Young aspen trees in Yellowstone are doing something they have not done in almost 100 years. Rather than sprouting and being eaten back to nubs by elk and bison, they're actually growing into tall, adult forest trees rising up towards the canopy.



This matters more than it might seem, because it shows what happens when a missing piece of an ecosystem returns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yellowstone-aspens-and-elk">Yellowstone, aspens, and elk</h2>



In the 1920s, people <a href="https://www.yellowstone.org/wolf-project/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eliminated wolves in Yellowstone</a>. At the time, with limited scientific knowledge, managers believed it was the right thing to do.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-wolves-to-dogs-did-domestication-begin-without-human-help/">Without wolves</a>, elk herds grew very large. Elk love to eat aspen shoots - the tender young growth is highly palatable to them.



For roughly 70 years, elk browsed aspen sprouts down to stub height, and the trees couldn't grow. 



If you had walked through Yellowstone in the 1980s, you would have seen many tiny aspen shoots covering the ground, but almost no young trees gaining height. 



The forest's regeneration was stalled. Old trees died, and no new ones replaced them.



In 1995 and 1996, park managers reintroduced wolves into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption-study-sparks-new-debate-on-where-and-when-it-will-erupt/">Yellowstone Park ecosystem</a>. Scientists hoped and wondered whether this would change anything for the trees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-aspen-matter-to-yellowstone">Why aspen matter to Yellowstone</h2>



Aspen groves provide habitat for many species. Birds nest in them. Beavers eat the bark and use the wood for dams. Butterflies and moths lay eggs on the leaves. 



Their canopy admits enough light for wildflowers and shrubs to grow beneath. When it rains, aspen groves hold water in the soil better than some other forest types.



In short, when aspen return, dozens of other species benefit. More trees support more insects, which in turn support more birds, enriching the ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-checking-the-trees-three-decades-later">Checking the trees three decades later</h2>



<a href="https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/users/luke-painter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke Painter</a>, an ecologist at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a>, sought clear answers. His team returned to 87 aspen stands across Yellowstone that scientists had previously surveyed. 



They measured thousands of young trees, looked for bite marks, and counted how many stems were tall enough that elk could no longer reach the tips.



About a third of these stands now have many tall young aspens pushing toward the canopy. 



"About 26 of the 87 aspen stands we examined had large numbers of tall saplings throughout, a remarkable change from the 1990s when surveys found none at all," Painter said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-wolves-matter-to-yellowstone-aspens">Why wolves matter to Yellowstone aspens</h2>



Breaking it all down, the conclusions of this study are pretty simple. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wolves-move-pups-across-mountains-to-adapt-to-climate-pressure/">Wolves hunt elk</a>. When wolves came back, two things happened. First, elk numbers declined from unusually high levels. Second, elk changed their behavior. They spent less time in the same areas feeding.



With fewer elk and shorter feeding bouts, more aspen shoots survived long enough to exceed the browsing zone - about six to seven feet high. 



Once a sapling reaches that height, elk cannot easily reach the growing tip. The tree continues to grow.



"The reintroduction of large carnivores has initiated a recovery process that had been shut down for decades," Painter explained.



Scientists call this a <a href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/trophic-cascades-across-diverse-plant-ecosystems-80060347/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trophic cascade</a> - when adding or removing one species causes changes that ripple through the whole system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-places-recover-others-don-t">Some places recover, others don't</h2>



Unfortunately, not every aspen stand has recovered yet. Some valleys still have many short, heavily browsed shoots, because it's not only elk eating them anymore. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstones-iconic-bison-have-merged-into-a-single-herd/">Bison herds have grown</a>, and bison browse on aspen as well. They are strong enough to break young trees. 



"Increasing numbers of bison may be emerging as a new constraint to aspen in some areas," Painter confirmed.



Additionally, winter snow depth varies; droughts stress trees; bears and mountain lions also hunt elk; and hunting outside the park influences elk distribution. 



All of these factors interact, which is why some sites show strong recovery, others show moderate recovery, and a few have changed very little.



The key pattern is that places with many tall saplings experience little browsing, and aspen groves that remain popular eating grounds today stay short. 



This fact is the strongest indication that tree recovery is linked directly to wolf presence, not solely to weather or soil conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proof-in-the-measurements">Proof in the measurements</h2>



Painter's team did not rely on casual observation. They used the same methods as earlier researchers, measuring the same plots. 



They counted recruitment - when young trees surpass browsing height and begin progressing toward maturity. This measure is crucial. Sprouts are insufficient if they never grow; without recruitment, the forest cannot replace itself.



The results are robust. After being stalled for most of a century, Yellowstone's aspens are increasing in height. In recovering stands today, you will see saplings - six, eight, or ten feet tall - that were not present in the 1990s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-yellowstone-s-aspens">The future of Yellowstone's aspens</h2>



"This is a remarkable case of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-viruses-found-in-yellowstones-hot-springs-may-be-near-the-root-of-all-life-on-earth/">ecological restoration</a>," Painter concluded. "Wolf reintroduction is yielding long-term ecological changes contributing to increased biodiversity and habitat diversity."



Trees grow slowly, so even with wolves restored, it will take decades for these young aspens to form a full-grown forest. 



Some areas might never fully recover if bison numbers continue to rise or if the climate becomes too hot and dry.



Thanks to the work of Painter and his team, scientists are now certain that restoring the Yellowstone predator has restarted aspen forest regeneration. Not everywhere and not perfectly, but enough to be measured, creating hope for the future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112725004499?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Ecology and Management</a>.



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Yellowstone's aspen trees are growing again thanks to the reintroduction of wolves

Young aspen trees in Yellowstone are doing something they have not done in almost 100 years. Rather than sprouting and being eaten back to nubs by elk and bison, they're actually growing into tall, adult forest trees rising up towards the canopy. This matters more than it might seem, because it shows what happens when a missing piece of an ecosystem returns. Yellowstone, aspens, and elk In the 1920s, people eliminated wolves in Yellowstone. At the time, with limited scientific knowledge, managers believed it was the right...

Cannabis has been deeply intertwined with human civilization for over 10,000 years. It has served many purposes - from producing textiles and food to providing medicinal oils.



Although most people today associate cannabis with its psychoactive compound <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cbd-relieves-anxiety-without-the-risks-that-come-with-thc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THC</a> (tetrahydrocannabinol), its historical significance extends far beyond recreational use. 



Despite its long-standing importance, cannabis has remained one of the least developed crops, largely due to a century of legal restrictions. Recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-legalization-does-not-increase-youth-substance-abuse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">legislative changes</a> in the United States, passed in 2014 and 2018, have revived interest in cannabis cultivation.



Now, scientists from the <a href="https://www.salk.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salk Institute</a>, in collaboration with Oregon CBD, Oregon State University, and the HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology, have created the most detailed genetic atlas of cannabis to date. The findings open the door to new possibilities in agriculture, medicine, and industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-and-its-untapped-strengths">Cannabis and its untapped strengths</h2>



Cannabis sativa, also known as hemp, is a flowering plant originally from Asia. It stands out for its ability to produce strong fibers and for generating high quantities of cannabinoids - compounds with medicinal properties. 



Researchers and innovators believe cannabis derivatives could one day rival canola or soybean oils and even offer a sustainable alternative to jet fuel.



Cannabis is remarkable for its chemical productivity. It can produce more than 30% of its dry weight in terpenes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabinoids-as-pesticides-study-reveals-potential-of-hemp-compounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabinoids</a>. Terpenes are responsible for the aromas in many fruits and flowers, while cannabinoids, such as CBD (cannabidiol) and THC, interact with the human body to offer therapeutic benefits. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-cannabis-treatments">Potential cannabis treatments</h2>



CBD gained widespread attention when the "Charlotte's Web" strain helped treat epileptic seizures, broadening the public's perception of cannabis. 



More than 100 other cannabinoids, still poorly studied, are thought to hold promise for treating ailments like pain, arthritis, nausea, depression, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-found-in-cannabis-plants-can-actually-reduce-cannabis-induced-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a>.



Yet, the effects of selective breeding on cannabis’s genetic diversity have long been a mystery. Understanding its genome has been a significant challenge. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sequencing-cannabis-genomes">Sequencing cannabis genomes</h2>



Cannabis is a dioecious plant - meaning male and female sexes are on separate plants - and its genome is filled with transposable elements, DNA sequences that can move around and complicate genetic analysis.



To unlock cannabis’s secrets, the researchers used a process called sequencing to map its DNA. Traditional sequencing methods, known as short-read sequencing, break the DNA into small fragments for study. 



However, new long-read sequencing technologies can capture much larger stretches of DNA at once, providing a clearer picture of complex and repetitive regions.



“There are limits to what you can discover with short-read sequencing technologies, since those short genetic excerpts are impossible to stitch together in any meaningful way when looking at complex regions of the genome, especially repetitive DNA sequences,” noted Lillian Padgitt-Cobb, a postdoctoral researcher involved in the study. 



"We’re among the first to harness this long-read technology at scale in the pangenome context, and with that comes all these insights into structural variation and gene ordering that can inform end-game decisions about breeding favorable traits into cannabis plants.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extraordinary-amount-of-genetic-variation">Extraordinary amount of genetic variation </h2>



The Salk team’s work is not the first to apply long-read sequencing to cannabis. In 2018, one of the researchers generated the first chromosome-level genome of cannabis, shedding light on where cannabinoids are synthesized and the genetics behind the Charlotte’s Web strain. 



However, the new project goes much further. It includes 193 different cannabis genomes, making it the most comprehensive cannabis pangenome yet. 



This is also the first study to include sex chromosomes and to achieve what is called haplotype resolution - the decoding of both sets of chromosomes in the plant, inherited separately from male and female parents.



By studying both chromosome sets, the team revealed an extraordinary amount of genetic variation, possibly up to 20 times greater than what is seen in humans. 



“With this haplotype resolution,” Padgitt-Cobb explains, “we can look at what was inherited from just one of the parent plants and start to understand the breeding and background of that plant.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-differences-in-cannabis-strains">Genetic differences in cannabis strains</h2>



The researchers gathered genomes from 144 cannabis plants worldwide. Collectively, these formed the cannabis pangenome, providing an unprecedented view of the plant’s genetic diversity.



The detailed analysis uncovered surprising patterns. About 23% of genes were found in every genome, while 55% were nearly universal. Another 21% were moderately common, and less than 1% were unique. 



Genes involved in cannabinoid production were among the most consistent, showing up across nearly all genomes.



Other genes, particularly those involved in fatty acid metabolism, growth, and defense, varied more widely. These genes could be critical for future breeding efforts, helping to create cannabis plants that are more resilient and nutritionally valuable. 



The team also found that variations in fatty acid biosynthesis are linked to the production of tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), a lesser-known cannabinoid gaining attention for its non-psychoactive, energizing effects.



When it came to cannabinoid genes, researchers noticed that two genes - THCAS and CBDAS - are likely under strong selective pressure from human-directed breeding. 



Interestingly, these genes are located within transposable elements, suggesting that selective breeding has driven even more genetic variation by targeting these “jumping” regions of DNA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-avenues-for-agriculture-and-medicine">New avenues for agriculture and medicine</h2>



The research team found exciting new targets for improving cannabis crops. By comparing European and Asian genomes, they suggest that an undiscovered wild relative of cannabis may exist somewhere in Asia. This plant could possess valuable traits for breeding hardier, more resilient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-production-may-soon-get-a-major-boost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis strains</a>.



Another important discovery lies in the cannabis sex chromosomes. The team found that male plants contain unique genes not present in feminized plants. 



In modern breeding, "feminization" techniques are used to induce female plants to produce male flowers, bypassing the Y chromosome entirely. However, this practice might be overlooking important genetic diversity.



“Over the last 10 years, breeders have already done a decent job of getting yields up and making cannabis an economically viable crop,” said Ryan Lynch, a postdoctoral researcher and lead author of the study.



“Once there’s market interest there, paired with these new insights into cannabis genomes that can guide breeding efforts, I can see <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabinoids-as-pesticides-study-reveals-potential-of-hemp-compounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hemp</a> and hemp oils really booming in both human health and industry applications.”



In the near future, the researchers hope that this new pangenome will serve as a valuable resource for scientists and farmers. With better information about the plant’s DNA, cannabis can be improved for more uses - fiber, seed oil, medicine - and brought into a new era of innovation.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09065-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Scientists reveal the most complete cannabis genome yet

Cannabis has been deeply intertwined with human civilization for over...

In many parts of Europe, poverty and loneliness create an unrelenting ache, both emotionally and physically. A new investigation suggests that poverty may be a major reason these struggles persist.



Researchers found that about half of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/billions-of-people-cant-afford-healthy-food-despite-not-being-poor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lower-income</a> adults reported loneliness in the past week, compared with 15% of those earning more. These insights come from work led by Arran Davis, a scientist at the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-poverty-and-loneliness-team-up">How poverty and loneliness team up</h2>



When individuals lack funds, life can feel like a maze with no exit. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4006295/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stress</a> from housing insecurity or unpaid bills can heighten feelings of anxiety that morph into an even heavier emotional burden.



Experts say that being lonely can compound these hardships, leading to a “defensive symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, and low mood.” This cluster likely emerged through evolutionary processes that prioritize protection in times of perceived threat.



Earlier <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4240051/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> have shown that those with fewer financial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-who-were-born-into-poverty-struggle-to-control-their-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resources</a> are especially at risk for these issues. That risk may climb further when emotional support from friends or family feels distant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-socializing-doesn-t-stop-loneliness">Socializing doesn’t stop loneliness</h2>



Many assume that if people meet with friends or relatives often, they must feel supported. But the study found that individuals in poverty were not socializing any less than wealthier groups.



That means a person can attend gatherings every night yet still feel isolated inside. <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Researchers</a> see loneliness as more about the quality of those interactions and the sense of belonging they provide.



Feeling disconnected in spite of regular meetups may explain why economic pressures can make loneliness even tougher to overcome. People with limited funds may struggle to believe in the reliability of their social <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poverty-impacts-brain-development-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">support</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-poverty-loneliness-and-physical-stress">Poverty, loneliness, and physical stress</h2>



The research team identified a notable gap in well-being between those who felt lonely and those who did not, with the difference most pronounced among the lowest earners.



This group was more likely to report severe versions of that symptom cluster, including painful body aches, deep fatigue, and persistent low mood.



Roughly 30% of lonely individuals from the poorest group faced extremely high scores on these symptoms, whereas only 2% of non-lonely high earners showed similar challenges. This gap in well-being is also documented in the official publication by Davis and colleagues.



“The relationship between poverty and poor health is well established, and previous research suggests that loneliness may be as bad for you as smoking. Our study shows that for people who are both on low incomes and lonely the health costs are particularly marked,” concluded Dr. Davis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-links-loneliness-to-poor-health">Science links loneliness to poor health</h2>



Researchers across the globe have linked <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11752480/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social isolation</a> to higher levels of inflammation and other harmful biological changes that can wear down physical well-being.³ This can spark a cascade of pain, exhaustion, and depressed mood if left unaddressed.



Medical professionals emphasize that strong social ties may protect against these risks. They believe such connections could provide emotional support, practical help, and a sense of belonging that eases mental strain.



Loneliness, on the other hand, might heighten the body’s sense of danger, especially for people living paycheck to paycheck. That constant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychological-poverty-greatly-impacts-decision-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">state</a> of alarm could explain why they experience more pain and lower energy overall.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-support-and-policy-can-help">How support and policy can help</h2>



Some health advocates suggest that public policies should aim to reinforce local social networks, especially in poorer neighborhoods. They argue that group events, community centers, and mental health services might soften the blow of loneliness among financially struggling residents.



Improving housing, education, and employment opportunities is another strategy that can address the root causes of both isolation and financial hardship. Greater efforts to reduce inequality could help more individuals find both stability and genuine connection.



As Dr. Davis notes, practical interventions that target social bonding could carry extra weight where resources are already scarce. Initiatives that build trust and collaboration may ultimately boost emotional well-being, along with physical health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-effects-poverty-and-loneliness">Measuring the effects poverty and loneliness </h2>



Researchers admit that tracking pain, fatigue, and mood isn’t straightforward. The symptom cluster used in this study wasn’t based on a standard clinical tool but instead relied on general survey questions.



Some of these questions, such as those about pain over the past year, may not reflect day-to-day suffering. Because of this, the true burden of emotional and physical distress could be even higher than the data suggest.



All these points shed light on a deeper truth: meaningful social connection involves more than just meeting up with others. For many people on tight budgets, a caring community might be their best defense against the persistent wear and tear of loneliness.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033350625001209" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Health</a>.



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Poverty-linked loneliness causes real physical and emotional pain

In many parts of Europe, poverty and loneliness create an...

At 9:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time on June 1, 2025, instruments registered a geomagnetic K-index of 8, creeping toward 9 - a level rarely reached outside the most intense solar episodes. 



Such readings signal strong electric currents racing through Earth’s magnetic shield - the first sign that a severe solar storm disturbance has arrived.



Power operators, satellite controllers, and frequent flyers have good reason to pay attention. The disturbance is expected to last through at least June 3, bringing elevated radiation, intermittent radio dropouts, and a possible encore of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-new-ezie-mission-will-study-earths-auroras-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dazzling aurora</a> that spilled far south earlier this spring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-storms-in-the-forecast">Solar storms in the forecast</h2>



The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center classifies the <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/g4-severe-conditions-observed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ongoing episode as G4</a>, the second-highest rung on its five-step geomagnetic scale. 



A glance at the agency’s three-day outlook shows just how busy the next 48 hours could become: the greatest expected three-hour Kp for June 1–3 averages 7.67, with individual windows pushing well into G4 territory. 



Forecasters concede there is a chance - though a small one - that conditions might briefly spike to G5, the extreme category reserved for once-in-a-decade storms.



Potential impacts stretch across many modern conveniences. Power grids poleward of about 45° geomagnetic latitude may wrestle with unwanted currents that trip protective hardware. Pipelines could pick up extra voltage, accelerating corrosion. 



High-frequency radio links, relied on by emergency responders and transoceanic pilots, may fade out for hours at a time. 



Even the navigation apps in our pockets are not immune; satellite-based positioning can degrade or go dark until the <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/earths-magnetic-field-origin-structure-and-impact-on-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetosphere</a> settles down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-sun-is-active">Why the sun is active</h2>



Blame an active region numbered 4100. Over the past day, it unleashed a cluster of medium-strength M-class flares, the biggest erupting at 8:05 PM EDT on May 30 with an M8.1 rating. 



That flash produced a full-halo <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-dances-with-solar-wind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coronal mass ejection</a> (CME) racing outward at an estimated 1,938 km/s - about 1,204 mi/s - fast enough to cross the 93 million-mile gulf between the Sun and Earth in roughly two days. 



Modeling suggests the leading edge slammed into the magnetosphere around midday on June 1, aligning with the observed jump in geomagnetic indices.



Behind the main blast, solar-wind speeds had already been brisk thanks to a negative-polarity coronal-hole stream, easing from about 800 km/s on May 31 to 650 km/s just before the CME struck. 



With additional flares still possible, <a href="https://www.noaa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a> rates the probability of minor solar-radiation storms at 75 percent each day through June 3 and pegs the odds of R1-to-R2 radio blackouts at 65 percent, with a 25 percent chance of stronger R3 events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ground-impacts-of-g4-solar-storms">Ground impacts of G4 solar storms</h2>



During a severe geomagnetic storm, long transmission lines effectively turn into giant antennas. Extra current can flow through transformers, heating them and forcing operators to shed load or, in a worst-case scenario, shut down sections of the grid. 



The June 1 bulletin specifically warns of “widespread voltage control problems” and the possibility that automated protection could “mistakenly trip out key assets.” 



Satellite owners, meanwhile, must contend with surface charging, unexpected drag on craft in low Earth orbit, and orientation glitches that make it harder to keep antennas aimed at home.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-storms-bring-auroras">Solar storms bring auroras</h2>



One of the perks of a strong storm is an expanded auroral oval. Forecasts hint that curtains of green and red could wander as far south as Alabama and northern California tonight and tomorrow night, weather permitting. 



For many Americans, that means simply stepping outside after dark could reveal rippling colors usually reserved for Arctic latitudes. 



The best views often come after local midnight, when Earth’s night side lines up with the prevailing solar-wind flow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



NOAA’s hour-by-hour breakdown shows Kp values flirting with 8 or higher through the late afternoon of June 1, settling toward G2 conditions by midday June 3. Even after the peak passes, residual turbulence in the solar wind can keep magnetometers lively. 



Because the timing and strength of CME impacts hinge on the magnetic orientation of the cloud, forecasters caution that confidence in exact numbers is lower than usual.



The present solar cycle is only midway to its expected summit, and activity has already outpaced early predictions. 



As the Sun moves toward maximum, bursts like this one will become more common, offering both scientific bonanzas and practical headaches. 



Utilities have hardened equipment since the famous March 1989 blackout in Québec, yet the number of satellites, drones, and cable-linked infrastructure has soared. Every severe storm serves as a stress test - and a reminder - to keep contingency plans up to date.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-technology-during-the-storm">Protecting technology during the storm</h2>



Individuals can take simple steps while the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-is-shifting-and-putting-navigation-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geomagnetic field</a> roils. Unplugging non-essential electronics during the most intense intervals reduces the chance of burnout from voltage spikes. 



Amateur radio operators should expect HF quiet zones and can switch to lower-frequency or digital modes until propagation rebounds. 



Farmers and surveyors who depend on high-precision GPS may want to delay fieldwork, as centimeter-level fixes can wobble by several yards when space weather flares.



Professional networks rely on well-timed data to synchronize transactions, steer trains, and balance grids. When navigation satellites falter, those systems fall back on atomic clocks and fiber connections. 



Engineers run drills for exactly this scenario, but the real-world rehearsal now unfolding will reveal whether procedures hold up under G4 stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay-alert-and-watch-the-night-skies">Stay alert and watch the night skies</h2>



A single full-halo CME has turned an otherwise quiet Sunday into a laboratory for space-weather science and risk management. 



With K-index readings near 8, solar-radiation storm chances at 75 percent, and radio-blackout odds topping 65 percent, the next two days demand attention from anyone who depends on reliable power, navigation, or radio links - which is to say, almost everyone. 



Once the magnetosphere calms, researchers will sift through data to refine models, but for now the message is simple: stay informed, stay prepared, and, if clouds cooperate, enjoy the show lighting up the night.



Check in with the <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Space Weather Prediction Center</a> for updates and more information.



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NOAA issues a 'Severe' solar storm alert, auroras expected across most of the U.S.

At 9:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time on June 1, 2025,...

Medical,Cbd,Candies.cannabis,Infused,Gummy,Bears.cannabis,Edibles,,Medical,Marijuana,candies,Infused

Marijuana has long been debated as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. Some people view it as a benign stress-reliever with fewer hazards than tobacco products. 



Evidence from a recent study challenges that assumption.



The research was led by first author Leila Mohammadi, MD, PhD, and senior author Matthew L. Springer, PhD, at the <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, San Francisco</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-users-and-heart-damage">Cannabis users and heart damage</h2>



A study followed 55 participants who were already cannabis users or individuals who did not use any nicotine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-changes-from-cannabis-last-at-least-one-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">products</a>. Each cannabis user had a habit of consuming it at least three times a week for at least one year.&nbsp;



The group included smokers who averaged around 10 years of use and those who used <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/tetrahydrocannabinol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tetrahydrocannabinol</a> in edible form with around five years of use. 



The nonsmoking control group showed healthier cardiovascular indicators than any of the cannabis-using groups.



Researchers uncovered decreased blood vessel function in participants who either smoked marijuana or took edibles containing the psychoactive compound in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cannabis-sativa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cannabis sativa</a>. 



They found vascular function in those using either type of cannabis was roughly half that of nonusers. This was linked to higher chances of <a href="https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/blood-heart-circulation/endothelial-dysfunction.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endothelial dysfunction</a>, which refers to impaired operations of the cells lining blood vessels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-linked-blood-vessel-damage">Cannabis-linked blood vessel damage</h2>



When blood vessels lose flexibility or responsiveness, that can heighten the likelihood of conditions such as heart attacks and hypertension. 



Some previous <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.103.23.2805" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">findings</a> have also associated marijuana use with possible triggers for cardiovascular complications. The current study adds more data to consider for those who routinely depend on cannabis for relaxation or pain relief.



The potential link between endothelial dysfunction and cannabis use raises concerns about early development of vascular disease. 



This condition involves impaired nitric oxide production and reduced elasticity in the arteries, both of which influence how well blood moves around the body. If this process falters too much, people may face a spike in heart-related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cbd-reduces-the-unwanted-side-effects-of-thc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risks</a> over the years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoking-cannabis-and-heart-health">Smoking cannabis and heart health</h2>



Investigators noticed that marijuana smokers had distinct changes in their blood serum that were harmful to cells lining blood vessels. Those taking edibles, however, did not display the same harmful shift in serum properties.&nbsp;



This might indicate that the act of burning and inhaling <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-potency-cannabis-use-linked-to-epigenetic-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> smoke triggers certain biochemical pathways not activated by ingesting THC in food or beverage form. 



Both methods still resulted in diminished vessel function, but the underlying mechanisms appeared to vary.



This discovery opens the door for closer evaluation of how inhaled cannabis influences nitric oxide and other chemicals in the bloodstream. 



Experts have tried to pinpoint how THC might harm vessels, but these findings suggest there are yet-to-be-mapped pathways involved. 



They highlight the need for more research to understand how different routes of use impact the cardiovascular system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-cannabis-and-heart-health">Eating cannabis and heart health</h2>



Some <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12412838/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientists</a> have drawn parallels between marijuana smoking and tobacco use when it comes to cardiovascular strain. 



Both involve inhaling combusted materials that may generate oxidizing particles and other toxins. 



This study found that while chronic users of edibles also showed diminished endothelial function, it did not seem tied to changes in blood serum.



Experts have suggested that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cbd-reduces-the-unwanted-side-effects-of-thc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THC</a> may cause adverse cardiovascular effects through interactions with cannabinoid receptors in the heart or blood vessels. 



Edible users might be experiencing those effects in a way that bypasses the bloodstream’s immediate signaling changes linked to smoking. 



The findings also hint that inhalation may carry a bigger immediate impact on serum factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



Many people view <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medicinal-cannabis-helped-patients-feel-better-for-a-full-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">edibles</a> as a safer alternative to smoking. Edibles do avoid the dangers of inhaling combusted matter, yet the overall vascular function among both smoking and non-smoking users in the study was still notably reduced compared to nonusers. 



That’s a cautionary sign for anyone who feels that avoiding smoke means avoiding all serious health risks.



Medical or recreational users might want to stay alert to these issues. Some individuals turn to cannabis for relief from pain or anxiety, but this research indicates a need for awareness about cardiovascular health. 



Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider could be wise, especially for those with a family history of heart disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-health-cannabis-and-the-future">Heart health, cannabis, and the future</h2>



The study team noted that the specific mechanisms behind THC’s effect on blood vessels remain somewhat unclear. They observed that smoking marijuana affects blood vessel function in ways distinct from ingesting THC. 



This means new research should aim to pin down which components of smoke, vapor, or other byproducts may be most harmful.



Scientists are likely to explore whether occasional marijuana use carries the same risk as chronic use. More data on dosage levels and individual differences could help the medical community develop more precise guidelines. 



Current work sets the stage for larger population studies that can track cardiovascular parameters over longer timeframes.



Cardiovascular health is a lifelong matter. This research shows that both edible users and smokers should keep an eye on how cannabis might impact their heart and blood vessels. 



Caution makes sense until medical professionals reach a clearer understanding of how best to reduce any risks linked to routine use.



The study is published in <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/article-abstract/2834540" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Cardiology</a>.



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Cannabis use in any form directly linked to significant risk of heart damage

Marijuana has long been debated as a safer alternative to...

Nearly every culture claps. We clap to express joy, encourage performers, or show unity. But a new study reveals something deeper: clapping is not just social, it’s a scientific event with unique sound properties.



Published in the journal Physical Review Research, the research combines real-life data, high-speed imaging, lab experiments, and simulations to explain how claps produce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/silent-mind-when-the-inner-voice-fades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sound</a>.



This collaboration between Cornell University and the <a href="https://olemiss.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Mississippi</a> unlocks the physics behind an everyday act.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-clapping-makes-sound">How clapping makes sound</h2>



Likun Zhang, co-author of the study, is an associate professor of physics and senior scientist at the <a href="https://olemiss.edu/ncpa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Center for Physical Acoustics</a>.



“This is the first time we have had a systematic study where we integrate physical experiments and theoretical modeling, and it’s only possible because of the collaboration between our universities,” said Zhang. 



The team tested real human claps and silicone replicas to understand not only <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strawberry-claws-the-hermit-crab-that-sings-underwater/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acoustics</a>, but also details of flow, pressure, and collision. The goal was to see how all parts interact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clap-sound-comes-from-escaping-air">Clap sound comes from escaping air</h2>



Most people think the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitat-and-evolution-shape-the-unique-sounds-of-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sound</a> of a clap comes from hands hitting each other, but the researchers found that this is not true. The main noise comes from a small pocket of air squeezed between your palms.



“This is something that is so ubiquitous, but not well understood,” said Yicong Fu, doctoral student at <a href="https://www.cornell.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell</a> and lead author of the study. 



“We clap all the time, but we haven’t thought deeply about it. That’s the point of the study - to explain the world with deeper knowledge and understanding."



“It’s work driven by curiosity. We want to simplify a problem and explain it to the world in a way that’s eloquent and accurate.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hands-act-like-musical-instruments">Hands act like musical instruments</h2>



The compressed air behaves like a Helmholtz resonator. This is the same principle behind blowing across a bottle’s mouth. The palms create a cavity, and the gap near the thumb acts like a neck.



The paper shows powder tests and airflow analysis. They confirm that air escapes through the purlicue (the opening between thumb and index finger). This air jet vibrates, creating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-heard-making-screaming-sounds-stress-induced-first-time-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sound</a> waves.



Each clap sounds different based on hand shape, skin softness, and speed. The team used silicone hand replicas with different volumes, outlet sizes, and neck lengths. The study shows how these variations create different frequencies.



Larger cavities produced lower sounds. Smaller outlets and stiffer materials created higher pitch and sharper notes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-material-and-motion-matter-too">Material and motion matter too</h2>



“Traditional Helmholtz resonators have rigid walls – think of the glass walls of a bottle,” Zhang said. “This produces a long-lasting sound that attenuates very slowly because most of the energy contributes to the acoustic signal.



“But when we have elastic walls – let's say our hands – there's going to be more vibration of the solid material, and all of that motion absorbs energy away from the sound.”



That’s why handclaps are short and sharp. They decay quickly, usually within 10 milliseconds, because the soft skin walls lose energy fast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finger-grooves-add-higher-frequencies">Finger grooves add higher frequencies</h2>



Some people’s claps include two tones. That second, higher-frequency tone often comes from finger grooves acting like open-ended pipes. 



The study explains that these act like small flute tubes and add detail to each person’s clapping profile.



Controlled lab tests using replica fingers confirmed this pipe-mode contribution. Each finger groove created a pitch that aligned with its length, which was consistent with the theory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-a-hand-clap-identify-you">Can a hand clap identify you?</h2>



Each person’s handclap carries a unique combination of cavity shape, skin elasticity, and rhythm. This may make it useful in identity recognition.



“One of the most promising applications of this research is human identification,” said Guoqin Liu, a graduate researcher in the acoustics center. “Just through the sound, we could tell who made it.”



The research shows a clear relationship between clap speed and volume. Faster claps compress the air more, creating stronger air jets and louder pops. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-short-sound-fast-decay">Short sound, fast decay</h2>



The researchers also developed equations showing a quadratic link between clapping speed and internal pressure. Despite loudness, most of the energy still goes into moving air, not making sound.



Clapping sounds vanish fast because human hands are soft and constantly changing shape. Unlike rigid musical instruments, hands lose energy quickly.



The quality factor (Q), which measures how long a sound lasts, is much lower in clapping than in solid resonators. The research showed that outlet deformation increases with clap speed, further reducing sound duration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-research">Significance of the research</h2>



The research goes beyond music and performance. Clapping can be used in architectural acoustics, biometric identification, and even language learning.



“This is the science behind our daily lives,” Liu said. “Everyone uses handclaps, but at the same time, it is interesting that every person’s clapping has a different sound, a different frequency and a different resonance."



“We all clap, sometimes on a daily basis. But understanding the science behind it is something new, and that’s what we were trying to do.”



The study, supported by <a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NSF</a> Grant CBET-2401507, reveals how much physics exists in a single clap. From ancient traditions to scientific models, a simple handclap proves to be far more complex than it seems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prresearch/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013259" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Research</a>.



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What really happens when you clap your hands will surprise you

Nearly every culture claps. We clap to express joy, encourage...

Tiny floating organisms known as plankton hold a key position in the oceans. They help sustain marine life and have a big hand in regulating the planet’s climate by storing carbon.



Their ability to adjust cell membranes has long been studied in labs. Now, large datasets collected in real-world conditions show how these organisms can alter their <a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Cell-Membrane-Plasma-Membrane" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cell membrane</a> makeup in response to changing light and nutrients.



Dr. Weimin Liu from the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen (<a href="https://www.marum.de/en/MARUM-as-a-workplace/welcome.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MARUM</a>) helped direct this new global study. The project used open-access data and fresh analytical methods to uncover connections between chemical changes and local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darkening-oceans-are-shrinking-vital-marine-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plankton-power-ocean-food-chains">Plankton power ocean food chains</h2>



Plankton include both <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/Phytoplankton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton</a> and <a href="https://www.marinebio.org/creatures/zooplankton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zooplankton</a>, each with specific roles in the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/marine-life/aquatic-food-webs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine food web</a>. Phytoplankton capture sunlight and convert carbon dioxide into energy, giving other creatures a stable supply of food.



Once they adjust their chemistry, it can affect how they share important compounds with other organisms. These small transformations might influence fisheries and other parts of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-at-risk-global-warming-threatens-the-oceans-lifeline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> economy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plankton-adjust-their-cells-to-survive-nbsp">Plankton adjust their cells to survive&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers tracked <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24425-lipids" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lipids</a>, a major part of membranes that maintain cell structures. Some plankton increase the number of molecules with shorter fat chains in cooler areas, keeping cells flexible when temperatures dip.



“Using new methods on open-access data, we uncovered previously hidden patterns of plankton adaptation,” said Dr. Liu. Others replace phosphorus-containing lipids with <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature07659" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">non-phosphorus lipids</a> to handle scarce nutrients.&nbsp;



In warmer open <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-help-predict-ocean-biodiversity-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seas</a>, certain plankton produce lipids loaded with saturated fatty acids. These changes appear to handle differences in nutrient availability at the surface.



Another portion of the study found that at deeper levels, increased production of unsaturated fatty acids helps with light limitations. These findings highlight how plankton have a wide menu of adjustments to maintain cell function in various conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-conditions-and-plankton-fats">Ocean conditions and plankton fats</h2>



Some plankton rely on short-chain fats to keep membranes fluid in the cold. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33760330/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> suggest that psychrophiles naturally have shorter chains.



In hot tropical waters, cells need different setups. One area with extremely low phosphate, the Sargasso Sea, drives plankton to drop phosphorus-based molecules and use other chemicals instead.



Regions below the surface can have dimmer light, so some cells crank up the production of unsaturated fats. By making these adjustments, they manage to survive changes in brightness and nutrient chemistry.



“This study shows the value of open science,” said Dr. Liu. The team has highlighted the importance of sharing data for broader collaboration in ocean research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-chemistry-impact-food-chains">Changes in chemistry impact food chains</h2>



Plankton responses can shift what nutrients are available for other organisms, including fish. This chain reaction might have long-term impacts on how carbon is taken up and stored. It could also play a role in cycling major elements in the ocean.



When certain species gain an edge due to shifting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-large-water-body-on-earth-does-not-touch-land-known-as-the-sargasso-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>, it reshapes predator-prey interactions. Such rearrangements might change populations of larger animals that rely on stable plankton groups.



Recent <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">assessments</a> show warming oceans might affect mixing patterns and nutrient flows. Changes in plankton membrane composition hint at broader reactions to the environment, possibly guiding shifts in biodiversity.



Some experts say cell-level changes can trigger ecological adjustments on a grander scale. This makes sense, given that phytoplankton are at the starting point for ocean productivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-effects-on-resources">Potential effects on resources</h2>



Fish populations often rely on a steady stream of certain fatty acids made by phytoplankton. Shifts in temperature and nutrient limitation might reduce or reshape these <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6471065/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fatty acids</a>. Research suggests commercial fisheries could notice a difference in the future.



If the plankton community composition tilts toward those that form lower-quality fats, fish might face nutritional deficits. This could lead to a ripple effect up the food chain, affecting those who rely on fish protein.



Measuring lipids in the field can be a challenge, and large datasets are important for spotting the patterns. Improved technologies and cross-institution efforts could reveal finer details about who changes their chemistry, and why.



Better understanding of these chemical changes might help resource managers plan for shifting conditions. It may also shape conservation strategies for crucial marine habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-biology-and-ecological-shifts">Marine biology and ecological shifts </h2>



Large stretches of open ocean serve as the planet’s biggest habitat, and the variety in plankton adaptation is huge. By examining how these floating drifters respond to temperature, light, and nutrient shifts, researchers stand to learn more about carbon cycling and climate patterns.



Strong data-sharing networks can help scientists collaborate across countries. That could provide a clearer look at changes in different water masses and depths.



The latest findings underscore how living things respond to local conditions in ways that ripple across entire ecosystems. Some changes might look small, but they add up when considering the massive scale of the oceans.



Researchers are using new analytical tools to handle bigger datasets and discover potential surprises in how plankton function. This knowledge may improve our view of marine biology and ecological shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-plankton-to-guide-ocean-planning">Tracking plankton to guide ocean planning</h2>



Science groups suggest linking these lipid measurements with surveys of ocean chemistry and biology. This approach might reveal connections between plankton adaptions and the health of fish communities.



Going forward, it seems vital to keep tracking how these lipid changes vary by region. With ocean conditions shifting, the next decade may bring more twists in plankton biochemistry.



Plankton do more than feed fish. They also help draw carbon from the atmosphere, which can reduce heat-trapping gases. When their cell membranes shift, it can alter how efficiently they take in and move this carbon into the depths.



If certain lipid strategies prove more common in warming waters, that could change future carbon storage. Some shifts may help certain species thrive and expand in places they couldn’t before. For coastal communities, any trend that influences fisheries or climate could matter economically.



Human activity and rising temperatures add pressure on natural systems. Research on plankton adaptation might guide smarter conservation steps.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads4605" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



Image Credit: NOAA



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Plankton change their cell chemistry to survive warming oceans

Tiny floating organisms known as plankton hold a key position...

Frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians have long faced growing threats. Habitat loss, climate change, and deadly fungal infections are well-known dangers. 



But there's another, less visible threat: roads. Every year, millions of amphibians are killed as they attempt to cross busy roads, especially during their short migration season.



A new study brings fresh hope. Scientists, working alongside community members, found that simple wildlife underpass tunnels can sharply cut amphibian deaths. Their research, spanning more than a decade, focused on a small but important migration corridor in Monkton, Vermont.



A team from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a> collaborated with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and the local community. The research revealed striking results: an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths after underpass tunnels were installed.



“It was surprising. I knew that underpasses would work, but I didn’t think they would be that effective,” said Matthew Marcelino, an ecologist at UVM. “And when we took climbing amphibians out of the picture - which in our context are primarily spring peeper <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frogs-have-a-third-eye-for-direct-light-sensing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frogs</a> - we noticed a 94% decrease in mortality in the treatment areas."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helping-amphibians-cross-safely">Helping amphibians cross safely</h2>



To measure the tunnels’ effectiveness, the team used a “before-after-control-impact” (BACI) study design. This approach compared amphibian deaths before and after the underpass installation. 



The analysis also accounted for different sections of the road: one with the tunnels (treatment), one just beyond the tunnels (buffer), and a control area far from the tunnels.



Over five years before construction (2011-2015) and seven years after (2016-2022), citizen scientists and researchers carefully monitored the spring migration. On rainy evenings, they walked the road, recording every amphibian, whether alive or dead. The team tracked twelve species, including frogs, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frogs-and-toads-face-new-risks-as-their-habitats-dry-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toads</a>, and salamanders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-tunnels-and-death-rates">Wildlife tunnels and death rates</h2>



The numbers were sobering. Of 5,273 amphibians observed, nearly half of the 1,702 spotted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/red-backed-salamanders-will-struggle-to-adapt-to-climate-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salamanders</a> were dead. Almost 70% of the 2,545 spring peeper frogs didn’t make it across. But where underpasses were installed, death rates dropped dramatically. 



Even in the buffer areas beyond the tunnels, deaths fell, showing that amphibians were using the tunnels rather than being pushed to new danger zones.



This work marks the first long-term, peer-reviewed study showing how effective amphibian-specific underpasses can be in the northeastern U.S. The results also highlight that design details like wall height, angles, and tunnel materials are key to success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breeding-season-for-amphibians">Breeding season for amphibians</h2>



Amphibians aren’t just cute - they are critical to healthy ecosystems. They control insect populations, serve as food for many predators, and signal environmental changes due to their sensitivity to pollution and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/99-habitat-loss-the-dire-future-of-amphibians-in-the-pantanal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat</a> disruption.



In places like Vermont, many amphibians spend most of the year in upland forests or streams. They fatten up and survive the winter underground. 



But in the early spring, something amazing happens. Warm, rainy nights trigger a mass migration. Frogs and salamanders emerge all at once, heading for ponds and wetlands to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darwins-frogs-are-breeding-in-highly-unusual-places/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breed</a>.



“It’s usually sometime between late March and late April,” explained Brittany Mosher, a professor at UVM. “Many species will breed in the same ponds. So it’s not just a single species migrating - it’s many, many species. And oftentimes, we see hundreds or thousands making this movement all at the same time.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roads-are-dangerous-for-amphibians">Roads are dangerous for amphibians </h2>



Professor Mosher noted that roads are often built between the steeper forested upland habitats and nice flat aquatic habitats. “So the roads are placed exactly in the wrong spot if you were an amphibian planner.”



Unlike deer or foxes that can quickly dart across, frogs and salamanders are slow. A single crossing can take several minutes. With hundreds migrating together, the risk of mass casualties is high.



In Monkton, the problem became too big to ignore. In 2006, local volunteers from the Monkton Conservation Commission and the Lewis Creek Association counted more than a thousand dead amphibians on the road in just two nights.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-a-community-took-action">How a community took action</h2>



The shocking number of amphibian deaths caused the Monkton community to take action. Working with conservation groups, scientists, and state agencies, the town launched a project to save their local amphibians.



Led by long-time resident and wildlife biologist Steve Parren, the effort culminated in the construction of two wildlife underpasses in 2015.



The project cost $342,397, much less than large wildlife crossings for bigger animals, which can cost up to $100 million. The Vermont underpasses are two 4-foot-wide concrete tunnels with wing walls that guide amphibians safely under the road.



Wildlife cameras installed by the Lewis Creek Association captured more than 2,200 amphibians using one tunnel in the first spring alone. Other animals, including bears, bobcats, porcupines, raccoons, snakes, and birds, also used the tunnels. This suggests the underpasses have broad benefits for ecosystem connectivity.



For climbing amphibians like spring peepers, the reduction in deaths wasn’t statistically significant, though there was a 73% decrease. The greatest benefits were for non-arboreal species that walk along the ground. They used the tunnels consistently, and fatalities plunged.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-model-for-the-future">A model for the future</h2>



The researchers hope their findings will encourage road planners to adopt similar underpasses in other regions. 



“This study provides strong evidence that wildlife underpasses work,” Marcelino said. “We hope this will encourage transportation departments to include them in future plans, when building or repairing roads.”



Professor Mosher emphasized that these projects show the power of community action. “This story began with local community members who were engaged and concerned,” she said. “And it provides a view for how other communities can protect their amphibian populations too.”



In a world where conservation often seems daunting, the study sends a clear message. Long-term commitment, thoughtful design, and community involvement can make a big difference.



“Conservation takes commitment,” Marcelino added. “But when we invest in good tools and take the time to do it right, the payoff for ecosystems and wildlife can be enormous. These are beautiful creatures - so beautiful, so ancient.”



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



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Saving amphibians: Wildlife tunnels prevent road deaths

Frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians have long faced growing threats....

Larvae of the wasp species Vespula shidai are considered a delicacy in central Japan. Known as hachinoko, the larvae are either harvested from wild nests or reared by hand in rural woodlands.



But until recently, little was known about what these larvae actually eat - especially when comparing their diet in the wild to those reared by humans. A new study from <a href="https://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kobe University</a> has taken a closer look - literally - at the gut contents of these larvae.



Using DNA metabarcoding, a genetic method that can detect multiple species from a single sample, researchers found that wild colonies of these wasps feed on a far wider variety of animals than previously reported.



The findings reveal more than just dietary preferences - they open up conversations about biodiversity, flavor, and the future of sustainable wasp farming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-wasp-s-gut-tells-a-story">The wasp's gut tells a story</h2>



The researchers examined larvae from both wild and human-reared <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wasp-moms-manage-multiple-nests-with-remarkable-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nests</a>. The team was led by Tatsuya Saga, an entomologist at Kobe University, who was inspired by a rather vivid personal experience.



“The research idea was inspired by my firsthand experience of eating the larvae of the giant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-hornets-so-successful-as-invasive-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hornet</a> without removing the intestines and seeing that the intestines are filled with various creatures. As the beetle fragments jiggled in the mouth, I thought that examining the intestines will reveal what the wasps are eating,” said Saga.



DNA metabarcoding identified a stunning 324 different prey species in the wasp larvae. These included not only insects and arachnids, but also birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and even fish.



Most nests showed a heavy dietary focus on birds and mammals, but wild nests contained a significantly greater variety of vertebrate species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wild-wasps-taste-better">Wild wasps taste better</h2>



The differences didn’t stop at biodiversity. It seems that the diet of the larvae affected their flavor when eaten.



The researchers distributed a questionnaire to consumers of hachinoko, especially those with rearing experience. Of those surveyed, 58% said they could taste the difference between wild and reared larvae - and most preferred the wild kind for its richer flavor and aroma. 



This sensory difference hints at a more complex relationship between what the larvae eat and their appeal to human consumers.



Still, larvae from both wild and reared nests showed high levels of captured insects. This suggests that even under rearing conditions, V. shidai wasps maintain their potential to help control <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-populations-dramatically-declining-around-the-world-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect populations</a>. 



However, the reduced reliance on vertebrate carrion in reared nests could eventually change the way carrion decomposes in local ecosystems, potentially affecting scavengers and nutrient cycles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-culture-and-sustainability">Balancing culture and sustainability</h2>



“In recent years, food products based on indicators such as low environmental impact and high production efficiency have been the focus of attention,” said Saga. “But I was made keenly aware once again of the value of a culture in which humans have lived in and interacted with nature and fed on its creatures.”



That balance - between ecological mindfulness and cultural heritage - is at the heart of this study. It highlights the importance of supporting traditional practices while ensuring sustainability.



By understanding what these wasps are eating, we can develop smarter, more ecologically informed rearing methods.



That said, the researchers caution that their study was limited to autumn and a relatively small number of nests. 



To gain a full picture, future studies should explore different regions, seasons, and cultural factors that influence feeding and flavor. 



As with many traditional foods, understanding the biology behind the taste can help preserve and adapt culinary heritage for future generations.



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



As interest in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/edible-insects-could-benefit-individual-and-global-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">edible insects</a> grows worldwide, understanding the feeding behavior of species like Vespula shidai becomes more important. 



The recent findings on wasp larvae diets open up opportunities to refine rearing practices so they align with both ecological needs and cultural values.



By adjusting feeding methods to better reflect natural diets, it may be possible to improve not only the nutritional quality but also the taste of reared hachinoko.



At the same time, researchers emphasize the need for expanded studies. These should examine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/paper-wasps-use-eavesdropping-to-size-up-the-competition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wasp behavior</a> across different regions, seasons, and cultural contexts. This will help guide sustainable management strategies that are rooted in both science and tradition.



With better knowledge of what wasps eat and why it matters, the path forward combines biology, ecology, and culinary heritage in a uniquely Japanese way.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://brill.com/view/journals/jiff/aop/article-10.1163-23524588-bja10201/article-10.1163-23524588-bja10201.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Insects as Food and Feed</a>.



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What are Japanese wasp larvae really eating? Hundreds of species identified

Larvae of the wasp species Vespula shidai are considered a...

Many people dismiss an afternoon slump as a harmless quirk of modern life. In reality, persistent daytime drowsiness can hint at larger concerns that may grow worse over time if left unaddressed.



Experts emphasize the importance of recognizing when repeated yawning and nodding off could be symptoms of an underlying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-new-mothers-feel-exhausted-despite-getting-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> deficit. This is supported by evidence in a position paper co-authored by Dr. Eric Olsen, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.



Dr. Olson is a pulmonologist at the <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mayo Clinic</a> in Rochester, Minnesota. He and other researchers highlight how insufficient rest contributes to physical hazards and long-term conditions that can harm well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daytime-sleepiness-and-health-problems">Daytime sleepiness and health problems</h2>



“Sleepiness is a serious health concern with wide-reaching consequences,” said Dr. Olson. Public health <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4434546/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> have indicated that not getting seven to eight hours of quality rest is tied to problems like diabetes and stroke. 



Daytime yawning may be easy to ignore, but health specialists suggest viewing it as a warning. Trouble concentrating at work or dozing off in unexpected situations can point to deeper <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-prepares-the-brain-for-the-future-while-protecting-memories-of-the-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">issues</a>. 



The researchers encourage anyone who experiences these signs on a regular basis to talk with their physician.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safety-risks-of-daytime-sleepiness">Safety risks of daytime sleepiness</h2>



Loss of focus can immediately threaten safety, such as when driving while drowsy. About 100,000 car accidents a year are connected to <a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drowsy-driving" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drivers</a> who doze off behind the wheel.



Even momentary lapses in alertness, known as <a href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/what-to-know-microsleep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microsleeps</a>, can be disastrous when operating heavy machinery or simply traveling home. Continued sleep deprivation also disrupts how the brain perceives its own fatigue.



“The unfortunate thing is data shows that with chronic partial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-quality-could-be-the-key-to-better-metabolic-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> deprivation the ability to perceive our own level of impairment is no longer accurate, we think we’re OK when we’re really not,” said Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, a professor of sleep medicine at <a href="https://www.pennmedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn Medicine</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yawning-may-boost-daytime-alertness">Yawning may boost daytime alertness</h2>



Research shows that yawning is not just an individual response. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33386468/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> indicate that spontaneous yawns occur in a wide range of vertebrate species to maintain internal processes, but humans and certain social animals also experience contagious yawns.



Some scholars believe that catching another’s yawn might have helped groups remain more alert and watchful. A study led by Andrew Gallup from the <a href="https://sunypoly.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">State University of New York Polytechnic Institute</a> hinted that seeing someone yawn can raise awareness of possible dangers.



Participants who observed yawns were quicker to spot threatening images, though their recognition of harmless ones stayed the same. Gallup explained that he didn’t see evidence for yawning increasing oxygen levels in the blood, referencing earlier myths about the reflex.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-doctors-assess-daytime-sleepiness">How doctors assess daytime sleepiness</h2>



The <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1798888/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Epworth Sleepiness Scale</a> is often used in clinics to decide whether daytime drowsiness reaches a concerning level. Participants rate how likely they are to drift off in situations such as sitting down after lunch or reading in a quiet room. Scores above 10 usually call for follow-up.



Doctors may also check for common conditions like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or insomnia. 



Certain medications can interfere with normal rest, so pharmacists might review any prescriptions or over-the-counter aids to see if sleep disruption is a side effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-sleep-quality">Improving sleep quality</h2>



Outside of medical conditions, choices such as late caffeine use can disturb a person’s rest. Alcohol before bed seems to help some individuals doze off, but it can fragment <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-can-boost-memory-in-a-surprising-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> patterns in the second half of the night.



Many specialists note that cutting back on evening drinks often leads to more refreshing sleep. They also warn that marijuana and other substances can lower the overall quality of nighttime rest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-loss-linked-to-health-issues">Sleep loss linked to health issues</h2>



Long-term sleep shortage contributes to issues beyond feeling groggy. Research has tied insufficient rest to obesity, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.



The risk of depression can rise as well, possibly linked to changes in brain chemistry and mood regulation. Physicians suggest treating daytime drowsiness as a serious matter, not just a minor frustration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-routines-can-reduce-daytime-sleepiness">Routines can reduce daytime sleepiness</h2>



The bedroom environment is another important factor. A bedroom that is too bright or too noisy may stop the body from settling into deep stages of rest.



For many people, bedtime routines that avoid screen use and heavy meals close to lights out can promote steadier sleep rhythms. Regular physical activity during the day can also help establish normal body cues, leading to fewer nighttime disruptions.



Health authorities recommend specialized testing if daytime drowsiness continues after these adjustments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-yawning">Future research on yawning</h2>



Experts continue exploring how yawning relates to vigilance and social bonding. Research continues to examine whether contagious yawns only heighten alertness or offer additional benefits.



As more data emerge, researchers hope these findings may encourage people to notice their own patterns and respond to signs of ongoing fatigue.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/why-yawns-are-contagious-all-kinds-animals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine</a>.



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Daytime sleepiness may signal serious health problems, doctors warn

Many people dismiss an afternoon slump as a harmless quirk...

Experts have discovered a peculiar shift in the thick atmosphere of Titan - the biggest moon circling Saturn. This swirling haze shows signs of a tilt that stands out from the rest of the moon's body.



Scientists have pieced together patterns suggesting that the atmosphere shifts like a spinning top, an effect not in line with forces from either the sun or Saturn.



A team led by Lucy Wright from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a> analyzed years of thermal data from the Cassini-Huygens mission. The group uncovered how Titan’s atmospheric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/titans-weather-resembles-earths-but-runs-on-methane-instead-of-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">axis</a> strays from the moon’s solid surface rotation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-titan-s-air-spins-with-a-strange-tilt">Titan’s air spins with a strange tilt</h2>



Saturn’s largest moon carries a nitrogen-rich envelope that is rare in the solar system. Observations suggest the envelope drifts with the seasons, almost as if it had been knocked off its natural track in the past.&nbsp;



The behavior of Titan’s atmospheric tilt has become a subject of intrigue. For some reason, the motion stays oriented in a single direction in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/titan-may-harbor-life-but-it-will-be-difficult-to-find/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a>, as though the swirling air has become detached from the rest of the moon’s spin.



“We think some event in the past may have knocked the atmosphere off its spin axis,” said Wright. The researchers looked at shifts in temperature across Titan’s surface and found changes that did not match any obvious solar heating or tidal effects.



Such a jolt could have made the envelope tilt and keep that tilt over an extended period, hinting that the airflow has its own momentum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-controls-the-tilt">What controls the tilt?</h2>



“What’s puzzling is how the tilt direction remains fixed in space, rather than being influenced by the Sun or Saturn,” said study co-author Professor Nick Teanby.



Data indicate that this enormous rotating shell stabilizes itself and may not pivot in response to sunlight or the giant pull of Saturn. If neither the ringed planet nor solar energy controls this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-does-saturns-moon-titan-have-rivers-but-not-deltas-scientists-have-an-idea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tilt</a>, then something else must maintain Titan’s off-center spin.



Its air circulates far faster than the solid body, creating winds that can be more than 20 times stronger than Titan’s own rotation. 



These <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/superrotation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superrotating winds</a> raise questions about how momentum gets transferred in the upper atmosphere. They also give clues about the layered structure that seems to produce odd changes in temperature and pressure with altitude.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-titan-s-tilt-changes-with-its-seasons">Titan’s tilt changes with its seasons</h2>



The researchers found that the tilt varies with Titan’s long seasons. This moon takes nearly 30 Earth years to circle Saturn, so each season on Titan is lengthy.&nbsp;



“Our work shows that there are still remarkable discoveries to be made in Cassini’s archive,” said Dr Conor Nixon, a planetary scientist at NASA Goddard. 



The team uncovered details showing that the angle of the wobble shifts over time, yet the overall orientation remains locked in one direction.&nbsp;



The findings also point to repeated cooling and heating cycles near Titan’s poles. Strange temperature differences might stem from trace gases getting trapped or shifted in a <a href="https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-polar-vortex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar vortex</a>.



So far, the data suggest that Titan’s tilted haze and swirling winds behave differently across <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strange-methane-world-on-titan-could-be-a-secret-alien-haven/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hemispheres</a>, especially when the seasons change.



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



NASA’s upcoming <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/dragonfly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dragonfly</a> expedition aims to land on Titan in the 2030s. That rotorcraft will rely on accurate wind forecasts for its descent. 



Calculations must account for fast-moving air streams that can alter the landing site by several miles. A better handle on the tilt angle also helps pinpoint the expected arrival zone.



Dragonfly’s approach will be similar to a parachute drop, gliding through that dense atmosphere. If the air “wobbles” away from the normal spin axis, flight engineers will need to adjust possible trajectories. 



Forecasting where Dragonfly will drift is vital for science operations, so these new findings help reduce guesswork.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-titan-s-winds-may-apply-to-other-planets">Titan’s winds may apply to other planets </h2>



Titan ranks high among planetary bodies because of its thick atmosphere, active weather cycles, and organic compounds. It remains the only known moon with stable bodies of liquid on its surface. 



The moon's seasonal tilt might hold insights into how superrotating airflows develop on other distant worlds. Scientists also note parallels with phenomena on Earth and Venus, where air can rotate faster than the planet’s spin. 



Comparing these worlds hints at processes that could shape climates across the solar system. A hidden factor could be pumping momentum into Titan’s air, causing the entire envelope to tilt independently of the solid terrain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-missions-may-unravel-the-mystery">Future missions may unravel the mystery</h2>



Understanding a separate spin axis in Titan’s atmosphere might reshape models for planetary circulation. The researchers hope that future orbiters and landers will track how these currents evolve over a full Titan year. 



The results might help unravel parts of Titan’s past, including events that jolted its atmosphere in ways we do not see elsewhere.



Cassini’s treasure trove of data remains open for exploration. More analyses could reveal additional tilt-related oddities in Titan’s polar winds or chemical makeup. 



Over the next decade, mission planners will watch these studies to refine Dragonfly’s route and ensure a safe touchdown on one of the solar system’s most intriguing satellites.



The study is published in the <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/adcab3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Planetary Science Journal</a>.



Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona



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Saturn’s moon Titan has a mysterious atmospheric tilt

Experts have discovered a peculiar shift in the thick atmosphere...

Far from shore, between Greenland and Canada, the Labrador Sea is known for its winter gales and ice-crusted swells. Yet 3,300 meters beneath that forbidding surface, a quiet army of cameras, gliders, and drifting floats is tracking one of the planet’s most powerful - yet least understood - climate regulators: the biological carbon pump.



Microscopic algae at the surface draw carbon dioxide from the air, turn it into organic matter, and - after death or digestion - become “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-snow-using-tiny-parachutes-has-a-big-impact-on-ocean-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine snow</a>” that drifts slowly downward. If those particles sink fast enough, or are flushed deep by winter convection currents, the carbon can remain locked away for centuries.



“Without the biological carbon pump, atmospheric CO₂ would be 50% higher,” said Filipa Carvalho of the <a href="https://noc.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK’s National Oceanography Center</a> (NOC). She also leads the year-long <a href="https://noc.ac.uk/projects/rebels" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ReBELS</a> project (Resolving Biological Carbon Export in the Labrador Sea).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-probing-the-ocean-s-twilight-zone">Probing the ocean's twilight zone</h2>



Tracking that pump is notoriously difficult. Much of the action occurs in the dim “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-twilight-zone-stabilizes-the-marine-food-chain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">twilight zone,</a>” 100–1,000 meters below the surface. It's well beyond divers and largely invisible to satellites.



Traditional sediment traps, lowered from ships, capture only brief snapshots. ReBELS combines a string of autonomous platforms in a first-of-its-kind attempt to record the entire annual cycle.



The backbone of the experiment is a tall mooring deployed by the research vessel James Cook. Suspended at 100 meters and 300 meters are two custom FluxCAM units, each a pair of high-resolution cameras that photograph falling particles every few minutes throughout the year.



“This is really exciting, allowing us to capture the particles’ true sinking speed, linked to their size and composition,” Carvalho said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-carbon-in-the-ocean">Tracking carbon in the ocean</h2>



Those images feed an AI routine that identifies, measures, and tracks every fleck that drifts into view - anything sinking slower than one meter a day or as fast as 200 meters a day.



“Because it’s hard using traditional methods to capture the huge range of particle sizes that there are, you could be making big assumptions and terribly underestimating or overestimating the amount of carbon flux,” Carvalho said.



By linking size to speed, the team hopes to tighten the error bars on global climate models that depend on accurate carbon export rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-drifting-float-with-new-sensors">A drifting float with new sensors</h2>



Fifty nautical miles away, a free-drifting profiling float follows the same water mass the particles are sinking through. Unlike conventional floats that surface every ten days, this one rises and falls every 36 hours, stopping at 200 meters, 500 meters, 1,000 meters, and 2,000 meters.



It carries extra batteries and an optical transmissometer that acts “as an optical sediment trap,” as Carvalho put it. 



The float’s camera (an Underwater Vision Profiler) judges whether large shapes are organic fluff or living <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zooplankton-poop-can-be-used-to-store-carbon-in-the-deep-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zooplankton</a>. A hyperspectral radiometer records light signatures that hint at which phytoplankton species dominate the surface bloom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gliders-that-patrol-and-chase"><a></a>Gliders that patrol and chase</h2>



Two autonomous gliders complete the robotic fleet. One hovers near the mooring, providing high-resolution background conditions and helping match FluxCAM observations with bulk optical readings.



The second glider follows the drifting float, mapping the three-dimensional context around the moving parcel of water. Together, the instruments let researchers watch how zooplankton migrate - rising at night to feed, sinking by day - and how quickly their waste pellets plunge into the dark.



“Taking these different approaches helps to fill the gaps we might otherwise have,” Carvalho said.



The stationary mooring tracks year-round change at one spot. The float follows one water mass, while the glider maps variability. A follow-up cruise next summer will calibrate the sensors and retrieve terabytes of stored data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-hotspot-in-the-deep-sea">Carbon hotspot in the deep sea</h2>



Each winter, the Labrador Sea undergoes deep-water convection. As frigid air cools the surface, dense water sinks, dragging surface water - and freshly formed organic particles - downward.



Rapid deep convection in the Labrador Sea could make it a major site for carbon export and long-term ocean storage. Yet no one has taken continuous, year-round measurements of both the biological and physical mechanisms at work.



The key unknown is the race between sinking and decay. If <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/23-new-marine-bacteria-species-discovered-that-influence-global-ocean-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> consume particles before they leave the upper ocean, the carbon escapes back to the atmosphere; if the particles descend fast, the carbon is locked away.



By measuring and tracking thousands of individual sinking rates and linking them to water-column physics, ReBELS hopes to reveal how much carbon the Labrador Sea truly sequesters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engineering-challenges-and-help-from-ai">Engineering challenges and help from AI</h2>



Designing gear that survives a year in 3°C water under crushing pressure is no small feat. NOC engineers built FluxCAM with titanium housings and custom electronics. 



The AI image-analysis pipeline, trained on millions of labeled frames, will process data automatically so scientists can focus on interpreting results.



Ground-truthing is critical. Sediment traps on the mooring still collect bulk material for chemical analysis, letting the team check whether AI-derived flux estimates match lab-measured carbon content.



“Through our ground truthing and being able to better calculate the biogeochemical and biological variables, we will have less uncertainty from the measurements we get from our autonomous platforms,” Carvalho said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-the-next-carbon-watch">Designing the next carbon watch</h2>



If all goes well, researchers will recover the moorings and float in late summer, and technicians will begin months of downloading data. This research could deliver a full seasonal record of marine-snow export tied to overturning - something current climate models lack.



The goal is to learn whether the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxygen-flow-from-the-labrador-sea-sustains-life-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Labrador Sea’s</a> behavior represents a global carbon-pump “hot spot” or a broader pattern.



With atmospheric CO₂ still climbing, precise knowledge of ocean uptake is urgent. “This makes it hard to model, hindering our ability to predict how this really important process could change,” Carvalho said. 



By tracking carbon in the ocean's twilight zone, the robotic flotilla may soon deliver the clarity climate science need.



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Marine robots are exploring the ocean's role in climate control

Far from shore, between Greenland and Canada, the Labrador Sea...

Most people reach for a refreshing beer without giving a second thought to the water that went into the can. In a recent study, researchers explored how invisible chemicals wind up in everyday beverages, and the results are cause for concern.



It turns out that certain chemicals do not simply vanish after industrial or household use. The research was conducted by experts from <a href="https://www.rti.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RTI International</a> and the <a href="https://www.acs.org/membership/student-member.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Chemical Society</a>.



The study suggests that consumers might be getting more than they bargained for when they crack open a beer brewed with water from tainted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-threaten-arctic-wildlife-and-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supplies</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-forever-chemicals">What are forever chemicals?</h2>



Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - often called “forever chemicals” - include a broad class of compounds known for their extreme resistance to breaking down. 



When PFAS slip into water supplies, they can be tough to remove with ordinary filtration. In some parts of the United States, PFAS have seeped into surface and groundwater sources. Certain regions <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/third-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> alarmingly high levels. 



This is relevant to breweries that rely on local tap water, since standard treatment methods often fail to capture every trace of these contaminants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemicals-in-rivers-and-tap-water">Chemicals in rivers and tap water</h2>



These chemicals didn’t just appear out of nowhere. For decades, PFAS were added to nonstick pans, waterproof clothing, fast food wrappers, and firefighting foam.



Rain, runoff, and improper disposal helped them spread into rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Once there, they don’t break down easily - and most water treatment plants aren’t equipped to filter them out.



“As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints,” said Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, lead author of the study. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemicals-found-in-locally-brewed-beer">Chemicals found in locally brewed beer </h2>



The researchers tested popular beers from places where local water is known to be problematic. They found a strong link between PFAS levels in municipal drinking water and those in locally brewed beer - a connection not previously studied in U.S. retail beer. 



PFAS were detected in 95% of the beers tested, including PFOS and PFOA, two chemicals now regulated by the EPA. Beers brewed near North Carolina’s PFAS-contaminated Cape Fear River Basin had the highest levels and widest variety of these “forever chemicals.”



The findings demonstrate how local water conditions can shape what ends up in a final brew. Although it might sound unsettling, these substances are already on the radar of health agencies worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-pfas-is-a-public-concern">Why PFAS is a public concern</h2>



Beer is reported to be the third most popular beverage after water and tea. With so many people enjoying beer, any contamination in its key ingredient becomes a public concern.



Some breweries already take steps to treat their water. Yet those steps usually target minerals or excess chlorine. 



More specialized treatments like <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24216232/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reverse osmosis</a> or activated carbon can tackle PFAS, though smaller craft operations might find these upgrades costly. This leaves a gap that could let PFAS remain in final products.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beer-breweries-and-forever-chemicals">Beer breweries and forever chemicals</h2>



Many craft breweries are only just becoming aware of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-strain-identified-that-can-eat-forever-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PFAS</a> as a potential problem in their process. They’re already juggling hops, yeast strains, and seasonal demand - so something as invisible and persistent as PFAS hasn’t been a high priority until now.



Some are beginning to review their water quality reports more carefully. But most don’t have the budget to test for trace contaminants or upgrade filtration systems that weren’t designed to catch these chemicals in the first place.



Public health officials are already fielding questions about how rules to regulate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-in-tap-water-increase-cancer-risk-by-up-to-33/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forever chemicals</a> might extend to beer. While drinking water standards have tightened, beer remains in a gray zone.



With beer being a direct-consumption product that relies on local water, some experts are calling for broader testing and clearer guidelines. Until then, it’s up to state agencies and watchdog groups to keep the issue on the radar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-beer-drinkers-can-do">What beer drinkers can do </h2>



“I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours,” said Redmon. 



Upgrades to municipal or on-site systems stand out as a clear path forward. In regions that already have stronger water treatment technology, PFAS concentrations in local beer appear lower.



Occasional drinkers can look into where their preferred brands are made and what approach those breweries take to filtration. Although is not be the only source of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-alter-gene-expression-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exposure to PFAS</a>, limiting it is one way to lessen overall intake.



"Nearly every American has PFAS in their blood, indicating that exposure is common. Consumption of contaminated drinking water is a major, if not primary contributor to total exposure," noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steps-to-protect-consumers">Steps to protect consumers </h2>



Regulatory changes often follow discoveries of new contaminants. As more data surface, government agencies may consider ways to keep PFAS from sneaking into products. Brewers can stay alert to practices that address filtration, testing, and reporting.



Other beverages, including certain seltzers, might face similar issues. Since water is a principal ingredient in nearly all drinks, this situation will stay on the scientific radar. 



If breweries apply rigorous control methods, consumers can keep enjoying their pours while managing any concerns about these chemicals.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.4c11265" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>.



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Some popular beers in the U.S. contain 'forever chemicals'

Most people reach for a refreshing beer without giving a...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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