Young aspen trees in Yellowstone are doing something they have not done in almost 100 years. Rather than sprouting and being eaten back to nubs by elk and bison, they're actually growing into tall, adult forest trees rising up towards the canopy.



This matters more than it might seem, because it shows what happens when a missing piece of an ecosystem returns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yellowstone-aspens-and-elk">Yellowstone, aspens, and elk</h2>



In the 1920s, people <a href="https://www.yellowstone.org/wolf-project/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eliminated wolves in Yellowstone</a>. At the time, with limited scientific knowledge, managers believed it was the right thing to do.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-wolves-to-dogs-did-domestication-begin-without-human-help/">Without wolves</a>, elk herds grew very large. Elk love to eat aspen shoots - the tender young growth is highly palatable to them.



For roughly 70 years, elk browsed aspen sprouts down to stub height, and the trees couldn't grow. 



If you had walked through Yellowstone in the 1980s, you would have seen many tiny aspen shoots covering the ground, but almost no young trees gaining height. 



The forest's regeneration was stalled. Old trees died, and no new ones replaced them.



In 1995 and 1996, park managers reintroduced wolves into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption-study-sparks-new-debate-on-where-and-when-it-will-erupt/">Yellowstone Park ecosystem</a>. Scientists hoped and wondered whether this would change anything for the trees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-aspen-matter-to-yellowstone">Why aspen matter to Yellowstone</h2>



Aspen groves provide habitat for many species. Birds nest in them. Beavers eat the bark and use the wood for dams. Butterflies and moths lay eggs on the leaves. 



Their canopy admits enough light for wildflowers and shrubs to grow beneath. When it rains, aspen groves hold water in the soil better than some other forest types.



In short, when aspen return, dozens of other species benefit. More trees support more insects, which in turn support more birds, enriching the ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-checking-the-trees-three-decades-later">Checking the trees three decades later</h2>



<a href="https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/users/luke-painter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke Painter</a>, an ecologist at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a>, sought clear answers. His team returned to 87 aspen stands across Yellowstone that scientists had previously surveyed. 



They measured thousands of young trees, looked for bite marks, and counted how many stems were tall enough that elk could no longer reach the tips.



About a third of these stands now have many tall young aspens pushing toward the canopy. 



"About 26 of the 87 aspen stands we examined had large numbers of tall saplings throughout, a remarkable change from the 1990s when surveys found none at all," Painter said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-wolves-matter-to-yellowstone-aspens">Why wolves matter to Yellowstone aspens</h2>



Breaking it all down, the conclusions of this study are pretty simple. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wolves-move-pups-across-mountains-to-adapt-to-climate-pressure/">Wolves hunt elk</a>. When wolves came back, two things happened. First, elk numbers declined from unusually high levels. Second, elk changed their behavior. They spent less time in the same areas feeding.



With fewer elk and shorter feeding bouts, more aspen shoots survived long enough to exceed the browsing zone - about six to seven feet high. 



Once a sapling reaches that height, elk cannot easily reach the growing tip. The tree continues to grow.



"The reintroduction of large carnivores has initiated a recovery process that had been shut down for decades," Painter explained.



Scientists call this a <a href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/trophic-cascades-across-diverse-plant-ecosystems-80060347/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trophic cascade</a> - when adding or removing one species causes changes that ripple through the whole system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-places-recover-others-don-t">Some places recover, others don't</h2>



Unfortunately, not every aspen stand has recovered yet. Some valleys still have many short, heavily browsed shoots, because it's not only elk eating them anymore. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstones-iconic-bison-have-merged-into-a-single-herd/">Bison herds have grown</a>, and bison browse on aspen as well. They are strong enough to break young trees. 



"Increasing numbers of bison may be emerging as a new constraint to aspen in some areas," Painter confirmed.



Additionally, winter snow depth varies; droughts stress trees; bears and mountain lions also hunt elk; and hunting outside the park influences elk distribution. 



All of these factors interact, which is why some sites show strong recovery, others show moderate recovery, and a few have changed very little.



The key pattern is that places with many tall saplings experience little browsing, and aspen groves that remain popular eating grounds today stay short. 



This fact is the strongest indication that tree recovery is linked directly to wolf presence, not solely to weather or soil conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proof-in-the-measurements">Proof in the measurements</h2>



Painter's team did not rely on casual observation. They used the same methods as earlier researchers, measuring the same plots. 



They counted recruitment - when young trees surpass browsing height and begin progressing toward maturity. This measure is crucial. Sprouts are insufficient if they never grow; without recruitment, the forest cannot replace itself.



The results are robust. After being stalled for most of a century, Yellowstone's aspens are increasing in height. In recovering stands today, you will see saplings - six, eight, or ten feet tall - that were not present in the 1990s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-yellowstone-s-aspens">The future of Yellowstone's aspens</h2>



"This is a remarkable case of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-viruses-found-in-yellowstones-hot-springs-may-be-near-the-root-of-all-life-on-earth/">ecological restoration</a>," Painter concluded. "Wolf reintroduction is yielding long-term ecological changes contributing to increased biodiversity and habitat diversity."



Trees grow slowly, so even with wolves restored, it will take decades for these young aspens to form a full-grown forest. 



Some areas might never fully recover if bison numbers continue to rise or if the climate becomes too hot and dry.



Thanks to the work of Painter and his team, scientists are now certain that restoring the Yellowstone predator has restarted aspen forest regeneration. Not everywhere and not perfectly, but enough to be measured, creating hope for the future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112725004499?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Ecology and Management</a>.



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Yellowstone's aspen trees are growing again thanks to the reintroduction of wolves

Young aspen trees in Yellowstone are doing something they have not done in almost 100 years. Rather than sprouting and being eaten back to nubs by elk and bison, they're actually growing into tall, adult forest trees rising up towards the canopy. This matters more than it might seem, because it shows what happens when a missing piece of an ecosystem returns. Yellowstone, aspens, and elk In the 1920s, people eliminated wolves in Yellowstone. At the time, with limited scientific knowledge, managers believed it was the right...

An extraordinary planetary system, Kepler-51, continues to intrigue astronomers with its unique characteristics. Researchers at Penn State and Osaka Universities have discovered a fourth planet in this system.



The Kepler-51 system was already known for its three ultra-low-density "super-puff" planets, but this latest finding adds another layer of complexity. 



The team identified the fourth planet, Kepler-51e, after observing unexpected transit timing variations (TTVs) in the system. This discovery challenges existing planetary formation theories and opens up new questions about the dynamics and evolution of this peculiar system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-super-puff-planets">Understanding super-puff planets</h2>



Super-puff planets are distinctly characterized by their incredibly low mass and density. They are roughly the size of Saturn but only a few times the mass of Earth, making them as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-planet-is-as-light-as-cotton-candy-but-bigger-than-jupiter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light and fluffy as cotton candy</a>. 



The super-puffs in the Kepler-51 system are believed to have tiny cores and vast atmospheres of hydrogen and helium.



They are a cosmic enigma that has astronomers questioning how they formed and how their atmospheres survive the intense radiation from their star. The discovery of a fourth planet adds more intrigue to these questions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-surprise-in-kepler-51">A surprise in Kepler-51</h2>



The research team, led by Jessica Libby-Roberts, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds at <a href="https://www.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a>, ventured to study Kepler-51d using NASA's <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a>. 



However, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-identified-85-new-exoplanets-that-could-harbor-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a> decided to steal the show by passing in front of its star two hours earlier than anticipated - an event that nearly caught the researchers off guard.



This unexpected transit time suggested another player in the system: a fourth hidden planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planetary-transits-and-their-secrets">Planetary transits and their secrets</h2>



The transit of a planet, when it passes in front of its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-molecule-detected-in-space-where-stars-are-born/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star</a> as observed from Earth, can reveal a wealth of information. The duration and magnitude of the star's dip in brightness help astronomers to deduce the planet's size and other properties.



Occasionally, a planet may transit earlier or later due to the gravitational pull from other planets, resulting in transit timing variations. 



These minor discrepancies are usually accounted for in models to accurately predict when planets will transit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-observational-twist-in-kepler-51">An observational twist in Kepler-51</h2>



Despite their accurate predictions for the transit of Kepler-51b in May 2023, the researchers were thrown for a loop by Kepler-51d. This planet was expected to transit around 2 a.m. EDT in June 2023. 



But it made its grand entrance two hours early, which challenged the researchers to revise their models.



“We were really puzzled by the early appearance of Kepler-51d, and no amount of fine-tuning the three-planet model could account for such a large discrepancy,” said Kento Masuda, associate professor of Earth and Space Science at <a href="https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Osaka University</a> and co-first author of the paper.



“Only adding a fourth planet explained this difference. This marks the first planet discovered by transit timing variations using JWST."



To better understand the Kepler-51 system, the researchers adopted a "brute force" search. They tested different combinations of planet properties to construct a four-planet model that explained all of the transit data collected over 14 years. 



This rigorous approach led them to identify the fourth planet, Kepler-51e.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-details-of-kepler-51e">Details of Kepler-51e</h2>



Kepler-51e's existence and properties compelled the team to adjust their models and rethink the expected masses of the other planets in the system. 



However, without direct observation of Kepler-51e's transit, it's unclear whether this newest family member is also a super-puff.



Although Kepler-51e is currently stealing the spotlight, Libby-Roberts noted that there's a lot more to discover in this planetary system.



“Kepler-51e has an orbit slightly larger than Venus and is just inside the star’s habitable zone, so a lot more could be going on beyond that distance if we take the time to look,” said Libby-Roberts.



“Continuing to look at transit timing variations might help us discover planets that are further away from their stars and might aid in our search for planets that could potentially support life.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-road-ahead-with-kepler-51-and-its-planets">Road ahead with Kepler-51 and its planets</h2>



The researchers are now analyzing the remaining James Webb Space Telescope data. 



The findings could provide information about the atmosphere of Kepler-51d and enhance our understanding of how ultra-low density super-puff planets are formed.



The mysteries of the universe, and the super-puff planets of Kepler-51, continue to intrigue and captivate the minds of researchers.



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ad83d3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astronomical Journal</a>.



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and L. Hustak, J. Olmsted, D. Player and F. Summers (STScI)



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NASA finds a hidden planet in the Kepler-51 system

An extraordinary planetary system, Kepler-51, continues to intrigue astronomers with...

On December 4th, every year, we gather to talk about endangered species on World Wildlife Conservation Day.



Do you know which species is the most invasive on Earth? Monkeys? Catfish? Locusts? Surprisingly, it's us, humans.



Yes, our selfishness is pushing the most magnificent creatures of nature towards extinction and causing severe damage to the wildlife ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-world-wildlife-conservation-day">World Wildlife Conservation Day</h2>



Let's take a moment to understand the origins of World Wildlife Conservation Day.



It's an occasion for awareness, reflection and action, primarily focused on the issues that are threatening our planet's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-animal-day-2024-building-a-legacy-of-compassion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife biodiversity balance</a>. 



It serves as a call to protect wildlife species from human greed for illegal animal parts and products sold on the black market.



The interference of humans with the world's natural ecosystem dates back centuries. 



We cleared land for farming, chopped down forests for shipbuilding, hunted, and trapped animals for money. This exploitation eventually led to a drastic decline in wildlife populations across the globe.



In 2012, Hillary Clinton, then the U.S. Secretary of State, ignited the spark for World Wildlife Conservation Day. She raised awareness among conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts and proposed a strategic plan from the White House to tackle the global issue of wildlife trafficking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-illicit-trade-of-animals">Illicit trade of animals</h2>



Despite many conservation efforts and some positive successes, illegal trade of endangered animals is still growing. 



Black markets are expanding, and many species remain targets for hunters and poachers, putting them at serious risk of extinction.



The consequences of this illegal activity are not just harmful to wildlife. Millions of people who live near or within forests also suffer from these activities. 



Many of these communities rely on the forest for their livelihoods, including food, clean water, and other resources. 



When <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-disturbing-details-about-the-state-of-earths-wildlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> and their habitats are destroyed, these people face severe economic and environmental challenges.



It is crucial for us all to work together to protect wildlife. By doing so, we not only save endangered species but also help maintain healthy ecosystems that benefit both animals and humans. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-world-wildlife-conservation-day-timeline">World Wildlife Conservation Day timeline</h2>



Looking into historical events often provides us a clearer picture of the current scenario. 



In the 1600s, European explorers began hunting wildlife for European markets. The 1910s saw hunters and conservationists forming organizations to support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-tracking-is-crucial-for-preserving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> restoration and enforce hunting laws.



In 1969, President Richard Nixon established protection for threatened and endangered species through the Endangered Species Conservation Act.



And as discussed, in 2012, Hilary Clinton called for conservationists to raise awareness on the first World Wildlife Conservation Day held on December 4th.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-awareness-on-endangered-species">Awareness on endangered species</h2>



How do we classify a species as being endangered? If a species' population declines by 50%-70%, or if it is limited to less than 250 mature individuals, it is classified as endangered.



Is it possible for extinct species to return to life? Though it's rare, certain natural phenomena and successful experiments have managed to bring back some extinct species. 



The latest species to go extinct include the northern white rhinoceros and Spix’s macaw.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgency-of-wildlife-conservation">Urgency of wildlife conservation</h2>



The International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://iucn.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) maintains a Red List, which tracks species at risk of extinction.



Currently, a staggering 41,415 species are on this list, with 16,306 classified as critically endangered. This means that they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.



Among these, Javan Rhinos are one of the most critically endangered species, with only 67 individuals left in existence. 



According to the World Wildlife Fund (<a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WWF</a>), some well-known animals have reached alarmingly low population levels, including the Tapanuli orangutan, the giant panda, the Amur leopard, and the mountain gorilla.



Over the past 500 years, human activities such as habitat destruction, overhunting, and pollution have caused the extinction of 869 species, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-playing-our-part-in-wildlife-conservation">Playing our part in wildlife conservation </h2>



Today is the perfect day to do your part to support wildlife conservation. Here’s how you can help:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spread-awareness">Spread awareness</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Talk about endangered species with friends, family, and on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-is-helping-save-wild-animals-like-caracals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a>.</li>



<li>Share information about the importance of wildlife and how people can help.</li>



<li>Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to reach more people.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stand-against-illegal-activities">Stand against illegal activities</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Report any illegal activities involving wildlife that you hear about.</li>



<li>Support laws that fight against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.</li>



<li>Sign petitions to pressure governments into taking stronger action against wildlife crimes.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-donate-to-wildlife-organizations">Donate to wildlife organizations</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Donate to trusted wildlife organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (<a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WWF</a>), which work to save endangered animals.</li>



<li>Even small donations help buy supplies and support the work of people on the ground.</li>



<li>Your contributions help train and equip teams who work to protect animals in danger.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volunteer-your-time">Volunteer your time</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Volunteer at local wildlife centers or nature reserves if possible.</li>



<li>Help clean up parks, beaches, or forests to make them safe for wildlife.</li>



<li>Assist wildlife rehabilitation groups that work with injured animals.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-support-sustainable-products">Support sustainable products</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Avoid buying products made from endangered animals, such as ivory or fur.</li>



<li>Choose products that are eco-friendly and sustainably made to reduce harm to wildlife habitats.</li>



<li>Support companies that do not exploit wildlife and that give back to conservation projects.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adopt-responsible-habits-for-wildlife-conservation">Adopt responsible habits for wildlife conservation</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Recycle, reduce plastic use, and cut down on waste that could harm animals.</li>



<li>Use less water to conserve the environment, which in turn supports wildlife.</li>



<li>Reduce your carbon footprint by biking, walking, or taking public transport.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-your-garden-wildlife-friendly">Make your garden wildlife-friendly</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Plant native flowers to attract bees, butterflies, and other helpful species.</li>



<li>Provide bird feeders or bird baths to support local bird populations.</li>



<li>Avoid using harmful pesticides, as they can poison wildlife.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-join-or-start-a-wildlife-group">Join or start a wildlife group</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Connect with others who are passionate about conservation.</li>



<li>Create a local group to discuss ways to protect animals in your area.</li>



<li>Participate in or organize events like tree-planting days or wildlife talks.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-educate-yourself">Educate yourself</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Learn about endangered species and share what you know with others.</li>



<li>Read books, watch documentaries, and stay informed about the challenges facing wildlife.</li>



<li>The more you know, the more you can help educate and inspire others.</li>
</ul>



Every single effort counts, whether big or small. So, spread awareness, speak up, volunteer, or donate. These actions help protect our planet’s most vulnerable animals. By working together, we can ensure a future where all wildlife can thrive. 



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World Wildlife Conservation Day 2024: Saving species from extinction

On December 4th, every year, we gather to talk about...

Aerial,View,Of,Lithium,Fields,Or,Evaporation,Ponds,In,The

In the heart of America, the echoes of the gold rush still resonate. But today, a different kind of rush is underway -- the lithium rush.



As the world craves more renewable energy and electric vehicle usage surges, the demand for lithium has soared, leading geologists on a race against time to track down this highly coveted element.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unexpected-treasure">An unexpected treasure</h2>



In the hot summer of 2023, a group of researchers funded by a mining company discovered what is possibly the largest lithium reserve, nestled in an ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstones-supervolcano-holds-a-surprising-amount-of-magma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supervolcano</a> on the border between Nevada and Oregon.



Recently, another unexpected lithium deposit was found on the other side of the United States, and it was hidden in a place you wouldn't expect -- the wastewater from Pennsylvania's gas fracking industry.



This may not sound glamorous, but the reality is that this discovery could fulfill nearly half of America’s lithium needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-should-we-care-about-lithium">Why should we care about lithium?</h2>



Lithium is the superstar element in our renewable energy transition -- a critical component for many technological innovations as we strive to reach carbon neutrality. 



As the world moves toward greener energy and reduces reliance on fossil fuels, lithium is front and center in the clean energy revolution. 



However, the U.S. currently has only one large-scale lithium mine, making it heavily reliant on imports. This discovery would be a real game-changer, to say the least.



Lithium's real claim to fame is its role in rechargeable batteries, the kind that power everything from smartphones to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electric-vehicles-could-save-billions-in-health-care-costs-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electric vehicles (EVs)</a> and even renewable energy storage systems.



Electric vehicles are becoming more common, and those EVs rely on lithium-ion batteries to store energy efficiently. 



Plus, renewable energy sources like wind and solar power need batteries to store energy for when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. 



Securing a steady supply of lithium is key for the U.S. to maintain energy independence and meet its climate goals.



Most of the global lithium supply comes from countries like Australia, Chile, and China, which creates a vulnerability for the U.S. in terms of supply chains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-domestic-ambition-for-lithium">Domestic ambition for lithium</h2>



The U.S. Department of Energy is keen to alter this scenario. Their vision is that, by 2030, all lithium required in the U.S. will be produced domestically. 



Of course, this ambition to boost the national lithium industry doesn't come without controversy.



With concerns linked to mining's impact on the natural environment, potential chemical leaks, and infringement on sacred Indigenous lands, striking a balance seems tricky. 



And yet, it is undeniable that lithium-ion batteries hold immense promise for the world's transition to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fools-gold-may-be-a-valuable-source-of-lithium/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewable energy</a> use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanic-past">Volcanic past</h2>



Pennsylvania hides an ancient secret beneath its surface. The state rests upon the Marcellus Shale, a sedimentary rock formation that is rich in natural gas. 



It was formed nearly 400 million years ago due to volcanic activity. This historic geological event also resulted in a substantial lithium deposit from volcanic ash. 



Over time, deep groundwater succeeded in dissolving the lithium in these rocks -- a natural subterranean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-forms-dust-clouds-that-devastate-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mining</a> process.



Justin Mackey, lead author of the study describing the discovery, noted that the wastewater dredged up by fracking activities from these depths contains a surprisingly high quantity of lithium.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lithium-s-connection-to-fracking">Lithium's connection to fracking</h2>



Pennsylvania, due to its geographic location, is a frontline state in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/energy-companies-use-shady-tactics-to-get-landowners-to-allow-fracking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fracking</a>, an activity that breeds multiple environmental and health apprehensions.



Fracking involves drilling an L-shape into the earth to pump water downward, forcing deeper substances, including gas, to the surface.



But, according to Mackey, wastewater from oil and gas is a burgeoning issue. "Right now, it's just minimally treated and reinjected," he stated.



This practice may risk losing the invaluable lithium reserves hidden within. 



The research suggests that proper measurement of lithium reserves in fracking wastewater could result in a beneficial alternative use for this waste.



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



Analysts based their findings on data reported by oil and gas companies about elements found in their wastewater. 



They considered data from 2012 to 2023, gathered from the wastewater of 515 wells in Pennsylvania.



Their findings indicate that the Marcellus Shale "has the capacity to provide significant lithium yields for the foreseeable future" -- as long as fracking continues.



If researchers can successfully extract even a modest amount of lithium from Pennsylvania's fracking wastewater, it could fulfill over 30 percent of the current U.S. demand.



Although this sounds promising, the potential environmental impact of this extraction process remains unexplored and heavily depends on the continuation of fracking activities.



With global lithium demand expected to surge by 400 percent in the coming decades due to climate goals, the focus now is on navigating the challenges of meeting these needs and the potential environmental implications brought forth by these solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovation-coexisting-with-environment">Innovation coexisting with environment</h2>



While the discovery of lithium in Pennsylvania’s fracking wastewater offers a promising avenue to reduce reliance on imports, extracting this valuable resource is far from straightforward. 



Current technologies for lithium extraction, such as direct lithium extraction (DLE), are energy-intensive and require significant volumes of water, potentially exacerbating existing environmental issues. 



Moreover, the chemical processes involved could pose risks to groundwater quality if not meticulously managed.



Environmental advocates worry about the potential trade-offs. Fracking has already raised concerns about water contamination and seismic activity, and adding lithium extraction to the equation could heighten these risks. 



However, researchers are exploring sustainable methods that could mitigate such impacts. For instance, advancements in nanotechnology and filtration systems may offer less invasive ways to extract lithium from wastewater.



As Mackey and his team work on refining the extraction process, questions about scalability loom large. Can these methods be deployed at a scale large enough to meet growing demand without significant environmental harm? 



Policymakers and industry leaders will need to navigate this delicate balance, ensuring that innovation doesn’t come at the cost of ecological integrity.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58887-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Massive lithium deposit, critical for making batteries, discovered in the U.S.

In the heart of America, the echoes of the gold...

The shape of a bird’s wings offers insights into its lifestyle and abilities. Interestingly, bird wings also tell fascinating stories about nature and islands.



For instance, the albatross has wide, sail-like wings built for soaring over oceans, while the antpitta’s short, stubby wings reflect its preference for brief flights near the ground. However, can the shape of bird wings reveal deeper insights about biodiversity and nature’s organization?



Recent research from Washington University (WashU) in St. Louis suggests it can. The study highlights how bird wing shape - a proxy for long-distance flying ability - influences biodiversity patterns on islands across the globe.



"Our results reveal how a key dispersal trait - bird wing shape - can shape fundamental diversity patterns and island biogeography across scales," said Justin Baldwin, first author of the study. Baldwin recently completed his PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology at <a href="https://washu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WashU</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-wings-and-island-biodiversity">Bird wings and island biodiversity</h2>



Until now, studies on island biodiversity focused mainly on geographic factors, such as an island’s size and its isolation. 



These factors significantly affect the number of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/island-bird-communities-are-changing-in-unexpected-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species found on an island</a>. Larger islands typically host more species due to lower extinction rates, while isolated islands have fewer species because reaching them is challenging.



"To date, most studies have focused on how geographic factors such as area and isolation influence island species-area relationships," Baldwin said. "Our results highlight the importance of trait differences among species, specifically traits related to dispersal ability."



The remarkable theory of island biogeography, introduced by Robert H. MacArthur and Edward O. Wilson 50 years ago, described these patterns. They observed that isolation limits species diversity on islands, while larger areas support more species. 



However, the theory assumes all species have similar abilities to disperse and colonize new habitats - an assumption modern ecologists have questioned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-bird-wing-shape">Measuring bird wing shape</h2>



Baldwin and his co-advisor, Jonathan Myers, explored the potential influence of bird wing shape on island biodiversity. 



The researchers utilized a dataset of hand-wing index values, which measure how pointed a bird’s wings are. 



Birds with high values, such as swifts and swallows, are excellent fliers capable of covering long distances. In contrast, birds like chickens and wrens with low values are more limited in their flight range.



For their analysis, the experts synthesized data for 6,706 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-birds-diving-petrels-return-home-island-conservation-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird species</a> across 3,894 islands. They then calculated species-area relationships for all 11 recognized biogeographical realms and for 248 unique combinations of bird families in specific regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-and-biodiversity-patterns-on-islands">Birds and biodiversity patterns on islands</h2>



The findings revealed that wing shape significantly influences biodiversity patterns.



"In parts of the world where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-traits-make-birds-more-susceptible-to-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> tend to have low dispersal abilities, the species-area relationships were steep," Baldwin explained. 



This means that larger islands in these areas host a sharp increase in species numbers. In regions where birds possess higher dispersal abilities, species-area relationships were flatter, indicating a smaller gain in species numbers with increasing island size.



Additionally, the study identified a phenomenon called diversity saturation. On islands with many bird species equipped for long-distance flights, biodiversity seemed to reach a plateau. 



These patterns demonstrate how dispersal traits like wing shape interact with geographic factors to influence biodiversity.



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



Understanding how traits like wing shape affect biodiversity has practical applications. Islands often harbor unique species found nowhere else, making them critical for conservation efforts.



"The theory of island biogeography and species-area relationships have important applications for biodiversity conservation, especially on islands, which often harbor large numbers of endemic species found only within a single island or group of islands," Myers said.



The study’s findings can inform <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-100-bird-species-have-been-lost-for-over-a-decade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation strategies</a> to address challenges such as habitat loss, deforestation, and sea-level rise. By understanding how dispersal traits shape species distribution, conservationists can better predict and mitigate biodiversity loss on islands.



"The ecological and evolutionary processes that determine the steepness of the species-area relationship can be used to predict how and why habitat loss…causes extinctions and biodiversity loss on islands," Myers added.



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



Bird wing shape, a simple yet powerful trait, offers valuable insights into island biodiversity patterns. 



This study underscores the importance of considering species-specific traits alongside geographic factors to understand and protect nature. 



As researchers continue to explore these relationships, their findings will help guide efforts to preserve the rich and diverse life on our planet’s islands.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ele.70020" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology Letters</a>.



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Bird wings have a surprising effect on island biodiversity

The shape of a bird’s wings offers insights into its...

Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent&nbsp;in a&nbsp;warming world,&nbsp;as rising ocean temperatures trigger these mysterious and damaging phenomena.



The profound effects of marine heatwaves on ecosystems - from coral bleaching to disruptions in biodiversity - explain why scientists believe great urgency&nbsp;is required to understand&nbsp;their development and longevity.



As we grapple with the challenges of climate change, gaining deeper insights into these phenomena will enable us to predict their occurrence more accurately and mitigate their impacts on ocean life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-getting-the-full-picture-of-marine-heatwaves">Getting the full picture of marine heatwaves</h2>



A recently published review paper is shedding new light on this subject. The study, led by scientists ar the <a href="https://www.aims.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian Institute of Marine Science</a> (AIMS), explored the 3D structure of marine heat waves.



"Marine heat waves are damaging to critical ecosystems like coral reefs, driving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/60-percent-global-coral-reefs-face-bleaching-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mass bleaching events</a> like the five we have seen on the Great Barrier Reef since 2016. We need to keep building our understanding of them through sustained and targeted monitoring. This can inform management actions," said study co-author Dr. Jessica Benthuysen.



The research was focused on understanding the intricate systems that make up our oceans. This includes how different data sources can be used to track temperature fluctuations during these events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-assessing-the-impacts-of-marine-heatwaves">Assessing the impacts of marine heatwaves</h2>



During a marine heat wave on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-barrier-reef-is-on-the-brink-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Barrier Reef</a> in February 2020, scientists used a range of data sources to monitor temperature changes. 



These included temperature loggers on reefs, weather stations from AIMS, and moorings from the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS).



The AIMS research vessel Cape Ferguson also played a significant role in collecting data. As it traveled across the Reef, it measured surface water temperatures in near real-time.



Furthermore, scientists initiated the targeted deployment of IMOS ocean gliders. This advanced technology provided insights into the depth reached by the marine heat wave.



"Together, these temperature measurements provided a comprehensive dataset for assessing the marine heat wave's characteristics and impacts during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brutal-coral-bleaching-event-strikes-the-great-barrier-reef/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2020 mass coral bleaching event</a> on the Reef," stated Dr. Benthuysen.



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



The research paper, titled "A global overview of marine heatwaves in a changing climate," is the result of a dedicated collaboration among an international team of scientists.



They are all part of the Climate and Ocean Variability, Predictability and Change (CLIVAR) project. Dr. Antonietta Capotondi from the University of Colorado Boulder, United States, led the study.



It's not just a matter of having the right tools and methods, it's about having the right people. 



This global collaboration highlights science community's ability to bridge boundaries and work together to understand and address a shared problem – the escalating impact of ocean warming on marine ecosystems.



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



As marine heatwaves grow in frequency and intensity, scientists are pushing the boundaries of technology to monitor and predict these disruptive events better.



New tools, like underwater drones, thermal satellite imaging, and machine learning are giving researchers unprecedented access to real-time data.



These advancements reveal not just where heatwaves occur but also how deep they reach and how long they persist, thus offering critical insights into their impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-impacting-marine-life-more-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>.



Global collaboration through systems such as the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of these technologies.



The ultimate goal is to create early-warning systems that empower industries such as fishing and tourism to take timely action, thereby minimizing damage to marine ecosystems and the economies that depend on them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-heatwaves-and-their-economic-impacts">Marine heatwaves and their economic impacts</h2>



The ripple effects of marine heatwaves extend well beyond the oceans, posing significant challenges for industries like fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism. 



Coral bleaching events, often triggered by these heatwaves, devastate marine habitats and disrupt livelihoods. 



For example, regions that depend on vibrant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-save-coral-reefs-with-selective-breeding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reefs</a> for tourism suffer financial setbacks when these ecosystems are damaged, while fisheries face declining stocks as marine biodiversity shifts.



To address these challenges, researchers and policymakers are working together to develop strategies that balance ecological preservation with economic stability.



Such&nbsp;efforts range from conserving vulnerable marine areas to&nbsp;repairing damaged habitats and providing for affected communities.



Through&nbsp;both&nbsp;scientific innovation and practical solutions, they&nbsp;seek to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;a sustainable future for ocean ecosystems as well as&nbsp;for the industries&nbsp;dependent&nbsp;on&nbsp;those ecosystems.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01806-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment.</a>



Image Credit: AIMS/S. Hahn



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Mapping marine heatwaves to understand their impacts

Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent&nbsp;in a&nbsp;warming world,&nbsp;as rising ocean...

There's a Martian plain, a vast 1,800-mile-wide expanse, and it's stealing the limelight in the exciting quest to find alien life. 



Scientists identified this Martian region as having ideal underground conditions for supporting alien life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acidalia-planitia-home-to-alien-life">Acidalia Planitia: Home to alien life</h2>



Beneath the surface of Acidalia Planitia, there could be communities of alien bacteria making themselves at home.



The name "Acidalia Planitia" carries a grand ring that is fitting for this remarkable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-search-for-signs-of-life-on-mars-continues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian</a> feature.



Scientists, led by Andrea Butturini of the <a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Barcelona</a>, believe that this region boasts the perfect mix of water, heat, and energy in its soil to sustain alien bacteria. This balance makes it a promising target for future exploration and discovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drilling-into-the-martian-surface">Drilling into the Martian surface</h2>



The hypothesis related to potential alien life on Mars can be validated by drilling into the Martian surface. This ambitious undertaking demands cutting-edge technologies and potentially significant crewed missions. 



The process involves identifying specific drilling sites based on existing geological data. By penetrating the Martian crust, researchers aim to uncover evidence of life-supporting conditions hidden beneath. 



"It is a promising target area for future missions in the search for extant life in Mars' subsurface," the researchers wrote.   



Success in this endeavor could revolutionize our understanding of Mars and its potential to harbor life.



However, challenges include creating durable drilling systems capable of withstanding the extreme Martian conditions and securing international collaboration to fund such a large-scale project.



If realized, this could mark a milestone in humanity’s quest to answer the age-old question: are we alone in the universe?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-methane-and-alien-life-on-mars">Discovering methane and alien life on Mars</h2>



This discovery isn’t just about potentially finding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insights-alien-life-mars-water-sulfur-discovered-gained-studying-extreme-life-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alien life</a>. It’s also tied to questions about the presence of methane in the Martian atmosphere. Methanogens, bacteria that produce methane, could explain the presence of this gas.



On Earth, methanogens thrive in extreme conditions - high temperatures, ultra-salty water, and intense radiation. Swamps, marshes, and even the intestines of herbivores are home to these resilient microorganisms.



Their ability to survive without oxygen, organic nutrients, or sunlight makes it possible that methanogens may find suitable habitats for life on Mars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resolving-the-methane-mystery">Resolving the methane mystery</h2>



However, the debate over methane in the Martian atmosphere is still unresolved.



Some scientists also suggest that nonbiological processes, such as volcanic or hydrothermal activity, might generate this gas. A more skeptical group questions whether methane exists on Mars at all, citing inconsistencies in observations.



If confirmed, methane’s presence could hint at subsurface life or previously unknown <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mars-became-uninhabitable-after-being-life-supporting-ocean-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geological processes</a>. Regardless of its origin, the search for methane highlights the need to identify potential microbial habitats on Mars. 



Doing so could unravel these mysteries and lead to the remarkable discovery of alien life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drilling-beneath-the-martian-surface">Drilling beneath the Martian surface</h2>



In 2028, the European Space Agency (<a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>) plans to launch the Rosalind Franklin rover, equipped with a drill capable of penetrating seven feet into the Martian surface. 



However, this depth falls short of reaching the habitable zone identified by Butturini's team. To uncover this potential microbial "nirvana," scientists would need to drill up to five miles below the surface.



Southern Acidalia Planitia is the focal point of these explorations. This area is rich in clay and carbonate deposits, and shows evidence of groundwater activity.



With temperatures ranging between 32 and 50°F, liquid water could mix into the Martian soil. Where there’s water, there’s a possibility for life.



Although these findings await peer review, they’ve already captured the scientific community’s attention. They narrow down the search for extraterrestrial life and strengthen evidence of methane’s presence in the atmosphere of Mars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-and-present-alien-life-on-mars">Past and present alien life on Mars</h2>



Acidalia Planitia, situated in Mars's northern hemisphere, forms part of the planet's vast lowland region. Its terrain is a mix of smooth plains and enigmatic, polygonal patterns that hint at ancient geological processes.



 The plain is thought to be a remnant of an ancient ocean, with its surface shaped by water activity and volcanic flows. 



Additionally, Acidalia Planitia contains some of the planet's largest impact craters, which may have exposed deeper layers of Martian history. These features make it a scientifically rich area for studying both past and potentially present alien life on Mars.



Researchers also speculate that subsurface ice deposits in this region could serve as a valuable resource for future Mars missions.



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Alien life may be lurking deep underground on Mars

There's a Martian plain, a vast 1,800-mile-wide expanse, and it's...

A new study reveals the remarkable evolutionary history of anglerfish, deep-sea creatures whose unusual adaptations have long fascinated both scientists and the public. 



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02586-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>, the research reveals how these mysterious animals defied expectations by diversifying in the harsh, resource-poor environment of the bathypelagic zone - the open ocean depths ranging from 3,300 to 13,000 feet below the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-the-seafloor-to-open-waters">From the seafloor to open waters</h2>



The study, led by biologists including Kory Evans of <a href="https://www.rice.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rice University</a> and his former undergraduate student Rose Faucher, investigated the evolutionary progression of anglerfish (Lophiiformes) as they moved from seafloor habitats to the deep sea's open waters.&nbsp;



By employing advanced genetic analysis and 3D imaging of museum specimens, the researchers reconstructed the anglerfish's evolutionary tree and identified the morphological innovations that enabled them to thrive in one of Earth's most challenging environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-adaptations-of-deep-sea-anglerfish">Unique adaptations of deep-sea anglerfish</h2>



While anglerfish are famous for their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescence-emerged-in-animals-540-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioluminescent</a> lures that dangle from their heads to attract prey in the deep sea's eternal darkness, their evolutionary tale encompasses much more than this notable feature.&nbsp;



The study revealed that deep-sea pelagic anglerfish (ceratioids) descended from benthic, or seafloor-dwelling, ancestors.&nbsp;



These ancestors inhabited the continental slope before venturing into the bathypelagic zone's open waters - a shift that paved the way for rapid evolutionary changes.&nbsp;



The ceratioids developed characteristics such as larger jaws, smaller eyes, and laterally compressed bodies - adaptations suited to an environment with scarce food and no sunlight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-diversity-of-anglerfish">Surprising diversity of anglerfish </h2>



Despite these directional trends, ceratioids exhibited remarkable variability in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-anemones-can-regrow-their-entire-body-in-its-original-shape/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">body shapes</a>, ranging from the typical globose anglerfish to elongated forms like the “wolftrap” phenotype, which features a jaw structure resembling a trap.&nbsp;



This was the most unexpected finding of the study, as the bathypelagic zone did not limit evolution as previously thought, despite its apparent lack of ecological diversity.&nbsp;



Instead, anglerfish achieved high levels of phenotypic disparity, surpassing their benthic relatives in both shallow and deep waters.&nbsp;



This suggests that, rather than being constrained by the deep sea's environmental challenges, ceratioids explored new evolutionary avenues, diversifying their body forms and hunting strategies.



“With their unique traits like bioluminescent lures and large oral gapes, deep-sea anglerfish may be one of the few documented examples of adaptive radiation in the resource-limited bathypelagic zone,” said Evans, a co-corresponding author on the paper and assistant professor of biosciences.&nbsp;



“These traits likely gave anglerfish an edge in exploiting scarce resources and navigating the extreme conditions of their environment, although we don’t have strong evidence directly linking this diversity to this kind of resource specialization.”



Evans pointed out that the research allows for the possibility that nonadaptive processes, such as relaxed selection or random mutations, might have also contributed to the observed variability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anglerfish-evolutionary-trends">Anglerfish evolutionary trends</h2>



The researchers also compared anglerfish groups across different habitats and uncovered more surprising results. 



Coastal species like frogfish, which live in diverse and productive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-may-not-adapt-quickly-enough-to-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reef</a> environments, displayed much lower rates of evolutionary change than their deep-sea counterparts.



“The idea that a resource-poor, homogenous environment - like being surrounded on all sides by nothing but water - would produce diverse body and skull plans is really counterintuitive in this field,” said Faucher, who was co-first author of the paper along with Elizabeth Christina Miller, a postdoctoral fellow at the <a href="https://uci.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Irvine</a>.&nbsp;



“When fish have different features to interact with, like corals and plants in shallow water or sand and rocks on the seafloor, that’s when we would expect fish to have a lot of variation in shape. Instead, we’re seeing it in these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-legacy-decades-old-ddt-found-in-deep-sea-fish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep-sea fish</a> who have nothing but water to interact with.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methodology-and-breakthrough-findings">Methodology and breakthrough findings</h2>



To carry out this study, the researchers utilized a combination of advanced methods. They constructed a phylogeny of anglerfish using data from 1,092 genetic loci across 132 species.



This represented about 38% of described species and was supplemented by fossil calibrations and genomic data to estimate divergence times and ancestral habitats. 



Morphological data were gathered from museum specimens, including linear body measurements and 3D skull shape analyses via micro-CT scans.&nbsp;



To assess evolutionary trends, they applied phylogenetic comparative methods to evaluate phenotypic and lineage diversification, while disparity analyses measured the extent of morphological variation across anglerfish groups and habitats.&nbsp;



They then used Bayesian models to reconstruct ancestral habitats, revealing that ceratioids originated from benthic ancestors before moving to the pelagic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-twilight-zone-stabilizes-the-marine-food-chain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zone</a>.&nbsp;



Finally, principal component analyses visualized how anglerfish occupied different regions of phenotypic space, shedding light on evolutionary trends in body, skull, and jaw shapes.



“Anglerfish are a perfect example of how life can innovate under extreme constraints,” said Evans. “This work not only enhances our understanding of deep-sea <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ocean-day-a-unified-approach-to-protect-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> but also illustrates the resilience and creativity of evolution.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-life-in-extreme-environments">Understanding life in extreme environments</h2>



The significance of this study extends beyond the evolutionary history of anglerfish. It offers valuable insights into how life adapts to extreme environments. 



The deep sea is one of Earth's least understood ecosystems, yet it plays a crucial role in global biodiversity and the planet's carbon cycle. 



Understanding how organisms like anglerfish succeed in such conditions helps scientists predict how life might respond to environmental changes, including those caused by climate change. 



Moreover, the study addresses broader questions in macroevolution: how new species arise, adapt, and diversify. 



By demonstrating that even resource-poor environments can foster significant evolutionary radiation, the research challenges conventional wisdom and opens new pathways for studying evolution in extreme habitats.



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Deep-sea anglerfish defy evolutionary expectations

A new study reveals the remarkable evolutionary history of anglerfish,...

The battle against Alzheimer’s has recently taken a controversial turn. Long-held theories about its cause are being challenged, which is sparking heated debates.



Now, emerging research points to the possibility that Alzheimer’s is actually an immune system disorder.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-data-possibly-fabricated">Critical data possibly fabricated</h2>



Recently, the Alzheimer's research field witnessed a shockwave. A 2006 research article, published in the acclaimed journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature04533" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>, has received renewed scrutiny.



The paper had presented the beta-amyloid protein subtype as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-disease-attacks-the-brain-in-two-separate-phases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer's</a> instigator. 



However, recent revelations in the journal Science suggest that this potentially game-changing data might have been fabricated.



In June 2021, the FDA approved aducanumab, a drug designed to target beta-amyloid. This decision added to the controversy because the supporting evidence for its effectiveness was incomplete and inconsistent.



While some physicians insist it's premature to deem it fit for use, others argue in favor of giving it a fair shot. 



This begs the question: why are millions still hanging in the balance, waiting for a successful Alzheimer's cure?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-beta-amyloid-accumulation">Preventing beta-amyloid accumulation</h2>



Over the years, the scientific gaze has been fixed on beta-amyloid, the elusive protein implicated in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.



The primary focus has been on preventing the harmful accumulation of this protein in the brain.



Unfortunately, this intense fascination hasn't exactly been fruitful. In fact, with their laser focus on the beta-amyloid protein, scientists may have ignored other viable and potentially enlightening avenues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-beta-amyloid">Understanding beta-amyloid</h2>



Beta-amyloid is a protein that naturally occurs in the brain, and plays a role in helping nerve cells communicate. Think of it as a messenger that helps keep your brain functioning smoothly.



However, problems arise when beta-amyloid starts to accumulate and clump together, forming sticky plaques between nerve cells. 



These plaques can interfere with how brain cells communicate, leading to issues with memory and thinking.



Most scientists believe that when too much beta-amyloid forms these plaques, it triggers a chain reaction that damages and eventually kills brain cells. 



This is why, in recent decades, researchers have been so focused on finding ways to reduce beta-amyloid levels in the brain; they were hoping to slow down or even prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-system-intruder">Immune system intruder</h2>



Researchers at the Krembil Brain Institute, part of the <a href="https://www.uhn.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University Health Network</a> in Toronto, have been studying Alzheimer's disease for over three decades. Their findings offer a fresh and surprising perspective on the condition.



"We no longer think of Alzheimer's as primarily a disease of the brain. Rather, we believe that Alzheimer's is principally&nbsp;a disorder of the immune system within the brain," explained Donald Weaver, professor of chemistry at <a href="https://www.uhn.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University Health Network</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alzheimer-s-and-the-brain-s-immune-system">Alzheimer's and the brain's immune system</h2>



The immune system, present in every organ, consists of cells and molecules that repair injuries and fight infections. 



This holds true for the brain's immune system too. It's always ready to repair injury or tackle invading bacteria - but here's where trouble brews.



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.uhn.ca/Krembil" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Krembil Brain Institute</a> suggest that beta-amyloid, often blamed for causing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/type-2-diabetes-heightens-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s</a>, may not be harmful on its own. 



Instead, they believe it plays a crucial role in the brain's immune system, helping to protect against threats.



However, while it may be necessary for defense, its actions can sometimes backfire, leading to unintended harm.



The new theory suggests that beta-amyloid finds itself in a bind. Due to striking similarities between bacterial membranes and brain cell membranes, it can't distinguish between friend and foe. 



In its bid to protect, beta-amyloid ends up attacking the very brain cells it should be safeguarding.



This misdirected assault leads to progressive brain cell function loss and culminates in dementia. It's a tale of the immune system playing the villain by failing to differentiate between the enemy and the ally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alzheimer-s-an-autoimmune-disorder">Alzheimer's: An autoimmune disorder?</h2>



Given this perspective, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-may-not-be-brain-disorder-important-data-was-fabricated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer's disease</a> can be seen under the umbrella of autoimmune diseases where the body ends up attacking itself. 



Although traditional autoimmune therapies might not work for Alzheimer's, the researchers are hopeful. 



They believe that focusing on other immune-regulating pathways within the brain could lead to effective treatment approaches.



This isn't the end of the story though. Several equally intriguing theories are beginning to surface. 



Some researchers classify Alzheimer's as a mitochondrial disease, while others attribute the condition to a particular brain infection or abnormal handling of metals within the brain.



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



With over 50 million people worldwide affected by dementia, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/finger-prick-method-could-simplify-alzheimers-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fresh perspectives</a> and innovative ideas have never been more crucial. 



Alzheimer's isn't just a health crisis. It's a ticking socioeconomic time bomb that demands a better understanding of its causes - including its possible links to the immune system - and effective treatments.



Scientific data and breakthroughs, although valuable, should not overshadow the human aspect of the disease. 



The focus should also remain on improving the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients, easing their challenges, and offering emotional and practical help.



It is imperative that research serves the people it is intending to help, and keeps their needs and experiences at the forefront.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/potential-fabrication-research-images-threatens-key-theory-alzheimers-disease" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Study declaring Alzheimer's to be a "brain disease" proven to be fabricated

The battle against Alzheimer’s has recently taken a controversial turn....

Water,Fills,The,Tulare,Lakebed,Following,Recent,Floodwaters,,Illustrating,The

For the first time in about 130 years, Tulare Lake reappeared in California's San Joaquin Valley, stirring both wonder and concern among locals and experts alike as it submerged almost 100,000 acres of privately owned farmland.



Vivian Underhill, a researcher formerly at <a href="https://www.northeastern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northeastern University</a>, has been studying this unexpected phenomenon. 



"Tulare Lake was the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River. It's really difficult to imagine that now," she says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tulare-lake-returns">Tulare Lake returns</h2>



Often dubbed the "ghost lake," Tulare Lake vanished about 130 years ago due to extensive human intervention. 



But in the spring of 2023, after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consecutive-atmospheric-rivers-cause-far-more-damage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">massive winter storms</a> and significant snowmelt from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/record-snowpack-in-the-sierra-nevada-mountains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sierra Nevada</a>, the lake roared back to life. 



The water overwhelmed human-made systems designed to drain the basin, submerging thousands of acres of fertile farmland that once produced pistachios, almonds, cotton, and safflower.



The reborn lake stretches out with a seemingly endless blue horizon. 



Yet, unlike Lake Tahoe's cool breezes and recreational appeal, Tulare Lake offers little respite from the heat. The air is still, and a thin layer of high clouds does little to shield the sun.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-reclaims-the-land">Nature reclaims the land</h2>



Despite the challenges, the lake's return has revitalized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-feeding-pollutes-local-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local ecosystems</a>. Ducks, egrets, and other waterfowl have flocked to its shores. 



Frogs now wade at the water's edge, ready to dive in at the slightest disturbance. Tule grass has begun to sprout along the shoreline, signaling a revival of plant life that hasn't been seen here in generations.



Underhill notes the historical significance, saying, "Once, there was so much water that a steamship could carry agricultural supplies from the Bakersfield area up to Fresno and then up to San Francisco." 



That's nearly 300 miles of navigable waterways that connected communities and supported commerce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tulare-lake-hidden-in-plain-site">Tulare Lake hidden in plain site</h2>



To travelers passing through the arid San Joaquin Valley today, the existence of such a vast lake seems almost mythical. 



"It's hard to imagine such a large body of water co-existing alongside such an arid landscape," Underhill remarks. Yet, in the 1800s, "Fresno was a lakeside town."



Back then, Tulare Lake was fed primarily by snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada. 



"There's no natural outlet within the valley," Underhill explains, "so the water collects to form a lake." The indigenous Tachi Yokut tribe called it "Pa'ashi," and it was central to their way of life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impact-of-tulare-lake">Human impact of Tulare Lake</h2>



The disappearance of Tulare Lake began in the late 1850s and early 1860s. 



"The state of California's desire to take public land and put it into private ownership propelled the lake's decline," Underhill explained.



"When we say 'public land,' that is historically indigenous land that the state of California blanket-proclaimed as 'public.'"



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/tulare-lake_june4-2023_june4-2024_comparison_modis_nasa_1m.webp" alt="The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired a false-color image of Tulare Lake on June 4, 2024, and a second one of the same region on June 3, 2023. Each image can be viewed by clicking on the respective date. This makes it easy to compare the change in the lake level over time. This type of false-color image helps separate water, which appears blue, from vegetation (bright green) and open land (tan). Deeper water appears darker blue and very shallow water looks pale blue. In contrast, snow (frozen water) looks bright electric blue. Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1952049"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired a false-color image of Tulare Lake on June 4, 2024, and a second one of the same region on June 3, 2023. Each image can be viewed by clicking on the respective date. This makes it easy to compare the change in the lake level over time. This type of false-color image helps separate water, which appears blue, from vegetation (bright green) and open land (tan). Deeper water appears darker blue and very shallow water looks pale blue. In contrast, snow (frozen water) looks bright electric blue. Credit: NASA</figcaption></figure>



This process, known as "reclamation," aimed to convert inundated or desert land into arable farmland. 



"If people could drain that land," Underhill says, "they would be granted ownership of parts of that land. So there was a big incentive for white settlers to start doing that work." 



This led to the construction of hundreds of irrigation canals crisscrossing the valley, diverting water away from the lake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-day-concerns">Modern-day concerns</h2>



Today, the reemergence of Tulare Lake poses new challenges. The floodwaters have engulfed private lands, turning fields into vast stretches of water. 



Signs warning against trespassing dot the shoreline, reminding everyone that wading or boating is technically prohibited.



More troubling is what's hidden beneath the surface. The waters have submerged storage sheds containing fertilizers and chemicals, manure piles, electrical wires, and sharp farm machinery. 



These hazards not only pose risks to anyone venturing into the lake but also raise environmental concerns about contamination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncertain-future-of-tulare-lake">Uncertain future of Tulare Lake</h2>



Local officials now speculate that this latest incarnation could also take years to fully recede.



"California just got inundated with snow in the winter and then rain in the spring," Underhill points out. 



Such weather patterns accelerate snowmelt, causing rapid runoff into the basin where Tulare Lake sits.



"All that snow and rain in the Sierra still runs into the depression where Tulare Lake once sat," she adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reflecting-on-the-past">Reflecting on the past</h2>



The story of Tulare Lake is not just about water returning to a dry basin; it's a narrative intertwined with history, culture, and environmental change. 



The lake's disappearance was a result of deliberate actions to reshape the land for agriculture, often at the expense of indigenous communities and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-ecosystems-constantly-share-energy-to-achieve-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural ecosystems</a>.



Underhill emphasizes the colonial undertones of this transformation. "It was a deeply settler colonial project that proceeded in fits and starts," she says. 



The push to privatize land and the incentives offered for reclamation led to dramatic alterations of the landscape.



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



As Tulare Lake reclaims its historic footprint, it serves as a reminder of nature's resilience and the lasting impacts of human intervention. 



The revival has brought back species that haven't been seen in the area for decades, offering a glimpse into what the region might have looked like before extensive farming took over.



At the same time, the challenges posed by the lake's return highlight the complexities of balancing human needs with environmental stewardship. 



The submerged farmlands represent significant economic losses, and the potential environmental hazards lurking beneath the water pose risks that will need to be addressed.



As Underhill aptly puts it, witnessing the lake's return is both surprising and profound. It challenges us to reconsider our relationship with the land and the long-term consequences of our actions.



The full report by Underhill is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://openrivers.lib.umn.edu/article/the-return-of-paashi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Rivers</a>.&nbsp;



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Ghost lake returns after 130 years and buries 94,000 acres of farmland

For the first time in about 130 years, Tulare Lake...

Researchers have uncovered a connection between a specific type of body fat and the abnormal brain proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease, detectable up to 20 years before the first signs of dementia.&nbsp;



This discovery, presented at the <a href="https://www.rsna.org/annual-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting</a>, highlights the potential for lifestyle interventions targeting this fat to influence Alzheimer’s development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-detection-of-alzheimer-s-nbsp">Early detection of Alzheimer’s&nbsp;</h2>



Study lead author Mahsa Dolatshahi is a postdoctoral research associate at the <a href="https://www.mir.wustl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology</a> (MIR) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.



“This crucial result was discovered because we investigated Alzheimer’s disease pathology as early as midlife - in the 40s and 50s - when the disease pathology is at its earliest stages, and potential modifications like weight loss and reducing visceral fat are more effective as a means of preventing or delaying the onset of the disease,” explained Dolatshahi.&nbsp;



With 6.9 million Americans over 65 currently living with Alzheimer’s - a figure projected to double by 2050 without medical breakthroughs - early interventions could significantly alter the trajectory of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-may-not-be-a-brain-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disease</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifestyle-factors-and-alzheimer-s-disease-nbsp">Lifestyle factors and Alzheimer’s disease&nbsp;</h2>



The study examined how obesity, fat distribution, and metabolic factors contribute to Alzheimer’s pathology. It involved 80 cognitively normal middle-aged participants, with an average age of 49.4 years.&nbsp;



Among them, 57.5% were obese, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 32.31. Participants underwent brain PET scans, body MRI scans, metabolic assessments, and cholesterol analysis. MRI scans of the abdomen measured subcutaneous fat (fat beneath the skin) and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-abdominal-fat-linked-to-alzheimers-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visceral fat</a> (fat surrounding internal organs).



“We investigated the association of BMI, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, liver fat fraction, thigh fat and muscle, as well as insulin resistance and HDL (good cholesterol), with amyloid and tau deposition in Alzheimer’s disease,” Dolatshahi said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visceral-fat-and-brain-protein-accumulation">Visceral fat and brain protein accumulation</h2>



The team analyzed thigh muscle scans to assess fat and muscle volumes, while PET scans measured amyloid plaques and tau tangles - abnormal proteins linked to Alzheimer’s.



Their results showed that higher levels of visceral fat were strongly associated with amyloid accumulation, explaining 77% of the relationship between high BMI and amyloid buildup. Other fat types, such as subcutaneous fat, did not account for this link.



“Our study showed that higher visceral fat was associated with higher PET levels of the two hallmark pathologic proteins of Alzheimer’s disease - amyloid and tau,” Dolatshahi noted.&nbsp;



“To our knowledge, our study is the only one to demonstrate these findings at midlife where our participants are decades out from developing the earliest symptoms of the dementia that results from Alzheimer’s disease.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metabolic-health-and-alzheimer-s-risk">Metabolic health and Alzheimer’s risk</h2>



The researchers found that increased insulin resistance and reduced HDL (good cholesterol) levels were linked to higher amyloid accumulation. Interestingly, higher HDL levels partially mitigated the impact of visceral fat on Alzheimer’s pathology.



“A key implication of our work is that managing Alzheimer’s risk in obesity will need to involve targeting the related metabolic and lipid issues that often arise with higher body fat,” explained senior study author Cyrus A. Raji, an associate professor of radiology at MIR.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-deeper-look-at-body-fat-distribution">A deeper look at body fat distribution</h2>



While prior studies have linked high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weight-and-bmi-do-not-accurately-reflect-a-persons-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMI</a> to brain health, this research is unique in distinguishing the effects of visceral fat from other types of body fat.



“This study goes beyond using BMI to characterize body fat more accurately with MRI and, in so doing, reveals key insights about why obesity can increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease,” Dolatshahi said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obesity-and-brain-blood-flow">Obesity and brain blood flow</h2>



In a related study also presented at RSNA 2024, the team explored how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-obesity-rates-are-surging-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a> and visceral fat affect brain blood flow. Using MRI scans, researchers compared cerebral blood flow in individuals with high versus low visceral and subcutaneous fat. Those with high visceral fat exhibited reduced blood flow throughout the brain, while subcutaneous fat showed no significant impact.



“This work will have a considerable impact on public health because nearly three out of four Americans are overweight or obese,” said Raji.



‘Knowing that visceral obesity negatively affects the brain opens up the possibility that treatment with lifestyle modifications or appropriate weight-loss drugs could improve cerebral blood flow and potentially lower the burden of and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.”



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Hidden body fat predicts Alzheimer’s 20 years before symptoms

Researchers have uncovered a connection between a specific type of...

We've always considered ourselves unique, haven't we? But peel back the layers, and you'll find that humans, like all species, are bound by the threads of evolution. 



One such thread is the instinct to come together when faced with external threats. The "common enemy effect" is&nbsp;a phenomenon in which we bond with others over a shared opponent or issue.



Humans do it, chimpanzees do it, and now we've learned that even our peaceful relatives, bonobos, exhibit this behavior in their own subtle way.&nbsp;At some point in their evolution, bonobos chose to make social bonding a priority.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outgroup-threats-and-ingroup-cohesion">Outgroup threats and ingroup cohesion </h2>



The discovery suggests that the link between outgroup threats and ingroup cohesion may have evolved several million years ago, before our evolutionary paths diverged.



The study was conducted by an international team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyoto University</a>. 



They surmised that outgroup threats and ingroup cohesion may be an adaptation for group-based competition, a notion that has floated around since Darwin's days.



But they had a burning question - what about species that aren't known for their fierce inter-group rivalries? What about bonobos?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bonobo-basics">Bonobo basics</h2>



Bonobos are some of our closest primate relatives, sharing about 98.7% of their DNA with us humans. 



These smart apes are known for their peaceful and cooperative social structures, which really sets them apart from their more <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/chimpanzees-vs-bonobos-whats-the-difference/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aggressive chimpanzee cousins</a>.



They live in matriarchal societies where females take the lead, and they often use sexual behaviors to sort out conflicts and build social bonds. 



With their slender bodies, dark faces, and pink lips, bonobos are pretty easy to tell apart from chimpanzees, and their expressive, human-like eyes show a lot of emotion and understanding.



Bonobos thrive by foraging for fruits, leaves, and small animals. They're naturally arboreal, spending plenty of time in the trees, but they’re also pretty skilled on the ground. 



Lastly, they communicate using a mix of vocalizations, gestures, and facial expressions, showcasing their complex and sophisticated social intelligence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-evolution-of-bonobo-benevolence">Studying evolution of bonobo benevolence</h2>



Picture this -- eight groups of bonobos spread across five sites in four countries, all part of an experiment designed to echo previous studies conducted with chimpanzees. 



The process was simple -- expose the bonobos to vocalizations from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peaceful-bonobos-are-actually-more-aggressive-than-chimps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">other groups</a> and observe their reactions.



James Brooks, the study's lead author, was as curious as any of us. 



"We had no idea how this would turn out. If the bond between group cohesion and outgroup competition wasn't adaptive due to the lack of lethal competition between groups, there would be no point," Brooks shared. 



"But, if the effect had evolved before the human-chimpanzee-bonobo split, we might find some vestiges in modern bonobos."



The findings were startling yet insightful. The bonobos were clearly alert to the calls from outside groups, but their affiliation with their own group showed only a minor increase compared to chimpanzees.



Bonobos were seen sitting upright more and resting less, hinting at a slight increase in social grooming, a crucial behavior for reinforcing social bonds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-dynamics-in-bonobos-evolution">Social dynamics in bonobos evolution</h2>



The reactions of the bonobos during the study spark a fascinating discourse on social dynamics within their groups. 



Unlike chimpanzees, who often exhibit heightened aggression in response to outgroup threats, bonobos are recognized for their relatively peaceful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-cooperation-challenges-beliefs-about-human-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interactions</a>. 



This raises an intriguing question: how do these contrasting responses inform our understanding of social behavior in primates?



The study suggests that while awareness of external vocalizations exists, the bonobos maintain a subtle approach to group cohesion, prioritizing social bonding over defensive aggression. 



This behavior may reflect an evolutionary strategy that emphasizes alliance-building in the face of potential threats, thereby fostering collaboration within rather than competition between groups.



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



The insights gained from this research extend well beyond the realm of academia; they carry significant implications for conservation efforts and our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-theory-enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend-proven-by-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding of human behaviour</a>.



Recognizing that evolutionary traits from our primate relatives can inform why and how we interact socially underscores the importance of preserving species like the bonobo. 



Their unique perspective on social interaction offers a valuable lens through which we can examine human responses to conflict and cooperation today. 



As we navigate global challenges that require cross-cultural collaboration, appreciating the nuances of social behavior across species can illuminate pathways to strengthen our own communal ties and foster understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bonobos-evolution-and-group-conflict">Bonobos evolution and group conflict</h2>



The authors suggest that our shared ancestor, who roamed the earth 5–6 million years ago, might have experienced some group-based conflict. 



But as the intensity decreased in the bonobos' evolutionary journey, so too did the strength of the effect.



"Although our research unearths deep roots of group conflict among our species, the real takeaway is that it can be overcome. And not just in isolated incidents, but on a species level," said Brooks.



Contrast this with other ape species -- <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-gorilla-day-supporting-the-guardians-of-the-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gorillas</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-orangutan-day-2024-protecting-the-people-of-the-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orangutans</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-chimpanzee-day-celebrating-our-closest-cousins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chimpanzees</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-groups-of-skywalker-gibbons-found-through-their-love-songs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gibbons</a>, and humans -- all of whom have been observed killing each other.



Bonobos seem to have found a way to break this vicious pattern. It's not just because they don't commit lethal aggression today, but more importantly, they somehow stopped doing it millions of years ago.



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



"Humans are capable of both: we can commit horrific acts to those we see as outside our group, but we're also capable of collaborating and working together across borders," said study senior author Shinya Yamamoto.



"Bonobos teach us that the ways our ancestors treated other groups does not seal our fate. Our own species has elements of both chimpanzee and bonobo <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-are-more-interested-in-the-emotions-of-strangers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">group relations</a>, so it is crucial that we understand how both can, and have, evolved."



So next time you find yourself in a heated debate, think about our peaceful cousins, the bonobos. After all, they've proven that it's possible to adapt, evolve, and most importantly, choose peace over conflict.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0307975" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a>.



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Bonobos are the only primates, including humans, that don't kill others in their species

We've always considered ourselves unique, haven't we? But peel back...

In a comprehensive 30-year study of American adults, researchers found that individuals who consumed the highest ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein had a 19% lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a 27% lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) compared to those with the lowest ratio.



The findings suggest that a plant-to-animal protein ratio of at least 1:2 is effective in preventing CVD, while an even higher ratio of 1:1.3 may be necessary to protect against CHD. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-protein-and-heart-health">Plant protein and heart health</h2>



The research is the first of its kind to investigate how the specific ratio of plant to animal protein impacts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-fruits-and-vegetables-improve-heart-health/">heart health</a>.



Study lead author Andrea Glenn conducted the research as a postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a> and is now an assistant professor at <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a>.



“The average American eats a 1:3 plant to animal protein ratio. Our findings suggest a ratio of at least 1:2 is much more effective in preventing CVD. For CHD prevention, a ratio of 1:1.3 or higher should come from plants,” said Glenn.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-decades-of-data">Three decades of data</h2>



The researchers analyzed 30 years of dietary, lifestyle, and heart health data from nearly 203,000 men and women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Studies I and II and the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study.&nbsp;



Participants reported their dietary intake every four years. The team calculated each participant’s total daily protein intake in grams, as well as their specific consumption of animal and plant proteins. 



During the study period, there were 16,118 documented cases of CVD, including over 10,000 CHD cases and more than 6,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-blood-type-determine-your-stroke-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stroke</a> cases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risk-reduction-with-plant-proteins">Risk reduction with plant proteins</h2>



After adjusting for participants’ health history, demographic, and lifestyle factors, the study found that a higher ratio of plant to animal protein was associated with lower risks of CVD and CHD.&nbsp;



Compared to those who consumed the lowest plant-to-animal protein ratio (~1:4.2), individuals with the highest ratio (~1:1.3) experienced a 19% reduction in CVD risk and a 27% reduction in CHD risk.&nbsp;



These benefits were even greater among participants who consumed more protein overall. Those who obtained 21% of their energy from protein and maintained a higher plant-to-animal protein ratio saw a 28% lower risk of CVD and a 36% lower risk of CHD, compared to those consuming 16% of their energy from protein.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-substituting-meat-with-plant-based-sources-nbsp">Substituting meat with plant-based sources&nbsp;</h2>



No significant associations were found between stroke risk and the protein ratio; however, substituting red and processed meats with plant-based sources like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-nuts-every-day-does-not-cause-weight-gain-but-it-does-improve-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nuts</a> was linked to a reduced risk of stroke.



The researchers explored whether there is a point where increasing plant protein intake no longer provides additional benefits or could have negative effects.&nbsp;



They found that the risk reduction for CVD begins to level off around a 1:2 ratio of plant to animal protein, but the risk of CHD continues to decrease at higher ratios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dietary-changes-for-heart-health-nbsp">Dietary changes for heart health&nbsp;</h2>



According to the researchers, these risk reductions are likely due to replacing red and processed meats with plant protein sources, especially nuts and legumes.&nbsp;



Such dietary changes have been shown to improve cardiometabolic risk factors like blood lipid levels, blood pressure, and inflammatory biomarkers. Plant proteins are often rich in fiber, antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, which contribute to these benefits.



“Most of us need to begin shifting our diets toward plant-based proteins,” said senior author Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at Harvard Chan School.&nbsp;



“We can do so by cutting down on meat, especially red and processed meats, and eating more legumes and nuts. Such a dietary pattern is beneficial not just for human health but also the health of our planet.”



The researchers emphasized that the ratios identified are estimates, and additional studies are necessary to determine the optimal balance between plant and animal protein. Further research is also needed to understand how protein intake may affect stroke risk.



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.09.006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Clinical Nutrition</a>.



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Eating more plant protein lowers the risk of heart disease 

In a comprehensive 30-year study of American adults, researchers found...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



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



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



—–



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cairo-forest-discovery">The Cairo forest discovery</h2>



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



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



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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