Part of the Amazon rainforest has been transformed into a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions, according to a long-term study. Experts at <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/">NOAA</a> report that deforestation in eastern Brazil has led to less rainfall and hotter temperatures, which has flipped the forest from a carbon sink to a source of carbon dioxide. 

Based on nearly 10 years of CO2 measurements, the researchers found that the most deforested parts of the eastern Amazon - mainly in the southeast - are releasing more carbon than they store. 

“On the other hand, the wetter, more intact western and central Amazon, was neither a carbon sink nor source of atmospheric CO2 , with the absorption by healthy forests balancing the emissions from fires," explained study co-author and NOAA scientist John Miller. 

The Amazon is made up of 2.8 million square miles of jungle and represents more than half of the remaining tropical forest on the planet. Scientists estimate that the Amazon locks up about 123 billion tons of carbon, both above and below ground.

In 2010, study lead author Luciana Gatti and an international team of experts set out to investigate whether the combined effects of climate change and land conversion is compromising the Amazon’s ability to store carbon.

“The regions of southern Pará and northern Mato Grosso states represent a worst-case scenario,” said Gatti. 

The southeast region of the Amazon has experienced 30 percent deforestation over the last four decades. Nine years of airborne measurements showed that this region is a net emitter of carbon. On the other hand,   the western portion of the rainforest has experienced less clearing still serves as a carbon sink. 

According to the researchers, the increased emissions were likely due to the fires that are used to convert jungle to cropland, and by reduced uptake of CO2 by the trees that remained. 

“The big question this research raises is if the connection between climate, deforestation, and carbon that we see in the eastern Amazon could one day be the fate of the central and western Amazon, if they become subject to stronger human impact,” said Miller.  

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/">Nature</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Part of the Amazon now releases more carbon than it stores

Part of the Amazon rainforest has been transformed into a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions, according to a long-term study. Experts at NOAA report that deforestation in eastern Brazil has led to less rainfall and hotter temperatures, which has flipped the forest from a carbon sink to a source of carbon dioxide.  Based on nearly 10 years of CO2 measurements, the researchers found that the most deforested parts of the eastern Amazon - mainly in the southeast - are releasing more carbon than they store.  “On...

A recent study from the <a href="https://www.ualberta.ca/index.html">University of Alberta</a> has analyzed the gut microbiomes of over 400 infants. The researchers found that baby boys with a gut bacterial composition high in Bacteroidetes had more advanced cognition and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monkeys-depend-on-social-interactions-for-language-development/">language</a> skills after one year. 

"It's well known that female children score higher (at early ages), especially in cognition and language," said study co-author Professor Anita Kozyrskyj. "But when it comes to gut microbial composition, it was the male infants where we saw this obvious connection between the Bacteroidetes and the improved scores."

The researchers studied bacteria found in fecal samples from the infants, identifying three different groups exhibiting similar dominant clusters of bacteria.

The experts discovered that only male infants with Bacteroidetes-dominant gut composition showing signs of enhanced neurodevelopment.

"The differences between male and female gut microbiota are very subtle, but we do know from CHILD Cohort Study data that girls at early ages are more likely to have more of these Bacteroidetes," said Professor Kozyrskyj.

"So perhaps most girls have a sufficient number of Bacteroidetes and that's why they have improved scores over boys."

According to Professor Kozyrskyj, Bacteroidetes are just one of many bacteria that produce metabolites called sphingolipids which are instrumental for the formation and structure of brain neurons. 

“If you have more of these microbes and they produce more sphingolipids, then you should see some improvement in terms of the formation of neuron connections in our brain and improved scores in cognition and language."

Professor Kozyrskyj noted that cesarean birth is one factor that significantly depletes Bacteroidetes. However, breastfeeding, high-fiber diets, living with a dog, and exposure to nature have a positive impact on microbiota composition levels.

The findings do not necessarily suggest that children with a lower proportion of Bacteroidetes will fall behind in school. Instead, the researchers believe the results could be instrumental in the identification of children at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.

"Over the first one to two years of life, your brain is very malleable," said Professor Kozyrskyj. "Now we're seeing a connection between its malleability and gut microbiota”. 

The researchers will continue to follow the infants to determine whether the findings have the potential to predict autism or ADHD. Other potentially impactful factors are being studied that the experts believe could have an effect on neurodevelopment in infants, including stress and gut colonization by the bacterium Clostridium difficile.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/kgmi20/current">Gut Microbes</a>. 

---

By <a href="http://calumvaughan05@gmail.com">Calum Vaughan</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Gut bacteria of infant boys can enhance cognitive skills

A recent study from the University of Alberta has analyzed...

Attempts to meet the Paris Agreement’s global target of keeping average temperature increases to within two degrees will have a significant impact on jobs in the energy sector, finds recent research conducted by Johannes Emmerling and colleagues and published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/one-earth/home">One Earth</a>.

"Currently, an estimated 18 million people work in the energy industries – a number that is likely to increase, not decrease, to 26 million or by over 50% if we reach our global climate targets," said Emmerling, who is an environmental economist at the RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment. 

The researchers built a global dataset on employment factors in the energy sector and modeled the impacts that various climate protection scenarios and policies would have on these factors. They found that in order to fulfil the targets enshrined in the Paris Agreement, the energy sector would need to transition from fossil fuels to renewable and low carbon energy sources.

Such transitions would lead to the creation of about 8 million new jobs by 2050, primarily due to gains in the solar and wind energy industries. Of the total predicted jobs in the energy sector in 2050, 84 percent would be in the area of renewable energy, such as solar and wind, while only eleven percent would fall in the fossil fuel sector and 5 percent in the field of nuclear-powered energy.

"Manufacturing and installation of renewable energy sources could potentially become about one third of the total of these jobs," said Emmerling.

"The energy transition is increasingly being studied with very detailed models, spatial resolutions, timescales, and technological details. Yet, the human dimension, energy access, poverty, and also distributional and employment implications are often not considered at a high level of detail."

"We contributed to this gap by collecting and applying a large dataset across many countries and technologies that can also be used in other applications."

It important to understand the potential implications of actions that may be taken to reach the climate agreement’s goals because this will affect people’s jobs and livelihoods. In many countries there is a debate about the importance of jobs versus the environment. The current model will help governments to undertake appropriate planning in this field. 

Future research will need to investigate the new skill requirements - along with the training, education, and wages - that will be involved in trying to meet the global climate targets. 

---

By <a href="http://bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Millions more jobs will open in the energy sector by 2050

Attempts to meet the Paris Agreement’s global target of keeping...

Global warming is leading to increasing temperatures across <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/changes-in-earths-tilt-led-to-the-emergence-of-complex-life/">Earth</a>, and experts are investigating how this will affect high-impact weather in the UK. A recent study published in the journal <a href="https://www.springer.com/journal/10584">Climatic Change</a> concludes that higher levels of global warming will lead to an increase in the frequency of extremely hot days, droughts, and floods.

The researchers used simulations from the ‘Regional Climate Model’ to lead to these conclusions. The study has shown that at a global warming level of 1.5°, the UK can expect an annual increase of at least five days over 25°C and a decrease in at least 10 days of temperatures under 0°C. 

With an increased global warming rate of 4.0°C, figures would subsequently lead to up to 39 additional hot days and a decrease in up to 49 days of sub-zero temperatures. 

These temperature changes would directly correlate with an increase in frequency and severity of long-term droughts and up to seven additional days every year of prolonged rainfall, which would likely result in damaging flooding in the UK. 

“Our research clearly shows that the more we warm the planet through human-induced climate change, the more severe weather we can expect in the UK. Severe weather can impact us in a number of ways, from our health, to flooding, food availability and transport issues," said lead author Dr. Helen Hanlon.

Despite the bleak findings of the study, a glint of hope remains. According to Dr. Hanlon, “the paper shows that the increase in high-impact weather is reduced if global warming is kept as low as possible, showing that efforts to reduce human-induced climate change will curb the most severe impacts of future weather in the UK.” 

However, with changes evident at even 1.5°C of global warming this is a reminder that even with the most optimistic global emissions mitigation scenarios, there is still a need for adaptation, long-term planning, and risk assessment activities across sectors in the UK.  

“This study provides part of the picture for what our future weather and climate may look like," noted Professor Jason Lowe. "Crucially it sits alongside other studies, such as those examining the risks from wildfire and floods, helping to create as full a vision of the future as possible. The more insight we have on our future world, the more opportunity there is to plan for it.”

The research has recently been comprehensively cited in the UK’s third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3), compiled by the Climate Change Committee. 

---

By <a href="http://calumvaughan05@gmail.com">Calum Vaughan</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Extremely hot days could quadruple in the UK

Global warming is leading to increasing temperatures across Earth, and...

The first vertebrates to achieve flight were neither <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-birds-learn-what-to-avoid-eating-by-watching-others/">birds</a> nor bats. During the Mesozoic, the geologic age spanning 250 million years ago to 66 million years ago, the skies were filled with pterosaurs - a diverse and mystifying group of creatures. 

Pterosaurs were simultaneously furred and scaled, often possessed both a long beak and needle-like teeth, and had wings composed entirely of one elongated finger. 

Ideas about their method of flight, metabolism, and feeding strategies have undergone significant revision as better fossils have been discovered and more reliable methodologies have been utilized. Now, a recent study by researchers at the <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/">University of Portsmouth</a> has added to that growing body of research, unlocking the mystery of how pterosaurs changed as they grew. 

Understanding ontogeny - the growth and development of an organism - is a cornerstone of many modern paleobiological studies. Fossils of pterosaur hatchlings and embryos are rare finds, so paleontologists have struggled to picture when and how young pterosaurs flew. 

Two species in particular have well-preserved young specimens - Pterodaustro, a filter feeding genus from South American, and the broad-beaked Sinopterus from China.

Previously, researchers had hypothesized that baby pterosaurs might have been able to fly very soon after hatching, but until now this idea had not been quantified or modelled. <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/">University of Southampton</a> researchers Darren Naish, Mark Witton, and Elizabeth Martin-Silverstone modeled the differences between young and old individuals from these two genera by comparing wing measurements and humerus strength. 

The researchers found that hatchlings were probably able to walk and even fly right out of the egg - in other words, they were extremely precocial. By contrast, human infants are extremely altricial and are largely helpless after birth. 

Young pterosaurs possessed relatively stronger bones and broader wings than adults. They were even equipped with huge deltoid muscles to operate their small wings. This left them less well-adapted to long-distance flight, but also more than ready to flutter out of a predator’s reach at a moment’s notice. 

The findings suggest that newborns occupied a different habitat and ecological niche from their parents - perhaps fluttering about in denser woodlands, only daring to venture out into more open spaces when they were more accomplished fliers. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the parents were absent, but it does mean they may have had a generally more hands-off approach to child-rearing than is seen in many modern birds and bats. 

The unique adaptations and evolutionary history of pterosaurs continue to provide paleontologists with ample opportunities for research. With this most recent study, we’ve begun to build an understanding of what exactly it was like to grow up in the Mesozoic skies. 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Reports</a>.

---

By <a href="http://rugerpaleo@gmail.com">Alex Ruger</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Pterosaurs may have hatched with the ability to fly

The first vertebrates to achieve flight were neither birds nor...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snake-eating-spiders-live-on-every-continent-except-antarctica/">Spider</a> silk is known for its incredible strength. For its size, it is stronger than most man-made materials, and scientists have long dreamed of a way to synthesize it. 

Unfortunately for us humans, there are problems with synthesizing spider silk. Professor Fuzhong Zhang at the Washington University <a href="https://engineering.wustl.edu/">McKelvey School of Engineering</a> explained that there is a problem with getting the amount of nanocrystals in synthetic silk right. Nanocrystals are an important component in making the silk strong. 

“Spiders have figured out how to spin fibers with a desirable amount of nanocrystals," explained Zhang. "But when humans use artificial spinning processes, the amount of nanocrystals in a synthetic silk fiber is often lower than its natural counterpart.”

To solve this problem, Zhang’s lab created new silk genetic sequences with code that emphasized the creation of nanocrystals. 

“After our previous work, I wondered if we could create something better than spider silk using our synthetic biology platform,” said Zhang.

The newly designed protein turned out to be simpler than previous attempts at synthetic spider silk and easier for bacteria to synthesize in culture. 

The resulting fibers are tougher than steel and kevlar; they are also stronger than some spider silks. The scientists at Zhang’s lab are optimistic about what this breakthrough could mean, hoping that this research could lead to more in the near future. 

“This demonstrates that we can engineer biology to produce materials that beat the best material in nature," said Zhang.

The small project examined just three - out of thousands - of possible variations on spider silk that could be engineered to potentially improve its properties for use by humans. This means that there are likely many more high performing materials to be manufactured based on spider silk alone, not to mention the endless possibilities of tweaking thousands of other natural products in the world. 

---

By <a href="http://zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Fibers inspired by spider silk are stronger than steel

Spider silk is known for its incredible strength. For its...

Xerces blue butterflies were last seen alive in San Francisco in the 1940s. The decline in their population numbers, and their eventual extinction, were generally credited to advancing urban development. If this is true, then the Xerces blue butterfly was the first known example of an American <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/painted-lady-butterflies-execute-the-longest-known-insect-migration/">insect</a> species driven to extinction by human activities. 

There was, however, the chance that Xerces blue butterflies were just a subpopulation of another, more widespread species - the silvery blue butterfly. This species has many of the same traits as the Xerces blue and is still common today. 

"There was a long-standing question as to whether the Xerces blue butterfly was truly a distinct species or just a population of a very widespread species called the silvery blue that's found across the entire west coast of North America," explained Corrie Moreau, director of the Cornell University Insect Collections and contributing author to the recent research paper on the project, published in <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rsbl">Biology Letters</a>.

In this study, researchers analyzed the DNA of a Xerces blue specimen that was collected in 1928 and preserved in the pinned butterfly collection of the Chicago Field Museum. A very small piece of the specimen’s dried abdomen was removed with tweezers and sent to the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/">Field Museum</a> Pritzker DNA Laboratory for analysis.

The results were compared with DNA extracted from recently caught silvery blue butterflies. The results showed differences in the DNA which were significant enough to confirm that Xerces blue butterflies were indeed a separate species.

"It's interesting to reaffirm that what people have been thinking for nearly 100 years is true, that this was a species driven to extinction by human activities," said study lead author Felix Grewe, co-director of the Field's Grainger Bioinformatics Center.

"We're in the middle of what's being called the insect apocalypse – massive insect declines are being detected all over the world," said Moreau. She stresses the importance of conserving insect species because they are crucial to the functioning of healthy ecosystems. 

Insects aerate the soil, which promotes plant growth and provides food for herbivores. The herbivores, along with the insects themselves, are preyed upon by predators. 

According to Felix Grewe, the study also showcases the importance of museum collections. "When this butterfly was collected 93 years ago, nobody was thinking about sequencing its DNA. That's why we have to keep collecting, for researchers 100 years in the future."

---

By <a href="http://bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

DNA evidence confirms: humans wiped out Xerces blue butterflies

Xerces blue butterflies were last seen alive in San Francisco...

Research published in the <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/jaha">Journal of the American Heart Association</a> has found that babies who were breastfed in the first few days of life had lower blood pressure as toddlers. While it is well-known that sustained and exclusive breastfeeding lowers the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-fish-lowers-risk-of-recurrent-cardiovascular-events/">cardiovascular</a> disease in adulthood, it was not known at what stage or for how long breastfeeding should take place in order to provide this health benefit.

"This is the first study to evaluate the association of breastfeeding in the first days of life and blood pressure in early childhood," said lead study author Dr. Kozeta Miliku of McMaster University. 

Data for this study came from over 2,400 children (born between 2009-2012) who are part of the ongoing Canadian CHILD Cohort Study. The experts focused on factors that affect the health and development of children. 

The children’s early feeding records were collected from hospitals and divided into three categories of breastfeeding. The overwhelming majority (98 percent) of children were breastfed to some extent; this includes four percent who received only limited breast feeding while in the hospital and none thereafter. Only two percent of children received no breastfeeding at all.

The researchers found that, at three years of age, blood pressure was lower in children who had been breastfed than in those who had not. This result was irrespective of the child’s body mass index, the duration of breastfeeding or whether the child received other nutrition at the same time.

Even the children who had only been breastfed for a few days before leaving hospital showed a lower average blood pressure. This indicates that the benefits to the cardiovascular system are derived from breastfeeding in the very first few days of life. 

"Our study suggests that for cardiovascular outcomes such as blood pressure, even a brief period of breastfeeding is beneficial,” said study senior author Dr. Meghan B. Azad, who is an associate professor of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba.

“This points to colostrum as a key factor in shaping developmental processes during the newborn period. For many reasons, sustained breastfeeding should be strongly supported, and it is also important to understand that 'every drop counts,' especially in those critical first few days of life."

---

By <a href="http://bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Just a few days of breastfeeding can lower baby's blood pressure

Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association...

New research from <a href="https://www.ohsu.edu/">Oregon Health &amp; Science University</a> suggests that older people have less antibodies to fight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-antibodies-persist-for-at-least-nine-months/">COVID-19</a>. The scientists measured the immune response of fifty people two weeks after their second dose of COVID-19 vaccination.

Among test groups, people in their twenties had about seven times the response to vaccination compared to people between 72 and 80 years of age. The lab results produced a clear pattern - the younger a participant, the stronger the antibody response.

Study senior author Dr. Fikadu Tafesse is an assistant professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology in the OHSU School of Medicine.

"Our older populations are potentially more susceptible to the variants even if they are vaccinated," said Dr. Tafesse.

The researchers stress that even though there is less of an immune response in older people to the COVID vaccine, it is usually still enough to be effective. 

Older people are more susceptible to coronavirus variants than younger people, making the situation even more dangerous. 

There is a solution, scientists say. Vaccination, they point out, is key to ending the pandemic. Although seniors are less protected by the vaccine, vaccination can stop the spread of the virus, thus protecting everyone, older and younger. 

"The vaccine still produces strong immune responses compared with natural infection in most older individuals, even if they are lower than their younger counterparts," said study co-author Dr. Marcel Curlin.

"Vaccination in this group may make the difference between serious and mild disease, and likely reduces the chances of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to another person."

"The good news is that our vaccines are really strong," noted Dr. Tafesse.

Even if an older person contracts COVID-19 after being vaccinated, the vaccine provides some protection and can be the difference between mild symptoms and something much more serious. 

The study is published in the <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/">Journal of the American Medical Association</a>.

---

By <a href="http://zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Our body's immune response weakens with age

New research from Oregon Health &amp; Science University suggests that...

High levels of air pollutants alongside racial and social disparities can drastically increase the severity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-antibodies-persist-for-at-least-nine-months/">COVID-19</a> symptoms and chances of mechanical ventilation, according to a recent study presented during the <a href="https://www.eccmid.org/">European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases</a> (ECCMID). 

The air we breathe is polluted by a number of sources - gases emitted by industry, the cars we drive, lead paint, and wastewater discharge can all contribute to ambient air pollution. Inhalation of fine particulate matter under 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) can be particularly damaging, causing inflammation and enhanced stress to the respiratory system. 

By that metric, Detroit is the 12th most polluted city in the USA, per the American Lung Association. This recent study, conducted across multiple health centers, reports that the greater the exposure, the greater the risk. Often, populations that are already at risk are more likely to live in areas with high ambient air pollution. 

The researchers, focusing on cases in the Henry Ford Health System, looked at data from 2,039 adult COVID-19 hospitalizations between March 12 and April 14 of 2020, with data collected through May 27. 

By also collecting data on where patients lived, alongside their proximity to sources of air pollutants, the authors’ findings show patients who were black, male, obese, or with long-term health conditions who also lived in areas with high levels of PM2.5 were far more likely to be hospitalized and require mechanical ventilation. 

"Our study calls attention to the systemic inequalities that may have led to the stark differences in COVID-19 outcomes along racial and ethnic lines. communities of colour are more likely to be located in areas closer to industrial pollution, and to work in businesses that expose them to air pollution," explained study co-author Dr. Anita Shallal.

This corroborates previous studies into the relationship between race and health. In 2010, the American College of Physicians - a group of over 129,000 healthcare experts - reported that “overwhelming evidence shows that racial and ethnic minorities are prone to poorer quality health care than white Americans,” and that these disparities are rooted in “a number of societal determinants,” notably including exposure to air pollutants. 

While correlation does not necessarily prove causation, this growing body of evidence illustrates how interconnected the issues of health and race are in American society, and will hopefully provide a way forward for healthcare providers and policy makers. 

"The key takeaway is that living in a more polluted neighborhood is an independent risk factor for severity of COVID-19 disease," said Dr. Shallal. 

"Urgent further research is needed to guide policy and environmental protection, to minimise the impact of COVID-19 in highly industrialised communities that are home to our most vulnerable residents."

The research was presented at the <a href="https://www.eccmid.org/">European Congress of Clinical Microbiology &amp; Infectious Diseases (ECCMID)</a>.

---

By <a href="http://rugerpaleo@gmail.com">Alex Ruger</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Air pollution exposure drastically worsens COVID-19 infection

High levels of air pollutants alongside racial and social disparities...

For climatologists, one of the biggest unknowns in predicting anthropogenic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-damage-by-wild-pigs-is-worse-than-a-million-cars/">climate</a> change is the effect of clouds. Now, a new study led by researchers at <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/">Imperial College London</a> suggests that cloud feedback amplifies global heating. 

One of the goals of climatology is to model Earth’s climate and simulate how it may change. With the complex effects of anthropogenic climate change looming, one of the most important indicators that experts can use to predict global warming is known as "climate sensitivity." 

This particular index tells us how the planet’s thermostat will adjust when we double our pre-industrial carbon dioxide level of 240 parts per million (ppm). The higher that number, the warmer the planet gets. 

For those keeping score at home, we’re currently sitting at 420 ppm, with that number increasing about 2.5 ppm every year, according to the American Meteorological Society’s 2019 State of the Climate.

"The value of the climate sensitivity is highly uncertain, and this translates into uncertainty in future global warming projections and in the remaining 'carbon budget' - how much we can emit before we reach common targets of 1.5°C or 2°C of global warming," explained study co-author Dr. Paulo Ceppi.

Clouds that float closer to the ground tend to have a cooling effect, because they keep sunlight from directly reaching the Earth. Clouds higher up in the atmosphere let sunlight hit the ground, while also trapping energy emitted from our planet - enhancing the greenhouse effect. 

In collaboration with study co-author Dr. Peer Nowack, Dr. Ceppi looked at temperature and cloud cover data from satellite measurements. They used this data in a statistical learning analysis, a machine learning program that attempts to predict behavior from raw data. The program tells the researchers how clouds will react to a warming climate. 

"There's been a growing amount of evidence that clouds probably have an amplifying effect on global warming," said Dr. Nowack. "However, our new approach allowed us for the first time to derive a global value for this feedback effect using only the highest quality satellite data as our preferred line of evidence.”

The prognosis is not promising. The study found with more than 97.5 percent probability that clouds will exacerbate the warming of the planet by enhancing the greenhouse effect and by reflecting less sunlight. According to the researchers’ model, this will ultimately raise the global mean temperature by 3.2°C.

"Our paper makes a major step towards narrowing the most important uncertainty factor in climate sensitivity projections," said Dr. Nowack. "As such, our work also highlights a new pathway in which machine learning methods can help us constrain the key remaining uncertainty factors in climate science." 

The experts hope that by specifying those constraints, they can better estimate the future effects of global warming.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.

---

By <a href="http://rugerpaleo@gmail.com">Alex Ruger</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Clouds have an amplifying effect on global warming

For climatologists, one of the biggest unknowns in predicting anthropogenic...

In a new study from <a href="https://www.osu.edu/">Ohio State University</a>, experts have found 15,000-year-old viruses preserved in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/last-ice-refuge-of-the-arctic-may-soon-be-gone/">ice</a> from the Tibetan Plateau in China. The experts report that most of the microbes are previously unknown to science.

For their investigation, the researchers created a method of analyzing microbes in ice without the risk of contamination. The findings may ultimately shed new light on how viruses have evolved over centuries. 

"These glaciers were formed gradually, and along with dust and gases, many, many viruses were also deposited in that ice," said study lead author Zhi-Ping Zhong. "The glaciers in western China are not well-studied, and our goal is to use this information to reflect past environments. And viruses are a part of those environments."

The ice cores examined for the study were collected in 2015 from the Guliya ice cap in western China. The cores originated at the summit of Guliya, which sits at an altitude of 22,000 feet above sea level. 

After dating the ice cores back 15,000 years, the team found the genetic codes for 33 viruses - only four of which have been previously identified. 

"These are viruses that would have thrived in extreme environments," said study co-author Professor Matthew Sullivan. "These viruses have signatures of genes that help them infect cells in cold environments - just surreal genetic signatures for how a virus is able to survive in extreme conditions."

According to Professor Sullivan, the genetic signatures were not easy to pull out. He said that the method developed by the team to decontaminate the cores and to study microbes could help us search for the genetic sequences in other extreme icy environments - like on Mars or the moon. 

The results of the analysis suggest that the viruses likely originated with soil or plants, not with animals or humans.

"We know very little about viruses and microbes in these extreme environments, and what is actually there," said study senior author Professor Lonnie Thompson. 

"The documentation and understanding of that is extremely important: How do bacteria and viruses respond to climate change? What happens when we go from an ice age to a warm period like we're in now?"

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/">Microbiome</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

15,000-year-old viruses found in Tibetan ice

In a new study from Ohio State University, experts have...

During the height of the COVID <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ozone-pollution-dropped-dramatically-during-pandemic/">pandemic</a>, and even now when some countries seem to see light at the end of the tunnel, disposable masks are more expensive and harder to find due to increased demand. 

It should come as no surprise that all those little paper products wreak havoc on the environment, especially with more of them circulating than ever before.  

The pandemic is responsible for an estimated 7,200 tons of medical waste every day. Much of that waste comes in the form of disposable masks. Even now, many healthcare workers must wear masks at all times during work. 

A new study from the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> shows that financial and environmental costs could be drastically reduced by switching to reusable masks. 

"Perhaps unsurprisingly, the approaches that incorporate reusable aspects stand to have not only the greatest cost savings, but also significant reduction in waste," explained study senior author Professor Giovanni Traverso.

"Our vision was that if we had a reusable system, we could reduce the cost. The majority of disposable masks also have a significant environmental impact, and they take a very long time to degrade."

 "During a pandemic, there's a priority to protect people from the virus, and certainly that remains a priority, but for the longer term, we have to catch up and do the right thing, and strongly consider and minimize the potential negative impact on the environment."

The experts have been developing reusable silicone masks with filters that are disposable or can be sterilized after exposure as a way to reduce cost, environmental impact and as a response to short supplies. 

Ultimately, the researchers envision a system like this becoming more widespread as a way to protect people with less environmental impact and fincancial cost.  

"Masks are here to stay for the foreseeable future, so it's critical that we incorporate sustainability into their use, as well as the use of other disposable personal protective equipment that contribute to medical waste," said study lead author Dr. Jacequline Chu.

The study is published in the <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/">British Medical Journal Open</a>.

---

By <a href="http://zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Addressing the environmental impact of disposable masks

During the height of the COVID pandemic, and even now...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/video">NASA Goddard</a> reveals the surprising influence that humans have on Earth's freshwater resources.

In the first study to assess seasonal variability in water bodies worldwide, researchers have discovered that water levels in human-managed reservoirs fluctuate about four times more compared to natural lakes and ponds. 

"We tend to think of the water cycle as a purely natural system: Rain and snowmelt run into rivers, which run to the ocean where evaporation starts the whole cycle again," said study lead author Sarah Cooley of Brown University. "But humans are actually intervening substantially in that cycle. Our work demonstrates that humans are responsible for a majority of the seasonal surface water storage variability on Earth."

The study was focused on data from NASA's Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat-2). The primary goal of the ICESat-2 mission is to track changes in the thickness and elevation of ice sheets around the world. The measurements are obtained using a laser altimeter, and elevation is calculated to an accuracy of 25 millimeters. 

The satellite measured seasonal water levels in more than 227,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs worldwide from October 2018 to July 2020. The water bodies ranged in size from the American Great Lakes to ponds with areas less than one tenth of a square mile. 

The study revealed that while natural lakes and ponds varied seasonally by an average of .22 meters, human-managed reservoirs varied by .86 meters. This means that, when compared to natural lakes, reservoirs account for 57 percent of the total variation. 

Human influence on freshwater resources was found to beP even stronger in arid regions like the Middle East, American West, India and Southern Africa, where seasonal variability attributed to human activity exceeds 90 percent.

"Of all the volume changes in freshwater bodies around the planet - all the floods, droughts and snowmelt that push lake levels up and down - humans have commandeered almost 60% of that variability," said study co-author Professor Laurence Smith. 

"That's a tremendous influence on the water cycle. In terms of human impact on the planet, this is right up there with impacts on land cover and atmospheric chemistry."

Video Credit: NASA Goddard

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Human impact on Earth's freshwater resources revealed

Today's Video of the Day from NASA Goddard reveals the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a Copernicus Sentinel-2 view of the Vatnajökull ice cap in southeast Iceland.

Vatnajökull is the biggest glacier in Europe, covering an area of more than 3,200 square miles. 

The ice cap has about 30 outlet glaciers, many of which are shrinking as a result of rising temperatures. One of these glaciers, Vatnajökull, is positioned over some of the most active volcanoes in Iceland such as Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn.

On the southern side of Vatnajökull, the Jökulsárlón glacial lake has grown to become Iceland's deepest lake. Because it connects with the ocean, the lake contains both seawater and freshwater.

Video Credit: ESA  

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The Vatnajökull ice cap in southeast Iceland

Today's Video of the Day from the European Space Agency...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. This region is one of the most famous places on the planet for viewing wildlife.

The Galápagos Islands are home to many native plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including giant tortoises and sea lions. 

When Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1835, his wildlife observations inspired the theory of evolution by natural selection. In 1959, the Ecuadorian government made the entire archipelago a national park to protect its unique diversity. 

The archipelago is made up of 13 major islands and several smaller islands and islets across 60,000 square kilometers of ocean. According to ESA, repeated volcanic eruptions and ongoing seismic activity have helped form the rugged mountain landscape of the islands. 

The largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela, was formed when multiple large volcanoes merged into one single land mass. 

Video Credit: European Space Agency 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how satellites are helping scientists monitor recreational sites for potentially harmful algae blooms.

Kate Fickas of Utah State University uses satellite images to make sure the water is safe for people and pets.

“I grew up swimming in the Willamette River in Oregon, and diving in lakes over the summer,” said Fickas. “So it means a lot to me that I’m able to not only help develop algorithms for monitoring cyanobacteria blooms, which is interesting in itself, but to be able to take that next step and keep the public safe, and allow them to safely recreate and enjoy the water the way that I do.”

Blooms occur when the populations of algae, phytoplankton, and cyanobacteria explode in numbers as a result of warm temperatures and excessive nutrients.

Fickas noted that many water bodies in Utah meet those conditions, especially with warming temperatures due to climate change, as well as nutrient runoff from agricultural fields and other sources.

Satellites such as Landsat 8 can detect when a lake changes color due to outbreaks of algae. 

Video Credit: NASA Goddard 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Satellites help keep people safe from algae blooms

Today's Video of the Day from NASA Goddard describes how...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a satellite view of the Amazon River in the rainforest of South America.

The Amazon River flows more than 4,000 miles from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean on the northeast coast of Brazil, passing through six countries along the way.

The Amazon is considered the widest river in the world, as well as the largest drainage system, with more than 1,100 tributaries.

These rivers provide a range of habitats for various types of wildlife, including swamps, marshes. and streams.

According to WWF, it is estimated that approximately one-sixth of all the freshwater that drains into the world's oceans goes through the Amazon delta, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Video Credit: ESA

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The Amazon River in South America

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Valentine Island off the coast of western Australia.

The tiny island is located in the King Sound, a large gulf and inlet of the Indian Ocean.

According to the ESA, the King Sound has one of the highest tides in Australia, reaching a maximum tidal round of around 11 to 12 meters. 

The port town of Derby can be found on the eastern shore of the King Sound near the mouth of the Fitzoy River. This area of Australia's Kimberley Region is known for having a coast lined with mangroves that support an abundance of wildlife including birds and fish. 

Video Credit: ESA

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Valentine Island in western Australia

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.qut.edu.au/">Queensland University of Technology</a> describes how pumice helped solve the mystery of what killed millions of shearwater birds in 2013. 

The team found evidence that migrating seabirds are eating materials that are not even food, including pumice stones, because they are starving.

Study lead author Dr. Lauren Roman is a researcher at Australia's national science agency CSIRO. She said there was much discussion in the scientific community about the causes of mass mortality of seabirds which are often found with plastic and other non-food items in their stomach.

"We found that in the instance of the shearwater bird deaths in 2013, these birds were starving, and in their starved state had reduced prey discrimination," said Dr. Roman.

"Our study investigates the chicken-and-egg dilemma - do animals starve from eating non-food or do animals eat non-food because they are starving?""

Seabirds are indicator species that can be used to monitor the health of marine ecosystems. Mass mortalities are often indicative of changing food webs and ecological conditions.

The study was focused on short-tailed shearwaters, which migrate from Australia to the North Pacific in April and return late in the year. Among 172 deceased seabirds that were recovered from the New South Wales and Queensland, 96.7 percent had ingested pumice or plastic.

The researchers used satellite systems to track the 2013 shearwater migration and compared the data to locations of a large pumice raft produced by a large volcanic eruption north of New Zealand in 2012.

"We proposed that a short time period between non-food ingestion and death would indicate that birds were already starving at the time of non-food ingestion, and a starving state would be reflected by poor body condition and reduced muscle mass," explained study co-author Professor Scott Bryan, who has been studying pumice rafts for over 20 years.

"Death after a longer period would indicate that birds starved following ingestion of non-food."

Professor Bryan said detailed information about the route of the pumice raft was an integral part to determining the answer of where the birds had consumed the pumice.

"We combined the tracking information data of the short-tailed shearwaters, using location tags on migrating birds, and the geological signature of the ingested pumice."

"By October 2013 when the shearwaters were returning to Australia on their annual migration from the North Pacific, the floating pumice was now located along their flight path as they approached Australia."

Once the experts had established when the birds ate the pumice, and their physical condition at the time, they were able to conclude that the birds were already starving when they ate the pumice. Furthermore, the study revealed that the seabirds had ingested the pumice about 12 to 41 hours before death.

"With a projected increase in challenging times for wildlife because of threats such as climate change, marine pollution and over exploitation of resources, this study has implications for mass mortalities and exacerbation of existing threats to marine species," said Dr. Roman.

Video Credit: Queensland University of Technology 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Pumice solved the mysterious deaths of seabirds

Today's Video of the Day from Queensland University of Technology...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://ucsd.edu/">UC San Diego</a> describes how pelicans seem to effortlessly glide along the crests of ocean waves close to shore.

The experts found that pelicans use wind updrafts generated by the waves to conserve energy as they fly. This technique is known as wave-slope soaring.

"There's a community of biologists and ornithologists that studies the metabolic cost of flight in birds that can use this and see how their research connects to our estimates from theory," said study lead author Ian Stokes.

"Likewise, our model generates a basic prediction for the winds generated by passing swell, which is important to physicists that study how the ocean and atmosphere interact in order to improve weather forecasting."

"This is an interesting project because it shows how the waves are actually moving the air around, making wind," said Professor Professor Drew Lucas. 

"If you're a savvy bird, you can optimize how you move to track waves and to take advantage of these updrafts. Since seabirds travel long distances to find food, the benefits may be significant."

Video Credit: UC San Diego 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Pelicans use wind from ocean waves to save energy

Today's Video of the Day from UC San Diego describes...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Arctic region of Lapland, which is known for its vast wilderness, ski resorts, and natural wonders such as the Northern Lights.

Lapland is Finland’s northernmost region, and borders Sweden, Norway, Russia, and the Baltic Sea. It is also bound by the Norwegian Sea on the west, the Barents Sea on the north, and the White Sea to the east.

In the winter months, Lapland has temperatures of below zero and the Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis, can he viewed in the night sky. 

The capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, is considered the official hometown of Santa Claus. Here, the Arctic Circle runs through Santa Claus Village, which is located eight kilometers north of the city center. 

Finland is one of the places in the Arctic Circle where you can experience the Midnight Sun, or 24 hours of sunshine in the summer, and the Polar Night, when the sun does not appear in the winter.

Video Credit: ESA

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The northern European region of Lapland

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://duke.edu/">Duke University</a> describes a strategy used by rice plants that grow their roots in a spiraling pattern for a greater chance of becoming established.

The researchers set up a camera on rice seeds sprouting in clear gel to examine how the roots burrow into the soil. A new picture was captured every 15 minutes for several days after germination.

The team discovered that rice roots use a trick to gain a foothold in the soil by making corkscrew-like motions with the tips of their roots. 

Sprouting seeds face the challenge of anchoring the plant and moving downwards to suck up the water and nutrients the plant needs to grow.

According to the researchers, the spiral growth of root tips is a strategy that rice plants use to grow in hard, compacted soil.

Video Credit: Duke University 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Rice roots use a spiraling strategy to become established

Today's Video of the Day from Duke University describes a...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the northern lights over Canada captured by astronauts on September 28, 2017. The video is a time-lapse of nearly 1,000 still frames shot over a span of 15 minutes.

At the time the photographs were taken, the International Space Station was passing from the northwestern region of the United States toward the southeast.

“The time-lapse imagery that we’ve been able to get of auroras is just fascinating to watch,” said Will Stefanov, ISS program scientist for Earth observations at Johnson Space Center. “And just strikingly beautiful to be able to see that process, how the aurora shifts and moves like a live thing. And knowing that for that particular stretch of time, you are pretty much seeing what the crew saw in orbit.”

Just about a week prior to the time-lapse footage, astronaut Randy “Komrade” Bresnik had captured a spectacular photograph of the aurora borealis as the space station passed over Ontario, Canada. 

Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Astronauts share stunning views of the northern lights

Today's Video of the Day from the NASA Earth Observatory...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how land subsidence alters the shape of ocean basins and contributes to sea level rise. 

During the last ice age about 20,000 years ago, the northeastern region of the United States, Canada, and other regions were weighed down by ice sheets. When the ice melted and its weight was lifted, the land surface slowly rebounded. 

The resulting land movement, as well as subsidence related to human activities, play a significant role in sea level rise. For example, the Mississippi River Delta is essentially drowning as sinking ground is combined with higher sea levels, according to NASA.

Video Credit: NASA Goddard 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

How land subsidence contributes to sea level rise

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.energy.gov/">U.S. Department of Energy</a> describes how climate change is transforming the world's forests. 

The researchers analyzed satellite data and found that the global average tree size has declined over the last century. 

Earth's trees are also becoming increasingly younger, which is due to a higher rate of tree mortality that is linked to global warming and other factors.

"Unfortunately, mortality drivers like rising temperature and disturbances such as wildfire and insect outbreaks are on the rise and are expected to continue increasing in frequency and severity over the next century," explained study lead author Dr. Nate McDowell.

"So, reductions in average forest age and height are already happening and they're likely to continue to happen."

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Video Credit: DOE Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

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Forests are becoming younger and smaller

Today's Video of the Day from the U.S. Department of...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> (ESA) provides a glimpse of the famous coastal resort town of Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

Located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in between the desert and the Red Sea, this region was a vacation destination for ancient Romans and Greeks all the way back to the 4th century B.C.

Divers are attracted to Sharm El Sheikh to explore the diverse marine life found in the Red Sea, including hundreds of coral reefs. Ras Muhammad National Park one of the most popular diving destinations in the region, with its clear warm water and breathtaking desert landscape.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Video Credit: European Space Agency

The Egyptian resort town of Sharm El Sheikh

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_University_of_Technology">Queensland University of Technology</a> describes how climate change may impact the jaguar, the dominant predator of Central and South America.

According to the research, jaguars in the Peruvian Amazon will be able to handle climate change in the short-term, but could become severely threatened as extreme weather events increasingly interfere with food resources.

“Estimates of jaguar numbers are difficult to achieve because the big cats are cryptic by nature, are not always uniquely identifiable, and their habitat can be hostile to humans,” explained study co-author Professor Kerrie Mengersen.

The investigation was focused on data from a 2016 expedition to the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, which covers 20,800 square kilometers in the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon. 

Professor Kevin Burrage explained that the predicted outcomes for the jaguars were concerning in the long-term. 

“Our results imply that jaguars can cope with extreme drought and flood, but there is a very high probability that the population will crash if the conditions are repeated over short time periods. These scenarios are becoming more likely due to climate change,” said Professor Burrage.

“The declines may be further exacerbated by hunting of both jaguars and their prey, as well as loss of habitat through deforestation.”

Video Credit: QUT Media

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Jaguars will soon be severely threatened

Today's Video of the Day from the Queensland University of...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> describes what stargazers can see in the sky this month. 

In early March, two reddish objects will line up with Mars: the stars Aldebaran, which forms the angry eye of Taurus the bull, and Betelgeuse, the shoulder of Orion. 

This Friday morning, look for the bright star Antares about 8 degrees below the waning gibbous Moon. In addition, Mercury and Jupiter and Mercury will appear at their closest to each other as morning twilight begins.

On Tuesday, March 9, the waning crescent Moon and the planets Saturn, Jupiter, and Mercury will appear near the horizon as morning twilight begins.

The first day of Daylight Savings Time falls on Sunday, March 14, 2021. Also beginning on this day, a "Wet Moon" or a "Cheshire Moon" will be visible for a few nights. This is when the thin, waxing crescent Moon appears to look like a smile in the evening sky.

On Friday night, March 19, the waxing crescent Moon will form a triangle with Mars and the bright star Aldebaran. This event will be followed by the astronomical end of winter on Saturday, March 20 at 5:37 a.m. EDT.

Also, be sure to look for Venus on March 26 and the full Moon on March 28.

Video Credit: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

NASA skywatching tips for March 2021

Today's Video of the Day from the NASA Jet Propulsion...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Vancouver, a busy seaport on the west coast of British Columbia.

Vancouver is one of Canada's most densely populated and ethnically diverse cities, and is also known for being eco-friendly. 

Officials have developed a plan to make Vancouver "the greenest city in the world." The project involves improving air quality, constructing greener buildings, reducing CO2 emissions, and reducing traffic by promoting cycling, walking, and public transportation use.

Vancouver is already one of the most sustainable cities on the planet, with 95 percent of its electricity coming from renewable energy sources. 

Video Credit: ESA 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Vancouver, British Columbia

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.aalto.fi/en">Aalto University</a> describes how screen time improves the lives of saki monkeys in captivity. 

In collaboration with Korkeasaari Zoo, the researchers built an on-demand video device for white-faced saki monkeys to activate whenever they want. 

"We were very much interested in how we can give animals control over their environment and especially how they can control technology," said study lead author Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas.

"Typically, when we use technology with animals, we use it on them, so we play them sounds or video, rather than giving them the option of controlling the technology themselves."

The device played five different kinds of scenes: marine life such as jellyfish, wiggly worms, zoo animals like zebras, makis and dear, abstract art, or lush forests.

"We got interesting results. First of all, we learned that the monkeys do pay attention to the screen; they watch it and touch it. We also suspect they recognize objects on the screen. One of the videos we had featured meal worms - an everyday meal for them. They actually tried to lick the screen and even went around the tunnel to see if the worms were behind it," said study co-author Vilma Kankaanpää.

The saki monkeys scratched themselves significantly less often when they were offered on-demand videos. For monkeys in captivity, scratching can be a sign of stress.

Video Credit: Aalto University 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Saki monkeys benefit from screen time

Today's Video of the Day from Aalto University describes how...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the world’s largest river delta, the Ganges Delta, which covers an area of around 100,000 square kilometers.

The delta is primarily formed by the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, both of which are visible in the image. The snow-covered Himalayas mountains can also be seen in the top of the photograph.

The Ganges river flows for over 2,400 kilometers from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. The river carries fertile soil and nutrients and deposits them across its vast delta floodplain. 

Video Credit: European Space Agency 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The world's largest river delta

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://eros.usgs.gov/image-gallery/image-of-the-week">USGS</a> shows how one of the worst natural disasters in history reshaped the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. 

In December of 2004, an earthquake off the coast of northern Sumatra was so intense that it lifted the seafloor several meters and sent tsunami waves in every direction. The 9.1-magnitude Indian Ocean Earthquake ranks as the third must powerful on record. 

Waves that reached the coast of Sumatra were as high as 30 meters. Landsat images show where the vegetation was completely stripped away along the coast, as well as the recovery in the years that followed. 

Video Credit: USGS

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Indian Ocean tsunami reshaped the coast of Sumatra

Today's Video of the Day from the USGS shows how...