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 team of scientists from the <a href="https://www.izw-berlin.de/en/home.html">Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research</a> (Leibniz-IZW) conducted a 34-year study on the factors contributing to fatal collisions between vehicles and spotted hyenas in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.&nbsp;



Although driving is permitted in the protected area, many wild animals, including spotted hyenas, are killed by vehicles, leading to negative impacts on wildlife.



The study identified two main factors that significantly contribute to spotted hyenas being run over by vehicles. Firstly, the characteristics of the road, and secondly, the annual migration of the large ungulate herds in the Serengeti, which causes seasonal changes in the prey animals' localization.&nbsp;



The findings provide new insights into the ecological and individual factors that affect predators' risk of fatal collisions with vehicles. The study was published in the scientific journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.109950">Biological Conservation</a>.



The researchers found a total of 104 spotted hyenas that had been run over between 1989 and 2023. Based on these cases, they investigated which spatial and temporal factors contribute to spotted hyenas being run over and killed by vehicles, as well as whether specific age groups, sexes, or social statuses are more vulnerable. Long-term studies of this nature are rare.



The Serengeti National Park has a network of roads that includes main gravel roads, which are used by tourist vehicles, park staff, trucks, supply vehicles, and national bus lines throughout the year.&nbsp;



Additionally, there are several unpaved wildlife observation and camp access tracks. Human populations on the borders of protected areas and the growing interest in wildlife tourism are causing the negative impacts of roads on wildlife to increase worldwide.



In general, two factors played a crucial role. The first factor was that hyenas were more frequently hit by vehicles on primary roads rather than on "tracks." This was likely due to the higher volume of traffic and faster speeds on main roads. The second factor was the seasonal migration of large herds of ungulates (such as wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson's gazelles), which are the primary prey of Serengeti spotted hyenas. The timing and location of fatal collisions varied with the migration of these herds.



These findings align with previous studies that demonstrate a higher risk of animal-vehicle collisions with increased animal mobility and distance traveled. Furthermore, the hyenas that were killed tended to be located near watercourses and human habitation areas, which may attract them due to the presence of human food waste.



“Contrary to expectations, the seasonal variation in the number of tourists in the region did not seem to play a role in the level of mortality,” says Marwan Naciri, who joined the Leibniz-IZW for this project and is the lead author of the publication.



The dataset utilized in this study is unique in that it includes information on individual hyenas that were hit by vehicles, allowing the researchers to consider various factors of their life history during analysis. Results indicate that adult females were the most frequent victims, likely due to their need to travel long distances between their den and prey herds, balancing hunting and nursing responsibilities.



“Injuries from illegally laid wire snares also particularly affect adult female hyenas, as we found in a previous study,” says Leibniz-IZW scientist Sarah Benhaiem, involved in both research projects. In summary, roadkills and death by snares could be one of the main causes of death for adult hyenas in the Serengeti. It is still unclear whether this mortality, which mainly affects adult females, threatens the continued existence of the local spotted hyena population.



In the Serengeti, road networks are expected to expand in the future, even within protected areas. Understanding the factors that contribute to fatal collisions between vehicles and wildlife, such as road features, can aid in the development of effective mitigation measures.&nbsp;



These measures may include reducing the number and speed of vehicles on major roads. Proper planning and implementation of mitigation measures will be crucial for the preservation of wildlife in protected areas.



More about hyenas



Hyenas are fascinating animals that have long been misunderstood and unfairly maligned. These carnivorous creatures are found throughout Africa and parts of Asia, and they play an important role in their ecosystems. In this article, we'll take a closer look at hyenas, their behavior, and their place in the natural world.



Firstly, it's important to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding hyenas. For many years, these animals have been portrayed as vicious, cowardly scavengers that are only interested in stealing food from other predators. In reality, hyenas are powerful hunters that are more than capable of taking down their own prey. They are also highly social animals that live in large groups called clans, which can consist of up to 80 individuals.



There are four species of hyena: the spotted hyena, the brown hyena, the striped hyena, and the aardwolf. The spotted hyena is by far the most well-known and widely studied species. They are easily recognized by their distinctive spotted coat and powerful jaws, which are capable of crushing bone. Spotted hyenas are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and they are often seen in savannah and grassland habitats.



Hyenas are primarily nocturnal, and they spend much of their day resting in dens or in the shade. At night, they become much more active, and they may travel long distances in search of prey. Hyenas are opportunistic hunters that will eat almost anything they can catch, including antelopes, zebras, wildebeest, and even smaller predators like jackals and foxes. They are also known to scavenge from the kills of other predators, but this is only a small part of their diet.



One of the most interesting aspects of hyena behavior is their dominance hierarchy. Within a clan, there is a strict pecking order based on size, strength, and aggression. Female hyenas are generally larger and more dominant than males, and they are the ones that do most of the hunting. When a kill is made, the females eat first, followed by the cubs and lower-ranking members of the clan. The males are the last to eat, and they often have to wait until the females have finished before they get a chance to feed.



Despite their fearsome reputation, hyenas are actually very intelligent and social animals. They communicate with each other using a variety of vocalizations, including whoops, growls, and giggles. They also have a complex system of body language, which they use to signal dominance, submission, and aggression. Within a clan, there is a strong sense of cooperation and kinship, and the members of the clan will often work together to defend their territory and protect their young.



In summary, hyenas are fascinating animals that play an important role in their ecosystems. They are powerful hunters that are capable of taking down large prey, and they are also highly social animals that live in large clans. While they have been unfairly maligned in popular culture, hyenas are actually intelligent and fascinating creatures that are well worth studying and understanding.



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Surprising number of hyenas are killed by vehicles every year

A team of scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo...

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are a key part of the planning process for new developments, but according to new research from the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/">University of East Anglia</a>, they may be hugely underestimating the effect that these developments have on wildlife.&nbsp;



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14691795">Animal Conservation</a>, shows that these assessments often fail to take into account how birds and other animals move around between different sites, leading to a drastic underestimation of the number of animals impacted by new developments.



The research team has been studying Black-tailed Godwits across Europe for over 30 years and found that any species that moves around is likely to be under-represented by EIAs. The impact of a planned tidal barrage across the Wash estuary in the UK, for example, could be much worse than predicted for wild birds and England’s largest common seal colony.



“Environmental Impact Assessments are carried out when developments are planned for sites where wildlife is protected. But the methods used to produce these reports seldom consider how species move around between different sites. This can drastically underestimate the number of animals impacted, and this is particularly relevant for species that are very mobile, like birds,” said Professor Jenny Gill from UEA’s School of Biological Sciences.



The researchers conducted a case study of the Tagus Estuary in Portugal, where a new airport is planned. The Environmental Impact Assessment for the airport estimated that less than six percent of the Black-tailed Godwit population would be affected by the plans.&nbsp;



However, by tracking the movements of individual Godwits to and from the affected area, the researchers found that over 68 percent of the Godwits in the estuary would actually be exposed to disturbance from airplanes.



“Many of these Godwits spend the winter on the Tagus Estuary,” said Dr. José Alves, a researcher at the University of Aveiro and visiting academic at UEA’s School of Biological Sciences. “So we used local sightings of color-ringed birds to calculate how many of them use sites that are projected to be affected by airplanes. We were then able to predict the airport’s impact on future Godwit movements across the whole estuary."



The researchers have been studying individual Black-tailed Godwits for three decades by fitting them with uniquely identifiable combinations of colored leg-rings. With the help of a network of birdwatchers across Europe, they have recorded the whereabouts of individual Godwits throughout the birds’ lives.&nbsp;



The method used to calculate the footprint of environmental impact could be applied to assess many other proposed developments in the UK, particularly those affecting waterbirds and coastal habitats where tracking data is available.



“Eight environmental NGOs together with Client Earth have already taken the Portuguese government to court to contest the approval of this airport development. We hope our findings will help strengthen the case by showing the magnitude of the impacts, which substantially surpass those quantified in the developer’s Environmental Impact Assessment,” said Dr. Alves.



The research highlights the need for EIAs to consider the movement of wildlife between different sites to provide a more accurate assessment of the environmental impact of new developments. This could help prevent the underestimation of the number of animals impacted and ensure that the necessary steps are taken to protect wildlife and their habitats.



Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are important because they provide an assessment of the potential environmental effects of proposed projects and developments. These reports aim to identify and evaluate the potential impacts of a project on the natural and human environment, and to identify ways to mitigate or avoid negative impacts.



EIAs are often required by law and are typically part of the permitting process for a proposed development. This means that developers must prepare an EIA before they can proceed with their project, and the EIA must be reviewed and approved by government agencies responsible for environmental protection.



By providing a detailed assessment of the potential impacts of a project, EIAs can help decision-makers and the public understand the trade-offs involved in proposed developments. They can also help identify ways to reduce or mitigate potential negative impacts, and to explore alternative options that may have fewer negative effects on the environment.



Overall, EIAs play an important role in ensuring that environmental concerns are taken into account in decision-making about proposed developments, and can help ensure that new developments are planned and implemented in a way that minimizes harm to the environment and to the communities that depend on it.



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Environmental reports greatly underestimate wildlife impacts

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are a key part of the...

As the Earth's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-creates-an-unclear-future-for-u-s-forests/">climate</a> continues to change, many species are expected to adapt by changing their habitat and behavior. However, a recent study conducted in California's high-elevation Sierra Nevada by researchers at <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/">UC Davis</a> suggests that climate change is only one of several factors to consider when predicting where a species will make its home in a changing world.



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9949">Ecology and Evolution</a>, the study focused on three species of squirrel, including the yellow-bellied marmot, Belding's ground squirrel, and the golden-mantled ground squirrel, and analyzed nearly 6,000 observations of individual squirrels collected over four years.



To better understand the niche of these animals, which includes all the environmental conditions necessary for an animal to live in a particular area, the researchers looked beyond just climate conditions, incorporating topography and land cover into their analysis.&nbsp;



“We’re trying from a conservation perspective to understand what will happen to these species as the world changes,” said lead author Aviva Rossi, who conducted the study while a UC Davis graduate student in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology. “A quantitative analysis of what makes a species able to live where it lives allows us to bring that information forward, and better understand differences between species.”



The experts found that non-climatic factors such as topography, including the steepness of an area, and land cover, such as meadows or forests, also play an essential role in determining where a species can thrive. For example, a species that is adapted to living on steep, rocky slopes may not be able to survive in flatter areas with different land cover, even if the climate is suitable.



These findings have important implications for predicting which species will be most vulnerable to climate change. Understanding the niche of animals helps scientists learn which changes are expected to most impact a species and, therefore, which animals may be most vulnerable to climate change.



The researchers found that these three species of squirrels use the same space differently because their niche is different.&nbsp;



While grassland meadows were particularly important for both the yellow-bellied marmot and Belding’s ground squirrel, they each preferred slightly different conditions within the meadow. Marmots preferred drier conditions, while Belding’s ground squirrels favored wet vegetation. On the other hand, golden-mantled squirrels preferred forested areas and did well with more snow-free days. Belding’s ground squirrels, however, preferred having snow on the ground longer.



Rossi emphasized that even with these overall selection patterns, there can still be too much of a good thing in extreme years. Mammals in high-elevation mountains are often perceived as vulnerable to climate shifts, yet the results underscore the importance of including factors that go beyond climate when defining their niche.



“There’s hope in some areas and not in others,” Rossi said. “If one species is there because of a meadow and another is there because of an outcropping of rocks, as the world changes, it may change where one species lives but not the other. We just want to better understand what’s likely to happen so we can make better conservation decisions.”



Study co-author Robert Klinger of the U.S. Geological Survey added that the research demonstrates the complexity of the impact of climate change.&nbsp;



The findings have important implications for conservation efforts in the region, highlighting the need to consider ecological niches beyond just climate when developing strategies for managing these species.&nbsp;



While the study was focused on squirrels in California's Sierra Nevada, the findings could have broader implications for predicting how other species will respond to climate change. By considering a broader range of environmental factors beyond just climate, researchers may be better able to predict which species are most at risk and develop strategies to protect them.



The study was funded through the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, with support from the Gulch Environmental Foundation.



How other species are adapting to climate change



One of the most visible ways that species are adapting to climate change is by shifting their ranges. As temperatures rise, many species are moving to areas that were previously too cold for them. For example, some butterfly species in the United Kingdom have expanded their ranges northward by over 200 miles in the last few decades. Similarly, some bird species are migrating earlier or later in the year to take advantage of changes in the timing of food availability.



Another way that species are adapting to climate change is by changing their behavior. For example, some animals are altering their breeding seasons to match changes in the timing of food availability. Some species are also changing their feeding habits. For example, some seabirds have started eating more squid and less fish as the ocean temperatures warm and the availability of different prey changes.



In addition to changing their ranges and behavior, some species are evolving in response to climate change. For example, some plants are evolving to have shorter lifecycles, which allows them to reproduce before the growing season ends. Some species are also evolving to have smaller body sizes, which helps them to regulate their body temperature more effectively in warmer conditions.



Finally, some species are adapting to climate change through human intervention. For example, some conservationists are creating "corridors" of suitable habitat between areas of protected land. These corridors allow species to move between different areas as their ranges shift. Other conservationists are also using assisted migration, which involves moving species to new areas where they are better suited to the changing climate.



In summary, climate change is a significant threat to many species around the world, but it is also true that some species are adapting to the changing climate. From shifting their ranges and behavior to evolving and benefiting from human intervention, these species are demonstrating the resilience and adaptability that is essential for survival in an ever-changing world.&nbsp;



However, it is important to note that not all species have the capacity to adapt as quickly or effectively, and it is therefore critical that we continue to take action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect the diversity of life on Earth.



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How are squirrels adapting to climate change?

As the Earth's climate continues to change, many species are...

As humans, we have developed an emotional response called disgust that helps us avoid disease. But do other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-climate-change-impact-cold-blooded-animals/">animals</a> have similar protective mechanisms? This question has been largely overlooked in the field of animal behavior, where fear and predator avoidance have captured much attention.



However, an international team of scientists has now set up a framework to test disgust and its associated disease avoidance behaviors across various animal species, social systems, and habitats.&nbsp;



Study lead author Cécile Sarabian, a former JSPS postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en">Kyoto University</a>, notes that over 30 species have been reported to exhibit disease avoidance strategies in the wild. "We provide predictions for seven others that were previously overlooked and that could serve as new model species."



The team's predictions take into account models of specific ecological niches, sensory environments, and social systems for a number of species, including the native common octopus and the invasive red-eared slider, which are both relevant to Japan.



"The various costs and benefits involved in experiencing disgust and avoiding illness depend on the social system and ecology of the species," explained study co-author Professor Andrew MacIntosh.&nbsp;



Disgust can be triggered by sensory cues associated with disease risk, such as the sight of diarrhea, which releases a set of behavioral or physiological responses that help animals avoid parasites, pathogens, and toxins. The levels of disgust behavior vary from species to species depending on their social systems and ecological niches.



For example, solitary species have relatively fewer social interactions and resulting disease transmission, so they are less adapted than group-living species in recognizing and evading such life-threatening risks.



"Some species living in colonies, such as rabbits and penguins, go further in tolerating diseased mates since a community immunity strategy ensures the colony's survival," said MacIntosh.



The implications for human health are significant, as expected disgust-driven behaviors can be applied to the study of the Covid-19 pandemic. "Beyond fundamental research, it's important to keep promoting the creation of a database that gathers disease-avoidance evidence in animals and its applications in relevant conservation and wildlife management strategies," said Sarabian.



This research highlights the importance of understanding disease avoidance behaviors in animals and how they can inform our own responses to disease outbreaks.&nbsp;



Infectious diseases are a significant threat to human health, causing millions of deaths each year. From the Spanish Flu to the COVID-19 pandemic, history has shown us that infectious diseases can have devastating consequences for societies and economies. As we continue to face new and emerging infectious diseases, it's essential that we learn from nature and the animal kingdom to help protect ourselves.



By studying these behaviors in animals, scientists can gain insights into how diseases spread and develop. For instance, research on how avian influenza spreads among wild bird populations has helped scientists develop strategies for containing the spread of the disease in domestic bird populations. This knowledge is crucial for protecting both animal and human populations from the potential dangers of such diseases.



In addition, understanding animal disease avoidance behaviors can help us develop more effective strategies for preventing the spread of infectious diseases in humans. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries implemented social distancing measures to help slow the spread of the virus. This approach is based on the observation that animals living in groups are more susceptible to disease transmission, and therefore social distancing can help break the chain of transmission.



Furthermore, studying animal behavior can also inform our efforts to develop vaccines and other treatments for infectious diseases. For instance, researchers have studied the immune systems of bats, which are known to carry many deadly viruses without showing any signs of illness. This research has led to the development of new antiviral drugs that could help prevent and treat diseases such as Ebola, SARS, and COVID-19.



However, there are limitations to studying animal behavior in the context of infectious diseases. Animals are not perfect models for human disease, and there are many differences between how diseases affect animals and humans. Therefore, it's essential to interpret animal behavior research in the context of human health carefully.



In conclusion, the study of animal behavior can provide valuable insights into how diseases spread and how we can better protect ourselves from them. By studying the behavior of animals, we can gain insights into how to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in both animal and human populations, develop more effective treatments, and develop strategies for containing the spread of emerging diseases.&nbsp;



The research is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13903">Journal of Animal Ecology</a>.



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Disgust plays a large role in disease avoidance by animals

As humans, we have developed an emotional response called disgust...

New research led by scientists at the <a href="https://www.umass.edu/">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a> has revealed that the spiny pollen of plants in the sunflower family can reduce infection of a common bee parasite by up to 94 percent. The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14320">Functional Ecology</a>, has significant implications for pollinator health and the wider ecosystem.



Insect pollinators, including bees, are responsible for fertilizing crops that contribute over $200 billion in annual ecosystem services worldwide. However, many species are in decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and other factors. The decline of pollinators poses a significant threat to global food security and biodiversity.



Led by Laura Figueroa, incoming assistant professor of environmental conservation at UMass Amherst, the research team aimed to understand why certain species of flowers, including sunflowers, can help pollinators resist disease infections. In particular, they investigated sunflowers’ effectiveness at combatting the widespread pathogen Crithidia bombi, which lives in a bee’s gut.



“We know that the health benefits from some foods come from the specific chemicals in them. But we also know that some foods are healthy because of their physical structure - think of foods high in fiber,” said Professor Figueroa.



To investigate how sunflowers help bumblebees withstand C. bombi, Figueroa and her team separated the spiny outer shell of the pollen from the chemical metabolites in the pollen’s core. They then mixed the spiny sunflower shell, with the chemistry removed, into the pollen fed to one group of bees. Another group was fed wildflower pollen sprinkled with sunflower metabolites and no sunflower shells.



The researchers discovered that the bees that ate the spiny sunflower pollen shells had the same response as bees feeding on whole sunflower pollen. These bees had a markedly reduced risk of C. bombi infection compared to those fed sunflower metabolites. In fact, they suffered 87% lower infections from C. bombi than the control group.



Additionally, bees fed pollen from ragweed, cocklebur, dandelion, and dog fennel – all members of the sunflower family and with similarly spiny pollen shells – had similarly low rates of C. bombi infection. This raises the possibility that such disease-fighting medicinal effects may be common to plants in the sunflower family.



The findings have significant implications for efforts to protect pollinators, which play a vital role in maintaining healthy and diverse ecosystems. “We depend on them for diverse, healthy, nutritious diets,” said Figueroa. “Understanding how sunflowers protect bees from disease could help us identify other flowers that have similar protective properties.”



Although sunflower pollen is not particularly nutritious due to its low protein content, it has been shown to protect bumblebees from gut pathogens such as C. bombi, which is known to affect the queen bees and their ability to produce offspring.



Study senior author Professor Lynn Adler explained that it is essential to look at the bigger picture of bee health, not just focus on individual factors such as gut pathogens. "It's no good curing the common cold if you starve the patient. We need to look at the community level, as well as what's happening in bees' guts, to know how to help them respond to stressful environments," said Professor Adler.



To determine the impact of sunflower pollen on colony health, Adler and her team placed commercial colonies of bumblebees on twenty different farms in Western Massachusetts that grew varying amounts of sunflowers. Over several weeks, the team collected samples of pathogens in the bees' guts, weighed the colonies to determine whether or not they were thriving, and counted the number of daughter queens.



The study found that infection decreased as sunflower abundance increased, and that queen bee production increased by 30 percent for every order of magnitude increase in the availability of sunflower pollen. "It's really exciting to show that sunflower not only reduces disease but positively affects reproduction," said Rosemary Malfi, lead author of the study.



Adler and Malfi cautioned that more research needs to be done to fully understand why sunflower pollen benefits queen bees, and that this study only focused on one common species of bumblebee that is not endangered. However, the findings suggest that the sunflower family may play a crucial role in maintaining pollinator health, which ultimately benefits our food systems.



The study provides much-needed food for thought in the ongoing effort to reverse the decline of pollinators worldwide. The results show that the physical structure of pollen can have significant impacts on bee health, which could inform new strategies for supporting pollinator populations.



This research was supported by the US National Science Foundation and Department of Agriculture.



Why bumble populations are declining



Bumblebees, vital pollinators of crops and wildflowers, are experiencing a rapid decline in their populations worldwide. While there are several factors contributing to this decline, the primary reasons are habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use.



Habitat loss due to urbanization and agricultural intensification is the biggest threat to bumblebees. As natural habitats are converted into farmlands, forests, and urban areas, bumblebees lose their food sources, nesting sites, and breeding grounds. This reduces their population size and genetic diversity, making them more vulnerable to disease and environmental stress.



Climate change is also taking a toll on bumblebees. As temperatures rise, bumblebees are forced to move further north to cooler climates, which can affect their ability to find food and nesting sites. Changes in rainfall patterns can also impact the availability of nectar and pollen, making it difficult for bumblebees to survive.



Pesticide use is another significant threat to bumblebees. Pesticides like neonicotinoids, which are widely used in agriculture, have been linked to declines in bumblebee populations. These chemicals are highly toxic to bees and can impair their navigation, foraging, and immune systems, leading to reduced reproductive success and increased mortality.



The decline of bumblebees is a cause for concern because they play a crucial role in pollinating crops and wildflowers. Without them, we would lose the diversity of fruits, vegetables, and flowers that we rely on for food and aesthetic value. Therefore, it is important to take action to conserve and protect bumblebee populations by reducing pesticide use, restoring natural habitats, and mitigating climate change.



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Sunflowers are a ‘superfood’ for bumblebees

New research led by scientists at the University of Massachusetts...

<a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/">UC Santa Barbara</a> scientists have conducted research into how coral reefs are affected by different kinds of natural disasters. The study, led by doctoral student Kai Kopecky and published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19399170">Ecology</a>, found that coral is less likely to recover from bleaching than from storms, even when the mortality rate is similar between the two events.



“Natural disasters can devastate a region, abruptly killing the species that form an ecosystem’s structure,” wrote the researchers. “While fires scorch the landscape to the ground, a heatwave leaves an army of wooden staves in its wake. Storm surges and coral bleaching do something similar underwater.”



Most shallow-water <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-additives-reduce-breeding-success-of-corals/">corals</a> host symbiotic algae that provide them with food in exchange for a safe home and nutrients. However, extreme conditions can cause the coral to expel the algae, known as bleaching, which can be fatal.



The researchers studied coral and their reef ecosystems around the island of Moorea, French Polynesia, where they have been conducting research since the late 1980s. During Kopecky’s second visit to the island, a major bleaching event occurred, and he noticed that seaweed, a major competitor with coral for space on the reef, began colonizing the bleached skeletons left behind.



Kopecky wondered whether the presence of the skeletons was setting the reef on a pathway toward a more algae-dominated state. Previous work at Moorea had shown that tropical reefs can host either coral- or seaweed-dominated communities.&nbsp;



These distinct states are resilient to small disturbances, but a large shock can flip the ecosystem from one to the other in a process called hysteresis, after which the reef won’t revert to its previous state even if conditions do. The system finds a new equilibrium.



To compare reef dynamics after a bleaching event, which leaves skeletons in place, and after a storm, which scours the reef bare, Kopecky developed a mathematical model using a system of five differential equations to capture the transition between empty space, live and dead branching coral, and seaweed cover on the reef.



“The results were telling,” said Kopecky. “Just the fact that those skeletons are left on the reef results in these fundamentally different patterns of recovery.”



Coral skeletons play a protective role for young algae by shielding them from herbivores that would otherwise consume them. The crevices in the coral structure provide a safe haven for the algae to grow and spread, which is not possible in the open reef.&nbsp;



However, this protection does not appear to provide the same benefits to young coral. The authors of the study suggest that coral does not face as much pressure from predators as algae does. Furthermore, algae can outgrow coral when given the opportunity.



Holly Moeller, an assistant professor of ecology, evolution, and marine biology, explained: "Coral is literally laying down rock, while the algae are mostly just fast-growing, soft, leafy material."



Reef buildup is a slow process, and new growth incorporates dead skeletons into the larger reef structure. However, bleaching kills a lot of coral at once, particularly the oldest and youngest, and the skeletons eventually become brittle through erosion. This is not a sturdy foundation for young coral to build upon.



The idea of removing dead coral skeletons to promote coral recovery is gaining popularity in other ecosystems.&nbsp;



"Think of prescribed fires or the thinning of dead trees in forests so that the system is more resilient to future disturbances," explained Kai Kopecky, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Santa Barbara.



However, coral skeletons provide numerous benefits, including providing habitats for various types of animals. Additionally, some evidence suggests that the structural complexity of a reef correlates with faster coral recovery. "The effect really depends on what the nature of that structure is," Kopecky said. "Those aspects need to be taken into consideration before you go out and just start jackhammering the reef."



The researchers have ongoing experiments in Moorea, including one that examines how the reef recovers when dead coral skeletons are removed. Others are testing the assumptions Kopecky used to create his model. For example, how much does dead coral actually reduce herbivory? And how do the skeletons affect the growth of living corals?



Moeller believes that the study is a classic example of the value of mathematical models in ecology. Coral can live for hundreds of years, and reef recovery can take decades. "That's just not an experiment that you can realistically do," she said. "But if you have a model, and you trust the way you set that model up because you've done other experiments, then you can make these projections decades into the future."



Coral reefs are incredibly diverse ecosystems that are home to many different species of marine animals and plants. However, these ecosystems are under threat from a phenomenon known as coral bleaching. Coral bleaching occurs when the coral's symbiotic algae, which provide them with food and color, are expelled due to changes in temperature, light, or nutrients.



When coral bleaches, it turns white, loses its color and may eventually die. The loss of coral has serious implications for the ocean's biodiversity, as well as the millions of people who depend on these ecosystems for food and income.



Climate change is the primary cause of coral bleaching. As ocean temperatures rise, the coral becomes stressed, which can cause it to expel its algae. Other factors that can cause bleaching include pollution, overfishing, and nutrient runoff.



Scientists are working to understand how to protect coral reefs from bleaching. One approach is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which would help slow the rate of warming oceans. Another is to reduce pollution and overfishing in coral reef areas.



In summary, coral bleaching is a serious problem that threatens the health of coral reefs and the many species that depend on them. While there is no easy solution to this problem, scientists are working hard to find ways to protect these important ecosystems from further damage. It's up to all of us to take action to protect the ocean's biodiversity and the millions of people who rely on it.



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Coral skeletons improve reef recovery after bleaching

UC Santa Barbara scientists have conducted research into how coral...

New research from the <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/">University of California, Los Angeles</a> (UCLA) has uncovered an intriguing connection between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/california-mountain-lions-are-not-fully-protected-from-humans/">humans</a> and rats: both species appear to fall victim to the same type of logical fallacy, known as the conjunction fallacy. This groundbreaking study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.springer.com/journal/13423">Psychonomic Bulletin and Review</a>, suggests that the underlying cognitive mechanisms behind this fallacy may be shared across species, opening up the possibility of using rats as research models for studying certain psychopathological conditions.



The conjunction fallacy is a well-documented psychological phenomenon, famously exemplified by the "Linda problem" designed by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman and his colleague Amos Tversky in the 1980s. They presented participants with a scenario describing a woman named Linda, who is highly educated, socially conscious, and politically active. Participants were then asked to decide whether it was more probable that Linda was a bank teller, or a bank teller active in the feminist movement. Most chose the latter option, despite the fact that it is logically less probable.



This error in reasoning is thought to arise from the use of mental shortcuts, or heuristics, when estimating the likelihood of an event. In the case of the Linda problem, participants may have relied on the representativeness heuristic, assessing how similar the event is to a mental model they already have in their minds. This cognitive process, believed to be unique to humans, involves a combination of memory, imagination, and reasoning.



However, the recent study from UCLA challenges the idea that the conjunction fallacy is exclusive to humans. Valeria González, a postdoctoral psychology researcher at UCLA and the study's first author, explains: "The classical research has all been done with humans, so the usual explanation for the effect attributes it to a departure from rationality distinct to humans. Our work shows that maybe there is a more general mechanism shared between humans and rats."



The discovery that rats, like humans, are susceptible to the conjunction fallacy has significant implications for the field of psychology. If rats indeed share this cognitive bias with humans, they could potentially serve as useful models for studying psychopathological conditions characterized by false beliefs or the perception of nonexistent events, such as schizophrenia and certain anxiety disorders.



The conjunction fallacy occurs when people believe that the combination of two events is more likely than just one of those events occurring. Some researchers have argued that this fallacy arises due to language, particularly people's uncertainty about the meaning of words like "likely" and "probability." Others have attributed the fallacy to the influence of detailed backstories on decision-making. Additionally, previous research has indicated that humans are prone to conjunction fallacies when performing physical tasks.



To investigate whether the fallacy is necessarily tied to language and whether it is unique to humans, González and psychology professor Aaron Blaisdell designed an experiment involving rats in a physical, rather than social, task. The rats were trained in two scenarios where they had to judge the likelihood of a sound being present or both a light and sound being present in order to receive a food reward.



In the first scenario, the rats received sugar pellets if they pressed a lever when a tone played and a steady light was on. If the tone played but the light was off, they received no food. In the second scenario, the rats received pellets if they pressed a lever while a white noise played and a flashing light was off. However, they received nothing if they pressed the lever when the noise played and the flashing light was on.



The researchers then played the different sounds, a tone or white noise, with the light bulb unobscured but turned off. The rats reacted accordingly, tending to avoid pressing the lever in response to the tone and pressing it in response to the white noise. However, when the researchers obscured the light bulb with a piece of metal and played the sounds, the rats were forced to predict whether the light was on or off in hopes of receiving the food reward.



Interestingly, the rats were much more likely to predict that the obscured light was on, regardless of whether the light had previously signaled the presence or absence of food when accompanying the sound. This tendency to overestimate the likelihood that both sound and light were present, even if it meant no reward, demonstrates that rats, like humans, can exhibit the conjunction fallacy.



"Until now, researchers said this is unique to human cognition only because we haven't looked for it in animals," Blaisdell said. "If humans and other animals consider alternative states of the world during ambiguous situations to help decision-making, we might expect systematic biases such as the conjunction fallacy to show a broader distribution in the animal kingdom."



By demonstrating that the conjunction fallacy is not solely the province of humans, the UCLA researchers have opened up new avenues for investigation and potential treatments for these disorders. Furthermore, this study serves as a reminder that even in the realm of cognitive biases and heuristics, humans may not be as unique as previously thought.



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Rats have the same cognitive biases as humans

New research from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)...

A recent study published in the CABI journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/hai.2023.0011">Human-Animal Interactions</a> reveals that young dog owners tend to cope well when their dogs misbehave. This is despite previous research suggesting that up to 90 percent of dogs display undesired behaviors such as aggression and disobedience.&nbsp;



However, little is known about the impact of this on young people’s experiences and emotions. To shed light on this issue, a team of scientists from Brock University, Ontario, Canada, interviewed young dog owners aged 17 to 26 years to determine their experiences with their pets and their coping strategies in response to bad behavior.



The study focused on undesired behaviors such as occasional and persistent barking and, in extreme cases, being aggressive towards other dogs and people.&nbsp;



Renata Roma of Brock University and her colleagues found that young people prefer proactive coping styles when dealing with their dogs' undesired behavior.&nbsp;



The researchers also discovered that the severity of their dogs’ behavioral issues was associated with the strength of their emotions in response, with more severe behavioral issues eliciting more intense emotions.



The experts argue that increasing our understanding of coping mechanisms in response to pets’ perceived misbehavior is important for several reasons. One of which is to explore how young people handle stressful situations with their dogs and whether any coping styles adopted by young people can decrease the likelihood of experiencing continued stress in their interactions with their dogs.



The study also revealed that young people varied in their emotional reactions and perceptions about the severity of their dog’s behavioral issues. While most dog owners indicated moderate discomfort with their dog’s behavioral issues, only one highlighted severe discomfort. This participant had a dog that exhibited severe behavioral issues, including persistent aggressive behavior.



The researchers noted that future studies could explore whether the amount of time living with a dog influences young people’s ability to handle challenging situations with their dogs. “It is possible that none of the participants in this study revealed severe discomfort with their dog’s behavioral issues because they learned new strategies over time.”



Overall, the study addresses the gap in the literature by examining links and similarities between young people’s coping styles towards their dogs and towards people emotionally close to them.&nbsp;



The experts suggest that their findings could be used to develop interventions aimed at improving young people’s coping strategies for managing their dogs' undesired behavior.



Dogs have been man's best friend for thousands of years, but they are more than just loyal companions. Studies have shown that dogs can have a positive impact on the lives of young adults in a variety of ways, from improving mental health to promoting social interaction and physical activity. In this article, we will explore the science behind the positive impact dogs have on young adults.



Mental Health



According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in the United States experience mental illness each year. Young adults, in particular, are vulnerable to mental health issues, with one in three college students experiencing symptoms of depression. However, research has shown that owning a dog can help improve mental health and reduce stress levels.



A study published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management found that employees who brought their dogs to work reported lower stress levels throughout the day than those who did not. Another study conducted by the University of Missouri-Columbia found that interacting with a dog can increase levels of oxytocin, a hormone that helps regulate stress and anxiety.



In addition, owning a dog can provide a sense of purpose and meaning, which can be especially important for young adults who may be struggling to find their place in the world. Caring for a pet can provide a sense of responsibility and accomplishment, which can improve self-esteem and overall well-being.



Social Interaction



Young adulthood is a time of transition, with many individuals leaving the safety and familiarity of their family homes to pursue education or employment opportunities. This can be a lonely and isolating experience, but dogs can provide a source of social interaction and connection.



A study conducted by researchers at the University of Liverpool found that dog owners were more likely to engage in social activities and have a stronger social network than non-dog owners. In addition, dogs can serve as a conversation starter, making it easier for young adults to meet new people and form connections.



Physical Activity



Physical activity is important for maintaining overall health and well-being, but many young adults struggle to find the motivation to exercise regularly. However, owning a dog can provide a powerful incentive to get moving.



A study conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia found that dog owners were more likely to engage in regular physical activity than non-dog owners. In addition, dogs provide a source of accountability, as they need to be walked and exercised regularly.



In conclusion, dogs can have a powerful impact on the lives of young adults. From improving mental health to promoting social interaction and physical activity, dogs can provide a source of comfort, companionship, and motivation during a time of transition and change. If you are a young adult considering getting a dog, be sure to do your research and choose a breed and temperament that is compatible with your lifestyle and needs. With the right care and attention, a dog can be a valuable and rewarding addition to your life.



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Young dog owners cope well when their pups misbehave

A recent study published in the CABI journal Human-Animal Interactions...

Human beings are known for their complex social behavior, diverse communication skills, and highly developed tool use. Researchers have long been fascinated by the evolution of these traits, and a recent study from the <a href="https://www.mpi.nl/">Max Planck Institute</a> has now offered a unique perspective on the matter.&nbsp;



The study proposes that human evolution might resemble the process of animal domestication, where less aggressive animals are favored through natural selection. In a similar vein, human evolution may be the result of selecting for more prosocial and cooperative individuals, who are more likely to interact with others and form complex communities where learning from one another is possible.



However, according to study first author Limor Raviv, the theory of self-domestication is difficult to prove. "This is because only one other species besides humans has been argued to be self-domesticated: bonobos."&nbsp;



Raviv and her colleagues sought to explore whether elephants could serve as the first non-primate animal model for self-domestication. In doing so, they investigated similarities between elephants, bonobos, and humans, and conducted genetic analyses to identify potential underlying mechanisms.



The research team discovered that elephants exhibit many of the hallmarks of domestication. Like humans and bonobos, elephants display low levels of aggression, high levels of empathic and prosocial behavior, an extended juvenile period, and increased playfulness and curiosity.&nbsp;



Elephants are known to form coalitions, "babysit" calves, provide protection and comfort to others, and aid dying or ill members of their herds - and even occasionally outsiders. Elephants also demonstrate self-awareness and sensitivity to the needs and wants of others.



Another key aspect of domestication is the ability to learn from one another. In elephants, behaviors that are often innate in other animals - such as diet selection or raising offspring - are socially transmitted. Elephants also possess a sophisticated multimodal communication system with a wide-ranging vocal repertoire, including trumpets, roars, and low-frequency rumbles.&nbsp;



For instance, elephants in Kenya have different alarm calls for humans and bees, and their diverse and combined calls even exhibit signs of grammar. Additionally, the researchers identified several candidate genes associated with domestication in elephants.



Raviv and her team speculate that self-domestication in elephants could be linked to their enormous size and relative strength. "This means that elephants are generally less worried about evading or fighting other animals for their survival," explained Raviv. "This kind of 'safe environment' could relax selective pressures for aggression, free cognitive resources, and open up more opportunities for exploration, communication, and play."



The findings have important implications for future research in other species. "Our hypothesis of self-domestication in elephants has exciting potential for future research in other species," said Raviv. "It can inform our understanding of the evolution of prosocial behavior across evolutionarily distant species, providing important insights into convergent evolution."&nbsp;



The identification of elephants as a possible model for self-domestication broadens our understanding of the factors that contribute to the development of prosocial behaviors and offers a fresh perspective on the evolution of complex social structures.



About elephants



Elephants are the world's largest land mammals, and their unique characteristics have captured the interest of scientists and wildlife enthusiasts alike.&nbsp;



Anatomy



Elephants possess several distinctive features:



<ol>
<li>Trunk: The trunk, or proboscis, is a fusion of the upper lip and nose. It is a highly flexible and muscular organ used for various purposes such as breathing, smelling, drinking, and grasping objects.</li>



<li>Tusks: The tusks are elongated incisor teeth, which continue to grow throughout an elephant's life. They are used for digging, stripping bark from trees, and as weapons in fights or defense.</li>



<li>Ears: Elephant ears are large and thin, helping with thermoregulation by dissipating heat. The ears also play a role in communication, as elephants can detect low-frequency sounds through the skin and bones of their skull.</li>



<li>Size: Elephants are massive, with the African Elephant reaching up to 13 feet in height and weighing up to 14,000 pounds, while the smaller Asian Elephant can reach 11 feet in height and weigh up to 11,000 pounds.</li>
</ol>



Behavior



Elephants are known for their complex social structures, intelligence, and emotional depth. They live in matriarchal family groups called herds, led by the eldest female. Elephants exhibit remarkable memory and are known to mourn the death of their kin. They communicate using a wide range of vocalizations, including infrasound, which can travel over long distances.



Diet



Elephants are herbivores, feeding on a diverse diet of leaves, grasses, fruits, and bark. They consume up to 300-600 pounds of food per day and need to drink large quantities of water, up to 50 gallons, to stay hydrated.



Conservation Status



Elephant populations are under threat due to habitat loss and poaching for their ivory tusks. The African Elephant is listed as Vulnerable, the African Forest Elephant is classified as Endangered, and the Asian Elephant is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Conservation efforts include habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and raising awareness about the importance of elephants to their ecosystems.



Conclusion



Elephants are fascinating creatures that play a crucial role in their ecosystems. By understanding their taxonomy, anatomy, behavior, and conservation status, we can better appreciate the unique qualities that make them the gentle giants of the animal kingdom.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2208607120">PNAS</a>.



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Elephant behavior provides new insights into human evolution

Human beings are known for their complex social behavior, diverse...

Dogs, known as man's best friend, can provide their owners with immense joy and companionship. Unfortunately, when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vegan-diet-for-dogs-given-the-thumbs-up-by-scientists/">dogs</a> are in pain, they are unable to verbally communicate their distress. This can make it challenging for owners to determine when their pets need medical attention.&nbsp;



However, a recent study conducted by a team of researchers from <a href="https://en.ankara.edu.tr/">Ankara University</a> in Turkey has shed light on the ways dogs express their pain, giving their owners a "sixth sense" to better understand their pets' needs.



The experts surveyed 124 dog owners, asking them about their perceptions of their dogs' pain and any associated behaviors. Of the 35 behavioral indicators examined, 13 were significantly more prevalent in dogs thought to be experiencing chronic pain. Moreover, specific positions, such as lowering their tails and ears when jumping on or off furniture, were more commonly observed in dogs suffering from pain.



The authors of the study highlighted the importance of recognizing pain-related behaviors and postures in dogs, suggesting that "simple pain scales which can be filled by owners and include basic parameters such as movement-based behaviors and ear-tail positions in daily contexts can be developed to evaluate chronic pain in dogs."&nbsp;



Early identification of pain can improve a dog's quality of life, reduce financial burdens associated with delayed treatment, and protect the well-being of both dogs and their caregivers.



Detecting pain in pets can be difficult, as dogs and cats often attempt to hide their pain as a protective mechanism. Nonetheless, owners can play a vital role in early diagnosis by observing changes in their pets' behavior at home. Despite this, the researchers found limited existing research on how dogs perceive chronic pain.



To address this gap, the experts aimed to identify the most noticeable pain-related gestures and behavioral changes in dogs.&nbsp;



After analyzing the survey results, the team divided the dogs into two groups: those with chronic pain and those without. Among the dogs in pain, most suffered from orthopedic pain, but other types included neurological pain, gastro-abdominal pain, and excessive itching.



Owners of dogs in pain reported reduced general activity and excessive licking of body parts in 70.3% and 64% of cases, respectively. Decreased social behaviors, such as tail wagging and delays in welcoming owners at the door, were also observed in dogs experiencing pain. Interestingly, this finding contradicted the expectation that dogs would mask their pain in social situations for potential benefits or perceived threats.



The study revealed that certain behaviors were more common in senior dogs, while others were more prevalent in young adult and mature adult dogs. In particular, young adult dogs exhibited the most behavioral changes, possibly because difficulties are highly unexpected at this age. Only four behavioral changes were found to be more significant in senior dogs with chronic pain.



Significant differences in ear and tail positions during specific activities were also observed between dogs in pain and those not in pain. According to the researchers, "ear and tail positions can give clues to predict emotions and such as pain, stress, and fear that the dog experiences." Dogs in pain tended to lower or partially lower their ears during activities like getting up, going up or down stairs, and jumping on or off furniture.&nbsp;



In contrast, dogs not in pain maintained neutral ear positions during these activities. Similarly, dogs in pain were more likely to point their tails down during these activities, while healthy dogs kept their tails in a relaxed or upward position.



This groundbreaking research is the first to demonstrate that owners can recognize pain-related behavioral changes in their dogs. The authors stress the importance of owners having a solid understanding of these behaviors, as they must explain their concerns to veterinarians.&nbsp;



The study's findings could potentially be used to develop a chronic pain scale for dogs, focusing on behavioral indicators that can be easily understood and used by owners to help their furry friends.



Dogs and humans have shared a close bond for thousands of years. The domestication of dogs is believed to have begun between 20,000 to 40,000 years ago. Genetic evidence suggests that modern dogs diverged from a now-extinct population of wolves, with whom they share a common ancestor.



The exact circumstances surrounding the initial domestication of dogs are still debated among researchers. However, a widely accepted theory is that the process began when wolves were attracted to human campsites due to the availability of food, such as leftover scraps. Over time, humans and wolves developed a mutually beneficial relationship, with the wolves helping humans in hunting and providing protection, while humans offered food and shelter in return.



As the relationship between humans and wolves evolved, selective breeding took place, resulting in tamer, more docile wolves that eventually became the first domesticated dogs. These early dogs played various roles in human societies, including hunting, herding, and companionship.



The strong bond between humans and dogs has continued to develop over the millennia, and today, dogs are not only valued as working animals but also as beloved pets and members of the family. This unique bond is a testament to the deep connection and shared history between our two species.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-veterinary-behavior">Journal of Veterinary Behavior</a>.



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Study reveals body positions that indicate your dog is in pain

Dogs, known as man's best friend, can provide their owners...

Diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, has long been a crucial tool in monitoring human and animal health. However, for researchers studying wild populations, administering these common tests can be challenging.&nbsp;



In an effort to overcome this obstacle, a collaborative project has been initiated by scientists at the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</a> (WHOI) and colleagues at the Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden, as well as other zoos and aquariums. The team is currently testing the use of thermal video and image analysis to measure heart and respiration rates in a variety of animals in a controlled environment.&nbsp;



The ultimate goal of this research is to advance the development of non-invasive techniques for assessing the health of animals in the wild, particularly threatened and endangered species for which more invasive diagnostic procedures might carry prohibitive risks.



A new paper detailing the team's work was published today in the journal <a href="https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/">BMC Biology</a>. The study highlights the importance of understanding an animal's metabolic rate, or energetic expenditure, as it provides crucial insight into a species' reproductive and survival chances.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, collecting these benchmark measurements from wild populations is logistically complex and frequently invasive. Even more straightforward tests, such as obtaining heart and respiration rates, often necessitate immobilizing the animal, which can pose its own risks. Additionally, attaching tracking devices can be both expensive and invasive.



The research, led by MIT-WHOI graduate student Caroline Rzucidlo, is investigating the potential of infrared thermography (IRT) combined with Eulerian video magnification (EVM) software to measure the vital rates of exotic wildlife species.&nbsp;



Eventually, the team wants to apply this technique to study <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weddell-seals-sacrifice-diving-energy-to-give-iron-to-their-pups/">Weddell seal</a> populations in Antarctica, assessing whether these animals will be physiologically prepared to survive and reproduce in rapidly changing environments.



"Heart and respiration rates are often used as proxies for determining metabolic rate," explained Rzucidlo. "Thermal cameras can detect changes in skin temperature associated with blood flow and changes in air temperature associated with exhalation. Thus, determining if thermal cameras could non-invasively capture these temperature changes in animals was the first step."



While thermal video cameras can easily measure heat and body temperature, as evidenced by the technology used to screen humans for fever at airports, the question remained whether this approach could be applied to exotic animals. Taking their work directly into the field was not feasible, as the researchers first needed to validate the accuracy and precision of the method, which required a controlled setting.&nbsp;



"We had no idea how effectively we could measure temperature fluctuations with the thermal camera, including how close or far away from the animal we needed to be, and how fur, fat, or scale thickness would affect the readings," explained Rzucidlo.



The Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden offered the perfect setting for testing various animals under diverse conditions, allowing researchers to refine their methods. Collaborating with Erin Curry, a reproductive physiologist, and other animal care specialists, Rzucidlo dedicated months to collecting thermal video data on an array of terrestrial and marine creatures at the facility.&nbsp;



The study also encompassed work conducted at other locations, such as the Louisville Zoo (Kentucky), Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Ohio), and the Salisbury Zoo (Maryland). Overall, 58 individual animals, ranging from Komodo dragons to polar bears, participated in the research.



“Being able to monitor individual animals under human care created a controlled setting to validate this technology that is impossible to replicate in the wild,” said Rzucidlo.



“Zoos offer a unique setting to develop technologies that can contribute to the conservation of wildlife populations. Animals in zoos have regular veterinary check-ups and some individuals are even trained to participate voluntarily in wellness exams, so using a stethoscope to obtain true heartrates while concurrently collecting infrared video of a variety of species was a very achievable goal,” added Curry.



It soon became obvious to the team that the thermal video alone wasn’t enough. “Capturing heat and temperature is one step, but we needed the EVM computer software to amplify changes&nbsp; in temperature associated with respiration rate and heartbeat,” explained Rzucidlo. “Using the two together was the winning combination and offered us an unprecedented view of animal health.”&nbsp;



While thermal cameras have previously been employed to obtain vital rates in a select few species (primarily hairless ones), this groundbreaking study represents the first application of this technology to an extensive array of exotic animals. Additionally, the research identifies the specific traits that render a species suitable for acquiring measurements through thermal imaging.&nbsp;



“This new study takes thermal imaging data in a controlled setting and allows us to build benchmarks across a suite of species. Having developed and fine-tuned these methods in the zoological setting, we can then take these imaging techniques and apply it to answer much broader ecological questions in the wild,” said Michelle Shero, an associate scientist at WHOI.



“We’ve even been using this method in Antarctica to study energy dynamics in Weddell seal populations. We can use these newly developed methods to start asking how an animal’s energetic expenditure may change if environmental conditions change, or what the energetic demands are for reproduction.”



“What’s more, is that using non-invasive and quickly acquired imagery tools will allow us to make better measurements with less disturbance, and for a lot more animals than would ever have been possible using traditional techniques. This is what is really needed to start asking questions about population health.”



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Thermal imaging can help monitor animal health in the wild 

Diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, has long...

A groundbreaking study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40793-023-00467-z">Environmental Microbiome</a> suggests that urban honeybees could hold the key to unlocking insights into the microbiomes of cities around the world, providing valuable information about both hive and human health. As cities are designed for human habitation, they also host a myriad of other living species.&nbsp;



Understanding this diverse landscape is crucial for urban planning and human health. However, sampling the microbial landscape in a way that covers vast urban areas can be labor-intensive and challenging.



Lead researcher Elizabeth Hénaff and her team delved into the potential of honeybees to help gather samples of microorganisms across cities. Honeybees are known to forage daily up to one mile from their hives in urban environments.&nbsp;



The researchers conducted a pilot study in New York, where they sampled various materials from three hives. They discovered diverse genetic information, including environmental bacteria, in the debris accumulated at the bottom of the hives.&nbsp;



Further samples of hive debris from Sydney, Melbourne, Venice, and Tokyo revealed that each location possesses a unique genetic signature as seen by honeybees.



In Venice, the genetic data was predominantly composed of fungi related to wood rot and date palm DNA. Melbourne's sample was dominated by Eucalyptus DNA, while the Sydney sample showed little plant DNA but contained genetic data from a bacteria species that degrades rubber (Gordonia polyisoprenivorans). Tokyo samples included plant DNA from Lotus and wild soybean, as well as the soy sauce fermenting yeast Zygosaccharomyces rouxii.



The experts also identified genetic material from the hive debris for Rickettsia felis ('cat scratch fever'), a pathogen spread to humans through cat scratches. Although these findings highlight the potential of using this method for surveillance, they are currently too preliminary to suggest its effectiveness in monitoring human diseases.



Moreover, the hive debris contained bee-related microorganisms, likely originating from honeybee parts present in the debris. Based on 33 samples from hives across the four subsequent cities, the authors found known bee microorganisms indicating a healthy hive. In some cases, bee pathogens such as Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius, or the parasite Varroa destructor were detected. These findings suggest that debris analysis could also be employed to assess the overall health of honeybee hives.



In conclusion, the study demonstrates that honeybee hive debris offers a snapshot of the microbial landscape of urban environments. This innovative approach could be used alongside other measures to assess the microbial diversity and health of cities and honeybees alike, helping researchers better understand the complex interactions between humans, bees, and urban ecosystems.



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Honeybees can shed light on the health of cities

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Environmental Microbiome suggests...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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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

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[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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