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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

February's full Moon will light up the sky on the morning of Saturday, February 24, 2024, offering a celestial spectacle known as the Snow Moon. This particular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/suicide-rate-increases-during-the-week-of-a-full-moon/">full moon</a> is classified as a "Micromoon," a term that contrasts with the more commonly known "supermoon."



The micromoon occurs when the full moon is at apogee, or its farthest point from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-earth-discovered-in-the-habitable-zone-of-its-star/">Earth</a>, making it appear slightly smaller in the sky compared to when it's at its closest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-this-snow-moon-is-a-micromoon">This "Snow Moon" is a Micromoon</h2>



The name "Snow Moon" comes from the traditional naming conventions that reflect the seasonal characteristics or activities of the time. February, often being the peak month for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-loss-increases-snowfall-over-west-antarctica/">snowfall</a> in many parts of the United States, earns the full moon of this month its chilly moniker.&nbsp;



This naming practice draws from a variety of sources, including Native American, Colonial American, and European traditions, which often named the lunar months after natural events or societal activities occurring at that time.



For instance, in the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver, during a visit at the&nbsp;Dakota reservation, wrote that the name used for this period was the Snow Moon, “because more snow commonly falls during this month than any other in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reindeer-use-ultraviolet-vision-to-find-food-in-the-winter/">winter</a>.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternative-names">Alternative names</h2>



The Snow Moon's alternative names also reveal a lot about the month of February. For example, it is also known as the Bald Eagle Moon, Eagle Moon (Cree), Bear Moon (Ojibwe), Black Bear Moon (Tlingit), Raccoon Moon (Dakota), Groundhog Moon (Algonquin), and Goose Moon (Haida) in various cultures, highlighting the connection to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-did-the-first-animals-appear-on-earth-we-are-now-one-step-closer-to-knowing-the-answer/">animal world</a> and the natural cycles of life during this period.&nbsp;



Additionally, names like the Bony Moon and Hungry Moon (Cherokee) underscore the scarcity of food resources that communities historically faced at this time of year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-captivating-event">Captivating event</h2>



For those eager to catch a glimpse of this wintry full moon, it's advisable to look towards the sky on the night of Friday, February 23, or after sunset on Saturday, February 24. The Snow Moon will rise in the east and reach its zenith around midnight, offering a splendid view, despite its micromoon status.&nbsp;



While the reduced size and brightness might not be evident to the naked eye due to the Moon Illusion, the event still promises to be a captivating sight for moon gazers everywhere.



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



As discussed above, a Micromoon, an intriguing celestial event, occurs when the moon is at its apogee, the farthest point from Earth in its elliptical orbit. 



This astronomical occurrence contrasts with the more widely recognized "Supermoon," where the moon appears larger and brighter in the sky due to its proximity to Earth. 



During a Micromoon, the moon appears slightly smaller and dimmer to observers on Earth, offering a unique visual experience.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-micromoons-affect-humans">How Micromoons affect humans</h3>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visual-differences">Visual Differences</h4>



The visual impact of a Micromoon is subtle yet noticeable. When compared to a Supermoon, a Micromoon may appear up to 14% smaller and 30% less bright. 



This size and brightness difference can significantly affect how we perceive the moon, especially when photographed next to landmarks or the horizon.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-and-scientific-significance">Cultural and Scientific Significance</h4>



Micromoons hold a special place in both cultural traditions and scientific study. Various cultures interpret the appearance of a Micromoon through myths and legends, often seeing it as a sign of change or a symbol of humility. 



Scientifically, Micromoons provide astronomers and astrophotographers a different perspective on lunar observation, enabling detailed studies of the moon's surface and its relation to Earth.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-practices-for-viewing-micromoons">Best practices for viewing micromoons</h3>



To experience a Micromoon, find a location away from city lights with a clear view of the sky. Although the differences are less pronounced than those of a Supermoon, using binoculars or a telescope can enhance the viewing experience, allowing observers to appreciate the moon's reduced size and brightness.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-micromoons">Predicting Micromoons</h3>



Micromoons occur periodically throughout the year, usually coinciding with the moon's apogee once every month. However, not all apogees result in a Micromoon. 



For a Micromoon to be officially recognized, it must also coincide with the full moon phase, making these events somewhat rarer and more special to witness.



In summary, micromoons invite us to look up and notice the subtle nuances of our natural satellite. These celestial events encourage both amateur stargazers and professional astronomers to explore the night sky with renewed interest and curiosity. 



By understanding and appreciating the phenomenon of Micromoons, we can deepen our connection to the cosmos and the ever-changing nature of our celestial surroundings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-myths-and-legends-about-full-moons">Myths and legends about full moons</h2>



Full moon myths and legends span across cultures and history, reflecting humanity's fascination and awe for the night sky. The full moon has often been associated with magic, transformation, and mystery, serving as a backdrop for various stories and beliefs.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-werewolves">Werewolves</h3>



In many cultures, the full moon is linked to werewolves, creatures who transform from humans into wolves. This legend is prevalent in European folklore, where it's believed that a person bitten by a werewolf or under a certain curse can become a werewolf themselves, especially during a full moon.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-native-american-folklore">Native American folklore</h3>



In Native American folklore, the full moon is often associated with spiritual significance and the timing of rituals. For example, some people believe that the full moon brings a time of cleansing and renewal, and they conduct ceremonies to honor it.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asian-cultures">Asian cultures</h3>



In Asia, the Moon Rabbit or Jade Rabbit is a popular mythological figure in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cultures. According to legend, this rabbit lives on the moon and is seen pounding the elixir of life for the immortals, or in some versions, pounding the ingredients for rice cake. This myth is celebrated during the Mid-Autumn Festival, where mooncakes are eaten in homage to the lunar deity.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greek-mythology">Greek mythology</h3>



The ancient Greeks associated the full moon with Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and childbirth. Artemis was believed to illuminate the night sky with her beauty and was revered during the full moon.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-madness-and-lunacy-nbsp">Madness and lunacy&nbsp;</h3>



In many cultures, the full moon is also linked to madness and lunacy, a belief so strong that it even influenced the English language. The term "lunacy" is derived from Luna, the Roman goddess of the moon. Despite scientific studies debunking the correlation between the full moon and erratic behavior, the notion persists in popular culture.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-moon-s-influence">The moon's influence</h3>



The full moon's influence on human behavior, fertility, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-carbon-footprint-urban-farms-and-agriculture/">agriculture</a> is another widespread belief. Some farmers still follow moon phases for planting and harvesting, adhering to ancient practices that suggest crops sown during certain lunar phases grow better.



These myths and legends, while varying greatly across different cultures, underscore the moon's universal appeal and its powerful place in human imagination and spirituality.



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"Micromoon" celestial event will dazzle the skies tonight

February's full Moon will light up the sky on the...

Once vibrant and sprawling, coral reefs are now shrinking at an alarming pace. Imagine an entire state like Georgia losing all of its trees in just a few decades - that's the devastating speed at which coral reefs are vanishing.



However, a recent discovery by leading scientist Mark Hay and his colleague Cody Clements from <a href="https://gatech.edu/node/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Georgia Institute of Technology</a> offers a glimmer of hope. The experts have identified an unexpected, yet crucial factor in the health and survival of coral reefs: sea cucumbers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underwater-rainforests">Underwater rainforests</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-coral-reefs-crackle-with-the-sounds-of-busy-inhabitants/">Coral reefs</a>, also known as underwater rainforests, support a vast array of marine creatures and shield coastlines from storms and erosion. However, these vital resources are declining due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Experts emphasize the need for their conservation.&nbsp;



“It’s like if all the pine trees in Georgia disappeared over a period of 30 to 40 years,” said Hay. “Just imagine how that affects biodiversity and ecosystems of the ocean.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-reefs-and-sea-cucumbers">Coral reefs and sea cucumbers</h2>



While often overlooked, sea cucumbers play a crucial role in keeping coral reefs healthy and stable. These creatures, resembling soft, leathery cucumbers, are found on the ocean floor all over the world.&nbsp;



Sea cucumbers belong to the same group as starfish and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-identify-the-parasite-causing-mass-mortality-in-sea-urchins/">sea urchins</a>, known as echinoderms. Their primary function is to break down debris and recycle nutrients, a critical process for maintaining healthy and balanced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-stress-causes-undetected-changes-in-marine-ecosystems/">marine ecosystems</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-removal-of-sea-cucumbers">Removal of sea cucumbers</h2>



The scientists conducted a unique experiment in French Polynesia and Palmyra Atoll. They carefully removed sea cucumbers from specific areas of the reef, while leaving other areas untouched. This allowed the team to directly compare the health of corals with and without the presence of sea cucumbers.&nbsp;



By studying the consequences of removing these creatures, the researchers gained insights into their role in protecting corals from disease and death. The experiment was designed to closely resemble natural conditions, ensuring that the results accurately reflect the true impact of sea cucumbers on coral reef health.&nbsp;



The study revealed the important, but often underestimated, role sea cucumbers play in protecting coral reefs from disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decrease-in-coral-reefs">Decrease in coral reefs</h2>



The experts found that coral reefs where sea cucumbers have been removed experience much higher rates of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-oceans-intensify-viruses-that-kill-coral-reefs/">coral disease</a> and death.&nbsp;



Sea cucumbers play a vital role in keeping the sand and soil around coral reefs clean. They act like natural vacuum cleaners, eating bits of dead plants and animal waste that sink to the bottom. This constant cleaning helps prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria and other substances that could harm the coral.&nbsp;



The study shows that by removing these potentially harmful materials, sea cucumbers help create a healthier environment for the coral to thrive, making them less likely to get sick.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recycling-nutrients">Recycling nutrients</h2>



Sea cucumbers aren't just reef janitors; they're crucial for keeping the entire ecosystem healthy. They act like recyclers by eating dead plants and animals on the seafloor. Inside their bodies, these materials are broken down and transformed into essential nutrients. These nutrients are then released back into the water, functioning like fertilizer for the diverse creatures living in the reef.



Without sea cucumbers, the reef faces a double threat. First, the absence of their cleaning action allows organic matter to accumulate, leading to the growth of harmful bacteria and substances that can damage the corals. Second, the missing link in the nutrient cycle creates an imbalance.&nbsp;



Without sea cucumbers converting organic matter into usable nutrients, the reef loses its nutritional foundation, impacting the overall well-being and diversity of life in the ecosystem. This can affect not only the corals themselves, but everything that depends on them for survival.



“If you remove all the scum suckers in the great fish tank of Earth, you’re going to get a dirty tank eventually,” said Clements. “People have paid lip service to the idea that sea cucumbers could be important for a long time, but we didn’t know the scale of their importance until now.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threat-of-extinction-nbsp">Threat of extinction&nbsp;</h2>



The study reveals a worrying issue: sea cucumber populations, once plentiful in many regions, are now decreasing rapidly due to being caught in large numbers.&nbsp;



The high demand for sea cucumbers in certain foods and traditional medicine has led to a significant drop in their numbers. Sea cucumbers are a crucial food source for many marine animals, and their disappearance would cause a ripple effect throughout the food chain, potentially leading to population decline in other species. This would ultimately reduce the variety of life in the ocean (biodiversity).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-cucumber-conservation-nbsp">Sea cucumber conservation&nbsp;</h2>



Sea cucumbers are crucial to healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-atlantic-ocean-may-soon-enter-its-declining-phase/">oceans</a>, but they face threats from overharvesting.&nbsp; “If we don’t cut back on pollution, if we don’t cut back on overharvesting, and if we don’t cut back on global warming, there isn’t much hope. It’s a challenge, but you can either give up and go home, or you can keep working on it,” said Dr. Clements.&nbsp;



To ensure their survival and protect marine ecosystems, we need to take several steps. We must regulate how many sea cucumbers can be caught to prevent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-is-a-major-threat-to-coral-reef-fish/">overfishing</a>.&nbsp;



In addition, the creation of marine protected areas would establish specific areas of the ocean where sea cucumbers could thrive without being disturbed. Furthermore, adopting sustainable trade practices - which prioritize responsible harvesting and consumption - is essential.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45730-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Sea cucumbers protect coral reefs from disease and death

Once vibrant and sprawling, coral reefs are now shrinking at...

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, our solar system might seem like a mere speck, yet it continues to reveal new wonders. Recently, astronomers announced the discovery of three additional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-four-uranus-moons-may-have-oceans-that-are-miles-deep/">moons</a>: two in orbit around Neptune and one circling Uranus.&nbsp;



Uranus and Neptune, the solar system's ice giants, are composed primarily of a dense fluid of icy materials such as water, methane, and ammonia, above a small rocky core.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-perspective-nbsp">A new perspective&nbsp;</h2>



Recent imagery has corrected misconceptions about their appearance, showing that both planets are more similar in color than previously thought. Contrary to the deep blue images captured by Voyager 2, Neptune's true color is a pale bluish-green, closely resembling Uranus, and offering a new perspective on these distant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-finds-17-exoplanets-that-have-oceans-and-possibly-alien-life/">worlds</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-new-moons-nbsp">Three new moons&nbsp;</h2>



The newly identified moon of Uranus, which is the first discovery of its kind in over two decades, is believed to be the planet's smallest, with a diameter of merely five miles. The discoveries at Neptune include the dimmest moon ever detected with ground-based telescopes.



With these findings, Neptune's tally of moons increases to 16, and Uranus' count to 28, though these numbers pale in comparison to the moon collections of Jupiter and Saturn, the solar system's largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trillions-of-rogue-planets-may-be-wandering-alone-in-our-galaxy/">planets</a>, which boast 95 and 146 moons, respectively, with numbers that continue to grow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-special-image-processing-nbsp">Special image processing&nbsp;</h2>



The team, led by Dr. Scott S. Sheppard from the <a href="https://carnegiescience.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carnegie Institution for Science</a>, identified these celestial bodies orbiting the solar system's two furthest planets, more than 30 million miles away.&nbsp;



"The three newly discovered moons are the faintest ever found around these two ice giant planets using ground-based telescopes," Sheppard said. "It took special image processing to reveal such faint objects."&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smallest-moon-of-uranus-nbsp">Smallest moon of Uranus&nbsp;</h2>



The Uranian moon, temporarily named S/2023 U1, awaits a permanent name that will align with the tradition of naming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-photo-of-uranus-and-its-rings-and-moons-captured-by-the-webb-telescope/">Uranus</a>' moons after characters from Shakespeare's works. 



Dr. Sheppard, utilizing the Magellan telescopes at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile, first observed this moon in November of the previous year. The moon, approximately five miles in diameter, orbits Uranus every 680 days, making it potentially the smallest moon of Uranus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neptune-s-moons">Neptune's moons</h2>



The brighter of the two new Neptunian moons, provisionally named S/2002 N5, discovered using the same telescope, measures about 14 miles across and completes an orbit in nearly nine years.&nbsp;



The other, a dimmer moon named S/2021 N1, discovered with the Subaru telescope in Hawaii, has a diameter of approximately 8.5 miles and an orbital period of nearly 27 years. These moons will eventually be named after one of the 50 Nereid sea goddesses from Greek mythology, following naming conventions for Neptunian moons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-more-moons-remain-undetected">Many more moons remain undetected</h2>



The moons are characterized by distant and eccentric orbits, suggesting they were captured by the gravitational pull of Uranus and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neptune-like-exoplanets-atmospheres-interesting-earth-size-neighbors/">Neptune</a> during or shortly after the planets' formation from the protoplanetary disk surrounding the early Sun. Earth's moon, by contrast, likely formed from the debris ejected after a Mars-sized body collided with Earth.&nbsp;



NASA believes thousands more moons await discovery within our solar system, though many remain elusive due to their small size and the limitations of even the most powerful telescopes. Moreover, spacecraft sent to explore the outer planets often miss these moons, depending on their position in their orbits.



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Three new moons discovered around Neptune and Uranus

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, our solar system...

In a world where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-reading-technology-transforms-thoughts-into-text/">technology</a> has become an integral part of our daily lives, the increasing use of headphones and earbuds among children has raised concerns about potential health risks. 



A national poll from the <a href="https://www.uofmhealth.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan Health</a> C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital sheds light on a troubling trend: a significant number of young children, specifically those aged 5-12, are frequently using personal listening devices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extensive-use-among-younger-children-nbsp">Extensive use among younger children&nbsp;</h2>



This phenomenon is not just confined to teenagers, as traditionally thought, but has extended to even younger demographics, with two in three parents acknowledging their child's engagement with such devices.



Overall, half of the parents of children aged 5-8 reported that their elementary-aged kids use a device. Furthermore, among those children who use <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/headphones-have-a-powerfully-persuasive-effect-on-listeners/">headphones</a> and earbuds, half spend at least an hour a day with them, and one in six indulge in at least two hours of daily usage.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-excessive-noise-exposure-nbsp">Excessive noise exposure&nbsp;</h2>



The extensive use of audio <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-spend-the-most-time-on-devices-but-nature-offers-a-solution/">devices</a> has prompted experts to voice concerns over the potential harm from excessive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-noise-affects-the-color-of-songbirds-beaks/">noise exposure</a>, which has traditionally been associated with singular loud events like concerts or fireworks.



“Over recent years we’ve mostly been concerned about teens overusing audio devices. But earbuds have become increasingly popular and prevalent among younger kids, exposing them to more intense noise on a regular basis,” noted Dr. Susan Woolford, pediatrician and co-director of the Mott poll.



“Noise exposure risks to young children have historically involved loud singular events like concerts or fireworks, but parents may underestimate the potential harm from excessive use of listening devices. It may be difficult to know whether their child’s exposure to noise is healthy.”



According to the survey, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/using-apps-to-practice-mindfulness-improves-mental-health-of-children/">children</a> are most likely to use these devices at home, school, and in the car. On the other hand, less than 10% of parents reported usage on the bus, outside, or in bed.



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



The <a href="https://www.aap.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>, recognizing the growing evidence of increased noise exposure risk through personal listening devices, issued a statement in 2023 emphasizing the need to mitigate these risks for children and teens. 



Dr. Woolford said that prolonged or extreme exposure to high volumes of noise can result in long term health issues, including hearing loss or tinnitus.



“Young children are more vulnerable to potential harm from noise exposure because their auditory systems are still developing. Their ear canals are also smaller than adults, intensifying perceived sound levels,” explained Dr. Woolford.



“Tiny hair cells inside the inner ear pick up sound waves to help you hear. When these get damaged or die, hearing loss is irreversible.”



Dr. Woolford added that noise exposure among children can also affect their sleep, academic learning, language, stress levels and even blood pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-time-and-volume-limits">Setting time and volume limits</h2>



Despite the prevalent usage, only half of the parents have attempted to limit their child’s audio device usage, employing strategies such as designated break times, set hours for use, and timers. Interestingly, parents whose children use headphones for more than two hours a day are less likely to set time or volume limits.



To combat the risks associated with noise exposure through headphones and earbuds, Dr. Woolford offers practical advice to parents. She advocates for the 60/60 rule, limiting children to no more than 60 minutes of audio device usage a day at no more than 60% of the maximum volume.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-recommendations-nbsp">Further recommendations&nbsp;</h2>



“A good way to tell if an audio device is too loud is if a child wearing headphones can’t hear you when you’re an arm’s length away,” she said.



Furthermore, Dr. Woolford recommends noise-cancelling or volume-limiting headphones, ensuring children take breaks from personal listening devices, and being vigilant for early signs of hearing loss.



On the other hand, children should avoid using noise-cancelling listening devices in situations when perception of sounds is crucial for safety.



“Noise-cancelling devices may help prevent children from increasing the volume to levels that are too high,” said Dr. Woolford. “But these devices shouldn’t be used when a child is engaged in activities where it’s important to hear their surroundings for their safety, such as walking or bike riding.”



Parents should help children intentionally have daily “device-free” time, said Dr. Woolford. This may involve putting away or locking the child’s audio devices when time limits are up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-signs-of-hearing-loss-nbsp">Early signs of hearing loss&nbsp;</h2>



She also noted that if parents feel their child may be at risk of hearing loss due to using audio devices, they should check with a pediatrician, an audiologist, or an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist.



“Early signs of hearing loss may include asking for repetition, hearing ringing noises often, speaking loudly to people nearby, delayed speech, or lack of reaction to loud noises."



“Healthcare providers may be of assistance to parents by offering a simple explanation about hearing loss to help the child understand the reasons for limiting their use of audio devices.”



The full report from the University of Michigan survey is available <a href="https://mottpoll.org/reports/can-they-hear-you-now-noise-and-headphone-use-children" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. 



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Hidden health risks of headphones and earbuds in children

In a world where technology has become an integral part...

The enduring quest to uncover <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-there-really-life-beyond-earth-ai-will-soon-solve-this-mystery/">life beyond Earth</a> raises profound inquiries. Are we alone in the cosmos? Does Earth hold a unique place in harboring life?  Contrary to the notion of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-are-helping-astronomers-in-the-search-for-extraterrestrial-life/">extraterrestrial</a> beings, could life beyond our planet resemble the microbial life we share Earth with?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbial-life-how-it-all-began">Microbial life: How it all began</h2>



Microorganisms, the pioneers of life on Earth, have thrived for billions of years, long predating multicellular life forms, including humans.&nbsp;



Their metabolic diversity allows them to flourish in environments that humans find extreme, such as the scalding depths of hydrothermal vents, the hypersalinity of certain lakes, and even within the solid confines of rocks.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-life-on-europa-co2-discovery-by-webb-increases-the-odds/">Europa</a>, an icy moon orbiting Jupiter, captures the imagination of astrobiologists as a potential cradle for life beyond Earth. 



Despite its icy facade and surface temperatures consistently below -220°F, Europa's subglacial ocean marks it as a prime candidate for hosting life within our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-the-delicate-balance-of-our-solar-system/">solar system</a>. 



The presence of water is crucial for life as we understand it. Water serves as a universal solvent necessary for the biochemical reactions that sustain all known life forms. Therefore, water serves as a potentially stable habitat for organisms to thrive and evolve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-europa-s-capacity-to-support-microbial-life">Europa's capacity to support microbial life</h2>



In September 2023, two independent scientific teams uncovered evidence suggesting that solid carbon dioxide (CO2) on Europa's surface likely stems from its subglacial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-atlantic-ocean-may-soon-enter-its-declining-phase/">ocean</a>. This finding, aligning with geological features indicative of material transport from beneath the ice, bolsters the case for Europa's habitability.&nbsp;



While the exact source of the CO2 remains undetermined, the identification of carbon on Europa has ignited astrobiologists' speculation about the moon's capacity to support microbial life.



Identifying biosignatures, such as organic carbon and water, is pivotal in the quest for extraterrestrial life. No single biosignature can definitively prove life's presence on distant worlds. 



But, the accumulation of multiple biosignatures on celestial bodies like Europa strengthens the argument that life possibly exists beyond Earth.



The concept of Earth-based analog sites - extreme environments on Earth that mirror conditions on distant worlds like Europa - provides invaluable insights into life's resilience in hostile settings.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-biosignatures-nbsp">Potential biosignatures&nbsp;</h2>



By studying the microbial life in these ecosystems, we gain a deeper understanding of how life can persist in environments completely inhospitable to most other life forms. These analog sites also inform researchers about potential biosignatures to look for in data from future missions to Europa.



Jill Mikucki, an associate professor at the <a href="https://www.utk.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tennessee, Knoxville</a>, has investigated one such analog site: Blood Falls, a feature at the terminus of Taylor Glacier in Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys.&nbsp;



"It feels otherworldly to work and camp in the dry valleys," she said, further highlighting the eerie silence and the roaring winds that characterize this unique environment.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-falls">Blood Falls</h2>



Blood Falls, with its iron-rich brine that oxidizes upon contact with air, offers a glimpse into the microbial life that could exist beneath Europa's ice. 



Mikucki's research into the microbial metabolism beneath Taylor Glacier suggests an ecosystem that may have been isolated for over a million years, providing a parallel to the potential hidden worlds beneath Europa's icy crust.



"I think Blood Falls makes a great analog for ocean world studies because it is one of the few places where liquid transits from the below the ice to the surface," Mikucki added. "Additionally, it is briny, so it's like a mini ocean world that episodically spills out aliquots of subglacial fluids - and its microbial contents."



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



Future missions, including the European Space Agency's <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Juice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer)</a> and <a href="https://europa.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA's Europa Clipper</a>, are set to unveil more about Europa's icy shell, subsurface ocean, and the potential for life. 



These missions, launching in the coming years, aim to deepen our understanding of Europa and expand the horizons of life beyond Earth.



The search for life beyond Earth, whether successful or not, holds profound implications. Discovering life would challenge our understanding of life's uniqueness and diversity, potentially showing us that we are not alone in the vast expanse of space.



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Microbial life may exist on one of Jupiter’s moons

The enduring quest to uncover life beyond Earth raises profound...

Researchers have recently unveiled a fascinating aspect of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-solved-when-butterflies-evolved-and-what-plants-they-used-for-food/">butterfly evolution</a>. They found that species which are inedible and mimic each other's color patterns have also evolved similar flight behaviors to enhance their survival against predators.&nbsp;



This discovery adds a new layer to our understanding of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-solved-when-butterflies-evolved-and-what-plants-they-used-for-food/">butterflies</a> use both visual and behavioral mimicry to communicate their unpalatability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-are-the-scariest-predators-in-the-african-savannah/">predators</a>.



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



The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.york.ac.uk/">University of York</a>, utilized high-speed video footage to analyze the flight of wild butterflies in South America.&nbsp;



The experts examined the wing beat frequency and wing angles of 351 butterflies across 38 species, all of which fell into one of 10 distinct color pattern mimicry groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-nbsp">Key findings&nbsp;</h2>



Surprisingly, the research revealed that the color pattern mimicry group a butterfly belonged to was a more significant determinant of its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterflies-habitat-influences-their-flight-behavior/">flight behavior</a> than other factors such as habitat and wing shape. This indicates that butterflies within the same mimicry group exhibit more similar flight behaviors than those that are genetically closer but display different color patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavioral-mimicry-is-widespread-nbsp">Behavioral mimicry is widespread&nbsp;</h2>



“From an evolutionary perspective it makes sense to share the color pattern between species, to reduce the individual cost of educating predators to the fact that they don’t taste nice!” said study lead author Edd Page, a PhD student from the Department of Biology at York.



“Once a predator has tasted one, the visual clues on others indicate that they too are also inedible, but flight patterns are more complex and are influenced by several other factors such as the air temperature and the habitat the species fly in.”



“We wanted to see whether flight corresponded to color - could predators be driving the mimicry of flight as well as color patterns? We were surprised to find just how strong and widespread the behavioral mimicry is.”



The research specifically looked at the Heliconiini tribe, which consists of around 100 species and subspecies distributed across the Neotropics, each belonging to several distinct color pattern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterflies-habitat-influences-their-flight-behavior/">mimicry</a> groups. Additionally, the study included a few species from the Ithomiine butterfly tribe, which diverged from the Heliconiini about 70 million years ago but share similar 'tiger' color patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-insights-nbsp">Fascinating insights&nbsp;</h2>



"Sharing flight behavior across multiple species seems to reinforce this ‘don’t eat me’ message. It is fascinating that this behavior has evolved between distant relatives over a long period of time," said Page, highlighting the study's implications for understanding the evolutionary strategies of these butterflies.



Professor Kanchon Dasmahapatra from the University of York's Department of Biology commented on the significance of the findings. "The extent of flight mimicry in this group of butterflies is amazing. It is a great example of how evolution shapes behavior, with selection from predators driving subtle changes which enhance the survival of individuals."



This study - published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a> - not only sheds light on the intricate ways in which butterflies have adapted to avoid predation but also sets the stage for further research into the genetic basis of such behavioral mimicry.



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Butterflies use visual and behavioral mimicry to avoid predators

Researchers have recently unveiled a fascinating aspect of butterfly evolution....

In a new study published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01831-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Human Behavior</a> on Monday, February 26, scientists have made significant strides in understanding the role of chemical neuromodulators, specifically dopamine and serotonin, in shaping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-explores-the-basis-of-social-behavior-in-the-insect-brain/">social behavior</a>. 



This research, which involved Parkinson's disease patients undergoing awake brain surgery, focused on the brain's substantia nigra, a key area for motor control and reward processing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neurochemical-mechanism-nbsp">Neurochemical mechanism&nbsp;</h2>



Led by Read Montague, a computational neuroscientist at Virginia Tech, the international team uncovered a neurochemical mechanism underlying the human propensity to make decisions based on social context. This mechanism explains why individuals are more inclined to accept offers from computers than from human counterparts in decision-making games.



“When people know they're playing a computer, they play perfectly, just like mathematical economists – they do what they should do. But when they're playing a human being, they cannot help themselves. They are often driven to punish the smaller bid by rejecting it,” Montague explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-influence-on-decision-making-nbsp">Chemical influence on decision-making&nbsp;</h2>



The study utilized the "ultimatum game" to analyze patients' responses to offer splits of $20 from both human and computer players. This setup allowed the researchers to observe the dynamic interplay between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-influences-our-motivation-to-exercise/">dopamine</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/serotonin-expedite-learning-process/">serotonin</a> in real-time, offering new insights into how these chemicals influence decision-making in social contexts.



“Dopamine levels are higher when people interact with another human as opposed to a computer,” said study co-author Dan Bang, an associate professor at Aarhus University in Denmark. “And here it was important that we also measured serotonin to give us confidence that the overall response to social context is specific to dopamine.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinguishing-the-roles-of-two-neurotransmitters-nbsp">Distinguishing the roles of two neurotransmitters&nbsp;</h2>



“The unique twist with our method is that it allows us to measure more than one neurotransmitter at a time - the impact of that should not be lost. We’ve seen these signaling molecules before, but this is the first time we’ve seen them dance. No one has ever seen this dance of dopamine and serotonin in a social context before,” said study co-author Seth Batten, senior research associate in Montague’s lab.



Ken Kishida, a co-author and associate professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, discussed the challenges of interpreting the electrochemical signals, which were addressed through advanced machine-learning tools. These tools helped distinguish the specific roles of dopamine and serotonin from the raw data collected during surgery.



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



The implications of this research extend beyond understanding social behavior, offering potential insights into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-plays-an-unexpected-role-in-movement-and-parkinsons-disease/">Parkinson’s disease</a> pathology and other brain disorders. Montague expressed hope that their findings could eventually contribute to better clinical outcomes for Parkinson's patients, given the disease's impact on dopamine-producing neurons.



Michael Friedlander, executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, praised the study's potential to revolutionize neuroscience and psychiatric treatment. He highlighted the importance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-plays-an-unexpected-role-in-movement-and-parkinsons-disease/">dopamine</a>, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters in psychiatric disorders, suggesting that this research could lead to more precise and effective treatments.



“We have an enormous number of people in the world who suffer from a variety of psychiatric conditions, and, in many cases, the pharmacological solutions do not work very well,” said Friedlander, who is also Virginia Tech’s vice president of health sciences and technology.&nbsp;



“Dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters are in some ways intimately involved with those disorders. This effort adds real precision and quantitation to understand those problems. The one thing I think we can be sure of is this work is going to be extremely important in the future for developing treatments.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance-nbsp">Study significance&nbsp;</h2>



This study marks a culmination of over a decade of effort by Montague and his team to measure neurotransmitters in real-time in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-invent-computer-that-operates-just-like-the-human-brain/">human brain</a>, opening new avenues for understanding the neurochemical underpinnings of human cognition and behavior.



“We've made active measurements of neurotransmitters multiple times in different brain regions, and we have now reached the point where we're touching on crucial elements of what makes us human beings,” Montague concluded.



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A dance of dopamine and serotonin influences social behavior

In a new study published in Nature Human Behavior on...

Close,Up,Of,Colorful,Atomic,Particle,Background,Science,3d,Illustration

Scientists have edged closer to deciphering the universe's enigmatic forces by pioneering a method to measure gravity in the microscopic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-discovery-is-a-revolutionary-step-forward/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> world. This advancement challenges long-standing puzzles in physics, where the gravitational force, first identified by Isaac Newton, remains elusive within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-realm-controlled-at-room-temperature-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> realm. 



Albert Einstein, in his theory of general relativity, professed the difficulty of demonstrating gravity's quantum version, a sentiment echoed by scientists for centuries. However, the team from the University of Southampton, in collaboration with European scientists, has made a significant breakthrough.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gravity-in-the-quantum-domain">Gravity in the quantum domain</h2>



Utilizing a novel technique involving levitating magnets, the researchers have detected a faint gravitational pull on a minuscule particle, venturing into sizes that blur the lines with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lasers-make-quantum-materials-reveal-their-hidden-properties/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum domain</a>. 



Published in the Science Advances journal, this experiment represents a potential pathway toward uncovering the theory of quantum gravity -- a goal that has evaded the scientific community for over a hundred years.



Tim Fuchs, the lead author and a physicist at the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a>, expressed the significance of this achievement. 



"For a century, scientists have tried and failed to understand how gravity and quantum mechanics work together. Now, by successfully measuring gravitational signals at the smallest mass ever recorded, we are one step closer to finally realizing how it operates in tandem."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovations-in-quantum-measurement">Innovations in quantum measurement</h2>



This experiment marks a milestone in measuring gravity at unprecedented scales and lays the groundwork for future explorations into the quantum realm. The quest for quantum gravity holds the key to answering fundamental questions about our universe. 



From understanding the origins of the cosmos to unraveling the mysteries of black holes and unifying all known forces under a single theoretical framework, the implications are profound.



The experiment, a collaboration between Southampton, <a href="https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leiden University</a> in the Netherlands, and the <a href="https://ifn.cnr.it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies</a> in Italy, was supported by the EU Horizon Europe EIC Pathfinder grant (QuCoM). 



It employed an intricate array of superconducting devices, magnetic fields, sensitive detectors, and advanced vibration isolation techniques. Remarkably, the study measured a gravitational pull of just 30aN on a particle weighing 0.43mg, levitated at temperatures just a fraction above absolute zero.



Professor Hendrik Ulbricht, a physicist at the University of Southampton, highlighted the future potential of this research. 



"We are pushing the boundaries of science that could lead to new discoveries about gravity and the quantum world. Our technique, which utilizes extremely cold temperatures and devices to isolate particle vibration, will likely pave the way for measuring quantum gravity," Ulbricht concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-journey-ahead-in-quantum-gravity">The journey ahead in quantum gravity</h2>



In summary, this exciting breakthrough marks a pivotal advancement in our quest to understand the universe at its most fundamental level. 



By developing a novel technique to measure gravitational forces on microscopic particles, this impressive team of brilliant scientists challenged the boundaries of our current knowledge and forged a new path for exploring the elusive realm of quantum gravity. 



As we stand on the brink of these discoveries, the potential to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, from the origins of the universe to the inner workings of black holes, becomes increasingly tangible. 



This research bring us one step closer to unifying the forces of nature under a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radical-new-theory-finally-unites-gravity-spacetime-and-the-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">single theory</a> while exemplifying the relentless pursuit of knowledge that drives humanity forward.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adk2949" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Gravity measured in the quantum realm for the first time ever

Scientists have edged closer to deciphering the universe's enigmatic forces...

An international team of scientists, operating under the name PDRs4All (<a href="https://pdrs4all.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photodissociation Regions for All</a>), has found the destruction and re-formation of a large quantity of water at the heart of the Orion Nebula, a massive star-forming region.&nbsp;



The revelation expands the search for life beyond our solar system, hinting that water - and potentially the potential for life - may exist in far more diverse environments than we previously imagined.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-orion-nebula">The Orion Nebula</h2>



The Orion Nebula, nicknamed M42, is a famous celestial object in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-amount-of-dark-matter-may-be-missing-from-the-milky-way/">Milky Way</a>. It's located within the Orion constellation, easily recognizable by its three bright stars in a row. Unlike a single star, Orion is a vast birthplace for new stars.&nbsp;



Orion is a giant cloud of gas and dust, where the ingredients for new stars come together. It's a mix of different gas types, dense molecular clouds, and areas where dust reflects light, creating a colorful and interesting structure. Scientists use Orion to understand how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/runaway-black-hole-creates-a-trail-of-stars/">stars</a> and planets form.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planet-forming-disk-nbsp">Planet-forming disk&nbsp;</h2>



Within the Orion Nebula lies a disk called "d203-506." This protoplanetary disk represents a vital stage in the life cycle of both stars and planetary systems. Studying the disk involves a special telescope known as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).&nbsp;



JWST uses infrared light as it can pass through the thick <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-storms-in-the-gulf-of-alaska-help-shape-the-global-climate/">dust clouds</a> that surround young stars and planets. This allows the scientists to see inside the dusty disk and study how water molecules move and behave.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-cycle-of-destruction-and-creation-nbsp">A cycle of destruction and creation&nbsp;</h2>



Scientists observed a surprising and ongoing process within the d203-506 disk: water constantly breaks down and reforms. This cycle is driven by the powerful light from nearby young stars, which both destroys and rebuilds water molecules.



Initially, the intense light (UV radiation) breaks water molecules (H2O) apart, creating individual hydrogen atoms (H) and hydroxyl radicals (OH). This is a chemical reaction known as photodissociation, where the chemical bonds in a molecule are broken by the energy from light.



The resulting hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals can escape from the planet's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radical-new-theory-finally-unites-gravity-spacetime-and-the-quantum-realm/">gravity</a>, leading to the loss of water from the planet. This process, over time, contributes to the evaporation or loss of significant amounts of water.&nbsp;



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



"It is so impressive that in just a few pixels of observations, and focusing on a few of the lines, we can actually figure out that you have an entire ocean of water being evaporated every month," said Peeters, co-lead investigator of PDRs4All and faculty member at Western's Institute for Earth and Space Exploration. 



"This discovery was based on a tiny fraction of our spectroscopic data. It is exciting that we have so much more data to mine and I can't wait to see what else we can find."



But this breakdown isn't the end of the story. The newly formed hydroxyl radicals can then combine with existing hydrogen atoms to form new water molecules. This remarkable cycle of destruction and creation in the Orion Nebula happens continuously, fueled by the constant stream of light from the stars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance-nbsp">Study significance&nbsp;</h2>



Before, scientists believed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uv-radiation-played-a-role-in-earths-largest-mass-extinction/">UV radiation</a> from nearby big stars would destroy all water in young star systems, making it impossible for life to exist.&nbsp;However, the observations of d203-506 showed a surprising cycle: even with the strong light, water is constantly being destroyed and then recreated.



The discovery suggests that water and potentially life can exist in many more places than scientists thought before. The ability of water to rebuild itself after being destroyed means the ingredients for life could be found in a wider variety of environments.



This information is helpful for the search for planets that could support life outside of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-earth-like-planet-may-be-hiding-just-beyond-neptune/">solar system</a>. Now that scientists know water can exist in places with strong light, they can look for signs of life in more places. The insight could even lead to finding many more potential planets that could support life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02203-0">Nature Astronomy</a>.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, PDRs4All ERS Team; Salomé Fuenmayor image



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Orion Nebula destroys an oceans’ worth of water every month

An international team of scientists, operating under the name PDRs4All...

Central and South American rainforests harbor tiny, see-through "glass frogs" that blend into the foliage with their translucent skin. These charming creatures have captivated scientists and nature lovers for years, but there's more to them than just their unique appearance.



Researchers from <a href="https://www.international.unesp.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">São Paulo State University</a> (Unesp) have finally answered a question about how these frogs evolved. The study reveals a surprising trade-off: glass frogs with smaller testes care more for their babies than males with bigger testicles. This choice, between raising offspring or making more sperm, is key to their evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-characteristics-of-glass-frogs">Characteristics of glass frogs</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/glass-frogs-wave-their-hands-and-feet-to-attract-mates/">Glass frogs</a>, part of the Centrolenidae family, are captivating amphibians found mainly in the Central and South American rainforests and cloud forests. The name comes from their most striking feature: translucent bellies that reveal their internal organs.&nbsp;



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



Glass frogs call the lush <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-overheating-in-warmer-rainforests/">rainforests</a> and cloud forests their home, often choosing areas near streams and rivers for breeding. Their distribution stretches from Mexico through Central America, all the way down to Bolivia and Brazil in South America.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size">Size</h3>



The frogs are very small. They measure from 1.2 to 7.5 centimeters (0.47 to 2.95 inches) in length, with the size varying among different species within the glass frog family.



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



Their backs are typically green, allowing them to blend seamlessly into the surrounding foliage. This camouflage, combined with their translucency, makes them incredibly difficult to spot in their natural environment, adding to their mystical allure.



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



What truly sets glass frogs apart from other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amphibians-threatened-by-mercury-with-unknown-health-impacts/">amphibians</a> is the fascinating diversity in their reproductive strategies, particularly regarding parental care. Unlike most amphibians, many glass frog species rely on extensive investment from the dads.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-glass-frog-species">Distinct glass frog species</h2>



Initially, the scientists gathered information on many different types of glass frogs. They focused on two things: how big the male's testes were and if the dads took care of their eggs.&nbsp;



Next, the scientists observed how the different frog dads took care of their babies. Some dads were super involved, guarding their eggs from hungry creatures and keeping them nice and moist. Others, not so much. This gave the researchers an idea of the frogs parenting styles.&nbsp;



Through their study, the researchers discovered a total of 37 distinct glass frog species, with 11 of these species having males who actively participate in caring for their offspring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-act-of-males">Balancing act of males</h2>



When the male frogs take care of their young (paternal care), their testicles are smaller. This suggests they invest less energy in producing sperm to compete with other males for fertilization.&nbsp;



By contrast, species where males don't care for their young have bigger testes. This indicates they put more effort into producing sperm to outcompete rivals and increase their chances of reproductive success.&nbsp;



Essentially, the research shows how different approaches to reproduction can influence the physical features and behavior of even closely related species. There is a balance between allocating resources to raising offspring and achieving breeding success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-perspective">Evolutionary perspective</h2>



Living organisms have limited resources available, including energy, nutrients, and time. They cannot excel in everything at once. Instead, they must prioritize and invest resources in certain areas that are more crucial for their survival and reproduction, which leads to trade-offs.



The concept of trade-offs is not unique to a specific species but is widespread across the animal kingdom. The study suggests that increased investment in offspring (through care) may come at the expense of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/low-sperm-count-directly-linked-to-mobile-phone-use/">sperm production</a> (compromise).



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



The environment plays a significant role in shaping the frogs' reproductive strategies. Factors like predation pressure (risk of eggs being eaten) can influence how glass frogs allocate resources.



In environments with high egg predation, parental care becomes crucial. Glass frogs that invest in guarding and protecting their eggs (parental care) are more likely to see their offspring survive to adulthood. This makes parental care a favorable trait in such an environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-interactions">Social interactions</h2>



Social interactions, particularly mating competition, can also be a driving force in adaptation. In situations where finding mates is difficult due to scarcity or competition, larger testicles and increased sperm production can be advantageous.&nbsp;



This allows males to produce more sperm, potentially increasing their chances of fertilization and reproductive success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-within-glass-frogs">Biodiversity within glass frogs</h2>



The study showcases the incredible variety of reproductive strategies present among glass frogs, even though they belong to the same group of animals. This variety reveals the existence of multiple evolutionary pathways within the same group.&nbsp;



Different glass frog species have evolved unique solutions to survive and reproduce in their specific environments. Studying these differences helps us understand how species adapt to their unique ecological niches (the specific role and environment they occupy).&nbsp;



By analyzing the different strategies, we can identify the evolutionary pressures (environmental and social factors) that have driven these adaptations, ultimately contributing to the diversity of life on Earth.



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



Recognizing the importance of both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-mating-strategies-of-critically-endangered-muriquis/">reproductive strategies</a> and parental care for the survival of glass frogs emphasizes the need for comprehensive conservation approaches.



Conservation efforts should not only focus on protecting the habitat itself but should also prioritize the diverse reproductive behaviors within that habitat. This might involve protecting specific resources crucial for certain strategies, like safeguarding areas suitable for parental care.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.0054" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society</a>.



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Glass frogs with small testes are invested in caring for their young

Central and South American rainforests harbor tiny, see-through "glass frogs"...

Why do some people escape high blood pressure, while others battle it? Scientists are inching closer to the answer, and it involves a fascinating twist: our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/river-plastics-may-harbor-antimicrobial-resistance-genes/">genes</a>.



A recent study by the <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian University of Science and Technology</a> has achieved a breakthrough in predicting blood pressure risk. By analyzing minuscule variations in DNA, they can now predict your risk of developing high blood pressure.



But this isn't just about foretelling your future blood pressure. It's about opening the door to personalized medicine, where treatments could be tailored to an individual's unique genetic makeup.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-polygenic-risk-score-nbsp">Polygenic risk score&nbsp;</h2>



Scientists used a powerful tool called a polygenic risk score (PRS) to predict high blood pressure risk in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/using-apps-to-practice-mindfulness-improves-mental-health-of-children/">children</a> and adults. It is similar to a genetic scan that analyzes tiny variations in your DNA, each with a score reflecting its impact on blood pressure.&nbsp;



The bigger the impact, the higher the score. This score can reveal who has a greater risk of developing high blood pressure before symptoms even appear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-differences-start-early-in-kids">Differences start early in kids</h2>



The study revealed that children with a higher genetic risk for high blood pressure started showing differences in their actual blood pressure levels compared to children with lower risk. These differences were already noticeable as early as age three and became more pronounced as the kids grew older.&nbsp;



“We found that genetic factors affect blood pressure from the first years of childhood and throughout your entire life,” said study lead author Karsten Øvretveit, a PhD candidate in the NTNU Department of Public Health and Nursing.&nbsp;



Specifically, children with a high genetic risk reached certain blood pressure milestones, like having a systolic blood pressure (SBP) over 100mmHg, much earlier than kids with a lower risk. This suggests that genes might play a role in the early development of blood pressure differences, even in children.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linear-relationship-in-adults">Linear relationship in adults</h2>



In adults, the study discovered a direct correlation: individuals with a higher genetic risk had consistently higher readings in real life. Interestingly, this effect was measurable.&nbsp;



Each incremental unit of genetic risk translated to a roughly 5 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure and a 3 mmHg rise in both diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure. Moreover, individuals with the highest genetic risk were significantly more likely to fall within the hypertensive range.



“We have been able to follow the same people from when they were around 37 until they were approximately 70 years old. We found that the differences persisted and resulted in various disease risks, where the differences in disease were quite large,” explained Øvretveit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-health-risks">Additional health risks</h2>



People with a higher genetic risk were much more likely to experience various health problems compared to those with lower risk. These problems included:



<ul>
<li>High blood pressure itself: Both early-onset (before age 55) and late-onset (after age 55) were more common in individuals with high risk scores.</li>



<li>Heart-related issues: This included a higher risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-fuels-cardiovascular-deaths-worldwide/">cardiovascular diseases</a> (CVD) overall, as well as specific problems like heart attacks (myocardial infarction) and strokes.</li>



<li>Kidney problems: People with high risk were more likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD).</li>
</ul>



On the other hand, those with a lower genetic risk were less likely to experience these negative health outcomes. This suggests that genetic risk scores can predict future health problems, which could be helpful in early prevention and intervention strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proactively-blood-pressure-management">Proactively blood pressure management</h2>



Individuals with a high genetic risk can actually lower it by proactively managing it. This means they can achieve a healthier outcome than those with "protective" genes who neglect their health or receive a late diagnosis. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-dietary-changes-could-offset-carbon-emissions/">Lifestyle changes</a> and medication can significantly impact your health, even if you have a genetic predisposition for a certain condition.



“By keeping their blood pressure at a low level, people with a high genetic risk score can achieve a lower risk of disease than people diagnosed with high blood pressure who we consider genetically protected. It seems that controlling your blood pressure matters more than genetics,” said Øvretveit.



The takeaway here is that taking charge of your health early on is important. Knowing your genetic risk profile, through tests or family history, can help you create targeted strategies to manage your blood pressure effectively.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications">Study implications</h2>



This study has important implications for both individuals and the healthcare system. Knowing who's at higher genetic risk early on allows for earlier intervention. This means lifestyle changes (healthy eating, exercise, stress management) and preventive measures can be started sooner, potentially preventing or delaying high blood pressure and its related diseases like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-b-paradox-supplement-linked-to-heart-disease-risk/">heart disease</a> and stroke.



Moreover, understanding the genetic side of high blood pressure allows for more targeted public health efforts. Resources can be focused on high-risk groups identified through genetic testing, making public health campaigns and interventions more effective in reducing future complications.&nbsp;



The study is published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwad365" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Journal of Preventive Cardiology</a>. 



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Genes influence blood pressure from early childhood 

Why do some people escape high blood pressure, while others...

Our planet is changing, and headlines often paint a scary picture, particularly when it comes to biodiversity loss. A new study from researchers at the <a href="https://www.idiv.de/en/index.html">German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research</a> (iDiv) and the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) offers a surprising twist: nature is adapting.



The experts looked at Earth's oceans, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-and-why-do-mountains-form-new-theories-for-an-age-old-mystery/">mountains</a>, and everything in between, going back hundreds of years. The research shows that our planet is performing a giant balancing act, with some places losing unique species and others gaining new ones. The study isn't a justification for inaction towards nature, but rather an invitation to rethink conservation approaches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecosystems-across-the-globe">Ecosystems across the globe</h2>



The researchers delved deep into how life on Earth is changing, looking across diverse ecosystems and through time. They studied 461 groups of species (called metacommunities) tracked for 10 to 91 years, and also analyzed historical lists of species going back 13 to over 500 years. This vast information covered various ecosystems worldwide, allowing them to see how different species and communities have responded to both natural and human-caused changes.



The team's approach involved gathering existing data on what species lived where and how many there were. The data, collected across different locations and times, helped them identify trends in two key processes:



<ul>
<li>Biotic differentiation: Ecosystems become more distinct because unique species thrive in specific areas.</li>



<li>Biotic homogenization: Ecosystems become more similar because some species spread widely while others disappear.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-act-of-two-forces">Balancing act of two forces</h2>



The study reveals a surprising finding. These two forces - differentiation and homogenization - are shaping the Earth in roughly equal measure, creating a dynamic relationship of loss and gain.



A mountain meadow blooming with unique wildflowers that cannot be found anywhere else is an example of differentiation, as these ecosystems become more distinct. Now imagine a field of invasive plants overtaking a once diverse forest. This is homogenization, where ecosystems become more similar. Homogenization often occurs when non-native species spread widely, like the invasive plant, displacing local ones.&nbsp;



While some areas lose unique species due to homogenization, others gain new ones through differentiation. This balancing act suggests that biodiversity is adapting in complex ways to human influence.



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



Human activities have a profound, complex impact on biodiversity, acting like a double-edged sword. They can both foster diversity and lead to uniformity across ecosystems in surprising ways.



Cities, often seen as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-pose-great-threat-to-biodiversity-in-mountain-ranges/">biodiversity</a> deserts, can also be diverse havens. As they expand, they create microhabitats: parks, gardens, waterways, industrial sites. These diverse environments attract non-native species, like ornamental plants, bringing new pollinators and birds. However, common urban species like pigeons and rats can homogenize the fauna across cities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agriculture-boosts-biodiversity-contrast">Agriculture boosts biodiversity contrast</h2>



Farming heavily alters landscapes, often replacing diverse ecosystems with single-crop fields. This can dramatically reduce native species, making landscapes more similar across regions.&nbsp;



However, field edges with hedgerows or native vegetation strips become areas of increased diversity. These buffer zones support beneficial insects, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-birds-dream-of-flying-scientists-say-they-now-know-the-answer/">birds</a>, and mammals, creating unique niches different from both fields and undisturbed areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-climate-change-on-biodiversity">Impacts of climate change on biodiversity</h2>



Climate change reshapes ecosystems at an unprecedented scale, driving both differentiation and homogenization. Rising <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-struggling-to-maintain-oxygen-as-temperatures-rise/">temperatures</a> and changing rainfall can make new areas habitable for some species, leading to new communities and increased regional diversity.&nbsp;



For example, warmer temperatures may push plant and animal species poleward, creating unique species combinations. Conversely, it can also homogenize landscapes. Iconic species like coral reefs or Arctic tundra, facing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-may-be-enduring-its-seventh-mass-extinction-not-sixth/">extinction</a>, may cause their ecosystems to lose their unique characteristics and become more similar to each other.



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



The findings challenge traditional conservation approaches. The balance between biotic differentiation and homogenization means protecting biodiversity requires a broader view. Simply preserving existing species and habitats won't be enough.



“Our analysis exposes the complexity of the issue," said study senior author Professor Jonathan Chase. “It doesn’t mean severe changes aren’t happening in the world, it means we need to move beyond a belief that homogenisation is the main way biodiversity is changing."



Conservation strategies need to adapt to changing ecosystems. We must not only protect what we have but also consider the ongoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-not-as-random-as-we-thought/">evolution</a> of life on Earth. This means embracing adaptive management - constantly learning and adjusting our strategies to maintain ecological balance as conditions shift.



The research highlights the need for continued research and monitoring. We need to understand the forces driving these complex dynamics in more detail. Conservation must become flexible enough to accommodate both differentiation and homogenization, ensuring biodiversity thrives even in a rapidly changing world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adj9395" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>. 



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Earth's great balancing act: Nature is adapting to human influence 

Our planet is changing, and headlines often paint a scary...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



-----



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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