In a remarkable medical breakthrough, engineers have developed a light-activated pacemaker so tiny that doctors can inject it into the body through a syringe. Remarkably, the device simply dissolves after it’s no longer needed.&nbsp;



Designed for newborns, the pacemaker could transform temporary heart care after congenital defect surgeries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controlling-the-heart-with-light">Controlling the heart with light</h2>



The new pacemaker is smaller than a grain of rice. It's wirelessly activated through pulses of light which are delivered by a soft, wearable device mounted on the patient’s chest.



The external controller detects abnormal rhythms and sends light through the body to activate the pacemaker and restore heartbeat. The study demonstrates the device’s effectiveness across animal and human donor hearts.&nbsp;



The development of the pacemaker was led by John A. Rogers, a professor of material science, biomedical engineering, and neurological surgery at <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern University</a>.&nbsp;



“We have developed what is, to our knowledge, the world’s smallest pacemaker,” said Professor Rogers.



“There’s a crucial need for temporary pacemakers in the context of pediatric heart surgeries, and that’s a use case where size miniaturization is incredibly important. In terms of the device load on the body - the smaller, the better.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solution-designed-for-newborns">Solution designed for newborns</h2>



Though the light-activated pacemaker can function in patients of all sizes, its miniaturized design was motivated by the needs of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/infant-speech-is-driven-by-heart-rate-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infants</a>. 



Igor Efimov is a co-leader of the study and experimental cardiologist at Northwestern.&nbsp;



“About 1% of children are born with congenital heart defects. The good news is that these children only need temporary pacing after a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-smallest-robot-could-transform-minimally-invasive-surgery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surgery</a>. In about seven days or so, most patients’ hearts will self-repair. But those seven days are absolutely critical," said Efimov.



Traditional pacemakers require surgery and have wires sticking out of the chest to connect to an external device. When they are no longer needed, the wires are removed - risking bleeding, tissue damage, or even death.



“Wires literally protrude from the body, attached to a pacemaker outside the body,” Efimov explained. “When the pacemaker is no longer needed, a physician pulls it out. The wires can become enveloped in scar tissue. That’s actually how Neil Armstrong died.”



The new injectable pacemaker addresses these risks. All of its components are biocompatible and bioresorbable, meaning they safely dissolve in the body’s fluids without needing surgical removal. Once the device has served its purpose, it simply disappears.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-the-light-activated-pacemaker">Refining the light-activated pacemaker</h2>



This innovation builds on <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-021-00948-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earlier work</a> by Rogers and Efimov, who developed a quarter-sized dissolvable pacemaker in 2021. Surgeons asked for a smaller version to allow easier placement and suit the smallest patients.&nbsp;



The original device used near-field communication (NFC), but its antenna limited how small the device could be made. To overcome this, the team replaced the NFC system with a novel light-based mechanism.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pacemaker_light-activated_worlds-smallest_heart-health_Northwestern_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pacemaker_light-activated_worlds-smallest_heart-health_Northwestern_1s.webp" alt="The tiny pacemaker sits next to a single grain of rice on a fingertip. The device is so small that it can be non-invasively injected into the body via a syringe. Credit: John A. Rogers/Northwestern University" class="wp-image-1964846"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The tiny pacemaker sits next to a single grain of rice on a fingertip. The device is so small that it can be non-invasively injected into the body via a syringe. Click image to enlarge. Credit: John A. Rogers/Northwestern University</figcaption></figure>



“Instead of using the radio frequency scheme for wireless control, we developed a light-based scheme for turning the pacemaker on and delivering stimulation pulses to the surface of the heart. This is one feature that allowed us to dramatically reduce the size,” said Professor Rogers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powered-by-the-body-s-own-fluids">Powered by the body’s own fluids</h2>



The engineers also reimagined how to power the tiny pacemaker. Rather than requiring a battery or external power source, the device uses a simple galvanic cell - a chemical battery formed by two different metals as electrodes.&nbsp;



When the device is inside the body, surrounding biofluids act as the electrolyte, allowing electrical current to flow and stimulate the heart.



“A very tiny light-activated switch on the opposite side from the battery allows us to turn the device from its ‘off’ state to an ‘on’ state upon delivery of light that passes through the patient’s body from the skin-mounted patch,” explained Professor Rogers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-trauma-and-risk">Reducing trauma and risk</h2>



Using infrared light, which can safely penetrate deep into the body, the wearable controller detects when a patient’s heart rate falls too low. It then triggers a light-emitting diode (LED) to flash on and off at the desired pacing rhythm.&nbsp;



“Infrared light penetrates very well through the body,” Efimov said. “If you put a flashlight against your palm, you will see the light glow through the other side of your hand. It turns out that our bodies are great conductors of light.”



Despite its microscopic size - just 1.8 mm wide, 3.5 mm long, and 1 mm thick - the pacemaker delivers stimulation on par with traditional devices. “The heart requires a tiny amount of electrical stimulation,” Rogers said.&nbsp;



“By minimizing the size, we dramatically simplify the implantation procedures, we reduce trauma and risk to the patient, and, with the dissolvable nature of the device, we eliminate any need for secondary surgical extraction procedures.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-era-of-heart-care">A new era of heart care</h2>



Because these light-activated pacemakers are so small and wireless, doctors could one day deploy multiple units on different parts of the heart to create more advanced pacing systems. 



Each device could be controlled independently using different light wavelengths, enabling personalized and precisely timed stimulation across the heart’s surface.



“We can deploy a number of such small pacemakers onto the outside of the heart and control each one,” Efimov said. “Then we can achieve improved synchronized functional care.”



Professor Rogers noted that because it’s so small, the pacemaker can be integrated with almost any kind of implantable device.



“We also demonstrated integration of collections of these devices across the frameworks that serve as transcatheter aortic valve replacements to address complications that can occur during a patient’s recovery process," said Rogers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-bioelectronic-medicine">Future of bioelectronic medicine</h2>



While this breakthrough has clear implications for pediatric heart care, the technology could pave the way for a new generation of bioelectronic medicine.&nbsp;



These tiny, dissolvable devices could one day be adapted to promote nerve and bone regeneration, manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-meditation-is-a-powerful-weapon-against-chronic-pain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pain</a>, support wound healing, and more.



Northwestern engineers shrank the device and removed risks by making it dissolve after use. In doing so, they’ve created a tool that could reshape how doctors care for the heart - from the tiniest patients to adults.



-----



Click here to <a href="https://youtu.be/j_0hZ8cUwgo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watch a video interview...</a>



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08726-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

World's smallest pacemaker is set to revolutionize heart health

In a remarkable medical breakthrough, engineers have developed a light-activated pacemaker so tiny that doctors can inject it into the body through a syringe. Remarkably, the device simply dissolves after it’s no longer needed.&nbsp; Designed for newborns, the pacemaker could transform temporary heart care after congenital defect surgeries. Controlling the heart with light The new pacemaker is smaller than a grain of rice. It's wirelessly activated through pulses of light which are delivered by a soft, wearable device mounted on the patient’s chest. The external controller detects...

Fungi fusion: Turning food waste into culinary delights

Chef-turned-chemist Vayu Hill-Maini has a unique passion: transforming food waste...

New Horizons is offering a fresh perspective on one of the universe's greatest mysteries: the depth and darkness of space, revealing hidden insights into the cosmic light that permeates our universe.



Thanks to the advanced instruments aboard this pioneering spacecraft, astronomers have conducted the most accurate and direct measurements of the total amount of light that the universe produces. 



The findings bring us closer to answering the age-old question about the true nature of cosmic darkness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-horizons-spacecraft">New Horizons spacecraft</h2>



New Horizons, which is at a whopping distance of more than 7.3 billion kilometers from our planet, is situated in an area of the solar system that’s far enough from the Sun to offer the darkest skies available to any existing telescope. 



This provides a particularly unique vantage point to measure the overall brightness of the distant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-brilliant-image-of-the-universe-ever-taken-shows-cosmic-collision-macs0416/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.



"One of the interesting questions we sought to answer was: 'If you hold up your hand in deep space, how much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-may-soon-observe-the-earliest-light-in-our-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light</a> does the universe shine on it?'" said Marc Postman, an astronomer at the <a href="https://www.stsci.edu/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Space Telescope Science Institute</a> in Baltimore and lead author of a&nbsp;new paper&nbsp;detailing the research.



"The results show that the great majority of visible light we receive from the universe was generated in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/james-webb-captures-galaxies-that-are-too-old-to-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a>. Importantly, we also found that there is no evidence for significant levels of light produced by sources not presently known to astronomers."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-total-light-output-of-the-universe">Measuring the total light output of the universe </h2>



Astronomers have been grappling with a cosmic conundrum since the 1960s when it was discovered that space is permeated by strong microwave radiation predicted to be leftover from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe's creation</a>.



Later, evidence was discovered of background light from X-rays, gamma rays, and infrared radiation. However, measuring the total light output of the universe is extremely challenging, especially from Earth or anywhere within the inner solar system.



The efforts to measure the strength of the cosmic optical background (COB), the "ordinary" or visible light, have been fraught with large uncertainties. 



What's intriguing is that the cosmic optical background provides a way to add up all the light generated by galaxies over the lifetime of the universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-imaging-the-universe-with-new-horizons">Imaging the universe with New Horizons</h2>



This is where New Horizons, billions of miles into its journey beyond the planets, comes into play. 



Protected from the Sun by the spacecraft’s main body, the Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) scanned the universe and collected distinct imaging fields that were positioned away from the bright disk and core of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-features-found-in-the-heart-of-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> and nearby bright stars.



Data from the European Space Agency's Planck mission was also used in fields with a range in dust density to calibrate the level of those far-infrared emissions to the level of ordinary visible light. This helped in predicting and correcting for the presence of dust-scattered Milky Way light in the COB images.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-produced-by-all-the-galaxies">Light produced by all the galaxies</h2>



After accounting for all known sources of light like background stars and light scattered by thin clouds of dust within the Milky Way galaxy, the researchers discovered that the remaining level of visible light was precisely in line with the intensity of light produced by all galaxies over the past 12.6 billion years.



"The simplest interpretation is that the COB is completely due to galaxies. Looking outside the galaxies, we find darkness there and nothing more," noted Tod Lauer, a New Horizons co-investigator and astronomer at the National Science Foundation NOIRLab.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncharted-territories-in-space">Uncharted territories in space</h2>



This breakthrough research has greatly contributed to our understanding of fundamental cosmology. The extended mission of New Horizons is providing crucial insights, expanding far beyond its original mission to explore Pluto and Kuiper Belt objects.



The New Horizons spacecraft is managed by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and the mission is directed by the Southwest Research Institute. It is a part of NASA's New Frontiers program. 



As New Horizons continues its journey into the uncharted territories of the solar system, it promises to deliver even more exciting insight into the awe-inspiring universe we live in.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Deep space is even darker than we imagined

New Horizons is offering a fresh perspective on one of...

In our quest to understand the intrepid and often overlooked secrets of the animate wonderland we inhabit, we occasionally stumble upon a wonder that brings a new perspective to life. Enter the globular springtail, scientifically known as Dicyrtomina minuta, a tiny creature that is outdoing everyone in the field of jumps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-springtail-s-acrobatic-jumps">The springtail’s acrobatic jumps</h2>



Globular springtails are, at most, a couple millimeters in length. They do not possess the ability to fly, bite, or sting. But, they can jump. 



Surprising as it may sound, the sprightly springtail is an expert at avoiding predators, merely by jumping. By the time you blink, they are airborne and out of sight.



So, how do <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-springtails-and-why-would-humans-not-exist-without-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">springtails</a> do it? They don't just bob up and down, like a bouncing basketball; instead, they flip through the air, executing the fastest known backflips on Earth.



Dr. Adrian Smith is a professor of biology at <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina State University</a> and head of the Evolutionary Biology and Behavior Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Describing the spectacle, Dr. Smith compared the springtails' jump to the iconic spin of Sonic the Hedgehog.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="cD9gRN8hS6-3828870-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hunt-for-the-globular-springtail">The hunt for the globular springtail</h2>



The process of studying these little jumping virtuosos was a rewarding adventure in itself. Dr. Smith's expedition to find globular springtails was relatively straightforward – he single-handedly located and recruited his research subjects by sifting through leaf litter in his own backyard. The main challenge lay in capturing their lightning-fast jumps on camera.



“Globular springtails jump so fast that you can’t see it in real time,” noted Dr. Smith. “If you try to film the jump with a regular camera, the springtail will appear in one frame, then vanish. When you look at the picture closely, you can see faint vapor trail curlicues left behind where it flipped through the one frame.”



Overcoming this challenge required the use of cameras capable of shooting a staggering 40,000 frames per second. Dr. Smith then stimulated the springtails into jumping by either shining a light on them or lightly prodding them with an artist's paintbrush.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mechanics-of-the-jumping-springtail">The mechanics of the jumping springtail</h2>



Interestingly, globular springtails don't rely on their legs to jump; instead, they use an appendage called a furca that folds up underneath their abdomen. 



The furca is tipped with a tiny, forked structure. When the springtails jump, the furca flips down, pushing against the ground, and catapults them into a sequence of breathtakingly rapid backflips.



The springtails can launch themselves over 60 millimeters into the air - more than 60 times their own body length - and they typically travel up and backward instead of forward.



Jacob Harrison, a postdoctoral researcher at the Georgia Institute of Technology, pointed out that this lack of forward movement suggests jumping is mainly an escape tactic, not a form of general locomotion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mastering-a-rough-landing">Mastering a rough landing</h2>



The landing strategies of the globular springtail further provide insight into their unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-flight-is-powered-by-an-extraordinary-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">locomotion</a>. A common way of landing is by tumbling chaotically, very much like bouncing to a stop. 



Alternatively, they use a sticky forked tube, known as a collophore, which they can push out of their bodies to grapple a surface or halt their momentum. These findings offer a clear perspective on the flight and landing dynamics of the remarkable globular springtail.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impossibly-spectacular-performance">Impossibly spectacular performance </h2>



“This is the first time anyone has done a complete description of the globular springtail’s jumping performance measures, and what they do is almost impossibly spectacular,” said Dr. Smith. “This is a great example of how we can find incredible, and largely undescribed, organisms living all around us.”



The study shows us that our world still harbors many unsung heroes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-leaf-eating-insects-have-a-huge-impact-on-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fascinating phenomena</a> waiting to be discovered.



In essence, the globular springtail's extraordinary performances, unique behaviors, and understudied status make it a promising candidate for further research. 



So, the next time you take a casual stroll in your garden or park, remember, there might be tiny creatures around you, ready to backflip their way into the record books.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/iob/article/6/1/obae029/7742965" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integrative Organismal Biology</a>.



Video Credit: Ant Lab



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Tiny backyard bugs perform the fastest backflips on the planet

In our quest to understand the intrepid and often overlooked...

It's ironic how climate change, which is partially fueled by deforestation, is now pushing food production northward and threatening the very lands traditionally reserved for timber.



This encroachment poses a serious challenge for our food and timber supply, often considered two fundamental pillars of modern-day life. 



As these vital sectors increasingly compete for the same space, the delicate balance between maintaining forest ecosystems and meeting the growing demands for agriculture becomes ever more precarious.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-rising-temperatures">The role of rising temperatures </h2>



Rising temperatures, notorious for making parts of the globe inhospitable, are also inadvertently making colder regions far more conducive for agriculture.



The sight of vineyards in Britain, once an anomaly, has today transformed into a visual demonstration of how climate change is redefining the world's agricultural landscape. However, the consequences of this shift are grim.



An extensive study led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> brings to light a looming issue. As climate change makes the northern regions more suitable for farming, it threatens to edge out timber production - a critical resource for our civilization.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflicting-demands-for-food-and-timber">Conflicting demands for food and timber</h2>



Used for creating everything from paper and cardboard, to furniture and buildings, the importance of timber cannot be overstated. 



This brewing conflict between the demands for food and timber finds its roots in the unanticipated consequences of climate change.



Until recently, this indirect fallout of rising global temperatures had been largely overlooked. The study warns that ignoring this issue any longer could have dire consequences as our demand for both food and wood continues to rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planning-for-the-future-of-timber">Planning for the future of timber </h2>



If we fail to decarbonize society, the study projects a worst-case scenario where over a quarter of existing forestry land could become more suitable for farming by the end of the century. This translates to about 320 million hectares, an area equivalent to the size of India.



Currently, prime forestry lands are concentrated in the northern hemisphere, particularly in the US, Canada, China, and Russia. 



The study warns that 90% of these lands could become agriculturally productive by 2100. Russia would be the hardest hit, with huge swathes of its timberlands turning more suitable for agriculture, especially for potato, soy, and wheat farming.



"We've got to be thinking fifty years ahead because if we want timber in the future, we need to be planting it now. The trees that will be logged by the end of this century are already in the ground - they’re on much slower cycles than food crops," warned Dr. Chris Bousfield of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-demands-of-a-growing-population">Demands of a growing population</h2>



By 2050, both food and wood demand are projected to double as the global population continues to grow and affluence increases. The climate change-induced push for agricultural land threatens to deepen the food and wood crisis.



A common response to rising timber demands has been to extend forestry into untouched boreal or tropical forests. 



However, these regions have stood pristine for millennia, and logging here would release colossal amounts of carbon, jeopardizing biodiversity.



These areas are the last strongholds of the global wilderness, and untouched tropical forests are among the Earth's most biodiverse regions. "Preventing further expansion is critical," said Professor David Edwards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-is-reshaping-our-world">Climate change is reshaping our world</h2>



Even if the world meets net zero targets, the researchers argue that significant changes in regions suitable for timber and crop production are inevitable.



Timber production contributes over US $1.5 trillion per year to national economies globally. However, it is already threatened by climate change, which fuels heatwaves, wildfires, and pest infestations.



Add to this the mounting pressure from encroaching agriculture, and we find ourselves in the midst of a perfect storm.



"Securing our future wood supply might not seem as pressing as securing the food we need to eat and survive," said Dr. Oscar Morton. "But wood is just as integrated within our daily lives and we need to develop strategies to ensure both food and wood security into the future."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-02113-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Food and timber production clash as temperatures rise

It's ironic how climate change, which is partially fueled by...

The world is facing a self-limiting crisis encapsulated in the widespread lack of essential micronutrients in our diets. 



These vital nutrients, which are necessary for proper growth, development, and overall well-being, are being consumed in inadequate amounts by a significant portion of the population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inadequate-intake-of-key-micronutrients">Inadequate intake of key micronutrients</h2>



A new comprehensive study reveals this alarming trend: more than half of the global population is not getting adequate amounts of several key micronutrients critical to human health, such as iron, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/calcium-zinc-are-keys-to-healthier-pregnancy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calcium</a>, and vitamins A, C, and D.



These deficiencies pose serious and far-reaching health risks, ranging from adverse pregnancy outcomes, impaired cognitive development, and a higher susceptibility to infectious diseases - ultimately threatening global health and limiting human potential.



The study was led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a>, UC Santa Barbara (<a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCSB</a>), and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (<a href="https://www.gainhealth.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GAIN</a>).



The goal of the research was to provide global estimations of our inadequate consumption of 15 micronutrients essential for overall health. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-impact-of-micronutrient-deficiencies">Global impact of micronutrient deficiencies</h2>



Micronutrient deficiencies are a global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tackling-malnutrition-new-satellite-can-monitor-nutrients-in-crops-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">malnutrition</a> issue. Each deficiency is associated with different health risks. For example, iron deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and impaired cognitive function. In severe cases, it can lead to heart and developmental problems.



Zinc deficiency can impair immune function, slow wound healing, and cause hair loss. In children, a lack of zinc can cause stunted growth.



The research team sought to evaluate whether the current intake of these essential nutrients aligns with the recommended requirements for optimal health, with particular attention given to specific inadequacies faced by males and females across varied age groups.



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



"Our study is a big step forward," said co-lead author Chris Free, a research professor at UCSB. "Not only because it is the first to estimate inadequate micronutrient intakes for 34 age-sex groups in nearly every country, but also because it makes these methods and results easily accessible to researchers and practitioners.”



The research team used multiple data sources of global reach, including the Global Dietary Database, the World Bank, and dietary recall surveys across 31 countries. 



This allowed them to compare nutritional requirements with actual intake among 185 countries' demographics, thereby achieving a comprehensive global insight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-widespread-micronutrient-deficiencies">Widespread micronutrient deficiencies</h2>



The study reveals distressing inadequacies in most examined micronutrients' intake. In a shocking universal statistic, inadequate intake was especially prevalent for iodine, vitamin E, calcium, and iron, while over half the global population also fell short in riboflavin, folate, and vitamins C and B6.



The closest nutrient to sufficient intake was niacin, yet with 22% of the global population consuming inadequate levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-micronutrient-deficiencies-by-gender">Micronutrient deficiencies by gender</h2>



The study also revealed significant gender-based differences in micronutrient intake. Women generally had higher inadequate intakes of iodine, vitamin B12, iron, and selenium compared to men within the same country and age groups.



On the other hand, men showed lesser levels of calcium, niacin, thiamin, zinc, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and B6 than women. 



The age group that appeared most prone to low calcium intake was between 10-30 years, particularly in South and East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, North America, Europe, and Central Asia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-putting-the-findings-into-perspective">Putting the findings into perspective</h2>



“This is alarming,” said Ty Beal, a senior technical specialist at GAIN. “A vast majority, even more than previously thought, are not consuming enough of multiple essential micronutrients. This impact is compromising health outcomes and limiting human potential globally.”



The findings paint a compelling picture for those in the realm of public health. 



“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-flu-emerges-as-a-public-health-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public health</a> challenge is immense, but practitioners and policymakers now have the opportunity to identify the most effective dietary interventions and target them to the populations most in need,” noted Christopher Golden, associate professor of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/minimally-processed-foods-cost-more-offer-no-extra-nutrition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrition</a> and planetary health at Harvard Chan School.



While the researchers acknowledge limitations in available data, especially on individual dietary intake worldwide, the findings remain significant. 



The study provides a vital first step in addressing this global health challenge head-on, highlighting the need and providing a platform for focused interventions to bridge these worrisome nutrient gaps.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(24)00276-6/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet Global Health</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Micronutrient deficiency rates are soaring worldwide

The world is facing a self-limiting crisis encapsulated in the...

Looking back at the Cretaceous period, one cannot help but marvel at the dominance of the hadrosaurs, often referred to as duck-billed dinosaurs. The most advanced herbivores of their time, hadrosaurs, with their formidable teeth, were anything but passive eaters. New research reveals that these colossal creatures went through average teeth every two months, all thanks to their voracious appetite for plants. They may have had hundreds of thousands of teeth throughout their lifetime.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-embarking-on-a-jurassic-journey">Embarking on a Jurassic journey</h2>



To comprehend the dietary dynamics of these herbivores, we need to navigate back in time and trace the evolutionary trajectory of the ornithopods - a group of dinosaurs that encompassed the likes of Iguanodon, Hypsilophodon, rare rhabdodontids, and, of course, the hadrosaurs.



These plant-eating machines, comparable to modern-day cows and sheep in their feeding frenzy, first made their appearance in the Middle Jurassic. By the time the Cretaceous period took over, they were the reigning herbivores across vast <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-dinosaur-comptonatus-chasei-most-complete-discovered-unique-traits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">swathes of the world</a>.



The journey of hadrosaurs is much like a small start-up company evolving into a multinational corporation. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hadrosaurs-used-teeth-as-tools">Hadrosaurs used teeth as tools</h2>



The research was led by Dr. Attila Ősi from <a href="https://www.elte.hu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eötvös Loránd University</a> in Hungary. She highlights the drastic changes in the teeth and jaws of ornithopods during their evolution. 



The Iguanodon, an early member of the group, took over 200 days to form their teeth and consumed at least the same amount of time to wear them down through chewing.



Fast forward to the end of the Cretaceous, and we see that hadrosaurs gnawed through their teeth in merely 50 days.



Clearly, the later ornithopods were binge-eating on tough plants that rapidly eroded their teeth. They needed to deploy reinforcements, building up reserves of teeth in their skulls to prevent themselves from going hungry. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-herbivory-harder-than-it-looks">Herbivory: Harder than it looks</h2>



Being a vegetarian isn’t an easy job, especially if you’re a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-teeth-reveal-their-eating-habits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaur</a>. While meat dissipates easily in the gut, plants are composed of tough fibers and complex carbohydrates that are a bit more challenging to digest. 



It calls for teeth to lead the charge, breaking open plants and cutting them into smaller pieces for gut bacteria to disintegrate more efficiently.



“Across a herbivore's life, its teeth gradually wear down," explained study co-author Professor Paul Barrett. The constant wear and tear eventually led to the end of the tooth and subsequently the end of the animal, at least in the case of some mammals.



However, reptiles appear to have dodged this dental dilemma by continually producing new teeth. As a result, dinosaur teeth have become the holy grail for researchers delving into early animal evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transformation-of-ornithopod-chompers">Transformation of ornithopod chompers</h2>



The study focused extensively on the teeth and jaws of ornithopods, the planet’s most advanced herbivores in their time. Examination of well-preserved skulls offers a glimpse into the transformation of the dinosaurs' skulls, with increasingly complex features best suited for plant-eating.



“At the start, they had single rows of fairly simple teeth with limited wear, probably because these dinosaurs focused on fruits and softer plants," said Professor Paul.



These early ornithopods evolved into hadrosaurs with numerous teeth, a large blade-like edge on one side, and ridges on the other. This unique structure ensured sharp teeth as they ground against each other.



The evolution of ornithopods also marked new ways of jaw movement, allowing them to grind plants down even further. Their bodies grew larger to house more extensive guts better suited to release nutrients from plants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-hadrosaur-teeth">Mystery of hadrosaur teeth</h2>



So what triggered this evolution of tough teeth? Scientists believe that the diet of dinosaurs was dictated by the kind of plants available. One theory suggests that the rise of flowering plants might have influenced their dietary preferences. 



Microscopic wear patterns on teeth indicate changes in the type of plants consumed by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/incredibly-unusual-dinosaur-unearthed-in-mississippi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a> over time. Could the emergence of flowers be the reason? 



"While it is suspicious that the flowering plants start to diversify around this time, they were still pretty uncommon at the time," noted Professor Paul.



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



With their study on ornithopods completed, the team aims to extend their research to other herbivorous dinosaurs, like the ankylosaurs or the horned dinosaurs. Unveiling the dietary preferences and subsequent evolution of these creatures could help us better understand why they thrived during their time. 



"If we can find out what changes herbivores were going through at the time, it will give us a much better chance of understanding the place of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-with-huge-blade-like-horns-discovered-in-montana/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a> in the ecosystems of the Mesozoic Era," said Dr. Attila.



The teeth of dinosaurs offer a fascinating window into the world of the Cretaceous period, unraveling the mysterious ways in which these creatures evolved and thrived.



So, the next time you're biting into your favorite plant-based snack, spare a thought for the complex evolutionary processes that enabled us and our ancient ancestors to enjoy our greens. Who knew teeth could tell such compelling tales?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51697-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Some plant-eating dinosaurs chewed through thousands of teeth

Looking back at the Cretaceous period, one cannot help but...

It has been a longstanding mystery since the 1960s. How does the Sun's supersonic "solar wind," an energetic stream of particles flowing into the solar system, continue to receive its energy after leaving the Sun?



Thanks to the alignment of two spacecraft missions currently studying the Sun - one led by NASA and the other led by the European Space Agency (ESA) - a significant breakthrough may be on the horizon.



The findings could provide a crucial missing piece of the puzzle to help scientists better forecast solar activity between the Sun and Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-wind-and-magnetic-switchbacks">Solar wind and magnetic switchbacks</h2>



A recent paper published in the journal Science provides compelling evidence that the fastest solar winds draw their power from magnetic "switchbacks," or substantial twists in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-galaxy-is-surrounded-by-massive-magnetic-fields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic fields</a> close to the Sun.



“Our study addresses a huge open question about how the solar wind is energized and helps us understand how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/see-the-sun-in-exquisite-detail-in-rare-solar-orbiter-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sun</a> affects its environment and, ultimately, the Earth," explained Yeimy Rivera, co-leader of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.



"If this process happens in our local star, it’s highly likely that this powers winds from other stars across the Milky Way galaxy and beyond and could have implications for the habitability of exoplanets." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-unseen-energies-of-solar-wind">The unseen energies of solar wind</h2>



Previously, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meet-the-fastest-human-made-object-ever-nasas-parker-solar-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s Parker Solar Probe</a> had found that switchbacks were prevalent throughout the solar wind.



Parker, which became the first spacecraft to enter the Sun's magnetic atmosphere in 2021, observed that switchbacks became more distinct and potent closer to the Sun.



However, experimental evidence showing that these magnetic waves contributed enough energy to be significant in the solar wind had been lacking - until now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observations-from-two-distinct-spacecraft">Observations from two distinct spacecraft </h2>



“About three years ago, I was giving a talk about how fascinating these waves are,” said co-author Mike Stevens, an expert at the Center for Astrophysics. “At the end, an astronomy professor stood up and said, ‘that's neat, but do they actually matter?’”



Answering this complex question required combining observations from two distinct spacecraft. Parker was designed to navigate the Sun's atmosphere (corona), while the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solar Orbiter mission</a> measures solar winds at larger distances. In a stroke of luck, both spacecraft measured the same solar wind stream within two days of each other in February 2022.



This coincidental alignment allowed the Solar Orbiter, located almost halfway to the Sun, and Parker, near the edge of the Sun's magnetic atmosphere, to provide complementary data.



“We didn't initially realize that Parker and Solar Orbiter were measuring the same thing at all. Parker saw this slower plasma near the Sun that was full of switchback waves, and then Solar Orbiter recorded a fast stream which had received heat and with very little wave activity. When we connected the two, that was a real eureka moment,” noted co-author Samuel Badman, an astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alfven-waves-the-energy-transmitters">Alfvén waves: The energy transmitters</h2>



Alfvén waves - which transport energy through plasma (the superheated matter that makes up the solar wind) - play a major role in moving energy around the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-is-the-suns-corona-hotter-than-its-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sun's corona</a> and the solar wind.



The new research shows that Alfvén waves, in the form of switchbacks, provide enough energy to account for the heating and acceleration observed in the faster solar wind streams flowing away from the Sun.



John Belcher is an emeritus professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who co-discovered Alfvén waves in solar wind, but was not involved in the current study.



“It took over half a century to confirm that Alfvénic wave acceleration and heating are important processes, and they happen in approximately the way we think they do,” said Belcher. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-forecasting-solar-activity">Beyond forecasting solar activity </h2>



The implications of the research extend beyond forecasting solar activity and space weather. The insights will shed light on other mysteries of the universe, including the operation of sun-like stars and stellar winds.



Adam Szabo, the Parker Solar Probe mission science lead at NASA, concluded: “This discovery is one of the key puzzle pieces to answer the 50-year-old question of how the solar wind is accelerated and heated in the innermost portions of the heliosphere, bringing us closer to closure to one of the main science objectives of the Parker Solar Probe mission." 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk6953" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

What powers the sun's supersonic solar wind?

It has been a longstanding mystery since the 1960s. How...

When you feel that salty breeze caress your face at the beach, you may not think of how it's traveling all the way from the ocean surface to high up in the atmosphere. Given a shove by breaking waves, particles known as sea spray aerosols are flung up into the air and can travel kilometers skywards.



Believe it or not, these tiny particles have a big job. They're key players in Earth's radiative balance - the delicate dance between the energy our planet absorbs, emits, and reflects.



The balance can impact our climate significantly. Mostly made up of salt, and sprinklings of other chemical compounds, these sea spray aerosols also carry along biologically produced proteins and sugars. Yes, these particles have had a slice of life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-spray-aerosols-earth-s-salt-shakers">Sea spray aerosols: Earth's salt shakers</h2>



The story of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-deja-vu-oceans-may-slow-down-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life from the ocean</a> can alter these aerosols and by extension, our environment, is as intriguing as it gets. How? By tweaking their dimensions, concentration, chemistry, and their propensity to soak up water.



You would think with such a big role, we would know a lot about them. Turns out, our knowledge on the average levels of organic content in sea spray has been a bit foggy.



Michael J. Lawler and his team at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a>) have now put some pieces of the puzzle together.



Pulling data from four deployments of the NOAA Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry (PALMS) instrument, the researchers set sail on NASA's Atmospheric Tomography (ATom) mission. The team conducted experiments in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean between 2016 and 2018.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-organic-components-of-aerosols">Organic components of aerosols </h2>



So, how does life influence the composition of these aerosols? PALMS provided the answer by measuring the mass of organic molecules in the sampled aerosols. 



The researchers found that, most of the time, the organic mass fraction of sea spray aerosols is low, typically less than 10 percent. However, the smaller the particle, the higher the proportion of organics it harbors.



One might expect the organic mass fraction to change with the seasons, mirroring the fluctuating abundance of ocean life. Surprisingly, they found little seasonal variability, except for a couple of outliers in the Canadian Arctic and the southern middle to high latitudes.



The study also uncovered a much larger organic component residing higher in the troposphere, which they attribute to atmospheric chemical reactions rather than the original mix churned up by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atlantic-and-arctic-mixing-is-crucial-for-earths-climate-stability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean waves</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-sea-spray-aerosols-in-climate">Role of sea spray aerosols in climate</h2>



Understanding the dynamics of sea spray aerosols is not merely an academic exercise; it holds profound implications for climate science. These tiny particles serve as nuclei around which cloud droplets can form, directly affecting cloud properties and behaviour. 



As clouds reflect sunlight back into space, a crucial factor in regulating Earth's temperature emerges, demonstrating the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-weaker-ocean-will-release-more-carbon-into-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interconnectivity of oceanic and atmospheric systems</a>. Furthermore, the biological material within these aerosols can influence cloud microphysics and precipitation patterns. 



Thus, deciphering the complexities of sea spray aerosols contributes to our larger understanding of climate change and its myriad influences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-wave-of-research">Next wave of research</h2>



Like a wave that leaves behind prints on the sand, this research opens up fresh avenues of inquiry. What role do organic molecules play in the creation of tiny sea spray aerosols smaller than 0.2 micrometers? How can we better harmonize observations and numerical models of organics in sea spray aerosols?



Lawler and his team's work has provided a glimpse into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pacific-sea-levels-are-rising-faster-than-anywhere-in-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex relationships between ocean, atmosphere, and life</a>. But there's still a whole ocean of knowledge waiting to be discovered.



So, the next time you're at the beach, remember to give a nod to the unsung heroes of our climate - the humble sea spray aerosols. 



As you feel the salty breeze on your face, think about how these tiny particles journey from the foaming waves to the distant corners of the atmosphere, carrying a little taste of ocean life with them.



And perhaps, say a little thank you. Because these tiny particles, with their big job, are working hard to maintain the delicate balance of our planet, one wave at a time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024AV001215" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AGU Advances</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

How tiny aerosols in sea spray influence Earth's climate

When you feel that salty breeze caress your face at...

The Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) has taken coral reef research to a whole new level. Dr. Julian Lilkendey and an international team of dedicated researchers have combined innovative AI technologies with stereo-video technology to study the movements of reef fish in the Red Sea with startling precision.



But how does this marvel work? Well, imagine a camera that can capture the tiniest detail and AI that paints every aspect of a 3D moving image.



This revolutionary technique takes us beyond the conventional two-dimensional observations, allowing for an in-depth study of the reef and its inhabitants. Just as we peel an onion layer by layer, these researchers are peeling back the mysteries of the sea.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="mZgUie5TWE-3827453-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



Diving deeper into this fascinating study, two species of surgeonfish became the stars. The team noticed some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-coral-reef-fish-survive-in-the-worlds-warmest-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intriguing behavior</a>.&nbsp;



The Brown surgeonfish seemed to prefer feasting on algae that grew on dead corals, while the Yellowtail tang was fond of a more varied palate, munching on algae found on sedimentary rock, coral rubble, and sand.



The researchers didn't stop at just observations. They used this advanced set up to estimate the energy expenditure of these fish as they moved and foraged around their natural habitat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-and-coral-reef-fish">AI and coral reef fish</h2>



What makes this research possible? AI. Dr. Julian Lilkendey described the advanced technologies used for the study. 



The team used YOLOv5 (You Only Look Once version 5), a real-time object detection neural network. Tuned with additional background images from the Red Sea, the AI was able to recognize and classify the fish species.



But the real challenge lay in training the AI model for species recognition. With limited specific training images, the team turned to the citizen science website iNaturalist for publicly accessible photos. The results were spectacular.



Next, they used the DeepSORT (Simple Online and Realtime Tracking with a Deep Association Metric) algorithm for 3D data acquisition. This impressive algorithm generates detailed 3D movement patterns of the fish, even when they sometimes disappear or are obscured by other objects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tales-of-coral-reefs-using-ai">Tales of coral reefs using AI</h2>



All this high-tech research isn't for naught. The findings have given us unique insights into the role of surgeonfish and their importance in maintaining the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-reveal-the-health-of-coral-reefs-in-real-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological balance of our coral reefs</a>.&nbsp;



"The Brown surgeonfish demonstrated specialized feeding behavior, preferring certain algae growing on specific substrates, in contrast to the generalized feeding behavior of the Yellowtail tang," said Dr. Lilkendey.



"Despite their low biomass, both species significantly contribute to reef grazing, using the energy obtained from food with similar efficiency in their movements."



Dr. Lilkendey also noted that changes in the feeding behavior and energy expenditure of surgeonfish could directly impact the health and biodiversity of the entire reef ecosystem.



The sophisticated methodological approach employed by the researchers has significantly enhanced their ability to explore the intricate dynamics of fish behavior and energy flows in aquatic ecosystems. 



By utilizing advanced techniques and innovative models, they can analyze various factors influencing fish interactions and energy transfer within their habitats. 



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



The methods used for the study are not only providing deeper insights into behavioral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restored-coral-reefs-can-bounce-back-in-just-four-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns</a> but are also facilitating the creation of "Energy Seascapes."



This concept allows scientists to visualize and understand the spatial distribution of energy resources in marine environments, ultimately contributing to more effective conservation strategies and sustainable management of fish populations. The implications of this research could reshape our understanding of marine ecology.



The findings are nothing short of revolutionary. They're our ticket to understanding how energy is absorbed, transformed, and distributed within the reef. And this wealth of knowledge? It's invaluable for developing health indicators and formulating novel protective measures for our reefs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-in-ai-and-reef-fish-research">What’s next in AI and reef fish research?</h2>



With this new research methodology, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-in-some-parts-of-the-world-actually-benefit-from-warming-el-nino-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">possibilities are endless</a>. We're no longer just spectators, we're part of the scene, witnessing the lives of these fish, understanding their movements and behavior, and the energy they expend. 



It's a lens into the future, a chance to get a closer look at the ecological makeup of our underwater world.



So, what can we expect to discover next? Only time will tell. What matters most, though, is how we use this knowledge to protect the fragile balance of our planet's ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11070" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology and Evolution</a>.



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

AI illuminates fish interactions in coral reefs

The Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) has taken...

Vultures, much like humans, tend to prefer the comfort and security of familiarity as they age, seeking out predictable routines and long-standing relationships that provide a sense of stability. 



This shift towards regularity and consistent social circles reflects a natural inclination to rely on known resources and trusted companions, minimizing risks and conserving energy.



New research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences sheds light on this phenomenon among Griffon vultures. 



The study reveals that young Griffon vultures are far more nomadic and socially adventurous, frequently moving between different sleeping sites and engaging with numerous companions. 



This exploratory behavior allows younger vultures to gather critical information about food sources and potential threats, aiding their survival in the unpredictable landscapes they inhabit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-vultures-the-nomadic-phase">Young vultures: The Nomadic phase</h2>



“What we found was as they age, their loyalty to certain roost sites increases,” said Noa Pinter-Wollman, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA</a> and co-author of the study. 



“Young vultures check out many different roosts but in middle age, they start going repeatedly to the same places.” 



Younger vultures tend to avoid the most popular roosts, possibly feeling intimidated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/older-blue-tits-have-a-mating-advantage-that-involves-cheating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">older birds</a> or avoiding potential conflict, reminiscent of an avian version of “Hey you kids, get off my lawn.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-middle-age-stronger-bonds">Middle age: Stronger bonds</h2>



The study highlights that, similar to humans, older Griffon vultures form fewer but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-social-bonds-promote-healthy-behaviors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stronger social bonds</a>, prioritizing quality over quantity in their relationships.



As they age, Griffon vultures also establish specific movement routines, preferring to return to the same familiar roosts and consistently associating with the same social circles.



The predictable patterns reflect their desire for stability and the benefits that come with established territories and social structures. This behavior is closely linked to their accumulated knowledge about food resources and environmental conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-patterns-of-griffon-vultures">Life patterns of griffon vultures</h2>



Griffon vultures, scientifically known as Gyps fulvus, inhabit the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and India. With impressive wingspans reaching up to 9 feet, they are much larger than North American turkey vultures and even bigger than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bald-eagles-dont-only-eat-fish-as-prairie-dogs-will-attest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bald eagles</a>. 



Their diet primarily consists of animal carcasses, which are unpredictable and often fleeting. 



Roosting sites become vital "information hubs" where vultures can signal to others about food availability, forming friendships that enhance their survival chances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-griffon-vultures-over-time">Tracking griffon vultures over time</h2>



The researchers aimed to understand how Griffon vultures' movement patterns and social behaviors evolve throughout their lives. 



By analyzing GPS data from 142 individually tagged birds in Israel over a 15-year period, they cross-referenced the vultures’ ages with their movement and social interactions at roost sites. 



The study revealed that young vultures are highly exploratory, rarely staying in the same place for two consecutive nights.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-exploration-to-familiarity">From exploration to familiarity</h2>



“When they are old, from the age of 10 onward, they no longer have the energy to be ‘out and about’ and return consistently to the same site,” said corresponding author Orr Spiegel from <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tel Aviv University</a>. 



As vultures aged, their social interactions also shifted, with the strength of their bonds with non-close friends declining. 



Older vultures increasingly preferred the company of a few close friends and exhibited more predictable movement patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-behavioral-shifts">Understanding behavioral shifts</h2>



This long-term study, tracking the same vultures over nearly 12 consecutive years, provides insights into behavioral changes in aging birds. 



The findings support similar observations in other species, where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genetic-ties-influence-the-social-behavior-of-aging-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging animals</a> exhibit greater fidelity to familiar sites and routines and become more selective in their social relationships. 



These behavioral shifts offer valuable insights into how animal populations navigate their environments and interact with their peers, aiding in developing better <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a> strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-and-future-research">Conservation and future research</h2>



“It looks like they just get set in their ways,” noted Pinter-Wollman. “They’ve gathered information over the years, and they might as well use it. Carcasses are hard to come by, and roosts are information hubs.”



For Griffon vultures, this might involve protecting essential roosting sites and using knowledge of their social dynamics to mitigate threats like poisoning.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2407298121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Older griffon vultures have fewer friends with stronger bonds

Vultures, much like humans, tend to prefer the comfort and...

Skepticism around the reality of climate change remains a significant global issue, despite an almost unanimous consensus among scientists that human activities are the primary driver of this environmental crisis. 



However, a new study suggests that actively revealing the extent of this scientific agreement to the public can effectively change perceptions, promoting greater awareness and strengthening belief in the severity and urgency of climate change.



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



The research, co-led by Bojana Većkalov at the <a href="https://www.uva.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Amsterdam</a> and Sandra Geiger of the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a>, finds that communicating the consensus among scientists can clear up misperceptions and bolster beliefs about climate change.



Scientific agreement that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humans are the primary cause of climate change</a> has been robust since the 1980s, with an overwhelming 97% to 99.9% of climate scientists in agreement. 



"There is near-universal consensus in the peer-reviewed scientific literature that the climate is changing as a result of human activity," wrote the study authors. 



"However, the public often considerably underestimates this consensus, which is evident even in recent data from six European countries (estimates range from 65% in the United Kingdom to 71% in Ireland."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concern-about-the-dangers-of-climate-change">Concern about the dangers of climate change </h2>



Previous research, largely based in the United States, demonstrated that people who read a brief statement highlighting this overwhelming scientific consensus exhibited significantly increased awareness and concern about the reality and dangers of climate change. 



This effect was notably stronger compared to those who were exposed to unrelated expert statements, indicating the powerful influence of clear, concise messaging about scientific agreement on public perception.



In response to reading about the 97 percent consensus, people adjusted their perceptions of the scientific consensus, believed more in climate change, and worried more about it.



"However, they did not support public action on climate change more, though other research has found that support for action can be stimulated indirectly by changing how people think and feel about climate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humanity-should-brace-for-catastrophic-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">change</a>.” explained co-lead author Sandra Geiger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-awareness-beyond-borders">Climate awareness beyond borders</h2>



Despite these promising findings, most research on consensus communication has focused on American perceptions. 



This study, involving an international team of 46 researchers, expanded the scope by surveying more than 10,500 participants across 27 countries on six continents. 



The results confirmed that communicating the scientific consensus on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/science-reporting-can-change-climate-change-beliefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> effectively shifts beliefs globally, not just in the United States.



"These findings hold true across diverse cultures and contexts," added Bojana Većkalov, highlighting the global relevance of consensus messaging. 



However, the study also noted that while belief in climate change and concern about its impacts increased, this did not directly translate into greater support for public action against climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crisis-consensus-a-surprising-result">Crisis consensus: A surprising result</h2>



Interestingly, when participants were informed that 88% of climate scientists view <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change as a crisis</a>, this information did not significantly change their beliefs. 



Većkalov suggested that the smaller gap between the actual and perceived consensus on the crisis aspect may have limited its impact. 



“A smaller gap means people already perceived a high crisis consensus before learning about it, which might have prevented any further changes in beliefs about climate change,” she explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consensus-on-climate-change">Consensus on climate change</h2>



These findings emphasizes the importance of continuing to highlight the scientific consensus on climate change, both in media and everyday conversations. 



"In the face of increasing politicization of science and misinformation about climate change, cultivating universal awareness of the scientific consensus will help protect public understanding of the issue," noted Sander van der Linden, the senior author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-collaboration-for-global-impact">Global collaboration for global impact</h2>



The research not only sheds light on the importance of climate change communication but also highlights the value of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-climate-adaptation-lacks-coordination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global collaboration</a> in behavioral science.



Study co-author Kai Ruggeri, professor of health policy and management at <a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health</a>, emphasized the significance of this research in enhancing public understanding.



“Such endeavors are only possible if we bring together researchers from around the world. What is particularly unique about this work is the involvement of students and early-career researchers from the Junior Researcher Programme (JRP) and the Global Behavioral Science (<a href="https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/program/columbia-summer-research-practicum-global-behavioral-science-globes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GLOBES)</a> program at Columbia University,” said Ruggeri.



This collaborative approach ensures that findings are robust, inclusive, and applicable across diverse populations, providing a more comprehensive understanding of public attitudes toward climate change.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-01928-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Human Behaviour</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Highlighting scientific consensus on climate change shifts beliefs

Skepticism around the reality of climate change remains a significant...

Handsome,Man,Smoking,Blunt,With,Medical,Cannabis,In,Apartment.heavy,Smoker

Recreational drugs have been used for thousands of years. Despite the taboo, many argue that substances like cannabis are safe because they are natural. But recent research adds a new twist to the tale. 



According to a French study, people using recreational drugs (such as cannabis and MDMA) face a much higher risk of suffering heart attacks or strokes. That's a pretty cold splash of water on the "natural and safe" argument.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recreational-drugs-and-heart-health">Recreational drugs and heart health</h2>



Researchers meticulously tracked over 1,300 intensive-care patients. The analysis showed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-and-hallucinogen-use-are-at-historically-high-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">those who consumed cannabis</a> alone had almost twice the risk of cardiovascular incidents such as heart attack or stroke.



In this research, everything boils down to THC - the active ingredient in cannabis. THC triggers our body's fight-or-flight response. This also raises our heart rate and blood pressure.&nbsp;



Over time, this constant state of red alert can damage the heart and increase the risk of life-threatening problems. This study was led by Dr. Raphael Mirailles, a doctor from <a href="https://hopital-lariboisiere.aphp.fr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hospital Lariboisiere</a> in Paris.&nbsp;



"Recreational drug use was associated with a tripling of the risk of a repeat serious cardiovascular event within one-year. There is an increasing amount of data regarding worst prognosis associated with recreational drug use, not only in cardiac intensive care units but also in conventional intensive care units," said Dr. Mirailles.



"Despite high rate of underreporting of recreational drug use, systematic screening is not recommended by the current guidelines. It might improve risk stratification of patients and personalized care to favor drug withdrawal. Therefore, systemic screening should be considered in intensive care."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recreational-drugs-and-heart-damage">Recreational drugs and heart damage</h2>



Among the different recreational drugs tested, MDMA topped the list with a cardiovascular event risk 4.1 times higher than that of non-drug users. Heroin wasn't far behind at 3.6 times, followed by cannabis close on its heels at 1.8 times the risk.



The study pulled in data from 39 different intensive care units across France, tracking 1,392 patients over a two-week period in April 2021. Of these, 11% tested positive for recreational drug use. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-popularity-of-cannabis-use">Popularity of cannabis use</h2>



To enhance this discussion, here’s a noteworthy statistic: Cannabis is the leading <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-cannabis-significantly-increases-the-risk-of-heart-attack/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recreational drug choice</a> for individuals aged 16 to 59 in England and Wales. This trend is particularly concerning among younger adults, as nearly one in six people aged 20 to 24 reported using cannabis last year. 



The widespread use highlights the need for continued dialogue about substance use and its implications on health and society. 



Understanding these patterns can help inform policy decisions and educational initiatives aimed at addressing drug use and promoting healthier choices among young people in these regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-implications">Social implications</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/americas-cannabis-capitals-people-these-us-cities-consume-most-marijuana/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conversation</a> surrounding recreational drug use extends far beyond heart health risks. Societally, it poses significant challenges, particularly regarding healthcare resources and law enforcement. 



As more individuals partake in these substances, especially among younger populations, the strain on emergency services and healthcare systems increases. 



Consequently, this prompts a broader dialogue about regulation, education, and prevention strategies that could mitigate these impacts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-path-forward">A path forward</h2>



Addressing the intricacies of recreational drug use requires a multifaceted approach. Public health campaigns prioritizing education about the risks associated with drugs like cannabis, MDMA, and heroin could prove invaluable.



Strategies involving community engagement and harm reduction initiatives, such as providing access to medical professionals for users, might empower individuals to make more informed decisions about their substance use. 



Ultimately, a cultural shift towards open dialogue and responsible consumption may help balance the allure of recreational drugs with their inherent risks, safeguarding both individual health and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-legalization-does-not-increase-youth-substance-abuse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">community well-being</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-recreational-drug-use">Reducing recreational drug use</h2>



As we strive to educate communities and implement effective public health policies, creating an environment that prioritizes informed decision-making is essential.



By promoting open dialogue, comprehensive education, and a commitment to harm reduction, we can better navigate the challenges posed by recreational drugs while ensuring the health and safety of individuals and society as a whole. 



The conversation must continue, addressing not only the health implications but also the broader social contexts in which these substances are used.



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

Recreational drug use triples the risk of having a heart attack

Recreational drugs have been used for thousands of years. Despite...

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.



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



---



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.

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



The map has been created over the last decade using observations of water-rich rocks and mineral deposits. The images were captured by ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.



"A big surprise is the prevalence of these minerals, with the map revealing hundreds of thousands of water-affected locations in the oldest parts of the planet," says ESA. "The new data will help answer exciting questions about Mars’ climate history, whether water was globally persistent or confined to short, intense episodes, and whether the conditions were ever suitable for life."



"Specifically, the map shows the locations and abundances of aqueous minerals. These are from rocks that have been chemically altered by the action of water in the past, and have typically been transformed into clays and salts."



According to John Carter of the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), our collective understanding of Mars has been oversimplified. He explained that planetary scientists have tended to think that only a few types of clay minerals on Mars were created during its wet period, then as the water gradually dried up, salts were produced across the planet.



The new map shows that the composition of Mars is much more complicated than what we thought. For example, while many salts formed after Martian clays, there are some salts that are presumed to be older than some of the clays.&nbsp;



“The evolution from lots of water to no water is not as clear cut as we thought, the water didn’t just stop overnight. We see a huge diversity of geological contexts, so that no one process or simple timeline can explain the evolution of the mineralogy of Mars. That’s the first result of our study. The second is that if you exclude life processes on Earth, Mars exhibits a diversity of mineralogy in geological settings just as Earth does,” said Carter.



Video Credit: ESA



---



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 history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



The experts found that the muscle metabolism of cavefish has been genetically reprogrammed over time. As a result, the animals have experienced major changes in their morphology and behavior. Despite these changes, however, the cavefish remain healthy and fit.



The research may provide new clues about the evolutionary consequences of prolonged physical inactivity in humans.&nbsp;



“It’s no surprise that people are moving less and less as technology has advanced,” said Rohner. “With cavefish, we have a unique system where we can study what might happen if people remained couch potatoes over very, very long periods of time.”



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



---



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.

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



"With more than 370,000 miles of coastline on Earth, there are plenty of places where epic waves build up, curl over, and hurtle toward the shore.- much to the thrill of surfers," says NASA. "There are some places where these waves are so magnificent that they can be seen from space."



"With the broad perspective of satellites, we can see how these iconic waves develop into the world’s tallest, longest, fastest, and heaviest."



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



---



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.

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

News coming your way