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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

<p>Tens of thousands of aircrafts face severe turbulence each year, with an estimated cost to the global aviation sector of up to $1 billion from structural damage to airplanes, flight delays, and costs of injuries. Now, a team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/">University of Reading</a> in the UK has found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humanity-should-brace-for-catastrophic-climate-change/">climate change</a> could be the main culprit behind this phenomenon, leading to more turbulence during flights, which drive up maintenance costs and increase the risks for both passengers and crews.</p>



<p>While some aircraft turbulence occurs in well-defined places, such as within the vicinity of convection storms or over mountain ranges, a particular type called “clear-air turbulence” (CAT) is caused when bodies of air moving at different speeds meet. Unlike the other types of turbulence, CAT is highly difficult to observe and forecast.</p>



<p>“The main problem [with CAT] is that you can’t see it,” said Ramalingam Saravanan, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tamu.edu/">Texas A&amp;M University</a>, who was not involved in the current study.</p>



<p>“The best way I think pilots know about it is when some other pilot has flown through it and radios back, letting them know its location. You can try to predict it statistically, but you can’t predict it by individual case because it is a random process, and the air looks clear and harmless – hence the name.”</p>



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



<p>The experts analyzed clear-air turbulence trends globally during 1979 and 2020 by using a dataset called <a href="https://cds.climate.copernicus.eu/cdsapp#!/dataset/reanalysis-era5-single-levels">ERA5</a>. “This dataset contains information about the past atmosphere – e.g. temperature, wind speed – that we have used as the basis for this study,” said lead author Mark Prosser, a doctoral student in Meteorology at Reading. “Although information automatically recorded from aircraft do go into this dataset, other observations – such as those from satellites and weather balloons – do so too.”</p>



<p>The analysis revealed that the skies aircrafts fly through have becoming increasingly “bumpier” during the past four decades in various regions of the world.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For instance, over the North Atlantic – one of the busiest flight routes in the world – the total annual duration of severe turbulence has increased by 55 percent, from 17.7 hours in 1979 to 27.4 hours in 2020, while moderate turbulence has risen by 37 percent (from 70 to 96.1 hours) and light turbulence by 17 percent (from 466.5 to 546.8 hours).</p>



<h2 id="h-global-warming-is-to-blame">Global warming is to blame</h2>



<p>The experts argue that these increases are consistent with the effects of climate change, with warmer air caused by rises in greenhouse gas emissions increasing windshear in the jet streams - the narrow currents of fast-moving air that planes fly along to get a speed boost - and consequently strengthening clear-air turbulence in the North Atlantic and other busy flight routes over the US, Europe, the Middle East, and the South Atlantic.</p>



<p>“Turbulence makes flights bumpy and can&nbsp;occasionally&nbsp;be dangerous.&nbsp;Airlines will need to&nbsp;start thinking&nbsp;about how they will manage&nbsp;the increased&nbsp;turbulence,&nbsp;as&nbsp;it&nbsp;costs&nbsp;the industry&nbsp;$150–500m&nbsp;annually in the USA alone. Every&nbsp;additional&nbsp;minute spent travelling through&nbsp;turbulence&nbsp;increases&nbsp;wear-and-tear on the&nbsp;aircraft,&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;the&nbsp;risk of&nbsp;injuries&nbsp;to passengers and flight attendants,” Prosser said.</p>



<p>&nbsp;“Following a decade of research showing that climate change will increase&nbsp;clear-air&nbsp;turbulence in&nbsp;the&nbsp;future, we now&nbsp;have evidence&nbsp;suggesting&nbsp;that the increase has already begun.&nbsp;We should be investing&nbsp;in&nbsp;improved&nbsp;turbulence&nbsp;forecasting and detection systems,&nbsp;to prevent&nbsp;the rougher air&nbsp;from&nbsp;translating&nbsp;into bumpier flights&nbsp;in&nbsp;the coming decades,” concluded co-author Paul Williams, a professor of Atmospheric Science at Reading.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023GL103814"><em>Geophysical Research Letters</em></a><em>.</em>&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Airplane turbulence refers to irregular motion of an aircraft, caused by changes in air pressure or air currents, particularly when the plane is flying through a weather system. It's one of the common situations that can occur during a flight, and while it might feel unsettling or uncomfortable, it's usually not a cause for concern. There are several types of turbulence:</p>



<h3 id="h-clear-air-turbulence-cat">Clear air turbulence (CAT)</h3>



<p>This is the most common type of turbulence. It's caused by fast moving air near the jet stream (usually at high altitudes) and is often not detectable by weather radar, which can make it difficult to avoid. Despite the abrupt jolts, CAT is generally not dangerous, though passengers are still advised to keep their seatbelts fastened when seated.</p>



<h3 id="h-thermal-turbulence">Thermal turbulence</h3>



<p>This is caused by hot air rising and cold air descending. This often happens on sunny days when the sun heats the earth's surface, causing pockets of warm air to rise. This is most common during the summer and in tropical areas.</p>



<h3 id="h-mechanical-turbulence">Mechanical turbulence</h3>



<p>This type of turbulence is caused by the wind blowing over rough terrain or buildings, creating eddies in the air. These eddies can cause turbulence when an aircraft flies through them.</p>



<h3 id="h-wake-turbulence">Wake turbulence</h3>



<p>This is caused by the spinning vortices that form at the tips of an aircraft's wings. These vortices can persist in the air and cause turbulence for aircraft flying behind. Air traffic control keeps aircraft separated by specific distances to prevent encounters with wake turbulence.</p>



<p>Although turbulence can be uncomfortable, modern aircraft are built to withstand even severe turbulence. The main danger with turbulence is not to the aircraft itself, but to unsecured objects and people inside the cabin.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Pilots and air traffic control use weather radar and other information to try and avoid turbulent areas when possible. Despite these efforts, turbulence is sometimes unavoidable, but again, it's usually not a threat to the safety of the flight.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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



<p>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>.</p>

Climate change has caused more severe turbulence on airplanes

Tens of thousands of aircrafts face severe turbulence each year,...

<p>El Niño has arrived. The last month has seen an atmospheric shift in response to the unusually warm surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) forecasts that these conditions will extend into the winter season. The likelihood of this developing into a potent event stands at a solid 56%, with an 84% chance for at least a moderate event.</p>



<p>El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño-La Niña climate oscillation. This meteorological phenomenon alters global atmospheric circulation in predictable ways, helping us anticipate potential future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-climate-change-affect-extreme-weather-events/">weather</a> and climate patterns. As El Niño strengthens, its impact on global temperature, precipitation, and other patterns become increasingly evident.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-to-expect-from-the-weather">What to expect from the weather</h2>



<p>Take the monthly Niño-3.4 index, for example. This measures the temperature of the tropical Pacific Ocean's surface. It has been observed to be 0.5 °Celsius (0.9 ˚Fahrenheit) higher than the long-term average (1991–2020), according to the OISSTv2.1 monthly dataset.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A 0.5 °C anomaly signifies the arrival of El Niño, marking a remarkable transition from the recent La Niña phase. The NOAA recorded a temperature anomaly of 0.8°C over the last week, further signifying an upward trend.</p>



<p>These conditions, in line with climate model predictions and current tropical Pacific conditions, are expected to remain above the El Niño threshold for the next several months. This marks the fulfillment of the first two criteria of El Niño.</p>



<h2 id="h-disrupting-normal-atmospheric-patterns-and-trade-winds">Disrupting normal atmospheric patterns and trade winds</h2>



<p>The third criterion involves the indication of a weaker Walker circulation, which refers to the typical atmospheric pattern over the equatorial Pacific. Under normal conditions, warm western Pacific waters fuel rising air and storms, with winds blowing from the west to east high in the atmosphere. These give rise to surface winds known as trade winds that blow from east to west, maintaining the concentration of warm water in the western Pacific.</p>



<p>El Niño disrupts this system. Its warm surface waters shift rainfall and convection towards the central and eastern Pacific, which weakens the trade winds, allows further warming, and results in a backflow of warmer water to the east, reinforcing the El Niño sea surface temperature pattern. This feedback loop is a crucial sign of El Niño.</p>



<p>Recent evidence of this disrupted Walker circulation includes weaker trade winds over the western Pacific and increased cloud cover and rainfall over the equatorial Pacific. Reduced convection over Indonesia is another characteristic indicative of a weaker Walker circulation.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-el-nino-is-measured">How El Niño is measured</h2>



<p>To measure the atmospheric component of El Niño, the NOAA employs the Equatorial Southern Oscillation Index (EQSOI) and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). Both of these indexes compare the surface atmospheric pressure in the western Pacific to that in the eastern Pacific.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In May, they measured -1.0 standard deviations, meaning these indexes were lower than about two-thirds of all measurements. This implies a significant indication of the weaker Walker circulation and evidence that the ocean-atmosphere system has coupled, marking the development of El Niño conditions.</p>



<h2 id="h-why-forecasters-sound-the-alarms-for-el-nino">Why forecasters sound the alarms for El Niño</h2>



<p>Why all this focus on El Niño (and La Niña)? Their impact on atmospheric circulation has global implications. Warm air rising near the equator moves towards the poles high in the atmosphere, descending near 30 °N and 30 °S, in a pattern known as the Hadley circulation. This process affects jet streams over the middle to high latitudes, which guide storms worldwide and separate cold and warm air masses.</p>



<p>As El Niño warms the atmosphere over the central and eastern tropical Pacific, it strengthens the Hadley circulation and alters the jet streams. For instance, an El Niño winter tends to bring more storms across the southern US and warmer air to the northern half of North America.</p>



<p>Given that El Niño can usually be predicted months in advance, the NOAA can anticipate these changes and their potential impacts. When this weather pattern intensifies, warming the sea surface temperature significantly above average, it wields greater influence on global circulation, making the impact patterns more likely.</p>



<h2 id="h-expect-the-unexpected">Expect the unexpected</h2>



<p>However, Mother Nature never fails to surprise. While El Niño increases the likelihood of certain patterns, exact predictions are elusive. In the words of two poignant post titles: "Not what I ordered: How El Niño is like a bad bartender," and "No, you can't blame it all on El Niño… but it's still a seasonal forecaster’s best friend."</p>



<p>Adding to the atmospheric signs, the subsurface ocean also lends support to the persistence of El Niño. Currently, the Pacific holds significantly warmer-than-average water beneath the surface. This is due to the passage of one downwelling Kelvin wave (an area of warm water that moves from west to east under the surface) and the emergence of another.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In fact, the average subsurface temperature for May 2023 was the fourth-warmest May value on record (1979–2023). This isn't a guaranteed predictor of a strong El Niño, but it certainly is suggestive. The top two May values were in 1997 and 2015, both of which preceded strong El Niño events, but the third in 1980 did not.</p>



<p>As always, nature's unpredictability makes it challenging to forecast several months ahead. Even though El Niño conditions have formed, there's a slim chance (4-7%) that it might fizzle out. NOAA considers this unlikely but not impossible. The global oceans' unprecedented warmth could throw us off track. Another potential, though less probable, outcome is a weak El Niño, with a 12% chance.</p>



<p>In the upcoming months, updates on this El Niño's development will be provided. We'll delve deeper into some of the impacts of El Niño, including a post on El Niño's interaction with global temperature in a couple of weeks. As noted in the previous month, global temperatures are significantly above average and have been steadily rising. Thank you for joining us on this journey into the heart of our changing climate!</p>



<h2 id="h-a-summary-and-exact-explanation-of-an-el-nino-event">A summary and exact explanation of an El Niño event</h2>



<p><br>El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters along the tropical west coast of South America. It's part of what's known as the Southern Oscillation, a larger climatic phenomenon encompassing both the ocean and the atmosphere. Together, they're often referred to as ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation).</p>



<p>Typically, trade winds in the Pacific blow from east to west, pushing warm surface water towards Indonesia. When this happens, cold water from deep in the ocean rises up to replace it along the west coast of South America, a process known as upwelling. This cool, nutrient-rich water supports a rich ecosystem, including a thriving fishing industry.</p>



<p>During an El Niño event, the trade winds weaken or may even reverse direction. This change allows the warm water that was "piled up" in the western Pacific to slosh back towards the east. With the retreat of cooler water, sea surface temperatures along the western coast of South and Central America can rise significantly.</p>



<p>This significant warming of ocean water has substantial effects on global weather and climate patterns due to the large amount of heat energy transferred from the ocean to the atmosphere. For instance, it can lead to increased rainfall across the southern tier of the US and in Peru, which has caused destructive flooding, and drought in the West Pacific, affecting Australia and Indonesia.</p>



<p>These effects can also disrupt the marine ecosystem. The warmer surface waters of the Pacific Ocean during an El Niño can deplete the nutrients in the water, disrupting the food chain from its very base. For example, the anchovy industry in Peru and Ecuador can suffer during El Niño years as the anchovies, which prefer cooler water, disappear from their usual coastal habitats.</p>



<p>The frequency and intensity of these events vary. They tend to happen every two to seven years and can last anywhere from nine months to two years. Some can be more intense than others, and their effects can vary accordingly. However, predicting the exact timing and details of these events remains a significant scientific challenge.</p>



<p>On the flip side of El Niño is La Niña, which is essentially the opposite phase of ENSO. During La Niña, the trade winds are stronger than usual, pushing more warm water towards the west and causing cooler waters to rise along the eastern Pacific. This scenario leads to weather patterns that are generally the reverse of those during El Niño events.</p>



<p>It's important to note that while we understand the general patterns of El Niño and La Niña, each event is unique and can bring its own surprises, which makes studying and predicting them an ongoing endeavor for climatologists.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Forecasters warn of weather chaos as El Niño arrives early

El Niño has arrived. The last month has seen an...

<p>In a breakthrough study led by <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/">Columbia</a> researchers and involving a global team of aging experts, a discovery reveals that the nutrient taurine, which is naturally produced within our bodies and also found in various foods, has a significant role in driving the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-intelligence-identifies-new-anti-aging-compounds/">aging</a> process in animals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers also found that supplements of taurine could potentially slow down this process. The evidence suggests a notable impact on the healthy lifespans of middle-aged mice, worms, and monkeys, with an increase of up to 12% observed.</p>



<p>Dr. Vijay Yadav, who led the study, is an assistant professor of Genetics and Development at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He noted that the science community has been on a 25-year quest to identify factors that don't merely increase lifespan, but also enhance healthspan – the period of time that an individual maintains good health in old age. "This study suggests that taurine could be an elixir of life within us that helps us live longer and healthier lives," said Dr. Yadav.</p>



<h2 id="h-many-anti-aging-molecules-are-within-us">Many anti-aging molecules are within us</h2>



<p>The last two decades have seen a surge in efforts to identify interventions that could enhance health in old age. This has been fueled by the increase in human longevity and the growing understanding that the aging process can be manipulated.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Numerous studies have connected various blood-carried molecules with aging, but it's unclear whether these molecules actively control the aging process or are just passengers going along for the ride.</p>



<p>Taurine caught Dr. Yadav's attention during earlier osteoporosis research that highlighted the nutrient's role in bone-building. At the same time, other researchers started associating taurine levels with various aspects of health such as immune function, obesity, and nervous system functions. These findings made the team wonder whether taurine levels in the bloodstream might influence overall health and lifespan.</p>



<h2 id="h-taurine-declines-naturally-with-age">Taurine declines naturally with age</h2>



<p>The researchers initially investigated taurine levels in the bloodstream of mice, monkeys, and humans, discovering a substantial decrease with age. In humans, taurine levels in individuals at the age of 60 were only around a third of those found in 5-year-olds. This discovery prompted the question, is a deficiency of taurine a driver of aging?</p>



<p>The researchers then began a large experiment with nearly 250 mice, which were about 14 months old (equivalent to approximately 45 human years). Every day, half of the mice received taurine supplements. After concluding the experiment, the researchers found that taurine extended average lifespan by 12% in female mice and 10% in males. For the mice, this translated to an additional three to four months, which would equate to seven or eight human years.</p>



<h2 id="h-taurine-supplement-experiments-improved-health-in-old-age">Taurine supplement experiments improved health in old age</h2>



<p>To delve deeper into how taurine affects health, additional researchers were brought in to investigate the nutrient's impact on health and lifespan across various species. The results were astonishing; mice that were given taurine for a year were found to be healthier in nearly all aspects compared to their untreated counterparts at the age of two (or 60 in human years).</p>



<p>The health benefits of taurine supplementation ranged from suppressing age-associated weight gain and increasing energy expenditure, to improving muscle strength and endurance, reducing insulin resistance, and promoting a more youthful immune system.</p>



<p>The study also showed that taurine improves many cellular functions that typically deteriorate with age. For instance, taurine reduced the number of “zombie cells,” which are old cells that linger instead of dying and subsequently release harmful substances. Taurine also improved the performance of mitochondria and reduced DNA damage.</p>



<p>The promising results extended to middle-aged rhesus monkeys, which showed improved health indicators after receiving daily taurine supplements for six months. The monkeys experienced reduced weight gain, lower fasting blood glucose, fewer liver damage markers, and improved immune system health, among other benefits.</p>



<p>Dr Yadav and his team are careful to note, however, that while these results are promising, they do not yet know if taurine supplements will improve health or increase longevity in humans.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, the team has conducted two human-based experiments which suggest taurine may have potential. The first analyzed the relationship between taurine levels and approximately 50 health parameters in over 12,000 European adults aged 60 and above.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Overall, those with higher taurine levels were generally healthier, with fewer cases of type 2 diabetes, lower obesity levels, less hypertension, and reduced inflammation levels. "These are associations, which do not establish causation. But the results are consistent with the possibility that taurine deficiency contributes to human aging," explained Dr. Yadav.</p>



<p>In a second experiment, the researchers studied whether taurine levels would respond to an intervention known to improve health: exercise. After a strenuous cycling workout, taurine levels were measured in a variety of male athletes and sedentary individuals, both before and after exercise.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings were consistent across all groups – taurine levels significantly increased post-exercise. "This suggests that some of the health benefits of exercise may come from an increase in taurine," said Dr. Yadav.</p>



<h2 id="h-randomized-clinical-trials-are-next">Randomized clinical trials are next</h2>



<p>However, Dr. Yadav is clear that a randomized clinical trial in humans is the only way to definitively determine if taurine has genuine health benefits. Trials are currently underway for obesity, but none of them are designed to measure a wide range of health parameters. Other potential anti-aging drugs, including metformin, rapamycin, and NAD analogs, are being considered for testing in clinical trials.</p>



<p>"I think taurine should also be considered," said Dr. Yadav. "It has some advantages: Taurine is naturally produced in our bodies, it can be obtained naturally in the diet, it has no known toxic effects, and its levels can be boosted by exercise."</p>



<p>Ultimately, Dr. Yadav concludes that restoring taurine to youthful levels in old age might be a promising anti-aging strategy, given that taurine levels decrease with age. His team's research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abn9257"><em>Science</em></a>, could potentially revolutionize our understanding of the aging process and how we can manipulate it for a healthier, longer life.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-anti-aging-research">More about anti-aging research&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Anti-aging research is a rapidly growing field dedicated to understanding the molecular and physiological mechanisms that contribute to aging. The goal is to develop interventions that can delay, stop, or even reverse the aging process, thereby extending both lifespan (how long we live) and healthspan (how long we live in good health). Here are some promising molecules that have been identified in this field:</p>



<h3 id="h-taurine">Taurine&nbsp;</h3>



<p>As discussed in the study led by Dr. Vijay Yadav, taurine, a naturally produced nutrient, could potentially have a significant role in slowing down the aging process.</p>



<h3 id="h-metformin">Metformin&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Originally a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, metformin has shown promising results in extending lifespan and healthspan in multiple animal models. It's believed to work by increasing insulin sensitivity, decreasing oxidative stress, and possibly by modifying the microbiome. The "Metformin in Longevity Study" (MILES) is one such trial examining the effects of metformin on aging in humans.</p>



<h3 id="h-rapamycin">Rapamycin</h3>



<p>This is a compound originally discovered in soil bacteria and now used as an immunosuppressant in organ transplantation. In mice, rapamycin has been shown to extend lifespan, possibly by inhibiting a cellular pathway involved in cell growth and proliferation called mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). Clinical trials are underway to test the effects of rapamycin and related compounds on aging in humans.</p>



<h3 id="h-nad-precursors">NAD+ precursors</h3>



<p>NAD+ (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a critical coenzyme found in every cell in your body and plays a significant role in energy metabolism. Aging, in part, has been considered a result of decreasing NAD+ levels over time. To combat this, precursors such as Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) are being investigated for their potential to replenish NAD+ levels and possibly slow down the aging process.</p>



<h3 id="h-senolytics">Senolytics</h3>



<p>Senescent cells, often referred to as "zombie cells," stop dividing but don't die. They accumulate with age and secrete inflammatory molecules that can harm nearby cells. Senolytics are a class of drugs designed to target and eliminate these cells, potentially reducing inflammation and other negative effects of aging. Initial trials in mice have shown promising results.</p>



<h3 id="h-resveratrol">Resveratrol&nbsp;</h3>



<p>This naturally occurring compound, found in foods like grapes and berries, has been shown to have several health benefits, including anti-aging effects. Resveratrol is thought to activate certain pathways in the body that help combat aging, although results from human studies have been mixed.</p>



<h3 id="h-caloric-restriction-mimetics-crms">Caloric Restriction Mimetics (CRMs)</h3>



<p>Dietary restriction without malnutrition (or caloric restriction) is the most robust intervention known to increase lifespan in a variety of organisms. CRMs are compounds that can mimic the biochemical effects of a low-calorie diet, thereby promoting a longer, healthier life. Examples include the diabetes drug metformin, rapamycin, and resveratrol.</p>



<p>It's important to note that while these substances show promise, most are still in the early stages of research and have not been conclusively proven to slow human aging. The best-proven methods to promote a longer, healthier life remain a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and regular medical care.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Taurine: Natural anti-aging supplement may hold the key to a longer life

In a breakthrough study led by Columbia researchers and involving...

<p>The global COVID-19 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-pandemic-affect-young-peoples-mental-health/">pandemic</a> and subsequent lockdowns led to a substantial shift in human behavior. As people huddled indoors, it appeared that land mammals seized the opportunity to explore more freely and widely, as per a recent study conducted by Marlee Tucker of <a href="https://www.ru.nl/en/home-basis-seo">Radboud University</a> and his team of 174 colleagues.</p>



<p>In the first few months of the pandemic, when most countries were in stringent lockdown, reports of wildlife reclaiming spaces in urban areas began to circulate. One could spot cougars strolling down the streets of Santiago, Chile.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, Tucker questioned, "Is there any evidence of this? Or were people simply paying more attention to everything while being at home?" This doubt inspired a global investigation into the behavioral changes of land mammals.</p>



<h2 id="h-studying-the-movements-of-mammals-worldwide">Studying the movements of mammals worldwide</h2>



<p>To dig deeper into the phenomenon, the team, which included members of the COVID-19 Bio-Logging Initiative, embarked on a mission to analyze GPS tracking data of land mammals worldwide.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They collected and scrutinized data from a diverse array of 43 different species, ranging from elephants and giraffes to bears and deer. The team studied more than 2,300 individual mammals in all.</p>



<p>The data under scrutiny was specifically from the first period of lockdowns, spanning from January to mid-May 2020. The team then compared these figures to movement data from the same months the previous year. The patterns they discovered were intriguing.</p>



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



<p>The research,&nbsp; published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abo6499"><em>Science</em></a>, revealed that animals traveled up to 73% longer distances within a span of 10 days during the strict lockdown period, compared to the same time the previous year when no lockdown was in place.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, animals were found to be on average 36% closer to roads. "This is probably because those roads were quieter during strict lockdowns," explained Tucker.</p>



<p>Fewer people outside, especially in heavily urbanized areas, offered animals an unprecedented opportunity to explore new territories. However, the results varied in regions with less stringent lockdown measures.</p>



<p>"In contrast, in areas with less strict lockdowns, we saw that animals traveled shorter distances," said Thomas Mueller of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre and Goethe University Frankfurt, who co-designed the study with Tucker.</p>



<p>"This may have to do with the fact that during those lockdowns, people were actually encouraged to go into nature. As a result, some nature areas were busier than before COVID-19."</p>



<h2 id="h-unique-opportunity-for-study-that-may-not-happen-again">Unique opportunity for study that may not happen again</h2>



<p>The unique circumstances presented by the pandemic lockdowns allowed the researchers to observe the immediate effects of a sudden change in human presence on wildlife behavior.</p>



<p>"Our research has shown that animals can respond directly to changes in human behavior. This offers hope for the future, because in principle this means that making some adjustments to our own behavior could have a positive effect on animals," said Tucker.</p>



<p>This intriguing study provides crucial insights into how human activity impacts wildlife, potentially guiding our path towards more sustainable cohabitation with the natural world.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-happens-when-mammals-lose-their-habitat-to-humans">What happens when mammals lose their habitat to humans</h2>



<p>When humans encroach on the habitats of land mammals, it can lead to a variety of negative impacts on these animals and their environments, as well as potential negative effects on human populations. Here are several key issues:</p>



<h3 id="h-habitat-loss-and-fragmentation">Habitat Loss and Fragmentation</h3>



<p>When humans convert forests, grasslands, or other natural habitats into residential areas, commercial zones, farms, or roads, this results in habitat loss for many species. Furthermore, remaining natural areas often become fragmented, isolating wildlife populations. Fragmented habitats can prevent animals from moving freely to find food, mates, or new territory, leading to declines in population size and potentially even extinction.</p>



<h3 id="h-conflict-with-humans">Conflict with Humans&nbsp;</h3>



<p>As human settlements expand into wild areas, the potential for human-wildlife conflict increases. For instance, animals such as bears, coyotes, or elephants can encroach on human settlements in search of food, which can result in property damage or even human injuries or deaths. Conversely, humans may kill or injure animals perceived as threats or nuisances.</p>



<h3 id="h-spread-of-diseases">Spread of Diseases</h3>



<p>Encroachment can also facilitate the spread of diseases between wildlife and human populations. For example, the Ebola virus is believed to have jumped from wildlife to humans in areas where humans are encroaching on previously undisturbed habitats.</p>



<h3 id="h-decreased-biodiversity">Decreased Biodiversity&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Human encroachment can lead to decreased biodiversity as habitats are destroyed or altered, and certain species may not be able to adapt to the changes. This can result in a loss of species richness and an imbalance in ecosystems, which can lead to a decrease in ecosystem health and resilience.</p>



<h3 id="h-disruption-of-animal-behavior">Disruption of Animal Behavior</h3>



<p>Human encroachment can cause changes in animal behavior. For example, it can change migration patterns or feeding habits, causing stress to the animals and potentially impacting their survival. Animals might also start to avoid areas populated by humans, resulting in a reduced habitat area.</p>



<h3 id="h-overexploitation-of-resources">Overexploitation of Resources</h3>



<p>Humans often exploit natural resources within animal habitats, such as water, timber, or mineral resources. This exploitation can alter or destroy habitats and leave fewer resources available for animal populations.</p>



<p>Ultimately, the encroachment of human activities into animal habitats poses a significant threat to wildlife. It highlights the importance of sustainable development practices, habitat conservation, and coexistence strategies to mitigate these impacts.</p>



<p>—-</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Behavior of land mammals changed dramatically during COVID-19 lockdowns

The global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns led to a...

Brave,Astronaut,At,The,Spacewalk,On,The,Moon.,This,Image

<p>The final frontier of space travel unveils a new mystery - the human brain, and its reaction to prolonged absence from Earth's gravity. A recent study suggests those who frequently embark on longer journeys should wait approximately three years after each mission, allowing time for the physiological changes in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-delays-visual-inputs-by-15-seconds-to-keep-us-stable/">brains</a> to reset.</p>



<p>A team of researchers meticulously analyzed the brain scans of 30 astronauts, taken before and after their extraterrestrial voyages. The findings, released today in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33331-8"><em>Scientific Reports</em></a>, unveils a startling observation.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-brain-ventricles-take-years-to-recover-if-at-all">Brain ventricles take years to recover, if at all</h2>



<p>The astronauts' brain ventricles experienced significant expansion post-travel, especially in those who had undertaken missions spanning at least six months. This raises concerns since less than three years post-mission may not provide enough time for the ventricles to fully recover.</p>



<p>Understanding what these ventricles are is vital. They're essentially cavities nestled within the brain, housing cerebrospinal fluid responsible for the brain's protection, nourishment, and waste removal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the grip of Earth's gravity, our bodies have finely tuned mechanisms that distribute fluids evenly. But in space, where gravity is absent, these fluids shift upwards, nudging the brain higher within the skull and leading to ventricular expansion.</p>



<p>“The more time people spent in space, the larger their ventricles became,” explains Rachael Seidler, a professor of applied physiology and kinesiology at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a> and one of the authors of the study.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-serious-implications-for-long-term-space-missions">Serious implications for long-term space missions</h2>



<p>According to Seidler, the implications are significant for astronauts who have been to space more than once. The findings suggest that it takes approximately three years between flights for the ventricles to fully recover. Seidler affirms that this ventricular expansion is the most enduring brain change observed as a result of spaceflight.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The full implications of this phenomenon remain a mystery. “We don’t yet know for sure what the long-term consequences of this is on the health and behavioral health of space travelers,” says Seidler. Yet, prudence dictates that allowing the brain adequate time to recover seems like a sound strategy.</p>



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



<p>In their study, the researchers scrutinized the scans of astronauts from different mission durations - eight of them embarked on two-week missions, 18 spent six months in space, while four journeyed for approximately a year. Interestingly, the rate of ventricular enlargement appeared to taper off after six months.</p>



<p>Seidler points out, “The biggest jump comes when you go from two weeks to six months in space.” Evidently, there's no measurable change in the ventricles' volume after a brief two-week stint. This observation carries good news for the budding space tourism industry. Shorter space trips appear to trigger minimal physiological changes to the brain.</p>



<p>Furthermore, Seidler finds it encouraging that ventricular expansion seems to plateau after six months, despite not yet having data from astronauts in space for significantly longer periods. “We were happy to see that the changes don’t increase exponentially, considering we will eventually have people in space for longer periods."</p>



<p>This intriguing study, supported by <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>, has the potential to significantly shape future decision-making concerning crew travel and mission planning, according to Seidler. As humanity edges closer to becoming an interplanetary species, it's clear that understanding the physiological effects of space travel on the human body will remain an area of intense research.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-impact-of-space-travel-on-the-human-body">More about impact of space travel on the human body&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Space travel represents one of the most extreme environments humans have ever encountered, and as such, it brings a range of unique effects on the human body. The microgravity environment, increased exposure to radiation, and the psychological stress of confinement and isolation all contribute to a variety of health effects.</p>



<h3 id="h-microgravity-effects">Microgravity Effects&nbsp;</h3>



<p>One of the most striking effects of space travel is the impact of microgravity on the body. In space, the lack of gravity causes a redistribution of bodily fluids, leading to a puffy face and bird-leg syndrome. More seriously, the body begins to lose bone and muscle mass without the regular resistance of gravity. Astronauts can lose up to 1-2% of bone mass per month in space, particularly in the lower body and spine, a condition similar to osteoporosis. Muscle mass also decreases, especially in the muscles used for posture and movement on Earth.</p>



<p>Microgravity also affects the cardiovascular system. The heart doesn't need to work as hard in space, which can cause a decrease in heart muscle size. Some astronauts experience orthostatic intolerance - dizziness and fainting when standing - upon their return to Earth as a result of these cardiovascular adaptations.</p>



<p>The recent findings about the brain's ventricles expanding during prolonged space travel (as in the press release you provided) represent another facet of microgravity's effects.</p>



<h3 id="h-radiation">Radiation&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Space travel exposes astronauts to higher levels of radiation, which can increase the risk of cancer. Outside the protective layer of Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field, astronauts receive more than ten times the radiation than people experience on average on Earth. This exposure increases the risk of developing cancer and may also have unknown effects on the nervous system.</p>



<h3 id="h-psychological-stress">Psychological Stress</h3>



<p>The psychological impact of space travel can also be significant. Isolation and confinement can lead to sleep disturbances, circadian rhythm disruptions, and behavioral and emotional difficulties. Astronauts also commonly report vision changes, and ongoing research suggests that these changes may be related to both microgravity and increased CO2 levels on the International Space Station.</p>



<h3 id="h-other-health-concerns">Other Health Concerns&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Some other health concerns related to space travel include the risk of kidney stones, damage to the eyes and vision (known as Visual Impairment Intracranial Pressure Syndrome), immune system dysregulation, and balance and coordination difficulties upon return to Earth. There are also significant concerns about the potential for serious medical emergencies in space, as our current ability to provide advanced medical care in a microgravity environment is limited.</p>



<p>As humanity aims for longer-duration space travel, such as missions to Mars, understanding these effects and developing ways to mitigate them will be vital. It's an active area of research, and organizations like NASA are working to ensure the safety and health of astronauts venturing into the unknown.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Astronauts get brain damage from space travel that often never heals

The final frontier of space travel unveils a new mystery...

<p>The stark escalation of human-induced global warming from greenhouse gas emissions, progressing at a "unprecedented rate," has echoed a pressing alarm, as declared by 50 preeminent scientists. They report that the increase in the global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-struggling-to-maintain-oxygen-as-temperatures-rise/">temperature</a> is an immediate result of human activities, and it is surging faster than previously anticipated.</p>



<p>Their timely revelation, a "wake-up call," comes at a critical juncture as climate experts convene in Bonn. Their meeting is the prelude to the major COP28 climate conference in UAE, slated for December. The conference will assess global efforts to keep the temperature increase below 1.5°C by 2050.</p>



<p>However, the swift pace of climatic changes makes access to robust scientific evidence crucial for informed decisions. Policymakers, climate negotiators, and civil society groups need this data to effectively respond to the climate crisis.</p>



<p>The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is recognized as a reliable source of scientific information. However, their major assessments typically take five to ten years to complete, creating a critical "information gap" during this rapidly changing climate scenario.</p>



<p>To bridge this gap, scientists from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a> have launched a novel open-data, open-science platform — the Indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC). This online resource, available at <a href="https://igcc.earth/">https://igcc.earth/</a>, will provide annual updates on key climate indicators and greenhouse gas emissions.</p>



<h2 id="h-critical-decade-for-future-of-our-planet">Critical decade for future of our planet</h2>



<p>Professor Piers Forster, the coordinator of the project and Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures at Leeds, emphasizes the importance of this decade for climate change. He states, "Decisions made now will have an impact on how much temperatures will rise and the degree and severity of impacts we will see as a result."</p>



<p>According to Professor Forster, there is already evidence that greenhouse gas emissions are slowing down, despite current warming rates being at an all-time high. This highlights the need for nimble policy-making, responsive to the latest evidence about the state of the climate system. "Time is no longer on our side. Access to up-to-date information is vitally important," he warns.</p>



<p>The scientists' revelations in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-2295-2023"><em>Earth System Science Data</em></a> also show how key indicators have evolved since the publication of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Working Group 1 report in 2021.</p>



<h2 id="h-updated-indicator-findings-on-greenhouse-gas-emissions">Updated indicator findings on greenhouse gas emissions</h2>



<p>Recent data reveals that human-induced warming, predominantly due to fossil fuel burning, averaged at 1.14°C for the last decade (2013-2022) above pre-industrial levels. This is a rise from 1.07°C between 2010 and 2019. Now, the pace of increase is over 0.2°C per decade.</p>



<p>Additionally, greenhouse gas emissions have reached an all-time high, with human activities releasing approximately 54 (+/-5.3) billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually over the last decade (2012-2021).</p>



<p>While there has been a move away from coal burning, it has ironically added to global warming by reducing particulate pollution in the air, which usually has a cooling effect.</p>



<p>Professor Maisa Rojas Corradi, Chile's Minister of the Environment, an IPCC author and scientist involved in this study, emphasizes the importance of regularly updating global change indicators. She says this is critical for maintaining urgency in addressing the climate crisis, allowing for informed decision-making, and fine-tuning national policies.</p>



<h2 id="h-remaining-carbon-budget-has-reached-dire-level">Remaining carbon budget has reached dire level</h2>



<p>A critical insight from the analysis is the rapid decline in the remaining carbon budget, which is the estimate of carbon that can be released into the atmosphere to maintain a 50% chance of keeping the global temperature rise within 1.5°C.</p>



<p>As of 2020, the IPCC calculated the remaining carbon budget to be around 500 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide. By early 2023, this figure had halved to about 250 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide. This precipitous drop is due to the persistent greenhouse gas emissions since 2020, compounded by updated estimates of human-induced warming.</p>



<p>Professor Forster warns, "Even though we are not yet at 1.5°C warming, the carbon budget will likely be exhausted in only a few years as we have a triple whammy of heating from very high CO2 emissions, heating from increases in other GHG emissions and heating from reductions in pollution."</p>



<h2 id="h-public-must-be-kept-informed-of-key-indicators">Public must be kept informed of key indicators</h2>



<p>If we aim to keep the 1.5°C goal within our reach and not just a fleeting image in our rearview mirror, we must work relentlessly and urgently to bring down emissions. The Indicators of Global Climate Change project aims to aid this endeavor by ensuring key players have timely and up-to-date data at their disposal.</p>



<p>Dr Valérie Masson-Delmotte, from the Université Paris Saclay, who co-chaired Working Group 1 of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment report and was involved in the climate indicators project, shared a similar sentiment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>She said, "This robust update shows intensifying heating of our climate driven by human activities. It is a timely wake up call for the 2023 global stocktake of the Paris Agreement - the pace and scale of climate action is not sufficient to limit the escalation of climate-related risks."</p>



<p>It's important to remember that every incremental increase in global warming intensifies climate extremes. This includes heightened frequency and intensity of hot extremes, heavy rainfall, and agricultural droughts.</p>



<p>The Indicators of Global Climate Change (<a href="https://igcc.earth/">https://igcc.earth/</a>) aims to keep this information on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change accessible and up-to-date. The platform will provide annual updates on greenhouse gas emissions, human-induced global warming, and the remaining carbon budget.</p>



<p>Inspired by the financial industry's approach to information presentation, software developers expanded on a successful climate dashboard, the Climate Change Tracker, to build the IGCC website. This interface allows the public to digest complex climate data in a user-friendly format, further enabling informed climate action worldwide.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-climate-change-tipping-point">More about the climate change “tipping point”&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A tipping point in the context of climate change refers to a threshold or a point of no return in the climate system. When this point is crossed, drastic and potentially irreversible changes occur.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This phenomenon is a product of positive feedback loops in the climate system, where a change in one aspect, like greenhouse gas emissions, can amplify other aspects, leading to accelerated warming or climatic shifts.</p>



<p>Several key tipping points have been identified by scientists. Here are some of them:</p>



<h3 id="h-melting-of-polar-ice-sheets">Melting of Polar Ice Sheets</h3>



<p>The polar ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica have a considerable effect on the global climate. Once these ice sheets start to melt, a feedback loop can begin where melting ice reduces the Earth's albedo (reflectivity), which means more sunlight is absorbed, leading to more warming and thus more ice melting. If all of the Greenland ice sheet were to melt, it could lead to a global sea-level rise of about 7 meters.</p>



<h3 id="h-thawing-of-permafrost">Thawing of Permafrost</h3>



<p>Large areas of the Arctic are covered in permafrost - ground that remains frozen throughout the year. This permafrost contains vast amounts of carbon. As the world warms, this permafrost thaws, releasing this carbon as greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane), which in turn accelerates global warming.</p>



<h3 id="h-dieback-of-forests">Dieback of Forests</h3>



<p>The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth", is another potential tipping point. Deforestation and rising temperatures could cause a significant portion of the forest to die back and transition into savannah, releasing massive amounts of CO2 stored in the forest biomass and reducing the amount of CO2 that the forest can absorb.</p>



<h3 id="h-disruption-of-ocean-currents">Disruption of Ocean Currents</h3>



<p>The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major ocean current system, plays a key role in regulating the global climate. Increased freshwater from melting ice can disrupt this system, leading to potentially severe consequences for weather patterns, particularly in Europe and North America.</p>



<p>Crossing any of these tipping points could lead to severe and rapid changes in the global climate system. Many scientists believe that we are already close to or have crossed some of these tipping points, but there is ongoing debate over precisely when and how these thresholds will be breached.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Understanding and predicting these points is a major focus of climate research and adds urgency to the need for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.</p>



<p>—-</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Scientists beg the public to "wake up" as greenhouse gas emissions reach another all-time high

The stark escalation of human-induced global warming from greenhouse gas...

<p>Top athletes know that nutrition, which includes eating carrots, is a critical component of their training regimen. A recent study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.uga.edu/">University of Georgia</a> is now suggesting that a diet supplemented with an array of colorful fruits and vegetables could enhance an athlete's visual range, a key advantage in competitive sports.</p>



<p>This compelling research was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000318"><em>Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews</em></a>. The study takes a deep dive into the benefits of certain plant compounds known as macular pigments. These pigments accumulate in the retina, playing a significant role in promoting eye health and improving functional vision.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-carrots-and-colorful-fruits-improve-vision">How carrots and colorful fruits improve vision</h2>



<p>The dynamic duo behind many previous studies on this topic, UGA researchers Billy R. Hammond and Lisa Renzi-Hammond, discovered that foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, such as dark leafy greens, yellow and orange <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-vegetables-often-harbor-human-pathogens/">vegetables</a> such as carrots, boost eye and brain health. These plant compounds are the primary constituents of the macular pigments under investigation.</p>



<p>Jack Harth, lead author of the paper and a doctoral candidate at UGA's College of Public Health, noted, “A lot of the research into macular lutein and zeaxanthin has focused on health benefits. But from a functional perspective, higher concentrations of these plant pigments improve many aspects of visual and cognitive ability. In this paper, we discuss their ability to improve vision in the far distance or visual range.”</p>



<p>The visual range, essentially the clarity with which one can see a target over distance, is indispensable for elite athletes across most sports. This ability can be compromised as objects become harder to see and seem fuzzier when viewed from a distance, primarily due to the effects of blue light.</p>



<p>Harth explains this phenomenon by using the example of a center fielder in baseball: “If that ball's coming up in the air, it will be seen against a background of bright blue sky, or against a gray background if it's a cloudy day. Either way, the target is obscured by atmospheric interference coming into that path of the light.”</p>



<h2 id="h-focus-on-nutrition-and-ditch-the-sunglasses">Focus on nutrition and ditch the sunglasses</h2>



<p>It's common for athletes to attempt to mitigate the impact of blue light through tools such as eye black or blue blocker sunglasses. Yet, an increase in lutein and zeaxanthin intake could naturally enhance the eye's ability to cope with blue light exposure.</p>



<p>These compounds in carrots and other fruits and vegetables, when consumed, accumulate as yellow pigments in the retina and serve as a filter, preventing blue light from penetrating the eye. This theory is not new; research in the 1980s investigated the visual range ability of pilots and drew similar conclusions.</p>



<p>Recent studies led by Hammond and Renzi-Hammond have delved into how macular pigment density, or the level of yellow pigment buildup in the retina, correlates with numerous measures of eye health and functional vision tests.</p>



<p>“In a long series of studies, we have shown that increasing amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina and brain decrease glare disability and discomfort and improve chromatic contrast and visual-motor reaction time. Supplementing these compounds also facilitates executive functions like problem-solving and memory. All of these tasks are particularly important for athletes,” explains Billy R. Hammond.</p>



<p>The current paper brings the latest research on macular pigment and functional vision into focus. It questions what the evidence implies about enhancing athletic performance.</p>



<p>Harth added, “We're at a point where we can say we've seen visual range differences in pilots that match the differences found in modeling. We've also seen it in laboratory tests. A future goal would be to bring people outside and measure their ability to see contrast over distance through real blue haze and in outdoor environments.”</p>



<h2 id="h-not-all-people-achieve-the-same-results">Not all people achieve the same results</h2>



<p>However, Harth warns that individual responses may vary due to differences in how our bodies absorb and utilize lutein and zeaxanthin. It's not as simple as just starting to eat kale and immediately observing improvements in your game.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Individual biological variations mean that lutein and zeaxanthin absorption and usage may differ from person to person. Furthermore, it might take some time before any changes, if any, become noticeable.</p>



<p>Despite these variables, the research team insists that there's more than enough evidence to support the general health benefits of consuming more lutein and zeaxanthin. There's no harm in bringing more color to your diet with fruits and vegetables rich in these compounds, such as carrots and spinach.</p>



<p>“We have data from modeling and empirical studies showing that higher macular pigment in your retina will improve your ability to see over distance. The application for athletes is clear," says Harth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research into this field is ongoing, and while it's not a guarantee that these pigments will transform every person into a superior athlete, it's an exciting development in understanding how diet can impact not only health, but potentially performance as well. Athletes and non-athletes alike can all benefit from the added incentive to load up their plates with more colorful fruits and vegetables.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-carrots-and-vision">More about carrots and vision</h2>



<p>Carrots are perhaps best known for their association with good eye health, and this reputation isn't undeserved. They are packed with beta-carotene, a type of carotenoid which gives carrots their vibrant orange color. Once consumed, beta-carotene gets converted in the body into vitamin A, an essential nutrient known for its critical role in maintaining and improving eye health.</p>



<p>Vitamin A is a key ingredient of a protein called rhodopsin, which the retina needs to absorb light. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to several eye-related health problems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The most severe is xerophthalmia, a condition that can result in night blindness – difficulty seeing in low light or darkness – and, in extreme cases, may cause the cornea to become dry and damaged, which can lead to blindness.</p>



<p>That said, while carrots contribute to overall eye health due to their vitamin A content, they're not a cure-all for vision problems. The belief that eating a lot of carrots will allow one to see in complete darkness is a myth, albeit a persistent one.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This notion likely originated during World War II when the British spread rumors that their pilots had exceptional night vision because they ate lots of carrots. In reality, the Royal Air Force's improved hit rate was due to advances in radar technology, but attributing it to carrot consumption was a convenient cover story.</p>



<p>While the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A does support eye health, it's also worth noting that other fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens, also contain important nutrients for eye health.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For example, lutein and zeaxanthin, as mentioned in the press release you provided, are two such nutrients. They are found in high quantities in leafy greens like spinach and kale, and also in yellow and orange vegetables, including, to a lesser extent, carrots.</p>



<p>These nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin, are concentrated in the macula, a part of the retina, where they protect the eye from harmful blue light, improve visual acuity, and may even help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.</p>



<p>So, while carrots do support eye health due to their high vitamin A content, a balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables can provide a more comprehensive range of nutrients for optimal eye health.</p>



<p>—-</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Mom was right: Eating carrots and colorful veggies really can improve your eyesight

Top athletes know that nutrition, which includes eating carrots, is...

<p>As smoke from the nearly 400 wildfires currently blazing in Canada keeps descending south across the United States’ border, New York City has recently been listed by the Swiss tech company <a href="https://www.iqair.com/">IQAir</a> as having the world’s worst air quality, surpassing typical forerunners such as Dubai, Lahore, Delhi, or Baghdad. According to the experts, on Wednesday, June 7, the air quality in NYC was more than 56 times over the level deemed safe by the <a href="https://www.who.int/">World Health Organization</a> (WHO).</p>



<p>IQAir uses fine particulate matter (PM2.5) measurements – hazardous particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter – to assess in real time the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-pollution-disorients-monarch-butterflies/">pollution</a> levels all over the globe. Since the health impact of a particle concentration of 22μg/m3 per 24 hours is considered equivalent to smoking about one cigarette, the current situation in New York is highly alarming: breathing the air in the city during a day is now as damaging as smoking 22 cigarettes.</p>



<h2 id="h-residents-urged-to-stay-indoors">Residents urged to stay indoors</h2>



<p>Considering this worrisome situation, with the air quality index (AQI) spiking to 353 out of 500 on Wednesday (compared to 15 on June 3, for instance), mayor Eric Adams and governor Kathy Hochul urged New York residents to stay inside, and announced that the state is currently producing a million N95 masks to distribute them to the most vulnerable demographics.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This may be the first time we’ve experienced something like this on this magnitude,” Adams said in a press conference on Wednesday. “Let me be clear, it’s not the last.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“You don’t need to go out and take a walk. You don’t need to push the baby in the stroller,” Ms. Hochul added.</p>



<p>Similarly, Dr. Mark Shapiro, a medical director in Santa Rosa, California, tweeted recommendations on staying safe, suggesting that residents should wear an N95 mask, minimize as much as possible time outside, frequently wash their hands and face, and keep headlights on when driving to avoid accidents in the increasing smog caused by the Canadian wildfires.</p>



<h2 id="h-when-will-air-quality-improve">When will air quality improve?</h2>



<p>With no end in sight for the Quebec wildfires, authorities are uncertain how the situation in New York and other US cities will evolve, and expect very high levels of pollution at least until the end of this week.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The weather pattern may finally break down this weekend, and by Sunday the winds may shift, providing relief from the smoke,” said Judson Jones, a meteorologist and reporter at the New York Times. “Relief could come even earlier if progress is made on putting out the wildfires.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, since the wildfire season has just started, people in New York and elsewhere could experience more similar events over this summer. In the long-term, urgent efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change could decrease the frequency and intensity of wildfire, and improve air quality.</p>



<p>According to Bill McKibben, a writer and environmental activist from Vermont, this unprecedented situation may have given millions of North Americans a sense of what people in other areas of the world have already repeatedly experienced. “Today is our chance to understand what it really feels like every day on a fossil-fueled planet, for the billions of people unlucky enough to really bear the brunt. My eyes are stinging a bit from the smoke, but I’ve never seen more clearly.”</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-poor-air-quality">More about poor air quality</h2>



<p>Air pollution can have detrimental effects on both human health and the environment. Here are a few points to consider regarding poor air quality:</p>



<h3 id="h-health-impacts">Health impacts</h3>



<p>Exposure to polluted air can cause or worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and allergies. It can also lead to cardiovascular problems and other serious health issues.</p>



<h3 id="h-causes-of-air-pollution">Causes of air pollution</h3>



<p>Air pollution can result from various sources, including industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, power plants, agricultural practices, and natural factors such as dust storms or wildfires. Indoor air pollution can also be a concern, arising from factors like household chemicals, mold, or inadequate ventilation.</p>



<h3 id="h-air-quality-index-aqi">Air Quality Index (AQI)</h3>



<p>The Air Quality Index is a numerical scale used to measure and communicate the level of air pollution in a specific area. It typically ranges from 0 to 500, with higher values indicating worse air quality. AQI values are categorized into different levels, such as "good," "moderate," "unhealthy," "very unhealthy," and "hazardous."</p>



<h3 id="h-protecting-yourself">Protecting yourself</h3>



<p>When air quality is poor, there are several measures you can take to reduce your exposure. These include staying indoors, closing windows and doors, using air purifiers with HEPA filters, wearing masks that filter out fine particles (like N95 masks), and avoiding physical exertion outdoors during high pollution periods.</p>



<h3 id="h-environmental-impact">Environmental impact</h3>



<p>Air pollution also has adverse effects on the environment. It contributes to climate change, damages ecosystems, harms wildlife, and can lead to the deterioration of buildings and monuments.</p>



<p>—</p>



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



<p>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>.</p>

NYC air quality hits catastrophic low as Canadian wildfires rage

As smoke from the nearly 400 wildfires currently blazing in...

<p>In the grand tapestry of life, the octopus, with its eight twisting arms and sharp intellect, stands out as one of the most fascinating creatures of the deep. But beneath its pulsating colors and inscrutable gaze lies a unique biological strategy for adapting to its ever-changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-2023-beatplasticpollution/">environment</a>.</p>



<p>Unlike many organisms, octopuses don't thermoregulate. This means their well-developed brains are exposed to and potentially threatened by fluctuations in temperature. Yet, these adaptable cephalopods have evolved an intriguing way to shield their neural networks from seasonal temperature shifts: RNA editing.</p>



<h2 id="h-the-role-of-rna-in-this-incredible-feat">The role of RNA in this incredible feat</h2>



<p>RNA, the messenger molecule bridging DNA and proteins, is subject to an exceptional degree of editing in the two-spot octopus, according to a new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2023.05.004"><em>Cell</em></a>. This rewiring of genetic information, the researchers believe, could be a widespread strategy among octopuses and squid to defend their brains from environmental hazards.</p>



<p>"We generally think that our genetic information is fixed, but the environment can influence how you encode proteins, and in cephalopods this happens on a massive scale," says senior author Joshua Rosenthal of the <a href="https://www.mbl.edu/">Marine Biological Laboratory of Woods Hole</a>, Massachusetts.</p>



<p>In comparison to DNA mutations that drive evolution over generations, RNA editing offers a nimble, temporary way for individual organisms to adjust to their surroundings. It's a process known to occur across all life forms, but RNA recoding - a subtype of editing that alters the resulting protein structure - is far more prevalent among the soft-bodied cephalopods like octopuses and squid.</p>



<p>"RNA recoding gives organisms the option to express a diverse quiver of proteins when and where they choose," Rosenthal explains. "In cephalopods, most of the recoding is for proteins that are really important for nervous system function, so the natural question is, are they using this to acclimate to changes in their physical environment?"</p>



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



<p>Keen to unravel this mystery, the research team embarked on an exploration of whether octopuses utilize RNA editing to counter temperature shifts, and if so, whether this editing affects their brain proteins.</p>



<p>California two-spot octopuses, small, yellowish-brown species with two luminous blue eyespots beneath their real eyes, were the subjects of their inquiry. Native to the coastlines of California and Mexico, these octopuses, with their already sequenced genomes, presented a unique opportunity for the researchers to study RNA editing in relation to temperature variation.</p>



<p>The scientists acclimated wild-caught adult octopuses to either warm (22ºC) or cold (13ºC) waters in tanks at the Marine Biological Laboratory. After several weeks, they scrutinized the RNA transcripts from both sets of octopuses, searching for signs of RNA editing among more than 60,000 previously identified editing sites.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-research-team-discovered">What the research team discovered</h2>



<p>"Temperature-sensitive editing occurred at about one third of our sites - over 20,000 individual places - so this is not something that happens here or there; this is a global phenomenon," says co-senior author Eli Eisenberg of <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il/">Tel-Aviv University</a>, who managed the computational aspects of the study. "But that being said, it does not happen equally: proteins that are edited tend to be neural proteins, and almost all sites that are temperature sensitive are more highly edited in the cold."</p>



<p>Delving further into their findings, the team noted that certain types of neural proteins, particularly those linked with cell membranes and calcium-binding proteins, were more likely to be sensitive to temperature.</p>



<p>The researchers then turned their attention to the speed at which these changes occur. By adjusting the temperature in tanks housing juvenile octopuses - from 14°C to 24°C and vice versa at hourly 0.5°C increments - they measured the extent of RNA editing at several time points. They found the process happens astonishingly quickly.</p>



<p>"We had no real idea how quickly this can occur: whether it takes weeks or hours," says first author Matthew Birk, who led the project as a postdoctoral fellow at the Marine Biological Laboratory and is now an assistant professor at Saint Francis University. "We could see significant changes in less than a day, and within 4 days, they were at the new steady-state levels that you find them in after a month."</p>



<h2 id="h-going-a-step-further-yielded-even-more-surprises">Going a step further yielded even more surprises</h2>



<p>Taking the study a step further, the team collaborated with Kristen Verhey at the University of Michigan and Roger Sutton at Texas Tech to understand how RNA recoding impacts protein structure function.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They zeroed in on kinesin and synaptotagmin, two proteins vital for nervous system function, and compared the edited and unedited versions. In both instances, they observed that recoding introduced structural changes in the proteins, altering their function.</p>



<p>The researchers also confirmed that temperature-sensitive RNA editing happens in the wild in response to seasonal temperature fluctuations. Wild octopuses, captured in winter versus summer, displayed similar patterns of temperature-sensitive RNA editing as those noted in the laboratory setting.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This pattern extended beyond the California two-spot octopuses to the closely related Verrill’s two-spot octopus, bolstering the researchers' suspicions that temperature-sensitive RNA editing might be common among other octopuses and squid.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, mysteries still abound. It remains unclear how octopuses regulate RNA editing and why editing is more prevalent in response to cold temperatures.</p>



<p>In future research, the scientists aim to uncover whether octopuses and other cephalopods utilize RNA recoding to adapt to other environmental variables, such as low oxygen availability or varied social environments. It seems that the octopus, with its flexible RNA and remarkable ability to adapt, still has plenty of secrets to share.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-octopuses">More about Octopuses</h2>



<p>Octopuses are a type of mollusk belonging to the class Cephalopoda, which also includes squid, cuttlefish, and nautiluses. Here's a rundown of some key facts and characteristics about these fascinating creatures:</p>



<h3 id="h-physical-features">Physical Features</h3>



<p>Octopuses are renowned for their bulbous heads, large eyes, and eight arms adorned with suction cups. These arms are incredibly dexterous and strong. They use them to explore their environment, manipulate objects, capture prey, and for defense. Despite their solid appearance, octopuses are boneless and can squeeze through incredibly small spaces.</p>



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



<p>Octopuses are among the most intelligent invertebrates. They demonstrate complex behaviors, such as using tools, solving puzzles, and escaping from enclosures. Some species have been observed to use rocks and shells to construct "forts" or defensive perimeters around their lairs.</p>



<h3 id="h-camouflage-and-defense">Camouflage and Defense</h3>



<p>Octopuses are masters of disguise. They can change the color and texture of their skin to blend in with their environment in a matter of seconds, making them virtually invisible to predators. If threatened, they can also release a cloud of black ink to confuse predators and facilitate their escape.</p>



<h3 id="h-diet-and-hunting">Diet and Hunting</h3>



<p>Octopuses are primarily carnivorous, feeding on crabs, shrimps, lobsters, fish, and other small sea creatures. Some larger species, such as the giant Pacific octopus, have been known to prey on sharks and seabirds. They typically use their strong arms and suction cups to capture prey, and their sharp beak to break open shells.</p>



<h3 id="h-reproduction-and-life-cycle">Reproduction and Life Cycle</h3>



<p>Octopuses have a relatively short lifespan, with most species living for only a few years. After mating, the female lays thousands to hundreds of thousands of eggs, which she obsessively guards and cares for. Once the eggs hatch, both parents usually die soon after. This is called semelparity or "big bang" reproduction.</p>



<h3 id="h-species-diversity">Species Diversity</h3>



<p>There are approximately 300 known species of octopus, ranging from the small and relatively common common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) to the giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini), which is the largest known octopus species. The latter can reach an arm span of up to 30 feet and weigh more than 600 pounds.</p>



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



<p>Octopuses are found in every ocean of the world, from the warm waters of the tropics to the cold seafloor. They inhabit a range of depths, from shallow coastal waters to abyssal depths.</p>



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



<p>While some octopus species are common and not currently at risk, others are less well-known and could be threatened by factors such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. Overfishing is also a concern for some species, as octopuses are caught for food in many parts of the world.</p>



<h3 id="h-scientific-research">Scientific Research</h3>



<p>Octopuses are of great interest to scientists due to their unique biology and behavior. Their ability to regenerate lost arms, their complex nervous system, their sophisticated camouflage abilities, and their unique methods of manipulating RNA are just a few of the areas that researchers are studying.</p>



<p>In short, octopuses are complex, intelligent, and highly adaptable creatures with a wide range of fascinating behaviors and abilities.</p>



<p>—-</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Octopuses adapt to seasonal temperatures by rewiring their brains

In the grand tapestry of life, the octopus, with its...

Waves,Wash,Over,Golden,Sand,On,Australian,Beach

<p>From the microscopic phytoplankton that produce about half of the world's oxygen to the blue whale, the largest creature that has ever existed on our planet, the oceans host a diversity of life that is truly breathtaking. These majestic ecosystems perform a balancing act that keeps our planet healthy and vibrant.</p>



<p>However, the health of our oceans is currently under serious threat due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-is-wiping-out-large-bodied-fish-in-the-amazon/">overfishing</a>, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction. Now more than ever, there's a pressing need for sustainable practices and conservation measures to protect this critical resource. Our survival, and that of countless other species, hinges on our ability to maintain the health and vitality of our oceans.</p>



<p>On this year's <a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/oceans-day">World Oceans Day</a>, held on June 8, we are reminded of the pivotal role that oceans play in our lives. Beyond providing at least half of our planet’s oxygen, the ocean is also a major source of protein, feeding over a billion people worldwide.</p>



<p>By 2030, the ocean economy is projected to employ 40 million people in industries ranging from shipping and fisheries to marine biotechnology and renewable energy. As much as the ocean gives, however, it is currently in a state of crisis, desperate for our support and intervention.</p>



<p>Ninety percent of the world's big fish populations are depleted, and half of our coral reefs, the "rainforests of the sea," have been destroyed. The stark reality is that we are extracting from the ocean much more than it can replenish, disrupting the delicate balance of marine life.</p>



<p>In light of these challenges, the United Nations has themed this year's World Oceans Day as “Planet Ocean: tides are changing.” It is a call to action, urging world leaders, indigenous communities, scientists, industry chiefs, civil societies, celebrities, and young activists to band together and focus on restoring the health of the ocean.</p>



<p>World Oceans Day serves as a timely reminder of the ocean’s fundamental role in our existence. It is more than just a body of water - it is the lungs of our planet, a major source of food and medicine, and a critical part of the biosphere. This global day of observance offers the public an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the ocean's significance and the impacts of human actions on this vast ecosystem.</p>



<p>As part of this awareness initiative, the United Nations is galvanizing a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean. The aim is to mobilize and unite the global population behind a sustainable management plan for the world's oceans.</p>



<p>This year, the United Nations has organized a hybrid celebration to commemorate World Oceans Day. An in-person event will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York and will be broadcasted live, making the observance accessible to people worldwide. The event, hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, in partnership with the non-profit organization Oceanic Global, and supported by Panerai, will focus on the theme of "Planet Ocean: tides are changing."</p>



<p>This year's World Oceans Day is more than just an observance - it's an urgent plea for change. It is time for us to create a new balance with the ocean. It's time to acknowledge that the tides are indeed changing, and it is up to us to steer the course toward a future where humans and oceans can thrive together.</p>



<p>Why is World Oceans Day important?</p>



<p>The health of the ocean is intimately linked with the health of the entire planet and its inhabitants. As such, the sustainable management and conservation of the oceans are paramount for our survival and well-being. The ocean holds immense importance for various reasons:</p>



<h3 id="h-source-of-oxygen">Source of oxygen&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Phytoplankton in the ocean produce about 50% of the world’s oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Additionally, the ocean absorbs a significant amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change.</p>



<h3 id="h-climate-regulation">Climate regulation</h3>



<p>The ocean acts as a massive heat and moisture regulator. It absorbs solar energy and redistributes it around the globe, helping to regulate climate and weather patterns. Ocean currents transfer warm water and rainfall from the equator to the poles and cold water from the poles back toward the equator.</p>



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



<p>The ocean is home to an enormous variety of life forms, ranging from the tiniest microbes to the largest mammals on Earth. This biodiversity is not just fascinating but is also crucial for ecosystem stability and food chains.</p>



<h3 id="h-food-source">Food source</h3>



<p>The ocean is a primary source of protein for billions of people worldwide. Fisheries and aquaculture are critical industries that supply a substantial portion of the global population with fish and other seafood.</p>



<h3 id="h-medicine">Medicine</h3>



<p>Many marine organisms have unique properties that are used in medications. Research into ocean-based substances has led to the development of treatments for various ailments, including cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.</p>



<h3 id="h-economic-value">Economic value</h3>



<p>Oceans are vital for the global economy. Industries such as fishing, shipping, tourism, and offshore drilling provide employment and income for millions of people around the world.</p>



<h3 id="h-cultural-and-recreational-significance">Cultural and recreational significance</h3>



<p>For many, the ocean has significant cultural value and is a source of inspiration and recreation. Many communities have cultural ties to the sea, and activities such as sailing, surfing, and scuba diving are popular pastimes.</p>



<h3 id="h-transportation">Transportation</h3>



<p>The ocean has historically been and continues to be a major route for transportation of goods between countries and continents. The majority of international trade is conducted by sea.</p>



<h3 id="h-scientific-research-and-education">Scientific research and education</h3>



<p>The ocean is a rich resource for scientific research. Understanding the ocean is fundamental to understanding Earth’s environment. It is also used as a living classroom, offering endless learning opportunities in sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental studies.</p>



<h3 id="h-natural-beauty-and-inspiration">Natural beauty and inspiration</h3>



<p>The aesthetic value of oceans is immense. The natural beauty of seas and coasts is a source of inspiration for art, literature, and music.</p>



<p>—-</p>



<p>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>.</p>

World Oceans Day 2023: The tides they are a changin'

From the microscopic phytoplankton that produce about half of the...

<p>Sea cucumbers, a marine delicacy revered across Asia, could play a surprising role in diabetes prevention, new research from the <a href="https://www.unisa.edu.au/">University of South Australia</a> suggests. This unassuming sea creature may harbor medicinal properties potent enough to reduce the risk of diabetes and its related complications.</p>



<p>The researchers delved into the beneficial properties of the species Holothuria scabra, commonly known as sea cucumbers.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The findings? Dried sea cucumber, when processed with salt extracts, can inhibit the formation of a compound, known as Advanced Glycation End product (AGE), which is closely tied to an increased risk of diabetes.</p>



<p>To date, we lack a commercially available agent that can inhibit the creation of AGEs. This is where the sea cucumber's potential comes into the picture.</p>



<h2 id="h-the-important-role-played-by-ages">The important role played by AGEs</h2>



<p>AGEs are compounds that form when proteins and/or fats meet sugars in our bloodstream. When these compounds accumulate in high amounts, they escalate the complications associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-caffeine-levels-reduce-the-risk-of-diabetes/">diabetes</a>. This includes a spectrum of conditions like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, kidney disease, and even cancer.</p>



<p>Dr. Permal Deo, the lead researcher from the University of South Australia, emphasized the importance of understanding the bioactive compounds in sea cucumbers and their ability to inhibit AGEs.</p>



<p>"An accumulation of AGEs is associated with complications of type 2 diabetes, so strategies to prevent this may reduce the risk of developing diabetic complications,” Dr. Deo explains. “Biologically active novel compounds in medicinal plants and foods are potential therapeutic agents to prevent diabetic complications.”</p>



<p>Dr. Deo and his team sought to explore the bioactive compounds in sea cucumbers as AGE inhibitors due to their known therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.</p>



<h2 id="h-very-encouraging-news-in-the-fight-against-diabetes">Very encouraging news in the fight against diabetes</h2>



<p>The findings were indeed promising. The researchers discovered that processed dried sea cucumber with salt extracts and collagen can significantly inhibit AGEs. This is achieved by lowering a variety of sugar-related metabolites in the body, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.</p>



<p>Diabetes is a pervasive health problem in Australia, where almost 1.3 million people grapple with type 2 diabetes. Globally, the scale is even more staggering with about 422 million people diagnosed with diabetes and 1.5 million deaths directly attributed to the disease annually.</p>



<p>Importantly, it's been found that almost 60 percent of all cases of type 2 diabetes can be delayed or even prevented with appropriate changes to diet and lifestyle.</p>



<p>"These results provide sound evidence that sea cucumbers could be developed as a functional food product to help battle the onset of diabetes and diabetic-complications," Dr. Deo concludes. In a world increasingly in need of novel dietary interventions against diabetes, sea cucumbers might just offer a potent, yet unassuming, ally.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-sea-cucumbers">More about sea cucumbers</h2>



<p>Sea cucumbers are fascinating marine creatures. They belong to a group of animals called echinoderms, which also includes sea stars and sea urchins. </p>



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



<p>Sea cucumbers are named for their elongated, cylindrical body shape that is similar to a cucumber. They range in size from less than an inch to several feet long. Most are soft-bodied creatures, although a few species can have a leathery skin. They can be various colors, from sandy shades that blend in with their surroundings to more striking colors.</p>



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



<p>They are found in virtually all marine environments throughout the world, from warm coastal waters to deep-sea trenches. Some species live on the sea floor, while others prefer to burrow into the sand or mud.</p>



<h3 id="h-feeding-habit">Feeding Habit</h3>



<p>Sea cucumbers are generally scavengers, feeding on debris in the benthic zone (the lowest level of a body of water). They ingest sand or sediment and extract any organic material for nourishment. This behavior also plays a role in cleaning the ocean floor.</p>



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



<p>Sea cucumbers reproduce both sexually and asexually. Most sea cucumbers reproduce by releasing eggs and sperm into the water, where fertilization takes place. Some species are capable of asexual reproduction through a process called fission, where the animal splits in half and each part regenerates the missing half.</p>



<h3 id="h-defense-mechanisms">Defense Mechanisms</h3>



<p>When threatened, some species of sea cucumbers discharge sticky threads to ensnare their enemies. Others can eject parts of their guts to entangle potential predators. Interestingly, the sea cucumber can regenerate these lost parts over time.</p>



<h3 id="h-ecological-role">Ecological Role</h3>



<p>Sea cucumbers play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem. They help recycle nutrients and break down detritus. Additionally, their feeding process helps aerate the sea floor.</p>



<h3 id="h-human-use">Human Use</h3>



<p>Sea cucumbers are harvested around the world for food, especially in Asian cultures, where they are considered a delicacy. They are also used in traditional medicine in some cultures. More recently, researchers have been investigating their potential therapeutic properties, such as the possible role they could play in preventing diseases like diabetes.</p>



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



<p>Overfishing and habitat destruction pose a threat to sea cucumber populations in many parts of the world. Regulations have been put in place in some regions to manage sea cucumber fisheries and protect these important creatures.</p>



<h3 id="h-unique-characteristics">Unique Characteristics</h3>



<p>Sea cucumbers have a unique respiratory system. They breathe through a respiratory tree that is connected to their anus. Water flows in and out of the anus to facilitate gas exchange.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Delicious discovery: Eating sea cucumbers can prevent diabetes

Sea cucumbers, a marine delicacy revered across Asia, could play...

<p>Human hair, with its varied textures, does more than just crown our heads and serve aesthetic purposes. It might just be the secret that enabled early humans to beat the heat, stay hydrated, and as a surprising consequence, foster the growth of our modern-day brain sizes. According to recent research, the key might lie in our curly locks.</p>



<p>The investigation, led by researchers at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/">Penn State University</a> and Loughborough University, delved into the role of different hair textures in regulating body temperature. The findings suggest that our ancestors' tightly curled hair served a crucial function in the torrid heat of equatorial Africa, where human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-secrets-of-the-evolution-of-prehistoric-reptiles/">evolution</a> took its course.</p>



<h2 id="h-connection-between-human-heads-and-sunlight">Connection between human heads and sunlight</h2>



<p>Professor Nina Jablonski elaborated on the connection between our scalps and the intense sunlight of our ancestral home. "Humans evolved in equatorial Africa, where the sun is overhead for much of the day, year in and year out," she explained. "We found that tightly curled hair allowed humans to stay cool and actually conserve water."</p>



<p>To understand this unique evolutionary adaptation, the research team used a thermal manikin - a human-shaped model that simulates body heat - to study how different hair textures affect heat gain from solar radiation. The manikin was programmed to maintain an average skin surface temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) and was set in a climate-controlled wind tunnel.</p>



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



<p>George Havenith, director of the Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre at Loughborough University, described how the experiments were conducted. After establishing base measurements of body heat loss, the researchers simulated solar radiation with lamps and studied how heat loss varied under four different scalp hair conditions - bald, straight-haired, moderately curled, and tightly curled.</p>



<p>By comparing heat loss with and without the lamp exposure, the researchers determined how much solar radiation the scalp absorbed. They also factored in varying wind speeds and simulated sweating to model realistic conditions. The researchers then studied how these hair textures would handle heat and humidity typical of equatorial Africa.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-research-team-discovered">What the research team discovered</h2>



<p>The team discovered that all hair types reduced solar radiation to the scalp. However, tightly curled hair stood out as the champion, offering superior sun protection and minimizing the need to sweat for cooling. This research was reported on June 6 in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2301760120"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>.</p>



<p>Tina Lasisi, who conducted this research as part of her doctoral dissertation at Penn State, explains the significance of these findings: "Walking upright is the setup and brain growth is the payoff of scalp hair," she says. As early humans started walking upright, their scalps bore the brunt of the sun’s rays. The brain, a heat-sensitive organ that generates heat, especially when growing larger, needed protection from overheating.</p>



<p>Excessive heat can lead to conditions like heat stroke. Although humans have developed efficient sweat glands to cool down, sweating comes with a cost - water and electrolytes. Lasisi believes that scalp hair evolved as a way to keep humans cool without the body having to expend additional resources.</p>



<h2 id="h-insights-gained-into-human-evolution">Insights gained into human evolution</h2>



<p>She points out that about 2 million years ago, Homo erectus, similar to modern humans in physical build but with a smaller brain size, walked the earth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"By one million years ago, we’re basically at modern-day brain sizes, give or take. We think scalp hair provided a passive mechanism to reduce the amount of heat gained from solar radiation that our sweat glands couldn’t," says Lasisi.</p>



<p>This interesting research brings us a step closer to understanding the intricate process of human evolution and the multifaceted roles of our physical traits. The use of the thermal manikin, a tool usually used for testing protective clothing, opens new avenues for anthropological research. It helps quantify human data without putting humans in potentially risky situations, as noted by Jablonski.</p>



<h2 id="h-implications-for-life-in-the-21st-century">Implications for life in the 21<sup>st</sup> century</h2>



<p>In addition to unlocking the mysteries of human evolution, the research could have real-world implications for today. Lasisi, who is set to start as an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Michigan in the fall, compares the protective nature of hair to the role of melanin in our skin.</p>



<p>"The work that's been done on skin color and how melanin protects us from solar radiation can shape some of the decisions that a person makes in terms of the amount of sunscreen needed in certain environments," said Lasisi. "I imagine that similar decision making can occur with hair."</p>



<p>She goes on to reflect on the potential implications for different professions or activities that involve exposure to varied climates. This could include military personnel or athletes who exercise in diverse environments.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Our findings give you a moment to reflect and think: is this hairstyle going to make me overheat more easily? Is this the way that I should optimally wear my hair?" Lasisi proposed.</p>



<h2 id="h-main-takeaways-from-this-interesting-study">Main takeaways from this interesting study</h2>



<p>In conclusion, the humble curl of our hair is more than just a stylistic feature - it might be a testament to a crucial evolutionary adaptation that helped us grow, thrive, and even develop our present-day brain sizes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As science continues to uncover these intriguing connections, it becomes increasingly evident that our evolutionary past continues to influence our present and potentially shape our future.</p>



<p>This study represents an interdisciplinary effort involving experts from multiple universities. Key contributors include James Smallcombe from Loughborough University and the University of Australia, Larry Kenney, professor of physiology, kinesiology, and Marie Underhill Noll Chair in Human Performance from Penn State, along with Mark Shriver, professor of anthropology, and Benjamin Zydney, a Penn State alum and former undergraduate research assistant.</p>



<p>The National Science Foundation and the Wenner-Gren Foundation financially supported this research, emphasizing its importance in deepening our understanding of human evolution and potentially influencing our choices and decisions in daily life.</p>



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



<p>Human hair has a fascinating evolutionary history. It's unique to each person and serves a variety of crucial roles that go beyond aesthetics.</p>



<h3 id="h-physical-protection-for-your-head">Physical protection for your head</h3>



<p>One of the major evolutionary benefits of hair is protection. Hair on our heads shields the scalp from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun. As we saw from the recent research, tightly curled hair does an exceptional job at this, reducing the absorption of solar radiation and helping to keep us cool.</p>



<p>Hair also provides a physical barrier against foreign particles. Eyelashes and eyebrows protect our eyes from dust and other tiny particles, while hair within our nostrils filters out unwanted particles from the air we breathe.</p>



<h2 id="h-sensory-perception">Sensory perception</h2>



<p>Interestingly, body hair also plays a role in sensory perception. Hair follicles are surrounded by a network of nerve endings, making them sensitive to touch. This could have been beneficial in our evolutionary past, allowing us to sense the presence of insects or other potential threats on our skin.</p>



<h3 id="h-communication-and-perceived-attractiveness">Communication and perceived attractiveness</h3>



<p>Moreover, hair plays a significant role in communication and sexual selection. For example, long, lustrous hair is often considered a sign of health and fertility, potentially making it an attractive trait for potential mates. Similarly, certain hairstyles can communicate social or cultural identity.</p>



<h3 id="h-controls-perspiration">Controls perspiration</h3>



<p>Sweat also plays a part in this story. Humans, unlike most mammals, have relatively hairless bodies but are one of the sweatiest creatures on the planet. The evolution of sweating helped our ancestors stay cool while hunting and gathering during the hottest parts of the day. Hair on our heads likely evolved to help wick sweat away from the body, increasing the cooling effect.</p>



<h3 id="h-link-to-geographical-and-ancestral-roots">Link to geographical and ancestral roots&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Furthermore, hair color and texture can be linked to our geographic and ancestral roots. For example, tightly coiled hair, which is common among people of African descent, is believed to have evolved in response to the intense sun and heat of the equatorial region. In contrast, straight hair, often associated with people of East Asian descent, might have evolved to provide warmth and protection from the cold in northern climates.</p>



<p>All in all, human hair is a complex trait that has been shaped by a myriad of evolutionary pressures. It serves multiple functions, from thermoregulation and protection to communication and even attraction. These diverse roles underscore the fact that human hair is much more than a mere accessory; it's a testament to our evolutionary journey and survival story.</p>



<p>—-</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Curly hair kept early humans cool before air conditioning

Human hair, with its varied textures, does more than just...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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<p></p>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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