<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p>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.</p>



<p><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.</p>



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



<p>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. </p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p><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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>"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.</p>



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



<p>Breaking it all down, the conclusions of this study are pretty simple. </p>



<p><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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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. </p>



<p><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. </p>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>"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."</p>



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



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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"><em>Forest Ecology and Management</em></a>.</p>



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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...

<p>The narrative of our planet’s history is filled with tales of massive, awe-inspiring creatures, often with the dinosaurs as the headlining act. Yet, a newly unveiled chapter in this ever-evolving story takes us 40 million years before these famous reptilian giants roamed the Earth, to the era of Pampaphoneus biccai - a creature that once laid claim to the title of the largest and most ferocious predator in South America.</p>



<p>Recent revelations in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad071/7260715">Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society</a> have introduced the world to an extraordinary 265-million-year-old fossil specimen of Pampaphoneus biccai. The fossil is exquisitely preserved and was uncovered in the pastoral landscapes of São Gabriel in Southern Brazil.</p>



<p>The significance of this finding cannot be overstated. This is especially true since the remains include an intact skull as well as parts of its skeleton, like ribs and arm bones.</p>



<h2 id="h-when-dinocephalians-ruled-the-earth">When dinocephalians ruled the Earth</h2>



<p>Tracing the lineage of Pampaphoneus leads to the dinocephalians, an early branch of therapsids that precede the catastrophic extinction event wiping out a staggering 86% of global animal species. These creatures were aptly named after the Greek words for "terrible head" due to their dense cranial bones. They were the predominant large land-dwellers of their time, showcasing a diverse range including both carnivores and herbivores.</p>



<p>Mateus A. Costa Santos was the study's lead author and a graduate student at the <a href="https://unipampa.edu.br/portal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paleontology Laboratory at the Federal University of Pampa</a> (UNIPAMPA). For context, he explains, "The fossil was found in middle Permian rocks, in an area where bones are not so common, but always hold pleasant surprises.”</p>



<p>He elaborates on the significance, noting, “Finding a new Pampaphoneus skull after so long was extremely important for increasing our knowledge about the animal, which was previously difficult to differentiate from its Russian relatives."</p>



<h2>How Pampaphoneus biccai was found</h2>



<p>A colossal effort went into unearthing this fossil. For a month, paleontologists from UNIPAMPA and <a href="http://www.ufrgs.br/ufrgs/inicial" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul</a> (UFRGS) diligently worked, day in and day out. However, challenges posed by the global pandemic meant an additional three-year delay before the specimen could be cleaned, studied, and its mysteries unveiled.</p>



<p>Co-author Professor Stephanie E. Pierce of Harvard offered her insights on the specimen. He remarked, “This animal was a gnarly-looking beast, and it must have evoked sheer dread in anything that crossed its path.” Pierce emphasizes the global implications of the discovery. He noted its ability to shed light on "the community structure of terrestrial ecosystems just prior to the biggest mass extinction of all time."</p>



<p>The Pampaphoneus biccai specimen has elevated Brazil's significance in the world of paleontology. Interestingly, this isn't the first time a Pampaphoneus skull has been discovered in South America. It is, however, certainly the most comprehensive find yet. Its size, larger than its predecessor, coupled with the impeccable preservation of its bones, offers unprecedented data about its morphology.</p>



<h2>Pampaphoneus was similar to modern big cats</h2>



<p>Equating the creature's ecological significance to that of today's big cats, Professor Felipe Pinheiro from UNIPAMPA describes, “Pampaphoneus played the same ecological role as modern big cats." He goes on to illustrate the creature's might. He observed that, "Its dentition and cranial architecture suggest that its bite was strong enough to chew bones, much like modern-day hyenas."</p>



<p>Indeed, while the newly discovered skull is a formidable 40cm, there are indications of an even larger individual. This clue was gleaned from a jaw fragment that is believed to belong to Pampaphoneus. If accurate, this would suggest creatures nearly twice the size of the current specimen, potentially reaching lengths of up to three meters and weighing around 400kg.</p>



<p>This apex predator of its time was not alone. Within the same vicinity, remains of potential prey like the small dicynodont Rastodon and the giant amphibian Konzhukovia were identified. This discovery paints a vibrant picture of a bygone ecosystem.</p>



<p>The unfolding narrative of Pampaphoneus biccai, in tandem with other fossil findings in the region, underscores the Pampa's untapped potential as a treasure trove of paleontological discoveries. </p>



<p>This research endeavor was made possible through funding by many generous institutions. Special thanks goes to CAPES, <a href="https://www.gov.br/cnpq/pt-br" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNPq</a>, and the <a href="https://research.harvard.edu/lemann-brazil-research-fund/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard Lemann Brazil Research Fund</a>. The study reaffirms the global significance of Brazil’s rich and diverse fossil record.</p>



<h2>More about dinocephalians</h2>



<p>Dinocephalians, often overshadowed by the more famous dinosaurs, hold a unique and critical place in our planet’s prehistoric narrative. As mentioned above, derived from Greek words meaning "terrible heads," dinocephalians were a diverse group of therapsid (mammal-like reptiles) species that once roamed the Earth long before the first dinosaur made its footprint.</p>



<h3>Origin and evolution</h3>



<p>Dinocephalians first appeared in the middle Permian period, roughly around 270 million years ago. Over time, they diversified into a wide range of forms, leading to both herbivorous and carnivorous species.</p>



<h3>Physical characteristics</h3>



<p>One of the defining characteristics of dinocephalians was their thick, dense cranial bones, which earned them their unique name. These heavy skulls, especially in males, might have served multiple purposes. They helped with protection, combat with rivals, or even as a display to attract potential mates.</p>



<p>Many dinocephalian species also exhibited sexual dimorphism, where males and females displayed distinct physical differences. While males typically had larger, more robust skulls and bodies, females were comparatively smaller and less robust.</p>



<h3>Diet and lifestyle</h3>



<p>The diversity in the dinocephalian group was not just in size or skull structure, but also in dietary habits. Some species, like the massive Moschops, were herbivores with strong, pillar-like limbs. This indicates they had a slow-moving lifestyle where they browsed low-lying vegetation. Others, like the carnivorous Titanophoneus, had sharp teeth and strong jaws, suggesting a predatory lifestyle where they hunted smaller animals.</p>



<h3>Habitat and distribution</h3>



<p>Most dinocephalian fossils come from South Africa and Russia. This suggests these regions were primary habitats for these creatures during the Permian period. These habitats ranged from arid plains to dense forests, supporting the diverse lifestyles of the various dinocephalian species.</p>



<h3>Pampaphoneus biccai extinction</h3>



<p>Around 260 million years ago, dinocephalians began to decline. After Pampaphoneus biccai, the dinocephalians slowly vanished from the planet. </p>



<p>The exact reasons for their decline remain a subject of debate among paleontologists. However, by the late Permian period, dinocephalians had become extinct. Their extinction paved the way for new groups of therapsids to dominate, eventually leading to the rise of the dinosaurs.</p>



<h3>Significance in evolutionary history</h3>



<p>Dinocephalians represent a vital evolutionary link between earlier reptilian forms and the more advanced mammal-like reptiles that would follow. Their rise and fall highlight the dynamic nature of life on Earth. Entire groups can evolve, diversify, and eventually go extinct, giving way to newer, more adapted species.</p>



<p>In summary, while they may not be as famous as the mighty Tyrannosaurus or the graceful Diplodocus, dinocephalians played a crucial role in the Earth’s prehistoric ecosystem. Their fossils provide valuable insights into the evolution of life, the changing climates and habitats of the past, and the intricate dance of survival, adaptation, and extinction. The legacy of the "terrible-headed" dinocephalians, therefore, stands as a testament to the ever-changing story of life on our planet.</p>



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Long before dinosaurs, Pampaphoneus biccai was the fiercest predator on Earth

The narrative of our planet’s history is filled with tales...

<p>The <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/">James Webb Space Telescope</a> has found evidence of carbon-bearing molecules, specifically <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-arctic-glaciers-are-releasing-a-new-source-of-potent-methane-emissions/">methane</a> and carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere of the habitable zone exoplanet K2-18 b.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This discovery offers a new perspective on a planet that bears no resemblance to any within our own solar system. This hints at the potential for extraterrestrial habitable worlds throughout the universe.</p>



<h2 id="h-unique-position-of-k2-18-b">Unique position of K2-18 b</h2>



<p>K2-18 b, which weighs 8.6 times Earth's mass, revolves around the cool dwarf star, K2-18. It is located 120 light-years from our planet in the constellation Leo.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The exoplanet's unique position between the size of Earth and Neptune designates it as a "sub-Neptune."</p>



<h2 id="h-hycean-exoplanet">Hycean exoplanet</h2>



<p>The data from Webb suggests that K2-18 b might be classified as a Hycean exoplanet. This is an emerging category that describes planets which potentially possess hydrogen-rich atmospheres and water-covered surfaces.</p>



<p>According to a Webb <a href="https://webbtelescope.org/contents/news-releases/2023/news-2023-139.html">press release</a>, the suggestion that K2-18 b could be a Hycean exoplanet is intriguing. Some astronomers believe that these worlds are promising environments to search for evidence for life on exoplanets.</p>



<h2 id="h-search-for-alien-life">Search for alien life</h2>



<p>"Our findings underscore the importance of considering diverse habitable environments in the search for life elsewhere," explained Nikku Madhusudhan, an astronomer at the University of Cambridge and lead author of the paper announcing these results.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Traditionally, the search for life on exoplanets has focused primarily on smaller rocky planets, but the larger Hycean worlds are significantly more conducive to atmospheric observations."</p>



<h2 id="h-clues-in-the-atmosphere">Clues in the atmosphere</h2>



<p>The news release notes an<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/exoplanet_K2-18_atmospheric-conditions_NASA_2big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> abundance of methane and carbon dioxide</a>, and shortage of ammonia. This supports the hypothesis that there may be a water ocean underneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere on K2-18 b.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The initial observations from Webb also hint at the presence of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS). On Earth, DMS is predominantly produced by life, mainly emanating from marine phytoplankton. Yet, Madhusudhan suggested that it's crucial to approach this with caution.</p>



<p>“Upcoming Webb observations should be able to confirm if DMS is indeed present in the atmosphere of K2-18 b at significant levels,” explained Madhusudhan.</p>



<h2 id="h-k2-18-b-is-in-the-habitable-zone">K2-18 b is in the habitable zone&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Just because K2-18 b is in the habitable zone and showcases carbon-bearing molecules does not guarantee it can sustain life. Its vast size suggests an interior dominated by high-pressure ice, reminiscent of Neptune.</p>



<p>"Although this kind of planet does not exist in our solar system, sub-Neptunes are the most common type of planet known so far in the galaxy," explained team member Subhajit Sarkar of Cardiff University.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We have obtained the most detailed spectrum of a habitable-zone sub-Neptune to date, and this allowed us to work out the molecules that exist in its atmosphere.”</p>



<h2 id="h-atmospheric-composition">Atmospheric composition&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The astronomers used a brilliant method to unearth these secrets. Because the parent stars of these exoplanets often outshine their smaller counterparts, it's challenging to discern the components of these distant atmospheres.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team circumvented this problem by studying the light from K2-18 b's parent star as it shone through the planet's atmosphere. This transit method yields crucial clues about the atmospheric composition.</p>



<h2 id="h-webb-s-remarkable-precision">Webb's remarkable precision&nbsp;</h2>



<p>"This result was only possible because of the extended wavelength range and unprecedented sensitivity of Webb, which enabled robust detection of spectral features with just two transits," said Madhusudhan.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"For comparison, one transit observation with Webb provided comparable precision to eight observations with Hubble conducted over a few years and in a relatively narrow wavelength range."</p>



<p>"These results are the product of just two observations of K2-18 b, with many more on the way,” explained Savvas Constantinou of the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/">University of Cambridge</a>. “This means our work here is but an early demonstration of what Webb can observe in habitable-zone exoplanets.”</p>



<h2 id="h-future-steps-to-explore-k2-18-b">Future steps to explore K2-18 b</h2>



<p>The research team is eager to dig deeper. Their next steps involve the MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) spectrograph, aiming to further validate and enrich our understanding of K2-18 b.</p>



<p>"Our ultimate goal is the identification of life on a habitable exoplanet, which would transform our understanding of our place in the universe," said Madhusudhan.</p>



<p>While the journey to understanding K2-18 b and other similar exoplanets has just begun, the recent discoveries underscore the importance and potential of the James Webb Space Telescope. JWST is a combined endeavor of NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and the Canadian Space Agency.</p>



<h2>More about the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)</h2>



<p>The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) stands as humanity's most ambitious astronomical undertaking to date. It promises to revolutionize our understanding of the universe.</p>



<p>NASA leads the <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a> project. They are collaborating closely with the <a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> (ESA) and the <a href="https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canadian Space Agency</a> (CSA). Together, these agencies have developed a telescope that possesses a primary mirror nearly three times larger than Hubble's. This increased size allows the JWST to collect more light and observe distant, ancient galaxies that have remained elusive to our current instruments.</p>



<h3>Different than Hubble</h3>



<p>Unlike the Hubble, which orbits Earth, the JWST will sit at the second Lagrange Point (L2), located approximately 1.5 million kilometers away from our planet. This unique position offers a stable environment, free from Earth's radiative and light interference, enabling more detailed and clearer observations.</p>



<p>The JWST primarily focuses on infrared observations. This capability allows it to peer through cosmic dust clouds and witness the birth of stars and planetary systems. Additionally, by studying infrared light from the universe's early days, the JWST aims to unravel the mysteries of the period called the "Dark Ages," shortly after the Big Bang.</p>



<p>One of the JWST's groundbreaking features is its deployable sunshield, which is the size of a tennis court. This shield protects the telescope from external heat and light, ensuring the instruments remain cool enough for accurate infrared measurements.</p>



<p>The James Webb Space Telescope represents the pinnacle of modern astronomical engineering and ambition. As it ventures into space, it carries humanity's hopes and curiosities, destined to reshape our understanding of the cosmos.</p>



<p>The study will soon be published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/2041-8205" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Astrophysical Journal Letters</em></a>.</p>



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"Super Earth" planet K2-18 b has an ocean and atmosphere that could support life

The James Webb Space Telescope has found evidence of carbon-bearing...

African-american,Girl,With,Sunglasses,Smokes,A,Cigarette.,She,Smokes,With

<p>New research has confirmed that smoking cigarettes greatly accelerates the aging process. The findings were recently presented at the <a href="https://www.ersnet.org/">European Respiratory Society</a> International Congress in Milan by Dr. Siyu Dai. He is an assistant professor in the School of Clinical Medicine at <a href="http://sie.hznu.edu.cn/Portal/Home.aspx">Hangzhou Normal University</a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-telomere-shortening">Telomere shortening&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Our study shows that smoking status and cigarette quantity can result in the shortening of leucocyte telomere length, which is an indicator of tissue self-repair, regeneration and aging," explained Dr. Dai. "In other words, smoking can accelerate the process of aging, while quitting may considerably decrease the related risk.”</p>



<p>To understand the significance of this revelation, it is necessary to understand the function of telomeres.  They serve a protective role that is similar to the plastic or metal caps that prevent shoelaces from fraying.</p>



<h2 id="h-aging-progression">Aging progression&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Comprising lengths of repetitive DNA sequences, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obstructive-sleep-apnea-speeds-up-aging-on-a-cellular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">telomeres</a> shield the ends of our chromosomes. But with every cell division, these telomeres undergo minor shortening. </p>



<p>When they become too short, the cell's ability to divide is compromised. This leads to cellular death – an intrinsic part of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/">aging</a> progression. </p>



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



<p>There has been speculation that telomere length in white blood cells, or leucocytes, is linked to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smokers-have-weaker-hearts-that-pump-less-blood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smoking</a>. However, the current study is the first to explore the link between smoking status, quantity of cigarette consumption, and telomere shortening.</p>



<p>In collaboration with her colleague Dr. Feng Chen, Dr. Dai extracted and analyzed a staggering amount of genetic and health-related data from UK Biobank. In particular, the researchers focused on data from 472,174 UK Biobank participants and 113 SNPs.</p>



<h2 id="h-mendelian-randomization">Mendelian randomization</h2>



<p>The team's methodology, known as Mendelian randomization, is particularly significant. This approach leverages genetic variations, or SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), inherited from our forebears to infer causal relationships between exposure to modifiable factors (like smoking) and health conditions (like shortened leucocyte telomeres). </p>



<p>The strength of this method lies in its ability to avoid the interference of other potential factors. This offers a clearer picture of causality.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered">What the researchers discovered&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“We found that current smoking status was statistically significantly associated with shorter leucocyte telomere length, whereas previous smokers and people who had never smoked didn’t show significantly shorter leucocyte telomere length," said Dr Dai.</p>



<p>"Among people who used to smoke, there was a trend towards shorter telomere length, but this was not statistically significant. People who smoked the greater number of cigarettes had significantly shorter leucocyte telomere length."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"In summary, smoking may cause the shortening of leucocyte telomere length, and the more cigarettes smoked, the stronger the shortening effect."</p>



<h2 id="h-telomere-length-and-disease">Telomere length and disease</h2>



<p>Dr. Dai noted that in recent years, observational studies have linked shortened leucocyte telomere length with many diseases. These include cardiovascular disease, diabetes and muscle loss. </p>



<p>"This means that the effect of smoking on telomere length probably plays a critical role in these diseases, although more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms."</p>



<p>“Our study adds to the evidence that smoking causes aging. As there are clear health benefits of smoking cessation, it is time to include cessation support as well as treatment into daily clinical management to help us to create a smoke-free environment for the next generation.”</p>



<h2 id="h-future-research-on-smoking-cigarettes">Future research on smoking cigarettes</h2>



<p>Dr Dai and Dr Chen will carry out further research to validate the current findings. They also plan to further investigate the effect of passive smoke exposure on tissue self-repair, regeneration and aging. In particular, they will explore the way that it could affect children.</p>



<h2 id="h-significance-of-the-study">Significance of the study</h2>



<p>Professor Jonathan Grigg, Chair of the European Respiratory Society Tobacco Control Committee, who was not involved with this research, commented:&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This study addresses the question whether smoking affects telomere lengths. Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes. If telomeres become short, cells can no longer divide successfully, and they die."</p>



<p>"Dr Dai and her colleagues, in a study of half a million adults, show a clear association between smoking and reduced telomere length. This study applied Mendelian randomization, a well-known method for providing good levels of evidence and being able to show causal relationships, to support previous, observational studies suggesting that smoking causes aging, while quitting may reverse this effect." </p>



<p>"It will be interesting to see what the researchers have found in relation to the effects of passive smoking on telomere length.”</p>



<h2>More about telomeres</h2>



<p>Our cells contain the intricate blueprint of life: DNA. As vital as this molecule is, it's the tiny end caps called telomeres that play a crucial role in maintaining DNA's health and stability.</p>



<h3>What are telomeres?</h3>



<p>Imagine the plastic tips on the end of your shoelaces. They prevent the laces from fraying, ensuring longevity and functionality. In a similar way, telomeres act as protective caps at the ends of our DNA strands, safeguarding our genetic information.</p>



<h3>The role of telomeres in aging and cell division</h3>



<p>Every time a cell divides, its DNA replicates. But each replication shaves a little bit off the telomeres. Over time, as telomeres shorten, they send signals to the cell to stop dividing. This process plays a part in aging, as cells lose their ability to divide and repair tissue.</p>



<h3>Telomerase: The protector of telomeres</h3>



<p>Nature, recognizing the importance of telomeres, has a backup system: the enzyme telomerase. This enzyme helps rebuild telomeres, allowing cells to keep dividing for a longer time. While most of our cells don't produce much telomerase after birth, some cells, like stem cells, do, ensuring they can continually regenerate.</p>



<h2>Telomeres and health implications</h2>



<p>Short telomeres link to several age-related diseases, including certain forms of cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise can accelerate telomere shortening, underscoring the importance of a healthy lifestyle.</p>



<h3>The future of telomere research</h3>



<p>Researchers believe that understanding telomeres can unlock treatments for aging and associated diseases. By manipulating telomerase or developing treatments that affect telomere length, we might someday extend the lifespan of cells and combat age-related illnesses.</p>



<p>In conclusion, telomeres serve as guardians of our DNA, playing an essential role in cell aging and health. As research continues, these small DNA end caps might hold the key to longer, healthier lives.</p>



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Smoking cigarettes accelerates aging by speeding up the genetic clock

New research has confirmed that smoking cigarettes greatly accelerates the...

<p>Night owls might want to rethink their habits. A recent investigation by researchers from <a href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/">Brigham and Women’s Hospital</a> has uncovered a troubling connection between late sleep-wake cycles and an elevated risk of diabetes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers explored the concept of "chronotype," which refers to an individual's innate circadian rhythm or preference for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-counteracts-negative-effects-of-sleep-deprivation/">sleep</a> and waking times.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-circadian-preference">Circadian preference&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Study co-author Tianyi Huang is an associate epidemiologist at the Brigham’s Channing Division of Network Medicine.</p>



<p>“Chronotype, or circadian preference, refers to a person’s preferred timing of sleep and waking and is partly genetically determined so it may be difficult to change,” said Huang.</p>



<p>“People who think they are ‘night owls’ may need to pay more attention to their lifestyle because their evening chronotype may add increased risk for type 2 diabetes.”</p>



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>Earlier studies by the team had identified a higher risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in individuals with inconsistent sleep patterns, with evening chronotypes often displaying irregular sleeping habits. This new research aimed to uncover the link between chronotype, lifestyle factors, and diabetes risk.</p>



<p>The exhaustive study scrutinized data from 63,676 female nurses as part of the Nurses’ Health Study II conducted between 2009 and 2017.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Participants shared information about their perceived chronotype, dietary habits, weight, sleep timings, smoking and drinking habits, physical activity, and family history of diabetes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study, a collaborative venture between the Brigham’s Channing Division of Network Medicine and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is an expansive probe into the risk factors of major chronic diseases affecting women.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A significant revelation was that 11% of participants identified strongly with an evening chronotype while 35% felt a definite morning inclination. The balance, about 50%, were more ambivalent, not particularly leaning towards either morning or evening.</p>



<p>Initially, evening chronotypes showed a 72% increased diabetes risk. However, upon considering lifestyle factors, this risk was revised to a 19% increase.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-evening-chronotypes">Evening chronotypes&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Alarmingly, among the healthiest lifestyle group, just 6% were evening chronotypes, while 25% of those with less healthy habits identified with this category.</p>



<p>The night owls, the data suggests, were prone to consuming larger alcohol quantities, maintaining a poor diet, sleeping less, smoking, and exhibiting unhealthy weight and physical activity metrics.</p>



<h2 id="h-chronotype-mismatch">Chronotype mismatch</h2>



<p>“When we controlled for unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, the strong association between chronotype and diabetes risk was reduced but still remained, which means that lifestyle factors explain a notable proportion of this association,” said study first author Sina Kianersi, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Brigham’s Channing Division of Network Medicine.</p>



<p>The research also revealed a surprising trend: the heightened diabetes risk linked to the evening chronotype manifested primarily in nurses working daytime shifts, not those on overnight shifts.</p>



<p>“When chronotype was not matched with work hours we saw an increase in type 2 diabetes risk,” said Huang. “That was another very interesting finding suggesting that more personalized work scheduling could be beneficial.”</p>



<h2 id="h-study-limitations">Study limitations&nbsp;</h2>



<p>However, a limitation of the study is its lack of diversity, focusing mainly on white female nurses. Further research across broader demographics is essential to ascertain the applicability of these findings universally.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While the study highlights associations, it cannot firmly establish causality. Other factors might play a role in influencing a person's chronotype, their susceptibility to unhealthy habits, and diabetes risk.</p>



<h2 id="h-future-research">Future research</h2>



<p>Looking ahead, the team plans to explore the genetic foundation of chronotype and its potential relationship with cardiovascular disease, alongside diabetes, in a broader, more diverse group of participants.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“If we are able to determine a causal link between chronotype and diabetes or other diseases, physicians could better tailor prevention strategies for their patients,” says Kianersi.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.7326/M23-0728"><em>Annals of Internal Medicine</em></a>.</p>



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Night owls have an increased risk of diabetes, new study finds

Night owls might want to rethink their habits. A recent...

<p>A red fire ant species with a painful sting (<em>Solenopsis invicta</em>) is one of the most invasive species on Earth. Native to South America, these red <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supergene-transformed-the-social-hierarchy-of-fire-ants/">fire ants</a> have recently spread across the globe.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Now, a team of scientists led by the<a href="https://www.ibe.upf-csic.es/">&nbsp;Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE)</a> in Spain has confirmed that this species has reached Sicily and could soon spread all over Europe, possibly causing major environmental, economic, and health problems in Italy and beyond.</p>



<h2 id="h-alarming-spread-of-red-fire-ants">Alarming spread of red fire ants</h2>



<p>“<em>S. invicta</em>&nbsp;is one of the worst invasive species. It can spread alarmingly quickly,” explained lead author Mattia Menchetti, a PhD student at IBE. “Finding this species in Italy was a big surprise, but we knew this day would come.”</p>



<p>Previously known as “the imported red fire ant,” this species’ scientific name comes from its most infamous feature, its painful stings that can sometimes cause anaphylactic shock. </p>



<h2 id="h-how-are-they-spreading">How are they spreading?</h2>



<p>Although it is native to South America, red fire ants<em> </em>have spread rapidly by flying into wind stream to travel farther on the local level. </p>



<p>Humans have also played a major role in the insect’s global spread through the maritime trade industry and by shipping plant products, helping it establish throughout the United States, as well as in other regions, such as Australia, the Caribbeans, China, and Mexico. However, this is the first time that the ant has been spotted in Europe.</p>



<h2 id="h-alien-ant-species">Alien ant species</h2>



<p>“There are a vast number of alien ant species currently establishing in Europe, and the absence of this species was kind of a relief,” Menchetti said. “For decades, scientists have feared that it would arrive. We could not believe our eyes when we saw it.”</p>



<p>After seeing several photographs taken in Sicily of what looked strikingly similar to <em>S. invicta</em>, the experts travelled to the region to confirm the ants’ identity.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-red-fire-ants-have-painful-stings">Red fire ants have painful stings</h2>



<p>They discovered 88 nests in a 4.7-hectare area close to a river, some of which contained several thousands of working ants. Sicilian residents told them that they had been getting stung frequently by such ants for several years.</p>



<p>“The locals have been experiencing these painful things since at least 2019, so the ants have probably been there for a while,” said Menchetti. “And the real extension of the invaded area is probably larger.”</p>



<h2 id="h-first-entry-point-in-europe">First entry point in Europe</h2>



<p>Although scientists discovered the ant in Europe for the first time, they suspect that Sicily wasn't the insect's first point of entry on the continent.</p>



<p>While they could not yet determine how it reached Europe, an analysis of the Sicilian ants’ DNA revealed similarities to red ant populations in the US and China.</p>



<h2 id="h-predicting-the-future-spread-of-red-fire-ants">Predicting the future spread of red fire ants</h2>



<p>To better understand how the ants might spread around Europe, the researchers analyzed the local wind patterns in Sicily and designed a comprehensive model to determine how suitable the rest of Europe and the Mediterranean region will be for this species and what role might climate change play in the ants’ further spread.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The analysis revealed that, although only seven percent of the European continent is suitable for <em>S. invicta</em> given current environmental conditions, climate change will likely expedite their spread and population growth in other areas too.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Moreover, researchers found that urban regions, particularly in Europe, were especially at risk, with 50 percent of Europe’s cities vulnerable to invasion.</p>



<p>“This is especially concerning because many of the cities, including London, Amsterdam, and Rome, have large seaports, which could allow the ants to spread rapidly to more countries and continents,” said senior author Roger Vila, an evolutionary biologist at IBE.</p>



<h2 id="h-eradication-plans">Eradication plans</h2>



<p>Since the only place where the red fire ants were successfully eradicated is New Zealand, the experts plan to base their interventions on methods that worked there, as well as on efforts underway in China. </p>



<p>First, they will systematically inspect local areas to assess whether the ants have already reached them. Next, the plan is to initiate a multi-year treatment to eradicate the red fire ant nests. Finally, they will monitor the invaded sites to ensure that there are no resurgences. </p>



<p>In these efforts, the public should play a critical role in helping monitor the insect’s spread. “Citizens can play a very important role in this,” Menchetti explained. “We hope that, with their help, we will be able to cover a wider area. This will help us track and spot all the possible areas invaded in the region.”</p>



<h2 id="h-citizen-science-programs">Citizen science programs&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Thus, the researchers plan to organize citizen science programs in which people would take photos of the ants. However, since many European ants build similar-looking nests, the experts will double-check the citizens’ findings. They need to make sure that they discovered the right ant species and are actually reporting red fire ant sightings.</p>



<p>“There needs to be more awareness about this problem because the problem is already in Europe. We need coordinated action, and we need it now,” Menchetti concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.07.036"><em>Current Biology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Invasive red fire ants have made their way to Europe and are poised to takeover

A red fire ant species with a painful sting (Solenopsis...

Majestic,African,Lion,Couple,Loving,Pride,Of,The,Jungle,-

<p>New findings have emerged that paint a worrying picture of the lion populations nearing extinction in Africa. Recently published in the Journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-023-00959-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a>, this troublesome study not only uncovers disturbing data about the rapid decline of these magnificent creatures, but also offers a fresh perspective on conservation strategies.</p>



<p>The research was led by <a href="https://www.wildcru.org/members/dr-amy-dickman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Amy Dickman</a> of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) at the University of Oxford, alongside Sam Nicholson of the Endangered Wildlife Trust and 32 distinguished co-authors from around the globe. </p>



<p>Their study delves deep into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lions-on-the-brink_infographic_Credit-WildCRU_1big.jpg">nuances of safeguarding lions</a>. The team introduces an innovative framework, one that focuses on both ecological and socio-political risks, to guide conservation investment decisions across Africa.</p>



<p>Emphasizing the iconic stature of lions, Professor Dickman remarked, "Lions are one of the most iconic species in the world, but are undergoing devastating declines. This comprehensive analysis is the first to look at both ecological and socio-political risk factors facing lions at scale. Conservation science is important to guide action to prevent lion extinction, but this research highlights the invaluable role that politicians, economists, development experts and others must play if we are to safeguard lions and other biodiversity."</p>



<h2 id="h-why-lions-are-close-to-extinction">Why lions are close to extinction</h2>



<p>The study's core findings revolve around the fact that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-lion-day-celebrating-the-king-of-the-jungle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lion populations</a> of the same size can be vastly different in vulnerability due to their unique blend of ecological and socio-political risks. Dr. Andrew Jacobson, a senior author from Catawba College, USA, illustrates this with a riveting comparison between Sudan and Benin. </p>



<p>While both nations have a similarly sized lion population, socio-political differences, such as Benin’s stability and prosperity in contrast to Sudan's civil strife, make their conservation challenges of preventing lion extinction particularly distinct. </p>



<p>Jacobson elaborates, "The war and instability undercuts the ability of park rangers or others to help ensure the continuation of Sudan’s lions. This comparison demonstrates how when evaluating investments into protecting lions, both ecological and socio-political factors must be considered."</p>



<h2>How the study was conducted</h2>



<p>Initiating the study, the researchers meticulously identified and mapped wild African <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-led-ancient-lions-and-bears-to-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lion populations</a>, building on the vast lion monitoring which WildCRU has been integral to for decades. They then bifurcated the threats into two primary categories: ecological and socio-political. </p>



<p>While factors such as a smaller lion population or higher densities of people and livestock added to ecological vulnerability, socio-political threats included rampant corruption or low GDP per capita.</p>



<p>To streamline conservation efforts, these socio-political and ecological risks were synthesized into a unified fragility index. This score doesn’t determine which lion population is more deserving of protection. Instead, it underscores the diverse challenges that different populations face. </p>



<p>As Professor Dickman articulately pointed out, "Some populations may ultimately have similar fragility scores, but they are driven by different threats." Therefore, understanding these nuances is pivotal for conservationists, stakeholders, and investors.</p>



<p>Sam Nicholson, co-lead author, voiced a similar sentiment, emphasizing the novelty and necessity of their research. He stated, "This research is the first of its kind in bringing together both ecological and socio-political factors into a single index to evaluate potential conservation investments for African lions."</p>



<h2>How to prevent lion extinction</h2>



<p>But what's the scale of the challenge? The research offers some <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lions-on-the-brink_infographic_Credit-WildCRU_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alarming numbers</a>. Fewer than half of the 62 remaining free-ranging wild African lion populations house over 100 lions. Moreover, these magnificent creatures only reside in 25 African countries, with nearly half of these nations having fewer than 250 lions. These fragmented, smaller populations are at high risk of vanishing.</p>



<p>Human-induced challenges, especially in Africa, are making the lions' future uncertain. They face habitat loss, dwindling prey, and escalating human-wildlife conflicts. Yet, amidst the bleakness, there's a glimmer of hope with successful conservation initiatives in places like Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal, and Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique.</p>



<h2>A glimmer of hope</h2>



<p>A striking revelation from the study is the correlation between poverty and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/captive-lion-trophy-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lion conservation</a>. Almost all the remaining lion habitats are in the 25% of the world's poorest countries. </p>



<p>As the research highlighted, the regions which eliminated lions over a century ago are, by and large, economically better off today. This dichotomy intensifies the vulnerability of the remaining lions to the pressures endured by some of the world's most impoverished nations.</p>



<p>With previous estimates suggesting an annual budget of over US$1 billion to sustain existing lion populations within protected areas, this research posits that a more realistic figure is closer to US$3 billion annually. This vast sum underscores the profound moral duty of affluent nations to play a more prominent role in lion conservation. It’s not just about financial aid, but about making these contributions more impactful and effective.</p>



<p>As we grapple with the stark reality of this research, it's crucial to remember that the plight of the African lion is intertwined with global socio-political and ecological challenges. The research serves as a clarion call for collective, nuanced, and sustained action to conserve one of the most magnificent creatures on our planet.</p>



<h2>More about lions</h2>



<p>Lions, often dubbed the "kings of the jungle," command respect and awe in the animal kingdom. These majestic big cats, native to parts of Africa and a small region in India, have fascinated humans for centuries with their raw power, grace, and regal demeanor. Unfortunately, due to a variety of circumstances, lions are on the verge of extinction unless humanity takes immediate action.</p>



<h3>Physical characteristics </h3>



<p>Adult male lions boast a thick mane, which sets them apart from their female counterparts. This mane not only serves as an impressive display during mating rituals but also offers protection during territorial disputes with other males. </p>



<p>An adult male typically weighs between 330 to 550 pounds. Females, or lionesses, weigh slightly less, ranging between 265 to 400 pounds. Both males and females possess a strong, muscular build, enabling them to be top predators in their environment.</p>



<h3>Habitat and diet </h3>



<p>Lions primarily inhabit the grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands of Africa. A smaller population, known as the Asiatic lion, resides in India's Gir Forest National Park. These habitats offer them the space they need to hunt and the camouflage necessary to stalk their prey.</p>



<p>As apex predators, lions have a diverse diet, primarily feasting on larger ungulates such as zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes. Lionesses usually take on the role of hunters for the pride. They use teamwork and strategy to corner and take down their prey. Meanwhile, male lions often prioritize guarding the pride's territory.</p>



<h3>Social structure</h3>



<p>Lions exhibit unique social behavior among the big cats: they live in groups called prides. A pride typically consists of multiple related lionesses, their cubs, and one or a few adult males. This social structure offers multiple benefits, including cooperative hunting and cub-rearing.</p>



<p>However, pride leadership remains fluid. Young male lions, upon reaching a certain age, often leave the pride and form coalitions with other male lions. These coalitions then challenge resident males of another pride for dominance. Victorious coalitions take over the pride, ensuring their genes pass onto the next generation.</p>



<h3>Reproduction and lifecycle </h3>



<p>Lionesses give birth to one to four cubs after a gestation period of about 110 days. The early life of a lion cub remains fraught with danger, with threats ranging from other predators to adult male lions, which sometimes kill cubs they haven't fathered.</p>



<p>Cubs depend on their mother's milk for the first six months before transitioning to a meat diet. By the age of two, young lions become adept hunters, contributing to the pride's sustenance.</p>



<h3>Conservation status and preventing lion extinction</h3>



<p>Sadly, as outlined in this article above, lion populations are experiencing a rapid decline. Threats like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tooth-damage-in-lions-reveals-human-impact-on-wildlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat loss</a>, human-wildlife conflicts, and poaching have significantly impacted their numbers. </p>



<p>Conservation organizations and local communities actively work to protect these iconic creatures, emphasizing habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, and community-based conservation initiatives.</p>



<p>Lions, with their blend of power and grace, continue to captivate and inspire. As symbols of strength and courage, they hold a special place in human culture and mythology. It remains our collective responsibility to ensure that these magnificent creatures continue to roam the wild for generations to come.</p>



<p>---</p>



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Lions are dangling precariously on the brink of extinction, immediate action is needed

New findings have emerged that paint a worrying picture of...

<p>Recent findings by scientists at the <a href="https://www.nih.gov/">National Institutes of Health</a> (NIH) have raised concerns about the potential impacts of particulate air pollution on breast cancer rates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This research, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djad170"><em>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</em></a>, is one of the most extensive examinations to date on how outdoor air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter, might influence breast cancer incidence.</p>



<p>The study was led by a team of researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), both prominent divisions of NIH.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>The focus of the research was on particulate matter of 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller (PM2.5).&nbsp;</p>



<p>These minute particles are known to originate from several sources, including vehicle emissions, combustion of materials like oil and coal, industrial releases, and even the burning of wood and vegetation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Given their size, these particles can easily penetrate the deeper parts of our respiratory system when inhaled.</p>



<h2 id="h-significant-findings">Significant findings</h2>



<p>“We observed an 8% increase in breast cancer incidence for living in areas with higher PM2.5 exposure. Although this is a relatively modest increase, these findings are significant given that air pollution is a ubiquitous exposure that impacts almost everyone,” said Alexandra White, Ph.D., lead author and head of the Environment and Cancer Epidemiology Group at NIEHS.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“These findings add to a growing body of literature suggesting that air pollution is related to breast cancer.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



<p>To obtain a comprehensive dataset, the team used information from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. This exhaustive research had enrolled over half a million men and women from six states and two metropolitan areas between 1995 and 1996.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The primary demographic in focus was women, with an average age of 62, predominantly non-Hispanic white. Over a span of two decades, a total of 15,870 breast cancer cases emerged within this cohort.</p>



<h2 id="h-historic-pollution-levels">Historic pollution levels&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A unique aspect of this study was the researchers’ method to estimate PM2.5 exposure. Instead of just considering the pollution levels at the time of enrollment, they also factored in historical pollution levels from the past 10-15 years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The ability to consider historic air pollution levels is an important strength of this research,” said Rena Jones, Ph.D., senior author and principal investigator of the study at NCI. “It can take many years for breast cancer to develop and, in the past, air pollution levels tended to be higher, which may make previous exposure levels particularly relevant for cancer development.”</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Furthermore, the experts delved deeper into the connection between air pollution and specific types of breast cancer. They found a higher incidence of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer linked with PM2.5 exposure.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, no such correlation was observed with estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) tumors. This intriguing discovery points towards the possibility that PM2.5 might be influencing breast cancer through endocrine disruption pathways. Notably, ER+ tumors are the predominant type diagnosed in U.S. women.</p>



<h2 id="h-study-limitations">Study limitations</h2>



<p>The researchers acknowledged that the study did not account for regional variances in the relationship between breast cancer and air pollution.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They recommend that future research should factor in regional pollution differences, especially the various PM2.5 types women encounter, to fully understand their potential risk.</p>



<p>For those curious about the air quality in their region, the Environmental Protection Agency has a handy tool: the Air Now website. This platform allows residents to quickly gauge air quality by simply entering their zip code, providing real-time data, including PM2.5 levels.</p>



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Breast cancer incidence linked to high particulate air pollution

Recent findings by scientists at the National Institutes of Health...

<p>New research is shedding light on how the choices we make every day - what we eat, how much we move, our sleep patterns, and even our social interactions - play a role in our mental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-can-drastically-improve-your-health-without-thousands-of-daily-steps/">health</a> outcomes.</p>



<p>According to the World Health Organization, one in 20 adults experiences depression. This condition poses a significant burden on public health worldwide.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>An international coalition of scientists from institutions including the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/">University of Cambridge</a> and Fudan University set out to investigate the relationship between lifestyle habits and depression risk.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers explored many factors that may influence this link, including lifestyle, genetics, brain structure and our immune and metabolic systems.</p>



<p>The experts analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a biomedical database containing genetic, lifestyle and health information. They focused their analysis on 290,000 people - of whom 13,000 had depression - over a nine-year period.</p>



<h2 id="h-healthy-lifestyle-factors">Healthy lifestyle factors&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team ultimately identified a combination of positive lifestyle habits that can act as a protective shield against depression.</p>



<p>In particular, seven healthy lifestyle factors were linked with a lower risk of depression:</p>



<ul>
<li>Moderate alcohol consumption</li>



<li>A balanced diet</li>



<li>Consistent physical activity</li>



<li>Quality sleep (7-9 hours)</li>



<li>Abstaining from smoking</li>



<li>Minimized sedentary behavior</li>



<li>Robust social connections</li>
</ul>



<h2 id="h-reducing-depression-risk">Reducing depression risk</h2>



<p>Surprisingly, of these, optimal sleep stood out as the biggest protective factor, reducing the risk of depression by 22%.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Frequent social connection, which diminished the risk of depression by 18%, was found to be the most protective against recurrent depressive disorder.</p>



<p>Moderate alcohol consumption decreased the risk of depression by 11%, healthy diet by 6%, regular physical activity by 14%, never smoking by 20%, and low-to-moderate sedentary behavior reduced the risk by 13%.</p>



<h2 id="h-genetics-have-a-lesser-influence">Genetics have a lesser influence&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers looked at participants' DNA to establish a genetic risk score based on the presence of depression-linked genetic variants. They found that lifestyle choices have a much greater influence on depression risk compared to genetics.</p>



<p>“Although our DNA - the genetic hand we’ve been dealt - can increase our risk of depression, we’ve shown that a healthy lifestyle is potentially more important," said Professor Barbara Sahakian.</p>



<p>“Some of these lifestyle factors are things we have a degree control over, so trying to find ways to improve them - making sure we have a good night’s sleep and getting out to see friends, for example - could make a real difference to people’s lives.”</p>



<h2 id="h-brain-scans">Brain scans</h2>



<p>When the experts analyzed MRI brain scans from 33,000 participants, they discovered intriguing correlations between a wholesome lifestyle and larger volumes in brain regions such as the pallidum, thalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The blood markers told another part of the story. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein, a stress-induced molecule, and triglycerides, a primary fat storage form, were tied to suboptimal lifestyles.</p>



<p>These links are supported by previous research. For example, stress can wreak havoc on our ability to regulate blood sugar, deteriorating immune functions and hastening cellular aging.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Meanwhile, inadequate sleep and physical inactivity compromise our resilience to stress. The repercussions of social isolation are equally dire, increasing infection risk and weakening immunity.</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team found that the pathway from lifestyle to immune and metabolic functions was the most significant. A poorer lifestyle impacts our immune system and metabolism, which in turn increases our risk of depression.</p>



<p>“We’re used to thinking of a healthy lifestyle as being important to our physical health, but it’s just as important for our mental health," said Dr. Christelle Langley.</p>



<p>"It’s good for our brain health and cognition, but also indirectly by promoting a healthier immune system and better metabolism.”</p>



<p>“We know that depression can start as early as in adolescence or young adulthood, so educating young people on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and its impact on mental health should begin in schools," said Professor Jianfeng Feng.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s44220-023-00120-1"><em>Nature Mental Health</em></a>.</p>



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Seven healthy lifestyle habits that prevent depression

New research is shedding light on how the choices we...

<p>A new study led by the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a> has shed light on the intriguing social dynamics of jackdaws.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers discovered that jackdaws possess the strategic ability to prioritize food over friendships - but maintain an unyielding loyalty to family members.</p>



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>The team, which also included experts from the University of Bristol and the University of Konstanz, conducted a unique experiment that presented wild jackdaws with a challenge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diving-birds-face-a-greater-risk-of-extinction/">birds</a> were given access to appetizing mealworms, but there was a catch. Their access to this treat depended on the company they kept. In order to feast, they had to be with specific companions.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>What the researchers observed was remarkable. The jackdaws rapidly changed friends to maximize their rewards.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, when it came to their offspring, siblings, and mating partners their allegiance never wavered, regardless of the potential mealworm reward.</p>



<h2 id="h-cornish-jackdaw-project">Cornish Jackdaw Project&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study was led by Dr. Michael Kings and Dr. Josh Arbon, under the supervision of Professor Alex Thornton, as part of the Cornish Jackdaw Project. This project aims to improve our understanding of how animals navigate and manage their social interconnections.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“At the Cornish Jackdaw Project, we monitor hundreds of wild jackdaws, each of which is fitted with a tiny PIT tag – like the transponder chips used for pet cats and dogs – embedded in a leg ring," said Professor Thornton.</p>



<h2 id="h-strategic-ability">Strategic ability&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“In this experiment we randomly assigned jackdaws to two groups – A or B – and programmed a pair of automated PIT tag-detecting feeders to provide delicious mealworms only if individuals from the same group (AA or BB) visited together."</p>



<p>“The jackdaws turned out to be very strategic, quickly learning to hang out with members of their own group and ditching old ‘friends’ from the other group so they could get the best rewards. However, they made an exception when it came to their close relations.”</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Dr. Kings noted that the results have important implications for our understanding of the evolution of intelligence as they show that being able to track and remember information about social partners can bring benefits.</p>



<p>“Our findings also help us to understand how societies emerge from individual decisions," said Dr. Arbon. "The balance between strategically playing the field for short-term benefits and investing in valuable long-term partners ultimately shapes the structure of animal societies, including our own.”</p>



<p>The research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40808-7"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>, provides new insights on how animals manage social relationships.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-jackdaws">More about jackdaws&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Jackdaws are one of the smallest members of the crow family (Corvidae), and they are distributed across Europe and western Asia. They are easily identifiable by their silvery-blue eyes and the pale grey patch on the back of their head, which contrasts with the rest of their black plumage.</p>



<h3 id="h-vocalization">Vocalization</h3>



<p>Jackdaws are known for their distinctive "jack-jack" call, which is where their name originates from.</p>



<h3 id="h-habitat">Habitat</h3>



<p>While they can be found in various habitats, including woodlands, coastal cliffs, and urban settings, they particularly favor older buildings and church steeples for nesting.</p>



<h3 id="h-diet">Diet</h3>



<p>Their diet is varied and includes invertebrates, seeds, fruit, and even young birds or eggs when available. Being opportunistic feeders, they also scavenge on carrion and pick up scraps in urban environments.</p>



<h3 id="h-social-behavior">Social behavior&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Jackdaws are very social birds and are often seen in pairs or larger groups. They have a complex social structure, as highlighted in the study.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-mating">Mating</h3>



<p>Jackdaws mate for life, which means that once they form a pair bond, they usually stay together until one of the partners dies. They engage in mutual preening and other bonding behaviors.</p>



<h3 id="h-nesting">Nesting</h3>



<p>Jackdaws often use cavities, such as holes in trees or chimneys, for nesting. They've also been known to occupy abandoned nests of other birds, particularly larger species like raptors.</p>



<h3 id="h-intelligence">Intelligence</h3>



<p>Like other corvids, jackdaws are intelligent and display problem-solving abilities. They have been subjects of numerous studies examining avian cognition.</p>



<h3 id="h-migration">Migration</h3>



<p>While many jackdaws are sedentary and stay in the same location year-round, some populations migrate southwards in the winter, especially those from the colder northern parts of their range.</p>



<h3 id="h-conservation-status">Conservation status</h3>



<p>Jackdaws are currently not at significant risk, and they have a stable population. They are adaptable birds and can thrive in varied environments, including human-dominated landscapes.</p>



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Jackdaws choose food over friends, but not over family

A new study led by the University of Exeter has...

Cactus,Arizona,Desert,Sun.,A,Saguaro,Cactus,In,The,Foreground

<p>According to the <a href="https://www.weather.gov/">National Weather Service</a> (NWS), on Saturday, September 9, the temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona set a new heat record, continuing to rise as the city broke its previous record of the most days at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-new-heat-record">New heat record</h2>



<p>This was the 54<sup>th</sup> day this year that the temperatures in Phoenix surpassed 110F – one day more than the heat record of 53 days set in 2020. Moreover, the daily average temperature of 97F (36.1C) in June, July, and August surpassed the previous record of 96.7 (35.9) set three years ago.</p>



<p>As the weekend highs were expected to range between 108F and 114F (with night temperatures between 80F and 88F), NWS issued an excessive heat warning until 8pm on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-historic-heat-wave">Historic heat wave</h2>



<p>Today, the temperature is expected to be slightly lower (106F). This historic heat wave from this year’s summer stretched from Texas to New Mexico and Arizona and deep into California’s desert.</p>



<p>According to experts from NWS, such temperatures significantly increase the risk of heat stress and illnesses for both humans and animals, making it crucial for residents to stay hydrated, avoid sun exposure from 10am to 6pm, wear light and loose-fitting clothing, use air conditioning, and make sure to keep their pets safe.</p>



<h2 id="h-heat-related-deaths">Heat-related deaths</h2>



<p>On Wednesday, officials from Maricopa county (which is home to Phoenix) reported that there have been 194 confirmed heat-related deaths this year, occurring mostly among people between 50 and 64 years of age. Moreover, 59 percent of these deaths have been among white non-Hispanics, making it the most number of deaths by race and ethnicity.</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://public.wmo.int/en">World Meteorological Organization</a>, last month was the hottest Augustt ever recorded worldwide, and the second hottest month ever measured, after July 2023.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-anthropogenic-climate-change">Anthropogenic climate change&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The scientists blame anthropogenic climate change correlated to the advent of El Nino (a temporary warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean impacting weather all over the globe). However, since this natural phenomenon is expected to peak at the beginning of next year, 2024 will most likely break all the heat records set this year.</p>



<p>“The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting,” warned United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “Climate breakdown has begun.”</p>



<h2 id="h-heat-and-human-health">Heat and human health</h2>



<p>Heat can have various effects on human health, ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions</p>



<h3 id="h-heat-exhaustion">Heat exhaustion</h3>



<p>This occurs after exposure to high temperatures, especially when combined with high humidity and strenuous physical activity. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headache. Without intervention, it can progress to heat stroke.</p>



<h3 id="h-heat-stroke">Heat stroke</h3>



<p>A severe and potentially life-threatening condition. The body loses its ability to regulate temperature, causing the body temperature to rise to dangerous levels. Symptoms include hot, dry skin, rapid heartbeat, confusion, and unconsciousness. Immediate medical attention is necessary.</p>



<h3 id="h-dehydration">Dehydration</h3>



<p>Heat can increase the rate at which the body loses fluid through sweating, leading to dehydration. This can result in dry mouth, fatigue, dark yellow urine, and dizziness.</p>



<h3 id="h-heat-cramps">Heat cramps</h3>



<p>Muscle pains or spasms that can occur during heavy exercise in a hot environment, usually due to loss of salt and water from sweating.</p>



<h3 id="h-heat-rash">Heat rash</h3>



<p>Skin irritation caused by excessive sweating. It appears as a cluster of red pimples or small blisters.</p>



<h3 id="h-chronic-illnesses">Chronic illnesses</h3>



<p>Heat can exacerbate conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, and respiratory illness.</p>



<h3 id="h-effects-on-vulnerable-populations">Effects on vulnerable populations</h3>



<p>Elderly individuals, children, and those with chronic illnesses are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.</p>



<h3 id="h-mental-health-impacts">Mental health impacts</h3>



<p>Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to mental health challenges, including increased stress, anxiety, and other mood disorders.</p>



<h3 id="h-medication-effects">Medication effects</h3>



<p>Some medications can impair the body's ability to regulate temperature or inhibit perspiration, making individuals more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.</p>



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"Climate breakdown" has begun as Phoenix breaks another heat record

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), on Saturday, September...

<p>The ability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-delays-visual-inputs-by-15-seconds-to-keep-us-stable/">visualize</a> things such as the faces of our loved ones, objects, landscapes, or even past memories varies greatly among individuals.&nbsp;While most people take this ability for granted, there is a segment of the population that cannot conjure up vivid images on demand. These individuals live with a blank mental canvas that lacks visual imagery, which is a condition known as aphantasia.</p>



<p>One surprising aspect of aphantasia -&nbsp; especially in cases where it's congenital and not a result of any brain injury, stroke, or psychiatric illness - is that many individuals remain unaware of this trait for a significant portion of their lives.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is because it doesn’t interfere with their day-to-day functioning. In fact, some people with aphantasia have no idea that they deviate from the norm.</p>



<p>On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is a group of individuals known as hyperphantasics. Their minds work like high-resolution canvases, capable of producing mental images as sharp and clear as illustrations in a book.</p>



<h2 id="h-aphantasia-and-visual-information">Aphantasia and visual information&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Paolo Bartolomeo, a renowned neurologist and researcher at the <a href="https://sante.sorbonne-universite.fr/en/structures-de-recherche/paris-brain-institute" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Brain Institute</a>, shared his fascination with these cognitive variations.</p>



<p>"Talking to these people is fascinating. We tend to think that access to visual perception, conceptualization, and memory is the same for everyone. Nothing could be further from the truth," said Bartolomeo.</p>



<p>“Aphantasics cannot mentally picture what their parents, friends, or partner look like when they are away. But they can still describe the physical characteristics of their loved ones: this visual information has been stored, in one way or another."</p>



<h2 id="h-how-researchers-studied-aphantasia">How researchers studied aphantasia&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The origin of aphantasia remains a topic of debate among researchers. Is it a perceptual deficit? Could emotional and psychological factors be at play? Or does it stem from difficulty in accessing sensory information?</p>



<p>To investigate, Bartolomeo teamed up with Jianghao Liu, a doctoral student specializing in Neurophysiology and Functional Neuroimaging at the Paris Brain Institute.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts embarked on a study with 117 volunteers, including 44 aphantasics, 31 hyperphantasics, and 42 individuals with average mental imagery capabilities.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research involved a mental imagery and visual perception test termed the "Imagination Perception Battery (BIP)."</p>



<p>"Our test...is designed to assess the link between perception and mental imagery through the different visual qualities that enable a scene to be described - such as shape, color, position in space, presence of words or faces," said Liu.</p>



<p>The scientists exposed participants to a multi-modal test. This required them to visualize concepts based on auditory cues and then match them with appropriate qualifiers. They recorded their speed, accuracy, and self-assessed quality of visualization.</p>



<p>In addition, the team conducted a perception test, presenting stimuli visually, eliminating the need for mental visualization.</p>



<h2 id="h-phenomenal-consciousness">Phenomenal consciousness</h2>



<p>“Our results indicate that the performance of people with aphantasia is equivalent to other groups in terms of perception and the ability to associate a concept with its representation,” said Liu.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“With one exception! Aphantasics are, on average, slower than hyperphantasics and typical imagers when it comes to processing visual information, particularly shapes and colors. They also have little confidence in the accuracy of their answers."</p>



<p>“Participants in the aphantasic group perceive elements of reality accurately and show no deficits in memory and language processing. We believe that they present a slight defect of what we call phenomenal consciousness," explained Bartolomeo.</p>



<p>"This means that they have access to information about shapes, colors, and spatial relationships - but that this visual information does not translate into a visual mental image in conscious experience."</p>



<p>“This peculiarity is probably compensated by other cognitive strategies, such as mental lists of visual characteristics, which allow aphantasics to remember everything they have seen.”</p>



<h2 id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



<p>While the aphantasia study provides intriguing insights, it's essential to note its limitations. Primarily, the reliance on an online questionnaire for data collection. However, it has paved the way for further exploration into understanding the complexities of visual mental imagery.</p>



<p>Potential future studies could explore the neural mechanics behind these observations. This would shed light on specific visualization deficits experienced by stroke patients.</p>



<p>“We also hope to develop interventional tools for certain psychiatric illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterized by the eruption of images from traumatic memories. If we could rid patients of these intrusive mental images, it would greatly promote their recovery," said Liu.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2023.06.003" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cortex</em></a>.</p>



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When the mind's eye is blind: What causes aphantasia?

The ability to visualize things such as the faces of...

<p>The 2015 Paris Agreement was a landmark moment in international climate action, bringing countries together with a shared commitment to combat the existential threat of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/">climate change</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Since its inception, nations across the globe have been proactive in taking measures to mitigate its impacts. Yet, a new technical report on the global stocktake highlights an urgent need to expedite ambition and implementation.</p>



<h2 id="h-global-stocktake">Global stocktake&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Established as an integral part of the Paris Agreement, the global stocktake is an assessment that is conducted every five years. The evaluation is used to gauge humanity's collective response to the mounting climate crisis and pave a strategic path ahead.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The primary goal is to inform the forthcoming round of nationally determined contributions, slated for presentation in 2025.</p>



<p>This extensive review commenced with a rigorous data collection phase in 2021. Contributions for the assessment came from many sources including international organizations, non-party stakeholders, and the parties to the Agreement itself.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-comprehensive-dialogue">Comprehensive dialogue&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Over the course of 2022 and 2023, a comprehensive technical dialogue was organized by two distinguished co-chairs, Farhan Akhtar and Harald Winkler.</p>



<p>With the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange">UN Climate Change</a> secretariat's support, the dialogue spanned various pivotal domains – from mitigation and adaptation to loss, damage, and response measures.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-inspiring-global-action">Inspiring global action</h2>



<p>“The technical dialogues were based on the best available science, drawing on the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other sources of knowledge, with broad participation of experts and non-Party Stakeholders with diverse backgrounds," said Akhtar.</p>



<p>"Across the discussions it was clear that the Paris Agreement has inspired widespread action that has significantly reduced forecasts of future warming. This global stocktake is taking place at a crucial moment to inspire further global action in responding to the climate crisis."</p>



<h2 id="h-cop28">COP28</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://unfccc.int/documents/631600">global stocktake report</a> unveils 17 technical findings from these discussions. The report underscores the strides made thus far but also magnifies the immense work that lies ahead. It meticulously points out the evident gaps but also illuminates the opportunities and solutions to bridge them.&nbsp;</p>



<p>All eyes are now set on Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, where the first global stocktake's culmination will transpire at the <a href="https://unfccc.int/">UN Climate Change Conference</a> COP28.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“More than 137 non-Party stakeholders submitted input on their actions and support for the Paris Agreement goals, in total over 170,000 pages of written submissions were received, and we had over 252 hours of meetings and discussions over the three meetings of the technical dialogue – in plenaries, roundtables and world café formats," said Winkler.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>"As the report’s technical findings show, much more is needed now, on all fronts and by all actors to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement."</p>



<h2 id="h-ambition-and-urgency">Ambition and urgency&nbsp;</h2>



<p>As the stocktake progresses into its final phase, a series of high-level events will be held to discuss the implications of these technical findings. These discussions will assist in identifying opportunities, good practices, and challenges to enhance climate action and support.</p>



<p>“This global stocktake report provides clear direction on how we can meet the expectations of the Paris Agreement by taking decisive action in this critical decade,” said COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“To keep 1.5 within reach we must act with ‘ambition and urgency’ to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030. That is why the COP28 Presidency has put forward an ambitious action agenda centered around fast- tracking a just and well managed energy transition that leaves no one behind, fixing climate finance, focusing on people's lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"I believe we can deliver all of this while creating sustainable economic growth for our people, but we must urgently disrupt business as usual and unite like never before to move from ambition to action and from rhetoric to real results.”</p>



<h2 id="h-actionable-commitments">Actionable commitments</h2>



<p>Dr. Al Jaber says he is calling on leaders from both the public and private sector to come to COP28 with real and actionable commitments to address climate change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"We need to rapidly decarbonize both the supply side and demand side of the energy system at the same time. We need to triple renewable energy by 2030, commercialize other zero carbon solutions like hydrogen and scale up the energy system free of all unabated fossil fuels, while we eliminate the emissions of the energies we use today," noted Dr. Al Jaber.</p>



<p>"We need to protect and enhance nature, safeguard carbon sinks and transform food systems that account for one third of emissions. And we need fundamental reform of the international financial architecture that was built for the last century.”</p>



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Global stocktake report: Ambition and urgency needed to meet Paris goals

The 2015 Paris Agreement was a landmark moment in international...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

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>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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."</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified <em>Eospermatopteris</em>, 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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."</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em>Current Biology</em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

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>



<p>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?</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>Sources:</strong> <em>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.</em></p>



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



<p><strong>1. Is acid rain completely gone?</strong> 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.</p>



<p><strong>2. How long did solving take?</strong> 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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>5. Could acid rain return?</strong> 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.</p>



<p><strong>6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"?</strong> 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></p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



<p></p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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. </p>



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>-----</p>

What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

<p>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. </p>



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



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



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



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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).</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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?</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ACS Reactions</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

How does salt makes things taste better?

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>'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)."</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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<p>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.</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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."</p>



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



<p><em>Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



<p>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."</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



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



<p>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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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."</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>"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;</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard</em></p>



<p><em>Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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<p>Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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