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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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World's smallest pacemaker is set to revolutionize heart health

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

Imagine a world where gold is not just found on the surface, but also deep below the ocean floor. This idea may sound straight out of a fantasy novel, but recent research hints at this fascinating possibility. 



Scientists have discovered a vital role that seawater plays in the formation of gold, one of our planet's most precious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/golds-glow-luminescence-caused-quantum-realm-effects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">materials</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-ocean-soil-gold-link">Exploring the ocean-soil-gold link</h2>



A team of scientists journeyed to the isolated Brucejack gold deposit in northwestern British Columbia, where they set out to gather and study ancient ore-bearing rocks. 



The deposit, now on land as a result of plate tectonic processes, originally formed in a submarine oceanic island arc about 183 million years ago. The rigorous analysis revealed that these valuable geological relics bore the mark of the mighty seas.



The team discovered that seawater had seeped into the Earth’s crust, mingling with ore fluids and eventually leading to the formation of gold.



Study co-author Anthony Williams-Jones is a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/eps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a>.



"These rocks, dating back to the Early Jurassic period, are hosted in volcanic and sedimentary formations," said Professor Williams-Jones.



"Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, we decoded their unique chemical signatures. The finding of seawater-triggered gold deposition is novel and surprising."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-gold-in-curdled-milk">Finding gold in curdled milk</h2>



This discovery is not a standalone revelation. It builds upon earlier research that drew an unexpected parallel between gold formation and the everyday process of milk curdling. 



The researchers found that gold nanoparticles clump together, similar to proteins in milk, forming gold deposits.



The cause of this golden congregation, it turns out, can be traced to sodium ions present in seawater. The ions provoke the gold nanoparticles to merge, akin to the action of acid in souring milk.



"In our new study, we discovered that sodium ions in seawater cause gold nanoparticles to clump together, acting like the acid in souring milk and eventually forming gold veins," noted lead author Duncan McLeish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-golden-opportunities-below-the-sea-surface">Golden opportunities below the sea surface</h2>



This revolutionary research was carried out in collaboration with experts from the University of Alberta. The study offers new insights into how gold forms and opens up exhilarating prospects for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/illegal-gold-mining-dumps-mercury-in-the-peruvian-rainforest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gold mining</a>.



The work suggests that veins of gold could develop in the seabed, indicating that submarine island arcs and deep ocean trenches ideal for gold formation might be home to unexplored gold resources.



Gold holds immense value - not just for its age-old status as a precious metal - but also for its role in modern applications such as green-energy technologies, electronic devices, and medical equipment.



Land-based mines often offer low-grade ore that demands intensive processing, posing significant environmental costs. Discovering high-grade deposits in the ocean's depths could help mitigate the environmental effects of gold mining.



"Our findings suggest it may be easier to form the rare but spectacular concentrations of gold found in high-grade gold veins in sub-seafloor settings," said Professor Williams-Jones.



"With recent interest in mining submarine mineral deposits, our research suggests that Earth's oceanic crust may indeed contain resources, many of which are required for the green-energy transition, at a level never before appreciated."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-of-deep-sea-mining">Challenges of deep-sea mining</h2>



While the potential for discovering high-grade gold deposits under the sea is thrilling, it also comes with significant challenges and ethical considerations. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=Deep%20sea%20mining%20&amp;start=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deep-sea mining</a> poses risks to marine ecosystems, which are often less understood than terrestrial ones. The disruption of the sea floor could affect the habitats of various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-has-deadly-consequences-for-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a>, many of which are yet to be studied.



Additionally, the logistics of extracting minerals from such remote and harsh environments present technical and financial hurdles.



Environmentalists urge caution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive impact assessments and stringent regulations to protect marine biodiversity. 



As we advance toward potential underwater mining, balancing technological progress with environmental stewardship will be crucial. 



The dialogue between scientists, environmentalists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders will shape the future of this burgeoning field, ensuring that the treasures of the deep are managed responsibly for generations to come.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2402116121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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The secret role of seawater in gold formation

Imagine a world where gold is not just found on...

Plastic pollution is a burgeoning global crisis that leaves no corner of our planet untouched. From the deepest corners of our oceans to the otherwise pristine Norwegian coastlines, traces of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coca-cola-pepsi-among-top-contributors-to-plastic-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic waste</a> are an unfortunate sight.



This waste not only marks the invasion of an unnerving pollutant but reflects a far-reaching systemic problem that demands global attention.



For many years, scientists worldwide have been sounding the alarm on the consequences of unrestrained plastic pollution, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention. Despite this, we've continued to witness a surge in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-plastics-treaty-tackles-the-pollution-problem-directly-at-the-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global plastic</a> production and consumption.



Norway, known for its rigorous environmental advocacy, has been pushing for a global agreement to halt the relentless flow of plastics into the environment.



However, it's essential to note that even Norway has a role to play in generating plastic pollution. 



Based on a high-resolution study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)</a> along with the <a href="https://nilu.no/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian Air Research Institute (NILU)</a>, we now have a comprehensive mapping of the intricate plastic cycle within Norway, right down to individual product and polymer types.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-norway-s-plastic-footprint">Unraveling Norway's plastic footprint</h2>



Despite its green reputation, Norway discharges approximately 15,000 tons of plastic into the environment annually. 



The new study reveals that a staggering 758 kilotons (kt) of plastics find their way into the Norwegian market every year, with 632 kt ending up as waste.



While nearly half of this waste is incinerated, a seemingly minor 2.4% ends up in the environment. Yet, this "minor" percentage equates to a significant 15 kt, which translates to an average of 2.8 kg per capita.



To put this into perspective, Norwegians consume 21% more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-win-the-battle-of-planet-vs-plastic-drastic-changes-are-needed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastics</a> compared to Europeans and generate twice the amount of plastic pollution as their Swiss counterparts.



This level of plastic consumption corresponds to a concerning 1.5 billion plastic bottles reaching the environment annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consumer-packaging-and-tire-wear-rubber">Consumer packaging and tire wear rubber</h2>



The researchers identified consumer packaging, including bottles and bags, as the most significant source of macroplastics. Moreover, tire wear, particularly from electric and hybrid vehicles, emerged as a leading contributor to microplastic pollution.



Despite efforts to limit the release of these products, high consumption rates prevail. We simply use more than we can collect. As such, it's essential to reduce plastic consumption to curb the pollution at its source.



Tire wear, on the other hand, poses a unique challenge due to the nature of these emissions.



Approximately 6 kt of tire wear rubber is released annually, calling for a rethinking of our mobility and transport choices. Public transport and designing lighter vehicles suggest possible solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-devastating-impact-of-marine-plastic-pollution">Devastating impact of marine plastic pollution</h2>



Given the high population concentration along fjords and long coastlines, land-based plastics in Norway easily find their way into the ocean.



While most of the plastic waste released to the environment ends up in the soil, nearly one-third infiltrates the marine environment, causing irreversible impacts on ecosystems.



Marine animals, for instance, often ingest or become entangled in plastic fragments. Moreover, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-floor-harbors-up-to-11-million-tons-of-plastic-debris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic debris</a> interferes with the marine carbon cycle, further exacerbating climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toxicity-of-plastic-pollution">Toxicity of plastic pollution</h2>



Adding to the growing list of concerns, plastic products often contain a myriad of toxic additives introduced during production, such as phthalate esters and organophosphate esters. 



Through field studies, high amounts of these toxic additives have been found in the livers of Norwegian herring gulls after ingesting plastics. Furthermore, these high additive amounts make their way into recycling processes.



This means recycled plastics can contain elevated levels of additives, posing an additional risk to human health and the environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward-urgent-action-needed">The path forward: Urgent action needed</h2>



The research underscores the urgent need to curb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-production-increases-create-identical-plastic-pollution-increase/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic production</a>, consumption, and the use of hazardous chemical additives.



Achieving this will require the implementation of stringent policies to mitigate the catastrophic environmental consequences of the plastic economy.



"We emphasize that upstream measures, such as consumption reduction and changes in product design, would result in the most positive impact for limiting plastic pollution," wrote the study authors. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c09176" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>.



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Norway's battle against plastic pollution represents a global plague

Plastic pollution is a burgeoning global crisis that leaves no...

Life under the sea is filled with simple pleasures, free from the hustle and bustle of human life. Amidst the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, who would've thought that there would be an upside to the lockdowns for humpback <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/humpback-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales</a>? 



A team from the <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Queensland</a>, led by the inquisitive Dr. Jake Linsky, stumbled upon a fascinating discovery: the calming effect on migrating humpback whales off Australia's east coast.



Dr. Linsky, part of UQ's School of Environment, has been studying the health of this species out of <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/moreton-bay-research-station/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moreton Bay Research Station</a>. When not cooped up in a lab, he's out taking drone photographs and collecting blubber samples to gauge the health of these freewheeling cetaceans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-checking-up-on-whales">"Checking up" on whales </h2>



With their remarkable recovery from historical whaling, the health of these Australian humpback whales has been a topic of great interest. The team has been keen on using cutting-edge tools to check on their well-being.



"We used drone photographs and blubber samples to assess the health of eastern Australian humpback whales in the waters off Minjerribah - North Stradbroke Island - during their migration in 2020 and 2021," Dr. Linsky said.



"This&nbsp;population&nbsp;has made one of the most successful recoveries from historical whaling, so we wanted to use the latest tools at our disposal to provide a check-up on their health."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-humpback-whales-stress-levels">Decoding humpback whales stress levels</h2>



"We also used small boats to approach whales and collect small samples of skin and blubber from the whales' flanks," Dr. Linsky added.



Once collected, these blubber samples were examined for hormones and gene expressions related to stress, energy reserves, and immune health. A striking revelation was the significantly lower cortisol concentrations- a stress hormone - in 2021 when compared to 2020.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduction-in-environmental-stressors">Reduction in environmental stressors</h2>



This decrease in cortisol levels indicates a reduction in environmental stressors over the year. How did this happen? 



Dr. Linsky attributes the change to several factors, including a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-a-warming-climate-will-change-the-humpback-whales-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shift in climate</a> and the drastic alteration of human activity during the pandemic.



"Several things happened during this period that likely contributed to our findings, including a shift in climate into La Niña and dramatic changes to human activity during the pandemic."



"Our gene expression results also raise a further hypothesis that the whales may have been responding to a decline in pollutants in their remote feeding waters."



"Previous studies have found similar changes to stress hormones in whales on the opposite side of the Antarctic continent - our findings support the idea that these changes occurred throughout the Southern Ocean."



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



The findings from Dr. Linsky's study have critical implications for conservation policies aimed at protecting humpback whales and other marine species. 



The observed decrease in cortisol levels during periods of reduced human activity supports the argument for establishing marine protected areas and enforcing stricter regulations on maritime traffic and pollution. 



By minimizing human-induced stressors, we can create safer and more conducive environments for these majestic creatures.



Additionally, the study underscores the importance of international collaboration in marine conservation, as migratory species like humpback whales traverse vast oceanic distances. 



Joint efforts are essential to ensure these animals encounter safe havens. This is crucial to enhance their chances of survival in an ever-changing global environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-big-picture">The big picture</h2>



What does this mean for the future? These findings shed light on the role of migratory whales as health indicators of Antarctic marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-whales-continue-their-battle-for-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>.



"Eastern Australian humpback whales have demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to changes in their environment, but our study emphasizes the importance of mitigating human impacts so they can continue to thrive in our rapidly changing oceans," said Dr. Linsky.



"By continuing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-20-minute-conversation-with-a-humpback-whale-named-twain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monitor</a> and protect humpback whales off Australia's east coast, we can ensure their&nbsp;health&nbsp;and stability while also offering&nbsp;valuable insights&nbsp;into how other struggling whale populations might be conserved."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141113624002575?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Environmental Research</a>.



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Humpback whales felt less stressed during the pandemic

Life under the sea is filled with simple pleasures, free...

Have you ever pondered how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wings-without-borders-the-significance-of-world-migratory-bird-day/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory birds</a> figure out their way to warmer climates? Well, a team of researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (<a href="https://nioo.knaw.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIOO-KNAW</a>) and the Swiss Ornithological Institute (<a href="https://www.vogelwarte.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vogelwarte Sempach</a>) have finally cracked a 70-year-old mystery revolving around starlings and the way they navigate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-starling-and-their-patterns">Starling and their patterns</h2>



At the heart of this study is Albert Perdeck, a biologist from the Netherlands who embarked on a mission in the mid-20th century to decipher the migratory patterns of starlings.



He relocated thousands of these birds from the Netherlands to Switzerland and Spain, intent on discovering how young and adult starlings orient themselves on their migratory <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-migratory-birds-navigate-with-such-accuracy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">path</a>. 



The results of Perdeck's research, cloaked in ambiguity for decades, have at last been confirmed and clarified by the present-day team.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-starlings">Navigating starlings</h2>



In their research, the scientists uniquely identified each starling using lightweight metal leg rings, a strategy still utilized today by the Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, Vogelwarte Sempach and their partners across Europe. 



According to Morrison Pot from the NIOO-KNAW, relocated adult starlings altered their migratory path to return to their usual wintering sites. 



Meanwhile, the younglings continued in the direction they'd initially started, landing them in unexpected locations in southern France and Spain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-starlings-copycats">Are starlings copycats?</h2>



Perdeck's findings caused quite a stir among experts specializing in bird migration. The results led to a flurry of theories. A notable theory posited that young starlings, which are inherently social animals, might integrate into a group of local starlings. 



Once part of the flock, they could potentially mimic the migratory behaviors of these experienced birds. If this theory holds water, it could fundamentally alter our comprehension of starling migration. 



Specifically, it would imply that starlings acquire their migratory routes by learning from others, rather than possessing an innate knowledge of these paths from birth. This revelation would be significant, as it challenges the long-held assumption that migratory routes are instinctual.



To settle this debate, the team delved into Perdeck's historical data, comparing the relocated starlings' migratory patterns with those of local starlings in Switzerland and Spain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-starlings-navigate-alone">Starlings navigate alone</h2>



The reanalysis of Perdeck's data brought forth a surprising revelation. Rather than being social migrants, starlings are independent navigators. 



"Starlings travel independently, and decisions about where to go are not overruled by the migratory behavior of others," Pot explains.



A recent study further backed this finding by revealing that starlings migrate at night. Logically, how could a bird possibly mimic another's path in the darkness of the night?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-picture-for-navigating-starlings">Bigger picture for navigating starlings</h2>



You might ask why this debate is essential. Our world is undergoing rapid changes, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/migratory-birds-are-struggling-to-adapt-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> and land-use leading the charge. 



In this backdrop, understanding whether migratory behavior is learned or inherited could help us predict how birds can adapt to these alterations.



Henk van der Jeugd is the head of the Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography. He noted that despite their widespread presence and adaptability to human-influenced landscapes, starlings' inherited migratory behavior could make them less flexible to fast-paced changes.



This 70-year-old mystery turned revelation is no less than an ode to the intricacies of nature. It reminds us yet again that every creature, no matter how small, carries a world of secrets that is waiting to be uncovered.



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



With the mystery of how starlings navigate largely unraveled, the focus now shifts to the future research possibilities that this revelation opens. 



One of the pressing questions is how starlings might adjust their migratory paths in response to ongoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-behavior-productivity-being-directly-impacted-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. Researchers aim to investigate if there are specific environmental cues that could influence migratory decisions in this rapidly evolving world. 



Additionally, advances in satellite tracking technology promise more precise data collection methods, enabling scientists to monitor individual birds throughout their migratory journey. Such innovations hold the potential to unveil even more detailed insights into the life of these fascinating birds.



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



The findings about starlings' migration offer significant implications for bird conservation efforts. Understanding that starlings rely on inherited migratory routes rather than social learning suggests that any disruptions to their traditional habitats could have long-term impacts on their populations. 



Conservationists could leverage this knowledge to develop more targeted strategies, such as creating protected migratory corridors and preserving critical habitats along their routes. 



Moreover, these insights could be applied to other migratory species facing similar challenges, thereby enhancing the broader efforts within the field of ornithological conservation. 



By safeguarding the natural environments that starlings and other migratory birds rely on, we can help ensure their survival amidst an ever-changing global landscape.



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Starlings are independent navigators, not copycats

Have you ever pondered how migratory birds figure out their...

Have you ever wondered how mosquitoes, those pesky little buzzing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-habitats-are-expanding-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> that keep you up at night, choose their mates? Interestingly, it's all about listening for the right buzz.



Researchers from the esteemed <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya University</a> in Japan have recently decrypted the mystery behind how the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), differentiate their own kind from others. 



How do they do it? By tuning into the unique frequencies of sound generated by the flapping wings of opposite-sex mosquitoes from their own species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dusk-ritual-swarm-and-mosquito-buzz">Dusk ritual, swarm and mosquito buzz</h2>



During twilight, male Aedes mosquitoes congregate in large flying swarms. It's like a buzzing singles bar where they wait patiently for fertile females to fly in. 



Study co-author Dr. Matthew Su noted that as soon as a female enters this airborne gathering, the male mosquitoes - equipped with an exceptional sense of hearing - listen for her distinctive wing-sound, approach her and attempt to woo her.



“In the past few decades, the territories of the two types of mosquitos have increasingly overlapped,” said Dr. Su. “Mainly at dusk, male Aedes mosquitoes form a swarm, a large group of flying males waiting for fertile females to fly in." 



"When a female enters the group, the male uses his excellent hearing to hear her wing sound, approach her, and attempt to mate. But females of other species could enter the group too, so we became interested in how males avoid mating with the wrong species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-of-listening-to-the-buzzing-mosquitos">Art of listening to the buzzing mosquitos </h2>



This curiosity led the team to investigate further. They installed microphones in mosquito breeding cages to capture the frequencies of wingbeats from both sexes, and compared these frequencies between species. 



An intriguing pattern was discovered - both the males and females of the Asian tiger mosquito produced higher wing sound frequencies than their yellow fever counterparts.



The researchers hypothesized that this difference in sound frequency is the secret behind how mosquitoes avoid misdirected romance. 



To prove this theory, synthetic female wing sounds were played back to male mosquitoes. Without fail, the Asian tiger mosquito males responded to higher frequencies than the yellow fever males, clearly demonstrating species-specific sound recognition.



“We believe the males have optimized the vibratory properties of their ‘ears’ to match the frequencies of females of the same species,” said Professor Azusa Kamikouchi, the joint corresponding author of the study.



 “This suggests that males are finely tuned to the specific wingbeat frequencies produced by females of their species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tuning-into-the-right-frequency">Tuning into the right frequency</h2>



“Mosquito mating depends on male hearing of female sounds,” noted Dr. Su. “Even though the difference in female sounds may sound small at 40 Hz, for mosquitoes - and humans in fact - this gap is huge." 



"They modulate their hearing function via signals sent from their brains to their ears to listen for the right frequency. Humans actually do something similar to help tune out background noise to sleep or hear a friends’ voice in a noisy bar.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-approach-to-mosquito-control">New approach to mosquito control?</h2>



Understanding this wing-sound phenomenon could open a new avenue for mosquito control. Currently, most traps are designed to attract females to lay eggs, which are then killed off. 



However, the Nagoya researchers have an additional idea. By playing specific flight sounds, these traps could also lure in male mosquitoes.



“I could see our research being used to combine oviposition and sound traps,” said Dr. Su. “Oviposition traps exist, but they mostly catch females, so we thought why not capture males at the same time?" 



"It’s good to plan ahead for potential outbreaks especially as the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bad-news-mosquitoes-prefer-heat-and-thrive-in-the-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> are increasing the number of people affected by mosquitoes.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-symbiotic-coexistence-with-buzzing-mosquitos">Symbiotic coexistence with buzzing mosquitos </h2>



The researchers underscore the fact that completely eliminating mosquitoes would harm the ecosystem. Despite being a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-borne-diseases-are-a-growing-threat-in-a-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nuisance</a> to humans, these creatures play important environmental roles as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-face-extinction-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a> for plants and feeders for amphibians.



“Elimination may not be a good idea because we don’t know the effects on the ecosystem. Instead, we feel that limited biocontrol is better,” Dr. Su explained. 



“Ultimately, we will have to live together with mosquitoes, ideally separately. Therefore, we have to understand them and drive numbers down to levels where diseases are less likely to be transmitted.”&nbsp;



So the next time you’re bugged by a mosquito’s incessant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-hearing-could-be-targeted-to-combat-deadly-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">buzz</a>, remember that it’s not just noise, it’s intricate insect communication at work.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)01489-5?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Mosquitoes listen for a specific buzz to find mates

Have you ever wondered how mosquitoes, those pesky little buzzing...

The world of cryptocurrency holds fascination for many, a perplexing enigma for some, and an alternative investment strategy for others. But, is there more to this digital currency than meets the eye?



A recent study dives into the intricate mesh of politics, psychology, and social traits that appear to define cryptocurrency enthusiasts. 



In the whirlwind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gen-ai-and-social-media-divert-peoples-attention-from-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital landscape</a>, this study provides a beacon for understanding the diverse characteristics of crypto owners.



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



Launched into the annals of the finance world, the cryptocurrency market, with its hallmark features of anonymous trading and unregulated markets, gained swift momentum. 



Despite a reputation of financial unpredictability in some circles, it boasts hundreds of millions of worldwide investors who beg to differ.



The said study sets out to demystify the crypto enthusiasts' cluster, seeking to differentiate them from non-crypto investors based on certain political, psychological, and social traits. 



Past research with narrower sample sizes hinted at these investors treading the paths less traveled – psychologically non-normative and politically non-mainstream.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defining-the-cryptocurrency-aficionado">Defining the cryptocurrency aficionado</h2>



In a significant leap from previous studies, an extensive survey involving 2,001 American adults was conducted in 2022. 



Approximately 30% of these respondents were current or former crypto owners. They self-reported demographic details and other responses that painted a vivid picture of their political leanings, psychological nuances, and social traits.



A detailed statistical analysis ensued, encompassing bivariate (two-variable) correlational analyses and a multivariate (multi-variable) regression analysis. 



This helped measure the strength of association between crypto ownership and other individual variables, ultimately leading to the identification of variables critical in predicting cryptocurrency ownership.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-psychology-of-the-crypto-investor">The psychology of the crypto investor</h2>



The analysis revealed intriguing associations. Cryptocurrency ownership correlated with a belief in conspiracy theories, support for political extremism, and affiliation to non-left-right political orientations (such as Christian nationalism).



Crypto investors were also more likely to self-report the “Dark Tetrad” of personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism.



A broader, more holistic analysis pinpointed the qualities that are most likely to predict crypto ownership. The strongest association was found with reliance on fringe social media sources for news.



Other associated traits included masculinity, argumentativeness, higher income, and a heightened sense of victimhood. 



Interestingly, political orientations and identities reported by crypto owners spanned a wide spectrum from left to right.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caveats-and-the-way-forward">Caveats and the way forward</h2>



The researchers, hailing from the <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto, Canada</a>, and the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Miami, USA</a>, caution against broad generalizations.



The results are inevitably restricted by the sample characteristics and self-reported data, eschewing any causal interpretations.



The conspicuous association between social media and crypto ownership warrants further examination into the specific media and rhetoric's impact on crypto ownership. 



“Though our results certainly do not apply to every crypto user out there, on average, we found that crypto investment and ownership tends to appeal to people who are more argumentative, anti-authoritarian, and prefer to get their news from non-mainstream social media sites," noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cryptocurrency-and-traditional-financial-systems">Cryptocurrency and traditional financial systems</h2>



As cryptocurrency continues to grow in popularity and significance, its impact on traditional financial systems cannot be overlooked. 



Financial institutions, once skeptical of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-hidden-and-destructive-environmental-impact-of-bitcoin-mining/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital</a> currencies, are now exploring ways to integrate blockchain technology and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-is-a-virtual-world-and-humans-play-the-roles-of-its-characters-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital</a> assets into their operations. This shift is driven by the increasing demand for more transparent, efficient, and secure financial transactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regulatory-challenges-and-innovations">Regulatory challenges and innovations</h2>



The rise of cryptocurrency also presents significant regulatory challenges. Governments worldwide are grappling with how to effectively monitor and control this new financial frontier.



Balancing the need for regulation to prevent illicit activities while fostering innovation remains a delicate task. 



In response, some countries are developing frameworks to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), aiming to protect investors while encouraging technological advancements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-cryptocurrency-and-traditional-finance">Future of cryptocurrency and traditional finance </h2>



The future relationship between cryptocurrency and traditional finance is still unfolding. While some predict a harmonious integration, others foresee ongoing tensions as traditional systems adapt to the disruptive potential of digital <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-bitcoin-transaction-uses-as-much-water-as-filling-a-swimming-pool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">currencies</a>.



Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that cryptocurrency is reshaping the financial landscape, challenging long-held notions of money, value, and economic power.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0305178" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>.



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Cryptocurrency investors linked to dark personality traits

The world of cryptocurrency holds fascination for many, a perplexing...

You've seen them in zoos, maybe read about them, or have even watched Nat Geo documentaries, but how much do you really know about hippopotamuses? They're hefty, they're dangerous, and they wallow in water every chance they get. But did you know that hippos can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-determines-the-maximum-running-speed-of-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">run</a> surprisingly fast? And when they do, all four of their feet are in the air.



Two evolutionary biomechanics specialists from the University of London's <a href="https://www.rvc.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Veterinary College</a>, John Hutchinson and Emily Pringle, took to the hippo world to uncover some astonishing facts. With the aid of high-speed cameras, they filmed these colossal creatures running at full throttle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-running-speed-of-hippos">Running speed of hippos</h2>



When you think of hippos, you probably envision a substantial, mostly inoffensive-looking creature, spending most of its time submerged in water. 



However, these mammals, weighing up to 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) for males and 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) for females, are notoriously aggressive and can be deadly towards humans. 



Their surprising agility for such massy beings has long been a source of intrigue. Some have even clocked speeds of up to 30 km/hr (18.6 mph).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trotting-not-galloping">Trotting, not galloping</h2>



How can a creature as hefty as a hippo reach such speeds? To crack this mystery wide open, Hutchinson and Pringle took a trip to North Yorkshire's Flamingo Land resort, high-speed cameras in tow. 



They managed to film a whopping 169 running cycles involving 32 individual hippos. Delving into the footage, they discovered that hippos only tended to sprint when chased by another of their kind, a display of dominance.



Furthermore, they found that hippos, in their full sprinting glory, lift all four feet off the ground simultaneously for about 15% of the time they spend running, with each occurrence lasting for roughly 0.3 seconds. Unlike the galloping rhinos, these mammoths were seen using a trotting type gait when running. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hippos-trot-underwater">Hippos trot underwater</h2>



The study expanded its focus beyond just the movements hippos make on land. The researchers discovered that hippos exhibit a similar trotting gait while underwater. Unlike other aquatic animals that swim, hippos are unable to propel themselves through water in the same way.



Instead, they utilize a unique form of locomotion: they speed-walk along the bottom of rivers or lakes. This method of moving gives them the appearance of being undersea runners, efficiently navigating their aquatic environment by walking briskly rather than swimming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hefty-hippos-running-at-high-speeds">Hefty hippos running at high speeds</h2>



The discovery that these massive animals, often referred to as "elephants," can actually become airborne when moving at high speeds on land is a revelation. This marks the first instance where such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-animals-travel-slowly-because-they-get-too-hot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a> has been documented.



Specifically, it has been observed that hippos, which can weigh more than 2,200 kilograms (4,850 pounds), are capable of lifting all four of their limbs off the ground while moving quickly. This observation was confirmed and announced in an official statement from the Royal Veterinary College.



To provide a clearer picture, when these hippos pick up speed, they momentarily lift their entire body off the ground during each stride. This phenomenon is akin to how certain fast-moving animals, like cheetahs or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-domestic-horses-have-ancestors-in-russia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">horses</a>, have phases in their running gait where all their feet are off the ground. 



For hippos, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activity-has-a-strong-effect-on-wildlife-in-remote-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> typically perceived as cumbersome and slow-moving, this finding challenges previous assumptions about their locomotion <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruit-flies-can-walk-jump-and-dance-using-the-same-motor-neurons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">capabilities</a> and offers new insights into their physical dynamics and adaptations.



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



There’s much more to learn from these fascinating creatures. Hutchinson's future research could expand to studying baby hippos and baby pygmy hippos, who may have the ability to gallop when they are young but lose this skill as they grow into their substantial adult size.



This study not only broadens our understanding of the hippo's biomechanics but could also inform their management in captivity and aid in monitoring their health for any physical issues. 



So the next time you see a hippo, remember, there's more to them than their gentle, water-loving exterior. These creatures have a need for speed!



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/17675/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeerJ</a>.



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Hippos can actually become airborne when they run at full speed

You've seen them in zoos, maybe read about them, or...

The thought of black holes can send shivers down our spines. The idea of a region in space where gravity is so strong that nothing (not even light) can escape, is both awe-inspiring and chilling.



Yet, black holes occupy a pivotal position in the cosmos. Recently, scientists at the California Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.caltech.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caltech</a>) have unveiled new insights into these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mechanism-discovered-that-creates-the-gas-disks-around-black-holes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mysterious entities</a>. Thanks to a revolutionary computer simulation, the team has provided a look into the evolution of a black hole and its disks.



The research was led by Phil Hopkins, the Ira S. Bowen Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics at Caltech. Over the years, Profeesor Hopkins has led multiple projects, with this simulation being the apex of intense collaborative efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulation-and-its-surprising-findings">Simulation and its surprising findings</h2>



The researchers have successfully simulated the journey of primordial gas from the early universe, tracking its path until it gets caught up in the vortex towards a supermassive black hole.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="Mw0O3Xwhrl-3723416-12187" type="single"]</div>



This stellar project represents an unprecedented leap in resolution - over a thousand times greater than the previous record in the field!



The team's work has stirred up the world of astrophysics. Why? Because the results turned the existing theories around accretion disks - those <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-may-talk-to-galaxies-through-energetic-winds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">swirling</a>, galactic disks that feed black holes - on their heads.



"Our theories told us the disks should be flat like crepes," said Hopkins. "But we knew this wasn't right because astronomical observations reveal that the disks are actually fluffy - more like an angel cake. Our simulation helped us understand that magnetic fields are propping up the disk material, making it fluffier."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supermassive-black-holes-and-their-fluffy-disks">Supermassive black holes and their fluffy disks</h2>



Chances are, you've heard about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-black-holes-become-supermassive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive</a> black holes before. These beasts lie at the heart of most galaxies, our Milky Way included, and they're absolute gluttons for cosmic matter. 



They attract and devour gas and dust, forming a swirling accretion disk as material gets pulled towards them. Just before plunging into the black hole, this material emits a vast amount of energy, making these cosmic objects shine brighter than almost anything else in the universe.



The problem? We still know very little about these fascinating systems. While black hole disks in our own galaxy and Messier 87 have been imaged, these are far tamer than the disks around distant, more active black holes. This is where computer simulations come in handy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-black-hole-disk-simulation">Power of black hole disk simulation</h2>



Simulations offer researchers a way to recreate these cosmic activities. They incorporate all the physics at work in these galactic settings - from the basics of gravity to the behavior of dark matter and stars - into computing algorithms.



These algorithms allow scientists to model complex phenomena, like star formation or the behavior of galaxies, with great detail. However, Hopkins noted that it's not as simple as saying "gravity pulls everything down."



For a simulation to truly work, it needs to account for the complicated ways stars interact with their surroundings. 



For instance, they emit radiation that can heat up or push the surrounding gas. They blow stellar winds that can sweep up material, and they can explode as supernovae, dramatically altering their surroundings.



So, the team at Caltech developed a simulation that could cover all the relevant scales, from larger galactic scales to the level of a single accretion disk around a supermassive black hole. This ambitious project was a monumental computational challenge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-discovery">Unexpected discovery</h2>



The researchers discovered that the pressure from the magnetic fields of the accretion disks was actually 10,000 times greater than the pressure from the heat of the gas.



In simpler terms, the magnetic fields were doing most of the work in supporting the disks, reshaping our understanding of their structure and function.



The team's discovery opens a new chapter in the exploration of black holes and galaxies. Their simulation enables us to delve deeper into complex questions about galactic collisions, the formation of diverse types of stars, and even the nature of the universe's first generation of stars.



So, what's next in the incredible world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/star-debris-can-be-used-to-measure-the-spin-of-black-holes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic research</a>? Only time will tell. But you can bet that the dedicated scientists at Caltech will be at the forefront, bridging the mysteries of the cosmos with our earthly understanding.



The study is published in <a href="https://astro.theoj.org/article/94757-forge-d-in-fire-resolving-the-end-of-star-formation-and-structure-of-agn-accretion-disks-from-cosmological-initial-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Open Journal of Astrophysics</a>.



Video Credit: California Institute of Technology



Image Credit: Caltech/Phil Hopkins group



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Black hole disks are unexpectedly 'fluffy' as they grow and evolve

The thought of black holes can send shivers down our...

Humans always hunted and fished. In some societies, this was, and still is, necessary for survival. But in industrialized nations, hunting and fishing have taken on a new mantle -- a recreational sport. 



A recent study delves into the ethical and practical implications of this increasingly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hunting-can-help-stabilize-wildlife-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">popular practice</a>, exploring its benefits and potential impacts on different aspects of our daily lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-the-team">Meet the team</h2>



<a href="https://www.igb-berlin.de/en/profile/robert-arlinghaus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Robert Arlinghaus</a> from the IGB, along with a team of philosophers, social scientists, and environmentalists, explores this phenomenon from a fresh lens. 



They look at the emotional intensity that recreational hunting and fishing can provoke in individuals. Through their study, they bring our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recreational-fishing-got-a-boost-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attention to its potential impact</a> on environmental stewardship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-stewardship">Environmental stewardship</h2>



The team proposes that the deep emotional connection forged between hunters, anglers, and the wild can lead to a strong sense of responsibility. 



They argue that these feelings often translate into lifelong commitment towards environmental and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-summer-fishing-shrinks-atlantic-salmon-size-over-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species protection</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-sides-of-the-spectrum">Two sides of the spectrum</h3>



However, not all outdoor experiences are catalysts for this kind of stewardship. The researchers clearly differentiate between intensive nature interaction, which can foster environmental responsibility, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decline-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superficially conducted hunting</a> and fishing practices, which may not have the same effect.



Charles List, professor emeritus of philosophy at <a href="https://www.plattsburgh.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUNY Plattsburgh University</a>, New York, and co-author of the study, explains the idea well.



"Hunting and fishing generally require an intensive engagement with natural processes, ecosystems, the living creature and the annual and daily cycles," List explains.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-nature-connections-made-by-hunting-and-fishing">Deep nature connections made by hunting and fishing</h3>



This deep connection to nature can foster a strong sense of responsibility to protect wildlife and fish, known as stewardship.



Through activities like searching, finding, catching, killing, and processing wild animals, hunters and anglers become part of the natural food web.



This deep connection with nature can foster a strong sense of responsibility to protect wildlife and fish, known as stewardship.



"Hunting and fishing generally require an intensive engagement with natural processes, ecosystems, the living creature, and the annual and daily cycles," said Prof. Arlinghaus, a sustainability researcher and fisheries professor at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hunting-fishing-and-the-empathy-gap">Hunting, fishing, and the empathy gap</h2>



Just as there are two sides to every coin, the researchers also shed light on practices that might not foster a sense of responsibility.



Unfortunately, some hunting and fishing experiences are dominated by a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hunting-reduces-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">desire for quick rewards</a> rather than fostering a connection with nature.



According to Dr. Sam Shephard of <a href="https://www.avemaria.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ave Maria University</a> in Florida, these superficial experiences do not allow for an intensive examination of one's relationship with nature and the impact on the lives of animals.



"There are examples of hunting and fishing experiences being dominated by market logic," explained Dr. Shephard. He pointed to small put-and-take fishing ponds and canned hunting as examples.



These practices offer only superficial experiences of nature. They cater to the desire for a quick reward. Often, there is no deep examination of personal relationships with nature or the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-fleets-hidden-industrial-fishing-activity-exposed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact on the lives of animals</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psycho-emotional-triggers">Psycho-emotional triggers</h2>



The team also explores the skills and knowledge that hunting and fishing can impart. However, they emphasize that the critical factor is not just the practice but the psycho-emotional triggers that the activities stir in the individuals.



Catch-and-release fishing, for instance, can heighten the sense of responsibility towards the life of the fish. However, if executed for purely economic reasons, it does nothing to foster a sense of stewardship.



"Stewardship arises when people become aware of the consequences of their own actions and draw personally binding conclusions that lead to the sustainable management of animal populations, including to self-constraint about how many animals to take and how," explained associate professor Erica von Essen of <a href="https://www.stockholmresilience.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stockholm Resilience Center</a>.



She suggests that true stewardship arises when individuals comprehend the consequences of their actions and take binding decisions for the sustainable management of animal populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-societal-pressures-on-traditional-practices">Societal pressures on traditional practices</h2>



In their study, the researchers also delve into the impact of societal pressures on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-women-were-not-just-gatherers-they-were-hunters-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">traditional practices</a>. 



With societal taboos around killing wild animals in recreation, hunters and anglers often distance themselves from the emotional dimensions of their activities. Unfortunately, this shift undermines <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-fishing-gets-a-boost-from-genomics-roadmap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental stewardship</a>. 



Professor Arlinghaus explains, "An important basis for this is to remove the social taboo on killing wild animals in the context of recreational fishing and hunting."



He believes such practices can build intense emotional connections and awareness of the consequences of one's actions, which may lead to pro-environmental behavior and support for conservation efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stewardship-s-role-in-hunting-and-fishing">Stewardship's role in hunting and fishing</h2>



The study led by Professor Robert Arlinghaus examines recreational hunting and fishing. It highlights how these activities can promote environmental stewardship.



The intense engagement hunters and anglers have with nature is crucial. This interaction often leads to a deep emotional connection and a commitment to protect wildlife and the environment.



However, not all hunting and fishing experiences foster this connection. Some are superficial and driven by quick rewards. These do not result in a strong sense of responsibility towards nature.



The researchers argue for the importance of psycho-emotional engagement. They propose that true stewardship comes from understanding the impact of one's actions and making sustainable choices.



While the act of hunting and fishing can be controversial, it is important to comprehend the potential for fostering a sense of environmental responsibility.



As society continues to grapple with issues of conservation and environmental protection, the findings of this study offer a unique perspective that invites us all to explore our relationship with nature more deeply.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-024-01379-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Sustainability</a>.



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Does hunting and fishing connect humans with nature or reinforce superiority complex

Humans always hunted and fished. In some societies, this was,...

High up on the Tibetan Plateau, inside the Baishiya Karst Cave, unfolds a fascinating ancient human survival story. A recent study reveals that the Denisovans, an extinct human species, called this place home for countless millennia.



Other than their notable genetic contributions to modern humans, very little is known about the Denisovans. 



Somehow, these enigmatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-used-lava-tubes-for-homes-middle-east-saudi-arabia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early humans</a> adapted to the harsh, high-altitude conditions of the Tibetan mountains, leaving behind clues that give us a captivating glimpse into their lifestyle and resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-were-the-denisovans">Who were the Denisovans?</h2>



Remember them from science class? They're an extinct species from our ancient lineage that lived on Earth with us, Homo sapiens, and our other long-lost cousins, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthal-genes-still-influence-modern-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthals</a>. 



Unlike the Neanderthals, though, the Denisovans are more mysterious. We've only found a few pieces of their puzzling existence so far.



The mystery deepened with an incredible discovery by a determined international research team. 



Their endeavor? To probe more than 2,500 bone remains found in Baishiya Karst Cave, one of only two known Denisovan habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-findings-lead-to-more-questions">New findings lead to more questions</h2>



Published in the Nature, their fascinating analysis identifies a fresh Denisovan fossil. It also illustrates the species' incredible resilience in the face of fluctuating climatic conditions, including the ice age. 



Consider this: these predecessors of ours survived on the Tibetan plateau from around 200,000 to 40,000 years ago. Can you fathom that?



Dr. Geoff Smith, a zooarchaeologist at the <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Reading</a> and co-author of the study, expressed enthusiasm about their findings regarding Denisovan behavior.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Denisovans-tools_bones_discovered_tibetan-plateau_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Denisovans-tools_bones_discovered_tibetan-plateau_1s.jpg" alt="Denisovan tools and bones discovered at Baishiya Karst Cave in Tibetan Plateau. Credit: Nature" class="wp-image-1938266"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denisovan tools and bones discovered at Baishiya Karst Cave in Tibetan Plateau. Credit: Nature</figcaption></figure>



The research team uncovered evidence of the diverse diet of this ancient human species. 



"We were able to identify that Denisovans <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ancient-humans-hunted-elephants-with-stone-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunted, butchered and ate</a> a range of animal species," Dr. Smith explained.



He further emphasized the significance of their discoveries, noting that the study provides insights into how Denisovans adapted to challenging environmental conditions. 



"We are only just beginning to understand the behavior of this extraordinary human species," Dr. Smith concluded, highlighting the nascent state of our knowledge about this species. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncovering-details-of-denisovan-life">Uncovering details of Denisovan life</h2>



The bone remains were shattered into many fragments, rendering identification very challenging. Nevertheless, the team developed a novel scientific method to determine which species the bone remains belonged to. It uses differences in bone collagen between animals.



Dr Huan Xia, of <a href="https://en.lzu.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lanzhou University</a>, sheds light on this innovative technique, "Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) allows us to extract valuable information from often overlooked bone fragments, providing deeper insight into human activities."



The introduction of <a href="https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_2418" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ZooMS</a> represents a quantum leap in archaeological studies. This cutting-edge technique allows scientists to extract identifiable collagen peptides from minute bone fragments, rendering an otherwise obscure and convoluted puzzle into a clearer picture of the past.



Most of the bones, the researchers discovered, belonged to blue sheep (bharal), wild yaks, equids, the extinct woolly rhino, and the spotted hyena. There were also bone fragments from small mammals, like marmots, and birds.



"Current evidence suggests that it was Denisovans, not any other human groups, who occupied the cave and made efficient use of all the animal resources available to them throughout their occupation," explained Dr Jian Wang of Lanzhou University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-denisovans-were-resourceful-and-resilient">Denisovans were resourceful and resilient</h2>



Moreover, the researchers' meticulous analysis of the fragmented bone surfaces indicates the Denisovans weren't just preying on these animals. They were also adapting their remains into useful tools.



The team identified a rib bone, dating between 48,000 and 32,000 years ago, as belonging to an unknown Denisovan individual. 



This person lived at a time when our ancestors, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-evolution-may-be-the-biggest-roadblock-to-solving-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern humans</a>, were beginning to spread across the Eurasian continent.



The researchers believe that Denisovans weathered two cold periods, as well as a warmer interglacial period between the Middle and Late Pleistocene eras.



Together, the fossil and molecular evidence indicates that Ganjia Basin, where Baishiya Karst Cave is located, provided a relatively stable environment for Denisovans, despite its high-altitude. 



Dr Frido Welker, of the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a>, leaves us with a lingering question, "The question now arises when and why these Denisovans on the Tibetan Plateau went extinct."



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



In summary, this latest discovery prompts a wave of new queries. Why did these resilient beings go extinct? What lessons can we learn from their survival amid changing climates?



The insights gathered from studying Denisovans resonate with pressing contemporary issues. In today’s world, where climate change shifts the environmental parameters at an unprecedented pace, understanding how Denisovans adapted to severe climatic fluctuations could offer valuable lessons.



Their ability to endure harsh, high-altitude conditions mirrors the contemporary challenges faced by communities in similarly extreme environments.



Reflecting on their resourcefulness and resilience, we might draw parallels to the importance of sustainable living and adaptive strategies.



As we delve deeper into the remnants of these ancient humans, perhaps we'll find more than just the echoes of our ancestry. Perhaps, we'll find a guide for our future.



The <a href="http://english.itpcas.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research</a>, CAS, China, also contributed to this study.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07612-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Mysterious Denisovan species of humans lived undisturbed in the mountains for 160,000 years

High up on the Tibetan Plateau, inside the Baishiya Karst...

Have you ever thought about how life could sustain in a desert, where the average annual rainfall is as little as 17 millimeters? Researchers from the Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment (<a href="https://www.senckenberg.de/en/institutes/shep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SHEP</a>) at the <a href="https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tübingen</a> and the <a href="https://museumgoerlitz.senckenberg.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Senckenberg Natural History Museum</a> in Görlitz might have cracked the code of how a desert grass survives.



The research team has discovered an astonishing adaptation of the desert grass Stipagrostis sabulicola in Africa's Namib Desert. This adaptation enables life in such a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-seeds-go-dormant-to-avoid-harsh-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">harsh environment</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-desert-grass-in-namib-desert">Desert grass in Namib Desert</h2>



The Namib Desert, known for its hyper-arid conditions and vast sandy expanses, hosts a surprising number of plant and animal species that have adapted to its extreme surroundings. One such species is the Namib dune bushman grass, Stipagrostis sabulicola.



Dr. Huei Ying Gan from the University of Tübingen, along with co-authors Dr. Karin Hohberg and Dr. Clément Schneider, set out to investigate the function of this grass in fostering a rich desert ecosystem, even in the face of such extreme conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-mechanism-of-desert-grass">Survival mechanism of desert grass</h2>



Stipagrostis sabulicola extends a wide network of shallow roots, anchoring itself firmly into the desert dunes. But it's the plant's specialized leaf structures that enhance its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-change-their-roots-to-survive-harsh-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival</a>. These leaves excel in condensing moisture from the air in the form of fog and dew.



In the arid Namib Desert, where rain is a rare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aral-sea-dust-emissions-have-doubled-with-major-climate-impacts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">event</a>, the grass relies heavily on fog for its moisture. Atlantic fog, providing an average of 39 millimeters of moisture per year, becomes its lifeline. 



This fog forms as the warm Atlantic air cools down over the cold ocean surface and travels many kilometers into the desert's interior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-role-of-fog-plants">Crucial role of fog plants</h2>



The research shows that this fog-harvesting grass, by capturing and channeling moisture into the sand, creates what the researchers have termed "fog plant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oases-grow-by-human-effort-but-face-threats-from-desertification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oases</a>." 



"As soon as the fog touches the ground, the endemic desert grass captures the moisture from the fog and channels it into the sand," notes Hohberg.



These oases play a vital role in the desert's food chain. They serve as the primary carbon source, as was revealed by measuring natural variations in stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) of invertebrates.



"Our results show that the bushman grass of the Namib Desert promotes carbon flow in the food web," said Schneider.



"We were able to demonstrate that the plant is the primary food source for above-ground invertebrates such as ants, spiders, pseudoscorpions, and mites - we found 12 species of arthropods on the leaf surface and in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-leaf-diversity-shape-plant-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaf</a> sheaths alone, along with an additional seven species that we did not study in detail."



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



In the words of Schneider, the grass promotes carbon flow in the food web, serving as the primary food source for above-ground invertebrates like ants, spiders, pseudoscorpions, and mites. 



"Overall, however, it can be said that the importance of Stipagrostis sabulicola goes far beyond the invertebrate food web," noted Gan.



"This is because numerous arthropods, such as weevils and black beetles, which are dependent on the grass as an energy source and therefore live in close relationship with the plants, serve as a vital food source for more mobile predators such as sand lizards, nursery web spiders, or the dune lark."



"In the higher food chain, the lizards, in turn, are an important food source for the adder species Bitis peringueyi. Our analyses underline the crucial role of fog plants in the hyper-arid Namib dunes."



At the end of the day, the desert ecology depends heavily on this unassuming desert grass, Stipagrostis sabulicola. In the harsh conditions of the Namib Desert, these "fog plants" are vital life-sustaining links, ensuring the survival of the diverse life forms in these hyper-arid dunes.



The mighty desert grass serves as a keystone species in the Namib Desert. It demonstrates nature's incredible adaptability, fostering a complex and thriving ecosystem in an otherwise inhospitable environment.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-61796-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Desert grass survives by capturing moisture from fog

Have you ever thought about how life could sustain in...

Your diet in midlife can shape your health after 70. It may sound surprising, but new research backs this claim. The study suggests that maintaining a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-healthy-diet-your-secret-weapon-against-aging-and-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy diet</a> in your 40s could significantly increase your chances of healthy aging.



Less than 10% of individuals manage to maintain strong physical, cognitive, and mental health past the age of 70, but the keys to join this elite group may be on your plate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-midlife-diet-and-future-health">Midlife diet and future health</h2>



The research, which was focused on an extensive data set of over 100,000 people tracked for 30 years, brought to light some fascinating insights.



It was found that individuals maintaining a healthy diet from their 40s were considerably more likely to enjoy a high-functioning physical and mental state at age 70. In fact, their likelihood of healthy aging was boosted by up to 84% compared to those who did not maintain a healthy diet.



“People who adhered to healthy dietary patterns in midlife, especially those rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, were significantly more likely to achieve healthy aging,” said Dr. Anne-Julie Tessier, postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.</a>



The research provides an all-important clue: "Your midlife diet can significantly impact the quality of your aging process."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-there-a-magic-diet-for-healthy-aging">Is there a magic diet for healthy aging?</h2>



Certain foods were linked to higher probabilities of healthy aging, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy products. Conversely, high intakes of trans fat, sodium, total meats, and processed meats were linked to lower odds of healthy aging.



While many studies have explored diet's impact on chronic diseases, this research uniquely focuses on healthy aging. 



In this context, healthy aging is not merely the absence of disease but the ability to live independently while enjoying a good <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/active-aging-physical-activity-has-a-direct-impact-on-life-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality of life</a> as one grows older.



“Traditionally, research and derived dietary guidelines have focused on preventing chronic diseases like heart disease,” said Tessier. “Our study provides evidence for dietary recommendations to consider not only disease prevention but also promoting overall healthy aging as a long-term goal.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reimagining-the-dietary-guidelines">Reimagining the dietary guidelines</h2>



The research analyzed data from over 106,000 people starting from 1986, with participants being at least 39 years old and free from chronic diseases. Unsurprisingly, only 9.2% of those surveyed had fully maintained their physical, cognitive, and mental fitness by age 70.



Based on eight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-eating-patterns-reduce-the-risk-of-premature-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy dietary patterns</a> from previous scientific studies, some striking trends were noted.



The alternative healthy eating index, closely adhering to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, displayed the strongest correlation. People who followed this dietary pattern were 84% more likely to achieve healthy aging than those who did not.



The experts also found that a diet similar to the one in the EAT Lancet Commission's report - the "planetary health diet" - had a substantial impact on healthy aging.



“A finding that stood out was the association between the planetary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-diet-positively-influences-the-brains-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health diet</a> and healthy aging,” said Tessier. “This diet is based on the EAT Lancet Commission’s report which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant proteins and healthy fats from sustainable sources." 



"The fact that it emerged as one of the leading dietary patterns associated with healthy aging is particularly interesting because it supports that we can eat a diet that may benefit both our health and the planet.”



These findings held up even when factors such as physical activity, known to impact health, were taken into account. Each healthy dietary pattern was linked to overall healthy aging and to its physical, cognitive, and mental components. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-supplements-in-midlife-diets">The role of supplements in midlife diets</h2>



While the primary focus is on whole foods, supplements can also play a supportive role in a midlife diet aimed at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-and-feeding-cycle-is-crucial-for-healthy-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy aging</a>.



Certain vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, have been shown to benefit cognitive and physical health. 



As the focus of the study was on midlife dietary patterns, future research may help to clarify the potential impact of switching to a healthier diet later in life. However, one thing is made clear from the results of this study - the seeds of healthy aging are sown in midlife. 



The research was presented at <a href="https://nutrition.org/N24/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NUTRITION 2024</a>, the flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.



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The secret ingredient to healthy aging: Your midlife diet

Your diet in midlife can shape your health after 70....

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



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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