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...

Asteroid Dimorphos is a small space rock that orbits a larger companion. It gained attention when NASA investigated ways to alter its trajectory in case it ever threatened Earth.



The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (<a href="https://dart.jhuapl.edu/">DART</a>) hammered Dimorphos on September 26, 2022, marking a critical attempt to see if an oncoming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-impact-carved-massive-canyons-on-the-moon-in-minutes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">threat</a> could be diverted. The success of this mission offered a glimpse into strategies that could be used to avert future dangers.



Scientists from <a href="https://www.polimi.it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Politecnico di Milano</a> and the <a href="https://www.gatech.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Georgia Institute of Technology</a> have recently analyzed the outcome of the DART mission. Their findings are published in two papers - one led by Professor Fabio Ferrari and the other coordinated by Professor Masatoshi Hirabayashi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nasa-s-asteroid-deflection-test">NASA's asteroid deflection test</h2>



The test was an example of kinetic deflection, a method that uses a high-speed crash to change an asteroid’s path. The experts examined how momentum transfer occurs when a spacecraft strikes a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-asteroid-2024-yr4-has-a-chance-of-hitting-earth-in-2032/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">target</a>.



The collision threw out clouds of ejecta, an event that left behind scattered debris in space. The researchers could see how this ejected material took shape, thanks to observations from the Hubble Space Telescope.



“We used Hubble Space Telescope's images and numerical simulations to quantify a viable mechanism of the ejecta evolution and successfully estimated ejected particles' mass, velocity, and size," explained Professor Ferrari.



"We also found complex interactions of such particles with the asteroid system and solar radiation pressure, i.e., sunlight pushing ejecta particles."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-asteroid-shape-affects-deflection">How asteroid shape affects deflection</h2>



Curved surfaces direct momentum in different directions. This can reduce the overall push effect of the collision, and leave part of an asteroid’s spin or speed unchanged.



<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56010-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Investigations</a> revealed how the curvature of Dimorphos could have altered the spray of material that resulted from the collision. If the surface is not flat, the debris scatters in unexpected ways.



“If the impact is large, more ejecta fly out of the surface but are more affected by surface tilts. This process makes the ejecta deviate from the ideal direction, reducing the asteroid push,” explained Professor Hirabayashi.



Scientists aim to gauge how shape, structure, and spin all interact. Any miscalculation could lead to a deflection that falls short.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-for-near-earth-objects">Strategies for near-Earth objects </h2>



The researchers explored the idea of using several lower-energy impactors, especially for near-Earth objects with uneven shapes. This approach can increase the odds of success if one shot misses the ideal spot.



Scientists emphasize that hypervelocity collisions might behave differently on an oddly shaped <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-could-be-pushed-into-a-collision-course-with-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rock</a> than on a smooth surface. This difference can lower the efficiency of a single, high-powered strike.



Each mission needs careful preparation, including reconnaissance to help identify the best angles and times for deflection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-earth-from-asteroid-strikes">Protecting Earth from asteroid strikes</h2>



Some experts see these methods being used for other cosmic bodies. They point out that accurate data on shape and composition help refine any defense design.



Asteroid collisions are part of space’s natural cycle and have been occurring since the universe formed. Ancient craters on Earth and the Moon are relics of much bigger strike events that might happen again.



Experts note that what seems like a big crash may not always yield the desired change. Relying on one massive impact can come with risks if the body has unpredictable contours.



“Sending multiple smaller impactors not only results in a higher asteroid push but also potentially saves operational cost and increases tactical flexibility for deflection,” said Professor Hirabayashi. Careful testing is essential before rolling out these solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-dimorphos">Lessons from Dimorphos</h2>



Experts see a strong case for more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-ingredients-building-blocks-of-life-found-in-asteroid-bennu-dust-sample/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">missions</a> that study small bodies up close. Future spacecraft will likely gather details on topography and internal makeup before any deflection is attempted.



Lessons from Dimorphos will guide the planning of new solutions. These steps might determine how we react to unforeseen cosmic hazards in future.



Researchers continue building on the data from NASA’s test. Their aim is to ensure that Earth has a plan if a wandering rock ever sets its sights on us.



The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56010-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> are both published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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What we learned from NASA's asteroid deflection test

Asteroid Dimorphos is a small space rock that orbits a...

Bigger creatures have long baffled scientists who study cancer. For decades, a widespread view called Peto’s paradox suggested that an animal’s size had no bearing on cancer risk. But now, a recent study is challenging that idea.



The researchers examined data from 263 species spanning amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. They found a clear connection between bigger bodies and higher cancer rates, discrediting Peto’s paradox after 45-years.



The study was led by Professor Chris Venditti from the University of Reading, in collaboration with experts at University College London and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-size-affects-cancer-risk">Animal size affects cancer risk </h2>



it was previously believed that larger animals had somehow avoided the increased cancer risk associated with more cell divisions. However, this new research shows that size does matter when it comes to cancer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cancer-cells-collaborate-to-survive-challenging-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">likelihood</a>.



“Everyone knows the myth that elephants are afraid of mice, but when it comes to cancer risk, mice are the ones who have less to fear," said Professor Venditti.



"We’ve shown that larger species like elephants do face higher cancer rates - exactly what you’d expect given they have so many more cells that could go wrong."



Past assumptions relied on limited samples and anecdotal observations. This broader dataset allowed scientists to see patterns that were previously overlooked.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-rates-in-birds-and-reptiles">Cancer rates in birds and reptiles </h2>



Birds and reptiles can keep growing throughout their lives. This continuous growth made them valuable subjects for comparing cancer rates across distinct life cycles.



Larger birds, such as certain parrots, showed higher prevalence of tumors than smaller counterparts. Yet some outliers, like the <a href="https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/budgerigars#:~:text=The%20Budgerigar%20is%20a%20colourful,weigh%2030%20to%2040%20grams." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">common budgie</a> (Melopsittacus undulatus), had significantly higher rates than researchers had predicted.



Reptiles displayed a similar pattern, with bigger species experiencing more frequent malignancies. This consistency underlines the role of body size in shaping cancer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-cancer-cells-have-a-molecular-switch-that-could-be-rewired-to-behave-normally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vulnerability</a> across different branches of the animal kingdom.



Advanced methods helped confirm these insights, offering a more precise look at how growth patterns connect to cancer risk. The researchers accounted for each species’ unique evolution, revealing unexpected similarities among distant groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephants-evolved-defenses-to-cancer">Elephants evolved defenses to cancer</h2>



Elephants stood out as a prime example of animals with ample body mass yet moderate tumor rates. To clarify this paradox, scientists point to tumor-suppressor genes that help keep cell growth under control.



Elephants share a cancer risk comparable to tigers, which are only a fraction of their size. The difference suggests that evolving larger bodies can go hand-in-hand with specialized protective mechanisms.



“When species needed to grow larger, they also evolved remarkable defenses against cancer. Elephants shouldn’t fear their size - they developed sophisticated biological tools to keep cancer in check,” said study co-author Dr. Joanna Baker.



Earlier assumptions missed this subtle adaptation. Now, experts see how evolution crafts various genetic safeguards that allow a massive animal to thrive without facing sky-high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-lifetime-cancer-risk-may-be-established-before-we-are-born/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tumor rates</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unusual-winners-and-losers">Unusual winners and losers</h2>



Some smaller species show unexpectedly high cancer rates, while others barely register the disease. 



The budgie’s elevated incidence highlights that size alone isn’t the only factor at play. The naked mole rat is famously resistant to tumors and appears to break the rules in the other direction. 



Experts hope that such biological oddities will expose fresh avenues for cancer research and interventions.



"Finding which animals are naturally better at fighting off cancer opens exciting new paths for research. By studying these successful species, we can better understand how cancers develop and potentially discover new ways to fight the disease,” said study lead author Dr. George Butler.



Scientists note that each anomaly teaches them about the intersection of environment, genetics, and disease. Pinpointing how certain species sidestep tumors might yield game-changing breakthroughs down the road.



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



Some large animals hold clues about keeping cancer in check despite massive cell counts. Comparing these biological tactics could suggest strategies to fortify human cancer defenses.



Medical researchers are intrigued by the possibility of applying elephant-like safeguards to human treatments. Understanding how extra tumor-suppressor genes function might spark more targeted therapies.



Similar logic applies to any species that has found a way to curb destructive cell <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-cancer-cell-death-may-transform-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">growth</a>. Larger bodies offer a test case for how cells can multiply under tight regulation, hinting at new approaches for medicine.



Insights from reptile or bird physiology may also inspire creative treatments. With so many species showing unique immune or genetic responses, researchers are digging deeper into nature’s own solutions.



Overall, this discovery overturns a longstanding notion and reinforces the idea that more cells do come with bigger risks. It also highlights the incredible ways that nature deals with challenges as animals grow in size.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2422861122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)</a>.



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Animal size and cancer risk: Surprising new details have emerged

Bigger creatures have long baffled scientists who study cancer. For...

Tree,Canopy,Against,A,Sky,Background,With,Oxygen,O2,And

When sunlight streams onto a leaf, something remarkable happens. Energy from those rays flows through molecular pathways with an efficiency that has sparked curiosity for generations.



The new study was led by <a href="https://www.professoren.tum.de/en/hauer-juergen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Jürgen Hauer</a>, from the Technical University Munich (TUM). 



Researchers around the world are intrigued because these plants seem to tap into the puzzling principles of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/quantum-mechanics-physics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum mechanics</a> to manage light energy with hardly any losses.



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



Photosynthesis is nature’s way of making food from sunlight, and it’s the reason we have oxygen to breathe. 



Plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. Think of it like a solar-powered kitchen where plants whip up their own energy-packed meals. 



They <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunlight-may-be-the-secret-weapon-for-direct-co2-capture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">absorb sunlight</a> through chlorophyll, the green pigment in their leaves, and use that energy to power the chemical reactions that turn CO₂ and water into food. 



The best part? They release oxygen as a byproduct, which is pretty convenient for the rest of us.



Photosynthesis isn’t just about keeping plants alive - it <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-photosynthesis-could-transform-power-generation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">keeps the entire planet running</a>. It’s the foundation of the food chain, feeding everything from tiny insects to massive mammals. 



It also helps regulate Earth’s atmosphere by pulling carbon dioxide out of the air, which is crucial for balancing the climate. 



Without photosynthesis, we wouldn’t have forests, fruits, or even the air we need to survive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-plants-use-quantum-effects">How plants use quantum effects</h2>



There is a concept known as a <a href="https://quantum.microsoft.com/en-us/insights/education/concepts/superposition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superposition</a> where energy or particles overlap in multiple possible states. It sounds futuristic, yet plants have harnessed it for billions of years to maximize their solar intake.



“When light is absorbed in a leaf, for example, the electronic excitation energy is distributed over several states of each excited chlorophyll molecule; this is called a superposition of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-particles-solution-gravitational-wave-mystery-bose-einstein-condensate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">excited states</a>,” explained Professor Hauer, from TUM. 



A large part of this process involves <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-chlorophyll" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chlorophyll</a>, a green pigment that absorbs specific wavelengths of light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shining-a-light-on-energy-states">Shining a light on energy states</h2>



Once a leaf catches light, it must transfer that energy before it disperses as heat. These first moments happen incredibly fast, and scientists believe that the stable electron pathways in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/photosynthetic-bacteria" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthetic bacteria</a> work in a similar way.



“Quantum mechanics is therefore central to understanding the first steps of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tapping-into-the-natural-power-of-plants-for-renewable-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy tr</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tapping-into-the-natural-power-of-plants-for-renewable-energy/">ansfer</a> and charge separation,” said Professor Hauer, from TUM.



<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature05678" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> suggest that tiny wave-like processes guide the energy flow toward the chemical centers of a plant cell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-artificial-photosynthesis">Refining artificial photosynthesis</h2>



The team see their investigation as a way to apply these natural insights to engineered light-harvesting materials. 



They propose that a molecule’s electronic states, arranged in precise ways, could push energy transfer systems closer to a near-ideal performance.



“Applying these findings in the design of artificial photosynthesis units could help to utilize solar energy with unprecedented efficiency for electricity generation or photochemistry,” noted one author, from TUM.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexities-of-capturing-sunlight">Complexities of capturing sunlight</h2>



Scientists have discovered that multiple electronic states overlap in chlorophyll, forming avenues where light pulses can glide without much resistance. 



This near-lossless flow has prompted chemists and physicists to look deeper into fast relaxation steps that keep the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-a-simple-way-to-grasp-this-impossible-concept-carl-kocher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy</a> from leaking away.



These fast steps include a balance of vibrations, state couplings, and energy release in the form of heat. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20615985/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Researchers</a> use ultrafast lasers that fire pulses lasting fractions of a trillionth of a second to watch these early changes unfold.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-quantum-changes-in-plants">Small quantum changes in plants</h2>



A closer look reveals subtle differences between specific energy bands, which keep the overall transfer chain stable. 



Minor adjustments in the distance or angle of chlorophyll molecules can create big changes in how efficiently they pass along absorbed sunlight.



While classical physics alone cannot fully describe these happenings, quantum approaches appear to fill the gap. 



The main question is how to control these states in ways that mimic or surpass the leaf’s skill at capturing photons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



A major goal is to build artificial systems that hold onto light longer and send it wherever it is needed. 



Some researchers believe that refining these structures will lead to better photo-devices that power homes or drive chemical reactions at a lower cost.



These fields combine chemistry, biology, and physics in a push to boost the performance of everything from solar cells to photochemical reactors. 



The end game is to create technology that behaves like nature’s wonders yet fits human needs for large-scale energy use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peeking-beyond-the-horizon">Peeking beyond the horizon</h2>



By rethinking conventional energy strategies, scientists hope to replicate the efficiency seen in plants and photosynthetic bacteria. 



That might mean reimagining how we store solar energy, with designs that keep the delicate molecular dance intact.



This latest <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/sc/d4sc06441k" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> breaks ground by confirming that quantum-level effects play a practical role in photosynthesis. 



That assurance opens doors for more projects aiming to push molecular engineering to places once thought too esoteric.



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



Teams worldwide are now looking to refine advanced spectroscopic methods. 



Part of that involves filtering complex signals to trace how each portion of light energy travels through molecules before being anchored in chemical form.



Those explorations will likely feed into new concepts that bend or arrange chlorophyll-like compounds in stable frameworks. 



As the principles get clearer, labs will be able to prototype test cells that channel energy with minimal waste.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-quantum-mechanics-and-the-future">Plants, quantum mechanics, and the future</h2>



With continued research, engineers may learn to craft artificial setups that match nature’s unparalleled handling of sunshine. 



The goal is to shrink losses in electron flow by orchestrating molecular states the same way leaves have done for ages.



It is not just about building better solar panels, though that is a key outcome. 



It is also about figuring out how this quiet whisper of quantum activity, hidden within ordinary green leaves, can keep inspiring more ideas in energy science.



The study is published in <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/sc/d4sc06441k" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chemical Science</a>.



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Plants rely on quantum mechanics to manage and transfer energy

When sunlight streams onto a leaf, something remarkable happens. Energy...

Mice sometimes surprise researchers in the lab. When a young mouse spots another lying still, it may paw at its comatose friend, chew on its snout, or even yank its limp tongue aside.



<a href="https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/li-zhang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Li Zhang</a> at the University of Southern California and his colleagues have been looking into these interactions. 



They captured <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq2677" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">footage</a> of lab mice confronting a familiar cage mate that had been anesthetized and was unresponsive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rescue-behavior-in-mice">Rescue behavior in mice</h2>



“They start with sniffing, and then grooming, and then with a very intensive or physical interaction,” related Li Zhang.



Scientists observed grooming and mouth-focused nibbling. Some mice targeted the unmoving partner’s mouth area, pulling its tongue out in an attempt to clear the airway. 



These same actions occasionally turned up in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deer-mice-shed-light-on-adaptive-evolution/">mice</a> that were interacting with companions that had passed away.



Researchers noticed how these stereotypical gestures tapered off once the still mouse revived and regained motion. 



They also found that a mouse gave more attention to an unresponsive peer that was recognizable than to one that was a stranger. 



This distinction suggests that familiarity plays a role in prompting these rescue-like behaviors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insight-from-other-animals">Insight from other animals</h2>



Large mammals such as chimpanzees, dolphins, and elephants have been recorded aiding group members that are in trouble. 



Some dolphins have guided a distressed pod mate to the surface so it could breathe, which has long intrigued scientists who study social behaviors in marine animals. 



Elephants have also been known to support injured relatives. These examples suggest that lending a helping hand isn’t always limited to humans.



Rodents, however, can be trickier to monitor in the wild. Mice prefer concealed spaces and often scatter at the slightest hint of danger. That makes it challenging to film them tending to an ailing group member outside the lab.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-oxytocin-in-rescue-behavior">Role of oxytocin in rescue behavior</h2>



These rescue-like gestures appear linked to the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-is-crucial-beyond-its-role-as-the-love-hormone/">oxytocin</a>, a hormone that influences bonding in many species. The new study detected active oxytocin-releasing neurons in the amygdala and hypothalamus. 



These brain regions, known to handle emotion and social behavior, lit up when mice recognized a cage mate in distress. 



“If we extended the observation window, maybe the success rate could be even higher,” said team member <a href="https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/huizhong-tao/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huizhong Tao</a>, also from USC.



Additional evidence showed that turning off these neuron signals or blocking their ability to dispatch oxytocin reduced the mice’s apparent attempts to help. 



Activating the same neurons produced more grooming and nibbling.



The link between this hormone and nurturing conduct has come up in past research, supporting the view that many mammals share some wiring for caring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-for-group-survival">Importance for group survival</h2>



Scientists think these behaviors might help keep social groups together and improve survival. Young <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mice-pass-the-mirror-test-does-that-mean-they-are-self-aware/">mice</a> that responded to a motionless mate saw that partner bounce back to normal sooner than those left alone. 



That small difference might affect how groups function in their natural habitats, where every second can be a matter of life or death.



Some researchers say caution is needed when drawing big conclusions. Animals often do things that look human-like, but motives can be complicated. 



Still, these lab findings give hints that even small creatures might care more about their companions than we once believed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-picture">Bigger picture</h2>



Many animals rely on social bonds for carrying out different activities, from defense to nurturing infants. 



This study raises the possibility that more species have built-in behaviors that benefit the whole community. 



Researchers suspect that similar patterns might exist in other species but remain unnoticed because of how tough it is to observe these moments in the wild.



Oxytocin is a hormone found in many vertebrate species and the researchers suggest that it could underpin an innate emergency response to assist an unresponsive group member. 



This revival behavior may thus be widely present, particularly among social animals.



The discovery that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-mice-turn-to-female-mice-to-avoid-fights-keep-social-peace/">mice act as tiny caregivers</a> prompts new questions. Scientists plan to test if there are variations among different strains of mice. 



Some want to see if environmental factors, such as stress or crowding, affect how likely mice are to step up for a comatose mate.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq2677" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Mice offer first aid to unconscious companions

Mice sometimes surprise researchers in the lab. When a young...

For centuries, people have been amazed by auroras, which light up the polar skies in glowing shades of green, red, and purple. But these lights reflect more than just beauty - they signify the powerful forces shaping space weather. 



Auroras occur when the Sun’s charged particles hit Earth’s upper atmosphere. But another invisible force also plays a key role in space weather events.



Electrojets are massive electrical currents that flow around Earth’s poles, carrying nearly a million amps per second. When they change, they can disrupt communication, affect satellites, and even cause power outages. 



Scientists still have many questions about how these currents form, shift, and interact with Earth’s magnetic field.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ezie-s-mission-to-study-electrojets">EZIE's mission to study electrojets</h2>



To find answers, NASA is preparing to launch a new mission: the Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/ezie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EZIE</a>). This ambitious project will use a trio of CubeSats to study electrojets in unprecedented detail.



Scientists hope that EZIE’s observations will lead to better space <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-can-comets-tell-us-about-solar-activity-and-space-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather</a> forecasts, helping protect astronauts, satellites, and power grids on Earth.



Auroral electrojets are part of a vast electrical circuit that stretches nearly 100,000 miles from Earth into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-solar-storm-warning-issued-as-two-cmes-will-hit-earth-tomorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a>. As solar wind interacts with our planet’s magnetic field, it generates currents that flow through the upper atmosphere, particularly in the polar regions.



These currents can shift rapidly, causing sudden changes in Earth’s magnetic field that ground-based systems may struggle to handle.



“EZIE is the first mission dedicated exclusively to studying the electrojets, and it does so with a completely new measurement technique,” said Larry Kepko, EZIE mission scientist at NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a>.



Previous studies of electrojets relied on ground-based observations and scattered satellite data. While these efforts provided valuable insights, they left many aspects of the electrojets’ behavior unclear. 



EZIE’s mission is to fill these gaps and provide a more complete picture of how these powerful currents evolve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-the-behavior-of-electrojets">Observing the behavior of electrojets </h2>



The EZIE <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/ezie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mission</a> will deploy three small CubeSats, each about the size of a carry-on suitcase, into a synchronized orbit around Earth. These satellites will travel in a “string-of-pearls” formation, following one another as they pass over the poles at an altitude of 350 miles. 



Each CubeSat will observe the same region of the atmosphere at slightly different times - anywhere from two to ten minutes apart - allowing scientists to track how electrojets change over short periods.



Each satellite carries a Microwave Electrojet Magnetogram, a sophisticated instrument designed to measure the strength and direction of electrojet currents. Developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, this instrument detects microwave emissions from oxygen molecules in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-in-space-weather-forecasting-will-help-us-predict-solar-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere</a>. 



Normally, these molecules emit microwaves at a frequency of 118 gigahertz, but when influenced by strong magnetic fields - such as those produced by electrojets - this emission line splits in a process known as Zeeman splitting.



By analyzing this effect, EZIE can determine how electrojets behave in real time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-space-weather-science">Advancing space weather science </h2>



One of the biggest challenges in studying electrojets is their location. They flow through a region of the atmosphere too high for balloons to reach yet too low for traditional satellites to dwell for long periods. 



EZIE’s approach solves this problem by using a remote-sensing technique that allows it to measure electrojets from space without needing to fly directly through them.



“The utilization of the Zeeman technique to remotely map current-induced magnetic fields is really a game-changing approach,” said Sam Yee, EZIE’s principal investigator at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.



The technology used in EZIE’s instruments has been refined through past NASA missions, such as TEMPEST-D and CubeRRT. 



These earlier efforts focused on Earth’s weather systems, but their advancements in radio detection and signal processing have now been adapted for space weather research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-citizen-science-initiative">A global citizen science initiative </h2>



NASA is also involving students and volunteers in the EZIE mission. Through a citizen science initiative, dozens of EZIE magnetometer kits will be distributed to students in the U.S. and volunteers worldwide.



These participants will measure magnetic field variations from the ground, allowing researchers to compare data from Earth with EZIE’s space-based <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-sun-has-officially-reached-its-solar-maximum-period-in-this-solar-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observations</a>.



“EZIE scientists will be collecting magnetic field data from above, and the students will be collecting magnetic field data from the ground,” said Nelli Mosavi, EZIE project manager at APL.



By engaging the public, the experts hope to inspire the next generation of scientists while also improving their research through a global network of observations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-launching-during-solar-maximum">Launching during solar maximum</h2>



EZIE will launch in March of 2025 aboard a SpaceX <a href="https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-9/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Falcon 9</a> rocket from <a href="https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vandenberg Space Force Base</a> in California.



The mission is set to coincide with the peak of the Sun’s 11-year activity cycle, known as solar maximum. This timing is significant, as solar storms and increased Sun activity intensify auroral electrojets, making them easier to study.



“It’s better to launch during solar max,” said Kepko. “The electrojets respond directly to solar activity.”



By launching at this time, EZIE will have the best chance of capturing the strongest electrojet events, providing more detailed and dynamic data for scientists to analyze.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-sun-s-powerful-influence">Exploring the Sun's powerful influence </h2>



EZIE will work alongside other upcoming NASA missions, including <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/punch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PUNCH</a> (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere), which will investigate how material from the Sun’s atmosphere transforms into the solar wind. 



Together, these missions will expand our understanding of the Sun’s influence on Earth and the space environment.



The project also highlights the growing role of CubeSats in space research. These small, cost-effective satellites allow scientists to conduct cutting-edge research that would have been impossible a decade ago.



“This is a mission that couldn’t have flown a decade ago,” Kepko said. “It’s pushing the envelope of what is possible, all on a small satellite. It’s exciting to think about what we will discover.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-era-of-space-weather-monitoring">New era of space weather monitoring </h2>



Managed by NASA's Explorers Program Office, the EZIE mission is funded by NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/heliophysics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heliophysics Division</a> and led by the <a href="https://www.jhuapl.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory</a>. 



By unlocking the mysteries of auroral electrojets, EZIE could revolutionize our ability to predict and mitigate the effects of space weather. 



From protecting astronauts in orbit to safeguarding power grids on Earth, the mission’s findings could have lasting impacts on both science and daily life.



As EZIE begins its mission, it will uncover new details about the hidden forces shaping Earth and its connection to the Sun.



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NASA's new EZIE mission will study Earth's auroras from space

For centuries, people have been amazed by auroras, which light...

Supernova,Explosion,In,The,Center,Of,Galaxy,"elements,Of,This

More than two million years ago, something unusual happened to the viruses that infect fish in Lake Tanganyika, East Africa. The different types of viruses diversified rapidly indicating heightened mutation rates that have left scientists puzzled. 



Lake Tanganyika - the continent’s deepest body of water - sits in the East African Rift, framed by rugged highlands that separate it from surrounding regions. 



The lake stretches over 400 miles (645 kilometers), and holds a hefty portion of the world’s accessible freshwater.



Researchers have suggested a possible connection between the diversification of viruses infecting fish and increased levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hess-observatory-detects-highest-energy-cosmic-rays-ever-observed-origin-unknown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic radiation</a> around that same time period.



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



Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that zip through space at nearly the speed of light. They come from many different places in the Universe, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exploding stars (supernovae)</a>, the Sun, and even mysterious sources outside our galaxy. 



When these particles slam into Earth’s atmosphere, they create a shower of secondary particles that can reach the surface. 



Some cosmic rays are so powerful that they can even mess with electronics, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-rare-g5-level-geomagnetic-storm-highest-level-hits-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disrupt satellite communications</a>, and slightly increase radiation exposure for astronauts and high-altitude flights. 



Scientists are still unraveling their secrets, but one thing’s clear - they’re a major player in the universe’s high-energy drama.



Despite their sci-fi name, cosmic rays are a natural part of life on Earth. Our planet’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/earths-magnetic-field-origin-structure-and-impact-on-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic field</a> and atmosphere act like a shield, blocking most of them before they reach us. 



But they still play a role in shaping Earth’s environment - some studies even suggest they might influence cloud formation and, in turn, the climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-radiation-and-evolution">Cosmic radiation and evolution</h2>



Scientists had previously discovered radioactive iron in deep-sea sediments that indicate the effects of a nearby supernova event around 2.5 million years ago. 



The star’s explosion released intense ionizing cosmic radiation which, based on modeling predictions, could have collided with the Earth’s surface for roughly 100,000 years.



“It’s really cool to find ways in which these super distant things could impact our lives or the planet’s habitability,” said lead author Caitlyn Nojiri from <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Cruz</a>.



Prior studies have shown that cosmic radiation can break DNA strands, potentially changing genetic material and affecting the way in which organisms evolve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-rays-linked-to-viral-changes">Cosmic rays linked to viral changes</h2>



Noriji and colleagues set out to explore whether cosmic radiation could have played a part in the expansion of viruses identified in Lake Tanganyika's fish species.



The research team does not claim absolute certainty about linking cosmic events to the rise of new aquatic pathogens. “We can’t say that they are connected, but they have a similar timeframe,” said Nojiri.



The biggest surprise was learning that a distant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strange-high-energy-cosmic-rays-did-something-outside-our-galaxy-send-them-here/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stellar</a> explosion and a local virus surge possibly overlapped in time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-piecing-together-the-cosmic-trail">Piecing together the cosmic trail</h2>



Data on iron-60, a radioactive isotope created by stellar blasts, helped trace back the star’s location. 



Calculations suggest that our solar system floated through the Local Bubble, an area of sparse gas shaped by the explosions of multiple ancient supernovae.



Scientists linked that passage to increased cosmic rays reaching Earth. Some researchers believe those rays, when strong enough, can cause mutations and potentially influence biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-rays-help-archaeologists-determine-age-discoveries-prehistoric-settlements/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcomes</a>. 



The current study highlights the importance of cosmic events that might alter life in unexpected ways.



Nojiri’s path began in community college, where she discovered a passion for astrophysics. She joined specialized programs that guided her into research, with mentorship along the way.



“People from different walks of life bring different perspectives to science and can solve problems in very different ways,” said Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, who also contributed to the study. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-rays-and-viral-diversity">Cosmic rays and viral diversity</h2>



Questions still remain about how cosmic rays might accelerate mutation in viruses, especially in an environment as distinct as Lake Tanganyika. 



Scientists point to the uniqueness of this rift lake, which has isolated populations of species that are rarely found elsewhere.



Researchers believe that once DNA strands are damaged, viral replication might shift in ways that spawn more diversity. 



This line of reasoning has inspired follow-up work on other evolutionary bursts, searching for correlations with cosmic phenomena.



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



Although the supernova event occurred millions of years ago, scientists are still interested in the potential echoes today. 



Some teams wonder if modern species still carry vestiges of ancient mutation waves that were triggered by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexplained-radiation-spike-found-deep-in-the-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic energy</a>.



Other teams are focused on current cosmic radiation levels - assessing whether another close stellar explosion, though unlikely soon, could produce a similar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-particle-acceleration-new-source-of-cosmic-rays-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influence</a>. 



Understanding these patterns potentially helps to track life’s changes over geological time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-events-and-life-on-earth">Cosmic events and life on Earth</h2>



Nojiri aims to pursue a doctorate in astrophysics, driven by her fascination with cosmic events that possibly shape life on Earth. 



She believes that studying the universe can reveal unexpected connections between space and biology.



Her research focuses on cosmic rays and their potential role in altering DNA millions of years ago. 



Scientists continue to explore how radiation from distant supernovae may have influenced evolution in Earth’s ecosystems. Each new discovery strengthens the idea that cosmic forces can impact life in surprising ways.



Nojiri hopes her work will inspire future scientists to explore the deep connections between space and life. The study of cosmic rays continues to offer valuable clues about Earth’s past and future.



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ada27a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.



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How cosmic rays from a supernova explosion impacted Earth and changed history

More than two million years ago, something unusual happened to...

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that plays a significant role in global warming, yet its persistent emissions often go unnoticed.



As we strive for a more sustainable and climate-friendly future, understanding the sources of methane emissions is crucial to predicting the ability of the Earth's atmosphere to trap heat from the sun.



A recent study has identified the top 10 regions worldwide where methane is consistently released, whether from natural wetlands or human-driven activities like oil extraction and the burning of coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigating-global-methane-emissions">Investigating global methane emissions</h2>



Researchers analyzed data from hundreds of potential sources of methane. They relied on data from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-5P" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Copernicus Sentinel-5P mission</a>, which made it possible to estimate emissions at 217 potential locations.



Rather than focusing on "super-emitters" - typically oil and gas operations, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crucial-rare-earth-elements-discovered-coal-mines-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coal mines</a>, or poorly managed landfills that release large amounts of methane unpredictably - the study examined sources that emit methane consistently over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-persistent-methane-sources">Detecting persistent methane sources</h2>



The research was guided by a new methane concentration dataset and an algorithm developed at the <a href="https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bremen</a>. 



The university was involved as part of the <a href="https://climate.esa.int/en/projects/ghgs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA Climate Change Initiative Greenhouse Gas Project</a> and the ESA Earth System Science Hub projects, Methane CAMP and SMART-CH4.



Claus Zehner, ESA's Mission Manager for Sentinel-5P, highlighted the unique capabilities of the mission.



"Sentinel-5P is currently the only satellite that provides the feasibility to detect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-have-emerged-as-major-source-of-methane-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane sources</a> on a global scale and on a daily basis," noted Zehner.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spotting-the-persistent-emitters">Spotting the persistent emitters</h2>



The experts analyzed methane concentrations at different locations between 2018 and 2021.



Any location where methane levels were consistently elevated, when compared to surrounding areas, was identified as a potentially persistent emitter.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/global-methane_Potential_persistent_methane_source_regions_2018_2021_ESA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/global-methane_Potential_persistent_methane_source_regions_2018_2021_ESA_1s.webp" alt="The data used in this map of the global atmospheric methane average in 2021. Areas in dark red have the highest methane concentrations of around 1900 parts per billion, while blue areas show lower methane concentration in the atmosphere of around 1700 parts per billion. Credit: ESA" class="wp-image-1960962"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The data used in this map of the global atmospheric methane average in 2021. Areas in dark red have the highest methane concentrations of around 1900 parts per billion, while blue areas show lower methane concentration in the atmosphere of around 1700 parts per billion. Credit: ESA</figcaption></figure>



"The aim was not to identify specific events, where methane is only released for a short period. Instead, the aim was to identify sources that emit almost continuously during the four years that were analyzed," said Michael Buchwitz, senior scientist at the University of Bremen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wetlands-and-natural-methane-emissions">Wetlands and natural methane emissions</h2>



The analysis identified the Sudd wetland in South Sudan as the world's largest persistent emitter of methane, at 4.5 million tons per year. 



The Iberá wetland in Argentina is also a major emitter, with an annual production of 3.3 million tons of methane.



Microbes found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wetlands-day-the-hidden-potential-of-tidal-landscapes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wetland</a> soils and waters are often anaerobic and release significant quantities of methane as a result of their metabolic reactions. 



Although this is a natural source of methane gas, it has meaningful consequences for global warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-footprint-from-oil-gas-and-coal">Human footprint from oil, gas, and coal</h2>



Anthropogenic activities were the cause of the remaining eight largest persistent sources of this heat-trapping gas. 



The biggest anthropogenic emissions were from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/britain-approves-controversial-oil-and-gas-field-in-the-north-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oil and gas fields</a> on the west coast of Turkmenistan, where an estimated 3.5 million tons of methane are produced each year.



Coal fields in China and the Kuznetsk Basin, in Russia, along with oil and gas fields in the U.S. (Permian and Delaware Basins) made up most of the remaining top 10 global sites where methane is emitted slowly and persistently, leaving a considerable footprint.



In addition, Dakha in Bangladesh and Liaoning in China produced significant amounts methane through other anthropogenic activities, including wastewater management, digestive gas from ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep and goats, as well as from manure and rice&nbsp;fields.



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



Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a>, as it contributes significantly to global warming.



Its concentrations have skyrocketed to almost three times the levels recorded in 1850, making high-emitting and persistent sources a serious concern for our planet.



Given that this gas has a greater warming effect than carbon dioxide, cutting methane emissions would be a crucial strategy in mitigating the effects of global warming.



It's our task to tackle these persistent sources head-on, in order to reduce the level of methane emissions entering the atmosphere on a daily basis. 



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



Identifying the locations of the world’s most important persistent methane emitters is just the first step. Managing or reducing these emissions will require targeted strategies.



Unlike carbon dioxide, methane remains in the atmosphere for a short period of time only, but its warming potential is significantly greater. This potentially makes immediate reductions in emission highly effective in slowing climate change.



Governments and industries are increasingly prioritizing methane mitigation. The <a href="https://www.globalmethanepledge.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Methane Pledge</a>, launched at COP26, aims to cut emissions by at least 30% by 2030, with over 150 countries committed to action.



Technologies such as satellite monitoring, leak detection in oil and gas operations, and improved waste management practices are crucial in reducing emissions of methane that arise from human activities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-wetlands-and-methane-emissions">Managing wetlands and methane emissions</h2>



For natural sources like wetlands, mitigation is more complex. While these ecosystems are vital for biodiversity and carbon storage, researchers are exploring ways to balance their natural methane output with conservation efforts.



Strategies such as wetland restoration, water management techniques, and microbial interventions could help optimize emissions without harming these critical environments.



With growing awareness and improved detection capabilities, policymakers and scientists now have the data needed to drive targeted action.



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<a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-5P/Top_10_persistent_methane_sources" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Featured image</a>: A study by the University of Bremen has identified 217 potential persistent methane source regions, estimated their emissions and created a global map of their distribution. The data was from the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite, taken over the four-year period 2018–2021. It identifies some of the major regions that emit methane on a persistent, continuous basis. Credit: ESA



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/24/10441/2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atmosphere, Chemistry and Physics</a>.



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Top 10 global methane emissions hotspots spotted by satellites

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that plays a significant...

The world's appetite for seafood is growing, and the industry is racing to keep up. 



A new study suggests that farming seafood from the ocean - known as mariculture - could be expanded to feed more people while reducing harm to marine biodiversity at the same time. However, success depends on careful planning.



The researchers found that the locations and ways in which mariculture is expanded will determine whether it helps or harms the environment.



The findings, published in the journal Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution, highlight both the risks and opportunities of growing this industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-of-sustainable-mariculture">The science of sustainable mariculture</h2>



The study was led by Deqiang Ma, who conducted the research as a postdoctoral scholar at the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a>.



“We can achieve this sustainable mariculture development,” said Ma. "With strategic planning, we can achieve the goal of conserving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-news-ocean-oxygen-loss-may-ultimately-reverse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a> while meeting the global demand for the expansion of mariculture.”



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mariculture-is-highly-sustainable-and-climate-friendly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mariculture</a> is a type of aquaculture focused on farming saltwater seafood, such as fish and shellfish. In 2020, it contributed about 20% of the seafood consumed globally, providing a critical source of protein for billions of people.



As the demand for seafood production increases, mariculture is expanding rapidly. To understand its impact, Ma and an international team of researchers developed a model to analyze the potential effects of mariculture growth on over 20,000 marine species.



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



The team’s model created a baseline for mariculture’s current impact and simulated how it could change by 2050 under different scenarios. 



The researchers also factored in two climate change models - RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 - which assume varying levels of warming and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a>.



In the best-case scenario, where new farms are built in areas with the least environmental impact, seafood production could soar.



“Bivalve production could increase by 2.36-fold and finfish could increase by 1.82-fold compared to current production - projections of what is needed to meet global demand - but the global mariculture impacts would decrease by up to 30.5% under the best-case scenario,” Ma said.



However, the worst-case scenario painted a starkly different picture. If new farms are built in the most ecologically sensitive areas, the damage to marine biodiversity could be more than four times worse than if farms were placed randomly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-importance-of-smart-expansion">The importance of smart expansion</h2>



This study highlights the need for thoughtful planning, said senior study author Neil Carter, an associate professor at the University of Michigan.



“It is critically important to leverage the growing insights across disciplines, whether it’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clear-and-dynamic-visuals-are-important-when-presenting-climate-change-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change science</a> or economics or marine production,” Carter said. “All these different facets had to come together from other sources in order to make these forecasts.”



The research team included experts from the University of Washington, the University of Freiburg in Germany, Hokkaido University in Japan, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. 



Their collaborative effort highlights the complexity of mariculture expansion and the need for coordinated decision-making.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-seafood-farming">Expanding seafood farming</h2>



Large-scale studies like this come with challenges, noted co-author Benjamin Halpern, a professor at UCSB. “But I’ve done this kind of work a lot in my career, and the payoffs can be enormous."



“The cross-disciplinary nature of the questions that can be addressed and the ability to look at them for every patch of ocean in the world makes the research much more relevant and impactful to society and the scientific community.”



The researchers emphasize that this study is just the beginning. More data and refined models will be needed to fine-tune sustainable mariculture strategies for the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-approach-varies-by-region">Best approach varies by region</h2>



One key takeaway is that there is no universal solution. The best approach varies by region. What works in the South Pacific may not be ideal for coastal Europe.



Additionally, even the best-case scenario has trade-offs. In all scenarios examined, mariculture expansion negatively impacted some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-mammals-in-the-us-are-highly-vulnerable-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine mammals</a>, such as whales, seals, and sea lions. 



Understanding these trade-offs is essential for policymakers who must balance food security with conservation goals.



“With these insights, we can see that it’s not a foregone conclusion that the expansion of an industry is always going to have a proportionally negative impact on the environment,” Carter said. 



“So the next part of this is getting policymakers and communities to interact with each other to figure out how we can actually implement some of these ideas to reduce those impacts and to prioritize marine biodiversity.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02650-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Boosting seafood production while protecting biodiversity

The world's appetite for seafood is growing, and the industry...

Geothermal,Power,Plant.,From,Above

Efficient energy sources are pivotal to our thriving modern society, and the continuous quest for "greener" energy alternatives has focused attention on geothermal energy.



Accessing this vast reservoir of natural heat from Earth has always been limited by one principle of real estate: location, location, location.



Conventional geothermal power plants rely on the presence of hot, porous rocks and abundant subsurface fluids.



This requirement has limited the application of geothermal systems to areas of recent volcanic activity, like Japan, Kenya, Iceland, and the western United States, among others.



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



Geothermal energy taps into Earth’s natural heat to generate electricity and warm buildings. Deep beneath the surface, the planet’s core stays scorching hot, heating underground reservoirs of water. 



When we drill into these hot spots, we can release steam or hot water to spin turbines and produce power. 



Some places, like Iceland and parts of the U.S., sit on top of prime geothermal real estate, making it easier to harness this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tapping-into-the-natural-power-of-plants-for-renewable-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewable energy</a>. 



Unlike fossil fuels, geothermal doesn’t rely on the weather, so it provides a steady, reliable source of power year-round.



This technology cuts down on energy bills and reduces reliance on gas or coal. Plus, geothermal plants have a much smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional power sources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhanced-geothermal-systems-egs">Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS)</h2>



But things might be changing. For the past half-century, adapted techniques, originally designed for oilfields and now utilized for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), have raised the prospects of extracting natural heat from a wider geographical range.



"There is a lot of excitement about enhanced geothermal energy," noted Roland Horne, a professor of energy science and engineering from the <a href="https://sustainability.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability</a>. 



He was at the forefront of bringing together engineers, scientists, and managers from 28 countries at the Stanford Geothermal Workshop, and encouraging the exchange of innovative thinking and insights from ongoing geothermal projects worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-evolution-of-geothermal-energy">Historical evolution of geothermal energy</h2>



Geothermal power has historically been an integral component of the evolution of society. 



Subterranean heat was used by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ancient-romans-made-such-incredibly-durable-concrete-is-no-longer-a-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient Romans</a> to heat their structures thousands of years ago, and the world's first geothermal power plant was started in Italy, more than a century ago.



Geothermal power, in contemporary times, accounts for up to 45% of the electricity supply in certain nations, such as Kenya. 



But it accounts for less than half of 1% of the global energy production. 



The rise of EGS, though, could potentially redefine the role of geothermal sources in fulfilling our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clean-energy-biodiversity-wildlife-habitats-delicate-balancing-act/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy</a> needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-drilling-lower-costs">Rapid drilling, lower costs</h2>



Among the most promising developments in EGS are techniques borrowed from the shale gas boom in the early 2000s. 



These include horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earthquakes-linked-to-nearby-oil-extraction-fracking-sites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fracking</a>," which involve pumping fluids at high pressures into wells dug thousands of feet underground into rock formations.



The pressure opens up existing fractures in the rock or forms new ones, facilitating the flow of fluids, including hot water, to the surface.



Moreover, drilling multiple wells from a single pad enhances efficiency and keeps costs in check. 



Synthetic diamond drill bits that can chew through hard rock faster are also crucial. 



"Drilling faster makes an enormous difference to the whole economics of EGS,” noted Horne.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cost-competitive-geothermal-energy-systems">Cost-competitive geothermal energy systems</h2>



Recent studies by a group of authors, including Ph.D. candidate Mohammad Aljubran, indicate that by 2027, enhanced geothermal system costs may be comparable with the average cost of electricity throughout the United States, which is around $80 per megawatt-hour.



For instance, in California, which currently produces about 5% of its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvesting-electricity-with-nature-inspired-techniques/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electricity</a> from geothermal energy, EGS could potentially increase its geothermal capacity tenfold, to 40 gigawatts, by 2045.



This significant increase could replace <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-carbon-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuels</a> for baseload power and add stability to a decarbonized power grid, complementing intermittent renewables like wind and solar. 



"With EGS, we can meet the load," confirmed Horne.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-the-seismic-risks">Balancing the seismic risks</h2>



Despite the immense potential, EGS is not without its challenges. 



For example, fracking, a key component of EGS, is known to trigger earthquakes, thus posing a serious risk.



Mitigation tactics include avoiding seismic-prone regions for drilling, and implementing a traffic-light protocol - a monitoring system that dictates the pace of drilling based on seismic activities.



A recent development also involves creating many smaller fractures during drilling, instead of just one or a few massive fractures, to reduce the risk and size of induced seismicity.



“A drip-drip-drip instead of a fire hose approach can significantly reduce the risk and size of induced seismicity,” shared Horne.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-egs-could-power-the-future">EGS could power the future</h2>



The scientific community is optimistic about EGS's potential. 



Horne, along with his colleagues, hopes that the new study promotes further research and development of EGS as a sustainable and reliable energy source.



"EGS could be a game changer for green energy production not just in California but across the U.S. and worldwide. Safely harnessing Earth’s internal heat could substantially contribute to powering our future," he concluded.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44359-024-00019-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Reviews Clean Technology</a>.



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Geothermal energy is cheap and clean and having its 'moment'

Efficient energy sources are pivotal to our thriving modern society,...

White,Passenger,Airplane,Under,The,Clouds,With,Amazing,Round,Shape

Turbulence is no air traveler's friend. It can transform a tranquil flight into a terrifying, hair-raising experience within seconds.



But what if this could be a thing of the past, if scientists could develop a way to dramatically decrease the effects of air turbulence?



This is closer now to reality, thanks to a recent study on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in aviation.



In an exciting development, an international research team has tested an AI system to detect and combat turbulence.



The findings showed great potential for reducing turbulence through AI-driven technology, which would pave the way for a new era of more stable and efficient air travel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turbulence-and-flow-detachment">Turbulence and flow detachment</h2>



A team of researchers from <a href="https://www.kth.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KTH</a> Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center has conducted tests on an AI system designed to optimize airflow on aircraft wings.



Their goal is to improve aerodynamic stability and reduce turbulence-related risks.



The AI system specifically targets flow detachment, a critical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revolutionizing-aerodynamics-airplane-emissions-ai-deep-learning-tool/">aerodynamic</a> issue. For an aircraft to remain airborne, air must move smoothly over the wing's surface - faster above and slower below. This gives the lift force that keeps the aircraft airborn.



When the airflow above the wing separates, it creates unstable swirling patterns, reducing lift and increasing drag, which can lead to a stall.



"When this happens, lift decreases, and drag increases, which can lead to a stall and make the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-flight-inspires-the-design-of-future-aircraft/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aircraft</a> harder to control," explained Ricardo Vinuesa, a researcher specializing in fluid dynamics and machine learning at KTH.



This phenomenon typically occurs when the wing's tilt is too steep or when airflow slows due to pressure changes.



The researchers found that AI-controlled synthetic jets - small devices that pulse air through the wing surface - can reduce the size of these airflow separation bubbles by 9%.



Previous approaches using fixed, periodic activations achieved only a 6.8% reduction, which demonstrates AI’s potential to fine-tune these mechanisms for greater efficiency.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synthetic-jets-and-the-role-of-ai">Synthetic jets and the role of AI</h2>



Synthetic jets pulse air in and out of a small opening in the wing surface. 



They have the potential to complement physical features such as vortex generators that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/modern-airplanes-are-worse-for-the-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planes</a> rely on to maintain the correct balance of airflow above and below the wings.



The common theory was that these bursts should occur at regular, periodic intervals, but the study presented a different narrative. It turns out that periodic activation only reduces turbulence separation bubbles by 6.8 percent.



This meant that, by using AI to control the timing and frequency of these bursts, the research team was able to achieve a much higher reduction in turbulence.



"This study highlights how important AI is for scientific innovation," Mr. Vinuesa commented. "It offers exciting implications for aerodynamics, energy efficiency, and next-generation computational fluid dynamics."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-ai-in-aviation">The future of AI in aviation</h2>



The success of such an AI-based method for the reduction of turbulence may only be the starting point for a complete revolution in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electric-aircraft-batteries-pushing-the-boundaries-of-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aircraft technology</a>.



With AI integrated into aircraft systems, there may also be improvements on the way, with real-time predictions and prevention of turbulence radically improving both flight safety and passenger comfort.



By continuously learning from vast amounts of flight data, AI could help pilots and autopilot systems adjust in real-time to unexpected airflow disruptions, ensuring not only safer but also more fuel-efficient and cost-effective travel.



Beyond turbulence control, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neuromorphic-computing-where-ai-meets-human-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> is already making waves in aviation through predictive maintenance, optimizing air traffic control operations, and enhancing cockpit automation for greater efficiency.



Researchers are also exploring AI-powered wing designs that could dynamically adjust their shape, mid-flight, to improve aerodynamic stability, which would further revolutionize how aircraft handle changing air conditions.



If these developments continue at the current pace, the dream of turbulence-free flights - once thought impossible - might not be all that far off.



For now, while air travel isn’t entirely free from the bumps and jolts of turbulence, AI is paving the way for a future where passengers can sit back, relax, and trust that technology is working behind the scenes to make their journey smoother, safer, and more predictable.



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AI being tested to prevent stalls and reduce air turbulence for smoother flights

Turbulence is no air traveler's friend. It can transform a...

Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever that is also known as paracetamol. It is used for treating headaches, fevers, backaches, and other mild to moderate pains. 



Many people take Tylenol without even realizing that its active ingredient is acetaminophen.



However, recent findings have raised concerns about the safety of acetaminophen, particularly its potential link to childhood ADHD - prompting questions about its use during pregnancy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acetaminophen-and-adhd-risk">Acetaminophen and ADHD risk</h2>



A new study from the Seattle Children’s Research Institute has produced evidence that suggests acetaminophen usage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/acetaminophen-use-during-pregnancy-linked-to-language-delays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">during pregnancy</a> could potentially increase the likelihood of offspring developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).



Acetaminophen is among the most frequently prescribed drugs during pregnancy, with an estimated 41–70% usage reported in pregnant individuals in the United States, Europe, and Asia.



Despite being identified as low risk by regulatory agencies such as the FDA, research has indicated a potential link between exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autism-diagnoses-have-almost-tripled-in-the-us-over-the-past-ten-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autism</a> spectrum disorder, noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acetaminophen-needs-to-be-reevaluated">Acetaminophen needs to be reevaluated</h2>



Study lead author Brennan Baker works in the lab of Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana at <a href="https://www.uwmedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UW Medicine</a>. 



Baker pointed out that past studies had depended on the self-reported data from women and thus may not have reflected acetaminophen use accurately. He also noted that the drug's widespread use has long gone unquestioned.



“This medication was also approved decades ago and may need reevaluation by the FDA,” said Dr. Sathyanarayana. “Acetaminophen was never evaluated for fetal exposures in relation to long-term neurodevelopmental impacts.”



To get a clearer picture, the recent study involved tracking a group of 307 women between 2006 and 2011. Each of these expectant mothers agreed to provide blood samples, which allowed researchers to monitor acetaminophen biomarkers in their plasma.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-likelihood-of-adhd-diagnosis">Likelihood of ADHD diagnosis </h2>



The results of the analysis showed that children born to mothers who used no acetaminophen throughout their pregnancy had a 9% prevalence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autism-and-adhd-disorders-directly-linked-amount-of-time-kids-spend-on-screens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ADHD</a>. This rate increased to 18%, however, in the children of mothers who had used the drug.



Furthermore, the likelihood of an ADHD diagnosis was more than three times greater in children whose mothers carried acetaminophen biomarkers in their plasma.



Interestingly, the researchers identified a gender difference in these findings. They determined that a daughter's risk of developing ADHD was more than six times greater if the mother had taken acetaminophen during pregnancy. The correlation was less pronounced and insignificant among sons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



While this study does provide some insight, Baker warned against jumping to conclusions. Previous studies have provided inconsistent results.



For example, a Swedish study identified no correlation between mothers who took acetaminophen and the occurrence of ADHD in children, while a counter study in Norway did identify a correlation.



A key factor here is the data gathering process. The Swedish study was based on self-reported data, which showed that only 7% of pregnant women reported taking acetaminophen.



Baker noted that this factor may have resulted in underestimation of exposure. He emphasized the need for more detailed research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acetaminophen-use-during-pregnancy">Acetaminophen use during pregnancy</h2>



What should a concerned expectant mother do? The best approach is open communication with a healthcare provider. Pregnant women should consult their doctor to determine a safe and appropriate dosage of any type of medication.



Furthermore, other classes of drugs, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-drug-may-stop-migraines-in-their-tracks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">triptans</a>, are known to be effective and safe to treat the pain and migraines of expectant mothers during pregnancy.



While acetaminophen remains a crucial pain reliever, it is important to use it with caution and consider individual tolerance levels. As the medical community awaits further confirmation from global studies, regulatory authorities should update their guidelines accordingly.



"Medical societies and the FDA should update guidance on the use of acetaminophen as safety data emerges," said Dr. Sathyanarayana.



The discussion around acetaminophen use during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-may-speed-up-aging-in-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pregnancy</a> continues to evolve. Now more than ever, it's essential for expectant mothers to have open conversations with their doctors to make well-informed decisions for their baby's health.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-025-00387-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Mental Health</a>.



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Acetaminophen use during pregnancy linked to ADHD risk

Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever that is also known...

In the heart of Los Angeles, trees are absorbing considerably more carbon dioxide than we ever imagined, and effectively balancing a large chunk of fossil fuel emissions during the warmer seasons, when the trees are at their most productive.



This unexpected carbon uptake highlights the crucial role that urban greenery plays in mitigating the effects of pollution. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the impact of vegetation in cities.



Beyond offering shade and aesthetic value, these trees act as silent workhorses in the city’s climate resilience strategy, capturing emissions at a scale that warrants closer examination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-silent-heroes-of-los-angeles">The silent heroes of Los Angeles</h2>



This revelation comes courtesy of a new study, a collaboration between researchers from Public Exchange and the <a href="https://dornsife.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USC Dornsife </a>College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.



The research indicates that LA's trees generate impressive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-greening-affects-carbon-uptake-by-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon uptake</a> rates, absorbing up to 60% of daytime CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel combustion in spring and summer, and about 30% annually.



To monitor the CO2 levels, the researchers launched the Carbon Census array, employing 12 high-resolution sensors across a 15x6-mile section of Los Angeles.



“You can think of emissions like passengers on a train. As the wind moves pollution through the city, some gets picked up and some gets dropped off. These sensors let us see that process in real time,” explained study co-author Will Berelson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-approach-to-measuring-co₂">A new approach to measuring CO₂</h2>



Traditional models estimate CO₂ levels based on fuel sales, traffic data, or the amount of CO₂ detected at a particular sensor. For this new study, the experts took a direct measurement approach.



Running from July 2021 to December 2022, the study provided a more precise and localized estimation of emissions, and offered a clearer picture of urban carbon flux.



To distinguish CO₂ generated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels-kills-5-million-people-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuels</a> from CO₂ emitted by living organisms, the researchers used carbon monoxide (CO) as a tracer. Since CO is co-emitted with CO₂ during fossil fuel combustion and behaves similarly in the atmosphere, it allowed scientists to differentiate human-driven emissions from those generated by natural sources.



While the study focused on a section of Los Angeles, its findings have broader implications. Similar methods could be applied to cities worldwide, and could refine our understanding of urban <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-footprints-of-the-wealthy-are-vastly-underestimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon footprints</a> and inform more effective climate policies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-lesson-from-la-s-trees">A global lesson from LA’s trees</h2>



One startling revelation from the study was that trees absorb most CO₂ during the summer, despite the fact that this is the driest season in Los Angeles.



This is likely due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-irrigation-could-feed-feed-1-4-billion-more-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">irrigation</a>, groundwater access from leaky pipes, and resilient tree species that stay green and active in dry conditions.



Nevertheless, city trees cannot solve the emissions problem alone. Carbon dioxide levels still peak during rush hour, emphasizing that while greenery helps, it can't offset all pollution from cars, buildings, and industry on its own.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-urban-trees-initiative">The Urban Trees Initiative </h2>



This study is a key driver of the USC Urban Trees Initiative - a collaboration between USC, the city of Los Angeles, and community organizations focused on expanding urban greenery in underserved neighborhoods.



The research is critical for our fight against climate change. It provides a blueprint for how we can effectively track and reduce emissions more effectively. “Nature is helping us, but we can't rely on it to do all the work,” said Berelson.



Ultimately, the findings will help Los Angeles and other cities worldwide to meet their ambitious targets of becoming carbon-neutral.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-next-steps-for-urban-greenery">The next steps for urban greenery</h2>



USC has expanded its sensor network in the quest to monitor CO2 levels in more areas of Los Angeles. This will help define baseline values of emissions and identify where vegetation is making the most impact and where more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-york-city-greenery-absorbs-vast-amounts-of-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenery</a> is needed.



Ultimately, reducing fossil fuel consumption is the most crucial step in combating climate change. However, as we work toward that goal, let’s take a moment to appreciate city trees - they are working much harder than you think. 



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.4c11392" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Sciencce &amp; Technology</a>.



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City trees absorb much more carbon than expected

In the heart of Los Angeles, trees are absorbing considerably...

<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.

<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://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[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

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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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