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...

Earth,Inner,Structure.,Elements,Of,This,Image,Furnished,By,Nasa

Hidden beneath layers of rock and molten metal, Earth's inner core has long been viewed as a solid sphere. However, a recent study suggests that the surface of the inner core is undergoing structural alterations and is currently changing shape.



This implies that Earth's center is far more dynamic than previously believed, which could completely transform our understanding of the planet's evolution, its magnetic field, and the way in which it rotates.



These revelations not only deepen our knowledge of Earth’s interior but also raise intriguing questions about the forces at play beneath our feet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-earth-s-interior-the-basics">Understanding Earth's interior - the basics</h2>



Earth’s interior is like a giant layer cake with four main layers: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. 



The crust is the thin, outermost layer where we live, and it’s broken into massive plates that constantly shift. Beneath it, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-volcanic-hotspots-are-all-connected-to-earths-interior-mantle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the mantle</a> extends about 1,800 miles deep and is made of hot, semi-solid rock that slowly moves. 



This movement drives plate tectonics, causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and even the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-sunken-oceans-discovered-between-earth-core-and-mantle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">formation of mountains</a> over millions of years. 



The deeper you go, the hotter it gets, with temperatures in the mantle reaching thousands of degrees.



Beneath the mantle, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/doughnut-shaped-region-discovered-in-earths-liquid-core-impacts-our-magnetic-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the outer core</a> consists of molten iron and nickel, swirling around and creating Earth’s magnetic field. 



This invisible shield protects us from harmful solar radiation and keeps compasses pointing north. At the very center, the inner core is a solid ball of iron and nickel, hotter than the surface of the sun - over 9,000°F. 



Despite the intense heat, the crushing pressure keeps it solid. Scientists can’t drill that deep, so they study seismic waves from earthquakes to understand what’s going on down there, which is how this study was conducted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-earth-s-inner-core">New perspective on Earth's inner core</h2>



The inner core, which is located 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers) below the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-earths-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s surface</a>, was presumed to be a solid sphere.



In the current study, the scientists were primarily interested in understanding the way in which the inner core rotates, and in mapping its decelerating movement. 



They set out to explore why the inner core appeared to rotate at a rate that was slower than Earth's rotation before speeding up again in 2010.



To investigate, the experts analyzed decades of seismic data, which led to their unexpected discovery that the surface of the inner core is changing shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-driven-by-seismic-waves">Driven by seismic waves</h2>



In the analysis of multiple seismic waveforms, a particular set of data stood out as unusual. Further analysis of this data led to the conclusion that the Earth's inner core is not solid but is able to change shape.



The methodology was simple. The scientists leveraged seismic waveform data from various earthquakes that occurred between 1991 and 2024 near the South Sandwich Islands in Antarctica.



Analysis of these waveforms revealed one dataset with unprecedented characteristics, which hinted at physical upheavals inside the inner core.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-transformative-inner-core">The transformative inner core</h2>



The analysis of this extensive data set revealed a dynamic process that was previously unaccounted for in geological models.



The seismic waveform data suggested that the inner core is dynamic and is undergoing continuous and complex temporal reshaping. This challenges the notion of the inner core's long-term stability.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/earth-inner-core_not-solid_shape-shifting_credit-USC_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/earth-inner-core_not-solid_shape-shifting_credit-USC_1s.webp" alt="The Earth's internal layers including the mantle, outer core and inner core. New research shows the inner core undergoes structural transformation likely caused by outer core disturbance. Credit: USC Graphic/Edward Sotelo" class="wp-image-1959640"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Earth's internal layers including the mantle, outer core and inner core. New research shows the inner core undergoes structural transformation likely caused by outer core disturbance. Credit: USC Graphic/Edward Sotelo</figcaption></figure>



The researchers found that the inner core’s shallow boundary may undergo viscous deformation, which gradually and repeatedly alters its shape due to the intense pressures and interactions with the turbulent outer core.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-turbulent-outer-core">The turbulent outer core</h2>



The researchers noted that the physical interactions between the inner and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-outer-core-is-its-largest-carbon-reservoir/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outer core</a> seem to be triggering these structural changes.



The molten outer core, with its turbulence, was never before known to disrupt its inner counterpart within a human timescale.



Now, however, it appears that the outer core is disturbing the inner core by forcing the deformation of its surface layer. This opens up a window to explore the previously hidden dynamics within the Earth's core.



Professor John Vidale, who led the research, believes that the edges of the inner core may have deformed by over 100 meters in some areas.



"In all likelihood, this finding doesn't affect our daily lives one iota, but we really want to understand what's happening in the middle of the Earth," said Professor Vidale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-implications-of-the-research">Further implications of the research </h2>



This revelation has the power to improve our comprehension of Earth’s thermal and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-has-a-dent-and-nasa-is-watching-closely/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic fields</a>. It also sheds new light on the intricate interactions between the inner and outer core.



According to the researchers, it is possible that these changes are linked to alterations in Earth's magnetic field.



"The magnetic field has had jerks at various times in the past few decades, and we'd like to know if that is related to what we're seeing at the inner core boundary," said Professor Vidale.



A clearer understanding of these processes could refine our models of geomagnetic field generation, plate tectonics, and even the planet’s long-term climate stability. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-questions-remain">Many questions remain </h2>



This study not only challenges existing geological models but also serves as a reminder that even the most fundamental aspects of our planet remain open to re-examination. 



In this instance, the inner core - once thought to be a static, solid mass - appears to be in constant motion, changing and shape-shifting over time.



Yet, many questions remain. What governs the pace of these changes? How do they influence the broader geodynamic processes of our planet? Could similar mechanisms be at play in the cores of other celestial bodies? 



As technology advances and seismic data grows more precise, the inner depths of our planet will no longer be a distant enigma but a frontier waiting to be explored fully.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01642-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Earth’s inner core is not solid, it is 'shape-shifting' - time for textbooks to be rewritten

Hidden beneath layers of rock and molten metal, Earth's inner...

An artificial intelligence (AI) tool has been developed to predict the habitat of endangered whales, helping to reduce deadly ship strikes and promote responsible ocean development. The tool was designed by researchers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.



By analyzing vast datasets, the AI model improves existing monitoring techniques, offering a more precise way to track the movements of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.



This species has been listed as endangered under the <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/laws-policies/endangered-species-act" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Endangered Species Act</a> since 1970. Currently, the whales have an estimated population of only 370 individuals, including around 70 reproductively active females, according to the <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/north-atlantic-right-whale" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-whale-movements-with-ai">Mapping whale movements with AI</h2>



The project was led by Ahmed Aziz Ezzat, an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at <a href="https://newbrunswick.rutgers.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutgers</a>’ School of Engineering.&nbsp;



Ezzat collaborated with Josh Kohut, a Rutgers professor of marine sciences, and doctoral student Jiaxiang Ji, who is the study’s first author.



Professor Kohut likened the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-helps-humans-have-20-minute-conversation-with-humpback-whale-named-twain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> model’s function to tracking human movement patterns in a household, where factors like food in the kitchen or a television in the den influence where people gather at specific times.



“With this program, we’re correlating the position of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-whales-use-songs-to-hide-from-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale</a> in the ocean with environmental conditions,” Kohut explained. “This allows us to become much more informed on decision making about where the whales might be.”



“We can predict the time and location that represents a higher probability for whales to be around. This will enable us to implement different mitigation strategies to protect them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-tools-for-the-blue-economy">Valuable tools for the blue economy</h2>



The researchers initially aimed to create high-resolution habitat models to support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/offshore-wind-farms-threaten-electric-sensitive-sharks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">offshore wind farm</a> development. However, their findings have broader implications, prompting them to publicly share additional details as part of their study.



“These tools are valuable and would solidly benefit anyone engaged in the blue economy - including fishing, shipping and developing alternative forms of energy sustainably,” said Ezzat.&nbsp;



“This approach can support a wise and environmentally responsible use of these waters so that we achieve our economic objectives, and at the same time make sure that we cause minimal to no harm to the environmental habitat of these creatures.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-ai-enhances-whale-tracking">How AI enhances whale tracking</h2>



Unlike traditional programs that operate on fixed instructions, the machine-learning model used in this study analyzed massive datasets to detect patterns and refine its predictions over time.



“The outcome of the machine-learning model is basically a prediction of where and when you will have a higher likelihood of encountering a marine mammal,” Ezzat said, describing it as a “probability map.”



The model integrated data from the <a href="https://rucool.marine.rutgers.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership</a>, which has been gathering whale detection and oceanographic data since 1992. The analysis also incorporated satellite data from the <a href="https://www.udel.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Delaware</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leveraging-ocean-data-for-conservation">Leveraging ocean data for conservation</h2>



To build an accurate predictive tool, the researchers used two primary sources of oceanographic data: autonomous underwater gliders and satellite-based measurements.



Underwater gliders, torpedo-shaped robotic vessels, collect real-time information on seawater temperature, salinity, currents, and chlorophyll levels. They also use sonar to assess fish populations and record whale vocalizations, allowing researchers to pinpoint their locations.



Meanwhile, satellite data provides broader environmental context, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-are-substantially-changing-the-seasons-of-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea surface temperature</a>, water color, and oceanic fronts—factors that influence whale distribution.



“We’ve had the data but, until now, we’ve not been able to put the two sets – those detections of where the whales are, and what the environment is like at those places - together,” Kohut said. “This is a demonstration of the power of employing AI methodologies to advance our ability to predict or estimate where these whales are.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-whales-with-ai">Protecting whales with AI</h2>



By harnessing AI to integrate decades of environmental and whale tracking data, the Rutgers team has developed a powerful tool to improve conservation efforts, mitigate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-new-approach-to-protecting-whales-from-ship-strikes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ship collisions</a>, and support sustainable ocean development.&nbsp;



As human activities increasingly intersect with marine ecosystems, this AI-driven approach provides a critical step toward protecting North Atlantic right whales and ensuring responsible management of ocean resources.



The study was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80084-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Scientific Reports</a>.



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AI predicts whale movements to reduce deadly ship strikes

An artificial intelligence (AI) tool has been developed to predict...

Wildfires have long been a part of North America’s forests, shaping ecosystems and maintaining ecological balance. Yet, recent research suggests that today’s forests burn far less than they did in previous centuries. 



At first glance, this might seem like a positive change, but scientists warn that fewer wildfires could lead to more severe and destructive fires in the future.



A study published in Nature Communications reveals that modern forests are experiencing a significant “fire deficit.” 



This gap allows flammable materials such as dead wood and dry vegetation to accumulate, setting the stage for larger, more intense wildfires.



The study’s findings challenge the common belief that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-fire-risk-has-grown-exponentially-in-a-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> are increasing in frequency. Instead, they highlight how fire suppression has created dangerous conditions for both forests and communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-deficits-in-north-america">Fire deficits in North America</h2>



The study was led by researchers from the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (<a href="https://cires.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIRES</a>) at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a> and the U.S. Forest Service’s <a href="https://research.fs.usda.gov/rmrs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rocky Mountain Research Station</a>.



The experts compared wildfire activity between two distinct periods: 1984-2022 and 1600-1880. They also analyzed 1,850 tree-ring records from historically burned areas and compared them with modern fire maps from Canada and the United States.



The results show a sharp decline in wildfire frequency over the past century. Despite recent record-breaking fire seasons, modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-have-identified-the-key-driver-of-severe-wildfires-in-canada/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> burn significantly less land than they did before 1880. 



The researchers found that North American forests currently experience only about 20 percent of the fire activity they once did.



Historically, fire regularly cleared away underbrush, limiting the buildup of dry vegetation. The absence of these smaller fires has created an environment where large, uncontrollable wildfires are more likely to occur.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-maintains-healthy-forests">Fire maintains healthy forests</h2>



Fire has long played a crucial role in forest ecosystems. Frequent low-intensity <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-season-of-2023-redefined-what-is-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fires</a>, such as those common before 1880, helped maintain a balance by preventing excessive fuel accumulation. 



These fires cleared away smaller vegetation while leaving most mature trees unharmed.



“It’s a harbinger for far more bad fires to come unless we can get more beneficial management fires on the landscape,” said Chris Guiterman, a CIRES research scientist and member of NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (<a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NCEI</a>) paleoclimate team.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="Jessie Thoreson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/forest-fires_north-america_timeline-comparison_credit-Jessie-Thoreson_1s.webp" alt="Conceptual figure illustrates the impacts of fire exclusion and suppression on area burned and fire severity in historically frequent-fire North American forests and woodlands represented by the majority of the fire scar sites used in our analysis. Credit: Jessie Thoreson" class="wp-image-1959635"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Conceptual figure illustrates the impacts of fire exclusion and suppression on area burned and fire severity in historically frequent-fire North American forests and woodlands represented by the majority of the fire scar sites used in our analysis. Credit: Jessie Thoreson</figcaption></figure>



Before European colonization, Indigenous peoples practiced controlled burns to manage landscapes and reduce fire hazards. These intentional fires were essential for preventing the unchecked growth of flammable materials. 



In addition, naturally occurring wildfires - often sparked by lightning - further contributed to this process. This fire-adapted system helped maintain biodiversity and kept wildfires from reaching catastrophic levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-suppression-changed-forest-landscapes">Fire suppression changed forest landscapes</h2>



Over the past century, humans have significantly altered the natural fire cycle. 



Widespread fire suppression policies, aimed at protecting human settlements and commercial timber, have prevented natural and controlled burns. 



Livestock grazing has also contributed by reducing grassy fuels that once carried low-intensity <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-activity-surged-during-ice-age-climate-shifts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fires</a>.



As a result, many forests now contain a dense accumulation of fuel. Instead of experiencing frequent, smaller fires that rejuvenate ecosystems, forests are now at risk of massive wildfires that destroy everything in their path. 



The shift from regular, low-intensity burns to infrequent, high-intensity wildfires marks a dangerous transformation in fire behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-risk-of-severe-wildfires">Growing risk of severe wildfires</h2>



Even though wildfires burned larger portions of the landscape in the 18th and 19th centuries, those fires were often less destructive. 



Many trees recorded the presence of fire in their growth rings but survived to continue growing. In contrast, modern wildfires are so intense that they leave forests barren, littered with dead trees.



The study suggests that these severe fires are a direct consequence of human-driven changes in fire management. Without regular burning, forests have become overcrowded with vegetation, creating a dangerous stockpile of flammable material. 



Once ignited, these dense forests burn at extreme temperatures, making them more destructive to both ecosystems and human communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfires-and-climate-change">Wildfires and climate change</h2>



Recent research indicates that modern wildfires are not only more severe but also increasingly linked to climate change. Warmer temperatures, prolonged droughts, and shifting weather patterns create conditions that make forests more susceptible to large fires. 



However, the study also suggests that historical fires coincided with drought periods but remained less destructive due to the presence of frequent, smaller burns.



This finding challenges the assumption that climate change alone is responsible for today’s extreme wildfires. While rising temperatures do contribute to wildfire risk, the absence of fire as a natural process plays an equally significant role. 



The current approach to fire management, which prioritizes suppression over controlled burns, has made forests more vulnerable to large-scale devastation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-a-fire-adapted-future">Preparing for a fire-adapted future</h2>



Wildfires will always be a part of North American ecosystems. Instead of trying to eliminate fire altogether, scientists and land managers emphasize the importance of adopting strategies that reduce the likelihood of severe fires.



One of the most effective approaches is the use of mechanical fuel treatments and prescribed burns. These methods involve deliberately setting controlled fires or removing excess vegetation to reduce fire hazards. 



Research shows that such techniques align with Indigenous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fire management</a> practices, which successfully maintained healthy forests for centuries.



“It’s heartbreaking to witness how recent wildfires are devastating people, communities, and forests,” said Sean Parks, research scientist with the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station and lead author of the study.



“Wildfires are inevitable, so preparing our forests for these events through fuel reduction treatments and prescribed fire will reduce their impacts to communities and forests.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restoring-fires-for-forest-health">Restoring fires for forest health</h2>



The study highlights the urgent need to rethink fire management policies. Returning to a more balanced approach - one that includes controlled burns and recognizes fire as a necessary ecological process - may help reduce the severity of future wildfires.



As researchers continue to analyze historical fire patterns, one thing remains clear: fire is not the enemy of forests. In fact, its absence may be causing more harm than good. 



By learning from the past and restoring traditional fire practices, we may be able to create a future where wildfires are less destructive and forests remain resilient.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56333-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Fewer forest fires happen today than in the past, ironically causes bigger issues

Wildfires have long been a part of North America’s forests,...

It was first spotted in 1911 by the Australian geologist Griffith Taylor and has captivated explorers ever since. This crimson feature, known as Blood Falls, emerges from the pristine white surface of Taylor Glacier in East Antarctica and splashes onto the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-free-zones-found-in-antarctica-were-recently-mapped-for-the-first-time-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">icy terrain</a> below.



This strange spectacle has generated curiosity for over a century. 



According to <a href="https://lanlexperts.elsevierpure.com/en/persons/chris-g-carr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chris Carr</a>, a glaciologist at Los Alamos National Laboratory (<a href="https://www.lanl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LANL</a>) and lead author of a recent <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021JF006325" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>, experts are still working to uncover the exact trigger behind the waterfall’s unpredictable flow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-stays-liquid-at-blood-falls">Water stays liquid at Blood Falls</h2>



Blood Falls does not flow year-round, but it stands out because the water beneath the glacier remains liquid, despite the intense cold of the surroundings.



<a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-glaciology/article/an-englacial-hydrologic-system-of-brine-within-a-cold-glacier-blood-falls-mcmurdo-dry-valleys-antarctica/B5C197906AD54619AEA26068AD92989A" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Researchers</a> have traced this salty water to a hidden reservoir below <a href="https://www.swisseduc.ch/glaciers/antarctic/dry_valleys/taylor_glacier/index-en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taylor Glacier</a> that retains heat more effectively than ordinary freshwater. 



The high salinity also lowers its freezing point, which means that the water remains fluid in the harsh <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-melting-ice-shelves-threaten-global-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic</a> temperatures.



Some investigators have suggested that the reservoir may be an ancient body of marine water, possibly trapped millions of years ago. 



The water then seeps out through cracks and channels inside the glacier, and bursts onto the surface at irregular intervals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-otherworldly-color">An otherworldly color</h2>



It looks frightening, yet the color is not from blood. The hue is the result of <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-oxidation-in-chemistry-605456" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxidation</a>, a chemical process that happens when the iron-rich brine meets oxygen in the open air. 



With each splash, more iron reacts and coats the ice with a rusty stain.



Researchers once attributed the crimson color to red algae, but that theory was eventually dismissed. 



Careful chemical analyses subsequently identified <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/astronomy-and-space-sciences/articles/10.3389/fspas.2022.843174/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iron compounds</a> that darken the flow of water, making it a deep, ruddy color.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-puzzle-of-seasonal-flow">A puzzle of seasonal flow</h2>



Winter is a hostile time in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-patterns-point-to-rapid-melting-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctica</a>, with temperatures that plummet far below freezing point.



Scientists were stunned to see that the water in Blood Falls continued gushing in these icy conditions. 



There was hope that capturing the waterfall on camera would reveal some type of seismic activity linked to cracks in the ice. The sensors did record tiny shifts, yet none seemed to cause the brine flow.



That left experts scratching their heads. <a href="https://ceoas.oregonstate.edu/directory/erin-pettit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Erin Pettit</a>, a glaciologist at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> and co-author of several Blood Falls investigations, <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021JF006325" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">commented</a> on this anomaly.&nbsp;



“We were just throwing out the most bizarre ideas because none of it made sense and we didn’t have very much data to draw from,” said Pettit. 



The presence of wintertime flow has led researchers to guess that changes deep under the glacier might be involved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teeming-with-hidden-life">Teeming with hidden life</h2>



The brine at Blood Falls is by no means lifeless. Scientists have learned that it contains microorganisms adapted to an environment where sunlight is scarce and nutrients are locked beneath layers of ice.



<a href="https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/earlymars2004/pdf/8023.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> show that some microbes can feed on the iron and sulfur compounds, and glean energy from these chemical reactions instead of from sunlight.



Some experts see parallels between these microbes and the types of life that might exist on other icy worlds. 



The protective blanket of ice, combined with salty subglacial waters, offers a hint of how life could persist in hidden pockets far from the Sun’s reach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-falls-glaciers-and-other-planets">Blood Falls, glaciers and other planets</h2>



The existence of brine in such a frigid place challenges older views about the limitations of cold glaciers. 



“Researchers had assumed that any water would freeze solid, yet Taylor Glacier is known as the coldest glacier to have a steady flow of liquid water,” said Pettit in a <a href="https://www.uaf.edu/news/archives/news-archives-2010-2021/researchers-solve-the-100-year-old-mystery-of-blood-falls.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release</a>.



Those observations carry weight for our broader understanding of subglacial hydrology. 



Data gathered at Blood Falls can guide future exploration of other cold glaciers on Earth and spark new ideas about possible habitats beneath the ice caps on Mars or Jupiter’s moon, Europa.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-falls-remains-a-puzzle">Blood falls remains a puzzle</h2>



The exact cause of each outflow remains uncertain. Some propose that internal pressure builds in the subglacial reservoir until the water finds a weak point to burst through. 



Others question if slight shifts in the glacier’s movement open narrow pathways that allow the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2018JG004411" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brine</a> to escape.



Either way, each sudden pulse of red fluid reminds us that certain glacial processes occur on unpredictable schedules.



New technologies such as specialized radar and melting probes are helping scientists view these hidden systems more precisely. 



Each time the crimson water appears, additional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emergency-meeting-reveals-the-alarming-extent-of-antarcticas-ice-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observations</a> could provide clues about what sparks each discharge.



For now, Blood Falls stands as a striking reminder of Earth’s many surprises.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-blood-falls-research-is-important">Why Blood Falls research is important</h2>



Antarctica’s secrets extend well beyond the bright red flow in Taylor Valley. Studying Blood Falls takes grit, funding, and strict protocols for working in polar conditions. 



Field camps must be set up, gear transported, and delicate instruments installed, all without contaminating the pristine environment or endangering the research team.



This waterfall may look like a small trickle in a gigantic frozen desert, but it represents a bigger story of geological persistence. 



The briny discharge hints at a vast hidden <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-past-present-and-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> network and the remarkable endurance of life where few would expect it.



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Image credit: National Science Foundation (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NSF</a>)/Peter Rejcek



The study is published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021JF006325" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface</a>.



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"Blood Falls" is a dark red waterfall in Antarctica that remains a scientific mystery

It was first spotted in 1911 by the Australian geologist...

Imagine your child being able to enjoy the simple pleasure of a peanut butter sandwich without worrying about a potential allergic reaction. For parents of children with peanut allergies, this may no longer be a distant dream, but an attainable reality.



Researchers have found a promising new treatment strategy and the secret ingredient is regular, store-bought <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/midnight-snack-the-best-foods-for-a-good-nights-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">peanut butter</a>.



The study revealed that, after ingesting peanut butter at incremental doses over an 18-month period, all children with a moderate level of peanut allergy were able to consume three tablespoons of peanut butter without an allergic reaction.



This presents a potential solution for many children with mild to moderate peanut allergies who have a higher tolerance threshold, which equates to tolerating at least half a peanut.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-breakthrough-for-peanut-allergies">A breakthrough for peanut allergies</h2>



"Children with high-threshold peanut allergy couldn't participate in previous food allergy treatment trials, leaving them without opportunities to explore treatment options," noted <a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIAID</a> Director Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo.



"Today’s report focuses on this population and shows that a very safe and accessible form of therapy could be liberating for many of these children and their families."



While existing FDA-approved food allergy treatments are primarily designed for children with low-threshold peanut allergy, the recent study offers a glimpse of hope for an estimated 800,000 U.S. children who have high-threshold peanut allergy.



Before now, their only management strategy has been peanut avoidance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The researchers aimed to identify whether a simple, low-cost treatment could help children with high-threshold peanut allergies tolerate an even greater amount of peanut protein.



The mid-stage trial was conducted with a diverse group of 73 children, aged between 4 and 14 years. 



The children were randomly assigned to either implement the new treatment strategy or persist with their peanut avoidance regimen.



Those following the new protocol started with a daily dose of 1/8 teaspoon of peanut butter, which was gradually increased every eight weeks to a maximum of one tablespoon. 



This increase was carefully monitored by medical professionals with minimal reported cases of severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-500000-americans-are-now-allergic-to-red-meat-because-they-were-bitten-by-a-tick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">allergic</a> reactions during the treatment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exceptional-success-rate">Exceptional success rate</h2>



After successful completion of the treatment plan, the children participated in an oral food challenge to evaluate how much peanut butter they could consume without an allergic reaction. 



All of the children who completed this challenge successfully tolerated up to 9 grams of peanut protein, which is equivalent to 3 tablespoons of peanut butter.



This was in stark contrast to the avoidance group, where only a fraction of the children could tolerate this amount.



The trial notably took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, with certain essential logistical restrictions.



Nevertheless, using statistical techniques to account for missing results, the study showed an exceptional success rate among the children in the trial who were exposed to increasing amounts of peanut butter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peanut-tolerance-a-lasting-effect">Peanut tolerance: A lasting effect?</h2>



After the initial treatment, the children continued to ingest 2 tablespoons of peanut butter weekly for 16 weeks, then avoided <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peanuts-have-a-beneficial-impact-on-vascular-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">peanuts</a> entirely for eight weeks.



The children returned to the study site for a final oral food challenge after this period. The sustained success rates were impressive, with over 86% of the treated children continuing to tolerate peanut protein.



Follow-up trials are needed to determine whether the therapy has a long-lasting effect on peanut tolerance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-food-allergy-treatments">Expanding food allergy treatments</h2>



The researchers are now exploring whether similar strategies could be applied to other common allergens, such as tree nuts, eggs, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beef-and-dairy-contain-a-powerful-cancer-fighting-nutrient/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dairy</a>.



If effective, this approach could revolutionize allergy management, reducing the burden of strict food avoidance and offering a more inclusive diet for millions of individuals.



Additionally, experts highlight the importance of accessibility. Unlike existing FDA-approved treatments that rely on pharmaceutical interventions, this method of desensitization uses an affordable, widely available food product. This makes it a practical and scalable solution for families worldwide.



Looking ahead, the experts aim to conduct larger, long-term studies to confirm the durability of peanut tolerance and assess whether sustained exposure is necessary for lifelong immunity.



Ultimately, the research could reshape food allergy treatment and offer renewed hope to families navigating the challenges of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indoor-pets-reduce-the-risk-of-food-allergies-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food allergies</a>.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/EVIDoa2400306" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NEJM Evidence</a>.



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New therapy may help reduce peanut allergies in children

Imagine your child being able to enjoy the simple pleasure...

Observers watching baboons in Namibia were impressed when they saw how the baboons responded to glowing spots shone onto their arms and legs. They poked and scratched at these bright areas with evident curiosity, hinting at a level of awareness about what appeared on their own bodies. 



However, the mood changed when those same spots were placed on baboon body parts that were only visible in a mirror.



Although they sometimes stared at their own reflection, the baboons showed no indication that they knew the marks in the mirror were on themselves.



Dr. Alecia Carter, affiliated with University College London (<a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/anthropology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCL Anthropology</a>), led a field study tracking these baboons over several months. Her team documented how baboons interacted with laser marks and mirrors while in a wide-open habitat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-self-recognition-in-animals">Self-recognition in animals</h2>



The mirror test has long been used to examine whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-animal-will-replace-humans-as-earths-dominant-species-this-scientist-has-an-idea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> recognize a reflected image as their own. 



Psychologist Gordon Gallup was among the first to observe that some great apes touched paint marks on their heads when placed in front of mirrors.



Subsequent efforts revealed that <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC33317" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dolphins</a> and a few <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0608062103" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elephants</a> also showed behavior suggesting they noticed marks on their bodies through reflection. 



These findings inspired further research into how different animals handle the challenge of seeing themselves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-baboons-were-chosen">Why baboons were chosen </h2>



Scientists wanted to see if wild baboons that had never been in captivity, would respond differently than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-monitoring-will-help-protect-endangered-spider-monkeys/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> in controlled environments.



Many earlier studies used limited samples, often involving apes or monkeys that were kept in enclosures where mirrors might not be entirely new.



Chacma baboons flourish in Namibia’s drier areas and do not often encounter reflective surfaces. This made them good candidates for determining whether they would link the moving shapes in a mirror to their own bodies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-baboons-with-mirrors-and-laser-spots">Baboons with mirrors and laser spots</h2>



Researchers introduced small safety mirrors near spots where baboons congregate. They then used laser pointers to place harmless green or red marks on the baboons’ fur, targeting areas that were visible without a mirror and other places that were only visible when looking at a reflection.



Baboons frequently touched or scratched at marks they could see right away. Yet the animals showed no equivalent reaction to marks that were only apparent in a mirror.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-results-of-the-baboon-mirror-test">Results of the baboon mirror test</h2>



“The Chacma baboons we observed in Tsaobis Nature Park certainly enjoyed using the mirrors as a new toy, but throughout our study they didn’t quite understand that the mirror’s reflection represented their own bodies,” said Dr. Carter.



She and her collaborators believe it confirms a pattern seen in many monkey species that do not show full self-recognition in mirrors.



“Monkeys don’t spontaneously recognize themselves in a mirror,” noted corresponding author Esa A. Ahmad, who helped analyze the data. 



The experts explained that this latest work adds to a broader discussion about which mental abilities are needed to pass mirror tests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-other-species">What about other species?</h2>



Some great apes, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-apes-will-suffer-through-frequent-and-extreme-climate-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chimpanzees</a>, bonobos, and orangutans, have been documented to pass mirror mark tests. 



Researchers also mention bottlenose dolphins, Asian elephants, and certain birds, like <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2517622/">magpies</a>, that appear to notice a mark when seeing it in a reflection.



Domestic cats, dogs, and most monkeys typically fail to show convincing self-recognition. Scientists point out that these animals may rely more on other senses, so a mirror might not be the best measure of how they perceive themselves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-future-directions">Possible future directions</h2>



Some experts suggest that alternative experiments might capture different kinds of self-awareness in species that depend less on vision. 



Scent-based or social-behavior tasks could reveal that some animals are aware of their identity but do not prove it through mirror-based tests.



Meanwhile, wild baboon research highlights the role of age and temperament. Younger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whale-travels-farther-than-any-mammal-ever-recorded/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> showed more interest in new objects or stimuli, while older ones often lost curiosity fast, which might influence how they respond to novel visual scenarios.



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



Understanding how self-awareness varies across species can shift how people view intelligence and cognition in non-human animals. 



These mirror-based observations open deeper questions about whether awareness looks the same in every creature, given that some use their visual sense more than others.



Many anthropologists see such findings as a window into evolutionary processes that shape thinking and perception. 



Insights from field studies add a fresh dimension, since animals roam and behave naturally, away from the artificial conditions of captivity.



The mirror test has drawn <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/04/fish-mirrors-animal-cognition-self-awareness-science/673718/">criticism</a> for its emphasis on the sense of sight. Yet, it remains a straightforward way to check if an animal perceives the reflection as an extension of itself.



The baboons gave scientists plenty to think about by investigating visible marks but ignoring those that only appeared in the mirror. Researchers plan to refine methods further and explore alternative signals of self-awareness out in the wild.



The study was published in the <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1933" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</a>.



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Baboons don't pass the 'self-aware' mirror test, yet many other land and sea animals do

Observers watching baboons in Namibia were impressed when they saw...

Music has a profound effect on human emotions. Some people experience deep joy from listening to a favorite song, while others remain indifferent. However, one response seems universal - the instinct to move to a beat. 



A new study led by Concordia University researchers reveals that the urge to move to music exists independently of musical enjoyment.



This discovery challenges the assumption that pleasure and movement are always connected in musical experiences. The research focused on individuals with musical anhedonia, a condition where people do not feel joy from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-has-the-power-to-change-the-mood-of-our-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a>. 



Despite their lack of musical pleasure, they still exhibited a natural tendency to move to rhythm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-movement-without-musical-enjoyment">Movement without musical enjoyment</h2>



The study, led by PhD student Isaac Romkey, examined how people with musical anhedonia respond to rhythmic patterns. The researchers tested their reactions to over 50 short musical pieces, comparing them with individuals who enjoy music.



Participants with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/live-music-connects-people-emotionally-and-physically/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">musical</a> anhedonia were carefully selected. They had to experience pleasure from other activities like food or physical intimacy. This ensured that their lack of response to music was not part of a broader emotional or neurological issue. 



Additionally, they had to show normal pitch and rhythm perception and could not have depression, which might affect their emotional responses.



After listening to each piece, participants rated both their level of enjoyment and how much they wanted to move. The researchers expected those with anhedonia to report less pleasure but still feel the natural urge to move to groovy music.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-findings-in-groove-response">Unexpected findings in groove response</h2>



Romkey and his team had a clear expectation based on previous research. 



“Normally, we would expect to see an inverted U-shaped response to rhythmic complexity, meaning that we want to move to music that is of medium complex rhythms as opposed to music that is very simple or very complex,” said Romkey. 



However, the results did not align with this prediction. People with musical anhedonia did not show lower groove responses than the control group. 



Instead, their results suggested that movement itself could generate pleasure, even when the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-music-affects-a-babys-heartbeat-before-birth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a> was not inherently enjoyable to them.



For individuals with musical anhedonia, the instinct to move seemed to override their usual lack of enjoyment. This finding suggests that rhythm and movement play a more fundamental role in musical experiences than previously believed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-brain-responds-to-rhythm">How the brain responds to rhythm</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/song-melodies-have-become-much-simpler-since-1950/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Music</a> affects multiple areas of the brain. Romkey and his colleagues believe that the urge to move is linked to the dorsal striatum, a brain region involved in motor control. 



Pleasure, on the other hand, is primarily associated with the ventral striatum, which is responsible for reward, motivation, and goal-directed behavior.



This distinction may explain why people with musical anhedonia still feel compelled to move to music. Even if their ventral striatum does not respond strongly to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-music-help-plants-grow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a>, their dorsal striatum remains active, triggering movement and possibly generating pleasure through physical engagement.



Romkey and his team are now working to explore this connection further. 



“For future studies, we are going to look at differences in functional and structural connectivity in the brain between anhedonics and controls in the dorsal and ventral striatum using imaging techniques including MRI and magnetoencephalography,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-are-less-likely-to-move-to-music">Some are less likely to move to music</h2>



The reasons behind musical anhedonia remain largely unknown, but evidence suggests a genetic component. Some people may be born with differences in how their brain processes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/live-music-evokes-stronger-emotions-than-streamed-music/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">musical pleasure</a>. 



The fact that these individuals still respond to rhythm with movement suggests that the ability to groove is deeply ingrained in human biology.



This research could lead to a better understanding of why music is such a universal aspect of human culture. Even for those who do not experience musical pleasure in the typical sense, rhythm remains a powerful force that influences physical behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-research-on-musical-response">Expanding research on musical response</h2>



Romkey’s study opens the door for further research on how movement and music interact. His team, which includes researchers from <a href="https://www.concordia.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Concordia University</a> and <a href="https://international.au.dk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a>, plans to expand their work using advanced brain imaging methods.



By studying the brain’s response to rhythm and movement, they hope to uncover more about how music affects people on a neurological level. The findings could have implications beyond music, potentially influencing research on movement disorders, therapy, and human social interactions.



This study highlights the complexity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-reveals-which-brain-areas-are-affected-by-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">musical experience</a>. Even those who do not feel pleasure from music still engage with it physically - revealing how deeply rhythm is embedded in the human mind and body.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0312030" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a>.



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Why your body moves to music even if you don’t enjoy it

Music has a profound effect on human emotions. Some people...

Minecraft is more than just a globally popular video game. With over 141 million active players, it has become a virtual space where children explore, create, and interact. 



Beyond its entertainment value, researchers at the University of South Australia have found that Minecraft plays a significant role in shaping children's development, social interactions, and cognitive learning.



The study highlights how collaborative play within the game encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.



As children engage with others in real-time, they develop key skills that extend beyond the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/video-games-could-accelerate-discoveries-in-cancer-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">game</a>. Minecraft is no longer just a pastime; it is a digital environment where young minds grow and evolve.



As more schools integrate Minecraft Education Edition into their curricula, parents and educators need to understand how children interact within these spaces. The game presents opportunities for learning, but also includes challenges that require guidance and supervision.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minecraft-in-social-and-cognitive-development">Minecraft in social and cognitive development</h2>



Dr. Vincenza (Enza) Tudini, a researcher at <a href="https://www.unisa.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UniSA</a>, believes Minecraft provides a valuable platform for creativity, learning, and social development.



“From what we see of children’s interactions on Minecraft, it’s far more than just a digital pastime; it’s a virtual playground where children can develop problem-solving skills, collaboration, and language abilities,” said Dr. Tudini.



The game promotes pro-social behavior, with players often greeting each other and providing positive feedback during play. Unlike many video <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/video-games-can-rewind-the-clock-on-cognitive-performance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">games</a> that focus on scoring points or defeating opponents, Minecraft allows for open-ended exploration. 



This freedom encourages creativity and helps children build social connections as they navigate challenges together.



Additionally, Minecraft contributes to language development and digital literacy. Whether they are playing, watching tutorials, or discussing strategies with peers, children absorb new vocabulary and communication skills. 



These interactions help them develop confidence in expressing ideas while improving their ability to collaborate effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-developing-teamwork-skills">Developing teamwork skills</h2>



One of Minecraft’s strongest features is its ability to develop problem-solving and teamwork skills. The game presents obstacles that players must overcome using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/video-gaming-can-boost-well-being-and-life-satisfaction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creativity</a> and strategic thinking. 



Children often work together to complete tasks, whether constructing buildings, surviving in dangerous environments, or creating intricate in-game mechanisms.



“We also see many instances where knowledgeable players are actively guiding less experienced players through challenges. Such scaffolded-learning supports creative thinking, motivation and growth, and because it’s peer-delivered, it builds team-skills and confidence,” explained Dr. Tudini.



This peer-supported learning model allows experienced players to mentor newer ones, reinforcing their own understanding while helping others grow. As children navigate these challenges together, they learn valuable lessons about cooperation, patience, and leadership.



Unlike traditional competitive games that focus on individual success, Minecraft fosters collective achievement. Players often set goals that require teamwork, such as constructing large buildings or solving complex puzzles.



These activities mirror real-world problem-solving scenarios, making Minecraft an effective tool for developing critical thinking and collaboration skills.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-benefits-with-online-risks">Balancing benefits with online risks</h2>



Despite the numerous educational benefits Minecraft offers, the game is not without risks. Open online environments can expose children to potential dangers, including cyberbullying and interactions with strangers.



“All online spaces have safety risks. While Minecraft promotes positive social interactions, public servers can expose children to online risks such as bullying or interactions with unknown players,” warned Dr. Tudini.



Parents and educators must take proactive measures to ensure children’s safety while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/video-gaming-positively-impacts-mental-well-being-reversal-previous-studies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">playing</a>. Choosing private servers, setting clear boundaries for online interactions, and monitoring gaming content can help create a safer experience. 



Children should be encouraged to play with known friends and understand the importance of responsible online behavior.



By integrating safe gaming practices into daily routines, parents can create a balanced approach that allows children to enjoy Minecraft while staying protected from potential threats. Educators also play a key role in guiding students on how to interact safely and respectfully within digital spaces.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-parents-can-support-safe-gaming">How parents can support safe gaming</h2>



To maximize Minecraft’s positive impact, parents should encourage collaborative play with siblings or friends. Playing in a familiar group enhances social skills and teamwork while minimizing the risks associated with public multiplayer modes.



Choosing family-friendly or private servers provides a controlled environment where children can enjoy the game without exposure to inappropriate content or unknown players. Parents should also take an active interest in their child's Minecraft activities by watching gameplay, asking questions, and discussing their experiences.



Monitoring online content is another essential step. Many children watch Minecraft-related videos on platforms like YouTube, where content varies widely. Ensuring that they follow appropriate channels helps maintain a positive influence while preventing exposure to harmful material.



Teaching children about online safety is just as important as supervising their gameplay. Setting clear guidelines on sharing personal information and encouraging respectful online communication can help them develop responsible digital habits.



Striking a balance between screen time and offline activities is also crucial. While Minecraft offers valuable learning experiences, children need time away from screens for physical activity, face-to-face social interactions, and other forms of play. Parents should encourage a mix of activities to support overall well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-minecraft-for-education">Using Minecraft for education</h2>



Minecraft Education Edition has gained popularity in classrooms worldwide, providing structured lessons in subjects such as coding, mathematics, and environmental science. Educators have found that the game engages students in unique ways, making learning more interactive and enjoyable.



By incorporating Minecraft into lesson plans, teachers can encourage students to explore concepts through hands-on experience. 



For example, in mathematics, students can build structures to understand geometric principles, while in science, they can simulate ecosystems to study environmental changes. The open-ended nature of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-brain-computer-interface-lets-users-game-with-their-minds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">game</a> makes it adaptable to various learning objectives.



Digital citizenship is another area where Minecraft can be beneficial. Schools can use the game to teach online etiquette, cyber safety, and the importance of respectful interactions. When students learn these principles in a familiar and engaging environment, they are more likely to apply them in other online settings.



Encouraging collaborative problem-solving within the game also helps students develop teamwork skills. Group projects in Minecraft can require students to plan, communicate, and work together toward a common goal, reinforcing skills that are essential for real-world collaboration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minecraft-as-a-learning-tool">Minecraft as a learning tool </h2>



As digital technology becomes increasingly integrated into education, Minecraft serves as a model for how video games can be harnessed for learning and development. Its ability to promote problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork makes it a valuable tool for both home and classroom use.



While the game offers many benefits, responsible use is essential. With proper guidance from parents and educators, children can navigate Minecraft’s digital world safely and gain skills that will benefit them beyond the game. 



The key lies in creating a balanced and structured approach that allows children to enjoy Minecraft while learning valuable life lessons along the way.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/childrens-online-language-and-interaction/6D798F3ADE6E989565A887F3AC913B44" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Children’s Online Learning and Interaction</a>.



Image Credit: Creative Commons



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Minecraft is a digital playground for learning and growth

Minecraft is more than just a globally popular video game....

New research suggests that a playful mindset can be instrumental during difficult times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals who score high on a playfulness scale exhibit stronger resilience compared to less playful counterparts. 



The findings indicate that this resource is essential to maintaining well-being and facing adversity.



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



The research, conducted by researchers at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> (OSU), offers profound insights into how playful people navigate adversity.



The research may ultimately guide the development of strategies and interventions aimed at helping individuals handle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> and uncertainty.



These findings are timely, given the increasing global challenges that demand both a realistic assessment and creative adaptation.



Xiangyou “Sharon” Shen of the OSU Health, Environment, and Leisure Research Lab (HEAL) is the study's lead author.



"Understanding how playful people navigate adversity can inform interventions and strategies to help people cope with stress and uncertainty," said Shen. 



"They shared similar perceptions of risk and protective factors as their less playful peers, but demonstrated greater optimism when envisioning future possibilities, engaged in more creative problem solving, and managed to infuse quality and enjoyment into everyday activities."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pandemic-stress-and-public-health">Pandemic stress and public health</h2>



Chronic stress is a significant public health concern in the United States, linked to a wide range of health problems including heart disease, diabetes, depression, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teachers-experienced-high-anxiety-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a>. 



External factors like the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and social issues can exacerbate stress levels and contribute to mental health diagnoses.



For the analysis, Shen and study co-author Zoe Crawley divided a group of more than 500 U.S. adults into two subgroups based on their levels of playfulness, as measured by the Adult Playfulness Trait Scale.



Shen noted that highly playful individuals actively altered challenging situations, found creative substitutes for what was lost, viewed obstacles as opportunities for growth, and maintained a strong sense of control over their responses.



Perhaps most revealing, she added, was that while the highly playful didn’t necessarily engage in different activities or do them more often than their less playful counterparts, they experienced those activities with higher quality - demonstrating greater immersion, activeness, and positive affect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-playful-people-during-the-pandemic">Playful people during the pandemic </h2>



Shen describes the approach of creating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-helps-us-learn-from-positive-and-negative-experiences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">positive experiences</a> amid adversity as "making lemonade from lemons." 



This is deeply connected with resilience as it combines realistic assessment with flexible problem-solving, which offers a clear demonstration of how personality traits like playfulness shape our responses to stress.



"Highly playful people were just as realistic about COVID-19 risks and challenges as others, but they excelled at ‘lemonading’ - creatively imagining and pursuing the positive, discovering ways to create moments of joy even in difficult circumstances," said Shen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-playful-advantage-in-a-pandemic">Playful advantage in a pandemic</h2>



While it has been widely accepted that playful people "reframe" situations to make them more enjoyable, these findings suggest that it is not about wearing "rose-colored glasses." 



Playful individuals maintain their ability to view <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consciousness-may-stem-from-unseen-dimensions-beyond-our-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reality</a> as it is while finding the silver linings.



Shen emphasized that playfulness doesn't distort reality - it enhances it, offering specific ways in which this trait helps individuals navigate challenging times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-playfulness-can-be-cultivated">Playfulness can be cultivated</h2>



The study also suggests several approaches to cultivate playfulness, including engaging in activities that provoke joy and curiosity, embracing new experiences, creating opportunities for spontaneous exploration, spending time with inspiring, fun-loving people, and appreciating moments of silliness and humor.



"A key to all of this is focusing on the quality of engagement rather than simply doing what might be called play activities. True playfulness doesn’t require a playground, games, or toys. It’s about bringing a spirit of openness, flexibility, and fun to everyday moments," noted Shen.



She also emphasized that setting aside time for play can be beneficial, providing a safe space to express and practice playfulness. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-life-s-biggest-challenges">Navigating life's biggest challenges </h2>



No matter how occupied you might be, dedicating five to ten minutes daily for a small dose of play can make a meaningful difference in your life.



This research represents a significant step toward understanding the role of playfulness in helping individuals navigate challenging situations. 



In the context of our current global challenges - whether economic uncertainty, environmental concerns, or public health crises - the insights are invaluable. 



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1462980/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Psychology</a>.



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Playful people handled pandemic stress better than others

New research suggests that a playful mindset can be instrumental...

Plant lovers have experimented with everything from eggshell powder to coffee grounds to help their greenery thrive. While some of these methods are effective, a homemade, chlorophyll-rich fertilizer known as "green gold" is gaining attention among gardening enthusiasts.



Dr. Cristhian Josue Cedeno from the <a href="https://www.utm.edu.ec/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Manabí</a> has shared new insights on how nutrient-rich preparations can influence plant growth and vitality.



This knowledge aligns with the idea that plants are more than decorations: they are complex organisms that respond well to science-backed care.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chlorophyll-rich-fertilizer">Chlorophyll-rich fertilizer </h2>



Bold, bright leaves are full of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10384064/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chlorophyll</a>, the natural pigment responsible for a plant’s green shade. When leaves appear pale or lifeless, it can signal a nutrient deficiency that basic watering cannot fix. Chlorophyll-rich fertilizers may fill that gap by boosting a plant’s photosynthetic process. One promising organic option is LVEB (bovine manure vermicompost leachate), a liquid derived from composted cattle manure that has been processed by earthworms.&nbsp;



This nutrient-rich solution enhances soil quality, promotes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beneficial-plant-bacteria-likely-to-decline-due-to-climate-change/">beneficial microbes</a>, and provides essential minerals like magnesium, which directly support chlorophyll production. 



Unlike synthetic fertilizers, LVEB improves plant health naturally, making it a sustainable choice for home gardeners and farmers alike.



“The 1:30 dilution of the LVEB stood out above the remaining ones, showing significantly greater increases than chemical fertilization for plant height, stem diameter, leaf quantity, total chlorophyll content, and increasing yield by 1,28 t/ha compared to plants that received chemical fertilizer,” said study co-author Cedeno Solorzano.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-power-of-magnesium">Hidden power of magnesium</h2>



“Magnesium plays a critical role in plant metabolism as it is the central atom in chlorophyll molecules,” explained Shaul O, from <a href="https://www.biu.ac.il/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bar-Ilan University</a>.



Anyone frustrated with sickly plants might consider the importance of <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnesium</a>, which is a crucial mineral in every chlorophyll molecule.&nbsp;



If leaves appear yellow or growth seems sluggish, magnesium deficiency could be an underlying factor. Dark, leafy material used in homemade fertilizer solutions may add a direct supply of this nutrient.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-healthy-soil-with-chlorophyll-fertilizer">Supporting healthy soil with chlorophyll fertilizer </h2>



Adequate <a href="https://bioenergy.asu.edu/why-study-photosynthesis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> is important, but roots and soil also deserve attention. Healthy soil provides the foundation for strong plant growth, influencing nutrient absorption, moisture retention, and resistance to disease.



“Organic amendments supply readily available carbon and nutrients that stimulate soil microbial biomass and activity," stated H. J. McGovern from the <a href="https://scri.webarchive.hutton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scottish Crop Research Institute</a>.



"This microbial stimulation not only accelerates the decomposition of organic matter but also enhances the availability of essential nutrients to plants, ultimately leading to improved plant growth and soil health."



Homemade chlorophyll fertilizer functions like other organic solutions by feeding beneficial microbes. Healthier soil creates a better environment for roots to access water and nutrients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-chlorophyll-fertilizer">Preparing chlorophyll fertilizer</h2>



Gardeners often harvest the greenest leaves from shrubs that hold onto their color year-round. These leaves are placed in a blender with around one quart of water to form a rich, dark mixture.



Straining the blend removes chunky bits, and a brief bain-marie heating for about 5 to 10 minutes helps release the essential pigments. This simple recipe is then used in place of typical watering routines every couple of weeks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maintaining-steady-progress">Maintaining steady progress</h2>



Tracking improvement can be as simple as checking leaves for a vibrant hue. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-with-wilting-flowers-arent-dying-they-are-saving-energy/">Wilted or droopy plants</a> often show renewed structure after consistent application of the chlorophyll-rich brew.



It pays to stay mindful of the soil’s moisture content and drainage status so that excess water does not cause roots to suffocate. The combination of appropriate watering, sunlight, and nutrient balance keeps plants in good shape.



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



“The application of organic amendments improves soil physical properties such as structure, porosity, and water retention," noted the Food and Agriculture Organization (<a href="https://www.fao.org/home/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FAO</a>).



"In turn, these improvements support a more active microbial community that enhances nutrient cycling and overall soil fertility.” 



Sustainability is a crucial point for many who prefer organic methods.&nbsp;



Homemade chlorophyll solutions fit this mindset by reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. The steps rely on easily available plant material, which makes the process affordable and eco-friendly.



Using the green gold approach can be an encouraging way to nurse neglected houseplants back to health. The steps are quick, and the benefits become visible in the form of stronger leaves and sturdier stems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/8232839.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Técnica</a>.



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Gardening hack called 'green gold' works like magic for houseplants

Plant lovers have experimented with everything from eggshell powder to...

New research reveals that subtle shifts in land elevation can considerably increase or decrease the local impacts of sea level rise along coastlines.&nbsp;



Even though these changes usually amount to fractions of an inch per year, they may alter flood risk, wave exposure, and saltwater intrusion for nearby communities.



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



Accurately predicting future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-sea-levels-spiked-dramatically-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level rise</a> involves more than measuring how high the oceans climb. It also requires determining whether coastal lands are subsiding or uplifting.&nbsp;



A <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>-led study focused on California demonstrates how slow vertical movement of the land could have serious implications for areas already dealing with the challenges of a warming planet.



Sea levels along California’s coastline are projected to rise by 6 to 14.5 inches (15 to 37 centimeters) above year 2000 levels by 2050, mainly due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-are-reshaping-landscapes-and-national-borders-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting glaciers</a> and ice sheets, as well as the thermal expansion of warming ocean waters. 



However, the recent study emphasizes that a better grasp of land elevation trends is crucial for refining local sea level forecasts.



“In many parts of the world, like the reclaimed ground beneath San Francisco, the land is moving down faster than the sea itself is going up,” said lead author Marin Govorcin, a remote sensing scientist at <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> in Southern California.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-land-motion-in-detail">Tracking land motion in detail</h2>



The new research also highlights that the pace and scale of vertical land motion vary widely, shaped by both natural processes - such as tectonic activity - and human endeavors like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pumping-too-much-groundwater-affects-earths-spin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">groundwater pumping</a> or wastewater injection.&nbsp;



Previous regional models relying on tide gauges cannot capture all these dynamic changes or produce the detailed local picture that direct satellite observations now enable.



Scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) used satellite radar to study over a thousand miles of California’s coastline.&nbsp;



The experts identified multiple “hotspots,” including urban centers, beaches, and aquifers, where the sinking or rising of land could interact with ongoing sea level rise in significant ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-land-and-rising-sea-levels">Shifting land and rising sea levels</h2>



By analyzing radar measurements from <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a>’s Sentinel-1 satellites and velocity data from ground-based Global Navigation Satellite System stations, the researchers pinpointed areas experiencing subsidence of more than 0.4 inches (10 millimeters) per year.



Regions like San Rafael, Corte Madera, Foster City, and Bay Farm Island in the San Francisco Bay Area are gradually sinking due to sediment compaction, among other factors.&nbsp;



As a result, projected sea levels in these localities could exceed 17 inches (45 centimeters) by 2050 - over twice the general regional estimate of 7.4 inches (19 centimeters) indicated by tide gauge data.



Certain areas, however, are rising. The Santa Barbara groundwater basin has been slowly lifting since 2018 thanks to aquifer replenishment, while Long Beach exhibited uplift driven by fluid extraction and injection linked to oil and gas activities.



In parts of Los Angeles and San Diego Counties, human-driven changes in land motion increase sea level projections by as much as 15 inches (40 centimeters). Groundwater use, hydrocarbon extraction, and other unpredictable land-use practices raise uncertainties that demand vigilant, real-time monitoring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dowmward-drifting-terrain">Dowmward-drifting terrain</h2>



Farther inland, the Central Valley experiences rapid sinking - sometimes up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) annually - because of widespread groundwater withdrawals.&nbsp;



Scientists also recorded cyclical patterns of rising and falling land in Santa Clara, Santa Ana, and Chula Vista, correlated with fluctuations in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-changing-rainfall-patterns-impact-plants-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a> and drought.&nbsp;



In geologically active coastal regions like Big Sur and Palos Verdes, slow-moving landslides are causing portions of terrain to drift downward. Around San Francisco and Monterey bays, subsiding marshes and lagoons highlight erosion’s role in land changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-the-coming-decades">Changes in the coming decades</h2>



Policymakers, the public, and scientists can keep an eye on coastal land motion through the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/go/opera/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OPERA</a> (Observational Products for End-Users from Remote Sensing Analysis) initiative, led by JPL.&nbsp;



This project details surface elevation changes across North America, including subsidence zones, tectonic shifts, and landslide-prone areas.&nbsp;



The data will become even more precise once the next-generation <a href="https://nisar.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NISAR</a> (NASA-Indian Space Research Organization Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission is launched in the coming months.



By incorporating satellite-based measurements of land elevation changes into broader sea level rise models, researchers hope to provide more accurate and actionable forecasts. The goal is to help coastal communities develop more robust strategies for coping with climate change in the decades to come.



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Sinking land will intensify the effects of rising sea levels

New research reveals that subtle shifts in land elevation can...

Who is most vulnerable to online misinformation and why? A new study offers a revealing look at how different demographic and psychological factors - such as age, education, political identity, and analytical thinking - shape individuals’ ability to assess the accuracy of news.&nbsp;



Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development analyzed data from 31 experiments conducted in the United States between 2006 and 2023.



Surprisingly, the findings do not align with many long-held assumptions about who is more likely to be duped by fake news.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-demographics-psychological-factors-and-fake-news">Demographics, psychological factors, and fake news</h2>



The study was led by Mubashir Sultan, a doctoral candidate at the <a href="https://www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Human Development</a>’s Center for Adaptive Rationality.&nbsp;



Sultan and his colleagues performed an individual participant data meta-analysis, often considered the gold standard because it compiles and re-examines raw data from multiple studies rather than simply aggregating previously reported effect sizes.&nbsp;



This approach allowed the team to analyze 256,337 individual decisions made by 11,561 participants, whose ages ranged from 18 to 88 years.&nbsp;



Participants were asked to judge whether headlines covering politics, health, and other topics were true or false. 



The researchers then connected participants’ responses to four demographic factors (age, gender, education, and political identity) and four psychological factors (analytical thinking, partisan bias, motivated reflection, and familiarity with the news).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-common-assumptions-about-education">Common assumptions about education</h2>



Education emerged as one of the most surprising factors. Higher education is often presumed to protect against misinformation - under the assumption that college and advanced degrees teach critical thinking.



However, the meta-analysis found no significant difference in susceptibility between those with higher and lower educational attainment. 



In other words, a four-year degree or postgraduate study did not predict better performance in distinguishing real from fake headlines. This finding runs counter to the conventional wisdom that more education automatically translates into greater immunity to misinformation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misconceptions-about-age-and-fake-news">Misconceptions about age and fake news</h2>



Age also challenged expectations. Previous studies often blame older adults for being more prone to sharing or believing misinformation.&nbsp;



In contrast, the new analysis showed that older adults were actually better than younger adults at discerning true headlines from false ones. They tended to label more headlines as false, indicating a greater degree of skepticism.&nbsp;



However, these findings exist alongside the well-documented observation that older adults do share more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/digital-misinformation-rumors-spread-like-nuclear-reactions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fake content</a> online - suggesting a complex interplay between careful headline scrutiny and actual sharing behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-political-identity-and-partisan-bias">Political identity and partisan bias</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-trust-news-that-matches-their-political-views-even-when-its-fake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Political identity</a> proved to be another influential factor. The meta-analysis confirmed that Republicans, on average, are more likely to accept news headlines as true, resulting in lower overall accuracy when distinguishing real from false stories.&nbsp;



Democrats, for their part, were more skeptical, labeling more headlines as false. Sultan and his colleagues link these findings to partisan bias, in which people are more willing to believe stories that align with their political affiliations and to reject those that conflict with them.



That said, analytical thinking - the ability to logically evaluate information and solve problems systematically - generally predicted better performance in detecting misinformation.&nbsp;



However, a twist emerged in the form of motivated reflection: individuals who scored higher in analytical thinking were actually more susceptible to partisan bias.&nbsp;



In other words, rather than using their critical skills to transcend personal beliefs, these analytical thinkers often deployed their reasoning faculties to defend their existing political identities. 



This paradox highlights the fact that reasoning can sometimes serve entrenched worldviews instead of open-minded evaluation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-familiarity-as-a-powerful-persuader">Familiarity as a powerful persuader</h2>



One of the strongest indicators of misinformation susceptibility turned out to be familiarity with the news. If participants recognized a headline from having seen it before, they were significantly more likely to accept it as true.&nbsp;



This result highlights the perils of repeated exposure, especially on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spending-less-time-on-social-media-improves-your-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> platforms where the same headlines (whether accurate or false) can circulate extensively.&nbsp;



Over time, familiarity can breed acceptance, making misinformation more persuasive simply by virtue of being encountered multiple times.



The findings come at a time of growing concern over how misinformation shapes public opinion and election outcomes.&nbsp;



According to co-author Ralf Kurvers, a senior research scientist at the Max Planck Institute, the study’s relevance is heightened by the rise of right-wing populism and the dire warnings from the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024</a>. This report identifies misinformation as one of the world’s greatest short-term threats.&nbsp;



Kurvers advocates for targeted media literacy efforts, particularly for younger adults, who, despite being “digital natives,” were less able to differentiate between genuine and fake news in the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-challenges-of-misinformation">Addressing the challenges of misinformation </h2>



Moving forward, the researchers recommend that interventions account for how political bias and repeated exposure can reinforce incorrect beliefs. 



They point to the need for fostering respectful conversations across political divides and designing social media tools that reduce the repeated circulation of false content. 



As part of a broader initiative on online environments at the Max Planck Institute, the team aims to develop strategies for addressing these challenges, including methods that help people become more reflective about the information they encounter.



Ultimately, the study underscores the complexity of combating misinformation. Simply improving education levels does not appear to be a magic bullet, nor does encouraging more analytical thought if that thinking is subverted by partisan motives.&nbsp;



Instead, the research suggests that a multi-pronged approach - combining critical reflection, awareness of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quick-decisions-are-often-biased-and-misleading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bias</a>, and caution about familiar-seeming claims - is needed to help individuals navigate the vast sea of online information.



The study is published in the <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2409329121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Who falls for fake news? New study challenges what we thought

Who is most vulnerable to online misinformation and why? A...

<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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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"

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

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