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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

Microplastics have been found in alarming concentrations in some of Europe’s most iconic rivers. From the Thames to the Tiber, researchers discovered that no waterway was free from this form of pollution.



The findings are based on a large collaborative effort that highlights the widespread and often invisible presence of microplastics in Europe’s freshwater systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-total-load-of-microplastics">Total load of microplastics </h2>



The research was led by scientists from the <a href="https://www.cnrs.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">French National Center for Scientific Research</a> (CNRS), in collaboration with 19 laboratories across Europe. 



The investigation encompassed 14 separate studies that analyzed nine major rivers, including the Elbe, Ebro, Garonne, Loire, Rhone, Rhine, Seine, Thames, and the Tiber.



Despite having far fewer particles per cubic meter compared to some of the world’s most polluted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iconic-american-rivers-are-threatened-by-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rivers</a>, such as the Ganges or Yangtze, the sheer volume of water in Europe’s rivers means the total load of microplastics is still significant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-presence-of-microplastics">Alarming presence of microplastics </h2>



The pollution levels detected in the rivers averaged three microplastics per cubic meter of water. That may seem low at first glance, but considering the fast-moving currents in these rivers, the flow quickly adds up.



In Valence, France, the Rhone River carries about 3,000 microplastic particles per second. In Paris, the Seine transports roughly 900 per second.



"The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-found-in-every-aquatic-species-tested/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> is present in all European rivers," said Jean-François Ghiglione, who coordinated the project. He noted that this widespread presence is "alarming."



"The mass of microplastics invisible to the naked eye is more significant than that of the visible ones," said Ghiglione, noting that this finding surprised the team.



Advances in analytical tools since the study began in 2019 have enabled researchers to detect and measure even the tiniest fragments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-does-the-pollution-come-from">Where does the pollution come from?</h2>



To collect data, a team of around 40 chemists, biologists, and physicists traveled upstream from the mouths of the rivers to the first major city on each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-impacts-on-waterways-contribute-to-the-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waterway</a>.



The samples revealed tiny microplastics, including synthetic fibers from laundry, particles worn off car tires, and bits released when opening plastic bottles.



"Microplastics are smaller than a grain of rice," said Alexandra Ter Halle, a chemist who contributed to the analysis.



The researchers also identified “virgin” plastic pellets - tiny granules used to manufacture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/9936-chemicals-found-in-plastic-products-used-for-food-packaging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic products</a>. Often referred to as "mermaid tears," these pellets can escape from industrial sites and end up in rivers and oceans, especially after maritime spills.



"What we see is the pollution is diffuse and established," said Ghiglione. "It comes from everywhere."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-industry-fuels-microplastic-pollution">Industry fuels microplastic pollution</h2>



One of the more surprising findings was that a quarter of the microplastics identified in the rivers did not come from discarded <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coca-cola-pepsi-among-top-contributors-to-plastic-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic waste</a>. Instead, the particles originated from industrial pellets.



The implications are very concerning. One of the studies even detected a bacterium clinging to a microplastic in the Loire that is known to cause infections in humans.



As part of an international coalition involved in ongoing United Nations negotiations on plastic pollution, the researchers are pushing for upstream solutions.



"The international scientific coalition we are part of (as part of international UN negotiations on reducing plastic pollution) is calling for a major reduction in the production of primary plastic because we know that plastic production is directly linked to pollution," Ghiglione said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-swift-and-coordinated-action-is-needed">Swift and coordinated action is needed</h2>



This research adds urgency to global conversations about how plastic production and waste management are regulated. Microplastics have already been found in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and even our bloodstreams and brains.



Their presence in major European rivers confirms that the issue is no longer isolated to far-off coastlines or heavily polluted regions. Microplastic pollution is local, persistent, and rapidly spreading.



Beyond environmental damage, the potential health risks to humans and wildlife raise serious concerns. 



Scientists warn that without swift and coordinated action to curb plastic production, improve industrial standards, and enforce stricter regulations, this form of pollution will only accelerate further and threaten ecosystems, public health, and future generations.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-024-35827-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science and Pollution Research</a>.



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'Alarming' levels of microplastics found in every major European river

Microplastics have been found in alarming concentrations in some of...

In many cultures, herbal remedies are treated as a trusted source of healing and wellness. People often assume that it must be safe if something grows in nature.



Recent <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/5/875" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> points to a more complicated picture. Concerns have risen over the potentially harmful effects of long-term folk herb consumption.



Dr. Noura Abou Zeinab, an assistant professor at <a href="http://www.bau.edu.lb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beirut Arab University</a>, has led an investigation into some of these concerns. She explored how certain frequently consumed plants might impact liver and kidney health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-herbs-under-suspicion">Herbs under suspicion</h2>



"Historically, medications have been primarily sourced from plants. Due to their high therapeutic potential and ability to improve well-being, which has improved quality of life since ancient times, herbal drugs are widely accepted by the general population," noted the researchers.



Various communities in the Middle East have long relied on homegrown solutions for digestive complaints and overall vitality. Some of these plants are now under the microscope because they may carry unknown risks.



According to the study, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/herbal-supplements-often-contain-hidden-ingredients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herbs</a> that are known among locals are rarely tested for prolonged use. Investigators discovered that certain extracts could affect internal organs in unexpected ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-use-of-herbal-remedies">Long-term use of herbal remedies</h2>



The researchers conducted experiments on adult male rats. Tissue studies and <a href="https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/steps/part3-section6.pdf?sfvrsn=73a06c16_2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biochemical measurements</a> offered fresh insights into how these plant extracts might alter body function.



“Our findings highlight a real need for caution when using these plants for extended periods. Although these herbs have a long history of traditional use, their potential adverse effects should not be overlooked,” said Dr. Noura Abou Zeinab.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspectives-on-health"><a></a>New perspectives on health</h2>



Many people turn to <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/traditional-complementary-and-integrative-medicine#tab=tab_1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">traditional medicine</a> to avoid <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/synthetic-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synthetic drugs</a>. They might assume that a leaf or root with a long lineage of human use is free of undesirable effects.



However, experts caution that some herbal remedies contain potent chemicals that burden the liver and kidneys. Regulators continue to stress the importance of quality control to avoid contaminated or adulterated products.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-experts-are-cautious">Experts are cautious</h2>



Studies on herbal toxicity remain relatively scarce in comparison to pharmaceutical research. That gap in data means individuals might be tempted to assume safety without scientific proof.



Investigators in different parts of the world have raised questions about the daily consumption of certain teas, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chia-seeds-have-great-potential-to-improve-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seeds</a>, or extracts. There is also concern that people may self-prescribe herbs at higher doses than recommended.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflict-between-herbs-and-modern-drugs">Conflict between herbs and modern drugs</h2>



Pharmacists and healthcare practitioners often advise people to inform their doctors about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/herbal-supplements-are-not-always-safe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herbal supplements</a> that they regularly consume. Even mild interactions could pose problems, especially for those on prescription medications.



Assessing the potential synergy or conflict between herbs and modern drugs is an ongoing challenge. Experts emphasize that patients should report all substances to their doctor, whether natural or synthetic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-balance-with-herbal-remedies">Finding balance with herbal remedies</h2>



Some individuals argue that centuries of usage point to inherent safety. Others believe that scientific validation is necessary for each claim, no matter how time-honored.



This study encourages a cautious stance toward daily reliance on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-plant-extracts-can-block-covid-19-infection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant extracts</a>. When it comes to health choices, knowledge can reduce unfortunate outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-paths-forward"><a></a>Potential paths forward</h2>



Future trials may explore whether moderate dosages or different preparations of these herbs could lessen any strain on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-causes-liver-damage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">liver</a> and kidneys. A better grasp of chemical composition might also pave the way for safer herbal solutions.



Public outreach campaigns could inform consumers about the possible downsides of unsupervised herbal remedies. This might involve educational programs that outline risks and emphasize expert guidance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fine-print-on-herbal-products">The fine print on herbal products</h2>



Labels on herbs often lack comprehensive warnings. More detailed descriptions would help users make better choices before trying something new.



Companies that process or market these items might consider investing in toxicity research. A product with thorough safety data will gain trust more easily than one without it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tradition-and-science">Tradition and science</h2>



Every generation refines its approach to well-being. By blending traditional knowledge with scientific scrutiny, society can benefit from the best of both worlds.



Decisions about herbal remedies should always involve careful thought and consultation. These concerns highlight why further research remains vital.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/5/875" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nutrients</a>.



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Herbal remedies are raising new concerns

In many cultures, herbal remedies are treated as a trusted...

Recent findings indicate that the moon’s farside may contain far less water in its mantle than the side that perpetually faces Earth.&nbsp;



Scientists studying rock and soil returned from this lesser-seen region have uncovered an intriguing possibility that water may be distributed unevenly throughout the lunar interior, shedding new light on how the moon formed and evolved over billions of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-intriguing-hemispheric-difference">An intriguing hemispheric difference </h2>



Soil and rocks recovered from the moon's mysterious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/huge-differences-found-between-the-moons-near-and-farside/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farside</a> suggest it may be drier than the side constantly facing Earth, according to a team of Chinese scientists. 



The samples were gathered by China’s Chang’e-6 (CE6) mission and analyzed by researchers at the <a href="https://english.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a>.&nbsp;



Although missions over the decades have detected anywhere from 1 to 200 micrograms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moons-entire-surface-is-covered-with-water-and-hydroxyl-not-just-the-poles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water </a>per gram of lunar material on the near side, the new measurements indicate the farside may be on the exceptionally dry end of the spectrum, pointing to an intriguing hemispheric difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-landmark-lunar-mission">A landmark lunar mission</h2>



China became the first nation to land a spacecraft on the farside last year. The CE6 probe touched down in the South Pole-Aitken basin, a massive impact crater on the lunar farside that is one of the largest in the solar system.&nbsp;



By returning five grams of volcanic rock and soil, the mission provided scientists with their first opportunity to characterize water content beneath the less-explored hemisphere.&nbsp;



Within those five grams, 578 tiny particles were selected for close analysis with electron microscopes. 



This work builds on more than a decade of research into lunar water, which first began shifting scientific opinion away from viewing the moon as “bone dry” to recognizing that it contains small but meaningful amounts of water locked in its mantle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exceptionally-dry-lunar-rocks">Exceptionally dry lunar rocks</h2>



The CE6 sample analysis focused on mineral grains - especially apatite, a phosphate mineral known to trap hydrogen, and tiny pockets of ancient molten rock called melt inclusions. 



These inclusions, often encased in minerals like olivine or ilmenite, can record the chemistry of the original magma that melted deep in the mantle and rose to the surface. Apatite and melt inclusions therefore serve as invaluable windows into the moon’s interior.



The researchers estimate that the water content of the parent magma for these far-side basalts could have ranged from about 15 to 168 micrograms per gram.&nbsp;



After careful modeling of how water-bearing minerals crystallize and release their hydrogen over time, they concluded that the mantle source for these rocks might contain just 1 to 1.5 micrograms of water per gram - among the lowest estimates so far for any region of the moon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-moon-s-dry-side">Significance of the moon's dry side</h2>



A better grasp of water distribution in the lunar interior can help explain how the moon formed, whether through a giant impact or another process, and how its mantle evolved as it cooled.&nbsp;



The near side, especially the Procellarum KREEP Terrane, holds more thorium and appears richer in water. 



By contrast, the farside’s low thorium and reduced water content suggest a deep-seated imbalance, possibly caused by the enormous collision that created the South Pole-Aitken basin. That event could have relocated water-bearing minerals, leaving the farside comparatively depleted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upcoming-moon-missions">Upcoming moon missions</h2>



Even if confirmed by further samples, these results do not upend existing mission plans. Astronauts will likely continue targeting the near side, particularly near the south pole, where ice may be abundant in permanently shadowed craters.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> aims to send four astronauts around the moon next year as part of its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grow-plants-on-moon-by-2026-nasa-artemis-iii-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artemis</a> program, followed by a landing no earlier than 2027. China has also announced plans for its own crewed lunar landing by 2030.&nbsp;



Both space agencies have strong motivation to explore and possibly utilize ice deposits for life support and rocket fuel, making the relatively water-poor farside less of a priority for immediate human presence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-the-moon-s-interior">Mystery of the moon's interior</h2>



The new estimate of dryness from the farside underlines how much remains unknown about the moon’s interior and its hemispherical differences. Further sampling will be crucial before scientists can assert that the entire farside is as arid as these initial fragments suggest.&nbsp;



Future missions by NASA’s Artemis program and additional Chinese projects aim to collect still more diverse samples, potentially revealing whether the dryness is widespread or limited to one particular region.



Nevertheless, the potential for a drier farside does not diminish the scientific significance of exploring this untouched terrain. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-study-of-the-moon-s-dry-side">Ongoing study of the moon's dry side</h2>



The quest to understand lunar water continues to reshape models of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-earth-get-its-moon-a-new-theory-has-emerged/">moon’s origin</a> and development, guiding how researchers plan future missions, target landing sites, and search for the best places to establish a lasting foothold on Earth’s only natural satellite.&nbsp;



However, the researchers behind the CE6 findings emphasize that more data - and more samples - are key. 



Study co-author Sen Hu, an astrophysicist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, concluded that more samples are required to further investigate how much water there is on the farside. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08870-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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'Dry side' of the Moon reveals new details about lunar evolution

Recent findings indicate that the moon’s farside may contain far...

Faint glows in the night sky, often seen above distant city skylines, can do more than reveal urban sprawl. Recent findings show that even extremely low levels of artificial light can affect freshwater systems, sparking rises in certain algae while changing how carbon flows through lake ecosystems.



Researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (<a href="https://www.igb-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IGB</a>) investigated these effects, demonstrating how skyglow - artificial light scattered in the atmosphere - can reach remote <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-warming-toward-the-point-of-no-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lakes</a> and subtly disrupt the balance of microscopic organisms.



“The effects of skyglow on freshwater ecosystems were largely unknown until recently. However, we have now learned that many of the organisms in lakes follow a day-night rhythm.,” said IGB researcher Hans-Peter Grossart, who led the research.



“In our study, we have shown that artificial light at night promotes the proliferation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-plants-into-carbon-capture-machines-with-cyanobacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyanobacteria</a>, also known as blue-green algae, which can produce toxins. Skyglow also stimulates carbon cycling in freshwaters.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-light-pollution-in-lakes">Studying light pollution in lakes</h2>



The team used the IGB’s <a href="https://www.igb-berlin.de/en/infrastructure/lakelab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LakeLab</a>, a one-of-a-kind experimental platform set within a larger lake. This setup consists of 24 separate enclosures, each containing 1,300 cubic meters of lake water and isolating its contents from the rest of the environment.



At the start of the experiment, the researchers ensured that algae, bacteria, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-can-think-and-make-smart-decisions-without-a-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a>, and small crustaceans were evenly distributed throughout all of these enclosures.



Ten of these sections were lit at night for a month using a specially designed system that introduced levels of illumination ranging from 0.06 lux, resembling typical skyglow in urbanized areas, to 6 lux, the highest documented skyglow level ever measured. Five enclosures were left dark as controls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-artificial-illumination-and-cyanobacteria">Artificial illumination and cyanobacteria</h2>



The experiment was designed to test whether low-intensity nighttime light would alter the composition and metabolism of lake organisms. 



The focus was on microorganisms, especially the bacteria and algae crucial to cycling nutrients like carbon. The scientists wanted to see if weak night lighting could trigger noticeable changes in how the lake community produced and processed organic material.



Study co-author Mark Gessner is an IGB researcher one of the coordinators of the project on light pollution in lakes.



“The IGB LakeLab offers ideal conditions for such a large-scale experiment where cause-and-effect relationships can be ascertained in realistic field settings by comparing responses of lit and unlit control enclosures,” said Gessner.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacteria-respond-to-low-light-levels">Bacteria respond to low light levels</h2>



During the trial, the scientists tracked how bacterial populations grew and responded, with a particular focus on cyanobacteria and other bacteria that rely on light to generate energy.



The results were significant: these light-using microorganisms increased on average by a factor of 32 in the lit enclosures compared to the dark ones. 



Many of them, including cyanobacteria and certain anaerobic phototrophs, rose to levels high enough to suggest a direct response to even the weakest artificial glow.



“In our experiments, even very low light intensities of 0.06 lux were sufficient to elicit a response,” explained co-author Stella Berger, a phytoplankton expert at IGB. 



These findings highlight how extremely subtle amounts of artificial light may have bigger ecosystem effects than scientists once assumed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disrupted-carbon-cycling-and-toxins">Disrupted carbon cycling and toxins</h2>



When more light-favoring microbes thrive, the processes driving organic matter production, consumption, and decomposition shift accordingly. 



Freshwater systems depend on a balanced cycle: algae, aquatic plants, and photosynthetic bacteria convert inorganic elements such as carbon dioxide into organic matter, which eventually serves as food for other creatures.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-in-lakes-help-fight-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bacteria</a> that function as decomposers break down leftover material, returning nutrients to the environment. The presence of extra cyanobacteria can throw off this balance, sometimes producing toxins harmful to fish, wildlife, and even humans if they accumulate in drinking water sources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-pollution-changes-lakes">Light pollution changes lakes</h2>



Laboratory analysis of water samples from the lit enclosures revealed that under conditions resembling typical urban skyglow, bacterial decomposition of organic substances ramped up considerably. 



Genetic evidence confirmed that community composition shifted, with certain species thriving under low artificial light and altering the rate at which carbon and nutrients circulated in the lake.



“An illuminance of 0.06 lux is roughly the illuminance to which organisms can be exposed over large urban areas,” added IGB researcher Franz Hölker, co-author of the study and second coordinator of the project. 



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-pollution-is-transforming-nightlife-on-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subtle glow</a>, in other words, matches the brightness that rural or distant locations may experience simply because of distant city lights scattering in the atmosphere.



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



The study’s conclusions carry weight for managing freshwater resources. Cyanobacteria blooms can disrupt recreation, kill fish, and release toxins that pose public health risks. 



Even if other conditions including temperature and nutrient levels remain stable, the presence of faint artificial light at night might be one more factor tipping the scales toward damaging algae blooms. 



The researchers suggest that for cases where algal blooms are not easily explained, light pollution should be considered as a contributing cause.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-increase-in-light-pollution">Global increase in light pollution</h2>



The growing use of satellite imagery and drone technologies can help track which regions might be most affected, offering early warning and mitigation strategies. Still, prevention remains challenging. 



The broader global increase in artificial lighting could spark far-reaching changes in habitats never intended to be illuminated.



By showing that conditions once deemed too dim to matter can trigger noteworthy ecological responses, this research shifts the conversation about artificial light pollution. 



Though it is easy to overlook faint skyglow, lakes teeming with life are more sensitive to these gentle, scattered illuminations than previously realized.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135425002295?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Water Research</a>.



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'Skyglow' from light pollution causes more problems than we knew

Faint glows in the night sky, often seen above distant...

As the world grapples with intensifying environmental and social challenges, a new report offers a radical shift in perspective. Rather than merely outlining the issues, it focuses on how to achieve meaningful, lasting change by confronting the deep societal mindsets and structures that allow global crises like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss to persist.



Published by the <a href="https://unu.edu/ehs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security</a> (UNU-EHS), the 2025 Interconnected Disaster Risks report, titled “Turning Over a New Leaf,” calls for a break from surface-level solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-theory-of-deep-change">The Theory of Deep Change </h2>



The authors argue that efforts to address global risks often fail because they do not challenge the fundamental beliefs and systems that create and maintain these problems.



“Society is at a crossroads,” said Shen Xiaomeng, the director of UNU-EHS. “For years, scientists have warned us about the damage we're doing to our planet, and how to stop it. But we aren't taking meaningful actions. We know <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> is worsening, yet fossil fuel consumption keeps hitting record highs. We already have a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-waste-crisis-why-u-s-goals-remain-out-of-reach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waste crisis</a>, yet household waste is projected to double by 2050.”



“Time and again, we see the danger ahead, yet we keep moving towards it. In many cases, we see the abyss, we know how to turn around, and yet we confidently keep walking towards it. Why?”



The report responds to this question by introducing a new framework for understanding and addressing the roots of global crises. 



This framework, known as the Theory of Deep Change, suggests that transformative action requires more than new policies or technologies - it demands a fundamental rethinking of the values, narratives, and assumptions that shape our society.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beneath-the-surface">Looking beneath the surface</h2>



The Theory of Deep Change builds on the warnings of the previous report, which highlighted irreversible tipping points in environmental systems. This year’s edition extends that work by outlining how deep-rooted societal structures and belief systems continue to fuel global risks.



One example explored in the report involves rivers choked with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-plastic-pollution-lurks-beneath-the-surface-of-rivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic</a> waste. While improving waste management might seem like the obvious solution, the authors argue that real progress requires asking why so much plastic is produced and consumed in the first place.&nbsp;



The theory goes beyond policy fixes and examines the deeper assumptions driving these systems - such as the belief that constant consumption signals progress or that “new is better.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tackling-global-crises-at-the-roots">Tackling global crises at the roots</h2>



To illustrate their point, the report uses the metaphor of a tree. The global crises we see - pollution, inequality, climate instability - are like rotten fruit, but the problems originate much deeper, in the roots.



True change, the authors argue, begins at this root level. Without challenging the basic mindsets that uphold our systems, improvements like recycling or conservation will only scratch the surface.



“There are many people who are trying to change the world for the better. But trying to do the right thing can seem like an impossible challenge, and when we feel as though things aren't moving in the right direction, it is easy to feel defeated,” said lead author Caitlyn Eberle, a research associate at UNU-EHS.



“Our report shows that many of the actions we take, as well-intentioned as they are, won't work as long as there is a whole system working against us. We need to go deeper, envision the world that we want to live in, and change the structures to match that vision.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-going-beyond-the-quick-fix">Going beyond the quick fix</h2>



One striking example in the report is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-geoengineering-could-save-up-to-400000-lives-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar geoengineering</a> - injecting aerosols into the atmosphere to cool the planet. While it might reduce global temperatures, the report warns this is another case of treating the symptoms instead of the cause.



The technique doesn’t reduce carbon emissions or address the behaviors that cause global warming. It also risks unpredictable side effects and raises ethical concerns when implemented unilaterally.



Instead, the report highlights the importance of addressing the behavior - burning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-warnings-fossil-fuels-are-causing-climate-health-and-biodiversity-crises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuels</a> - rather than only its consequences. Through the lens of deep change, solar geoengineering is a distraction from the systemic overhaul that is actually needed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pathways-to-transformation">Pathways to transformation</h2>



The report identifies five key areas where change is most needed: how we view waste, how we relate to nature, our sense of personal and collective responsibility, our vision of the future, and what we value most as a society.



To support transformation in these areas, the Theory of Deep Change outlines two main pathways, or “levers:” inner and outer. Inner levers deal with changing the beliefs and assumptions that define what’s possible. Outer levers translate new visions into actual systems through laws, education, or institutions.



For example, shifting from national self-interest to a global sense of shared responsibility is an inner lever. Creating structures for international cooperation to govern complex technologies like solar geoengineering is an outer lever. Both are essential, and neither works well alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-change-is-not-easy">Deep change is not easy</h2>



Despite clear pathways forward, deep change is not easy. The report discusses obstacles like fear, vested interests, and institutional resistance, what it terms the “Delta of Doom.” These forces can stall progress, even when better options are known and available.



Still, the authors are hopeful. “Change can be uncomfortable, but going backwards won't solve the challenges of a rapidly evolving world,” said Zita Sebesvari, the deputy director of UNU-EHS and another lead author of the report.



“This report is not just about avoiding disaster - it's about breaking free from the mindset of merely mitigating harm. We limit ourselves when we focus only on preventing the worst, rather than striving for the best.”



“By addressing the root causes of the problems, fostering global cooperation and believing in our collective power, we can shape a world where future generations do not just survive but thrive. It's time for fresh thinking, and ultimately, turning over a new leaf,” she concluded.



The full report can be found <a href="https://interconnectedrisks.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



Image Credit: CC0 Public Domain



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UN report: Tackling global crises requires a radical shift in mindsets

As the world grapples with intensifying environmental and social challenges,...

Baby,Development.,Cute,Little,Black,Infant,Boy,Making,First,Steps

A new study suggests that the human ability to walk on two legs may have shaped more than just how we move - it could also explain the emergence of rhythm, music, and even language.



The researchers propose that the shift to upright walking played a key role in developing human creativity and communicative abilities, with echoes of that transformation still present in how we think, speak, and relate to each other today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upright-walking-and-human-creativity">Upright walking and human creativity</h2>



The study was co-authored by physician and researcher Matz Larsson from <a href="https://www.oru.se/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Örebro University </a>and anthropology professor Dean Falk from <a href="https://www.fsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida State University</a>. 



The research explores how the rhythmic sound of footsteps, unique to upright walking, may have laid the groundwork for our sense of timing and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-your-body-moves-to-music-even-if-you-dont-enjoy-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">musicality</a>, and how it influenced the evolution of human interaction and brain development.



“This also explains why running and going for walks promote creativity,” noted Larsson. The steady rhythm of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walk-20-minutes-daily-to-boost-your-brain-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking</a>, he suggests, could help synchronize thoughts and sharpen perception - a connection that may have deep evolutionary roots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rhythm-in-the-footsteps">Rhythm in the footsteps</h2>



When early humans began walking upright, they produced a new kind of sound - steady, rhythmic, and easy to predict. This contrasts with the more erratic noise made by quadrupedal movement, such as the irregular steps of a chimpanzee climbing through trees.



“Bipedal footsteps create rhythmic and more predictable sounds of movement, in comparison with the way in which our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, moves on all fours, with irregular steps among rustling tree branches,” Larsson explained.



This regularity likely offered an evolutionary advantage. When two people walk in sync, their footsteps create quiet intervals between steps, giving the brain space to tune in to other sounds in the environment.



“That way, a lion or an enemy can be noticed in time. Individuals with no rhythm who could not manage this most likely waddled, quite literally, their way out of the genetic pool,” added Larsson.



This auditory clarity may have helped humans survive by detecting threats sooner. But the implications go further. The rhythm of footsteps may also have trained the brain to group sounds together, paving the way for musical patterns and structured <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-humans-start-talking-scientists-may-have-found-the-answer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">speech</a> beginning with upright walking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-the-womb-to-the-world">From the womb to the world</h2>



Even before birth, the effects of rhythmic motion seem to leave a mark. As pregnant women walk, the steady up-and-down motion of their footsteps activates multiple sensory systems in the fetus - including hearing, balance, touch, and body awareness (known as proprioception).



The tempo of normal walking - around 120 steps per minute - happens to match the beat of many musical compositions.



“Our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-music-affects-a-babys-heartbeat-before-birth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heartbeat</a> has a different rhythm, around 70 beats per minute, and the heartbeat only stimulates hearing,” Larsson noted. “This means that footsteps create a significantly more music-like experience. Babies are soothed by being rocked. Perhaps it's because it simulates when the mother was walking around during pregnancy?”



This early exposure to rhythm may prime infants to respond to tempo, soothing them and preparing them for later experiences of music and movement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-melody-of-early-speech">The melody of early speech</h2>



Larsson’s co-author Dean Falk has spent years studying “baby talk" - the melodic, exaggerated style adults use when speaking to infants. Falk suggests this behavior may have developed as a way to compensate for a loss of physical closeness.



Once humans began walking upright, babies could no longer cling to their mother’s fur, which reduced constant physical contact between parent and child.



“That's how baby talk arose - as a substitute for the physical connection between babies and parents, according to Falk's research. This may have stimulated the evolution of music and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-did-humans-first-develop-language-scientists-think-they-know/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language</a>,” Larsson said.



In this view, the rhythmic and melodic aspects of early speech - used to comfort and bond with infants - may have contributed to the rise of both language and musical expression.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upright-walking-boosts-creativity">Upright walking boosts creativity</h2>



Larsson believes these ancient patterns are still alive in modern human behavior. “In my experience, running and going for walks promote creativity and can give rise to new thoughts - and going for a walk with a friend stimulates the exchange of ideas,” he said.



Walking doesn’t just help us think more clearly - it may also enhance how we connect with others, synchronizing speech and movement in subtle but meaningful ways.



Larsson had personal inspiration for this theory. “My son Filip has Down syndrome and is a great music lover. He has a special rhythmic ability and likes to walk in step with his dad. The sounds that are created when we are out walking replace the talking - he no longer uses words, he signs instead. Filip got me thinking outside the box,” he said.



With upright walking, father and son communicate without words, guided by the shared rhythm of their steps. For Larsson, this everyday experience points to something profound: the cadence of bipedal motion may have done more than free our hands - it may have freed our minds.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/734554" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Anthropology</a>.



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Upright walking may have sparked human creativity and music

A new study suggests that the human ability to walk...

Metabolic syndrome affects many people who struggle with obesity, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol. This health issue may increase the likelihood of other serious conditions, including heart disease or stroke.



In a recent study, researchers investigated whether plant extracts can help address metabolic syndrome.



Hammad Ullah, an expert in the Department of Pharmacy at the <a href="https://www.unina.it/home;jsessionid=D2791051CD70D173B32795B5F05F0D73.node_publisher12" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Napoli Federico II</a>, is the study's lead author. He and his colleagues explored scientific evidence on botanical compounds and their potential effects on factors linked to metabolic syndrome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-at-metabolic-syndrome">Looking at metabolic syndrome</h2>



Many people are not familiar with what metabolic syndrome really involves. It typically includes several issues like high blood pressure, large waist size, and elevated glucose.



“Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes,” stated a representative from the <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Heart Association (AHA)</a>. This combination worries physicians because it may lead to further complications if left unmanaged.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-plant-extracts-boost-metabolic-health">Can plant extracts boost metabolic health?</h2>



Certain herbs or fruit-derived compounds appear to influence blood sugar or inflammatory processes. Researchers have looked into phytochemicals, which are compounds produced by plants, for their effects on metabolic health.



Those same compounds might help the body respond better to insulin or maintain balanced lipid levels. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cinnamon-boost-metabolism-obesity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cinnamon</a>, for instance, has been studied for its possible role in lowering blood glucose in those with type 2 diabetes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-safety-matters-in-plant-extracts">Why safety matters in plant extracts</h2>



Plant-based solutions sometimes contain chemicals that can interact with conventional medicines. Not everything labeled as herbal is automatically safe.



The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) acknowledges that some herbal and dietary <a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/using-dietary-supplements-wisely" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supplements</a> may offer health benefits but warns that scientific evidence varies considerably.



This advice encourages people to check reliable sources or trained professionals before considering certain supplements and plant extracts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-technology-and-extraction-methods">New technology and extraction methods</h2>



Improved laboratory approaches now allow scientists to isolate purified parts of plants. One primary goal is to enhance absorption, which could make these plant extracts more effective.



Modern processes rely on fine-tuned conditions to maintain stability. This precision might open new options for those who need consistent results from plant-derived supplements.



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



Some cultures have used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/4000-year-old-skulls-reveal-ancient-egyptian-attempts-cancer-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herbal remedies</a> for many generations. In those communities, people sometimes rely on local resources to manage health concerns.



Today, clinical trials add a scientific lens. By testing formulas in controlled settings, researchers can see whether specific extracts or doses truly benefit groups of people dealing with metabolic syndrome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steps-for-better-metabolic-health">Steps for better metabolic health</h2>



Weight control, balanced nutrition, and regular activity can work together to support metabolic health. Plant extracts may act as an extra tool.



Studies have suggested that fenugreek seeds, for instance, might help with glucose regulation and cholesterol levels. Still, experts recommend combining sensible lifestyle measures with any nutritional approach.



The hope behind these botanical investigations is to identify ways to address key elements of metabolic syndrome. Early interventions often yield better long-term outcomes.



Some individuals might experience benefits if they incorporate these compounds under professional guidance. Over time, more data can clarify how best to use these extracts responsibly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-extracts-need-further-testing">Plant extracts need further testing</h2>



Global teams continue to evaluate these nutritional possibilities. Publishers, universities, and medical institutes come together to share findings.



Credible research organizations offer a platform for vetting proposals and confirming any positive outcomes. Transparency and repeat experiments serve as vital checkpoints for quality.



Many of these botanical products await further testing. Researchers remain interested in how specific plant-based chemicals work in diverse populations.



Better insights may come from large-scale projects that follow volunteers over months or years. Such efforts might reveal who benefits most and what side effects may occur.



Some experts urge caution, especially when it comes to unproven claims around plant extracts. Trustworthy sources back up their statements with verifiable data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifestyle-strategies-still-count">Lifestyle strategies still count</h2>



Consumers can safeguard their health by asking for credentials and checking peer-reviewed studies. A balanced approach avoids oversimplified promises that lack real support.



Patients with metabolic syndrome should also focus on improving their health through physical activity, stress management, and a nutrient-rich plan. Healthcare teams generally agree that daily habits shape long-term progress.



While a supplement might help, it usually does not replace medical advice or medications. Everything works best in harmony with proper care and monitoring.



Communities worldwide face growing numbers of individuals dealing with metabolic risk factors. Researchers are investigating cost-effective, accessible strategies for the future.



Plant extracts fit into a bigger plan for promoting healthy living. They do not stand alone but may support existing practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-p-lant-extracts-and-metabolic-syndrome">Plant extracts and metabolic syndrome</h2>



Examining how plant extracts can complement treatment for metabolic syndrome is an ongoing conversation. Simple adjustments may bring hope to some readers who wish to explore natural alternatives.



Experts continue to refine formulas and safety guidelines. This ensures that any recommendations come from real evidence rather than guesswork.



Two essential questions remain: how well do these plant-based options work over time, and which populations are likely to benefit most? Scientists continue to seek answers.



Such efforts aim to offer clarity in a medical world that sometimes overlooks gentle interventions. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/5/877">Nutrients</a>.

Plant extracts may help treat metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome affects many people who struggle with obesity, high...

In the shallows off Taiwan’s western coast, a centuries-old jawbone fossil lay hidden beneath the sea. It wasn’t buried in a cave or preserved in a mountain. Instead, it rested quietly in the sediment of the Penghu Channel - until chance and curiosity brought it to light.



What began as a fisherman’s haul would soon rewrite the story of a long-lost branch of humanity. Scientists now confirm that this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-modern-fossils-will-be-the-most-surprising-to-future-explorers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient</a> jawbone belonged to a Denisovan, one of the most mysterious human relatives ever identified.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jawbone-fossil-from-rare-denisovan-group">Jawbone fossil from rare Denisovan group</h2>



The Denisovans are an extinct group of archaic humans, first identified in 2010. Their name comes from the Siberian cave where their remains were originally discovered.



They are neither <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-neanderthals-species-face-structure-evolved-differently/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthals</a> nor modern humans, but something distinct. They share ancestors with both of these hominins, and have left genetic remnants in living populations today. Much about them remains uncertain, because their physical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-extinction-theories-are-challenged-by-new-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a> are extremely rare.



"Denisovan fossils are very scarce," said study co-author Takumi Tsutaya at the <a href="https://www.soken.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Graduate University for Advanced Studies</a> in Japan.



Until recently, their known fossils included only a few teeth, jaw fragments, and a finger bone. These remains came mostly from Denisova Cave in southern Siberia and a cave in Tibet. 



Hints of Denisovan presence in Laos and China have emerged, but no direct molecular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cambrian-fossils-reveal-new-clues-about-arthropod-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> had confirmed those suspicions. That changed with the jawbone, which is now known as Penghu 1.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accidental-discovery-turns-into-treasure">Accidental discovery turns into treasure</h2>



Penghu 1’s story began not in a lab, but on a fishing boat. In the early 2000s, a trawler operating near the Taiwan Strait dredged up the fossil from the seabed. 



It made its way to an antique shop, where it sat unrecognized until 2008, when a collector noticed its potential and donated it to Taiwan’s <a href="https://www.nmns.edu.tw/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Museum of Natural Science</a>.



The fossil jawbone's location - once part of the Asian mainland during times when sea levels were lower - places it in an area that could have been accessible to ancient humans.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan-male_jawbone-fossil_discovery_Taiwan_credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan-male_jawbone-fossil_discovery_Taiwan_credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1s.webp" alt="Researchers extracted ancient proteins from the bone and tooth enamel of this Denisovan jawbone discovered in Taiwan. Credit: Chun-Hsiang Chang, Jay Chang" class="wp-image-1965636"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers extracted ancient proteins from the bone and tooth enamel of this Denisovan jawbone discovered in Taiwan. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Chun-Hsiang Chang, Jay Chang</figcaption></figure>



Initial attempts to study the jawbone were limited. The fossil was too degraded to yield ancient DNA, which is typically the most reliable way to identify archaic human lineages. However, scientists from Taiwan, Japan, and Denmark took a different route. 



Using advanced protein analysis, they found molecular signatures preserved in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prototaxites-the-mystery-fossil-from-a-lost-branch-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a>’s bone and tooth enamel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jawbone-proteins-match-denisovans">Jawbone proteins match Denisovans</h2>



Rather than rely on DNA, the team turned to palaeoproteomics, a method that involves studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient</a> proteins. From just 25 milligrams of jawbone, they recovered 4241 amino acid residues - an unusually high number for such old material.



These proteins included bone collagen and enamel proteins like amelogenin and enamelin. Within these, the researchers found two Denisovan-specific protein variants that sealed the identification.



One key marker was a variant of the protein ameloblastin (M273V) that is rarely found in modern humans but is present at high frequency in populations with known Denisovan ancestry.



Another protein marker was found in collagen (COL1A2; R996K), and this had previously been identified in Siberian and Tibetan Denisovans. Together, these markers matched closely with those found in Denisova 3, a well-studied Denisovan fossil from Siberia.



Penghu 1 also revealed its biological sex. Scientists identified amelogenin Y, a protein variant found only in males. The enamel peptides matched 11 of 23 diagnostic sites, allowing them to classify the jawbone’s owner as male with confidence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jawbone-fossil-shows-possible-male-traits">Jawbone fossil shows possible male traits</h2>



The Denisovan identity of Penghu 1 adds to our growing understanding of their morphology. Alongside other known Denisovan fossils, the jawbone helps define a set of physical traits. 



These include a low but thick mandibular body, wide dental arcade, large molars, and unusually strong premolar roots. 



Some molars showed signs of extra roots and the absence of wisdom teeth - features that are shared with other confirmed Denisovan fossils from Tibet and Siberia.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan-male_jawbone-discovery_Taiwan_illustration-credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan-male_jawbone-discovery_Taiwan_illustration-credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1s.webp" alt="This illustration provided by researchers in April 2025 depicts a Denisovan male in Taiwan in the Pleistocene era about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. Credit: Cheng-Han Sun" class="wp-image-1965634"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This illustration provided by researchers in April 2025 depicts a Denisovan male in Taiwan in the Pleistocene era about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Cheng-Han Sun</figcaption></figure>



Interestingly, all well-preserved Denisovan jawbones and teeth that have been found so far - Denisova 4, Denisova 8, Xiahe 1, and now Penghu 1 - belonged to males.



This raises a question. 



Were robust jaws a male trait, or do they reflect the general Denisovan condition? Female specimens, like the gracile Jinniushan fossil from northeast China, might offer clues if their Denisovan identity is confirmed through molecular analysis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-siberian-caves-to-island-shores">From Siberian caves to island shores</h2>



Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this discovery is its location. 



Penghu lies over 4000 kilometers southeast of the Denisova Cave and more than 2000 kilometers from Xiahe in Tibet. Denisovans now appear to have occupied a vast range - from cold, mountainous regions to tropical, coastal lowlands.



Genetic studies had previously suggested that Denisovans contributed DNA to modern human populations in East and Southeast Asia, including those in the Philippines. 



The jawbone offers direct evidence that Denisovans not only passed through, but lived in such environments.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan_jawbone-discovery_Taiwan_map_credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan_jawbone-discovery_Taiwan_map_credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1s.webp" alt="Fossil sites are also shown. (Inset) Photos of Penghu 1 show the (top) superior and (bottom) right lateral views. Credit: Chun-Hsiang Chang, Jay Chang" class="wp-image-1965632"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fossil sites are also shown. (Inset) Photos of Penghu 1 show the (top) superior and (bottom) right lateral views. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Chun-Hsiang Chang, Jay Chang</figcaption></figure>



Penghu 1's discovery confirms that Denisovans thrived in conditions unlike those associated with Neanderthals, who lived mostly in Europe and parts of western Asia. 



The ability to survive in cold highlands and warm islands speaks to the impressive adaptability of these ancient hominins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-denisovan-jawbone-reshapes-story-of-evolution">Denisovan jawbone reshapes story of evolution</h2>



This fossil shifts how we understand Denisovan evolution and dispersal. Its morphology supports the idea that Denisovans evolved unique traits after splitting from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-analysis-reveals-most-recent-modern-human-to-interbreed-with-neanderthals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthals</a> over 400,000 years ago.



These weren’t just random primitive features. They represent a distinct evolutionary path within the genus Homo - one that ran parallel to our own.



"We can identify Neanderthal elements and Denisovan elements" in the DNA of some people alive today, said Tsutaya.



Now, with Penghu 1, scientists can trace some of those Denisovan elements back to a real individual who once lived, breathed, and chewed with the powerful jaw found beneath the waves. 



The fossil’s protein record brings Denisovans into sharper focus - not just as genetic contributors to our own genomes, but as people with faces, bones, and stories waiting to be uncovered.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ads3888" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Jawbone discovery adds to the mystery of our Denisovan ancestors

In the shallows off Taiwan’s western coast, a centuries-old jawbone...

Arsenic in seafood has long stirred questions for health experts. A new report reveals interesting findings that might raise eyebrows among families who frequently eat these products.



The research highlights concerns about certain species consumed in Shenzhen, China. Bo Fu, a researcher from the <a href="https://www.nature.com/nature-index/institution-outputs/china/shenzhen-center-for-disease-control-and-prevention-szcdc-guangdong-cdc/5432425a140ba054651d0875" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shenzhen Center for Disease Control</a>, played a key role in guiding this investigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangers-of-arsenic">Dangers of arsenic</h2>



Arsenic can occur in multiple forms, yet <a href="https://monographs.iarc.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inorganic arsenic</a> is the more toxic variant. The <a href="https://www.iarc.who.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Agency for Research on Cancer</a> places it in Group 1, indicating strong evidence of its harmful effects.



It can build up in the body from day-to-day exposures. That possibility raises special worries for those who rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-particles-found-in-99-of-tested-seafood-samples/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seafood</a> for routine meals.



The researchers looked at seafood samples collected over a multi-year period. They paid close attention to the quantity of inorganic arsenic found in common items like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-eating-farmed-fish-may-be-safer-than-eating-fish-caught-in-the-wild/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a>, shrimp, crab, and shellfish.



They confirmed that children and teenagers might be especially at risk when they eat large amounts of certain varieties. They also observed that the majority of consumers stay within suggested intake limits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arsenic-risk-for-children">Arsenic risk for children</h2>



Kids usually weigh less than adults, so even moderate arsenic in their meals can mean a higher dose per pound. 



Children also tend to consume certain favorites more frequently, which could further elevate the arsenic risk and chance of problems down the line.



Some groups in this study had indications of non-cancer issues linked to frequent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-are-widespread-in-the-seafood-we-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seafood consumption</a>. Possible cancer-related hazards were also mentioned, urging ongoing checks on local waters.



Long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic is mainly through contaminated water and food, stated the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/arsenic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a>. They warn that it can cause a range of conditions, including cancers, if levels are not properly controlled.



Parents may benefit from paying closer attention to how often their children eat fish and shrimp. Adults might also consider mixing up <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeding-children-healthy-diets-can-be-very-challenging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meal choices</a> to limit repeated exposure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regular-testing-of-seafood">Regular testing of seafood </h2>



Industrial practices and natural processes both contribute to <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22797-heavy-metal-test" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heavy metals</a> in coastal zones. Some marine species can accumulate these substances, making them a possible route of exposure for humans.



Experts call for regular testing of local seafood to identify any arsenic risk that could endanger public well-being. They also encourage prompt efforts to address pollution sources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-children-from-arsenic-risks">Protecting children from arsenic risks </h2>



This project underscores a need for vigilant monitoring, especially when it involves younger demographics. The authors encourage active steps to keep arsenic within safe ranges in common foods.



Public health teams recommend timely sharing of results with parents and communities. They aim to help people make informed choices about daily diets.



"This <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691525001206" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> offers a reminder that children require special attention," stated Bo Fu, the lead author. He and his co-authors emphasize practical guidance for those who eat seafood on a regular basis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-steps-for-families">Practical steps for families</h2>



Health authorities encourage limited consumption of fish and shrimp for sensitive groups, without cutting them out entirely. Seafood remains a source of vital <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmed-salmon-diet-would-be-beneficial-for-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrients</a>, so balance is important.



Guardians might vary the type of seafood on the plate. They can also watch for advisories from local agencies about contamination levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-intervention-and-widespread-education">Early intervention and widespread education </h2>



Communities worldwide deal with inorganic arsenic contamination in drinking water, rice, and other staples. Ongoing studies point to children as a high-priority population because of developing organs and rapid growth.



International guidelines stress early intervention and widespread education. They see local monitoring and strong policies as key barriers against possible harm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-seafood-safe">Keeping seafood safe</h2>



Researchers in Shenzhen plan further investigations to track how arsenic levels shift over time. They hope to shape policies that keep residents informed about potential arsenic risks and other health concerns.



Experts also suggest a team effort among government bodies, industry, and academics. Clear rules and consistent updates can help keep aquatic products safer.



Families in Shenzhen and elsewhere can enjoy seafood, but some caution is wise. Careful planning and ongoing research can ease many worries.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691525001206" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food and Chemical Toxicology</a>.



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Arsenic in popular foods poses a greater risk to children

Arsenic in seafood has long stirred questions for health experts....

In an age of digital fatigue, authenticity feels rare. Social media users scroll past hundreds of posts each day, barely registering most of them. Sponsored content from human influencers often blurs into the background, sounding staged or transactional. But one group is rising above the noise - the petfluencers.



These furry stars command loyal audiences and evoke powerful emotional connections. More than just adorable distractions, petfluencers are turning into persuasive digital personalities. 



From lounging with wine bottles to chasing socks, they create marketing moments that feel spontaneous and sincere. Recent research confirms what many marketers are starting to suspect: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-puppy-day-2025-where-happiness-meets-responsibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> may be more effective than people when it comes to selling products online.



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



The word “petfluencer” describes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pet-dogs-severely-harm-wildlife-even-when-leashed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> with their own social media accounts. They don’t just appear occasionally on their owner’s feed. They are the feed. These profiles, run by humans, portray pets as having their own voice, style, and preferences.



Some, like Nala the Cat, have become multimillion-dollar brands. With over 4.5 million followers on Instagram, Nala endorses products from cat food to mobile apps and is reportedly worth more than £80 million.



These numbers are not just cute trivia - they reflect a shift in consumer attention and trust.



At a time when many social media users feel bombarded by ads and polished influencers, pets offer something that feels more real. They don’t chase likes for ego or profit, and that’s exactly what makes them powerful.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sincerity-as-a-secret-weapon">Sincerity as a secret weapon</h2>



A study published in The Journal of Advertising Research investigated this phenomenon. The researchers compared consumer responses to ads featuring petfluencers versus human influencers. They found that petfluencers were perceived as being significantly more sincere.



"Petfluencers offer distinct advantages compared to human SMIs," noted lead researcher Dr. Laura Lavertu of the <a href="https://www.strath.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Strathclyde</a>.



"While the persuasiveness of human influencers often stems from their relatability or aspirational appeal, petfluencers are seen as more genuine and sincere. Because they are pets, they have no hidden agenda. They don't come with the baggage or scandals that sometimes follow human influencers, which makes them seem more trustworthy."



The sincerity of petfluencers pays off. In one experiment, the team tested an Instagram ad for peanut butter. One version featured a man’s hands; the other, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reimagining-pet-diets-for-a-more-sustainable-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a>’s paws. The text was identical. Yet, the petfluencer ad had more than triple the engagement and cost much less per click.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-petfluencers-so-effective">What makes petfluencers so effective</h2>



This effectiveness doesn’t come from relatability in the usual sense. Human influencers often succeed by offering aspirational lifestyles or relatable struggles. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-dogs-replacing-children-how-modern-society-is-changing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pets</a> can’t do that. Instead, they evoke empathy through innocence. They don’t judge. They don’t manipulate. They simply exist - and audiences project their emotions onto them.



The research team found that sincerity plays a central role in this dynamic. Study participants consistently rated petfluencer posts as more honest, warm, and trustworthy. This sincerity drove increased willingness to pay for promoted products, from wine to socks.



And it’s not just about the animal. The way the ad is framed also matters. Consumers with a high tendency to anthropomorphize - those who see pets as having human-like emotions - were more likely to respond favorably. 



When the message matched a present-focused mindset, such as enjoying a treat “right now,” the effect was even stronger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-matching-message-with-mindset">Matching message with mindset</h2>



One of the more interesting findings from the study relates to temporal focus. This refers to whether someone thinks more about the present or the future when making decisions. Petfluencers were especially persuasive when their message matched the audience’s mindset.



For example, someone who thinks in the “now” tends to respond to messages about instant gratification. A petfluencer talking about cozy evenings with wine might strike the right emotional chord. In contrast, future-focused individuals may not respond as positively to that same message.



The researchers confirmed this in controlled experiments. When participants saw petfluencer ads aligned with their time orientation, they were more likely to engage and to pay more. This match in mindset created a feeling of closeness and sincerity that made the message more believable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-petfluencers-are-incredibly-persuasive">Petfluencers are incredibly persuasive </h2>



These insights have significant implications for marketing. Petfluencers may not replace human influencers, but they offer a valuable alternative. Especially now, as many audiences feel tired of perfectly curated human lives on social media.



The sincerity crisis surrounding human influencers is real. People know that influencers get paid to promote things they might not believe in. Even when followers like a human influencer, they may still question the influencer's motives. With pets, those doubts don’t surface as easily.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lost-in-translation-how-we-misread-our-dogs-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animals</a> are not perceived as materialistic, manipulative, or fame-hungry. This perceived innocence gives them an edge. In fact, animals are often seen as incapable of deception. That cognitive bias makes them incredibly persuasive in a way humans can’t easily replicate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-takeaways-for-brands">Practical takeaways for brands</h2>



Marketing teams should consider petfluencers not just for pet-related products but also for broader categories. As shown in the studies, petfluencers can successfully promote items like wine and socks - products that are not directly related to pets.



To make the most of a petfluencer campaign, brands should aim for message alignment. That includes considering the audience’s tendency to anthropomorphize and their temporal focus. Present-oriented messaging, paired with human-like pet content, creates a tighter bond and encourages trust.



More than anything, brands should value the petfluencer’s perceived independence. While owners and agencies manage these accounts, the pet persona remains central. This makes the endorsements feel less calculated and more sincere.



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



As the influencer industry grows - expected to reach over $56 billion globally in the next five years - competition for attention will intensify. Amid the sea of human influencers, petfluencers may continue to offer something rare and refreshing: sincerity.



Future research may examine how product fit and owner visibility affect outcomes. But the direction is clear. Pets aren’t just viral content. They are effective communicators in their own right. 



Their power lies not in how much they say, but in how genuinely they appear to care - something that consumers are desperate to believe again.



And when trust is the currency, pets just might be the richest influencers of all.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00218499.2025.2463707" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Advertising Research</a>. 



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Petfluencers are viewed as more genuine and sincere than human influencers

In an age of digital fatigue, authenticity feels rare. Social...

Close-up of a seared steak

Meat is a staple in many diets around the world, yet hidden antibiotic residues could pose a risk to unsuspecting consumers. 



Researchers have introduced a smartphone-assisted ratio fluorescence method that promises a quick solution to detecting these residues before they reach dinner tables.



This new approach relies on a special probe that shifts its glow from one color to another in the presence of a specific antibiotic. Tests in common meats suggest a swift, precise response that might reduce the need for complex labs or lengthy procedures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-antibiotic-residue-in-meat">Detecting antibiotic residue in meat</h2>



The platform was created by Zheng Cheng from <a href="https://sites.lynu.edu.cn/gjhz/lxszs/Info_about_Luoyang__Normal_University.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luoyang Normal University</a> and Henan University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with several co-authors from academic institutions.



The researchers set out to tackle antibiotic residue detection in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-in-livestock-are-major-drivers-of-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">livestock</a> after noticing the rising concern of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535454/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ciprofloxacin</a> medication overuse.



Ciprofloxacin is a synthetic compound widely used to treat infections. Authorities have cautioned that too much antibiotic usage can lead to resistant bacteria, which is why new detection methods are in high demand.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-health-risks-of-antibiotic-residue">Potential health risks of antibiotic residue</h2>



When bacteria get used to certain drugs, they become stronger enemies that can be difficult to eliminate. This situation puts a strain on <a href="http://Researchers have discovered antibiotic residues may be present in meat such as steak which can cause potential health problems." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public health</a> and sparks worry about the future of infectious disease control.



“Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in humans and animals is accelerating the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance,” noted the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization (WHO)</a>. This warning rings louder than ever, given how often antibiotics appear in daily meals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concerns-from-national-agencies"><a></a>Concerns from national agencies</h2>



The <a href="https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/antimicrobial-resistance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration (FDA)</a> also keeps a close eye on livestock medications and supports strict regulations. Officials note that antibiotic residues in meat can threaten public confidence in food quality.



Watchdogs recommend regular checks to confirm that producers stay within permitted limits. The new testing approach could help address these requirements by offering consistent results in less time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-new-method-works"><a></a>How the new method works</h2>



The researchers built a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8159423/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bimetallic organic framework</a> that shifts its fluorescence from red to green upon contact with the target. In about 1 minute, this probe reveals an antibiotic’s presence with a detection limit around 90 nanomoles, which is sensitive enough for varied food tests.



Scientists tested <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beef-industry-can-cut-emissions-by-30-with-sustainable-practices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beef</a>, chicken, and pork, observing a wide detection range that maintained strong accuracy. The method’s smartphone compatibility gives users a practical way to monitor multiple samples without heavy lab setups.



An unsupervised <a href="https://www.kdnuggets.com/2019/09/hierarchical-clustering.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hierarchical clustering</a> tool was added to assist with classifying results in a straightforward manner. This algorithm helps interpret data faster, which is particularly useful for non-experts.



Combining the phone app and clustering approach means a user can receive a final readout without specialized training. This setup may encourage more widespread testing across various points in the food supply.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-benefits-for-consumers"><a></a>Possible benefits for consumers</h2>



Shoppers may gain more confidence knowing new detection tools exist to keep tabs on antibiotic residues. 



Such straightforward methods could help retailers guarantee that customers receive products that meet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fda-faces-scrutiny-over-synthetic-food-dyes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safety guidelines</a>.



Individuals who worry about hidden chemicals might see these developments as a proactive step toward clarity. Swift response times also mean producers can catch and address issues before shipping goods to market.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-awareness-and-responsibility"><a></a>Increased awareness and responsibility</h2>



Critics have voiced concerns that some manufacturers rely too heavily on antibiotics to speed animal growth and fight disease. This trend leads to rising calls for everyone in the production chain to take a more careful approach.



Public education campaigns highlight the importance of understanding where food comes from. Handy detection methods can support these efforts by revealing when safety thresholds have been exceeded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-antibiotic-residues">Looking beyond antibiotic residues</h2>



Experts see potential for expanding this technology to detect other antibiotic compounds and contaminants. That versatility might influence future policies and guidelines around how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-tongue-could-revolutionize-food-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food safety</a> is managed.



Streamlined strategies like this one may pave the way for simpler practices in labs and fields alike. The drive to curb antibiotic resistance keeps pushing innovation, and this latest breakthrough offers a promising addition to the toolkit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-public-health"><a></a>Protecting public health</h2>



Health advocates emphasize that changes in animal husbandry practices go hand in hand with advanced detection methods. If fewer antibiotics are used altogether, any existing residue becomes easier to monitor.



Government agencies might share this technology with smaller farms that lack modern equipment. Such cooperation could prevent antibiotic overuse and boost confidence in the supply chain.



Regulatory bodies continue setting maximum residue limits for drugs in food. Enforcing these rules often hinges on reliable tests that can confirm compliance under real-world conditions.



Without accurate tools, producers could face allegations of improper medication use. Clear guidelines help manage disputes while reinforcing a stable market environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-steps-for-producers"><a></a>Practical steps for producers</h2>



Farm operators can adopt prudent antibiotic practices by consulting veterinarians and monitoring animal health closely. Periodic sample checks with simpler devices may detect issues early and sidestep bigger penalties.



Consistent record-keeping also lets producers track medication schedules. That data can support claims of responsible antibiotic use if questions arise about residue <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/innovative-sensor-uncovers-hidden-antibiotics-residues-in-milk-and-honey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">levels</a>.



Awareness campaigns often encourage consumers to ask more questions about how their meat is raised. These efforts drive the industry to explore innovative ways to meet growing expectations.



Steady improvements in detection technology hold the key to safeguarding people and animals. Once proven effective on a large scale, approaches like this smartphone-based probe might gain widespread adoption.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095671352500091X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food Control</a>.



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Antibiotic residue in meat: What experts have discovered

Meat is a staple in many diets around the world,...

For centuries, horses have stood beside humans - on farms, in sport, in therapy, and in war. They carry our weight, follow our signals, and react with subtle cues. But one thing they cannot do is speak. 



Horses show discomfort through posture, tension, or the way they walk. Yet, unless you're a trained expert, these signs are easy to miss. What if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-era-in-wildlife-conservation-how-ai-will-help-protect-elephants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> could give horses a voice - not in words, but through movement data?



That’s exactly what a team of researchers from Sweden is doing. Using a blend of machine learning and synthetic imagery, they’ve created an AI model that can interpret the body language of horses in 3D. 



This breakthrough system is named <a href="https://celiali.github.io/Dessie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dessie</a>, and it may reshape how we detect pain or illness in animals that can’t tell us where it hurts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-reading-horses-is-so-difficult">Why reading horses is so difficult</h2>



Veterinarians often rely on visual cues during clinical exams. However, movements that signal distress are subtle and easy to misinterpret. 



Human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-tool-superanimal-can-accurately-analyze-animal-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observation</a> has its limits - particularly in dynamic settings like walking or trotting. Horses may offload pain to one limb, change their weight distribution, or shift their posture slightly. These changes can indicate orthopedic issues, behavioral distress, or early signs of injury.



Traditional diagnostic tools such as X-rays or MRIs show results after the damage has taken hold. Dessie aims to catch the signs earlier, by helping humans read equine body language more precisely. 



The model works by transforming 2D images into 3D representations that reflect the horse’s shape, pose, and motion in real-time.



This isn’t just about visualizing a horse. It’s about interpreting a language that’s always been there - unspoken, physical, and deeply expressive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolating-movement-patterns">Isolating movement patterns</h2>



Dessie works using a special kind of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-emotions-can-be-decoded-through-voice-recognition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> training method called disentangled learning. In traditional models, all the information - pose, shape, background, lighting - is bundled together. That can confuse the AI, making it harder to focus on what matters: the horse.



Disentangled learning separates each feature. It puts shape in one box, pose in another, and ignores irrelevant background noise. 



This makes Dessie’s 3D reconstructions not just detailed but reliable. Researchers can now isolate movement patterns without the distraction of surrounding objects or inconsistent lighting.



"Dessie marks the first example of disentangled learning in non-human 3D motion models," said Hedvig Kjellström, Professor in computer vision and machine learning at <a href="https://www.kth.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KTH Royal Institute of Technology</a>.



Dessie also doesn’t need high-end cameras or markers on the horse’s body. It can work with simple video footage, using just a single camera. That opens up new possibilities for rural clinics, breeders, and researchers who might not have access to expensive imaging technology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recognizing-how-different-horses-move">Recognizing how different horses move</h2>



To train Dessie, researchers needed massive amounts of visual data. But real-world images of horses in varied poses, lighting, and breeds are hard to collect. 



So, the team developed a synthetic data engine called DessiePIPE. It generates endless horse images using a 3D model and AI-generated textures, all based on real-world breed characteristics.



This synthetic approach allows researchers to teach Dessie how different horses move - without needing thousands of live animals. DessiePIPE renders horses walking, eating, rearing, or resting, with random backgrounds and lighting conditions. 



The system can even generate matched image pairs that differ in just one <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-monitoring-will-help-protect-endangered-spider-monkeys/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aspect</a> - such as shape or pose - to train the model to notice small differences.



This method not only trains Dessie to recognize subtle motion differences but also makes the system generalize better to new environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-detects-how-horses-show-pain">AI detects how horses show pain</h2>



Pain in horses often shows up as subtle changes in gait or stance. These cues can go unnoticed unless observed by experienced clinicians. Dessie offers a new level of insight by translating these signs into 3D metrics.



Elin Hernlund, associate professor at <a href="https://www.slu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SLU</a> and an equine orthopedics clinician, noted that the model helps spot early warning signs.



"Horses are powerful but fragile and they tell us how they are feeling by their body language. By watching their gait we can see, for example, if they are offloading pain," said Hernlund.



With Dessie, that gait can be measured and modeled precisely. The result is a digital record of posture and movement, which can be reviewed repeatedly, compared over time, or shared across clinics.



"We say we created a digital voice to help these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-may-have-three-million-undiscovered-animal-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> break through the barrier of communication between animals and humans. To tell us what they are feeling," said Hernlund.



"It's the smartest and highest resolution way to extract digital information from the horse's body - even their faces, which can tell us a great deal."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-problems-with-real-world-data">Detecting problems with real-world data</h2>



Although Dessie was trained largely on synthetic data, it performs remarkably well on real-world images. The researchers fine-tuned the system using just 150 real annotated images. Even with this small set, Dessie outperformed state-of-the-art models on benchmark tasks.



In keypoint detection tasks, where the system must locate joints or features on a horse's body, Dessie achieved higher accuracy than tools like MagicPony or Farm3D. It also predicted body shape and motion more precisely - essential for detecting problems like lameness or muscular asymmetry.



When trained with larger datasets, Dessie improved even further, beating out models that had been trained on much more data but lacked the structure provided by disentangled learning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-model-isn-t-limited-to-horses">AI model isn't limited to horses</h2>



Though built for horses, Dessie isn’t limited to them. Its architecture is flexible enough to generalize to similar species like zebras, cows, or deer. The model can reconstruct these animals in 3D, despite never having been trained on them directly.



This opens the door for broader applications in animal welfare, research, and conservation. Endangered species, for instance, could be studied using just photographs and videos, without the need for intrusive monitoring.



The researchers even demonstrated Dessie’s ability to process artistic images - paintings and cartoons - and still generate accurate 3D models. That shows just how well the system can separate core features from visual distractions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-road-ahead-limitations-and-ambitions">The road ahead: Limitations and ambitions</h2>



While promising, Dessie still has limitations. It works best when there’s only one horse in the frame. 



If the model encounters unusual body shapes not present in the training data, it struggles to adapt. The team hopes to solve this by incorporating a new model called VAREN, which has better shape diversity.



The experts are also expanding Dessie’s library of visual data. To do that, they’re reaching out to breeders worldwide.



"To achieve this, we're asking breeders to send images of their breeds to capture as much variation as possible," said Hernlund.



With more diverse images, Dessie could learn to identify breed-specific traits, track genetic links to motion patterns, and improve care for horses of all types.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-letting-horses-speak-through-movement">Letting horses speak through movement</h2>



Dessie doesn’t teach horses a new language. Instead, it helps us finally understand the one they’ve always used. By converting motion into a digital voice, the AI makes communication between horses and humans more accurate and empathetic.



It marks a step toward a future where animals can tell us more - where their movements carry the weight of meaning, and where science helps us listen.



For horses, and maybe for other animals too, the silence might finally be over.



The study is published in <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.03438" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arXiv</a>. 



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How AI is helping horses speak without words

For centuries, horses have stood beside humans - on farms,...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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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"

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

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