets leaking information about us?

Pet technologies have reached new heights in sophistication and pet...

A new study led by the <a href="https://www.uef.fi/en">University of Eastern Finland</a> (UEF) has found that individuals with chronic low back pain may benefit from equine-facilitated therapy (EFT) – a range of treatments involving activities with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/horses-with-a-trusted-owner-remain-calm-in-new-situations/">horses</a> and other equines. Following a three-month intervention, participants reported decreased levels of pain and significant improvements in daily functioning.



The scientists enrolled a cohort of 22 Finish participants in order to evaluate the impact of EFT on level of pain, pain acceptance, perceived physical performance, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. After 12 weeks of therapy, the patients reported statistically significant improvements in reaching and bending forward, standing for a prolonged period of time, and sleep. Moreover, by gradually increasing the exercise load, it was possible to reduce participants’ perceived pain levels, increase their participation in social activities, and improve their overall psychological wellbeing by decreasing their levels of anxiety and depression.



“Chronic back pain is a multidimensional experience involving not only physical pain but also learned thinking patterns and emotional reactions,” said study lead author Sanna Mattila-Rautiainen, a doctoral student in Biomedicine at UEF. “Traditionally, physical therapy has been recommended for the rehabilitation of patients with chronic pain, as physical exercise has been found to be the most effective way to treat spinal pain. Hippocrates already recommended using equine movement as a form of physical and psychological rehabilitation for people, but the exact reason behind the rehabilitative effect has remained unknown thus far.”



According to the researchers, individuals with chronic pain tend to avoid the sensation of pain initiated by moving the affected parts of their bodies. Since incorrect movement maintains a vicious circle of pain, it decreases people’s physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. However, when riding a horse, people will move to the gait of the animal, encouraging the right kind of lumbar movement, particularly for those experiencing low back pain.



Although in Finland EFT is a form of medical intervention that has already been subsidized by the country’s Social Insurance Institution in 2019, it is not yet a fully established method in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders. By highlighting its benefits for treating low back pain, this study – published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1085768">Frontiers in Veterinary Science</a> – is an important step forward in addressing a frequently debilitating condition and thus contributing to public health.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Riding horses can reduce low back pain

A new study led by the University of Eastern Finland...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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