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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

Engineers have developed a pioneering technique that enables robots to follow complex instructions without the need for electricity. This could significantly expand the cognitive capabilities of robots by freeing up more space in their “brains” for advanced thinking. 



This breakthrough, led by researchers from <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King’s College London</a> (KCL), involves transmitting commands to robots through variations in fluid pressure instead of relying on electrical signals - a world-first approach that could revolutionize how robots are built and operate.



This novel method could pave the way for a new generation of robots whose bodies can function independently from their central control systems.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-freeing-up-space-in-robots">Freeing up space in robots</h2>



The space in the robotic system, traditionally dedicated to basic operations, could instead be used for more sophisticated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-intelligence-applications-can-use-as-much-power-as-entire-nations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence</a> (AI) software, allowing these machines to manage more complex tasks in diverse environments. 



Such an advancement could lead to robots that are not only more efficient but also more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-humans-react-to-coexisting-with-robots/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">socially aware</a> and adaptable in real-world situations.



Antonio Forte is a senior lecturer in engineering at KCL and the senior author of the study.



“Delegating tasks to different parts of the body frees up computational space for robots to 'think,' allowing future generations of robots to be more aware of their social context or even more dexterous,” said Forte.



“This opens the door for a new kind of robotics in places like social care and manufacturing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robots-with-fluid-powered-technology-nbsp">Robots with fluid-powered technology&nbsp;</h2>



The research, recently published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202408879" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Science</a>, goes beyond simply improving robotic efficiency - it also opens the possibility of using robots in situations where electricity-powered devices cannot function effectively. 



This could include exploration missions in irradiated zones such as Chernobyl, where high radiation levels can destroy electrical circuits, or in highly sensitive environments like MRI rooms, where electronic devices can interfere with medical equipment.&nbsp;



Furthermore, robots built using this fluid-powered technology could become essential in low-income countries, where reliable access to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-generate-electricity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electricity</a> may be a challenge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-robots-more-efficient-nbsp">Making robots more efficient&nbsp;</h2>



Forte highlights the importance of this new approach in enhancing the functionality of robots.&nbsp;



“Put simply, robots are split into two parts: the brain and the body. An AI brain can help run the traffic system of a city, but many robots still struggle to open a door - why is that? Software has advanced rapidly in recent years, but hardware has not kept up,” said Forte.&nbsp;



“By creating a hardware system independent from the software running it, we can offload a lot of the computational load onto the hardware, in the same way your brain doesn’t need to tell your heart to beat.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-challenge-of-complex-tasks">The challenge of complex tasks</h2>



Currently, almost all robots rely on electricity and integrated computer chips to perform their tasks. A robotic “brain,” which consists of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-algorithm-may-reveal-hundreds-of-potentially-hazardous-asteroids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algorithms</a> and AI software, sends instructions to the robot’s physical body, which carries out the action. 



This interaction between the software and the hardware is managed through encoders, which translate the software's commands into physical movements.&nbsp;



However, this approach is particularly problematic for “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-soft-robot-crawls-moves-like-origami-folds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soft robotics</a>,” a subfield that designs devices made from soft, flexible materials, like robotic muscles. The integration of rigid electronic encoders complicates the system, making it harder for the material to perform complex tasks, such as grasping a doorknob.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-level-of-control">A new level of control</h2>



To address this challenge, the research team developed a reconfigurable circuit featuring an adjustable valve. This valve acts like a transistor in a standard electrical circuit, but instead of using electrical signals, it uses pressure to send commands directly to the hardware. 



The engineers use fluid pressure to transmit binary-like signals to the robot’s physical structure, allowing the robot to perform complex movements without requiring electricity or constant instructions from a central processing unit.&nbsp;



This innovation allows for a level of control that surpasses what current fluid-based systems can offer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giving-the-robot-space-to-think">Giving the robot space to think</h2>



By offloading part of the computational work onto the robot’s physical system, this new circuit design frees up the robot’s “brain” to focus on more complex tasks, making the robot more adaptive and capable in a wide variety of scenarios.&nbsp;



As a result, robots equipped with this technology could be more effective in real-world situations, including those that require nuanced physical interactions or decision-making abilities.



The next step for the researchers is to scale up their circuit design. They plan to move beyond small experimental setups and integrate this technology into larger robots, such as those used for monitoring power plants or robots with entirely soft engines.&nbsp;



These new systems could be used in environments that require advanced robotics, like industrial sites or in complex rescue operations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-research">Broader implications of the research</h2>



Mostafa Mousa, a post-graduate researcher at KCL and co-author of the study, emphasized the broader implications of this development.



“Ultimately, without investment in embodied intelligence, robots will plateau. Soon, if we do not offload the computational load that modern day robots take on, algorithmic improvements will have little impact on their performance,” said Mousa.



“Our work is just a first step on this path, but the future holds smarter robots with smarter bodies.”



This breakthrough marks a significant step forward in the field of robotics, with the potential to transform the capabilities of robots across industries.&nbsp;



By shifting part of the cognitive load from software to hardware, robots could become far more versatile and efficient in their tasks, allowing them to be more adaptive, resilient, and ultimately, more useful in a wider range of applications.



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Robots with space to "think" for themselves are much more useful

Engineers have developed a pioneering technique that enables robots to...

In our fast-paced world, we often overlook the intricate connections between our daily activities and our brain's cognitive abilities. However, emerging research reveals that these connections are far more profound than we might think.



A rare study by researchers at <a href="https://www.aalto.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aalto University</a> and the <a href="https://www.oulu.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oulu</a> has shed light on this complex interplay, tracking one person’s brain and behavioral activity over five months.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-influence-of-activities-in-the-brain">Influence of activities in the brain</h2>



Using brain scans and data from wearable devices and smartphones, the team explored how our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-brain-responds-to-bad-smells-within-300-milliseconds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brains respond</a> not just in bursts, but in waves that reflect both immediate and lasting influences.



“We wanted to go beyond isolated events,” said lead researcher Ana Triana. “Our behavior and mental states are constantly shaped by our environment and experiences." 



"Yet, we know little about the response of brain functional connectivity to environmental, physiological, and behavioral changes on different timescales, from days to months.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daily-activities-alter-brain-connectivity">Daily activities alter brain connectivity</h2>



The study revealed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/everyday-activities-improve-well-being-and-boost-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">daily activities</a>, from sleep patterns to mood fluctuations, influence brain activity over days and even weeks. 



For instance, a workout or restless night from last week can still affect cognitive functions such as attention and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/memory-clutter-speeds-up-aging-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a> well into the following week. 



This dynamic response is shaped by a variety of factors, including heart rate variability - a measure of the heart's adaptability - which was found to significantly influence brain connectivity during rest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-rate-variability-reshapes-the-brain">Heart rate variability reshapes the brain</h2>



The research emphasizes how heart rate variability, which reflects the body’s relaxation response, can reshape <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-complete-map-of-every-neuron-in-the-brain-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain wiring</a> - even during periods of rest.



“The use of wearable technology was crucial. Brain scans are useful tools, but a snapshot of someone lying still for half an hour can only show so much. Our brains do not work in isolation," said Triana.



By integrating physical activity data, the researchers found that exercise enhances interactions between brain regions, potentially improving memory and cognitive flexibility. 



Subtle shifts in mood and heart rate were also found to leave lasting imprints on brain function for up to fifteen days.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-study-perspective">Unique study perspective </h2>



Interestingly, Triana was both the lead author and a subject of the study. As she navigated her daily life, she wore sensors and participated in bi-weekly brain scans, gathering extensive data on her own brain’s responses to various stimuli.



“At the beginning, it was exciting and a bit stressful. Then, routine settles in and you forget,” noted Triana.



To complement the quantitative data, Triana also completed mood surveys, offering a unique perspective that enriched the study's findings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-patterns-of-brain-activities">Distinct patterns of brain activities</h2>



The study identified two distinct response patterns in brain activity: a short-term wave lasting less than a week and a long-term wave up to fifteen days. 



Rapid adaptations, such as those linked to poor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-reboots-the-brain-making-room-for-new-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> and quick recovery of focus, marked the shorter wave. 



In contrast, the longer wave highlighted enduring changes in areas connected to attention and memory, revealing that our brain’s adaptation process is both swift and sustained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-our-habits-shape-the-brain">How our habits shape the brain</h2>



Dr. Nick Hayward, co-author and neuroscientist, believes this approach could revolutionize mental healthcare. 



“We must bring data from daily life into the lab to see the full picture of how our habits shape the brain, but surveys can be tiring and inaccurate,” said Dr. Hayward. 



“Combining concurrent physiology with repeated brain scans in one person is crucial. Our approach gives context to neuroscience and delivers very fine detail to our understanding of the brain.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personalized-mental-health-care">Personalized mental health care</h2>



This proof-of-concept study suggests that real-time monitoring of brain activity could play a crucial role in the early detection and prevention of neurological disorders. In the realm of mental health, subtle signs often go unnoticed and untreated.



“Linking brain activity with physiological and environmental data could revolutionize personalized healthcare, opening doors for earlier interventions and better outcomes,” said Triana.



With this innovative approach, the future of neuroscience may lie not just in the lab but also in our everyday lives, where continuous monitoring and personalized insights could transform how we understand and optimize brain health.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002797" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS Biology</a>.



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Brain echoes: Today's activities change your mindset for weeks

In our fast-paced world, we often overlook the intricate connections...

According to an alarming annual climate report, Earth's vital signs depict a rapidly deteriorating condition. As we get closer to the UN summit, the urgent need for immediate climate action has never been greater.



The report was authored by an international coalition led by scientists from <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> (OSU). It communicates a chilling warning that the Earth is heading into a "critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis" that requires swift, decisive action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-perilous-times-on-planet-earth">Perilous times on planet Earth</h2>



The in-depth report, entitled "The 2024 State of the Climate Report: Perilous Times on Planet Earth," identifies several areas - including energy, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollutants-from-fossil-fuels-are-embedded-in-coral-skeletons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollutants</a>, nature, food and economy - where significant policy changes are essential.



"A large portion of the very fabric of life on our planet is imperiled," said William Ripple, a professor in the OSU College of Forestry. "We're already in the midst of abrupt climate upheaval, which jeopardizes life on Earth like nothing humans have ever seen."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vital-climate-signs-hit-record-extremes">Vital climate signs hit record extremes</h2>



The report takes into account 35 planetary vital signs to track annual climate change. Among these vital signs, a staggering 25 have reached record-breaking extremes, highlighting the urgency of the situation.



The three <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-just-experienced-its-hottest-day-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hottest days</a> ever recorded occurred in July 2024, highlighting an unprecedented surge in global temperatures. Additionally, heat-trapping fossil fuel emissions have reached alarming levels.



"On the basis of global year-to-date averages, the concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane are at record highs," wrote the study authors.



"Carbon dioxide levels were recently observed to be surging. Furthermore, the growth rate of methane emissions has been accelerating, which is very troubling."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explosive-demand-for-energy">Explosive demand for energy</h2>



Every single day the human population increases by approximately 200,000, and the number of ruminant livestock, which are known to emit harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/state-of-the-climate-greenhouse-gases-hit-a-record-high-in-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gases</a> and require substantial energy to rear, increases by roughly 170,000.



In 2023, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-current-fossil-fuel-plans-will-shatter-1-5c-climate-goal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuel</a> consumption rose by 1.5%, primarily due to significant leaps in coal and oil use. Although renewable energy use also saw enhancement, it is only a fourteenth of fossil fuel use. 



The escalation in renewable energy is mostly due to increased demand rather than its substitution for fossil fuels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warning-signs-of-a-climate-disaster">Warning signs of a climate disaster</h2>



The report highlights several other pressing issues, including record-breaking highs in Earth’s average surface temperature, ocean acidity, heat content, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-sea-levels-spiked-dramatically-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global sea level</a>, all of which indicate a rapidly worsening climate crisis.



Alarmingly, the mass of ice in Greenland and Antarctica, along with average glacier thickness, has plunged to historic lows, signaling a profound loss of critical ice reserves.



Furthermore, in 2023, the global loss of tree cover amplified from 22.8 million hectares to 28.3 million.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangerous-climate-feedback-loops">Dangerous climate feedback loops </h2>



The report identifies 28 amplifying feedback loops - such as permafrost thawing and increased methane emissions - that further accelerate and compound the effects of climate change, creating a cycle that threatens to spiral out of control.



In 2023 alone, an estimated 2,325 heat-related deaths occurred in the United States, marking a shocking 117% increase from 1999. 



With increasing climate disasters like the Asian heatwaves killing thousands and displacing millions, the potential for greater geopolitical instability and societal collapse is looming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roadmap-to-climate-recovery">Roadmap to climate recovery</h2>



The route to recovery includes implementing global carbon pricing, enhancing energy efficiency, curbing greenhouse emissions, restoring biodiverse ecosystems, encouraging plant-based diets, promoting sustainable economics, and incorporating climate education in global curriculums.



"Humanity's future depends on creativity, moral fiber and perseverance. If future generations are to inherit the world they deserve, decisive action is needed, and fast," noted co-author Christopher Wolf. 



The upcoming UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is slated for November 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. It is considered a pivotal opportunity for global progress on climate issues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alerting-humanity-to-climate-disaster">Alerting humanity to climate disaster</h2>



The climate report represents invaluable contributions from scientists across the globe, with funding from the CO2 Foundation and Roger Worthington.



"Our aim in the present article is to communicate directly to researchers, policymakers, and the public," wrote the experts. 



"As scientists and academics, we feel it is our moral duty and that of our institutions to alert humanity to the growing threats that we face as clearly as possible and to show leadership in addressing them."



The full report is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biae087/7808595" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BioScience</a>.



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Report: Earth is headed for an 'irreversible climate disaster'

According to an alarming annual climate report, Earth's vital signs...

With the average preteen spending more than five hours a day on screen time for non-educational purposes, the impact on their mental health is a growing concern.



Taking an extensive look into this issue, a recent study has confirmed a potential correlation between increased screen time and symptoms of depression and anxiety among adolescents.



The research, carried out by researchers at <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC San Francisco</a>, is one of the first long-term studies to investigate this worrying trend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-screen-time-and-depressive-symptoms">Screen time and depressive symptoms </h2>



The study followed a diverse selection of 9- and 10-year-olds from across the United States over a span of two years.



The results? A close tie was revealed between screen time and a myriad of symptoms, including more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ketamine-is-very-effective-in-treating-severe-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">severe depression</a>, aggression, hyperactivity, and inattention.



There was a clear link between engaging in screen activities - such as video chatting, texting, watching videos and gaming - and developing depressive symptoms. 



The researchers noted that the symptoms of depression differed in severity depending on the type of screen activity. Study lead author Dr. Jason Nagata pointed out that screen usage might be replacing essential activities too often.



“Screen use may replace time spent engaging in physical activity, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/getting-high-quality-sleep-helps-prevent-depression-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>, socializing in-person and other behaviors that reduce depression and anxiety,” explained Dr. Nagata.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-effects-by-race-but-not-gender">Diverse effects by race, but not gender</h2>



Interestingly, the study noted racial disparities in how excessive screen time affected adolescents, revealing nuances that extend beyond general findings.



The ties between increased screen time and symptoms of depression, hyperactivity, and opposition were notably stronger in white adolescents than in their Black or Asian peers. This finding suggests that cultural or environmental factors may influence how screen exposure impacts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>. 



However, these effects were in no way influenced by the gender of the participant, indicating that screen time's mental health effects may transcend gender differences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-social-media-varies-by-background">Role of social media varies by background </h2>



A diverse group of study participants allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of how screen time might impact different racial groups - each with unique social dynamics and stressors.



According to Dr. Nagata, the results suggest that screens and social media can play various roles based on racial background.



“For minority adolescents, screens and social media may play a different role, serving as important platforms to connect with peers who share similar backgrounds and experiences,” said Dr. Nagata. 



“Rather than displacing in-person relationships, technology may help them expand their support networks beyond what’s accessible in their immediate environment.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-risks-of-screen-time">Mental health risks of screen time</h2>



Our increased concern about the mental health of adolescents is not unfounded. Unfortunately, as screen time has surged, the likelihood of adolescents experiencing major depressive episodes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stock-market-volatility-increases-risk-of-heart-attacks-and-suicide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suicide</a> has also seen an alarming rise.



It’s important to note that parents are not powerless to these effects. Engaging with tools such as the American Academy of Pediatrics' Family Media Use Plan, which considers the unique needs of each child, can help parents limit the negative effects of excessive screen time.



The study, which is published in the journal BMC Public Health, urges us to reassess the impact that screens are having on our younger generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-screen-time-as-a-family">Managing screen time as a family</h2>



Dealing with screens in our daily lives can be tough for families, especially since they have become part of almost everything we do. But don't worry, even small changes can have a big impact.



Experts recommend setting up screen-free zones or times, like during meals or right before bed, to encourage healthier habits.



Talking openly about screen use can help preteens make better choices. Parents can set an example by showing that there's more to life than just screens. Instead, try filling that time with outdoor activities, hobbies, or family board games to build stronger bonds.



By making screen time a shared responsibility and a regular topic of conversation, families can find a balance that works for everyone. 



This type of team effort not only reduces the risks of excessive screen time but also teaches important life skills, like moderation and valuing real-world connections.



The study is published in the journal BMC Public Health.



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How does screen time affect preteens' mental health?

With the average preteen spending more than five hours a...

Scientists have uncovered one of the earliest examples of a winged seed, shedding light on the origins and early evolution of wind dispersal strategies in plants.&nbsp;



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.92962.3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eLife</a>, details the second-oldest known winged seed -- Alasemenia - from the Late Devonian epoch, which occurred roughly 360 to 385 million years ago. 



Through a solid mathematical analysis, the authors demonstrate that the three-winged seeds of Alasemenia were better adapted to wind dispersal compared to seeds with one, two, or four wings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-dispersal-of-plant-seeds">Wind dispersal of plant seeds</h2>



Wind dispersal is a natural mechanism by which plants spread their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-increase-forest-recovery-by-dispersing-seeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seeds</a> to new areas using the air, helping to reduce competition for resources and improve survival chances.&nbsp;



Some common wind dispersal strategies include parachutes, like those used by dandelions and milkweeds, as well as winged seeds, such as the “helicopter” seeds from maple trees.



The earliest plant seeds date back to the Late Devonian epoch, a time marking a significant evolutionary shift.&nbsp;



“This period marks a significant evolutionary milestone in plant history, as they transitioned from spore-based reproduction, as with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-sheds-light-on-the-evolution-of-ferns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ferns</a> and mosses, to seed-based reproduction,” said lead author Deming Wang, a professor at <a href="https://english.pku.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peking University</a>'s Department of Geology.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seed-wind-dispersal-mechanisms-nbsp">Seed wind dispersal mechanisms&nbsp;</h2>



However, little is known about wind dispersal mechanisms in seeds from this era, as many fossils are encased in a cupule, a protective cup-shaped structure that may suggest different dispersal methods, such as water transport.



To better understand how early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-disperse-their-seeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> used wind to disperse their seeds, Wang and colleagues examined seed fossils from the Late Devonian, sourced from the Jianchuan mine in China’s Anhui Province. Among these, they identified a new fossil species, Alasemenia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helping-seeds-catch-the-wind">Helping seeds catch the wind</h2>



The team carefully analyzed the Alasemenia fossils, slicing them to study their internal structure.&nbsp;



The experts found that these seeds are about 25 to 33 millimeters long and lacked the cupule that was common in most seeds of the period, making Alasemenia one of the earliest known examples of a seed without such a structure -- 40 million years earlier than previously thought. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Alasemenia_winged-seed_plant-pollination_credit-elife-sciences_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Alasemenia_winged-seed_plant-pollination_credit-elife-sciences_1s.webp" alt="A fossil of the winged-seed, Alasemenia, sourced from the Jianchuan mine in Xinhang Town, China. Credit: Deming Wang" class="wp-image-1946919"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A fossil of the winged-seed, Alasemenia, sourced from the Jianchuan mine in Xinhang Town, China. Credit: Deming Wang</figcaption></figure>



Instead, Alasemenia had a seed coat, or integument, that extended outward to form three wing-like lobes. These wings, with their outward-curving, broad, flattened structures, would have helped the seeds catch the wind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-wing-design-for-wind-dispersal-nbsp">Best wing design for wind dispersal&nbsp;</h2>



Next, the researchers compared Alasemenia to two other known winged seeds from the Late Devonian: Warstenia and Guazia, both of which had four wings. While Guazia's wings were broad and flat, Warstenia's were short and straight.&nbsp;



To determine which design was best suited for wind dispersal, the team conducted a quantitative mathematical analysis. Their results showed that Alasemenia’s odd number of wings provided a more stable and faster spin rate as the seed fell, allowing it to catch the wind more effectively and disperse farther from the parent plant.



“Our discovery of Alasemenia adds to our knowledge of the origins of wind dispersal strategies in early land plants,” said senior author Pu Huang, an assistant research fellow at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology.&nbsp;



“Combined with our previous knowledge of Guazia and Warsteinia, we conclude that winged seeds as a result of integument outgrowth emerged as the first form of wind dispersal strategy during the Late Devonian, before other methods such as parachutes or plumes.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-progression-of-seeds-nbsp">Evolutionary progression of seeds&nbsp;</h2>



According to Wang, the evolutionary progression of winged seeds didn’t stop there.&nbsp;



“The three-winged seeds seen in Alasemenia during the Late Devonian would have subsequently been followed by two-winged seeds during the Carboniferous period, and then single-winged seeds during the Permian.”



This research offers key insights into the evolutionary timeline of wind dispersal strategies in plants, marking Alasemenia as a critical piece in understanding how plants first took advantage of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-wind-farms-interact-with-wind-can-optimize-their-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind</a> to spread their seeds.



“These findings suggest that during the Famennian [belonging to the late Devonian] the outer layer of some seeds that lacked cupules evolved wings to help the seeds disperse in the wind,” noted the study authors.



“It also indicates that seeds with four or three wings evolved first, followed by other groups of seed plants with fewer seed wings.”



According to the researchers, future studies may find more winged seeds and further our understanding of their evolutionary roles in the early history of seed plants.



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Fossil reveals how plants use winged seeds to expand their habitats

Scientists have uncovered one of the earliest examples of a...

New evidence from NASA's Curiosity rover shows that Mars experienced a huge climate shift, going from potentially life-friendly, water world conditions that could have supported microbial life to a harsh environment with extreme temperatures and tough atmospheric conditions.



This change brings up fascinating questions about the planet's past and its chances of hosting life. Curiosity's findings also help us understand the bigger picture of what life beyond Earth could look like.



Discovering some intriguing facts was none other than David Burtt, a researcher at NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a>. 



He along with his team, have let their Curiosity run wild in Gale Crater, a massive basin sprawling 96 miles. Imagine an ancient lake that held crucial keys to unlock Mars' deep-seated secrets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peeking-into-mars-past-life-potential">Peeking into Mars' past life potential</h2>



Gale Crater is no ordinary pothole. It serves as a unique time capsule, narrating Mars' ever-changing climatic saga. 



Thanks to the layered rocks and sediments, researchers like Burtt get to closely examine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/manganese-discovery-ancient-mars-earth-like-water-lake-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the planet's past</a>.



Carbonates, carbon-rich minerals playing the hero in this Martian tale, have some interesting tales to whisper. 



By studying these, scientists are bringing into the limelight the climatic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/was-mars-past-climate-supportive-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life-supporting conditions</a> that prevailed when these minerals formed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-climate-stories-with-isotopes">Decoding climate stories with isotopes</h2>



But what's so intriguing about these carbonates? Enter isotopes -- the unsung heroes of elemental science. These atomic variants, differing in mass, give us a window into environmental shifts over time.



When water evaporates, lighter isotopes put on their invisible cape and sneak into the atmosphere, leaving behind their heavier buddies. As time rolls on, these heavy isotopes find a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-surface-contains-more-organic-matter-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">home in carbonates</a>. 



NASA scientists have done a fantastic job of measuring the ratios of these isotopes, giving us a climate diary penned by atoms themselves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-roads-diverged-in-gale-crater">Two roads diverged in Gale Crater</h2>



The research paints two plausible scenarios. In the first, the carbonates formed due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-vanishing-water-mystery-new-insights-curiosity-rover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wet-dry cycling</a> within the Gale Crater. 



Picture water filling and evaporating from the crater, leaving behind a mineral-rich residue, only to start all over again.



The second scenario is slightly more dramatic. Here, the carbonates took shape in extremely salty waters under freezing conditions. Think of brine pools defying low temperatures, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-mars-rocks-contain-signs-of-life-scientists-call-to-bring-them-back-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dropping mineral deposits</a> as they slowly freeze.



"The formation mechanisms represent vastly different climate regimes, providing different habitability scenarios," says Jennifer Stern of NASA Goddard, a co-author of the study. 



Stern explains that wet-dry cycling indicates fluctuation between more habitable and less habitable environments. 



On the contrary, extreme mid-latitude cryogenic temperatures on Mars suggest an inhospitable environment with most water trapped as ice. What little water remains is super salty, not the best cocktail for life as we know it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pondering-ancient-martian-life">Pondering ancient Martian life</h2>



And what does this spell for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insights-alien-life-mars-water-sulfur-discovered-gained-studying-extreme-life-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential life on ancient Mars</a>? The heavy isotope values hint at intense evaporation processes. 



As Burtt puts it, "These carbonates likely formed in a climate that could only support transient liquid water." 



While this doesn't exactly scream "life-friendly," it doesn't exclude the possibility of an underground biosphere or even a surface biosphere that lasted before the carbonates formed.



The spotlight here goes to Curiosity's onboard instruments. 



The <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/resource/schematic-of-sample-analysis-at-mars-sam-instrument/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM)</a> instrument and the Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) are like a tag-team of aces on wheels, carrying out experiments from millions of miles away. 



They have been crucial in aiding Curiosity's mission since its touchdown on Mars in 2012.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-mars-matters">Why Mars matters</h2>



Understanding Mars' climatic history isn't just an exercise of cosmic curiosity. It grants us insight into planetary evolution and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-curiosity-rover-makes-surprising-find-under-martian-rock-sulfur-crystals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prerequisites for life</a>. 



If Mars experienced such climatic roller coasters, could Earth be the next on the ride? Peering into our neighboring planet offers valuable lessons for our own world's future.



<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curiosity Rover</a> is not done yet. It's set on its journey up Mount Sharp, the central peak within Gale Crater, continuously dissecting rock layers representing different chapters of Mars' history. 



Concurrently, future missions like NASA's Perseverance Rover are combing Mars for signs of life that may have existed, gathering samples that might be safely returned to Earth someday.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-on-mars-the-search-continues">Life on Mars? The search continues</h2>



To sum it all up, these findings bring us a step closer to solving Mars' climatic puzzle. 



As we comprehend Mars' environmental evolution, we're inching closer to answering the million-dollar question: Could Mars have ever hosted life? 



Our sleuthing suggests that while the surface might not have been life-friendly, the possibility of life existing underground or in earlier periods keeps the door ajar.



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How Mars became uninhabitable after being a water world that could support life

New evidence from NASA's Curiosity rover shows that Mars experienced...

It's not uncommon to yearn for the benefits of a good workout while skipping the sweaty part. Medical scientists have been chasing this dream for a while now. Well, Danish researchers believe we've just moved a step closer to this reality, with a promising new exercise drug on the horizon.



This nifty invention claims to duplicate the benefits of exercising without the user breaking a sweat. It flushes toxins out of the body and strengthens the heart, all while you're just sitting there. Sounds too good to be true? Stick around.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-drug-in-action">Exercise drug in action</h2>



In a study conducted on our furry friends, the rats, this drug showed promising results. 



Believe it or not, researchers said the drug prompted the same health benefits as running 10km (approximately 6.21 miles) at high speeds.



Now wouldn't we all love to reap the benefits of a 10km (6.21 miles) run <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-pill-can-mimic-the-health-benefits-of-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">without actually breaking a sweat</a>?



Dr. Thomas Poulsen, a chemist at <a href="https://international.au.dk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a>, was the guiding force behind this groundbreaking discovery. 



He acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining motivation to run several kilometers at high speeds and diet constraints.



"For people with physical ailments, such as a weak heart or general weakness, a nutritional supplement can be the key to better recovery," he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-biology">Exercise biology</h2>



After a workout, your body enters an inflammation state with increased levels of lactate and ketones. 



When these substances are high, the body releases hunger-suppressing chemicals, and starts clearing the fatty acids in the blood, which are linked to health conditions like diabetes, cancer, and dementia.



The new exercise drug, currently named LaKe, can "artificially control the amounts of lactate and ketones safely," says the research team. 



The drug is now progressing into human trials to test whether it is safe before evaluating its effects on us, humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-far-are-we-from-the-exercise-drug">How far are we from the exercise drug?</h2>



If everything goes well, the molecule could potentially be developed into a supplement for human consumption. 



But don't get your hopes too high just yet. Scientists warn that it would <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-in-a-pill-is-now-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most likely take years</a> before it becomes available. Patience is key here.



"We've developed a molecule that can mimic the body's natural metabolic response to strenuous exercise and fasting," Dr. Poulsen enthused. 



"In practice, the molecule brings the body into a metabolic state corresponding to running 10 kilometers at high speed on an empty stomach."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-benefits-of-exercise-drug">Health benefits of exercise drug</h2>



"When lactate and ketone levels in the blood increase, the production of an appetite-suppressing hormone increases, and the level of free fatty acids in the blood decreases," Poulsen explained. 



As a result, the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (a cluster of conditions that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes) reduces.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ethical-considerations">Ethical considerations</h2>



As we stand on the brink of potentially transformative health solutions like the LaKe drug for exercise, ethical considerations come into sharp focus. 



The prospect of a pill that replaces physical exertion raises questions about the societal implications of such advancements. 



Could this lead to an increased dependency on pharmaceuticals, diminishing the inherent value we place on physical activity? 



Moreover, concerns arise regarding equitable access -- whether this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-drug-tricks-the-body-into-burning-fat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">futuristic wellness interve</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-drug-tricks-the-body-into-burning-fat/">ntion</a> will be available to all or limited to those with the resources to afford it.



To navigate these questions, a comprehensive dialogue among ethicists, policymakers, and scientists is imperative to ensure this development benefits a wide spectrum of society without perpetuating inequality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-outlooks-and-beyond">Future outlooks and beyond</h2>



As researchers go deeper into the potential of the LaKe drug for exercise, their eyes are fixed on the horizon of future applications. 



Beyond the immediate promise of exercise-mimicking benefits, there lies the potential to expand this drug’s application to individuals with disabilities, elderly populations, and those recovering from severe illnesses, significantly improving quality of life. 



Meanwhile, the scientific community remains vigilant, welcoming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emotionally-intelligent-vr-will-change-the-way-you-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">critical evaluation</a> and peer review to ensure both safety and efficacy. 



As we await the results of ongoing trials, a cautious optimism prevails -- this innovative approach could very well redefine the paradigms of health and wellness in the years to come.



These findings have been published in the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c04849" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry</a>. 



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New drug mimics exercise benefits without breaking a sweat

It's not uncommon to yearn for the benefits of a...

NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications tech demo continues to break records and defy expectations. This advanced communication technology has achieved several key milestones, the latest being the successful transmission of a laser signal to NASA's Psyche spacecraft from Earth.



Remarkably, this distance is equivalent to the maximum separation between Earth and Mars, a distance of about 290 million miles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-space-laser-communication">Deep space laser communication</h2>



The significant achievement of this milestone on July 29 marked the culmination of the technology demonstration's first operational phase since <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/successful-launch-for-nasas-psyche-mission-to-study-an-asteroid-worth-10000-quadrillion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Psyche’s launch</a> in October 2023.



"The milestone is significant. Laser <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-just-streamed-a-4k-video-to-the-space-station-and-back/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication</a> requires a very high level of precision, and before we launched with Psyche, we didn’t know how much performance degradation we would see at our farthest distances,” noted Meera Srinivasan, one of the project’s operations leads at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.



These results now confirm that optical communications stand as a robust and transformative means of exploring the solar system.



Managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deep Space Optical Communications</a> experiment consists of a laser transceiver and two ground stations. 



The historic 200-inch Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory acts as the downlink station, while the Table Mountain facility serves as the uplink station, capable of transmitting up to 7 kilowatts of laser power.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exceeding-expectations-with-laser-communication">Exceeding expectations with laser communication</h2>



By utilizing laser technology, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-sent-pet-photos-to-the-space-station-using-lasers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data transmission</a> rates can reach levels up to 100 times higher than those achievable with radio frequencies. 



This offers the incredible potential to transmit complex scientific data, high-definition imagery, and even video footage, opening up new avenues for human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-spirit-and-opportunity-rovers-celebrate-20-years-on-the-red-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exploration of Mars</a> and beyond.



The technology demo's data is sent to and from Psyche as bits encoded in near-infrared light, which has a higher frequency than radio waves, allowing for much higher rates of data transfer. 



Even at the astounding distance of 33 million miles away, the technology demonstration was capable of transmitting data at speeds akin to broadband internet.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="ywSPOUItih-3902380-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transmitting-data-at-high-speeds">Transmitting data at high speeds</h2>



The ultimate goal of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deep Space Optical Communications</a> and laser technology is to demonstrate the capability of transmitting data at higher speeds than traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psyche-mission-paves-a-revolutionary-path-toward-deep-space-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space communication</a> technologies.



In reaching this goal, the project has had the unique opportunity to test the transmission of various data sets including artwork, high-definition video, and engineering data from the Psyche spacecraft.



A significant triumph came on December 11, 2023, when the tech demo beamed the first ultra-high-definition video from space to Earth from a distance of 19 million miles. 



The video included digital versions of artwork, images of the team's pets, and spoof television test patterns from the previous century along with scenes from Earth and space.



The flight transceiver will be powered back up on November 4, marking an important test of the flight hardware's longevity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-deep-space-communication">Future of deep space communication</h2>



This demonstration is just one in a series funded by the Space Technology Mission Directorate's Technology Demonstration Missions Program and the agency's SCaN program. 



Many institutions and businesses have offered their support for the development of the flight laser transceiver and the ground systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-horizons-of-space-exploration">Expanding the horizons of space exploration</h2>



NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications project not only sets a new benchmark for communication distances but also lays the groundwork for future missions to Mars and beyond. 



As human missions venture further into space, the need for reliable and rapid communication will only grow. 



This laser-based technology offers the promise of transmitting vast amounts of scientific data back to Earth, including complex research findings and high-definition video that could be vital for monitoring astronaut health, habitat conditions, and geological discoveries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-laser-communication-missions">Laser communication missions</h2>



Furthermore, the success of this technology opens doors for the potential use of laser communications in missions to distant planets or even interstellar space. 



As part of NASA's larger strategy, this tech demonstration aligns with the agency's goals to establish a sustained human presence on Mars by the 2030s. 



High-speed, high-capacity communication could support these long-duration missions by enabling real-time updates, efficient mission control, and enhanced communication between crew members and Earth. 



By proving that laser communications can operate effectively over such great distances, NASA is setting the stage for future interplanetary networks that could one day make space as connected as our own planet.



Video Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech



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NASA's laser breakthrough: A new era of cosmic communication

NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications tech demo continues to break...

You may have felt the comforting chill of fall rolling in this September, but not everyone was sharing the same sentiment.



Taking a peek into official documents from the European Union's Climate Change Programme, the global average temperature for September 2024 stood at a staggering 61.1°F (16.17°C). This makes it the second-hottest September that we have on record. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-september-2024-record-in-the-making">September 2024: Record in the making</h2>



In fact, this temperature was a hair's breadth away from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-just-experienced-its-hottest-day-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">record set</a> in September 2023, which read a blistering 61.4°F (16.38°C). The scientists point unerringly at human-induced greenhouse gas emissions as the chief culprit.



Some spots on our planet bore the brunt of this heat in September 2024 more than others. When we compare these temperatures to records of the last three decades, the upward trajectory of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-is-likely-the-hottest-year-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global temperatures</a> is all too clear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historic-temperature-perspective">Historic temperature perspective</h2>



The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (<a href="https://climate.copernicus.eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C3S</a>) - a dedicated climate watchdog located in Bonn, Germany - has a few stark figures to share. 



The September 2024 temperature rose a scary 2.77°F (1.54°C) above the average temperature noted between 1850-1900. Given that we consider this period the "pre-industrial" era, these numbers tell a sobering story of our rapidly changing climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-rainfall-in-september-2024">Extreme rainfall in September 2024 </h2>



"September 2024 was the second warmest both globally and for Europe," said Samantha Burgess, deputy director of C3S.&nbsp;



Moreover, the escalation in global air temperatures kicked off a series of unusually wet weather. This phenomenon is tied to a warmer atmosphere's capacity to hold more moisture. But what does this mean in our daily lives?



"The extreme rainfall events of this month, something we are observing more and more often, have been made worse by a warmer atmosphere, leading to more intense rainfall with months’ worth of rain falling in just a few days," said Burgess. 



"The risk of extreme rainfall will continue to increase with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-summer-of-2024-could-make-it-the-hottest-year-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising temperatures</a>; the sooner we reach net zero emissions, the sooner we can mitigate this risk."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-year-of-extremes">A year of extremes </h2>



The comprehensive temperature readings from C3S suggest that 2024 was a year of extremes. The first half of the year, from January to June, saw each month outdoing its predecessor to become the hottest for that period. 



However, July 2024 dialled it down a notch, falling short of its record-breaking counterpart from 2023. And while September 2024 did not break any records, it was still considerably warmer than what we were used to 20-30 years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-thermometer">Rising thermometer</h2>



Taking stock of the situation, C3S emphasizes a trend that is perhaps the most troubling - the sustained increase in the global average temperature.



Looking at the data from October 2023 to September 2024, we find the global average temperature to be the second-highest on record for any 12-month period. 



The last 12 months were a heated 1.33°F (0.74°C) above the average temperature between 1991 and 2020 and an alarming 2.91°F (1.62°C) above the pre-industrial average of 1850 to 1900.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-and-rain-in-europe">Heat and rain in Europe </h2>



Europe had its own unique brush with extreme weather. September 2024 was the second warmest on record for the continent, just trailing September 2023. 



Along with the heat wave, the continent also saw a surge in rainfall, culminating in flooding and significant damage in Central and Eastern Europe.



Beyond the borders of Europe, excessive temperatures were noted in Canada, the central and western United States, South America, northeast Africa, China, and Japan.



The global average sea surface temperature was pinned at 20.83°C in September 2024, making it the second highest for that month (after September 2023).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uk-s-weather-story-in-september-2024">UK’s weather story in September 2024</h2>



The UK experienced variable temperatures and continuous showers in September, starting off warm and sticky but taking a cooler turn by the 11th. While it was the wettest September for some counties, including Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire, no national monthly records were broken.



The facts lay it bare - our planet is heating up at an alarming pace, fueled by human activities. It's time we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indoor-heating-and-cooling-systems-affect-city-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">take action to rein in emissions</a> and put the brakes on global warming.



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September 2024 was the second-hottest month ever recorded

You may have felt the comforting chill of fall rolling...

In the current environmental crisis, how valid is the old saying: There are plenty more fish in the sea?



Well, this perennial fish tale might have a fresh twist. A recent study reveals that environmental conservation efforts have made a significant contribution to the amount of fish on coral reefs.



The international research team used survey data to estimate fish abundance on 2,600 tropical reef locations. Fish biomass is an important indicator of the health of coral reefs.



The experts developed a model which indicated nearly 10% of reef fish biomass can be attributed to environmental protection measures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threat-of-overfishing">Threat of overfishing </h2>



The research was led by Professor Joshua Cinner in the School of Geosciences at the University of Sydney, who worked closely with lead analyst Dr. Iain Caldwell from the Wildlife Conservation Society.



Professor Cinner emphasized the issue of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overfishing</a>, a threat to the livelihoods of coastal communities worldwide.



"Millions of people depend on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-coral-reef-fish-survive-in-the-worlds-warmest-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef fish</a> for their livelihoods and nutrition. Overfishing is severely threatening the well-being of coastal communities right across the globe. Protection can help boost fish stocks and have flow-on benefits for people," said Professor Cinner. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-coral-conundrum">The coral conundrum</h2>



Coral reefs, the vibrant underwater ecosystems, are buckling under human-induced pressures including climate change, pollution, and overfishing. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-improve-well-being-in-coastal-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine protected areas</a> (MPAs) have been established by several governments. These areas restrict human activities to preserve marine habitats. However, currently only about 8% of the world’s oceans are covered by MPAs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bolder-framework-for-fish-conservation">Bolder framework for fish conservation </h2>



In a refreshing commitment towards preserving biodiversity, at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference, 196 countries pledged to protect 30% of the world’s terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine areas by 2030. 



This initiative, referred to as 30x30, is expected to significantly expand the reach of marine protected areas.



Professor Cinner elaborated on the enormous potential of the 30x30 initiative. "Our modeling showed that we could get up to 28 percent more fish on coral reefs globally by increasing the coverage of fully protected reefs to 30 percent - but only if these reefs are chosen strategically.”



On the other hand, Dr. Caldwell believes no-take zones aren't the only solution. "No-take zones are punching above their weight, especially when they are well complied with, but they aren't the only way to increase <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-are-quickly-losing-ability-to-support-fish-due-to-plankton-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish populations</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-coral-reef-fish-stocks">Increasing coral reef fish stocks</h2>



The study revealed that more than half of the coral reefs surveyed had no fishing constraints. The research team estimated the potential benefits of fishing restrictions on these reefs.



The predictive model indicated that the implementation of fishing restrictions on all currently unmanaged <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-could-vanish-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reefs</a> could further increase global coral reef fish stocks by an additional 10.5 percent.



"Fisheries restrictions aren’t as effective as no-take MPAs on a per area basis, but they tend to be less controversial with fishers, which means compliance can be better, and they can be implemented at very large scales," said Professor Cinner. "Sustaining coral reef fish populations will require using every tool in the toolbox.”



Can we, then, truly claim that there are still plenty more fish in the sea? The answer lies in strategic environmental protection measures, balanced fishing practices, and a collective commitment to marine conservation.



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



Local communities play a vital role in marine conservation, especially in regions where fishing is a primary livelihood. In many tropical areas, coastal communities depend heavily on fish not only for food but also as a source of income.



Recognizing the importance of sustainable practices, several conservation programs now include community-led initiatives to monitor and manage fish stocks effectively.



Community-managed marine areas (CMMAs) have proven successful in regions like the Pacific Islands, where local fishers actively enforce sustainable fishing practices. 



These initiatives are designed to complement marine protected areas (MPAs), allowing communities to take an active role in preserving their marine resources while ensuring their livelihoods.



Incorporating local knowledge and building a sense of ownership can lead to higher compliance rates and more effective conservation outcomes. 



As the global push towards marine biodiversity gains momentum, community-driven solutions could be crucial for protecting fish populations.



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



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Plenty more fish in the sea? This depends on conservation efforts

In the current environmental crisis, how valid is the old...

On most sunny days, the sight of bees buzzing around flowers brightens our day. They fly around with a certain zest, full of purpose. 



But what if these hardworking bees can feel the weight of the world like we do? Fascinating new research reveals that bees experience stress, and it drives them to make pessimistic choices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-and-its-influence-on-bees">Stress and its influence on bees</h2>



Scientists at Newcastle University have discovered that bees, just like us humans, exhibit emotion-like responses to stressful events.



What does this mean? Well, the research findings tell us that when stressed, bees lower their expectations of rewards, which eventually influences how they approach <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollination</a>.



So, how did the researchers find this out? The team trained the bees to decipher whether a specific color signaled a good or bad outcome.



The bees learned to associate different colors with different outcomes. One color pointed to a location full of sweet rewards, while another led them to a location with fewer rewards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-induced-pessimism-in-bees">Stress-induced pessimism in bees</h2>



The experiment further divided the bees into different groups where some experienced a simulated predatory attack, a cause of stress, while others did not. The results were intriguing



"Our study shows that bees are more pessimistic after stress as their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-nutrition-is-key-to-honey-bee-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a> suggests that they do not expect to get rewards," explained study co-author Dr. Vivek Nityananda.



“Emotions are complex states and in humans involve a subjective understanding of what you are feeling. We might never know if bees feel something similar, however, what this research can say is that bees have similar responses when they are stressed and make pessimistic choices.



“The best explanation for their behavior is that they expect high rewards to be less likely and exhibit traits of pessimistic people.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-stressed-bees">Implications of stressed bees</h2>



Why does this matter? Well, it matters a lot, especially for our ecosystem. Stress can impact how bees approach flowers and pollinate plants, and their ability to access high-quality rewards.



So, this stress-induced shift in behavior can potentially affect the entire pollination process.



On the brighter side, this research broadens our understanding of emotions, as we found similar traits in an organism as different as an insect.



"Our research suggests that, like other animals including humans, bees may experience emotion-like states when stressed, as demonstrated by a clear shift towards pessimism," noted Dr. Olga Procenko, who led this research at <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newcastle University</a> and is currently a researcher at the University of Birmingham.



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



The fascinating findings of this study certainly pave the way for further exploration. The experts still need to investigate how this phenomenon may affect the pollination of flowers and plants.



"We need to figure out how bees evaluate rewards when stressed and whether these states in bees show other properties we see in emotions. We also need to investigate the neural mechanisms involved and see if bees in the wild show similar responses," noted Dr. Nityananda.



Certainly, the road to understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-face-a-multitude-of-complex-stressors-in-the-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our buzzing friends</a> better is filled with many more questions to answer. Perhaps in unraveling the mystery of the bees' world, we might also gain a better understanding of our own.



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



Understanding the emotional states of bees offers profound insights not just on a theoretical level but also in practical applications affecting agriculture and ecology. 



Bees play a crucial role in pollinating approximately 80% of flowering plants and a staggering one-third of the human food supply is dependent on bee pollination. 



Recognizing how stress influences their foraging patterns could lead to improved strategies for managing bee populations and mitigating the adverse effects of environmental stressors. 



Enhanced satellite monitoring of bee habitats, development of stress-reducing habitats, and focused conservation efforts could be devised to maintain vital bee populations, thereby ensuring the stability and sustainability of many ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-capacities-of-insects">Emotional capacities of insects</h2>



The findings from Newcastle University serve as a springboard for further studies, encouraging scientists to explore the emotional capacities of insects.



The next phase of research could focus on the long-term effects of stress on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bee-colonies-are-collapsing-as-climate-change-progresses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bee populations</a> and analyze whether similar emotional responses are evident in other arthropods.



Additionally, interdisciplinary approaches involving neuroscience, ethology, and environmental science might uncover the neural pathways and physiological mechanisms driving these emotion-like states in bees. 



By expanding research to include varied environmental conditions, scientists can develop a comprehensive understanding of how these emotion-like states might influence ecological interactions, ultimately helping to devise better conservation strategies to protect these vital pollinators in an increasingly changing world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.0512" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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Stressed out bees get depressed and make bad decisions

On most sunny days, the sight of bees buzzing around...

The catastrophic event that wiped out the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago wasn’t all doom and gloom - it also set the stage for a remarkable mutualistic relationship between certain ants and fungi.&nbsp;



The meteor impact that led to mass extinctions created an environment ripe for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-may-communicate-using-up-to-50-words/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> that thrive on organic matter, which was in abundance as plants and animals perished. 



This opened the door for the ancestor of modern leafcutter ants to begin cultivating fungi, according to a new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adn7179" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origin-of-ant-agriculture">Origin of ant agriculture </h2>



“The origin of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungus-farming-ants-work-hard-to-maintain-healthy-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungus-farming ants</a> was relatively well understood, but a more precise timeline for these microorganisms was lacking,” explained André Rodrigues, a professor at the <a href="https://www.ibb.unesp.br/#!/english" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Biosciences at São Paulo State University</a> (IB-UNESP). 



“The work provides the smallest margin of error to date for the emergence of these fungal strains, which were previously thought to be more recent.”



Rodrigues coordinates the project “Collaborative research: Dimensions US-São Paulo: integrating phylogeny, genetics, and chemical ecology to unravel the tangled bank of the multipartite fungus-farming ant symbiosis,” supported by the <a href="https://fapesp.br/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">São Paulo Research Foundation</a> (FAPESP) collaboration with the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. National Science Foundation</a> (NSF). 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-line-of-fungi">Evolutionary line of fungi</h2>



The research team made their breakthrough by analyzing ultraconserved elements (UCEs) in the genomes of 475 fungal species cultivated by ants. UCEs are genetic regions that remain stable across species, allowing scientists to trace evolutionary paths.



“In this case, we were interested in the regions close to these elements. They show the most recent differences between species and allow us to trace a fairly accurate evolutionary line,” explained co-author Pepijn Wilhelmus Kooij, a researcher at IB-UNESP.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-farmed-by-ants">Fungi farmed by ants</h2>



This method enabled the researchers to establish that two distinct fungal lineages, now cultivated by today’s leafcutter ants (known as Attini), emerged almost simultaneously 66 million years ago.&nbsp;



This discovery provides a clearer timeline for the development of this remarkable mutualism - where ants and fungi depend on each other for survival - occurring tens of millions of years before human agriculture.



The study also identified a second group of fungi, known as coral fungi, which began to be cultivated by ants around 21 million years ago. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-transfer-massive-amounts-of-carbon-to-fungi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> form structures resembling tiny coral colonies and represent a fascinating diversification of this ancient relationship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ant-agriculture-expanded-under-pressure">Ant agriculture expanded under pressure </h2>



The research supports the idea that the fungi were already somewhat adapted for mutualism before ant agriculture began.&nbsp;



“It is likely that the ancestor of the leafcutter ant group lived in close proximity to fungi, possibly feeding on them or their byproducts,” Rodrigues said.&nbsp;



However, the intense environmental pressure from the meteor impact may have transformed this casual relationship into a full-blown mutual dependency, where the fungi relied on ants for survival and reproduction, while the ants depended on the fungi as a primary food source.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-influence-the-growth-of-fungi">Ants influence the growth of fungi</h2>



Today, four different groups of ants cultivate four types of fungi. Some ants even influence the growth of the fungi to ensure they receive specific nutrients.&nbsp;



“When we cultivate them in the lab, the fungi take the expected form of hyphae. However, inside the colony, one of these hyphae types becomes swollen and forms structures similar to grape clusters, rich in sugars. We still don’t know how the ants do this,” Kooij said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutritional-crisis-after-meteor-impact-nbsp">Nutritional crisis after meteor impact&nbsp;</h2>



Mauricio Bacci Junior, a professor at IB-UNESP and co-author of the paper, noted that the origin of this fungus-farming practice was likely an adaptation to a nutritional crisis faced by the ants after the meteor impact.&nbsp;



“With the abundance of fungi and fewer food options, ants that already had some relationship with fungi found them to be useful when cultivated,” he explained.&nbsp;



The fungi decompose organic matter brought by the ants, which in turn consume the substances produced by the fungi that they cannot obtain from other sources. “It’s as if the fungus were the insect’s external stomach,” Bacci said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-evolutionary-partnership-nbsp">Dynamic evolutionary partnership&nbsp;</h2>



After the ants began farming fungi, another evolutionary shift occurred around 27 million years ago with the expansion of the Cerrado, a savanna-like biome.&nbsp;



The expansion opened more arid areas, which provided a second selective pressure and led to the diversification of leafcutter ants. This adaptation also likely spurred the fungi to evolve and become more efficient at both producing food for the ants and decomposing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-matter-in-a-crater-sparks-new-questions-about-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organic matter</a>.



Today, enzymes produced by the fungi cultivated by ants are being studied for their biotechnological potential. These enzymes not only break down organic material but are also being researched for their ability to degrade other substances, including plastics.



The study sheds new light on the complex and ancient relationship between ants and fungi, revealing a dynamic evolutionary partnership that has existed for millions of years.



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Dinosaur extinction led to the emergence of ‘ant agriculture’

The catastrophic event that wiped out the dinosaurs some 66...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



<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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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