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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

Since its launch in 1977, NASA's legendary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-a-nuclear-powered-spacecraft-shorten-the-trip-to-mars/">spacecraft</a> Voyager 2 has been faithfully sending back information to Earth from 12 billion miles away. Recently, a human error temporarily severed this connection, but it appears that the probe is still very much alive and well, according to NASA's latest reports.



On July 21, communication with the unmanned probe was lost due to a wrong command sent by controllers, causing its antenna to tilt away from Earth. <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> only revealed this issue last Friday. The situation looked bleak, but the persistence of engineers and the American Space Agency's <a href="https://eyes.nasa.gov/dsn/dsn.html">Deep Space Network</a> (DSN) has paid off.



<h2 id="h-heartbeat-signal-returns">Heartbeat signal returns</h2>



DSN, comprising giant radio antennas spread across the globe, picked up what's being called a "heartbeat signal" from Voyager 2 this past Tuesday. This means the 46-year-old spacecraft is once again operating. Engineers are now working on a command to redirect the spacecraft back toward Earth.



"Engineers will now try to send Voyager 2 a command to point itself back at Earth," tweeted Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on Tuesday. "If that does not work, we'll have to wait until October when the spacecraft's onboard software automatically tells it to reset its direction."



The news has lifted spirits within the space community. Project manager Suzanne Dodd told The Associated Press that this development has "buoyed" the team. If the command doesn't succeed, a long wait until October awaits for an automatic spacecraft reset. "That is a long time to wait, so we'll try sending up commands several times before then," said Dodd.



<h2 id="h-remarkable-discoveries">Remarkable discoveries&nbsp;</h2>



Voyager 2's distinguished career has taken it to all four of the solar system's gas giant planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Along the way, it has made remarkable discoveries, such as evidence of oceans beneath the icy crusts of Europa and Enceladus, two moons of Jupiter and Saturn.



Now in the latter stages of its life, Voyager 2 has begun using a small reservoir of backup power to help keep its instruments operating. NASA has been reducing its capabilities to conserve energy, expecting the probe to keep transmitting weak radio signals until at least the mid-2020s.



Deep Space Station 43, part of NASA's Deep Space Network, remains the only antenna on Earth that can send commands to Voyager 2. It's a painstaking process, taking more than 18 hours for a response signal from Voyager 2 to reach Earth, owing to the vast distance.



<h2 id="h-voyager-1">Voyager 1</h2>



Voyager 2's twin, Voyager 1, continues to function normally at around 15 billion miles away. Both are programmed to reset their orientation several times a year to maintain communication with Earth. The next reset is set to occur on October 15, which should enable communication to resume if it hasn't already.



The Voyager missions are a testament to human ingenuity and the thirst for exploration. "The science data that the Voyagers are returning gets more valuable the farther away from the sun they go, so we are definitely interested in keeping as many science instruments operating for as long as possible," said Linda Spilker, Voyager's project scientist at JPL.



Despite one of its five science instruments being turned off in 2026, engineers expect the Voyager 2 mission to "continue for years to come."&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-voyager-missions">More about the Voyager missions</h2>



The Voyager mission consists of two unmanned spacecraft, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, which were launched by NASA in 1977 with the primary goal of exploring the outer planets of our solar system.



Voyager 1 was launched on September 5, 1977, and Voyager 2 was launched earlier on August 20, 1977. Despite being launched later, Voyager 1's trajectory was a faster path, overtaking Voyager 2. Both Voyagers carry a golden record, a 12-inch gold-plated copper disc carrying sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth, intended to communicate with any extraterrestrial life forms who may find them.



Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft to have visited all four gas giant planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These flybys provided invaluable data about the planets' atmospheric conditions, magnetic fields, ring systems, and moons. Voyager 2's encounter with Neptune in 1989 marked NASA's last official planetary visit in the 20th century.



Voyager 1, while it did not visit as many planets, has the distinction of being the farthest human-made object from Earth. In August 2012, it crossed the heliopause, entering interstellar space.



The twin Voyager spacecraft have dramatically expanded our knowledge of the outer solar system, including the discovery of active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io, the complex surface of Titan, the most Earth-like atmosphere found on any other moon or planet, and the mysterious, previously unknown rings of Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune.



As of now, both Voyager 1 and 2 are on a mission called the Voyager Interstellar Mission (VIM), which aims to extend NASA's exploration of the solar system beyond the neighborhood of the outer planets to the outer limits of the Sun's sphere of influence.



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NASA lost contact with Voyager 2 spacecraft 12 billion miles away

Since its launch in 1977, NASA's legendary spacecraft Voyager 2...

In a new study by neuroscientists from the <a href="https://uci.edu/">University of California, Irvine</a> (UCI), a seemingly simple fragrance diffusion method has been found to dramatically boost <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-sexual-satisfaction-linked-to-rapid-memory-decline/">memory</a> in older adults. The results suggest that the powerful connection between scent and memory can be used to combat cognitive decline and possibly even prevent dementia.



Over a six-month period, the researchers exposed participants to a different fragrance each night for two hours as they slept. The outcome of this research revealed a substantial 226% increase in cognitive capacity compared to the control group, 



<h2 id="h-studying-the-scent-connection-to-memory">Studying the scent connection to memory </h2>



The research, conducted through the UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning &amp; Memory, focused on a group of participants aged between 60 and 85 years who showed no memory impairments.&nbsp;



Scientists gave the participants a diffuser along with seven cartridges. Each cartridge contained a different natural oil. For those in the "enriched' group," the cartridges were full strength, while the control group received the same oils, but in significantly reduced quantities. 



They introduced a different cartridge into their diffuser every evening before retiring for the night. The diffuser released its scent for two hours as they slumbered.



<h2 id="h-remarkable-results">Remarkable results</h2>



The findings were significant. Those in the enriched group showed a 226% increase in cognitive performance compared to the control group. They measured this using a common evaluation tool: a word list test.



Brain imaging further revealed improved integrity in a pathway known as the left uncinate fasciculus. This is a vital connection between the medial temporal lobe and the decision-making prefrontal cortex, known to weaken with age. The team also noted that these participants reported improved sleep quality.



<h2 id="h-scent-and-memory-have-fascinating-connection">Scent and memory have fascinating connection</h2>



The scientific community has known about this amazing connection between scent and memory for quite some time. Loss of olfactory capacity can serve as a predictor for nearly 70 neurological and psychiatric diseases. These include Alzheimer’s, other dementias, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, and alcoholism. 



They have also observed that smell loss related to COVID could potentially lead to cognitive decline. Previous research demonstrated improved memory and language skills, and a decrease in depressive symptoms, amongst dementia patients exposed to a variety of odors twice daily over a period. 



These findings inspired the UCI team to utilize this knowledge into creating an accessible, non-invasive tool for fighting dementia.



"The reality is that over the age of 60, the olfactory sense and cognition starts to fall off a cliff,” explained Professor Michael Leon. “But it’s not realistic to think people with cognitive impairment could open, sniff and close 80 odorant bottles daily. This would be difficult even for those without dementia.”



“That’s why we reduced the number of scents to just seven, exposing participants to just one each time, rather than the multiple aromas used simultaneously in previous research projects," noted study first author Cynthia Woo.



"By making it possible for people to experience the odors while sleeping, we eliminated the need to set aside time for this during waking hours every day.”



<h2 id="h-implications-of-the-study">Implications of the study</h2>



The UCI findings affirmed the long-established connection between the olfactory system and memory. “The olfactory sense has the special privilege of being directly connected to the brain’s memory circuits,” explained study co-author Professor Michael Yassa.



"Everyone has experienced how powerful aromas are in evoking recollections, even from very long ago. However, unlike with vision changes that we treat with glasses and hearing aids for hearing impairment, there has been no intervention for the loss of smell.”



The UCI team is planning further investigation into the effects of this technique on individuals with diagnosed cognitive loss. They hope their findings will stimulate more research into olfactory therapies for memory impairment. 



This fall, the team expects a product designed for home use and based on this study to hit the market. It will offer a novel, non-invasive approach to strengthen memory and possibly counter dementia.



Procter &amp; Gamble provided financial support for the study. You can access the complete study in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200448/full">Frontiers in Neuroscience</a>.



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-scent-connection">More about the scent connection </h2>



Scent, or the ability to perceive odors, has a profound influence on our lives, even beyond memory enhancement. Olfaction, the sense of smell, is one of our five primary senses. It is a crucial component of our overall sensory experience.



<h3 id="h-emotional-connection">Emotional connection</h3>



Scent is closely linked to the emotional center of the brain, the amygdala, and the hippocampus, which is associated with memory and cognition. This is why particular scents can evoke strong emotions or memories, a phenomenon often referred to as the Proust Phenomenon, after the French writer Marcel Proust. He vividly described how the smell of a madeleine cake could transport him back to his childhood.



<h3 id="h-behavior-influence">Behavior influence</h3>



Scents can have a connection with behavior and mood. For example, lavender is often associated with relaxation and sleep, while citrus scents can promote alertness and energy. Retailers and marketers often use scent marketing, or "scent branding," to enhance customer experience, drive brand recognition, or encourage certain behaviors such as spending more time in a store.



<h3 id="h-health-and-healing">Health and healing</h3>



There's a growing body of evidence suggesting that aromatherapy – the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from plants – can aid in the relief of various ailments. For example, people often use eucalyptus oil to clear the respiratory tract or soothe physical discomfort.



<h3 id="h-food-and-flavor-perception">Food and flavor perception</h3>



Our sense of smell significantly influences our sense of taste. In fact, most of what we perceive as "taste" comes from our olfactory receptors. This is why when we have a cold or blocked nose, food can seem bland or tasteless.



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Powerful connection found between scent and memory has profound implications

In a new study by neuroscientists from the University of...

Winter waves off the coast of California are growing in size - a phenomenon that can be linked to the ongoing progression of climate change. This is the conclusion of a meticulous study led by Dr. Peter Bromirski of the <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/">Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a> at UC San Diego.



By leveraging 90 years of seismic data to deduce wave heights, the research has resulted in the most extensive record to date of the Pacific Ocean's assault on California's coastline. The study, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023JC019722">Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans</a>, was based on seismic records dating back to 1931.&nbsp;



The analysis revealed that the average winter wave height in California has grown by a foot since 1970, when compared to the height of winter waves from 1931 to 1969.



The methodology used for the study, first developed by Dr. Bromirski in 1999, correlates seismic energy to wave height. The data adds to a rapidly growing collection of research suggesting that storm activity in the North Pacific Ocean has been ramping up as a result of climate change.



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



The potential implications of this discovery are significant, as escalating winter wave heights could exacerbate the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-development-is-worsening-nuisance-flooding/">flooding</a> and coastal erosion, already under threat from accelerating sea-level rise due to global warming.



Dr. Bromirski explains the process behind his unique method: "When waves reach shallow coastal waters, some of their energy is reflected back out to sea. When this reflected wave energy collides with waves approaching the shoreline, their interaction creates a downward pressure signal that is converted into seismic energy at the seafloor."&nbsp;



This seismic energy then travels inland as seismic waves, detectable by seismographs. By correlating the strength of the seismic signal to wave height, Bromirski was able to infer one from the other.



<h2 id="h-finding-alternative-data-sources">Finding alternative data sources</h2>



Dr. Bromirski's approach was not without challenges. For instance, he needed to isolate the seismic signals generated by wave action from those produced by earthquakes. However, he explained that this task was not as daunting as it may seem, due to the typically shorter duration of earthquakes compared to the ocean waves produced by storms.



The new technique was created to overcome the limitation of the introduction of buoys for direct wave height measurement along the California coast - which only began around 1980.&nbsp;



Dr. Bromirski was interested in data from decades prior to the 1970s - when the acceleration of global warming was notably significant. He set out to find alternative data sources that could provide wave records stretching back further in time.



<h2 id="h-seismic-records">Seismic records&nbsp;</h2>



Filling this data gap became possible thanks to seismic records held at UC Berkeley, which date back almost 70 years. This treasure trove of data was initially in an analog format - pages upon pages of seismograph readings.&nbsp;



Dr. Bromirski spearheaded an ambitious effort to digitize these analog seismograms, spanning from 1931 to 1992, with the help of a dedicated team of undergraduate students, a specialized flatbed scanner, and several years of intermittent effort.



Upon successful digitization of the seismic data, Dr. Bromirski transformed these records into corresponding wave heights, allowing him to analyze the patterns within.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-what-the-study-revealed">What the study revealed</h2>



The detailed examination revealed a clear trend: since 1970, California's average winter wave height has increased by 13 percent, approximately a foot, in comparison to the average wave height from 1931 to 1969.&nbsp;



Furthermore, between 1996 and 2016, Dr. Bromirski found that the number of storm events generating waves over 13 feet tall along the California coast was roughly double the amount from the period spanning 1949 to 1969.



“After 1970, there is a consistently higher rate of large wave events,” Bromirski said. "The fact that this change coincides with the acceleration of global warming near 1970 is consistent with increased storm activity over the North Pacific resulting from climate change.”



<h2 id="h-implications-of-the-study">Implications of the study&nbsp;</h2>



The findings echo the results of a 2000 study, which reported an increase in wave height in the North Atlantic tied to global warming. If these escalating winter wave heights persist due to climate change, the impact on California's coast could be dire.



“Waves ride on top of the sea level, which is rising due to climate change. When sea levels are elevated even further during storms, more wave energy can potentially reach vulnerable sea cliffs, flood low-lying regions, or damage coastal infrastructure," said Dr. Bromirski.



To further validate the findings, Dr. Bromirski compared his results with atmospheric patterns over the North Pacific, particularly the Aleutian Low, a semi-permanent wintertime low-pressure system located near Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. He found that the intensity of the Aleutian Low has generally increased since 1970, a pattern that corresponds with increased storm activity and intensity.



The research offers sobering insights into the escalating challenges that California's coastline may face with climate change, rising sea levels, and increasingly intense storm activity. The work highlights an urgent need to explore new dimensions of coastal impacts to better predict and mitigate the consequences of climate change in the years to come.



—-



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Rising tide: Winter waves are getting much larger in California

Winter waves off the coast of California are growing in...

Blue,Earth,And,Asteroids,In,The,Space.,View,Of,Planet

A new study from the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/">University of Washington</a> represents a major advance in asteroid detection. An algorithm developed by the team - known as HelioLinc3D - has made its first discovery of a "potentially hazardous" asteroid. 



This term is used for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-2013-wv44-is-bigger-than-ten-buses-and-its-headed-our-way/">asteroids</a> that orbit close to Earth, requiring vigilant observation by scientists to monitor any threat they may pose to our planet.



Engineered to discover near-Earth asteroids, HelioLinc3D was intended for use in the upcoming 10-year night sky survey by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The algorithm's initial trial run with the ATLAS survey in Hawaii, however, resulted in the detection of a roughly 600-foot-long asteroid, which was named 2022 SF289.



The asteroid, although designated as potentially hazardous, poses no immediate risk to Earth. Nevertheless, this discovery represents an important milestone, as it validates the capability of HelioLinc3D to detect near-Earth asteroids using fewer and more scattered observations than the methods currently in use.



Rubin scientist Ari Heinze, the principal developer of HelioLinc3D, emphasized the significance of the discovery. "By demonstrating the real-world effectiveness of the software that Rubin will use to look for thousands of yet-unknown potentially hazardous asteroids, the discovery of 2022 SF289 makes us all safer," said Heinze.



<h2 id="h-potentially-hazardous-asteroids">Potentially hazardous asteroids&nbsp;</h2>



Tens of millions of rocky bodies populate the solar system. These include tiny asteroids only a few feet across to dwarf planets the size of our moon. These remnants of an era over four billion years ago still orbit the sun today, and their varied paths provide scientists with a wealth of information.



While many of these bodies remain far from us, we categorize a considerable number as near-Earth objects, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-2013-wv44-is-bigger-than-ten-buses-and-its-headed-our-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NEO</a>s. 



The ones whose trajectories bring them within 20 lunar distances, or about 5 million miles of Earth, are of particular interest to scientists. To safeguard against the potential catastrophe of a collision with Earth, scientists meticulously track these "potentially hazardous asteroids" (PHAs).



Specialized telescope systems like the NASA-funded ATLAS survey commonly track potentially hazardous asteroids. ATLAS is administered by a team at the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy.&nbsp;



Scientists use these systems to capture images of certain sky regions at least four times nightly, identifying new asteroids by observing points of light that move unambiguously in a straight line across the image series. 



This method has been successful in identifying about 2,350 potentially hazardous asteroids. However, scientists estimate that at least twice that number remain undiscovered.



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



By early 2025, the <a href="https://www.lsst.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vera C. Rubin Observatory</a> is expected to boost the PHA discovery rate dramatically. Situated in the Chilean Andes, the observatory is funded primarily by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. 



It is equipped with a massive 8.4-meter mirror and a 3,200-megapixel camera. Its unique ability to scan the sky twice per night will significantly outpace the four scans per night by current telescopes.



However, this revolutionary observing pattern necessitated the development of a new kind of discovery algorithm. Rubin's solar system software team at the University of Washington's DiRAC Institute created HelioLinc3D. The team worked in collaboration with Smithsonian senior astrophysicist Matthew Holman and Siegfried Eggl from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.



<h2 id="h-remarkable-results">Remarkable results</h2>



The team initially tested HelioLinc3D using data provided by lead ATLAS astronomers John Tonry and Larry Denneau. On July 18, 2023, the algorithm pinpointed its first PHA: 2022 SF289.&nbsp;



Despite ATLAS imaging the asteroid as early as September 19, 2022, from a distance of 13 million miles from Earth, conventional methods still failed to detect it.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="ggrnu2WhQe-2910768-12187" type="single"]</div>



“Any survey will have difficulty discovering objects like 2022 SF289 that are near its sensitivity limit, but HelioLinc3D shows that it is possible to recover these faint objects as long as they are visible over several nights," said Denneau. He noted that the successful discovery of the asteroid essentially gives them a "bigger, better telescope."



<h2 id="h-unrecognized-observations">Unrecognized observations&nbsp;</h2>



Furthermore, 2022 SF289 went unnoticed by other surveys due to its path across the star-dense backdrop of the Milky Way. But now, equipped with the knowledge of where to look, observations from Pan-STARRS and Catalina Sky Survey quickly confirmed the discovery.&nbsp;



The team also utilized the B612 Asteroid Institute’s ADAM platform to recover further unrecognized observations by the NSF-supported Zwicky Transient Facility telescope.



The detected asteroid, 2022 SF289, falls under the classification of an Apollo-type NEO. Its closest approach brings it within a mere 140,000 miles of Earth’s orbit, closer than the moon. However, despite the proximity, projections indicate that it poses no danger of impacting Earth for the foreseeable future.



<h2 id="h-promise-of-a-new-era">Promise of a new era</h2>



With over 2,350 known potentially hazardous asteroids and an estimated 3,000 or more yet to be discovered, the unveiling of the Rubin Observatory and the deployment of HelioLinc3D in less than two years is eagerly anticipated.&nbsp;



Rubin scientist Mario Jurić is the director of the DiRAC Institute, professor of astronomy at the University of Washington and leader of the team behind HelioLinc3D.



"This is just a small taste of what to expect with the Rubin Observatory," said Jurić. "But more broadly, it’s a preview of the coming era of data-intensive astronomy. From HelioLinc3D to AI-assisted codes, the next decade of discovery will be a story of advancement in algorithms as much as in new, large, telescopes."



<h2>More about potentially hazardous asteroids</h2>



Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are celestial objects that come into close proximity with Earth and, due to their size and trajectory, could potentially cause significant damage in the event of an impact.



<h2>Classification</h2>



NASA classifies an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-gigantic-asteroids-hit-early-earth-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroid</a> as potentially hazardous if its orbit intersects Earth's orbit at a distance less than or equal to 7.5 million kilometers (approximately 4.6 million miles), and if the asteroid is larger than 140 meters (approximately 460 feet) in diameter. 



While these asteroids pose a theoretical risk to our planet, most of them will never actually come into collision with Earth.



<h2>Identification and Tracking</h2>



Astronomers locate and track PHAs using both ground-based and space-based telescopes. They feed collected data into models that calculate the asteroid's orbit, size, and composition. 



Observations over time help to refine these models and predictions. NASA's <a href="https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Near-Earth Object Studies</a> (CNEOS) manages this process, with contributions from observatories and space agencies worldwide.



<h2>Known PHAs</h2>



As of 2023, scientists have identified more than 20,000 PHAs. However, this number represents a fraction of the total estimated PHAs. Ganymed, an asteroid measuring roughly 32 kilometers (20 miles) in diameter, holds the title of the largest known potentially hazardous asteroid.



Another well-known PHA is Apophis, which gained notoriety due to its initially high impact probability in 2029 and 2036, though later data eliminated these risks.



<h2>Impact Risks and Mitigation</h2>



While the chances of a significant asteroid impact are low, the potential consequences warrant careful monitoring. An asteroid strike could cause catastrophic damage, potentially leading to mass extinction events similar to what happened 65 million years ago during the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.



Several strategies exist for deflecting a PHA on a collision course with Earth. Kinetic impactors involve crashing a spacecraft into the asteroid to alter its trajectory. Gravity tractors would slowly tug the asteroid off course using the gravitational attraction between the spacecraft and the asteroid. Nuclear explosions, while controversial, could also serve as a last-ditch effort to change the asteroid's course or fragment it.



<h2>Future prospects</h2>



The future of PHA tracking and mitigation involves improvements in technology and international cooperation. New projects like NASA's Near-Earth Object Surveillance Mission and the European Space Agency's Hera mission aim to enhance our ability to detect, track, and understand PHAs. They will also test our capacity to deflect asteroids, contributing to our preparedness for potential future threats.



Potentially Hazardous Asteroids represent a low-probability but high-consequence risk to life on Earth. As our understanding and technology continue to advance, our capacity to mitigate this threat improves. Continued vigilance and scientific inquiry are the keys to maintaining Earth's safety in an active cosmic neighborhood.



Video Credit: DiRAC Institute, University of Washington



—-



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New algorithm hunts for potentially hazardous asteroids and has already found one

A new study from the University of Washington represents a...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rebellious-birds-use-anti-bird-spikes-to-build-their-nests/">Birds</a> that have lost their lives near power lines, often perceived as victims of electrocution, are more frequently dying due to illegal shooting, according to a new study published by Cell Press in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.107274">iScience</a>.



The researchers have uncovered a startling statistic: among birds found dead near power lines where the cause of death could be determined, 66 percent had been illegally shot.



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



Birds often encounter life-threatening danger near power lines, especially when they spread their wings to take off or land on power poles, making contact with two energized parts of the line simultaneously.&nbsp;



This has spurred energy companies to invest significant time and resources in creating bird-safe electrical infrastructure, from installing safe perches to insulating energized elements. But now, researchers suggest a shift in the primary cause of death for birds along power lines.



Eve Thomason, a research associate at <a href="https://www.boisestate.edu/">Boise State University</a>’s Raptor Research Center and the study's first author, emphasized the importance of accurately identifying the root of conservation issues.&nbsp;



"Solving conservation problems only works when we can accurately identify the cause of those problems," said Thomason. “In this case, we need to know how birds are dying along power lines so that we can come up with strategies to reduce bird deaths.”



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



Prior to launching the study, Thomason worked on avian risk assessment for a power company where she began noticing a distressing pattern. Even in areas where precautions were taken to prevent avian electrocution, birds were still dying. On closer inspection, she realized many of these birds had been shot, prompting her to orchestrate a comprehensive study examining this disturbing trend.



Over a period of four years, Thomason and her team traversed 196 kilometers of power lines in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, and Oregon, investigating and collecting bird carcasses. They retrieved a total of 410 carcasses, the majority of which were federally protected species like eagles, hawks, and ravens. Back in the lab, they worked tirelessly to determine each bird's cause of death.



"What’s unique to our study is that all remains were documented, collected, and X-rayed. We tried to identify the cause of death for every bird we found," explained Thomason. “Prior studies typically only documented birds that were in relatively good condition, and X-rays were only sometimes performed.”



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



The meticulous method used by the researchers yielded more precise results, with X-rays often revealing bird shootings that weren't apparent from external examination. In one instance, a bald eagle believed to have died from electrocution was X-rayed, revealing numerous shotgun pellets and entrance wounds. The evidence suggested the eagle had been shot and subsequently made contact with the power lines as it fell.



The researchers are eager to extend their surveys into new areas to gain a better understanding of the scope of illegal bird shooting and explore possible reasons behind this behavior. These findings can assist law enforcement in planning patrols and investigations to curb such unlawful actions.



"We are just beginning to understand this problem, and in a lot of cases, it’s really difficult to know what’s going on,” said Thomason. “Here’s what the research tells us: when people have been caught doing this activity, we’ve learned that sometimes people shoot protected birds for fun, and sometimes they’re trying to protect their livestock from predators."&nbsp;



"Because of the complexity of this situation, our team is very lucky to have such great relationships across all the government agencies and utility companies, and it will be vital that, in the future, all these stakeholders are part of crafting solutions.”



<h2 id="h-more-about-illegal-bird-hunting">More about illegal bird hunting</h2>



Poaching is the act of killing, trapping, or capturing birds in violation of local, regional, or international laws. It poses serious threats to bird populations, particularly migratory birds, which often traverse multiple countries with varying regulations.



This illegal activity can take several forms. Sometimes it involves shooting birds for sport or collection purposes, with rare species often targeted for their perceived value. Other times, it's for consumption or use in traditional medicines.



The effects can be devastating. Not only does it reduce bird populations, sometimes to the point of endangering species, but it also disrupts ecosystems. Birds play essential roles such as pollinating plants, controlling pests, and dispersing seeds.



Efforts to combat this illegal activity include stricter law enforcement, education and awareness campaigns about the importance of bird conservation, and establishment of protected areas where birds can safely breed and live. Technology also plays a part, with drones and satellite tracking increasingly used to monitor bird populations and catch illegal activity.



—-



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Most birds found dead near power lines were illegally shot, not electrocuted

Birds that have lost their lives near power lines, often...

A team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/">North Carolina State University</a> has recently identified the specific blend of pheromones used by male <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moths-found-to-be-critically-important-pollinators/">moths</a> during courtship as they attempt to attract females.&nbsp;



These findings – including a newly discovered ‘aphrodisiac’- shed new light on the complex blend of chemicals used in basic short-range communication between male and female moths.



<h2 id="h-macho-moths">"Macho" moths</h2>



The newly found aphrodisiac is a chemical derived from plants called methyl salicylate. When attacked by herbivores, plants emit this chemical both as a healing mechanism and a “cry for help” to the natural enemies of these herbivores.&nbsp;



According to the scientists, its use in a pheromone blend by male Chloridea virescens moths could be considered as a “macho” display showing that the male was capable of defeating both the plant’s defense mechanisms and its call to the moth’s enemies, thus making the moth a more worthy mating option.



“These close-range interactions provide valuable insight into both species recognition – how females recognize males of the same species – and female choice in mate selection,” said senior author Coby Schal, a professor of Entomology at NC State. “This interaction gives females some insight into a particular male’s history.”



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



The family of moths the experts studied includes a variety of generalist species feeding on over 350 plant species across the Americas, such as the corn earworm, the tobacco budworm, and the fall armyworm – all of which are considered major pests in South Carolina.&nbsp;



Female moths of these species initiate the mating process by emitting pheromones over longer-range distances. Males respond to these “calls” by flying closer to the females and emitting their own unique blend of pheromones, which are then assessed by females in order to chose whether to mate or not.



By using gas chromatography – a method in which chemical compounds are separated in a controllable oven – to identify the chemicals contained in the male pheromone blend.&nbsp;



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



Although methyl salicylate was barely detectable in the gas chromatography studies, a close investigation of the antennae of female moths revealed two olfactory receptors that are tuned to this compound, and help females easily recognize it in the blend emitted by males.



To assess this chemical’s importance in mating processes, the researchers artificially reduced its amount emitted by males, and discovered that their mating success decreased, an aspect proving methyl salicylate’s aphrodisiac-like quality.



<h2 id="h-clever-strategy">Clever strategy</h2>



While only tiny amounts of this compound were found in moths which were fed artificial diets in the lab, male moths captured from North Carolina soybean fields had large amounts of methyl salicylate in their hairpencils (the male organs emitting the pheromone blend).&nbsp;



By adding larger amounts of the chemical into the lab moth’s diets through a nectar-like sugar water drink, the scientists discovered that the moths easily incorporated the chemical and sequestered it in their hairpencils. When prompted to court females, those hairpencils exhibited lower amounts of methyl salicylate, suggesting that males used most of it in their pheromone cocktail.



“It was surprising to find methyl salicylate in male moth pheromone blends, but the evidence from this paper suggests that male moths take up and sequester methyl salicylate as larvae while chewing up plants or as adults by drinking flower nectar. Males may have evolved sexual signals that match the sensory bias exhibited by females in responding to methyl salicylate,” Schal concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.07.010">Current Biology</a>.



<h2 id="h-more-about-moth-mating-rituals">More about moth mating rituals</h2>



Moth mating rituals can vary quite a bit depending on the species, but there are some common themes. Most moths use a combination of visual, chemical, and sometimes auditory signals to attract and find mates.



The process usually begins when the female moth releases a type of pheromone, a scent that male moths can detect. Some species of moths can detect these pheromones from several miles away. This chemical communication is the main way that moths find each other in the dark.



Once a male moth locates a female by following her pheromone trail, there may be additional courtship behaviors. For example, some male moths will "flutter" or "dance" around the female. This display may serve to further signal the male's interest and also to show off his fitness.



Finally, if the female accepts the male's advances, the pair will mate. The specific method of mating varies by species, but it generally involves the male and female aligning their bodies and connecting their reproductive organs. After mating, the female will lay eggs that have been fertilized by the male's sperm.



In some moth species, males also have various strategies to ensure their paternity, such as mating plugs or substances that prevent the female from mating again. This is a complex and fascinating area of study in the field of insect behavior and evolution.



—-



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Male moths use an aphrodisiac during mating to feel "macho"

A team of researchers led by North Carolina State University...

Northern boreal forest ecosystems, such as those in Sweden, are predicted to face more frequent summer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/european-forests-struggle-to-recover-from-2018-drought/">droughts</a> caused by climate change. In Sweden, only a small part of forests have experienced limited direct human contact – known as “primary forests” – while the majority of forests are human-managed commercial forests with little diversity in structure and species (secondary forests).&nbsp;



A team of researchers led by <a href="http://lunduniversity.lu.se">Lund University</a> has recently investigated how the massive drought Sweden experienced in 2018 impacted these two forest types, and discovered that secondary forests were the ones most affected.



“We used a unique map of primary forests in Sweden and investigated whether there might be any difference in how these forests and neighboring secondary forests were affected by the drought in 2018. The results showed that secondary forests in Sweden were more affected by the drought than primary forests were,” said study senior author Anders Ahlström, an expert in Physical Geography at Lund.



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



To better understand how 2018’s dry summer impacted Swedish forests, the scientists used satellite images and a map detailing over 300 primary forests.&nbsp;



By analyzing a high-resolution vegetation index over these forests and the buffer zones surrounding them – which represent secondary forests – the researchers managed to create a picture of how the massive drought affected the two different forest types.



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



“That primary forests were less affected by drought leads to a number of interesting follow-up questions about what causes this difference. It could be the trees’ generally greater age and size that perhaps leads to deeper roots and more structural diversity," explained lead author Julika Wolf, a researcher in Cartography and Spatial Analysis at Lund.



"Or it could be that there is more water in these ecosystems, perhaps because they haven’t been ditched. Right now though, we have no idea what makes primary forests more stable during drought."&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-implications-of-the-study">Implications of the study&nbsp;</h2>



Currently, primary forests are quite rare in Sweden and Europe, representing the most pristine forests that we have left. Since examining these forests can inform us how nature looks and functions without major direct human impacts, they are particularly important in understanding how environmental changes and human land use affect ecosystems and their processes.



“This study is a good example of how we can use these primary forests in our research. In this case, we see that they are more stable during drought when compared with secondary forests that have been exposed to change such as felling, planting, ground preparation, and ditching,” Ahlström concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acd6a8">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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



Secondary forests are forests that regrow after the primary forests have been significantly altered or removed due to events such as fires, logging, or agricultural activities.&nbsp;



These forests often have different species compositions and structures compared to the primary forests. The time it takes for a secondary forest to mature can vary greatly, often taking decades or even centuries.&nbsp;



Secondary forests bring several benefits:



<h3 id="h-biodiversity">Biodiversity</h3>



Secondary forests can provide new habitats for a wide range of species, contributing to biodiversity. Some species are adapted to thrive in secondary, rather than primary, forests.



<h3 id="h-carbon-sequestration">Carbon sequestration</h3>



As they grow, secondary forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, playing an important role in mitigating climate change.



<h3 id="h-soil-rehabilitation">Soil rehabilitation</h3>



Secondary forests can help restore degraded lands. The trees' roots stabilize the soil, preventing erosion and promoting soil health by cycling nutrients.



<h3 id="h-water-regulation">Water regulation</h3>



Forests play a key role in regulating water cycles. They can enhance local rainfall and improve water quality by filtering pollutants.



<h3 id="h-livelihoods-and-resources">Livelihoods and resources</h3>



Secondary forests can provide resources such as wood, non-timber forest products, and fodder. They can also provide opportunities for recreation and tourism.



<h3 id="h-buffer-zones">Buffer zones</h3>



These forests can act as buffers between human settlements and pristine natural areas, protecting the latter from human intrusion.



<h2 id="h-more-about-summer-drought">More about summer drought</h2>



Summer drought refers to a prolonged period of dry weather during the summer months. This can happen due to various reasons, including shifts in weather patterns, reduced rainfall, and higher temperatures that cause increased evaporation.



A summer drought can have significant effects on agriculture, leading to reduced crop yields and increased stress on livestock. It can also affect water supplies, energy production, and lead to wildfires in some regions.



Additionally, drought conditions can impact natural ecosystems, stressing plants and wildlife, and leading to long-term ecological changes. In extreme cases, prolonged drought can contribute to desertification, turning previously fertile land into barren landscapes.&nbsp;



Efforts to manage and mitigate drought include water conservation, irrigation management, and drought-tolerant crop development.



—-



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Secondary forests are more vulnerable to drought than primary forests

Northern boreal forest ecosystems, such as those in Sweden, are...

A study published by the <a href="https://www.heart.org/">American Heart Association</a> in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21224">Hypertension</a> has revealed new details about the relationship between alcohol consumption and systolic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dedicated-coffee-drinkers-have-lower-blood-pressure/">blood pressure</a>.&nbsp;



The researchers found a clear and continuous rise in systolic blood pressure levels with the increase in daily alcohol consumption. This correlation was observed even in individuals with no pre-existing hypertension.



Study senior author Dr. Marco Vinceti is a professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia University in Italy and an adjunct professor at Boston University’s School of Public Health.&nbsp;



"Our findings suggest that alcohol intake, even at low levels, is associated with a detectable increase in blood pressure," said Dr. Vinceti. "Interestingly, we found no beneficial effects in adults who drank a low level of alcohol compared to those who abstained. Even the consumption of an already-low level of alcohol was linked to higher blood pressure changes over time, albeit much less compared to heavy drinkers."



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



The study was focused on data from seven international studies involving over 19,000 adult participants from the United States, Korea, and Japan.



To avoid bias due to variations in the alcohol content of 'standard drinks' across different countries and types of beverages, the research team based their analysis on the quantity of alcohol consumed, measured in grams.&nbsp;



Study co-author Dr. Tommaso Filippini explained that the researchers reviewed health data of all participants from the seven studies over a period of more than five years.



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



The researchers found that systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading) rose by 1.25 mm Hg in individuals who consumed an average of 12 grams of alcohol per day. This increase escalated to 4.9 mm Hg in those consuming an average of 48 grams of alcohol per day. This trend was predominantly observed in males.&nbsp;



Moreover, diastolic blood pressure, which measures the force against artery walls between heartbeats, also showed a significant increase. However, it's worth noting that diastolic blood pressure is not as strong a predictor of heart disease risk as systolic pressure.



<h2 id="h-implications-of-the-study">Implications of the study&nbsp;</h2>



"Our study affirms that alcohol contributes significantly to increases in blood pressure. Limiting alcohol intake is advisable, and total avoidance is even better," said Dr. Vinceti.&nbsp;



The research also highlighted that participants with higher initial blood pressure readings had a stronger link between alcohol consumption and blood pressure changes over time. This suggests that those with a trend toward higher blood pressure may benefit the most from reduced alcohol consumption.



The research reinforces the American Heart Association's lifestyle and health metrics for optimal cardiovascular health, known as Life's Essential 8: eat healthy food, be physically active, don’t smoke, get enough sleep, maintain a healthy weight, and manage cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels.&nbsp;



The study underscores the potential dangers of regular alcohol consumption. The American Heart Association's advice is - if you don’t drink, don’t start, and if you do drink, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.



<h2 id="h-health-effects-of-alcohol-consumption">Health effects of alcohol consumption&nbsp;</h2>



Alcohol consumption, even in moderate amounts, can have a wide array of health impacts. These effects can be both short-term and long-term and can affect various aspects of bodily function and overall health.



<h3 id="h-cardiovascular-health">Cardiovascular health</h3>



As detailed in the recent study in Hypertension, alcohol use can lead to elevated blood pressure, even in individuals without hypertension. In the long term, this can contribute to heart disease.&nbsp;



Heavy drinking, particularly over time, can also lead to cardiomyopathy - a condition where the heart muscle weakens and cannot pump blood effectively - as well as heart rhythm abnormalities such as atrial and ventricular fibrillation.



<h3 id="h-liver-health">Liver health</h3>



One of the organs most impacted by alcohol consumption is the liver, due to its role in metabolizing alcohol. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to various liver diseases such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and ultimately, cirrhosis, which involves permanent damage and scarring to the liver tissue.



<h3 id="h-neurological-effects">Neurological effects</h3>



Alcohol consumption affects the nervous system and can lead to impaired coordination, slowed reaction times, and blurred vision.&nbsp;



Chronic use can lead to serious neurological damage, including a condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, which is characterized by short-term memory loss, confusion, and loss of muscle coordination.



<h3 id="h-digestive-system">Digestive system</h3>



Alcohol can inflame the lining of the stomach, which can interfere with digestion and lead to issues like ulcers and gastritis. It can also affect nutrient absorption in the intestines.



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



Alcohol can have significant impacts on mental health. While some people may consume alcohol to cope with mental health issues like anxiety and depression, in the long run, it can exacerbate these conditions. Alcohol is a depressant, and heavy use can lead to major depressive episodes.



<h3 id="h-cancer-risk">Cancer risk</h3>



Regular alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including mouth, esophageal, liver, colon, and breast cancer. The risk increases the more alcohol a person drinks.



—--



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Alcohol consumption linked to continuous rise in blood pressure

A study published by the American Heart Association in the...

Two endangered freshwater dolphin species are quietly fighting for their survival in the remote and often inaccessible parts of the Amazon Basin. In a new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36518-1">Scientific Reports</a>, researchers have been investigating the behavior and movement of Amazon River <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dolphins-have-accents-that-vary-by-region/">dolphins</a> by using passive acoustic monitoring.



The pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) are both victims of increasingly hostile human activities. These species, already battling dwindling numbers, are threatened by conflicts with fishermen, as well as the ever-expanding pressure from agriculture, mining, and dam construction.&nbsp;



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



During the wet season from April to August, tucuxi and pink river dolphins venture into the seasonal floodplain forests (várzea) to search for food, primarily freshwater fish.&nbsp;



However, the dense vegetation and floodplains pose significant challenges for researchers attempting to survey these dolphins using traditional methods like boats or drones.



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



The researchers, led by Florence Erbs and Michel André, developed an innovative approach. The team deployed a network of five hydrophones, each submerged to depths of between three and five meters, covering an area of 800 square kilometers within the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve in Brazil. This area marks the convergence of the Solimões and Japurá rivers.



The team captured sound data across diverse habitats - river channels and confluence bays, floodplain lakes, and flooded forest. This data collection was carried out at different intervals during the wet and dry seasons spanning from June 2019 to September 2020.



The experts utilized sophisticated deep learning algorithms, known as a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), to classify the detected sounds. The algorithms, trained on sound data manually collected from boat surveys, were able to distinguish between echolocation clicks from dolphins, boat engine noises, and the sound of rainfall, with remarkable accuracy rates of 95, 92, and 98 percent respectively.



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



In the course of their research, the team discovered a fascinating pattern: the presence of dolphins in the surveyed areas increased significantly from 10 percent of the day to 70 percent as water levels rose between November and January. This suggests that dolphins were using these waterways to venture into the floodplain.&nbsp;



It was further observed that boto adolescents and females with calves tended to spend more time in the floodplains than the males, possibly due to an abundance of prey or as a shelter against aggressive male behavior.



<h2 id="h-implications-of-the-research">Implications of the research&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers are advocating for the wider adoption of this methodology, emphasizing its potential to greatly enhance our understanding of the habitat preferences and requirements of Amazon River dolphins.&nbsp;



"This study demonstrates the suitability of using CNN-based classification to automatically detect river dolphin echolocation clicks in the complex soundscape of freshwater habitats," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"The efficiency and speed of the CNN method allow us to analyze the totality of the data collected without having to subsample as usually done for manual analysis, making it possible to detect major movements of dolphins in the study area, and rare passages in specific habitats or seasons."



<h2 id="h-conservation-strategies">Conservation strategies&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers said that passive acoustic monitoring in floodplain forests could help experts understand the habitat preferences and requirements of river dolphins, especially the boto females and calves.&nbsp;



The experts also noted that forecasting the dolphins’ response to habitat loss and degradation will contribute to the management strategies of the aquatic-terrestrial transition zone, which is critical for the maintenance of habitat connectivity.



"Another area of applications is towards developing and implementing standardised protocols to monitor distribution shifts in relation to the recent amplification of drought and flood events in the Amazon basin," wrote the researchers. "As sentinel species of the aquatic systems they inhabit, river dolphins can constitute an early detection system of ecosystem unbalance."



<h2 id="h-more-about-amazon-river-dolphins">More about Amazon River dolphins</h2>



Amazon River dolphins, often known as boto or pink river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis), are one of the few species of freshwater dolphins in the world. As their name suggests, they inhabit the Amazon River and its tributaries across several South American countries. Here's some more information:



<h3 id="h-physical-characteristics">Physical characteristics</h3>



Botos are the largest freshwater dolphins, with males reaching up to 2.5 meters in length. They are renowned for their distinctive pink color, which can vary from a dull grey to vibrant pink, depending on age, diet, and exposure to sunlight.



<h3 id="h-behavior-and-diet">Behavior and diet</h3>



These dolphins are generally solitary or live in small groups. They're known for their exceptional agility, allowing them to navigate the Amazon's complex river system and flooded forests. Botos have a diverse diet, consuming more than 40 species of fish, and occasionally, crustaceans.



<h3 id="h-reproduction">Reproduction</h3>



Boto dolphins have a long gestation period of 11-15 months, and usually, only one calf is born at a time. The young dolphin stays with the mother for an extended period, learning necessary survival skills.



<h3 id="h-tucuxi">Tucuxi&nbsp;</h3>



The tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis), another species inhabiting the Amazon basin, is smaller and grey-colored. While they share the same threats as the boto, they also face additional challenges from hunting for bait and human consumption.



Efforts are ongoing to understand and conserve these unique species, and the use of technologies such as hydrophone monitoring and machine learning offers promising new ways to aid in their conservation.



—-



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Listening to Amazon River dolphins can help us save them

Two endangered freshwater dolphin species are quietly fighting for their...

Macro,Photo,Of,A,Buff-tailed,Bumblebee,,Pollinating,And,Collecting,Nectar

A new study has revealed that bee evolution predates previous estimates by tens of millions of years.



A team of researchers hailing from <a href="https://wsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a> (WSU) and the <a href="https://www.fearp.usp.br/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of São Paulo</a>, Brazil, have successfully traced bee genealogy back a staggering 120 million years. They evolved on an <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/supercontinents-101-pannotia-gondwana-and-pangea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient supercontinent</a> known as Gondwana, encompassing the present-day continents of Africa and South America.



This study presents an unexpected and comprehensive history of bee evolution, demonstrating that the creatures not only originated much earlier but also diversified at a faster pace and spread over larger territories than was previously believed. These findings, published in the eminent journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982223009120">Current Biology</a>, reshuffle our understanding of bee evolution.



Assistant professor with WSU's Department of Entomology, Silas Bossert, stated, "There's been a longstanding puzzle about the spatial origin of bees." Bossert, alongside Eduardo Almeida, an associate professor at the University of São Paulo, spearheaded this research project.



<h2 id="h-how-bee-evolution-was-studied">How bee evolution was studied</h2>



In this extensive effort, the researchers worked closely with collaborators from around the globe to gather samples and conduct computational analyses. Over 200 bee <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/early-bee-species_Euglossa_imperialis_Credit-WSU-1-scaled.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> were scrutinized, their genes sequenced and compared. 



Their traits were then weighed against 185 different bee fossils and extinct <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/early-bee-species_Anthophora_californica_Credit-WSU.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>. This detailed effort resulted in an evolutionary map and genealogical models depicting historical bee distribution.



In a notable achievement, the team undertook what could arguably be the most extensive genomic study of bees, analyzing hundreds to thousands of genes simultaneously to ensure the accuracy of the relationships inferred.



Elizabeth Murray, a co-author of the study and WSU assistant professor of entomology, stated, "This is the first time we have broad genome-scale data for all seven bee families."



<h2>Bees originated in Gondwana</h2>



Previously, studies had established that the first bees likely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-and-wasps-use-the-same-nest-building-tricks-despite-independent-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolved from wasps</a>, transitioning from being predators to collectors of nectar and pollen. However, the current research indicates that bee evolution began in the arid regions of western Gondwana during the early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/late-cretaceous-dinosaur-was-sluggish-and-nearly-deaf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cretaceous period</a>.



Bossert clarified, "For the first time, we have statistical evidence that bees originated on Gondwana," adding, "We now know that bees are originally southern hemisphere insects."



As the continents began to form, the researchers discovered evidence of bees moving north, diversifying and spreading in sync with the evolution of angiosperms, or flowering plants. The bees then colonized areas like India and Australia.



<h2>Bee evolution happened as dinosaurs were vanishing</h2>



Furthermore, it appears that all major families of bees diverged before the onset of the Tertiary period, 65 million years ago -- a time when dinosaurs became extinct.



According to the authors, the rich flora of the western hemisphere's tropical regions may owe its diversity to the prolonged interaction with bees. Notably, the rose family, which comprises a significant proportion of the tropical and temperate host plants for bees, makes up a quarter of all flowering plants.



The team, led by Bossert, intends to continue exploring the history and genetics of more bee species. These findings are a critical first step in understanding the co-evolution of bees and flowering plants. Moreover, gaining insight into how bees spread and adapted to their current ecological niches could aid efforts to maintain healthy pollinator populations.



"People are paying more attention to the conservation of bees and are trying to keep these species alive where they are," Murray noted. "This work opens the way for more studies on the historical and ecological stage." This research, therefore, not only redraws our understanding of bee evolution but also paves the way for essential conservation work in the future.



<h2>More about bees</h2>



Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their role in pollination and. Also, in the case of the best-known bee species, the European honey bee, for producing honey and beeswax. They belong to the vast order of insects called Hymenoptera, which also includes ants, wasps, and sawflies.



<h3>Bee evolution and classification</h3>



Over 20,000 species of bees inhabit every continent except Antarctica, specifically in habitats containing insect-pollinated flowering plants. 



The diversity of bee species is broad, ranging from the tiny stingless bee species to the large carpenter bees. Scientists classify bees into seven recognized biological families. The Apidae family includes well-known species like the honey bee and bumblebee.



<h3>Anatomy</h3>



The anatomy of a bee comprises three primary body parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head houses antennae for sensing their environment, and compound eyes for vision. 



The thorax carries the wings and legs, and the abdomen contains the digestive and reproductive organs. Many species possess a stinger for defense.



<h3>Diet</h3>



Bees primarily feed on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-flowers-do-bees-like-to-eat-most-scientists-think-they-have-figured-it-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nectar and pollen</a>, the former for energy and the latter for protein and other nutrients. This diet, rich in sugar, aids in the high-energy flight and body temperature regulation.



<h3>Life cycle</h3>



The bee life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The queen bee lays the eggs that hatch into larvae, and worker bees care for them. Larvae metamorphose into pupae and finally emerge as adult bees.



<h3>Social structure</h3>



Bees exhibit a range of social structures. Honey bees, for example, live in complex, highly organized colonies. They are led by a queen and serviced by thousands of <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/welcome-to-the-dystopian-life-of-a-drone-bee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worker bees</a>. Conversely, many species are solitary, with individual females living and breeding independently.



<h3>Role in the ecosystem</h3>



Bees are key pollinators. They transfer pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts. This facilitates the reproduction of many plant species. They play a crucial role in the global ecosystem and human agriculture, with their decline posing serious threats to biodiversity and food security.



<h3>Threats and conservation</h3>



Bees face <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/are-bees-endangered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">numerous threats</a>, including habitat loss, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-cannot-fly-straight-after-ingesting-pesticides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pesticide exposure</a>, disease, and climate change. These factors have led to declines in bee populations worldwide. 



In response, conservation efforts aim to protect and enhance bee habitats, limit pesticide use, and raise awareness about their importance.



<h3>Cultural significance</h3>



Bees hold a significant place in human culture, symbolizing various attributes like industriousness, loyalty, and bravery in different societies. Their products, such as honey and beeswax, have been used for food, medicine, and crafting materials since ancient times.



Bees are an integral part of our natural world. They are crucial to the survival of many plant species and play a vital role in human food production. Understanding and protecting these industrious insects is key to preserving biodiversity and maintaining our ecosystems.

Bee evolution occurred tens of millions of years earlier than previously believed

A new study has revealed that bee evolution predates previous...

Young,Farmer,Holding,Cute,Piglet,On,His,Shoulder

A recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011476">PLOS Pathogens</a> has found that the strain of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-influenza-virus-hack-our-cells/">influenza</a> A that triggered the 2009 swine flu pandemic – known as “pdm09” – has been transmitted from humans to swine about 370 times since 2009.&nbsp;



The subsequent circulation in swine has resulted in the evolution of a variety of pdm09 variants that spilled back from swine to humans.&nbsp;



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



Influenza A is known to cause respiratory illnesses in humans, swine, birds, and other mammals. In 2009, a pandemic caused by the pdm09 strain led to thousands of human deaths around the globe. Since then, this strain has been repeatedly passed from humans to swine, leading to evolutionary changes that make it more likely to cross back and infect humans.



To clarify the risks emerging from this widespread circulation of the virus, the researchers analyzed pdm09 transmission data between 2009 and 2021, and investigated how these interspecies transmission events have affected the genetic diversity of the virus and the risks of further human infections.



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



The analysis revealed that, since 2009, this strain has passed from humans to swine approximately 370 different times, with most of these events occurring when the pdm09 burden was the highest among humans.&nbsp;



Although during the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, circulation among humans dropped, pdm09’s circulation in swine persisted due to about 150 human-to-swine transmission events from 2018 to 2020.



Most human-to-swine transmission events were isolated, but some of them led to sustained circulation of various pdm09 genetic lineages among swine in the United States.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-implications-of-the-study">Implications of the study&nbsp;</h2>



Since these variants were shown to be genetically poor matches for human seasonal vaccines, even widespread vaccination would have provided little protection against them. This is particularly worrisome since persistent circulation of this strain among swine was linked to at least five instances of swine-to-human transmission.



These findings suggest that managing infections in people who work with swine on a regular basis could help prevent transmission to pigs, and thus reduce the risks associated with the virus passing back to humans.



“Controlling influenza A virus infection in humans can minimize spillover of viruses into pigs and reduce the diversity of viruses circulating in swine populations. Limiting virus diversity in pigs can minimize the emergence of novel viruses and the potential for swine-to-human transmission of influenza A virus,” the authors concluded.



<h2 id="h-swine-flu-pandemic">Swine flu pandemic&nbsp;</h2>



The swine flu pandemic of 2009 was caused by a new strain of H1N1 influenza virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a pandemic on June 11, 2009, as the virus had spread to over 70 countries.



Originating in Mexico in April 2009, it quickly spread globally due to the high transmissibility of the virus. The pandemic affected all age groups with higher illness and hospitalization rates among children and young adults. Older adults were somewhat protected due to likely exposure to similar virus strains in their past.



By August 2010, when the WHO declared the pandemic over, it had spread to 214 countries, with over 18,000 confirmed deaths. However, some estimates place the actual number much higher, as many deaths likely went unreported or unrecognized. The majority of deaths were in younger people, a departure from seasonal influenza, which typically affects the very young and very old most severely.



The 2009 pandemic highlighted the importance of rapid global health communication, flexible public health infrastructures, and comprehensive pandemic planning, including vaccination development and distribution strategies.



<h2 id="h-more-about-swine-flu">More about swine flu</h2>



The term "swine flu" was first used to describe a flu pandemic in 2009, which was caused by a novel strain of H1N1 that had not been previously seen in humans or animals. This was a unique combination of influenza viruses typically found in pigs, birds, and humans.



Swine flu symptoms are similar to those of other influenza strains: fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, chills, and in some cases, severe illness and complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure can occur.



Swine flu is contagious and spreads in the same way as the seasonal flu. When people who have it cough or sneeze, they spray tiny droplets of the virus into the air. If you come in contact with these particles, touch a surface (like a doorknob or sink) where they've landed, or touch something an infected person has recently touched, you can catch H1N1 swine flu.



Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection. Antiviral drugs are also available that can help treat the flu, including swine flu. These work by preventing the flu virus from reproducing in your body. They are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.



—--



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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

Humans have passed swine flu to pigs 370 times since 2009

A recent study published in the journal PLOS Pathogens has...

Woman,Hold,Cake

The health benefits of chocolate consumption, particularly its potential role in reducing the risk of early death, have been a hot topic among researchers. A new comprehensive study suggests that eating chocolate can lower mortality risk by up to ten percent. 



This revelation comes amidst a backdrop of mixed findings in previous research investigating chocolate's relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD).



Past studies have shown conflicting results. Some suggested an inverse relationship between chocolate intake and diseases like coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, while others found no connection at all.&nbsp;



However, this newly published research in the <a href="https://www.jandonline.org/">Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics</a> goes one step further. It explores the previously uncharted territory of chocolate consumption's impact on the risk of mortality from specific causes, especially in women.



The findings echo past studies which proposed that antioxidants found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-cocoa-can-make-your-brain-sharper-and-faster/">cocoa</a> beans could help repair damaged cells in the body, thereby promoting overall health. Additionally, cocoa has been linked to lower blood pressure and prevention of fat buildup in arteries, which are vital to cardiovascular health.



<h2 id="h-research-focused-on-chocolate-consumption">Research focused on chocolate consumption</h2>



The research was based on the study of health records from 84,709 post-menopausal women in the US over a 19-year period. The conclusion was that chocolate-eaters were less likely to die of heart disease and some cancers compared to their counterparts who never indulge.



The lead researcher, Dr Yangbo Sun from the <a href="https://www.utk.edu/">University of Tennessee</a>, stressed that while the long-term health effects of chocolate consumption "remain unclear," the study nonetheless found a correlation between chocolate intake and a "modestly lower death risk."&nbsp;



Dr Sun's note of caution derives from the fact that chocolate, while containing beneficial components like antioxidants and flavonoid compounds, also harbors sugar and fat which are associated with weight gain.



<h2 id="h-studying-how-eating-chocolate-impacts-health">Studying how eating chocolate impacts health </h2>



The study, part of the <a href="https://www.whi.org/">Women’s Health Initiative</a> (WHI), employed a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to evaluate diet at the beginning of the study. 



Participants were asked about their frequency of consuming one ounce of chocolate candies and candy bars over the past three months, with categories ranging from no intake to one serving each day.



After analyzing 1,608,856 person-years, the study recorded 25,388 deaths, including 7,069 deaths due to CVD, 7,030 due to cancer, and 3,279 due to dementia.&nbsp;



Despite some chocolate-eating participants exhibiting unhealthy habits like smoking, higher energy intake, and lower diet quality, a correlation was nonetheless found between higher chocolate intake and lower likelihood of having diabetes and high blood cholesterol at the start of the study. However, these women were more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI).



<h2 id="h-lower-risk-of-all-cause-mortality">Lower risk of all-cause mortality</h2>



An intriguing aspect of the study's findings was that women who consumed chocolate had a lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those who did not. Moreover, this risk further decreased with more frequent consumption, with the lowest risk observed in those consuming one serving each day.



Interestingly, eating chocolate had a nuanced impact on CVD mortality. Less frequent consumption (less than one serving per week) slightly lowered the risk of CVD. 



The lowest risk, however, was recorded for women consuming one to three servings every week, while daily eaters had similar CVD risk to those who did not consume chocolate at all.



The researchers also found a reduction in risk of lung cancer mortality and dementia (excluding Alzheimer's disease) mortality among those who consumed chocolate, with the lowest risk seen among those consuming four to six servings each week.



In conclusion, moderate chocolate intake (three servings every week) appears to lower the risk of mortality, even after adjusting for various confounding factors. 



Despite these promising results, researchers urge that more studies are needed to understand the potential connection between high chocolate intake and specific causes of death. 



These findings not only offer hope to chocolate lovers but also open new paths for nutritional studies examining the impact of diet on our health.



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-health-benefits-of-chocolate">More about the health benefits of chocolate&nbsp;</h2>



The health benefits of chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, have been increasingly recognized over the years.



<h3 id="h-heart-health-from-eating-chocolate">Heart health from eating chocolate</h3>



Chocolate contains flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Flavonoids have been found to improve heart health by improving blood flow, making platelets in the blood less sticky, and reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) which can clog arteries.



<h3 id="h-blood-pressure-and-blood-sugar">Blood pressure and blood sugar</h3>



The flavonoids in dark chocolate can help reduce blood pressure. Additionally, despite its sweet taste, dark chocolate has a low glycemic index, which means it won't cause large spikes in blood sugar levels.



<h3 id="h-brain-function">Brain function</h3>



Some studies suggest that the flavonoids in chocolate could improve brain function, with immediate effects on mood and cognitive performance. The long-term effects are still being studied, but chocolate could potentially slow down cognitive decline.



<h3 id="h-antioxidants-from-eating-chocolate">Antioxidants from eating chocolate</h3>



Chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.



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



Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which is the same chemical that your brain creates when you feel like you’re falling in love. PEA encourages your brain to release endorphins, boosting your mood.



—--



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Sweet discovery: Eating chocolate can add years to your life

The health benefits of chocolate consumption, particularly its potential role...

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</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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