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...

Climate change has long been framed as a battle between what humans emit and what nature can absorb. At the heart of this balance lies carbon sequestration - the process where plants, trees, and soils pull carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it.



For decades, this natural mechanism offered a quiet form of resistance against rising emissions. But now, researchers have uncovered a troubling shift: the Earth’s ability to absorb CO2 is weakening.



A new study by the <a href="https://www.strath.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Strathclyde</a> suggests that the safety net we once relied upon is beginning to fray. As sequestration declines, the race to cut emissions becomes even more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-must-reconnect-with-nature-now-to-save-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urgent</a>. 



While the planet continues to green in appearance, the inner mechanisms that drive long-term carbon storage may be breaking down. The implications stretch far beyond science - they strike at the heart of climate policy, land use, and our collective future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-is-storing-less-co2-each-year">Nature is storing less CO2 each year</h2>



The study reveals that natural sequestration once kept pace with growing emissions. In the 1960s, carbon sequestration grew by 0.8% annually. 



This increase suggested that as human activity released more CO2, plants and forests were also working harder to absorb it. That gave many scientists and policymakers hope that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-timing-is-drastically-changing-due-to-extreme-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural systems</a> could buy time as humanity worked on long-term solutions.



But that growth didn’t last. The research found that the sequestration rate peaked in 2008 and is now in decline - falling by 0.25% per year. The numbers show a concerning reversal.



If the 1960s growth had continued uninterrupted, natural carbon uptake would have increased by 50% between 1960 and 2010. Instead, if the current downward trend continues, nature’s ability to absorb CO2 could drop by half over the next 250 years.



The study, published in the journal Weather, offers a stark warning. As emissions rise and sequestration shrinks, the margin for error disappears. Carbon is staying in the atmosphere longer, intensifying the warming effect and weakening our natural climate buffer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-emissions-keep-climbing">Human emissions keep climbing</h2>



While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-climate-solutions-mixed-forests-store-more-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature</a>’s absorption rate drops, human-generated emissions continue to climb. The report states that emissions from human activities are growing at a rate of about 1.2% annually. That figure may seem modest, but when matched against a declining carbon sink, it becomes overwhelming.



To cancel out this increase, emissions would need to fall by at least 0.3% per year. That translates to about 100 million tons of CO2 annually. 



Achieving such a reduction would require global shifts in energy, transportation, agriculture, and consumption. It’s a monumental task - made harder by the realization that natural systems are no longer absorbing carbon at past levels.



The findings raise difficult questions about how much longer we can lean on forests and soil to balance our carbon books. 



For decades, policies around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-forests-rose-again-after-the-planets-most-extreme-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reforestation</a> and conservation hinged on the assumption that sequestration would continue to improve. This assumption may no longer hold true.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-co2-rhythm-isn-t-enough-anymore">Nature’s CO2 rhythm isn’t enough anymore</h2>



James Curran, a visiting professor at Strathclyde’s Centre for Sustainable Development, co-authored the study with Dr. Sam Curran. He explained how the Earth's seasonal rhythms once helped maintain a carbon balance.



“Most of the Earth's land mass is in the Northern Hemisphere,” said Professor Curran. “During the northern summer, the abundant vegetation of the north absorbs a huge amount of CO2 from the atmosphere.



“In the northern winter, some of this CO2 is released back into the atmosphere through the natural biodegradation of dead vegetation, but a portion remains locked in roots, soil and dormant woody matter. The overall curve of CO2 concentrations still rises year-on-year, owing to additional emissions from human activity.”



This process, known as the seasonal carbon cycle, is visible in atmospheric CO2 data. Every year, levels dip in the summer and rise in the winter. But the long-term trend remains upward. The Earth’s vegetative cover can no longer absorb enough to offset what humans emit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-loss-weakens-earth-s-defense">Biodiversity loss weakens Earth’s defense</h2>



Professor Curran emphasizes that restoring nature’s ability to trap carbon is still possible - but time is running out. Reversing the decline in sequestration will require deep investment in ecosystems. That means rethinking how we treat forests, wetlands, grasslands, and even agricultural land.



“It's urgent that every effort is made to rebuild biodiversity and associated ecosystem services, including sequestration. Deforestation must stop; rewilding must be encouraged; forest fires must be prevented,” said Professor Curran.



”For large-scale habitats, which are more resilient and offer enhanced ecosystem services, defragmentation must be prioritized; fossil fuels must be phased out; timber and fiber products must be reused for as long as possible, as part of a wider circular economy.”



These actions are not optional. They are necessary if we want nature to continue helping us in the fight against global warming. Yet restoring biodiversity is not just about planting trees. It involves protecting complex systems that depend on balance - between species, water cycles, soil health, and climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greener-nature-doesn-t-mean-more-co2-absorption">Greener nature doesn’t mean more CO2 absorption</h2>



There is a common belief that as CO2 levels rise, so does plant growth. Higher CO2 can act like a fertilizer, making plants grow faster. 



This “greening” has been observed in satellite imagery, especially across cold northern regions like Canada and Russia. But this image of a greener Earth may be misleading.



“There was a widespread belief that sequestration was still increasing but would begin to decline at some point in the future, whereas data showed the fall was already underway,” said Professor Curran.



The assumption that more vegetation means better CO2 absorption is now in doubt. Plants may grow faster in warmer, CO2-rich conditions, but other pressures cancel out the gains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-web-of-threats-to-vegetation">A web of threats to vegetation</h2>



Curran explained why increased plant growth doesn’t guarantee more sequestration.



“It is known that increasing CO2 in the atmosphere acts like a plant fertilizer, while a warming world also allows vegetation to grow more rapidly and easily, particularly in the extensive chilly northern latitudes of Canada and Russia.



“Satellite observations are reported as seeing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-can-prevent-future-pandemics-by-protecting-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth becoming ‘greener’</a> as vegetation spreads. However, that simple assumption is countered by all the other effects that can kick in, including damage to vegetative growth by excessive heat, drought, floods, wind damage, wildfires, desertification and potentially wider spread of plant pests and diseases.”



These threats create a volatile and uncertain future for ecosystems. Heat waves and wildfires can destroy decades of growth in a matter of days. 



Drought can halt photosynthesis, stopping carbon absorption. Pests and diseases, spread by warming temperatures, can decimate entire regions of plant life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-can-still-absorb-co2">Nature can still absorb CO2</h2>



As the Earth’s capacity to absorb CO2 weakens, the pressure on human systems increases. Emissions must fall faster. Renewable energy must scale quicker. 



Land use must prioritize restoration, not destruction. Circular economies - where materials are reused and waste is minimized - must become the norm.



The study from the University of Strathclyde doesn’t just outline a problem. It offers a wake-up call. Nature, once our quiet climate ally, is losing strength. If we want to regain control, we must support ecosystems not just as scenery, but as active partners in climate stability.



Nature is still fighting. But without urgent human action, it won’t keep winning for much longer.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.7668" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weather</a>.



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Nature’s grip on CO2 is slipping: What it means for us all

Climate change has long been framed as a battle between...

The past is full of hidden secrets, and fossils offer valuable glimpses into ancient worlds. Each discovery reveals new insights into evolution, extinction, and the environmental shifts that shaped life long ago.



A recent study on a 30,000-year-old vulture fossil from Central Italy has revealed an extraordinary process of preservation. 



The researchers discovered that volcanic rock can capture microscopic details of feathers - a phenomenon that has never been documented before.



Fossilization usually occurs in sediments like mud or sand, where minerals replace organic materials over time. 



However, the vulture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-molecules-collagen-discovered-in-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-bones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a> challenges conventional beliefs by showing how volcanic deposits can preserve soft tissues in stunning detail.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-30-000-year-old-vulture-fossil">30,000-year-old vulture fossil</h2>



The fossilized vulture was discovered in 1889 near Rome by a local landowner. Its exceptional state of preservation made it a rare find at the time.



Unlike many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/triassic-fossils-shed-new-light-on-ancient-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a> that are flattened by geological pressure, this specimen retained a three-dimensional structure. Even features like eyelids and wing feathers remained intact.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vulture-fossil-feather_volcanic-rock_credit-Edoardo-Terranova_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vulture-fossil-feather_volcanic-rock_credit-Edoardo-Terranova_1s.webp" alt="A Fossilized feather preserved with the volcanic rock. Credit: Edoardo Terranova" class="wp-image-1963155"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A Fossilized feather preserved with the volcanic rock. Credit: Edoardo Terranova</figcaption></figure>



Despite its discovery more than a century ago, the fossil has continued to fascinate researchers. Recent advances in microscopic and chemical analysis provided scientists with tools to examine it anew, this time in unprecedented detail.



The findings have opened new doors in the study of fossilization and volcanic environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feathers-preserved-at-the-microscopic-level">Feathers preserved at the microscopic level</h2>



Dr. Valentina Rossi from University College Cork led the research team that conducted a detailed examination of the vulture fossil. 



The results, published recently in Geology, reveal that the feathers are preserved down to the microscopic level.



“Fossil feathers are usually preserved in ancient mudrocks laid down in lakes or lagoons,” noted Dr. Rossi.



“The fossil vulture is preserved in ash deposits, which is extremely unusual. When analyzing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthal-fossils-reveal-signs-of-a-population-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a> vulture plumage, we found ourselves in uncharted territory. These feathers are nothing like what we usually see in other fossils.”



Traditional fossilization often occurs in water-rich environments, where sediments gradually cover an animal’s remains. 



However, the vulture’s feathers survived in volcanic ash - a setting not previously recognized for preserving such delicate structures.



This raises new questions about the role of volcanic environments in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-discovery-anadoluvius-turkae-suggests-humans-originated-in-europe-not-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a> preservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-zeolite-in-preservation">Role of zeolite in preservation</h2>



By analyzing tiny samples of the fossil feathers using electron microscopes and chemical tests, the researchers uncovered an unexpected preservation mechanism. 



The feathers were found to be encased in zeolite, a mineral composed of silicon and aluminum.



“Zeolites are minerals rich in silicon and aluminum and are common in volcanic and hydrothermal geological settings," Dr. Rossi explained.



"They can form as primary minerals (with pretty crystals) or can form secondarily, during the natural alteration of volcanic glass and ash, giving the rock a ‘mudrock-like’ aspect."



The team determined that water flowing through the ash layers triggered chemical changes that led to the formation of zeolite nanocrystals. These crystals replicated the feathers’ microscopic details, thus preserving them at a cellular level.



This process had never been reported before in soft tissue fossilization, making the vulture fossil a groundbreaking discovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserved-soft-tissues-in-a-vulture-fossil">Preserved soft tissues in a vulture fossil</h2>



Volcanic activity is usually associated with destruction, not <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-did-dinosaurs-come-from-missing-fossils-hold-the-secret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preservation</a>. Pyroclastic flows, known for their extreme heat and rapid movement, often obliterate organic material. 



Yet, this study demonstrates that, under certain conditions, volcanic ash can encase and protect soft tissues.



“We are used to thinking that volcanic deposits are associated with hot, fast-moving pyroclastic currents that will destroy soft tissues," noted Professor Dawid A. Iurino from the University of Milan.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vulture-fossil-feather_volcanic-rock_illustration_credit-Dawid-Iurino_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vulture-fossil-feather_volcanic-rock_illustration_credit-Dawid-Iurino_1s.webp" alt="'The Doom of the Alban Hills' a digital painting representing a possible scenario of the moments before the vulture carcass was entombed in the pyroclastic current. Credit: Dawid A. Iurino" class="wp-image-1963158"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'The Doom of the Alban Hills' a digital painting representing a possible scenario of the moments before the vulture carcass was entombed in the pyroclastic current. Credit: Dawid A. Iurino</figcaption></figure>



"However, these geological settings are complex and can include low temperature deposits that can preserve soft tissues at the cellular level.” 



This discovery challenges the assumption that volcanic environments are unsuitable for preserving fossils. 



It suggests that low-temperature ash deposits can serve as protective enclosures for biological remains, and that this may allow scientists to study ancient creatures in ways never before possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-search-for-fossils">Expanding the search for fossils </h2>



The findings have significant implications for paleontology. Scientists have long focused on sedimentary rocks when searching for well-preserved fossils, and may have overlooked volcanic deposits. This research suggests that volcanic rock may hold a hidden wealth of fossils with preserved soft tissues.



“The fossil record is continually surprising us, be it new fossil species, strange new body shapes, or in this case, new styles of fossil preservation. We never expected to find delicate tissues such as feathers preserved in a volcanic rock," stated Professor Maria McNamara from University College Cork.



"Discoveries such as these broaden the range of potential rock types where we can find fossils, even those preserving fragile soft tissues."



This revelation encourages researchers to revisit volcanic fossil sites with fresh eyes. It also raises the possibility that more fossils with soft tissue preservation are waiting to be uncovered in ash-rich environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-chapter-in-paleontology">A new chapter in paleontology</h2>



Scientific discoveries constantly reshape our understanding of the past. 



The vulture fossil provides a glimpse into an ancient world and introduces a previously unknown pathway of fossilization. 



Its preservation within volcanic rock suggests that nature’s processes are sometimes more complex than previously thought.



As researchers continue to explore this phenomenon, future studies may uncover additional cases of soft tissue preservation in volcanic deposits. 



This could revolutionize the study of fossils and expand the possibilities for finding well-preserved specimens in unexpected places.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article-abstract/doi/10.1130/G52971.1/653118/Fossil-feathers-from-the-Colli-Albani-volcanic?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a>.



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Vulture fossil reveals that volcanic rock can preserve feathers

The past is full of hidden secrets, and fossils offer...

When it comes to agility, squirrels are in a league of their own. These small animals can leap between branches, stick impossible landings, and move effortlessly through trees. 



While robots have been designed to mimic the motion of snakes, birds, and fish, none has come close to matching a squirrel's mastery of dynamic movement - until now.



A team of biologists and engineers from the <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Berkeley</a> has designed a hopping robot that can replicate one of the squirrel's most impressive skills: landing precisely on a narrow perch.



Their inspiration came from studying how squirrels leap, land, and adjust their bodies in mid-air to maintain balance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-squirrel-skills-robotic-goals">Squirrel skills, robotic goals</h2>



“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-can-now-learn-like-humans-using-self-awareness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robots</a> we have now are OK, but how do you take it to the next level? How do you get robots to navigate a challenging environment in a disaster where you have pipes and beams and wires? Squirrels could do that, no problem. Robots can't do that," said Robert Full, co-senior author of the study. 



“Squirrels are nature's best athletes. The way that they can maneuver and escape is unbelievable. The idea is to try to define the control strategies that give the animals a wide range of behavioral options to perform extraordinary feats, and use that information to build more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-cannot-outrun-animals-but-theyre-evolving-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agile robots</a>.”



The team’s answer to this challenge is Salto - a small, one-legged robot originally developed at UC Berkeley in 2016. 



Salto was already capable of hopping and landing on flat surfaces, but researchers wanted to see if it could do something much trickier: land accurately on a narrow rod.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teaching-robots-to-think-like-squirrels">Teaching robots to think like squirrels</h2>



Justin Yim, a former UC Berkeley graduate student and now an assistant professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, worked to translate what the biology team observed in squirrels into movement strategies for Salto.



“If you think about trying to jump to a point - maybe you're doing something like playing hopscotch and you want to land your feet in a certain spot - you want to stick that landing and not take a step,” Yim explained.



The behaviors that we carry out in order not to fall over when landing on our feet are familiar to us all. For example, we may pinwheel our arms and stand up straighter to stop ourselves from falling forwards. Similarly, we may pinwheel our arms backwards and sit down to prevent ourselves from falling backwards. 



“That is the same behavior that we programmed into the robot. If it's going to be swinging under, it should crouch. If it's going to swing over, it should extend out and stand tall,” explained Yim.



The physics-based body adjustments that squirrels make to recover from a misjudged jump are now helping robots make smarter mid-air decisions.



Yim is currently using these strategies in a NASA-funded project that is aimed at building a one-legged robot capable of hopping across the low-gravity surface of Enceladus, Saturn’s icy moon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-squirrels-teach-us-about-balance">What squirrels teach us about balance</h2>



The robot’s improved performance is built on detailed biomechanical research. UC Berkeley scientists equipped branches with sensors and captured high-speed video to analyze just how squirrels land. 



They found that when a squirrel lands after a long <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/squirrels-can-adjust-to-new-launching-conditions-mid-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leap</a>, it essentially performs a front-legged handstand. Most of the energy - about 86% - is absorbed by the front legs.



“They're really doing front handstands onto the branch, and then the rest of it follows,” Full said. “Then their feet generate a pull-up torque, if they're going under; if they are going to go over the top - they're overshooting, potentially - they generate a braking torque.”



But the key to a squirrel’s success isn’t just muscle strength. It's the ability to fine-tune that force depending on whether the jump was too short or too long.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upgrades-for-salto">Upgrades for Salto</h2>



To replicate these subtle adjustments, Yim and UC Berkeley undergraduate Eric Wang modified Salto’s design. 



They gave it the ability to adjust its leg forces during landing and combined this with the robot’s existing reaction wheel, which helps with balance. 



Despite not having grippers or any way to hold onto the perch, Salto was able to land on narrow branches several times.



“We decided to take the most difficult path and give the robot no ability to apply any torque on the branch with its feet. We specifically designed a passive gripper that even had very low friction to minimize that torque,” Yim said. 



“In future work, I think it would be interesting to explore other, more capable grippers that could drastically expand the robot's ability to control the torque it applies to the branch and expand its ability to land. Maybe not just on branches, but on complex flat ground, too.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-advantage-of-no-thumbs">The advantage of no thumbs</h2>



The team also discovered that squirrels, unlike <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-monkeys-are-much-smarter-than-we-thought-they-were/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monkeys</a>, do not rely on thumbs to grab branches. Instead, they use the entire palm of the foot to apply torque. Surprisingly, this might offer an advantage.



“If you're a squirrel being chased by a predator like a hawk, or [by] another squirrel, you want to have a sufficiently stable grasp, where you can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anymal-the-quadrupedal-robot-that-has-mastered-parkour/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parkour</a> off a branch quickly, but not too firm a grasp,” Full said. “They don't have to worry about letting go, they just bounce off.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-one-leg-works">Why one leg works</h2>



Although one-legged robots may seem unstable, Yim believes this design is the most efficient for high jumps.



“One leg is the best number for jumping; you can put the most power into that one leg if you don't distribute that power among multiple different devices. And the drawbacks you get from having only one leg lessen as you jump higher,” Yim said. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combining-biology-and-engineering">Combining biology and engineering </h2>



With inspiration from nature, specifically squirrels, Salto is now better equipped to take on challenging terrains. The research shows that, by combining biology and engineering, robots can be taught to land with the finesse of an agile animal.



As this work continues, it may lead to the development of robots that are capable of exploring unstable buildings, treetops, and even alien worlds - one hop at a time.



<a href="https://youtu.be/N9FuMj74aNg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to watch the robot squirrel video...</a>



The full study was published in the <a href="https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/doi/10.1242/jeb.249934/367220/Free-ranging-squirrels-perform-stable-above-branch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Experimental Biology</a>.



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Squirrel-inspired robot masters the art of precision landing

When it comes to agility, squirrels are in a league...

Nearly three out of four older adults in the United States have experienced at least one extreme weather event in the past two years. Living through such conditions has apparently heightened their concerns about climate change’s impact on health. 



These are among the new findings released by the <a href="https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging</a>, which surveyed over 3,400 people aged 50 to 94 across the nation in August 2024.



The poll found that 59% of respondents worried about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> could harm their health. That figure jumped to 70% among individuals who had been through a major weather emergency - such as a wildfire, heat wave, severe storm, or prolonged power outage lasting more than a day - within the last two years.&nbsp;



By contrast, only 26% of those who hadn’t encountered such events expressed similar concerns.&nbsp;



Sue Anne Bell is a nurse practitioner and associate professor at the U-M School of Nursing who specializes in evaluating how disasters and public health crises affect seniors.



“Our findings suggest a need to help more older adults understand and take steps to prepare for the impacts of wildfires, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hurricanes-help-oceans-fight-climate-change/">hurricanes</a>, tornadoes, extreme heat waves, winter storms and more, especially when it comes to the medications, medical supplies, electricity and access to care that these emergencies can disrupt,” said Bell.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-fears-and-missed-opportunities">Climate fears and missed opportunities</h2>



While a considerable segment of older Americans are anxious about climate change’s ramifications, the poll also indicates that only 6% have had a conversation with a health care provider about how extreme weather might endanger their health or how to prepare accordingly.&nbsp;



Potential discussion topics could include lung protection from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-underestimated-threat-to-public-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfire smoke</a>, strategies to manage essential medical equipment during blackouts, and how to find local cooling or warming centers when temperatures spike or plummet.



The new results emerged from a poll run by the <a href="https://ihpi.umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation</a>, with support from <a href="https://www.michiganmedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan Medicine</a>, the university’s academic medical center.&nbsp;



NORC at the University of Chicago administered the survey, collecting data both online and by phone. The sample was then weighted to mirror the demographic profile of the U.S. population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personal-experience-increases-concern">Personal experience increases concern</h2>



In addition to the overall 59% who had climate fears, the poll found certain subgroups reporting higher levels of anxiety. Women, those with fair or poor mental health, and residents of urban areas all showed heightened apprehension. 



It appears the experience of living through severe weather events - ranging from hurricanes and tornadoes to winter storms - plays a critical role in shaping older Americans’ perspectives on climate’s link to well-being.



Poll director Jeffrey Kullgren is an internal medicine physician at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan.



“These kinds of events can affect an older adult’s health directly - for instance, people with asthma and other lung diseases can have trouble breathing due to wildfire smoke, home medical equipment can be affected by power outages, and older adults can be more vulnerable to extreme heat and cold,” said Kullgren.&nbsp;



“But there are also indirect effects, including mental stress, lack of access to medications and medical care, and in extreme cases, lack of ability to evacuate safely or find shelter.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-widening-reach-of-severe-weather">Widening reach of severe weather</h2>



The poll data was gathered in August 2024, before major weather disasters like Hurricane Helene - described as the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Katrina in 2005 - and wildfires in the Los Angeles area in January 2025.&nbsp;



Officials note that 2023 and 2024 saw close to record-high numbers of weather events costing more than a billion dollars each, a trend that has escalated over older adults’ lifetimes.



According to poll data, the most prevalent forms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather</a> reported by older adults included extreme heat (cited by 63%), poor air quality from wildfire smoke (35%), severe storms (31%), and multi-day power outages (13%).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-fears-for-future-generations">Climate fears for future generations</h2>



Older adults’ worry about climate change extends beyond their personal health. Seventy-four percent said they also feared the potential effects of a warming planet on younger generations.&nbsp;



More than four in ten (43%) said they were “very concerned,” and another 31% identified themselves as “somewhat concerned.” Among those who had experienced a severe weather event, 83% expressed concern, compared with 45% of those who had not.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emergency-preparedness-and-advice">Emergency preparedness and advice</h2>



Despite these figures, only 8% of older adults with health conditions that limit daily activities reported discussing disaster preparedness with a health care professional - though that was slightly higher than the 5% among older adults overall who had done so.&nbsp;



Sixty-four percent of those who did talk with their doctors took at least one concrete step to be better prepared.



Still, the poll underscores that more comprehensive guidance is needed. Federal resources, such as the U.S. government’s <a href="http://ready.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ready.gov</a> website, can help older Americans devise personal action plans for storms, wildfires, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">floods</a>, or other emergencies.&nbsp;



Bell adds that an older individual’s unique medical circumstances, such as needing electric medical devices or taking multiple daily prescriptions, can become critical if a power outage or evacuation scenario occurs.



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



Going forward, the poll team suggests that health professionals, policy makers, and community organizations could work together to emphasize the connections between climate fears, extreme weather, and older adults’ health. 



Such initiatives might involve: health systems proactively offering risk assessments and preventive tips to senior patients. In addition, city planners could design accessible cooling and warming centers, or ensure reliable transit to those centers.



Furthermore, community groups could help older residents stock up on medications and medical essentials ahead of storms or heat waves.



The experts hope these findings prompt broader efforts to engage older adults on climate change’s health impacts - before the next big storm, heat wave, or wildfire hits.



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Older adults’ climate fears surge after extreme weather

Nearly three out of four older adults in the United...

Singapore has made history as the first country to install an art gallery 7,000 meters (22,965 feet) underwater.



This underwater installation consists of three stainless steel cubes created by artist and architect Lakshmi Mohanbabu, who previously sent her artwork into space aboard the International Space Station in 2022.



In December, the artworks were deployed by NuStar Technologies off the coast of Japan near the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-virus-discovered-in-the-deepest-part-of-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mariana Trench</a>.



The installation is more than a symbolic gesture. It’s part of a collaborative project with Japan’s Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (<a href="https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMSTEC</a>), which aims to enhance early warning systems for undersea earthquakes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-blend-of-science-art-and-engineering">A blend of science, art, and engineering</h2>



One of the three cubes was created using a novel hybrid manufacturing technique developed by researchers from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore).



The installation coincides with Singapore’s SG60 celebrations and was recognized in a ceremony held at&nbsp;Gallery ART NOW, attended by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ntu.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NTU</a>&nbsp;Board Chair Goh Swee Chen, who also chairs the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nac.gov.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Arts Council</a>.



Each cube is 10 centimeters (3.94 inches) wide, made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and showcases five symbols from Mohanbabu’s “Universal Language of Symbols.”



The five featured designs - Nautilus, Primary, Secondary, Windmill, and Dromenon - represent shared elements of human experience, such as movement, direction, and time.



These symbols are displayed on five of the six faces of each hollow cube, each with a unique top-facing design. For instance, the cube made using NTU’s 3D printing method features Dromenon on its top, while the others display Primary and Nautilus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-gallery-in-the-deep-ocean">Art gallery in the deep ocean</h2>



This project is a tribute to all those impacted by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-disasters-are-on-the-rise-but-hazard-plans-are-inadequate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural disasters</a>. According to Mohanbabu, art has the unique ability to connect humanity across physical and metaphorical depths. 



"With the Deep Ocean Interactions Project, we aim to inspire meaningful change highlighting our interconnected existence by bringing people together through a shared journey and purpose," said Mohanbabu.



"The earlier interactions cubes that had orbited around Earth in space will also be sent to the moon as part of a permanent art installation. With these two art installations, Singapore is the first nation to have artworks on the moon and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noaa-finds-golden-orb-unknown-object-cannot-identify-seascape-alaska-5-deep-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep ocean</a>."



"This milestone is also a testament to Singapore’s pioneering spirit and tenacity as we celebrate SG60 this year."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-discovery-and-cultural-expression">Scientific discovery and cultural expression </h2>



The cubes were incorporated into the Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System (LTBMS), originally developed to track <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-fracking-linked-to-mysterious-gentle-tremors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seismic activity</a> around tectonic plate boundaries. 



To include the artwork,&nbsp;<a href="https://nustartech.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NuStar Technologies</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;JAMSTEC&nbsp;modified the LTBMS to add custom cavities and holders.



An ultra-deep-sea camera system was also deployed to capture images and footage of the installation at these record depths.



The cubes were officially installed on December 12, 2024, becoming part of the Dense Ocean Network System for Earthquakes and Tsunamis (DONET), Japan’s early-warning system.



“Together with Lakshmi and our partners at JAMSTEC, we have demonstrated that the deep ocean can be a platform for both scientific discovery and cultural expression," said Goi Kim Kok, managing director of NuStar Technologies.



"It is also timely that next year will mark the 60th anniversary of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stronger-structures-for-extreme-environments">Stronger structures for extreme environments</h2>



NTU Singapore played a critical role in the creation of one of the cubes, using a technique called LAPIS (Laser Patterning and Incorporation of Sheets).



The method combines 3D printing with laser cutting to stack 80 ultra-thin layers of stainless steel, creating a wall just 4mm thick. 



The result is a structure over 70 percent stronger than conventional steel and capable of withstanding the crushing pressure and corrosive nature of the deep sea.



Professor Lai Changquan developed LAPIS with his team at NTU’s Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.



"This project demonstrates the potential of interdisciplinary research to push the boundaries of what is possible. Creating a piece of art capable of withstanding the immense pressures of the deep ocean is a testament to the versatility and durability of our technology," said Professor Changquan.



Following the success of this project, Professor Lai and his students launched a start-up with support from NTU's Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative. Their goal is to expand the use of this technology in aerospace, maritime, and energy sectors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-across-land-sea-and-space">Art across land, sea, and space</h2>



This is the third time Mohanbabu has worked with NTU SC3DP. Previous collaborations included prototyping and 3D printing miniature Interactions artworks.



In 2022, two of her cubes were sent to space as part of the Moon Gallery project, with plans for them to be placed on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-plans-to-build-house-on-the-moon-by-2040/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon</a> in 2025.



Now, with installations in outer space and the ocean floor, the Deep Ocean Interactions Project stands as a reflection of Singapore’s spirit of innovation and unity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-gallery-connecting-cultures">Art gallery connecting cultures</h2>



Mohanbabu sees this project as a symbol of what is possible when creativity and science meet. She hopes it inspires others to push past limits - whether that’s aiming for the stars or reaching the bottom of the sea.



The colors of the three cubes - red and white, ocean blue and orange, and purple and aquamarine blue - represent Earth, change, and cosmic mystery.



The red and white cube celebrates the relationship between Singapore and Japan, drawing from shared flag symbolism of the sun, stars, and moon.



More than a statement piece, this project is a working model of how design, science, and purpose can come together to spark global connections - and maybe even save lives through its earthquake monitoring mission.



Image Credit: NTU Singapore



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Singapore has installed an art gallery deep in the ocean

Singapore has made history as the first country to install...

For centuries, farmers have struggled to keep their crops safe. Droughts, pests, and poor soil are common challenges. But among the most silent and destructive enemies are parasitic weeds. 



These plants do not grow on their own. Instead, they cling to healthy crops and steal vital nutrients. In regions already battling food insecurity, the damage can be catastrophic.



Now, researchers at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> may have found a unique solution. Their work focuses on a curious plant hormone and a clever trick: make the weeds destroy themselves. This breakthrough opens a new chapter in how we think about weeds, crops, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-future-climate-conditions-will-transform-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parasitic-weeds-cause-major-crop-losses">Parasitic weeds cause major crop losses</h2>



In sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, fields of rice, sorghum, and other staples often fall victim to parasitic weeds. These aren’t just nuisances. They can wipe out entire harvests. For farmers depending on a single crop to feed their families and communities, the loss is devastating.



Unlike typical weeds, these invaders don’t grow alongside <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-changing-skies-alter-plant-growth-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crops</a>. They embed themselves into the host’s root system. Once attached, they steal water and nutrients directly. Crops weaken before they can fully develop. The result is lower yields, hunger, and economic hardship.



Farmers in these regions often lack access to strong herbicides or expensive biotechnology. That leaves them with limited tools to stop the spread. This is where UCR’s research offers new hope - by using the weeds’ own instincts against them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-parasitic-weeds-sense-plant-signals">How parasitic weeds sense plant signals</h2>



At the heart of this discovery lies a class of plant hormones called strigolactones. These chemicals, though not widely known outside of plant science, are extremely powerful. 



Inside the plant, the hormones help regulate growth, root development, and responses to stress. But their external role is even more fascinating.



“Most of the time, plant hormones do not radiate externally - they aren’t exuded. But these do,” said UCR plant biologist and study co-author David Nelson. “Plants use strigolactones to attract fungi in the soil that have a beneficial relationship with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-may-stop-absorbing-carbon-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> roots.”



This natural relationship between fungi and plants benefits both sides. The fungi help gather nutrients from the soil, while the plant offers carbohydrates. It’s an elegant system - until parasitic weeds enter the picture.



The weeds have evolved to recognize strigolactones. To them, the hormone is a green light. When they detect it, they germinate and prepare to attack. That’s where the researchers saw their opportunity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tricking-parasitic-weeds">Tricking parasitic weeds</h2>



What if the weeds could be triggered to germinate when no host is present? Without a host, the weeds would sprout, fail to attach to anything, and die. This is the approach UCR’s scientists are testing.



“These weeds are waiting for a signal to wake up. We can give them that signal at the wrong time - when there’s no food for them - so they sprout and die,” Nelson said. “It’s like flipping their own switch against them, essentially encouraging them to commit suicide.”



This concept isn’t just theoretical. One parasitic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-how-climate-change-will-alter-plant-growth-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a>, broomrape, produces thousands of seeds on a single stalk. Those seeds lie dormant in the soil for years. But once they detect strigolactones, they awaken. 



By releasing synthetic versions of the hormone at the wrong time, researchers aim to reduce their numbers before they can cause damage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-synthetic-hormones-in-the-lab">Building synthetic hormones in the lab</h2>



To control this process, scientists need a way to produce strigolactones outside the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-understanding-of-light-detection-in-plants-may-revolutionize-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a>. That’s where microbial engineering comes in. Led by Yanran Li, formerly at UCR and now at UC San Diego, the team created a novel system using bacteria and yeast.



The researchers engineered E. coli and yeast cells to mimic the chemical pathways found in plants. These microbes became tiny hormone factories. With them, the team could study each step of strigolactone production in a clean, controlled setting.



“This is a powerful system for investigating plant enzymes,” Nelson said. “It enables us to characterize genes that have never been studied before and manipulate them to see how they affect the type of strigolactones being made.”



Beyond research, this method may allow large-scale production of synthetic strigolactones. That could mean practical, affordable tools for farmers in the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-enzymes-and-possibilities">Evolution, enzymes, and possibilities</h2>



The team’s work also sheds light on how these hormones evolved. They identified a key metabolic branch point — an internal decision made by the plant to direct its chemicals either inward or outward. This may explain how strigolactones took on their unique role outside the plant body.



Understanding this evolution opens more doors. It helps scientists design more precise synthetic versions. They can fine-tune the signals to work in different environments or target specific weeds.



Researchers are continuing to test the strategy in more realistic settings. The idea sounds promising, but real fields are unpredictable. Soil types, weather, and local plant life all affect the outcome.



“We’re testing whether we can fine-tune the chemical signal to be even more effective,” Nelson said. “If we can, this could be a game-changer for farmers battling these weeds.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parasitic-weeds-reveal-wider-hormone-uses">Parasitic weeds reveal wider hormone uses</h2>



Though the research began with crop protection in mind, strigolactones may offer broader benefits. Studies suggest they might have anti-cancer or anti-viral properties. 



There is also interest in using them to fight citrus greening disease, which has devastated Florida's citrus industry.



Because they affect how cells grow and communicate, these hormones are catching the attention of scientists in medicine and environmental science. What started as a way to help plants may one day help people, too.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clever-solution-to-a-growing-problem">Clever solution to a growing problem</h2>



Parasitic weeds are a quiet threat to global food supplies. But this new approach offers a clever counterattack. By understanding and manipulating natural plant signals, researchers may have found a way to protect crops without harming the environment.



This work is still developing, but its promise is clear. With careful research, dedicated teams, and innovative tools, science may help turn one of nature’s sneakiest tricks into an advantage for farmers everywhere.



The study was made possible in part by the NSF-funded <a href="https://plants3d.ucr.edu/training/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants3D</a> traineeship program at UCR. Led by Professor Julia Bailey-Serres, the program brings together biology, engineering, and creativity. Its goal is to prepare students for a future where food insecurity grows alongside climate change.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp0779" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Can parasitic weeds be tricked into dying? Scientists think so

For centuries, farmers have struggled to keep their crops safe....

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often brings to mind soldiers who have seen action in war, or survivors of accidents. But what happens to those who witness others going through traumatic experiences?



Military veterans, first responders, and even bystanders make up 10 percent of PTSD cases. New research from Virginia Tech, published in the journal PLOS ONE, sheds light on this often-overlooked group.



The study found that observing trauma causes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/work-stress-linked-to-higher-stroke-risk-in-young-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unique changes</a> in the brain. These differ from changes seen in people who directly experience trauma. This discovery may lead to improved and more specific treatments for PTSD in those who are indirectly affected.



“Currently, patients with directly acquired PTSD and bystander PTSD are treated the same way – with a combination of therapy and medication,” said Timothy Jarome, the project’s principal investigator and associate professor of neurobiology in the <a href="https://cals.cornell.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Agriculture and Life Sciences</a>. 



“Our research suggests that indirect trauma and direct trauma create different biological responses, which could mean they require different treatment strategies that target distinct brain pathways.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observation-can-also-harm-the-brain">Observation can also harm the brain</h2>



Professor Jarome has long studied memory-related disorders such as PTSD and dementia. His interest in bystander PTSD began after the 2021 Miami condominium collapse. He noticed that even people who saw the tragedy from afar showed symptoms like insomnia and anxiety.



“People who saw it from across the street reported that they were suffering from nightmares, insomnia, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-health-may-be-the-key-to-anxiety-relief/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a>,” he related.



“They were showing symptoms of PTSD, but didn’t go through it or have any connection to the people in the building. We sought out to understand the brain mechanisms behind how that occurred.”



To explore this, Jarome's team focused on three main brain regions that are linked to fear memory: the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and retrosplenial cortex. They examined how trauma changed proteins in these areas.



Their findings confirmed that indirect trauma triggers different patterns in protein degradation in these three brain areas than direct trauma does.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ptsd-from-trauma-differs-by-gender">PTSD from trauma differs by gender</h2>



The study also discovered gender-based differences in how brains process indirect trauma. Past work by Jarome's lab had linked the K-63 ubiquitin protein to PTSD in women. This new research builds on that and confirms that female and male brains don’t respond to observed trauma in the same way.



“Our findings highlight significant biological differences in how male and female brains respond to witnessing trauma,” said the paper’s lead author, Shaghayegh Navabpour, a former Ph.D. student in translational biology, medicine, and health who is now a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University. 



“These differences may help explain why women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD, leading to more targeted treatments that consider these sex-specific factors.”



The study opens a door to designing treatment plans based on the type of trauma experienced and the gender of the patient. Jarome’s next step involves studying the role of empathy in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-significantly-lowers-heart-disease-risk-by-reducing-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humans</a>.



Empathy is rooted in a brain area called the anterior insular cortex and could explain why witnessing trauma affects people so deeply.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contributions-to-ptsd-trauma-research">Contributions to PTSD trauma research</h2>



This research was made possible by a $420,000 grant from the <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute of Mental Health</a>. It funded materials and supported student researchers.



“At academic institutions, students - undergraduate, graduate, and postdocs - are the driving force for research,” Jarome said.



“While faculty members might secure the funding to do the projects, the reality is that the work is done by these students as they're going through their training. Without graduate students, especially, but also undergraduates and postdocs, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">science</a> doesn't advance."



Navabpour completed her Ph.D. at <a href="https://www.vt.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a> in 2023. She now works at <a href="https://www.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a> on drug development for Alzheimer’s disease.



“My time in Dr. Jarome’s lab was hugely valuable in shaping my career and preparing me for my current role as a postdoc and my goal of becoming a faculty member,” she said. 



“I learned how to think scientifically - how to ask the right questions and approach problems critically - and gained hands-on experience with key methods and techniques that continue to inform my research.”



This study changes how we view PTSD and its link to trauma. It reminds us that you don’t need to be in harm’s way to be deeply affected. With better understanding, future treatments may become more personal and precise.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0315564" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a>.



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Witnessing trauma may cause PTSD in a different way

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often brings to mind soldiers who...

Lightning storms often inspire fear or awe, but they can also reveal unexpected beauty. High above the thunderclouds, something extraordinary unfolds. Not the familiar white streaks of lightning, but flashes of glowing red. These rare phenomena, called red sprites, dance silently in the upper atmosphere.



Neither fiction nor fantasy, these are real bursts of electrical energy, named for their jellyfish-like shapes and vivid color.



Now imagine witnessing them not over flatlands or oceans, but above the highest peaks on Earth - the Himalayas. In May 2022, the night sky over Tibet erupted with over a hundred red sprites.



Two Chinese astrophotographers captured the rare spectacle in vivid detail. Their footage revealed more than beauty; it opened a new window into understanding powerful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-next-big-solar-storm-could-plunge-us-into-darkness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric forces</a>.



The story doesn't begin or end with the photos. It extends into the heart of a thunderstorm and reaches up to the edge of space, where science meets wonder.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-appearance-of-ghost-sprites">Appearance of ghost sprites </h2>



On May 19, 2022, astrophotographers Angel An and Shuchang Dong were stationed near Pumoyongcuo Lake. This lake is one of the three sacred lakes on the southern Tibetan Plateau. They weren’t chasing lightning or storms but looking up for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-lights-called-steve-are-challenging-what-we-thought-we-knew-about-auroras/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rare sky events</a>. 



What they witnessed surpassed every expectation. More than 100 red sprites lit up the night sky. These were not isolated flickers. 



The sprites danced, some grew into secondary jets, and something never before seen in Asia appeared - green airglow at the ionosphere’s base. Scientists now call these glowing phenomena "ghost sprites."



Their images and video quickly spread across global platforms. Major news outlets picked up the event. Weather enthusiasts and scientists alike were fascinated. Not just for the beauty, but for what such displays might reveal about our planet’s atmospheric behavior.



This wasn’t just a random show. The conditions had to be just right. And that raised important questions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spark-behind-the-red-sprites">Spark behind the red sprites</h2>



Curiosity turned into investigation. Professor Gaopeng Lu and his team at the <a href="https://en.ustc.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Science and Technology of China</a> led the study. 



The researchers were determined to trace the origin of this massive sprite event. What caused such an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/four-planets-will-align-this-week-during-a-rare-nighttime-spectacle-heres-how-to-see-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intense display</a> above the Himalayas?



"This event was truly remarkable," said Professor Gaopeng Lu. "By analyzing the parent lightning discharges, we discovered that the sprites were triggered by high-peak current positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within a massive mesoscale convective system."



"This suggests that thunderstorms in the Himalayan region have the potential to produce some of the most complex and intense upper-atmospheric electrical discharges on Earth."



The source of these sprites lay in the electrical fury of storms over the region. But understanding the full picture required more than just looking at the sky. It required time, accuracy, and new tools.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-of-the-red-sprites">Timing of the red sprites </h2>



The research team faced a serious challenge. The footage lacked precise timestamps. Without exact timing, connecting each sprite to a specific lightning strike was nearly impossible. 



So, the team designed a new technique. They used satellite trajectory data and star field analysis to pinpoint the time each sprite appeared.



With this method, they linked individual sprites to the exact lightning discharges that caused them. One anonymous reviewer noted its broader value, stating that the method could help citizen scientists. With this tool, even non-experts could contribute valuable observations to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/winter-solstice-the-shortest-day-of-the-year-has-arrived/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric science</a>.



The technique may shape how future red sprite events are studied. The more accurate the data, the more we can learn about what goes on above us during storms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-himalayan-storm-that-broke-records">A Himalayan storm that broke records</h2>



The parent lightning strikes came from a mesoscale convective complex. This is a large, organized storm system. 



It stretched from the Ganges Plain in northern India to the southern slopes of the Tibetan Plateau. The lightning occurred in stratiform precipitation zones - areas with broad, layered rain clouds rather than short, intense bursts.



This specific storm produced more red sprites in a single event than any ever recorded in South Asia. That level of activity puts Himalayan storms on par with those in the U.S. Great Plains and off the coasts of Europe. Until now, those regions were considered top hotspots for red sprite activity.



This discovery changes the way scientists view Himalayan thunderstorms. The mountains, it seems, aren't just high in elevation. They’re also strong enough to send energy straight into the upper atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effects-of-red-sprite-activity">Effects of red sprite activity</h2>



What does this all mean beyond the flash of light in the sky? These events aren’t just visual spectacles. The study showed that red sprites, ghost sprites, and other upper-atmosphere discharges may influence how different layers of the atmosphere interact. 



They could affect how energy and particles move. They might even shift the chemical balance in ways we’re only beginning to understand.



The spectacle captured on camera in May 2022 was not just nature’s beauty on display. It became a moment that linked science, photography, and cosmic forces. Red sprites remind us that even in familiar places, the sky has secrets left to share. 



The Himalayas, long a symbol of Earth’s power and peace, now add another mystery to their legacy - a glowing red whisper in the sky.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00376-024-4143-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advances in Atmospheric Sciences</a>.



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Red sprite lightning storm seen by Chinese photographers

Lightning storms often inspire fear or awe, but they can...

A small mistake in a laboratory can sometimes lead to unexpected wonders. That is exactly what happened when a germanium wafer with evaporated metal films was left out overnight, and spiral patterns became etched into its surface.



The <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prmaterials/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.9.035201" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> who stumbled upon these strange patterns realized that chemical reactions, nudged by mechanical stress in the metal layer, could spontaneously carve stunning designs in the semiconductor.



The study was led by <a href="https://www.ucla.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA</a> doctoral student Yilin Wong and Giovanni Zocchi, a professor of physics.



The resulting images have already sparked conversations among experts who are curious about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/liquid-metals-may-create-a-greener-future-for-chemical-production/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemistry</a> and force might work together in nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-self-forming-metal-patterns">Self-forming metal patterns</h2>



In the early days of pattern formation research, <a href="https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=3243990" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientists</a> studied the <a href="http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Belousov-Zhabotinsky_reaction" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction</a> to see how chemical reactions could arrange themselves in repeating waves. 



That work inspired decades of experiments on <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-60853-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reaction-diffusion systems</a>, yet many setups still rely on older methods.



This new approach is the first significant addition to that research area since the 1950s, and it focuses on creating patterns not just through <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prmaterials/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.9.035201" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemistry</a> but also through mechanical deformations.



By harnessing a stressed metal film on a germanium wafer, patterns that include spirals, flower-like shapes, and other forms arise over the course of a day or two.



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



<a href="https://irds.ieee.org/topics/semiconductor-materials" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Semiconductor materials</a> such as germanium have long been valued for electronics, thanks to their efficient pairing with thin films. 



In the right environment, their surfaces can be carefully etched, making them useful for controlled studies.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/spiral-patterns_logarithmic_yellow_nature_UCLA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/spiral-patterns_logarithmic_yellow_nature_UCLA_1s.webp" alt="A logarithmic spiral with a diameter of 500 μm, approximately half the diameter of a sewing needle. Credit: UCLA" class="wp-image-1963124"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A logarithmic spiral with a diameter of 500 μm, approximately half the diameter of a sewing needle. Credit: UCLA</figcaption></figure>



In this case, the wafer was topped with <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Chromium-HealthProfessional/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chromium</a> and gold, then exposed to a mild etching solution. 



Over time, the stressed metal began to lift in certain spots, leading to wrinkles that guided the etching into spiral paths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-surprising-laboratory-mistake">A surprising laboratory mistake</h2>



One night, a sample was accidentally left with a drop of water on it. People usually rinse away water droplets or dry them off, to avoid letting them sit on surfaces.&nbsp;



“I was trying to develop a measurement technique to categorize biomolecules on a surface through breaking and reforming of the chemical bonds,” explained Wong.



The following day, that misstep revealed tiny dots that turned out to be chemical etch marks spiraling across the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanical-strain-and-metal-patterns">Mechanical strain and metal patterns</h2>



When a thin metal layer is under stress, it can buckle or separate from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iron-meteorites-reveal-unexpected-metal-distribution-in-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface</a> below. This can shape the way chemical reactions proceed at the interface.



The research team found that mechanical strain drove local deformations which, in turn, altered how the solution etched the wafer. As the reaction advanced, wrinkles formed, guiding the spiral shapes and other patterns.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/spiral-patterns_logarithmic_nature_UCLA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/spiral-patterns_logarithmic_nature_UCLA_1s.webp" alt="Two logarithmic spirals, each with a diameter of 260 μm, featuring a central etch pit in the shape of an inverted pyramid. Credit: UCLA" class="wp-image-1963125"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Two logarithmic spirals, each with a diameter of 260 μm, featuring a central etch pit in the shape of an inverted pyramid. Credit: UCLA</figcaption></figure>



Two processes united to create these designs. One was the straightforward etching reaction, and the other was the buildup of physical tension or compression in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/metals-have-doubled-in-streams-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metal</a> coating.



The combination links <a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainscatalysts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical catalysis</a> with mechanical force, a phenomenon also seen in living systems where enzymes and tissues interact. This experiment is special because it captures both aspects in a non-living setup.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revisiting-turing-s-theory">Revisiting Turing’s theory</h2>



Mathematician <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.1952.0012" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alan Turing</a> predicted that certain chemicals can spontaneously create stripes, spots, or other arrangements. His theory explained how basic processes could give rise to complex patterns without a guiding hand.



Turing’s theory now supports the formation of these spiral etchings. Physical stress joins reaction-diffusion dynamics in this system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patterns-that-resemble-biological-structures">Patterns that resemble biological structures</h2>



Living organisms rely on enzymes to kick-start growth, and that expansion distorts tissues. These deformations then loop back to affect how cells continue to develop.



This current experiment mirrors that interaction, though on a simpler, inanimate level. Some shapes on the wafer even resemble what we see in natural tissues, according to Professor Zocchi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-electrified-edge">An electrified edge</h2>



The system forms what some describe as an <a href="https://eepower.com/capacitor-guide/types/electrolytic-capacitor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electrolytic capacitor.</a> This was highlighted by Professor Zocchi after observing how ions move and accumulate under the metal film.



It ensures the process is not just about dissolving the wafer. Charge also shifts between layers, affecting the overall reaction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steady-formation-of-metal-patterns">Steady formation of metal patterns </h2>



Typically, the patterns appear within a day or two once the chip is placed in a humid chamber with the solution. The reaction is mild but steady, leaving enough time for wrinkles to grow.



“The thickness of the metal layer, the initial state of mechanical stress of the sample, and the composition of the etching solution all play a role in determining the type of pattern that develops,” said Professor Zocchi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-metal-patterns-further">Exploring the metal patterns further</h2>



Some scientists see this method opening doors for advanced surface engineering. Others imagine it might shed light on how materials behave under stress or how nature sculpts itself.



For now, the lab mishap has sparked plenty of excitement. Every etched swirl is a reminder that major breakthroughs can come from unexpected moments.



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



Researchers hope to adapt these patterns for <a href="https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/6-774-physics-of-microfabrication-front-end-processing-fall-2004/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microfabrication</a>, sensor design, or decorative coatings. The interplay between chemistry and mechanics could also inform new types of materials that self-organize.



“In the biological world, this kind of coupling is actually ubiquitous,” said Professor Zocchi, adding that it is refreshing to see it in a synthetic setting.



These designs may help science close the gap between theory and real-world structures, bridging the concepts introduced by Turing with next-generation technologies.&nbsp;



The study is published in <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prmaterials/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.9.035201" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Materials</a>.



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Spiral patterns can spontaneously form on metal surfaces

A small mistake in a laboratory can sometimes lead to...

Untitled design - 12

The fear of public speaking affects millions of people worldwide. Whether they are delivering a presentation, speaking in a meeting, or addressing an audience, the fear of speaking in public can hold people back in their careers, education, and personal lives. 



While traditional methods like coaching and practice can help, they often fall short in providing the immersive experience needed to build real confidence.



A research team has now developed a new virtual reality platform that offers a free and highly effective solution. The platform helps users become skilled and confident public speakers through a combination of tailored training materials and immersive virtual environments. 



By simulating real-life speaking experiences, the technology allows users to practice in front of increasingly challenging audiences, thus boosting their confidence and reducing anxiety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virtual-reality-transforms-public-speaking">Virtual reality transforms public speaking </h2>



The platform offers a variety of virtual environments that replicate real-world <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-our-brains-manage-speaking-and-breathing-at-the-same-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">speaking</a> conditions. Users can practice in small conference rooms, large auditoriums, or even high-pressure settings like television studios. 



The goal is to make public speaking feel natural, and help users adjust to different situations while managing nervousness.



The founder of the VR platform, Dr. Chris Macdonald, is the director of the Immersive Technology Lab at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge.



“In physical reality, a user might be practicing a presentation alone in their bedroom but on the new virtual reality platform, they can experience the sensation of presenting to a wide range of increasingly challenging photorealistic audiences,” explained Dr. Macdonald.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-vr-accessible-to-everyone">Making VR accessible to everyone</h2>



One of the major barriers to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emotionally-intelligent-vr-will-change-the-way-you-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VR</a> training has been accessibility. Only a small percentage of households own a VR headset, and high-end models can cost thousands of dollars. 



To address this, the researchers developed a method that allows smartphones to function as VR headsets, using a simple and affordable device mount. With 99% of UK households owning a smartphone, this approach ensures that the platform can reach a wider audience. 



Whether users are using the latest VR headset or an older smartphone, they will have access to the same training experience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-confidence-quickly">Building confidence quickly</h2>



The effectiveness of the platform has been validated through clinical research. A study published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2024.1506938/full">Frontiers in Virtual Reality</a> found that most users experienced a significant increase in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-help-children-improve-their-confidence-and-social-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">confidence</a> after just one 30-minute session.



A sample of 1,000 students took part in the trial and 100% of them reported experiencing benefits in terms of their public speaking performance. These included feeling more prepared, adaptable, resilient, and less anxious.



Further findings will be presented at an upcoming international psychology conference, where researchers will discuss the platform’s potential impact on mental well-being and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/online-gaming-may-enhance-career-prospects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">career</a> development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-user-feedback-shapes-development">User feedback shapes development</h2>



To ensure the platform works in real-world conditions, the team at the Immersive Technology Lab used an iterative development process. More than 50,000 practice presentations have been hosted by remote beta users.



Additionally, in-person testing events were held in various settings, including science fairs, libraries, and community centers.



“I wanted to build something that is not only highly effective but that can and will be used by those who need it the most. As a result, it was essential to gather diverse user feedback from a variety of settings. The Lab cannot develop in a silo, it needs to work closely with end users," said Dr. Macdonald.



"Through constant public engagement, we can maximize our positive impact and ensure that we remain deeply grounded in public service."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-techniques-for-more-effective-training">New techniques for more effective training</h2>



The platform introduces innovative training methods, such as overexposure therapy, that are designed to help users build confidence in high-pressure situations.



Dr. Macdonald noted that students who use the VR platform can practice in a different venue every night to a wide range of highly distracting audiences and fear-inducing scenarios. 



"They can, for example, practice in a stadium in front of 10,000 animated spectators, with loud noises, stadium lights, and flashing cameras. Accordingly, a subsequent presentation to a small group can feel like a significant ‘step down,’" explained Dr. Macdonald.



"The data shows that this process not only increases confidence, adaptability, and resilience but also the enjoyment of public speaking." 



"Students are enjoying the challenge of pushing themselves and progressing to each new level. This increased enjoyment is highly encouraging because we know that fear and anxiety are maintained or worsened through avoidance."



Beyond standard presentations, the platform offers specialized training for scenarios like reading a teleprompter, job interviews, and media appearances. 



Users also have access to an AI coach that provides real-time feedback and script suggestions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eliminating-the-fear-of-public-speaking">Eliminating the fear of public speaking </h2>



The team behind the platform is collaborating with organizations that support individuals with speech anxiety, including children who stammer. They are also developing licensing options and an app for healthcare providers.



“Speech anxiety and the fear of public speaking impact most people, and it is becoming increasingly more common over time," said Dr. Macdonald.



"This is concerning because we know that it is detrimental to mental health, physical health, academic attainment, and career progression. Therefore, the problem is prevalent, it is getting worse, it is causing harm, and ultimately, it is capping human potential. However, this no longer needs to be the case." 



The platform’s creators are seeking funding to expand its features and reach more people. They believe that, with the right support, millions of individuals can overcome their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiders-heights-or-public-speaking-each-fear-has-a-unique-place-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fear of public speaking</a> and unlock new opportunities.



“I set out with a simple but ambitious mission: make the most effective treatment for the most common fear and make it freely accessible to all. Today, with the launch of the free platform, I believe I have achieved that. Please do use it. It will transform your life and greatly expand your opportunities,” concluded Dr. Macdonald.



The research findings were published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2024.1506938/full">Frontiers in Virtual Reality</a>.



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Conquering the fear of public speaking with virtual reality

The fear of public speaking affects millions of people worldwide....

Many spiders of the species Tegenaria pagana live in caves with limited vision, while others inhabit brighter areas.



This variation has drawn scientists to examine how genes guide the development of vision in Tegenaria pagana, including Dr. Efrat Gavish-Regev of The National Natural History Collections at <a href="https://en.huji.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hebrew University of Jerusalem</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-cave-life-affects-spider-vision">How cave life affects spider vision</h2>



Organisms in dark environments often lose some or all of their eyesight. Some, like blind fish or amphibians, compensate with heightened senses, a theme that also surfaces among <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2570642/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subterranean spiders</a>.



Scientists are intrigued by <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/264001-Tegenaria-pagana" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tegenaria pagana</a> because different populations display varying degrees of eye size. This makes it a helpful model for those who want to uncover the gene interactions that prompt vision changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-expression-and-eye-formation">Gene expression and eye formation </h2>



Eye development follows a genetic blueprint known as the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5830122/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retinal determination network</a>. In arthropods, this set of genes can activate when cells are instructed to form visual structures.



By comparing Tegenaria pagana with more typical spiders, researchers learn how shifts in gene expression affect eye formation. One crucial discovery is the <a href="https://www.sdbonline.org/sites/fly/neural/sineocul.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sine oculis gene</a>, which they say remains vital for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sydney-funnel-web-new-giant-species-of-worlds-most-dangerous-spider-identified/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spider</a> eyesight.



The <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13227-025-00238-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">team</a> used fluorescence staining and confocal microscopy to track growth from fertilization to hatching. They noticed that even minor changes in embryonic timing can shift how eyes and other organs develop.



Different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/save-a-spider-day-protecting-our-connection-with-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spider</a> species sometimes form their body segments at varying speeds. The researchers saw that Tegenaria pagana embryos progress in unique ways, suggesting evolution can tweak shared patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cave-species-reveal-shifts-in-vision">Cave species reveal shifts in vision</h2>



Studies on cave spiders add fresh insights to our understanding of underground habitats. Predators like Tegenaria pagana can reveal how animals cope with darkness and scarce food resources.



Some relatives of Tegenaria pagana show partial or total eye reduction, creating a range of vision abilities within the same genus. 



Researchers suggest that comparing these differences could clarify the step-by-step process that leads to eye loss.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-spiders-trade-vision-for-senses">How spiders trade vision for senses</h2>



One focus of this <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13227-025-00238-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> involved scanning a suite of genes for signs of activity in forming eyes. Each gene has a job, and if one is missing, the spider’s vision may never fully develop.



Scientists note that several <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rethinking-arachnid-evolution-the-surprising-history-of-spiders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genes</a> contribute to shaping optical tissues. This offers a clue to why some cave spiders can still see to some extent while others become blind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-to-life-in-darkness">Adapting to life in darkness</h2>



Reduced vision can open opportunities for enhanced contact-sensitive hairs, odor detection, or other senses. Many cave dwellers prove that what is lost in one sense often appears elsewhere.



Such trade-offs draw evolutionary biologists to cave systems worldwide. Tegenaria pagana adds a spider’s perspective to these discussions, highlighting how genes adapt in areas where light is absent.



“This research provides an essential reference for understanding how developmental and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slingshot-spiders-listen-for-the-right-moment-to-launch-their-webs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic factors</a> influence eye formation in spiders.” said Dr. Gavish-Regev.



She emphasized that several Tegenaria species in Israel have assorted vision traits. This variety lets researchers gauge how gene interactions shift in response to environments with little to no light.



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



The next research steps might involve tracking similar genes in spiders that have fully lost their eyes. Tests on <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/List-of-troglomorphic-troglobitic-species-recorded-in-the-sampled-caves-in-the-Brazilian_tbl1_283984196" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">troglomorphic species</a> could lead to deeper insights into how certain genes shut down or reroute.



Findings from Tegenaria pagana may even relate to vision changes in <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gregor-Aljancic-2/publication/269463496_Biology_and_functional_morphology_of_Proteus_anguinus_Amphibia_Caudata/links/548c45060cf2d1800d7dc089/Biology-and-functional-morphology-of-Proteus-anguinus-Amphibia-Caudata.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">other cave life</a>, such as crustaceans or amphibians that shed visual capacity over time.



The search for parallels across distant groups intrigues biologists who want to see if evolution follows similar scripts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dramatic-shifts-in-subterranean-spiders">Dramatic shifts in subterranean spiders</h2>



Lab-raised populations of Tegenaria pagana promise a clearer picture of how vision genes behave during each developmental stage. Eggs collected at different intervals let scientists catch gene signals before any tissue forms.



Future research could test if genetic tweaks at early phases can produce permanent vision defects. If so, we might begin to link gene events to the dramatic shifts seen in subterranean spiders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-gene-changes-affect-vision">Small gene changes affect vision</h2>



Tegenaria pagana shows that minor changes in genes can have major effects on sight. These cave spiders add new angles to old questions about how organisms negotiate harsh, light-free habitats.



Experts plan to examine related species with fewer or missing eyes to see if the same genes come into play. This could clarify whether vision reduction follows similar routes in various caves.



Insights from Tegenaria pagana may guide future pest control strategies in human structures. By grasping how vision genes shift, we might refine ways to manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-spiders-outsmart-predators-imitating-mimicking-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiders</a> that thrive in dark corners.



Cave exploration groups can also benefit from this line of research, as understanding spider adaptations can provide insights into ecosystem health. If these spiders fail to maintain normal development, it might signal shifts in subterranean environments.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gregor-Aljancic-2/publication/269463496_Biology_and_functional_morphology_of_Proteus_anguinus_Amphibia_Caudata/links/548c45060cf2d1800d7dc089/Biology-and-functional-morphology-of-Proteus-anguinus-Amphibia-Caudata.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EvoDevo</a>.



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Spiders reveal how cave creatures lose their vision over time

Many spiders of the species Tegenaria pagana live in caves...

The unstoppable march of health issues has put extraordinary pressure on healthcare workers around the globe. Conflicts between nations also threaten collaborative efforts, making it harder to explore space-inspired solutions for global care.



A new publication suggests a surprising solution by looking to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-says-the-international-space-station-is-too-clean-add-microbes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space sector</a>. The lead author is part of an international group that believes partnering with space agencies can help address healthcare challenges worldwide.



The project is led by Dr. Farhan Asrar, an associate professor with the University of Toronto and <a href="https://www.torontomu.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toronto Metropolitan University</a>.



The experts argue that strong partnerships among diverse groups can open a new chapter in medical progress.​



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-space-and-healthcare">Bridging space and healthcare</h2>



"It looks at how international collaboration in outer space can drive innovation in healthcare and global cooperation on Earth," said Dr. Asrar, highlighting how shared missions in orbit can bring countries together for a common cause.



Experts at NASA have long recognized the importance of partnerships to explore <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/cooperation/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">low Earth orbit</a>. 



By way of example, teams from diverse nations operating on the International Space Station (<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISS</a>) share resources, risks, and rewards to tackle complex challenges in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronauts-may-need-to-jump-for-better-knee-health-in-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microgravity</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-health-in-a-crisis">Global health in a crisis</h2>



The <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a> has stated that health emergencies are intensifying worldwide, and better cooperation is essential. Aging populations, chronic diseases, and infectious outbreaks test the limits of healthcare systems that often struggle with limited resources.



Political disagreements can slow progress, and bureaucratic hurdles can block new solutions. Lack of synergy between nations creates friction, wasting valuable time while communities face dire medical needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-a-unified-approach">Benefits of a unified approach</h2>



"The need for international collaboration and cooperation becomes even more crucial with the latest geopolitical updates," explained Dr. Asrar.



Just as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-travel-has-unexpected-effects-on-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a> programs thrive when scientists, governments, and companies share their findings, a similar path in healthcare could accelerate research and distribute knowledge more efficiently. 



By learning from astronauts’ ability to collaborate across national boundaries, doctors and public health agencies might gain new insights that save lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-tools-boost-healthcare-speed">Space tools boost healthcare speed</h2>



Satellites have proven invaluable in <a href="http://www.un-spider.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disaster monitoring</a>, which gives leaders real-time data to allocate medical help faster. These insights can also be used to track disease outbreaks, pinpoint resource gaps, and ensure vaccines reach areas in need.



Sharing this information across continents mirrors how space agencies swap technical know-how. Such cooperation has prompted breakthroughs that might never happen if nations worked alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cutting-through-red-tape">Cutting through red tape</h2>



Some people fear that collaborating across borders invites political complications. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-lettuce-nasas-plans-to-grow-nutritious-plants-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a> sector has navigated these issues for years by developing standardized protocols, clarifying funding responsibilities, and promoting dialogue among stakeholders.



Healthcare decision-makers could adopt these methods to streamline medical innovation. Borrowing this model might lower costs, reduce duplication, and encourage swift action during crises.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-fresh-opportunities">Unlocking fresh opportunities</h2>



The study points to a new era where medicine and space exploration could boost each other's goals. Co-authors from the United Nations, NASA, and the Brazilian Space Agency contributed insights into how global networks can act as catalysts for better healthcare outcomes.



Public–private ventures in space have transformed rocket launches and experiments into more accessible endeavors. If healthcare leaders follow a similar approach, they can connect specialists across regions and create stronger, more inclusive systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-shared-mission-for-better-health">A shared mission for better health</h2>



Widening the scope of healthcare collaboration to match space exploration’s breadth may help address emerging threats. As climate change intensifies diseases and supply shortages, uniting people and organizations could shape a stronger, more adaptable framework.



With every satellite launched and every astronaut trained, the potential for valuable cooperation grows. Healthcare stands to gain from these experiences by joining forces to tackle global challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-space-healthcare-ties">Future of space-healthcare ties</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-astronauts-exercise-stay-fit-healthy-space-missions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Space</a>-inspired cooperation reveals a hopeful path for regions in conflict or dealing with limited resources. By putting shared objectives above territorial concerns, partners can tackle health crises more effectively.



This approach may eventually shape policies at national and international levels. Governments, agencies, and communities can move forward with open communication and a willingness to learn from other sectors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-data-and-public-health-warnings">Space data and public health warnings</h2>



The One Health approach recognizes that human well-being is linked to the state of animals and the environment. Researchers apply this framework to see how space-based data on pollution or temperature changes might warn us of looming public health hazards.



This viewpoint urges people from veterinary science, ecology, and medicine to share ideas. By integrating satellite information with local knowledge, we could address health threats early and reduce future disasters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teamwork-among-health-organizations">Teamwork among health organizations </h2>



The private sector’s interest in space has led to miniaturized devices and advanced remote-sensing technology. Hospitals and clinics can benefit from spin-off innovations, such as tools for telemedicine and early disease detection.



Startups working on <a href="https://satsearch.co/products/categories/satellite/bus/nanosatellite" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nano-satellite platforms</a> often collaborate with academic institutions to refine their designs. Health organizations could replicate this teamwork by bringing in diverse partners to tackle emerging issues with haste.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-continuing-the-conversation">Continuing the conversation</h2>



Education programs that unite space experts with medical students might spark novel ideas in patient care and global preparedness. People who once saw themselves as competitors can find common ground in shared responsibilities for population well-being.



The authors believe that encouraging more open dialogue across these sectors can keep healthcare in step with the rapidly shifting world. As we watch new rockets head for low Earth orbit, we might be witnessing the start of a broader transformation.



The study is published in <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01410768241309767?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&amp;rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&amp;rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine</a>.



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How space agencies can help address healthcare challenges

The unstoppable march of health issues has put extraordinary pressure...

<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
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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