Portrait,Of,A,Wild,Octopus,Under,Water.

The octopus is a creature that continues to surprise scientists and inspire engineers. With eight arms that move in ways no human limb can, it demonstrates flexibility and control that seem almost otherworldly. 



Each arm bends, twists, elongates, and shortens with unmatched precision, enabling these animals to hunt, hide, and explore with ease. 



Researchers hope that unlocking the secrets of these movements may guide the design of flexible robotic arms capable of lifesaving missions.



Imagine a robotic arm slipping through rubble after a building collapse, delivering food or medicine to someone trapped below. 



This vision has motivated scientists to study octopus arms in detail - both in the laboratory and in their natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-dumbo-octopus-species-carnarvon-flapjack-discovered-in-very-deep-ocean-waters/">environment</a>.



Until recently, most studies were limited to tanks, where behaviors may not reflect the complexity of life in the wild. That gap is now being addressed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-octopus-intelligence">Understanding octopus intelligence</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-could-dominate-earth-if-humans-vanish/">Octopuses</a> are some of the most intelligent invertebrates on Earth. Unlike most animals without backbones, they can solve puzzles, open jars, and even escape from aquariums by remembering routes back to the ocean. 



Their brains are incredibly complex, with about 500 million neurons - similar to a dog. What makes them even more fascinating is that two-thirds of those neurons are in their arms. 



This means each arm can sense, move, and even make decisions on its own while still communicating with the central brain. It’s like having eight mini-brains working together with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-are-tricked-by-the-rubber-hand-illusion-like-humans-suggesting-self-awareness/">one big brain</a>.



Their intelligence also shows up in how they hunt and survive. Octopuses use tools, like carrying coconut shells to hide inside when threatened, and they can change color and texture in an instant to camouflage perfectly against rocks or coral. 



They’ve been observed watching other animals and learning from them, which is rare in the animal kingdom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flexible-octopus-arms-inspire-robotics">Flexible octopus arms inspire robotics</h2>



A new study from the <a href="https://www.mbl.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Biological Laboratory</a> in Woods Hole and Florida Atlantic University has provided the most comprehensive analysis of octopus arm movements in natural habitats. 



Researchers recorded 25 wild octopuses in six locations, ranging from the Caribbean to Spain. The footage captured thousands of arm movements across a variety of behaviors, including foraging, locomotion, and even defense.



“I’ve been trying for a long time to work out the natural behavior of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-octopus-footage-could-revolutionize-flexible-robot-design-eyeris/">cephalopods</a> in their natural habitat,” said MBL Senior Scientist Roger Hanlon, who led the project. 



“Studying and recording octopus behavior from wild octopuses in the field gave us the opportunity to analyze a larger behavioral repertoire and further understand how they use their arms to achieve such complex behaviors,” added Chelsea Bennice, research fellow at <a href="https://www.fau.eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FAU</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guided-by-touch-not-sight">Guided by touch, not sight</h2>



Octopuses rely heavily on touch, guided by sensory organs in their arm suckers. “The octopus is a very tactile animal - it’s more tactile than visual,” said Hanlon. 



Each of their nearly 100 suckers per arm contains chemosensory-tactile receptors, combining functions similar to the human nose, lips, and tongue.



Finding octopuses to observe was not simple. Their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-squid-power-their-amazing-camouflage-abilities/">camouflage</a> skills make them almost invisible in coral reefs or sandy seabeds. Divers often relied on clues like discarded shells and food debris near their dens.



Once located, octopuses emerged briefly from hiding, offering precious opportunities to record their natural actions.



These moments revealed unique hunting strategies, arm movements, and subtle interactions with their environment otherwise impossible to witness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-arm-mechanics-of-octopuses">Complex arm mechanics of octopuses</h2>



The researchers identified 12 distinct arm actions across 15 behaviors, built from four fundamental deformations: shortening, elongating, bending, and torsion. They discovered a pattern of specialization within each arm. 



For instance, elongation and shortening were most common near the base, while bending occurred more at the tips. 



This functional partitioning allows octopuses to combine motions across arms for tasks like crawling, probing reef crevices, or launching sudden prey attacks.



“These are the actions that make up the whole complex of octopus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-and-squids-defy-the-slow-pace-of-evolution/">behaviors</a>,” said study co-author Kendra Buresch. 



In the wild, researchers observed octopuses using different combinations of arm actions - sometimes relying on a single arm for tasks like grabbing food, and other times coordinating multiple arms for behaviors such as crawling or launching a parachute attack.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavior-that-guides-technology">Behavior that guides technology</h2>



The findings go beyond understanding animal behavior. With nearly 7,000 observed arm deformations, the study highlights an extraordinary degree of control and flexibility. 



This knowledge may inform robotics research, where engineers seek to design soft, adaptable arms capable of both precise and exploratory tasks.



“Understanding these natural behaviors not only deepens our knowledge of octopus biology but also opens exciting new avenues in fields like neuroscience, animal behavior, and even soft robotics inspired by these remarkable creatures,” Bennice said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-in-flexibility-and-change">Lessons in flexibility and change</h2>



From the ocean floor to robotics labs, octopuses continue to inspire, offering lessons in both biology and technology. 



Their flexible arms not only influence the design of machines that could navigate disaster zones or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-bahamas/">deep-sea environments</a>, but also remind us how problem-solving in nature often leads to solutions with real-world applications.



Beyond robotics, their adaptability symbolizes the broader principle that survival depends on innovation and change, a message equally relevant to ecosystems, human health, and future technologies.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-10674-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Octopus arms are probably the most complex and flexible structures in nature

The octopus is a creature that continues to surprise scientists and inspire engineers. With eight arms that move in ways no human limb can, it demonstrates flexibility and control that seem almost otherworldly. Each arm bends, twists, elongates, and shortens with unmatched precision, enabling these animals to hunt, hide, and explore with ease. Researchers hope that unlocking the secrets of these movements may guide the design of flexible robotic arms capable of lifesaving missions. Imagine a robotic arm slipping through rubble after a building collapse, delivering food...

A new study led by <a href="http://www.nova.edu/">Nova Southeastern University</a> (NSU) has found that whale sharks can grow to be more than 60 feet in length, which is over 20 feet longer than previously realized. The researchers have also discovered that male whale sharks can live up to 130 years.

The team from NSU's Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) collaborated with experts from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme for the investigation, which was conducted in the Republic of Maldives. The scientists used a unique approach to study the aging growth dynamics of the whale shark.

“What makes this a novel approach is that we took repeated noninvasive underwater measurements of live sharks over the course of a decade,” said study first author Cameron Perry.

“Up to now, such aging and growth research has required obtaining vertebrae from dead whale sharks and counting growth rings, analogous to counting tree rings, to determine age. Our work shows that we can obtain age and growth information without relying on dead sharks captured in fisheries. That is a big deal.”

The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-shark-longest-migration/">whale sharks</a> came back to the same place every one to two years and individuals could be recognized by their unique spot patterns, making it possible to take repeated measurements of these individuals over many years.

The study revealed that male whale sharks can live as long as 130 years and may grow as large as 61.7 feet on average, which is nearly 17 feet longer than a school bus.

“Growth and reproduction of whale sharks, which are endangered in many places, are poorly understood," said study co-author Mahmood Shivji, who is the director of NSU's GHRI. 

“When you couple this lack of knowledge with the fact that whale shark products such as fins, meat and oil are highly valuable - they are harvested in many countries - one can quickly see the urgency in learning as much as possible in order to help save these majestic creatures.”

Perry added: “The more we learn about these animals, their growth dynamics, where they go, what areas may be their nurseries, it can lead to a better understanding of their life history, which is imperative to guide conservation efforts.”


The study is published in the <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/mf/content">Marine &amp; Freshwater Research Journal</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The world’s largest shark species can live up to 130 years

A new study led by Nova Southeastern University (NSU) has...

Dogs are man’s best friend for a reason. They’ve been by our side since we were living in caves and their physical features more closely resembled wolves than the hodgepodge of different breeds we have today. Throughout our symbiotic existence, they’ve provided us with protection, companionship, and comfort. Sometimes it seems like our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-humans-close/">dogs</a> are even able to read our minds – or at least our emotions. 

Now, a new study published in the journal <a href="https://www.springer.com/psychology/journal/13420">Learning &amp; Behavior</a> has found that dogs are willing to go out of their way to provide us with help and comfort when we show signs of being upset.

Julia-Meyers-Manor, co-author of the study and assistant professor of psychology at <a href="http://www.ripon.edu/">Ripon College</a>, was playing with her children one day when they buried her in pillows. She began playfully calling out for help, “My husband didn’t come rescue me, but, within a few seconds, my collie had dug me out of the pillows,” she recalls. “I knew that we had to do a study to test that more formally.” And thus the idea for this study was born.

The participants were 34 dogs of various breeds and sizes and their owners. Individual owners were positioned behind a clear door held closed with magnets, allowing their dog to see and hear them. The owners were then asked to either hum “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or cry. The researchers were looking to see if the dogs would open the door more often when their owners were crying. Although this did not turn out to be the case, they found that dogs who did open the door when their owner was crying opened it three times faster than dogs whose owners were humming. 

The researchers also measured the dogs’ stress levels. Results showed that dogs who were able to push through the door to “rescue” their owners showed less stress. They also observed that dogs who didn’t push the door open didn’t abstain because they didn’t care – rather, it seemed like they cared too much. These dogs exhibited the most stress and were too troubled by their owner crying to do anything.

“We found dogs not only sense what their owners are feeling, if a dog knows a way to help them, they’ll go through barriers to provide to help them,” says lead author Emily Sanford, a graduate student in psychological and brain sciences at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a>.

Past studies have shown that dogs are very responsive to human crying. But this is the first study to show that dogs who sense emotional distress will actively try to do something about it.

“Dogs have been by the side of humans for tens of thousands of years and they’ve learned to read our social cues,” says Sanford. “Dog owners can tell that their dogs sense their feelings. Our findings reinforce that idea, and show that, like Lassie, dogs who know their people are in trouble might spring into action.”

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Dogs go out of their way to their comfort owners if they’re upset

Dogs are man’s best friend for a reason. They’ve been...

I once worked in a fossil casting studio in Fruita, Colorado.  Since I left, the studio has been lucky enough to cast mastodon fossils straight from Snowmass Village Colorado.  The fossils of giant extinct mammals were first discovered at the Snowmastodon site in 2010. Much like the more famous La Brea Tar pits in California, the Snowmass discovery happened by accident.  In La Brea the tar was being used for construction material, in Snowmass, the fossils were discovered at the bottom of a construction site. 

When work began, paleontology wasn’t a concern.  Initially, a simple reservoir was being expanded to supply drinking water to the village of Snowmass.  The first mammoth discovery was made by Jesse Steele who was using a bulldozer to clear the area when bones were found.  The bones were turned over to a project foreman, Kent Olsen who took them home and identified the bones as mammoth fossils.  The <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">United States Geological Survey</a> (USGS) was informed of the discovery.  Teams from the USGS and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science worked together to excavate the paleontological remains at Snowmass.         

Often this is the reality of paleontology discoveries; I’ve worked on an ancient shark that was found in a stone quarry.  There is more digging for everyday sort of things, construction or mining than paleontology. Usually discoveries are by chance, a glimpse of the amazing depth of our world’s history.  Mostly, mastodons and mammoths were discovered at the Snowmastodon site, but there was also a camel, horse, sloth, a deer. All told, there were over 36,000 vertebrate fossils representing over 100 species discovered in Snowmass.  Another 100 species of invertebrates were also excavated at the Snowmastodon site. 

Although perhaps not as famous as the La Brea tar pits, Snowmastodon is one of the better sites for mammalian paleontology and perhaps archaeology.

I say “perhaps” archaeology because that is one of the more contentious ideas of the Snowmastodon site.  Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/north-america-first-humans-colonist-evidence-scientists-alaska-genetics-a8140231.html">Independent</a> reported on the genetic evidence from a child discovered at an archaeological site in Alaska.  From the genetic evidence, scientists suggest that people may have colonized America as early as 25,000 years ago.  It’s one piece of evidence that pushes the theorized colonization date back by 10,000 years from what archaeologists previously thought.  If Snowmastodon is an archaeology site, it would mean humans were in North America 50,000 years ago and in Colorado, much further south than Alaska.  There is other evidence suggesting that humans could have been on North America that long ago. 

In 2017, the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/26/science/prehistoric-humans-north-america-california-nature-study.html">New York Times</a> reported on evidence that humans may have been in California as early as 130,000 years ago.  If the evidence holds up, it’s still not clear whether the early people were ancestors of modern Native Americans or people who arrived too early and simply died out.                             

One of the mysteries surrounding the Snowmastodon site is why is it even there?  What caused so many large mammal fossils to be found together in one spot? The geological evidence shows that what was destined to become a reservoir for human use was once a lake visited by ancient mammals.  One hypothesis is that an earthquake caused the sediments of the lake floor to liquefy. If the sediments liquefied at the right time, mastodons, mammoths, giant sloths and all could become trapped in the shallow lake bottom as if in quicksand.  However, it’s unlikely that so many animals would be trapped at once by such an unusual occurrence but it’s not impossible.

Another theory as to why there was such a large assemblage of mammals in one place is a bit more interesting. In other parts of North America, early human arrivals have been shown to cache meat under water to preserve kills.  <a href="http://www.ur.umich.edu/9495/May08_95/storage.htm">The University of Michigan</a> reported on such techniques near the Great Lakes region:

‘"Underwater caching turns out to be a simple and effective way to store meat for long periods. Fossils preserved at ancient cache sites suggest it was an important and common part of the winter-to-spring subsistence strategy of Ice Age hunters," said Daniel C. Fisher, Professor of Geological and Biological Sciences and curator of the Museum of Paleontology. 

Evidence that the site at Snowmass is a cache of a human hunt is still a bit controversial.  At the top of the site several stones were discovered that didn’t quite fit with the local geology.  The stones were possibly placed on top of a kill to weigh a mastodon skeleton down, keeping it under water where the meat would last longer and be hidden from other predators.  

If the Snowmass site is indeed evidence of much earlier human occupation of the North American interior and even a hunt, it could change our views of archaeology and large mammal extinctions.  One hypothesis of why ancient mammals such as mastodons and mammoths died off is the overkill hypothesis. Basically, it’s thought that humans arriving to North America might have hunted to extinction <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/woolly-mammoths-big-comeback/">mammoths</a>, mastodons, giant ground sloths and other impressive megafauna.  Mastodons themselves went extinct around 10,000 years ago, about the time some archaeologists believe humans were first arriving to the continent. If as far south as Colorado, humans were butchering and caching Mastodon carcasses, it could change how we view the dynamic interplay between ancient elephantids and ancient humans.

The Snowmastodon site was excavated, all the fossils likely to ever be found were removed.  Photographs in three dimensions were taken of many of the pieces upon removal in an attempt to document everything.  The fossils were slowly cleaned and prepared, many of them were cast so that scientifically exact replicas can be shared and put on display.  In the end, work on the Snowmastodon site officially ended in 2011 and what was once the burial site of ancient creatures in a lake bottom was once again flooded, this time as a reservoir.  

Fossils are on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  You can visit for free the <a href="https://www.gosnowmass.com/things-to-do/ice-age-discovery/snowmass-discovery-center/">Ice Age Discovery Center</a> at the Snowmass Village Mall.  The Discovery Center claims the site to be the, ‘World’s finest ice age fossil discovery’ then in fine print letters, ‘near Snowmass Village, CO’.  Taken altogether, the statement is true. It also claims to be the ‘finest high-elevation fossil site in the world’ a claim hard to substantiate as what high elevation and fine mean are subjective.  If it turns out that the site is archaeological and not just paleontology though, no hyperbole will be needed to describe its importance. 

A few last pieces of evidence: small stone flakes were found at the Snowmastodon site.  It’s possible that the flakes were crude tools or pieces of tools or flakes made from chipping tools out of stone.  It’s also possible that the flakes are just chips of rock with no connection to humans at all. In relation to the possibility of stone cutting tools, there are striations on mastodon bones found at Snowmass.  To some the striations appear too uniform, parallel cuts where tendons would have once lay. To some these scratches on the bone seem to the marks of an ancient butcher cutting meat from a kill.

With excavation officially concluded and the paleontology site now underwater, it seems unlikely more evidence will be found.  Living on a planet as old as ours, we have time to wait. Perhaps another construction project in Snowmass will uncover other bones with more conclusive evidence. Maybe years from now another scientist looking on a drawer of bone collections in Denver will see with new eyes something missed.  Perhaps the Snowmastodon site will always remain a mystery. We will never know all the details of the lives of humans and beasts that lived before us. There will always be a little bit of mystery and perhaps, that is for the best. 

--

By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Uncovering mammoths at the Snowmastodon site in Colorado

I once worked in a fossil casting studio in Fruita,...

Evidence of Bigfoot was found in The Black Hills region of the United States – not the mythical humanoid Bigfoot, but rather a dinosaur related to the giant plant-eating dinosaurs Brontosaurus and Diplodocus. 

These were the largest land animals to ever live on our planet, so when a 1998 expedition from the <a href="https://ku.edu/">University of Kansas</a> excavated a giant foot fossil almost a meter wide, they aptly nicknamed the specimen “Bigfoot.”

After detailed preparation and study, Anthony Maltese – a member of that original expedition – and his international team of researchers have identified the largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teeth-fossils-dinosaurs-ate/">dinosaur</a> foot ever found as belonging to an animal very closely related to Brachiosaurus. You may remember these dinosaurs from the original 1993 Jurassic Park film.

The researchers used 3D scanning and detailed measurements to compare Bigfoot to the feet of numerous members of the sauropod family of dinosaurs. Analysis and comparisons with other sauropod feet found that Bigfoot was the largest dinosaur foot ever discovered. 

Their findings also confirmed that brachiosaurs inhabited a large area from eastern Utah to northwestern Wyoming roughly 150 million years ago. “This is surprising", says Emanuel Tschopp, a Swiss paleontologist working at the <a href="https://www.amnh.org/">American Museum of Natural History</a> in New York, “many other sauropod dinosaurs seem to have inhabited smaller areas during that time.”

Maltese – now at the <a href="https://www.rmdrc.com/">Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center</a> in Colorado – states that the rock outcrops where they found this fossil hold many more “fantastic dinosaur skeletons,” and his research team plans to continue studying fossils from this region.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Davide Bonadonna, Milan, Italy

Full paper can be found <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/5250/">here</a>

Largest dinosaur foot ever found was a Brachiosaurus relative

Evidence of Bigfoot was found in The Black Hills region...

In the Arctic, climate change is causing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-sea-ice-record/">record-setting sea ice decline</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earlier-arctic-springs-geese-migrations/">earlier and earlier springs. </a>

New research has identified yet another way climate change will impact the Arctic, and its effects could be so wide-reaching that it may even change the food web and the environment of the Tundra. 

However, the study found that these changes could also provide a buffer and slow CO2 emissions from thawed permafrost in the Arctic. 

Researchers from <a href="https://wustl.edu/">Washington University in St. Louis</a> studied wolf spiders in the Alaskan Arctic to see how a warming climate might impact the predator-prey relationships of the spiders. 

The results were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study is one of the few to look at climate change’s impact on habitats and species on a macro level, meaning that the researchers examined not just climate change’s impact on wolf spiders, but the widespread ramifications of those changes. 

“We often think about how warmer temperatures might strengthen or weaken interactions between predators and their prey,” said Amanda Koltz, a  postdoctoral researcher in biology in Arts &amp; Sciences who led the research. “But in this case, we show that when warming alters those interactions, it can also lead to changes in ecosystem-level processes like decomposition rates."

Wolf spiders are one of the most important predators on the Tundra and are one of the most abundant species in the Arctic. The spiders hunt on the ground and will eat almost anything smaller than them, but their preferred food is a small arthropod called springtails. 

The springtails, in turn, eat decaying plants and fungus and play an important role in plant matter decomposition rates. 

Because wolf spiders eat springtails, they have an indirect effect on decomposition, according to the study. 

If decomposition rates change, it could release more harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere especially as warming temperatures thaw out frozen permafrost and the trapped CO2 contained within. 

Koltz and a team of researchers set up a series of experimental enclosures in Northern Alaska over two summer seasons to test how warming would impact the spider, fungus-eater, and soil system. 

The enclosures were kept at different temperatures and at the end of the two seasons, the researchers recorded any changes as well as the number of springtails, mites, spiders and other species. 

Interestingly, at the ambient temperatures, high-density populations of wolf spiders left fewer springtails resulting in faster decomposition rates. 

In the enclosures that were kept at warmer temperatures, there were still high-density spider populations but higher numbers of springtails and slower decomposition. 

The researchers hypothesize that the warmer temperatures changed the spiders’ taste in prey leaving more springtails to do their job in the soil. 

“Spiders are not going to save us from climate change, but we found that decomposition is slower under warming when there are more wolf spiders present,” said Koltz. “This suggests that under some circumstances, they could be alleviating some of the effects of warming on carbon losses from the tundra. It's a good thing.”

--

By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Kiki Contreras

Warming in the Arctic could alter predator-prey relationships

In the Arctic, climate change is causing record-setting sea ice...

The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trump-administration-endangered-species-act/">Trump administration</a> is pushing for major changes to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-species-act-support/">Endangered Species Act</a> (ESA), and claims that the modifications would provide government agencies with less confusion and more consistency while producing the best conservation results. Critics argue, however, that the proposal is a handout to big businesses, making it possible to develop land that is currently protected by the law.

For the last 45 years, the ESA has successfully prevented the extinction of 99 percent of species listed as threatened or endangered in the United States. In 1973, Congress wrote in the introduction to the ESA that plants and wildlife  “are of esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to the Nation and its people.”

According to the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/">New York Times</a>, more than two dozen policy initiatives and amendments have been designed to weaken the reach of the ESA in the past two weeks. The news agency reports that these proposed changes include a measure that would lift protection for the gray wolf in Wyoming and along the western Great Lakes, as well as a plan to prevent the sage grouse from becoming a candidate for the endangered species list for ten years.

If the administration’s bill is passed, species that are classified as being “threatened” will no longer receive the same habitat protections as endangered species. In addition, it will become more difficult to get a species on the endangered list, and easier to have a species removed from the list.


One of the most controversial amendments would allow the economic consequences of conserving a plant or animal to be considered before the species could be approved for protection.

Opponents of the ESA believe that the law is in violation of private property rights and restricts economic development, which they say often results in the loss of American jobs and business profits. Big oil and gas companies, farmers, and ranchers in the western United States have pushed for changes to the ESA for years.

Richard Pombo is a former California congressman who helped write a revision of the ESA in 2005 that was rejected, and is now a lobbyist for mining and water management companies. Pombo told the New York Times: “It’s probably the best chance that we have had in 25 years to actually make any substantial changes.”

Dr. Andrew Rosenberg is the director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the <a href="https://www.ucsusa.org/">Union of Concerned Scientists</a> (UCS) and a former deputy director of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

“The Endangered Species Act has successfully saved 99 percent of listed species from extinction - and it’s an effective law because it’s grounded in science,” said Dr. Rosenberg. “The Trump administration would weaken that scientific foundation and make it much harder to create robust plans to protect species on the brink of extinction. Make no mistake: this is going to increase the chances that species go extinct.”

“Using short-term economic gain as a justification for not protecting endangered species is part of a pattern with this administration. Their repeated efforts to weaken science-based protections come straight off the wish lists of politically powerful industries like oil and gas extraction.”

“The Trump administration’s proposals to change the Endangered Species Act come at the same time as the President’s allies in Congress are proposing bills that would also undermine the law. These changes are a radical upending of our policy toward plants, animals and ecosystems. If these efforts succeed, we may have a law called the Endangered Species Act, but it won’t be remotely effective at protecting endangered species.”
--
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

D.C. lawmakers launch major attack on the Endangered Species Act

The Trump administration is pushing for major changes to the...

The bond between humans and dogs goes back <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-dogs-bond/">thousands of years</a>, and there is still much debate surrounding exactly when early dogs were first domesticated.

It’s believed that the evolution from wild dogs to man's best friend occurred over a long span of time leading to the close bond we share with canines today. What started as a mutually beneficial arrangement between wild dogs and humans has turned into a deeply complex relationship. 

“What began as a mutual-services contract between two very different species became something much more like love,” writes <a href="http://time.com/5342964/human-bond-dog-thoughts/?utm_source=time.com&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=the-brief&amp;utm_content=2018072010am&amp;xid=newsletter-brief&amp;eminfo=%7b%22EMAIL%22%3a%22px%2fHYSNvxgoLO5vJ%2fVTY2g%3d%3d%22%2c%22BRAND%22%3a%22TD%22%2c%22CONTENT%22%3a%22Newsletter%22%2c%22UID%22%3a%22TD_TBR_8F9DE919-3803-411B-BCC6-AC8D0E75C392%22%2c%22SUBID%22%3a%2224077972%22%2c%22JOBID%22%3a%22830401%22%2c%22NEWSLETTER%22%3a%22THE_BRIEF%22%2c%22ZIP%22%3a%22372154302%22%2c%22COUNTRY%22%3a%22%22%7d">Time</a> editor Jeffrey Kluge as part of a new TIME book titled <a href="https://www.amazon.com/TIME-How-Dogs-Think-Inside/dp/1547844167">How Dogs Think: Inside the Canine Mind</a>.

Dogs provide comfort and companionship, help with important tasks like guarding, hunting, and detecting, and we in turn provide love, attention, and care. 

It’s a bond like no other in the animal kingdom, and even though we have other equally lovable pet animals, there does not exist nearly the same body of research on understanding and interacting with those animals like there does for dogs. 

Our ability to understand the subtle body language of dogs is a product of our thousand years side-by-side evolution with canines. 

According to the <a href="http://time.com/5342964/human-bond-dog-thoughts/?utm_source=time.com&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=the-brief&amp;utm_content=2018072010am&amp;xid=newsletter-brief&amp;eminfo=%7b%22EMAIL%22%3a%22px%2fHYSNvxgoLO5vJ%2fVTY2g%3d%3d%22%2c%22BRAND%22%3a%22TD%22%2c%22CONTENT%22%3a%22Newsletter%22%2c%22UID%22%3a%22TD_TBR_8F9DE919-3803-411B-BCC6-AC8D0E75C392%22%2c%22SUBID%22%3a%2224077972%22%2c%22JOBID%22%3a%22830401%22%2c%22NEWSLETTER%22%3a%22THE_BRIEF%22%2c%22ZIP%22%3a%22372154302%22%2c%22COUNTRY%22%3a%22%22%7d">Time</a> report, dogs and wolves share 99.9 percent of the same DNA, but a few slivers of genetic differences separate wild dogs and wolves from domesticated dogs. One major difference is the sociability of domesticated dogs versus wolves. 

Something must have jump-started the relationship between humans and dogs and it most likely began with dogs genetically geared towards sociability lingering around ancient human settlements. 

Today, dogs are such a central part of our lives, and Time reports that the average dog owner spends around $2,000 a year on their pet. 

It's all thanks to an ancient transaction formed between wild dogs and humans trading food and shelter for protection and love. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

How dogs and humans became so close

The bond between humans and dogs goes back thousands of...

There have been concerns that publishing the locations of rare species could make it easier for poachers to find them. But now, a study led by the <a href="https://sydney.edu.au/">University of Sydney</a> has found that publishing data is critical to helping many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hawaiian-forest-birds-endangered/">threatened species</a>.


“Species, like Australia's tiny grassland earless dragon, have received greater environmental protection because published data was available to show that they were in trouble," said study lead author Dr. Ayesha Tulloch.

“The challenge is to share data in a way that avoids perverse outcomes such as local species extinctions from human exploitation. It is undeniable that in some cases, poachers have used published data to hunt down rare animals for the illegal wildlife trade.”


Dr. Tulloch pointed out that even people like sightseers and birdwatchers can unintentionally do damage to habitats when there is a lot of traffic across them. She explained that this is why scientists and conservationists have continuously urged people to turn off location data in nature photos.

“But stopping all data publishing is not the answer. Data publishing has also led to improved protection and conservation for many species,” said Dr. Tulloch. “Good data helps conservation managers know where action is needed.”

Dr Tulloch said that sharing data takes a balanced approach. To address the issue, she teamed up with scientists from nine organizations to develop a framework that can be used to determine how to share sensitive data.

“A key aspect is identifying whether poaching, illegal trade or disturbance from eager spectators really poses a real threat which can't be managed.”

“Then there are a number of ways you can deal with that data, such as only showing locations in 100km grid squares, that could allow it to be published without putting those species at risk."

Dr Tulloch sad that species information will always be shared.

“Being clear about the pros and cons of making the data public will ensure that species are not put in more danger from new data being out in the public domain.”

The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natecolevol/">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Nicholas P. Leseberg

The problem with sharing information on threatened species

There have been concerns that publishing the locations of rare...

Researchers at the <a href="https://www.york.ac.uk/">University of York</a> have found that microclimates may provide protection against climate change for many native plants and animals along the British countryside.

The intolerable temperatures that are predicted by the end of this century are expected to push some native species northwards. Many plants, butterflies, and beetles have already started to vanish from the warmer regions of their habitats. 

On the other hand, the researchers have found that locally variable habitats such as hummocky hillsides or shaded valleys could help a range of native species survive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifestyle-changes-limit-global-warming/">global warming</a>.


The team analyzed five million records of plants and animals collected by members of the public in England, and discovered that a number of these microclimates are already providing refuge for plants and animals that are the most sensitive to warming, which could be extremely beneficial.


For example, the researchers estimate that the use of an alternative habitat has reduced the likelihood of local extinctions of Dark Green Fritillary butterflies by 63 percent in the parts of the country that have warmed the most.


“It is tempting to think it might be quite nice for the UK to warm up by a few degrees, but this will actually be really bad news for many of our native animals and plants that are adapted to our cooler, wetter climate,” said study lead author Dr. Andrew Suggit.

“However, refugia within the varied topography of the British landscape can have a local temperature difference of as much as seven degrees in daytime maximum temperature, making them extremely important alternative habitats for many climate-sensitive species.”

The researchers suggested that microclimates could be artificially created for plants and animals that are not mobile enough to shift their geographical range, and also in areas where the conditions are not variable.

“Refugia buffer species from adverse climate change, and so they could play an important role in our response to this huge challenge,” said Dr. Suggit. 

“This includes making sure that important refugia are protected. Where refugia do not occur naturally, pre-existing engineering or infrastructure projects could be adapted to ensure that variable terrain is left behind and available for our wildlife to use.”

Dr. Ilya Maclean from the <a href="http://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a> is the director of the research.  

“The public can also do their bit by encouraging a good mix of sunny and shady spots in their gardens, and by planting species that offer a lot of cover alongside those that offer less,” said Dr. Maclean. 

“Now that we know a substantial amount of warming will unavoidably take place this century, it's about giving our plants and animals as many options as possible to avoid the adverse heat.”

Co-author Dr. Mike Morecroft added: “This study has provided us with the best evidence yet that refugia can make a real difference to the fate of species threatened by climate change.”

“We now have a good understanding of where they are and which species most need the lifeline they provide. We're working to incorporate this new knowledge into our conservation planning and management.”

The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nclimate/">Nature Climate Change</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Robert Thompson

Microclimates help protect species from global warming

Researchers at the University of York have found that microclimates...

A thorough examination of fingertip bones from two ancient dingoes has dramatically changed the timeline of their arrival in Australia. While it was previously thought that dingoes made their first appearance on the continent around 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, the new study suggests that these animals actually arrived about 1,500 years later.

The remains had been recovered nearly five decades ago in the Madura Cave on the Nullarbor Plain. Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uwa.edu.au/">University of Western Australia</a> have now analyzed the bones using a meticulous form of radiocarbon dating known as accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating technology. 

The results of the investigation showed that the animals could have emerged on Australian shores as recently as 3,081 years ago.

“The timing of dingo arrival is important as post arrival they transformed Indigenous societies across mainland Australia and have been implicated in the extinction of a number of animals including the Tasmanian tiger,” wrote the study authors.

There was no land bridge connecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-species-at-risk-of-extinction-from-southeast-asia-tree-plantations/">Southeast Asia</a> and Australia when the dingoes would have arrived, which means that it is likely that the iconic Australian dogs were transported by early settlers on boats. 

Dingoes provide experts with the only evidence that outsiders came to mainland Australia after the first Indigenous settlement until 400 years ago, when trading ships began frequenting the northern coast.

The research suggests that Aboriginal people brought dingoes as companion animals to Australia sometime between 3,348 and 3,081 years ago. Their relationship with humans may explain how the dogs spread so rapidly across the continent, given that the timing of their arrival is now believed to have taken place much more recently.

Earlier studies based on DNA testing had even placed the wild dogs on the continent as far back as 18,000 years.

“What we're saying is, well, actually they got here later than that, and their dispersal was really quick as they were aided by people,” explained study co-author Professor Jane Balme.

The researchers pointed out that if dingoes did enter Australia just over 3,ooo years ago, this would coincide with the decline of other native predators around this time.

The research is published in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/scientificreports">Scientific Reports</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Dingoes first arrived in Australia on boats 3,000 years ago

A thorough examination of fingertip bones from two ancient dingoes...

Beginning around 2006, readers of the science news sections of mainstream publications were deluged with stories about the decline of honey bees. Since then, the headlines have been a constant lament:

“The Bees Are Dying!” “What Is Killing the Bees?” “<a href="http://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20130819,00.html">A World Without Bees</a>.” 

It’s not that these apocalyptic headlines are inaccurate. Something is indeed killing domestic honey bees (Apis mellifera). Colony collapse disorder has created serious problems for apiarists and the farmers who rely on their services. In this phenomenon, entire colonies die out in short order. The causes are still unknown; theories have ranged from infestations of parasitic Varroa mites to cell phone waves to loss of genetic diversity. The increased use of neonicotinoid pesticides in agriculture is currently a leading contender in explaining the honey bee holocaust. In all likelihood, it is a combination of factors.

But, as scientists have been trying to emphasize for decades, to little success on a large scale, colony collapse disorder is more of a catastrophe for humans than it is for the natural world. You see, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/queen-bee-dies-successor/">bees</a> in question are domesticated. Humans have cultivated bees for honey and for their pollination services for some 9,000 years and have been raised in the United States since at least 1622. Native to Europe and Asia, they’ve also been introduced to South America and Australia as well. Their services as pollinators have been valued at up to $14 billion annually in the U.S. 

Hence, one assumes, the hysteria. 

Despite the alarming incidence of colony collapse, their population has raised by nearly 50% since World War II, <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(09)00982-8">per a 2009 study by the Universidad Nacional del Comahue</a>. The inaccurate framing of the problem as a conservation issue has in fact overshadowed a far more concerning one: the fate of native bees. Aside from the well-known honey bee, there are some 20,000 known species of bee and perhaps another 20,000 yet to be discovered and catalogued. Approximately 4,337 species are native to the U.S. alone. Bees are thought to be the most important pollinators in the world, with 80-90% of plants requiring bee pollination in some ecosystems. And these native bees are under threat, too. 

Because these species are less recognizable, due to their often smaller size and smaller numbers, and because their benefits to humans aren’t as well known, the media coverage has been negligible. Even programs like the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/images/Blog/PPAP_2016.pdf">2016 Pollinator Partnership Action Plan</a>, which focused on honeybees and monarch butterflies, failed to mention the plight of native bees. This needs to be remedied. Some 50% of native bees in the U.S. are in decline and 40% of pollinators, including bees, are threatened globally according to a <a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/native_pollinators/pdfs/Pollinators_in_Peril.pdf">2017 study by the Center for Biological Diversity</a>. 

As one would expect, the reasons for this are multitudinous. Interestingly, the introduction of non-native honeybees, as well as that of species like the large earth bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), which is used commercially in greenhouses to pollinate such crops as tomatoes, may actually have contributed to this decline. <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0189268">A 2017 survey of the literature by the University of Florida</a> found that 53% of studies on competition between honey bees and introduced bumblebees, and native bees, reported negative effects for the native bees and a further 19% found mixed positive and negative effects. Honey bees and non-native bumblebees are often more aggressive foragers than natives, forcing the natives to subsist on their leftovers, which is more time-consuming, or to fly further to find appropriate flowers. <a href="http://www.publish.csiro.au/ZO/ZO98016">A 1999 University of Tasmania study</a> found that two species of native bee avoided areas where introduced bumblebees were foraging.

Because introduced honey bees and bumblebees are social and live in sizeable colonies (up to 60,000 in honey bees), in contrast to many native bees, which are solitary or live in small colonies, they are breeding grounds for disease. And they have been demonstrated to be able to transmit those diseases to native bees, as in the case of the U.S. native rusty patched bumblebee, assigned to the <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/44937399/0">endangered species list in 2017</a>. Its decline has been attributed to disease transmitted by domestic bees. Other studies, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320715002463">such as one from the University of Sussex in 2015</a> and <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2664.12134">one from the University of Leeds in 2013</a>, share this concern.

Introduced bees are not the only threats to our native species. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature14420">A 2015 study by Lund University </a>showed that fields of canola planted with seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides showed serious drop-offs in wild bee foraging and nesting. And that was just when the seeds were treated. Entire fields of live plants are sprayed with neonicotinoids. One can only imagine the devastation to insect life wreaked by that practice. 

<a href="http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/6/1/158/htm#B82-diversity-06-00158">Habitat fragmentation</a> and the existence of <a href="http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/6/1/158/htm#B82-diversity-06-00158">wide swathes of homogenous crop fields</a> have also contributed to the decline of native bees. The loss of plant species diversity accompanying these phenomena has posed major challenges. Some native bees are specialists; they only pollinate one or two species of plant. In the absence of those species, they cannot subsist.

It’s worth noting, too, that native bees provide invaluable pollination services to agriculture themselves. While honeybees and introduced bumblebees certainly amp up production rates, natives are a major factor in crop success. In fact, <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/99/26/16812">a 2001 study</a> showed that native bees could provide full pollination service to organic farms near large patches of wild land. No foreign intervention necessary. So, too, they are essential in maintaining native plant diversity. <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tanaka_Kenta2/publication/229416542_Commercialized_European_bumblebee_can_cause_pollination_disturbance_An_experiment_on_seven_native_plant_species_in_Japan/links/5a121eff0f7e9bd1b2c1009a/Commercialized-European-bumblebee-can-cause-pollination-disturbance-An-experiment-on-seven-native-plant-species-in-Japan.pdf">A 2006 study by Hokkaido University</a> found that native plants showed reduced fruiting capacity when only non-native pollinators were present. 

As if being ecological workhorses weren’t enough reason to love them, native bees are stunningly beautiful. This <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/page4">photostream from the USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab</a> alone should elevate them from being the country cousins of butterflies and honey bees to charismatic microfauna status.

--

By <a href="mailto:rtpallardy@gmail.com">Richard Pallardy</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Image Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/34274023055/in/photostream/">U.S. Geological Survey</a>

Save the native bees: Reframing the bee problem

Beginning around 2006, readers of the science news sections of...

A new proposal by the Trump administration aims to roll back some of the regulations enforced by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-species-act-support/">Endangered Species Act</a>. Conservationists argue that the move will eliminate key services designed to protect animal and plant species that are threatened with extinction. 

Federal agencies collaborated in drafting the new rules, as President Trump continues to push for the streamlining of regulatory processes.


The <a href="https://www.fws.gov/">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</a> (USFWS) and NOAA Fisheries announced the plans on Thursday, suggesting that the bill would help to better align the two agencies. 

USFWS Principal Deputy Director Greg Sheehan said in a statement: “ESA implementation was not consistent and oftentimes very confusing to navigate.”

“These rules will be very protective and enhance the conservation of the species,” said Interior Department Deputy Secretary David Bernhardt. “At the same time we hope that they ameliorate some of the unnecessary burden, conflict and uncertainty that is within our current regulatory structure.”

If the bill is passed, threatened species will no longer receive the same protections as endangered species and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The administration also wants language removed from the ESA that suggests wildlife conservation is a priority over economic impacts.

As additional species are listed as threatened or endangered, industries such as drilling and mining suffer because development becomes restricted across new regions. Conservation groups believe that the proposal is in favor of large corporations.

The bill also aims to limit the evaluation of species’ habitats to those that are occupied. There are some situations, however, where unoccupied habitats are just as critical to the recovery of a threatened species.

Jake Li is the director for biodiversity at the Environmental Policy Innovation Center.

“Although some conservationists might characterize the entire rulemaking as simply another Trump administration effort to undercut conservation, we think that a closer look will reveal both advantages and concerns from a conservation perspective,” said Li.

Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, does not agree.

“These proposals would slam a wrecking ball into the most crucial protections for our most endangered wildlife,” said Hartl. “If these regulations had been in place in the 1970s, the bald eagle and the gray whale would be extinct today.”

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Trump administration takes aim at the endangered species act

A new proposal by the Trump administration aims to roll...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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