In a remarkable medical breakthrough, engineers have developed a light-activated pacemaker so tiny that doctors can inject it into the body through a syringe. Remarkably, the device simply dissolves after it’s no longer needed.&nbsp;



Designed for newborns, the pacemaker could transform temporary heart care after congenital defect surgeries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controlling-the-heart-with-light">Controlling the heart with light</h2>



The new pacemaker is smaller than a grain of rice. It's wirelessly activated through pulses of light which are delivered by a soft, wearable device mounted on the patient’s chest.



The external controller detects abnormal rhythms and sends light through the body to activate the pacemaker and restore heartbeat. The study demonstrates the device’s effectiveness across animal and human donor hearts.&nbsp;



The development of the pacemaker was led by John A. Rogers, a professor of material science, biomedical engineering, and neurological surgery at <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern University</a>.&nbsp;



“We have developed what is, to our knowledge, the world’s smallest pacemaker,” said Professor Rogers.



“There’s a crucial need for temporary pacemakers in the context of pediatric heart surgeries, and that’s a use case where size miniaturization is incredibly important. In terms of the device load on the body - the smaller, the better.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solution-designed-for-newborns">Solution designed for newborns</h2>



Though the light-activated pacemaker can function in patients of all sizes, its miniaturized design was motivated by the needs of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/infant-speech-is-driven-by-heart-rate-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infants</a>. 



Igor Efimov is a co-leader of the study and experimental cardiologist at Northwestern.&nbsp;



“About 1% of children are born with congenital heart defects. The good news is that these children only need temporary pacing after a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-smallest-robot-could-transform-minimally-invasive-surgery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surgery</a>. In about seven days or so, most patients’ hearts will self-repair. But those seven days are absolutely critical," said Efimov.



Traditional pacemakers require surgery and have wires sticking out of the chest to connect to an external device. When they are no longer needed, the wires are removed - risking bleeding, tissue damage, or even death.



“Wires literally protrude from the body, attached to a pacemaker outside the body,” Efimov explained. “When the pacemaker is no longer needed, a physician pulls it out. The wires can become enveloped in scar tissue. That’s actually how Neil Armstrong died.”



The new injectable pacemaker addresses these risks. All of its components are biocompatible and bioresorbable, meaning they safely dissolve in the body’s fluids without needing surgical removal. Once the device has served its purpose, it simply disappears.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-the-light-activated-pacemaker">Refining the light-activated pacemaker</h2>



This innovation builds on <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-021-00948-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earlier work</a> by Rogers and Efimov, who developed a quarter-sized dissolvable pacemaker in 2021. Surgeons asked for a smaller version to allow easier placement and suit the smallest patients.&nbsp;



The original device used near-field communication (NFC), but its antenna limited how small the device could be made. To overcome this, the team replaced the NFC system with a novel light-based mechanism.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pacemaker_light-activated_worlds-smallest_heart-health_Northwestern_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pacemaker_light-activated_worlds-smallest_heart-health_Northwestern_1s.webp" alt="The tiny pacemaker sits next to a single grain of rice on a fingertip. The device is so small that it can be non-invasively injected into the body via a syringe. Credit: John A. Rogers/Northwestern University" class="wp-image-1964846"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The tiny pacemaker sits next to a single grain of rice on a fingertip. The device is so small that it can be non-invasively injected into the body via a syringe. Click image to enlarge. Credit: John A. Rogers/Northwestern University</figcaption></figure>



“Instead of using the radio frequency scheme for wireless control, we developed a light-based scheme for turning the pacemaker on and delivering stimulation pulses to the surface of the heart. This is one feature that allowed us to dramatically reduce the size,” said Professor Rogers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powered-by-the-body-s-own-fluids">Powered by the body’s own fluids</h2>



The engineers also reimagined how to power the tiny pacemaker. Rather than requiring a battery or external power source, the device uses a simple galvanic cell - a chemical battery formed by two different metals as electrodes.&nbsp;



When the device is inside the body, surrounding biofluids act as the electrolyte, allowing electrical current to flow and stimulate the heart.



“A very tiny light-activated switch on the opposite side from the battery allows us to turn the device from its ‘off’ state to an ‘on’ state upon delivery of light that passes through the patient’s body from the skin-mounted patch,” explained Professor Rogers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-trauma-and-risk">Reducing trauma and risk</h2>



Using infrared light, which can safely penetrate deep into the body, the wearable controller detects when a patient’s heart rate falls too low. It then triggers a light-emitting diode (LED) to flash on and off at the desired pacing rhythm.&nbsp;



“Infrared light penetrates very well through the body,” Efimov said. “If you put a flashlight against your palm, you will see the light glow through the other side of your hand. It turns out that our bodies are great conductors of light.”



Despite its microscopic size - just 1.8 mm wide, 3.5 mm long, and 1 mm thick - the pacemaker delivers stimulation on par with traditional devices. “The heart requires a tiny amount of electrical stimulation,” Rogers said.&nbsp;



“By minimizing the size, we dramatically simplify the implantation procedures, we reduce trauma and risk to the patient, and, with the dissolvable nature of the device, we eliminate any need for secondary surgical extraction procedures.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-era-of-heart-care">A new era of heart care</h2>



Because these light-activated pacemakers are so small and wireless, doctors could one day deploy multiple units on different parts of the heart to create more advanced pacing systems. 



Each device could be controlled independently using different light wavelengths, enabling personalized and precisely timed stimulation across the heart’s surface.



“We can deploy a number of such small pacemakers onto the outside of the heart and control each one,” Efimov said. “Then we can achieve improved synchronized functional care.”



Professor Rogers noted that because it’s so small, the pacemaker can be integrated with almost any kind of implantable device.



“We also demonstrated integration of collections of these devices across the frameworks that serve as transcatheter aortic valve replacements to address complications that can occur during a patient’s recovery process," said Rogers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-bioelectronic-medicine">Future of bioelectronic medicine</h2>



While this breakthrough has clear implications for pediatric heart care, the technology could pave the way for a new generation of bioelectronic medicine.&nbsp;



These tiny, dissolvable devices could one day be adapted to promote nerve and bone regeneration, manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-meditation-is-a-powerful-weapon-against-chronic-pain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pain</a>, support wound healing, and more.



Northwestern engineers shrank the device and removed risks by making it dissolve after use. In doing so, they’ve created a tool that could reshape how doctors care for the heart - from the tiniest patients to adults.



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Click here to <a href="https://youtu.be/j_0hZ8cUwgo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watch a video interview...</a>



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08726-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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World's smallest pacemaker is set to revolutionize heart health

In a remarkable medical breakthrough, engineers have developed a light-activated pacemaker so tiny that doctors can inject it into the body through a syringe. Remarkably, the device simply dissolves after it’s no longer needed.&nbsp; Designed for newborns, the pacemaker could transform temporary heart care after congenital defect surgeries. Controlling the heart with light The new pacemaker is smaller than a grain of rice. It's wirelessly activated through pulses of light which are delivered by a soft, wearable device mounted on the patient’s chest. The external controller detects...

Functional neurology is gaining attention as a new strategy to address lactose intolerance. Some people who struggle with bloating, diarrhea, and other discomfort tied to dairy consumption have begun to look beyond standard remedies.&nbsp;



Experts say this new line of treatment could be a game-changer, but many wonder if it’s too good to be true.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-functional-neurology-and-lactose-intolerance">Functional neurology and lactose intolerance </h2>



A study led by <a href="http://Specialist Consultation – Neuro ReEvolution https://www.neuroreevolution.com/services/specialist-consultation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NeuroReEvolution</a> has explored the use of functional neurology sessions for people with stubborn lactose intolerance. 



“Despite the fact that the most common treatments include dietary changes and the use of supplements, many people continue to deal with uncomfortable symptoms,” said Vicente Javier Clemente Suárez, a professor of nutrition who participated in the study.&nbsp;



Functional neurology therapy aims to improve the body’s ability to process lactose through the use of specific treatments, such as targeted exercises, and reflex adjustments that tune communication between the brain and the gut.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-causes-lactose-intolerance">What causes lactose intolerance?</h2>



Lactose intolerance is <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/definition-facts#:~:text=Experts%20estimate%20that%20about%2068,world's%20population%20has%20lactose%20malabsorption.&amp;text=Lactose%20malabsorption%20is%20more%20common,most%20people%20have%20lactose%20malabsorption." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">common</a> across the globe. It occurs when the intestine lacks enough lactase, an enzyme that helps break down milk sugar.&nbsp;



If lactase levels drop, that sugar travels farther along the digestive tract and can trigger painful symptoms. Some individuals only experience mild discomfort, while others confront harsher reactions such as vomiting or extreme diarrhea.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-nerves-to-digestion">Linking nerves to digestion</h2>



Functional neurology merges principles of neurology with a broad view of how nerves guide the body’s response to food. 



Experts typically concentrate on the gut alone when dealing with lactose intolerance. In this newer approach, a practitioner looks for nervous system glitches that can affect how the gut handles dairy.&nbsp;



A therapy session may include gentle tests, motion-based tasks, and other methods meant to help the body regain ease around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-types-of-plant-based-milk-are-linked-to-mental-disorders-like-depression/">milk products</a>. Many practitioners believe these techniques can restore normal feedback loops, though others want longer trials to confirm lasting benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-root-causes-of-lactose-intolerance">Addressing the root causes of lactose intolerance </h2>



“Although the therapy can improve quality of life by reducing symptoms, more research is still needed to fully understand its effectiveness,” explained Professor Suárez. 



While a few participants noticed fewer bathroom runs and less bloating, lab data still spotted lingering signs of lactose malabsorption. This means that the therapy may ease the severity of symptoms but might not address the root causes of lactose problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-milk-consumption-and-genetics">Milk consumption and genetics</h2>



Historical <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05010-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">records</a> indicate that communities in Europe began using milk many millennia ago. This continued even before most adults developed the genetic ability to break down milk sugar in large amounts.&nbsp;



Though modern times have seen lactase persistence become relatively common in some regions, many people still face issues with dairy. 



Unraveling these genetic quirks may help to explain why certain groups can drink milk without concern, while others battle sharp cramps after a single glass.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-the-way-the-brain-regulates-digestion">Improving the way the brain regulates digestion</h2>



Many lactose-intolerant individuals rely on lactose-free foods or enzyme supplements. But the idea of improving the way the brain regulates digestion has drawn interest from those who keep searching for a more comfortable life.&nbsp;



“There is still much to be investigated. It is important to understand how this therapy can be effectively integrated into the treatment of lactose intolerance,” said Professor Suárez. 



The researchers noted that larger studies with wider pools of participants are needed to determine how well functional neurology works over time. 



If more proof emerges, it could blend nicely with standard dietary approaches, especially for people who can’t seem to shake their discomfort.



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



Some researchers say the therapy might shine most in cases where lactose intolerance hits hard. Others, including those at NeuroReEvolution, suggest combining this approach with standard care so patients can keep enjoying dairy foods. 



Archaeological findings show humanity’s love for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/raw-milk-could-carry-deadly-flu-viruses-for-days/">milk</a> is hardly new. If additional exploration confirms that improving neural function helps reduce pain, there may be cause for optimism.&nbsp;



At the moment, experts view functional neurology as a possible source of relief when dietary changes alone may not be enough.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382878258_Application_of_Functional_Neurology_Therapy_in_a_Lactose-Intolerant_Patient">Life</a>.



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Is lactose intolerance reversible? New treatment may help

Functional neurology is gaining attention as a new strategy to...

Dark comets have become a buzzworthy subject among astronomers since researchers announced the discovery of seven additional examples of these mysterious objects.



In direct observations, they seem to behave like asteroids, but accelerate in ways that make them act like comets. The newfound group doubles the tally of known dark comets to fourteen, causing excitement and questions about what might lurk behind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-comets-hidden-near-earth-ice-giants-can-be-both-friend-and-foe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">their secretive surfaces</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-comets-don-t-fit-the-mold">Dark comets don't fit the mold</h2>



Dark comets first drew attention when a near-Earth object defied the expectations set by ordinary asteroids. In most cases, tiny effects like sunlight heating an asteroid’s surface account for small changes in its path.



However, the unexpected shift these objects displayed hinted at a different story. Scientists kept an eye on them and, in 2017, a major clue appeared in the form of 1I/2017 U1 (<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/solar-systems-first-interstellar-visitor-dazzles-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Oumuamua</a>), which looked like an asteroid but moved as if gas was pushing on it.&nbsp;



That puzzling find nudged researchers to ask whether they had encountered a new type of comet altogether.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asteroids-that-behave-like-comets">Asteroids that behave like comets</h2>



Not long after those early revelations, astronomers noticed a small group of objects that resembled asteroids yet behaved like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/comets-may-have-delivered-water-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comets</a>. 



<a href="https://scienceandtechnology.jpl.nasa.gov/people/d_farnocchia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Davide Farnocchia</a> of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California described one of these oddities in vivid terms. 



“When you see that kind of perturbation on a celestial object, it usually means it’s a comet, with volatile material outgassing from its surface giving it a little thrust,” said Farnocchia.



He explained that researchers tried to identify a typical comet’s tails as part of the objects, but found no visible signs. Eventually, these mysterious objects began fitting the description of so-called “dark comets.”



Darryl Seligman, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Physics at <a href="https://pa.msu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan State University</a> in East Lansing, took a particular interest in their unusual orbits and appearances. 



His analysis of their reflectivity revealed that they come in two distinct groups. That simple observation had larger implications for categorizing these cryptic wanderers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-puzzle-of-two-types">The puzzle of two types</h2>



New data suggest that some dark comets hang out in the outer solar system and others live closer in. The ones spinning around the outer region display orbits that are long and eccentric, similar to known <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/comets/9p-tempel-1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter-family comets</a>.



These comets measure hundreds of yards or more across and have striking similarities to typical ice-rich bodies. Meanwhile, others are located between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bepicolombo-spacecraft-captures-high-definition-images-of-mercury-during-close-flyby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercury</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-year-on-mars-avalanches-icy-explosions-and-the-arrival-of-spring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a>, and follow almost circular paths.



They tend to be much smaller (tens of yards or even less in diameter) and keep a low profile in the inner solar system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-inside-these-dark-comets">What’s inside these dark comets?</h2>



Scientists wonder about the presence of ice within these odd objects. Observations hint that hidden ices might explain their comet-like movements, but telescopes have yet to detect the kind of outgassing commonly associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-can-comets-tell-us-about-solar-activity-and-space-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">classic comets</a>. 



This gap in the data keeps the question open: could these objects still hold pockets of volatile material, or is something else responsible for the boost to their speed?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-questions-about-origins">Big questions about origins</h2>



Researchers also ponder how dark comets formed. One theory suggests that they may have come from the same raw materials as regular comets (ice and dust) except that they lost the usual bright halo that comets develop under solar heating.&nbsp;



Another possibility is that collisions or extreme conditions triggered transformations that hid their comet-like traits from casual observation.&nbsp;



The truth is still hidden, and ongoing <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/acb697" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> aim to shine more light on these elusive wanderers of the solar system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-for-life-s-ingredients">Clues for life’s ingredients?</h2>



“Dark comets are a new potential source for having delivered the materials to Earth that were necessary for the development of life,” said Seligman. 



Though these objects appear bland at first glance, Seligman believes they could have contributed to Earth’s building blocks. 



He and his colleagues wonder whether these disguised <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/comets-may-have-delivered-water-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comets</a> might have ferried water or organic compounds during the solar system’s early days. 



This possibility, if confirmed, would reshape how we think about the origin of essential elements that allowed life to emerge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paths-forward">Paths forward</h2>



Scientists intend to keep a close watch on dark comets. Improved imaging methods, more powerful surveys, and interplanetary missions offer ways to analyze them more precisely.&nbsp;



Some teams propose sending spacecraft to rendezvous with one in order to scoop up material for direct observation. 



Others plan to study the objects’ reflective properties from ground-based observatories, in search of subtle clues that might indicate the presence of ices. 



Each new discovery has the potential to refine, or rewrite, what astronomers know about how our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-bennu-holds-secrets-of-the-solar-systems-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a> has evolved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-dark-comets">What's next for dark comets?</h2>



There is no shortage of mysteries surrounding these objects. Still, the announcement of seven more examples and the identification of two distinct categories represent steps toward a deeper understanding of the boundary between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-molecules-discovered-on-an-asteroid-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroids</a> and comets. 



As astronomers refine their techniques and explore innovative ways to detect concealed ices, the next discovery might reveal even more unexpected members of this quiet but intriguing family.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2406424121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)</a>.



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Seven new dark comets discovered in our solar system

Dark comets have become a buzzworthy subject among astronomers since...

For stargazers everywhere, January offers a chance to look up at the night sky and marvel at four <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/january-2025-stargazing-a-parade-of-bright-planets/">bright planets</a> clustered above the horizon. Some are perched in the twilight, others shine overhead, and one rules the east in glowing fashion. In addition, eager observers will find a few more delights in store during these crisp, winter nights.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-four-planet-view">The four-planet view</h2>



Beginning in early January, Venus and Saturn appear in the southwest for the first couple of hours after sunset, while Jupiter stands proudly higher in the sky. 



Mars rises in the east, providing a sight that stretches across a wide arc. Telescopes can reveal Uranus and Neptune, but they are too faint for most people to see without help. This sight can fill even the most casual viewer with a sense of awe.



With all this activity overhead, many wonder which viewing opportunity might be the most impressive. According to <a href="https://sma.gsfc.nasa.gov/sac/2023/dr-kelly-korreck" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Kelly Korreck</a>, a solar scientist at NASA Headquarters, each cosmic visitor has its own charm, but timing and location will be key for spotting them all. 



Venus moves through the sky at a fast pace, Saturn drifts patiently, Jupiter beams in the evening, and Mars holds its own brilliance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mars-at-opposition-and-moon-connection">Mars at opposition and moon connection</h2>



Mars is currently at opposition, which means it sits directly across from the Sun, from Earth’s point of view. Around this time, Mars glows more brightly and appears slightly larger, making it a favorite for those who enjoy peering at the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-missions-prepare-intense-solar-storms-coming-red-planet/">Red Planet</a> through binoculars or small telescopes.&nbsp;



On January 13th, the Moon crossed in front of Mars for observers in the continental United States and parts of eastern Canada. Viewers from different locations were able to see this spectacle at different times of the night. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-venus-and-saturn-s-close-approach">Venus and Saturn’s close approach</h2>



Those seeking a sight just after sunset can look for Venus and Saturn huddled close together on January 17th and 18th. 



They appear separated by a couple of finger-widths at arm’s length, which is striking when viewed against the backdrop of the fading sun. 



Astronomers note that these two planets are actually hundreds of millions of miles apart. Although they form a tight pairing when viewed from Earth, each planet glides along its own orbital path without ever meeting the other one in space.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quadrantid-meteor-shower">Quadrantid meteor shower</h2>



For anyone drawn to shooting stars, the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/quadrantids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quadrantid</a> meteor shower peaked on January 3. Observers with dark, moonless skies often notice between 20 and 30 meteors per hour at the shower’s peak.&nbsp;



The meteors radiate from a point in the northern skies, but once the wee hours come around, any part of the sky can light up with sudden streaks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-worlds-appear-to-line-up">When worlds appear to line up</h2>



Some call these kinds of multi-planet appearances a “planet parade.” While not a technical astronomy phrase, it describes a period when several bright planets can be seen at once.&nbsp;



“While it’s true that they [planets] will appear more or less along a line across the sky, that’s what planets always do. That line is called the ecliptic, and it represents the plane of the solar system in which the planets orbit around the Sun,” said <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/whats-up-january-2025-skywatching-tips-from-nasa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>. 



The planets may look close from our vantage point, but the distances between them are truly vast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rumors-of-seven-planet-alignments">Rumors of seven-planet alignments</h2>



Word has spread about all seven classical planets lining up in late January or early February, 2025. Some sources note that Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars will appear together on the same side of the sky.&nbsp;



Scientists warn that these alignments can be tricky to see in real life. Mercury and Neptune stay low on the horizon or hidden in twilight. 



And though they could be on the same side of the Sun, they do not form a single-file queue. They sit scattered along the ecliptic. Astronomers remind us that these “perfect lines” only exist in diagrams.



For those wishing to scan the sky, get out to an area with minimal light pollution and open horizons. The southwestern sky should reveal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/january-2025-stargazing-a-parade-of-bright-planets/">Venus and Saturn</a> not too long after dark. Jupiter is often the easiest to spot near the zenith.&nbsp;



Look east to find Mars, which glows with a distinct hue and brightens as night progresses. A small telescope may help in catching Neptune or Uranus, although these two planets are faint.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-it-all-together">Bringing it all together</h2>



Some years offer a handful of unusual sights spread out across the night skies. This January, stargazers have a chance to spot four bright planets in a single view, a close pass between Venus and Saturn, and even a lunar curtain crossing Mars.&nbsp;



While the Quadrantid shower has already peaked, those who caught it enjoyed a show without the glare of a bright Moon. 



The month continues with Mars holding its prime viewing spot, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-about-jupiters-clouds-not-ammonia-ice-leaves-astronomers-astonished/">Jupiter</a> gleaming high, and the dynamic duo of Venus and Saturn continuing their short-lived dance in the dusk sky.



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Four planets will align tonight during a rare celestial spectacle, here's how to see them

For stargazers everywhere, January offers a chance to look up...

Oregon’s Cascade Range is not just a scenic landscape of volcanic peaks - it also hides a massive underground aquifer filled with water.&nbsp;



Scientists from the <a href="https://www.uoregon.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oregon</a> and their collaborators have mapped this extensive water storage beneath the central Oregon Cascades and found it to be at least 81 cubic kilometers in size.&nbsp;



This discovery is significant because it reveals a water resource nearly three times the capacity of Lake Mead and more than half the volume of Lake Tahoe, reshaping our understanding of regional water supplies and volcanic processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-water-tower-beneath-the-cascades">“Big water tower” beneath the Cascades </h2>



The newly mapped aquifer lies beneath volcanic rocks at the crest of the central Cascades, acting like a giant, continental-sized lake stored in the mountains.



“It is a continental-size lake stored in the rocks at the top of the mountains, like a big water tower,” said Leif Karlstrom, an Earth scientist at the University of Oregon and lead author of the study.



Karlstrom and his team suggest that similar large volcanic aquifers likely exist elsewhere in the Cascade Range, potentially making it one of the largest aquifer systems of its kind in the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-the-cascade-landscape">Evolution of the Cascade landscape</h2>



The discovery emerged from research originally aimed at understanding the evolution of the Cascades landscape and the movement of water through it. During this investigation, the team uncovered critical information about the sheer volume of water stored underground and how it relates to volcanic activity in the region.



“We initially set out to better understand how the Cascade landscape has evolved over time, and how water moves through it,” explained co-author Gordon Grant, a geologist with the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Forest Service</a>.&nbsp;



“But in doing so, we discovered important things that people care about: the incredible volume of water in active storage in the Cascades and also how the movement of water and the hazards posed by volcanoes are linked together.”



This research enhances our understanding of the region’s geology and water resources, particularly as climate change drives increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">droughts</a> and reduces snowpack - a primary source of recharge for the aquifer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-the-water-underground-nbsp">Mapping the water underground&nbsp;</h2>



To gauge the size of the aquifer, researchers tapped into historical geothermal drilling data from the 1980s and 1990s. Those earlier projects, aimed at finding geothermal energy sources, had drilled deep into the earth and recorded temperatures at various depths.&nbsp;



By analyzing these temperature records, Karlstrom’s team could infer how water moves through the volcanic rocks.



Normally, rock temperatures increase with depth, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pumping-too-much-groundwater-affects-earths-spin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">groundwater</a> flowing downward keeps deeper rocks cooler. By identifying where temperatures start to rise again in these drill holes, the team estimated how far groundwater penetrates, and thus, mapped out the aquifer’s volume.



Unlike past methods that only measured water coming out of springs or streams, this approach looked deep underground to reveal a far larger water reserve than previously thought.&nbsp;



Due to gaps in the data - since the original drill holes weren’t intended for mapping groundwater - the 81 cubic kilometer estimate is likely a lower bound, and the actual volume could be even greater.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanic-hazards-and-future-risks">Volcanic hazards and future risks</h2>



The presence of such a large volume of water at high elevations affects not only water supply but also volcanic activity. When magma interacts with groundwater, it can lead to more explosive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-and-trees-predict-volcano-eruptions-when-viewed-from-space-satellites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic eruptions</a>, which change landscapes and impact air quality.&nbsp;



Understanding the size and flow of this aquifer helps scientists assess potential volcanic hazards in the Cascades.



However, the aquifer’s future is uncertain. It relies on snowpack for recharge, and climate change threatens to reduce the snow that feeds it. Warmer temperatures mean less snow and more rain, which can affect how much water is absorbed and stored underground.



“It is a big, active groundwater reservoir up there right now, but its longevity and resilience to change is set by the availability of recharging waters,” Karlstrom warned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-a-precious-resource">Managing a precious resource</h2>



While discovering this vast aquifer is encouraging, it also raises important questions about sustainability. As climate change alters precipitation patterns and reduces <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-driven-climate-change-is-to-blame-for-sharp-snowpack-declines-since-1980/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snowpack</a>, the amount of water recharging the aquifer could decline.&nbsp;



Scientists like Gordon Grant and Leif Karlstrom are now focused on understanding these dynamics to manage the resource effectively.



“This region has been handed a geological gift, but we really are only beginning to understand it,” Grant said. “If we don’t have any snow, or if we have a run of bad winters where we don’t get any rain, what’s that going to mean? Those are the key questions we’re now having to focus on.”



The discovery underscores the vital role of scientific research in uncovering hidden resources and informs strategies for water management amid a changing climate.&nbsp;



As experts continue to study this “big water tower” beneath the Cascades, they aim to ensure that it remains a reliable resource for the region while also monitoring the interactions between groundwater and volcanic activity.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2415155122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Hidden water reservoir discovered beneath the Cascade mountains

Oregon’s Cascade Range is not just a scenic landscape of...

Ants, with their structured and highly efficient social behavior, have long been a subject of fascination for researchers. These tiny creatures exhibit complex movement patterns that allow them to navigate their environments seamlessly, even when moving in large numbers. 



The ability of ants to avoid traffic congestion and move in an orderly fashion could hold the key to solving one of the biggest challenges in modern cities - urban transportation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-help-solve-traffic-problem">Ants help solve traffic problem</h2>



In an era where traffic congestion, pollution, and inefficiencies plague urban mobility, scientists are looking toward nature for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/magnetic-microbots-can-replicate-the-extraordinary-abilities-of-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inspiration</a>. 



Two professors from the <a href="https://www.unitn.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Trento</a>, Marco Guerrieri and Nicola Pugno, have turned their attention to ants, studying their movement strategies to understand how they maintain smooth traffic flow. 



The research explores how these insects avoid stop-and-go traffic despite their large numbers and limited space.



"Ants are among the few species that can handle bidirectional traffic flows, much like our roads, yet they move seamlessly without congestion," Guerrieri explained.&nbsp;



This observation raises a crucial question: can we apply the same principles to human transportation?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-ants-traffic-system">Studying the ants’ traffic system</h2>



To answer this question, the researchers analyzed the movement of ants along a 30-centimeter trail - equivalent to 100 times the body length of each ant.



By using video footage and deep learning algorithms, they were able to track each ant's individual movements, and map their trajectories, speeds, flows, and densities. The findings revealed a highly organized system in which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/desert-ants-have-a-unique-way-of-using-earths-magnetic-field-for-navigation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ants</a> follow specific rules that optimize traffic efficiency.



One of the most remarkable observations was that ants follow pheromone trails marked by leader ants. They move in tightly packed platoons, maintaining small gaps and avoiding overtaking behaviors. 



"Ants follow pheromone trails marked by a leader ant, and move in platoons with small gaps and no overtaking," noted Guerrieri.



This simple yet effective strategy allows ants to maintain a steady flow without <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-work-in-groups-more-successfully-than-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unnecessary disruptions</a>. Unlike humans, who frequently change lanes, overtake other vehicles, and react unpredictably, ants exhibit a cooperative form of movement that minimizes delays and prevents bottlenecks. 



If such a system could be applied to urban traffic, it could drastically improve the efficiency of transportation networks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ant-inspired-traffic-systems">Ant-inspired traffic systems</h2>



The increasing use of connected and automated Vehicles (CAVs) presents an opportunity to rethink how we manage road networks. Guerrieri suggests that, in the future, traffic systems could be inspired by ant behavior.



"In the future, traffic systems for autonomous vehicles (CAVs) could be inspired by ant behavior. Just like insects communicate through pheromones, Connected and automated vehicles (CAV) on smart roads could use advanced communication technologies to communicate with each other and with the road infrastructure management," he explained.



By integrating advanced communication systems, CAVs could exchange real-time data with one another and with smart road infrastructure. This would allow them to form coordinated platoons - much like ants do - traveling at high speeds with minimal gaps between vehicles.



These platoons could move efficiently across parallel lanes, significantly reducing traffic congestion and increasing road capacity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steady-traffic-flow-and-improved-safety">Steady traffic flow and improved safety </h2>



This approach has several potential benefits. Enhanced traffic efficiency would lead to smoother movement, which would reduce delays and travel time. 



Road safety would improve, as autonomous vehicles moving in organized platoons would lower the chances of collisions caused by sudden lane changes and erratic driving behaviors.



A steady, uninterrupted traffic flow would also lead to lower fuel consumption and emissions, contributing to a more sustainable urban environment.



The concept of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-use-chemical-trails-to-guide-their-friends-to-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ant-inspired</a> mobility aligns with broader trends in smart cities and intelligent transportation systems. As urban areas continue to expand, adopting nature-inspired strategies could be key to solving long-standing traffic challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-future-of-seamless-mobility">A future of seamless mobility</h2>



Nature has always been a source of inspiration for human innovation. From bird flight influencing aerodynamics to termite mounds inspiring sustainable architecture, biomimicry has led to significant advances across various fields.



Now, ants - some of the smallest yet most organized creatures on Earth - could hold the key to revolutionizing how we design urban traffic systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-ants">Learning from ants</h2>



The findings from the University of Trento suggest that, by mimicking the way ants move and communicate, we can create a new paradigm for urban transportation.



If implemented successfully, smart roads and CAVs could work together to form a highly efficient, congestion-free network that mirrors the natural movement of ants.



While fully autonomous traffic systems are still in development, the lessons learned from ants could serve as a guiding principle for future transportation policies and infrastructure planning. 



By studying how nature has already perfected traffic management, we can take a step closer to building smarter, safer, and more sustainable cities.



In the not-so-distant future, the same principles that govern the movement of ants may help humans navigate roads more efficiently, turning chaotic traffic jams into seamless flows of motion. Nature has provided the blueprint - now it’s up to us to apply it.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198225000107?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives</a>.



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Ant-inspired traffic solutions could improve urban mobility

Ants, with their structured and highly efficient social behavior, have...

Solar storms have attracted curiosity for centuries. People often admire the bright colors they cause in the sky, but they rarely suspect that these same solar events can bring widespread outages that force industries to a grinding halt.



Many experts say the risk may be rising because our world depends more and more on advanced technology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-solar-storms-start">How solar storms start</h2>



<a href="https://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/SunspotCycle.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solar flares</a>, which are bursts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noaa-severe-solar-storm-expected-to-reach-earth-tomorrow-october-10-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high-energy particles</a> from the Sun, cause these disruptions. When those particles reach Earth, they interact with the atmosphere in ways that sometimes produce remarkable light shows.&nbsp;



They can also feed into our power grids and satellites - which may lead to major problems. The current solar cycle is expected to reach its most intense phase through <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/nasa-noaa-sun-reaches-maximum-phase-in-11-year-solar-cycle/">2025</a>, making scientists vigilant of the storms that may unfold.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-dangers-of-solar-storms">Potential dangers of solar storms</h2>



Experts from many corners of the globe have sounded alarm bells about these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-solar-storm-warning-issued-as-two-cmes-will-hit-earth-tomorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">events</a>. 



Dr. Kęstutis Ikamas from Vilnius University points to serious vulnerabilities in places with large power <a href="https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12507/severe-space-weather-events-understanding-societal-and-economic-impacts-a">networks</a>, such as the United States and Canada. He has studied the unpredictable nature of solar storms and sees a need for widespread protective measures.



“A strong geomagnetic storm could incapacitate vital systems such as electricity, water supply, and telecommunications, leading to extended blackouts, communication breakdowns, and logistical paralysis,” explained Dr. Ikamas, who also warned that months-long disruptions might follow in the worst scenario.&nbsp;



One event in 1859, known as the <a href="https://scijinks.gov/what-was-the-carrington-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carrington Event</a>, caused telegraph networks to fail across continents. That was at a time when technology was nowhere near as complex as it is today.&nbsp;



More recently, a 2022 solar disturbance caused 40 newly launched Starlink satellites to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, taking a serious toll on the mission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-countries-face-higher-risks">Large countries face higher risks</h2>



Extended electricity lines cover thousands of miles across certain regions. That makes them sensitive to currents induced by solar storms. 



According to Dr. Ikamas, a blast of charged particles can spark voltage swings that damage transformers. When that happens on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/auroras-and-severe-solar-storms-will-continue-through-tomorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wide scale</a>, entire power grids are at risk of being knocked out for an unknown length of time.



Systems that protect satellites and power grids do exist, but they may not hold up against a massive solar storm. Organizations often weigh the cost of upgrading equipment against the chance of a storm happening soon.&nbsp;



Meanwhile, NOAA uses a G1 through G5 <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scale</a> to categorize the intensity of geomagnetic storms. The effects become more severe at each level, with the most intense storms putting everything from radio signals to entire networks in jeopardy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concern-for-space-travelers-and-wildlife">Concern for space travelers and wildlife</h2>



Humans on Earth are not the only ones in harm’s way. Astronauts orbiting outside our planet’s magnetic shield can be exposed to harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-storm-triggered-stunning-auroras-worldwide-october-11-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radiation</a>. That may force agencies to adjust schedules for spacewalks and other tasks.&nbsp;



Additionally, animals that rely on magnetic fields for navigation might lose their usual sense of direction during these solar storms. Some bird species and marine life have been <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2306317120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noted</a> to show unusual migration paths when solar activity spikes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-cooperation-is-key">Global cooperation is key</h2>



Dr. Ikamas believes individual action, while useful, is not enough to fight these large-scale threats. This is especially true in an era when countries are more interlinked by communication systems than ever before.&nbsp;



He suggests that technology producers, utility companies, and governments need to come together with detailed protocols that can be put into place if a sudden storm warning appears.



Some experts compare the investments required for stronger safeguards to insurance premiums. The immediate expense may seem big, but the price tag could soar into the trillions if a crisis actually hits.&nbsp;



With digital networks stretching across continents, an outage in one region can have almost immediate effects in other regions. Dr. Ikamas warns that limited spending on grid upgrades today might open the door to large-scale chaos down the road.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-solar-storms-are-rare">Major solar storms are rare</h2>



Even though major solar storms are rare, the chance of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noaa-warning-strong-solar-storm-headed-to-earth-auroras-expected-sept-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">powerful one</a> happening in the next few years has sparked conversations among scientists, policymakers, and power companies.&nbsp;



“If a strong storm is reported, individuals should disconnect their devices from power sources to prevent damage,” said Dr. Ikamas. He noted that bigger protection calls for considerable investments on a global scale.



Information for this article came from a <a href="https://www.riverreporter.com/stories/the-beauty-and-danger-of-solar-storms,179702">press release</a> in the River Reporter.



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Next big solar storm could plunge the world into darkness

Solar storms have attracted curiosity for centuries. People often admire...

Personal computers often struggle to handle the monumental tasks typically assigned to supercomputers. Complex simulations for crash testing or medical imaging usually demand massive processing power, which forces many researchers to rely on high-performance computing clusters. 



Yet a fresh, AI-driven approach to partial differential equations is shaking up that assumption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-problem-with-complex-simulations">Problem with complex simulations</h2>



Partial differential equations pop up everywhere in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/nme.4588" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">engineering</a> and science, from modeling how a car’s body folds in a crash to predicting how a building’s foundation settles over time.&nbsp;



They’re the mathematical instructions that describe how variables such as stress or heat move through materials. 



Solving them can feel like slogging through a maze, especially when new shapes and dimensions come into play.



Each shape often requires a new simulation, which makes the entire process slow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-speeding-up-equations-with-ai-and-dimon">Speeding up equations with AI and DIMON</h2>



The technology behind speeding up these massive equations was co-led by <a href="https://www.bme.jhu.edu/people/faculty/natalia-trayanova/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natalia Trayanova</a> of Johns Hopkins University (<a href="https://www.jhu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JHU</a>) after years of facing time-consuming computational processes in her research. 



The new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computer-can-instantly-execute-a-task-that-would-normally-take-47-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence</a> framework, called <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43588-024-00732-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DIMON</a> (Diffeomorphic Mapping Operator Learning), isn’t restricted by any single shape or scenario.&nbsp;



Instead, it learns how solutions behave across different geometries, allowing it to quickly predict answers to problems that once demanded days of continuous number crunching.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-dimon-and-equation-behavior">AI, DIMON, and equation behavior</h2>



DIMON sets itself apart by using AI to analyze how shape influences an equation’s behavior, then mapping that knowledge to new shapes without re-solving everything from scratch. 



It retains a kind of memory of fundamental physics.&nbsp;



“This solution will have a massive impact across engineering fields, as it’s generic, scalable, and works on problems in any domain to solve partial differential equations on multiple geometries,” said Natalia Trayanova.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boosting-heart-health-checks">Boosting heart health checks</h2>



Scientists tested this method on over 1,000 virtual heart models, each with unique shapes that represent real patients’ hearts. 



These “digital twins” help predict whether someone is at risk of a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. 



“With this new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-quantum-computers-just-got-easier-with-new-technique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> approach, the speed at which we can have a solution is unbelievable. The time to calculate the prediction of a heart digital twin is going to decrease from many hours to 30 seconds, and it will be done on a desktop computer rather than on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-computers-may-be-powered-by-brain-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supercomputer</a>,” said Trayanova. 



The aim is to figure out in advance who might need lifesaving treatment.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-speed-matters">Why speed matters</h2>



Heart health research is only one example. Faster computations make it easier to plan patient treatments without a waiting period that drags on for days. 



Engineers can also explore a wider range of designs (like testing a variety of bridge shapes or drone structures) in a fraction of the time. 



In these fields, one delay can have a domino effect, leading to slower decision-making, increased costs, and missed opportunities to refine solutions.



Accelerating these processes allows researchers and engineers to iterate more quickly, unlocking innovations that might otherwise remain out of reach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dimon-s-shape-shifting-ai-advantage">DIMON’s shape-shifting AI advantage</h2>



By eliminating the repetitive process of starting from zero each time the shape changes, DIMON has the flexibility to handle tasks across different industries.&nbsp;



“For each problem, DIMON first solves the partial differential equations on a single shape and then maps the solution to multiple new shapes. This shape-shifting ability highlights its tremendous versatility,” said postdoctoral fellow and platform developer <a href="https://minglangyin.github.io/">Minglang Yin</a>.&nbsp;



Design optimization could become more affordable and <a href="https://github.com/MinglangYin/DIMON">accessible</a>, especially for smaller companies that lack supercomputing budgets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-ai-and-differential-equations">Future of AI and differential equations</h2>



Difficult computations can stall breakthroughs in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/google-record-shattering-quantum-ai-chip-accesses-parallel-universes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">engineering</a> and medicine, but the arrival of a more adaptive AI might loosen that bottleneck. 



Personal computers could soon tackle problems that only the largest clusters managed before.&nbsp;



Projects that once sat on the back burner (because solving them took too long) might now move forward at full speed. That could mean safer cars, stronger bridges, and more proactive healthcare. The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43588-024-00732-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Computational Science</a>.



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New AI framework turns any laptop into a supercomputer

Personal computers often struggle to handle the monumental tasks typically...

For centuries, people have been fascinated by how body art can reflect personal identity and cultural values. Ancient communities appear to have practiced tattooing for reasons that went beyond decoration, although the precise motivations continue to be studied.&nbsp;



Recent work in Peru has showcased how scientists are using laser technology to understand more about tattoo traditions from the distant past.



These advances are shedding light on the intricate craftsmanship and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-cave-painting-discovered-in-indonesia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cultural significance</a> of ancient body art.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lasers-uncover-ancient-tattoo-details">Lasers uncover ancient tattoo details</h2>



A group of researchers examined the preserved remains of more than 100 individuals who lived about 1,200 years ago. Their mummified bodies still had visible outlines of ink, although these markings had become faint over time.&nbsp;



Using <a href="https://www.edinst.com/resource/what-is-laser-induced-fluorescence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">laser-stimulated fluorescence</a>, scientists created high-contrast images that brightened the ancient skin while leaving the ink in dark relief. This gave them a new view of detailed designs.



Shortly after making this discovery public, <a href="https://www.grm.cuhk.edu.hk/en/profile/vjli/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Li </a>from the <a href="https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese University of Hong Kong</a> explained that tattoos had long been recognized as a widespread art form in parts of <a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-americas/beginners-guide-art-of-the-americas/mesoamerica-beginner/a/pre-columbian-mesoamerica" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pre-Hispanic South America.</a>&nbsp;



Dr. Li and colleagues noted that older techniques tend to lose clarity over the centuries. Yet the laser approach overcame these hurdles by creating images with sharpened outlines.



The researchers reported that the findings offered clues about how these works of body art may have been made with refined tools, such as cactus needle spikes or sharpened animal bones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intricate-patterns-and-proud-craftsmanship">Intricate patterns and proud craftsmanship</h2>



Some of these patterns were more exact and elaborate than other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-age-art-discovery-reveals-15800-year-old-fishing-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artifacts</a> from the era, such as certain textiles or pottery.&nbsp;



“Tattoos were a prevalent art form in pre-Hispanic South America,” said Dr. Li, adding that these new images showed features finer than many would expect.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ancient-tattoos_peruvian-mummies_PNAS_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ancient-tattoos_peruvian-mummies_PNAS_1s.webp" alt="Tattoos from the pre-Columbian Chancay culture of coastal Peru. (A) Tattoo “scales” on the forearm of mummified human remains under white light. (B) LSF image of A exposing additional fine detail in the tattoo artwork. Inset showing fine line details. (C) Infrared image of A reveals less detail than LSF image in B. (D) “Vine” tattoo on top of the hand of another mummified individual under white light. (E) LSF image of D revealing fine line details. (F) Finger tattoo of a third individual under white light. (G) LSF image of F reveals additional fine lines throughout design. (H) White light image of an amorphous animal tattoo on the chest of a fourth individual. (I) LSF image of H shows no more detail, with amorphous patches and poorly defined edges suggesting a lower quality tattoo than in A, D or F. (Scale bar, 1 cm.). Credit: PNAS/CAS" class="wp-image-1957385"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tattoos from the pre-Columbian Chancay culture of coastal Peru. (A) Tattoo “scales” on the forearm of mummified human remains under white light. (B) LSF image of A exposing additional fine detail in the tattoo artwork. Inset showing fine line details. (C) Infrared image of A reveals less detail than LSF image in B. (D) “Vine” tattoo on top of the hand of another mummified individual under white light. (E) LSF image of D revealing fine line details. (F) Finger tattoo of a third individual under white light. (G) LSF image of F reveals additional fine lines throughout design. (H) White light image of an amorphous animal tattoo on the chest of a fourth individual. (I) LSF image of H shows no more detail, with amorphous patches and poorly defined edges suggesting a lower quality tattoo than in A, D or F. (Scale bar, 1 cm.). Credit: PNAS/CAS</figcaption></figure>



The researchers proposed that this extra detail may have required special care when piercing the skin. They theorized that each dot of ink in ancient tattoos was delivered by hand, producing precision that stands out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mummies-that-still-hold-lessons">Mummies that still hold lessons</h2>



In many ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/acoustic-echoes-may-have-inspired-prehistoric-rock-art/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cultures</a>, human remains have provided details about daily life, spiritual beliefs, and healing practices. 



One well-known example is <a href="https://www.iceman.it/en/the-iceman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ötzi the Iceman</a>, whose 5,300-year-old body was found in a glacier along the border of modern-day Italy and Austria. 



Specialists spotted multiple <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1296207415000023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tattoos</a> on his preserved skin and have spent decades figuring out how these markings related to his health.&nbsp;



“We know that they were real tattoos,” said <a href="https://www.eurac.edu/en/people/albert-zink" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Albert Zink</a>, head of the <a href="https://www.eurac.edu/en/institutes-centers/institute-for-mummy-studies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute for Mummies and the Iceman at the European Research Academy</a> in Italy. Experts suggest that Ötzi may have used them for therapeutic reasons, such as relieving aches in his joints.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healing-and-symbolic-ideas">Healing and symbolic ideas</h2>



A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23096483/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> in the journal Inflammopharmacology described how tattoos on Ötzi’s back and legs might be linked to acupuncture-like treatments. The design, position, and number of his markings have led scholars to ask whether ancient artists used them as a way of soothing pain or marking certain areas for ritual.&nbsp;



The tattoos on the <a href="https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mummies/peru" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chancay mummies</a> add another layer to this conversation because they point to artistic flourishes on top of possible symbolic meaning.



While it’s not certain these tattoos served the same purposes as Ötzi’s, it’s interesting to see how diverse groups of people approached body art in ways that might overlap.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reflections-on-ancient-tattoos">Reflections on ancient tattoos</h2>



Scientists keep searching for clues about tattoo practices around the world. The Chancay mummies reveal how skilled artists were in creating slender lines and geometric forms. Ötzi’s remains highlight how some markings could be used in medicinal ways.&nbsp;



Every time a new set of discoveries emerges, people formulate a sharper view of how tattooing may have blended <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-reveals-new-details-about-centuries-old-painting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">personal statements</a>, community values, and health traditions.



These findings carry a reminder that body art has never been limited to a single time or cultural background. Instead, it reflects common human impulses to decorate, express, and connect. The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421517122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Complex tattoos and body art found on 1,200-year-old Peruvian mummies

For centuries, people have been fascinated by how body art...

When birds incorporate snake skins into their nests, it’s not just for decoration - it’s a calculated strategy to ward off predators.&nbsp;



A recent study led by researchers from <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a> reveals that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainforest-transformation-impacts-reproduction-among-cavity-nesting-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cavity-nesting birds</a> are significantly more likely to use shed snake skins in their nests than birds that build open-cup nests.&nbsp;



This behavior, found exclusively among perching birds (passerines), seems to deter predators like small mammals, giving cavity nesters a better chance of protecting their eggs.



The research, published in <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1086/733208" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The American Naturalist</a>, combines historical and contemporary data to investigate this unique nesting behavior and explore its benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-birds-use-snake-skins">Why do birds use snake skins?</h2>



Predators of cavity-nesting birds often include small mammals that are also prey for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primate-brains-have-evolved-to-rapidly-detect-snakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snakes</a>. By placing shed snake skins in their nests, these birds may exploit the natural fear these predators have of snakes.



“What do snakes eat? They eat a lot of mice and small mammals,” explained lead author Vanya Rohwer, a senior research associate at Cornell University.&nbsp;



“We think that an evolutionary history of harmful interactions between small-bodied predators of birds that are often eaten by snakes should make these predators afraid of snake skin inside of a nest.”



This instinctive fear could cause predators to avoid nests lined with snake skins, effectively reducing the likelihood of predation.&nbsp;



The researchers suggest that this behavior may have evolved as a specific defense mechanism to enhance the survival of eggs and chicks in cavity nests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-behavior-across-species">Tracing the behavior across species</h2>



Although birdwatchers have documented the use of snake skins in nests for centuries, this study is the first to systematically examine the behavior.&nbsp;



Rohwer and his team began by conducting a comprehensive literature review, including data from <a href="https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birds of the World</a>, academic papers, and historical nest records housed at the <a href="https://wfvz.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology</a>.



The findings revealed that the use of snake skins is exclusive to passerines, a group of birds that includes nearly half of all known bird species. Within this group, cavity-nesting birds were significantly more likely to include snake skins in their nests than birds that build open-cup nests.



“We were trying to address why birds are investing all this time and effort in finding this bizarre material,” Rohwer said.



To validate these findings, the researchers analyzed historical nest records spanning from the late 1800s to the 1950s. These records, meticulously kept by early birdwatchers, documented nest construction, species, and locations across the United States.&nbsp;



The data aligned with the team’s initial findings: cavity nests were 6.5 times more likely to contain snake skins than open-cup nests.



“That was really, really neat, and that suggested to us that we have these two totally independent lines of data that are telling a very similar story,” Rohwer said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-the-snake-skin-hypothesis">Testing the snake skin hypothesis</h2>



To determine the benefits of using snake skins, the researchers conducted an experiment at the Monkey Run Natural Area in Ithaca, New York. They set up over 60 nest boxes to simulate cavity nests and 80 inactive American robin nests to represent open-cup nests.&nbsp;



Half of the nests in each category were lined with snake skins collected from a local snake breeder, while the other half were left unlined.



Each nest was stocked with two quail eggs, and the team monitored them for two weeks, checking every three days. Trail cameras captured predator activity around the nests, providing crucial insights into the effectiveness of snake skins as a deterrent.



The results were clear: snake skins significantly reduced predation in cavity nests. Predators, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-mammals-play-a-vital-role-in-maintaining-forest-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">small mammals</a> like flying squirrels, avoided nest boxes containing snake skins, giving those nests a higher chance of survival during the 14-day period.



“If you were in one of those nest boxes and you had snake skin, you had a much higher chance of surviving that 14-day period,” Rohwer explained. “The benefits of the material are most strongly expressed in cavity nests.”



Interestingly, snake skins did not provide the same level of protection for open-cup nests, which were visited by a wider range of predators, including birds.&nbsp;



This suggests that the enclosed structure of cavity nests enhances the protective effect of snake skins by limiting predator access and amplifying the deterrent signal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-additional-benefits-of-snake-skins-nbsp">Exploring additional benefits of snake skins&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers also considered other possible benefits of using snake skins, such as reducing nest parasites, altering microbial communities in the nest, or signaling parental quality. However, the results primarily supported the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/inaudible-screams-amphibians-use-ultrasound-to-deter-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predation deterrence</a> hypothesis, particularly for cavity nests.



The findings highlight the adaptability of birds in using their environment to protect their offspring. By selecting and incorporating such an unusual material, cavity-nesting birds demonstrate a sophisticated survival strategy that likely evolved to address specific ecological challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shedding-light-on-evolutionary-strategies">Shedding light on evolutionary strategies</h2>



This study highlights the ingenuity of birds in adapting to their environments. The use of snake skins by cavity-nesting passerines represents a clever defense mechanism, reducing the risk of predation and increasing the likelihood of reproductive success.



While the behavior is most beneficial for cavity nests, it also highlights the complex interplay between predator-prey dynamics and nesting strategies. As Rohwer notes, this behavior reflects the resourcefulness of birds and their ability to exploit predator instincts to their advantage.



The research raises fascinating questions about the evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uncovering-the-secrets-of-wild-turkey-nesting-habits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nesting behaviors</a> in birds. The use of snake skins is not just a random quirk but a deliberate and effective survival tactic. The fact that cavity-nesting passerines are more likely to engage in this behavior suggests a deep evolutionary link between nest type and predator defense strategies.



By combining historical data with modern experiments, this study offers new insights into how birds adapt their nesting practices to enhance the safety of their young. 



The research also highlights the importance of studying the intricate relationships between animals and their environments, reminding us of the innovative strategies that have evolved over millions of years.



Whether it’s the choice of nesting material or the structure of the nest itself, birds continue to surprise and inspire with their ingenuity in the face of life’s challenges.



Image Credit: Barbara Taylor/Macaulay Library



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Some birds use snake skins in their nests to deter predators

When birds incorporate snake skins into their nests, it’s not...

A new study from the Silent Spring Institute reveals a troubling reality: almost one-third of Americans have been exposed to unregulated contaminants in their drinking water.&nbsp;



These harmful chemicals, not covered by current federal safety rules, could affect people’s health.&nbsp;



The study also shows that Hispanic and Black communities are more likely to face unsafe levels of these pollutants, often living closer to sources of pollution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extent-of-contaminated-water-nbsp">Extent of contaminated water&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers analyzed data from the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA) collected between 2013 and 2015. The team looked at 4,815 public water systems across the country.&nbsp;



The study revealed that 27% of these systems - serving about 97 million people - had detectable levels of at least one unregulated chemical.



Public water systems are required by law to test for nearly 100 specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-drinking-water-often-contains-unsafe-levels-of-toxic-contaminants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contaminants</a>. These tests ensure that dangerous levels of those substances do not enter our taps.&nbsp;



However, thousands of other chemicals are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These unregulated chemicals can slip into groundwater and surface water, sometimes reaching the water we drink.



“We know there are thousands of other harmful chemicals that are not regulated that make their way into groundwater and surface waters, and some of these chemicals can ultimately end up in drinking water supplies,” explained Laurel Schaider, a senior scientist at the <a href="https://silentspring.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Silent Spring Institute</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-chemicals-are-in-our-water">Which chemicals are in our water?</h2>



Among the harmful substances found in drinking water are:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>1,4-dioxane: A solvent that is considered a probable human carcinogen. It can also be found in everyday consumer products.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-filtration-system-removes-forever-chemicals-from-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PFAS</a> (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): Chemicals used to make non-stick coatings and water-resistant fabrics. They are linked to various health issues, including cancer and thyroid problems.</li>



<li>Chlorodifluoromethane (Freon 22): A gas once used in refrigeration and manufacturing products like Teflon.</li>



<li>1,1-dichloroethane: A chemical used in making paints, plastics, and pesticides, which is also associated with cancer.</li>
</ul>



These chemicals are not regularly monitored by water systems, which means their levels could rise without triggering safety actions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disproportionate-impacts-across-communities">Disproportionate impacts across communities</h2>



The study found that communities with higher percentages of Hispanic and Black residents are more likely to have drinking water with these unregulated chemicals.&nbsp;



These communities often live closer to places that release pollution, such as industrial sites, waste treatment plants, airports, and military areas.



“Our findings show that the percentage of Hispanic and Black residents in a community is a consistent predictor of poorer water quality,” said Aaron Maruzzo, lead author of the study and a scientist at Silent Spring Institute.



This situation cannot be explained by income or socioeconomic status alone. The researchers suggest that systemic issues like racism and the historical practice of redlining - which led to placing industrial facilities near communities of color - contribute to the unequal distribution of pollution and contaminated water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contaminated-water-across-the-nation-nbsp">Contaminated water across the nation&nbsp;</h2>



<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12940-018-0442-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Past research</a> by Silent Spring Institute has shown that Hispanic residents are more likely to drink water with high nitrate levels, which can lead to health problems like colorectal and bladder <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trained-dogs-can-detect-bladder-cancer-in-other-dogs/">cancer</a>.&nbsp;



Other studies found that community water systems serving majority Hispanic and Black populations often have higher PFAS levels.



The new study is notable because it examines disparities in exposure to PFAS and other unregulated contaminants across all U.S. states, Tribal lands, and territories, offering a comprehensive look at nationwide water quality issues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-growing-pfas-problem">The growing PFAS problem</h2>



PFAS chemicals are more widespread in drinking water than previously thought. As recent tests reveal, many more people may be affected by these substances than the data from 2013 to 2015 indicated.&nbsp;



This makes the study’s estimate of 97 million residents likely an undercount, highlighting an even larger problem.



In April 2024, the EPA set new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strict-pfas-limits-will-make-drinking-water-safer-for-100-million-americans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking water</a> standards for six PFAS chemicals, marking a step forward. However, the study underscores a larger need for federal action: regulating more harmful contaminants and addressing the disproportionate exposure that communities of color face.



“Ultimately, we need to do a better job at protecting source waters and reducing discharges of pollutants into water bodies that feed into our drinking water supplies,” Schaider emphasized.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-toward-safer-and-fairer-water-quality-nbsp">Moving toward safer and fairer water quality&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers hope that by making their inventory of unregulated contaminants publicly available, policymakers will be better equipped to create realistic plans for preventing and mitigating water contamination.&nbsp;



This data can guide efforts to ensure safe drinking water for everyone, especially those most at risk.



The study casts a spotlight on a critical public health issue: the uneven burden of contaminated drinking water on minority communities. 



Addressing this challenge involves not only setting stricter regulations for a wider range of chemicals but also tackling the environmental injustices that place these populations at higher risk. 



By improving source water protection and reducing pollution, society can work toward equitable access to safe drinking water for all Americans.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP14721" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Health Perspectives</a>.



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Nearly 100 million Americans exposed to contaminated drinking water

A new study from the Silent Spring Institute reveals a...

The infamous Sydney funnel-web spider, long considered a single species with a bite more dangerous than any other spider, has now been reclassified into three separate species.&nbsp;



An international team of scientists has revealed that the funnel-web spiders in the Sydney region include the “classic” Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus), the Southern Sydney funnel-web (Atrax montanus), and the newly discovered Newcastle funnel-web (Atrax christenseni), affectionately nicknamed “Big Boy.”



The research was conducted by experts from the <a href="https://www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de/en/institutes/leibniz-institutes-all-lists/leibniz-institute-for-the-analysis-of-biodiversity-change" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change</a> (LIB) in Germany, the Australian Museum (AM) in Sydney, and <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flinders University</a> in Adelaide. 



By combining anatomical studies with advanced DNA analysis, the team uncovered hidden diversity within this iconic spider group.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-diversity-of-funnel-web-spiders-nbsp">Hidden diversity of funnel-web spiders&nbsp;</h2>



The study marks a major shift in understanding the Sydney funnel-web <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiders-turn-to-cannibalism-when-food-sources-are-limited/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spider</a>, with each newly identified species occupying distinct regions in New South Wales.



“Our research uncovered hidden diversity among funnel-web spiders,” explained lead researcher Dr. Stephanie Loria from LIB.&nbsp;



“The Newcastle funnel-web, Atrax christenseni - ‘Big Boy’ - is a totally new species. The ‘true’ Sydney funnel-web, Atrax robustus, centers on the North Shore of Sydney and the Central Coast, while the Southern Sydney funnel-web, Atrax montanus, is a resurrected species name from 1914.”



The researchers examined fine morphological traits and genetic data to differentiate the species. Dr. Helen Smith, an arachnologist at the Australian Museum and co-author of the study, noted that variations within the Sydney funnel-web spider had been observed before, but only now could these differences be conclusively analyzed.



“When our international team of researchers ‘reopened the case’ on the Sydney funnel-web, we looked at fine morphological details and gene sequences across the region and found the species split into three distinct groups,” Smith said.



The original Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus) is now confirmed to inhabit Sydney’s northern suburbs and the Central Coast, while Atrax montanus resides in the Blue Mountains to the south and west of Sydney.&nbsp;



The Newcastle funnel-web (Atrax christenseni) is restricted to the Newcastle area, approximately 150 kilometers north of Sydney.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-discovery-of-big-boy">The discovery of “Big Boy”</h2>



The identification of Atrax christenseni was inspired by reports of unusually large male funnel-web spiders brought to the <a href="https://www.reptilepark.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian Reptile Park</a> as part of its Venom Program. These specimens, collected by spider enthusiast Kane Christensen, sparked the team’s investigation into their distinct traits.



“Kane has been instrumental in the identification of this new species, collecting specimens so that we could do further analysis as well as shooting terrific photos of our ‘Big Boy,’” Smith said.



In recognition of Christensen’s contributions, the researchers named the species Atrax christenseni in his honor. Christensen expressed his gratitude for the acknowledgment:



“There is no greater compliment than to have another scientist name a funnel-web species after me. I am deeply honored and accept it with great pleasure.”



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



The findings have practical significance, particularly for the production of funnel-web <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universal-antivenom-to-heal-all-snakebites-is-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antivenom</a>. Since the 1980s, venom from Sydney funnel-web spiders has been used to create an effective antivenom that has prevented any fatalities since its introduction.



“The antivenom for Sydney funnel-web spiders might be optimized by considering biological differentiation at the species level,” said Danilo Harms, co-lead author of the study and researcher at LIB.



While the current antivenom remains effective against all three species, understanding venom differences could lead to improvements in treatment and support further biochemical studies of spider venoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-importance-of-spiders-nbsp">Ecological importance of spiders&nbsp;</h2>



Spiders play a critical role in global ecosystems and have adapted to diverse environments over more than 300 million years of evolution.



“Spiders are older than the dinosaurs. In more than 300 million years of existence, they’ve mastered nearly every environment on Earth and play a vital role across global ecosystems,” said Kris Helgen, chief scientist and director of the <a href="https://australian.museum/get-involved/amri/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian Museum Research Institute</a> (AMRI).



The Australian Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest spider collections, including thousands of funnel-web specimens, played a vital role in this research. By combining historical collections with cutting-edge genetic analysis, the study highlights the enduring value of museum specimens in advancing scientific understanding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-step-forward-in-biodiversity-research">A step forward in biodiversity research</h2>



The reclassification of the Sydney funnel-web spider into three distinct species showcases the complexity of Australia’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> and the importance of revisiting assumptions with modern tools. 



The discovery also underscores the significance of international collaboration and historical collections in revealing hidden aspects of nature.



Dr. Loria noted that none of this would have been possible without the collaboration between institutions and the use of both historical and modern techniques.



“This new research, which relies on these collections, showcases their scientific importance and the insights that come from studying museum specimens in a thoroughly modern way,” Helgen added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-chapter-for-funnel-web-spiders-nbsp">A new chapter for funnel-web spiders&nbsp;</h2>



With this new understanding of the Sydney funnel-web spider’s diversity, researchers and conservationists have an improved perspective on these fascinating arachnids.&nbsp;



The discovery of Atrax christenseni, in particular, highlights the ongoing potential for uncovering new species and learning more about Australia’s unique wildlife.



As Christensen remarked, this research not only sheds light on the funnel-web’s incredible <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazing-adaptation-early-humans-thrived-in-extreme-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptations</a> but also celebrates the collaboration between scientists, enthusiasts, and institutions that made it possible. 



By continuing to explore and study nature’s complexity, we deepen our understanding of the natural world and its many marvels.



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Australia's deadliest spider is actually three different species

The infamous Sydney funnel-web spider, long considered a single species...

Gender wage gaps aren't just a concern for adults. Recent studies show that these inequities begin to form much earlier.



In a study from NYU, researchers have found that boys and girls as young as six years old already exhibit signs of the wage gap, thus perpetuating the cycle of economic disparity.



The experts found that boys tend to value their worth more - asking for bigger rewards for the same work- while girls tend to undervalue their worth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boys-overestimate-their-abilities">Boys overestimate their abilities </h2>



The wage gap isn't just about work. It's about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-perception-we-see-the-world-based-on-what-we-expect-to-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">perception</a>. How much do you think you're worth? 



It turns out that boys estimate themselves to be worth more than girls do, even when performing the same activities. They don't just think they're worth more - they ask for more too.



“Our findings suggest that boys tend to overestimate their abilities compared to girls - and relative to their actual performance. This inflated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-digital-technology-influence-our-sense-of-self/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">self-perception</a> may lead boys to feel more entitled to push the boundaries during negotiations,” explained Sophie Arnold, a doctoral student at <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boys-and-girls-same-work-different-pay">Boys and girls: Same work, different pay?</h2>



The research was focused on boys and girls who were between six and nine years old. The children were introduced to hypothetical scenarios where they could negotiate bonuses with a teacher or a neighbor for completing tasks.



The tasks were identical, and both boys and girls believed they would face little backlash for negotiation and would receive similar rewards.



When asked to identify images rapidly on a computer screen, boys and girls performed the same. After the task, the children were informed that they were due to receive a bonus: pictures of animals.



When asked how many pictures they thought they deserved, boys asked for larger bonuses than girls, even after performing at the same level. And this wasn't a slight difference. A typical boy asked for more bonus pictures than about 65% of the girls did.



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



Boys thought they did better than girls, even though the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-sleep-transforms-brain-performance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">performance</a> was equal. And those boys who believed they did better were more likely to negotiate for higher bonuses.



This suggests that one key to understanding the wage gap may involve focusing on perception - not ability.



“Boys leveraged their perceptions of how common and permissible it is to ask for more, while girls did not,” explained Katherine McAuliffe, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-wage-gap">Addressing the wage gap</h2>



Understanding the early roots of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-children-learn-gender-stereotypes-from-storybooks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gender</a> wage gap can help us shape strategies and policies that tackle the issue head-on.



It's not enough to simply address wage disparities among adults. We need to tackle the problem at its source - in childhood.



Addressing the early emergence of the gender pay gap requires targeted interventions to boost girls' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/power-posing-gives-children-an-instant-confidence-boost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">confidence</a> and negotiation skills. Experts suggest that parents and educators play a critical role in shaping how children perceive their worth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breaking-the-cycle">Breaking the cycle</h2>



Encouraging girls to advocate for themselves and providing positive reinforcement for negotiating can help close the gap before it widens.



Structured activities that teach financial literacy and negotiation techniques tailored for young children could equip girls with the tools they need to value their contributions appropriately.



Schools can also incorporate lessons that highlight successful female role models who have broken barriers in their respective fields, thus inspiring young girls to challenge societal expectations.



By normalizing self-advocacy and negotiation from an early age, both boys and girls can learn to approach opportunities with equal confidence and ambition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-media-and-society">The role of media and society</h2>



Beyond individual efforts, societal and media representations contribute significantly to the early development of gendered perceptions of worth. 



Studies suggest that traditional portrayals of gender roles in media often reinforce the idea that boys should aim higher and ask for more, while girls are encouraged to be accommodating and grateful for what they receive. 



Cartoons, books, and movies often depict male characters in leadership and negotiation roles, while female characters take on supportive, nurturing roles.



Addressing this requires a cultural shift in how we represent gender in media, in addition to encouraging narratives that showcase equality in leadership and success.



Parents and educators can introduce children to diverse media that challenge these stereotypes and promote the idea that ambition and self-advocacy are valuable traits for everyone, regardless of gender. 



The earlier these ideas are introduced, the more likely they are to influence long-term perceptions and behaviors.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fdev0001898" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Developmental Psychology</a>.



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Wage gap starts young: Boys value their worth more than girls

Gender wage gaps aren't just a concern for adults. Recent...

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

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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

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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

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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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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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.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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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.

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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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.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" 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> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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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 history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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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.

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" 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> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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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.

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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