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...

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,...

As climate change accelerates, most people think of rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and stronger storms. But there’s another silent force growing stronger in the background - one that directly threatens food systems. The air itself is becoming thirstier.



This atmospheric thirst is not about how dry it feels. It’s about how much water the air can pull from the land, even when there's no drought in sight. Scientists call this "evaporative demand," and it’s emerging as a powerful driver of crop stress, water loss, and agricultural uncertainty.



Recent research by M. S. Kukal of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uidaho.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Idaho</a>&nbsp;and M. Hobbins of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a>)&nbsp;has identified a dangerous pattern.



As global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astonishing-global-heat-in-january-2025-defied-climate-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperatures</a> rise, extreme events of evaporative demand are not only increasing - they’re changing where and how they strike. The authors have given these intense events a name: thirstwaves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-the-air-demands-too-much">When the air demands too much</h2>



A thirstwave isn’t just a hot spell. It’s a multi-day period where the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere</a> pulls moisture from the land with extraordinary force. 



Kukal and Hobbins define it precisely: a thirstwave occurs when the standardized short-crop evapotranspiration (ETos) exceeds the 90th percentile for at least three consecutive days.



"A thirstwave is a period of extremely high evaporative demand that, like its cousin the heat wave, can wreak havoc on a growing season." noted the researchers.



This definition mirrors how meteorologists define heatwaves but centers on a different metric. Instead of just temperature, ETos includes radiation, humidity, and wind - factors that dramatically impact water loss from crops. 



That makes thirstwaves a uniquely agricultural stressor, invisible to people but devastating to plants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-invisible">Measuring the invisible</h2>



ETos is calculated based on how much water would evaporate from a well-watered, short grass surface under local weather conditions. It captures the “potential” for water to move from soil and plant surfaces into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-water-day-2025-preserving-glaciers-protecting-our-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere</a>.



During a thirstwave, the atmosphere essentially goes into overdrive, demanding more moisture than usual. From 1981 to 2021, thirstwaves across the United States averaged 0.8 millimeters per day above normal, lasted about 4 days, and occurred nearly 3 times per growing season.



Some places saw much worse. One thirstwave stretched to 17 days. Another county experienced 20 thirstwaves in one season. The High Plains recorded the most intense thirstwaves. Longer events appeared frequently across the South, Upper Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and West Coast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geography-of-a-growing-crisis">Geography of a growing crisis</h2>



One of the most surprising findings in the study is that thirstwaves don’t align with regions that usually have the highest overall evaporative demand. While the Southwest often leads in seasonal ETos, thirstwave intensity and frequency follow different paths.



Places like the Prairie Gateway and Mississippi Portal now lead in thirstwave severity. That shift means farmers in new regions are facing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-shrinking-earths-atmosphere-and-thats-bad-for-satellites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental conditions</a> they weren’t prepared for a generation ago.



The High Plains suffer some of the most intense thirstwaves, often exceeding 1 mm per day above the norm. Meanwhile, counties in the South and West Coast report the most frequent events. 



This mismatch between long-term averages and extreme conditions shows why thirstwave-specific metrics are essential for future planning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thirstwaves-are-getting-worse">Thirstwaves are getting worse</h2>



Trends over four decades show a clear and concerning trajectory. Nationwide, thirstwave intensity rose by 0.06 mm/day per decade. Duration increased by 0.10 days, and frequency climbed by 0.39 events per decade.



But the worst-affected regions show even sharper increases. Prairie Gateway stands out with the steepest trend in intensity at 0.13 mm/day per decade. It also leads in frequency with 0.60 more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-constantly-reshuffling-earths-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">events</a> per decade. These changes make it one of the most vulnerable zones for thirstwave impacts.



The Mississippi Portal region saw the longest increases in event duration, rising by 0.17 days per decade. In Southern Seaboard and Fruitful Rim, nearly half the cropland now faces significantly more frequent thirstwaves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revisiting-an-infamous-drought">Revisiting an infamous drought</h2>



The thirstwave framework gives new insight into one of America’s most infamous droughts. The 2012 drought devastated crops, especially in the Midwest. But now, Kukal and Hobbins show that it also marked the peak of thirstwave severity across much of the nation.



In that year alone, thirstwave intensity across croplands hit 1.32 mm/day - almost twice the long-term average. Events lasted 5.8 days and occurred 8.5 times during the growing season. These values were far above normal, reaching up to 2.8 times the usual frequency in some places.



"2012 demonstrated the most severe thirstwaves observed in CONUS when represented by any of the three characteristics." added M. S. Kukal and M. Hobbins.



The 2011–2012 period accounted for the worst thirstwaves on record in nearly half of all U.S. cropland, based on at least one characteristic: intensity, duration, or frequency. This reanalysis confirms that what we saw in those years was not just heat - it was extreme atmospheric thirst.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-few-places-are-safe-from-thirstwaves">Few places are safe from thirstwaves</h2>



Historically, some counties never faced a thirstwave in a given year. That’s no longer the case. In the 1980s, up to 41% of counties went an entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-climate-shift-sheds-light-on-future-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">season</a> without one. But by 2021, that number dropped sharply.



The probability of escaping a thirstwave during the growing season has declined by about 4% each decade. Areas like the Northern Plains and Northern Rockies - once rarely affected - now face at least one thirstwave almost every year.



This means more widespread exposure to crop stress, especially for rainfed farming systems that can’t compensate with irrigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-thirstwaves-matter-more-than-heatwaves">Why thirstwaves matter more than heatwaves</h2>



Heatwaves dominate climate headlines, but they only tell part of the story. Thirstwaves better capture how extreme weather stresses vegetation. That’s because temperature alone doesn’t drive evapotranspiration. Radiation, wind, and humidity all play major roles.



For example, a warm but humid day may feel intense but poses less risk to crops than a breezy, dry, and sunny one. That second scenario can pull water from leaves and soil at alarming rates - especially when it lasts for days.



By using ETos, thirstwaves provide a broader lens. They explain why crops wilt, why irrigation falls short, and why yields drop even when rainfall is average.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-thirstwaves-earlier">Identifying thirstwaves earlier</h2>



Kukal and Hobbins argue that farmers, water managers, and policymakers need tools to monitor thirstwaves in real time. Most irrigation systems were designed for past climate norms. They’re not built for long, repeated peaks in atmospheric demand.



“Continuing to measure and track thirstwaves will be crucial for crop and water management in the coming years, especially as the climate continues to warm,” the researchers noted.



Regions with shallow aquifers or restricted surface water rights may struggle the most. Even farmers with irrigation may not keep up if their systems can’t meet daily peak demand.



By identifying thirstwaves early, we can adapt farm practices, improve irrigation scheduling, and plan for more resilient agriculture. It won’t stop the air from getting thirstier - but it may help crops survive the heat.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024EF004870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a>.



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Thirstwaves: The hidden climate threat drying out American farms

As climate change accelerates, most people think of rising temperatures,...

In a world where happiness often feels like a moving target, we constantly seek what brings true contentment. People turn to careers, families, friendships, pets, and even meditation or travel in the hope of feeling joy and fulfillment in life.



A study led by Dr. Adelina Gschwandtner from the <a href="https://www.kent.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Kent</a> and Dr. Michael Gmeiner from the London School of Economics (<a href="https://www.lse.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LSE</a>) reveals that owning a pet can increase life satisfaction as much as being married or seeing close friends regularly. 



Published in the journal Social Indicators Research, the findings show that pet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-puppy-day-2025-where-happiness-meets-responsibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">companionship</a> could be worth up to £70,000 per year when measured in life satisfaction. This places cats and dogs in the same emotional league as partners and loved ones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-value-of-owning-a-pet">Emotional value of owning a pet </h2>



To reach these conclusions, the researchers used an economic tool called the “life satisfaction approach.” This method estimates the monetary value of different life events or conditions by examining how much they contribute to a person’s reported happiness.



Traditionally used to assess job loss, income changes, or marital status, the life satisfaction approach now finds a new application in valuing animal companionship.



The technique measures life satisfaction on a 1 to 7 scale. Using data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, the researchers assessed responses from over 2,600 observations across various households. 



They used regression models to compare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pet-dogs-severely-harm-wildlife-even-when-leashed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pet</a> owners and non-pet owners while controlling for variables such as income, employment, health, and personality traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pets-boost-joy-and-life-satisfaction">Pets boost joy and life satisfaction</h2>



Importantly, the researchers aimed to understand causation - not just correlation. To do this, they developed an innovative instrument called “TOTORO,” based on how often individuals were asked to watch over a neighbor's property. 



This variable indirectly signals the likelihood of owning a pet and helped the researchers control for potential reverse causality, where happier or lonelier people might be more inclined to get pets in the first place.



The results were eye-opening. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reimagining-pet-diets-for-a-more-sustainable-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dog</a> ownership increased life satisfaction by 2.93 points, and cat ownership by 3.74 points. 



These gains are comparable to major life events such as marriage. The research team converted these effects into monetary terms, finding that pets may contribute up to £73,000 (almost $83,000) per year to life satisfaction. That number closely mirrors the value placed on marriage or regular interaction with close friends in previous studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pet-companionship-and-public-health">Pet companionship and public health</h2>



“This research answers the question of whether overall pet companions are good for us with a resounding 'Yes.' Pets care for us and there is a significant monetary value associated with their companionship,” said Dr. Gschwandtner.



”This information can be used for health care practice and policies aiming to increase well-being and life satisfaction of humans involving pets.”



These findings add new depth to our understanding of what it means to live well. They also offer a quantifiable basis for encouraging pet companionship as part of public health strategy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-pets-heal-and-help">How pets heal and help</h2>



Science has long recognized the soothing effect of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-dogs-replacing-children-how-modern-society-is-changing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>. Simply petting a dog or watching a cat can improve life by reducing blood pressure and heart rate. 



In stressful settings, pets often perform better than friends or family at calming us down. Their presence helps lower cortisol levels and elevate mood. The researchers drew on a broad base of literature showing that pets reduce loneliness, especially for people living alone.



“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened," said French writer Anatole France.



Pets also support recovery during illness, improve self-esteem, and create opportunities for social engagement - particularly for dog owners who are out and about more often. The attachment humans feel toward animals has even been compared to bonds with family.



Emotional well-being, strengthened through consistent, loving companionship, may be one of the most important factors in long-term happiness. For many, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lost-in-translation-how-we-misread-our-dogs-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pets</a> act as anchors in times of emotional drift. This study helps explain why.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personality-shapes-the-bond">Personality shapes the bond</h2>



Not everyone experiences pets the same way. The researchers also explored how personality influences both the decision to own pets and the emotional payoff from them.



Cat owners tend to be more open and conscientious but less extroverted. Dog owners, in contrast, are generally more agreeable and outgoing. 



These findings mirror earlier research and suggest that certain personality types may connect more deeply with pets.



Pet owners overall were more open, extroverted, and conscientious than non-pet owners. These traits themselves are associated with higher life satisfaction. Controlling for personality allowed researchers to isolate the direct impact of pets on happiness, ensuring the results weren’t just a reflection of the personalities of pet lovers.



This connection between traits and companionship also hints at why some people prefer cats over dogs, or vice versa. Cats may appeal more to introspective, independent individuals. Dogs often attract those seeking interaction, structure, and social connection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pets-may-replace-life-partners-emotionally">Pets may replace life partners emotionally</h2>



One surprising part of the study was its exploration of whether pets might serve as substitutes for human relationships.



The data showed that unmarried pet owners reported levels of life satisfaction comparable to those in relationships. Interaction terms in the analysis suggested that for some, pets may indeed fill the emotional gap left by the absence of a partner.



These findings challenge assumptions that human contact is the only meaningful form of social support. 



For many, a dog’s loyalty or a cat’s calm presence may be just as emotionally nourishing as a conversation with a friend or partner. In a world increasingly marked by isolation, pets may serve as vital companions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-household-to-health-policy">From household to health policy</h2>



Given the magnitude of the pet effect, the implications extend well beyond personal decision-making. If pets contribute this much to joy and life satisfaction, they should feature more prominently in public health strategies.



This might include policies that encourage pet ownership among the elderly or those living alone, promote pet-friendly housing, or even subsidize pet care for those in need.



The method used here is especially valuable because it doesn’t ask people directly how much their pets are worth to them. 



Instead, it captures the emotional value in an unbiased way through its effect on reported well-being. This allows policymakers to weigh the benefits of pet companionship alongside other health interventions.



The emotional return on pet ownership is not just theoretical - it shows up in economic models as well as personal stories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pet-care-adds-joy-to-life">Pet care adds joy to life</h2>



The researchers noted that pet ownership isn't a magic fix. Pets come with responsibilities, potential health risks, and financial costs. Yet, their value is clear.



Through calm presence, daily interaction, and loyal companionship, pets appear to improve our lives in ways that are as real as they are heartwarming.



In a time when loneliness and mental distress continue to rise, perhaps part of the solution lies in better recognizing the role of animals. A wagging tail or a soft purr might not just be comforting - they may be among life’s most powerful, and measurable, gifts.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11205-025-03574-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Indicators Research</a>.



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Pets increase life satisfaction as much as marriage or close friendships

In a world where happiness often feels like a moving...

The ocean holds many wonders, but few captivate the human spirit like dolphins do. These sleek, intelligent mammals have inspired stories, songs, and scientific marvel for centuries. On April 14, National Dolphin Day invites us to appreciate their role in nature and urges us to protect them from mounting threats.



This day is not just a celebration of their charm - it is also a call to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elevated-mercury-levels-discovered-in-dolphins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">awareness</a>. Dolphins face complex challenges, from pollution and habitat destruction to the ethical concerns of captivity. 



National Dolphin Day serves as a timely reminder that these animals, so similar to us in many ways, deserve respect and protection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extraordinary-intelligence-of-dolphins">Extraordinary intelligence of dolphins </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dolphins-and-whales-got-new-backbones-for-life-in-the-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dolphins</a> are members of the Cetacean family, which includes whales and porpoises. But dolphins often steal the spotlight because of their extraordinary intelligence.



They demonstrate problem-solving abilities, use tools, and even pass down knowledge through generations. Bottlenose dolphins, in particular, have been observed using sea sponges to cover their snouts while foraging on the ocean floor - a behavior that hints at cultural learning.



Their brains are large and complex, second only to humans in size when compared to body weight. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communication-and-self-awareness">Communication and self-awareness </h2>



Dolphins use echolocation, a form of biological sonar, to navigate murky waters and locate prey. They also communicate using a wide array of clicks, whistles, and body movements.



Some even have signature whistles, functioning much like names, which help identify individuals within their pod.



In captivity, dolphins have demonstrated self-awareness through mirror tests and have shown empathy and cooperation in both wild and trained settings. 



Their capacity for emotion and understanding has led scientists to argue that they should be classified as non-human persons, deserving of moral and legal rights.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-dolphin-survival">Threats to dolphin survival</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-dolphins-who-play-with-others-become-successful-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dolphins</a>, whether gliding through ocean waves or winding through rivers, face growing danger. Across the globe - and off U.S. coasts too - their habitats are under stress. Plastic waste, chemical runoff, and warming waters are changing everything.



But it’s not just what’s in the water - it’s also the noise. Dolphins rely on sound like we rely on sight. Ships, sonar systems, and offshore drilling drown out their world, making it hard to feed, mate, or even stay together.



Fishing gear poses another huge risk. Many dolphins end up trapped in nets meant for tuna or shrimp, unable to reach the surface in time. Some are still caught for marine parks or entertainment shows, despite decades of pushback from scientists and activists.



In the U.S., groups like <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/marine-mammal-protection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a>, the <a href="https://www.dolphinproject.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dolphin Project</a>, and the <a href="https://www.opsociety.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oceanic Preservation Society</a> push for stronger protections. Conservation zones, fishing reforms, and better pollution control are part of the solution - but public support matters too.



National Dolphin Day reminds us that protecting dolphins means protecting the oceans we all depend on.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-make-a-difference">How to make a difference</h2>



You do not have to live by the ocean or work in marine biology to help <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pebanista-yacuruna-giant-dolphin-species-discovered-peru-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dolphins</a>. Supporting dolphin-friendly practices in daily life can go a long way. 



Reducing single-use plastics helps prevent ocean litter. Choosing sustainable seafood ensures that fishing practices do not harm marine mammals. Raising awareness about the ethical problems of dolphin captivity can shift public opinion and influence policy.



In the U.S., joining or donating to groups like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Mammal Center</a>&nbsp;or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dolphin Communication Project</a>&nbsp;can help fund vital conservation programs. School programs and public campaigns are also crucial to foster early respect and curiosity for marine life.



When people understand the importance of dolphins in their ecosystem, they are more likely to care for the ocean as a whole.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deeper-meaning-of-national-dolphin-day">Deeper meaning of National Dolphin Day</h2>



National Dolphin Day is not only a celebration - it is a reflection of how humans connect with nature. Dolphins mirror many of our own traits: intelligence, empathy, playfulness, and communication. This connection reminds us that we are not separate from nature, but part of a shared ecosystem.



The future of dolphins depends on the choices we make today. As we mark April 14 with awareness and action, we celebrate not just an animal but a symbol of hope, beauty, and balance in the natural world. 



Through protection and respect, we ensure that these marine wonders continue to thrive in our oceans and rivers for generations to come.



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National Dolphin Day 2025: Honoring the ocean’s most playful minds

The ocean holds many wonders, but few captivate the human...

For centuries, sailors navigating the remote oceans have described a surreal experience: vast stretches of ocean glowing steadily through the night, casting a soft white or greenish light across the waves. 



These luminous expanses, dubbed “milky seas,” are so bright they can illuminate a ship's deck and can even be spotted from space, covering areas as much as 100,000 square kilometers.



Researchers at <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/">Colorado State University</a> (CSU) have compiled the most comprehensive database to date of these rare and mysterious events, combining 400 years of sailor reports, data from the <a href="https://digital.nmla.metoffice.gov.uk/so_0afb8f96-434b-42c3-8082-056623702322/">Marine Observer Journal</a>, and modern satellite imagery.



The project aims to transform folklore into scientific fact and uncover how these bioluminescent seas are linked to large-scale Earth systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-glowing-ocean-mystery">A glowing ocean mystery</h2>



Despite the long history of reported sightings, milky seas remain largely unexplained. They are thought to be caused by the activity of Vibrio harveyi, a luminous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/23-new-marine-bacteria-species-discovered-that-influence-global-ocean-cycles/">bacterium</a> that may form vast blooms under the right conditions. 



But because these events are rare and usually occur in the remote Indian Ocean, very little data has been gathered to confirm the theory.



“It is really hard to study something if you have no data about it,” said Justin Hudson, a PhD student at CSU and the paper’s lead author. 



“To this point, there is only one known photograph at sea level that came from a chance encounter by a yacht in 2019. So, there is a lot left to learn about how and why this happens and what the impacts are to those areas that experience this.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-sailor-folklore-into-scientific-data">Turning sailor folklore into scientific data</h2>



The newly assembled database traces reports of milky seas back to the 17th century, documenting when and where they occurred, and matching those accounts with satellite imagery and known climate cycles. 



Hudson and his team discovered that most milky sea events cluster around the Arabian Sea and waters near Southeast Asia, and appear to be influenced by large-scale climate phenomena such as the Indian Ocean Dipole and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-climate-shifts-date-back-250-million-years/">El Niño</a> Southern Oscillation.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-seas_glowing-color_bioluminescent_mystery_credit_CSU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-seas_glowing-color_bioluminescent_mystery_credit_CSU_1s.webp" alt="For centuries, sailors have told tales of milky seas—huge swaths of ocean glowing on dark nights, seen in blue in this false–color satellite image. Credit: Steven D. Miller. Colorado State University/NOAA" class="wp-image-1965516"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">For centuries, sailors have told tales of milky seas - huge swaths of ocean glowing on dark nights, seen in blue in this false-color satellite image. Credit: Steven D. Miller. Click imaeg to enlarge. Colorado State University/NOAA</figcaption></figure>



“The regions where this happens the most are around the northwest Indian Ocean near Somalia and Socotra, Yemen, with nearly 60% of all known events occurring there,” Hudson explained. 



“At the same time, we know the Indian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-land-conditions-affect-the-asian-monsoon-climate/">monsoon</a>’s phases drive biological activity in the region through changes in wind patterns and currents.”



This suggests that the glowing phenomenon may not be random, but rather tied to broader cycles of biological and oceanographic activity. 



Milky seas may turn out to be a valuable indicator of carbon and nutrient flows in the global system - especially if bacteria are playing a larger role than previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-biology-of-milky-seas">The biology of milky seas</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescence-emerged-in-animals-540-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bioluminescence</a> isn’t rare in nature - fireflies and glowing jellyfish are well-known examples. But what sets milky seas apart is their scale and persistence. 



One of the few clues scientists have about their biology comes from a 1985 research vessel that accidentally sailed through a glowing sea and collected a water sample.



The sample revealed luminous bacteria coating the surface of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/algae-revived-after-7000-years-beneath-the-baltic-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> in a large bloom, potentially explaining the uniform glow. Still, with only one such sample ever taken, more evidence is needed.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-seas_glowing-color_test-tube_bioluminescent_bacteria_credit_CSU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-seas_glowing-color_test-tube_bioluminescent_bacteria_credit_CSU_1s.webp" alt="The bioluminescence in milky seas is likely caused by a type of bacteria. Credit: S. Haddock / MBARI" class="wp-image-1965519"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The bioluminescence in milky seas is likely caused by a type of bacteria. Click image to enlarge. Credit: S. Haddock / MBARI</figcaption></figure>



According to Hudson, the goal is to send a research vessel out to the site in time to collect information about the biology and chemistry of milky seas. That could be tricky. 



So far, no one has managed to deliberately reach a milky sea in time to study it. But with the new database, scientists hope to improve their odds by predicting when and where future events might occur.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gateway-to-earth-system-science">Gateway to Earth system science</h2>



Professor Steven Miller, Hudson’s research advisor and co-author of the study, has long been fascinated by milky seas and helped pioneer efforts to image them from satellites. 



For him, this research is about more than solving an old oceanic mystery - it's about tapping into a previously overlooked part of the planet’s biosphere.



“Milky seas are incredible expressions of our biosphere whose significance in nature we have not yet fully determined,” Miller stated. 



“Their very existence points to unexplored connections between the surface and the sky, and between microscopic to the global scale roles of bacteria in the Earth system."



"With the help of this new database, forged from sea-faring ships of the 17th century all the way to spaceships of modern times, we begin to build a bridge from folklore to scientific understanding.”



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



As Hudson prepares to defend his thesis this summer, he’s hopeful the work will open up new avenues for studying the intersection of climate, biology, and oceanography.



“We have no idea what milky seas mean for the ecosystems they are found in,” he said. “They could be an indication of a healthy ecosystem or distressed one - the bacteria we suspect are behind it are a known pest that can negatively impact fish and crustaceans.”



“Having this data ready allows us to begin answering questions about milky seas beyond hoping and praying a ship runs into one accidentally."



 The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024EA004082" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth and Space Science</a>.



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Glowing, 'milky seas' phenomenon has stumped scientists for 400 years

For centuries, sailors navigating the remote oceans have described a...

An ichthyosaur called "Fiona" has recently stirred curiosity from far beyond scientific circles. She measured about 11 feet (3.4 meters) during life, and met a swift end when her long snout planted itself several inches into the sand, setting the stage for an unusual preservation.



Fiona was carefully excavated in five segments from a glacial field in Patagonia in 2023. 



Lead author Judith Pardo-Pérez from the <a href="https://umag.cl/language/en/our-university/vice-presidency-of-community-engagement/directorate-of-university-social-responsibility/environmental-sustainability-unit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Magallanes</a> and the <a href="https://capehorncenter.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cape Horn International Center</a> in Chile worked with a large team to transfer the fossil to the <a href="https://mhnrioseco.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural History Museum</a> Río Seco for a closer look at her condition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearly-complete-ichthyosaur-skeleton">Nearly complete ichthyosaur skeleton</h2>



The <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/hauterivian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hauterivian</a> stage was a slice of the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-cretaceous-period.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early Cretaceous</a> period, and Fiona’s bones add crucial information about marine reptile life from that time. 



Her almost complete skeleton is especially significant, since findings in that part of the Southern Hemisphere are quite limited.



<a href="https://www.palaeodiversity.org/pdf/03/Palaeodiversity_Bd3_Maisch.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientists</a> believe she was an apex predator when she roamed ancient waters. The wide distribution of these creatures in various latitudes suggests they adapted to a range of environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-modern-fossils-will-be-the-most-surprising-to-future-explorers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>.



Fiona is the only fully preserved and excavated pregnant ichthyosaur known from Chile. A fetus still inside her body highlights how these reptiles gave birth to live young, a <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234149040_Evolution_of_Fish-Shaped_Reptiles_reptilia_Ichthyopterygia_in_Their_Physical_Environments_and_Constraints" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trait</a> associated with advanced marine reptiles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-and-burial-mystery">Fossil and burial mystery</h2>



Inside her body were fossilized fish vertebrae, which indicate that her last meal had not yet been digested. The fetus was also mostly intact and appeared ready for birth, with its tail oriented toward what would have been the exit path from the mother.



The fossil reveals a story of sudden burial. Scientists suspect an underwater landslide pushed down a heavy flow of sand that covered Fiona almost instantly, and led to excellent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-capture-a-turning-point-in-the-evolution-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a> for the preservation of both mother and unborn baby.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ichthyosaur_Fiona_131-million-years-old_Patagonia-glacier_credit-UTexas_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ichthyosaur_Fiona_131-million-years-old_Patagonia-glacier_credit-UTexas_1s.webp" alt="Lead author Judith Pardo-Pérez in the glacial field in Patagonia where the fossil was discovered. In 2023, Fiona was air-lifted in five pieces and brought to the Natural History Museum Río Seco, in Punta Arenas, Chile, for further research. Credit: Alejandra Zúñiga" class="wp-image-1965523"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lead author Judith Pardo-Pérez in the glacial field in Patagonia where the fossil was discovered. In 2023, Fiona was air-lifted in five pieces and brought to the Natural History Museum Río Seco, in Punta Arenas, Chile, for further research. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Alejandra Zúñiga</figcaption></figure>



“We were conducting our research with different objectives, they are very synergistic,” remarked co-author Matt Malkowski, an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin’s <a href="https://www.jsg.utexas.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jackson School of Geosciences</a>.



Malkowski uses methods in stratigraphy to understand landscape shifts and was drawn into the Fiona project when he met Pardo-Pérez in <a href="https://torresdelpaine.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Torres del Paine National Park</a>.



Certain geological signatures suggest multiple landslides hit that region over an extended period. More than 80 other ichthyosaurs rest in the same glacial field, hinting at repeated catastrophic flows that buried these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-did-dinosaurs-come-from-missing-fossils-hold-the-secret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> in a similar manner.



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



At the time of Fiona's burial, South America was in the process of separating from what is now Africa. 



Malkowski said the opening up of a narrow oceanic passageway between the continents may have affected global climate, currents and habitats for marine life.



“If you are the apex predator in the ocean at the time, these are all things you care about,” he said. “You care about migration pathways. You care about places that you can hunt and fish and do your thing. You care about places where you can reproduce.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-reveals-injury-and-anatomy">Fossil reveals injury and anatomy</h2>



A set of fused fin bones suggests Fiona recovered from an earlier injury or infection. The skeletal details of both mother and fetus reveal aspects of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/paleopathology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paleopathology</a> seldom seen in marine reptiles from this period.



“The discovery of the Fiona ichthyosaur provides valuable information regarding the species, its paleobiology, and paleoecology,” said Pardo-Pérez. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ichthyosaur_Fiona_131-million-years-old_credit-UTexas_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ichthyosaur_Fiona_131-million-years-old_credit-UTexas_1s.webp" alt="Students in the Jackson School’s Undergraduate Honors Research Program visited Fiona on a 2025 field trip to Patagonia. Credit: Matt Malkowski." class="wp-image-1965521"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Students in the Jackson School’s Undergraduate Honors Research Program visited Fiona on a 2025 field trip to Patagonia. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Matt Malkowski.</figcaption></figure>



She explained that new imaging methods could uncover unique structural characteristics that enhance the understanding of these creatures’ anatomy.



Fiona’s remarkable condition highlights how precise timing in burial can preserve entire skeletons. She shows evidence of normal feeding habits, advanced pregnancy, and well-developed bones typical of a robust adult.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-landscapes-and-marine-life">Shifting landscapes and marine life</h2>



Shifting landscapes might have affected marine life across what is now South America. The possibility of a <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380326350_The_Cretaceous_World_Plate_Tectonics_Paleogeography_and_Paleoclimate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">narrow oceanic passage</a> once connecting the continent to modern-day Africa could have shaped currents and sea temperatures.



Malkowski’s sedimentary techniques might reveal whether repeated events scattered fossils through various layers or whether a single, larger catastrophe occurred. That knowledge helps paint a broader picture of how ocean basins evolved in the distant past.



Researchers continue to analyze trace minerals from the rock surrounding Fiona and the other ichthyosaurs. 



Fluctuations in these minerals may show how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-fuel-pollution-is-causing-disease-disaster-and-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient</a> seas adapted to tectonic transformations, and influenced predators that roamed the waters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-reshapes-views-on-ichthyosaurs">Fossil reshapes views on ichthyosaurs</h2>



Fiona marks a turning point in how scientists view ichthyosaur populations in southern latitudes. 



Each piece of data gleaned from her skeleton contributes to a fuller understanding of the biology, reproduction, and survival of these reptiles under shifting conditions.



Experts remain excited about what this discovery implies for future excavations in Patagonia. Rapid glacial melting reveals previously unreachable regions that may hide additional creatures from the Early Cretaceous.



Malkowski’s involvement is a reminder that paleontology and sedimentology share common goals. He is not a traditional fossil hunter, yet his methods complement the anatomy-based approach led by Pardo-Pérez.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-story-is-still-unfolding">The story is still unfolding </h2>



Researchers emphasize that Fiona’s story is still unfolding. Some suspect each additional ichthyosaur in the area may introduce additional information about variations in diet, growth patterns, or injury history.



“Moreover, its skeleton will allow us to delve deeper into aspects of its anatomy through new studies and the use of medical technology,” said Pardo-Pérez. 



New scanning technology will bring sharper insight into the mother’s physiology and her pup’s final stage of development.&nbsp;



The collection of samples around her remains is planned in order to understand local climate conditions at the time. This may shed light on the triggers behind multiple burial episodes, shaping an ongoing narrative in southern Chile’s fossil record.



Fiona testifies to how ancient catastrophes can preserve a life story for millions of years. Her unusual circumstances give paleontologists a vital look into an extinct species that is still full of surprises.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2024.2445705" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology</a>.



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'Fiona' the ichthyosaur was preserved for millions of years after a landslide

An ichthyosaur called "Fiona" has recently stirred curiosity from far...

In nature, animals, plants, and microbes constantly communicate. They leave signals, detect scents, react to temperature shifts, and interpret the behavior of others. These exchanges, though often invisible, steer their actions. 



A new study now reveals just how central these invisible threads are. Led by Dr. Ulrich Brose of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (<a href="https://www.idiv.de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iDiv</a>) and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the research expands what we know about species interactions.



The experts propose that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> operate through a vast information-sharing system - what the researchers call the “Internet of Nature.”



This system goes beyond the visible: it tracks how information, not just matter and energy, flows between species. That information affects behavior, community dynamics, and ecological balance.



The idea could revolutionize ecological theory. The Internet of Nature treats species as signal users and processors, not just eaters, pollinators, or dispersers. In doing so, it opens a fresh view of what nature truly is.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-runs-on-network-signals">Nature runs on network signals </h2>



For decades, ecologists have mapped food webs and tracked energy transfer. They watched who eats whom, who carries seeds, who pollinates flowers. 



These patterns created models that explained <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-must-reconnect-with-nature-now-to-save-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> roles and energy balance. But something important was missing.



The new paper shows that focusing only on physical links omits a vital layer. Information links - including warnings, cues, and signals - affect when and where species move. They influence what animals do and how communities stay stable or collapse.



“An understanding of processes in natural ecosystems without considering the flow of information through the Internet of Nature would be similar to trying to understand where and why goods are shipped in human societies without taking the Internet into account,” explained first author Uli Brose.



This view adds complexity but also realism. Ecosystems are not only chains of consumption. They are networks of watchers, listeners, and responders, all adapting based on shared information.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-types-of-information-signals">Three types of information signals</h2>



The researchers identified three types of information signals in nature. These exist alongside material flows like food, water, or seeds. Each one shows how deeply <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-timing-is-drastically-changing-due-to-extreme-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> rely on signals to interpret their surroundings.



Trophic information links appear in predator-prey interactions. For example, wolves may use tracks or visual signs to find elk. 



The elk, sensing danger, huddle together or hide in dense areas. Neither behavior involves direct contact, but both come from interpreting cues.



Pure information links occur between species that do not interact directly. Consider a hyena spotting a vulture circling overhead. 



The hyena knows that the bird might have found food. It watches closely and may follow. These silent clues create webs of understanding that guide animals toward opportunities or away from risks.



Environmental information links arise from signals in the environment itself. Temperature, light, or sound can trigger changes. 



Moths fly toward artificial lights. Spiders set webs near lamps. Chameleons adjust their skin to match background hues. 



These are all examples of organisms responding to the world around them - not to other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-grip-on-co2-is-slipping-what-it-means-for-us-all/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a>, but to the medium they live in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-communication-breaks-down">When communication breaks down</h2>



The idea of combining food webs with signal networks in nature shifts how scientists view ecosystem resilience. When a disturbance - like a wildfire or invasive species - enters a system, information pathways determine how far it spreads. 



They also influence how well <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-weather-is-pushing-nature-toward-a-breaking-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> respond and recover. Species that share reliable information can avoid danger faster, find resources more easily, or adapt behaviorally. 



When that communication breaks down, confusion spreads. A food web may still exist on paper, but in practice, it falters.



This is why understanding these invisible threads matters. If scientists can map both the material and informational flows in ecosystems, they can better predict how systems change over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-activities-block-nature-s-signals">Human activities block nature’s signals</h2>



One major threat to the Internet of Nature comes from us. Human activities don’t just change habitats - they scramble the channels species use to communicate. Artificial light, industrial sound, and chemical pollution all interfere with signal transmission.



“Road traffic and industrial structures not only pollute the air but also interfere with the vibrational signals that ants, for example, use to coordinate their activities,” noted co-author Dr. Myriam Hirt of iDiv and the University of Jena.



“That is just one example of how human activities can disrupt the vibrational and pheromonal communication essential for insect reproduction, foraging, and social cohesion.”



These disruptions matter because many species rely on subtle vibrations, smells, or light cues to function. Ants, moths, birds, frogs, even microbes interpret environmental signals. 



When those signals become scrambled or blocked, reproduction fails, feeding patterns change, and ecological roles shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-habitats-and-information-pathways">Species' habitats and information pathways</h2>



Conservation efforts often focus on preserving habitats or stopping hunting. While important, this approach does not account for the signal flows that species depend on. 



If a frog’s pond remains but its mating call is masked by engine noise, the pond becomes useless. The researchers suggest a deeper focus on sensory ecology. 



That includes identifying which species send signals, which receive them, how long signals persist, and how far they travel. New tools like audioscapes and vibration maps could help document these patterns.



“Accounting for the internet of nature will shift our perception of how animals, plants, and microbes act in the living world from a concept of passive particle movement as in physics or chemistry to a more realistic emphasis on living beings that produce and use information,” said Brose.



“The consequences of this shift go beyond the ecological theory playground and will have a substantial impact on how we protect not only the species' habitats but also their information pathways through the medium.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-internet-of-nature-can-protect-biodiversity">Internet of Nature can protect biodiversity</h2>



The idea of the Internet of Nature reframes ecosystems. It tells us they are not just groups of species living together, but networks of messengers and interpreters. 



They share not just resources, but strategies and warnings. If we want to protect nature, we must protect its signals. 



That means reducing noise, dimming lights, and restoring natural rhythms. Because in the end, ecosystems thrive not just on what is eaten, but on what is seen, heard, smelled, and felt.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02670-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Nature has its own "internet" that humans are just starting to understand

In nature, animals, plants, and microbes constantly communicate. They leave...

It’s no longer unusual for people to form emotional or even romantic bonds with artificial intelligence (AI). Some have gone so far as to “marry” their AI companions, while others have turned to these machines in moments of distress - sometimes with tragic outcomes.



These long-term interactions raise serious questions: Are we prepared for the psychological and ethical consequences of emotionally investing in machines? 



Psychologists from the <a href="https://www.mst.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Missouri University of Science &amp; Technology</a> are now raising the alarm. In a new opinion piece, they explore how these relationships can blur boundaries, affect human behavior, and create new opportunities for harm.



Their concern isn't limited to novelty cases. The experts are calling attention to the deeper effects these emotional connections might have on everyday people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-comfort-and-consequences-of-ai">The comfort and consequences of AI</h2>



Short conversations with AI are common, but what happens when the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conversations-with-ai-chatbots-can-reverse-reduce-conspiracy-theory-beliefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conversation</a> continues for weeks or months? These machines, designed to imitate empathy and attentiveness, can become steady companions.



For some, these AI partners feel safer and easier than human connections. But that ease comes with a hidden cost. 



“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-ai-systems-learn-like-the-human-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ability for AI to now act like a human</a> and enter into long-term communications really opens up a new can of worms,” said Daniel B. Shank, the study's lead author. 



Shank specializes in social psychology and technology at the Missouri University of Science &amp; Technology. “If people are engaging in romance with machines, we really need psychologists and social scientists involved.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-falling-in-love-with-ai">Falling in love with AI</h2>



When AI becomes a source of comfort or romantic engagement, it starts to influence how people see real relationships. 



Unrealistic expectations, reduced social motivation, and communication breakdowns with actual humans are just some of the risks.



“A real worry is that people might bring expectations from their AI relationships to their human relationships,” Shank added. “Certainly, in individual cases it’s disrupting human relationships, but it’s unclear whether that’s going to be widespread.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-love-for-ai-turns-dangerous">When love for AI turns dangerous</h2>



AI chatbots can feel like friends - or even therapists - but they are far from infallible. These systems are known to “hallucinate,” producing false information while appearing confident. In emotionally charged situations, that could be dangerous.



“With relational AIs, the issue is that this is an entity that people feel they can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-put-too-much-trust-in-ai-even-for-life-or-death-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trust</a>: it’s ‘someone’ that has shown they care and that seems to know the person in a deep way, and we assume that ‘someone’ who knows us better is going to give better advice,” Shank explained.



“If we start thinking of an AI that way, we’re going to start believing that they have our best interests in mind, when in fact, they could be fabricating things or advising us in really bad ways.”



The impact can be devastating. In rare but extreme cases, people have taken their lives after receiving troubling advice from AI companions. 



But the problem isn’t just about suicide. These relationships could open the door to manipulation, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-deception-is-a-growing-issue-that-we-cannot-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deception</a>, and even fraud.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trusting-the-wrong-source">Trusting the wrong source</h2>



The researchers warn that the trust people build with AIs could be exploited by bad actors. AI systems can collect personal information, which might be sold or used in harmful ways. 



More alarmingly, because these interactions happen in private, detecting abuse becomes nearly impossible. “If AIs can get people to trust them, then other people could use that to exploit AI users,” Shank noted.



“It’s a little bit more like having a secret agent on the inside. The AI is getting in and developing a relationship so that they’ll be trusted, but their loyalty is really towards some other group of humans that is trying to manipulate the user.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-companions-don-t-focus-on-safety">AI companions don't focus on safety</h2>



The researchers believe AI companions could be more effective at shaping beliefs and opinions than current social media platforms or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/readers-trust-news-less-when-ai-is-involved/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">news</a> sources. And unlike Twitter or Facebook, AI conversations happen behind closed screens.



“These AIs are designed to be very pleasant and agreeable, which could lead to situations being exacerbated because they’re more focused on having a good conversation than they are on any sort of fundamental truth or safety,” Shank said. 



“So, if a person brings up suicide or a conspiracy theory, the AI is going to talk about that as a willing and agreeable conversation partner.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-we-ready-for-what-s-coming">Are we ready for what’s coming?</h2>



The team is urging the research community to catch up. As AI becomes more human-like, psychologists have a key role to play in understanding and guiding how people interact with machines.



“Understanding this psychological process could help us intervene to stop malicious AIs’ advice from being followed,” said Shank.



“Psychologists are becoming more and more suited to study AI, because AI is becoming more and more human-like, but to be useful we have to do more research, and we have to keep up with the technology.”



For now, these concerns remain largely theoretical - but the technology is moving fast. Without more awareness and research, people may continue turning to machines that offer comfort, only to find that comfort comes with hidden risks.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1364661325000580" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trends in Cognitive Sciences</a>.



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People are falling in love with AI companions, and it could be dangerous

It’s no longer unusual for people to form emotional or...

Shot,Of,Group,Of,Friends,Laughing,While,Eating,Healthy,Food

Avocados are having a moment, especially in the U.S. These luscious, green fruits appear in sandwiches, salads, and various social media feeds. 



Part of their appeal comes from their smooth flavor, which blends well with other ingredients. Another part comes from their nutrient-packed profile, which seems to support a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eight-healthy-lifestyle-habits-could-extend-your-life-by-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy lifestyle</a>.



Their popularity has led researchers to look deeper into what happens when these fruits are made a daily habit. 



After investigating different dietary approaches, a notable study gained attention for its focus on the potential of one avocado per day to enhance overall diet quality and encourage healthier eating patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-avocados-the-study">Eating avocados - the study</h2>



Associate Professor Kristina Petersen and retired Professor Penny Kris-Etherton from Penn State University’s <a href="https://hhd.psu.edu/nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Nutritional Sciences</a> led an effort that put a spotlight on how a single daily avocado could affect everyday food choices. 



Their work provides a window into how simple additions to meals might improve nutritional habits without major overhauls to what people eat.



Their publication in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition examined how a straightforward intervention could lead to better adherence to dietary guidelines. 



It comes at a time when many are looking for ways to improve their health through small but meaningful changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-following-the-guidelines">Following the guidelines</h2>



A total of 1,008 adults participated in the investigation. Researchers gathered details about what everyone ate through telephone interviews that involved 24-hour dietary intake data. 



The team tracked how closely each individual stuck to the <a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a> by using the Healthy Eating Index as a yardstick.



Participants were split into two groups over 26 weeks. One group continued with their existing patterns but limited avocados, while the other added one avocado daily. 



Since only about 2% of American adults <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-fruit-can-protect-you-from-late-life-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eat this fruit regularly</a>, the project offered new information on how avocados might fit into many different diets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-they-learned-about-eating-avocados">What they learned about eating avocados</h2>



Those who enjoyed a daily avocado experienced a meaningful shift in their diet. 



“Avocados are a powerhouse of nutrition, and our objective was to ascertain if their regular consumption could boost diet quality,” explained Petersen. 



Investigators noticed that this single change had an influence on how individuals approached meals, with greater emphasis on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-foods-with-these-key-nutrients-will-dramatically-slow-brain-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrient-rich items</a> overall.



“This improvement suggests that simple strategies like daily avocado consumption can significantly enhance diet quality,” said Petersen. 



Researchers also uncovered one more result that caught their attention. 



“The substitution effect we observed is particularly noteworthy, as it demonstrates avocados’ potential in replacing higher-calorie, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breaking-free-from-ultra-processed-foods-the-surprising-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">less nutritious foods</a>,” Petersen added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



“By fostering better compliance with dietary guidelines, we can substantially lower the risk of chronic conditions and improve overall health outcomes,” said Petersen. 



The findings point to avocados as a practical avenue for people interested in following established nutrition recommendations. 



By emphasizing basic, tasty items, this fruit may spark positive steps toward heart health, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/type-2-diabetes-heightens-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">type 2 diabetes</a> management, and more.



Avocados contain fiber and beneficial fats, which contribute to a satisfying feeling after a meal. That quality might support strategies that keep a person on track when planning or cooking dinner. 



Each time they are used in place of sodium-heavy or refined-grain foods, the odds of maintaining a balanced diet appear to increase.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-avocados-a-short-history">Eating avocados - a short history</h2>



Avocados, known by the scientific name <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avocado" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Persea americana</a>, have a long history traced to Mexico and Central America. Indigenous peoples domesticated this fruit well over 10,000 years ago. 



When Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, they introduced avocados to Europe, setting the stage for their eventual spread around the world.



The name “avocado” comes from the Nahuatl word “ahuacatl.” The shape of the fruit may have inspired that original term. 



Regardless of the origin, the popularity of this versatile item continues to climb, with new dishes popping up in cafes and restaurants everywhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutritional-details">Nutritional details</h2>



Avocados are recognized for their monounsaturated fats, which may help reduce bad cholesterol levels. 



This can be good news for heart health, especially when combined with a balanced approach to other foods. They also contain an impressive amount of potassium, which supports <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/relaxation-techniques-can-lower-high-blood-pressure-at-least-temporarily/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood pressure regulation</a>.



Many people notice how avocados fit into a weight-management plan. They are known to help individuals feel satisfied, so there is less temptation to grab a snack soon after a meal. 



The presence of fiber helps maintain a steady flow through the digestive system, possibly providing an extra advantage for everyday wellness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainability-considerations">Sustainability considerations</h2>



Some regions face pressure to keep up with the rising demand for this fruit. Farms require a fair amount of water, and shipping them long distances can raise concerns about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biotic-homogenization-human-impacts-diminish-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological footprints</a>. 



Making choices that align with sustainable sources is one way to reduce any negative impact.



Producers have started exploring new farming methods to preserve soil and use resources more efficiently. 



Awareness of these efforts can be beneficial for those who want to enjoy avocados while showing respect for the environment at the same time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-ve-learned-about-eating-avocados">What we've learned about eating avocados</h2>



The Penn State findings shine a spotlight on how a modest change might be enough to elevate meal quality. 



Even though these results are encouraging, continued exploration may uncover additional food-based strategies that fit different lifestyles or dietary needs.



Small steps hold promise for those seeking to improve their daily habits. A simple addition in the kitchen can open the door to better eating patterns.



Avocados have stood out as a delicious candidate that suits many palates, which makes it easier to stick with a plan over the long haul.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2475299124000052" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Developments in Nutrition</a>.



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Eating this fruit every day can add years to your life

Avocados are having a moment, especially in the U.S. These...

In one of the most extreme regions of the Milky Way, just 200 light-years from our galaxy’s central supermassive black hole, a dense cloud of gas and dust has birthed thousands of stars.&nbsp;



Known as Sagittarius C, this turbulent environment at the Milky Way's core is now being seen in unprecedented detail thanks to NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. 



The images reveal strange magnetic structures that may hold the key to a longstanding cosmic mystery.



A new study offers a deeper look into why this region - despite being rich in interstellar gas - doesn’t form stars at the rate astronomers once expected.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extremes-at-the-milky-way-s-core">Extremes at the Milky Way's core </h2>



The research also captures Sagittarius C’s dramatic structure, including long glowing filaments of hot hydrogen gas shaped by powerful magnetic fields, forming patterns that resemble strands of spaghetti stretching across light-years.



John Bally, a professor in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a>, is the study's lead author. &nbsp;



“It’s in a part of the galaxy with the highest density of stars and massive, dense clouds of hydrogen, helium, and organic molecules,” said Bally. "It’s one of the closest regions we know of that has extreme conditions similar to those in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-baby-pictures-of-the-very-early-universe-cosmic-microwave-background/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">young universe</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-fields-and-strange-structures">Magnetic fields and strange structures </h2>



The findings were led by Bally alongside Samuel Crowe, an undergraduate student at the <a href="https://www.virginia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia</a>, and Rubén Fedriani of the <a href="https://www.iaa.es/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía</a> in Spain.&nbsp;



The research is part of a larger observation campaign that Crowe proposed. Despite being just a fourth-year student, he has already been named a Rhodes Scholar for his work.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-way-galaxy_center_meerkat_Webb_telescope-images_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-way-galaxy_center_meerkat_Webb_telescope-images_NASA_1s.webp" alt="An image of the Milky Way captured by the MeerKAT radio telescope array puts the James Webb Space Telescope’s image of the Sagittarius C region in context. Full image below. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, SARAO, Samuel Crowe (UVA), John Bally (CU), Ruben Fedriani (IAA-CSIC), Ian Heywood (Oxford)" class="wp-image-1965135"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An image of the Milky Way captured by the MeerKAT radio telescope array puts the James Webb Space Telescope’s image of the Sagittarius C region in context. Click image to enlarge. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, SARAO, Samuel Crowe (UVA), John Bally (CU), Ruben Fedriani (IAA-CSIC), Ian Heywood (Oxford)</figcaption></figure>



“Because of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-has-a-dent-and-nasa-is-watching-closely/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic fields</a>, Sagittarius C has a fundamentally different shape, a different look than any other star forming region in the galaxy away from the galactic center,” Crowe said.



The images captured by the Webb telescope showcase that difference vividly. 



Unlike smoother star-forming areas like the Orion Nebula, Sagittarius C is laced with bright, thin filaments of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plasma-can-bend-magnetic-fields-into-unique-shapes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plasma</a> - hot, ionized gas - each stretching several light-years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-web-of-plasma-filaments">Complex web of plasma filaments</h2>



The plasma filaments thread through the region, creating a complex web that surprised even seasoned researchers. "We were definitely not expecting those filaments,” Fedriani said. “It was a completely serendipitous discovery.”



Bally believes the magnetic environment is responsible for Sagittarius C’s strange architecture. 



In the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farewell-to-gaia-the-spacecraft-that-mapped-the-milky-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>’s core, the gravitational power of the central black hole - estimated to be four million times more massive than our sun - swirls surrounding gas into motion, which in turn stretches and amplifies the local magnetic fields. 



These fields appear to shape the plasma into filamentary structures, altering how stars form.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turbulent-nursery-for-new-stars">Turbulent nursery for new stars</h2>



Stars emerge from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molecular clouds</a> - vast collections of gas and dust that collapse under their own gravity. In regions like the Orion Nebula, this process unfolds relatively predictably. But Sagittarius C tells a more chaotic story.



In a companion paper, also published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad8889" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>, Crowe, Bally, and colleagues examined the young protostars of the galaxy forming within Sagittarius C. 



The experts found that even as these stars are born, they emit powerful radiation that disrupts the cloud around them, blasting away the material needed for future star formation.



“Even the sun, we think, formed in a massive cluster like this,” Bally said. “Over billions of years, all of our sibling stars have drifted away.”



The filaments observed by Webb suggest that magnetic fields in Sagittarius C may act as a counterforce to gravity.&nbsp;



While molecular clouds try to collapse to form stars, magnetic pressure may resist that collapse - offering a possible explanation for why fewer stars form in this region of the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) than earlier models predicted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harsh-conditions-at-the-galaxy-s-core">Harsh conditions at the galaxy's core</h2>



Sagittarius C is not just unusual - it’s also aging. As the stars within it continue to push away remaining gas and dust with radiation and stellar winds, the molecular cloud that gave rise to the region’s current burst of star formation is vanishing.&nbsp;



Bally estimates that this stellar nursery could fade entirely within a few hundred thousand years. “It’s almost the end of the story,” he said.



Even as Sagittarius C winds down, it continues to inform our understanding of how galaxies evolve. 



The Webb telescope’s ability to peer through thick clouds of interstellar material with infrared light has opened a new window into the mysterious and dynamic environments at the Milky Way’s core.



By revealing how magnetic fields, gravity, and radiation interact in one of the galaxy’s harshest places, this study offers a clearer picture of how stars are born - and sometimes prevented from being born - in the heart of the cosmos.



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad9d0b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>.



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Something very strange discovered at the core of our Milky Way galaxy

In one of the most extreme regions of the Milky...

When astronauts gaze at our planet from space, they call it the “Blue Marble.” But that iconic color, which reflects the vast oceans and sunlit sky, may be a relatively new look. Dive deeper into Earth's past - about 2.5 to 4 billion years ago - and you might see a very different hue. 



Scientists now argue that Earth's oceans once shimmered green, not blue.



These emerald waters weren’t just a geological oddity - they were a cradle for evolution, especially for one of life’s most influential architects: the cyanobacteria.



A recent study by Taro Matsuo and his team at <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya University</a>, which is published in Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution, reimagines Earth’s early biosphere.



By exploring how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oceans-are-rapidly-changing-colors-matching-climate-predictions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater</a> light filtered through iron-rich seas, the researchers offer a bold hypothesis: the evolution of cyanobacteria's photosynthetic systems was deeply shaped by the presence of green light.



This green ocean world could change how we recognize life on other planets - and how we view our own beginnings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-oceans-were-iron-rich-and-green">Early oceans were iron-rich and green</h2>



Four and a half billion years ago, Earth formed from cosmic debris. Life took its time to appear, only arriving around 3.7 billion years ago.



Before the first cells emerged, oceans covered the planet’s surface, but their appearance differed greatly from what we see today. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-hydrothermal-vents-provide-clues-about-the-origin-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hydrothermal vents</a>, erupting across ocean floors, pumped reduced iron - Fe(II) - into the water, filling the seas with ferrous iron.



This chemistry defined the early ocean’s interaction with sunlight. With no oxygen in the atmosphere and an abundance of Fe(II), the oceans lacked the reflective quality of today’s blue waters. 



There was no ozone to block UV rays, and no land plants to shift the atmosphere. What these iron-saturated oceans had instead was a strange relationship with light - one that bent toward green.



With the arrival of cyanobacteria, oxygen started appearing in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunken-worlds-discovered-under-the-pacific-ocean-in-earths-mantle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a>. That oxygen transformed ferrous iron into ferric iron, which is insoluble and formed rust-like particles. 



These particles sank slowly but didn’t disappear quickly. Instead, they lingered and affected the light that filtered into the ocean depths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-light-shapes-evolutionary-paths">Green light shapes evolutionary paths</h2>



The ferric iron, suspended in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weakening-ocean-currents-could-cost-trillions-of-dollars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> as fine iron hydroxide, had a powerful optical effect. It absorbed red and blue wavelengths but let green light pass. 



As a result, the oceans themselves took on a green hue. Had anyone been there to witness it, they would have seen Earth’s waters glowing emerald.



This green-light environment had significant consequences for the organisms living in it. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-plants-into-carbon-capture-machines-with-cyanobacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cyanobacteria</a>, the early masters of photosynthesis, began to adapt. 



They already used chlorophyll a, a pigment that absorbs red and blue light. But under green light, chlorophyll a becomes far less effective.



To survive, cyanobacteria evolved phycobilisomes - large antenna-like structures that are packed with accessory pigments. Among these pigments, phycoerythrobilin (PEB) proved especially vital.



It absorbed green light and passed that energy to chlorophyll a for photosynthesis. These structures enabled cyanobacteria to dominate the early oceans.



“Genetic analysis revealed that cyanobacteria had a specialized phycobilin protein called phycoerythrin that efficiently absorbed green light,” Matsuo said in a statement. “We believe that this adaptation allowed them to thrive in the iron-rich, green oceans.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulating-earth-s-early-green-oceans">Simulating Earth's early green oceans</h2>



To test their theory, Matsuo and his colleagues ran detailed numerical simulations, recreating the underwater light environment from the Archean eon. These simulations accounted for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-broke-records-for-450-straight-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> chemistry, light diffusion, and pigment absorption.



They discovered that at depths of 5 to 20 meters (16 to 66 feet), iron hydroxide particles created a persistent green-light window. Even tenfold variations in particle concentration did not shift the spectrum significantly.



Under these conditions, green light dominated, matching perfectly with the absorption range of PEB. Phycobilisomes equipped with PEB gave <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-algae-soak-up-loads-of-carbon-to-help-save-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyanobacteria</a> an evolutionary edge.



In addition to models, the team performed genetic experiments. They engineered cyanobacteria strains to produce PEB. 



When exposed to green light, the modified strains outgrew the wild-type strains. The energy transfer was so efficient that PEB didn’t even need its usual protein partner, phycoerythrin - it could work by attaching directly to phycocyanin instead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-bodies-match-ancient-green-oceans">Water bodies match ancient green oceans</h2>



Still, simulations and lab results weren’t enough for Matsuo. In 2023, he journeyed to Iwo Island, part of Japan’s Satsunan archipelago. 



There, nature offered a rare analog to Earth’s ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-ocean-warming-in-2024-is-a-warning-for-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oceans</a>. Hydrothermal vents beneath the island release Fe(II), which oxidizes into iron hydroxide - just as it did in the early oceans, billions of years ago.



“From the boat, we could see that the surrounding waters had a distinct green shimmer due to iron hydroxides, exactly like how I imagined the Earth used to look,” said Matsuo.



Measurements at 5.5 meters depth (18 feet) confirmed the dominance of green light. Fluorescence analysis showed that cyanobacteria at this depth contained more PEB than those at the surface. It was a perfect modern echo of the ancient world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phycobilisomes-are-tools-born-from-light">Phycobilisomes are tools born from light</h2>



Phycobilisomes remain a defining trait of the cyanobacteria. Made up of three major proteins - phycoerythrin (PE), phycocyanin (PC), and allophycocyanin (APC) - these structures evolved to absorb light in a range of wavelengths. 



In the Archean oceans, PE’s ability to absorb green light and transfer it to chlorophyll a was unmatched.



Phylogenetic analyses suggest that even the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pyramid-lake-nevada-water-turns-dark-green-with-beautiful-swirling-whirlpool-currents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earliest cyanobacteria</a> had the complete PE–PC–APC system. Over time, some cyanobacteria lost PE, especially those that adapted to brighter or different light conditions. But for the early dwellers of green oceans, PE was crucial.



Further analysis showed that energy transfer from PEB was more efficient than from carotenoids like β-carotene. In fact, the distance over which PEB could transfer energy to chlorophyll was about seven times greater. 



This meant that even in low-light conditions, PEB-packed phycobilisomes kept photosynthesis humming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-earth-s-green-oceans-matter">Why Earth's green oceans matter</h2>



The implications of green oceans stretch beyond Earth's history. They reshape how we might detect life on alien worlds.



Traditionally, astronomers have searched for blue planets, assuming that water reflects that hue. But as Matsuo’s team showed, oceans rich in iron hydroxide appear brighter and greener from a distance.



“Remote-sensing data show that waters rich in iron hydroxide, such as those around Iwo Island in the Satsunan archipelago, appear noticeably brighter than typical blue oceans,” he explained. “This leads us to think that green oceans might be observable from a longer distance, making them easier to detect.”



In the search for extraterrestrial life, scientists might do well to widen their palette. A green tint could signal oceans teeming with microbial activity, and shaped by chemistry just as Earth’s once were.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-ve-learned-from-this-study">What we've learned from this study</h2>



The light window on Earth has not always remained the same. Before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-first-bacteria-used-oxygen-about-one-billion-years-earlier-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Oxidation Event</a> (GOE), the planet’s light environment favored green.



After the GOE, as oxygen levels rose and iron dropped, oceans cleared, and the light window shifted toward white. Land plants evolved under this white light, and cyanobacteria on land lost their need for PE.



Still, in dim underwater habitats, PE remained essential. The evolution of phycobilisomes thus mirrors Earth’s atmospheric and oceanic transformations. Each stage of light drove new adaptations, and carved paths for life to expand and diversify.



Matsuo wasn’t always convinced. “When I first started pondering the idea in 2021, I was more skeptical than anything else,” he said. “But now, after years of research, as geological and biological insights gradually came together like pieces of a puzzle, my skepticism has turned into conviction.”



That conviction now paints a different portrait of early Earth as a pale green sphere where light sculpted life in unexpected ways.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02637-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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Earth was once a "Green Marble" before its oceans turned blue

When astronauts gaze at our planet from space, they call...

<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...

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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.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



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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</div></figure>







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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https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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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"

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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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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