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.



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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>.



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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...

For those of us who spend time gazing at the spectacular synchrony of birds flying together, one can't help but feel a surge of wonder. What drives these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-behavior-productivity-being-directly-impacted-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex patterns</a> of bird migration? 



Is it just about the weather, food, or mates, or is there more to it? Tapping into this captivating mystery, our science community from the <a href="https://umd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> brings us a fascinating insight into the social ties within the world of songbirds during their migration journeys.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-influencing-bird-migration">Factors influencing bird migration</h2>



The research was led by Joely DeSimone, a postdoctoral research scientist with the Animal Migration Research Group at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's (<a href="https://www.umces.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UMCES</a>) Appalachian Laboratory, and Emily Cohen, an equally esteemed associate professor at UMCES. 



Working with four North American bird observatories, these researchers have new information that will make you rethink what you know about the migratory habits of our avian friends.



According to the study, it's more than just environmental factors that influence bird migrations. The social relationships among songbird species seem to play a key role here. Yes, our feathered friends are prone to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/songbirds-benefit-from-social-networks-during-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">socializing</a> on the move!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-previous-assumptions">Challenging previous assumptions</h2>



It has always been a challenge to study interactions among migrating animals. However, this research has shown us that these relationships shape the very ecology of animal migration. 



"We found evidence of meaningful social relationships among migrating songbirds that have generally been thought to undertake solitary, independent journeys," DeSimone revealed. 



This indicates that social elements, like sharing information about habitat and predators or competing for food, could potentially influence their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/migratory-birds-are-struggling-to-adapt-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory success</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-positive-interactions-among-species">Positive interactions among species</h2>



But here's the clincher: these species relationships turned out to be mostly positive. So, instead of avoiding each other, these birds might be benefiting from these interactions during their migration. 



Data from bird banding stations, which capture thousands of birds pausing to rest between their migratory flights, contributed significantly to this research. 



Through social network analysis applied to over half a million banding records of 50 bird species collected over two decades, the researchers were able to unearth these interspecies relationships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionizing-bird-migration-studies">Revolutionizing bird migration studies</h2>



"We found support for communities on the move," Cohen shared. This discovery could revolutionize how we study and conserve animal migrations. 



As we grapple with the impacts of human activity and climate change on animal migrations, such insights become pertinent. DeSimone and Cohen suggest that species-specific processes could ripple through entire migrating communities in ways yet to be explored.



"Learning that migrating birds are characterized by persistent, non-random assemblages of interacting species opens the door to myriad questions at the intersection between networks, migration, and the environment," said Steve Dudgeon, a program director at NSF.



This wonderful discovery provokes further questions. Do successful migrations depend on these networks? Are some relationships more crucial to migration than others? Could key links in these networks be more susceptible to environmental changes during the route?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-field-of-study">New field of study</h2>



By stirring our curiosity about these complex interactions among migrating animals, this research could be paving the way for a new field of study - the community ecology of migration.



It tosses an intriguing challenge to the scientific community to explore the nature and consequences of these species interactions. And who knows, it might just hold the key to effective conservation strategies in the future.



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



As the implications of these findings sink in, we must ponder their relevance within the broader context of conservation efforts. 



Understanding that social dynamics among <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-migratory-birds-navigate-with-such-accuracy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migrating species</a> play a pivotal role not only enhances our knowledge but also informs management strategies. 



Conservationists may need to implement collaborative measures that consider how birds interact during migration. By preserving critical habitats along migratory routes, we can support these complex networks, ensuring that our feathered friends can thrive amid changing environmental conditions.



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



Moving forward, the researchers are keen to delve deeper into the nuances of avian relationships during migration. Studies could explore more specifically how social structures vary across different species and environments.



Are particular social linkages more resilient in the face of climate change? Additionally, integrating advances in technology, such as tracking devices and genetic studies, could shed light on the dynamics of these avian communities in unprecedented ways. 



This exploration may not only enhance our understanding of migration but also provide insights necessary for preserving the delicate balance of ecosystems as we encounter an increasingly unpredictable world.



So, the next time you spot a flock of birds painting patterns in the sky, remember, there's more than meets the eye. It's not just nature's call they're answering; it's also about their social networking on the move!



This research was based on long-term migratory information from banding stations like Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, Michigan State Bird Observatory, Long Point Bird Observatory, and Powdermill Avian Research Center.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2322063121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Bird migration is influenced by social relationships

For those of us who spend time gazing at the...

Did you ever pause to ponder upon the conceivable role of our minuscule, unseen allies, the microbes, in the climate change <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">battleground</a>? Surprisingly, these tiny life forms prove to be critical forces in this global combat.



The study was led by Lisa Stein, a distinguished scientist from the <a href="https://www.ualberta.ca/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Alberta</a>, who's committed her life’s work to understanding these miniature climate combatants. She holds the pivotal position of the Canada Research Chair in Climate Change Microbiology.



Despite their invisible nature, microbes are surprisingly the most plentiful organisms on our planet. They wields a significant influence in shaping our environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-response-of-microbes-to-climate-change">Response of microbes to climate change </h2>



Stein has voiced an intriguing discovery in her recent publication in the journal Science. Her research shows that as we strive to curb methane emissions, microbial communities appear to respond by producing an alternative heat-snarling gas, nitrous oxide.



This microbial reaction becomes pivotal in the agricultural realm. When farmers utilize urea or ammonia-based fertilizers, microbes regard it as a feast. As they consume these substances, they release nitrous oxide, giving rise to greenhouse gas emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-offenders-greenhouse-gases">Invisible offenders: Greenhouse gases</h2>



The notorious trio of greenhouse gases are methane, nitrous oxide, and CO2. Methane and nitrous oxide have a greater ability to trap heat compared to CO2, thus strengthening their status as formidable opponents in the global warming combat.



Before we hastily accuse microbes, let's remember they aren't entirely evil. For every methane-producing microbe, there's another ready to consume it, thus maintaining a natural equilibrium.



Stein proposes innovative tactics to foster these methane-consuming microbes. Increasing oxygen in certain environments and deploying soil amendments could prove beneficial.



"When we talk about the greenhouse effect, we mean that these gases we're emitting into the atmosphere through our human activities are acting as a blanket," says Stein.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-riot-control">Carbon riot control</h2>



Apart from greenhouse gas reduction, microbes play another crucial role - carbon capture. Certain soil-dwelling bacteria and fungi transform organic matter into stable carbon forms, thereby reducing CO2 levels.



Think about integrating microbial insights into climate mitigation strategies. The creation of bioinoculants containing advantageous microbes could revolutionize agriculture, making it more sustainable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diversity-in-microbes-vs-climate-change">Diversity in microbes vs. climate change</h2>



The rich tapestry of microbial diversity presents a fascinating paradox in the climate change dialogue. While a vast array of microorganisms contributes to ecological resilience and function, some species may exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions under certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-days-getting-longer-rotation-slows-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>. 



Understanding this duality is essential for harnessing microbes as allies in the fight against climate change. 



Researchers like Lisa Stein are delving deep into the interactions within these complex communities, seeking to identify key players that can be manipulated to enhance positive climate outcomes while suppressing harmful emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



As we unravel the intricate relationship between microbes and climate change, there emerges a pressing need for informed policy-making. The incorporation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-have-become-immune-to-radiation-and-live-in-microwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial science</a> into environmental policy can pave the way for innovative strategies that mitigate climate impacts. 



Furthermore, engaging the public in these discussions is vital; fostering an appreciation for the unseen microbial world can inspire collective action towards sustainable practices. 



By advocating for education and awareness campaigns, we can transform how society perceives and interacts with these microscopic champions in the climate change arena.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-players-microbial-marketplace">Diverse players: Microbial marketplace</h2>



Microbial diversity is akin to the uncelebrated hero of our ecosystems. This diversity is vital in maintaining ecosystem health and resilience, especially under the pressures of climate change.



Greater microbial diversity strengthens the soil, boosts disease resistance, and aids nutrient cycling. These benefits extend also to the flora and fauna, forging a vibrant interaction network.



As our scientific understanding of microbes evolves, involving the public through citizen science programs gains importance. Through data collection, community members can augment scientific research and raise awareness on environmental challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbiology-an-unsung-climate-change-ally">Microbiology: An unsung climate change ally</h2>



Stein, in collaboration with Mary Lidstrom, advocates the inclusion of microbiology in the climate solution discourse. The microscopic microbial world, despite its invisibility, holds immense potential in devising our climate mitigation strategies.



Thus, the next time we ruminate on the climate change challenge, let's remember the tiny titans - the microbes. In the face of the climate crisis, these microorganisms may turn out to be the heroes we need.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi0503" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Microbes have a surprising impact on climate change

Did you ever pause to ponder upon the conceivable role...

In recent years, significant strides have been made in reducing the impact of seasonal flu epidemics through public health measures, surveillance, and vaccination efforts targeting human influenza viruses A and B. However, the potential outbreak of avian influenza A, commonly known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-next-pandemic-bird-flu-is-evolving-as-it-infects-new-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird flu</a>, in mammal species - including humans - poses a substantial public health threat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mutations-help-bird-flu-cross-species-barriers">Mutations help bird flu cross species barriers</h2>



The Cusack group at <a href="https://www.embl.org/sites/grenoble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EMBL Grenoble</a> has been focusing on the replication processes of influenza viruses, and their latest study sheds light on the mutations that allow the avian influenza virus to replicate within mammalian cells.



Certain strains of avian influenza can cause severe disease and mortality, but key biological differences between birds and mammals usually prevent these viruses from spreading to other species.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-bird-flu-infect-mammal-species">How does bird flu infect mammal species?</h2>



To infect mammals, the avian influenza virus must overcome two primary barriers: it must gain the ability to enter mammalian cells and replicate within them. To trigger an epidemic or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-ecosystems-are-needed-to-prevent-future-pandemics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pandemic</a>, the virus must also evolve to transmit effectively between humans.



Unfortunately, incidents of avian influenza infecting wild and domestic mammals are becoming increasingly common. A particularly concerning development is the recent infection of dairy cows in the United States by an avian H5N1 strain, which risks becoming endemic in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cattle-may-become-a-permanent-host-for-bird-flu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cattle</a>. 



This development could facilitate the virus's adaptation to humans, with a few cases of human transmission already reported, though these have so far resulted in only mild symptoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enzyme-responsible-for-virus-replication-nbsp">Enzyme responsible for virus replication&nbsp;</h2>



Central to this process is the viral polymerase, an enzyme responsible for the virus's replication within host cells. This versatile protein can rearrange itself to perform various functions during the infection process, including transcription - where viral RNA is copied into messenger RNA to produce viral proteins - and replication, where copies of the viral RNA are created to package into new viruses.



Studying viral replication is challenging because it involves two viral polymerases and a host cell protein called ANP32. These three proteins form the replication complex, a molecular machine essential for replication.&nbsp;



ANP32 acts as a stabilizer for certain cellular proteins, thanks to its long acidic tail. Although ANP32's critical role in influenza virus replication was identified in 2015, its precise function remained unclear until now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-polymerases-perform-distinct-functions-nbsp">Polymerases perform distinct functions&nbsp;</h2>



The new study, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51007-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>, reveals that ANP32 serves as a bridge between the two viral polymerases - replicase and encapsidase. These polymerases take on different conformations to perform distinct functions: replicase is involved in creating copies of viral RNA, while encapsidase helps package these copies into a protective coating, with the aid of ANP32.



ANP32's tail plays a crucial role in stabilizing the replication complex, enabling its formation within the host cell. Interestingly, while the core of the ANP32 protein is similar in birds and mammals, the tail differs significantly. This difference explains why avian influenza viruses struggle to replicate in mammals and humans.



“The key difference between avian and human ANP32 is a 33-amino-acid insertion in the avian tail, and the polymerase has to adapt to this difference,” explained Benoît Arragain, a postdoctoral fellow in the Cusack group and first author of the study.&nbsp;



“For the avian-adapted polymerase to replicate in human cells, it must acquire certain mutations to be able to use human ANP32.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-the-influenza-replication-complex">Insights into the influenza replication complex</h2>



To delve deeper into this process, Arragain and his collaborators obtained the structure of the replicase and encapsidase conformations of a human-adapted avian influenza polymerase from the H7N9 strain while interacting with human ANP32.&nbsp;



This structural information pinpoints the amino acids crucial for forming the replication complex and identifies the mutations that could allow avian influenza polymerase to adapt to mammalian cells.



These findings were made possible through in vitro experiments conducted at EMBL Grenoble, utilizing the Eukaryotic Expression Facility, the ISBG biophysical platform, and the cryo-electron microscopy platform via the <a href="https://www.psb-grenoble.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Partnership for Structural Biology</a>. 



“We also collaborated with the Naffakh group at the <a href="https://faireundon.pasteur.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institut Pasteur</a>, who carried out cellular experiments,” Arragain added. “Additionally, we obtained the structure of the human type B influenza replication complex, which closely resembles that of influenza A. The cellular experiments confirmed our structural data.”



These new insights into the influenza replication complex are valuable for studying polymerase mutations in other similar avian influenza strains. The structure obtained from the H7N9 strain can be adapted to study other strains such as H5N1.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study-nbsp">Broader implications of the study&nbsp;</h2>



“The threat of a new pandemic caused by highly pathogenic, human-adapted avian influenza strains with a high mortality rate needs to be taken seriously,” said Stephen Cusack, EMBL Grenoble Senior Scientist and study leader, who has been studying influenza viruses for 30 years.&nbsp;



“One of the key responses to this threat includes monitoring mutations in the virus in the field. Knowing this structure allows us to interpret these mutations and assess if a strain is on the path of adaptation to infect and transmit between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/avian-influenza-h5n1-marine-mammals-spreading-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammals</a>.”



These findings are also significant for the long-term development of anti-influenza drugs, as there are currently no existing drugs that specifically target the replication complex.&nbsp;



“But it's just the beginning. What we want to do next is to understand how the replication complex works dynamically, in other words, to know in more detail how it actively performs replication,” Cusack concluded.&nbsp;&nbsp;



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How does bird flu manage to infect mammal species?

In recent years, significant strides have been made in reducing...

Today, August 19th, is a special date is that is reserved to honor one of the most charismatic yet critically underappreciated animals in the diverse expanse of our planet. International Orangutan Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation of orangutans, who are critically endangered due to habitat destruction, poaching, and the illegal pet trade. 



This occasion also highlights the importance of protecting the rainforests of Southeast Asia, where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-unlock-the-mysteries-of-orangutan-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orangutans</a> primarily live, as their survival is closely tied to the health of these ecosystems.



Orangutans, sharing an astounding 97% of their DNA with humans, are truly the forest's beacon-bearers. Their survival is intricately intertwined with ours, and thus, it is our duty to protect them.&nbsp;



Orangutans are often referred to as "people of the forest." The name comes from the Malay and Indonesian words "orang" (person) and "hutan" (forest), literally meaning "person of the forest."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-international-orangutan-day">Significance of International Orangutan Day</h2>



International Orangutan Day isn't merely a day of wonderment at these amazing creatures. It serves as a wake-up call for action and commitment to the conservation of orangutans and the lush, verdant landscapes they call home.



These fascinating animals play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of their forest homes, acting as seed dispersers, and nurturing the growth of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-orangutan-treats-his-facial-wound-with-a-healing-plant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitats</a>.



However, a rather somber reality lurks behind this celebratory occasion. Orangutans are threatened by the dire possibility of extinction, largely driven by deforestation, illicit pet trade, and hunting.&nbsp;



Their rainforest homes in Borneo and Sumatra are rapidly devoured by palm oil plantations, drastically shrinking their habitats.&nbsp;



Moreover, given their slow reproduction rate, the regeneration of orangutan populations is an agonizingly slow process. Without substantial aid, we might witness the unfortunate disappearance of orangutans from their wild homes in a mere 50 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-orangutans-so-loveable">What makes orangutans so loveable?</h2>



Orangutans are not just fascinating, but also deeply endearing animals that evoke empathy and admiration from those who encounter them. Orangutans have many characteristics that resonate with humans on an emotional level.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expressive-faces">Expressive faces</h3>



Orangutans have highly expressive faces, capable of displaying a range of emotions that are easily recognizable to humans, such as curiosity, contentment, and even sadness. This helps people feel a connection with them, as their facial expressions are relatable.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gentle-nature">Gentle nature</h3>



Unlike some other primates, orangutans are generally gentle and peaceful creatures. Their calm and slow-moving demeanor makes them appear thoughtful and kind.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maternal-bond">Maternal bond</h3>



Orangutans are known for their strong maternal bonds. Orangutan mothers are incredibly dedicated to their offspring, often caring for them for up to eight years. This long, nurturing relationship is something many humans find deeply touching.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-playful-behavior">Playful behavior</h3>



Young orangutans, in particular, are playful and curious, much like human children. They enjoy swinging from branches, playing with objects, and interacting with their environment, which can be very endearing to watch.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerability">Vulnerability</h3>



The fact that orangutans are critically endangered adds to their lovability. Knowing that these gentle, intelligent creatures are at risk of extinction creates a protective instinct in many people, who want to help preserve them and their habitats.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-affectionate-interactions-nbsp">Affectionate interactions&nbsp;</h3>



In captivity or rehabilitation centers, orangutans have been known to form close bonds with their human caretakers, showing affection in ways that are reminiscent of human interactions, such as holding hands or giving hugs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-celebrating-orangutan-day">Celebrating Orangutan Day</h2>



So, who sparked this initiative, and who's driving the charge? Enter:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.worldorangutanevents.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Orangutan Events</a>&nbsp;and Orangutan Outreach. These global organizations and their relentless commitment form the soul of this event. They have made it their mission to ensure the survival of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-availability-influences-social-learning-among-orangutans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intriguing creatures</a> in their natural habitats.



Wondering how to contribute? There are many ways to get hands-on and show your support for International Orangutan Day.&nbsp;



Generating awareness, reducing palm oil consumption, and even virtually "adopting" an orangutan through a conservation program are just a few ideas.



You could also leverage your artistic skills to create and share orangutan-inspired artwork, or even use your knack for music to create a fun-filled playlist about the wild and orangutans.&nbsp;



Why not host a movie night featuring films and documentaries about orangutans and their rainforest homes? Or even engage in a dialogue about the challenges facing orangutans and encourage others to join the fight?



Education stands as a fundamental pillar in contemporary conservation efforts. By imparting a deeper understanding of orangutans and their habitats, we arm individuals and communities with the knowledge to make informed decisions that favor preservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts-on-orangutan-day">Conservation efforts on Orangutan Day</h2>



Conservation groups such as the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme and <a href="https://orangutan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orangutan Conservancy</a> support rehabilitation centers and research projects to protect critical habitats.



Eco-tourism can promote sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and local economies. By involving communities, we can strengthen conservation efforts and create lasting change. Together, we can help protect orangutans and their homes.



At its heart, International Orangutan Day goes beyond a celebration of these unique animals. It is a reflection on us, as our actions have pushed orangutans to the edges of survival.&nbsp;



Every action makes a difference. By uniting our efforts and raising awareness, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for the "people of the forest" while preserving their rich culture and environment.



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International Orangutan Day 2024: Protecting the 'people of the forest'

Today, August 19th, is a special date is that is...

Organ formation is a symphony of interactions, where each moment is defined by a multitude of exchanges at the microscopic level within our bodies.



Our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-cells-could-be-used-to-slow-down-or-even-reverse-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells</a>, the fundamental building blocks of life, are in constant communication, orchestrating the formation of embryonic tissues and, ultimately, organs. 



Just as vital urban systems like factories and roads ensure the smooth running of a city, organelles within cells perform myriad tasks to enable proper cell function. 



Despite being confined within cells, these organelles play a pivotal role in sculpting our organs during embryogenesis.



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



The cell nucleus acts as the control center of the cell, storing its genetic material in the form of DNA. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-dna-secrets-revealed-by-genomic-time-machine-and-transposable-elements/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA holds the instructions</a> needed for the cell to function, grow, and divide. 



Surrounding the nucleus is a double membrane called the nuclear envelope, which protects the DNA and controls what goes in and out. Inside, the DNA is organized into structures called chromosomes, which carry the genes that drive all the cell's activities.



Beyond managing genetic info, the nucleus also helps produce ribosomes, the cell’s protein factories. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/junk-proteins-responsible-for-aging-cause-als/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)</a> is made in a specific area of the nucleus known as the nucleolus. 



Once they're ready, ribosomes exit the nucleus and head into the cytoplasm, where they put together proteins based on the DNA instructions. The nucleus is crucial for keeping genetic information intact and making sure cells work as they should.



Our genes switch on and off based on the signals the nucleus receives. However, the significance of the nucleus extends beyond a simple information processing center.



Its physical characteristics could influence the tissue's structure as well. Intrigued by this possibility, Professor Otger Campàs and his team from the Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life of <a href="https://tu-dresden.de/?set_language=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TU Dresden</a> embarked on an investigative journey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-nuclei-influence-organ-formation">How nuclei influence organ formation</h2>



Professor Campàs was particularly fascinated with how the physical properties of the nucleus could play a role in tissue formation. 



The initiative was an extension of previous work at the <a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Santa Barbara</a>.



Armed with a curiosity to discern the role of nuclei in the formation of the vertebrate eye and brain, the researchers arrived at a surprising finding. The stiffness of tissue in the zebrafish retina was contingent on the packing of nuclei.



This revelation was unexpected, given the conventional belief that tissue mechanics depended on cell surface interactions and not internal organelles. 



The discovery opens up a new research avenue regarding how cells coordinate embryonic development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regulating-tissue-organization">Regulating tissue organization</h2>



Past research had unveiled how intercellular forces could liquify tissue to shape <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-grow-models-of-human-embryos-in-the-lab-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">embryos</a>. In contrast, it was discovered that the packing of nuclei could solidify the tissue.



Relative sizes of the nucleus and cell had a significant role to play. Experiments and theoretical analysis revealed that tissue stiffness was directly regulated by the nucleus if it occupied most of the cell space. 



Moreover, when nuclei packed rigorously, they arranged the cells into nearly crystalline arrays. This novel insight challenged the prevalent beliefs, establishing a previously unseen role for nuclei in regulating tissue organization and mechanics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-organ-formation-the-zebrafish-model">Organ formation: The zebrafish model</h2>



To further probe the relationship between the size of the cell's nucleus and organ formation, the team analyzed zebrafish. These creatures offered great insights, thanks to their transparency during embryonic stages and their rapid maturation.



Key observations made in the developing retina and brain of the zebrafish demonstrated that changes in cell and nuclear sizes during the development stage jammed the nuclei into place. 



This organization seemed crucial for processing visual cues, with the "crystalline" order of cells appearing as a result of the jamming of nuclei as the eye develops.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impaired-tissue-architecture">Impaired tissue architecture </h2>



The research also revealed that brain tissues become nuclear jammed, suggesting a broader role for the nucleus in influencing the architecture of several neural tissues.



The study highlights the possibility of nuclear-level defects causing diseases linked to impaired tissue architecture. 



This fresh understanding brings us closer to comprehending how cells construct organs during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-cannabis-use-affect-embryonic-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">embryonic development</a>. It pushes the boundaries of our existing knowledge, taking us one step further in our quest to comprehend the intricate marvel of life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-regenerative-medicine">Advancing regenerative medicine</h2>



The findings from this research hold significant promise for advancing regenerative medicine. 



By understanding the pivotal role that nuclei play in tissue organization and mechanics, scientists may develop strategies to manipulate these processes for therapeutic purposes.



For example, if we can learn to control the packing of nuclei, we could potentially enhance tissue regeneration in damaged organs or even guide the formation of new tissues in lab settings. 



This breakthrough could lead to innovative treatments for conditions such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-grounds-could-help-prevent-neurodegenerative-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurodegenerative diseases</a>, where tissue architecture is compromised. 



As we delve deeper into the mysteries of cellular organization, the potential applications for improved health outcomes continue to expand, marking an exciting frontier in biomedical research.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-024-01972-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Materials</a>. 



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Cell nuclei play an unexpected role in organ formation

Organ formation is a symphony of interactions, where each moment...

Our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-domestic-horses-have-ancestors-in-russia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">equine friends</a>, horses, just galloped past the conventional wisdom about their intelligence. It turns out they're quite smarter than we've been giving them credit for, according to a fascinating study by Nottingham Trent University.



Leading the study is seasoned equine scientist, Dr. Carrie Ijichi, alongside fellow researcher Louise Evans from the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at <a href="https://www.ntu.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nottingham Trent University</a>.



The experts embarked upon this journey of discovery to understand more about how horses learn, a valuable insight that could help us train them more humanely and improve their welfare.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-the-intelligence-of-horses">Testing the intelligence of horses</h2>



The team set up a unique experiment to see how smart horses really are. The rules? Horses had to touch a piece of card with their noses to get a treat. 



A simple task, but the researchers added a twist. The horses were not rewarded if they touched the card while a light was on but rewarded when the light was off.



Despite the change in conditions, horses continued to touch the card whether the light was on or off, still bagging in those goodies they love so much.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-horses-can-adapt-to-the-rules">Horses can adapt to the rules</h2>



In a final twist, the scientists introduced an unexpected penalty - a 10-second timeout where the horses couldn't play the game or receive a reward if they touched the card while the "stop" light was on. Then, something remarkable happened.



The horses, rather abruptly, began to play the game "correctly," only touching the card at the right point to receive their treat. It was as if they were adapting their strategy, sticking with the game plan only when there was a risk of penalty involved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-horses-natural-geniuses">Are horses natural geniuses?</h2>



These clever responses from the horses were not anticipated initially. "At first, we found that horses would just keep touching the card over and over, as they probably realized they would still get a frequent reward with minimal mental effort," noted Dr. Ijichi.



However, the smart responses of the horses when penalties were introduced signified their understanding of the game. This ability to switch strategies and behave differently when a risk was introduced showed a surprising level of cognitive processing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-intelligence-of-horses">Unexpected intelligence of horses</h2>



"Our horses immediately improved when we introduced a cost for errors. This suggests that the horses knew all along what the rules of the game were," said Louise Evans.



The results indicate that the horses were able to use a form of learning called "model-based learning." This cognitive capacity was thought to be beyond their reach.



Even more exciting is the fact that this cognitive ability is usually attributed to the human pre-frontal cortex. Horses, not having a well-developed equivalent, still demonstrated this level of sophistication, suggesting they are using a different part of their brains to achieve similar results.



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



As we venture further into understanding equine intelligence, this research opens the door to numerous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/horse-miscarriages-offer-insights-into-human-pregnancy-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">future investigations</a>. Further studies could explore the extent of horses’ cognitive flexibility and how various environmental factors influence their learning processes. 



Additionally, examining differences in intelligence among various breeds could help refine training techniques tailored to individual horses' strengths. 



By continuing to expand our knowledge of equine cognition, we move closer to creating a world where horses are recognized not only for their physical prowess but also for their remarkable mental capabilities. 



Such strides in research could reshape our interactions with these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-horse-protection-day-respecting-the-needs-and-rights-of-horses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>, leading to richer partnerships grounded in understanding and respect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-leap-in-understanding">A leap in understanding</h2>



This study not only changes our perception of horses' intelligence but also prompts us to reassess how we understand animal intelligence as a whole. 



Horses aren't average - they're as unique and intelligent as any creature on this planet, each in their own special way.



So, the next time you see a horse just grazing around, remember they're not just brawn -they're full of brain too.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124001874?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applied Animal Behaviour Science</a>.



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Horses have much higher intelligence than we thought

Our equine friends, horses, just galloped past the conventional wisdom...

After two and a half years of exploring the Jezero Crater’s floor and river delta, NASA’s Perseverance Rover is ready to push boundaries and climb up the Martian Crater rim.



This upcoming month-long journey, scheduled to begin the week of August 19, will undoubtedly include some of the steepest and most challenging landscapes the rover has experienced yet, marking the start of the mission's fifth science campaign since its landing in February 2021.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-samples-bunsen-peak-rock-jezero-crater-martian-lake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseverance</a> has completed four science campaigns, collected 22 rock cores, and traveled over 18 unpaved miles,” said Art Thompson, Perseverance project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JPL</a>) in Southern California.



“As we start the Crater Rim Campaign, our <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Perseverance-rover_Mars-tracks_Bright-Angel-area_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rover is in excellent condition</a>, and the team is raring to see what’s on the roof of this place.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-stops-on-martian-crater-tour">Next stops on Martian crater tour</h2>



The scientific team is particularly interested in <a href="https://d2pn8kiwq2w21t.cloudfront.net/original_images/_PIA-26373---QZCAM_SOL1229_ZCAM09279_R0_Z110_SERPENTINE_RAPIDS_MARGIN_UNIT.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two key areas atop the crater</a>, Pico Turquino and Witch Hazel Hill.



Imagery from NASA’s Mars orbiters indicates that Pico Turquino contains ancient fractures that may have been caused by hydrothermal activity in the distant past. 



Orbital views of Witch Hazel show layered materials that likely date from a time when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/was-mars-past-climate-supportive-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars had a very different climate</a> than today. 



Those views have revealed light-toned bedrock similar to what was found at “Bright Angel,” the area where Perseverance recently discovered and sampled the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-finds-best-evidence-yet-life-on-mars-cheyava-falls-rock/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“Cheyava Falls” rock</a>, which exhibits chemical signatures and structures that could possibly have been formed by life billions of years ago when the area <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-water-found-on-mars-would-cover-the-planet-over-one-mile-deep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contained running water</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-significance-of-sedimentary-rock-samples">The significance of sedimentary rock samples</h2>



During the river delta exploration phase of the mission, the rover collected the only sedimentary rock ever sampled from a planet other than Earth. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/manganese-discovery-ancient-mars-earth-like-water-lake-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sedimentary rocks</a> are important because they form when particles of various sizes are transported by water and deposited into a standing body of water; on Earth, liquid water is one of the most important requirements for life as we know it.



“Among these rock cores are likely the oldest materials sampled from any known environment that was potentially habitable,” said Tanja Bosak, a geobiologist at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> in Cambridge and member of Perseverance’s science team. 



“When we bring them back to Earth, they can tell us so much about when, why, and for how long Mars contained liquid water and whether some organic, prebiotic, and potentially even biological evolution may have taken place on that planet.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-ahead-onward-to-the-martian-crater-rim">The path ahead: onward to the Martian crater rim</h2>



As scientifically intriguing as the samples have been so far, the mission expects many more discoveries to come. 



“Our samples are already an incredibly scientifically compelling collection, but the crater rim promises to provide even more samples that will have significant implications for our understanding of Martian geologic history,” said Eleni Ravanis, a <a href="https://manoa.hawaii.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hawaiì at Mānoa</a> scientist on Perseverance’s Mastcam-Z instrument team.



“This is because we expect to investigate rocks from the most ancient crust of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-mars-seismic-discoveries-and-the-quest-for-past-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a>. These rocks formed from a wealth of different processes, and some represent potentially habitable ancient environments that have never been examined up close before.”



The journey, however, holds its challenges. To reach the crater's rim, Perseverance will rely on its auto-navigation capabilities, encountering slopes of up to 23 degrees. 



By the time it summits at a location dubbed “Aurora Park,” the rover will have gained about 1,000 feet (300 meters) in elevation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-main-goal">The main goal</h2>



One of the primary objectives of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-search-for-signs-of-life-on-mars-continues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseverance's mission</a> is astrobiology, which involves caching samples that may contain signs of ancient microbial life. 



The rover will also characterize the planet's geology and past climate, all of which will pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, marking the first mission to collect and cache Martian rock and regolith.



NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program, in cooperation with the European Space Agency (<a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>), aims to send a spacecraft to Mars to collect these sealed samples and return them to Earth for comprehensive analysis.



The Mars 2020 Perseverance mission is part of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach, which includes Artemis missions to the Moon that aim to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet.



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Perseverance Rover begins a steep climb up the Martian crater rim

After two and a half years of exploring the Jezero...

Have you ever thought life was filled with similar looking faces? Turns out, the animal kingdom follows the same rule, only with a twist of evolution. Meet Ontocetus posti, an extinct walrus-like mammal who existed way before our current chunky friend, the walrus.



Filched from the depth of the North Atlantic by an ardent team of paleontologists, this marvel of the past brings unique insights into how evolution tinkers with life forms.



Dr. Mathieu Boisville, a paleontologist from <a href="https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tsukuba</a>, Japan, was the one leading this group of fossil hunters. 



The team's work shines a spotlight on an extinct species that reportedly shared surprising similarities with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/is-a-walrus-a-mammal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern-day walruses</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ontocetus-posti-wrong-identity-right-species">Ontocetus posti: Wrong identity, right species</h2>



Norwich, United Kingdom, and Antwerp, Belgium -- from the storied soils of these regions, the fossils of Ontocetus posti emerged. 



Initially mistaken for another species, Ontocetus emmonsi, it took a rigorous examination of the mandibles to realize the truth.



A fantastic ensemble of features including four post-canine teeth, a larger lower canine, and a fused and short mandibular symphysis hinted that the remains actually belonged to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mammals-have-evolved-over-66-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a new species</a>.



These features paved the way for Ontocetus posti's walrus-like suction-feeding capability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extinction-of-the-walrus-like-mammal">Extinction of the walrus-like mammal</h2>



What's interesting is how this genus managed to navigate from the North Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. 



The journey, that took place during the Mio-Pliocene transition, was likely aided by the Central American Seaway.



This passage of water, crucial before the closure of the Panama Isthmus, expedited this intriguing migration. However, as the world began to cool down in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vanishing-giants-study-reveals-shocking-decline-of-large-mammals-in-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Late Pliocene</a>, marine life was significantly impacted.



This led to the unfortunate extinction of Ontocetus posti during the Early Pleistocene, paving the way for the cold-adapted Odobenus rosmarus, our present-day walrus, to evolve and thrive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-ontocetus-posti">Significance of Ontocetus posti</h2>



Examining the unique features of Ontocetus posti not only illuminates its own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-mammals-live-depends-more-on-climate-than-human-activities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary path</a> but also provides a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of adaptation in marine mammals.



The morphological adaptations seen in this species underscore how environmental pressures can shape anatomical structures over millions of years. 



For instance, the development of specific dental traits, such as the enlarged lower canine, speaks volumes about the feeding strategies employed by these ancient mammals. 



Such adaptations enhance our understanding of the ecological roles that Ontocetus posti may have played within its environment, including its dietary habits and the competition it faced.



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



The study of Ontocetus posti opens new avenues for research into the evolutionary history of marine mammals and their responses to historical climate changes.



As paleontologists continue to uncover fossil evidence, there lies immense potential to deepen our understanding of biodiversity during periods of significant geological transition. 



Furthermore, the insights gained from Ontocetus posti's adaptation and eventual extinction could provide valuable lessons concerning current marine species facing rapid climate change.



By learning from the past, we may better prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in preserving marine biodiversity amidst shifting environmental conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comparative-anatomy-of-ontocetus-posti">Comparative anatomy of Ontocetus posti</h2>



A closer inspection of Ontocetus posti reveals important anatomical similarities and differences when compared to its modern counterpart, the walrus.



Notably, while both species exhibit traits suited for suction feeding, Ontocetus posti displays a distinctively narrower snout, which may imply different feeding strategies in response to ecological niches.



The arrangement and morphology of its teeth serve as a testament to its dietary adaptations, suggesting that it thrived on a varied diet that possibly included both hard-shelled prey and softer marine organisms. 



Additionally, the robust skeletal structure of Ontocetus posti hints at a different locomotion strategy within the water, one that could have influenced its ability to navigate both coastal and open-sea habitats.



Understanding these anatomical nuances not only enhances our comprehension of Ontocetus posti’s lifestyle but also enriches our knowledge of how evolutionary forces sculpt physical traits in response to environmental needs, thereby offering <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/is-a-walrus-a-mammal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deeper insights</a> into the adaptability of marine mammals through time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adaptation-and-survival">Adaptation and survival</h2>



The unearthing of Ontocetus posti illuminates the evolutionary path of walruses, underscoring how environmental changes have influenced the need for adaptation and survival mechanisms in marine mammals.



The feeding adaptations similarities between Ontocetus posti and the modern walrus best exemplify this process. It’s these dynamic evolutionary shifts across different periods and environments that keep the story of existence perpetually interesting.



It's quite thought-provoking how millions of years ago, an extinct species mirrored certain characteristics we find in existing species today. Truly, in the theatre of existence, the curtain never falls. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/17666/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeerJ</a>.



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Extinct mammal discovered that resembles a modern-day walrus

Have you ever thought life was filled with similar looking...

The humble banana, a staple of many healthy diets, is on the brink of extinction due to Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB). This is a devastating disease caused by a strain of the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) Tropical Race 4 (TR4).



Thanks to an international team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.umass.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a>, we now know that Foc TR4 did not evolve from the strain that wiped out commercial banana crops in the 1950s.



Instead, the virulence of this new strain seems to be associated with certain accessory genes linked to the production of nitric oxide. 



These insights could pave the way for treatments and strategies that can slow, if not control, the unchecked spread of Foc TR4.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tale-of-two-bananas">A tale of two bananas</h2>



“The kind of banana we eat today is not the same as the one your grandparents ate. Those old ones, the Gros Michel bananas, are functionally extinct, victims of the first Fusarium outbreak in the 1950s,” noted Li-Jun Ma, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at UMass Amherst and the paper’s senior author.



Today, the most popular type of commercially available banana is the Cavendish variety, which was bred as a disease-resistant response to the Gros Michel extinction. 



For about four decades, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-will-help-keep-bananas-on-supermarket-shelves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cavendish banana</a> thrived across the globe in the vast monocultured plantations that supply the majority of the world’s commercial banana crop.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-banana-disease-and-its-impact">Banana disease and its impact</h2>



By the 1990s, the glory days of the Cavendish banana were slowly fading with another <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-banana-disease-has-arrived-in-southeast-asia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outbreak of banana wilt</a>. This outbreak rapidly spread from Southeast Asia to Africa and Central America. 



“There was another outbreak of banana wilt,” said lead author Yong Zhang, who completed his doctorate in UMass Amherst’s Organismic and Evolutionary Biology program under Ma’s direction. “It spread like wildfire from Southeast Asia to Africa and Central America.”



“We have spent the last 10 years studying this new outbreak of banana wilt,” noted Ma, who is an expert in Fusarium oxysporum, which is not a single species but a “species complex” with hundreds of different varieties that specialize in affecting different plant hosts.



These varieties are determined by the acquisition of strain-specific accessory genes in addition to a shared core genome.



“We now know that the Cavendish banana-destroying pathogen TR4 did not evolve from the race that decimated the Gros Michel bananas," said Ma.



"TR4’s genome contains some accessory genes that are linked to the production of nitric oxide, which seems to be the key factor in TR4’s virulence.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-to-mitigate-banana-disease">Strategies to mitigate banana disease </h2>



Yong, Ma, and their co-authors from China, South Africa, and various U.S. universities rigorously sequenced and compared 36 different Foc strains from around the globe.



The team discovered that Foc TR4 uses some accessory genes for both the production and detoxification of fungal nitric oxide to invade the host.



This key discovery revealed the immense impact of nitric oxide production on TR4’s virulence, thus offering several strategic pathways to control the spread of this pathogen.



While the team doesn’t yet know exactly how these activities contribute to disease infestation in Cavendish bananas, they were able to determine that the virulence of Foc <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-disease-threatens-banana-production-in-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TR4</a> was greatly reduced when two genes that control nitric oxide production were eliminated. 



“Identifying these accessory genetic sequences opens up many strategic avenues to mitigate, or even control, the spread of Foc TR4,” said Yong.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diversifying-the-bananas-we-buy">Diversifying the bananas we buy</h2>



Even so, Ma is quick to point out that the ultimate problem threatening our much-loved breakfast fruit is the practice of monocropping. 



“When there’s no diversity in a huge commercial crop, it becomes an easy target for pathogens,” she said. “Next time you’re shopping for bananas, try some different varieties that might be available in your local specialty foods store.”



Diversifying the types of bananas we consume could help reduce the pressure on the Cavendish variety, making the entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-breakthrough-will-promote-disease-resistance-in-bananas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">banana industry</a> more resilient. 



Supporting biodiversity in banana crops is not just about preserving a favorite fruit; it’s about ensuring food security for future generations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-024-01779-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Microbiology</a>.



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Banana apocalypse: Can science save our favorite fruit?

The humble banana, a staple of many healthy diets, is...

The world has a significant plastic problem, that much is obvious. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste pollute our oceans and landscapes, posing serious threats to wildlife and ecosystems. What if we could turn the environmental hazard of microplastics into something truly valuable, like graphene?



Well, oddly enough, that's what we're here to talk about. Some innovative and forward-thinking scientists at <a href="https://www.jcu.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Cook University</a> have found a way to convert microplastics into graphene.



Graphene is a remarkable material known for its exceptional strength, conductivity, and versatility. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electrons-in-graphene-exhibit-very-strange-fractional-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revolutionary substance</a> is making waves across multiple industries, from electronics to energy storage, paving the way for new technological advancements.



Behind this important study, we find Professor Mohan Jacob, an acclaimed expert in plastic degradation, and Dr. Adeel Zafar, a scholar with intricate knowledge of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/contamination-crisis-microplastics-found-in-88-of-protein-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastic behavior</a>.



Together, they are tackling one of the biggest environmental concerns of modern times - microplastics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-converting-microplastics-into-graphene">Converting microplastics into graphene</h2>



Microplastics, which are no larger than your average sesame seed, are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-antarctica-much-worse-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">causing significant harm</a> to marine life, wildlife, and indirectly to human beings.



"These microplastics are notorious for their non-degradable and insoluble nature in water and are an evolving threat to fish and animals and humans," said Professor Jacob.



They break into smaller pieces and infiltrate food chains, potentially landing up on our dinner plates. To make matters worse, they have a knack for absorbing harmful organic pollutants.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/microplastic-conversion-graphene_APMP-system_graphic_credit-Small-Science_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/microplastic-conversion-graphene_APMP-system_graphic_credit-Small-Science_1s.webp" alt="Schematic representation of APMP system for the synthesis of graphene from PE microplastics. Credit: From Small Science (2024)" class="wp-image-1941876"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Schematic representation of APMP system for the synthesis of graphene from PE microplastics. Credit: From Small Science (2024)</figcaption></figure>



Dr. Zafar expands on this, explaining that once in water, microplastics are taken up by marine life, and over time, also end up in our food.



"Once they are in water, they are ultimately integrated into both marine and human food chains. Disturbingly, microplastics disrupt&nbsp;<a href="https://phys.org/tags/marine+life/">marine life</a>&nbsp;and coral reproduction," said Dr. Zafar.



The process of recycling microplastics has always been a daunting task due to the significant labor and resources required to separate these tiny particles from other materials.



"Upcycling, which involves transforming plastic waste into higher-value materials rather than simply breaking it down, has a high demand," said Dr. Zafar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-graphene-revolutionary-child-of-microplastics">Graphene: Revolutionary child of microplastics</h2>



Through a cutting-edge technology called Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma synthesis, the team at James Cook University has discovered a method that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/destroying-microplastics-tap-water-surprisingly-simple-solution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transforms microplastics</a>, sourced from plastic bottles, into graphene.



This extraordinary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/graphene-new-wonder-material-earth-technology-found-moon-soil/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one-atom-thick carbon material</a> is stronger than steel, harder than diamond, and lighter than aluminum.



"Approximately 30 mg of microplastics produced nearly 5 mg of graphene in 1 minute. This production rate is remarkably higher than achieved previously, and offers a simpler, more environmentally friendly alternative to current techniques," said Dr. Zafar.



This technique not only efficiently converts microplastics into graphene, but it also offers a simpler, more environmentally friendly alternative to current recycling methods.



Graphene, frequently referred to as a "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nanotech-material-graphene-passes-human-safety-tests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wonder material</a>," is distinguished by its extraordinary properties. As mentioned above, it boasts remarkable strength while remaining astonishingly lightweight. It also conducts electricity more efficiently than copper.



With its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/graphene-superhighway-allows-electronic-devices-to-use-much-less-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unique structure</a> -- merely one atom thick -- graphene exhibits flexibility and near transparency.



These exceptional qualities pave the way for a myriad of possibilities, from transforming electronics to improving water purification processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-huge-step-for-the-environment">Huge step for the environment</h2>



This research's implications are vast. As Professor Jacob notes, this is a significant milestone for environmental science.



"The research not only pioneers a novel approach to graphene synthesis but also contributes to the broader goal of mitigating the adverse effects of&nbsp;microplastic&nbsp;pollution on our ecosystems," Professor Jacob concluded.



While these findings bring a wave of optimism, we must remember that our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-found-in-every-semen-sample-tested/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fight against plastic pollution</a> is far from over. The methods developed by Professor Jacob and Dr. Zafar are significant, but there's a long road ahead.



The work done at James Cook University offers a glimmer of hope. With continued research and development, the transformation of waste into valuable resources could soon be a common reality, propelling us towards a greener planet.



Imagine a world where waste is not a problem but a resource—an exciting prospect, isn't it? Well, this might not be too far from reality. Time will tell. But for now, let's celebrate this giant leap towards a cleaner, greener future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smsc.202400176">Small Science</a>.



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Microplastics converted into valuable graphene 'wonder material' with new tech

The world has a significant plastic problem, that much is...

In the annals of biological history, perhaps no creature has been as widely known yet so poorly understood as the Dodo, a bird often depicted as the epitome of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-the-dodo-bird-be-brought-back-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction</a> itself. 



Known to many as the poster child of extinction and mistakenly deemed a slow, unintelligent creature destined for a bleak fate, the Dodo has long been shrouded in misconceptions and myths. 



However, new research aims to challenge these long-held beliefs and unshroud the mystique surrounding the Dodo and its closest relative, the Rodriguez Island Solitaire, offering a fresh perspective on their true nature and place in history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dodo-s-true-origins">Dodo’s true origins</h2>



The newly published study, hailing from the collaborative efforts of the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a>, Natural History Museum (NHM), and <a href="https://www.oumnh.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxford University Museum of Natural History</a>, sets out to rectify the taxonomy of these long-gone birds. 



An exhaustive review of over 400 years of scientific literature and UK collections has been undertaken to ensure that the Dodo and the Solitaire are correctly classified.



According to Dr. Neil Gostling, a key author of the study, the Dodo was the first living thing that was recorded as being present and then disappeared.



This key event hinted at mankind's potential to influence the natural world in unprecedented ways, marking the beginning of a profound realization of human impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quest-for-the-truth">Quest for the truth</h2>



Historical depictions of the Dodo and the Solitaire were largely shaped by sailors' accounts, artists' representations, and incomplete remains, each contributing to a fragmented and often inaccurate picture of these birds. 



The absence of a definitive reference point led to centuries of misidentifications and the creation of non-existent species like the Nazarene Dodo, the White Dodo, and the White Solitaire, all of which fueled misconceptions and added layers of mystery to these already enigmatic creatures. 



Over time, these mythological beings were stripped of their mythical status and were rightly classified as giant ground doves, thanks to the tireless efforts of Victorian-era scientists who sought to bring clarity to the confusion. 



However, despite these advances, the exact count of species within this group remained contentious, with debates and discrepancies persisting for years. 



To unravel this complex puzzle, researchers embarked on a meticulous journey. They carefully sifted through hundreds of dated accounts and specimens housed in collections across the UK, striving to piece together the true story of these iconic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-have-wiped-out-hundreds-of-bird-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinct birds</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-the-record-straight">Setting the record straight</h2>



"More has been written about the Dodo than any other bird, yet virtually nothing is known about it in life," said Dr. Julian Hume, a co-author of the paper.



The Dodo and Solitaire, even after 400 years of their extinction, continue to prompt heated debate. Through persevering work, the scientists have confirmed these birds were members of the columbid family.



Dr. Gostling emphasized that their loss equated to the extinction of a unique branch of the pigeon family tree.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disrupting-the-dodo-stereotypes">Disrupting the Dodo stereotypes</h2>



The widely accepted notion of the Dodo being a fat, sluggish creature predisposed for extinction is flawed, according to the researchers. 



"Was the Dodo really the dumb, slow animal we've been brought up to believe it was?" asked Dr. Young.



Contrary to popular belief, the Dodo, as per eyewitness accounts, was an agile creature favoring the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-herbivore-extinctions-drastically-affect-forest-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest ecosystem</a>. 



Dr. Gostling further supports this by indicating physical similarities between Dodos and today's running and climbing birds, suggesting that the Dodo was likely an active animal that was well-adapted to forest environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-relevance-for-today-s-conservation">Relevance for today’s conservation</h2>



"Understanding them might aid in ecosystem recovery in Mauritius, perhaps starting to undo the damage that began with the arrival of humans nearly half a millennium ago," said Dr. Gostling.



The research forms the bedrock of a broader project to decipher the biology of these iconic birds. 



"By understanding how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-birds-evolved-bright-colors-to-avoid-collisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds evolved</a> in the past, we are learning valuable lessons that could help protect bird species today," noted study co-author Dr Markus Heller.



The efforts of scientists in unraveling the mystery of the Dodo are supported artistically by paleoartist Karen Fawcett, who beautifully brings this extinct creature to life through her detailed models.



With the backing of the University of Southampton’s Institute for Life Sciences, this interdisciplinary research promises to rewrite the history of these iconic birds.



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Dodo birds were much more active than we previously thought

In the annals of biological history, perhaps no creature has...

Did you realize that clean, safe drinking water is more than a luxury; it's a fundamental human right? It's a jarring fact, but a whopping 4.4 billion individuals, mainly in low- and middle-income countries, suffer from inadequate access to this bare necessity.



Yes, more than half of our global family is flirting with the dire risks of ingesting dangerously tainted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-raises-your-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a>. This is what the latest geospatial analysis throws light on - highlighting how fecal contamination is now jeopardizing almost half of these populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-torchbearers-of-transformation">Torchbearers of transformation</h2>



These alarming statistics aren't just hollow numbers but the result of diligent efforts of a dedicated group of researchers, including Esther Greenwood from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (<a href="https://www.aaas.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AAAS</a>).



These relentless professionals have made it their mission to awaken, motivate, and revolutionize our comprehension of crucial global matters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-reality-check-on-safe-drinking-water">A reality check on safe drinking water</h2>



The breakthrough research unveils that merely one in three individuals residing in these nations had access to safely managed drinking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strict-pfas-limits-will-make-drinking-water-safer-for-100-million-americans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> in 2020. Adding salt to the wound, this number is almost double the previous estimates.



Contrary to this, the <a href="https://www.who.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a> and United Nations Children’s Fund <a href="https://washdata.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joint Monitoring Programme</a> revealed a much lesser number - only 2 billion individuals were estimated to be dealing with a lack of access to safe water in 2020. 



This glaring discrepancy implies the need for improvement in how we monitor and address the issue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ticking-time-bomb-e-coli">Ticking time bomb - E.Coli</h2>



Taking you further into the rabbit hole, let's talk about E. coli. This notorious bacteria, usually found nesting in human and animal intestines, are more than often an uninvited guest in the primary drinking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-source-water-exceeds-safe-drinking-limits-of-pfas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> source of many inhabitants of low- and middle-income countries.



This unfortunate occurrence is a mirror held up to the deplorable sanitation conditions prevalent in these areas, hinting towards widespread fecal contamination. 



The chances of ingesting such harmful pathogens from tainted water are truly worrisome, bearing significant public health hazards and acting as a significant contributor to global child mortality rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intervention-for-safe-drinking-water">Intervention for safe drinking water</h2>



This revelation rings a loud bell for the entire world, emphasizing the dire need for strategic investments bent towards enhancing water quality monitoring and infrastructure in the most vulnerable areas. 



The United Nations has penned down a clear goal - universal access to clean water by 2030. 



But going by the data on our hands, we seem to be missing our target by a substantial margin. Resources need redirecting, and determined efforts need mobilizing, to tackle the water <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-it-safe-for-dogs-to-drink-from-public-water-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crisis</a> head-on.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-future">Sustainable future</h2>



Addressing the stark realities of water access requires a concerted global effort, where collaboration becomes paramount. Engaging local communities in both the planning and implementation of clean water initiatives fosters a sense of ownership and accountability. 



Recent studies advocate for innovative solutions such as rainwater harvesting and decentralized water treatment systems, which can be tailored to the unique contexts of these regions. 



Moreover, partnerships among governments, NGOs, and private sectors can amplify financial resources and technical expertise, enabling the scaling of successful water management practices. 



By fostering a culture of cooperation and leveraging diverse capabilities, we can create a resilient infrastructure that not only provides immediate relief but also ensures sustainable access to safe drinking water for generations to come.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-amidst-hopelessness">Hope amidst hopelessness</h2>



Despite the grim scenario, there is still room for optimism. Rob Hope, a renowned water expert, who has meticulously inspected this study and its findings, believes that with heightened awareness, planned action, and persistent research, we stand a chance to bridge this gap and ensure everyone's right to safe drinking water.



In essence, the road lies long and winding, and the stakes are sky-high. But remember, water is the fountainhead of our existence, and every individual holds an irrefutable right to drink clean, safe water. 



By putting this issue under the limelight and unifying our collective efforts, we have the potential to bring about a meaningful change. 



It's time we ask ourselves: What can each one of us do to help? What collective actions can we, as a one world community, take to ensure safe water for all our brothers and sisters? 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adh9578" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Over 4.4 billion people lack access to safe drinking water

Did you realize that clean, safe drinking water is more...

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...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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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;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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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;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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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



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



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The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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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



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



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Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> 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;



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



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Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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

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