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...

A newly published study paints a grim picture for amphibians in the Upper Paraguay River Basin, which includes the vast Pantanal wetlands and surrounding areas. The researchers predict that the region may lose almost all suitable habitats for toads, frogs, and tree frogs by 2100. 



The findings emerge from a collaboration between researchers from Brazil and Switzerland, who combined species distribution data with climate modeling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-amphibians-will-lose-their-habitats">Most amphibians will lose their habitats</h2>



The experts cross-referenced locations of amphibian species with two greenhouse gas emissions scenarios (one optimistic, one pessimistic). The team concluded that more than 80% of amphibian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amphibians-are-being-pushed-beyond-their-heat-limits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> in the Upper Paraguay River Basin would lose suitable habitats.



In the optimistic scenario, 99.87% of the basin would experience local extinctions, and in the pessimistic one, this figure rises to 99.99% of the region, according to lead author Matheus Oliveira Neves of the <a href="http://www.ufmt.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal University of Mato Grosso</a> (UFMT).&nbsp;



With these numbers, there is scant room left for doubt: amphibian biodiversity in the Pantanal and nearby zones appears to be on a steep and accelerating decline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-current-protection-falls-short">Current protection falls short</h2>



The researchers also found that existing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protected-areas-slow-down-biodiversity-loss-but-they-cant-reverse-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected areas</a> - integral conservation units - cover only 5.85% of the territory, and within those reserves, less than 5% of amphibians’ geographical ranges are effectively safeguarded. 



“Fully protected conservation units are currently doing very little to protect amphibian species in the Pantanal,” said Brazilian researcher Mario Ribeiro Moura, who coordinated the project while at the <a href="https://www.ib.unicamp.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Biology of the State University of Campinas</a> (IB-UNICAMP). Moura is now a professor at the <a href="https://www.ufpb.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal University of Paraíba</a> (UFPB).



The international community, alarmed by the accelerating loss of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-light-sustains-biodiversity-over-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, recently called for 30% of Earth’s surface to be set aside in protected areas by 2030. Moura notes that right now, this coverage stands at just 17%, including both conservation units and indigenous lands.&nbsp;



He and his team argue for the creation of new protection zones and enlargement of existing ones, focusing on regions that modeling indicates will remain relatively hospitable to amphibians as climate change advances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-divergent-climate-futures">Two divergent climate futures</h2>



The research used future climate projections from the <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> (IPCC). In one model, an optimistic scenario keeps emissions at current levels, leading to an estimated 2 °C increase by 2100.&nbsp;



In a more pessimistic model, emissions continue to rise, potentially pushing the temperature up by 4 °C by century’s end.&nbsp;



For the Upper Paraguay River Basin - including parts of Paraguay and Bolivia - the difference between these scenarios translates into a near-total collapse (99.87% or 99.99%, respectively) of viable amphibian habitats.



The team relied on more than 4,000 records for 74 amphibian species native to the basin. These species encompass a wide range of frogs, toads, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-frogs-live-in-trees-but-lay-eggs-on-the-ground/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree frogs</a> that are highly dependent on moisture and aquatic environments - features that climate change, habitat conversion, and other human impacts are making increasingly rare or degraded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-few-viable-refuges-in-the-future">Few viable refuges in the future</h2>



Even in the best-case scenario, the study suggests that the most likely refuges for amphibians occur near Cuiabá in northern Mato Grosso, on the edge of the Cerrado savannah, and in the southeast near Campo Grande in Mato Grosso do Sul state.&nbsp;



Some southwestern areas near the Paraguayan Chaco may remain viable as well. However, these spots represent only a fraction of the Upper Paraguay River Basin.



The researchers also found that among the protected areas currently established, hardly any harbor an amphibian diversity above the baseline.&nbsp;



While a small number of protected zones may actually see unexpected gains in species, the authors caution that the net picture is one of overall loss.&nbsp;



“In summary, only 13.7% of the current protected areas in the Upper Paraguay River Basin have the potential to host more or lose fewer species in at least one future scenario. Most of these areas are indigenous lands,” noted Moura.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-habitats-for-amphibians">Protecting habitats for amphibians </h2>



Moura and colleagues advocate for a combination of new conservation areas, expanded existing reserves, and changes in land use practices that limit the destruction of aquatic ecosystems. They further stress the magnitude of the climate challenge.&nbsp;



“While the Paris Agreement aimed to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 °C by the end of the century, we already reached that level in 2024,” Moura said.&nbsp;



In his opinion, the global economic model remains deeply entwined with fossil fuel consumption, and without “radical” mitigation steps, both biodiversity and human society face profound risks.



For the amphibians of the Upper Paraguay River Basin - creatures that rely on stable, humid environments - time is running out.&nbsp;



The results indicate that if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, nearly all of the watery niches they need could vanish, drastically shrinking populations and possibly setting the stage for mass regional extinctions. 



On the other hand, through determined conservation policy and aggressive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate action</a>, it may still be possible to give these species a chance to survive and thrive well beyond this century.



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14846" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Applied Ecology</a>.



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99% habitat loss: The dire future of amphibians in the Pantanal

A newly published study paints a grim picture for amphibians...

New moms often face a whirlwind of emotions, sleepless nights, and the physical demands of recovery. In the midst of caring for a newborn, taking care of their own well-being can feel overwhelming.



But health experts say one of the most effective ways to support that recovery is surprisingly simple: move more.



Researchers from the <a href="https://csep.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology</a>, in collaboration with scientists from the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a>, have released a new guideline for new moms.



According to the experts, women should aim for at least two hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week in the first three months after giving birth, as long as they’re physically able.



Activities like brisk walking, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/active-commuting-cycling-to-work-linked-to-enormous-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cycling</a>, and resistance exercises should be spread over four or more days per week.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-new-moms-need-to-know">What new moms need to know</h2>



The weeks and months after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/maternal-mortality-the-overlooked-needs-of-mothers-after-childbirth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">childbirth</a> are a time of rapid change. The risk of depression, sleep disorders, weight gain, diabetes, and even heart issues tends to rise, especially for those who experienced complications during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-pregnancy-changes-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pregnancy</a>.



Despite this, clear advice on physical activity during the postpartum period has been hard to come by. This new guidance is based on a comprehensive review of 574 studies.



The researchers made sure the recommendations apply to all people who have recently given birth - regardless of breastfeeding, cultural background, disability, or socio-economic status.



To shape the recommendations, the team spoke directly with new moms. They identified 21 key areas to focus on, including injury prevention, fatigue, depression and anxiety, breast milk production, urinary incontinence, and infant development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-holistic-approach-to-recovery">A holistic approach to recovery</h2>



Physical activity is just one piece of the puzzle. The guideline also strongly recommends daily pelvic floor muscle training to help reduce the risk of urinary incontinence and support pelvic rehabilitation. 



Getting better sleep is also a priority. Suggestions include building a nighttime routine that limits screen time and keeps the bedroom dark and quiet.



Importantly, even light activities like gentle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-is-a-powerful-tool-to-boost-brain-health-and-overall-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking</a> can help. The panel emphasized that all new moms - whether fully recovered or still healing - should avoid long periods of inactivity whenever possible.



For those with medical conditions or troubling symptoms, they recommend consulting a healthcare provider before jumping into moderate exercise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-benefits-are-worth-it">The benefits are worth it</h2>



“Even small steps towards achieving them will still promote physical and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-may-improve-mental-health-more-than-medication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a> benefits,” the experts said. 



Following these recommendations has been linked to reduced depression, better cholesterol levels, less fatigue, and even improvements in weight management.



Importantly, the guidelines were not found to be associated with any additional risk of injury or negative effects on breast milk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-realistic-goals-for-new-moms">Realistic goals for new moms</h2>



The experts noted that these activities and habits are cost-effective and likely to lead to long-term savings in healthcare.



Most importantly, the goals are realistic. Feedback from parents indicated that the advice is feasible, affordable, and easy to integrate into everyday life. While more research is still needed to fill gaps in the science, the evidence so far is clear.



“These clinically meaningful benefits strongly support incorporating consultation and guidance on movement behaviours into clinical practice for the postpartum period,” the team said.



Caring for a new baby is demanding. But taking time to care for your own body and mind - through movement, sleep, and simple routines - can make all the difference in this new chapter of life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-the-postpartum-journey">Supporting the postpartum journey</h2>



The postpartum period is often misunderstood, and most new moms feel they need to “bounce back” fast.



Recovery is not a race, though. It's a slow process that's more than just physical recovery - it’s also emotional adjustment, hormonal changes, and redefining daily habits.



These new guidelines remind us that small, consistent steps - such as moving more, building up the pelvic floor, and sleeping better - can have a lasting effect.



By acknowledging the individual obstacles of this period, the recommendations provide a kinder, more realistic vision for postpartum well-being. 



It’s not about getting moms to do more - it’s about getting them to feel a bit better, week by week.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2025/03/22/bjsports-2025-109785" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Journal of Sports Medicine</a>.



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Why movement matters for new moms

New moms often face a whirlwind of emotions, sleepless nights,...

Humans are having a highly detrimental impact on biodiversity worldwide. Not only is the number of species declining, but the composition of species communities is also changing.&nbsp;



These are the findings of a study by the <a href="https://www.eawag.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology</a> (Eawag).



“It is one of the largest syntheses of the human impacts on biodiversity ever conducted worldwide,” said Florian Altermatt, a professor of aquatic ecology at the University of Zurich and head of a research group at Eawag.



Many previous studies have addressed the threat of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species loss</a>. Yet most such efforts focused on particular ecosystems, a single human activity, or localized conditions, making it challenging to draw broad conclusions. 



This new study attempts an unprecedented synthesis: it compares nearly 50,000 sites around the world subject to human influence with an equal number of reference sites that remain relatively untouched. 



By covering terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments and targeting everything from microbes and fungi to larger organisms such as fish, birds, and mammals, the researchers provide a uniquely comprehensive snapshot of biodiversity challenges across the globe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-pressures-on-ecosystems">Human pressures on ecosystems</h2>



The project examines the five principal human activities that affect biodiversity: habitat modification, direct exploitation (e.g., hunting or fishing), climate change, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-air-pollution-forms-may-help-us-prevent-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a>, and invasive species.&nbsp;



“We analyzed the effects of the five main human impacts on biodiversity: habitat changes, direct exploitation such as hunting or fishing, climate change, pollution and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/growing-threat-of-invasive-species-requires-immediate-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive species</a>," said lead author François Keck, a scientist at Eawag.



"Our findings show that all five factors have a strong impact on biodiversity worldwide, in all groups of organisms and in all ecosystems."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-numbers-at-impacted-sites">Species numbers at impacted sites </h2>



One clear outcome is that species numbers at impacted sites were nearly 20% lower than at unaffected ones. 



Vertebrates such as reptiles, amphibians, and mammals stand out for their major declines, likely because they typically have smaller population sizes and can vanish more readily.



However, beyond just the loss of species, the researchers also documented considerable shifts in the types of species that persist under human pressure.&nbsp;



“It’s not just the number of species that is declining,” Keck noted. “Human pressure is also changing the composition of species communities.”&nbsp;



That means even if the overall number of species remains the same at a site, the functions those species perform might be different, leading to potential disruptions in ecosystem services and stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drastic-changes-from-human-pressure">Drastic changes from human pressure</h2>



Environmental pollution and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/koalas-face-critical-threats-from-disease-and-habitat-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat loss</a> emerged from the study as especially damaging. Habitat modification frequently involves stark, abrupt transformations of a region - for example, clearing forests or converting grasslands to farmland.&nbsp;



Pollution introduces hazardous substances into the ecosystem, including everything from oil spills to agricultural pesticides. These drastic changes can weaken or kill resident organisms.



In contrast, climate change - though likely a major long-term threat - did not stand out as prominently within the timeframe of data analyzed, which Altermatt attributes to potential time lags. “However, it is likely that the full extent of its impact cannot yet be verified today,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-homogenization-or-collapse">Homogenization - or collapse?</h2>



Another important finding concerns the degree of similarity among different species communities (often termed “homogenization”). Large-scale farming tends to homogenize landscapes, making ecological communities more uniform.&nbsp;



But the study also uncovered cases where communities grew more dissimilar from one another, particularly in severely impacted locations.



“The human influence that we find is sometimes so strong that there are even signs that could indicate a complete collapse of the species communities,” Altermatt explained. Such changes might reflect temporary upheavals in biodiversity that could herald further declines.



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



One critical lesson from this study is that measuring biodiversity strictly by counting species may overlook significant community-level changes.&nbsp;



A site could hold the same number of species as before, yet the particular species present could shift in ways detrimental to essential ecosystem services - like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-are-disappearing-and-its-bad-news-for-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollination</a>, soil stability, or water purification.



The magnitude and universality of the findings “provide clear indications of which human influences are having the greatest impact on biodiversity,” Keck said. “This also shows what goals need to be set if these trends are to be reversed.”



Though every region and ecosystem experiences different pressures, the authors hope the results offer a sort of benchmark. Policymakers, conservationists, and land managers could lean on these large-scale insights as they devise more localized strategies to safeguard biodiversity.&nbsp;



For instance, focusing on preserving or restoring specific habitats, curbing pollution, or carefully managing invasive species might bring tangible benefits more swiftly than previously realized.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humans-alter-ecosystems-worldwide">Humans alter ecosystems worldwide</h2>



Ultimately, the study emphasizes that humans are altering the face of ecosystems worldwide - not just through outright loss of species, but also by reshaping the composition of those that remain. 



The authors warn that these changes can reverberate throughout ecosystems, undermining everything from pollinator networks to fisheries. 



As the scientists emphasize, the next step is to use these insights to inform meaningful action on behalf of the countless species that still share our planet.



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Human pressure is changing biodiversity faster than we realize

Humans are having a highly detrimental impact on biodiversity worldwide....

A new image from the James Webb Space Telescope reveals a dazzling Einstein ring. At first glance, it appears to be a single, distorted galaxy. 



But upon closer inspection, two galaxies appear: one in the foreground and another, much farther away, whose light bends around the closer galaxy to form a nearly perfect circle. This mesmerizing effect is known as an Einstein ring, a rare cosmic phenomenon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-is-an-einstein-ring-created">How is an Einstein ring created?</h2>



The Einstein ring forms due to gravitational lensing. Light from a distant galaxy travels toward us but encounters a massive object on its path. That object, often another galaxy or a cluster of them, has enough mass to curve spacetime. As a result, the light bends around it.



From our perspective on Earth - or from a telescope like Webb - the light appears to wrap around the foreground object. If the alignment is just right, the bending of light forms a full circle.



When the alignment is not perfect, we may only see arcs or partial rings. These shapes aren’t artistic flourishes. They’re natural consequences of how gravity shapes the path of light across the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/euclid-captures-26-million-galaxies-in-vivid-deep-field-photos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.



This phenomenon doesn’t occur on smaller scales. Only when vast galaxies or clusters distort the path of light from extremely distant sources do we witness such rings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-galaxies-one-illusion">Two galaxies, one illusion</h2>



What seems like a single, oddly-shaped galaxy is actually two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiral-galaxy-j23453268-0449256-black-hole-fury-defies-current-knowledge-base/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> far apart. The foreground galaxy sits at the center of the image. It is much closer to us. 



It has a smooth, featureless structure with a bright core, which identifies it as an elliptical galaxy. This galaxy belongs to a larger cluster known as SMACSJ0028.2-7537.



The second galaxy, much farther away, lies directly behind the first. Its light, instead of coming straight to us, bends around the elliptical galaxy. That bending stretches the light into a ring. 



This background galaxy is a spiral, and despite the distortion, its structure remains clear. We can see individual star clusters and gas formations. The bending doesn’t blur the image - it magnifies it.



Einstein rings allow scientists to observe galaxies too faint to detect otherwise. The lensing process acts as a cosmic magnifier. It brings hidden <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxy-found-in-the-early-universe-that-shouldnt-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> into view and lets astronomers study their structure and contents.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-collaboration-in-space">A global collaboration in space</h2>



​The image we now admire was made possible by the <a href="https://esawebb.org/images/potm2403a/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SLICE survey</a> - Strong Lensing and Cluster Evolution. This program is led by Guillaume Mahler at the <a href="https://www.uliege.be/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Liège</a> in Belgium. He heads a team of international astronomers working to map galaxy clusters and their history.​



"Webb’s incredible resolution and sensitivity are a game changer for studying lenses like this," noted Mahler.



​The&nbsp;SLICE survey&nbsp;uses the&nbsp;Near-Infrared Camera (<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/nircam/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIRCam</a>)&nbsp;on the&nbsp;<a href="https://webbtelescope.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a>.&nbsp;It targets 182 galaxy clusters to trace their development over eight billion years.&nbsp;These clusters are not chosen at random.​



Each one holds the potential to lens more distant galaxies. The information captured helps researchers understand how massive structures like clusters change with time.



In this case, the data from&nbsp;Webb&nbsp;was combined with observations from the&nbsp;Hubble Space Telescope.&nbsp;Hubble’s&nbsp;Wide Field Camera 3 (<a href="https://www.stsci.edu/hst/instrumentation/wfc3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WFC3</a>)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Advanced Camera for Surveys (<a href="https://www.stsci.edu/hst/instrumentation/acs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS</a>)&nbsp;added detail to the final image.&nbsp;The result is a layered, multi-spectrum look into the past.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-einstein-rings-and-the-early-universe">Einstein rings and the early universe </h2>



Einstein rings do more than show pretty shapes. They unlock hidden data. Because the light from the background galaxy bends, we receive multiple paths of the same light. 



Each path may take a different amount of time to arrive. By measuring those delays, astronomers can make precise calculations about mass, distance, and even dark matter distribution.



In essence, each Einstein ring becomes a tool. It helps map not just the light, but the invisible mass that shapes it. These measurements contribute to our broader understanding of gravity, dark matter, and the expansion of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-known-galaxy-contains-surprising-oxygen-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.



Rings like these also allow us to look further into the past. The light from the lensed galaxy began its journey billions of years ago. When it finally reaches us, curved and magnified, it tells a story from the early universe. What we see is not just shape and color - it’s history, frozen in transit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-spectacular-cosmic-coincidence">A spectacular cosmic coincidence </h2>



Astronomy is often about the unseen. Telescopes like Webb and Hubble don’t just capture light. They gather evidence from deep time and far space. Einstein rings act like windows, offering a clear line of sight into a universe we can’t reach otherwise.



This particular Einstein ring is rare for its clarity. Its near-perfect shape shows how well the two galaxies align. It is both a work of art and a valuable scientific record. Behind its glow lies a story of gravity, mass, light, and cosmic coincidence.



In looking at it, we’re not just staring at a circle. We are looking into a telescope made by nature, framed by chance, and captured by human curiosity.



Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA, G. Mahler



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Webb captures a rare Einstein ring caused by light bending

A new image from the James Webb Space Telescope reveals...

New technology is transforming weather prediction. Aardvark Weather is a system that uses artificial intelligence to deliver accurate forecasts in just minutes - right from a regular desktop computer. 



It’s tens of times faster than current methods and requires only a fraction of the computing power.



The technology was developed by scientists at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>, with support from the Alan Turing Institute, Microsoft Research, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (<a href="https://www.ecmwf.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECMWF</a>).



The system lays the foundation for a new kind of forecasting that could shift the way we understand and prepare for weather around the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-traditional-weather-forecasting-works">How traditional weather forecasting works</h2>



Weather forecasting basically involves collecting a huge amount of data and then using that information to predict what the weather will be like in the near future. 



Meteorologists look at observations from weather stations, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-data-could-revolutionize-weather-forecasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellites, and radar systems</a> all around the world. 



They measure things like temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and wind speed, and then they plug all that data into sophisticated computer models. 



These models simulate the atmosphere’s behavior based on physics and math, and they help us figure out if we’re in for sunshine or thunderstorms.



Of course, the process doesn’t end there. Forecasters examine how the weather patterns in these models compare to what’s really happening in the sky. 



If something seems off, they adjust their forecasts and run more models until they get results that match up better with reality. 



Once they feel confident in their predictions, they send them out to the public. That’s when you get your daily forecast on TV or your phone, letting you know if you should pack an umbrella or slap on some sunscreen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massive-computer-systems-involved">Massive computer systems involved</h2>



Right now, most weather forecasts come from massive systems that require supercomputers to run. These systems are highly accurate but expensive, complex, and slow.



Each step in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-era-in-forecasting-ai-will-improve-extreme-weather-warnings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forecasting</a> process - from collecting data to generating local predictions - takes hours and involves many technical stages. Even minor updates to these systems take large teams of experts and years to implement.



Recently, companies like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huawei.com/en/news/2023/8/pangu-weather-forcast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huawei</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>&nbsp;have demonstrated that AI can replace one of those steps - the numerical solver, which calculates how weather systems evolve.​



This has made forecasting both faster and more accurate. ECMWF is already using a mix of these traditional and AI-based tools.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-approach-to-weather-forecasting">New approach to weather forecasting </h2>



Aardvark goes a step further. It replaces the entire pipeline with a single machine learning model. The system takes real-time data from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-data-could-revolutionize-weather-forecasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellites</a>, sensors, and weather stations, and immediately outputs both local and global forecasts.



The result? Lightning-fast predictions that can be generated on a desktop computer. And because it’s trained directly on data, the system avoids many of the hurdles that come with designing new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bridging-the-gap-the-quest-for-accurate-weather-forecasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forecasting</a> models from scratch.



Professor Richard Turner is the lead researcher for Weather Prediction at the <a href="https://www.turing.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alan Turing Institute</a> and Professor of Machine Learning in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge.



“Aardvark reimagines current weather prediction methods offering the potential to make weather forecasts faster, cheaper, more flexible and more accurate than ever before, helping to transform weather prediction in both developed and developing countries,” said Professor Turner.



“Importantly, Aardvark would not have been possible without decades of physical-model development by the community, and we are particularly indebted to ECMWF for their ERA5 dataset which is essential for training Aardvark.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-doing-more-with-less-data">Doing more with less data</h2>



Even when Aardvark uses only 10% of the data that conventional models need, it still outperforms the United States' national GFS forecasting system in many categories. 



Aardvark also holds its own against forecasts produced by expert analysts working with dozens of models. This efficiency makes it not only fast, but incredibly versatile.



The model can be quickly trained to produce location-specific predictions - like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-is-increasingly-unpredictable-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a> for African farms or wind speeds for European wind farms. 



That level of customization used to take years to build. With Aardvark, it can happen in weeks.



“These results are just the beginning of what Aardvark can achieve,“ said Anna Allen, lead author from the University of Cambridge.



“This end-to-end learning approach can be easily applied to other weather forecasting problems, for example <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-propose-adding-a-category-6-to-the-current-hurricane-intensity-scale/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hurricanes</a>, wildfires, and tornadoes. Beyond weather, its applications extend to broader Earth system forecasting, including air quality, ocean dynamics, and sea ice prediction.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasting-for-everyone">Forecasting for everyone</h2>



One of Aardvark’s most promising features is accessibility. Since it doesn’t rely on expensive supercomputers, the model can be used anywhere - even in countries with limited computing infrastructure. This levels the playing field for weather prediction and planning.



“We have been thrilled to collaborate on this project which explores the next generation of weather forecasting systems - part of our mission to develop and deliver operational AI-weather forecasting while openly sharing data to benefit science and the wider community,” said Matthew Chantry, Strategic Lead for Machine Learning at ECMWF.



”It is essential that academia and industry work together to address technological challenges and leverage new opportunities that AI offers. Aardvark’s approach combines both modularity with end-to-end forecasting optimisation, ensuring effective use of the available datasets.” 



Dr. Chris Bishop is the director of <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/lab/microsoft-research-ai-for-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft Research AI for Science</a>. He noted that Aardvark represents not only an important achievement in AI weather prediction but it also reflects the power of collaboration and bringing the research community together to improve and apply AI technology in meaningful ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-aardvark">What’s next for Aardvark </h2>



The next step is to build a team within the Alan Turing Institute focused on expanding Aardvark’s use, especially in developing countries. The experts also plan to integrate the model into wider efforts around environmental prediction, including sea ice and ocean behavior.



“Unleashing AI’s potential will transform decision-making for everyone from policymakers and emergency planners to industries that rely on accurate weather forecasts. Aardvark’s breakthrough is not just about speed, it’s about access,” said Dr. Scott Hosking, Director of Science and Innovation for Environment and Sustainability at The Alan Turing Institute.



”By shifting weather prediction from supercomputers to desktop computers, we can democratize forecasting, making these powerful technologies available to developing nations and data-sparse regions around the world.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08897-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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AI prediction model is a major breakthrough in weather forecasting

New technology is transforming weather prediction. Aardvark Weather is a...

An international research team deployed the unmanned submarine named 'Ran' beneath thick Antarctic ice. After that, things got weird. 



They captured the first detailed maps of a glacier’s underside, revealing vital clues about future sea level rise. 



They programmed ‘Ran’ to dive into the Dotson ice shelf cavity in West Antarctica and scan the ice with advanced sonar. 



Over 27 days, it traveled more than 1,000 kilometers under the glacier and reached 17 kilometers into the cavity. Previously, the team had used satellite data and ice cores to observe how glaciers change over time. 



"By navigating the submersible into the cavity, we were able to get high resolution maps of the ice underside," says lead author Anna Wåhlin, Professor of Oceanography at the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a>.



"It’s a bit like seeing the back of the moon.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctic-dotson-ice-shelf-melt">Antarctic Dotson Ice Shelf melt</h2>



The Dotson Ice Shelf in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-loss-increases-snowfall-over-west-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Antarctica</a> is a significant player in the discussion about future sea levels. 



Far from being flat, passive expanses of ice, these shelves are dynamic, evolving entities. They're thick bodies of glacial ice sustained by land-based glaciers. 



Uniquely, these ice shelves float atop the sea -- and beneath them are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-meteorites-vanish-in-antarctica-due-to-melting-ice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice shelf cavities</a>.



One such cavity was the focus of Ran's recent mission - a survey that has unlocked new secrets about the structures and melting patterns of these ice shelves. 



The Dotson Ice Shelf, in particular, plays a crucial role in the West Antarctic ice sheet's overall stability and potential future sea level rise due to its size and location.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-lurks-beneath-antarctica-s-ice">What lurks beneath Antarctica's ice</h2>



The glacial exploration yielded expected results: the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/this-natural-process-is-making-antarcticas-ice-melt-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice melted faster</a> where strong underwater currents erode its base. 



But what was surprising was the irregularity of the base itself. 



Instead of the smooth surface expected, the underwater landscape was reminiscent of peaks, valleys, plateaus and formations akin to sand dunes.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Antarctica_Dotson-ice-shelf_mystery-shapes_credit-UGothenburg_2m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Antarctica_Dotson-ice-shelf_mystery-shapes_credit-UGothenburg_2s.webp" alt="Never before seen &quot;swirls and scoops&quot; map the meltwater's journey as it flows beneath the ice (Credit: Filip Stedt/ University of Gothenburg)" class="wp-image-1963348"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Never before seen "swirls and scoops" map the meltwater's journey as it flows beneath the ice. Click to enlarge. Credit: Filip Stedt/ University of Gothenburg</figcaption></figure>



The team believes these features may have been sculpted by flowing water under the influence of Earth’s rotation. 



This unexpected discovery has challenged previous scientific assumptions, sparking new questions about the complex mechanisms of glacier melting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-perspective-on-antarctic-melt">Unique perspective on Antarctic melt</h2>



"By navigating the submersible into the cavity, we were able to get high-resolution maps of the ice underside. It's a bit like seeing the back of the moon for the first time," said lead author Anna Wåhlin, Professor of Oceanography at the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a> in Sweden.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Antarctica_RAN-AUV_operational-details_illustration_UGothenburg_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Antarctica_RAN-AUV_operational-details_illustration_UGothenburg_1s.webp" alt="The autonomous underwater vehicle Ran was programmed to perform missions under the ice shelf. An advanced multibeam sonar was used to map the base of the ice at a distance of about 50 meters. Credit: Anna Wåhlin/Science Advances" class="wp-image-1963354"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The autonomous underwater vehicle Ran was programmed to perform missions under the ice shelf. An advanced multibeam sonar was used to map the base of the ice at a distance of about 50 meters. Click to enlarge. Credit: Anna Wåhlin/Science Advances</figcaption></figure>



This exploration was part of the <a href="https://thwaitesglacier.org/projects/tarsan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TARSAN project</a>, a collaborative endeavor studying the atmospheric and oceanic processes influencing the behavior of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/doomsday-glacier-seems-to-have-lost-its-ability-to-recover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thwaites "doomsday glacier"</a> and Dotson Ice Shelves.



While the project expected to gather data, the spectacle they discovered was beyond their wildest dreams.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cracks-swirls-and-patterns">Cracks, swirls and patterns</h2>



Upon receiving the first images from beneath the ice shelf, the researchers were thrilled yet baffled. 



The textures and patterns they saw were unexpected, resembling works of art more than naturally occurring formations. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Antarctica_Dotson-ice-shelf_mystery-shapes_credit-UGothenburg_3m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Antarctica_Dotson-ice-shelf_mystery-shapes_credit-UGothenburg_3s.webp" alt="Under the east side of the Dotson Ice Shelf, the water has eroded several layers of ice into structures (Credit: Filip Stedt/ University of Gothenburg)" class="wp-image-1963350"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Under the east side of the Dotson Ice Shelf, the water has eroded several layers of ice into structures. Click to enlarge. Credit: Filip Stedt/ University of Gothenburg</figcaption></figure>



Intrigued by these findings, the team brainstormed to understand the forces behind them.



As they delved deeper, they found a series of firsts - a glimpse, for the first time, into the processes that melt the underside of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-threat-lurking-in-antarcticas-ice-shelves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice shelves</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-melting-antarctic-ice-shelves">Melting Antarctic ice shelves</h2>



While these ice shelves floating on the sea may not directly affect sea levels when they melt, the repercussions are more indirect. 



As these ice shelves melt, the land-based <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peru-has-lost-over-half-of-its-glaciers-in-six-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glaciers</a> they feed flow faster and destabilize, leading to a rise in sea levels.



The newly uncovered data will significantly help ice modelers reduce the uncertainties in future sea level predictions.



Despite a wealth of new discoveries, the exploration also revealed numerous processes still left to understand in future expeditions. 



Existing models could not explain the complex patterns discovered. Continued collaborative study, combining remote sensing with oceanographic field data, is needed to understand the changes taking place.



"For us, it's not just a new discovery, but also a wake-up call that many previous assumptions about melting of glacier undersides are falling short," elucidates Prof Wåhlin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-antarctic-ice-melt">Future of Antarctic ice melt</h2>



The research expedition planned to repeat the survey in January 2024, eager to document any changes. Unfortunately, the team could only complete one dive before Ran disappeared under the ice.



"Although we got valuable data back, we did not get all we had hoped for," said Prof Wåhlin. 



Despite the setback, the team remains optimistic and hopeful of continuing this crucial research.



In the midst of the climate crisis, every bit of insight matters. As we unravel the mysteries of these icy landscapes, we inch closer to understanding our planet's future. 



This important and disturbing research from the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of East Anglia</a> and the University of Gothenburg is leading the way, and we anxiously anticipate their next expedition into the unknown.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adn9188" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Strange Antarctic ice formations, never seen by humans, leave scientists baffled

An international research team deployed the unmanned submarine named 'Ran'...

Tucked into the highlands of southern Ecuador, a new nature reserve has just been established in Selva Alegre to protect an endangered bird, the Red-faced Parrot.



With fewer than 2,400 individuals left in the wild, these rare parrots now have a dedicated sanctuary where they can thrive.



The newly established Ecuador Ridgely Reserve goes beyond protecting a single species - it contributes to restoring vital ecosystems and enhancing the well-being of nearby communities.



This initiative is the result of efforts by scientists from the <a href="https://abcbirds.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Bird Conservancy</a> (ABC), Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco, and Rainforest Trust.



Together with support from the Conserva Aves initiative, the Ridgely Reserve was established to preserve vital habitat in the Chilla Mountain Range, near the city of Saraguro in the province of Loja.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protection-for-the-red-faced-parrot">Protection for the Red-faced Parrot</h2>



The Red-faced Parrot is one of the rarest parrots in the world. It depends on the unique climate and biodiversity of tropical high-elevation forests to survive.



“The Red-faced Parrot is a very rare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-bird-species-face-extinction-risks-in-the-neotropics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neotropical species</a> whose habitat is restricted to montane cloud forests of southern Ecuador and adjacent northern Peru,” said Marcelo F. Tognelli, international project officer at ABC.



“Unfortunately, deforestation and habitat loss have been contributing to its rapid decline. The creation of the Ridgley Reserve in southern Ecuador will help ensure this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conservation-efforts-must-cross-borders-to-save-endangered-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endangered species</a> thrives by improving habitat connectivity, while also providing a healthier environment for local communities.”



The reserve spans 518 acres (210 hectares) and is expected to expand to 1,388 acres (500 hectares). It lies along a mix of high Andean and stunted forest terrain, gradually giving way to Páramo grasslands, pine stands, eucalyptus groves, and areas affected by grazing and agriculture.



Though the area has not been extensively surveyed, over 90 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urbanization-is-a-threat-to-78-of-the-worlds-bird-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird species</a> have already been recorded. The Red-faced Parrot has been consistently observed there since the mid-1990s, making it the most reliable site for seeing this elusive bird.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-conservation-legacy">A conservation legacy</h2>



The Ridgely Reserve honors the work of Dr. Robert Ridgely, a renowned ornithologist and longtime advocate for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-birds-diving-petrels-return-home-island-conservation-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird conservation</a>. His decades of travel and field research in South America helped document countless bird species and inspired conservation projects across the continent.



Through his collaboration with local communities, he also trained local monitors to track <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-migratory-birds-navigate-with-such-accuracy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory birds</a> - laying the foundation for sustainable protection efforts that continue today.



"Bob Ridgely and all the other founders of Jocotoco have created a remarkable legacy by establishing our reserves, founding the Jocotoco Foundation, and expanding our protected areas across Ecuador,” said Martin Schaefer, CEO of Jocotoco. 



“Today, we can see how that legacy has flourished, with the Ridgely Reserve in southern Ecuador serving as a prime example." 



"This new sanctuary in Selva Alegre, home to the world's largest known population of the endangered Red-faced Parrot, shows our commitment to safeguarding Ecuador's incredible biodiversity."



The reserve also represents a personal milestone for Dr. Ridgely’s conservation work. James Deutsch, CEO of Rainforest Trust, noted that Dr. Ridgely has committed his life to conserving Ecuador's biodiversity, and it is so fitting that his name will grace the newest reserve established and managed by the Ecuadorian NGO he founded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reconnecting-fragmented-forests">Reconnecting fragmented forests</h2>



In the last 30 years, southern Ecuador has seen extensive deforestation. Forest has been cleared for agriculture and cattle grazing, and these activities now occupy nearly half of Selva Alegre.



This fragmentation has had a severe effect on biodiversity, especially on species such as the Red-faced Parrot that are extremely sensitive to habitat disturbance.



Consequently, the bird was recently uplisted from “Least Concern” to “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss and fragmentation have rendered its survival more doubtful.



The establishment of the Ridgely Reserve solves these issues at the source by reconnecting forest fragments, rehabilitating degraded land, and providing space for the parrot and other species to heal. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-people-and-nature">Supporting people and nature</h2>



Ecuador, a country roughly the size of Colorado, is home to nearly 1,600 bird species - twice the number found in the United States. This extraordinary biodiversity highlights the urgency of conservation efforts in the region.



The Ridgely Reserve not only protects birds, but also supports human communities. It helps preserve clean water sources, stabilize soils to prevent landslides, and maintain the health of ecosystems that local people depend on for farming and daily life.



Jocotoco, which has led many of these efforts, has become a key player in conservation and nature-based tourism in Ecuador. 



The organization continues to expand its network of protected areas across the country. Jocotoco and the Rainforest Trust have collaborated on 14 conservation projects covering over 63,000 acres, with more in progress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-movement-for-the-red-faced-parrot">A movement for the Red-faced Parrot</h2>



This new reserve is also part of the broader Conserva Aves initiative. Led by ABC, the National Audubon Society, the ultimate goal is to create 100 new subnational protected areas across Latin America and the Caribbean, protecting at least 4.9 million acres in total.



For ABC, creating protected areas has been central to its mission for 30 years. Working with local partners and communities, ABC has helped protect over 1.1 million acres in more than 100 reserves across 15 countries, benefiting thousands of bird species.



As conservation challenges grow more urgent, efforts like these demonstrate what’s possible when organizations and communities work together to protect both nature and people. 



The Ridgely Reserve is more than just a name - it’s a promise to future generations that rare species like the Red-faced Parrot will have a fighting chance.



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Ecuador’s Red-faced Parrot gets a new home

Tucked into the highlands of southern Ecuador, a new nature...

Particles,,Quantum,Entanglement,(quantum,Correlation),,Quantum,Mechanics.,3d,Illustration

In the past, events that took place in a flash were considered instantaneous. Yet modern experiments show that even when particles seem to shift in the blink of an eye, as with quantum entanglement, there are measurable intervals involved. 



These findings spark questions about how electrons leave atoms or how entangled pairs form, opening avenues for precise control in various applications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-in-attoseconds">Measuring in attoseconds</h2>



Scientists once assumed that an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electrons-can-follow-neat-paths-even-in-chaotic-quantum-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electron remained in orbit</a> around its nucleus and was then abruptly pulled away by a burst of light. 



A similar assumption held for particles that collided and became entangled without any noticeable time span. 



Today, attosecond-scale measurements allow researchers to scrutinize these events with remarkable detail. 



By tracking processes once believed to be immediate, scientists can better understand interactions that may influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-teleportation-communication-achieved-on-regular-internet-cables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum communication</a> and next-generation computing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-attoseconds-the-basics">Understanding attoseconds - the basics</h2>



An attosecond is an insanely tiny slice of time - just one-quintillionth of a second (that’s a 1 followed by 18 zeros). 



To put it in perspective, light can only travel about the width of a human hair in that time. 



Scientists use attoseconds to track the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electron-movement-seen-atomic-level-quantum-microscopy-material-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">movements of electrons</a>, which are some of the fastest things in the universe. 



It’s like having a super high-speed camera for the quantum world, letting researchers watch events that were once way too fast to even imagine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-scale-of-quantum-entanglement">Time scale of quantum entanglement</h2>



"You could say that the particles have no individual properties; they only have common properties," explains Prof. Joachim Burgdörfer from the Institute of Theoretical Physics at <a href="https://www.itp.tuwien.ac.at/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TU Wien</a>. 



"From a mathematical point of view, they belong firmly together, even if they are in two completely different places," 



In work published in Physical Review Letters, he and collaborators from China show how quantum entanglement can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-a-simple-way-to-grasp-this-impossible-concept-carl-kocher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arise on ultrafast scales</a>.



"We, on the other hand, are interested in something else - in finding out how this entanglement develops in the first place and which physical effects play a role on extremely short time scales," says Prof. Iva Březinová. 



Rather than focus on preserving quantum entanglement, her team explores the birth of this phenomenon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-study-was-done">How the study was done</h2>



Their approach involves intense, high-frequency laser pulses striking atoms. 



The first electron is ejected from the atom and propelled away. Under certain conditions, the second <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shape-of-electrons-revealed-first-time-through-big-advance-in-quantum-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electron also absorbs energy</a> and moves to a higher orbital. 



"We can show that these two electrons are now quantum entangled," says Burgdörfer. 



"You can only analyze them together - and you can perform a measurement on one of the electrons and learn something about the other electron at the same time."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-entangled-at-birth">Entangled at birth</h2>



The timing of the escaping electron links directly to the state of the electron left behind. 



"This means that the birth time of the electron that flies away is not known in principle. You could say that the electron itself doesn't know when it left the atom," says Burgdörfer. 



"It is in a quantum-physical superposition of different states. It has left the atom at both an earlier and a later point in time."



If the electron that remains is in a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-realm-vibrating-atoms-tune-single-electron-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher-energy state</a>, the departed electron likely left earlier. If the remaining electron is in a lower-energy state, that departure happened later. 



On average, the difference is around 232 attoseconds, an incredibly short duration that the scientists believe can be tested in future experiments. 



"We are already in talks with research teams who want to prove such ultrafast entanglements," says Burgdörfer.



When an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/watching-electrons-move-1-quintillionth-of-second-attoseconds-attomicroscopy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electron leaves an atom</a>, it spreads out like a wave. 



"It is a wave that spills out of the atom, so to speak - and that takes a certain amount of time," says Březinová. 



"It is precisely during this phase that the entanglement occurs, the effect of which can be measured later by observing the two electrons."



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



Knowing how entanglement begins at such tiny time intervals can shape efforts in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-quantum-revolution-will-impact-all-aspects-of-society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum-based encryption and computing</a>. 



By pinpointing the moment when two particles become linked, future technologies might harness these correlations more effectively. 



Understanding the sequence of events could also help scientists refine methods of generating entangled pairs for secure data transfer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-entangled-electrons">Using entangled electrons</h2>



Many investigations have focused on preserving quantum entanglement. These results highlight that the creation of entanglement itself is equally important. 



Observing how two electrons become correlated on timescales of a billionth of a billionth of a second opens possibilities for experimental work. 



Researchers aim to verify these simulations in the lab, guided by the notion that quantum events unfold in ways once deemed too fast to measure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-precision-timing-in-the-quantum-realm">Precision timing in the quantum realm</h2>



These studies suggest that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-fractal-pattern-predicted-50-years-ago-observed-in-lab-hofstadters-butterfly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum behavior</a> is not purely immediate. Instead, even processes that seem abrupt have definable periods during which entanglement takes hold. 



By zooming in on those intervals, scientists can gain insights into cause-and-effect in the quantum world. As laser technologies advance, the door opens to new measurements that capture the fleeting birth of entangled pairs. 



This line of exploration may reshape how we design future systems that rely on the delicate interconnections of quantum particles. 



It also underscores the importance of time-sensitive observations in unraveling complex interactions, suggesting that many so-called instantaneous events may hold untapped opportunities for quantum research. 



As further collaborations emerge, these attosecond-scale findings could spark new methods to manipulate and measure entangled states, paving the way for innovative paths in science and technology. 



Research teams worldwide are likely to build on these insights, examining how precise timing can refine quantum simulations and deepen understanding of particle interactions in next-generation devices.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.163201" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Letters</a>.



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"Mind-boggling" speed of quantum entanglement is measured for the first time

In the past, events that took place in a flash...

Observations from a NASA suborbital rocket have enabled an international group of experts to measure a global electric field that surrounds Earth for the first time ever.



According to scientists, this ambipolar electric field is thought to be just as crucial to Earth as gravity and magnetism. 



The finding stems from data captured by NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/endurance-spa-traverse-and-sample-return.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Endurance mission</a>, which targeted a zone in the upper atmosphere associated with the escape of air into space.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-ambipolar-electric-field">Earth's ambipolar electric field</h2>



Scientists first proposed over half a century ago that this planet-wide field played a part in shaping how particles leave <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-shrinking-earths-atmosphere-and-thats-bad-for-satellites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s atmosphere</a> through the North and South Poles. 



The measurement of this phenomenon, called the ambipolar electric field, helps reveal the forces behind what researchers have described as the “polar wind.” 



Glyn Collinson is the principal investigator of Endurance at NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a> in Greenbelt, Maryland, and lead author of the paper recently published in the journal Nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-puzzling-polar-outflow">Puzzling polar outflow</h2>



In the late 1960s, spacecraft over Earth’s poles detected a steady trickle of air streaming away from our planet. Theorists called it the “polar wind” and wondered how cold particles could travel at supersonic speed without apparent heating. 



Scientists suspected an undetected force was at work. “Something had to be drawing these particles out of the atmosphere,” said Collinson.



Many expected some outflow from the Sun’s influence, but the persistent polar wind suggested an additional explanation. 



Researchers reasoned that a subtle electric field might be the culprit, but previous instruments could not detect it. 



The Endurance mission was designed to settle the debate once and for all. By focusing on the upper atmosphere where these flows become most pronounced, the team hoped to see how weak charges can affect enormous scales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-find-earth-s-electric-field">How to find Earth's electric field</h2>



The mission team settled on <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/svalbard-melts-into-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Svalbard</a>, a Norwegian archipelago, as the launch site. 



“Svalbard is the only rocket range in the world where you can fly through the polar wind and make the measurements we needed,” said Suzie Imber, a space physicist at the <a href="https://le.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leicester</a>, UK, and co-author of the paper. 



The region’s location made it possible to intersect key pathways where energized particles exit Earth’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electron-activity-in-auroras-will-help-us-understand-space-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protective layers</a>.



On May 11, 2022, Endurance soared to a peak of 477.23 miles (768.03 kilometers) before returning to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenlands-ice-sheet-is-cracking-and-literally-falling-apart-at-a-very-alarming-rate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland Sea</a> 19 minutes later. Throughout a 322-mile stretch of its ascent, the rocket registered a mere 0.55 volts of electric potential. 



“A half a volt is almost nothing - it’s only about as strong as a watch battery,” Collinson said. “But that’s just the right amount to explain the polar wind.” 



The extremely thin air at those altitudes, combined with the rocket’s specialized instruments, made it possible to witness phenomena that remained undetected for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-electric-fields-and-supersonic-winds">Earth, electric fields, and supersonic winds</h2>



Hydrogen, the main ingredient in this outflow, experiences a pull from this newly confirmed field that is 10.6 times stronger than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-gravity-pulls-earth-closer-to-the-sun-warming-our-climate-scientists-say/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s gravity</a>. 



“That’s more than enough to counter gravity - in fact, it’s enough to launch them upwards into space at supersonic speeds,” said Alex Glocer, Endurance project scientist at NASA Goddard and co-author of the paper. 



Oxygen ions also get lifted, weighing half as much when immersed in that slight voltage. These movements occur without requiring noticeable heating, which puzzled researchers until now.



Endurance’s data showed an increase in the ionosphere’s density at higher altitudes by 271%, suggesting that this faint electric field steadily pushes substantial amounts of our air beyond Earth’s boundary. 



“It’s like this conveyor belt, lifting the atmosphere up into space,” Collinson added. 



Researchers believe this interplay between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/like-charged-particles-attract-each-other-defying-coulombs-laws-of-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">charged particles</a> and electric fields has existed for much of Earth’s past, quietly altering the composition of the sky overhead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atmospheric-escape-and-particle-loss">Atmospheric escape and particle loss</h2>



Atmospheric escape happens on any world with enough energy to lose particles over time. On Earth, the puzzle centers on how both hot and relatively cool ions break free. 



While solar radiation was long assumed to be the main culprit, the newly measured ambipolar field offers an additional key. It acts across vast distances, even when the individual charges involved are incredibly weak.



By studying these subtle processes, scientists gain clues about the evolution of gases that form our protective envelope. 



Over millions of years, small but persistent leaks could change how the atmosphere balances essential ingredients like oxygen and hydrogen. 



Piecing together these details helps reveal how our planet has maintained conditions suitable for life.



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



To sum it all up, researchers solved the long-standing puzzle of how cold ions break free from the atmosphere by measuring this slight voltage across Earth’s poles.



Scientists see this field as an important key for unraveling how other planets lose air into space. The same physical processes may apply to places like Mars and Venus, where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellites-detect-hidden-magnetic-signals-in-earths-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subtle electric forces</a> could be influencing the thickness and composition of their skies. 



Studying these effects on different worlds might even shed light on the potential for life elsewhere in our solar system.



Experts emphasize that this newly confirmed electric field surrounding Earth stands alongside magnetism and gravity as a fundamental feature of our planet. 



“Any planet with an atmosphere should have an ambipolar field,” Collinson said. “Now that we’ve finally measured it, we can begin learning how it’s shaped our planet as well as others over time.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07480-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Invisible electric field discovered surrounding Earth is "as crucial as gravity"

Observations from a NASA suborbital rocket have enabled an international...

Intact forests once absorbed 7.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ each year, about one-fifth of global emissions. Today, their reliability is fading. Climate change, deforestation, and land degradation now threaten this vast carbon sink.



A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (<a href="https://www.pik-potsdam.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PIK</a>) raises alarms. The experts warn that relying on forests to deliver consistent carbon removal is no longer a safe bet.



Worse still, most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-forests-are-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate strategies</a> still assume forests will expand and stay resilient.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangerous-gamble-with-carbon-storage">Dangerous gamble with carbon storage</h2>



Michael G. Windisch, the lead author of the study, highlights the growing risk. 



“Our climate strategies bet on forests not only remaining intact, but even expanding,” he said. But with rising wildfires and Amazon deforestation, this is a fragile assumption.



Forests are vulnerable to pests, disease, drought, and other climate-driven <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-undisturbed-forests-support-greater-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a>. If these threats intensify, forests may begin to release more carbon than they store. That would wipe out years of progress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-risks-of-depending-on-forests">The risks of depending on forests</h2>



The study outlines three key risks. First, we depend on existing forests to stay intact. Second, we rely on them to keep removing carbon each year. Furthermore, we plan to increase forest cover for future carbon removal. If any part fails, the whole plan collapses.



This is why the researchers stress caution. Immediate action is essential to prevent forest disturbances from derailing climate goals. Postponing action by just five years can double the mitigation cost and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effort</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-models-confirm-forest-risks">Climate models confirm forest risks </h2>



The researchers used REMIND-MAgPIE, a climate and land-use model, along with the LPJmL vegetation model. They introduced disturbance rates - events like pest outbreaks, fire, and wind damage - into their scenarios.



Their findings? Even low disturbance rates drastically affect outcomes. Myopic policy responses that delay action lead to steeper emission cuts and higher costs. 



The models show that a five-year delay doubles the pressure on all sectors, especially energy and land use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-costs-soar-as-forest-sinks-shrink">Climate costs soar as forest sinks shrink</h2>



Under immediate action, the carbon price by 2050 rises to $327 per tonne. But with delay, that shoots up to $483. GDP losses also increase from 2.4 to 2.7 percent.



The energy sector suffers more in myopic scenarios. Renewables must scale up much faster. Fossil fuel use must fall more steeply. The industry and transport sectors, especially, bear heavier burdens.



Negative emissions technologies like BECCS and DACCS become essential. But delayed action means building them faster and larger, increasing pressure on land and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-forests-rose-again-after-the-planets-most-extreme-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">budgets</a>.



In delayed scenarios, land demand for mitigation jumps to 563 million hectares - larger than the European Union. That’s 149 million hectares more than if action were taken immediately.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-need-surveillance-not-assumptions">Forests need surveillance, not assumptions</h2>



Many global climate models ignore natural disturbances or assume forests react positively to rising CO₂. But evidence shows otherwise. Phosphorus limits and shifting ecosystems reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/older-forests-do-not-necessarily-store-more-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a>’ ability to absorb carbon.



Some models also underestimate human impact, assuming forest lands are quickly and efficiently reused. In reality, land speculation and mismanagement delay recovery.



“Forests are not an infinite resource,” Florian Humpenöder warns. He urges immediate monitoring and realistic projections. Only then can we act fast when carbon sinks weaken.



The study also shows that myopic responses to small disturbances demand more effort than immediate responses to double those disturbances. Every delay becomes costlier than we expect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-can-t-solve-the-climate-crisis">Forests can't solve the climate crisis </h2>



“We must act immediately to safeguard the carbon stored in forests,” said Windisch. Without foresight, future generations may inherit a climate plan full of gaps.



“Alongside protecting forests, it is essential to promote sustainable land use practices,” added study co-author Alexander Popp. This includes conserving biodiversity and avoiding reckless land expansion.



Forests are crucial - but they can’t solve the climate crisis alone. The study leaves no room for wishful thinking. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-play-an-overlooked-role-in-the-climate-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forests</a> will face more stress in the future. Assuming otherwise puts climate goals at risk.



Instead of hoping forests remain stable, policies must adjust. Immediate, coordinated action across all sectors can still deliver on the Paris targets - but the window is closing.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57607-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Forests can no longer carry the climate burden alone

Intact forests once absorbed 7.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ each...

Children are growing up surrounded by screens, apps, and constant notifications. Phones and social media shape their early lives. This widespread tech use has raised concerns among parents, teachers, and governments. In response, many have opted to ban phone use.



In recent years, countries like France, Turkey, and Sweden have pushed forward policies to restrict or eliminate smartphone use in schools. 



Australia went further by banning social media access for children under sixteen. Across the United States and Canada, similar efforts are gaining traction. Even the US Surgeon General proposed warning labels for social media platforms.



This surge in regulation stems from fears about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/taking-a-smartphone-break-can-improve-your-life-in-surprising-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>, declining academic performance, and digital addiction. But are bans truly helping children, or are we simply delaying the conversation that actually matters?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flawed-promise-of-phone-bans">Flawed promise of phone bans</h2>



The appeal of bans lies in their simplicity. Remove the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childrens-screen-time-shapes-their-mental-health-as-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">device</a>, and the problems go away - or so the logic goes.



A UK-based evaluation of school smartphone policies reported no real improvement in mental health, academic success, physical activity, or classroom behavior. Students’ overall phone use and problematic social media habits remained unchanged.



Experts like Victoria Goodyear from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a> and colleagues challenge the idea that phones themselves are the problem.



Instead, they argue that restricting access does not teach children how to use technology in healthy, thoughtful ways. In fact, bans may only offer the illusion of control while ignoring the long-term needs of growing minds.



There’s a fundamental truth we cannot ignore - technology isn’t going anywhere. Teaching children to use it wisely is far more useful than simply removing it from their hands. Without support and guidance, children lose the chance to learn self-regulation and digital responsibility.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phone-bans-ignore-how-children-s-needs">Phone bans ignore how children’s needs</h2>



Children are not all the same. Where they live, how they grow up, and what access they have matters deeply. A blanket rule cannot work equally for every child. In some parts of the world, especially rural or conflict zones, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/screen-time-delays-language-development-in-toddlers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital access</a> is a lifeline. 



Girls in Afghanistan use social media to learn about their rights and safety. LGBTQ+ youth in China report improved mental wellbeing through online communities. In sub-Saharan Africa, social media connects families to healthcare and support.



Banning tech in these contexts would not protect children - it could isolate them. On the flip side, for children vulnerable to anxiety or self-esteem issues, the wrong kind of digital exposure can indeed cause harm.



The solution, however, cannot be one-size-fits-all. Children’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childrens-screen-time-must-be-limited-to-protect-their-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiences</a> with tech are shaped by culture, economics, identity, and safety.



Restrictions ignore this complexity. They reduce a nuanced challenge into a binary choice - access or no access. That approach leaves too many children unsupported.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-need-phone-safety-tools-not-bans">We need phone safety tools, not bans</h2>



Some have compared tech bans to public health measures like tobacco control. But this analogy falls apart quickly. Smoking causes direct, irreversible harm. 



Phones and social media, on the other hand, offer both benefits and risks. They can build confidence, open doors to learning, and provide much-needed social connection.



A better analogy might be driving. When car crashes became a concern, we didn’t ban cars. We built seat belts, set speed limits, installed traffic lights, and taught people how to drive. The same kind of infrastructure is needed for children navigating the digital world.



Designing safer digital experiences, creating supportive online communities, and teaching children how to use technology with intention - these are the traffic lights and seat belts of our era. They don’t ban the road. They help children travel it more safely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-better-children-s-rights">Need for better children’s rights</h2>



The authors call for a shift to a rights-based approach, shaped by the United Nations <a href="https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Convention on the Rights of the Child</a>. 



This global framework emphasizes inclusion, development, and protection. It does not aim to isolate children from digital spaces. Instead, it seeks to prepare them for responsible, informed participation.



At the heart of this idea lies four guiding principles: non-discrimination, acting in the child’s best interests, the right to development, and respect for children’s views. 



Rather than removing children from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/too-much-screen-time-is-making-teens-anxious/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital environments</a>, this model advocates equipping them to navigate these spaces with confidence and care.



Design also plays a central role. Age-appropriate features can nudge children toward better habits. These could include default limits on notifications, learning-focused content, or shared features that involve families in positive interaction. 



But right now, most platforms are not built with children’s needs in mind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-law-in-a-child-s-world">Role of law in a child’s world</h2>



Despite growing global concern, no major legislation currently centers children’s rights in digital product design. Voluntary action from tech companies has fallen short. 



Many features are built to keep users scrolling, not learning. To fix this, experts propose clearer legal requirements for how platforms should serve young users.



The UK’s Child Rights by Design guidance offers one of the most detailed roadmaps. It encourages developers to consider privacy, mental health, creativity, learning, and play when building digital tools. 



Yet these ideas remain optional. Laws like the EU’s Digital Services Act have made progress but still miss key challenges like algorithmic targeting, which can push biased or harmful content.



Without firm rules, companies have little reason to shift their priorities. Children’s safety and growth must become more than an afterthought — they should be built into the foundation of digital spaces.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skills-for-a-lifelong-digital-journey">Skills for a lifelong digital journey</h2>



Education is the most powerful tool we have. Not just academic learning, but emotional and social growth. The authors stress that schools and families need to teach digital habits as life skills - comparable to nutrition, exercise, or sleep.



One promising model is called the agency-centered approach. It helps children feel in control of their tech use. Developed through research and classroom trials in the US, this method blends evidence-based mental health strategies with children’s own digital experiences.



For example, children can learn how to manage the anxiety that comes from being “left on read.” They can gain tools to question manipulative app designs or resist misinformation. Teaching happens on three levels: personal understanding, peer support, and adult partnership. 



Together, these approaches create a digital life that children own, not one they merely react to.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phone-bans-fail-without-support">Phone bans fail without support</h2>



While promising, these shifts won’t come easy. Many schools still prioritize test scores over emotional education. Teachers may lack training or time to co-design meaningful lessons with students. 



Parents often struggle to relate, drawing on their own memories rather than current realities. They may set rules based on fear, not on trust or learning.



That’s why professional support and accessible guidance are essential. Policymakers, educators, and families need reliable tools to build environments where children’s digital skills can thrive.



And yes, the tech industry must change. Profit can no longer come at the expense of childhood. Until laws reflect that priority, children will remain unprotected in a system not built for them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empowerment-over-elimination">Empowerment over elimination</h2>



“Ultimately, there is a need to shift debates, policies, and practices from a sole focus on restricting smartphone and social media access toward an emphasis on nurturing children’s skills for healthy technology use,” the authors conclude.



Bans might offer adults a sense of control, but they don’t prepare children for the realities of life. What truly helps is guidance, consistent education, and digital spaces built with care. Strong laws and thoughtful design play a vital role.



The goal is not to disconnect children from the digital world, but to help them grow within it - safely and confidently.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/388/bmj-2024-082569" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The BMJ</a>.



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Phone bans don't help children learn to navigate the digital world

Children are growing up surrounded by screens, apps, and constant...

Beneath the forest floor lies a hidden web that sustains life as we know it. These lifelines are not roots, nor are they animals or minerals. They are fungi - ancient organisms that form dense underground networks. Most people never see them, yet they are as essential as sunlight and rain for ecosystems.



Fungi connect trees in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underground-fungal-networks-are-natures-hyper-efficient-architects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">silent communication</a>. They help crops resist disease and survive drought. Without fungi, the soil weakens, the plants suffer, and biodiversity falters. 



Despite their importance, fungi are rarely featured in conservation headlines. They’ve been largely ignored in environmental efforts, until now.



This month, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://iucn.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) released a warning: fungi are under threat. And the threat is serious. Deforestation, farming expansion, and wildfires driven by climate change are pushing hundreds of fungi species toward extinction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unsung-heroes-of-life">Unsung heroes of life</h2>



The IUCN’s latest update of its Red List reveals a worrying trend. Out of 1,300 well-documented fungal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-can-think-and-make-smart-decisions-without-a-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>, 411 face extinction. 



This number represents only a fraction of the fungal kingdom. Scientists have recorded around 150,000 fungal species so far, but estimates suggest the true count may exceed 2.5 million.



Each of these organisms plays a part in maintaining balance in ecosystems. Many fungi form symbiotic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-fungi-diversity-can-be-pulled-out-of-thin-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">relationships</a> with plants, providing them with nutrients in exchange for sugars. 



These relationships are ancient, stretching back over 400 million years. Their loss would unravel natural systems that evolved over millennia.



"Fungi are the unsung heroes of life on Earth, forming the very foundation of healthy ecosystems - yet they have long been overlooked," said IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-are-unseen-but-essential">Fungi are unseen but essential </h2>



Fungi form their own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-eating-fungus-beauveria-bassiana-causes-the-immune-system-to-attack-neurons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biological kingdom</a>. They are distinct from plants and animals. Their structures, growth patterns, and reproduction methods differ entirely. Yet, their presence supports both flora and fauna.



"While fungi mainly live hidden underground and inside wood, their loss impacts the life above ground that depends on them," explained Professor Anders Dahlberg, a Swedish mycologist who led the IUCN’s fungal assessment.



Dahlberg compares their role to the microbiome in human guts. Unseen but essential, fungi allow ecosystems to digest, grow, and respond to change. When fungi vanish, ecosystems lose <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-and-fungi-communicate-using-a-silent-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilience</a>. 



Crops become more vulnerable, trees become less stable, and soils lose their ability to store carbon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impact-on-fungal-networks">Human impact on fungal networks</h2>



Nearly 300 fungal species are now threatened due to expanding agricultural lands and growing cities. As human settlements rise and farmlands sprawl, fungi lose habitat. 



Urban development compresses the earth, alters drainage, and cuts through the underground threads fungi rely on.



Nitrogen-rich fertilizers and vehicle emissions also impact fungi. The IUCN notes that 91 species are directly threatened by nitrogen and ammonia pollution. 



One example is the fibrous waxcap (Hygrocybe intermedia), an uncommon yellow-orange mushroom found across European meadows. Once spread from Scandinavia to southern Italy, it now faces serious pressure.



Deforestation creates even more severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-fungi-can-be-trained-to-degrade-plastic-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consequences</a>. The cutting of ancient forests removes the only environment many fungi can survive in. Unlike fast-growing plants, many fungi cannot adapt or migrate quickly.



"Clear-cutting of old-growth forests is especially damaging, destroying fungi that do not have time to re-establish with rotation forestry," the IUCN noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iconic-fungi-species-are-disappearing">Iconic fungi species are disappearing</h2>



Some threatened fungi were once widespread, although none of the popular edible varieties face immediate danger. Dahlberg noted that the most vulnerable types are often very specific, occupying narrow ecological roles in local fungal communities.



One such species is the giant knight (Tricholoma colossus), which has suffered greatly due to the disappearance of old-growth pine forests in Finland, Sweden, and Russia. These forests have declined by 30 percent since the 1970s, shrinking the giant knight’s habitat along with them.



The public rarely hears of such species, yet their loss weakens ecosystems. Each vanished fungus takes with it a piece of the forest’s memory, function, and future stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-shifts-the-forest-s-rhythm">Climate change shifts the forest’s rhythm</h2>



Global warming adds another layer of threat. In the United States, shifting fire patterns have altered forest dynamics. 



Fires now burn hotter, more often, or in unexpected regions. Over 50 fungal species have been affected, with some pushed to the edge of extinction.



One notable case involves the endangered Gastroboletus citrinobrunneus. This rare fungus depends on specific conditions found in California’s Sierra Nevada. Due to warming, fir trees have overtaken the high-elevation woods, reducing the mushroom’s already limited habitat.



Fungi cannot run. They cannot grow elsewhere at will. When the forest changes, they either adapt slowly or die quickly. Climate pressure forces rapid shifts that fungal systems were never designed to handle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-kingdom-that-holds-it-all-together">The kingdom that holds it all together</h2>



The IUCN’s Red List now includes nearly 170,000 species, of which over 47,000 face extinction. Fungi, long excluded from mainstream conservation, are now being recognized for their irreplaceable roles.



"Now it's time to turn this knowledge into action and safeguard the extraordinary fungal kingdom, whose vast underground networks sustain nature and life as we know it," said Aguilar.



Preserving fungi means protecting forests, clean soil, healthy crops, and biodiversity. These silent organisms are nature’s caretakers. The time has come to listen to their silence - and act before it becomes permanent.



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Hundreds of fungi species are threatened with extinction

Beneath the forest floor lies a hidden web that sustains...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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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"

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

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