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...

The age-old debate around the role of homework in student success has recently witnessed a shift. Reseach from Ireland provides new evidence that could be used to inform and influence educational policies worldwide.



Experts in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at <a href="https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maynooth University</a> have thoroughly investigated the impact of homework on students.



“Much of the research on homework indicates a modest yet positive impact on academic outcomes. However, this assertion demands critical examination,” noted the researchers.



“Notably, there is a growing awareness of the need to scrutinize how homework is distributed throughout the week, how its effects may differ by subject, and how students from different socioeconomic backgrounds can be impacted by homework.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research">Focus of the research </h2>



Using an innovative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-intelligence-boosts-creativity-but-reduces-variety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence</a> (AI) model, the team dissected and scrutinized data from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2019).



The researchers meticulously evaluated the outcomes of differing homework patterns on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/board-games-help-children-improve-their-math-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mathematics</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/child-care-quality-has-direct-impact-on-later-success-in-science-and-math/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">science performance</a> among 4,118 students in the eighth grade.



"Only a limited number of studies have ventured into determining the optimal amount of time students should dedicate to homework," the experts noted. 



"The precise identification of a threshold, beyond which additional homework yields no discernible benefit, holds substantial value."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-homework-frequency-over-duration">Homework frequency over duration</h2>



According to the researchers, the results of the analysis revealed a clear positive effect of increasing homework frequency, but not homework duration.&nbsp;



“We therefore recommend that frequent homework assignments of short duration may be most effective for improving student outcomes. This strategy can help to promote academic achievement whilst avoiding the potential drawbacks associated with many hours spent on homework,” noted the study authors.&nbsp;



In particular, the researchers found that daily homework assignments had the most potent impact on improving mathematics achievement.



Conversely, optimal science performance was achieved when homework was assigned three to four times a week.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-short-homework-assignments">Power of short homework assignments</h2>



The study also showed that shorter assignments, barely lasting up to 15 minutes, enhanced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zombie-neurons-shed-new-light-on-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">learning</a> as much as longer homework assignments.



"Short-duration assignments proved equally as effective as longer ones in both subjects," noted the researchers.



This compelling evidence suggests that routine, concise homework can galvanize learning without drowning students in a sea of work.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefiting-students-across-the-board">Benefiting students across the board</h2>



The research goes against the grain by demonstrating that homework equally benefits all students, irrespective of their socioeconomic background.



This provides a paradigm shift, indicating uniform benefits across a diverse spectrum of student populations.



"Our study provides strong evidence that regular homework can significantly enhance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/school-field-trips-linked-to-better-student-performance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">student performance</a>, especially when given 'little and often,'" said study lead author Nathan McJames.



"By avoiding very long homework assignments, this also allows students to balance schoolwork with other important activities outside of school."



Professor Andrew Parnell noted that the team's use of advanced causal inference methods ensures the reliability of our findings.



"This research provides valuable insights that can guide evidence-based policy changes in education, ultimately benefiting students across the board," said Professor Parnell. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maximizing-student-engagement">Maximizing student engagement </h2>



Ultimately, the findings promote regular, short-duration assignments as the optimal strategy for maximizing student engagement and academic success without inducing distress.



The results of the study not only challenge traditional views on homework but also offer actionable recommendations for educators and policymakers.



By shifting the focus from long, time-consuming assignments to shorter, more frequent tasks, schools can improve engagement and academic outcomes without overwhelming students.



The results highlight the potential for a more balanced approach to homework, where quality and consistency take precedence over quantity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-little-and-often-approach-to-homework">The "little and often" approach to homework </h2>



Furthermore, this study could influence future curriculum development, guiding teachers to design homework that reinforces learning while giving students ample time for extracurricular activities and personal growth.



As educational institutions continue to adapt, the "little and often" approach may become a cornerstone of effective student learning strategies, ensuring that homework serves its intended purpose without contributing to burnout.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959475224000951?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learning and Instruction</a>.



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Students benefit the most from shorter homework assignments

The age-old debate around the role of homework in student...

Many of us, when thinking about volcanic eruptions or lava streams, envision Earth's mantle as a mysterious source feeding these fiery displays.



Often, we associate volcanic hotspots with distinct characteristics and varied compositions, influenced by their unique locations.



However, recent findings published in Nature Geoscience suggest that this belief may not align with the actual processes occurring deep within the Earth.



In a dynamic shift from conventional thinking, the research reveals that hotspot lavas, despite their surface differences, may all originate from a relatively uniform <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-hole-drilled-into-earths-mantle-scientific-goldmine-magma-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reservoir in the mantle</a>.



The implications of this discovery? The mantle may be far more chemically homogeneous than scientists ever contemplated, reshaping our understanding of its role in volcanic activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-homogeneous-volcanic-origins-global-mantle-reservoir">Homogeneous volcanic origins: Global mantle reservoir</h2>



Lavas from these hotspots -- whether erupting in Hawaii, Samoa, or Iceland -- may all originate from a relatively uniform reservoir in Earth’s mantle. 



This is according to a study led by Dr. Matthijs Smit, associate professor and Canada Research Chair at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ubc.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a>, which challenges the traditional view that the mantle contains distinct, isolated reservoirs.



“The discovery literally turns our view of hotspot lavas and the mantle upside down,” Dr. Smit explained. 



“In a way, Earth’s lavas are much like humankind itself -- a beautifully diverse population with a common ancestor, which developed differently wherever it went.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lava-s-unique-chemical-flavours">Lava’s unique chemical ‘flavours’</h2>



So, how do we reconcile the stark differences between these lavas? According to the research, lavas acquire their unique chemical ‘flavors’ as they journey from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ringwoodite-mineral-confirms-vast-ocean-exists-400-miles-under-earths-crust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mantle to the surface</a>, interacting with various rocks along the way.



“By looking at a specific set of elements, we were able to discern the chemical effects of various processes that act on magma melts on their way to the surface to discover that all hotspot lavas actually share the same starting composition,” said Dr. Smit. 



“The lavas only come out differently because the magmas interact with different types of rocks as they ascend.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-mantle-and-volcanic-hotspots">Study mantle and volcanic hotspots</h2>



Studying Earth's mantle is no easy task, as it cannot be sampled directly.&nbsp;



Scientists, including Dr. Smit and co-author Dr. Kooijman from the <a href="https://www.nrm.se/engelska/in-english" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish Museum of Natural History</a>, have to rely on trace-element and isotope analysis of erupted lavas. 



These methods have led to the previous belief that the mantle contains distinct reservoirs of different ages, formed by unique processes. However, this new research turns that assumption on its head.



“The discovery is a game-changer when it comes to models for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-mantle-may-contain-a-wealth-of-green-metals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s chemical evolution</a> and how we look at global element cycles,” Dr. Smit added. 



“Not only is the mantle much more homogeneous than previously thought, it likely also no longer contains 'primordial reservoirs' -- entities that were once needed to explain the data, but could never really be reconciled with the concept of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-ancient-breath-study-links-atmospheric-oxygen-and-mantle-chemistry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mantle convection</a>.”



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



The revelation of a chemically uniform mantle reservoir necessitates a re-evaluation of existing geological and geochemical models. 



Conventional theories posited that variations in erupted lava compositions were indicative of a heterogeneous mantle, with distinct refractory processes involved. 



However, with the understanding that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-earths-mantle-shapes-surface-topography/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface diversity</a> arises during magma transit rather than at its origin, models of mantle convection and differentiation must be reimagined.



This has broader implications for our comprehension of tectonic plate dynamics, the formation of the Earth's crust, and the driving forces behind seismic activity. 



By refining these models, scientists can enhance predictive capabilities regarding volcanic eruptions and improve the safety and preparedness for populations living in volcanic regions of mantle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environment-and-science-policy">Environment and science policy</h2>



The discovery of a homogeneous mantle reservoir also extends beyond the academic world, influencing policy and decision-making in environmental science. 



This research underscores the importance of international collaboration in advancing our comprehension of volcanic processes and the Earth's internal chemistry. 



By promoting collaborative research initiatives and sharing data, scientists can collectively deepen our understanding, influencing not only academic discourse but also informing policies related to disaster preparedness and mitigation. 



As we attempt to address climate-related challenges, a refined understanding of the Earth's mantle provides a crucial foundation for developing informed strategies that can mitigate the impact of natural events on societies worldwide.



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



The newfound understanding of a chemically homogenous mantle not only reshapes how scientists view volcanic activity but also opens new avenues in the study of plate tectonics and mantle convection.&nbsp;



Traditionally, geologists believed that distinct reservoirs within the mantle were responsible for driving the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mantle-heat-shaped-earths-crust-3-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">movement of tectonic plates</a>, influencing volcanic and seismic activity in different regions.



However, the discovery of a uniform mantle suggests that the processes driving these tectonic shifts may be more interconnected and global than previously thought.&nbsp;



This insight could prompt further investigation into how mantle material circulates and how chemical interactions between the mantle and crust contribute to volcanic diversity.



This new perspective may lead to refined models of mantle convection and magma transport, potentially influencing how scientists predict volcanic activity in geologically active areas, such as the Pacific Ring of Fire.&nbsp;



Additionally, it could offer a more comprehensive understanding of how Earth's internal heat and material movements shape surface processes like earthquakes and mountain formation over millions of years.



The full study was published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01538-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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How volcanic hotspots are all connected to Earth's interior mantle

Many of us, when thinking about volcanic eruptions or lava...

Less than two weeks into its mission, Sentinel-2C satellite has already begun delivering breathtaking images of Earth, providing a glimpse of the valuable data it will contribute to Copernicus, Europe’s renowned Earth observation program.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sentinel-2c-satellite">Sentinel-2C satellite</h2>



In the early hours of September 5, 2024 European time, the third satellite in the Copernicus Sentinel-2 series was launched into space from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana aboard the last Vega rocket. 



<a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Just like its predecessor satellites</a>, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B, Sentinel-2C is equipped with a multispectral camera that captures high-resolution images of Earth’s landscape, islands, and both inland and coastal waters from an orbital altitude of 786 km.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-landscape-from-sentinel-2c">Earth's landscape from Sentinel-2C</h2>



The satellite's powerful multispectral imager boasts an impressive swath width of 290 km, capturing continuous, high-resolution imagery across 13 distinct spectral bands, with resolutions of 10 m, 20 m, and 60 m.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sentinel-2C_first-images_Seville_southern-Spain_ESA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sentinel-2C_first-images_Seville_southern-Spain_ESA_1s.webp" alt="Seville, the capital of Andalusia, lies on the Guadalquivir River, one of the longest rivers in Spain. Credit: Sentinel 2C/ESA" class="wp-image-1945432"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Seville, the capital of Andalusia, lies on the Guadalquivir River, one of the longest rivers in Spain. Credit: Sentinel 2C/ESA</figcaption></figure>



This capability allows it to monitor vast areas with remarkable detail, offering invaluable data for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monitoring-mining-emissions-with-satellites-new-era-of-remote-environmental-surveillance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental monitoring</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-disasters-are-on-the-rise-but-hazard-plans-are-inadequate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disaster management</a>.&nbsp;



Within just a week of its launch, Sentinel-2C had already acquired an array of vibrant, detailed images from diverse regions across the globe, showcasing the satellite's versatility and precision in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/image/first-earth-observation-images-from-the-cosmic-kiss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth observation</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-images-inscribed-in-light">Images inscribed in light</h2>



One of the early images features the clear view of Seville and its surroundings in southern Spain.&nbsp;



Another image offers a lengthy strip that stretches from Camargue and Montpellier in southern France all the way down to the south of Barcelona in Spain.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sentinel-2C_first-images_France_Spain_ESA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sentinel-2C_first-images_France_Spain_ESA_1s.webp" alt="A long strip that stretches from the Camargue and Montpellier in southern France all the way down to south of Barcelona in Spain. Credit: Sentinel 2C/ESA" class="wp-image-1945430"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A long strip that stretches from the Camargue and Montpellier in southern France all the way down to south of Barcelona in Spain. Credit: Sentinel 2C/ESA</figcaption></figure>



Venturing beyond Europe, Sentinel-2C satellite also captured an area south of Los Angeles in California, revealing one of the raging wildfires.&nbsp;



The satellite uses different bands from the multispectral imager to highlight natural color images and false color images of the wildfires, allowing us to see both the extent of the burn area and the active fires, depicted as bright orange spots in the images.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tranquil-beauty-in-blue">Tranquil beauty in blue</h2>



A more peaceful satellite image features the Lighthouse Reef, part of the vast coral reef system off the coast of Belize in Central America.&nbsp;



A renowned site, the Great Blue Hole -- a giant marine sinkhole -- can be visibly observed in these images.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sentinel-2C_first-images_Belize_Lighthouse-Reef_ESA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sentinel-2C_first-images_Belize_Lighthouse-Reef_ESA_1s.webp" alt="Lighthouse Reef, part of the large coral reef system off the coast of Belize in Central America. Here the famous Great Blue Hole can be seen – a giant marine sinkhole. Credit: Sentinel 2C/ESA" class="wp-image-1945428"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lighthouse Reef, part of the large coral reef system off the coast of Belize in Central America. Here the famous Great Blue Hole can be seen – a giant marine sinkhole. Credit: Sentinel 2C/ESA</figcaption></figure>



"These initial images stand as a powerful testament to the success of this extraordinary mission. While Sentinel-2 will continue to serve Copernicus with distinction for years to come, we are already looking ahead as we develop the next chapter with the Sentinel-2 Next Generation mission." said Simonetta Cheli, ESA's Director of Earth Observation Programmes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promising-start-for-sentinel-2c">Promising start for Sentinel-2C</h2>



Following its successful launch, Sentinel-2C’s multispectral imager will undergo calibration as part of the commissioning phase, which will last approximately three months.&nbsp;



Despite being early in its mission, the quality delivered by Sentinel-2C has already exceeded expectations.



Sentinel-2C’s commissioning activities run alongside the routine operations of its sister satellites Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, Sentinel-3 for land, and Sentinel-5P.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-by-sentinel-2-satellites">Data by Sentinel-2 satellites</h2>



The data provided by the Sentinel-2 satellites and other Copernicus missions managed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>&nbsp;are freely available through the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem.&nbsp;



Once fully commissioned, data from the new 'C' satellite will also be accessible to users.



"We are thrilled to see the Copernicus Sentinel-2C already capturing such breathtaking images of Earth so soon after its launch. This is just the beginning of the incredible insights and detailed data it will provide, helping us better understand our planet," noted Constantin Mavrocordatos, Sentinel-2 Project Manager at ESA.



“It is truly remarkable how well the multispectral instrument had been calibrated even before the satellite was launched, producing such stunning first images," added Francisco Reina, Sentinel-2 Payload Manager.



"This achievement is the result of an outstanding collaboration between ESA and the Airbus teams throughout the instrument’s development phase."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-applications-of-the-sentinel-2-satellites-nbsp">Applications of the Sentinel-2 satellites&nbsp;</h2>



The data generated by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites are utilized in a wide array of applications.&nbsp;



The Sentinel-2 mission is crucial to the Copernicus program, which focuses on Earth observation for various applications, including agriculture, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-pollutants-negatively-impact-water-quality/">water quality monitoring</a>, and natural disaster management like wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and floods.



With satellites like the Sentinel-2C, we're not just monitoring our planet -- we're understanding it, piece by piece, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insta360-cameras-have-captured-stunning-images-of-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">image by image</a>. They help us in staying a step ahead in environmental conservation and disaster management. 



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Sentinel-2C satellite delivers first breathtaking images of Earth

Less than two weeks into its mission, Sentinel-2C satellite has...

New data on the weighty subject of gravity on Mars is shedding light on the planet's hidden structures and providing fresh insights into the volcanic activity that gave rise to Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in our Solar System.



The study explores the thick sediment layers that once formed Mars' lost oceanic landscape to uncover the secrets of our neighboring planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gravity-data-and-mars-hidden-structures">Gravity data and Mars' hidden structures</h2>



Despite its barren and rugged appearance, Mars hides a world of mystery beneath its red soils. 



Until recently, scientists could only hypothesize about the complexities of Martian topography shrouded beneath layers of sediment. 



However, a game-changing analysis blending data from multiple sources, including the NASA <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/insight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">InSight Lander mission</a>, has unveiled intriguing anomalies in the gravity field of Mars -- revealing the existence of dense, large-scale formations beneath the northern polar plains.



Dr. Bart Root of Delft University of Technology (<a href="https://www.tudelft.nl/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TU Delft</a>) presented the findings of this study at the Europlanet Science Congress (<a href="https://www.epsc2024.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EPSC</a>) in Berlin.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/mars-gravity-map_credit-Europlanet-Society_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/mars-gravity-map_credit-Europlanet-Society_1s.webp" alt="Gravity map of Mars. The red circles show prominent volcanoes on Mars and the black circles show impact crates with a diameter larger than a few 100 km. A gravity high signal is located in the volcanic Tharsis Region (the red area in the centre right of the image), which is surrounded by a ring of negative gravity anomaly (shown in blue). Credit: Root et al." class="wp-image-1945418"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gravity map of Mars. The red circles show prominent volcanoes on Mars and the black circles show impact crates with a diameter larger than a few 100 km. A gravity high signal is located in the volcanic Tharsis Region (the red area in the centre right of the image), which is surrounded by a ring of negative gravity anomaly (shown in blue). Credit: Root et al.</figcaption></figure>



“These dense structures could be <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/violent-volcanic-eruptions-persisted-on-mars-for-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic</a> in origin or could be compacted material due to ancient impacts. There are around 20 features of varying sizes that we have identified dotted around the area surrounding the north polar cap -- one of which resembles the shape of a dog,” explained Dr. Root.



“There seems to be no trace of them at the surface. However, through gravity data, we have a tantalizing glimpse into the older history of the northern hemisphere of Mars.”



The features, engulfed in an air of mystery, are hidden beneath a thick, smooth sedimentary blanket believed to have been part of an ancient seabed. Interestingly, these structures could be volcanic remnants or compacted materials resulting from ancient impacts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-piecing-together-the-martian-puzzle">Piecing together the Martian puzzle</h2>



Researchers from TU Delft and <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a> employed deviations in the orbits of satellites to investigate the gravity field of Mars and unearth hints about the planet's interior mass distribution. 



This data, fed into models utilizing observations from NASA’s InSight mission, provided new insights into the thickness and flexibility of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-internal-structure-of-mars-core-is-finally-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian crust</a> and the dynamics of the mantle. 



The result was an unprecedented global density map of Mars.



The density map revealed that the northern polar formations are approximately 300-400 kg/m³ denser than their surroundings. 



"Through gravity data, we have a tantalizing glimpse into the older history of the northern hemisphere of Mars," Dr. Root added.



The study also unmasked previously unknown details about the structures underlying the enormous volcanic region of Tharsis Rise, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-frost-detected-on-mars-enormous-volcanoes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Olympus Mons</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mars-gravity-map-and-volcanic-conundrum">Mars’ gravity map and volcanic conundrum</h2>



Although volcanoes are typically dense, the Tharsis region is unusually elevated compared to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-surface-contains-more-organic-matter-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars' average surface</a> and is encapsulated by a comparably weak gravity area. 



This gravity anomaly raises questions about the contrast in the Martian crust and upper mantle.



"The NASA InSight mission has given us vital new information about the hard outer layer of Mars. This means we need to rethink how we understand the support for the Olympus Mons volcano and its surroundings,” said Dr. Root. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/mars-gravity-map_globe_credit-Europlanet-Society_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/mars-gravity-map_globe_credit-Europlanet-Society_1s.webp" alt="Map highlighting the dense gravitational structures in the northern hemisphere. The regions denoted by the black lines are high mass anomalies that do not show any correlation with geology and topography. These hidden subsurface structures are covered by sediments from an old ocean. Their origin is still a mystery and a dedicated gravity mission, like MaQuIs, is needed to reveal their nature. Credit: Root et al." class="wp-image-1945420"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Map highlighting the dense gravitational structures in the northern hemisphere. The regions denoted by the black lines are high mass anomalies that do not show any correlation with geology and topography. These hidden subsurface structures are covered by sediments from an old ocean. Their origin is still a mystery and a dedicated gravity mission, like MaQuIs, is needed to reveal their nature. Credit: Root et al.</figcaption></figure>



The study suggests that a light mass about 1,750 kilometers wide, sitting at a depth of 1,100 kilometers, is exerting an upward push on the entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-frost-detected-on-mars-enormous-volcanoes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tharsis region</a>.



This could be the result of a massive plume of liquid rock deep within Mars’ core, rising towards the surface. 



“It shows that Mars might still have active movements happening inside it, affecting and possibly making new volcanic features on the surface,” added Dr. Root.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-martian-quantum-gravity-maquis-mission">Martian Quantum Gravity (MaQuIs) mission</h2>



Looking towards the future, the research team is proposing the Martian Quantum Gravity (MaQuIs) mission. 



Dr. Lisa Wörner of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) presented on the MaQuIs mission at EPSC2024.



“Observations with MaQuIs would enable us to better explore the subsurface of Mars. This would help us to find out more about these mysterious hidden features and study ongoing mantle convection, as well as understand dynamic surface processes like atmospheric seasonal changes and the detection of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-water-found-on-mars-would-cover-the-planet-over-one-mile-deep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">groundwater reservoirs</a>,” explained Dr. Wörner.



The mission, which aims to map Mars' gravity field in unprecedented detail, is adapted from technology used in GRAIL and GRACE missions on the Moon and Earth, respectively.



Clearly, we still have a lot to learn about the Red Planet, especially if humans plan on living there one day.



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Mars gravity map exposes ancient structures and volcanic activity

New data on the weighty subject of gravity on Mars...

Tracking data has revealed the remarkable migrations undertaken by cranes, with some migratory routes covering more than 6,400 kilometers round trip.&nbsp;



These journeys involved overcoming substantial natural barriers, such as the Alps, the Himalayas, the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, and the Mediterranean Sea.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-the-movement-of-cranes-nbsp">Monitoring the movement of cranes&nbsp;</h2>



Researchers used miniature GPS tracking devices to monitor the movements of 104 cranes across Africa, Asia, and Europe. These devices featured unique solar-powered GPS leg bands, developed by scientists from the <a href="https://www.ab.mpg.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior</a> (MPI-AB).&nbsp;



In addition to the tracking data, the researchers developed a statistical framework to analyze how the cranes’ movements were influenced by environmental factors, such as the presence of crops, water bodies, temperature, and vegetation cover.



“Animals have to satisfy their own needs with what they can get from their environment, but both of these are changing constantly,” said lead author Scott Yanco, a postdoctoral researcher at the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a>.&nbsp;



“This creates an intriguing optimization problem that we wanted to know if cranes were solving through long-distance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/agriculture-bird-migrations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migration</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-challenges-faced-by-cranes-nbsp">Environmental challenges faced by cranes&nbsp;</h2>



The study found that all four crane species faced vastly different environmental conditions throughout the year, and that these conditions were synchronized with key life events.&nbsp;



The stark contrasts in temperature or resource availability between their wintering grounds and summer breeding grounds were particularly notable.&nbsp;



For some cranes, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-migration-is-influenced-by-social-relationships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migrations</a> themselves involved drastic shifts in environmental conditions. For instance, the demoiselle cranes had to contend with significant temperature fluctuations as they migrated across the Tibetan plateau.



“We suspect this all has to do with different biological needs during these different times of the year,” added Yanco, who conducted the research while at the <a href="https://bgc.yale.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-areas-with-abundant-resources-nbsp">Finding areas with abundant resources&nbsp;</h2>



Yanco pointed out that common cranes clearly prioritized agricultural areas during the late summer, a time that aligns with raising juveniles and preparing for fall migration.&nbsp;



“This is exactly when we would expect them to want easy access to food,” Yanco explained.



For other species, accessing food came with trade-offs. The black-necked cranes, for example, had to balance between safe roosting habitats and areas with abundant resources.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-competing-needs-of-cranes">The competing needs of cranes</h2>



“Amazingly, the balance between these competing needs changed over the year depending on what the birds were doing,” Yanco said. During migration, they chose safer roosting sites, while during breeding, they prioritized abundant food sources.



“This type of shifting emphasis depending on what cranes need at any given time is what we were expecting to see,” said senior author Ivan Pokrovsky, a postdoctoral researcher at MPI-AB.&nbsp;



“But we were blown away by how well the cranes used movement to resolve trade-offs among competing needs and to access certain environments during key periods of the year.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-conservation-efforts">Wildlife conservation efforts</h2>



Understanding how animals interact with their environment not only offers a more nuanced view of how they survive in complex ecosystems but is also essential for informing conservation and management strategies in the face of the twin crises of climate change and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity loss</a>.&nbsp;



The study's framework provides a statistical tool to better understand the intricate relationships between animals and their environments, which can be widely applied to wildlife conservation efforts.



“When we know how animals use certain environmental conditions, we can make better predictions about how species might respond to human-caused global change and develop more effective interventions that ensure we preserve the conditions species need to survive,” Pokrovsky concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-cranes">More about cranes</h2>



Cranes are highly social and often travel in large flocks during migration. They are also vocal birds, using a variety of calls that can be heard from miles away, which helps them communicate with other members of their flock.&nbsp;



Cranes are omnivores, feeding on a diverse diet that includes plants, seeds, small animals, and insects. Some species of cranes are endangered, largely due to habitat loss and environmental changes.&nbsp;



For example, the Siberian crane is critically endangered. Ongoing conservation efforts aim to protect its breeding grounds in Russia and wintering habitats in China and India.



Cranes have deep cultural significance in many parts of the world. In Japan and China, they are symbols of longevity, peace, and good fortune, and they are prominently featured in folklore and art.&nbsp;



The whooping crane, native to North America, is a symbol of conservation success, having recovered from the brink of extinction due to extensive preservation efforts.



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2316827121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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How do cranes meet their needs in complex environments?

Tracking data has revealed the remarkable migrations undertaken by cranes,...

In the high-pressure world of elite sports, maintaining mental health is proving to be as crucial as keeping one's physical health in top shape. 



Alarming statistics from a recent study conducted by Amsterdam UMC, in partnership with NOC*NSF (the Dutch Olympic Committee and Sport Federation), highlight the extent of the issue. 



The study, published in BMJ Open Sport &amp; Exercise Medicine, reveals that nearly 74% of Dutch elite athletes and 41% of their coaches report significant sports-related distress. The figures are reflective of global trends seen among elite athletes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-concerns-of-elite-athletes">Mental health concerns of elite athletes</h2>



The study's findings go beyond stress, revealing a broader spectrum of <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> concerns that extend into athletes' daily lives. 



Excessive alcohol consumption, reported by 52% of athletes and 53% of coaches, is a notable concern, as it not only negatively impacts performance but also exacerbates underlying mental health issues. 



In athletes, mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders are frequently linked to significant life events or severe injuries, creating a cycle of distress that can hinder both personal well-being and athletic success.



According to Vincent Gouttebarge, professor of sports medicine at <a href="https://www.amsterdamumc.org/en/organization/amsterdam-umc.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amsterdam UMC</a> and the <a href="https://www.up.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pretoria</a>, the results are comparable to the mental health of non-athletes and are in line with similar studies among elite athletes worldwide. 



"These are high percentages, but these are self-reported complaints and not serious diagnosed mental illnesses. Nevertheless, sports physicians and other supervisors should pay more attention to the psychological well-being of elite athletes," said Professor Gouttebarge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-unseen-toll-on-elite-athletes">The unseen toll on elite athletes</h2>



The study surveyed 156 athletes and 95 coaches about their mental health experiences, finding that recent life events had a significant impact on athletes’ mental health. 



There were strong links between these events and issues like anxiety, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-a-history-of-depression-tend-to-process-more-negative-information/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a>, and eating problems. 



Additionally, severe injuries were found to correlate with anxiety and sleep disorders - though no such patterns were found among the coaches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-support-in-elite-sports">Mental health support in elite sports</h2>



To address these issues, researchers recommend using the International Olympic Committee’s Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 to screen athletes for mental health symptoms before the sports season begins. 



Gino Kerkhoffs, Chair of the Academic Center for Evidence-based Sports Medicine at Amsterdam UMC, explained that the tool is an instrument to screen elite <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/at-what-age-do-olympic-athletes-perform-their-best/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">athletes</a> for mental health symptoms. 



"This makes it possible to identify athletes who are at risk of mental health problems or who already suffer from them at an early stage. And then the sports doctors can adequately support, treat, and/or refer them," said Kerkhoffs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-sports-organizations">The role of sports organizations</h2>



Sports organizations play a critical role in addressing the mental health challenges faced by elite athletes. Implementing mental health screening tools and providing psychological support should be integral to their programs.



Many athletes feel the pressure to constantly perform at their best, often ignoring or downplaying mental health symptoms. 



By creating an environment that prioritizes both physical and mental well-being, sports organizations can help athletes develop resilience, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/physically-active-children-cope-better-with-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cope with stress</a>, and seek timely intervention.



Collaboration between sports physicians, coaches, and mental health professionals is essential in ensuring athletes receive the right support. 



Mental health training for coaches can also help them better recognize symptoms and provide appropriate guidance, which may positively influence both athlete performance and well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prioritizing-mental-health-in-sports">Prioritizing mental health in sports</h2>



As the conversation around mental health in elite sports continues to grow, the need for long-term solutions becomes more evident. 



Regular mental health assessments, combined with ongoing education for athletes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coaches-can-improve-athletes-lives-by-being-authentic-leaders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coaches</a>, will help destigmatize the topic and encourage more individuals to seek help when needed. 



Moving forward, research will need to explore the most effective interventions for elite athletes, focusing not only on reactive measures but also on preventive strategies that support overall psychological health.



By embedding mental health awareness into the very fabric of sports culture, the athletic community can ensure that athletes are equipped to handle the unique pressures they face, leading to healthier, more sustainable careers in sports.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/10/3/e001821" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ Open Sport &amp; Exercise Medicine</a>.



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Mental health issues are prevalent among elite athletes

In the high-pressure world of elite sports, maintaining mental health...

Top ocean experts have published a report that redefines the concept of sustainable fishing and proposes 11 “golden rules” that challenge the current flawed approach in fisheries management.&nbsp;



The report, released shortly before <a href="https://www.oceanweek.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brussels’ Ocean Week</a> and ahead of the <a href="https://ocean-climate.org/en/unoc2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN Ocean Conference</a> in Nice, aims to halt the ongoing destruction of the oceans caused by fishing and ensure the restoration of abundant fish populations to sustain future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guiding-principles-of-sustainable-fishing-nbsp">Guiding principles of sustainable fishing&nbsp;</h2>



The rules are introduced at a time when scientists have dramatically downgraded their assessment of the ocean's health. The guiding principles underlying the rules aim to revolutionize the way we manage the ocean's exploitation.



According to the first guiding principle, fishing must minimize impacts on marine species and habitats, adapt to climate change, and promote the regeneration of depleted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-impacting-marine-life-more-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>.



In addition, fishing must support the health, well-being, and resilience of communities, particularly the most vulnerable, rather than merely benefit corporations that funnel profits to owners and shareholders while others bear the costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-vision-of-sustainable-fishing-nbsp">A new vision of sustainable fishing&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers hope their work will serve as the foundation for a complete reform of the current mismanagement of the Earth's largest common resource - the ocean.



The scientists call on policymakers, retailers, fishers, and industry leaders to embrace this new vision and commit to implementing these reforms.



Today, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-fishing-gets-a-boost-from-genomics-roadmap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fishing</a> is widely recognized as the leading cause of ocean destruction. The authors of the report decided to collaborate after reaching a consensus that the current definition of “sustainable fishing” is dangerously outdated and contributes to the depletion of marine species, destruction of natural habitats and carbon sinks, and the decline of artisanal fishing communities worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdated-concept-of-sustainability-nbsp">Outdated concept of sustainability&nbsp;</h2>



“The current concept of ‘sustainable fishing,’ adopted by governments and private actors since the post-war period is scientifically obsolete,” said lead author Callum Roberts, a professor at the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a> and chief scientist at the <a href="https://convexseascapesurvey.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Convex Seascape Survey</a>.&nbsp;



“It relies on a simplistic, productivist theory which assumes that as long as global catch volumes remain below a set limit, anyone can fish just about anything, anywhere, with any method.”



“Can we truly claim that all fishing gear is environmentally and socially equal? We currently label fisheries as sustainable without considering their impact on marine ecosystems or human factors, such as crew safety and rights,” added Jennifer Jacquet, a professor at the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Miami</a>.



The scientists denounce the outdated approach to sustainability, which fails to address key environmental, human, and developmental factors.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pressing-issues-like-biodiversity-loss-nbsp">Pressing issues like biodiversity loss&nbsp;</h2>



Despite widespread acceptance by industry and consumers, current sustainability standards overlook pressing issues like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ocean-day-a-unified-approach-to-protect-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> loss and climate change, while supporting high-capital industrial practices that primarily benefit the Global North.&nbsp;



These practices harm ecosystems, threaten artisanal fishing and food security, and jeopardize jobs, while undermining humans' universal right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minimizing-environmental-harm">Minimizing environmental harm</h2>



The scientists reached another consensus: fisheries must be managed in a way that minimizes environmental harm while maximizing social benefits, particularly in the context of a rapidly warming planet and growing global hunger.



To address these challenges, a group of leading ocean researchers has developed a visionary approach to ocean exploitation.&nbsp;



This comprehensive, interdisciplinary definition of “fisheries sustainability” incorporates insights from biology, oceanography, social sciences, and economics.



The proposed rules provide a foundation for economic stakeholders and political leaders to transition to a sustainable fishing model that is viable for the long term.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-sustainable-fishing-nbsp">Rethinking sustainable fishing&nbsp;</h2>



The framework envisions a future where fishing ensures abundant fish stocks for humanity’s long-term needs.



“Our work advocates for fisheries that preserve ocean ecosystems’ vital functions, mitigate climate change, guarantee food security and respect human rights,” said Daniel Pauly, a professor at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a>.



This innovative approach recognizes the ecological, social, and ethical roles of fishing, proposing a systemic and sustainable model that involves market players, policymakers, and legal frameworks.&nbsp;



Roberts emphasized the need for a shift in perspective: “We must view fishing as a privilege rather than a right. Marine life is a public good that should both benefit society and nature, not be the object of a resource race driven by private gains.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ambitious-yet-realistic-proposals-nbsp">Ambitious yet realistic proposals&nbsp;</h2>



The proposals outlined in the report are ambitious yet realistic, with many actions rooted in proven successful practices.



The scientists urge policymakers, retailers, and fisheries managers to acknowledge the failures of current fishing practices and prioritize adopting the proposed golden rules.&nbsp;



Supermarkets, which are responsible for nearly two-thirds of European seafood sales, play a pivotal role in driving this transition. They can influence fishing practices through their sourcing policies, scrutinize “sustainability” labels, and respond to growing consumer concerns about the hidden impacts of their food.



“We are witnessing a growing disconnect between the widespread availability of supposedly sustainable fish products, the collapse of ocean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-ecosystems-survive-extinctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> and the frequency of reported human rights’ abuses. Supermarkets must stop misleading consumers,” said Pauline Bricault, markets campaign manager at <a href="https://www.bloomassociation.org/en/about-us/the-team-at-bloom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BLOOM</a>.



“Both the IPCC and IPBES have set 2030 as a deadline for critical changes. Industry stakeholders have no more excuses, they must act now.”



The call to action is urgent, with 2030 looming as a critical deadline for implementing necessary changes to avert further damage to ocean ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for global fisheries.



The report, titled “Rethinking sustainability of marine fisheries for a fast-changing planet,” was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s44183-024-00078-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">npj Ocean Sustainability</a>.&nbsp;



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‘Sustainable fishing’ must be redefined to halt ocean destruction

Top ocean experts have published a report that redefines the...

Nothing kick-starts the day better than that first mouthful of fresh, hot coffee or tea, right? Now, imagine if that the caffeine fix you love so much could also boost your brain defenses against dementia. 



This is the exciting conclusion of a study led by experts at Ningxia Medical University in China.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-and-dementia-risk">Caffeine and dementia risk</h2>



Often, it's the simplest questions that lead us to the most profound discoveries. The research team, fueled by curiosity, asked an intriguing question: Is it possible that consuming caffeinated drinks can lower the risk of dementia? 



To find these answers, the investigation led the researchers straight to the <a href="https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Biobank</a> -- a massive collection boasting the health data of over half a million people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-hypertension-and-dementia">Caffeine, hypertension, and dementia </h2>



The team dedicated their efforts to finding whether regularly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-has-a-protective-effect-on-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">indulging in coffee or tea</a> could be linked to a lower dementia risk. But, they didn’t stop there; the experts also factored in possible influences such as pre-existing heart conditions and hypertension.



While individuals with hypertension are at a higher risk of developing dementia, the researchers discovered a silver lining.



Regular coffee or tea drinkers with hypertension were found to have a lower risk of developing dementia. The experts report that just half to one cup daily seemed to offer some level of protection. 



Interestingly, even the way you prepare your coffee could influence these effects - with freshly ground beans offering the greatest benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-may-reduce-inflammation">Caffeine may reduce inflammation </h2>



So, what is behind this surprising link? The researchers believe it's likely due to caffeinated drinks reducing inflammation in people with hypertension, therefore lessening the risk of dementia.



However, it’s crucial to note that this study is based on correlations rather than causations. Although promising, more research is necessary to get a complete picture of how caffeine consumption could affect dementia risk in hypertensive patients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-approaching-caffeine-with-caution">Approaching caffeine with caution</h2>



Given the potential benefits of their findings, you may wonder how this could affect your daily life. Should we all start implementing a moderate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-coffee-good-for-you-it-may-depend-on-your-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">caffeine intake</a> into our lifestyles, especially those predisposed to hypertension? 



While the study does suggest some positive influence, incorporating caffeine should be approached with some caution. 



Health professionals typically recommend a comprehensive lifestyle approach that considers a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and stress management techniques, alongside moderate caffeine intake. 



Thus, personal health circumstances should be discussed with healthcare professionals to ensure that caffeine complements other health strategies and doesn't pose additional risks.



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



This study has undoubtedly paved the way for numerous possibilities for future research. For example, how does caffeine affect brain health in hypertensive individuals?



There is also potential for broader longitudinal studies on diverse populations to expand our understanding of the relationship between caffeine and dementia risk.



Researchers are keen to explore whether specific compounds within coffee or tea contribute to these effects and how lifestyle components interact with these possible protective qualities. 



Ultimately, dietary neuroscience could merge with public health policy, providing new strategies to combat the increasing global concern of dementia.



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



As promising as the study's outcomes appear, it's important to acknowledge some limitations. 



Predominantly, the correlational nature of the findings raises questions about potential confounding variables that might influence both<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-delays-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> caffeine consumption</a> and dementia risk.



Furthermore, reliance on self-reported data for caffeine intake can introduce inaccuracies - people may inadvertently overestimate or underestimate their actual consumption.



Additionally, the study's participants largely represent the UK Biobank demographic, which may not fully reflect global diversity. 



These factors necessitate cautious interpretation of the findings and highlight the need for further research across varied populations and with more rigorous controls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brewing-new-perspectives">Brewing new perspectives</h2>



The implications of the study extend beyond individual health, touching upon broader sociocultural dimensions.



In numerous cultures, coffee and tea serve as social bonding agents, deeply integrated into daily routines and customs. This presents a unique opportunity to harness these drinks for public health initiatives, raising awareness about the potential benefits of moderate caffeine consumption.



By promoting dialogue between scientific insights and cultural traditions, there's potential to enrich both fields while promoting well-being on a wider scale.



The research was conducted by public health experts at <a href="http://www.nxmu.edu.cn/nxykdyww/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ningxia Medical University, China</a>.



The findings are published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-71426-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Caffeine consumption may lower the risk of dementia

Nothing kick-starts the day better than that first mouthful of...

Imagine gazing into the night sky and discovering a cosmic coincidence so rare it's like finding eight needles perfectly lined up in a haystack. That's exactly what a team of astronomers has stumbled upon -- a unique configuration of galaxies forming what they call the "Carousel Lens." 



This extraordinary find promises to deepen our understanding of the universe, shedding light on some of its most enigmatic components.



"This is an amazingly lucky 'galactic line-up' -- a chance alignment of multiple galaxies across a line-of-sight spanning most of the observable universe," says David Schlegel, a co-author of the study. 



Finding one such alignment is tough enough, but this discovery is something else entirely. "Finding all of these is like eight needles precisely lined up inside that haystack," he adds.



The research was conducted by scientists from <a href="https://www.physics.lbl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkeley Lab's Physics Division</a>, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities and data sources. Their collaborative efforts have led to this remarkable discovery, opening new doors in the field of cosmology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-carousel-lens">Understanding the Carousel Lens</h2>



Why the excitement surrounding the Carousel Lens? This phenomenon features a foreground <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/1500-billion-orphan-stars-discovered-in-the-perseus-galaxy-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy cluster</a> that acts as a gravitational lens, revealing seven background galaxies situated billions of light-years away. 



Through the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/twisted-galaxies-millions-of-light-years-away-captured-by-the-vlt-telescope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravitationally distorted space-time</a> around the lens, we observe a stunning visual effect that evokes the image of a cosmic carousel gracefully spinning through the expanse of space. 



The lensing cluster, situated about 5 billion light-years from Earth, is represented by its four brightest and most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/1500-billion-orphan-stars-discovered-in-the-perseus-galaxy-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">massive galaxies</a>, labeled La, Lb, Lc, and Ld. 



These galaxies form the foreground of the image. Behind this cluster, seven unique galaxies -- numbered 1 through 7 -- appear. These galaxies are incredibly distant, ranging from 7.6 to 12 billion light-years away, pushing the limits of our observable universe.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/carousel-lens_gravitational-lens_deep-space_anonotized_LBL_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/carousel-lens_gravitational-lens_deep-space_anonotized_LBL_1s.webp" alt="RGB image of DESI-090.9854-35.9683, generated using the HST F140W filter (0070 pixel−1) as the red channel, HST F200LP filter (0028 pixel−1) as the blue channel, and the pixel-wise average of the two filters as the green channel. Credit: The Astrophysical Journal (2024)." class="wp-image-1945366"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">RGB image of DESI-090.9854-35.9683, generated using the HST F140W filter (0070 pixel−1) as the red channel, HST F200LP filter (0028 pixel−1) as the blue channel, and the pixel-wise average of the two filters as the green channel. Credit: The Astrophysical Journal (2024).</figcaption></figure>



Each of these background galaxies doesn't just appear once. Due to the gravitational lensing effect, they show up multiple times in the image, labeled with letters like 1a, 1b, and so on. 



Their shapes are curved and stretched, creating "fun house mirror" iterations caused by the warped space-time around the massive foreground cluster. 



It's like looking at the same galaxy through different lenses, each distorting it in a unique way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-einstein-cross-in-the-carousel-lens">Einstein Cross in the Carousel Lens</h2>



One of the most exciting aspects of this discovery is the identification of an Einstein Cross -- the largest known to date. 



This phenomenon is showcased in galaxy number 4's multiple appearances, labeled 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d. 



An Einstein Cross occurs when a single distant galaxy appears four times around a massive foreground object due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-galaxy-jwst-er1g-dark-matter-einstein-ring-mystery-solved/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravitational lensing</a>. 



It's a clear sign of the symmetrical distribution of the lens's mass, which is dominated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/directly-detecting-dark-matter-primordial-black-holes-simple-as-monitoring-mars-orbit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invisible dark matter</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-gravitational-lensing-works">How gravitational lensing works</h2>



Gravitational lensing happens when light from distant galaxies is bent and magnified as it passes near massive objects like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/twisted-galaxies-millions-of-light-years-away-captured-by-the-vlt-telescope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy clusters</a>. This effect was predicted by Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. 



It's not just a neat trick of nature; gravitational lensing serves as a powerful tool for astronomers. It allows us to see galaxies that would otherwise be too faint or distant, effectively acting as a natural telescope.



Such precise alignments are extremely rare. Think about it: the chances of multiple galaxies lining up in this way across billions of light-years are astronomically low. 



This makes the Carousel Lens not just a visual spectacle but also a unique opportunity for scientific study. It provides an exceptional laboratory for testing theories about the universe's structure and composition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



The research team didn't just rely on luck; they used a wealth of data from various sources. 



They tapped into the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (<a href="https://www.desi.lbl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DESI</a>) Legacy Imaging Surveys, recent observations from NASA's <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble Space Telescope</a>, and computational power from the <a href="https://docs.nersc.gov/systems/perlmutter/architecture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perlmutter supercomputer</a> at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center. 



By combining these resources, they built on earlier studies to identify strong lens candidates, leading to this remarkable find.



"Our team has been searching for strong lenses and modeling the most valuable systems," explains Xiaosheng Huang, a study co-author and member of Berkeley Lab's Supernova Cosmology Project, and a professor of physics and astronomy at the <a href="https://www.usfca.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of San Francisco</a>. 



"The Carousel Lens is an incredible alignment of seven galaxies in five groupings that line up nearly perfectly behind the foreground cluster lens."



As the galaxies appear through the lens, the multiple images of each of the background galaxies form approximately concentric circular patterns around the foreground lens, as in a carousel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-for-dark-matter-and-dark-energy">Significance for dark matter and dark energy</h2>



Why is this discovery so important? The Carousel Lens offers a new way to study dark matter and dark energy -- two of the most mysterious components of our universe.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visible-matter-dark-matter-evolved-together-big-bang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dark matter</a> doesn't emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible and detectable only through its gravitational effects. 



By analyzing how the light from these distant galaxies is bent and distorted, scientists can map the distribution of dark matter in the lensing cluster.



Understanding dark energy is even more challenging. It's the force believed to be driving the accelerated expansion of the universe. 



The precise measurements made possible by the Carousel Lens could provide new insights into how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-is-ripping-the-universe-apart-but-we-arent-sure-how/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark energy</a> affects the cosmos on large scales.



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



It's worth noting that this study also involved several student researchers. The lead author, William Sheu, was an undergraduate student intern with DESI at the beginning of this study. 



Now a Ph.D. student at UCLA and a DESI collaborator, Sheu's contributions highlight the important role that young scientists play in advancing our understanding of the universe.



"This is an extremely unusual alignment, which by itself will provide a testbed for cosmological studies," observes Nathalie Palanque-Delabrouille, director of Berkeley Lab's Physics Division. 



"It also shows how the imaging done for DESI can be leveraged for other scientific applications," such as investigating the mysteries of dark matter and the accelerating expansion of the universe, driven by dark energy.



So, what does this mean for the future? The Carousel Lens sets the stage for new types of observations and experiments. 



It could help refine our models of the universe and perhaps even lead to breakthroughs in physics. The data gathered from this unique alignment will keep astronomers and physicists busy for years to come.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad65d3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>.



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Rare 'Carousel Lens' galaxy alignment reveals dark matter secrets

Imagine gazing into the night sky and discovering a cosmic...

Our gut is a bustling metropolis of microbes, a complex ecosystem that plays a pivotal role in our overall health. Recent research from King's College London has thrown a fascinating light on two key residents of this microbial city.



Persistent colonizing species (PCS), the good guys, help maintain a healthy gut. But there's another type, transient colonizing species (TCS), which aren't as benign. 



They can throw a spanner in the works, destabilizing the gut and potentially leading to diseases such as type-2 diabetes and colon cancer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-types-of-gut-microbes">Two types of gut microbes</h2>



The constant tug-of-war between PCS and TCS is crucial. Their numbers keep each other in check, maintaining a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tool-detects-changes-in-gut-health-to-help-prevent-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy gut environment</a>. 



However, outside factors like diet and lifestyle can upset this delicate balance. TCS, though typically low in number, can rapidly multiply under certain conditions, outmuscling our beneficial PCS.



The troublemakers, TCS, thrive on sugar and xenobiotics - substances foreign to living systems like pesticides and food additives. In contrast, the good PCS grow stronger with a diet high in protein and fiber.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-personalized-diets">Power of personalized diets</h2>



This breakthrough discovery suggests a roadmap to maintaining gut health: personalized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-bacteria-influence-our-social-behavior-and-sense-of-fairness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet plans</a> that cater to PCS and stifle the growth of TCS. 



By feeding the beneficial PCS and suppressing the detrimental TCS, we could potentially prevent diseases and boost gut health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-microbes-and-disease-prevention">Gut microbes and disease prevention </h2>



"The power of the gut microbiome and the dynamic pace of it in health and disease is well known. Our study shows that while the balance of these microbes can change over time, we can predict how these changes happen," said Dr. Saeed Shoaie, group leader in Systems Biology at <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King's College London</a>.



"Even bacteria that are usually found in low numbers can suddenly increase, while the beneficial ones might decrease. Although these shifts in the gut don't always cause immediate symptoms, even a short period of imbalance can leave a lasting impact."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disruption-in-the-gut-microbe-balance">Disruption in the gut microbe balance</h2>



According to Dr. Shoaie, a disruption in the balance of gut microbes can lead to harmful changes in the gut environment that may persist, potentially contributing to the development of various diseases over time. 



"Moreover, we showed that transient bugs can rapidly grow under specific conditions and produce toxins," said Dr. Shoaie.



"This finding suggests that understanding the proportion of these two types of species categories can help for a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-bacteria-linked-to-younger-colon-cancer-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">personalized diet plan</a>. These two categories of microbes can act as potential markers to check the success of the dietary plan, which could be important for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes."



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



Dr. Sunjae Lee, the first author of the paper, noted that the new categorizations of gut microbes will change the way researchers understand disease and think of new ways to build effective treatments.



"By including these labels in a freely available Gut Microbiome Atlas that identifies gut bacteria appearing in individuals with 23 separate diseases across 19 countries, we can share this work with the world," said Dr. Lee.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personalized-nutrition-for-gut-microbes">Personalized nutrition for gut microbes</h2>



With the insight provided by this study, personalized nutrition emerges as a promising frontier in health science. By tailoring dietary recommendations based on the unique composition of an individual's gut microbiome, there is potential to optimize health outcomes. 



This approach requires detailed profiling of one's gut microbial landscape to identify dietary components that could foster beneficial PCS while inhibiting the proliferation of TCS. 



Such precision in dietary interventions could not only enhance general well-being but also serve as a preventative strategy against chronic diseases. 



The idea is to move beyond one-size-fits-all dietary guidelines to a more customized regimen that capitalizes on the dynamic interplay of microbes in the gut.



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



The burgeoning field of gut microbiome research holds vast potential for future discoveries that could revolutionize how we approach health and disease. 



The research led by Dr. Shoaie and Dr. Lee paves the way for more intricate studies that examine the genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors influencing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-microbiome-trillions-of-bacteria-unique-like-your-fingerprint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial dynamics</a>. 



Future research endeavors might explore how modern stressors, from processed foods to increased antibiotic usage, impact gut health.



Additionally, further studies into the gut-brain axis could yield innovative treatments for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. 



Ultimately, understanding the multifaceted interactions within the gut microbiome will not only enhance disease prevention but could lead to new therapeutic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breast-milk-lowers-asthma-risk-in-babies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategies</a> that harness these microorganisms for healing.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41522-024-00561-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">npj Biofilms and Microbiomes</a>.



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Balancing gut microbes could protect us from disease

Our gut is a bustling metropolis of microbes, a complex...

In a constantly changing world, animals, including humans, must adapt quickly to their environment and make decisions that lead to the best possible outcomes.&nbsp;



Typically, this type of learning occurs through direct experience, where animals rely on past experiences involving the same choices when faced with a decision between two specific options.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-experience-and-knowledge">Balancing experience and knowledge</h2>



However, animals with more advanced brains, such as apes and monkeys, are capable of inferring the outcome of a decision based on their knowledge of similar past situations, even if they have not directly experienced those particular options before.&nbsp;



This means that decision-making often involves a balance between experience-based strategies and knowledge-based strategies. In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visually-striking-primate-features-ease-tension-and-reduce-conflict/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primates</a>, the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is responsible for managing this balance. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-brain-s-role-in-decision-making-nbsp">The brain’s role in decision-making&nbsp;</h2>



The orbitofrontal cortex not only plays a direct role in decision-making but also helps to “update” the internal values primates use to evaluate the potential benefits of any given option.&nbsp;



Moreover, the OFC is essential for assessing options that an individual has not directly experienced.&nbsp;



Despite this understanding, the precise roles of the OFC in decision-making and whether these roles rely on separate neuronal pathways have remained unclear and difficult to study.



Fortunately, a research team from Japan has made significant progress in shedding light on this issue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-selectively-activating-neuronal-pathways-nbsp">Selectively activating neuronal pathways&nbsp;</h2>



The team was led by Kei Oyama and Takafumi Minamimoto from the <a href="https://www.qst.go.jp/site/qst-english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology</a>. 



The researchers used a cutting-edge approach they previously developed to selectively activate and deactivate different neuronal pathways originating from the OFC in monkeys during specially designed behavioral tasks. This innovative method allowed the experts to uncover the independent functions of these pathways.



In these behavioral experiments, macaque monkeys were presented with two images to choose from, and depending on their choice, they received a predetermined amount of juice as a reward. The monkeys quickly learned to associate specific images with the amount of juice they would receive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capacity-to-learn-from-experience-nbsp">Capacity to learn from experience&nbsp;</h2>



To further test the monkeys' decision-making abilities, the researchers periodically changed the set of images presented and reversed the reward values, meaning the worst options became the best and vice versa.&nbsp;



These tasks assessed the monkeys’ capacity to learn from experience (via trial and error) and to handle familiar situations (via knowledge-based inference).



As the monkeys performed these tasks, the researchers employed a genetically introduced chemical switch called a chemogenetic receptor, which could turn specific OFC neurons on or off upon the administration of a drug.&nbsp;



Using computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging to guide their procedures, the team locally injected a drug to temporarily silence distinct neuronal pathways originating from the OFC.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specific-functions-of-the-neuronal-pathways-nbsp">Specific functions of the neuronal pathways&nbsp;</h2>



By observing changes in the monkeys' performance, the researchers determined the specific functions of these pathways.&nbsp;



The experts discovered that the OFC pathway connecting to the caudate nucleus is critical for experience-based adaptation, while the pathway linking to the mediodorsal thalamus plays a key role in knowledge-based adaptation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-decision-making-in-humans">Understanding decision-making in humans</h2>



Given that monkey brains are remarkably similar to human brains in structure, the study's findings hold important implications for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-cells-communicate-to-support-decision-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human behavior</a>.



“One key implication of our work is that it could help explain why individuals approach the same situation in different ways. Some people may rely more on trial-and-error, while others prefer a more systematic approach based on prior knowledge,” Minamimoto explained.



“These differences in thinking styles, or 'thought patterns,' might be linked to how each person's brain activates these specific circuits, and understanding these variations could help us develop personalized strategies for improving decision-making and problem-solving skills for those who might struggle with one particular type of thinking.”



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



Understanding the specific roles of brain structures also has significant implications for the study of neuropathologies and psychiatric disorders.



“Our findings could contribute to new treatments for mental and neurological disorders like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocd-disconnect-knowledge-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obsessive-compulsive disorder</a>, where patients have difficulty adapting to changing situations,” said Oyama.



“By targeting the specific brain circuits involved in these two strategies, we may be able to create more effective therapies that help restore balanced thinking.”



Furthermore, the research has potential applications in the fields of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-intelligence-boosts-creativity-but-reduces-variety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence</a> and robotics, where insights into brain circuits could inspire the development of more adaptable systems capable of switching between different problem-solving methods depending on the situation.



Although the brain remains one of the most complex puzzles in the known universe, studies like this represent important progress toward a deeper understanding of how it operates, both in humans and other animals.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50505-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Optimal decision-making is a balance of experience and knowledge

In a constantly changing world, animals, including humans, must adapt...

Ants have many fascinating things to teach us. Most recently, scientists discovered that ants employ safeguards such as "social distancing" measures to protect their colonies from diseases.



In a recent paper presented by a group of passionate biologists, they shared their discovery of how black garden ants create and implement this impressive strategy to keep their nests, and consequently their colonies, safe from infections.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ant-s-immune-system">Ant's immune system</h2>



Previous research has indicated that certain animals adapt their behavior to cut down the spread of infections. 



For instance, we humans, to prevent an infection from spreading like wildfire, might isolate parts of our homes or establish quarantine zones in hospitals. 



But it appears we're not the only species to alter our surroundings for the sake of health. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/larger-ant-colonies-drove-the-evolution-of-worker-castes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Our tiny friends</a>, the black garden ants, have a similar strategy up their sleeve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ant-tunnels-prevent-spread-of-diseases">Ant tunnels prevent spread of diseases</h2>



The research team, from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, embarked on a field trip to collect black garden ants and created 20 colonies in their lab. Once the ants had a day to get used to their new setting, another <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-fill-a-150-year-gap-in-biodiversity-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">group of ants</a> was added to their colonies.



Here's the catch -- half of the newly added ants were infected with a fungus. Observations were made through cameras and micro-CT scanners to study the ant's behavior and to analyze the structure of the ant tunnels.



It was interesting to see that ants in the colonies where infected ants were introduced started digging new tunnels more quickly. 



After six days, there was a notable increase in the distance between the tunnels in the infected nests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-disease-survival-strategy">Ants' disease survival strategy</h2>



The ants displayed strategic maneuvering as well. The queen, food, and brooding area were placed in a less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-shifting-to-new-habitats-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">central location</a>. 



Also, the infected ants were seen spending most of their time on the surface of the colony, limiting their interaction with healthy ants.



Why all these changes? Well, they are preventive measures. These ants alter their nests to prevent the spread of the infecting fungus, shielding the colony from the potential threat.



To better understand this intriguing behavior, our Bristol scientists conducted disease transmission simulations. This accelerated the spread of disease in the simulated environment.



They discovered that the ants' techniques helped minimize the fungal load in the colony and significantly improved its chances of survival.



With a practical approach, the ants teach us more about their species and disease prevention methods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-humans-can-learn-from-ants">How humans can learn from ants</h2>



The implications of these findings extend beyond the fascinating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-ants-have-dual-roles-as-builders-and-decomposers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world of ants</a> and offer valuable insights for human practices. 



By observing and understanding the strategic behaviors employed by black garden ants, we can draw parallels to enhance our disease prevention strategies. 



The idea of dynamically adjusting environments to limit the spread of diseases could inform future architectural designs or public health policies, focusing on creating adaptable spaces that mitigate infection risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-ant-intelligence">New perspective on ant intelligence</h2>



This research not only enhances our understanding of wildlife's response to disease but also challenges our perceptions of intelligence. 



Historically, intelligence has often been attributed to problem-solving abilities in humans or larger mammals. 



However, the ingenuity displayed by these ants in response to environmental threats suggests a complex understanding and capability within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-deja-vu-the-symbiotic-relationships-of-trees-and-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect kingdom</a>. 



Through their meticulous methods, ants demonstrate a level of collective intelligence that continues to intrigue scientists and challenges us to reconsider the hierarchical view of intelligence in the animal world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-relevance-to-humans">Relevance to humans</h2>



How does this impact us as humans?



It's a compelling discovery about the complexity of ant behavior and their survival from diseases. This research could provide a fresh perspective on how we manage the spread of diseases in our societies. 



It may also shed light on the importance of adapting our surroundings to contain the spread of infections.



This exciting development is sure to pave the way for more interesting revelations about the ingenious survival strategies in the animal kingdom. We owe it all to the diligent team at the University of Bristol for this insightful contribution.



So, the next time you spot a colony of ants in your garden, remember, they're not just tiny creatures scurrying around. They are miniature engineers and crafty survivalists, diligently working to ensure the wellbeing of their community.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.30.610481v1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioRxiv</a>.



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Ants use a type of 'social distancing' to prevent spread of diseases

Ants have many fascinating things to teach us. Most recently,...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



-----



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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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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