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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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World's smallest pacemaker is set to revolutionize heart health

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

When NASA's Lucy spacecraft whizzed past the asteroid known as "Dinky" in November 2023, it wasn't just a routine flyby. Researchers found that the asteroid was not traversing the cosmos alone; <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-selam-dinkinesh-moonlet-baby-very-young/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a moon</a>, whimsically named "Selam," was orbiting Dinky.



But the surprises didn’t stop there. Further data revealed that Selam itself was no ordinary moon but a contact binary -- essentially, two tiny moons that had merged into one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexities-of-asteroid-dinky-and-its-moons">Complexities of asteroid Dinky and its moons</h2>



This revelation, detailed by the Lucy team in a recent study, has intrigued astronomers and challenged our existing theories on the formation of celestial bodies. 



The team, including <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a>'s Professor Jessica Sunshine, suggests that the internal structure and dynamics of these tiny moons could reshape our understanding of how terrestrial bodies come into existence.



Jessica Sunshine highlighted the complexity uncovered by the spacecraft’s observations. "We’ve seen Dinkinesh’s rotation speed and analyzed Selam’s orbit pattern more closely," she noted. "This helps us hypothesize about their composition and brings us closer to understanding the creation of terrestrial bodies."



The story of how Selam came to be is as dramatic as it is fascinating. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/asteroid-Dinkinesh_Selam-satellite_montage_SWRI_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lucy's images showed</a> that about a quarter of Dinky asteroid had broken off, likely due to its fast spinning motion, which might have been influenced by the uneven reflection of sunlight.



This ejection of rocky debris likely helped form Selam. Meanwhile, other fragments fell back onto Dinky, forming visible ridges on the asteroid’s surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-for-planetary-science">Broader implications for planetary science</h2>



The study’s lead scientist, Hal Levison from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shock-discovery-saturns-moon-enceladus-has-all-of-the-ingredients-necessary-for-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southwest Research Institute</a>, emphasized the broader significance of these findings.



Understanding the interaction between colliding celestial objects, like asteroids, is crucial for understanding how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-of-water-vapor-may-be-involved-in-planet-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a>, including Earth, were formed.



"Whether these objects break apart or coalesce during collisions tells us much about their internal strength and structure," Levison explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comparison-with-other-celestial-bodies">Comparison with other celestial bodies</h2>



The dual moons of Dinkinesh also invite comparisons with similar systems, such as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-will-crash-a-spacecraft-into-an-asteroid-tomorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Didymos</a> binary system, which is located much closer to Earth.



Despite their distance from each other, these systems may have undergone similar processes. 



"I’m personally very excited to compare the two systems," said Sunshine, who also worked on NASA’s DART mission that successfully altered the trajectory of Didymos' moon, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-dart-mission-proves-humanity-can-be-saved-from-asteroid-collision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dimorphos</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lucy-s-continuing-journey-through-space">Lucy's continuing journey through space</h2>



Dinkinesh and Selam are just the beginning of Lucy's cosmic itinerary. The spacecraft is slated to explore a total of 11 asteroids over its 12-year mission. 



After its initial observations, Lucy will utilize a gravity assist from Earth to propel it deeper into space, where it will continue its observations, including a planned encounter with the asteroid Donaldjohanson in 2025, and later, the Trojan asteroids in 2027.



"The goal is to peel back the layers of how planets are formed. By studying these smaller celestial bodies, we gather crucial data on the material interactions that might mirror those that formed larger planetary bodies like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-discovery-about-earths-formation-raises-probability-of-finding-life-on-other-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>," Sunshine concluded.



The journey of Lucy not only enriches our understanding of the universe but also continues to pose intriguing questions about the very processes that may have shaped our own planet. 



The findings from Dinkinesh and Selam serve as a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of space exploration, providing us with insights that could one day answer some of the most fundamental questions about our place in the cosmos.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-on-dinky-and-asteroid-moon-systems">More on Dinky and asteroid-moon systems</h2>



Asteroid-moon systems, like Dinky and Selam, are of great interest to astronomers as they offer crucial insights into the mechanics of celestial interactions. 



These systems are often formed through complex processes such as collisions, gravitational captures, and material ejections.



Studying these systems helps scientists understand the dynamics of binary systems and the evolution of the solar system.



Future research can focus on the detailed dynamics of these systems, exploring how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moon-is-shrinking-moonquakes-potential-problems-for-astronauts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moons influence</a> the rotational and orbital characteristics of their parent asteroids. 



Advanced missions could utilize high-resolution imaging, spectroscopic analysis, and even landers to study the surface composition and internal structure of both the asteroids and their moons.



Asteroid-moon systems also provide a natural laboratory for studying the effects of the Yarkovsky and YORP (Yarkovsky–O'Keefe–Radzievskii–Paddack) effects, which influence the spin and orbit of small bodies. 



Understanding these processes is critical for predicting the long-term behavior of near-Earth objects, potentially improving our ability to mitigate asteroid impact threats.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07378-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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How asteroids named 'Dinky' and 'Selam' became bound together forever

When NASA's Lucy spacecraft whizzed past the asteroid known as...

A rare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-class-of-exoplanets-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanet</a>, nicknamed “Phoenix,” has defied expectations by developing a puffy atmosphere despite being bombarded by intense radiation from its nearby host star. This discovery challenges existing theories about how planets evolve and perish in extreme environments.&nbsp;



The study, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/ad4149" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astronomical Journal</a>, was led by Sam Grunblatt, a <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a> astrophysicist.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-neptune-planets">Hot Neptune planets</h2>



“This planet isn’t evolving the way we thought it would, it appears to have a much bigger, less dense atmosphere than we expected for these systems,” he said.



Phoenix, officially named TIC365102760 b, belongs to the rare “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neptune-like-exoplanets-atmospheres-interesting-earth-size-neighbors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hot Neptunes</a>” category, sharing characteristics with Neptune but being much closer to its star and significantly hotter. The planet, which is 6.2 times larger than Earth, orbits its star every 4.2 days, at a distance six times closer than Mercury is to the Sun.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defying-all-expectations">Defying all expectations</h2>



Despite its age and high temperatures, Phoenix has managed to retain a low-density atmosphere, which has perplexed scientists. They estimate that Phoenix is 60 times less dense than the densest known hot Neptune and predict it will only survive another 100 million years before spiraling into its host star.



“It’s the smallest planet we’ve ever found around one of these red giants,” Grunblatt said. “We don’t know why it still has an atmosphere when other ‘hot Neptunes’ that are much smaller and much denser seem to be losing their atmospheres in much less extreme environments.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-the-exoplanet-s-puffy-atmosphere">Detecting the exoplanet's puffy atmosphere </h2>



Grunblatt and his team used a new method to analyze data from NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/tess/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite</a>, filtering out unwanted light and combining the data with additional measurements from the <a href="https://www.keckobservatory.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">W.M. Keck Observatory</a> in Hawaii. This approach allowed them to detect the planet’s puffy atmosphere and gain insights into its unusual characteristics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-planetary-atmospheres-nbsp">Evolution of planetary atmospheres&nbsp;</h2>



The discovery of Phoenix could improve our understanding of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-finds-a-water-rich-planet-with-a-steamy-atmosphere-named-gj-9827d/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary atmospheres</a>, including Earth’s, might evolve. Scientists predict that the Sun will eventually expand into a red giant star, potentially engulfing Earth and other inner planets.&nbsp;



“We don’t understand the late-stage evolution of planetary systems very well,” Grunblatt said. “This is telling us that maybe Earth’s atmosphere won’t evolve exactly how we thought it would.”



Puffy planets are rare, with scientists estimating that only about 1% of stars host them. These planets are composed of gasses, ice, or other lighter materials, making them less dense than any planet in our solar system.&nbsp;



The smaller size of exoplanets like Phoenix makes them harder to detect, but Grunblatt’s team is actively searching for more. They have already identified a dozen potential candidates using their new technique.&nbsp;



“We still have a long way to go in understanding how planetary atmospheres evolve over time,” Grunblatt concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-planets-with-puffy-atmospheres">Rare planets with puffy atmospheres</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/puffy-exoplanets-have-the-density-of-a-marshmallow-but-how-is-it-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Puffy planets</a>, often referred to as "inflated gas giants," are a type of exoplanet notable for their extremely low densities relative to their sizes.&nbsp;



These planets are generally larger than expected for their mass, akin to having the volume of Jupiter but a significantly lesser mass, which makes them less dense and hence "puffy." This characteristic can sometimes result in these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-planet-is-as-light-as-cotton-candy-but-bigger-than-jupiter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a> having radii much larger than standard gas giants under similar conditions.



The puffiness of these planets is primarily attributed to their proximity to their host stars. They orbit very close to their stars, and the intense stellar radiation they receive can heat their atmospheres to extremely high temperatures.&nbsp;



This heat adds energy to the planet's atmosphere, causing it to expand and bloat. In essence, the thermal energy overcomes the gravitational pull of the planet to an extent, leading to a larger radius than would typically be expected for a planet of similar mass.



Another factor contributing to the puffiness could be tidal heating, where gravitational interaction between the planet and its star (or other planets) generates additional internal heat, further causing the atmosphere to expand.



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‘Weird’ exoplanet has puffy atmosphere despite intense radiation

A rare exoplanet, nicknamed “Phoenix,” has defied expectations by developing...

The planet just experienced a “shocking” new milestone, enduring 12 consecutive months of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-humans-are-warming-the-planet-faster-than-ever-before/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unprecedented heat</a>, according to <a href="https://www.copernicus.eu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Copernicus</a>, the European Union’s climate monitoring service. From June 2023 to May 2024, each month set a new record for the hottest such month globally.  



This streak of extreme heat, driven by human-caused climate change, was described as “shocking but not surprising” by Carlo Buontempo, Copernicus' director, who warned of worse to come unless fossil fuel pollution is significantly reduced.&nbsp;



Buontempo emphasized that without drastic action, this series of hottest months could be seen as relatively cool in the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-on-the-highway-to-climate-hell">On the highway to climate hell</h2>



On the same day, UN Secretary General António Guterres delivered a passionate speech in New York about climate change, criticizing fossil fuel companies as “the godfathers of climate chaos” and for the first time explicitly calling for a global ban on advertising <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels-kills-5-million-people-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuel</a> products. 



Guterres urged world leaders to take immediate action to manage the escalating climate crisis. He compared humanity's current trajectory to playing “Russian roulette with our planet” and called for an “exit ramp off the highway to climate hell.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-severe-climate-impacts-to-come">More severe climate impacts to come </h2>



Copernicus data showed that each month since July 2023 has been at least 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels, with the average global temperature over the past year being 1.63 degrees above these levels.&nbsp;



This alarming breach signals progressively more dangerous climate impacts on the horizon.&nbsp;



According to Richard Allan, a climate professor at the <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Reading</a>, this is just a harbinger of more severe impacts to come.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-waves-and-extreme-weather">Heat waves and extreme weather</h2>



The western United States is experiencing its first heat wave of the summer, with temperatures reaching triple digits.&nbsp;



Globally, unprecedented heat has already caused significant mortality and damage this spring. India, Southeast Asia, and Mexico have all faced extreme temperatures leading to deaths, school closures, and crop failures.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-climate-change-affect-extreme-weather-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Extreme weather</a> events, such as heavy rainfall and destructive storms, have also battered various countries this year, exacerbated by warmer air and ocean temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-window-into-the-future-of-our-climate">Window into the future of our climate </h2>



Ben Clarke, a researcher at <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a>'s Grantham Institute, argued that the recent heat offers “a window into the future,” with extreme temperatures challenging human survivability. 



Clarke stressed the importance of understanding that each tenth of a degree of warming exposes more people to dangerous and potentially deadly heat.



Guterres, in his speech, compared humanity's impact on the planet to the meteor that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. “We are the meteor. We are not only in danger. We are the danger,” he warned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-warming-trend-will-continue-nbsp">Global warming trend will continue&nbsp;</h2>



Global temperatures are expected to dip below record-breaking levels in the coming months as the natural climate phenomenon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-event-may-push-earth-towards-its-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">El Niño</a> weakens. However, this will not alter the long-term trend of rising temperatures due to continuous fossil fuel combustion. 



Carlo Buontempo noted that while the sequence of record-breaking months may be interrupted, the overall trend of climate change remains unaltered.



New data from the <a href="https://wmo.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Meteorological Organization</a> (WMO) referenced by Guterres indicates a nearly 86% chance that at least one year between 2024 and 2028 will set a new record for the hottest year. 



Additionally, there is almost a 50% chance that the global average temperature over the five-year period will exceed 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, inching closer to breaching the long-term limit set by the Paris Agreement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-fuel-companies-are-to-blame-for-the-crisis">Fossil fuel companies are to blame for the crisis</h2>



Guterres blamed fossil fuel companies for the impending climate hell, stating that they “rake in record profits and feast off trillions in taxpayer-funded subsidies” while distorting the truth and deceiving the public. He called for a global ban on fossil fuel ads, similar to bans on advertising harmful products like tobacco.



Guterres concluded by urging world leaders to take immediate action, including drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and an end to new coal projects. He pressed rich countries to commit to phasing out coal by 2030, reducing oil and gas by 60% by 2035, and increasing financial support for the poorest and most climate-vulnerable nations.&nbsp;



“We cannot accept a future where the rich are protected in air-conditioned bubbles, while the rest of humanity is lashed by lethal weather in unliveable lands,” said Guterres.



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UN chief: We are on the ‘highway to climate hell’ 

The planet just experienced a “shocking” new milestone, enduring 12...

NASA's latest venture, the Farside Seismic Suite (FSS), is poised to revolutionize our understanding of seismic activities on the Moon's far side, an area still <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orion-spacecraft-captures-stunning-photo-of-earth-and-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shrouded in mystery</a>.



This project utilizes advanced seismometers originally developed for the InSight Mars mission, which detected over a thousand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-mars-seismic-discoveries-and-the-quest-for-past-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marsquakes</a>.



These instruments are now being adapted to withstand the Moon’s unique environmental challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-far-side-of-the-moon-still-holds-mystery">Far side of the Moon still holds mystery</h2>



The Moon's far side, often called the "dark side," remains largely uncharted and mysterious. 



Unlike the near side, which always faces Earth, the far side is rugged and heavily cratered, with few of the large, flat maria (basaltic plains) that characterize the near side. This terrain results from its unique geological history.



The far side of the Moon was first glimpsed by humanity in 1959, when the Soviet Luna 3 spacecraft transmitted images back to Earth.



Since then, various missions, including those from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, the <a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a>, and more recently China’s Chang’e missions, have provided additional data.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/china-landing-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chang’e-4</a>, launched by China, made history by landing the first rover, Yutu-2, on the far side in 2019. This mission has provided valuable information about the far side's surface composition and lunar regolith.



Most recently, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/china-has-launched-a-spacecraft-to-the-far-side-of-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">China's Chang’e-6</a> lunar probe landed on the less-explored far side of the moon. This initiative, a key part of China’s ambitious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/china-landing-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lunar agenda</a>, aims to explore and unravel the mysteries of this region hidden from Earth’s view.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-moon-s-far-side-is-important">Why the Moon's far side is important</h2>



Research on the Moon’s far side is crucial for several reasons. It offers a pristine environment to study the impact history of the inner solar system. 



The far side's lack of maria suggests a different thermal and geological history compared to the near side, which could provide clues about the Moon's formation and evolution.



Furthermore, the far side is a potential site for future radio astronomy. Its location, shielded from Earth's radio interference, makes it an ideal spot to place radio telescopes to observe the universe in ways not possible from Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mars-to-the-moon">Mars to the Moon</h2>



The suite for studying Moon's far side comprises two highly sensitive seismometers that mark a significant technological leap over their Apollo-era predecessors.



One of these, the Very Broadband (VBB) seismometer, is capable of detecting vibrations smaller than a single hydrogen atom. The other, the Short Period (SP) sensor, captures motion in three dimensions using advanced silicon chip sensors.



Together, these devices will be nestled within a robust cube structure, insulated and protected, ready to endure the harsh lunar conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategic-lunar-landing-in-moon-s-far-side">Strategic lunar landing in Moon's far side</h2>



Scheduled for deployment in 2026, the FSS will touch down in the Schrödinger basin, a vast impact crater near the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/contact-lost-with-chandrayaan-3-placing-the-moon-mission-in-jeopardy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon's South Pole</a>.



This self-sufficient, solar-powered suite is equipped with its own computer and communications hardware and is engineered to operate through both the scorching lunar days and the freezing nights.



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



Upon deployment, FSS will deliver NASA's first seismic data from the Moon's far side in nearly half a century, offering unprecedented insights into lunar internal activity and structure.



This data will not only enhance our understanding of the Moon but also provide valuable comparisons with Earth and Mars, contributing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-building-space-station-called-gateway-will-orbit-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">broader planetary science</a>.



Mark Panning, the FSS principal investigator, shared his enthusiasm about the suite's capabilities, saying, “FSS will offer answers to questions we’ve been asking about the Moon for decades. We cannot wait to start getting this data back.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborative-international-efforts">Collaborative international efforts</h2>



The development of FSS was a collaborative effort involving multiple international partners. 



The VBB seismometer, originally a backup for the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/insight" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">InSight Mars mission</a>, was developed by the French space agency, CNES, while the SP sensor was a joint effort by Kinemetrics, the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>, and <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a>.



The robust testing and assembly processes these instruments underwent ensure they are prepared for the challenges of space travel and <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/artemis-launch-a-new-era-of-lunar-exploration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lunar exploration</a>.



As the FSS prepares for its lunar mission, the teams involved look forward to the wealth of data it will provide. 



Ed Miller, the FSS project manager at JPL, expressed a sentiment shared by many involved, explaining, "We went to Mars together, and now we’ll be able to look up at the Moon and know we built something up there. It’ll make us so proud.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-moon-mysteries-with-fss">Unraveling Moon mysteries with FSS</h2>



The deployment of the Farside Seismic Suite represents a significant milestone in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-space-exploration-could-be-shut-down-by-orbiting-debris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space exploration</a>, bridging past achievements with future ambitions.



As we await its launch, the potential scientific discoveries hold the promise to illuminate not just the moonquakes of the lunar far side but also the fundamental processes that govern all rocky bodies in our solar system.



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New NASA mission will study the Moon's far side and moonquakes

NASA's latest venture, the Farside Seismic Suite (FSS), is poised...

Adopting methods from the dairy industry, researchers have discovered that a slow-growth diet prior to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-pig-day-honoring-the-role-of-an-underappreciated-animal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breeding</a> can result in more offspring and healthier, longer-lived mother pigs.



This innovative approach appears to offer significant benefits for the reproductive health and longevity of pigs through multiple breeding cycles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-a-slow-growth-diet">Impact of a slow-growth diet</h2>



Charles Maxwell is a professor of animal science for the experiment station, the research arm of the <a href="https://uada.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture</a>. 



Maxwell revealed that the slow-growth diet, inspired by practices used for dairy cows since the 1980s, involves reducing the weight gain of female pigs before breeding.



Traditionally, female breeding pigs were fed similarly to non-breeding pigs, often leading to issues of overweight and associated complications during the breeding phase.



The study carried out by Maxwell and his colleagues introduced two distinct diets for young female pigs.



The first, a low-nutrient diet, reduced the intake of lysine, an essential amino acid, and lowered the diet's energy density through the inclusion of wheat middlings and dried corn distiller's grain with solubles. 



In contrast, the control group received a standard diet that surpassed typical industry nutritional standards.



The results were telling. Gilts (female pigs pre-breeding) on the low-nutrient diet were allowed to eat as much as they wanted yet ended their 26-week development period about 15 pounds lighter than those on the normal diet. However, at the time of breeding, both groups averaged the same body weight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-benefits-observed">Long-term benefits observed</h2>



The low-nutrient diet not only prevented excessive weight gain but also supported better nutritional absorption during lactation. 



"The gilts fed a lower nutrient diet retained more backfat at weaning, suggesting they managed their reserves more efficiently than those on a normal diet," explained Maxwell. 



Monitoring backfat at the 10th rib provided a simple method to gauge body fat changes, a critical factor in swine health.



Moreover, the low-nutrient group boasted superior reproductive outcomes over four breeding cycles, with significant increases in the number of piglets born and weaned. 



"Feeding low-energy and reduced protein diets during gilt development can promote their ability to restore body condition during lactation, which boosted survivability throughout the four parity cycles and thus extended their longevity," Maxwell noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-of-a-slow-growth-diet-in-pigs">Advantages of a slow-growth diet in pigs</h2>



The implications of these findings are vast, particularly for regions like Arkansas, where swine production is a major industry. 



The state has developed a robust "sow farm concept," producing high-health replacement females to supply the broader swine industry. 



The study, which explored the benefits of a slow-growth diet in collaboration with major industry players like JBS and supported by institutions like the <a href="https://www.usda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>, indicates a potential shift towards more sustainable and efficient breeding practices.



This could revolutionize standard practices and enhance the economic viability of swine production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-forward-in-swine-research">Moving forward in swine research</h2>



Despite the success, Maxwell acknowledges that the approach is not foolproof. "We're not there yet. Even with that treatment, we didn't have 100% survival. So, we still have a lot of questions to minimize the loss," he admitted. 



The ongoing search for improvements in sow longevity underscores the complex challenges in swine nutrition and reproductive health.



This research is part of a broader mission by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture to connect trusted research with the adoption of best practices in agriculture, aiming to enhance community and family livelihoods through science-driven solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-benefits-of-slow-growth-diet-in-pigs">Other benefits of slow-growth diet in pigs</h2>



A slow-growth diet in pigs offers several benefits beyond the immediate findings of this research. Such a diet can improve overall <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-welfare-biggest-concern-people-making-food-choices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal welfare</a> by reducing the risk of obesity-related health issues, which are common in pigs fed traditional high-energy diets. 



This approach can also enhance the immune system, making pigs less susceptible to diseases and reducing the need for antibiotics.



Moreover, a slow-growth diet can lead to better meat quality. Pigs that grow more slowly tend to have better marbling and meat texture, which can result in higher market value. 



Environmental benefits also arise, as pigs on this diet produce less waste and require fewer resources, contributing to more sustainable farming practices.



Additionally, implementing slow-growth diets can lead to cost savings for farmers by reducing feed costs and improving the efficiency of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-pig-day-honoring-the-role-of-an-underappreciated-animal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feed conversion</a>. 



Overall, this approach supports healthier pigs, better product quality, and more sustainable and cost-effective farming operations.



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Slow-growth diet for pigs increases longevity and productivity

Adopting methods from the dairy industry, researchers have discovered that...

Thailand,Rain,Forest,Landscape

The resilience of Asian forests in the face of escalating disturbances from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-rich-tree-diversity-adapt-better-changing-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> and human activities is nothing short of remarkable. 



Since the mid-19th century, the world has witnessed a steady increase in global temperatures, fueled largely by human-driven greenhouse gas emissions. 



These changes have put immense pressure on forests across Asia, challenging their stability and ecological functions. 



Despite these adversities, new findings suggest that these ecosystems are not only enduring but also demonstrating significant resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-dynamics-in-climate-change">Forest dynamics in climate change</h2>



The foundation of this optimistic outlook stems from a recent study by ecologists from <a href="http://bjfu.admissions.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beijing Forestry University</a> and the <a href="http://english.iap.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Atmospheric Physics</a> in China. 



Published in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters, their research utilized satellite remote sensing data to undertake a thorough analysis of forest disturbances and their resilience across East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.



Forests play a crucial role in absorbing about 33% of carbon dioxide emissions from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-news-plants-are-absorbing-more-human-produced-co2-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human activities</a>, a key factor in mitigating climate change impacts. 



The study employed the Breaks For Additive Seasonal and Trend (BFAST) method to detect abrupt changes and analyze the Enhanced Vegetation Index time series. 



This approach has shed light on how forests respond to various external pressures, providing critical insights into their dynamic nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asian-forests-response-to-climate-change-disturbances">Asian forests' response to climate change disturbances</h2>



"20% of forests in Asia's low and middle latitudes experienced disturbances between 2000 and 2022, with Southeast Asian countries being particularly affected," notes Yiying Zhu, an ecology master at Beijing Forestry University and the first author of the study.



Despite these challenges, 95% of the forests showed robust resilience and recovered from disturbances within a few decades.



Interestingly, Asian forests that faced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-play-an-overlooked-role-in-the-climate-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greater disturbances</a> tended to exhibit stronger resilience, recovering more rapidly than those with less severe impacts.



This suggests a promising capacity for these ecosystems to adapt to future extreme events driven by climate change or human activities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impacts-and-recovery-processes">Human impacts and recovery processes</h2>



The study further highlighted the causes and recovery processes of these disturbances. 



"Almost half of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/complex-canopies-help-forests-recover-from-disturbances/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest disturbances</a> were driven by commodity-driven deforestation, and it typically takes a forest ecosystem about 16.2 years to return to its pre-disturbance state," noted Prof. Hesong Wang, a global change ecology researcher.



These findings emphasize the significant effects of land-use changes due to human activities and underline the importance of understanding ecosystem recovery to mitigate forest damage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-technology-in-forest-conservation">The role of technology in forest conservation</h2>



The application of satellite remote sensing is pivotal in monitoring and managing forest ecosystems. 



"Satellite remote sensing provides valuable insights for sustainable forest management practices in the region and should be employed globally," stated Prof. Anzhi Zhang, an associate professor at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics.



This technology is instrumental in elucidating the relationship between disturbances and forest recovery, offering a powerful tool for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wealthy-nations-are-making-more-progress-toward-sustainable-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable management</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resilience-and-recovery-of-asian-forests">Resilience and recovery of Asian forests</h2>



The resilience demonstrated by Asian forests is a testament to their ability to withstand and recover from significant environmental disturbances. 



This research not only advances our understanding of forest ecology but also informs conservation strategies critical for preserving these vital ecosystems. 



The continued application of advanced technologies like satellite remote sensing will be crucial in these ongoing efforts, ensuring that Asian forests remain robust in the face of global environmental challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-forest-resilience-to-climate-change">Significance of forest resilience to climate change</h2>



Forest resilience holds immense significance. Resilient forests contribute to climate stability by absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide, mitigating global warming. 



Their ability to recover from disturbances ensures the continued provision of essential ecosystem services, such as water purification, soil stabilization, and habitat for biodiversity.



Additionally, resilient forests support local economies by sustaining resources for timber, medicine, and food, benefiting millions who rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods. 



They also act as natural buffers, reducing the impact of extreme weather events like floods and landslides, thus protecting human communities.



Understanding and enhancing forest resilience can inform better conservation strategies, promoting sustainable management practices. It encourages global cooperation to combat deforestation and climate change, ensuring these vital ecosystems thrive for future generations. 



Ultimately, resilient forests play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting life on Earth.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674283424000606?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters</a>.



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Many forests are proving to be resilient to both climate change and human actions

The resilience of Asian forests in the face of escalating...

Recent analyses have revealed surprising volcanic activity on Venus, challenging prior assumptions about its geological state. 



The discovery was made possible using data from NASA's Magellan mission, which provided comprehensive radar mapping of nearly the entire surface of Venus from 1990 to 1992. These detailed images have shown new rock formations likely caused by lava flows.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-findings-from-magellan-s-radar">Breakthrough findings from Magellan's radar</h2>



The Magellan spacecraft, managed by NASA’s <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> in Southern California, mapped 98% of Venus's surface, producing the most detailed images available.



Recent studies of these images have identified changes on the surface that suggest active lava flows at two significant locations. 



This builds on the groundbreaking 2023 discovery of changes at the Maat Mons volcano, providing the first direct evidence of recent volcanic activity on Venus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-evidence-of-active-volcanoes-on-venus">New evidence of active volcanoes on Venus</h2>



By comparing radar images taken at different times, scientists have observed increases in radar signal strength that point to the creation of new rock. 



Davide Sulcanese, lead researcher from <a href="https://en.unich.it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">d'Annunzio University</a> in Pescara, Italy, noted that Venus "may be far more volcanically active than previously thought."



His team used comparisons with Earth's lava flows to estimate the new rock depth, discovering substantial volumes of new material.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-confirming-volcanic-activity-on-venus">Confirming volcanic activity on Venus </h2>



The researchers analyzed additional data, including surface height measurements, to confirm that these changes were indeed due to volcanic activity.



Marco Mastrogiuseppe from <a href="https://www.uniroma1.it/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sapienza University of Rome</a> explained: "We interpret these signals as flows along slopes or volcanic plains that can deviate around obstacles like fluid."



The detailed analysis ruled out alternative explanations such as micro-dunes or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-organisms-may-be-transforming-the-clouds-around-venus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric effects</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-future-venus-exploration">Implications for future Venus exploration</h2>



Scott Hensley, senior research scientist at JPL and co-author of the 2023 study, emphasized the significance of these findings.



"This exciting work augments the vent change we reported last year and increases the excitement in the planetary science community for future missions to Venus," said Hensley.



These discoveries underscore the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/venus-has-lost-almost-all-of-its-water-but-why-did-it-disappear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamic nature</a> of Venus's geology and provide crucial data for upcoming missions like NASA's VERITAS.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-veritas-mission">The VERITAS mission</h2>



Scheduled for launch in the early 2030s, the VERITAS mission will employ advanced technologies to create 3D global maps and analyze the surface composition of Venus.



“These new discoveries of recent volcanic activity on Venus by our international colleagues provide compelling evidence of the kinds of regions we should target with VERITAS when it arrives at Venus,” said Suzanne Smrekar, a senior scientist at JPL and principal investigator for VERITAS.



“Our spacecraft will have a suite of approaches for identifying surface changes that are far more comprehensive and higher resolution than Magellan images. Evidence for activity, even in the lower-resolution Magellan data, supercharges the potential to revolutionize our understanding of this enigmatic world.”



The mission aims to enhance our understanding of Venus's geological processes and its distinct evolutionary path compared to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/venus-secret-past-may-have-implications-for-earths-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-dynamic-world-of-fire-and-mystery">A dynamic world of fire and mystery</h2>



These recent findings highlight the unexpected and ongoing volcanic activity on Venus, providing a glimpse into the planet's dynamic interior. 



As scientists continue to decipher these phenomena, the mysteries of Venus are slowly being unraveled, paving the way for future explorations that could reshape our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-hellish-planet-venus-can-help-us-find-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary science</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maat-mons">Maat Mons</h2>



Maat Mons is a large shield volcano on Venus. It is one of the highest mountains on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/venus-environment-could-support-certain-types-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a>, with an elevation of about eight kilometers above the mean surface level. 



The volcano is situated in the northern hemisphere of Venus, within a region known as Aphrodite Terra. The volcano is characterized by its large, irregular summit caldera, which measures about 28 kilometers in diameter and three kilometers deep. 



Maat Mons is particularly interesting because of the evidence suggesting recent volcanic activity. Radar imaging from spacecraft such as Magellan has revealed lava flows on the surface that may be only a few million years old, indicating that Maat Mons could still be an active volcano.&nbsp;



This ongoing activity may be due to the relatively young and thin crust in the region, allowing for easier magma ascent. Maat Mons has become a focal point for studies on planetary volcanism.



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Venus may have far more volcanic activity than we thought

Recent analyses have revealed surprising volcanic activity on Venus, challenging...

The ingenuity of ancient Egyptian medicine in treating a variety of ailments, including cancer, is well documented through historical texts and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-diets-early-humans-richer-berries-nuts-plants-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">archaeological discoveries</a>.



Known for their advanced medical techniques, the Egyptians excelled at addressing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychoactive-drug-relieves-symptoms-of-traumatic-brain-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">traumatic injuries</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reprogramming-the-immune-system-to-attack-cancer-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex diseases</a>.



They were pioneers in using prostheses and performing intricate procedures like dental fillings. However, their approach to more elusive conditions, such as cancer, continues to be a subject of fascination and study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-egyptians-treating-cancer">Ancient Egyptians treating cancer</h2>



A recent investigation into the medical practices of ancient Egyptians, led by researchers from the <a href="https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tübingen</a>, has shed light on their attempts to treat cancer.



The study examined two ancient skulls that reveal significant findings about the medical challenges and innovations of that era.



"Although ancient Egyptians had a grasp on treating complex cranial fractures, cancer was still a medical frontier barely touched upon by their knowledge," explained Tatiana Tondini, a researcher and the first author of the study.



These findings were published in a leading medical journal, adding a profound layer to our understanding of historical medical practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-from-the-skulls">Evidence from the skulls</h2>



The team's research centered around two skulls from the <a href="https://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/institutes-and-facilities-overview/duckworth-laboratory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge’s Duckworth Collection</a>.



The first skull, dated between 2687 and 2345 BCE, showed evidence of a neoplasm -- a big-sized lesion indicative of excessive tissue destruction, and multiple small, round metastasized lesions across the skull. 



Remarkably, around these lesions were cutmarks likely made by a sharp metal instrument.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ancient-egyptian-skull_4000-years-old_cancer-surgery_cutmarks_credit-Tondini_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ancient-egyptian-skull_4000-years-old_cancer-surgery_cutmarks_credit-Tondini_1s.jpg" alt="Cut marks found on 4000-year-old Egyptian skulls. Credit: Tondini" class="wp-image-1935757"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cut marks found on 4000-year-old Egyptian skulls. Credit: Tondini</figcaption></figure>



"When we first observed these cutmarks under the microscope, we were astonished," recounted Tondini. It appears that these early medical practitioners might have attempted some form of surgical intervention in response to cancerous growths.



"This discovery offers unique evidence of ancient Egyptian medicine's attempts to tackle or investigate cancer more than 4,000 years ago," added Prof Edgard Camarós, the study’s lead author and a noted paleopathologist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-through-the-ages">Cancer through the ages</h2>



The second skull, dating from between 663 and 343 BCE, belonged to a female over 50 years old and displayed a large lesion consistent with a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/holy-grail-molecule-can-kill-all-types-of-solid-cancer-tumors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancerous tumor</a>.



This skull also bore signs of healed traumatic injuries, possibly from a violent event involving a sharp weapon, suggesting that the individual had received treatment that led to recovery.



The presence of such injuries in a female skull raises intriguing questions about gender roles in ancient conflicts. 



"Was this female individual involved in warfare activities? If so, we must rethink the role of women in the past and their active participation in conflicts during antiquity," Tondini pointed out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-future-directions">Challenges and future directions</h2>



Despite these fascinating insights, the researchers caution that <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ancient-egyptian-skull_4000-years-old_cancer-surgery_credit-Tondini_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studying skeletal remains</a> presents significant challenges.



The incomplete nature of remains and the absence of clinical history often complicate definitive conclusions.



"In archaeology, we work with a fragmented portion of the past, which complicates an accurate approach," emphasized Prof Albert Isidro, a co-author and surgical oncologist who specializes in Egyptology.



Nevertheless, this study not only enriches our understanding of ancient medical practices but also establishes a promising foundation for future research in the field of paleo-oncology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-ancient-egyptian-cancer-treatments">Exploring ancient Egyptian cancer treatments</h2>



This study not only highlights the experimental nature of ancient Egyptian medical practices but also underscores the continuity of human curiosity and endeavor across millennia in understanding and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-type-of-sugar-that-kills-honeybees-could-help-fight-cancer/">combating cancer</a>.



"More studies will be needed to untangle how ancient societies dealt with cancer," concluded Camarós, pointing towards an encouraging future for research in this intriguing area of study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-evidence-on-ancient-cancer-treatments">More evidence on ancient cancer treatments</h2>



Ancient cancer treatments extended beyond Egypt, with varied approaches across different cultures. The Edwin Smith Papyrus, an Egyptian medical text, mentions treatments for tumors using cauterization and poultices. 



However, the understanding of cancer was rudimentary, and it was often attributed to supernatural causes.



In ancient Greece, Hippocrates referred to cancer as "karkinos," suggesting surgical removal as a potential treatment. 



Galen, a Roman physician, believed in balancing bodily humors and used dietary changes and herbal remedies to treat cancer symptoms.



In India, ancient texts like the Sushruta Samhita discussed surgical techniques for removing tumors, while Ayurveda prescribed herbal treatments and lifestyle changes to manage the disease.



Traditional Chinese Medicine viewed cancer as a result of energy imbalances, treating it with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary adjustments.



Although these early efforts lacked the precision of modern medicine, they laid the groundwork for understanding and addressing cancer, highlighting humanity's enduring quest to combat this disease.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1371645/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Medicine</a>.



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4000-year-old skulls reveal ancient Egyptian attempts at cancer treatment

The ingenuity of ancient Egyptian medicine in treating a variety...

Human,Cell,Biology,Dna,Strands,And,Virus,Molecular,Structure,Illustration

Have you ever wondered if there's something hidden deep inside that is influencing our mental well-being? What if I told you the answer might lie not in our present experiences, but in remnants of ancient viral infections buried within our DNA? 



A new study from <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King's College London</a> has unearthed a fascinating connection between these "fossil viruses" and mental disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viral-code-for-mental-disorders-in-dna">Viral code for mental disorders in DNA</h2>



Imagine our ancient ancestors, facing viral infections hundreds of thousands of years ago. While their bodies fought these infections, tiny fragments of the viruses' genetic code became embedded within their DNA. 



These fragments, called Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), were passed down through generations and now make up a significant portion of our own genetic makeup. 



For a long time, scientists believed that these HERVs were merely remnants of past infections, serving no purpose in our bodies.



However, recent advancements in the field of genomics have allowed us to explore these sequences in greater detail, revealing potential links between HERV activity and certain psychiatric disorders. 



This research suggests that HERVs, once dismissed as "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/junk-dna-may-set-humans-apart-from-chimpanzees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junk DNA</a>," may actually play a role in influencing our mental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-circadian-disturbances-trigger-mental-health-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-the-junk-dna-narrative">Rewriting the "junk DNA" narrative</h2>



"This study uses a novel and robust approach to assess how genetic susceptibility for psychiatric disorders imparts its effects on the expression of ancient viral sequences present in the modern human genome," explains Dr. Timothy Powell, a senior author of the study.



"Our results suggest that these viral sequences probably play a more important role in the human brain than originally thought, with specific HERV expression profiles being associated with an increased susceptibility for some psychiatric disorders."



In other words, these ancient viral remnants might be actively influencing our brains and potentially increasing our risk for certain mental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supportive-adults-help-protect-children-from-mental-health-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">illnesses</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viral-genes-in-mental-disorders">Viral genes in mental disorders</h2>



To unravel this mystery, the researchers analyzed genetic data from tens of thousands of individuals, both with and without mental health <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-disorders-can-be-contagious-among-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>. 



They also examined brain samples from 800 individuals to see how variations in DNA associated with psychiatric disorders affected HERV expression.



What they discovered was remarkable: while most genetic risk factors for mental illness impacted genes with known functions, some specifically targeted the expression of HERVs. 



The team identified five distinct HERV expression patterns linked to psychiatric disorders:



<ul>
<li>Two associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/owning-a-cat-before-age-25-doubles-the-risk-of-schizophrenia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">schizophrenia</a></li>



<li>One associated with both schizophrenia and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-changes-bipolar-disorder/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bipolar disorder</a></li>



<li>One associated with depression</li>
</ul>



"We know that psychiatric disorders have a substantial genetic component, with many parts of the genome incrementally contributing to susceptibility," notes Dr. Rodrigo Duarte, the study's first author.



According to Duarte, they were able to investigate parts of the genome corresponding to HERVs, which led to the identification of five sequences that are relevant to psychiatric disorders. 



"Whilst it is not clear yet how these HERVs affect brain cells to confer this increase in risk, our findings suggest that their expression regulation is important for brain function," Duarte concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viral-frontier-in-mental-disorders-research">Viral frontier in mental disorders research</h2>



While we don't yet know exactly how these ancient viruses affect brain cells or contribute to mental illness, this research opens a whole new avenue for exploration. It suggests that these "fossil viruses" could play a more significant role in human health than we ever imagined.



"Further research is needed to understand the exact function of most HERVs, including those identified in our study," notes Dr. Douglas Nixon, another senior author. 



Nixon believes that a better understanding of these ancient viruses, and the known genes implicated in psychiatric disorders, have the potential to revolutionize mental health research and lead to novel ways to treat or diagnose these conditions.



Could these ancient viral sequences hold the key to developing new treatments or diagnostic tools for mental disorders? It's a tantalizing possibility. 



Imagine being able to pinpoint individuals at higher risk for certain mental illnesses based on their unique HERV expression profiles. Or even developing therapies that target these viral remnants to alleviate symptoms.



The research is still in its early stages, but the implications are profound. By delving into our evolutionary past, we may unlock a deeper understanding of our mental health present and future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48153-z">Nature Communications</a>.



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Ancient viral infections may lurk in DNA and cause mental disorders

Have you ever wondered if there's something hidden deep inside...

In a fascinating discovery, researchers have found that during sleep, some brain cells not only replay recent experiences but also prepare for future ones.&nbsp;



The research suggests that precognitive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-dreams-influence-our-perceptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dreams</a>, or dreams that predict the future, may be more than just a coincidence. The brain may actually anticipate upcoming experiences.



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



The study, conducted by researchers from <a href="https://www.rice.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rice University</a> and the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a>, was focused on sleep and learning. It offers new insights into how the hippocampus of rats stabilizes and tunes spatial representations after they navigate a maze for the first time.



“Certain neurons fire in response to specific stimuli,” said study co-author Professor Kamran Diba. “Neurons in the visual cortex fire when presented with the appropriate visual stimulus. The neurons we’re studying show place preferences.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-experiences-and-memory-storage">New experiences and memory storage</h2>



The experts investigated how these specialized neurons form representations of the world post-experience. They focused on sharp wave ripples, a pattern of neuronal activation crucial for consolidating new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-helps-the-brain-consolidate-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memories</a> and tagging parts of new experiences for memory storage. 



"For the first time, we have observed individual neurons stabilizing spatial representations during rest periods," noted Rice neuroscientist Caleb Kemere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-and-memory-consolidation-nbsp">Sleep and memory consolidation&nbsp;</h2>



The connection between sleep and learning has been gradually understood over many years, with significant advancements in the 20th century.&nbsp;



Research in the early 1900s began to explore sleep’s impact on cognitive functions and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-breathing-impacts-memory-formation-during-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory consolidation</a>. 



However, it wasn't until the latter half of the 20th century that more detailed studies, using EEGs and other tools, began to clearly demonstrate sleep’s critical role in consolidating memories and learning.



This link is demonstrated by improved memory test performance following sleep compared to periods of wakefulness or sleep deprivation.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-replays-experiences-during-sleep">Brain replays experiences during sleep</h2>



Previous research has also shown that neurons in the brains of sleeping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-needed-sleep-before-they-even-had-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> replay their exploration paths, helping to transform new experiences into stable memories. In the current study, the researchers sought to explore this phenomenon further.



“We imagined that some neurons might change their representations - reflecting the experience we’ve all had of waking up with a new understanding of a problem,” said Kemere.&nbsp;



“Showing this, however, required that we track how individual neurons achieve spatial tuning, i.e., the process by which the brain learns to navigate a new route or environment.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-activity-spikes-in-individual-neurons-nbsp">Activity spikes in individual neurons&nbsp;</h2>



The team trained rats to run on a raised track for liquid rewards and monitored spikes of individual neurons in the hippocampus.



By analyzing the average spiking rate, they estimated each neuron's place field - the specific area in the environment that a neuron “cared” about the most.



“The critical point here is that place fields are estimated using the behavior of the animal,” explained Kemere, noting the complexity of measuring place fields during rest.



“I’ve been thinking for a long time about how we can evaluate the preferences of neurons outside of the maze, such as during sleep,” said Diba. “We addressed this challenge by relating the activity of each individual neuron to the activity of all the other neurons.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-preferences-of-brain-cells-nbsp">Tracking the preferences of brain cells&nbsp;</h2>



This innovative approach led to a statistical machine learning method that predicted where the animal dreamed it was, allowing estimation of each neuron's spatial tuning during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-birds-dream-of-flying-scientists-say-they-now-know-the-answer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dreams</a>.



“The ability to track the preferences of neurons even without a stimulus was an important breakthrough for us,” said Diba.



Both Diba and Kemere praised Kourosh Maboudi, a postdoctoral researcher at Michigan and the study's lead author, for his role in developing this method.



The machine learning technique confirmed that the spatial representations formed during new experiences are stable across several hours of post-experience sleep. However, just as the researchers expected, there was more to the story.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-future-experiences-during-sleep">Predicting future experiences during sleep</h2>



“The thing that I loved the most about this research and the reason that I was so excited about it is finding that it’s not necessarily the case that during sleep the only thing these neurons do is to stabilize a memory of the experience,” said Kemere. “It turns out some neurons end up doing something else.”



“We can see these other changes occurring during sleep, and when we put the animals back in the environment a second time, we can validate that these changes really do reflect something that was learned while the animals were asleep. It’s as if the second exposure to the space actually happens while the animal is sleeping.”



This represents a direct observation of neuroplasticity occurring during sleep. Kemere noted that while most plasticity research examines waking periods, this study highlights the brain's ability to rewire and form new representations during sleep.



The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health. The findings are published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07397-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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The sleeping brain may predict future experiences

In a fascinating discovery, researchers have found that during sleep,...

For decades,&nbsp;the fiery moon Io has tantalized astronomers with its explosive volcanic activity.&nbsp;This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amalthea-jupiter-tiny-moon-captured-juno-spacecraft/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">distant world</a>,&nbsp;orbiting Jupiter,&nbsp;offers insights into the early,&nbsp;volatile period of our own solar system's history.&nbsp;



But until now,&nbsp;getting a truly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brilliant-new-images-of-jupiters-moon-io-captured-by-juno-spacecraft/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clear picture of Io</a> from Earth has been a challenge.&nbsp;New images from a telescope in Arizona,&nbsp;however,&nbsp;are changing the game.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-eye-on-the-solar-system">New eye on the solar system</h2>



The Large Binocular Telescope (<a href="https://www.lbto.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LBT</a>) on Mount Graham in Arizona isn't your average Earth-based stargazing tool.&nbsp;



Equipped with a cutting-edge instrument called <a href="https://sites.google.com/inaf.it/shark-vis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SHARK-VIS</a> and an adaptive optics system to counteract atmospheric blurriness,&nbsp;the LBT has recently captured the sharpest images of Io ever taken from Earth.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/io_jupiter-moon_shark-vis_berkeley_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">These images are so detailed</a>, they rival those taken by spacecraft that have actually journeyed to Jupiter. We're talking about seeing features as small as 50 miles across -- the equivalent of spotting a dime from 100 miles away.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-details-on-jupiter-s-moon-io">Details on Jupiter's moon Io</h2>



"The visible light images are really incredible,"&nbsp;says Imke de Pater,&nbsp;a professor emerita of astronomy at the <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California,&nbsp;Berkeley</a>.&nbsp;De Pater has spent much of her career studying Io,&nbsp;primarily using infrared telescopes.&nbsp;



While infrared provides valuable data on heat signatures (like lava flows),&nbsp;the detail is limited.&nbsp;The LBT's new images,&nbsp;on the other hand,&nbsp;reveal the moon's topography and landscapes in a way that hasn't been possible from Earth before.



Jupiter's moon lo is the most volcanically active body in our entire solar system.&nbsp;Its surface is a constantly changing canvas of eruptions,&nbsp;lava flows,&nbsp;and colorful deposits.&nbsp;The LBT's images offer a front-row seat to this geological mayhem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dueling-volcanoes-of-jupiter-s-moon">Dueling volcanoes of Jupiter's moon</h2>



One of the most exciting revelations from the new images involves two of Io's most prominent volcanoes,&nbsp;Pele and Pillan Patera.&nbsp;



According to Ashley Davies,&nbsp;a principal scientist at NASA's <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a>,&nbsp;the images show a resurfacing event where deposits from Pillan Patera are covering over Pele's plume deposits.&nbsp;



This kind of volcanic interaction was previously only observed by the Galileo spacecraft that orbited Jupiter. "Before SHARK-VIS, such resurfacing events were impossible to observe from Earth,"&nbsp;Davies notes.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/io_jupiter-moon_cross-section-interior_berkeley_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/io_jupiter-moon_cross-section-interior_berkeley_1s.jpg" alt="Cross section diagram of the interior of Jupiter's volcanic moon, Io. Credit: UBerkeley" class="wp-image-1935739"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cross section diagram of the interior of Jupiter's volcanic moon, Io. Credit: UBerkeley</figcaption></figure>



These observations help scientists understand the complex interplay of forces within Io,&nbsp;the movement of magma beneath its surface,&nbsp;and the tidal heating process responsible for its intense volcanic activity.



Io's fiery nature is due to a constant gravitational tug-of-war with Jupiter and two of its other large moons,&nbsp;Europa and Ganymede.&nbsp;This squeezing action generates immense heat within Io,&nbsp;fueling its volcanic activity.



“Io, therefore, presents a unique opportunity to learn about the mighty eruptions that helped shape the surfaces of Earth and the moon in their distant pasts,”&nbsp;notes Al Conrad,&nbsp;an associate staff scientist at the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory and the lead author of a paper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-era-of-planetary-observation">New era of planetary observation</h2>



The SHARK-VIS instrument,&nbsp;developed by the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics,&nbsp;is ushering in a new era of high-resolution imaging from Earth.&nbsp;Its ability to freeze the blurring effects of Earth's atmosphere allows for unprecedented clarity.



"The keen vision of SHARK-VIS is particularly suited to observing the surfaces of many solar system bodies -- not only the moons of giant planets, but also asteroids,"&nbsp;says Simone Antoniucci,&nbsp;the instrument scientist for SHARK-VIS.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/io_jupiter-moon_pele-volcano-closeup-comparison_shark-vis_berkeley_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/io_jupiter-moon_pele-volcano-closeup-comparison_shark-vis_berkeley_1s.jpg" alt="Pele, Pillan Patera and Loki Patera volcanoes on Io. Credit: UBerkeley" class="wp-image-1935747"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pele, Pillan Patera and Loki Patera volcanoes on Io. Credit: UBerkeley</figcaption></figure>



These new images of Io are not just a stunning achievement in telescope technology; they're a window into the dynamic and violent processes that have shaped worlds throughout our solar system – including our own.&nbsp;



As we continue to explore the cosmos,&nbsp;both near and far,&nbsp;it's clear that our ability to see and understand is only getting sharper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-interesting-facts-on-jupiter-s-moon-io">Other interesting facts on Jupiter's moon Io</h2>



Jupiter's moon Io, the most volcanically active body in the solar system, boasts over 400 active volcanoes. Discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610, Io's surface is dotted with volcanic pits and lava flows, constantly reshaping its landscape. 



This intense volcanic activity is driven by the immense gravitational forces exerted by Jupiter and its other large moons, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/europa-clipper-will-deliver-a-message-to-one-of-jupiters-moons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jupiters-moon-ganymede-has-huge-internal-ocean-and-salty-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ganymede</a>, which cause tidal heating in Io's interior. This process generates enough heat to maintain a subsurface layer of molten rock.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/jupiter-moon-Io_juno-mission_color-closeup_credit-NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/jupiter-moon-Io_juno-mission_color-closeup_credit-NASA_1s.jpg" alt="Jupiter's volcanic moon, Io, captured by Juno. Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1935742"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jupiter's volcanic moon, Io, captured by Juno. Credit: NASA</figcaption></figure>



The moon's vivid colors, ranging from yellow to red and black, result from various sulfur compounds ejected by its volcanoes. These eruptions also contribute to Io's thin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-life-may-exist-on-one-of-jupiters-moons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere</a>, composed mainly of sulfur dioxide. 



Io's dynamic environment offers valuable insights into planetary geology and volcanic processes, making it a fascinating object of study for scientists seeking to understand the solar system's history and the mechanics of other volcanic worlds.



The researchers will publish the images next week in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.19604" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Lava trails captured on Jupiter's volcanic moon Io in new images taken from Earth

For decades,&nbsp;the fiery moon Io has tantalized astronomers with its...

A recent genetic study led by the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Helsinki</a> has found that heavy fishing at the beginning of the fishing season may result in younger Atlantic salmon that are smaller in size. 



This discovery is vital for conserving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/leaving-big-fish-in-the-ocean-greatly-reduces-co2-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large fish</a>, which are essential for the diversity and sustainability of salmon populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-salmon-genetic-variant-nbsp">Large salmon genetic variant&nbsp;</h2>



Atlantic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-unpredictable-effects-on-salmon-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salmon</a> are typically caught during their spawning migration. The study, focusing on wild salmon in the northern Baltic Sea, revealed that early-season fishing predominantly targets salmon carrying a “large salmon genetic variant.” 



This variant is responsible for guiding salmon to grow larger and mature at an older age - an important trait for both the viability of salmon stocks and the fishing industry.



Genetic analyses of thousands of wild salmon caught between 1928 and 2020 by fisheries from the northern Baltic Sea showed that fishers consistently caught salmon with the large salmon variant more frequently in the early part of the fishing season, regardless of the year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-of-fishing-impacts-salmon-size">Timing of fishing impacts salmon size</h2>



“This finding suggests that the timing of fishing may cause evolutionary changes in the age and size that Atlantic salmon reach before maturation. Intensive fishing, especially in the early fishing season, may lead to the 'large salmon variant' becoming rarer and to salmon spawning at a younger age and smaller size,” explained lead author Antti Miettinen, a biologist at the University of Helsinki.



Such evolutionary impacts, resulting in fewer large salmon, would negatively affect the diversity and viability of salmon populations and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-fleets-hidden-industrial-fishing-activity-exposed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fishing industry</a>, which values large catches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-induced-evolutionary-selection-pressures-nbsp">Human-induced evolutionary selection pressures&nbsp;</h2>



The results of the study are crucial for understanding how human-induced evolutionary selection pressures, such as fishing, can affect wild fish populations and their important traits.&nbsp;



The largest wild Baltic salmon stock spawns in the Tornio and Kalix Rivers in northern Finland and Sweden and holds high ecological and societal value. The researchers found that early-season fishing at sea and in the Tornio River targeted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decline-in-atlantic-salmon-linked-to-humans-and-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salmon</a> from upstream sites in the river system more often than fishing later in the season.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-impacts-of-fishing-on-salmon">Evolutionary impacts of fishing on salmon</h2>



“Fishing in the early part of the fishing season targets salmon that spawn in the headwaters of these rivers, which should be accounted for in fisheries management to ensure the viability of these salmon populations,” Miettinen explained.



“By analyzing the genetics of samples collected across the northern Baltic over many decades, this study shows how human activities could cause evolutionary changes in wild salmon populations,” said senior author Victoria Pritchard, a biologist at the <a href="https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Highlands and Islands</a>.



“This study is a fantastic example of using genetic approaches to answer important questions about the conservation and management of biodiversity. The genetic tools designed during this project can be used to monitor the future impacts of fishing regimen changes.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atlantic-salmon-nbsp">Atlantic salmon&nbsp;</h2>



Atlantic salmon is a species primarily found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and rivers that flow into this ocean. These fish are anadromous, meaning they hatch in freshwater, migrate to the ocean as they grow, and then return to freshwater to spawn.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-life-cycle">Unique life cycle</h3>



The life cycle of Atlantic salmon makes them unique among many fish species because of this long <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-unpredictable-effects-on-salmon-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migration</a>, which can be quite arduous and fraught with hazards, from natural predators to human-made obstacles like dams.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-appearance-nbsp">Appearance&nbsp;</h3>



Their appearance is distinctive, with a silver-flanked body during their ocean phase and darker, more pronounced coloring when they return to spawn.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigation">Navigation</h3>



Atlantic salmon are also known for their ability to “leap” upriver, a necessary skill to navigate upstream to their spawning grounds.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-role-nbsp">Ecological role&nbsp;</h3>



Historically, Atlantic salmon have been a vital part of both the ecosystem and regional economies, supporting commercial and recreational fishing industries.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-population-decline-nbsp">Population decline&nbsp;</h3>



However, their populations have faced significant declines due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution, leading to strict regulations and conservation efforts in many areas they inhabit.&nbsp;



These efforts include hatchery programs and habitat restoration projects to support their numbers and maintain their role in the biodiversity of their native regions.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/eva.13690" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evolutionary Applications</a>.



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Early-season fishing may shrink the size of salmon

A recent genetic study led by the University of Helsinki...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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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

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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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 history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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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.

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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 capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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