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...

A new study has revealed that semaglutide, a drug commonly used for diabetes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/berberine-plant-derived-supplement-is-the-hot-new-weight-loss-trend/">weight loss</a>, may significantly reduce symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD).&nbsp;



This promising research was conducted by experts from the <a href="https://www.ou.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oklahoma</a> School of Community Medicine and Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-documented-evidence-in-humans-nbsp">First documented evidence in humans&nbsp;</h2>



The study was primarily focused on six patients undergoing weight loss treatment with semaglutide. Remarkably, all participants exhibited a substantial decrease in their alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) scores.&nbsp;



This decrease is the first documented evidence in humans that semaglutide can specifically mitigate AUD symptoms.



The study has sparked optimism among medical professionals and researchers. It highlights the potential of semaglutide to significantly impact the lives of individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-semaglutide">What is semaglutide?</h2>



Semaglutide is a medication primarily used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels.&nbsp;



When semaglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors, it enhances the release of insulin, a hormone that lowers blood glucose levels, while also reducing the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that increases blood glucose levels. This dual action effectively helps in controlling blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ozempic-and-wegovy">Ozempic and Wegovy</h2>



Semaglutide has gained recent acclaim under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy for its potential in promoting weight loss. The drug reduces appetite and food intake, which can lead to significant weight loss in some individuals. This has made it a subject of interest in the treatment of obesity.



The popularity of Ozempic and Wegovy has surged so quickly in the United States that some people are having trouble getting their prescriptions filled. According to one study, the number of prescriptions for these drugs quadrupled in two years, reaching about 9 million by the end of 2022.



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



The new study suggests that the potential applications of semaglutide may extend far beyond diabetes and obesity. Prior animal studies have already shown that semaglutide can decrease drug and alcohol consumption, and many patients using it for diabetes or weight loss have reported a diminished desire to consume alcohol.



"This research marks a significant step forward in our understanding of the potential therapeutic applications of semaglutide in the field of addiction medicine," said study lead author Dr. Jesse Richards, an expert in Obesity Medicine at the OU-TU School of Community Medicine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clinical-trials-nbsp">Clinical trials&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Kyle Simmons is the paper’s senior author and professor of Pharmacology &amp; Physiology at OSU-Center for Health Sciences. He noted that this case series evidence paves the way for gold-standard placebo-controlled clinical trials such as the one he is currently conducting in Tulsa at the OSU Hardesty Center for Clinical Research and Neuroscience.&nbsp;



“This is an example of what can happen when our two R-1 research institutions in Oklahoma collaborate,” said Dr. Simmons. “With the publication of this case series in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, the stage is set for future clinical trials, such as the STAR studies, which can definitively tell us whether semaglutide is safe and effective for treatment of alcohol use disorder.”&nbsp;



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



The researchers emphasized the need for further investigation through larger, controlled studies to validate and expand upon these initial findings.&nbsp;



The study highlights a remarkable reduction in AUDIT scores among patients treated with semaglutide for weight loss, suggesting its potential utility in managing alcohol use disorder.



The findings pave the way for future investigations into glucagon-like peptide-1 medications, like semaglutide, for treating addictive behaviors.



The study is published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.4088/jcp.23m15068" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry</a>.



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Popular weight loss drug semaglutide reduces alcohol cravings

A new study has revealed that semaglutide, a drug commonly...

A new species of pit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-just-a-few-drops-of-viper-venom-call-kill-you/">viper</a> from Myanmar has been identified and described. The study was led by herpetologist Dr. Chan Kin Onn, formerly of the <a href="https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum</a>, Singapore, and now with the <a href="https://biodiversity.ku.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum</a>.



The discovery showcases the complexity and challenges in classifying species, particularly when encountering both cryptic species and highly variable individual species simultaneously.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asian-pit-vipers-nbsp">Asian pit vipers&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Chan’s study focuses on the Asian pit vipers of the genus Trimeresurus, known for their wide range of morphological variation.&nbsp;



This genus includes species that are difficult to distinguish due to their similar appearance, as well as species that exhibit significant variation yet belong to the same species. The study highlights a particular pit viper in Myanmar that embodies this dual challenge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hybrid-species-nbsp">Hybrid species&nbsp;</h2>



The newly discovered Ayeyarwady pit viper (Trimeresurus ayeyarwadyensis) is named after the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar and presents an intriguing blend of characteristics from its sister species.&nbsp;



The redtail pit viper (Trimeresurus erythrurus), found along Myanmar’s northern coast, is typically green with no markings.&nbsp;



In contrast, the southern mangrove pit viper (Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus) is known for its distinct dorsal blotches and variable coloration, but it never appears green.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ayeyarwady-pit-viper">Ayeyarwady pit viper</h2>



In central Myanmar, researchers found a unique population of pit vipers that seemed to combine features of both the redtail and mangrove pit vipers. Initially believed to be a hybrid population, genomic analysis by Dr. Chan revealed that this group was, in fact, a distinct species.



Adding to the intrigue, the Ayeyarwady pit viper displays considerable variability within its own populations. Some exhibit dark green colors with distinct blotches, easily distinguishable from the bright green, unmarked redtail pit viper. However, other populations of the Ayeyarwady pit viper closely resemble the redtail pit viper, being bright green with no blotches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-discovery">Significance of the discovery</h2>



Dr. Chan explained the significance of this finding: “This is an interesting phenomenon, where one species is simultaneously similar and different from its closest relative (the redtail pit viper). We think that at some point in the past, the new species may have exchanged genes with the redtail pit viper from the north and the mangrove pit viper from the south.”



The discovery of the Ayeyarwady pit viper not only adds to the biodiversity of the region but also provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history and complexity of species differentiation. This research underscores the dynamic nature of species classification and the ongoing efforts to understand the rich tapestry of life on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More about pit vipers</h2>



Pit vipers are a family of venomous snakes known scientifically as Crotalinae. They are characterized by a distinctive heat-sensing pit organ located between the eye and the nostril on each side of their head, which aids them in detecting warm-blooded prey even in the dark. This feature sets them apart from other types of snakes.



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



These snakes are found primarily in the Americas and Asia. They vary greatly in size, from the relatively small hognose pit viper, which can be less than a foot long, to the large bushmasters, which can exceed 10 feet in length.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Venom</h3>



Pit vipers are known for their potent venom, which they use to immobilize and pre-digest their prey, which is typically small mammals, birds, and other reptiles. The venom composition varies among species and can cause significant tissue damage and disruption of blood clotting in the victims.



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



The appearance of pit vipers is diverse. Many species have a robust and stocky build, and they often exhibit striking patterns and colors that help them blend into their natural environments. This camouflage is a key aspect of their hunting strategy, allowing them to lie in wait for unsuspecting prey.



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



Reproduction among pit vipers varies, with some species laying eggs (oviparous) and others giving birth to live young (viviparous). In species that give birth to live young, the embryos are nourished in the mother's body.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ecological role</h3>



Pit vipers play an important role in their ecosystems as both predators and prey. They help control the populations of their prey species and are, in turn, preyed upon by larger animals, including birds of prey and mammals.



Despite their fearsome reputation, pit vipers are generally shy and avoid humans. However, they will defend themselves if threatened or stepped on, making them a significant source of snakebite injuries in their native regions. Their venom has also been a subject of medical research, contributing to the development of new drugs and antivenoms.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1186.110422" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ZooKeys</a>.



Image Credit: Wolfgang Wüster



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New species of pit viper discovered in Myanmar

A new species of pit viper from Myanmar has been...

Happy,Caucasian,Senior,Man,With,Beard,And,Glasses,Strokes,Dog,

Recent studies have uncovered intriguing links between pet ownership and cognitive health in older adults, particularly those living alone. This research offers a clearer and more concise exploration of how our furry friends play a role in slowing cognitive decline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-elsa-study">The ELSA study</h2>



A comprehensive investigation using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (<a href="https://www.elsa-project.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ELSA</a>) has revealed that for older adults living solo, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-against-vaccinations-are-also-unlikely-to-vaccinate-their-pets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">owning a pet</a> is associated with a slower decline in various cognitive functions. 



Specifically, these individuals showed lesser rates of decline in verbal memory, verbal fluency, and overall verbal cognition compared to their counterparts who live with others. 



Interestingly, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indoor-pets-reduce-the-risk-of-food-allergies-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pet ownership</a> seemed to neutralize the negative impact of living alone on these cognitive aspects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earlier-studies-on-pets-and-cognitive-decline">Earlier studies on pets and cognitive decline</h2>



These findings are not isolated. Earlier cross-sectional studies echo similar benefits, linking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-our-pets-leaking-information-about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pet ownership</a> to better verbal memory and executive function. 



Even when different methods were used to assess cognitive abilities, such as serial sevens subtraction or clock-drawing tests, the positive association with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-people-over-50-got-pandemic-pets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pet ownership</a> remained consistent.



In a more focused study involving 32 participants, researchers found that pet owners experienced slower deterioration in verbal memory and executive function over a decade. 



This aligns with the ELSA study results, despite potential limitations like recall bias and uncertain temporal relationships in the smaller study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contrasting-views-and-study-design">Contrasting views and study design</h2>



Not all research aligns perfectly. Some previous cross-sectional studies did not find a significant link between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-people-have-found-their-soulmate-in-a-pet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pet ownership</a> and cognitive functions like verbal memory or executive function. 



This discrepancy could be attributed to differences in study designs (longitudinal vs. cross-sectional) and the cognitive tests used.



Further analysis highlights that the protective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pets-and-owners-had-complex-relationships-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">role of pets</a> is more pronounced in older adults living alone. This group is particularly vulnerable to dementia, and pet ownership seems to offer a buffer against the cognitive decline typically associated with living solo.



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



While the focus has been on verbal memory and executive function, cognitive health is multi-dimensional. Other studies have suggested that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/despite-strong-bonds-pet-ownership-may-not-improve-severe-mental-illness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pets</a> might also positively influence processing speed and orientation. 



Therefore, a more comprehensive approach is needed to fully understand the impact of pet ownership on overall cognitive health.



The study, while insightful, has its limitations. It primarily assessed only two dimensions of cognitive function. 



Additionally, the assumption of constant pet ownership from a single wave of data collection, the lack of diversity in the study population, and potential unmeasured confounding factors highlight the need for further research. This includes randomized clinical trials to establish a causal relationship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-pets-to-mitigate-cognitive-decline">Using pets to mitigate cognitive decline</h2>



In summary, found that pet ownership slowed down the decline in verbal memory, verbal fluency, and overall verbal cognition in older adults living alone. However, this association did not extend to those living with others. 



Additionally, owning a pet entirely counteracted the negative effects of living alone on verbal memory, verbal fluency, and comprehensive verbal cognition. 



These results indicate that pet ownership could benefit the verbal memory and verbal fluency of older adults living by themselves.



While further studies are necessary to confirm these findings, the prospect of incorporating pets into public health policies for cognitive health is an exciting and heartwarming possibility.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-cognitive-decline">Understanding cognitive decline</h2>



As discussed above, cognitive decline, a condition often associated with aging, involves the gradual deterioration of cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, and decision-making. 



While commonly linked to aging, it can also result from various medical conditions, lifestyle factors, or genetic predispositions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cognitive decline and aging</h3>



The first aspect of cognitive decline is its natural association with aging. As people age, changes in the brain occur, including neuron loss and decreased neurotransmitter levels. 



This process, while normal, can impact mental acuity and memory. However, not all older people experience significant cognitive decline, indicating that genetics and lifestyle play crucial roles.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Medical conditions and cognitive decline</h3>



Medical conditions significantly contribute to cognitive decline. Diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's directly affect brain function, leading to pronounced cognitive impairments. 



Vascular issues, like stroke, can also cause damage to brain regions responsible for cognitive abilities. Furthermore, chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension are linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline, emphasizing the importance of managing these conditions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lifestyle factors influencing cognitive health</h3>



Lifestyle factors are equally important in the context of cognitive decline. Regular physical exercise, a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, and mental stimulation through activities like reading or puzzles can help maintain cognitive functions. 



Social engagement and avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption also play a significant role in preserving cognitive health. Also, as discussed earlier in this article, owning a pet can play a big role in slowing cognitive decline.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Interventions and preventive measures</h3>



Finally, recent studies suggest that cognitive decline can be mitigated or delayed through various interventions. Cognitive training exercises, medication, and therapy can help individuals maintain cognitive function. 



Early detection and intervention are crucial, making regular health check-ups and cognitive assessments important, especially for those at higher risk.



In summary, cognitive decline is a multifaceted issue influenced by age, medical conditions, genetics, and lifestyle. Understanding these factors can help in developing strategies to prevent or slow down cognitive deterioration, emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular medical check-ups, and cognitive exercises.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2813138" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a>.



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Having a pet can slow or prevent cognitive decline and dementia

Recent studies have uncovered intriguing links between pet ownership and...

In an innovative study, researchers have successfully used an instrument designed to find exoplanets for exploring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jupiters-turbulent-atmosphere-includes-a-high-speed-jet-stream/">Jupiter’s winds</a>, marking the first time such a tool has been applied within our Solar System.&nbsp;



The research was led by a team from the <a href="http://iastro.pt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences</a> (IA) at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, in collaboration with the <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Southern Observatory</a> (ESO).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-doppler-velocimetry-nbsp">Doppler velocimetry&nbsp;</h2>



The study utilized the <a href="https://planetas.iastro.pt/en/projeto/espresso/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPRESSO</a> spectrograph, mounted on the <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VLT</a> telescope at ESO, to measure wind speeds on Jupiter. This method, known as Doppler velocimetry, analyzes the reflection of sunlight by clouds in a planet’s atmosphere. 



Changes in the wavelength of this reflected light correspond to the clouds’ movement relative to the Earth-based telescope, revealing the wind speed at the observed location.



Originally developed by the Planetary Systems research group of IA to study Venus’s atmosphere, this method’s application with ESPRESSO on Jupiter has been highly successful.&nbsp;



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



During five hours of observation in July 2019, the team focused on Jupiter’s equatorial zone and its north and south equatorial belts.&nbsp;



“Jupiter’s atmosphere, at the level of the clouds visible from Earth, contains ammonia, ammonium hydrosulfide, and water, forming distinct red and white bands,” explained lead author Pedro Machado, an astrophysicist at IA.



Using ESPRESSO, the researchers measured Jupiter’s wind speeds ranging from 60 to 428 km/h, with an accuracy of less than 36 km/h.&nbsp;



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



The study faced challenges, including navigation over Jupiter’s disk due to the VLT telescope’s high resolution.



“One of the difficulties centered on ‘navigation’ over Jupiter’s disk, that is, knowing exactly which point on the planet’s disk we were pointing to,” Machado added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-continuous-monitoring-nbsp">Continuous monitoring&nbsp;</h2>



To confirm the effectiveness of this method, the team compared their findings with historical wind measurements, primarily obtained by space-based instruments. The consistency between the two sets of data confirms the viability of using Doppler velocimetry for monitoring Jupiter’s winds from Earth.



This continuous monitoring will be crucial in developing a reliable global circulation model of Jupiter’s atmosphere, accounting for wind differences by latitude and understanding atmospheric phenomena like Jupiter’s storms.&nbsp;



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



The team plans to extend their observations with ESPRESSO to cover more of Jupiter’s disk and its entire rotation period of almost 10 hours. They also aim to measure winds at different altitudes to study vertical air layer transport.



Looking ahead, the researchers hope to apply this technique to other gaseous planets, with Saturn as the next target.&nbsp;



The success of these observations with ESPRESSO is particularly significant as ESO designs <a href="https://planetas.iastro.pt/en/projeto/hireselt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ANDES</a> for the upcoming <a href="https://elt.eso.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Extremely Large Telescope</a> (ELT) and in anticipation of the European Space Agency’s <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Juice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JUICE</a> mission dedicated to Jupiter.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/universe9120491" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universe</a>,



Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS. Image processing by Thomas Thomopoulos CC BY



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Experts use exoplanet hunter to study Jupiter’s winds

In an innovative study, researchers have successfully used an instrument...

Major social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube collectively earned nearly $11 billion in advertising revenue last year from kids in the U.S., reveals a new study by <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a>. 



This study provides the first estimates of the number of young users, under the age of 18, on these platforms and the amount of annual ad revenue they generate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids-social-media-and-mental-health">Kids, social media, and mental health</h2>



As concerns about the impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-social-media-cause-depression-in-children-a-new-study-says-no/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> on kids' mental health continue to grow, more and more policymakers are introducing legislation to curb harmful practices that may contribute to depression, anxiety, and disordered eating among young people. 



Bryn Austin, senior author and professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, highlights the urgent need for effective measures.



"Although <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spending-less-time-on-social-media-improves-your-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> platforms may claim that they can self-regulate their practices to reduce the harms to young people, they have yet to do so, and our study suggests they have overwhelming financial incentives to continue to delay taking meaningful steps to protect children," said Austin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncovering-the-data">Uncovering the data</h2>



To estimate the number of kids on these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-impacts-boys-and-girls-at-different-ages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> platforms and their related ad revenue, the researchers utilized a combination of public survey and market research data from 2021 and 2022. 



By leveraging population data from the U.S. Census, as well as survey data from Common Sense Media and Pew Research, they were able to estimate the number of users under the age of 18 in the U.S. 



Furthermore, data from market research company eMarketer and the parental control app Qustodio provided insights into the platforms' projected gross ad revenue for 2022, as well as the average number of minutes young users spend on each platform.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned</h2>



The study reveals a breakdown of youth users and associated ad revenue for each platform in 2022. YouTube had the largest user base, with 49.7 million U.S.-based users under the age of 18. 



TikTok followed with 18.9 million users, while Snapchat and Instagram had 18 million and 16.7 million users, respectively. Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, had 9.9 million and 7 million users, respectively.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-increases-depression-risk-across-all-personalities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">platforms</a> collectively generated close to $11 billion in ad revenue from these young users, with $2.1 billion attributed to users ages 12 and under and $8.6 billion from users ages 13-17. 



Notably, YouTube topped the list, deriving the highest ad revenue from users 12 and under ($959.1 million), followed by Instagram ($801.1 million) and Facebook ($137.2 million). 



In the 13-17 age group, Instagram claimed the highest ad revenue, totaling $4 billion, with TikTok ($2 billion) and YouTube ($1.2 billion) following closely behind.



Snapchat emerged as the platform with the greatest share of its overall 2022 ad revenue originating from users under 18, accounting for 41%. 



TikTok came in second with 35%, followed by YouTube with 27% and Instagram with 16%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limitations-and-implications">Limitations and implications</h2>



The researchers acknowledge the study's limitations, primarily stemming from the reliance on estimations and projections based on public survey and market research sources. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitual-social-media-checking-affects-adolescent-brain-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social media</a> platforms do not disclose user age data or advertising revenue data by age group, making precise measurements challenging.



Nonetheless, lead author Amanda Raffoul, an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, emphasizes the urgent need for change resulting from these findings.



"Our finding that social media platforms generate substantial advertising revenue from youth highlights the need for greater data transparency as well as public health interventions and government regulations," Raffoul said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accountability-for-social-media-and-kids">Accountability for social media and kids</h2>



These compelling results provide a comprehensive understanding of the financial impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/digital-media-can-alter-our-visual-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> platforms on the youth demographic.



Moving forward, these findings should serve as a catalyst for further research and policy development to safeguard the mental health and overall welfare of our younger generation.



In summary, this study is a clarion call for greater scrutiny and accountability of social media platforms. The substantial revenue generated from young users underscores the urgency for more transparent data practices and the implementation of robust public health measures and government oversight. 



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0295337" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>.



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Social media platforms earned $11 billion last year from kids in the U.S.

Major social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly...

A recent study from <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a> has revealed that interactive screen time such as texting and gaming are more detrimental to adolescents' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-counteracts-negative-effects-of-sleep-deprivation/">sleep</a> than passive screen engagement like watching television. 



The research sheds light on how different types of screen usage can variably impact sleep patterns in teens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interactive-screen-time">Interactive screen time</h2>



The study was focused on the sleep habits of 15-year-olds. The experts found that those engaging in interactive screen time before bed took approximately 30 minutes longer to fall asleep compared to those who avoided such activities.&nbsp;



And it was not just interactive screen time before bed that affected kids’ sleep, said the researchers. For each hour that kids spent playing video games beyond their usual routine during the day, their sleep was delayed by about 10 minutes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-sleep-loss">Significant sleep loss</h2>



“If teens typically play video games for an hour each day, but one day a new game comes out and they play for four hours, that's three additional hours more than they typically play,” said study lead author and postdoctoral scholar David Reichenberger.



“So, that means they could have 15 minutes of delayed sleep timing that night. For a child, losing 15 minutes of sleep at night is significant. It’s especially difficult when they have to get up in the morning for school; if they're delaying their sleep, they can't make up for it in the morning."&nbsp;



"Without adequate sleep, kids are at increased risk of obesity, as well as impaired cognition, emotion regulation and mental health.”



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



For the analysis, the team conducted daily surveys with 475 adolescents, inquiring about their screen-based activities, including communication methods and entertainment preferences.&nbsp;



In addition, the researchers employed accelerometers to accurately track the teens’ sleep duration over a week. These devices, typically worn on the wrist, provided insights into the participants' activity levels to infer sleep patterns.



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



The study revealed that teens spent an average of two hours per day communicating digitally and around 1.3 hours playing video games.&nbsp;



Despite these figures, the most substantial sleep delays were noted in those who engaged in interactive screen time during the hour before bed, leading to about 30 minutes of delayed sleep onset.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-passive-screen-time">Passive screen time</h2>



Interestingly, said Reichenberger, the team found no significant associations between passive screen-based activities and subsequent sleep, like browsing the internet and watching television, videos and movies.



“It could be that these more passive activities are less mentally stimulating than interactive activities, like texting and video game playing.” said study co-author Professor Anne-Marie Chang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limiting-interactive-activities-nbsp">Limiting interactive activities&nbsp;</h2>



Addressing the question of what parents can do to help protect their teens’ sleep, Professor Chang said it's a tricky situation.



"These tools are really important to everyone nowadays, so it's hard to put a limit on them, but if you're really looking out for an adolescent’s health and well-being, then you might consider limiting the more interactive activities, especially in the hour before bed," said Chang.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.jahonline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Adolescent Health</a>.



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Interactive screen time has a big impact on sleep among teens

A recent study from Penn State has revealed that interactive...

Researchers are describing a new iguana species in southern China which was previously mistaken for a closely related species, Calotes versicolor.&nbsp;



The experts confirmed that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/excess-sugar-is-toxic-to-rock-iguanas-on-remote-islands/">iguana</a> is genetically distinct from other members of the genus Calotes, and have named the new species Calotes wangi, or Wang’s garden lizard.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinguishing-features-nbsp">Distinguishing features&nbsp;</h2>



The experts found that Calotes wangi has many distinguishing characteristics, including a length of less than 9 centimeters and an orange tongue.



The species name wangi is a tribute to Professor Yuezhao Wang, a former director of the Amphibian and Reptile Research Laboratory and Museum of Herpetology.



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



The research team, led by Yong Huang from the Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, published their findings in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1187.110704" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ZooKeys</a>.



“From 2009 to 2022, we conducted a series of field surveys in South China and collected a number of specimens of the Calotes versicolor species complex, and found that the population of what we thought was Calotes versicolor in South China and Northern Vietnam was a new undescribed species and two subspecies,” said Huang.



The study authors noted that the new species is similar to Calotes irawadi, "but differs in having scales between the nasal shield and the orbit and a fourth toe with a claw that can reach between the eyes and tympanum (even to the snout when hind the limbs are adpressed forward)."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat-and-lifestyle-nbsp">Habitat and lifestyle&nbsp;</h2>



According to Huang, Calotes wangi is found in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests and tropical monsoon forests in southern China and northern Vietnam, mostly in mountainous areas, hills and plains on forest edges, arable land, shrub lands, and even urban green belts.



"It is active at the edge of the forest, and when it is in danger, it rushes into bushes or climbs tree trunks to hide. Investigations found that the lizards lie on sloping shrub branches at night, sleeping close to the branches," said Huang.



The small iguana eats a variety of insects, spiders, and other arthropods. "It is active from April to October every year, while in the tropics it is active from March to November or even longer," wrote the study authors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-status">Conservation status</h2>



The researchers noted that the new species is not considered threatened, but may be impacted by habitat fragmentation. “In addition, their bodies are used medicinally and the lizards are also eaten,” they wrote.



The experts suggest that the local government strengthen the protection of their ecological environment and pay close attention to the population dynamics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cryptic-lineages-nbsp">Cryptic lineages&nbsp;</h2>



"Based on extensive spatial sampling across China and comprehensive data on morphology and genetics for species delimitation, we add a new species and more stability to the systematics of Calotes," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"Another interesting finding from this study is the presence of subspecies, which highlights the need for more thorough geographic sampling to uncover cryptic lineages."



image Credit: Huang et al.



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Calotes wangi: New iguana species identified in China

Researchers are describing a new iguana species in southern China...

New research from the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Health Security Agency</a> (UKHSA) has presented significant findings regarding the efficacy of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-associated-with-lower-covid-19-vaccine-responses/">COVID-19</a> vaccination.&nbsp;



The experts found that there is a substantial decrease in the risk of death from COVID-19 following vaccination. However, they also found evidence that this protective effect diminishes after six months.



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



"Risk of death after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has fallen during the pandemic, largely due to immunity from vaccination. In England, the timing and extent of this reduction varied due to staggered eligibility during the primary vaccination campaign, based on age and clinical risk group," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Duration of protection is less well understood. Our objective was to estimate the case fatality risk (CFR) by vaccination status and time since last dose during a period of widespread community testing, to better understand the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and duration of protection."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-case-fatality-risk-nbsp">Case fatality risk&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers analyzed over 10 million COVID-19 cases in adults from May 2020 to February 2022. The team focused on case fatality risk (CFR), which is the proportion of COVID-19 cases that result in death.&nbsp;



This metric was cross-referenced with the vaccination status of individuals, uncovering a strong correlation between vaccination and lowered mortality rates.



"Case fatality risk (CFR) has been a useful metric for observing changes in mortality during the pandemic. When testing patterns are stable, this measure can show changes in risk of death over time, highlighting groups at higher risk of severe disease or death," wrote the researchers.



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



A critical observation from the study is the time-sensitive nature of vaccine efficacy. The data indicates that within six months of receiving the last vaccine dose, CFR was consistently lowest across all age groups.&nbsp;



Beyond this six-month period, the experts observed an increase in case fatality risk, suggesting a waning protective benefit from the vaccine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-on-mortality-rates">Impact on mortality rates</h2>



The study highlights the success of the COVID-19 vaccination program in reducing mortality rates, particularly among adults over 50. In this group, there was a sharp contrast in CFR between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. 



The CFR was 10 times higher in unvaccinated adults (6.3%) compared to those vaccinated within six months of testing positive for COVID-19 (0.6%). Furthermore, the study revealed a significant decline in CFR in early 2021, coinciding with the initial vaccine rollout.



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



Study lead author Florence Halford from the UKHSA’s COVID-19 Vaccines and Epidemiology Division emphasized the importance of these findings.



"COVID-19 Case Fatality Risk reduced after vaccination, with the lowest seen across all age bands when vaccinated up to six months prior to the specimen date. This provides some evidence for continued booster doses in older age groups," said Halford.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-booster-doses">Booster doses</h2>



The research offers strong evidence supporting the need for booster doses, especially in older populations.&nbsp;



As the protective effects of the vaccine diminish over time, regular booster doses could be crucial in maintaining low mortality rates amidst the ongoing pandemic.



The study is published in the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01410768231216332" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine</a>.



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COVID-19 vaccination reduces mortality risk, but only for 6 months

New research from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has...

Insect larvae were already using sophisticated defense tactics during the Cretaceous period about 100 million years ago, according to a new study.&nbsp;



This discovery, stemming from detailed analyses of Burmese amber fossils, highlights the early emergence of various survival strategies among the tiny creatures, crucial to our ecosystems even today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-crucial-role-of-insect-larvae-nbsp">The crucial role of insect larvae&nbsp;</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-insect-decline-what-are-the-causes-and-consequences/">Insect</a> larvae play a wide range of ecological roles, including predator and prey. They are critical for maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.



Insect larvae are instrumental in decomposing dead matter and wood, contributing significantly to soil formation and the recycling of essential elements. Furthermore, they serve as a primary food source for birds, fish, mammals, and other insects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insect-defense-mechanisms">Insect defense mechanisms</h2>



Faced with the constant threat of predation, many insect larvae have evolved an array of defense mechanisms.&nbsp;



These include physical features such as spines and hairs and behavioral strategies like camouflage and concealment. Over millions of years, this has led to a diverse range of adaptations aimed at survival.



A collaborative study by <a href="https://www.lmu.de/de/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LMU</a>, the <a href="https://www.uni-greifswald.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Greifswald</a>, and the <a href="https://www.uni-rostock.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rostock</a> sheds new light on early defense strategies used by Holometabolan larvae. 



This group includes insects that experience a complete metamorphosis through egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.



"Holometabolan <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-larvae-contribute-to-microplastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">larvae</a> are a major part of the animal biomass and an important food source for many animals. Many larvae evolved anti-predator strategies and some of these can even be recognized in fossils," noted the researchers.



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



The research was focused on well-preserved holometabolan larvae in 100-million-year-old Kachin amber from Myanmar. The team analyzed these fossils to identify defensive specializations, and also to gain insights into the behavior of ancient predators and prey.&nbsp;



"From the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/incredible-discovery-some-mammals-attacked-dinosaurs-and-they-often-won-the-battle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cretaceous</a> onward, ambers start to provide a window to the larval forms of Holometabola in the past in an almost life-like manner. While there are older ambers, these have so far not included holometabolan larvae," wrote the study authors. 



"Among the different Cretaceous ambers, Kachin amber, found in Myanmar and being around 100 million years old, has been especially productive in providing examples of holometabolan <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unusual-jumping-behavior-recorded-in-beetle-larvae/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">larvae</a> that possess different types of anti-predator structures or allow to infer anti-predator types of behavior."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-about-insect-defense">Key findings about insect defense </h2>



By examining the exceptionally preserved fossils, the researchers determined that anti-predator mechanisms were already highly varied during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-fossils-cretaceous-period/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cretaceous</a> period.



"A particularly spectacular example is by far the oldest larva of a scorpionfly to have been discovered, which is the second fossil ever found to have special hairs on its back for attaching camouflage material," said study lead author Professor Carolin Haug.



"Also, I could mention sawfly larvae that lived in leaves and created tunnels in them as they ate their way through the thin layer of the leaf interior." 



This research marks a significant advancement in our understanding of ancient insect larvae and their survival strategies, offering insights into the evolutionary pressures that shaped the insects we see today.&nbsp;



"The repetitive independent evolution of similar strategies in distantly related lineages indicates that several strategies evolved convergently as a result of similar selective pressures," noted the researchers.



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



"Observing the diversity of the past and the emergence and disappearance of various morphologies helps us better understand these processes, which is particularly important in view of the ongoing biodiversity crisis," said Professor Haug.



The study not only reveals the ancient diversity of defensive strategies among insect larvae but also contributes to a broader understanding of evolutionary processes.



"A point to be emphasized is that although we see many anti-predator strategies we know from modern faunal components, they are not necessarily performed by directly related forms. Instead, it appears that many strategies have evolved repetitively independently due to convergent evolution," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Such a pattern indicates that there are especially successful strategies that have been employed by many lineages, also many modern lineages, and that evolved repetitively. In contrast to that, there are also strategies that are rarer, especially among holometabolans."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(23)02698-6?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2589004223026986%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Insects had sophisticated defense strategies 100 million years ago

Insect larvae were already using sophisticated defense tactics during the...

Researchers have made significant strides in understanding brain activity during daydreaming. The study, conducted on mice, offers insights that could illuminate similar processes in humans.



The research was led by Nghia Nguyen, a PhD student in Neurobiology at the Blavatnik Institute at <a href="https://hms.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard Medical School</a>. The team tracked the activity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-brain-how-neurons-get-rewired-to-prepare-for-motherhood/">neurons</a> in the visual cortex of mice while they were in a relaxed waking state.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moments-of-quiet-reflection-nbsp">Moments of quiet reflection&nbsp;</h2>



The experts discovered that these neurons occasionally fired in patterns resembling those observed when the mice viewed actual images.&nbsp;



“We wanted to know how this daydreaming process occurred on a neurobiological level, and whether these moments of quiet reflection could be important for learning and memory,” Nguyen explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-the-visual-cortex-nbsp">The role of the visual cortex&nbsp;</h2>



This study ventured beyond the hippocampus, a region extensively studied for memory and spatial navigation, to focus on the visual cortex’s role in forming visual memories.



”My lab became interested in whether we could record from enough neurons in the visual cortex to understand what exactly the mouse is remembering - and then connect that information to brain plasticity,” said senior author Mark Andermann, a professor of Medicine at <a href="https://www.bidmc.org/">Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center</a> and of Neurobiology at HMS.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-neural-patterns-nbsp">Distinct neural patterns&nbsp;</h2>



In their experiments, the researchers showed mice two different checkerboard images and recorded neural activity from around 7,000 neurons in the visual cortex.&nbsp;



The experts found distinct neural patterns for each image and similar but not identical patterns when the mice viewed a gray screen, suggesting the mice were daydreaming about the images. The daydreams correlated with a state of relaxation, indicated by calm behavior and small pupils.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-representational-drift-nbsp">Representational drift&nbsp;</h2>



Surprisingly, the study revealed that the daydreams could predict future changes in the brain’s response to images, a phenomenon known as “representational drift.”&nbsp;



“There’s drift in how the brain responds to the same image over time, and these early daydreams can predict where the drift is going,” Andermann said.



The team also observed that these daydreams in the visual cortex coincided with replay activity in the hippocampus, hinting at communication between these two brain regions.



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



The findings suggest that daydreaming may play a role in brain plasticity, aiding in distinguishing between different experiences. “Our findings suggest that daydreaming may guide this process by steering the neural patterns associated with the two images away from each other,” Nguyen explained.



The researchers plan to further explore the connections between individual neurons in the visual cortex and how these connections evolve. Andermann reflects on the broader implications of their work: “We were chasing this 99 percent of unexplored brain activity and discovered that there’s so much richness in the visual cortex that nobody knew anything about.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-daydreaming">Human daydreaming</h2>



While it remains to be confirmed if similar patterns occur in human daydreaming, preliminary evidence suggests an analogous process. Studies have shown increased brain activity in the visual cortex when people recall images, aligning with these recent findings in mice.



The study underscores the potential importance of quiet wakefulness and daydreaming in both humans and animals for learning and memory. “If you never give yourself any awake downtime, you’re not going to have as many of these daydream events, which may be important for brain plasticity,” Andermann concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06810-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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What happens in the brain while we are daydreaming?

Researchers have made significant strides in understanding brain activity during...

Soccer,Players,Chasing,Ball,On,Field

A recent study led by Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with <a href="https://shirazu.ac.ir/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shiraz University</a> in Iran, has revealed intriguing insights into the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-caffeine-levels-reduce-the-risk-of-diabetes/">caffeine</a> on athletes, particularly football (soccer) players. 



The research, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114732" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Behavioural Brain Research</a>, suggests that while caffeine can enhance certain physical aspects of performance, it may also impair more complex cognitive functions like decision-making and problem-solving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-popular-dietary-supplement">Popular dietary supplement</h2>



Dr. Pooya Soltani, a senior lecturer in games technology at <a href="https://www.staffs.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Staffordshire University</a>, explains the basis of the study. 



“Caffeine is one of the most popular dietary supplements which has been shown to provide benefits during exercise, including football," Soltani said.



"Studies have shown that caffeine can enhance attention, accuracy, and speed, as well as self-reported measures of energy and mood.”&nbsp;



However, notes Dr. Soltani, “the effects of caffeine on ‘higher’ cognitive functions such as problem-solving and decision-making are often debated, so we decided to investigate this."



The study involved 12 young football players aged 16-17 who underwent a series of tasks to assess the impact of caffeine on decision-making and passing accuracy.&nbsp;



The tasks included performing short and long passes, as well as completing the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test, which measures skills like passing, dribbling, control, and decision-making. Additionally, a computer task was used to assess decision-making in various gameplay scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insights-on-athletes-and-caffeine">New insights on athletes and caffeine</h2>



Each participant completed these tasks twice: once after consuming three mg/kg body mass of caffeine and once after a placebo. 



The findings indicated a notable improvement in passing accuracy with caffeine intake -- 1.67 percent better in short passes and 13.48 percent in long passes compared to the placebo. 



However, Negar Jafari from Shiraz University highlights a concern. “While the short pass accuracy remained consistent among almost all participants before and after caffeine consumption, the performance varied in the case of long passes. Moreover, most of the participants scored lower on decision-making and the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test after consuming caffeine.”



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



While the researchers emphasize that they are not advocating for athletes to completely avoid caffeine, they acknowledge the need for further research on caffeine’s impact on in-game decision-making.&nbsp;



“Our findings show that this can be affected by caffeine intake and coaches may find these performance metrics useful to explore in training,” Soltani said.&nbsp;



He also points out that various factors, such as the dosage of caffeine relative to body weight, frequency of intake, and the players’ positions or playing styles, can influence the outcomes. 



For instance, a slight decrease in pass accuracy might have different implications for a midfielder compared to a goalkeeper.



This study sheds light on the complex effects of caffeine on athletes, balancing its physical benefits against potential cognitive drawbacks, and underscores the importance of tailored approaches in sports training and nutrition.



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Caffeine can reduce athletes’ decision-making abilities

A recent study led by Staffordshire University in the United...

In our increasingly digital world, children encounter a vast array of information online, much of it unverified and generated by robots and artificial intelligence (<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-predict-human-life-events-including-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a>) sources. 



A pivotal skill for children in this environment is discerning the reliability of these sources, a key component in developing critical thinking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-children-robots-and-trust">Children, robots and trust</h2>



A recent study sheds light on this issue. Titled ‘Younger, not older, children trust an inaccurate human informant more than an inaccurate robot informant,’ the research explores how children aged three to five gauge trustworthiness in both human and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-robots-marketing-and-the-power-of-persuasion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robot</a> informants.



Dr. Li Xiaoqian is a research scholar at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (<a href="https://www.sutd.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUTD</a>). 



She, along with her PhD supervisor, Professor Yow Wei Quin, head of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at SUTD, co-authored the study. They found that children’s trust is influenced by an informant's past accuracy. 



“Children do not just trust anyone to teach them labels, they trust those who were reliable in the past. We believe that this selectivity in social learning reflects young children’s emerging understanding of what makes a good (reliable) source of information,” explained Li Xiaoqian. 



“The question at stake is how young children use their intelligence to decide when to learn and whom to trust.”



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



The study involved participants from Singapore preschools, such as ChildFirst, Red SchoolHouse, and Safari House. 



Divided into ‘younger’ and ‘older’ groups based on the median age of 4.58 years, these children interacted with either a human or robot informant. These informants provided either accurate or inaccurate labels for objects like ‘ball’ or ‘book’.



To measure trust, the researchers observed if the children accepted new information from these informants. The robot used was NAO by <a href="https://www.softbankrobotics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SoftBank Robotics</a>, a humanoid robot with a human-like but robotic voice. 



To ensure consistency, the human informant mirrored the robot's movements. An experimenter was also present to facilitate the process and ensure the child was comfortable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-team-learned">What the team learned</h2>



The findings revealed that children trusted informants -- <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-engage-in-social-loafing-when-they-have-robot-team-members/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human or robot</a> -- who had previously provided accurate information. However, they were hesitant to trust informants with a history of inaccuracies, particularly if the informant was a robot. 



Additionally, younger children were more likely to trust an unreliable human over an unreliable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-robots-with-charismatic-voices-get-better-results-from-students/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robot</a>, while older children tended to distrust unreliable informants, regardless of their nature.



“These results implicate that younger and older children may have different selective trust strategies, especially the way they use informants’ reliability and identity cues when deciding who to trust," said Dr. Li. 



"Together with other research on children’s selective trust, we show that as children get older, they may increasingly rely on reliability cues to guide their trust behavior.”



Previous studies indicate that children consider various factors, like age, familiarity, and language, to assess an informant's reliability. 



Younger children might emphasize identity cues more, while older children focus more on the substance of the information provided.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-children-and-robots">Future research on children and robots</h2>



This study is unique in its exploration of children's perceptions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-happens-when-robots-lie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robots</a> compared to humans and their corresponding trust behaviors. 



“Addressing these questions will provide a unique perspective on the development of trust and social learning among children who are growing up alongside various sources of information, including social robots,” described Prof Yow.



The research has significant implications for educational methods, especially as robots and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-intelligence-proves-very-useful-to-doctors-when-diagnosing-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI tools</a> become more common in classrooms. Children's perceptions of robots as trustworthy sources could evolve with increased exposure to smart machines.



“Designers should consider the impact of perceived competence when building robots and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-able-to-predict-if-a-new-song-will-be-a-hit-with-97-accuracy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI-driven</a> educational tools for young children," emphasized Professor Yow. 



"Recognizing the developmental changes in children’s trust of humans versus robots can guide the creation of more effective learning environments, ensuring that the use of technologies aligns with children’s developing cognitive and social needs.”



In summary, future research might expand beyond word learning to other areas, such as tool usage, emotional expression, and episodic memory. The current findings will be influential in design pedagogy. 



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cdev.14048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Child Development</a>.



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Who do children trust more, robots or humans? Scientists found out

In our increasingly digital world, children encounter a vast array...

<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.

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[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...

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[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?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features 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

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> 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

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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