Among the animal kingdom’s many mysteries, few are as fascinating as bonobos' social lives. 



Often called the "hippies" of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-and-chimps-express-empathy-much-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primate</a> world, bonobos have long intrigued scientists with their peaceful societies and strong female alliances. Unlike their more aggressive chimpanzee cousins, bonobos embrace cooperation over conflict.



Yet, a deeper puzzle hides within their gentle reputation. Female bonobos dominate social structures, even though males are physically larger and stronger. This unusual dynamic stands in stark contrast to most mammals, where strength usually rules. 



Recent research finally sheds light on how bonobo females turned the tables.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-bonobos-control-social-bonds-nbsp">Female bonobos control social bonds&nbsp;</h2>



In bonobo groups, females take the lead in reproduction. They decide when and with whom they mate. If a male attempts an unwanted advance, the female easily parries him. Males know better than to push further, respecting the females' decisions without violence.



This female control extends beyond the bedroom. High-value <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobo-communication-shares-many-structural-similarities-with-human-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resources</a>, like fresh kills or prized fruits, also rest in female hands. They feed leisurely on the ground while males hover anxiously in the trees. 



Martin Surbeck from <a href="https://www.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a> noted that this behavior is "totally bizarre for an animal like a bonobo."



Normally, larger body size would give males the upper hand. In most mammals, males dominate food, mating, and status by sheer force. Bonobos, however, defy this rule in surprising and illuminating ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-ideas-explain-female-power">Three ideas explain female power</h2>



Understanding bonobo <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-say-no-to-unfair-trades-even-if-it-costs-rewards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">society</a> required examining three competing ideas. First is the self-organization hypothesis. It suggests that males could lose dominance over time due to repeated conflict losses.



In addition, the reproductive control hypothesis argues that female hidden ovulation limits male control over mating. Furthermore, the female coalition hypothesis proposes that solidarity among females built power.



"There were competing ideas for how, none of which had ever been tested in wild bonobos living in the jungles in which they evolved," said Barbara Fruth of the <a href="https://www.mpg.de/institutes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute</a>. To settle the debate, the researchers turned to long-term field data.



Over thirty years, scientists collected observations from six bonobo communities across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-bonobo-day-a-celebration-of-love-peace-and-conservation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns</a> they uncovered would finally bring clarity to this evolutionary enigma.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-alliances-turn-the-power-balance">Female alliances turn the power balance</h2>



The evidence pointed overwhelmingly to one answer: coalitions. Female bonobos gained their power not by physical strength or reproductive tricks but through alliance-building. In 85% of observed coalitions, females banded together to target males.



"It’s exciting to find that females can actively elevate their social status by supporting each other," explained Surbeck. These alliances were not casual. They formed quickly, often within seconds of a triggering event, such as male aggression toward infants.



Once a coalition formed, its effect was loud and unmistakable. Screams pierced the forest so sharply that "you have to block your ears," Fruth recalled. Targeted males faced not just humiliation but sometimes severe injuries, forcing them to flee <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-are-more-endangered-than-previously-known/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">groups</a> for days or weeks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-power-varies-between-bonobo-groups">Female power varies between bonobo groups</h2>



Despite the strength of female coalitions, dominance was not absolute. Researchers found wide variation across bonobo communities. In some years, a male even held the top rank, particularly when supported by a powerful mother.



"It's more accurate to say that in bonobo societies, females enjoy high status rather than unchallenged dominance," said Fruth. Mothers played a crucial role. In communities where adult males had living mothers, males sometimes rose higher in the hierarchy.



Other communities, especially those with frequent female coalitions, saw females consistently outranking males. The key factor was the frequency and strength of female alliances, not the number of males or other demographic shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theories-to-explain-female-dominance">Theories to explain female dominance</h2>



The researchers thoroughly tested the alternative hypotheses but found little support. The self-organization hypothesis suggested that a higher proportion of males would lead to female dominance. However, the data showed no significant relationship.



Likewise, the reproductive control hypothesis, based on hidden ovulation and prolonged fertility signals, did not fully explain the female advantage. Synchronization of sexual swelling among females did not correlate with greater female power.



While hidden ovulation may reduce male aggression overall, it does not guarantee female dominance. It is coalition-building, not mating strategies, that most consistently empowers bonobo females.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-bonobos-rise-through-alliances">Female bonobos rise through alliances</h2>



Female coalitionary aggression showed a strong association with female power across communities. Where females more often banded together, they won more conflicts against males and held higher ranks.



This finding highlights a striking evolutionary strategy. In most mammals, including primates, females rarely form aggressive alliances. Bonobos stand apart, using group action rather than individual strength to tilt power dynamics.



Interestingly, even in the absence of kinship ties, immigrant bonobo females built strong social bonds. This behavior challenges long-held assumptions that cooperation depends on genetic relatedness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-for-male-behavior-and-society">Consequences for male behavior and society</h2>



Bonobo males, facing strong female alliances, shift their strategies accordingly. Instead of aggression, males invest in maintaining peaceful relationships with females. Coercive mating, common in many primates, is rare among bonobos.



Males gain reproductive success by staying close to receptive females and avoiding conflict. In this environment, violence backfires while cooperation wins mates. Such dynamics reveal an evolutionary route where peace, not aggression, yields greater success.



In communities with strong female coalitions, males sometimes become isolated after aggressive incidents. Some males even leave the community temporarily after facing intense female retaliation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unity-beats-physical-strength">Unity beats physical strength</h2>



The bonobo case challenges the traditional view that strength alone governs social structures. Instead, social support networks play a vital role in shaping dominance hierarchies.



Surbeck’s research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that female empowerment in mammals can arise through multiple pathways. In spotted hyenas, for example, female dominance stems from social support and reproductive control.



Fruth reflects, "I'm still puzzled why, of all animals, bonobos were the ones to form female alliances." Although the reasons remain mysterious, the findings offer hope. They hint that even in fiercely competitive environments, solidarity can surpass force.



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



While much progress has been made, questions linger. How do individual personalities affect coalition formation? Why do some communities show stronger female solidarity than others? What environmental or historical factors shaped these behaviors?



Future studies will aim to unravel these complexities. Researchers also hope to explore how these findings could shed light on human social evolution. After all, bonobos, along with chimpanzees, are our closest living relatives.



Understanding the roots of power, cooperation, and gender relations in bonobos might help us reflect on our own evolutionary journey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-different-kind-of-power">A different kind of power</h2>



In the end, bonobo societies remind us that power does not always stem from size, strength, or aggression. Sometimes, it arises from unity, shared purpose, and rapid, courageous action.



Among bonobos, females carved a unique path - one built not through fear but through collective strength. It is a path that challenges assumptions, sparks wonder, and perhaps, whispers lessons to our own species across the evolutionary gulf.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-07900-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Biology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Female bonobos stay in charge even though males are stronger

Among the animal kingdom’s many mysteries, few are as fascinating as bonobos' social lives. Often called the "hippies" of the primate world, bonobos have long intrigued scientists with their peaceful societies and strong female alliances. Unlike their more aggressive chimpanzee cousins, bonobos embrace cooperation over conflict. Yet, a deeper puzzle hides within their gentle reputation. Female bonobos dominate social structures, even though males are physically larger and stronger. This unusual dynamic stands in stark contrast to most mammals, where strength usually rules. Recent research finally sheds light...

Most people have never seen a civet, let alone heard of one. Yet these elusive, cat-like mammals play an irreplaceable role in the web of life across Africa and Asia. 



On April 4th each year, conservationists, researchers, and animal lovers come together to celebrate World Civet Day - an initiative launched in 2024 by The Civet Project Foundation.



This day marks a turning point for civet awareness. Long overlooked in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife conservation</a>, civets now have a voice. Their habitats, behaviors, and unfortunate exploitation are being discussed more widely, pushing them out of the shadows. 



World Civet Day is not just about admiration - it’s about action, compassion, and education.



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



Civets are small, nocturnal mammals belonging to the family Viverridae. Their appearances vary by species, but most civets have a long, slender body, masked faces, and ringed tails. Although they look somewhat like cats, civets are more closely related to mongooses and hyenas.



They live in forests, grasslands, and even city outskirts across India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. Civets feed on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. 



One of their most important <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-era-in-wildlife-conservation-how-ai-will-help-protect-elephants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological roles</a> is seed dispersal. By eating fruits and excreting seeds in different areas, civets help maintain forest diversity. They also help control insect populations. In short, civets are silent ecological engineers.



But despite their usefulness to the environment, civets face mounting threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-lurking-in-the-shadows">Threats lurking in the shadows</h2>



The biggest danger to civets comes from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-disturbing-details-about-the-state-of-earths-wildlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humans</a>. Habitat loss, urban encroachment, and deforestation have taken a toll on their populations. 



Some species, like the Malabar civet, are now critically endangered. Others remain poorly studied, slipping through the cracks of conservation priorities.



Civets have long been forgotten in mainstream conservation. But they are key players in our ecosystems, and we owe them more attention.



Beyond environmental destruction, civets are victims of direct exploitation. One of the most infamous examples is their involvement in the luxury coffee trade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dark-side-of-civet-coffee">The dark side of civet coffee</h2>



Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. It is made using beans that have passed through a civet’s digestive system. This process supposedly improves the flavor, making the beans smoother and less acidic.



Originally, civet coffee was rare because it relied on beans collected from wild civet droppings. But rising global demand turned this niche product into an industry. 



Today, many civets are captured, caged, and force-fed coffee cherries in cramped and unsanitary conditions. These animals often suffer from malnutrition, stress, and early death.



Ethical concerns are growing louder. Researchers and animal welfare organizations have repeatedly called for bans on caged civet coffee farms. Yet in many countries, the trade continues unchecked.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-world-civet-day-stands-for">What World Civet Day stands for</h2>



World Civet Day shines a spotlight on these issues. It urges individuals and institutions to consider the ethical costs of consumerism. More importantly, it gives civets the recognition they deserve as vital members of our shared environment.



The Civet Project, which started the initiative, uses the day to promote awareness through talks, exhibitions, and social media campaigns. Their mission is twofold: to educate people about civets and to advocate for their protection in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conservation-success-stories-offer-hope-for-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wild</a> and in captivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-research-and-rescue">Role of research and rescue</h2>



Academic researchers are now giving civets more attention. Studies focus on their diet, territory, reproductive behavior, and role in seed dispersal. 



Conservation organizations partner with zoos and local authorities to rescue civets from illegal captivity and rehabilitate them for return to the wild.



Zoos such as Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in the UK hosted educational events for the first World Civet Day, showing the public how civets live and why they matter. Meanwhile, grassroots conservationists are pushing for civet-friendly laws in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-help-civets-on-world-civet-day">Help civets on World Civet Day</h2>



World Civet Day is not only for scientists or conservationists. Everyone has a role to play. Choosing not to buy civet coffee can protect animals from cruelty. Supporting eco-tourism helps preserve their natural homes. Sharing facts and updates online spreads <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-using-technology-to-protect-our-natural-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">awareness</a>.



Organizations like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecivetproject.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Civet Project</a>&nbsp;work year-round to protect civets. You can follow and support their efforts.



By making ethical choices, raising awareness, and respecting wildlife, you help ensure civets have a safe future. These quiet forest dwellers deserve to thrive in the wild places they help sustain.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

World Civet Day 2025 reveals the dark side of a luxury coffee

Most people have never seen a civet, let alone heard...

Staying awake when tired feels like walking through fog. For humans, missed sleep dulls our thinking, slows our reflexes, and clouds our focus. Yet we often push through. In the wild, though, the price of sleep deprivation can mean life or death. 



Animals have evolved strange and clever sleep strategies to manage this. Birds, in particular, display some of the most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fascinating adaptations</a> in the animal kingdom.



One of their most intriguing tricks is the ability to sleep with one eye open. This behavior lets birds keep half their brain alert while the other half rests deeply. It’s a survival skill. But what happens when even this isn’t enough?



A new study on European jackdaws reveals the limits of this behavior. It shows that, when pushed too far, even birds that sleep with one eye open may give in to full, vulnerable rest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-art-of-asymmetric-sleep">The art of asymmetric sleep</h2>



Sleep takes many forms across species. In humans, we move through stages like REM and non-REM sleep in 90-minute cycles. Our brains rest in waves, switching between deep rest and vivid dreams. 



Birds follow a similar pattern but in shorter segments. They rest in bursts, adjusting their rhythm to match their surroundings.



Some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decoding-evolution-how-birds-can-help-us-prevent-pandemics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> go even further by sleeping asymmetrically. This means one half of the brain stays awake while the other half slips into non-REM sleep. 



Ducks often use this trick to remain watchful while still getting rest. The open eye faces out, keeping a lookout for danger. The closed eye faces inward, allowing that side of the brain to recharge.



This type of sleep helps birds navigate dangerous environments. It allows them to remain partially conscious without fully sacrificing rest. But this ability isn’t as powerful as full, deep sleep. It provides protection but not full restoration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-deep-sleep-matters-for-birds">Why deep sleep matters for birds</h2>



Asymmetric sleep helps with safety, but it’s not always enough. Deep non-REM sleep clears waste from the brain and helps consolidate memory. It recharges the system. 



Doing this with only one hemisphere takes longer and isn’t as effective. That’s why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-americas-birds-scientists-declare-a-full-on-emergency-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> still need periods of symmetrical sleep, when both brain hemispheres rest at the same time.



Researchers have long wondered how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-adapt-their-survival-strategies-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> decide when to use one sleep type over another. What triggers the shift? When does safety win, and when does the need to recover push past the risk?



The new study on jackdaws brings these questions closer to answers. By observing how these birds recover from sleep loss, scientists uncovered a tipping point. When deprived of sleep, the jackdaws gave up their asymmetric sleep patterns. 



They chose full, deep sleep in both hemispheres, even though it made them more vulnerable to threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exhausted-birds-choose-deep-sleep">Exhausted birds choose deep sleep</h2>



The research, led by scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence and the <a href="https://www.rug.nl/research/gelifes/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences</a>, focused on how jackdaws balance safety and sleep. Other studies have shown that many animals use flexible sleep strategies in tough conditions. 



Great frigatebirds sleep mid-flight using one side of the brain. Mallard ducks sleep with one eye open when they’re at the edge of their group. Northern fur seals also sleep asymmetrically when floating in the ocean.



Humans aren’t so different. On the first night in a new place, one half of our brain often stays more alert than the other. It’s a kind of natural night watch. But unlike birds, we don’t have the ability to fully control this process or keep one eye open at will.



In jackdaws, sleep deprivation shifted the balance. The birds spent more time in deep, symmetrical sleep, especially early in the night. They needed to recover fast, and asymmetric sleep wasn’t enough.



“Sleep is a dangerous part of life for many animals, as it leaves them exposed to all kinds of risks,” noted Niels Rattenborg, group leader at the <a href="https://www.bi.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence</a>.



“Some birds can function surprisingly well on far less sleep than we can, but even that strategy appears to have its limits. We have found that when they’re tired, jackdaws are more likely to sleep deeply – even if that means becoming more vulnerable." 



"Observing how birds navigate the trade-off between vigilance and sleep may help us better understand sleep in general.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-the-jackdaw-brain">Inside the jackdaw brain</h2>



To explore how the birds managed their sleep after deprivation, researchers tracked nine jackdaws using EEG recordings. These scans measured brain activity during different sleep phases. 



The team wanted to know which parts of the brain rested more deeply, and how that might relate to the bird’s behavior when awake.



Their findings were revealing. Some areas of the brain slept more deeply than others, suggesting that parts that had been more active during the day needed more rest at night. For example, areas linked to vision and decision-making showed stronger sleep signals. The hippocampus, associated with memory, showed less change.



This selective rest could help birds recover without completely losing awareness. But when exhaustion built up, even this wasn’t enough. Deep, full-brain sleep took over. The birds prioritized recovery over safety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-strategies-are-shaped-by-evolution">Sleep strategies are shaped by evolution</h2>



“Our findings reveal that even the highly flexible sleep strategies used by jackdaws have limits,” said Peter Meerlo, a group leader at the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences.



“That tells us something fundamental about sleep: it’s not just a passive state, but a behavior shaped by both evolution and environmental demands."



"The study offers a fresh perspective on how animals balance the need for sleep with the risk of predation or other threats – and could help us better understand how sleep loss affects brain function more broadly, including in humans.”



Sleep isn’t just a biological requirement. It’s a behavior shaped by millions of years of challenge and change. Animals like jackdaws show us the trade-offs involved in survival. They sleep lightly when they can, but give in when they must.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-humans-can-learn-from-jackdaws">What humans can learn from jackdaws</h2>



This research on jackdaws goes beyond bird behavior. It speaks to something shared across <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-birds-use-biofluorescence-glowing-brightly-to-attract-mates-birds-of-paradise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>. The need to rest. The limits of endurance. And the invisible costs of staying awake too long.



Even the most flexible sleepers hit a wall. The jackdaws remind us that sleep is not optional. Whether in the trees or in our beds, recovery matters. Our brains, like theirs, have limits – and sometimes, the only way to recover is to truly switch off.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00293-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Tired birds sleep more deeply, trading safety for rest

Staying awake when tired feels like walking through fog. For...

Each year, billions of animals migrate in search of better conditions. These journeys shape ecosystems, drive evolution, and challenge individual survival. 



Migration, however, is not a simple instinctual response. It demands a blend of physical traits and behavioral choices. In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-fish-coelacanth-presumed-extinct-for-60-million-years-before-rediscovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a>, even a subtle anatomical difference - like eye size - can influence who migrates and who stays behind.



Recent research from <a href="https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lund University</a> reveals that the European roach (Rutilus rutilus), a common freshwater fish, shows a surprising link between eye structure and migration behavior.



Specifically, roach that migrate between lakes and streams tend to have larger pupils than those who remain year-round in a single habitat. This physical feature helps them see better in murky water and boosts their ability to find food, a vital edge in the energy-intensive act of migration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-a-fish-migrate">What makes a fish migrate</h2>



Roach are partial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/native-fish-species-are-facing-double-trouble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migrants</a>. That means only some individuals in a population leave the lake each winter to enter connected streams. 



The rest stay put, braving seasonal changes in place. This difference in behavior offers researchers a unique lens through which to understand how physical traits affect life strategies.



The research team, led by biologist Kaj Hulthén, tracked more than 2,000 roach across two Danish lakes - Loldrup Sø and Søgård Sø - over several years. 



They photographed the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-pushing-freshwater-fish-toward-the-poles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a>, implanted each one with a tiny transponder, and monitored <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-fish-species-are-the-big-catch-of-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">movements</a> using underwater antennas placed at stream inlets and outlets.



“We started by taking photos of the fishes’ eyes and then followed the migration patterns of 2,000 individual roaches over several years and in two different lakes by using implanted electronic transponders,” said Hulthén, who is a biology researcher at Lund University.



“It was shown that roach that migrated had larger pupils relative to individuals that chose to stay in the lake throughout the year.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eye-size-matters-for-fish-that-migrate">Eye size matters for fish that migrate</h2>



Larger pupils allow more light into the eye, improving vision in low-light conditions. For roach, this visual boost helps detect tiny prey like zooplankton. Using simulations, the researchers showed that roach with larger pupils could see farther - especially in dim twilight conditions, when many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bleaching-effect-coral-loss-threatens-fisheries-and-livelihoods/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> feed.



Even a 1-4% increase in pupil diameter led to as much as a 5% increase in the volume of water a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-diversity-has-changed-dramatically-on-the-great-barrier-reef/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> could visually scan.



That matters because in aquatic environments, visual range often dictates feeding success. These small gains are enough to help migratory roach gather the energy reserves they need before entering food-poor winter streams.



In twilight, detection range for 1 mm prey reached up to 20 cm - enough for practical foraging. The advantage fades under starlight but remains relevant during dusk and dawn, which are key feeding times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeding-now-to-survive-later">Feeding now to survive later</h2>



Migrating roach face a trade-off. Streams have fewer predators but offer less food. To survive the winter, migrants must build up fat stores beforehand. Larger pupils may be a tool to gather more food before departure and to stay active longer each day by foraging in low light.



This connection between eyesight and feeding has deep evolutionary roots. Eye size reflects both opportunity and cost. Bigger eyes offer better vision, but they require more energy to build and maintain. For a migrating roach, the benefits seem to outweigh the cost.



“The fact that migrating individuals have an improved ability to detect visual objects such as zooplankton indicates strong selection for effective food searches. This is crucial to cover the energy needs that migration requires," said Hulthén.



"These results correspond well with previous research, which showed that migrating roach with insufficient energy reserves run a higher risk of dying in the streams."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fish-with-big-eyes-are-likely-to-migrate">Fish with big eyes are likely to migrate</h2>



In both study lakes, researchers found a clear pattern: roach with larger relative pupil sizes were more likely to migrate. 



The correlation was strongest in Søgård Sø, where murkier water creates a dimmer visual environment. This suggests that visual demands may vary by location, shaping individual behaviour accordingly.



On average, migrant roach in Søgård Sø had pupils 4.2% larger than residents. In Loldrup Sø, the difference was smaller at 1.1%. While modest, these changes are functionally significant. Larger pupils helped fish see better, especially in the dim light that dominates northern winters.



Roach are planktivores. They feed on small, fast-moving prey that require sharp eyesight to detect. Under experimental conditions, fish given more food before winter were more likely to migrate, did so earlier, and stayed in streams longer. Those with less food died more often. 



This supports the idea that strong visual skills, like those enabled by larger pupils, help fish meet their energy needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-migratory-syndrome-takes-shape">A migratory syndrome takes shape</h2>



The study’s findings contribute to a growing view that migration is not just a behavioral choice. It’s a full-body strategy involving vision, body shape, energy storage, and risk-taking.



Together, these traits form a “migratory syndrome” - a suite of characteristics that help fish survive the challenges of moving between habitats.



The eye, often taken for granted in ecological studies, now appears central to this survival kit. By enhancing foraging efficiency, it helps determine who has the resources to leave and who stays behind.



“Roach play an important role in the ecosystem. By understanding why some individuals migrate and other don’t, we can gain a deeper insight into how fish populations respond to environmental changes, which in turn could affect both fish stocks and the lake dynamics as a whole,” said Hulthén.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fish-eyes-can-change-shape">Fish eyes can change shape</h2>



Whether these differences in eye morphology are genetic or a response to the environment remains unknown. 



However, past studies show that fish eyes can change shape depending on food availability and predator pressure. That means both nature and nurture could play roles in shaping eye size and which fish migrate.



Interestingly, the benefits of bigger eyes seem to matter most in moderate turbidity. In very clear water, all fish see well. In extremely dark or muddy water, vision may become useless. This window of usefulness hints at why migration-related eye differences show up more clearly in some lakes than others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eye-size-and-fish-migration">Eye size and fish migration</h2>



Roach migration has ecological ripples beyond the fish themselves. Migrants affect predators, prey, and nutrient cycles. 



Understanding how physical traits like pupil size influence migration choices can help scientists predict how fish populations may respond to environmental change.



In this study, a tiny difference in pupil size revealed a key factor in migratory success. It highlights the tight link between form, function, and behavior.



Eyes, often symbols of awareness and insight, prove once again to be more than just windows to the world—they are tools of survival, helping fish decide whether to stay or go.



The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.70015" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Animal Ecology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Bigger pupils help migrating fish survive

Each year, billions of animals migrate in search of better...

Insects quietly run the world. They pollinate crops, recycle organic matter, and feed countless animals. Despite their importance, scientists know very little about how most insect species are doing. 



There are about one million known insect species. Yet only 1% - roughly 12,100 species - have been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://iucn.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>). Among these, around 20% face threats of extinction.



Monitoring efforts have mostly focused on butterflies, dragonflies, and bumblebees in North America and Europe. Other regions, especially Africa, Asia, and South America, remain largely unstudied. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-populations-dramatically-declining-around-the-world-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global picture</a> of insect health is still blurry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgent-plan-to-track-insect-declines">Urgent plan to track insect declines</h2>



To address this, scientists from the UK Centre for Ecology &amp; Hydrology (<a href="https://www.ceh.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UKCEH</a>) and the Zoological Society of London (<a href="https://www.zsl.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ZSL</a>) propose a broader method. Their goal is to act quickly before climate change, pollution, land use shifts, and invasive species cause irreversible harm.



The new method integrates several ways of studying insects. It includes long-term tracking of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-boost-plant-evolution-in-surprising-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity</a> and abundance, comparisons across different habitats, structured expert input, and controlled experiments. The researchers believe this mix offers a more complete view than any single approach.



Dr. Rob Cooke is an ecological modeler at UKCEH and joint lead author of the study.



“We need to find out whether insect declines are widespread and what’s causing them. The challenge is like a giant jigsaw puzzle where there are thousands of missing pieces, but we do not have decades to wait to fill these gaps and then act,“ noted Dr. Cook.



“There is a lot of interest in monitoring charismatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-of-farming-insect-waste-reshapes-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> such as bees and butterflies, but few people care about the supposedly unpleasant insects, even though they too provide benefits for us." 



"For example, earwigs feed on aphids and other garden pests while cockroaches eat decaying material and keep soils healthy.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-insect-monitoring-system-that-works">An insect monitoring system that works</h2>



The framework combines time series trends, such as counting how butterfly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robotic-insects-may-be-the-future-of-farming-and-plant-pollination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a> shift over a decade. It also uses spatial comparisons to see how insects vary between forests, grasslands, or farms. 



Researchers conduct experiments that test insect responses to threats, like removing pesticides or invasive species from certain areas. When hard data is missing, they gather expert judgments to predict how insects may react to different pressures.



This layered approach lets scientists make more informed decisions while still being open about gaps and uncertainties. It balances speed and precision in a way that single-method studies cannot match.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-case-for-insect-inclusion">Case for insect inclusion</h2>



“Insects are an incredibly important part of our ecosystems, pollinating around 80% of flowering plant species and vital for 35% of global food production, yet they are undervalued and understudied,“ noted Dr. Charlotte Outhwaite of ZSL’s <a href="https://www.zsl.org/what-we-do/institute-of-zoology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Zoology</a>, joint lead author of the study.



“With a million described species it would take too long to figure what works best for each species. Instead we want to find large-scale actions that benefit the most insects. For this, we need to use all the available information we have.”



To meet this goal, the scientists propose using known responses from well-studied insects to estimate how lesser-known species might respond under similar conditions. This gives policymakers a usable way forward, even if some data is still missing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-phase-of-the-glitrs-project">Next phase of the GLiTRS project</h2>



The new framework will now guide the Global Insect Threat-Response Synthesis (GLiTRS) project. Researchers aim to model insect responses to major threats across many environments. 



By combining all sources of data - field studies, expert insights, and experiments - they hope to build a reliable picture of insect health worldwide. This new framework doesn’t pretend to be perfect.



But it offers something we desperately need: a way to understand insect declines in real time, using every piece of information available. It also shows how science can adapt when faced with complex, global challenges.



Insects have been quietly supporting life on Earth for hundreds of millions of years. Now they need our attention. The question is not whether we care, but whether we will act before it's too late.



The project is backed by the&nbsp;Natural Environment Research Council (<a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/nerc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NERC</a>). It involves teams from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural History Museum</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College London</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq2110" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Very little is known about 99% of all insects on Earth

Insects quietly run the world. They pollinate crops, recycle organic...

A newly discovered species of parasitic wasp that lived alongside dinosaurs nearly 100 million years ago may have evolved a bizarre and highly specialized mechanism to trap other insects and turn them into unsuspecting incubators for its offspring.&nbsp;



Preserved in amber, the wasp appears to have used a Venus flytrap-like structure on its body to grasp potential hosts, offering scientists a fascinating glimpse into prehistoric parasitic behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parasitic-wasp-like-no-other">Parasitic wasp like no other</h2>



The species, Sirenobethylus charybdis, was identified from 16 remarkably preserved specimens found in Cretaceous-period amber from Myanmar’s Kachin region. The research describes a novel grasping appendage located on the abdomen of the female <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexpected-find-inside-the-eye-of-a-tiny-wasp-megaphragma-viggianii/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wasps</a>.



“When I looked at the first specimen, I noticed this expansion at the tip of the abdomen, and I thought this must be an air bubble. It’s quite often you see air bubbles around specimens in amber,” said Lars Vilhelmsen, study co-author and a curator at the <a href="https://snm.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural History Museum of Denmark</a>.&nbsp;



“But then I looked at a few more specimens and then went back to the first one. This was actually part of the animal.”



The structure’s purpose quickly intrigued the research team, especially once they observed its mobility across different specimens. 



"Sometimes the lower flap, as we call it, is open, and sometimes it’s closed,” Vilhelmsen said. “It was clearly a movable structure and something that was used to grasp something.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-wasp-like-a-venus-flytrap">Ancient wasp like a Venus flytrap</h2>



While nothing quite like this structure exists among <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stick-and-leaf-insects-have-all-evolved-the-same-basic-body-parts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern insects</a>, the researchers found the best comparison in an entirely different kingdom: the Venus flytrap.&nbsp;



“There’s no way you can know how an insect that died 100 million years ago was living. So you look for analogs in modern insect fauna. Do we have anything among wasps or other groups that looks like this?” Vilhelmsen said.&nbsp;



“And there’s no real analog within insects. We had to go all the way out of the animal kingdom into the plant kingdom to find something that remotely resembled this.”



Although the structure resembles a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/well-built-fences-keep-predators-from-harming-livestock/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator</a>’s trap, the team believes it was not used to kill. Instead, they propose that the wasp used it to seize other insects just long enough to lay eggs into their bodies.&nbsp;



Once released, the unwitting hosts would carry the wasp larvae, which would eventually consume them from the inside out. According to Vilhelmsen, the likely hosts were flying insects of similar size.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-window-into-ancient-parasitism">A window into ancient parasitism</h2>



Modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruit-flies-have-a-new-weapon-to-defend-against-parasitic-wasps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parasitoid wasps</a> engage in comparable reproductive strategies. For instance, cuckoo wasps lay their eggs in the nests of other species, leaving their offspring to feed on the host’s young.&nbsp;



Yet the unique abdominal trapping mechanism seen in Sirenobethylus charybdis has no true parallel in living insects, adding to its mystery.



The amber in which the fossils were preserved provided an exceptionally detailed view of the wasp’s anatomy. In addition to Sirenobethylus charybdis, other remarkable finds from Myanmar amber have included everything from dinosaur tails and ancient spiders to crab and ant fossils.&nbsp;



The specimen of this wasp was purchased by a fossil collector and later donated to <a href="https://eng.cnu.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Capital Normal University</a>’s Key Laboratory of Insect Evolution and Environmental Changes in 2016.



However, the use of Myanmar amber in scientific research has become controversial in recent years due to ethical concerns surrounding the country’s political instability and military conflicts. 



Some paleontologists have called for a halt on studying these specimens until issues around their provenance and trade are resolved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-speculation-over-the-wasp-s-flytrap">Speculation over the wasp’s flytrap </h2>



The peculiar form and function of Sirenobethylus charybdis has captured the attention of entomologists and paleontologists alike. Phil Barden, an associate professor at the <a href="https://www.njit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Jersey Institute of Technology</a> who studies amber fossils, described the wasp as a “Cretaceous weirdo.”&nbsp;



“This is significant because there are around a million known insect species - even with all of that living diversity, there are still lots of unexpected surprises in the fossil record that are beyond imagination,” he said.



While Barden acknowledges the wasp flytrap hypothesis as “plausible,” he also expressed caution, noting it remains speculative.&nbsp;



“There appears to be clear evidence that the abdominal components would have had range of motion. There are also a number of setae, or hairs, that look to be in the right position to detect hosts and potentially immobilize them.”&nbsp;



Still, Barden suggested alternative possibilities, such as using the structure to sense prey in the soil or even to transport young wasps.



He also questioned why Sirenobethylus charybdis would need such a structure at all when many living parasitoid wasps rely solely on stingers or mouthparts to capture and manipulate hosts. This makes the discovery all the more intriguing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unanswered-questions-and-new-possibilities">Unanswered questions and new possibilities</h2>



Vilhelmsen and his team believe a key clue lies in the wasp’s reproductive anatomy. The egg-laying organ, or ovipositor, is located directly adjacent to the clasping structure, supporting the theory that the mechanism was used during reproduction.&nbsp;



Yet all the known specimens are female, so scientists can’t rule out other functions, such as roles in mating.



“This is something unique, something I never expected to see, and something I couldn’t even imagine would be found,” Vilhelmsen said. “It’s a 10 out of 10.”



With every amber discovery, paleontologists inch closer to understanding the rich complexity of ancient ecosystems. And sometimes, as in the case of Sirenobethylus charybdis, they uncover something so strange and unexpected it defies comparison even among the millions of species alive today.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-025-02190-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMC Biology</a>.



Image Credit: Qiong Wu



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Parasitic wasp had a 'flytrap' for snatching its victims

A newly discovered species of parasitic wasp that lived alongside...

In the waters of Southeast Asia, broadclub cuttlefish have a unique method for surprising unwary crabs. These color-shifting predators blur the line between stealth and spectacle by passing dark stripes down their head and arms during the last few seconds of a hunt.



This discovery comes from a recent study led by Dr. Matteo Santon, an expert in the University of <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/biology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences</a>. The researchers examined a dynamic camouflage tactic that challenges previous ideas about how animals remain hidden while moving.



"Maintaining camouflage while moving is a challenge faced by many predators. Some exploit background motion to hide while hunting, and others may use coloration and behavior to generate motion noise that impairs detection or recognition," noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuttlefish-camouflage-distracts-prey">Cuttlefish camouflage distracts prey</h2>



The experts recorded cuttlefish targeting crabs and noticed a striking display that seems to distract the prey’s motion-detection system. They introduced a high-contrast moving pattern that travels down the predator’s body, starting when the cuttlefish is about 3.2 ft from its target.



By harnessing strong downward motion cues, the cuttlefish weaken the usual signals that alert the crab to danger.



“Camouflage has predominantly been studied as an adaptation that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-ocean-buffet-big-fish-are-surprisingly-reliant-on-the-twilight-zone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prey</a> use to hamper their detection or recognition from predators, and almost exclusively focused on still prey as motion tends to disrupt camouflage,” said Dr. Santon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-crabs-miss-cuttlefish-attacks">Why crabs miss cuttlefish attacks</h2>



Most crabs rely on clues like looming shapes to signal an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-fish-species-are-the-big-catch-of-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attack</a> is coming. This approach makes sense when a predator’s silhouette expands as it nears. 



The broadclub cuttlefish undermines that system by overlaying downward stripes, obscuring the expansion cue and sowing confusion in the crab’s visual network.



Stripes seem obvious to our eyes. But to a crab with limited visual resolution, the repetitive downward flow acts like static that clouds the predator’s actual speed and position.



The scientists tested this effect with lab experiments that displayed animated shapes on screens, confirming that the moving pattern often dulled the crabs’ defensive reactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-camouflage-on-the-move">Using camouflage on the move</h2>



“Most cuttlefish rely on stealth to sneak up on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-hunting-fishing-connect-humans-with-nature-or-reinforce-superiority-complex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prey</a>. Due to their fast color-changing skin, these remarkable animals have a wider range of options than most when it comes to camouflage while moving,” said Dr. Martin How, senior author from the University of Bristol.



These <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2008.0270" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">color-changing</a> animals can shift at a moment’s notice to blend with seafloor textures or dazzle potential victims. This flexibility lets them adapt to different conditions, whether they need to hide against coral or outsmart prey with moving stripes.



Broadclub cuttlefish frequently hold their arms out when they mount these final attacks on crabs. This flattened pose reduces the expected radial cues of an oncoming shape. 



The rhythmic stripes flow down the arms, overshadowing any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unlikely-allies-octopuses-cooperate-with-fish-to-catch-prey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clues</a> that might give away the cuttlefish’s real approach path.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-cuttlefish-camouflage">Insights into cuttlefish camouflage </h2>



Some predators blend in by matching seaweed sway or drifting shadows. Others rely on sudden bursts of speed or chaotic patterns that throw off a target’s aim. 



Broadclub cuttlefish have raised the bar by adding a directional motion pattern that contradicts what prey typically expect from an approaching threat.



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sneaky-fish-use-sharks-like-moving-shields-while-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunting</a> approach offers new insights into the way motion-based camouflage can evolve in complex habitats. The wide range of cuttlefish skin patterns suggests there may be more to learn about how they choose between different tactics for different targets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-motion-based-camouflage-strategies">Motion-based camouflage strategies</h2>



The researchers speculate that other cephalopods may use comparable tricks. The team has also considered that certain crab species become desensitized to repetitive passing stripes after repeated exposure.



Further research could clarify how widespread these motion-based strategies are among ocean predators that rely on color adaptation.



Field researchers are excited to see if conditions like light levels, water clarity, and the presence of competing predators push cuttlefish to alter their camouflage displays in real time. Such flexibility might shape how prey species respond and whether they can develop new defenses.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr3686" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Cuttlefish use camouflage to stalk unsuspecting crabs

In the waters of Southeast Asia, broadclub cuttlefish have a...

With claws nearly the size of a human forearm and arms that looked like barbecue tongs, a recently discovered dinosaur is turning heads - and raising eyebrows. 



Resembling a mashup of a sloth, a giraffe, and Edward Scissorhands, this unusual creature roamed the Earth millions of years ago. Thanks to an incredible fossil find in Mongolia, we are now getting a much clearer picture of its strange anatomy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-of-a-two-clawed-dinosaur">Discovery of a two-clawed dinosaur</h2>



The dinosaur, discovered by paleontologists from the <a href="https://www.ucalgary.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Calgary</a> and Mongolia’s Institute of Paleontology, has been named Duonychus tsogtbaatari in honor of its impressive claws. “Duonychus” means “two claws” in Greek.



What sets this find apart is the remarkable preservation of a claw sheath that is made of keratin, the same material as our fingernails. The sheath reveals that the dinosaur’s claw was much longer than its bone structure alone would suggest.



“It’s close to a foot (30 cm) in size,” said paleontologist Darla Zelenitsky, an associate professor at the University of Calgary in Canada. "This is by far the biggest claw preserved for a dinosaur that has that keratinous sheath on it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-claws-but-not-so-ferocious">Big claws, but not so ferocious</h2>



Duonychus tsogtbaatari belonged to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/therizinosaur-with-scissor-like-claws-discovered-in-the-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therizinosaur</a> group of dinosaurs, which is part of the broader theropod family. This family also includes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-rex-was-about-70-percent-bigger-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tyrannosaurus rex</a>.



"Therizinosaurs were a group of herbivorous/omnivorous theropod dinosaurs that lived in Asia and North America during the Cretaceous Period. These theropods are notable for their three-fingered hands sporting large claw-like unguals," noted the researchers.



Unlike most theropods, which were primarily carnivorous, therizinosaurs evolved into plant eaters, with adaptations such as a small head, a beak-like mouth, and leaf-shaped teeth suited for processing vegetation.



Their most striking characteristic was their massive claws, which could reach up to a meter in length and were likely used for defense and foraging.



Fossils of therizinosaurs, such as Therizinosaurus from Mongolia, have revealed a fascinating evolutionary history that connects them to other theropods, despite their unusual anatomy.



The therizinosaur lineage is closely related to feathered dinosaurs and even modern birds, with evidence suggesting that they were covered in feathers, which may have played a role in insulation or display.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-surprising-discovery">A surprising discovery</h2>



"Here, we describe a new and unusual species of the therizinosaurid Duonychus tsogtbaatari, recovered from the lower Upper Cretaceous Bayanshiree Formation of the Gobi Desert of Mongolia," wrote the researchers.



Standing about 10 feet (3 meters) tall and weighing around 573 pounds (260 kilograms), Duonychus likely used its massive claws to forage by grasping tree branches and pulling down vegetation.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dinosaur_two-clawed_Duonychus-tsogtbaatari_reconstructed-skeleton_credit-Science_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dinosaur_two-clawed_Duonychus-tsogtbaatari_reconstructed-skeleton_credit-Science_1s.webp" alt="Reconstructed skeleton (Courtesy of Genya Masukawa) and selected elements of Duonychus tsogtbaatari gen. et sp. nov. Credit: iScience (2025)" class="wp-image-1963839"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Reconstructed skeleton (Courtesy of Genya Masukawa) and selected elements of Duonychus tsogtbaatari gen. et sp. nov. Click to enlarge. Credit: iScience (2025)</figcaption></figure>



Its hands had only two large fingers, which is an oddity among dinosaurs. While scientists believe those claws were mainly used to grab plants, they may have also served other purposes - like showing off or defending against threats.



“They weren’t predators, but they could defend themselves with those claws. They were big and very sharp,” said Zelenitsky.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-like-sloths-but-with-attitude">Like sloths, but with attitude</h2>



The best modern comparison for these claws might be found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sloths-are-struggling-to-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sloths</a>, whose curved nails help them cling to tree limbs, noted Zelenitsky. But Duonychus adds a prehistoric twist.



The preservation of the keratin sheath is a rare scientific win. Most dinosaur fossils don’t include this detail, which makes the discovery particularly valuable.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dinosaur_two-clawed_Duonychus-tsogtbaatari_graphic-illustration_credit-Science_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dinosaur_two-clawed_Duonychus-tsogtbaatari_graphic-illustration_credit-Science_1s.webp" alt="Duonychus tsogtbaatari graphical illustration. Credit: iScience (2025)" class="wp-image-1963837"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Duonychus tsogtbaatari graphical illustration. Click to enlarge. Credit: iScience (2025)</figcaption></figure>



“I’ve seen fragments from other specimens from the Gobi, but never a whole sheath like this,” said David Hone, a paleontologist at Queen Mary University of London, who was not part of the study. 



"The kind of preservation here, which is common to the vast majority of dinosaur bearing formations, doesn’t usually preserve keratin."



Hone emphasized that there's a murky relationship between the bone and keratin structures, so this specimen helps scientists understand better how the claw really looked and functioned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-clawed-dinosaur-with-giant-arms">Two-clawed dinosaur with giant arms</h2>



Therizinosaurs are often compared to the character Edward Scissorhands, thanks to their long, scythe-like claws. Duonychus takes the comparison even further, with its two-fingered limbs.



“But this one is unique in having only two fingers on each of its giant arms, so they really do look like oversized tongs you might use when barbequing,” said Steve Brusatte, a professor of paleontology at the University of Edinburgh who was not involved in the study.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parrot-like-dinosaurs-adapted-new-arms-as-they-migrated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Two-fingered dinosaurs</a> were relatively rare. While T. rex also had just two fingers, its stubby arms weren’t all that useful. In contrast, Duonychus used its limbs actively in daily life, especially when it came to feeding.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dinosaur_two-clawed_Duonychus-tsogtbaatari_dig-site_credit-Science_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dinosaur_two-clawed_Duonychus-tsogtbaatari_recreation_credit-Science_1s.webp" alt="Localities of Late Cretaceous therizinosaurs and excavation of Duonychus tsogtbaatari gen. et sp. nov. Credit: iScience" class="wp-image-1963841"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Localities of Late Cretaceous therizinosaurs and excavation of Duonychus tsogtbaatari gen. et sp. nov. Click to enlarge. Credit: iScience</figcaption></figure>



“But whereas T. rex probably wasn’t using its pathetic little arms for much, and definitely not for combat or subduing prey, these therizinosaurs were using them as an integral part of their feeding strategy,” said Brusatte.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-dinosaur-like-no-other">A dinosaur like no other</h2>



The fossil was uncovered in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert and included not just the iconic claws but also parts of the spine, tail, hips, arms, and legs.



This gives paleontologists a much more complete view of the dinosaur’s overall structure. And like other therizinosaurs, it likely had feathers, adding yet another layer to its strange appearance.



“This is yet another example of a wonderful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-dinosaur-comptonatus-chasei-most-complete-discovered-unique-traits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new dinosaur</a> that we couldn’t have dreamed ever existed if we didn’t find its fossils,” said Brusatte.



From its sloth-like claws to its feathered body and awkward gait, Duonychus tsogtbaatari is a reminder that the past was far weirder - and far more interesting - than we might expect.



Details of the study were published in the online journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(25)00401-8?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2589004225004018%3Fshowall%3Dtrue">iScience</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Dinosaur species discovered with just two claws, baffling scientists

With claws nearly the size of a human forearm and...

Butterfly collections often attract museum visitors with their vivid colors and delicate beauty. But behind the glass, these specimens hold more than just aesthetic value. A new study from the University of Georgia (UGA) shows how they can reveal patterns of disease that have gone unnoticed for decades.



The researchers focused on Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE), a microscopic parasite. It infects butterflies during their caterpillar stage when they eat plant leaves contaminated with spores. The infection doesn't always kill but causes severe weakness. This can prevent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterfly-effect-in-reverse-climate-change-turns-havens-into-traps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">butterflies</a> from completing long migrations.



“A lot of people don’t think about butterflies as getting sick, but butterflies and other insects can be host to microbes that cause problems for them,” said Sonia Altizer, a professor in UGA’s <a href="https://ecology.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Odum School of Ecology</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-museum-butterflies-reveal-parasite-spread">Museum butterflies reveal parasite spread</h2>



The team examined nearly 3,000 specimens from five major museums, including the <a href="https://naturalhistory.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Georgia Museum of Natural History</a>. 



These included <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterfly-mate-preferences-shift-with-slight-brain-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">butterflies</a> collected as early as 1832. The oldest known OE infection found dated back to 1909. That’s 60 years before scientists first described the parasite in literature.



Five out of 61 butterfly species tested positive for OE. Among them were monarchs, queens, and Jamaican monarchs. This is the first report of OE infection in the Jamaican monarch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-old-butterflies-for-disease">Testing old butterflies for disease</h2>



Studying these delicate specimens required precision. The researchers used fiber swabs to collect scale samples from the butterfly’s body. The swabs were then examined under a microscope. When infected, the museum butterflies’ bodies carry visible spores of the parasite.



The experts focused on milkweed butterflies because of their worldwide presence. These butterflies eat toxic milkweed plants, which helps protect them from predators. Monarchs and queens belong to this group and are already known carriers of OE.



The study found infected butterflies from every continent except Antarctica. But the infections weren’t evenly spread. Some populations showed no infection, even within the same <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-country-without-butterflies-rapid-decline-in-u-s-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>.



“There were a lot of places where these species were sampled with no infection, even though there were other places where they were,” noted Altizer. “There was a lot of geographic variation within each species as to where infections were detected.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-selective-parasite">A selective parasite</h2>



Despite OE’s global reach, only a few <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterfly-migration-habits-are-not-determined-by-their-dna/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> seemed to suffer from it. The parasite showed up in just five butterfly species, all from the Danaus genus. This raises questions about why OE doesn’t infect other groups.



The answer may lie in parasite specialization. Spores from monarchs appeared darker and larger than spores from other butterflies. This suggests each OE strain may evolve to match its host species.



A related study led by Maria Luisa Müller-Theissen looked at how these infections crossed between monarchs and queens. Monarchs could catch OE strains from both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-learn-about-butterflies-day-an-enchanting-world-awaits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>, while queens only reacted to their specific strains. Monarchs also showed worse symptoms than queens.



“If you put monarchs and queens side by side, the monarchs tend to outcompete the queens for food,” said Altizer. “The queens compensate for that by being more resistant to parasites and tougher in other ways.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-museum-samples-and-butterfly-health">Museum samples and butterfly health</h2>



Museum collections offer an unmatched opportunity to study long-term ecological trends. In this study, the specimens allowed researchers to detect infection patterns over nearly 200 years.



“No one person could go all around the world and look at all these different species in a reasonable amount of time and money,” Altizer said. “But we can go to a museum and access samples from all over the world going back decades or longer and get information from these animals.”



By analyzing historical samples, scientists gain insight into butterfly health and disease evolution. This work helps explain how OE spreads and which species are most at risk.



The findings could support future butterfly conservation efforts, especially for monarchs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-museum-specimens-and-butterfly-conservation">Museum specimens and butterfly conservation</h2>



The research offers a deeper view into butterfly health, showing how long OE has persisted in wild populations. With climate change and habitat fragmentation on the rise, butterflies face increasing stress.



Identifying where and how OE infections spread can support global efforts to protect vulnerable species. Museum specimens, long seen as passive records of biodiversity, now serve as active tools for scientific discovery.



Ultimately, the research shows how studying the past can lead to better understanding - and protection - of our natural world.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/een.13426" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecological Entomology</a>



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Global spread of butterfly disease revealed in museum collections

Butterfly collections often attract museum visitors with their vivid colors...

Plastic waste is everywhere - in oceans, in soil, in the food we eat, and now, possibly, inside unborn life. A new study has shown for the first time that microplastics, which have long been known to pollute ecosystems, can enter fetal tissue in cats, even during the earliest stages of pregnancy.



What was once thought of as an environmental threat has now emerged as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/airborne-microplastics-where-they-come-from-and-where-they-go/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential risk</a> to reproduction itself.



Published in PLOS ONE, the study examined eight stray cats in the early stages of pregnancy. The researchers found plastic fragments in five out of the sixteen tissue samples - placentas and fetuses - raising questions that reach far beyond the feline world.



These findings add to the growing global evidence that microplastic contamination has crossed into some of the most sensitive biological spaces.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-found-in-cat-fetuses">Microplastics found in cat fetuses</h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.unipr.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Parma</a> conducted the study on pregnant stray cats admitted as part of a population control program. 



All the animals were in early gestation - between 15 and 30 days - making the findings even more unsettling. Using a chemical technique known as Raman spectroscopy, the team discovered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-in-the-brain-alarming-new-details-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastic</a> fragments in fetal tissues from two cats and in placental tissues from three others.



"The discovery of microplastics in early pregnancy raises new concerns for animal and human health," said Ilaria Ferraboschi, the lead researcher.



The team found 19 particles in total. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-chewing-gum-may-be-full-of-microplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> measured under 10 microns and displayed various colors. The identified pigments included Mars Red, Alcian Blue, and Burnt Umber, all of which are common in commercial plastic products.



Seven of these particles were confirmed as polyethylene, while the rest were considered suspect microplastics due to pigment presence alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stray-cats-show-real-world-microplastics-risks">Stray cats show real-world microplastics risks</h2>



Cats served as a real-world model for unintentional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sounding-the-alarm-microplastics-are-disrupting-photosynthesis-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental exposure</a>. Unlike lab animals, these stray cats lived freely, hunting prey and occasionally eating commercial pet food. 



This provided a natural snapshot of how widespread microplastics have become. Despite living outdoors, they were still contaminated - proving that exposure does not require direct contact with plastic packaging or processed food.



To ensure accuracy, researchers used a completely plastic-free protocol for collecting and processing samples. They stored all materials in glass containers and filtered liquids through ultra-fine membranes. 



Even their surgical instruments were metal to avoid introducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/filter-feeders-transform-microplastics-into-a-bigger-threat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic particles</a> during examination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-placenta-is-no-longer-a-barrier">Placenta is no longer a barrier</h2>



One of the most vital roles of the placenta is to act as a gatekeeper. It protects the fetus from harmful substances, allowing only essential nutrients to pass through. 



This study challenges that understanding. The particles detected in fetal tissues suggest that plastic fragments can cross the placental barrier within the first month of pregnancy.



This is not the first time microplastics have been found in reproductive tissues. Human studies have previously detected them in placentas and amniotic fluid. But until now, the presence of microplastics in fetal tissue had not been demonstrated in real-world, non-laboratory conditions so early in gestation.



"Microplastics should not be part of fetal development - this is a clear signal for global change," Ferraboschi stated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-inside-matters-everywhere">What happens inside matters everywhere</h2>



The health risks of microplastic exposure remain poorly understood, but animal research has begun to reveal potential effects. 



In rodents, microplastics have altered reproductive cycles, decreased sperm quality, and led to hormone imbalances. Fetal mice exposed in utero developed metabolic disorders and impaired muscle and organ development.



Polystyrene particles in particular have shown toxic effects on ovaries and uterine tissue, sometimes leading to fertility loss. Exposure also disrupts immune balance during pregnancy, which could lead to complications such as miscarriages or premature births. 



These findings suggest the risk may not just be developmental but immunological as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hidden-sources">The hidden sources</h2>



Microplastics enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. They have been detected in air, bottled water, tap water, seafood, and even vegetables.



In fact, processed foods tend to carry more microplastics than unprocessed ones. Chicken nuggets, for instance, contain more particles than plain chicken breasts.



Even the air is not safe. Indoor environments contain airborne microplastics, which can be inhaled and which settle on food and other surfaces. The presence of plastic in human lungs, hearts, and blood is now documented.



The contamination of fetal tissues suggests that microplastics are not just present - they are active and mobile inside the body.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-are-more-than-a-cat-problem">Microplastics are more than a cat problem</h2>



Though the study focused on cats, the implications of microplastics exposure are wider. If plastics can enter the womb of a stray cat, they likely do so in other species as well - including humans.



The small size of the detected particles allows them to travel through blood vessels and enter organs. Once inside, they may trigger immune responses or interfere with tissue development.



Cats were a convenient starting point, but they offer a glimpse into a larger issue. Their environmental exposure mirrors that of other urban animals and, by extension, humans. This link makes them a useful biological indicator of the risks we all face.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-step-must-be-action">Next step must be action</h2>



The study on stray cats doesn’t answer all questions, but it makes one thing clear: microplastics can reach where we least expect them. 



The researchers urge governments and industries to reduce plastic use and find safer materials for food packaging, clothing, and other consumer goods.



The placenta’s permeability to plastics - combined with the recognized reproductive toxicity of some plastics - makes this more than an ecological issue. It is now a health concern that begins before birth.



Ferraboschi’s team calls for international cooperation, improved monitoring, and deeper research into the long-term effects of prenatal microplastic exposure. For now, their study offers one of the earliest warnings that plastic pollution has reached the beginning of life itself.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0320694" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Cats reveal hidden danger of microplastics to unborn life

Plastic waste is everywhere - in oceans, in soil, in...

Latin America’s rainforest inhabitants have long surprised scientists with their varied calls. Now, research shows that when it comes to yodeling, some monkeys outperform even the famed Alpine singers of Austria and Switzerland. 



This work provides fresh information about primate vocal abilities and offers new clues about how their unique anatomy shapes the way they produce sounds.



Experts from Anglia Ruskin University (<a href="https://www.aru.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ARU</a>) and the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a> spearheaded the study, which examined monkeys’ intricate calls through a mix of CT scans, computer simulations, and field observations. 



The findings indicate that special throat structures called vocal membranes - once present in human ancestors - give these animals an extra gear for producing surprising frequency shifts.



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



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simulation-reveals-the-evolution-of-alpine-ice-over-120000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yodeling</a> is that wild, echoing singing style where the voice flips rapidly between a low chest voice and a high head voice. It started in the Swiss Alps as a way for herders to communicate across mountains. 



Yodeling works by quickly switching between two vocal registers: the chest voice (your normal speaking or singing voice) and the head voice (a lighter, higher voice often used for falsetto). 



That flip between the two is called a register break, and it creates the signature “yo-de-lay-ee-hoo” sound. 



Instead of smoothing over the transition like most singers try to do, yodelers emphasize it -leaning into that sudden, jumpy switch to create the bouncing, echo-like effect.



Physically, it’s all about control and timing. The vocal cords stretch and tighten to hit those high head voice notes, then loosen again for the chest voice. 



It takes breath support from your diaphragm, clear enunciation, and a bit of vocal agility to bounce back and forth fast enough.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yodeling-monkeys-and-vocal-membranes">Yodeling monkeys and vocal membranes</h2>



Primates such as monkeys and apes have thin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-affects-the-sensory-abilities-of-mammals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vocal membranes</a> above their vocal folds, which humans lost over time. Researchers have long wondered how these membranes benefit non-human primates. 



The new study shows that these delicate tissue bands introduce “voice breaks” that pop up when sound production shifts from the vocal folds to the membranes. 



This feature results in rapid changes in pitch, reminiscent of Alpine yodeling or Tarzan’s iconic yell.



<a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/1066689" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to listen to the world's best yodelers...</a>



New World monkeys from Mexico to Argentina appear to have the largest vocal membranes of all primates, indicating a key role in their communication. 



The study captured the calls of species like black and gold howler monkeys, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/capuchin-monkeys-use-clever-tools-to-access-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tufted capuchins</a>, black-capped squirrel monkeys, and Peruvian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-monitoring-will-help-protect-endangered-spider-monkeys/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spider monkeys</a> at La Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia. 



The data revealed that these vocal membranes add dramatic leaps in pitch that are rarely matched by humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wider-ranges-and-ultra-yodels">Wider ranges and “ultra-yodels”</h2>



“These results show how monkeys take advantage of an evolved feature in their larynx - the vocal membrane - which allows for a wider range of calls to be produced, including these ultra-yodels,” explained Dr. Dunn from ARU.



Some of these calls cross frequency intervals up to five times larger than what the human voice can achieve. 



While people who yodel typically stay within one octave, the study found that certain New World monkeys can exceed three octaves.



“This might be particularly important in primates, which have complex social lives and need to communicate in a variety of different ways," Dr. Dunn continued. 



"It’s highly likely this has evolved to enrich the animals’ call repertoire, and is potentially used for attention-grabbing changes, call diversification, or identifying themselves.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vocal-variety-of-monkey-yodeling">Vocal variety of monkey yodeling</h2>



“This is a fascinating example of how nature provides the means of enriching animal vocalization, despite their lack of language,” noted Dr Herbst from the University of Vienna.



“The production of these intricate vocal patterns is mostly enabled by the way the animals’ larynx is anatomically shaped, and does not require complex neural control generated by the brain.”



In basic terms, the vocal membranes introduce a kind of instability that makes way for abrupt changes in pitch. By switching between membranes and folds, monkeys add a unique flair to their vocal repertoire. 



This could help them communicate across thick rainforest environments, where distant calls must pierce a chaotic soundscape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-humans-do-it-differently">How humans do it differently</h2>



“Our study shows that vocal membranes extend the monkey's pitch range, but also destabilize its voice. They may have been lost during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-chapter-in-human-evolution-revealed-through-genetics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human evolution</a> to promote pitch stability in singing and speech,” explained Professor Tecumseh Fitch, also from the University of Vienna.



Humans prioritize a steady tone, which is crucial for clear speech. These membranes might have vanished from our lineage because, while they allow dramatic pitch shifts, they also create less consistent vocalization. 



By losing them, our ancestors may have gained better control over speech patterns and articulation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-monkey-yodeling-matter">Why does monkey yodeling matter?</h2>



The investigation offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between anatomy and communication. Researchers highlight how small structures in the larynx can produce unexpectedly large acoustic effects. 



That knowledge could inform future studies on how primate species negotiate dense habitats with loud, competing noises. 



It also highlights that monkeys rely on more than simple <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toothed-whales-use-vocal-fry-to-catch-their-prey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vocal folds</a> to make themselves heard. In the wild, these calls can travel large distances, allowing social groups to stay in contact or mark their territory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-have-we-learned">What have we learned?</h2>



Because of this discovery, scientists now better understand why monkeys in the Americas are capable of surprising pitch changes that exceed standard human vocal ranges. 



The presence of expanded vocal membranes sets these species apart and explains how yodel-like calls evolved outside of the Alpine region. 



At the same time, the research adds to ongoing work on how speech and language developed in our own evolutionary line.



There is still much to learn about these remarkable calls. Each insight brings us closer to appreciating the astonishing variety in primate communication and offers another reminder that humans, for all our talk, are not the only animals with vocal tricks up our sleeves.



-----



<a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/1066689" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to listen to the world's best yodelers...</a>



Senior author Dr Jacob Dunn, Associate Professor in Evolutionary Biology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge, England, was joined by colleagues at the University of Vienna, including lead author Dr Christian T. Herbst of the Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology and Professor Tecumseh Fitch, an expert in human vocal evolution.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rstb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

Monkeys are the world's best yodelers, and that includes humans

Latin America’s rainforest inhabitants have long surprised scientists with their...

As climate change reshapes landscapes across the world, native species face growing challenges. 



Rising temperatures, altered water flows, and shifting ecosystems already disrupt many habitats. At the same time, biological invasions involving non-native species that move into new areas introduce added stress.



Until now, these two threats have mostly been studied in isolation. However, recent work by researchers at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> suggests that combining these forces reveals deeper risks.



Native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/native-plants-cant-outrun-climate-change-on-their-own/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> may lose more than just space - they may face extinction under the pressure of both climate and invaders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threat-to-native-species">Threat to native species</h2>



The study, published in the journal Global Change Biology, begins to close the gap between climate science and invasion biology.



“Climate change and biological invasions are increasingly affecting ecosystems globally,” said Ivan Arismendi, an associate professor in Oregon State’s Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences. 



“It’s critical to understand their combined impacts so that we can anticipate and adapt management strategies that account for shifting interactions between native and non-native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-places-are-prime-targets-for-invasive-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>.”



The team focused on freshwater fish species in the Pacific Northwest, where warming waters and shifting rivers have changed aquatic habitats. Arismendi and his colleagues, Guillermo Giannico and Arif Jan, developed ecological niche models.



These models use environmental data to predict where species might live under current and future conditions. Their goal was to understand how overlapping habitats could intensify threats to native fish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-forces-fish-to-higher-ground">Warming forces fish to higher ground</h2>



The researchers studied two invasive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/non-native-species-are-spreading-at-an-exponential-rate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>, namely smallmouth bass and northern pike, and two native species, the redband trout and bull trout.



These fish currently occupy different regions, but warming climates are pushing them all toward higher elevations, where colder water remains. Unfortunately, this movement may force them into closer contact, with serious consequences.



“Cold water refuges in upstream areas will serve as converging zones for native and non-native fishes,” said Jan, a doctoral student at Oregon State. 



“Past research has documented predatory interactions toward salmonids by smallmouth bass and northern pike, where their habitat overlaps. This means potential year-round predation and competition pressures during the early life stages of salmonids.”



The team found that future climate conditions will reduce suitable habitats for all four species. But more alarming was the increase in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-non-native-species-are-saving-themselves-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat</a> overlap. In these shared zones, invasive species may outcompete or prey upon native ones, pushing already vulnerable populations closer toward collapse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-native-species-disappear-invasives-take-over">Native species disappear, invasives take over</h2>



This situation is not hypothetical. Similar patterns have already emerged in places like southeastern Alaska, where native salmonids have disappeared from areas invaded by northern pike. 



The combination of climate-driven <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/freshwater-crisis-one-in-four-species-faces-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat</a> loss and biological pressure creates a dangerous feedback loop. As conditions worsen, natives lose the space and time they need to adapt or recover.



The implications of this research reach beyond the Pacific Northwest. As temperatures rise and weather patterns shift globally, many regions will experience similar overlaps between native and non-native species. 



The model developed by Oregon State researchers can help other scientists and managers assess risks elsewhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planning-with-smarter-conservation-tools">Planning with smarter conservation tools</h2>



“This study highlights the need for integrated management strategies that address both direct and indirect effects of interactions among species,” said Giannico, a professor of fisheries at Oregon State. 



He emphasized that the framework used in this study is simple and cost-effective. It can help conservation teams prioritize areas for early detection of invasive species and focus resources where they are most needed.



Rather than reacting to individual threats, this new approach allows planners to anticipate problems before they escalate. It opens the door to broader ecological forecasting, where climate models and biological data work together. With better tools, conservation can become more proactive and efficient.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-challenges-and-an-uncertain-future">Growing challenges and an uncertain future</h2>



While the study deals with fish, its lessons apply across ecosystems. Forests, grasslands, and wetlands all face pressure from changing climates and invasive species. 



As these challenges grow, species will shift, compete, and in some cases, vanish. Understanding how these forces interact gives us a chance to intervene.



The Oregon State researchers offer a glimpse of a future that is both uncertain and urgent. Their work reminds us that climate change does not act alone. It invites disruption. When non-native species follow, the result can be devastating. 



But with clear science and thoughtful planning, we may still help native species survive the changes ahead.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70040" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Change Biology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Native fish species are facing 'double trouble'

As climate change reshapes landscapes across the world, native species...

North America's smallest falcon, the American Kestrel, has captivated bird watchers and biologists for generations. Its striking plumage and swift, graceful flight add beauty to skies across the continent.



Yet, despite the kestrel's visibility and wide distribution from Alaska to Argentina, this tiny raptor has experienced a steady and troubling decline in population since the 1970s.



Scientists have searched for decades to pinpoint the cause. Theories range from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat loss</a> to pesticide use, but no single factor explains the pattern across all regions. In the Northeast, where kestrel numbers have dropped most sharply, the mystery has deepened.



A new study published in the Journal of Raptor Research brings a rare spark of clarity. It finds that fledgling kestrels in this region are surviving at higher-than-expected rates, which offers an unexpected twist to the ongoing search for answers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-falcon-survival-rates">Tracking falcon survival rates</h2>



The research involved a comprehensive assessment of kestrel <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-animal-will-replace-humans-as-earths-dominant-species-this-scientist-has-an-idea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival</a>. For the first time, researchers tracked both juvenile and adult kestrels across multiple seasons, including winter. This matters because previous studies primarily focused on the nesting season alone.



Breeding kestrels face many known challenges. Raising chicks demands energy, coordination, and suitable nesting habitat. But only a portion of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-mammals-show-how-humans-influence-animal-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population</a> actually breeds each year. Many younger birds - those still learning to hunt and navigate - do not yet breed.



These juveniles, along with adults during migration and winter, form blind spots in kestrel research. The current study begins to fill those gaps, offering a more complete picture of the annual life cycle of kestrels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-falcon-survival-against-the-odds">Falcon survival against the odds</h2>



​Dr. Mercy Melo and a team of scientists from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hawkmountain.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hawk Mountain Sanctuary</a>, The Smithsonian, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umass.edu/">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a> designed a bold field experiment.​



The experts equipped 202 kestrels with lightweight radio transmitters between 2021 and 2023. The team tagged 146 fledglings from across the Northeast United States and 56 adult birds from both Pennsylvania and Florida.



These transmitters recorded each bird’s movements for six months. This time window captured the critical early weeks when juveniles first leave the nest, as well as the overwintering period for adults. 



Historically, kestrels experience their highest mortality during these months, especially juveniles who must suddenly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-secretly-reshape-landscapes-in-powerful-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survive</a> without parental support.



Yet the findings upended that expectation. Despite lacking experience in how to forage and avoid danger, many fledglings survived remarkably well.



“Our study documented very high survival rates for juveniles across the eastern states, with some sites even boasting one hundred percent survival,” said Dr. Melo. This phase of post-nesting independence had never before been studied so closely, and the data bring both relief and new questions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-hazards-are-the-biggest-threats">Human hazards are the biggest threats</h2>



In contrast to the encouraging news about juveniles, adult kestrels faced steeper odds - especially those overwintering in Pennsylvania. These birds showed significantly lower survival rates than their Florida counterparts.



Human-related hazards emerged as the top threats. Confirmed causes of death in adults included collisions with vehicles and entrapment in buildings, both frequent dangers for birds navigating developed landscapes.



This difference between regions suggests winter falcon survival depends not just on climate, but on how much risk the environment imposes. Urbanization, road networks, and even the design of buildings can spell danger for kestrels hunting in low-light winter conditions.



Florida, with its warmer temperatures and possibly fewer urban threats, offered safer overwintering options.



These adult deaths shift focus away from fledglings as the weak link in kestrel survival. Instead, they suggest that certain overwintering regions may present survival bottlenecks, especially for adults already worn down by breeding or migration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-current-data-on-falcon-survival">Current data on falcon survival </h2>



While the survival rates of fledglings in their first few weeks is promising, their fates after leaving the nesting area still remain unknown.



Once these young birds dispersed beyond the transmitter’s range, they were no longer trackable. This means their survival during migration and overwintering is still a mystery.



However, by confirming that fledgling survival at early stages is higher than assumed, the study helps redirect attention. 



If juveniles are doing well in the Northeast, other stages of the life cycle - especially adult migration and wintering - may be where declines are most acute. These findings sharpen the questions that future studies should ask.



“Understanding the factors influencing the American Kestrel population decline will help kestrels but will also improve our understanding of other declining species,” said Dr. Melo. For example, grassland songbirds, which share many habitats with kestrels, face similar pressures and may benefit from similar research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deeper-significance-of-the-study">Deeper significance of the study</h2>



American Kestrels may be small, but they play a large ecological role. As top predators of insects, rodents, and small birds, they help regulate populations across open landscapes. The consequences of their decline ripples outward, affecting the balance of local ecosystems.



Moreover, their wide range and relative visibility make them excellent indicators of environmental change. When kestrels struggle, it signals trouble not just for raptors but for entire ecological communities. This is especially true in open habitats, such as prairies, grasslands, and farmlands, where biodiversity is shrinking fast.



“We hope this article entices researchers to adopt collaborative approaches across geographical regions,” said Dr. Melo. That call reflects the study’s deeper significance: kestrels won’t be saved by isolated efforts.



Their survival hinges on better cooperation among scientists, conservationists, and policy-makers who can act across regions and seasons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-story-of-falcon-survival">A story of falcon survival</h2>



This study doesn’t answer every question, but it shifts the compass. The research shows that fledgling kestrels in the Northeast may not be as vulnerable as previously believed. 



The study also highlights that adults, particularly those overwintering in human-dominated landscapes, face growing threats.



As research continues, tracking kestrels throughout all life stages - and across all landscapes - will be key. Understanding their migration paths, habitat choices, and human-made hazards will help explain the long-term trends.



The kestrel’s story is still evolving, but this study has brought it into sharper focus. With each new discovery, researchers are getting closer to understanding how this colorful falcon might survive against the odds.



The study is published in the <a href="https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-raptor-research/volume-59/issue-2/jrr2414/Juvenile-and-Adult-Survival-Estimates-of-American-Kestrels-Throughout-the/10.3356/jrr2414.full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Raptor Research</a>. 



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Falcon survival rates surprise scientists amid their decline

North America's smallest falcon, the American Kestrel, has captivated bird...

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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



---



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



---



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



---



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



---



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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

News coming your way