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...

Whether you are an ardent lover of fried foods or an environmental enthusiast, the exciting news is that air fryers generate considerably less indoor pollution than other cooking methodologies.



People spend most of their time indoors, and the quality of the air they breathe within their homes can have critical effects on their health. Cooking emissions are a major contributor to air pollution in the home as they include both particulate and gaseous substances.



Indoor air pollution is a growing concern as the pollutants have been associated with negative health conditions such as cancer, respiratory infections, asthma and lung diseases, and more.



However, as our understanding of this alarming situation deepens, we encounter a glimmer of hope in cleaner cooking technologies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-the-air-fryer-advantage">Discovering the air fryer advantage</h2>



To investigate the environmental impacts of various cooking methods, a team of researchers sought to create a comprehensive study that is both laboratory-precise and reflective of actual, everyday kitchen conditions.



For this, they took over the dining hall kitchen at the esteemed <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/gees" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences</a>.



It is in the heart of this bustling culinary landscape that they chose to test the emissions produced by five common cooking methodologies and compare them with those produced when cooking with an air fryer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-air-fryer-experiment">The air fryer experiment</h2>



Armed with chicken breasts and a suite of cooking gear, the team embarked on a series of experiments involving pan frying, stir-frying, boiling, deep-fat frying, and, of course, air frying. 



They used state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to measure the levels of particulate matter and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-household-products-expose-people-to-dangerous-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Volatile Organic Compounds</a> (VOCs) emitted when using each of the methods.



It turns out that particulate matter levels, represented as peak concentrations in micrograms per cubic metre of air, varied significantly across the different cooking methods. 



Frying pans took the lead with 92.9, followed by stir-frying with 26.7, deep frying with 7.7, and boiling at 0.7. In comparison, air fryers produced a minimal 0.6 micrograms per cubic meter.



When it came to VOCs, the story was much the same. Each cooking method was measured in parts per billion, or ppb, with standard frying pan methods producing a worrisome 260 ppb.



Stir frying produced 110 ppb, deep frying 230 ppb, and boiling 30 ppb. Once again, air fryers emerged as the environmental victor with a mere 20 ppb.



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



Professor Christian Pfrang, the lead researcher of the study, emphasized that various factors - like the quantity of oil used and the stovetop temperature - could impact the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cooking-cleaning-indoor-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> levels during cooking.



He stressed that improvising kitchen ventilation via opening windows or using extractor fans reduces the spread of polluting particles and mitigates personal exposure.



Interestingly, the study also took into account the residual pollution left long after the cooking process had ended. 



Even an hour post-cooking, the kitchen housed substantially higher levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/specific-air-pollutants-linked-to-asthma-attacks-in-urban-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollutants</a>, despite each cooking process lasting only approximately 10 minutes.



Professor Pfrang added that, since particles linger in the air long after cooking, continuing ventilation or leaving extractor fans on will help prevent the build-up of indoor pollution, thereby reducing the potential spread throughout the house.



The University of Birmingham's study is a reflection of the environmental advantage that air fryers deliver. They bring the joy of fried foods to the table while minimizing our environmental footprint - one chicken breast at a time.



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



The findings of this study extend beyond the kitchen, and highlight a critical intersection between daily habits and broader environmental and health concerns.



Indoor air pollution is a major contributor to respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and even cognitive decline, highlighting the importance of using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clean-cooking-could-save-half-a-million-lives-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cleaner cooking methods</a>.



By reducing particulate matter and VOC emissions, air fryers not only support personal well-being but also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle by cutting energy consumption compared to traditional ovens or stovetops.



For environmentally conscious households, incorporating air fryers into daily routines offers a small yet impactful step toward reducing overall carbon footprints. 



As the demand for healthier and more sustainable living grows, air fryers serve as a practical and accessible innovation that aligns convenience with eco-conscious choices.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2024/6355613" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indoor Air</a>.



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Air fryers crowned as the least polluting cooking method

Whether you are an ardent lover of fried foods or...

For those observing Arctic climate change from a distance, the picture often seems straightforward - warming is a detrimental process that leads to melting ice caps and rising sea levels. However, as is often the case, the reality is far more complex.



A group of Japanese researchers studying the intricacies of the Arctic have provided further proof of this complexity.



When considering the Arctic climate, one truth emerges: things are heating up, and fast. The region is warming at a rate of two to four times faster than the global average. This raises a critical question - what is driving the rapid escalation in Arctic temperatures?



This phenomenon, known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-amplification-is-destabilizing-the-delicate-balance-of-the-ecosystem/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic amplification</a>, is not only reshaping the local environment but is also influencing global climate systems.



Unraveling its causes requires looking beyond ice and temperatures to less obvious factors, like Arctic dust.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-dust-an-unexpected-player">Arctic dust: An unexpected player</h2>



In a world where we often view dust as little more than an inconvenience, researchers have found that it plays a significant role in Arctic warming.



According to the results of a recent study, dust (specifically that originating from snow- and ice-free areas of the Arctic) has been linked to the accelerated warming of the region.



In the prevalent understanding, it's commonly believed that increases in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-temperatures-rise-when-plants-stop-breathing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic temperatures</a> are associated with more liquid droplets and fewer ice crystals populating the region's clouds.



This combination is thought to give rise to thicker, longer-lasting clouds that have a higher likelihood of reflecting sunlight, thereby potentially cooling the region during summer. This is what is generally known as temperature feedback.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expansion-of-snow-and-ice-free-areas">Expansion of snow- and ice-free areas</h2>



However, the Japanese researchers paint a different picture. Their study has shown that the warming Arctic is associated with an expansion of snow- and ice-free areas.



This increase leads to a concomitant rise in dust emissions, which encourage the formation of ice crystals in the clouds. 



Thinner, less lasting clouds are one consequence of the ice crystals in the clouds, meaning that less sunlight is reflected and the Arctic becomes warmer during summer. The researchers have termed this the "emission feedback."



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



The lead author of the study, Professor Hitoshi Matsui of <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya University</a>, provides valuable insight into this intricate phenomenon.



"Increasing amounts of dust due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-permafrost-melt-devastating-role-accelerating-global-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic warming</a> may cause the opposite phenomenon of the conventional understanding of ice crystal changes," he remarked.



"Our previous study found that a large amount of Arctic dust is distributed in the lower troposphere (below about 3 km in altitude) over the region in summer and early fall, with the dust acting as a very efficient nucleus for ice formation in clouds at this altitude during the season."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-back-looking-ahead">Looking back, looking ahead</h2>



For their investigation, Professor Matsui, Dr. Kei Kawai, and their colleagues from the National Institute of Polar Research and Hokkaido University, utilized the CAM-ATRAS global aerosol-climate model. 



They examined how dust emissions from the Arctic land surface have changed over a span of forty years, from 1981 to 2020.



The findings were telling - dust emissions rose by 20% in this period, as the Arctic continued to warm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-dust-and-ice-crystal-formation">Arctic dust and ice crystal formation</h2>



The increase in Arctic dust emissions bolsters ice nucleation in clouds in the lower troposphere, undermining the efficiency of clouds to carry more liquid droplets and fewer ice crystals as the Arctic warms. 



The researchers found that in 30% of the region annually, and 70% in summer, the growth in ice crystal formation due to increased dust outweighs the reduction brought about by temperature feedback.



"Most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weather-in-dry-regions-isnt-behaving-as-climate-models-predict/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate models</a> have not considered the effects of dust from the Arctic land surface. Our research suggests that the counterbalancing temperature and emission feedbacks should be considered to improve the accuracy of climate change predictions in the Arctic," noted Matsui.



So, as we continue to grapple with the realities of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, these insights underline the need to recognize the nuanced relationship between Arctic warming and Arctic dust.



It's a reminder of how interconnected our world is, and how a deeper understanding of these connections can help us make better predictions and, perhaps, better decisions for our planet's future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41612-024-00811-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">npj Climate and Atmospheric Science</a>.



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Arctic dust plays a hidden role in accelerating warming

For those observing Arctic climate change from a distance, the...

If someone asked, "What’s the biggest threat to human health today?" you might think of diseases, lack of healthcare, or even the ongoing pandemic. But how often do we consider the pollution caused by landscape fires in the very air we breathe?



Each morning, the stillness is disrupted by smoke rising from fires across the globe. This smoke thickens the air with a menacing haze, a silent killer responsible for over 1.5 million deaths annually.



A recent study published in&nbsp;The Lancet&nbsp;highlights that this invisible menace predominantly affects developing countries, taking lives indiscriminately and relentlessly.



Climate change, an ever-increasing concern, is set to exacerbate this issue, making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-fire-risk-has-grown-exponentially-in-a-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> more frequent and severe. The echoes of our actions are reverberating back at us, amplifying the threat of climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-landscape-fires-and-public-health">Landscape fires and public health</h2>



The study, conducted by an international team of researchers from <a href="https://www.monash.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monash University</a>, peered into the murky waters of "landscape fires."



Encompassing both raging wildfires and planned fires like controlled burns on farming land, the air pollution from these fires has far-reaching implications on public health.



Between 2000 and 2019, fire-related air pollution was linked to around 450,000 deaths a year from heart disease. The invisible fingers of smoke don't just spoil our visibility but also clasp our hearts with a deadly grip.



Moreover, another 220,000 deaths due to respiratory diseases were traced back to the smoke and particulates belched into the air by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-co2-emissions-from-forest-fires-have-surged-by-60-percent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fires</a>. The correlation is clear; when fires breathe out, we breathe in their deadly emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-a-global-killer">Air pollution: A global killer</h2>



Considering all causes globally, the study revealed that a staggering 1.53 million annual deaths are tied to air pollution from landscape fires. The grim fact is as thick and unmissable as the smoke itself.



Over 90 percent of these deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, with nearly 40 percent in sub-Saharan Africa alone.&nbsp;



Places like China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, and Nigeria bear the highest death tolls.



A case in point is the recent suffocating smog in the Indian capital, New Delhi. The noxious fog is partly blamed on the record amount of illegal burning of farm fields in the north of the country.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protection-from-landscape-fires">Protection from landscape fires</h2>



Seeing the massive death toll from landscape fires, the authors of The Lancet study raised their voices for "urgent action."



The disparity between wealthy and poorer nations underscores "climate injustice," where those least responsible for global warming suffer the most.



The researchers noted that many strategies to avoid smoke from fires - like moving away, using air purifiers and masks, or staying indoors - are inaccessible for people in poorer countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-struggle-for-climate-justice">Ongoing struggle for climate justice</h2>



The experts urge for more financial and technological support for the hardest-hit countries. It's a call for the fire to be doused and for the smoke to clear, leaving behind a healthier world.



This plea for help came at the heels of the UN climate talks where an increased climate funding was agreed upon.&nbsp;



However, developing countries criticized it as insufficient, illustrating the ongoing struggle for climate justice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empowering-local-communities">Empowering local communities</h2>



In the face of climate change, empowering local communities is essential. These communities often bear the brunt of the impacts and possess valuable knowledge and practices that can contribute to effective adaptation and mitigation strategies. 



By involving local communities in decision-making processes, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and providing access to education and resources, we can build resilience from the ground up. 



Empowering local communities not only strengthens their ability to cope with climate change but also promotes social equity and inclusivity in the transition towards a more sustainable world.



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



As global warming continues, landscape fires are projected to worsen in many regions. Human activities and land use changes will also contribute to these fires by increasing flammability and fire intensity.



Looking at recent catastrophes, Ecuador declared a national emergency over landscape fires that razed over 10,000 hectares in the country's south.&nbsp;



Additionally, the world has been bashed by hurricanes, droughts, floods, and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-aerosol-pollution-ironically-causes-more-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather events</a> during what is expected to be the hottest year in recorded history.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02251-7/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet</a>.



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Air pollution from fires linked to 1.53 million deaths per year

If someone asked, "What’s the biggest threat to human health...

Our oceans do more than just serve as massive bodies of water. These vast, briny expanses actively participate in regulating our planet's climate. But, how do they do it? 



The answer lies in a small, sulphur-based compound produced by ocean creatures called "methanethiol."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-s-secret-weapon-methanethiol">Ocean's secret weapon: Methanethiol</h2>



In a recent study led by the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) and the Blas Cabrera Institute of Physical Chemistry (IQF-CSIC) in Spain, a new understanding of marine life's role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-hidden-skin-could-protect-us-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate regulation</a> came into light.



The sea creatures we share our planet with are inadvertently helping to combat global warming through a gas of their own -- methanethiol.



Despite its substantial climatic impact, methanethiol remained off the radar for a long time. This was because it was incredibly difficult to measure and was only recently detected. 



Most previous research was biased towards warmer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oceans</a>, but it turns out that the polar oceans are the real emission powerhouses. This discovery truly challenges traditional thinking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-ocean-element-with-a-big-climate-effect">Small ocean element with a big climate effect</h2>



The research team included Dr. Charel Wohl, formerly of <a href="https://www.icm.csic.es/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICM-CSIC</a> and now at the University of East Anglia (<a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UEA</a>). 



"This is the climatic element with the greatest cooling capacity, but also the least understood. We knew methanethiol was coming out of the ocean, but we had no idea about how much and where. We also did not know it had such an impact on climate," said Dr. Wohl.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-exactly-is-methanethiol">What exactly is methanethiol?</h2>



Chemically known as CH₃SH, methanethiol is a fascinating chemical compound that you might recognize by its strong, unpleasant smell, often compared to rotten cabbage or garlic.



Methanethiol naturally occurs in various places, including certain plants and animals, and it's also a byproduct of some industrial processes. 



Despite its foul odor, methanethiol plays an important role in nature and industry, contributing to the distinctive smells of some foods and even the aroma of certain flowers that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-plants-generate-heat-to-attract-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attract pollinators</a>.



In the industrial world, methanethiol is quite valuable. It's commonly added to natural gas as an odorant, allowing people to detect gas leaks quickly and safely by smelling the distinctive scent. 



Additionally, methanethiol is used in the production of other chemicals, such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals. 



Finally, scientists also study methanethiol to better understand biological processes, since it's produced in the human body during the breakdown of proteins and can influence body odor. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methanethiol-in-climate-regulation">Methanethiol in climate regulation</h2>



Methanethiol contributes to the formation of aerosols, tiny particles suspended in the atmosphere. 



These aerosols reflect solar radiation back into space, reducing the amount of heat that reaches and stays on Earth’s surface. This process helps cool the planet.



Additionally, methanethiol-derived aerosols play a crucial role in cloud formation. Clouds enhance the cooling effect by reflecting even more sunlight and moderating Earth's temperature. 



Together, these mechanisms make methanethiol an important natural contributor to the mitigation of global warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-cooling-effects-of-the-ocean">Climate cooling effects of the ocean</h2>



Previously, it was thought that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oceans-are-rapidly-changing-colors-matching-climate-predictions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oceans</a> only emitted sulfur in the form of dimethyl sulfide, a byproduct of plankton. This compound is primarily responsible for the signature smell of shellfish. 



However, with the evolution of measurement techniques, it was discovered that plankton also emit methanethiol. 



This knowledge helps to more accurately represent clouds over the Southern Ocean in climate models and calculate their cooling effect more realistically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methanethiol-and-ocean-sulfur-emissions">Methanethiol and ocean sulfur emissions</h2>



Thanks to methanethiol, marine sulfur emissions increase by 25% annually on a global average. 



"It may not seem like much, but methanethiol is more efficient at oxidizing and forming aerosols than dimethyl sulfide and, therefore, its climate impact is magnified," noted Dr. Julián Villamayor, a researcher at <a href="https://www.iqf.csic.es/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IQF-CSIC</a>.



Identifying methanethiol as a key component of ocean sulfur emissions represents a big step toward closing the knowledge gap between climate models and observations.



The effects were particularly noticeable in the Southern Hemisphere, where vast oceans and limited human activity make sulfur emissions from fossil fuel burning less prevalent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-frontier-in-climate-research">New frontier in climate research</h2>



The discovery of methanethiol as a critical player in climate regulation marks a new frontier for scientific inquiry linked with oceans. 



Researchers now aim to explore its interactions with other atmospheric elements and its role in the broader biogeochemical cycles.



This path could reveal even more about the Earth's natural mechanisms for balancing its climate. With this knowledge, climate models can be further refined, enabling more precise predictions about global warming and the effects of sulfur emissions. 



Importantly, studying methanethiol sheds light on how interconnected ecosystems are, from microscopic plankton to the global atmospheric systems.



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



Understanding the critical role of methanethiol has significant implications for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pacific-sea-levels-are-rising-faster-than-anywhere-in-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental policy</a> and marine conservation efforts. 



Protecting polar and Southern Ocean ecosystems becomes even more vital, as these regions produce some of the highest levels of this cooling compound. 



Policymakers might see these findings as a call to double down on preserving marine biodiversity and combating threats such as ocean acidification and overfishing. 



Furthermore, this research highlights the need for international collaboration to create climate policies that regard the oceans as vital climate regulators, ensuring their role in mitigating global warming is sustained for future generations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adq2465" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Oceans cool the climate much more than we previously realized

Our oceans do more than just serve as massive bodies...

Our Universe is teeming with extreme objects that are often difficult to imagine, like supernova remnants, pulsars, and active galactic nuclei, to name a few.



They're all capable of emitting charged particles and gamma rays with incredibly high energy levels that often exceed the those produced during nuclear fusion in stars by several orders of magnitude.



Adding to the mystery, scientists have now detected cosmic electrons and positrons with energies over 10 tera-electronvolts (TeV). To put that into perspective, it is 1000-billion times greater than that of visible light.



"We've uncovered data in a crucial and previously unexplored energy range," says Werner Hofmann from the <a href="https://www.mpi-hd.mpg.de/mpi/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute</a> for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg. "It's likely to remain a benchmark for the coming years."



This breakthrough comes from the <a href="https://www.mpi-hd.mpg.de/HESS/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">H.E.S.S. collaboration</a> in Namibia. For the past decade, five telescopes have been peering into space, focusing on cosmic radiation and especially gamma rays.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decade-of-stargazing-pays-off">Decade of stargazing pays off</h2>



Imagine spending ten years looking up at the sky every night. That's basically what these researchers have been doing. 



Using the H.E.S.S. telescopes, they've been collecting data on cosmic rays. And finally, their patience paid off. 



They've managed to measure the energy distribution of cosmic electrons and positrons up to tens of TeV with incredible precision. Basically, they hit the cosmic jackpot.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-cosmic-rays">What are cosmic rays?</h2>



Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that zip through space and occasionally crash into Earth's atmosphere. 



Most of them are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atomic-nucleus-made-of-quarks-and-gluons-reproduced-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protons or atomic nuclei</a> that have lost their electrons, and they're traveling at speeds close to the speed of light. 



They come from all sorts of wild cosmic events like exploding stars (supernovae), distant galaxies, and even our own sun during solar flares.



When these speedy particles slam into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geomagnetic-storms-are-influenced-by-earths-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's atmosphere</a>, they collide with atoms and create a shower of secondary particles. Some of these secondary particles make it all the way down to the surface. 



Scientists study cosmic rays to learn more about these extreme events in the universe and to understand the fundamental particles and forces at play. 



It's like getting messages from space that tell us about the most energetic happenings out there.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-cosmic-rays-is-difficult">Tracing cosmic rays is difficult</h2>



Because they're deflected by magnetic fields, it's tough to trace charged cosmic rays back to their source. 



Plus, as they travel, they lose energy interacting with light and magnetic fields. This energy loss is especially big for electrons and positrons above the TeV range. 



So, if we detect these high-energy particles here on Earth, they probably didn't come from too far away.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HESS-Telescope-Array_cosmic-particles_electrons-positrons_MPIK_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HESS-Telescope-Array_cosmic-particles_electrons-positrons_MPIK_1s.webp" alt="Visualization of the H.E.S.S. telescope array capturing the showers of particles produced by high-energy cosmic electrons and positrons, as well as gamma rays. Credit: MPIK/H.E.S.S. Collaboration" class="wp-image-1951836"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Visualization of the H.E.S.S. telescope array capturing the showers of particles produced by high-energy cosmic electrons and positrons, as well as gamma rays. Credit: MPIK/H.E.S.S. Collaboration</figcaption></figure>



When the team analyzed their data, they noticed something interesting: there's a noticeable kink in the energy spectrum around 1 TeV. 



Below and above this point, the spectrum behaves differently. This sharp change suggests something funky is happening at that energy level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-rays-culprit-is-unknown">Cosmic rays culprit is unknown</h2>



To figure out what's going on, the scientists compared their observations with computer models. 



They looked at potential sources like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-guitar-nebula-a-pulsars-dazzling-performance-in-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pulsars</a> -- those are highly magnetized, rotating neutron stars left over after a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-dandelion-year-1181-leaves-behind-zombie-star-defying-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova explosion</a>. 



Some pulsars emit winds of charged particles, and the shock fronts from these winds could be giving particles a big energy boost.



"The measured electrons most likely originate from very few sources in the vicinity of our own solar system, up to a maximum of a few thousand light years away," says Kathrin Egberts from the <a href="https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/university-of-potsdam" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Potsdam</a>. "Sources at different distances would wash out this kink considerably."



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



Think of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pulsars-are-helping-astronomers-pinpoint-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pulsars</a> as cosmic lighthouses. They're super-dense remnants of massive stars that exploded in supernovae. Even though they're only about the size of a city, they can have more mass than our Sun. 



They spin incredibly fast -- some hundreds of times per second -- and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-signals-from-crab-nebula-form-a-zebra-pattern/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shoot out beams</a> of electromagnetic radiation from their magnetic poles. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/pulsar_magnetic-field_gamma-ray-beams_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/pulsar_magnetic-field_gamma-ray-beams_NASA_1s.webp" alt="Artist's impression of a pulsar with its powerful magnetic field rotating around it. The clouds of charged particles moving along the field lines emit gamma rays that are focused by the magnetic fields, rather like the beams of light from a lighthouse. In these magnetic fields, pairs of positrons and electrons are created and accelerated, making pulsars potential sources of high-energy cosmic electrons and positrons. Credit: NASA/Goddard/CNRS" class="wp-image-1951840"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Artist's impression of a pulsar with its powerful magnetic field rotating around it. The clouds of charged particles moving along the field lines emit gamma rays that are focused by the magnetic fields, rather like the beams of light from a lighthouse. In these magnetic fields, pairs of positrons and electrons are created and accelerated, making pulsars potential sources of high-energy cosmic electrons and positrons. Credit: NASA/Goddard/CNRS</figcaption></figure>



When these beams sweep past Earth, we detect them as pulses, hence the name "pulsar."



But they're not just cool to think about. Pulsars have extreme magnetic fields and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fastest-spinning-magnetar-reveals-secrets-of-neutron-stars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rapid rotation</a>, making them natural particle accelerators. 



They can boost particles to energies way beyond what we can achieve on Earth. Studying them helps us understand physics under conditions we can't replicate in labs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-h-e-s-s-collaboration">The H.E.S.S. Collaboration</h2>



The High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) in Namibia is a group of telescopes designed to detect very high-energy gamma rays from cosmic sources. 



By observing the faint flashes of light produced when gamma rays interact with Earth's atmosphere -- called Cherenkov radiation -- H.E.S.S. can figure out the properties of these energetic particles.



Over the last decade, H.E.S.S. has been a game-changer in high-energy astrophysics. 



It's given us insights into all sorts of cosmic phenomena, and now it's helping us possibly pinpoint the sources of high-energy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-a-kugelblitze-and-why-should-you-care/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic electrons and positrons</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



To sum it all up, scientists have found that some of the most energetic particles zipping through space -- cosmic electrons and positrons with energies over 10 tera-electronvolts (TeV) -- are likely coming from a nearby pulsar just a few thousand light-years away. 



Using a decade's worth of data from the H.E.S.S. telescopes in Namibia, they've observed a sharp kink in the energy spectrum around 1 TeV, which suggests these particles are originating from a powerful source relatively close to us.



By matching their observations with computer models, the researchers believe that a pulsar -- a highly magnetized, spinning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neutron-star-collisions-push-the-limits-of-extreme-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neutron star</a> -- could be accelerating these particles to such high energies. 



This discovery shows us that even nearby, there's still a lot of mysterious and energetic activity going on that we're completely unaware of and can't even begin to explain.



Future observations and more detailed models might help us nail down exactly which pulsar is sending these particles our way. 



With better technology and more data, we might even discover other nearby sources contributing to the high-energy cosmic ray population. Stay tuned!



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.221001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Letters</a>.



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Earth telescopes detect highest-energy cosmic rays ever observed, origin unknown

Our Universe is teeming with extreme objects that are often...

In 1936, astronomers observed a mysterious event in the constellation Orion: the young star FU Orionis (FU Ori) brightened by a factor of 100 within just a few months. At its peak, FU Ori was intrinsically 100 times more luminous than our Sun. Unlike an exploding star, however, its luminosity has only gradually declined since then.



A team of astronomers has now utilized the ultraviolet capabilities of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to gain deeper insight into the interaction between FU Ori's stellar surface and the accretion disk that has been channeling gas onto the young star for nearly 90 years. 



The findings reveal that the inner disk touching the star is extraordinarily hot, challenging conventional understanding.



The observations were made using Hubble's Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) and Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS). The data include the first far-ultraviolet and new near-ultraviolet spectra of FU Ori.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insights-into-stellar-accretion">New insights into stellar accretion</h2>



“We were hoping to validate the hottest part of the accretion disk model, to determine its maximum temperature, by measuring closer to the inner edge of the accretion disk than ever before,” said co-author Lynne Hillenbrand, an astronomer at the <a href="https://www.caltech.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Institute of Technology</a> (Caltech).&nbsp;



“I think there was some hope that we would see something extra, like the interface between the star and its disk, but we were certainly not expecting it. The fact we saw so much extra - it was much brighter in the ultraviolet than we predicted - that was the big surprise.”



Initially considered a unique case among stars, FU Ori exemplifies a class of young, eruptive stars that undergo dramatic changes in brightness. These objects are a subset of classical T Tauri stars, which are newly forming stars that grow by accreting material from their disk and the surrounding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/">nebula</a>.&nbsp;



In classical T Tauri stars, the disk does not directly touch the star because it is kept at bay by the outward pressure of the star's magnetic field.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-temperatures-of-a-young-star">Extreme temperatures of a young star</h2>



The accretion disks around FU Ori objects, however, are prone to instabilities due to their enormous mass relative to the central star, interactions with a binary companion, or infalling material. Such instability means the mass accretion rate can change dramatically.&nbsp;



The increased pace disrupts the delicate balance between the stellar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-is-shifting-and-putting-navigation-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic field</a> and the inner edge of the disk, allowing material to move closer and eventually touch the star’s surface.



According to study lead author Adolfo Carvalho, an astronomer at Caltech, the Hubble data indicates a much hotter impact region than models have previously predicted.&nbsp;



“In FU Ori, the temperature is 16,000 kelvins (nearly three times our Sun's surface temperature),” noted Carvalho. “That sizzling temperature is almost twice the amount prior models have calculated. It challenges and encourages us to think of how such a jump in temperature can be explained,”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-young-stars-and-ultraviolet-emissions">Hot young stars and ultraviolet emissions</h2>



To account for the significant difference in temperature between past models and the recent Hubble observations, the team proposes a revised interpretation of the geometry within FU Ori's inner region.&nbsp;



The experts suggest that as the accretion disk's material approaches and reaches the stellar surface, a hot shock is produced, emitting a substantial amount of ultraviolet light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-planet-formation-nbsp">Implications for planet formation&nbsp;</h2>



Understanding the mechanisms of FU Ori's rapid accretion process has broader implications for theories of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a> and survival.



“Our revised model based on the Hubble data is not strictly bad news for planet evolution, it's sort of a mixed bag. If the planet is far out in the disk as it's forming, outbursts from an FU Ori object should influence what kind of chemicals the planet will ultimately inherit,” Carvalho explained.&nbsp;



“But if a forming planet is very close to the star, then it's a slightly different story. Within a couple outbursts, any planets that are forming very close to the star can rapidly move inward and eventually merge with it. You could lose, or at least completely fry, rocky planets forming close to such a star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-research-and-future-exploration">Ongoing research and future exploration</h2>



Further work with the Hubble UV observations is underway. The team is carefully analyzing the various spectral emission lines from multiple elements present in the COS spectrum.&nbsp;



This Hubble analysis should provide additional clues about the young star's environment, such as the kinematics of inflowing and outflowing gas within the inner region.



“A lot of these young stars are spectroscopically very rich at far ultraviolet wavelengths. A combination of Hubble, its size and wavelength coverage, as well as FU Ori's fortunate circumstances, let us see further down into the engine of this fascinating star-type than ever before,” Hillenbrand concluded.



Image Credit: NASA-JPL, Caltech



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ad74eb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.



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Hubble helps solve the mystery of a young, eruptive star

In 1936, astronomers observed a mysterious event in the constellation...

Imagine a world where damaged ecosystems, specifically coral reefs teeming with vibrant marine life, could be revived and restored to their former glory.



These vibrant underwater habitats, often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea," are essential for marine biodiversity and coastal protection. 



That's no longer just a dream, thanks to an innovative study that has just shed light on a technique with immense potential for reviving and restoring damaged coral reefs. 



By harnessing the power of healthy ecosystems, scientists have unlocked a sustainable and scalable method to breathe new life into these critical environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mother-nature-s-life-savers">Mother nature's life-savers</h2>



The research was led by scientists at <a href="https://www.biu.ac.il/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bar-Ilan University</a>’s Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, along with Professor Ezri Tarazi of the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and Professor David Bourne of James Cook University.



The study was focused on a breakthrough method known as "a coral reef ecosystem transplant" or aCRET. This simple yet brilliant model could be a symbol of hope in the face of widespread <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crown-of-thorns-starfish-thrive-in-degraded-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral degradation</a>.



The researchers took a healthy reef and transferred biomimetic terracotta tiles packed with a diverse community of organisms - a virtual "metropolis" of invertebrates and beneficial microorganisms. 



These tiles were then transplanted to a nearby, damaged reef which showed signs of coral decline. 



Implanting these vibrant communities of microorganisms onto the ailing coral reefs led to an impressive increase in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reef-health-can-be-measured-through-sound/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral health</a>. You can think of it as a supercharge for the undersea inhabitants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-novel-approach-to-coral-restoration">A novel approach to coral restoration</h2>



These biomimetic terracotta tiles were not just randomly chosen, they were meticulously designed to replicate the complex 3D structure of natural reefs, making a perfect home for diverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-organisms-may-adapt-to-climate-change-but-with-hidden-costs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organisms</a>. 



They were carefully cultured for six months on the healthy reef before being moved to their new home six kilometers away on the damaged reef.



"This innovative approach underscores the critical role of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-reef-sounds-inspire-coral-larvae-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy reef</a> ecosystems in restoring coral health and resilience," said Dr. Natalie Levy, lead researcher of the study. 



"The results highlight the potential of ecosystem transplantation as an effective, sustainable restoration tool that can be integrated with other coral restoration methods like coral gardening and artificial reefs."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-coral-reef-restoration">The future of coral reef restoration</h2>



The promising application of aCRETs could revolutionize the field of coral reef restoration, particularly in regions experiencing immense environmental stress. 



By adopting this cost-effective method, it is hoped that it can enhance and build upon existing restoration strategies, acting as a safety net for the invaluable ecosystem crucial for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-biodiversity-could-shift-rapidly-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine biodiversity</a>.



"This research advances our understanding of coral restoration and provides an invaluable tool to help address the ongoing global coral crisis," said Professor Oren Levy.



"By using healthy ecosystems to regenerate damaged reefs, we can work towards more resilient, sustainable coral ecosystems that may one day recover from climate change and other threats."



This pioneering study has undoubtedly set the stage for a new wave of coral conservation efforts, embodying a glimmer of hope for reversing the alarming degradation of coral reefs on a global scale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-reef-restoration-beyond-borders">Expanding reef restoration beyond borders</h2>



The success of the aCRET method holds immense promise not just for localized reef restoration but for broader, global applications. 



With coral reefs under threat in regions spanning the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, this approach could be a scalable solution for nations grappling with environmental stressors like warming oceans, pollution, and overfishing.



By encouraging international collaborations, much like the partnership utilized for this study, scientists and policymakers can work together to deploy aCRET and similar methods across diverse marine ecosystems.



These efforts could be paired with education and awareness campaigns aimed at empowering coastal communities to take active roles in reef conservation.



Moreover, the integration of advanced monitoring technologies, such as AI-driven reef health analytics and satellite imaging, could further enhance the impact of such restoration efforts. 



These innovations would allow for the tracking of transplanted ecosystems, ensuring long-term sustainability and adaptive management in the face of a changing climate.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-54149-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Healthy coral transplants could revolutionize reef restoration

Imagine a world where damaged ecosystems, specifically coral reefs teeming...

In 1986, the buzz of NASA’s Voyager 2 enthralled many as it swept past Uranus, capturing images of gargantuan moons blanketed with ice.



As we approach 40 years since that momentous event, NASA is planning to revisit Uranus - this time with an upgraded mission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-icy-moons">Exploring the icy moons</h2>



The new mission aims to uncover the secrets beneath the icy cloaks of at least some of the 28 Uranian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-four-uranus-moons-may-have-oceans-that-are-miles-deep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moons</a>. Scientists also want to establish whether any of the moon's contain liquid oceans that could potentially support life.



To prepare for this, experts at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (<a href="https://ig.utexas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UTIG</a>) are crafting a new kind of computer model that will work with the spacecraft's camera to detect hidden oceans under the moons’ frozen exteriors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moons-of-uranus-oscillations-and-water">Moons of Uranus: Oscillations and water</h2>



The magic lies in the smallest details. Focusing on minuscule oscillations in a moon's spin as it dances around Uranus, the model can estimate the composition of each moon's interior - determining whether it contains rock, ice, or water.



Less wobble points towards a solid core of rock or ice, while a pronounced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-moons-wobbles-will-cause-a-surge-in-coastal-flooding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wobble</a> indicates an icy surface floating on an ocean of liquid water.



Paired with gravity data, the model can even calculate the depth of each ocean and the thickness of the ice shrouding it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-beyond-earth">Life beyond Earth?</h2>



Understanding the watery interiors of the Uranian moons may change how we perceive life as we know it.



"Discovering liquid water oceans inside the moons of Uranus would transform our thinking about the range of possibilities for where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/miranda-uranus-moon-may-have-hidden-ocean-possibly-extraterrestrial-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life could exist</a>," explained Doug Hemingway, the UTIG planetary scientist who developed the model.



This pioneering research opens a new avenue for detecting oceans in our external <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/civilian-spacewalk-is-a-giant-leap-in-space-exploration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space trips</a>. The findings, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, promise to enhance the chances of discovery on future missions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oscillations-and-tidal-locks">Oscillations and tidal locks</h2>



Most of the large moons in our solar system, including those belonging to Uranus, are "tidally locked." They are gravitationally bound such that the same side always faces the parent planet while in orbit.



But this does not completely restrict the moons; they still sway back and forth as they move around. Understanding the extent of these wobbles will reveal whether Uranus's moons harbor oceans and their potential sizes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-oceans-on-uranus-s-moons">Detecting oceans on Uranus's moons</h2>



Moons hiding a water ocean within them will oscillate more than those that are rigid all the way through. Take Saturn’s moon, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-sparking-energy-source-found-on-saturns-moon-enceladus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enceladus</a>, for example. It has an interior global ocean that was confirmed by detecting its slight wobble as it orbits.



The new model developed by Hemingway makes it possible to apply this technique to the moons of Uranus.



If Uranus’s moon Ariel, for instance, wobbles 300 feet, this may suggest the presence of a 100-mile-deep ocean enveloped by a 20-mile-thick shell of ice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-icy-exteriors-of-distant-moons">Icy exteriors of distant moons</h2>



Determining the presence of oceans in this way requires a spacecraft with powerful cameras. It’s a tricky but potentially rewarding challenge. 



However, as Professor Krista Soderlund noted, the new model provides a "slide rule" to understand what will work.



The next step is to augment this model with measurements from other instruments, to enrich our understanding of the moons' interiors. 



Perhaps, in the not too distant a future, we might discover the existence of life beyond our planet, lurking beneath the icy exteriors of distant moons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uranus-and-the-search-for-habitable-worlds">Uranus and the search for habitable worlds</h2>



The exploration of Uranus and its moons is not just about uncovering their secrets - it’s part of a larger effort to understand habitability in the outer solar system.



The discovery of subsurface oceans on Uranus’s moons could expand the definition of what makes a world potentially habitable.



Unlike rocky planets (such as Earth), these icy moons rely on tidal heating and internal activity rather than solar energy to sustain liquid water.



Such findings would complement discoveries on moons like Europa and Enceladus, potentially suggesting that life could thrive in environments far from a star.



By exploring Uranus’s moons, scientists aim to refine the tools and models necessary to search for life in similarly extreme conditions on exoplanets and their satellites - potentially broadening humanity’s search for extraterrestrial life.



The UTIG research was published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110409">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Mike Yakovlev



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Uranus and its icy moons: Broadening the search for alien life

In 1986, the buzz of NASA’s Voyager 2 enthralled many...

When it comes to the classic age-old advice to drink eight cups of water a day, we generally follow it without questioning the scientific reasoning. It is after all, considered a pillar of good health.



However, have you ever stopped to consider exactly why this water intake recommendation is so universally accepted?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-impacts-of-water-consumption">Health impacts of water consumption</h2>



A team of dedicated researchers from <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC San Francisco</a> sought to clarify this. They embarked on an investigative journey to understand this seemingly mundane but essential health advice.



Their mission was clear – to establish a tangible link between water consumption and health benefits, scrutinizing the evidence extensively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-the-benefits-of-water">Science behind the benefits of water</h2>



“For such a ubiquitous and simple intervention, the evidence hasn't been clear and the benefits were not well-established, so we wanted to take a closer look,” the study’s senior correspondent, Benjamin Breyer, perfectly encapsulate the reasoning behind their quest.



Breyer, a distinguished professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Urology, led the team's explorative initiative.



“The amount of rigorous research turned out to be limited, but in some specific areas, there was a statistically significant benefit,” Breyer said. “To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing the benefits of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-water-is-the-key-to-a-long-and-healthy-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water consumption</a> on clinical outcomes broadly.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drinking-eight-cups-of-water-daily">Drinking eight cups of water daily</h2>



The researchers meticulously analyzed 18 randomized controlled trials and found strong evidence favoring regular water intake for preventing kidney stones and aiding weight loss.



The experts found that drinking eight cups of water a day significantly decreased the chances of kidney stones recurring.



The study also unveiled that adults who consumed about six cups of water a day experienced weight loss. However, the same did not hold true for adolescents who drank over eight cups daily.



Despite this, the authors confidently suggest that encouraging people to drink water before meals could potentially help tackle the growing issue of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-is-a-powerful-weapon-against-obesity-and-diabetes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydration-and-health-challenges">Hydration and health challenges</h2>



Have frequent headaches that refuse to go away? Studies suggest you might want to consider increasing your water intake. 



Adults who experienced recurrent headaches reported feeling better after three months of increased water consumption.



For patients grappling with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-diabetes-rate-has-doubled-reaching-over-800-million/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diabetes</a> and elevated blood glucose levels, an additional four cups of water a day seemed to help manage their condition. 



Women plagued by recurrent urinary tract infections also saw benefits – increased water consumption resulted in fewer infections and extended the time between them.



Let's not overlook the young adults who wrestle with low blood pressure issues. Their ailment appeared to be significantly alleviated by drinking more water.



“We know that dehydration is detrimental, particularly in someone with a history of kidney stones or urinary infections,” said Breyer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-may-benefit-from-less-water">Some may benefit from less water</h2>



For someone suffering from frequent urination, a decrease in water intake could possibly help. As Breyer pointed out, there isn't a one size fits all approach for water consumption.



In essence, we need to pay attention to our body's individual needs to determine the optimal level of water intake. 



We certainly can't ignore the importance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hydration-reduces-the-risk-of-heart-failure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydration</a> for our health, and this study highlights that fact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydration-myths-and-misconceptions">Hydration myths and misconceptions</h2>



While the benefits of staying hydrated are well-documented, several myths about hydration continue to circulate. 



One common misconception is that everyone needs precisely eight cups of water daily, regardless of individual factors such as age, activity level, or climate. 



Experts clarify that hydration needs vary widely, with some individuals requiring more or less water based on their unique circumstances.



Another myth is that only water counts toward hydration. Beverages like tea, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-coffee-good-for-you-it-may-depend-on-your-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coffee</a>, and milk, as well as water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, contribute significantly to overall fluid intake. 



This flexibility can make staying hydrated less daunting, especially for those who struggle to drink plain water.



Lastly, while sports drinks are often marketed as essential for hydration, they are typically unnecessary for the average person unless engaging in prolonged, intense physical activity. 



For most, water or natural alternatives suffice to maintain a healthy balance. Understanding these nuances can help individuals make more informed decisions about their hydration habits, promoting better overall health without falling prey to misleading claims.



The full study was published in the journal JAMA Network Open.



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Drinking water is very good for you in many ways, but how much should you drink?

When it comes to the classic age-old advice to drink...

In an effort to inform the conservation of critically endangered bird species, biologists at the University of Utah have conducted a comprehensive analysis identifying traits associated with all 216 bird extinctions that have occurred since the year 1500.



According to the research, species most likely to go extinct were those endemic to islands, lacking the ability to fly, possessing larger bodies with sharply angled wings, and occupying ecologically specific niches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-traits-and-extinction-timing">Bird traits and extinction timing</h2>



While some of these findings reflect previous research on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-extinctions-shatter-the-harmonious-balance-of-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinct birds</a>, this study is the first to correlate bird traits with the timing of extinctions, said lead author Kyle Kittelberger, a graduate student in biology at the <a href="https://www.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a>.



“I’ve been very interested in extinctions and understanding the species that we’ve lost and trying to get a sense of how we can use the past to better inform the present and future,” said Kittelberger, who is completing his dissertation on how the bodies and wings of certain species of migratory <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/songbirds-benefit-from-social-networks-during-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">songbirds</a> have changed in response to climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comprehensive-data-analysis">Comprehensive data analysis</h2>



The experts utilized BirdBase, a dataset of ecological traits for over 11,600 bird species compiled by University of Utah biology professor Çağan Şekercioğlu and the Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology Lab.&nbsp;



The researchers simultaneously examined a wide range of biogeographical, ecological, and life history traits previously linked to extinction and extinction risk for bird species that have disappeared or lack recent confirmed sightings.



“Importantly, we examine biological correlates of bird extinctions through the lens of when birds went extinct, providing a novel extinction timing element that helps better inform why birds with certain traits disappeared when they did,” Kittelberger said.&nbsp;



By identifying traits that most predispose birds to extinction, the findings can help guide conservation efforts of hundreds of species that are at peril.



“One of the strengths of the approach that we use is we compared all of these traits simultaneously against each other, whereas a lot of previous studies in the literature just look at traits in isolation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-records-of-bird-extinctions">Historical records of bird extinctions </h2>



Although only around 2% of the world's bird species have gone extinct since 1500 - the starting point of Kittelberger's analysis - many more had vanished before that time.&nbsp;



However, records of birds that went extinct prior to 1500 are less reliable, and data on their traits and characteristics are often lacking.



This period coincides with the rise of scientific observation, leading to systematic documentation of plant and animal life. It also marks the onset of European exploration, which resulted in the global disruption of ecosystems due to colonization and the introduction of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/growing-threat-of-invasive-species-requires-immediate-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive species</a>.



Currently, 1,314 bird species are at risk of extinction, according to the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN Red List of Threatened Species</a>, representing about 12% of the total.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-case-of-the-akikiki">The case of the ‘Akikiki</h2>



Many species, such as the ‘Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi), endemic to the Hawaiian island of Kauai, are so rare that they are functionally extinct.&nbsp;



Kittelberger photographed the ‘Akikiki, also known as Kauai’s creeper, in the Alaka‘i Wilderness Preserve in 2022, when approximately 70 individuals were believed to remain in the wild; today, only one individual remains.



As with many other Hawaiian bird species, the main threat to the ‘Akikiki comes from introduced species, principally malaria-carrying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-habitats-are-expanding-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosquitoes</a> and habitat-destroying livestock, according to Hawaii’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-between-bird-traits-and-extinction">Link between bird traits and extinction</h2>



The single most critical trait associated with extinction is insularity - that is, species endemic to islands. Other traits associated with extinction risk, such as body size, wing shape, and ecological specialization, are also linked to island insularity.



Pacific islands harbor a vast array of endemic species, many of which are now on the IUCN list. No archipelago has experienced more loss of avian biodiversity than Hawaii, which accounts for 34 post-1500 extinctions, according to the study.



The bird family which experienced the most extinctions is Rallidae (rails), which are globally distributed medium-sized semi-amphibious birds.&nbsp;



This family lost 26 of its members, while the entire Mohoidae family - a type of small nectar-sipping songbirds commonly known as Hawaiian honeyeaters - is completely extinct, the only bird family to have gone fully extinct in modern times. The family's last member, the Kauai O’o (Moho braccatus), was last observed in 1987.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-role-of-wing-shape-in-extinctions">Surprising role of wing shape in extinctions</h2>



A surprising finding for Kittelberger’s team was the correlation between wing shape and extinction. They discovered that bird species with a larger hand-wing index - meaning more pointed wings - were more likely to have disappeared earlier.&nbsp;



Since pointier wings indicate stronger flying and dispersal abilities, the team initially predicted such birds would be better equipped to respond to environmental pressures than those with rounder wings.



However, birds with rounder wings, those with smaller hand-wing ratios, proved to be more resilient.



“It likely ties with the fact that a lot of these birds that went extinct were on islands. For these species or their ancestors to have arrived at these islands to begin with, they would’ve needed the ability to fly across large, open distances. So a lot of these birds on islands have, not necessarily longer, but more pointed wings,” Kittelberger said.&nbsp;



“Think of a swift or a swallow or a bird like an albatross that flies over the ocean. They have really pointy wings that allow them to fly really well, whereas birds in dense tropical rainforests are not flying these large distances, so they have rounded wings because they’re just moving in their local habitat patches.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specialists-have-a-greater-risk-of-extinction">Specialists have a greater risk of extinction</h2>



Ecological specialists, as opposed to generalists, face significant challenges when their specific ecological niche is altered, making them less able to adapt to disturbances such as invasive species or the disruption of a food source.



Other findings of the study concluded that more than 87% of the extinct species were endemic to islands; nearly two-thirds inhabited forests; 45% ate primarily insects and other invertebrates; and 20% were completely or partially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eggshells-of-flightless-birds-evolved-on-different-tracks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flightless</a>. Additionally, species with larger bodies were overrepresented on the extinct list.



“Heavier birds have been more likely to be targeted for hunting, with several well-known examples of birds being hunted to extinction in part for food, including the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-the-dodo-bird-be-brought-back-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dodo</a>, Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis), and Spectacled Cormorant (Urile perspicillatus),” the authors wrote.&nbsp;



“Body mass has also been linked with a species’ inhabitance of islands, as island birds tend to be larger than mainland species.”&nbsp;



Of the 43 species whose average body weight exceeded 500 grams, or 1.1 pounds, three-quarters were endemic to an island.



The decade of the 1890s saw the highest number of extinctions, with 21 recorded. The 1980s was another detrimental decade for bird loss with 20 species, including the Kauai O’o, becoming extinct.&nbsp;



According to the researchers, this latter decade is noteworthy since focused and targeted conservation efforts were already underway globally before and during this period.



“Though the rate of extinction declined in the subsequent decades, the number of globally threatened species has only increased,” the experts concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.avrs.2024.100213" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Avian Research</a>.



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What traits make birds more susceptible to extinction?

In an effort to inform the conservation of critically endangered...

There's a lot more to turkeys than stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy boats. These impressive fowl, central to our festive Thanksgiving dinner tables, are becoming increasingly elusive for hunters.



Recent research from the University of Georgia (UGA) suggests that, if hunters and their prey keep up their present patterns of behavior, we might be set for a slightly less traditional holiday spread in future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turkeys-response-to-hunters">Turkeys' response to hunters</h2>



Scientists led by Nickolas Gulotta, a Ph.D. student in <a href="https://www.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UGA</a>'s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, have been studying how wild turkeys change their behavior in response to the presence of hunters and predators.



The researchers tracked 109 wild male turkeys throughout wildlife conservation areas in Georgia and observed how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hunting-coyotes-actually-boosts-their-numbers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunters</a> and natural predators influenced their movements in what is a high-risk dance of survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brave-turkeys-are-easy-targets">Brave turkeys are easy targets</h2>



Turns out, the turkeys exhibiting daring behaviors often found themselves on the wrong end of a shotgun or in the paw of a prowling predator. 



The brave birds were frequently seen near open spaces and popular hunting trails. They loved to hang out near parked cars, make a ruckus, and strut their stuff - all of which makes them easy prey.



"If turkeys are closer to these open areas, it’s going to be easier for both a hunter and a predator to detect them. Across both study sites in general, turkeys that took more risks were more likely to be harvested," Gulotta said, painting a vivid picture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turkeys-adapt-for-survival">Turkeys adapt for survival</h2>



Turkeys eventually learn from the fate of their brave, fallen brethren and start adapting to the selective pressure. They adopt less risky behaviors that make them less detectable.



This learning curve could possibly render future turkey <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cooperative-hunting-does-not-require-complex-thinking-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunting</a> seasons fruitless and may require hunters to think outside the box and exercise patience.



"The turkeys closer to areas that hunters use are the ones that are harvested. So, if we continue to harvest them like that across the Southeast, there’s potential that we could shift the behavioral strategies of wild turkeys making them more difficult to harvest,” noted Gulotta.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-balancing-act-for-survival">A balancing act for survival</h2>



While the turkeys that outsmart hunters during their hunting spree seem to have cracked the code to survival, they face another looming threat - natural predators. 



When the hunters are off-duty, predators take the stage, making survival a constant game of chess for these birds.



"If turkeys stay in the same area and don’t travel a lot, then they’re going to be more likely to be detected by a predator,” said Gulotta. “It’s kind of a catch-22 where if they can survive that hunting season, they’re most likely going to be fine."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-shifts-in-turkey-behavior">Long-term shifts in turkey behavior </h2>



The game of survival is not just a matter of individual variance among turkeys. Long-term shifts in turkey behavior, driven by hunting pressure, could lead to a significant dip in hunting license sales, which would negatively impact hunter satisfaction. 



The study suggests the need for hunting strategies that reflect local conditions and take into consideration the behavioral strategies of wild turkeys.



Gulotta, along with co-authors Patrick Wightman and Michael Chamberlain from UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, and Bret Collier from<a href="https://www.lsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Louisiana State University</a>, bring to light a fascinating dimension of the hunting dynamic.



Their study, recently published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, is a wake-up call to refine the hunter-prey dance in a way that ensures a steady supply of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-often-undervalue-the-most-meaningful-experiences-in-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thanksgiving</a>'s mainstay for future holiday feasts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practices-to-reduce-hunting-pressure">Practices to reduce hunting pressure</h2>



To mitigate the unintended consequences of behavioral adaptation in turkeys, wildlife management and conservation strategies must also change.



One potential approach includes implementing rotational hunting areas to reduce hunting pressure in specific regions. This method could give turkey populations the chance to recover and exhibit a natural range of behaviors without ongoing disturbance.



Additionally, better education for hunters on ethical practices and sustainable hunting can foster an equilibrium between hunting traditions and the long-term survival of wild turkeys. 



By understanding the delicate interplay between pressure and adaptation, conservationists and hunters can work together to ensure both the preservation of the species and the continuation of cherished holiday traditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impacts-on-wildlife">Human impacts on wildlife</h2>



The findings from this study extend beyond turkeys and hunters, offering valuable insights into broader patterns of human-wildlife interaction. Humans affect wildlife populations not only through hunting but also through urbanization, agriculture, and recreational activities. 



Behavioral shifts, such as avoiding high-risk areas or becoming nocturnal, are a common survival tactic among various species. 



However, these shifts may alter ecosystems in unpredictable ways, influencing species interactions, predator-prey dynamics, and habitat use. 



By studying these patterns, researchers can develop strategies that promote coexistence and maintain biodiversity while allowing for sustainable human activities in shared environments. 



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



The research on wild turkey illustrates the balance needed to harmonize human and natural worlds.



The future of turkey hunting might be headed toward an interesting crossroad. It's a tale of survival, adaptation, and the ever-evolving game of hide and seek between humans and turkeys.



As hunters, and turkey fans at large, it's time for us to help protect our feathered friends or risk seeing a turkey-less Thanksgiving table. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.240788" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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Wild turkeys are becoming hard to find as they learn to outsmart hunters

There's a lot more to turkeys than stuffing, cranberry sauce,...

As the global community continues its fight against emerging strains of the coronavirus, long-COVID emerges as another significant battle. Its persistent, debilitating symptoms hinder the daily lives of millions of people worldwide.



In the United States, one in thirteen adults have experienced long COVID challenges such as widespread pain, fatigue, and reduced mobility - prompting scientists to seek innovative solutions to ease the struggle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-relief-for-long-covid-patients">Relief for long-COVID patients</h2>



To tackle this new health challenge, researchers at <a href="https://www.uclahealth.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA Health</a> and <a href="https://www.bcm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baylor College of Medicine</a> have explored the use of a wearable device that could offer much-needed relief.



The device utilizes Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) technology, employing low-voltage electric currents to alleviate pain, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cause-of-fatigue-in-long-covid-patients-has-finally-been-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fatigue</a>, and mobility problems that are tied to long-COVID.



The findings were recently shared in the peer-reviewed academic journal Nature Scientific Reports.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conditions-involving-chronic-fatigue-and-pain">Conditions involving chronic fatigue and pain</h2>



The potential of the TENS device extends beyond the realm of long-COVID.



Dr. Bijan Najafi, the research director at UCLA Health's Center for Advanced Surgical &amp; Interventional Technology, also foresees its broader applications in other fields of healthcare.



“While this study focused on managing pain and fatigue caused by long-COVID, it may also have potential applications for addressing similar symptoms in individuals with other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-americans-underestimate-the-threat-of-respiratory-virus-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">respiratory</a> diseases, those who have experienced extended ICU stays and developed post-hospitalization weaknesses, and conditions involving chronic fatigue and pain, such as fibromyalgia or chemotherapy-related side effects,” he explained.



However, Dr. Najafi emphasized the need for further studies to confirm these potential uses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigating-the-impacts-of-long-covid">Mitigating the impacts of long-COVID</h2>



For the investigation, 25 participants suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and gait issues were divided into two groups.



One group was provided with a high-dose (active) TENS device, and the other group was given a low-dose (placebo) device. 



The devices were used by the participants for three to five hours daily for a span of four weeks. The study focused on before-and-after comparisons of pain level, fatigue, and walking performance in the participants.



The high-dose TENS group showed considerable progress, with 26.1% more pain relief and an 8% improvement in fast walking, when compared to the placebo group.



This implies that wearable TENS therapy could be a useful tool in mitigating long-COVID's impacts on daily life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-on-demand-relief-for-long-covid-patients">On-demand relief for long-COVID patients </h2>



The success of the TENS device can be attributed to its convenient, wearable design.



As observed by Dr. Najafi, the daily usage rates were high because users could effortlessly integrate the device into their regular routines.



“This wearable TENS system offered immediate, on-demand relief from pain and fatigue, making it easy to integrate into daily activities,” noted Dr. Najafi.



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



While the results are promising, Dr. Najafi also highlighted the need for further research to comprehensively investigate the effectiveness of this device.



“This study provides some hope for finding an effective, non-invasive solution for managing lingering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/paxlovid-helps-fight-covid-but-it-does-not-prevent-long-covid-symptoms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 symptoms</a> that continue to affect millions. But our sample size was limited, so further research is needed to confirm these findings,” he cautioned.



By coupling the power of technology with medical science, we are now one step closer to finding relief for those afflicted by long-COVID.



It’s a reflection of the human spirit's resilience and our relentless pursuit of wellness in the face of adversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tackling-long-covid-with-holistic-approaches">Tackling long-COVID with holistic approaches</h2>



While wearable TENS technology appears promising, there&nbsp;is&nbsp;still&nbsp;a&nbsp;need to adopt&nbsp;a holistic approach towards managing long-COVID.



Integrating TENS therapy with other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-covid-leaves-blood-markers-that-can-be-targeted-for-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rehabilitation</a> techniques - like physical therapy, nutritional support, and mental health interventions - could offer a more complete approach towards recovery.



Long-COVID is a complex condition, and its impact varies greatly among individuals. It&nbsp;requires an interprofessional approach, where customized&nbsp;care plans are&nbsp;devised, taking into account the patient's unique needs.



Incorporation&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wearable-imaging-device-reveals-infant-brain-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wearable technologies</a> into these broad&nbsp;treatment protocols&nbsp;may&nbsp;improve treatment effectiveness and&nbsp;the quality of life&nbsp;of&nbsp;those affected.



As research continues, the hope is to build a toolkit of solutions that not only targets the physical challenges of long-COVID but also supports emotional resilience and overall well-being.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-78651-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Wearable device provides immediate relief to long-COVID patients

As the global community continues its fight against emerging strains...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



-----



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



-----



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-----

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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